Meet Courtney: Ultralight Gear Ambassador

What is your favourite hike?

I absolutely adored the Pacific Crest Trail, however it was also my first thru so I might be biased. Instead let me tell you about my favourite local contender. The Jagungal Wilderness area in Kosciusko National Park seems to be the place I return to multiple times a year. Jagungal will always have a special place in my heart for the experiences it has witnessed. I have taken friends on their first hiking trips there and watched them fall in love the same way I did, I passed through on my bike whilst racing the Hunt 1000 battered and bruised and I’ve sat around the fire making mulled wine and laughing until my stomach hurts. Whether its hiking to Valentines hut from Guthega or speed running the Round Mountain loop, any trail in Jagungal gets my vote.

Any exciting adventures planned for 2026?

So many exciting plans!!! I just wrapped the Te Araroa trail at the start of the year where I cycled, paddled and hiked the length of New Zealand. Next up is my second thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, ever since hiking it in 2022 I have been dreaming about going back. For me, 2026 is about really exercising my creativity throughout these experiences, so I plan on capturing the essence of the trail the best I can through stills, videos, poems and any other creative outlets I feel called to.

What piece of gear could not live without?

I love winter hiking so if we’re talking about literal survival it would have to be my quilt. I am currently running a Neve Waratah which is both cozy and light weight. Not only is it important for survival but having a comfortable sleep especially on those longer trails plays a huge role in how well my body performs. Plus who doesn't love a summit coffee all cozied up in their quilt?

How did you get into hiking?

I am an “all or nothing” kind of person, so when I first heard of the PCT in 2021 I almost immediately booked a permit, a visa appointment and a flight… before I had even gone on my first solo overnighter. My first hike was in the Budawangs, I carried a 70 litre pack which was filled to the brim, I wore hiking boots that were far too small and I got lost in the bush for almost an hour. But reaching the carpark at the end was so rewarding, I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.

What’s your best advice for new hikers?

I have been told I’m a very type-B person, I actually wouldn’t always agree, however the one exception is adventuring. When it comes to hiking, biking or any other challenge my motto is “wing it”. You can spend your whole life refining the perfect packing list, picking out the best short cuts and side trails and training but these are all things that take real life experience to learn. So just pick a route, put it in your calendar and get out there! Oh and leave your ego at home, your body needs you to be present. This is something I learn more and more with every trip.

Check out what is inside Courtney's pack here.