HIKE WITH MAREE
CARNARVON GREAT WALK QLD
TRAINING
Complied by a PT
Training for the Carnarvon Great Walk
The attached Training Chart, prepared by a Personal Trainer, must be followed for at least 6 months before your hike by all P-platers and L Plater hikers. Or find something equivalent. This allows your muscles the time they need to develop properly, giving you the best chance of completing the walk successfully.
Hikers who skip training often end up in pain, suffering, and in tears. To avoid this, begin by hiking with a pack carrying 5kg, then gradually increase the weight until you are training with 16kg—the same as your hike load. This way there are no last-minute surprises for your body.
👉 Please click on the RED “Training” button below, open the plan, print it, and stick it on your fridge. Follow it step by step for 6 months before your hike.
If you prefer, you can also work with a Personal Trainer in your area (or online) to prepare specifically for Level 5 terrain.
⚠️ Important: Hikers who choose not to train properly often require evacuation at Westbranch Camp. This forces someone to drive 8–10 hours just for you. Please train hard and follow the attachment—or an equivalent program—so that you and your group enjoy a safe and successful hike.
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BASE WEIGHT 7KG
One of the most important concepts in backpacking is base weight. Knowing your base weight helps you choose the right pack, hike more comfortably, and identify where you can safely reduce unnecessary weight.
What is Base Weight?
Base weight is the total weight of all your gear excluding consumable items.
Consumables are anything that gets used up during your trip, including:
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Water
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Food
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Fuel (gas, alcohol, or solid fuel)
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Other items that decrease in weight as you use them, such as toothpaste or sunscreen (most hikers don't bother counting these small items separately).
Everything else counts towards your base weight, including:
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Backpack
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Tent or shelter
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Sleeping bag or quilt
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Sleeping mat
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Pillow
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Stove and cook pot
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First aid kit
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Clothing carried in your pack
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Rain gear
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Headlamp
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Water bottles or hydration bladder (empty)
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Trekking poles (if carried)
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Navigation equipment
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Repair kit
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Toiletries
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Electronics and charging gear
Why Does Base Weight Matter?
Base weight is the best way to compare hiking gear because it doesn't change from day to day.
Food and water vary depending on:
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Length of the trip
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Water availability
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Weather
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Personal appetite
Your base weight stays almost the same regardless of whether you're hiking for one night or two weeks.
Your total pack weight is:
Base Weight + Food + Water + Fuel = Total Pack Weight
For example:
Base weight: 7 kg
Plus:
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Food (3days): 1.8 kg
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Water (3.5 litres): 3.5 kg
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Gas canister: 0.35 kg
Total pack weight = 12.65 kg
As you eat your food and use fuel, your pack becomes lighter each day.
HIKE THE CARNARVON GREAT WALK ULTRALIGHT
KEEPING YOUR BASE WEIGHT UNDER 7KG; THIS WILL ENSURE YOUR TOTAL PACK WEIGHT CAN STAY UNDER 14KG IN TOTAL INCLUDING WATER AND FOOD!
Your Ultimate Tick-List Guide
This is your essential gear checklist — including favourite hiker-approved brands, with an alternative budget-friendly LighterPack list available for those on tighter budgets.
Your total pack weight is encouraged highly to be under 14kg, including:
• 3.5L of water MINIMUN AMOUNT CARRIED
• 2.5 days worth of food (600G PER DAY)
Those who follow this list closely with the lightest gear choices consistently reach this sweet weight between 11kg and 12.5kg — fully loaded.
HOWEVER - YOUR FOOD REQUIRMENTS AND HYDRATION REQUIRMENTS COMES FIRST. WE WANT YOU FUELED RIGHT!
HOW TO REACH THE TARGET WEIGHT ON A TIGHT BUDGET
• Consider second-hand gear, clearance sales, or borrowing from friends.
• Break it up: buying one key item every few months makes this journey achievable.
• Going light = going kind.
Hiking up steep mountains with a heavy pack is cruel to your body and can make the trek unnecessarily tough — especially compared to others carrying 3kg-6KG less.
IMPORTANT:
Every listed “ITEM” is considered COMPULSORY, unless marked as “(OPTIONAL)”.
You can pick any brand you like — the brands listed are just popular favourites from hiking community polls. Turning up without the compulsory items, you may be refused to come on trek at the Carnarvon Gorge at your own expense.
LIGHTERPACK LIST HAS POPULAR BRANDS LISTED
https://lighterpack.com/r/66zstj... Link to under photo that opens
I recommend every L- PLATE hiker to open up and use the lighterpack list and pop their gear and weight in this as they purchase it. www.lighterpack.com