Solo overland track, Nov 2013

[ameliab123]

Hi guys!

My name is Amelia and I'm a newbie to the forums. I'm just posting quickly to say that I'm considering a solo track on November 2013, and was wondering if there was any particular advice about walking alone, including any recommended safety precautions? I'm also wondering if there are good recommendations for gear hire that can be hired in launceston and given back in Hobart? I'm looking for a tent, backpack and stove mostly! Thanks in advance!

Amelia x

[Nuts]

Hi Amelia,

Try Ian Ferrier for gear: http://mountainbiketasmania.com.au/gear-pricelist

November can be a bit slower but there will generally be others on the track. My advice would be just to plan an extra day or two, you could spend an extra night somewhere and see who comes along (ie.. if uncomfortable with those traveling at the same time, staying at the same camps/huts as you..). The track rangers start in October so there should be one or two staff around.

All the best!

[Lizzy]

Keep an eye out in market square topics and you may be able to buy those items for not much more than hiring

[Scottyk]

Keep an eye out in market square topics and you may be able to buy those items for not much more than hiring

+1
Good advice.
I like old macpac gear and there is aways some of it about going cheap second hand. Most of it is very hard to wear out.
Who knows you might get the bushwalking bug and then you'll have good gear to last you a long time
maybe this for a pack http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Macpac-Back- ... 5e1&_uhb=1
if there is one thing about bushwalkers we like to try new equipment which means we're always looking to offload old gear cheap.

As far as walking solo, lots of people walk the overland solo and in my experience the people on the track are always friendly and you wouldn't be lonely. In my experience bushwhackers are normally a friendly bunch.
Get a copy of Chapman's guide book and read up on the track itself. https://shop.parks.tas.gov.au/ProductInfo.aspx?id=16

There is lots of good info on this forum for gear lists etc so study those to make sure you everything you need and nothing you don't need, a heavy pack can be a real downer after a few days!
Have fun

[Strider]

On the topic of stoves, a simple home-made alcohol stove might be suitable? You certainly couldn't complain about the price if only using it for a week!

http://andrewskurka.com/2011/how-to-mak ... hol-stove/

[ameliab123]

Hey guys!

Thanks for all the advice, I think I probably will need an extra day to do the track, so will change transport accordingly. The Macpac stuff looks pretty good! So I will keep an eye for that sort of thing second hand. I'd already seen the Ian Ferrier website so it's good to see it seconded here! Not sure how the home made stove really works but I might have a closer look and try to work it out, haha. Thanks for all th tips and advice anyway, big help,

Amelia

[Tortoise]

...

[Lizzy]

I made one of those cat food tin stoves for a walk in NZ. I was doing the Caples and Routeburn where the Routeburn has gas cookers so no need for a stove except one night on the Caples. Seemed a bit of a waste to take my usual gas stove. So I made a cat stove and took a small kids pop top drink (marked & tapes fuel only). Worked a treat & was very light. I even donated it to another tramper going the other way who didn't realize the Caples didn't have stoves. Prefer my little gas stove but a small metho stove is certainly cheap & easy

[ryantmalone]

Hi guys!

My name is Amelia and I'm a newbie to the forums. I'm just posting quickly to say that I'm considering a solo track on November 2013, and was wondering if there was any particular advice about walking alone, including any recommended safety precautions?

I've actually got the idea of doing the Overland Track this summer on the table at the moment, and I, like you, do most of my walks solo.

It's a personal preference, but in Tassie, I always carry a PLB. In Tassie, these can be hired from Service Tasmania. I'm not too sure how that would work hiring in Launnie and returning in Hobart though, so you may want to give them a call first.

Best advice I can give is to make sure that you have a good set of waterproofs. The wettest weather I've ever experienced was in Tassie, and without a good set of waterproofs, you're going to get completely drenched. And cold. Gaiters would also be a good idea, as would some light weight fleece, as it can get mighty cold down there, even in summer.

That said, solo walking is great. I love it, and have walked extensively on my own, both in Tassie and in Victoria. Just so long as you stay warm, dry, and use your head, you're going to have a great trip.

[tibboh]

Hire a PLB from Parks at the start of the walk and drop it off to them at the end of the walk.......$40 from my poor memory......

[Mutley]

The olt was the first multi day hike i ever did, and did it solo. I have been back twice since. Very fond memories. You will find plenty of friendship and support hiking one up. For my first trip, i hired my pack and sleeping bag and bought the rest, second hand, mostly from ebay. Probably the best advice i can give you, is keep your pack weight to under 20 kgs all up. This will make the difference between a good and bad walk. Its amazing how much heavier each kg over this feels. Pm me for my complete olt Pack list if you wish. Oh yea, + 1 on the waterproof outer layer. It WILL rain.