Pre-Three Capes Track Preparations

As we got nearer to our departure for Hobart and final preparations for the Three Capes Track, the more we thought and re-thought our packs, our gear, our food and our training.

We decided that we were going to make sure that we had everything on the suggested packing list and then decide how we could make things lighter for the flight down, or once we were in Hobart, make the packs lighter for the walk.

Peter decided to take one less change of clothes as his light weight gear could be rinsed out and dried overnight if necessary.

We decided to purchase our food and snacks in Hobart to ensure we did not have excess weight charges.

In the end, though, we decided to pay for another bag with Virgin Airlines at $35 each way to give us another 23kg and options as we were staying a few more days after the walk.

This will give you an idea of what we were trying to fit into each backpack (less food and snacks).

Hints and Tips
1. Get your packing list together as soon as possible.
2. Practice the best way of packing your backpack. There are plenty of resources on the internet e.g.
REI Co-op - we waited until the second day of the hike to get some expert advice that made a great difference.
3. Think about your food and the packaging - remember what you take in with you, you need to take out with you.
4. Look at the weather forecast and see if there are any opportunities to lighten the load further and leave unnecessary gear in your vehicle. With the Three Capes Track we packed as per the packing list but had beautiful weather and could have left some items out. Other walkers the week before had used all of the items on the packing list.
5. Look for opportunities to rinse, dry and re-wear light weight clothing.
6. Think layers - walking with a full pack will soon warm you up and at night adding light layers will keep you warm.

One week to go...it's getting very real now

This past week has seen a flurry of activity as we realised that this time next week we will be in Hobart, preparing for our Three Capes Track adventure.

Three of our intrepid group are already down there walking other tracks and trails.

Louise, Caroline and I remain in Brisbane until we fly direct to Hobart on Sunday 5th March 2017.

This week we ordered our breakfasts, dinners and desserts from Strive Foods. Ordering was super easy and because we are not too far away from their shop front we can pick up...no need for postage and then the weight issues taking it back down to Tasmania.

We have been looking at the packing list and making sure that we have everything covered.

Ordering online has been a godsend for us as all three of us work and with other family issues and responsibilities its been good to order and then either pick up or have things delivered.

As I was paying for the third and final visit for a root canal on my tooth, I struck up a conversation with one of the receptionists and she put me on to the Norwex Body Pack with BacLock that is supposed to be great on multi-day hikes...have ordered some and will give them a go.

Today was our last training hit out before our Three Capes Track adventure. We walked with packs that were nearly full loaded. To be fair we hadn't tightened all of the straps etc and once we have all of the supplied on board we will be better prepared.

Learnings from today:

     1. Walking with a near fully loaded pack, for a three day, three night hike is a lot different to our
     previous day walks and Kokoda Challenges, no support crew to allow you to travel lighter,
     2. Fully loaded packs change your centre of gravity, balance and gait and we have new friction
     points to contend with and treat,
     3. We will get to sleep...in huts no less!
     4. Weather conditions will most likely be close to what we have experienced in the Kokoda
     Challenge Gold Coast walks.

Hoping to be able to post some great pics from the walk....

Maybe another Team Kickarder video - Three Capes Track 2017....

Sunday 17 February 2017

The weather has been unusually hot over the past few weeks and we have kept our training to maintaining our base fitness.

Peter has been doing some night time walks with one of the other Three Capes Track participants on Mount Coot-tha in Brisbane's West.

We have been slowly but surely booking accommodation and car hire; purchasing clothes and equipment and researching food choices.

We have come across a wonderful site that has been very helpful by Caro (Carolyn) Ryan, Lotsafreshair where she has great information and links to YouTube Videos.

We have also received a recommendation to get at least some of our food supplies from a local Tasmanian company Strive Foods that are getting good reviews of their fare.

Today Louise and I loaded up our newly purchased 80ltr Beyond Outdoor backpacks and ventured on a 10km training hike on the Buhot Circuit in the Daisy Hill Regional Park.

     

Next week will see us train with a full pack to see how we go before we fly to Tasmania a week later.

It's getting closer...and more real now...

A new adventure...

Since October 2013 we (Louise, Caroline and Peter) have trained as part of Team Kickarder for the Kokoda Challenge endurance walking events. As part of the walking team or support team we have participated in 30km, 48 km and 96km Kokoda Challenge events in Queensland (Toowoomba, Brisbane, Gold Coast) and Victoria (Melbourne).

Along with a another former Team Kickarder member and his good friends and walking buddies Roger and Lorraine we decided that we wanted to walk for pleasure and enjoyment.

The Three Capes Track will provide with the opportunity to walk for pleasure, take some time to stop and reflect on the natural beauty that we have in this diverse land we call home, Australia.

So, today with 9 weeks until we fly out to Tasmania we once again donned our hiking shoes, backpacks, snacks and hydration bladders to start training in the Venman Bushland National park. A gentle 7.75 kms in 1hour 46 minutes to get us going again.

Follow our journey towards and through the Three Capes Track...