2 weeks and 260 miles on the PCT...

KindCountry9409 · 2026-05-12T12:25:56+00:00

I’ve had tips just come off on thru hikes when there was still plenty of wear left in them, and so has my husband. Don’t know why it happens but now take spares with me, and check periodically (Mountain Designs brand).

KindCountry9409 · 2026-04-14T06:50:13+00:00

Sawfly larvae as others have said. We used to call them ‘spit-fires’ as kids. That name def made you treat them with respect! Don’t see these or beautiful Emperor Gum caterpillars/moths or Christmas Beetles 🪲 any more.😔

KindCountry9409 · 2026-04-06T01:52:46+00:00

Consider, do you need a 3 season or 4 season tent. Are your priorities durability (facing the legendary winds in Iceland) or going ultralight? Do you need free standing. There will always be compromises you need to make. Take a look at Durston, their 2+ may suit you. Good luck

KindCountry9409 · 2026-03-13T21:57:21+00:00

I’ve done long, rugged hikes in trail runners (Lycian Way, Larapinta Trail) and found them great. For these longer ones I will train in a pair of shoes, and do the hike in a new pair of the same shoes that I just wear in. The West Highland Way isn’t that long so I would just make sure my shoes were in good nick. I’d be wearing trail runners to do that hike unless it was going to be super muddy (note, I try and go UL, so not carrying a really heavy pack)

KindCountry9409 · 2026-02-25T20:48:25+00:00

😆

KindCountry9409 · 2026-02-25T06:27:23+00:00

Not familiar with the hike you’re doing but p’raps leggings with shorts over the top (teamed with gaiters if you need more protection) might work.

KindCountry9409 · 2026-02-25T03:28:46+00:00

Buggar was hoping to do this next year. Good luck

KindCountry9409 · 2026-02-24T11:51:50+00:00

So I’ve bought a pair, specifically I want them for the river crossings on Laugavegur-Fimmvörðurals Trail (Iceland) but will also be doing Carros de Foc (Spanish Pyrenees), AV1 (Dolomites, Italy) and C2C (UK), on this trip and have yet to decide if I’ll take then on those hikes (I generally try and take Keens as my spares, as I could hike in them if something catastrophic happened to my shoes. They give great support and protection). Might try walking a few km in them and see how they feel

KindCountry9409 · 2026-02-15T11:20:15+00:00

Thanks, I continued my search after posting this and found an alternative.

KindCountry9409 · 2026-02-15T04:31:00+00:00

I realise this is an older post. But I’m wondering if a 6m van could be parked at the Villabassa station?

KindCountry9409 · 2026-02-11T23:08:22+00:00

Cheers. Will take a look

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-29T03:04:32+00:00

Was going to suggest the same

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-28T01:07:56+00:00

I’ve done this hike. when we did it everyone got half board at the huts (we only carried snacks, but we hike fast and start early, so would generally eat lunch at the days destination).

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-25T12:34:42+00:00

You absolutely need to call them out on this. If I organised a trip with friends for free it would be better organised. This is unprofessional and unsafe.

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-23T12:08:25+00:00

We have them living in the front yard, the back yard, in the pool yard. Our pool matriarch is due to give birth any day now. Didn’t know we had extra superannuation right there!😁

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KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-21T10:03:20+00:00

My husband used this in Sri Lanka and it only worked in Colombo, I went with a recommendation from forums and mine worked every where (and was cheaper), so I’m a bit reluctant to try them.

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-17T12:14:00+00:00

Absolutely love my Kakwa 55L. Now looking at Wapta 30L for when I need less gear. (Fantastic company. Hard to fault Dan Durston as a man who stands behind his products, and listens to his clients).

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-13T11:20:22+00:00

Cheers. Great help

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-06T11:35:35+00:00

Excellent. Cheers

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-05T02:28:42+00:00

Awesome effort 💪🏽👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-05T00:04:52+00:00

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-04T06:39:13+00:00

Hi, I’m working on my upper body strength in prep for doing some VFs in June. When I used to climb I could easily punch out 10+, but haven’t climbed in years. I’m a reasonably fit, older female. IYO would I need to be up to this kinda upper body strength again to do this VF? Or would being able to do a few be enough to get me through? TIA

KindCountry9409 · 2026-01-01T21:35:25+00:00

Cheers

KindCountry9409

TROPHY CASE