I am packed and ready to start on Sunday.

Here are some photos and a list of the gear I am taking with me.

I have used other ‘Thru Hiker’ blogs and gear list video’s for my own research and preparation which have been very helpful so I want to share my own too. It is also a common question I have been getting from people who are interested and following me so here it is.

I was lucky to be sponsored by Kathmandu through their Adventure Sponsorship programme which gave me between 50-60% off everything so I purchased most of my equipment from them. I spent many hours in the store to make sure I got exactly what I needed and the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable.

All my gear is as lightweight as possible but without blowing the budget. You can spend a fortune on ultra lightweight gear if you want to save a few extra kilograms on your back.

I am happy with my base weight of around 10kgs plus an extra 6kgs for food and water. I will soon figure out if there is anything I don’t need and will get rid of it along the way.

Sleeping

• One person tent – I could have got a 2 person tent that weighed the same but cost 6 times more.
• Sleeping bag (with silk liner to keep the bag clean. Easier to wash the liner.)
• Sleeping mat. 30mm thick, semi inflatable. Might swap out for lighter foam roll out mat.
• Inflatable pillow
• Ear plugs (Huts, camping with possums/rats and backpacker accommodation)

Cooking

• Jetboil cooking system. Boils 500mls in 90 seconds. This is all I need to re-hydrate food and making hot drinks.
• Fuel canisters.
• Bowl, mug and titanium cutlery

Water

• 3-5 litres of water depending on where I am and how far between water supplies. Water is heavy so I need to be smart about how much I am carrying without risking dehydration.
• Sawyer Water Filter. Small, lightweight, squeeze through water filter and removes 99.9% of bacteria. Lifetime warranty and can filter 30,000 litres. Amazing piece of equipment.
• Water purification tablets just in case.
• Electrolyte sachets for the more challenging days which I will add to my water bottle.

Food

• Back Country Cuisine (de-hydrated meals) for dinners.
• Lunches will be things like tortilla wraps or whole grain crackers with tuna (sachets), peanut butter, cheese, 2 minute noodles, dried fruits, re-hydrated mash potato, peas, soups sachets. You can make some very tasty and energy dense meals out of these ingredients.
• Breakfasts will be simple instant oats hydrated with boiling water.
• Snacks will be trail mix, OSM (one square meal bars), soups, miso.
• Nutrition – I will be taking Juice Plus capsules which are basically a large variety of fruit and vegetables dried and powdered for a good serving of micro nutrients every day. This will be essential to maintain good health along the way and speedy recoveries.

Clothing

• Boots (Will go through a few pairs of these and have worn in a few already to send down when I need them). Decided not to use trail shoes as boots are so much more comfortable. The cons are they are a bit hotter and don’t dry out as quick when they get wet.
• Sandals for river crossings, streams, after hours and getting around campsites etc.
• Short gaiters. These will be handy on beaches to help keep sand out of boots and through dense and muddy bush to keep mud and stones out.
• Shirts x2 (long sleeve that button up to short sleeve) quick dry and anti odour technology.
• Shorts x2 (One pair are zip off pants) quick dry and anti odour.
• Underwear x2. Quick dry and anti odour.
• Socks x2 merino hiking socks. I will be replacing them a few times along the way.
• Top and bottom thermals.
• Lightweight rain jacket
• Lightweight fleece jumper
• Beanie
• Neck gaiter (Sun protection for beaches or very exposed, windy conditions).
• Hat

Toiletries

• Microfiber towel
• Norwex microfiber body cleaning cloth (no soap needed)
• Tooth brush and toothpaste (small tube)
• Toilet paper (half roll to save space)
• Razor
• Small pack of antibacterial wet wipes.

Electronics

• Cellphone – this will be my GPS, communications, trail notes, trail maps, camera, audio book and music.
• Personal Locator Beacon – essential safety equipment.
• Goal Zero Battery bank that holds 2 phone charges.
• Goal Zero Portable solar panel which attaches to back of pack for charging while hiking (it may be the first thing to be removed).
• Goal Zero small torch/lamp. It is also a battery bank with one phone charge.

Bits and pieces

• 75ltr pack
• Pack rain cover (doubles as high viz for road section)
• First aid kit (with maxigesic and voltarin gel)
• Lighter
• Blister care (Hikers wool, Gurney Goo and strapping tape).
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Walking poles
• Toilet trowel
• Book

 

“It wasn’t raining when Noah built The Ark” – Howard Huff.