Listen to the full episode here:
Two and a half weeks, 223km, and a whole lot of honesty about what actually happens on trail.
In this episode Ben turns the mic on his co-host Lauren, who’s about to walk the Larapinta Trail – 223km from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder with two colleagues over 14 days. They dig into the gear debates that actually matter (trail runners versus boots, three wildly different backpacks between the group), the sleep system upgrades that finally made multi-day hiking bearable for Ben, and the practical realities of toileting, safety, and staying calm about snakes.
Tune in for a genuinely candid conversation about preparing for a long trek, whether you’re a first-timer feeling intimidated or a seasoned hiker fine-tuning your kit!
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome: 5 years of the podcast, and today’s topic
00:48 – Why Lauren’s in the spotlight: preparing for the Larapinta Trail
01:56 – Safety awareness: the male/female perspective on the trail
06:42 – The trip itself: Alice Springs to Mount Sonder, 223km in 14 days
08:27 – Do you need all new gear? Starting out vs. already having kit
15:54 – Trail runners vs. boots: the great hiking footwear debate
18:15 – Ankle strengthening and prepping your feet before you go
20:35 – Gaiters: worth the weight or not?
24:30 – Three very different packs: ultralight, heavy-duty, and in-between
27:49 – Small comfort upgrades: cook kit, sit mats, and camp luxuries
31:00 – Toileting on the trail: practical tips nobody talks about
43:14 – Sleep systems: why a good mat is worth the extra weight
46:46 – Managing fear: snakes, bugs, and staying safe on a remote trail
48:49 – PLBs and satellite messengers: when to actually use them
59:04 – Food for 14 days: dehydrated meals, drop boxes, and trail treats
Products mentioned
Osprey pack (heavily padded, framed – Crystal’s pack) – not in Snowys range
Zpacks backpack (ultralight, ~400g – Sam’s pack) – not in Snowys range
GSI cookware (pot and silicone scraper)
Sea to Summit X-Cup (collapsible cup)
Sea To Summit Ether Light sleeping mats
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping mat
Helinox chairs (mentioned as something Lauren decided not to pack)
Salomon mid boots – not in Snowys range
KEEN boots – not in Snowys range
Merrell Moab shoes – not in Snowys range
Scarpa SL boots – not in Snowys range
Dirty Girl Gaiters – not in Snowys range
Trail Gaiters (Australian-made, worn by Sam) – not in Snowys range
Hiking food – dehydrated meal brands compared
Thanks for listening, tune in again for next week’s episode!
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of the Snowys Camping Show Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, or Podcast Addict so you never miss an upload.
If you have any questions for Ben and Lauren, make sure you head over to our Facebook group and let us know as we’d love to hear from you.
Catch you out there!
From tent pegs and air tents, to setups for summer and one-pot wonders – our gear gurus Ben and Lauren unpack the topics on every camper’s tongue, taking each minute to the limit with how-to’s, destinations, and expert interviews. Be it a swag, tent, or ‘swent’ – set up camp with us!