Author Archives: Serial Nomad

Training begins

Before the New Year began I thought it wise to begin my training for the hike to start 2013 off on a good foot. Not only did I start reading ‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed who solo hiked the trail for 3 months back in 1995, I also got out and walked. My first official training hike took place with friends Josie, Katie and Amy in Booderee National Park in the ACT. We walked a 12km circuit from Steamers Beach parking, down to Whiting Beach for a quick swim before walking back around to Steamers Beach and back to the parking. I found a great walking stick which after growing quite attached to we used as fire wood much to my dismay. Can’t imagine taking a large wooden stick from the Australian bush over to the US anyway I suppose.

My second walk took place yesterday on the Great Southern Rail Trail with my mum down in Foster, VIC in the high 30 degree heat. We were averaging 1km every 10.5 minutes but we were walking on a pretty flat trail without a pack. Sadly I was still wearing my regular runners after returning my Saloman shoes to Kathmandu on Boxing Day.

On Monday I plan to begin my training at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) who have ever so kindly given me full membership until the end of April to train for my hike. I trained at MSAC in 2011 before climbing Mt Kilimanjaro so I’m looking forward to getting back into the Peloton and Yoga classes, and hitting the gym and swimming pool. I’m also planning to incorporate 10km of walking each day while getting to and from work in South Melbourne during January.

GSRT

My second official training walk on 03 Jan 2013

First test run

Well the shoe saga continues… I took my new Saloman’s for their first test drive around the streets of East Bentleigh today and the truth is I felt like I was wearing clown shoes. They’re about 2 sizes bigger than what I would normally wear, and although this is probably what I’ll need in the deserts, I think they’re just a bit TOO big. Ho hum. I’ve literally been to Kathmandu 4 times already just for shoes and considering they know me like their own permanent staff, it’s going to be difficult to go under the radar on this return. Part of me wants to hold on and walk them in a little more, but like many things, I need to listen to my gut instincts which are telling me to try on many more shoes until I find the perfect pair!

Shoe boo boo

I was a little overzealous with my first purchase for the PCT hike at the Kathmandu store on Smith St, Melbourne this week – my shoes. I figured shoes are the first item you need, 1. To wear in, and 2. To begin training.

Despite the hours I’ve poured over Yogi’s handbook, countless blogs and emails from my friend Sarah who completed the trail in 2004, I still managed to buy the wrong shoes.

I got them home, unwrapped them from the tissue paper and was glowing with pride until I re-read the handbook and Yogi’s advice which clearly states on page 121 “you don’t WANT anything waterproof.” “The only thing waterproof shoes do differently from other shoes is that the waterproof shoes will never dry out.”

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Salomon X-OVER W

Let that be a lesson! The other thing I learned is that Kathmandu only refund you with store credits, so guess where I’ll now be buying the bulk of my gear. I had bought the Salomon X Ultra GTX trail shoe, which under normal hiking circumstances I’m sure is a brilliant shoe and fit like a glove. What I need though is a trail shoe that isn’t waterproof, ultra lightweight with quick dry instead of Gore-Tex like the Salomon X-Over.

The only problem with this shoe is that Kathmandu only sells them in black, and guess what, Yogi says “you need the lightest weight, lightest coloured, most breathable shoe possible.” This is mainly for the desert sections in Southern California where your shoes get so hot you’ll burn your hand touching the bottom of them.

Soooooo…. I can either go to a Saloman store to get the grey version of the shoe and spend the $180 of Kathmandu store credit on other bits and bobs, or get the black version, test it out and use it in Oregon and Washington.