Hey {{first_name | there}},
Ever wondered what it’s like to step off a tiny plane into true wilderness? No roads, no phone signal, just you and the trail?
That’s how my best hike of 2025 began.
Eight days on Tasmania’s wild South Coast. No crowds. No summit goals. Just walking.
As this year wraps up, I want to share a few things that stood out and how you can use them to make 2026 your best hiking year yet.
🥇 2025’s Best Walk: Tasmania’s South Coast Track
Flying over rugged peaks and landing at Melaleuca airstrip reminded me what hiking is really about. No reception. No backdoors. Just you and your pack.
I hadn’t walked the South Coast Track in just over 20 years, but it hadn’t changed much and that was the magic.
Endless beaches and remote trails
Stunning mountain views and creek crossings
A real feeling of solitude and presence
There was no rush to reach peaks. I just walked. And it was bliss.
I’ll be sharing a full South Coast Track video soon, stay tuned!
Tasmania’s remote South Coast
🛠️ My Top 3 Gear Picks of the Year
After years of testing, my kit feels finally dialled in. These three pieces were standouts:
ZenBivy Sleep System: A bed in the bush. Sheet, quilt, pillow, mattress, all integrated. Pure comfort.
👉 Watch the full reviewWhippa Woolemi Pack: Handmade in Australia. Big volume, comfortable, bombproof. Hip pockets and a huge external dump pocket make it a winner.
👉 Full gear breakdown hereDurston X-Dome 2 Tent: Fast to pitch and reliable in rough weather. My go-to for solo and two-person trips.
🎯 Bonus: The GPS watch - AMOLED screen, smooth UX, and rugged. I haven’t taken it off in weeks. Initial review here.
The Whippa Wollemi is tough as nails!
🌧️ A Tough Trip That Taught Me Plenty
Not every hike this year went smoothly.
One plan for a 5 day trip fell through, so we pivoted to a 4 day hike in central Tassie.
We ended up with snow, freezing rain, deep river crossings, and tough terrain.
It wasn’t easy but it reminded me why these moments matter.
You keep your bushcraft sharp
You work together as a team
You come out stronger
🎒 2025 Hiking Lessons
Here’s what I’m carrying forward into the new year:
Enjoy the journey. I’ve stopped chasing peaks so much. Walking for its own sake is enough.
Less is more. One camera, no tripod, sometimes just the phone. I value simplicity more now.
Trust your setup. I’ve finally locked in a kit I believe in. Minimal tinkering before every trip.
💬 What’s your dream trail for 2026? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
Lake St. Clair and surrounding peaks. Central Tasmania.
✅ Ready to Go Further in 2026?
Go from weekend wanderer to confident multi-day trekker.
If you’ve been dreaming of longer trips, beyond day walks and overnighters, this is your moment.
The Multi-Day Hiking Blueprint gives you a proven, step-by-step system to plan, pack, and thrive on multi-day adventures.
✅ First module is live
✅ New modules dropping soon
✅ Limited spots while we fine-tune everything
Be first to hear when we open again.
THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK
Thanks for reading Mowser’s Musings. I hope this helps you hike further and happier.
Until next week, keep exploring.
Mowser
Discover more. Hike further.
P.S. Not sure if you're ready for a multi-day trip?
🎯 Take the Free 3-Minute Readiness Quiz to find out where you’re at.
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