2022 South Coast Track
Pack training
One of my big focuses for 2022 has been to lose weight and get back to a high level of fitness that was my norm prior to the start of COVID in 2020. I always find it easier when I have a key hike planned and while the South Coast Track is the shortest (at 85 km) of the three longer hikes I had scheduled for 2022, it will certainly be the most physically challenging.
On any given week I walk a minimum of 50+ km with much of this being with a 5-7 kg day pack. In addition, over the past month I have been doing hill ascent walks with weighted packs plus 3-4 hour walks on undulating ground.
I have now have two dedicated packs for these training walks. My hill ascent pack contains a 10 litre water bladder that I walk uphill with and drain at the summit to reduce the impact on my knees on the way down.
The pack I use for my long walks on undulating ground contains a series of 5 kg rice bags. I find using heavy duty rice bags an easy option and even after more than four years they have held up well – for carrying of course rather than eating!
I had a pleasant surprise a couple of days ago when I did my most recent weighted hill walk at the ease with which I did it and how well I recovered post-walk. Next week we are off to the Australian Alps for the last of my longer walks prior to the trip and before tapering off the training in the week before.
One of my big focuses for 2022 has been to lose weight and get back to a high level of fitness that was my norm prior to the start of COVID in 2020. I always find it easier when I have a key hike planned and while the South Coast Track is the shortest (at […]