2026 Great South West Walk
Pack Training
The start of this walk is fast approaching and apart from finalising logistical considerations including starting to get all the relevant bits and pieces, including food together.
Over the past week I have started pack training and that means instead of doing my daily walks carrying a weight pack. In my case I use a dedicated pack that contains heavy duty 5kg rice bags and a blanket as a space filler. Depending on my fitness level I will usually start off with 10kg of rice (12kg total pack) and build up over the weeks leading into the walk start with 15kg (17kg). When I pack train I walk on a variety of terrains including around the suburbs and also on nearby trails which includes hill/mountain hiking. For me this is the hardest that I have pushed myself post my 2025 operation and as has previously been the case it forces me to use both legs equally. That might sound a bit strange but my limp, which was a result of a bad hip is now just habit built up over a period of 5-6 years.
On any given week I walk a minimum of 50+ km with much of this being with a my weighted pack. In addition, to using rice I will also use a 10 litre water bladder when doing serious mountain walks to push myself going uphill and on the downhill runs will jettison the water to reduce the impact my knees.
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The start of this walk is fast approaching and apart from finalising logistical considerations including starting to get all the relevant bits and pieces, including food together. Over the past week I have started pack training and that means instead of doing my daily walks carrying a weight pack. In my case I use a […]