How to choose and test your equipment for an End-to-End Hike
When choosing your gear and equipment for an end-to-end hike, you will need to consider the weight, bulk, and longevity of the items (eg torch batteries).
Start with our printable equipment list for overnight walks. We’ve divided this checklist into three categories: essential items, clothing, and other small items (not all of which may be needed).
The gear you take on your end-to-end won’t differ too much from that which you take on an overnight walk.
Lightening your load
Good-quality lightweight gear can be expensive, but lightening your load is as much about mindful decision-making as it is about opening your wallet. Read this article for a few cheap or no-cost ways you can lighten your load and do your back and knees a favour in the process. (link to Ben’s article).
You can also keep an eye out for quality second-hand gear on our notice board! (link)
Testing your gear before the big day
The best suggestion we can give beginners is to do some overnight walks first and get used to your gear. Learn what works for you and what doesn’t, what is appropriate and what isn’t.
If you do not have all the major items, the Foundation has a hire service available for:
- Backpacks (children’s sizes 30 litres to 50 litres, adult sizes 50 litres to 80 litres).
- Sleeping bags with liners, synthetic, rated to -1° C (-7° C lower limit), cotton liners.
- Sleeping mats (closed cell foam).
- Two person tents (approx. 2.3kg).
- Stoves – Trangia type 1-2 person (0.9kg) or 2-3 person (1.2kg) (fuel not supplied).
- Stoves – Jetboil Zip, 500ml. Gas not included.
- Personal Locating Beacons (PLBs)
- Food dehydrators (available to members only – maximum two-week hire).
Did you know you can hire gear from the Foundation? All hire periods are for a minimum of one week. Click here for a full price list.
Please note that we do not hire satellite phones. However you can contact Rent-a-sat-phone.
To tent or not to tent
There are 49 campsites along the Track which are spaced a day’s walk apart. There is no booking system for the campsites or shelters. Therefore, all walkers wishing to stay on the Track overnight should seriously consider taking a tent in case the shelter is full on arrival. Designated tent sites, located at the campsites, should be used and no camping is permitted between campsites within drinking water catchment areas – i.e. most of the Track between Kalamunda and Collie and south of the Blackwood River.
Furthermore, when a campsite is closed and a diversion in place, a temporary campsite will be located on the diversion. Temporary campsites only have a water tank and toilet but no shelter, so tents are essential.
Tents provide privacy, are far warmer than the shelters and they keep the mosquitos from biting during the night.
Other helpful resources:
- Watch a short video on how to wear a pack and adjust the straps correctly.
- Watch a short video on how to pack your pack.
- Hiking food: How to stay well fed on an End-to-End Hike
- 10 things you might overlook when planning your End-to-End Hike
- The Beginner’s Guide to Planning an End-to-End Hike
- How to start planning your End-to-End Hike
- Picking a time frame for your End-to-End Hike
