Fiona McConnochie organises ‘Introduction to Solo Tramping and Camping’ weekends for women. Participants meet at the track head then walk separately and regroup at the end, before finding a solo campsite for the night. “It’s a great way to experience going solo in a safe and supported environment,” she says. 

Fiona spent two months solo walking the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan in 2023. She tries to keep her pack weight under 10kg.

Pack and tent

My main pack is a Torpedo 7 Peak Pack, 45l. I love the ventilated harness. It comes with a rain cover and pouch and weighs around 1500g. I also wear a Macpac waist pack for easy phone and snack access when walking. My tent is a Naturehike VIK Ultralight freestanding one-person with a single entrance with vestibule. It weighs 1100g including the ground sheet. 

Clothing

I wear mostly Macpac – puffer jacket and vest, thermals and buff. I take Montbell puffer pants for the hut and a Montbell puffer blanket that converts to a skirt. Rain paints are from Torpedo 7 and my rain jacket is from The Warehouse. (The jacket keeps me really dry, but doesn’t breathe well.) I also take possum merino gloves – the best gift ever from my sister.

Sleep system

My sleeping mat is Klymit Inertia Xlite (145g). I increase its comfort and warmth with a folding foam mat from Temu (200g), which is great for sitting on. My bag is a Kathmandu Comet 650g with Sea to Summit Thermalite ReactorLiner, which raises the bag temperature by 8°. My pillow is a Kmart inflatable. I always take a small hot water bottle.

Food

I store my food in a lightweight insulated lunch bag from The Warehouse and dehydrate most of my own tramping meals. I carry a coffee filter from Montbell (4g) and have been enjoying kava in the evening at the hut.

Electronics and lighting

Torpedo 7 mini lantern, Workmate rechargeable head torch from Mitre 10, candles and matches; fairy lights as a luxury. iPhone and Biolite Power Bank.

Cooking

I use a Camp 3 Kovea Titan gas stove and use my Coughlan’s Emergency Stove to boil water. My pot is from a Mountain Warehouse set; my coconut shell bowl and wooden spoon are from Temu.

Footwear

I wear Hi-Tec boots (always with two pairs of socks, and I’ve never had a blister). For suitable tracks I wear ASICS Gel Trabuco 12 trail running shoes. I take Rab puffer booties for the hut.