Friday 28 November 2014

Gear review

It is now more than a month since I finished my 600km escape Colditz Challenge. Through the marvellous generosity of my supporters I have raised over $16,000 for the Fred Hollows foundation which exceeds my initial goal and my wildest imagination of what I could raise. Thank you all on behalf of those you have allowed to see again.

The fundraising web site closes at the end of this month so if you still want to contribute or know someone who does please go to http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk

I wanted to write a little about the gear I used as I know that I got great benefit from reading the blogs of other walkers in preparing for my walk.



Backpack

This was a very important part of my kit. I used the Macpac Tasman 45 this is a lightweight pack which had just enough space for all my gear and basic supplies for the walk. I carried 11-14kg ( depending on how much food and water I had on board) in total comfort and if anything it improved my posture! Very flexible with good pocket access I was able to keep important items close to hand.

The Tasman 45 was tough despite it only weighing 1.1kg (less than one of my water bottles) It withstood some very rough treatment. The stretch side pockets were great for water bottles and could also be strapped down with bulkier items.

The Supertramp ventilated back system allows great airflow and reduces the dreaded sweetly back syndrome. The padded waist belt was comfortable and easy to adjust and transferred much of the weight easily onto the hips. This is a great lightweight pack and I highly recommend it for a long hike.

Boots

I walked in a pair of Merrell Moab Mid Gore-Tex . These boats were light and comfortable. They did get wet when walking through heavy dew covered grass and so didn't seem fully waterproof. They were also challenging to dry out once wet and I would need to stuff them with tissue overnight to get the moisture out.

Having said all that they were comfortable, supportive and had a grippy sole. They coped with all terrains that I encountered. By the end of the walk the artificial leather was disintegrating due to being wet for 18 days straight the sole was starting to detach from the upper due to using the side of my boot to dig a depression to sleep in each night. At the end of my challenge I had to throw them out after they had covered over 1000km. I did however buy a new pair directly on returning to Australia.

Sleeping bag

I took the Kathmandu Pathfinder for sleeping which was perfect for the autumn conditions n Europe. It was very compact, light and warm. I took a silk liner incase I had minus temperatures but never used it. Great shape easy to pack and an ideal temp for 10-5C nights.

Bivie Bag

I used an Dutch Military Breathable Bivie Bag. This was tough, fully waterproof and breathable. It had space for a lot of my essential gear inside to dry overnight. It had a hoop pole to keep it off my face, with a bug mesh screen to be open on dry nights. I could also close up completely if the weather got really bad. It was about 1Kg but well worth the weight, and as Ex Military good value at $100.

Mapping app

I used Forevermap by Scobbler on my iPhone. This allows you to download very detailed maps to the phone and then navigate offline. As I was on foot I wanted the most direct route and to be able to use trails and footpaths as much as possible. Forevermap delivered in a big way and put me on great little paths and trails many of which were otherwise completely unmarked. In the 600km I only mist a turn 3 times and all because I was not paying attention. It was easy on batteries as I wasn't online.

I fully recommend this to anyone heading through a new area on foot. Brilliant app.

Tarp

I took a DD Hammocks Tarp which was an invaluable part of my kit. I only had a few wet nights but the Tarp provided effect cover in all situations. Many attachment points, tough webbing, stitching and super dry. I was able to pack it up very small and dry it quickly in the sunny spells during breaks. This Tarp gave me confidence that what ever the weather did I would have a dry nights sleep. Thanks DD Hammocks.

Merino

Honourable mention goes to all the merino clothing I took. I had a hoody that kept me warm in the early and late chill of the day. It also looked good enough to eat at restaurants without looking like I was sleeping in the woods (which of course I was). I had a merino Beanie/scull cap which was very warm for something the size and weight of a handkerchief. The Merino undies were comfortable, light, easy to wash and dry, highly recommended for all occasions.

I also took a battery pack with 5X phone charge to keep me powered up and ran my internet from a 3G mobile wireless hub from O2. This set up worked well and allowed me to stay in touch and blog though out the walk.

It have been a great adventure, amazing experience and I am planning my next challenge.

Thanks again for your interest and support.


Saturday 1 November 2014

Setting a new target after passing my initial fundraising goal





Three weeks after finishing my challenge I have reached my fund raising initial target of $15,000. I set this as my goal as it represented someone's sight being restored for each of the 600km I walked. When I started walking it became apparent that this would be a very tough target to reach and I thought that perhaps half way might be more realistic. This was despite the fantastic support from so many of my friends around the world. Then something remarkable happened. The Fred Hollows foundation put out the story of my challenge and Tony Wright wrote a great story in "The Age" about Aussie Colditz POW Jack Millett and linked it to my challenge. At this time I had already reached Switzerland but then people from all over Australia, whom I have never met, started to donate, some donating as much as $1000. Soon I was on my way to to my target. As I write I have collected $15,615.50 for the Fred Hollows Foundation. I have set a new Goal of reaching $17,000.

I can't thank you enough for the support that has been shown by the donations of friends and strangers. The impact on the lives of the recipients of Fred Hollows sight restoring surgery is massive and spreads to their families and the whole community. I thank you on their behalf.

Three weeks on and I am definitely missing the simplicity of life on the run. I am still holding on to the new perspective it has given me and starting to imagine what the next challenge could be.

I have now increased the goal on my fundraising page to $17,000 as I would love it if more people want to donate and I will keep the page open for the rest of November.

I can't believe it was over a month ago now at midnight on the 27th September that I walked out of Oflag IV C Colditz Castle and set off for Switzerland. This is the video of me "escaping" at midnight that I had previously only posted on Facebook.



http://www.everydayhero.com.au/Colditzwalk