Preparing for your walk
Preparation is key when planning a multi-day hike. The longer the distance & days the more preparation you need. Here are some tips to help you plan your training.
What else can I do to prepare?
- Go hiking in the bush as often as you can
- Add extended walks 12 – 18km to your training program
- Ensure you have the right shoes, not too old and not too new with good grip. The most common issue we see is soles coming off old hiking boots the glue disintegrates overtime.
- If your shoes are new wear them in before you come
- Try hiking poles they help to take weight off your knees
- Build your leg strength and aerobic fitness
- You might like to consider a personal trainer if you want a more structured and supported preparation plan
What level of fitness do I need?
- You need to be able to walk an avg. 14km a day for multiple days
- You need good aerobic fitness as we are hiking in the mountains
- Comfortable with wearing a back pack with avg. weight of 6kg
- Strong & stable on your feet to navigate rock scrambles & uneven ground
What do I need to bring?
- Water resistant duffel style bag or similar with a weight limit of 12kg
- Water bladder or bottles with 2.5L minimum especially for the warmer months
- Hiking poles and gaiters if you like to use them
- Day back pack 22 litres or more with a waist strap
Packing tips
- Quality rain jacket and optional rain pants
- Warm jacket e.g. light weight down jacket
- Fleece jumper or similar x 2
- In winter a beanie, gloves, scarf and thermals are required
- Breathable walking shirts plus shirts for evening
- Light weight hiking pants plus pants for evening
- Hiking socks – foot care is important
- Hiking boots/shoes with good grip that have been worn in but are not too old
- Change of shoes for evening (runners or comfortable shoes)
- Plastic or ‘stuff bag’ for putting shoes or wet items into
- Hanging toiletry bag is useful
- General medicine as approved by your Doctor – Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Voltaren
- Prescribed medicines
- Toiletries – toothpaste and brush, hair brush, deodorant, nail clippers, tweezers, band-aids, lip balm, dental floss, hand sanitiser, razor
- Phone and camera charger
