Advice wanted/needed for big hike. Not prepper related

[Scythe13]

Good on you mate!!! Get in there.

First and foremost, you need to train in the things you're going to take with you on the hike.

Secondly, you need to get training. A daily walk, or intense run (no joke, they build stunning stamina and endurance...it's how the Kenyan marathon runners train) is a great place to start.

Thirdly, pack all that you'll need, then halve it! Seriously. Just some water, waterproofs, a bit of food, torches/batteries, a mobile phone, headphones and MP3 player, and you're golden! No joke, anything more will be a waste of effort if you're not ready for carrying the extra weight. Considering you're going to be doing this in summer, you'll not want to have much clothing on unless you're in the waterproofs.

Forthly, get some fricking awesome hiking socks. You can get non-blistering types. They're legendary! Well worth it. Don't forget that spare pair for the bag. It is a light weight comfortable bag right? Don't want to be carrying around loads of weight on that length journey.

Fifthly, get out and practice walking late or in zero light. You'll find yourself craning your neck with the head-torch (trust me, you want a head torch! Lighter, easier to use, and you can have both hands free too).

Sixthly, it might be worth getting some light weight hiking poles and getting used to them. I hate them with a vengeance, but everyone else I know loves them.

Seventh, have fun!!! That should be number 1, but if I said that to start, you'd think I was a hippie. Enjoy the training, enjoy the learning, enjoy the process.


Just seen you said about the trainers. Since you're running a strict time limit, don't bother changing shoes and all that. I'd prefer to hit it out and get in with a few hours to spare.

Zinc Oxide tape is easy to get hold of. Boots has it, Superdrug has it. It's probably available in most supermarkets too. A small compeed kit will treat you like a god during your training. Nothing better for blisters in my experience (my last trip was a disaster where I was wearing in new boots with the wrong socks. Haha, we all make easy mistakes. I just make them too often.)

You'll be fine mate.