Thinking of doing something silly.

[Legion]

So my plan is... Now wait for it... I'm going to walk across Tasmania. From the top to the bottom.

Yeah.... that probably doesn't mean too much to most of you guys, but basically it means walking the length of our smallest, but hilliest state. And Australian states aren't all that small.

Gonna do it in the summer, so freezing to death should not be an issue (which it could be right now), but Tassie is pretty wet, even in summer. So far I have done no real research into how feasible this could actually be, other than asking a Tasmanian what he thought of the idea. He shrugged and said "could be done, I suppose. How soft are you?" Pure Tasmanian. But still, the more I think on it, the more keen I am getting to give it a try. If you google pictures of Tasmania you will see why.


So I figure this will take me at least a couple of weeks to do. If you were going to walk, carrying everything you need, for two weeks. Mainly along roads, but possibly in the bush (but nearish to roads). What would you take? I'll try to stay in camp grounds when I can, but some nights it will be where I am when night falls (which should be very late that far south in summer).

I've done my share of camping and hiking, but never this far, or for so long. I own a bunch of camping stuff, but a lot of it is old army surplus from various parts of the world, and none of it is particularly light or high tech by today's standards.

If you were to go mad like this, what would you take? Make me a list, maybe some links to cool things I may need, brands etc. Bare in mind, I am on a bit of a budget, so cost of equipment is a definite factor, but I will pay the money if it might save my butt.

Any advice or hints would be welcome.

 

[Redzone]

Good on ya mate ! No advice but I'm sure plenty is coming.
Best of luck.

 

[Rockminer]

Added subscription immediately. This sounds very neat and I hope you are able to make it happen.

Couple of random initial thoughts and questions:

- have you ever done anything like this? Long distance walking
- Have you walked, by yourself, for any long distances?
- Do you have a route planned. Wiki says the island is 226 miles from northernmost point south and 306 east to west. Are you planning on tip to tip or something different?
- Are you dead set on doing it by yourself? Meaning either someone else going with you or following you?

If you have someone follow you as a support team, you could carry the things and supplies you'll need without having to carry them on your back. More than likely you already have the things you need if you go that route.

 

[oldbluelight]

You might find some hints and inspiration if you research through-hiking the Appalachian Trail. It is a loooooooong walk, 2,000+ miles. The folks who've done it and the folks who cater to them for gear will have a lot of hints and tips.

 

[Toothpick]

first things that come to mind:

weapon...a knife as it has many many uses.
camera (for pics to post here)
hatchet
tent (in summer you might just want something like a net to put over you to keep the bugs off while you sleep rather than lugging around a heavier tent, a tent if there are wild animals that could eat you while you sleep)
rope
lighter (something to start fires with)
water container, something that's easy to refill from a stream/river or other water source.
small mirror
cell phone....not sure how cell service would be, but only for emergencies. powered off the whole time, unless of course there is an emergency, and pray there is cell service.


Rule of Three (in extreme conditions)
3 minutes without air
3 hours without shelter
3 days without water
3 weeks without food

Since you are planning this in advance just think of the "Core 4" - Water, Shelter, Fire, Food and keep those in mind when selecting your gear.

 

[Mike H]

Sounds exciting. Don't forget you will need a backpacking permit for the National park.

http://www.john.chapman.name/tas-wc.html

 

[otto76]

This sounds awesome!
+1 for the idea of checking an Appalachian hiker forum, probably lots of good ideas.

I haven't taken a trip like this yet but the first things to come to mind are:

1. Good small water filter. I have the Katydyn Hiker Pro...it's not the smallest but it works well and is pretty economical. The Pro has an attachment to fit to a Camelback style bladder (which I would also recommend as a water vessel).

2. Small stove...I have two. The MSR Pocket Rocket and a Vargo Titanium "Penny stove". I use the MSR a lot more.

3. Dehydrator & Mylar bags you can seal yourself. This way you can make your own grub to pack with you instead of buying the overpriced, oversalted stuff sold at the outlets.
Dehydrated food is great because of the weight, space it takes and effortless cleaning as it doesn't really stick to your pot.

4. Striker, fire kit. You've probably already got a kit & method, I carry some jute twine and chunks of "striker stick" in a candy tin. I'm not sure what it's really called, it's basically compressed wood & wax they sell in bigger pieces for use as a fire starter.

5. A nice light sleeping option is a hammock, I bought an ENO plus a bug nest and a light tarp to tie above it if necessary. All three of these items take less space and weight than my small backpacking tent.

Links:
Filter:
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sh...r-Pro-Microfilter_10191324_10208_10000001_-1_

Stoves:
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_MSR-PocketRocket-Stove_10238430_10208_10000001_-1_
http://www.vargooutdoors.com/titanium-triad-xe-alcohol-fuel-tab-stove.html#.Ug0H3D8Un8c

Good source for mylar bags:
http://myworld.ebay.com/mkrose77/

Hammock, etc:
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sh...oubleNest-Hammock_10051742_10208_10000001_-1_
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sh...-Guardian-Bug-Net_10051759_10208_10000001_-1_
http://www.equinoxltd.com/the-gear/tarps-and-bivis-and-ground-cloths/egret_nylon_tarp.cfm

 

[Legion]

All good ideas so far guys. I've never hiked this far, or even close to it. I'd like to put it in perspective though. I will be going from Davenport to Hobart, and following roads most of the way. So, while there may be some days where I don't see people, I will probably pass through a number of small towns on the way for supplies. And if I end up getting snake bitten of break an ankle or something I should be able to find help. So while I expect it to be physically demanding, I don't expect it to be a very dangerous trip. I'm not going to walk straight from the top to the bottom. I don't even thing that would be possible in Tasmania, and certainly not by me.


National park camping permits are a good idea, and I had not thought of that. I'll need those, most of the island is national park.

Cell phones will be patchy, at best. But this is a drive that many people do in the summer, as it is very scenic. I'm thinking there should be a number of cafes, service stations, and such where I can call from should I need to.

I won't be too proud to stick out my thumb, or buy a bus ticket if the going gets too tough. This is sort of a personal challenge, but more because I want to see as much of the place as I can "from the ground", if you know what I mean.

 

[Peter007666]

I wish you well, it's probably not a bad idea to go on your own. I recall the story of a group of four convicts that escaped on the east coast and eventually one, rather well nourished, convict arrived at Macquarie Harbour on the west coast!!


Don't forget to keep an eye out for Drop Bears!

 

[Legion]

I wish you well, it's probably not a bad idea to go on your own. I recall the story of a group of four convicts that escaped on the east coast and eventually one, rather well nourished, convict arrived at Macquarie Harbour on the west coast!!


Don't forget to keep an eye out for Drop Bears!

They made a movie about it. It's called Van Diemons Land (2009)

 

[Craig9802]

If you're going to need fire, I found a great recipe for "fire cubes" a while back - save your laundry lint from the clothes dryer for a few months, along with a cardboard egg carton. Mix some bark shavings / paper in with the lint in each egg compartment. Melt a couple of fat, cheap candles in an old soup pot, and pour into each egg compartment. After they've cooled and dried, cut them apart. Now you have a dozen cheap firestarters that are relatively waterproof and will burn quite hot for 5 minutes or more.

Good luck with your trip. One of these days I want to bike / hike the Colorado Trail. Unfortunately, by the time I'm an empty-nester I'll probably have to do it in an off-road wheelchair.

 

[njpaddy]

Even attempting it would make for a lifetime of great stories.

A certain WPA song is now running thru my head.

 

[otto76]

They made a movie about it. It's called Van Diemons Land (2009)

I think that's a U2 song title, maybe on Rattle & Hum? Have to go look at the lyrics now.

 

[Legion]

Van Diemons Land was the origional name of tassie.

 

[noahpictures]

A survival book. SAS by Wiseman is a good one.

 

[Mark1966]

Why does part of me want to ask if you want some company?

Sounds like a great adventure!

 

[Legion]

A survival book. SAS by Wiseman is a good one.

I actually have that book somewhere. I also own an old 1950's book put out for the USMC, for their aviators. That is a pretty good one. A lot of it is not too relevant (unless I need to build a shelter out of a para shoot, etc.), but it covers the basics quite well.

I've lived and worked in the bush before. I've hunted, built camp fires every day to cook on, and all that outdoorsy stuff. But I am probably pretty out of touch with all the new cool gadgets and products that are available these days. I've been hitting the camping stores in my lunch breaks. Everything is titanium now! How cool is that? I just bought myself a titanium spoon and fork, almost as a goof.

I was thinking as I bought it, "that's it, I'm committed now. I own a titanium racing spoon."

 

[KW Driver]

I'll second reading about the AT hikes, and less well known, Pacific Crest Trail hikes in the US. If some can figure out what to carry and how to get 2100-ish miles down the trail, it has to help. The biggest thing I've taken away is being really, properly prep'd physically before you start, and having realistic daily mileage goals. Have a strong core, feet that can/have walked (blisters done and calluses formed), and shed of most of the excess weight we all tend to carry goes a long way to less pain on those walks, I've read. And good planning of resupply drops at various post offices helps.

I've done some of the AT in Georgia, and it's always been a bit of a bucket list item to walk the AT, but I don't have the ankles for it anymore. I envy you. Good luck!

 

[Legion]

Has anyone used anything like this? It looks like a great idea if it works as advertised. Much better than the old tablets that made everything taste disgusting.


http://www.steripen.com/ultra/


BTW, Thanks for the recommendation about the Appalachian trail sites. They have a world of info.

 

[otto76]

Has anyone used anything like this? It looks like a great idea if it works as advertised. Much better than the old tablets that made everything taste disgusting.


http://www.steripen.com/ultra/

I've always been curious about the steripen, mainly due to size and cool factor.
I ended up going with a filter because they supposedly filter about the same amount of koodies the steripen kills and you end up with clean filtered water instead of clean water with particles floating around in it.
Of course, you could always filter the sterilized water through a bandana or something and not have the worry of clogging up your expensive filter, turning that negative into a positive for it.

Really cool idea, still kind of want one. I have read lots of testimonials and such of people using them in rough, third world type conditions and staying healthy.