Transitional Hiker – An Australian Story

Nice tale Mark, how well I know the feeling of "I used to be able to…" and the loong climb back to competence let alone excellence…

Hi all. I'm a long time forum lurker, first time poster.

Just wanted to say thanks to Mark for writing such a good article from an aussie perspective.

After joining a bushwalking club I was lucky enough to befriend a fellow walker who had discovered the UL world some time ago, on many a walk as we were discussing different pieces of equipment he would invariably say "too heavy". At first I thought he was nuts and did not pay much attention to his opinions. Around the same time I found the now legendary "The Australian Bushwalking FAQ". After several (yes, several) reads of the FAQ I started to see that it was possible to enjoy walking without carrying a truck load of heavy gear. Since then I have been doing lots of research on the web at sites like this one, I've had some good long chats with my UL walking buddy including an overnighter where he turned up with a frameless Golite pack and tarp shelter (without the nest part and it was summer).

Consequently I have started to obtain UL gear and have also started down the MYOG path as well (though I need to learn to sew) including quite a collection of pepsi stoves (how easy and fun are these to make).

I'd still call myself transitional but I am getting there.

Enough of my rambling on.

Cheers,
Michael.

Thanks for the comments Michael,

Enjoy your quest for lightness.

Cheers
Mark

Thanks Mark.

Inspiring read. I hope to get my kit down to something like yours.

Mick