ALONE AGAIN

[Thomas Mann]

Now I know why I haven't done the GT before. At the last minute all my would be partners have baled on me so I am left alone to go SOLO this weekend. Would any able bodied soul care to join me? I intend leaving for the carpark on Friday evening and setting off at 4am on Saturday. I would like to finish on Tuesday as I have to be back at work on Wednesday.

[Thomas Mann]

I had about 1,6kg of food per day which for a susequent attempt will drop to 800g/day. Ground sheet, Bivy bag, down jacket, power stretch tights, Rain jacket & pants, extra socks, maps, headlamp, first aid kit, hand gun!!!!, camera, hydration bladder and a GPS. I will also ditch the gun and camera next time. My GPS points were too far apart, some as much as 6km which, as you say, in the mist makes things nasty. On the walking poles, I only started cycling 12 months ago, so while I run and hike a fair bit my thigh strength isn't great. The poles allow me to conserve legs while admittedly they do get in the way and poke your mates every now and then.

[Andrew Porter]

Hello Thomas

Well done on getting to Organ Pipes.

I have always found the solo thing rather daunting - I can say at least that it gets better each attempt, so hang in there for another go. One day someone is going to crack it solo and have something to be realy proud of.

Actually, to prove Stijn wrong, I only take about 4kg, including water. But, there is a lot that can be ditched to drop the 15kg, whilst keeping a sensible load. I doubt that you need more than 4kg of food. I find though that being solo you have to take everything yourself, which of course does not help matters.

Did you take a GPS? If you plot waypoints every 500 - 1000m, with a route linking them, it is possible to line them up in such a way that you essentially take a straight line between them along an optimal route. Which removes navigation in the mist from the equation.

[Andrew Hagen]

Hi Thomas
15kg sounds like pain! How much food did you carry?
Still, that's a strong effort, and hard luck on that mist (I'm so glad the weather played ball for us)! Interesting that you're in the pro-trekking-pole camp as well - so many folks swear by them but I find myself more compelled to swear at them, but maybe that's just me.

[Stijn Laenen]

Good effort on making Easter Cave on day 1 but ja... light is definitely the way to go! Ask Andrew P, I think he only takes about 5kg! Then again, he is only planning to spend 2 days up there :-)

[Thomas Mann]

The best laid plans.....Started at 7am. Walked for 12hrs 15 min to Easter cave. Carried a 15kg backpack..too heavy. I over estimated on how much food I would need. I used walking poles and what a plus. My legs felt good all day. My night was miserable & cold, I spent a large portion of it trying to keep my toes warm. Sunday saw the mist come in at about 10am, by then I had decided to go down Organ Pipes. I saved my leave for a later, lighter attempt.

[Andrew Hagen]

Well, all the best!
I see you're going for the "traditional" strategy with that early start. Try to have fun - it really helps!
Are you going to blog updates, or send messages to someone so we can follow your progress?

Cheers,
Andrew