Fitness Requirements

[TonyF]

I am doing the trek in July and plan to carry my own pack. I need some feedback from people that have carried their pack and their level of fitness prior to the trek.
Info on the weight carried and any "must haves" for the trip.

[lynchy]

I carried my own pack and got caught out a bit as i hadn't done enough training with it on. Make sure you do some hill climbing with about 10 kgs in your pack – that's around about what mine weighed and it would be hard to make it any lighter.
The main problem i found though was not the weight – you get used to that – it was trying to retain my fluids, as you sweat heaps more carrying your own pack. You MUST drink heaps of water at night and before you set off in the morning or you will get dehydrated – you can't replace what you lose in sweat as you go.

[Bushranger]

Would it be good to wear my webbing? That way I could bring a coupla water canteens, a litre each,as well as other things in other pouches.

[phantom]

Hi,
I am new to the forum but have hiked for a very long time in lots of remote places.In response to you wearing webbing, I assume you mean army style webbing. I wouldn't and I don't mean any disrespect to any service people but that style of carrying water etc really gets to you after a couple of days and is very uncomfortable. There are alot better products available now if you want to carry extra water but remember that water is heavy, the more weight you carry the more you sweat, its a vicous circle but you can help yourself out by carefully watching the weight you carry.

Great forum, hope it helped.
Phantom

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