Part 5 Walking from Mt Hotham to Dargo August - September 2013

[@shanekonarson]

What a great video ! My neck of the woods bogong and beyond ! As an ex Grunt , infantry soldier , I appreciate the hard yards of stomping through whatever the weather and terrain throws at you ! More people should get out there and explore this beautiful state of Vic on foot with pack on back !! Cheers

[@Paul_VK3HN]

Great effort, well done, you maintained a healthy happy attitude, showing real character!

[@nathanmarto]

You are both my hero's in a small way. This would have to be the first proper video blog of hiking the AAWT...I have been searching for such videos for a long time. Thanks for sharing your experience with the online community!

[@frostyhongo]

vimeo.com/40993132

[@nathanmarto]

frostyhongo Thanks!!

[@donnam2012]

Wonderful film, I feel lucky to have found it! I'm sharing it on facebook ... The photography and filming is beautiful, the graphics showing the route are amazing, the narrative is sensible, minimal, positive, inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing your trip!

[@lloydhowlett9273]

Loved watching the series, totally inspirational. loved your photos as well.

[@blu112233]

Thanks for the feedback. I try to make it entertaining with out dragging on.

[@blu112233]

Hi. The bad things abut the Aarn 1. It is not water proof. The other pack an Exped was always dry throughout the Aarn was always wet. Thank goodness for dry bags. 2. It was convoluted getting the thing on. 3. It wouldn't stay up right on the ground making it harder to pack. 4. The plastic next to the back buckled and folded making the back of the back pack dig into the back. However the positive. 1. It did distribute the weight evenly. 2. Reduced tiredness throughout the hips. For a small walk up to 5 days in summer spring conditions no problem but on extended walks and in climate weather not so good. But they are constantly changing their equipment so it is always worth looking into. Also we are constantly breaking gear so it is not just the pack that gave way.

[@Zeus-mo8et]

Great Series. I'm looking at doing some of AAWT and this was a glimpse into what it would be like.

[@blu112233]

Hi. The bad things abut the Aarn 1. It is not water proof. The other pack an Exped was always dry throughout the Aarn was always wet. Thank goodness for dry bags. 2. It was convoluted getting the thing on. 3. It wouldn't stay up right on the ground making it harder to pack. 4. The plastic next to the back buckled and folded making the back of the back pack dig into the back. However the positive. 1. It did distribute the weight evenly. 2. Reduced tiredness throughout the hips. For a small walk up to 5 days in summer spring conditions no problem but on extended walks and in climate weather not so good. But they are constantly changing their equipment so it is always worth looking into. Also we are constantly breaking gear so it is not just the pack that gave way.

[@blu112233]

Hi Matt. Please read the points on the back pack. If you want more info just let me know. Although the back packs have merit, they are just not strong enough, durable enough or convenient. As most people buy a backpack once I would find it hard to recommend one. I have thought of doing reviews but am inherently lazy with this type of thing. But if I get more people asking then I will start doing some gear reviews. What would you like to see reviewed? The bad things abut the Aarn 1. It is not water proof. The other pack an Exped was always dry throughout the Aarn was always wet. Thank goodness for dry bags. 2. It was convoluted getting the thing on. 3. It wouldn't stay up right on the ground making it harder to pack. 4. The plastic next to the back buckled and folded making the back of the back pack dig into the back. However the positive. 1. It did distribute the weight evenly. 2. Reduced tiredness throughout the hips. For a small walk up to 5 days in summer spring conditions no problem but on extended walks and in climate weather not so good. But they are constantly changing their equipment so it is always worth looking into. Also we are constantly breaking gear so it is not just the pack that gave way.

[@matthewthomas4889]

I love the videos and I can tell you are both very experienced hikers/adventurers. Could you explain why the aarn backpack is crap and what sleeping mat did you use? Could you do reviews on your gear or gear loadout videos? I'm sure many people would find them very interesting :)

[@robertcroll6546]

Those Victorians don't make it easy, love following your videos of the hike

[@PeteLorocco]

Hey Stewart, Jen's comment right at the end of this film "it has not been easy- but fun" should be a byline to your book if you write one. Yet another movie in the style that defines what movies of this nature should aspire to. Sometimes a long road bash at the end gives you a chance to take it all in and reflect on it, rather than drop off a scrubby cutting, land on a road, then 'round a corner to your car or lift. Did you ever find / repair the leak from the thermarest? Cheers, will keep checking for more vids. Have a great 2014. Pete

[@frozenragu]

How come you went from hotham to dargo and not the alpine track? Lots of fire trail walking

[@blu112233]

We have family there and thought it would be fun to walk there following the Dargo river. We keep on planning to do the last past but other things get in the way