Posts By Josh West

So, how much should a pack weigh?

The general rule for ‘long-distance hiking rule’ is that a loaded backpack should not weigh more than 20% of your overall body weight. To give you …
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Imagine you’d just hiked 800 kilometres through South Australia’s remote wilderness. At times you’d starved, run out of water, had your face lashed by torrential rain and your arms scorched …
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On paper, Day 44 was super simple; an easy 11.34 kilometres on a postcard-perfect day lay between me and Rossiters Hut. However, the straightforward path included one mental hurdle that I had …
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Life can often feel like you’re treading water; like you’re not making any noticeable gains toward your goals. However, regular milestones and continued reminders of your progress reaffirm your actions. …
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After leaving the flat Barossa Valley on Day 44, I knew I was in for some bumps. The undulating Adelaide Hills would begin on Day 46 and promptly introduce endless …
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After trekking 853 kilometres over seven and a half weeks, it was no surprise that my body had started to deteriorate. While I’d had a glimpse of my fatigue following an …
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There are several exceptionally hilly days on the Heysen Trail; the climb up Mount Arden on Day 9, the hike over the 929-metre Mount Bryan on Day 29 and my …
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My journey to date had been filled with smiling faces, helping hands and unimaginable displays of kindness. While South Australia’s astonishing scenery often receives my daily praise, the support I’d …
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Since leaving the rustic Flinders Ranges, I had seen more green paddocks than you could shake a forest’s worth of sticks at. After several heavy rainfalls over the past few …
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There are ‘meh’ moments on any long-distance trail. While most days are beyond captivating, it’s inevitable on a journey of this length that repetitious terrain and dismal weather become discouraging. …
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