The Overland Track - Solo Walk - April 2019

Journey with me on this 65 kilometre, six-day trek that i walked through the heart of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania.
The journey is physically demanding, emotionally challenging and scenically spectacular. This is a landscape of glacially carved valleys, ancient rainforests, fragrant eucalypt forests, golden buttongrass moorlands and beautiful alpine meadows. Optional side-trips take you to cascading waterfalls and mountain summits, including Tasmania’s highest peak, Mount Ossa which I summited on my 41st birthday.
I trekked in April, closer to the end of the season. I was blessed with clear and magnificent weather and a hint of Autumn presenting. It was a vision quest for me, a mind, body and spirit reset, a remembrance, an embrace from our Mother Earth. It was the first time I'd spent an amount of time away from our 3 year old since she was born.
This video is great for people with this walk on their bucket list. I talk about logistics, facilities, routes, food and water, camping possibilities and hut accommodation... plus all the hot tips for a smooth solo trip. There's a surprise ending too! I wasn't actually solo on the walk. On my return, i found out i had been pregnant whilst trekking, with our second child Alchemy. She is certainly destined to be adventurer now too.
Packing List Overlander Trail in April Autumn:
Cash is King
Bank cards
Map
Trip notes
Notepad
Pen
Mini altar crystals, sage wand and cloth
Beanie woollen
Beanie head cap fleece
Fleece neck buff
Light merino neck buff / head band
Ski gloves
Fingerless gloves
2 x stuff sacks
2x wet bag stuff sacks
2 x packing cubes
Boots
Camp shoes Crocs sandals
Gaiters long style
Hiking poles
Tent
Rain jacket
Rain trousers
Spare garbage bag
Pack liner garbage bag
2 x spare zip bags
Sleep mattress
Sleeping bag
Lifestraw 650ml bottle
Flexible hydration pack 1L
Nanopresso espresso machine
Lighter x2
Trangia with kettle
1L methylated spirits
Enamel mug
Cutlery set
Coffee and tea, salt, cacao, xylitol , nutritional yeast, coconut mylk powder, coconut oil
Food
Day pack compact
Merino tshirt
Thermal underwear base top and pants
Long sleeve merino t shirt
Wool sweater
Fleece jacket
Shell jacket wind and water proof
Lightweight puffy vest
Battery pack for phone charging
Tripod
Phone charger
Samsung phone
Headphones
Newspaper- a few small pieces
3 pairs socks
Sock liners
String
Nylon rope
Knife
Scourer
Iodine
Hydration tablets
Lip balm
Rubber bands
Carabinas x3
Spare pen
Head torch
Pana chocolate x2 small blocks
Passport
Driver's license
Toilet paper
Sunscreen
Flower essences
Happy high herbs elixir - Blue Lotus
Packing sticky tape
Photo of beloveds
First aid kit
Blister patches
Tiger balm
Leukoplast
Bandaid
Antiseptic
Paracetamol
Bandages
Wound dressing
Antihistamines
Face cleanser
Jojoba and rosehip oil
Wet wipes
Small piece coconut butter
Comb
Toothbrush
Charcoal toothpaste
Small bottle Dr Bronners
Tongue cleaner
Hair bands
Supplements
2 x vegan cookies for my birthday!
Pack cover waterproof
Backpack 50-70L
Personal locator beacon PLB

[@tFER998]

Wonderful and praying for you each day x

[@buddygrey3783]

You certainly capture the beauty of this region in a unique way.

[@Gullyrats]

Thank you, Most Enjoyable. Gr8 vid & music

[@billmac2049]

Thank you, great video. Good luck.

[@bmanley80]

Wow. Beautiful. We can’t wait to go on the overland.

[@ejtischler1480]

well done doing it solo

[@jjexplore9678]

Nice video but you need to remember A cushion plant May appear to be hearty and strong but in fact they are very delicate and Parks and wildlife state they should be avoided and not touched because touching them can easily harm them and cause it to die.

[@tazyt3388]

Great vid mate it’s epic up there gotta luv it cheers

[@tinirode6877]

amazing!!!!!!

[@alfy1269]

Fantastic trip, hope to visit there some time.

[@mystq101]

Great job!!

[@mrcasey7884]

I’ve got to ask .... I thought there were no fires at all on the track but I keep seeing your ‘smoking’ ceremonies

[@kateleejoystar]

Hi, Thanks for asking. It's not something I'd considered before reading your question. I never lit any fires. I used a lighter and a personal smudge stick maybe 3 or 4 times on the track. This one was mainly made from sage leaves I think. The lighting and extinguishing of these is similar to that of using a cigarette made from tobacco leaf... safe and easy to control, safer than my cooking set up! Technically maybe not allowed, I'm not sure. Is smoking allowed on the track? For me, it's something I've used with care and intention in many environments around the world but definitely something to bring attention to. Thank you for your comment here.

[@alfy1269]

What camera did you use to capture you're trip and how did you manage the battery?

[@kateleejoystar]

Howdy! It was all captured on a Samsung s10 phone. I used a portable battery pack for it. There was some small weight in it but worth it if you enjoy taking photographs or footage. I believe it will charge a phone up to six times. I can check the brand of it and reply again here. Enjoy.

[@alfy1269]

@@kateleejoystar Thankyou. Been wondering if my little Sony camera is worth travelling with or just use the phone. Cheers.