Preparing for a multi-day hike
Answering all the important questions: what to pack, what to eat and what to read?!
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Have you been on a multi-day hike before? There’s certainly a lot of reflections to be gained from the experience – from the physical and mental, down to just how well you packed.
I thought it might be helpful to pen a few observations from the Jatbula Trail (for my future self as well, as I most certainly now have the hiking bug). I did a heck-ton of research on gear before marching off into the outback, and had some advice from experienced hikers to boot. While I was fairly satisfied with what I did and didn’t bring, it can of course, always be further improved and refined.
As this is largely a cooking/eating and reading newsletter, I’ve also included some reviews of what I ate on the trail… and most importantly, what I read!
You may also wish to check out this recently published bookish post:
Gear needed for a six day hike
So, what should you pack on a multi-day hike? I’m not going to make this a completely extensive packing list… perhaps that can come a bit later. This is a collection of things I found quite helpful and am glad that I included in my pack.
Indeed, the all-important item is most probably your backpack. I did quite a bit of research before deciding which one I wanted to purchase, landing on the Osprey 65L Aura. It would have been nice to have gone with a 50L backpack, but I didn’t feel I’d be quite at that level and the 65L ended up suiting me fine.
I bought mine from Paddy Pallin in the city and of course went for the fun, purple (‘berry’) option, ‘cause I’m a fun lovin’ gal.
Some of what I brought I didn’t quite end up using (in a good way) such as the majority of my first aid kit (including a snake-bite bandage, a must when hiking in Australia) and my fleece. Not sure why I thought I’d need that in the Outback lol, but wrapping it around my inflatable pillow added some welcome extra padding for the noggin’ at night.
I was originally going to borrow a tent off a friend, but was a bit concerned about the weight and size. In a last minute pivot, I ended up purchasing a two-person Nemo Hornet Osmo tent. It weighs under a kilo and is quite spacious for one person, although you could squish in with someone you don’t mind sleeping pressed up against – a lover or an exceptionally good friend. Really easy to set up too, something to be thankful for when you’re on the go.
For water purification, I brought along a Lifestraw bottle, along with my water bladder. A lot of people like hiking just with the bladder and purification tablets, but for me, the filter brings extra peace of mind (there’s nothing like having gastro on a multi-day hike, I’m sure!).
A friend I was hiking with had brought along doTERRA’s TerraArmour blend to ward off Central Australia’s fly and mozzie population. It was very effective and now I would like some in my hiking bag, please. A fly net around the head is also a must when in central and northern Australia, IMO.
As for clothing… I love my Teva boots and an absolute game-changer for this trip were Injinji sock liners. You essentially end up wearing two pairs of socks, including one ‘liner’ which completely covers each individual toe. I didn’t get a single blister on this hike, quite marvellous.
I tramped in my zip-off Zorali pants and a long sleeve t-shirt (sun protection), or my Ottie shirt. Their merino briefs would be an excellent addition to a hiker’s wardrobe, too.
Meals for a six day hike
Right, onto the real good stuff, fitting for a ‘food-centred’ newsletter. Whatever does one eat on a multi-day hike?
Well, mostly dehydrated meals, of course. And there is quite a range out there… which can totally be hit and miss. I’ve included the meals I ate for dinner each night here, with a little review of each.
I know some people are really cool and prepared in that they dehydrate their own meals, but as I was travelling interstate and it was my first multi-day hike, I opted for the ready-made versions.
Day one: Back Country Cuisine Mexican Chicken. By far the standout of the bunch. Just spicy enough, perfectly cooked, the chicken is okay, beans are great. And, it came with corn chips!
Day two: Back Country Cuisine Pasta Vegetariano. And from most loved to least loved. I somehow didn’t cook this one properly and all the flavouring ended up at the bottom, and I was left with just pasta. Not really the meal’s fault, but still not jolly.
Day three: Campers Pantry Cauliflower and Pea Dahl. Can’t go wrong with dehydrated dahl and this was also very yummy. Campers Pantry’s packaging is a bit harder to work with than Back Country’s however, which is very straightforward to use in comparison.
Day four: Back Country Cuisine Vegetarian Stirfry. Waaaay too sweet. Not a fan at all.
Day five: Back Country Cuisine Moroccan Lamb. This was all right. A 3/5? It wasn’t quite salty enough and so, lacking a bit in flavour.
It is to my eternal regret that I didn’t pack a single dehydrated cottage pie, as they are apparently really excellent.
Brekky was porridge, with hemp seeds and coconut flakes, honey or peanut butter squeezed on and some dried fruit chucked in. Lunch was bread wraps with Safcol tuna pouches. Snacks? One Carman’s or Quest bar a day.
As a bonus, we each (my merry band of three) carried a dehydrated dessert to enjoy on three of the five nights we were on the trail.
Bonus: Back Country Apple Crumble (x2). So glad we ate this one twice. Absolutely delicious.
Bonus: Back Country Apricot Crumble. This one I didn’t love as much, but that’s probably because I don’t reeeally like apricot.
For more, here’s what I ate in Katherine and Darwin.
Books for a six day hike
I dug my ten year old Kindle out of a drawer and fired it up, to read the following books.
Worry by Alexandra Tanner
Ok, technically I read this on the plane over to Darwin (a long, cramped and dull domestic flight!). I wanted to include Worry, because I found it disturbing, slightly anxiety-inducing, but also very funny. Read if you dare, I guess?
Astronomy: Sky Country by Karlie Noon & Krystal de Napoli
I’ve been waiting for a special moment to read this particular book, which was the only hard copy one I put in my backpack (extreme restraint for a voracious bookworm, trust me). On a hike where I could actually see the night sky seemed a fitting setting. Indigenous peoples have amazing astronomical knowledge threaded through their history, culture and stories, a fact that the world is just starting to realise. Australia First Nations people in particular have a casual 65,000 years of stargazing experience and storytelling to draw from. Here are some other books by First Nations Australian authors, if you’re interested in reading more.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Onto the eReader books. Had to throw in a thriller somewhere. I enjoy Lucy Foley’s books – they usually take place somewhere remote in the UK and are pretty easy to finish in a sitting. The Midnight Feast was a lot of fun to read.
Do Walk by Libby DeLana
It seemed fitting to read a book about walking while doing a walk, although this is a very, very short book, indeed. Libby DeLana writes of the many benefits of prioritising a morning walk. I’m a big advocate of a good walk first thing in the morning myself, having relied on them heavily when I was conducting my 15k steps a day experiment earlier this year.
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
Ha okay yeah, another thriller, also very compelling. It basically tells the story of a foster-to-adoption gone wrong, through a slow unfolding. I saw a woman reading a copy of The Perfect Child at a cafe in Darwin and felt compelled to read it myself. One of the more chilling domestic thrillers I’ve picked up this year.
Two Women Walk Into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed
Each night I would pop myself into bed at around 8-830pm, text my boyfriend an account of my day (to send at once when back in reception), write in my nature journal and then read for a bit. The reading part of this became a bit difficult due to energy levels after many big days, but I found it quite effective to lean on short stories during this time. This one by the legendary Cheryl Strayed speaks of her relationship with her ailing mother-in-law, told with her trademark introspection.
Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood
And another short story by yet another master storyteller, about three older women plotting to kill a collection of literary men who harmed the career of their novelist friend.
The More Beautiful World We Know is Possible by Charles Eisenstein
I didn’t quite finish this book, but wanted to include it on the list. It’s a core resource for the nature-immersion course I’ve been taking part in this year. Basically does what it says on the box, holding hope for the world and a way of living that sparks joy in everyone. Being deep in nature and dipping into a book like this certainly felt fitting.
Coming up next week! Field notes from the trail itself. This is a really special hike, so uniquely Australian. People love it so much, they often go back for repeat visits. I can’t wait to share the finer details with you.
Until then, stay well and well-fed.
-Celine
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As a total non-hiker, I am so intrigued and impressed by all of this! I'm actually heading on a two day hike for the very first time next month (a very gentle hike, with no camping involved, it must be said) so your insight couldn't come at a better time!
I feel like the tent is the key here. I'd be too intimidated by the thought of a six day hike, but the tent seems like the big barrier. In fact, this entire list of packing essentials goes a long way towards easing my nervousness.
That, and the revelation that dehydrated apple crumble is a thing omggg