Posts By Josh West

On Day 58 I battled injury, fatigue, sleep deprivation and wintry weather.

Daily Diary – Day 58



I nervously peeled back my sleeping bag hoping that the ankle I had mangled …
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Fatigue, trauma and physical injury can all add to a stressed emotional state that makes it difficult to keep going. Although, often a problem is just that – a temporary emotion …
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Difficult situations inevitably arise in everyday life. Everybody, at one time or another, will suffer moments of injustice, heartache or tragedy. However, your attitude determines whether or not a situation …
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Over the past week, the Heysen Trail had presented a variety of energy-sapping hurdles. From leaving my homely comfort zone on Day 44, to battling Adelaide Hills’ endless range of …
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Solo hiking is a wonderfully reflective experience. Your brain deviates in a myriad of different directions before, inevitably, stumbling on the answer or discovering that you’ve wandered off the track. …
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Over the past fortnight, I’d grown used to living life outside of my head. Day 42’s community event, Day 45’s camping comrades, Day 50’s social butterflying and, most recently, Day 52’s …
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Life as a long distance hiker contains unwavering repetition; eat, walk, sleep and repeat. Life is joyously simple. However, at certain times the balance gets out of whack. Some days …
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After weeks of expansive farmlands, beaten tracks, busy roads and leafy parks, I yearned for a sea change. By Day 55, I’d spent over a month transversing pastoralised and forested …
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Wriggling out of your comfort zone can be difficult, but so worthwhile. By modifying your routine, you can ensure that your brain stays active, your goals refocus and, most importantly, …
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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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