Slackpacking - my latest poison!

 

I was so fired up at the thought of writing about my now preferred way of multiday hiking and I remembered a time when I really enjoyed backpacking. I’m not referring to camping as such, as that relationship has forever been complicated. Just carrying that big backpack used to be a source of pride; I loved that I could carry my house on my back over several days. Well, maybe part of the house, considering that some trails offer huts. How can I forget the hike to SA’s highest peak in 2015? I remember after reaching the Mafadi peak, some of the not yet spoken for ladies and gents suggesting that reaching Mafadi would be added to their specifications for eligible courters. I wonder if that still stands.

Most of the hiking destinations offering stunning views accessible only on foot are also not the easiest. Dealing with a heavy backpack and knowing that you must still set up a tent and cook, can be a joy killer. I still have trauma from the Fish River Canyon hike in Namibia. Crawling in and out of the tent was torture, with my knees threatening my prospects of continuing the hike each day. Add to that a fall on my face with that monstrous bag going over my head, and a blue eye as a bonus. I understand the trail has a slackpacking option now, offering a better experience of the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world.

The Fish River Canyon offers awe inspiring views, but it's not an easy hike.

Anyway, I’m excited to share a bit about slackpacking. For those beginner hikers who are still not comfortable with carrying the big backpack and setting up camp, this may be your answer to experiencing multiday hikes. This is an easier way of backpacking, an answer to all the cheese girls and boys out there. While backpacking requires one to carry all their necessities on the back, with slackpacking, all you carry is what you need for the day, while the rest of the stuff is transported to your next destination. Even where there are no huts, your tent will be ferried to the next destination and in some cases, your hosts will set it up for you and you will be greeted with a hot meal and some hot water (albeit rationed) for your bath. That tends to reduce the discomfort that comes with sleeping in a tent – that is if your relationship with tents is anything like mine. 

Uncatered option

The first form is what I mentioned above where there is camping involved. The next form is where hikers move from one hut to another without catering. Here, you may provide your own food, cooking utensils and sleeping bags. While you will hike with only your day backpack, you still need to make your own food on arrival. There is usually a limit on how much you can pack since each hiker may be allocated a container that can only accommodate a specified weight. Make your own research so you pack accordingly.

Catered slackpacking

One of my best hikes must be the one I did in Mpondo, not only for the views, but more for how one got to be immersed in the local Xhosa culture. Picture being hosted by locals in their homes. They avail one house (depending on your number), normally a rondavel, and provide mattresses and blankets. We enjoyed freshly cooked traditional food and the seafood lovers were treated to a bucket of mussels almost every day. Me and my issue with all things shelled! We were treated to entertainment in the form of traditional dance while local crafters sold their wares. I still love the idea. And I owe myself a Coffee Bay hike. It was initially for sentiment, and now it will be in memory of a brother whose transcendence I only learnt of after he was buried – may his soul rest in peace.

And then there's luxury!

Lately there’s hiking destinations that offer hikers luxury on another level where they are accommodated in lodges while bags are transferred daily. Hikers don’t normally care about white sheets and stuff, but I must confess, a hot shower or bath after a hike, followed by a three-course dinner and a proper bed, is not bad at all. Add calamari tasting and a sunset cruise to that and you forget you’re on a multiday hike. This is not something I can do often, but it is a reward of sorts, so treating yourself to one of these occasionally should work. Oh, and this does not come cheap!

This here before a hike is pure bliss!

Advantages of slackpacking

• Carrying a light weight means you can increase your pace if there’s a need
• It lightens the impact of a gruelling hike
• Makes multiday hiking accessible to more people
• Allows photography enthusiasts to carry their cameras and capture the amazing landscapes
• And it just makes multiday hiking less cumbersome

And grannies can play as much as they like!