How to survive Walking the Daisies

Sometimes the best way to learn something is to watch an idiot do it first and then do the exact opposite.

This year, for the second time, I’m taking on the 65-kilometre trek to Rocking the Daisies. The first time I did it, I was that idiot. I thought I could just amble along in a pair of jeans and Jäger-stained dance shoes … and nothing else. I’d spent the previous night shredding tiles at Tiger Tiger because, you know, I didn’t have work the next day. Incidentally, I also smashed the record for sexiest dance move while trying to balance a shot of flaming Sambuca on my nipple.

Worst. Idea. Ever. I almost died.

Not from the flaming nipple shot thing, I aced that. I almost died of dehydration/sun-inhalation three kilometres into the walk and vaguely remember hurling at a fynbos near Atlantic Beach. To avoid the same fate, I’ve put together a list of nine essential items (basically a list of things that I DID NOT take last year) that I will be taking with this year. If you’re one of the 100-odd people who will be Walking the Daisies this year, I suggest you take these too (bet you were thinking my first piece of advice was to take it easy the night before … maybe).

1. Sunscreen

As if Baz Luhrmann didn’t say it enough. If you only bring one thing, make sure it’s sunscreen. Do you want to look like a flappy almond by the time you’re in your mid-30’s? Do you want to arrive at Rocking the Daisies with a  medium-to-rare hue? No. Sunscreen is basically liquid youth. Wear it. If you don’t wear it, this will happen:

SPF whaaaat?

2. A water bottle

You need your own water bottle. Preferably a one-litre water bottle. I didn’t bring one last year and some really friendly dude loaned me his, which I still haven’t returned. This makes me a douche. Thus, not bringing a water bottle = being a douche. You don’t want to be a douche. This is a douche:

An A-grade douche

3. A hat

It can be a cool hat. It can be a fat hat. It can be wide-brimmed hat or little peak cap. It can even be your dad’s hat. It doesn’t matter. Just bring a hat. It’s like sunscreen for your head. Do you want to arrive at Rocking the Daisies with a medium-to-rare hairstyle? No. If you don’t take a hat this will happen:

This will happen if you don't wear a hat

4. A towel

Towels are amazing. A towel is like a Swiss Army Knife made out of cotton. You can use a towel to dry yourself. You can use it as pillow. You can use it as an impromptu sarong or even as pirate pants. You can use it as a carry-along air conditioner (check out these 10 essential uses for a towel on the road). You can use a towel for pretty much anything, but please don’t use it for this, towels hate this:

Towels hate it when you do this

5. A small backpack

This one is up to you. Everyone has their own definition of what is large and what is small. Last year I didn’t take a backpack at all, so I felt like I kind of won in that category. Nonetheless, whatever your definition, make sure you pack something that isn’t going to weigh you down. This is NOT a small backpack:

NOT a small backpack

6. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are great. They have the power to protect your eyes while making you look cool at the same time. It’s like having a hot girlfriend who is is also a bouncer. Make sure you bring real sunglasses with real lenses. Hipsters take note – these are NOT sunglasses. Who are you trying to outdo here? The sun? No. Stop it.

These are NOT sunglasses

7. Comfortable walking shoes

You will be walking more than 30 kilometres a day. Sure, that’s nowhere near the daily barefoot peregrination that Frodo did. But you’re not a hobbit and most of Middle Earth was pretty lush anyway. The point is, take comfortable walking shoes. If you can do this in your shoes …

These boots aren't made for walking

… don’t walk in them. Also, we need to have a dance off.

8. A bear

I’m just kidding. You don’t have to take a bear. I’m taking a bear. His name is Trevor and he’s a bit of freeloader, scavenger, loafer, easy rider. But he loves a bit of adventure and he’s doing it for a good cause. Read more about Trevor here.

I might have to bring a bigger backpack

9. Don’t bring navigation equipment

Slow down there Magellan, we’re not exactly exploring new earth. Fight the urge to dangle your compass and yell ‘Onward.’ The route is pretty straightforward and Nathan Heller, Walking the Daisies’ organiser and legendary biped has got that shit covered. But here, anyway is the route…ish.

The route...ish

Of course, there are things like snacks, the right iPod playlist, a good stick and perhaps even spare socks, but these are not life-threatening and you won’t die without them. Plus, Fruit & Veg City will once again be providing snack stops along the way and there’ll be a mean cook-up at the overnight stop in Melkbos as there was last year. I had an absolute blast on last year’s walk, even though it started off a little shaky. It’s fun, often challenging, exciting and definitely beautiful. And in amongst all the fun (and walking) you begin to realise that you don’t need to destroy the environment to have a good time and raising awareness about living with minimum impact is as simple as putting one front in front of the other. And that, survival guide aside, is really what it’s all about. I’m super excited.

For more info check out Walking the Daisies on Facebook and follow @WalkingtheDaisy on Twitter.

You can also follow me @TysonJopson and @GetawayTrevor as we follow everyone in front of us.

Getaway journos (and interns) have walked the Daisies before:

Walk for you right to party by Craig Leyenaar (2011)

Walking the daisies by Richard Pearce (2010)

 From the ground up by Ilhaam Ismail (2010)

If you are taking anything with you that you that I’ve left out (and deem it vitally appropriate) tell me in the comment box below.

Featured image courtesy of Craig Leyenaar.

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