Any Hiking Enthusiasts (Not Hitchhikers ;) )

[Loose cog]

75l for male and 65l bag for females is adequate. Lots of outer pockets good for padkos, stove, mug, camera, bogroll, water bottle (1litre coke bottle cheapest).

 

Boots important. Take a few cable ties and a roll of duct tape. My shoes just made the fish in June after a few hikes including Killi a few years ago.

 

Enjoy, don't overtrain and remember most people will get blisters.

[Kranswurm]

How does the Otter compare to the Tsitsikamma trail?  The distances and estimated times per day are longer on the Tsitsikamma and I'm worried I am biting of more than I can chew for my first big multi-day hike. 

The Tsitsikamma is tougher than the Otter.Different kind of hike.If you have done the old Boland Trail or the Swellendam 3 day,that's what it's like.

[ZakAttak]

I'm glad I started this thread, thanx guys to all the responses, I greatly appreciate the advice...

 

@Gerald, definitely going to do the boots in bag thing, never thought of taking an extra pair of shoes with until you mentioned that...

 

Keep the posts coming, I'm sure lots of value and info sharing for other trails too...

Edited July 14, 2016 by ZakAttak

[Skylark]

I use a MSR water purification pump. Have used it more that ten years. Takes about 2 minutes to pump a liter of water. Used it in India, China, Tibet, Tanzania, Lesotho and Fish River. Drank water that even locals said would kill me and never had the slightest issue. Removes all bad tastes an any bugs. Amazing device. The ceramic filter is a consumable replaceable item.

That's very impressive, safe water is almost number one survival requirement, which model is it exactly?

[HappyMartin]

I am not sure what model it is to be honest. Will ask my partner. Cape Union sell them. I bought mine at Drifters in Sandton City. Only place I don't carry it is the Berg. All overseas holidays I take it.

 

Someone mentioned blisters. In the old days we used to cut the feet off stockings and use them as liners to help with blisters. These days buy thin cotton liner socks. I take a pair for every day of the hike. I change the thick outer socks every 2 or even three days. That helps cuts down on the bulk of a pair of clean thick socks for every day and prevents blisters. With liner socks I don't get blisters. At all. Ever. At lunch take the boots and socks off and allow them to dry. I swop socks from left to right unless I'm using socks designed for specific feet.

[VicanZA]

Tips for otter

Pack light, my bag 11kg 45L + 10L, what gets dirty on the hike stays dirty!

 

Split you food into day packs, make sure the cabin is closed or you gonna lose ur food to gennits and monkeys.

 

Vacuum seal ur meat u can Braai for 2 or 3 days, they supply wood just bring firelighters.

 

Sleeping pills, the bunks aren't that comfy.

 

Make sure ur shoes are walked in, or tape feet up with elasto plast.

 

Headlamp, spare set of batteries.

 

2 water bottles, 1 with just water in case u wanna cook on the trail for lunch.

 

1 rope between the lot of u, in case u have to swim the lottering and bloucrans, refer to ride tables to avoid this.

 

Water shoes or a pair of crocs don't walk barefoot in the pool and on the rocks.

 

The man with the jet boil will be king, not every member need to carry a gas burner, 1 between 2 is good, just have the second guy bring extra gas.

 

Most of u food should be easy and quick to make, tuna in sachets is a winner!

Use the tuna with provita or mix it in with your 2 min noodles for tuna surprise.

 

Cleaning supplies should be small and again don't carry if someone else already has.

 

Make no mistake it not an easy hike, lots of ups and downs going light is the key.

 

We carry in about 2x500m Coke bottles with OBC or vodka, we mix the vodka with energy drink!

 

Good luck enjoy it, it's an epic hike.

Edited July 15, 2016 by VicanZA

[VicanZA]

99% of the water on the otter is good to drink, just 1 river that is a problem.

 

Take the tablets along, but truth is I never had to use them on the otter.

 

With the water 3 rules

Color, flow and smell.

[hboli4]

This crowd seem to have all the good stuff.

Used to be opposite Cavendish in Claremont.I have bought quite a lot of gear from them.

https://www.mountainmailorder.co.za/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=105I

I have used them a couple of times in the past, no issues.

[cat-i]

Back Country food is good and super easy to prepare. Not cheap though. There has been some supply issues of late but it seems to be coming right.

 

MSR are in the process of organising a new agent locally. I was told the last one was really bad. At the moment not easy to get MSR goods but it is expected to improve in the next month or two.

 

Or you can create your own version. e.g. team up with someone else. A can of Tuna in oil, an onion, a packet of instant cheese sauce. a small chillie if you want, and a bit of rice. Boil water, put in a mug with rice, put aside. Now fry the onion in the tuna oil, then add tuna, rice back (if you dont have an insulated mug ) and add the cheese sauce. Can add 2 or 3 baby marrows, more onions, some garlic depending on how many people  you share teh meal with. You can of course replace the rice with 2 minute noodles too. And if you cook for just one person, just the tuna and cheese sauce.

 

Bon apetit.

[Stretch]

if possible...find that outdoors shop that has been operating for years and try and support them ahead of the big chains..you will get better advice and pretty much the same price

[Frosty]

I am not sure what model it is to be honest. Will ask my partner. Cape Union sell them. I bought mine at Drifters in Sandton City. Only place I don't carry it is the Berg. All overseas holidays I take it.

 

Someone mentioned blisters. In the old days we used to cut the feet off stockings and use them as liners to help with blisters. These days buy thin cotton liner socks. I take a pair for every day of the hike. I change the thick outer socks every 2 or even three days. That helps cuts down on the bulk of a pair of clean thick socks for every day and prevents blisters. With liner socks I don't get blisters. At all. Ever. At lunch take the boots and socks off and allow them to dry. I swop socks from left to right unless I'm using socks designed for specific feet.

Mmm, Berg water above the contour line.

 

We were there in 1996 (heaviest snows falls). Took us two days to get from Witsieshoek (the resort) to the top of the chain ladder. Whiskey and water from the Tugela, -10^oC and a sky full of stars. Absolute bliss!

 

About the blisters - there are those "corn" plasters. They too work wonders.

Edited July 15, 2016 by geraldm24

[HappyMartin]

The MSR water filter I am using is, I think, called the mini water works.

[Skylark]

The MSR water filter I am using is, I think, called the mini water works.

This one?

https://www.amazon.com/MSR-MiniWorks-EX-Microfilter/dp/B002IAOOMA

[HappyMartin]

That's the one. It's my second. The first one apparently belongs to my ex.

[Skylark]

That's the one. It's my second. The first one apparently belongs to my ex.

Seems like a very good price for what will last a very long time.

 

There were some people saying something along the lines(I may have got the numbers wrong) that the filter is only 5 micron(removes all bacteria and physical/particulate contamination) whereas you need 0.5 micron to filter out all viruses?

 

There is apparently an after market filter upgrade than can do that which is $80 on its own. Is that perhaps not necessary in most instances?

 

They mentioned to neutralize viruses you can boil or use chlorine tablets after filtering but the msr filter gives you the basic crystal clean nice tasting water which in most instances is enough.

[Frosty]

I've used chroline-based tabs for many years. Last year at the Fish River hike, a friend used something else that doesn't leave that specific chlorine after taste.

 

He can't remember what is was, as it's finish. Like me, he hasn't gone hiking since then.

 

If I do remember the name, I'll post it here.