Posts By Josh West

Aside from confronting a previously untapped level of back pain, the most challenging aspect of my first multi-day solo hike involved battling the hidden depths of social isolation. Initially, walking …
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Heysen Trail budget fluctuations.

Your individual packing list preferences will determine how much you spend on a trip of this magnitude. The price of camping equipment, clothing and technology can range considerably. …
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The date was October 10, and I had just completed my 58th day of hiking South Australia’s long-distance Heysen Trail. With my tent frantically flapping around me from Cobbler Hill’s …
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Since completing the Heysen Trail, I have been honoured to field various questions about my solo adventure. Some queries are more prevalent than others, so I’ve collated the most frequently …
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Over the previous evening, my fellow pilgrims had discussed the merits of preparing thoroughly and easing into the first morning of a trail; it’s a marathon, not a race. We …
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Life as a solo long-distance hiker can be isolating. Lengthy stretches of time walking in solitude can detach you from the outside world. However, after just 36 hours on the …
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Beginning a long-distance trail as a solo hiker can be daunting—you never know what, or who, you will bump into. However, Camino Francés is built a little differently. With a …
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Long-distance hikers like envisioning their upcoming trails. The mere thought of mountains, forests, farmland or seaside scenery is enough to inflame the senses; the Camino Francés has more uplifting material …
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By the time I began walking the Camino Francés, I had travelled for 7 gloriously adventurous months; I’d snowboarded Åre’s mountains in Sweden, crossed the US on a continental train …
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Many pilgrims begin their Camino in search of enlightenment, and it’s easy to see why—the ancient road to Santiago is entwined with sacred history, celebrated artifacts and uplifting natural beauty. …
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