✅ Keeping it light: With the majority of the hike involving scrambling we wanted to keep our packs fairly light to help us stay agile. We packed less fresh food for the first days and stuck with dehydrated meals. We also minimised our clothes and shared what we could.

✅ Wet weather gear: We knew we were going to get some rain, so we wanted to make sure our warm clothes stayed dry. We had a system going between inside the tent and out, so only our wet weather gear was getting exposed to the rain. I stored my wet outer layers under the flap of our tent away from everything else, and kept them in a bag at the top of my pack to put on before rain hit on trail.

✅ Keeping warm and having the right layering system: Not getting too cold is always a major consideration, especially after rain or swims in the tarns. I packed my merino t-shirt, merino long sleeve and Air-Grid Fleece as well as a puffer and the Horizon rain jacket. Merino has great temperature regulation for both hot and cold days, and with its odor-resistance meant we could wear it for longer out there, so we can stay warm and carry less.

Elise: This is a small one but it went a long way: a pen and paper. On trail we had some rainy days where we were tent-bound. Rather than letting the boredom hit, Shae, Jess and I were able to spend our time journaling and drawing, which made us soak in the experience even more. Having something even this small enabled us to share journal entries, sketch plants and landscapes from the day and capture moments we otherwise may have forgotten. (Photos to attach of tent time drawing, the 2 photos located in the drive )

Shae: A merino t-shirt. Through the boiling heat and the freezing cold it managed to regulate my temperature as I moved throughout the day. I was also super stoked to notice that it didn’t stink from the five days we were out there. It was just an all-round super comfy and functional t-shirt to wear for days on end!

Jess: Beef Jerky! From the previous Larapinta hike, I realised I didn’t crave anything sweet on trail, rather than the standard muesli bars, lollies and trail mix. This time I reconsidered my snacks and that was a big game changer. 

Milo! We were super envious of the friends around us who got to have Milo before bed (they were kind enough to make us all a batch). 

In regards to packing though, it would have been great to bring camp shoes. I chose not to take my Trailblazer Sandals due to space and weight, but they would have been the handiest item – my shoes were wet and muddy, which meant it was hard to keep socks dry and to move around camp. 

The Western Arthurs is a Grade-5 hike, meaning experience in remote places and navigation skills are essential (Parks suggests this hike ‘not to be underestimated, and should be completed only by walkers with significant experience’). That being said, if you have experience and are looking for an incredible hike, my tip would be to take the right shoes – for rocky terrain picking the right shoes is one of the most important decisions. You’ll want something waterproof (lots of mud), flexible enough to move on technical terrain but rigid enough to give support. I chose to wear trail runners, however boots that don’t blister and give ankle support if needed are a good option. 

The Aurora we saw on the first night at Mount Cygnus! We watched and were completely mesmerised as it pulsated throughout the whole sky. It was my first ever Aurora and I was left speechless over the show it put on. 

Picking the best weather window. Tassie is known for changing and unpredictable weather, and that can make it hard to lock in plans. With hiking being busy in summer and spots being limited, a bad weather window would mean rescheduling the hike until after summer. We kept a close eye on the weather as we got closer and discussed whether we could do some big days or bunker down to avoid heavy rain on days 3 and 4 or the hike. (Luckily plans didn’t need to change too much.)

There were a few things I learnt on this trip. To begin with, I was completely captivated by the jagged rock formations and found out the rock is a billion years old – formed by glacial movement – and that the tarns we camped by and swam in were formed from the glacial melt. I was also completely awe-struck watching the Aurora. We passed park ragers the following day who shared a bit more as we fired away with curious minds. They mentioned how the solar flares hit Earth’s atmosphere and react with its molecules. I now have an even deeper appreciation for the crazy and intricate things happening beyond our sky. 

On the trail I learnt a lot about myself and was reminded why I love hiking so much – it’s the best way for me to return to myself without any masks, to meet incredible people out there and to have my cup filled with endless laughter and conversations that fill my soul. When I get wound up in the busyness, I find myself craving trail time because it always takes me back to my roots and fills my soul.