Power Hiking the Rollercoaster: Kit Testing for the Ice Ultra

The art of power hiking often sits in the shadow of its flashier cousin, trail running. But for those preparing for extreme environments, like the Ice Ultra, where speed meets endurance and resilience, power hiking becomes an essential skill. On a windy, rain-lashed day, I found myself on the undulating terrain of the “Rollercoaster,” putting not just my body but also my gear through its paces. Here’s what went down and what I learned about kit testing when the elements aren’t on your side.

The Rollercoaster, often described as the South Coast’s answer to the Fan Dance, is a trail with deep military roots. It’s known for its relentless ascents and descents, making it a perfect training ground for endurance athletes. Unlike the Fan Dance’s iconic single summit push, the Rollercoaster offers a rolling, leg-burning workout that mirrors the unpredictable challenges of an Arctic Ultra.

For this session, I wasn’t out to set speed records. Nursing a recent injury, my goal was to work on power hiking—a deliberate, controlled effort using poles to conquer undulating terrain. The slower pace allowed me to focus on my technique and, more importantly, to give some exciting new kit a thorough trial.

Let’s talk conditions. If you want to test your gear, forget sunny days and calm skies. Real-world adventures rarely come with perfect weather, and the Ice Ultra certainly won’t. On the day of this hike, the wind howled, the rain fell intermittently, and the cold seeped in—a perfect storm for evaluating gear performance.

When you’re out there in the wild, your kit can either be your greatest ally or your Achilles’ heel. Comfort, durability, and adaptability are critical factors, especially when the stakes are high.

First impressions weren’t great. Heel slip threatened to derail my confidence as soon as I laced up. But perseverance paid off. After securing a heel lock knot, the Trailflys proved their worth. These shoes struck an impressive balance between cushioning and grip, handling everything from sloppy mud to rocky paths with ease.

They aren’t mud-specific shoes—if you’re looking for perfection in deep bogs, a pair of mud claws might still reign supreme. But for an all-rounder, the Trailflys exceeded expectations.

These trousers will be my go-to for the Ice Ultra, and this outing was their baptism of fire. My main concern going in was chafing, a common issue for those of us with more muscular builds. Layering them over compression shorts solved this issue.

The standout feature? The spacious thigh pockets. These made accessing essentials—gels, gloves, and wrappers—effortless, even mid-stride. Their performance, combined with comfort and practicality, confirmed they were more than just lounging-around pants.

Layering for extreme environments is an art. For the base layer, I chose a merino wool top from ThruDark. Merino’s natural insulation properties shone, keeping me warm even when the fabric was soaked through.

On top, I wore the Oryon Windguard, a lightweight jacket with water-repellent coating. While it’s not fully waterproof, its ability to fend off wind and light rain while remaining breathable made it an ideal companion. The deep chest zip added extra versatility, allowing for ventilation when I started to overheat.

The layering system worked seamlessly, balancing warmth, breathability, and wind resistance. For Arctic conditions, where exertion meets extreme cold, this setup showed real promise.

Your gear might look great on paper or even feel perfect on a dry run, but until you’ve faced wind, rain, and challenging terrain, you don’t know how it’ll hold up. The Rollercoaster provided the perfect simulation of the unpredictability I’ll face in the Ice Ultra.

Sometimes, it’s the small details that make the biggest difference. The thigh pockets on the Charge Trousers, for example, transformed how I managed my essentials. Similarly, the ventilation features on the Windguard jacket kept me comfortable without compromising warmth.

Heel slip in the Trailflys could have been a dealbreaker, but experimenting with lacing techniques turned them into a reliable asset. Always troubleshoot before writing off a piece of gear.

Extreme conditions demand versatility. A solid layering system is the difference between staying comfortable and suffering. This test gave me confidence in my current setup but also reminded me to stay adaptable.

Power hiking the Rollercoaster was as much a mental and logistical challenge as it was a physical one. With every step, I was reminded of the importance of preparation—not just in terms of fitness but also in selecting and refining my gear.

For anyone planning a similar adventure, I can’t stress enough the value of testing your kit in tough conditions. It’s better to identify weaknesses now, on a training hike, than in the middle of a race where the stakes are high.

As for me, this session marked the end of my 2024 training debriefs. To everyone who’s followed along, shared advice, or simply cheered me on from afar: thank you.

Here’s to even greater challenges—and even better gear—in 2025.