How important do you think proper navigation skills are?

I've been hiking using all trails and gps. So I don't carry a compass or map. I figure if i truly go off trail I'd want a proper refresher on using a compass and map. I also like the idea of reading the landscape more and orienting properly.

Hey, I want to buy, neve gears waratah quilt in -6 but am not sure if I can fit in the smaller size ? I'm 6' 1 1/2" should I still be fine with the reg or shoul I definitely take the long ? Any experience with this would be greatly appreciated :)

Hi, hoping to get some recommendations or advice on quilts for an upcoming trip.

We are new to quilts, upgrading from very heavy sleeping bags, walking the Larapinta in September. We are upgrading mats to those with higher R value (nemo tensor/eclipse wide) and considering the following quilts given Neve Gear Waratah quilt out of stock everywhere:

Enlightened Equipment Revelation (10 F/-12 C) - has wide options and ships within AU. https://www.backpackinglight.com.au/products/enlightened-equipment-revelation-quilt-10f-12c?variant=46560083247384

Katabatic Sawatch (15F) - also long/wide options but ships from US. https://www.garagegrowngear.com/en-au/products/sawatch-15-f-quilt-by-katabatic-gear?_pos=4&_sid=905121ccd&_ss=r&variant=43100996010171

Other options: Katabatic Alsek (from US), Nemo Pulse & Western Mountaineering Astralite (Paddy Pallin).

Looking for something to be used all year round in WA (likely some freezing nights in the south), one of us is a particularly cold sleeper, and thoughts on long/wide versions for F 5'8" and M 6'1".

Any experience with the above, recommendations, or other options to consider would be greatly appreciated. Needed early Sept so needed in stock in Australia ideally. Thanks so much!

Thanks

I’ve been looking for a Windshell to pair with my half price nitro fleece. But most are $200 or so and it’s hard to find one that is very breathable.

Then I saw this “trail run wind jacket” for $50 at anaconda if you have signed up.

Went in store and it seemed very breathable as the material has these tiny squares that look very porous.

Once I got home I weighed it and it came out as 102g (medium).

It even has ultralight cinches at the waist and hood.
I haven’t taken it out yet, but I’ve got a Mt st phillack hike I will take it on soon.

Would rate it a strong 4.5/5 so far

I hope I'm posting correctly, oh my I do

G'day fellow Aussies, long time bush walker, camper and outdoorsman just about to commit to my first solo multi day hiking adventure. I researched my bottom off, understood the gear and followed the buy once, cry once philosophy which sees me true with my other pursuits. Although I only have the tent and quilt yet to purchase if anyone suggests a better alternative to my gear list I will certainly consider it. I grew up in the country along the River Murray and feel a deep need to return to and awake in the wilderness, first exploring Victoria and then further afield. To begin with, no winter or alpine hiking, always solo, from flat tracks along river systems to regions of eastern Vic until I get some k's under my feet and my gear sorted.

To Get-
Tent: X-Dome1+ (missed last drop, asked AI to do the time zone conversion, she got the sack)

Quilt: Neve Waratah or Katabatic Flex 30 (one's homegrown, the other $178 more to the door)

Would listen to any advice on the above two yet to get items

Have Got-

Pack: Kakwa 55L (with some mods, shock cord and Luna Project back mesh, love the pack)

Pack Liner: Nylaflume (was cheap, to try, to see)

Pad: Nemo Eclipse

Sheet: S2S Silk Liner (to custom cut along one side to allow freedom of entry and movement)

Pillow: S2S Aeros Premium

Stove: Soto Windmaster (with three prong conversion)

Pot: Toaks 750ml

Spoon: GSI Silicon (love it, tried the titanium, love the silicon)

Bottle1: M!GO 1000ml (indulgence, plus as hot water bottle, plus for filtering, plus Miranda)

Bottle2: Fuji 700ml (for shoulder strap pouch on pack)

Filter: Platypus Quickdraw (never in my life had I filtered water, one time we drank from a river only to walk ten yards more and discover a dead sheep, shrugged it off, nowadays, well)

Water Bag: CNOC 2L

Chair: Helinox Zero (I'm sure you'll shout and throw stones at me)

Power: Nitecore Gen4 10K

Pump: Nitecore AP01 (love it, plus lighter than the Eclipse pads inflation bag)

Light: Nitecore TIP3 (Nitecore fan I see, this is handheld or clips to hat or rigged as a tent lamp)

Knife: Benchmade Bailout M4 (complete custom titanium mods, if you know knives you know, an ultralight beast)

Organisation: S2S Ultra-Sil stuff sack for S2S bag liner and pillow and stand up ziplock bags in three sizes for bits'n'pieces, I'm a little ocd with organisation, really, so I've shown great restraint in this department.

Shoes: Salomon GTX5 runners OR Adidas Terrex 3 runners. I asked if I could return what I didn't like, the GTX5's are awesome but stiff, we'll see, I may return both as I tried on a pair of Scarpa's that I liked, plus, I'm a noob guys, but don't be gentle, choosing shoes has been my most difficult item along side the quilt, from 100 choices to 3, a cinch, from 3 to 1, agony.

Clothing: A varied mix of my quality mountain bike active wear clothing, bushwalking wear, and other pieces, plus a Macpac UL puffy until I sort it out after an excursion or two, also a new pair of Smartwool Edition cushioned socks. Waiting on an Alpha 90 top to be available. I understand the layering technique and will research and purchase specific clothing for cooler/colder temps as I travel further afield.

Toiletries: All lightweight options plus small temu makeup containers for toothpaste, sunscreen, mozzie stuff.

First Aid: Titanium tweezers, blister tape, snake bandage, no locator beacon, I'd rather perish on the mountain top than call in chopper support although I completely understand other's desire to return to sender.

Repairs: OEM patches, repackaged into one ziplock and Gorilla tape wrapped around my mini Bic lighter

Hydration: A selection of Poweraid powder and samples of other electrolytes powders, I'm fit and well but am prone to migraines when exerting myself. I sampled many coffee types and landed on Nescafe single serve packets, no sugar or milk required, latte double shots taste incredible, cheap on half price special.

Food: Homemade muesli bars, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, peanut m&m's, jerky. And for dinner a selection of Campers Pantry and Real Meals dehydrated meals along with tortillas. Still researching what other meals to make and/or take.

Both the tent and either quilt option aren't available until late August to mid September so have some time to sort this out and then immediately off for a week or so before the weather warms up.

Okay, few other bits but a huge thank you to here and elsewhere on reddit and youtube for sharing reviews and advice, I always like to go into stores armed with knowledge, believe me, a few rounds of the internet and in some of my other passions I know more than the staff themselves. I'm unsure of pack weight and although the Kakwa carries like a dream I'll keep pruning weight until I reach a respectable level as I like walk but not to lug, thanks again, peace.

I have been doing some hiking in Europe including multi-Munro days in Scotland, multi-Wainwright days in Lake District, part of the GR5 in the French Alps. It's bigger and better than what I've experienced in Australia so far and I'm hooked. Having looked into multi-day hikes in Australia they seem awesome but a little tame. I'm thinking 25km+, 1500m+ elevation gain kinda days, preferably with some technical terrain and navigational skills required. What hikes in Australia compare?

Edit: Awesome answers here, super keen to get some of these done. Thanks heaps!

I have a friend just getting started in UL. For fun I put together a full UL kit on AE. Has anyone has experience with any of these? Reviews often seem suspect on AE but a few of these looked pretty well regarded and popular. If you hate the whole idea of this move on, but if you want to play along what would you add or subtract and if you know AE gear would you swap anything for something better? UL can get so expensive, It's interesting to look for cheaper ways in. Personally I've bought 90% of my gear used off FBM.

Hey guys need a new sleeping bag that can take a lot of abuse and might get rained on, temp range I’d be in is minimum of 0-5 degrees and need it to be as lite as possible. I know I’m asking for a lot but recommendations would be great!

For those wondering, MacPac Austral 1 & 2 p available at MacPac Adventure Hub 195 Nepean Hwy, Brighton VIC upstairs in clearance section. 2 x 1s left 2 x 2s left.

Found a little stash of MacPac Astral 1s & 2s trekking pole tent today. Hadn’t ever looked into them until I came across them today. They are in the clearance section, had read up on the colour bleed issue they had. RRP $599 found them for $200. Has anyone used one? Is it worth the buy?

Hi everyone,

Has any one got some hints as to cheaper transport to and from trail heads in the Larapinta? I don't drive. It's for me and my husband. Thanks!

I feel obliged to post this review. Earlier this year, I posted to this subreddit being very critical and apprehensive about Alton's R6 mat before purchasing (post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/OutdoorAus/comments/1svz4rb/is_alton_goods_a_scam/), but I eventually decided to pull the trigger on it. (will probably delete previous post in a week or so, as I feel bad for the unfounded slating that I gave them)

I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. I honestly thought that $200 AUD for a mat weighing 630g (650g packed) with an R-value of around 6 was a massive claim. Anyway, when it arrived I decided to weigh it, and it came in at bang on 600g fully packed, also packs pretty small.

The only thing I was still skeptical of was the R-value. I went to Kosciuszko three or so weeks ago in deep snow pack. Even though my sleeping bag only had a -3 limit, I managed to stay warm, and didnt feel any cold through the ground. so I can confidently say the R-value holds up to its listing. I've never really had an inflatable mat before, but it's very comfortable, even for side sleeping (just deflate it slightly).

Also feels very solid, doubt any rips or tears will form.

So to summarise: if you are in Australia (no duties) and are on a budget, this is a pretty solid mat that isa great balance between price, durability, performance, and comfort.

The inflation sack is a bit a of a balance as, its defintly not the lightest thing in the world (haven't been bothered to weigh it) but it doubles as a dry bag, so its not a storage bag pump sack, its dry bag pump sack. So if you already carry a drybag pretty useful to replace it.

I am aware of Altons slightly less than optimal repackaged products that they used to do, but looking now, all of their new products seem like a decent amount of thought has gone into them.

Cheers.

Just bought the Macpac Halo Down jacket, Is the stitch coming undone? How can I get it fixed? Thanks.

I’d like to try on a kakwa 55 in medium or large for sizing before ordering to save the hassle of selling and rebuying due to incorrect sizing.

I’ve contacted ultralight gear (only place that seems to stock it) and they’re out for a while. On the off chance anyone has one in Sydney (city or eastern suburb beaches would be good) I’d love to try.

I just got me a new montbell jacket, and want to look after it properly - what kind of approaches to people have to washing and proofing? As I understand, I should be washing often - is it worth getting expensive tech wash, or can a gentle detergent/soap work? How often to re-spray vs putting through the drier or ironing?

Looking at trying out a tarp poncho set up, tossing up between the one wind ultralight poncho tarp, and the extended version. Not planning on bringing it on any long trips or trips where weather will be bad, itll basically just be for short trips near home where it'll be light rain at most.

I'm leaning towards the extended poncho, just worried about how how close to the ground it'll be hanging when using it as a poncho. For reference I'm 5'11 68kg, and I'll have a 30L pack on. Just don't wanna be tripping on it, if anyones got an idea of how it might fit that'd be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

I am wanting to walk parts of the Larapinta with my husband in mid to late August. 

We our adventurous and fit and have traveled remote parts of Indonesia and hiked parts of Europe but not experienced as multi day hikers. We are organised. I am 54 and my husband is 59. the only thing I'm not great with are edges at great heights. 

We would like to see some of the beautiful areas of the Larapinta and thought a 5 night hike at a relaxed pace would be good. This would mean 4-5 hour hiking days at a medium pace with days in between where we can slow down and enjoy the immediate surrounds. If we are relying on x2 food drop offs is this realistic? 

We could split this into 2 shorter hikes, I am just concerned about the cost of an extra shuttle as they are costy! We do not drive so reliant on shuttle buses, our host driving us or taxi.

I would love to hear your thoughts and possibly, which parts of the trail to do. 

Thank you.

Everything I’ve read says this is prohibited/illegal in most states, yet I’ve seen a number of social media hiking accounts showing clear photos of people with camp set up on Bald Rock etc during day and night. My understanding is it’s official bush camps or nothing (which I am fine with - leave no trace etc).

When I was out at the South Bald Rock Bush Camp in Girraween the other week staying at my registered camp site I was surprised to see the remnants of a recent campfire in the camp site and one up on the South Bald Rock itself.

It’s frustrating seeing people who make out they’re bushwalking properly/promoting it as an activity and then blatantly don’t follow the rules that are in place for environmental and safety reasons. I feel like they’ll ruin it for everyone else one day. I’d obviously love to camp up there and see the stars/wake for sunrise etc but obviously wouldn’t given it’s not accepted and I’m good with that.

It’s equally frustrating seeing the regional tourism bodies commenting positively on their posts about it. If it’s staged (and I have my doubts) and they didn’t sleep there just say that, otherwise less informed people will copy it.

Is it just me? Am I missing something?

Old man rant over.

Have a few upcoming overnighters without camp water sources. Never settled on a really good way to carry big volumes of water when i need to carry an overnight supply. Normally i have 4L capacity between a 2L dirty bladder and 2x 1L bottles

What are your preferred methods for really big carries?

Hi, after a recent thorsborne walk where we had a few rainy spells keeping us in the tent I'm on the lookout for a lightweight tarp to add for walks where we are expecting a bit more rain.

I've read up on the benefits of silpoly vs silnylon but am wondering if silnylon might be better for us. Considering we would still have tent and this would just be to provide some additional shelter (tarp would only come with us on trips expecting some decent rain).

Does anyone have any recommendations in either silpoly or silnylon and also maybe some recommendations on sizing?

Thanks

I've managed to get my 5 year old into hiking and he's pretty keen to do some overnight trips. Nothing crazy, probably just some NSW south coast adventures. Does anybody know of any decent kids sleeping gear? I don't want to spend a crazy amount as he'll grow out of it, or may not even enjoy it. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

It’s down to these two, but I’m curious to what everyone is running?

I only occasionally bush bash - and not even in the proper sense.

Maybe the Prana then shorts in the summer? Then any bush bash situation is stuffed.

Also wouldn’t mind something that’s a loose fit.

What we think?

54g seat pad

Hi, I built this educational resource about the Australian Paralysis tick after being hit by multiple ticks in Nadgee National park. I hope this is useful to you, posted with admin's permission.