Camping Information. We supply the swags, pillows, sleeping bags, linen, and all camping gear, all food, drinks, lunches and snacks. The usual menu includes plenty of fruit and veges, and some meat, but generally not large servings of meat. Dinner is usually a stir-fry, or curry, or camp stew or a pasta dish. Breakfast is porridge, muesli or cereal, tea/coffee. Lunch is packed, wholemeal rolls with cold meat, tomato, cheese etc with fruit, juice, and snacks. Included in the price is a cold beer or soft drink after the day's walk, and wine with dinner. We normally sleep in swags, in the 5,000 star hotel, and they are very warm and comfortable, but we do carry tents as well, in case of rain.

Special food requirements. Please let us know in advance if you have any medical dietry requirements so we can accomodate your needs. However we do ask people with non-medical food preferences to relax them for the trip if possible as our cooking is done on a two burner stove so providing different meals is problematic. We cook a variety of delicious, well balanced meals with plenty of fresh vegetables. They are generally the style of meal you can eat in a large bowl with a fork, such as pasta, curries, laksa and stirr frys, rather than a barbeque style where you need to balance a flat plate on your lap while you carve. If you are a vegetarian your preference will mean that everyone will eat less meat. There are a few meals where we can prepare a non-meat version. Your cooperation on this will be appreciated.

Prescription Glasses. Note that the trail goes above 1,000m altitude about 8 times over its length (from a base level of 600m ), and there are relatively steep, uneven descents on most sections. It is essential for your safety that you can focus clearly on the ground while you are going downhill, This means that bifocal or multifocal glasses are not suitable, and unsafe !

Boots. The surface on much of the trail is hard and rocky, with sharp quartzite. It is very tough on boots, and feet. Older boots have cracked, broken or fallen apart. Boots need to be thoroughly checked well in advance of the walk. They can deteriorate in storage, particularly glue and stitching. If they don’t look certain to make the distance, buy a new pair now, and break them in properly. Even if we should have a wet day or two it will not be wet underfoot, and the multi-layered lined type are not necessary and may be too hot. Simple sturdy leather boots are fine. Remember, your feet are likely to get hot rather than cold.

Feet. Before a walk like this a visit to a podiatrist is a good idea. Get any corns, calluses etc. seen to, and make sure problem nails are trimmed, and all nails cut.

What to bring. All the personal overnight gear and warm clothes etc. goes in the trailer, and does not have to be carried. However, it will be good if you only bring along what you need in a small, preferably soft, bag, as space is limited. Surplus gear (good clothes for the plane trip etc) can be left in Alice. We will store these for you if necessary.
Bring warm clothes for the evenings- a tracksuit or similar, jumper, gloves and beanie. Some warm comfortable shoes to change into after the days walk is a good idea. We use Ugg boots in winter and sandals when its warmer. In May and Sepember not so many warm clothes are required, see average temperatures.
A torch is essential, the head torch (miners light type) is useful as it leaves your hands free.
Bring your own day pack, (or we can supply one). In the day pack you will carry your lunch, your camera, binoculars, as well as a light goretex or japara in case of cold wind or rain...unlikely but possible. More likely are quite warm conditions, and sunburn. A light, long sleeved shirt with a collar is good for sun protection and a wide brimmed hat is an essential item in all conditions. We supply some cloth gaiters to cover the socks and boot tops. We personally find shorts more comfortable than long pants. We carry a bird and plant book, first aid kit, my satellite phone, insect repellent, sun screen, toilet paper etc.

The bathroom. There are no showers (no water supply) at most of the overnight camps. However, we will provide enough water for a bowl style body wash, so bring a towel. There may be water in the water holes, though often very cold it is most refreshing after a days walk. The toilet facilities will usually be a spade and the bush.