Planning a Lightweight Expedition

Transcription

1 Planning a Lightweight Expeditin by Frances Chattertn G my sns, burn yur bks, Buy yurselves stut shes. Get away t the muntains, the deserts And the deepest recesses f the Earth. In this way and n ther will yu gain A true knwledge f things and Of their prperties. Peter Severinus 1571 AD Why tramp n a treadmill when yu can hike thrugh the hills? Hiking is ne f the mst enjyable frms f exercise - nt nly d yu give yur legs a gd wrkut (especially if yu're ging ver a lt f hills and rugh terrain), yu get t enjy the beauty f the scenery arund yu. Every part f the wrld, and every seasn, has its wn unique persnality - fascinating rck frmatins, sheltering trees, cl streams, fresh scents, animals f all sizes and types. Yu'll als find the ht sun beating dwn n yu, rcks that make yur feet hurt, pisn plants... and animals f all sizes and types, including bugs and hungry, hstile beasts. Befre yu g running back t the safety f yur living rm, hwever, keep in mind that yu can avid r lessen mst f the ptentially bad aspects f hiking by being prepared. Like any physical activity - running, dancing, swimming, etc. - hiking has certain grund rules. In fact, hiking has a few mre than mst because nature is nt exactly a cntrlled envirnment (that's what makes it s wnderful). Get the prper equipment and take the necessary precautins, and yu'll make hiking a regular part f being active. Frge thrugh the frest withut any frethught, and yu're curting disaster (r at least a nasty case f sunburn and a few bug bites). I have an inclinatin t say JUST DO IT, but I cannt, because the bush can be a dangerus place, even fr thse wh are experienced. Cnsequently, I recmmend a few preliminary steps as yu begin yur lightweighting adventures. Acquire Backpacking Knwledge thrugh reading there are lts f reputable bks n backpacking basics plus the internet. Acquire Knwledge & Experience thrugh attending curses r jining rganisatins these grups prvide a fast way t learn prven techniques and make friends wh have similar interests Get in Shape--Stay in Shape: - It's imprtant fr hiking, and especially backpacking, that we have strng lwer back, upper back, and abdminal muscles, in additin t strng legs. Find exercises that strengthen thse muscles. Get in shape t carry yur anticipated 16kg lad befre the trip. Several weeks befre a trip, I anticipate hw much weight I will be carrying, then prepare a pack that weighs 4kg mre than that. That, then, becmes my training pack fr the next several weeks--abut fur r five nights a week-- right up t tw r three days befre the trip. The Mst Imprtant Essential--Cmmn Sense "Cmmn Sense"--ne f thse abstract cncepts that we use when talking t emplyees, students, and children, with the assumptin that everyne understands what it means, when if fact, we dn't. Well, here's what it means when I use it:

2 Cmmn-Sense Glssary: (frm the Oxfrd Mdern English Dictinary): Sense: (n)...4.a/ quick r accurate appreciatin, understanding, r instinct regarding a specific matter...b/ the habit f basing ne's cnduct n such instinct. 5/ practical wisdm r judgement, cmmn sense; cnfrmity t these... Cmmn Sense: (n) sund practical sense, esp. in everyday matters. Practical: (adj) 1/ cncerned with practice rather than thery. 2/ suited t use r actin...5/ cncerned with what is actually pssible. The exercise f cmmn-sense is a requirement fr the entire "bush-experience life-cycle", frm initial thughts, thrugh actual planning, transprtatin t, executin f the hike, and return trip hme. Plan Carefully. Plan yur expeditins, thrughly, befre yu leave hme. Be as knwledgeable abut what lies ahead as physically pssible, and yu will be much better psitined t achieve and maintain a healthy attitude, perceived and actual security, as well as have a gd time. Have a plan, even if yu're just making a shrt trip. Hw else will yu knw what t bring? A three-hur hike has different needs frm ne that's ging t last all day r a cuple f days. S think abut where yu're ging, what time f day yu'll be hiking, the seasn and the type f terrain this hike entails. Research the trail and terrain. With the wnders f the Internet, this has becme extremely easy. Nearly every park has a website where yu can find infrmatin abut the trails - their length, difficulty, landmarks, the best seasn t visit and mre. Yu may even be able t print ut a map. Yu'll als want t knw what kind f plants and animals yu're ging t encunter. And be aware f the weather - if there's a chance f a rain, it might be nice t be prepared! Befre yu take girls n a new track make sure smene in yur grup has hiked the trail never take girls n a hike where n ne is familiar with the trail. Cmmunicate Yur Plans t friends & family. Make a hardcpy f the destinatin and time table fr yur trip and give it t a nminated persn wh will be respnsible fr cntacting the authrities if yu d nt return in a designated time and will be the cntact persn fr the families. Draw n a tpgraphical map where yu will be, hw lng yu will be there, and when yu shuld be back hme. This may be yur link t survival shuld yu run int truble in an islated area. Hike with at least ne ther persn, and make sure smene knws where yu're ging and hw lng yu plan t be gne. Even experienced utdrsmen have been knwn t make this mistake. Yu remember that climber wh had t cut ff his wn arm because it gt wedged in a rck. He has admitted that this may have been avided had he nt been alne. Need we say mre? Knw When t Turn Arund & G Back. Fllw yur knwledge, training, and gut instincts (the "sixth sense"). If yu are unsure abut a traverse, a climb, a trail, expsure t weather--whatever--back ff, live anther day, and cntemplate yur alternatives. Select a different rute; Pitch yur tent and layver until the strm passes; Wait til mrning when the river's water level is lwer, befre crssing, etc. Keep in mind, ignring yur "sixth sense" and pushing frward int a questinable situatin might be challenging and mach, but it can als be called stupid and have deadly cnsequences. Remember, many f the climbers wh've been killed n Everest were the victims f their wn inability t turn arund when their guts were telling them t d s. Listen t Yur Bdy--Undress Befre Overheat, Dress Befre Chills--Drink Often--Eat Regularly. Nt nly des ur pyschlgical and spiritual being speak t us, but ur physilgical parts send us lud messages, as well. Carry Gear That Yu Perceive Will Maintain Yur High Level f Security: Determine the gear that YOU NEED t maintain yur persnal level f security and then seek ut the smallest, lightest, highest-quality manifestatin f that gear. Dn't be verly influenced by "lightweight gear freaks", but, als, fr yur wn safety, avid the "everything but the kitchen sink syndrme". Decide what makes yu feel safe and cmfrtable, then start ut with that as a baseline. As yu becme mre experienced, yu will discver that yur gear cnfiguratins will evlve tward mre efficiency and, hpefully, lighter weight. Remember, thugh, as yu determine yur gear needs, a t-large pack makes a persn mre vulnerable t falling dwn as well as t back, leg, knee, and ft injuries, and a t-small pack may cmprmise yur persnal security, due t lack f necessary gear.

3 EQUIPMENT: Strive fr a Simple, Light Lad n yur back. A light, but efficient lad, will allw yu t have a mre enjyable time with energy left ver t celebrate when yu reach yur destinatin Knw Yur Requirements. Befre embarking n a gear shpping trip, have yur pckets full f infrmatin related t: What kind f trips yu will be taking: hw many days? hw many kilmetres? in what kind f terrain--n trail, ff trail? at what altitude rainfrest, muntainus, pen plain? in what seasns--summer, winter, autumn in what kind f weather? hw many peple--2-persn, 6 8 persn etc.? TENTS: A backpacking tent prvides shelter and security while at the same time being lightweight It is imprtant t cnsider the types f cnditins in which yu ften backpack. If yu enjy backpacking in regins where rain is likely, this will impact yur selectin as yu will want a tent with a rainfly that is large enugh t give yu rm t stre yur belngings underneath it and stay dry. String yur gear under the rainfly keeps yur gear dry and makes yu a happier camper in the mrnings. If yu nly backpack in warm areas where the temperature rarely dips beneath 15 degrees at night, yu will want a tent that has mre mesh thereby allwing mre air t circulate. Hw large f a tent d yu need? We usually share the tent with ne ther persn therefre a tw persn tent will fit ur needs. Yu can measure the sleeping mat yu take with yu n trips and use thse dimensins as a guide fr hw large a tent yu will need. Grundsheets can prlng the life f yur tent because it will add an additinal layer f prtectin frm sharp stnes r sticks. Als, they help t keep the base f the tent dry when yu are frced t set up camp in a wet area. The main criteria fr backpacking tents are quality f materials, weight and stability. It makes sense t divide the tent's cmpnents (ples, tent, tent fly) between tw peple. With that in mind, here's what t lk fr: A tunnel r half-dme design (r mdified versins f either) Rip-stp and mesh upper sectin Flr cating that extends abut fur t six inches up the sides, ften referred t as a "bathtub" design, which prevents the seepage f grund misture series aluminum shck-crded ples that d nt bstruct entry/exit pints series ples are gd aluminum ples abut 1/4 inch in diameter, flexible yet strng, andized r cated in an electrlytic prcess, and are easy t fit tgether because they're held tgether with shck crds (thick, elastic bungee crds nestled inside the ples). Even better, sme ples are designed t be easily repaired in the field. A fly that extends t within a few inches f the grunding. Als, remember that a quality tent may cst mre at the n-set, but will last lnger and be less likely t need repairs even in the harshest cnditins. With tents yu get what yu pay fr. A practical nte here, related t clurs: fr general purpse, three seasn use, chse tents with light clurs (light blue, green, yellw) fr increased light inside yur tent and t reflect sunlight s that yur tent stays cler in warm weather. Darker clurs absrb sunlight and heat, as well as make it darker inside the tent.

4 BACKPACKS: There are tw types f backpacks, internal and external frames. Althugh there is nthing wrng with external packs, internal frames have becme the standard because they are narrwer, ffer mre features, and hug clser t yur bdy. An internal frame pack ften has tw internal aluminium strips that can be mulded t fit yur back. Since these packs are designed fr heavier lads, it is necessary t have gd padded hip straps t transfer the weight ff yur shulders. Again, gd shulder and back padding is necessary, but t much can add excessive weight. Sme gd features t lk fr include an adjustable suspensin system, external side cmpressin straps, and a remvable r adjustable tp lid. A prperly fitted internal frame pack in gd repair with a capacity f abut 60 litres (3700 cu. in.) is recmmended. It shuld hld all yur gear except the clthes yu will wear. The pack shuld weigh n mre than 2.3 kg. Filled with yur gear it shuld weigh less than 10 kg and with fd and water included arund 15kg. Lk fr a backpack ranging frm cubic inches. The upper end f the capacity range, cubic inches, is best suited fr weeklng trips, while the lwer range is generally enugh fr a weekend. These packs ften cme in a regular and large size. Regular fits a trs f 15 t 18 inches, which is average. Internal frame is best fr increased cmfrt. An external frame pack is ften cnsidered t be less cmfrtable. Multiple pckets, rain hd, and accessry straps, r places t put straps. Padded shulder straps and hip belt. A hydratin cmpatible pack is a plus. Mst reservirs wrk with mst backpacks that are listed as being hydratin cmpatible. Wmen ften find they prefer t pack the weight lw whether they're hiking regardless f which pack style they're carrying. Yu are the ultimate judge f what feels cmfrtable t yu. Experiment with different lad arrangements t determine what feels best. Make sure sme items are easily accessible, packed in places where they can be reached with a minimum f digging: such as the map and cmpass, snack fd, first aid kit, insect repellent, water, headlamp. Dn't waste empty space. Cram every nk with smething. Put a small item f clthing inside yur pts, fr example. Smaller items, such as fd, pack mre efficiently in individual units rather then when stred lsely inside a stuff sack. Split up the weight f large items (a tent, fr instance) with ther grup members. Dn't make ne persn becme an invluntary packhrse. Minimize the number f items yu strap t the utside f yur pack. Gear carried externally may adversely affect yur balance. Secure any equipment yu carry utside s it desn't swing r rattle. Make sure the cap n yur fuel bttle is screwed n tightly. Psitin it belw yur fd inside yur pack in case f a spill. SLEEPING BAGS: There are lightweight sleeping bags fr everyne, but we are all s different. Sme can't sleep in a mummy bag. Others can sleep in anything. Sme wn't be gentle enugh t use a fragile high-tech bag, while thers seem t make their gear last frever. Dwn is lighter as an insulatin. Ounce-fr-unce nthing insulates as well as dwn. Dwn bags are much mre cmpressible than the synthetic nes, s they take nticeably less space in the pack. They als can be

5 rejuvenated by thrwing them in the dryer with a she. This "fluffs" up the dwn. 30-year-ld dwn sleeping bags regain virtually all f their riginal lft after a treatment like this. Yu might think nw that a dwn bag is the ultimate lightweight sleeping bag. Well...maybe. The primary prblem with dwn is that it is wrthless when wet. Als, dwn will smetimes leak ut, especially if yu tear a seam. Gd lightweight synthetic sleeping bags take abuse well, and they keep insulating even if they are wet. The well-designed nes are getting very clse in weight t dwn bags. They still take a lt mre space in yur pack, hwever, and the insulatin always breaks dwn after a few years. They are s wrry-free while they are relatively new, thugh. It is a tugh chice. There are fur basic designs fr sleeping bags; mummy, mdified mummy, barrel and rectangular. Except fr rectangular (which is t bulky and usually nt as warm), the ther three are all suitable. A mummy bag is the warmest. Yu can travel with a lighter sleeping bag if yu learn t stay warm. Start by camping in the right place, wear yur clthes t bed. If yu shake ut and fluff up the clthes they will insulate better. Wear a hat r beanie t bed. This is prbably equal t anther ½ kil f insulatin in yur sleeping bag. Up t 55% f the bdy s heat can be lst thrugh yur head when it isn't cvered. Stay Dry! Stay up late until yur clthes have dried, r change int dry clthes if yu have them. Try hard nt t crawl int that bag in wet clthes. Breathe int yur sleeping bag if yu are really cld. Hwever, yu shuld nly d this if yu are in a dry climate, r it is yur last night ut. Yu will get a little damp, but yu will dry quickly frm hiking in the mrning. Heat water and fill a water bttle t take t bed with yu. This is prbably easier than heating up rcks and placing them arund yu. CLOTHES: If yu're wearing all cttn r wl clthing, yu'll be hating life the mment yu start sweating. At all csts avid cttn t-shirts, cttn scks and blue jeans. These clthes d nt wick away water and sweat and lse their warmth when wet and t add insult t injury, they are heavy! The best items t wear n a hike are thse made frm synthetic materials that wick misture away frm yur skin - fibers with names like grtex and capilene. These will keep yu cler and drier. They're als mre lightweight than cttn and wl, and they dn't take up as much space when yu re packing them in yur backpack. Lightweight synthetic clthing can be layered. By using layers yu can adjust fr the significant changes in temperatures between day and night. Lk fr the fllwing: Lightweight synthetic lng underwear Synthetic t-shirt Synthetic lng sleeve shirt/zip neck Hiking pants with zip-ff legs Synthetic hiking scks Pair f gaiters Light fleece r sft shell jacket Lightweight breathable waterprf jacket and rain pants Ball cap r sun hat Light glves and warm hat Rain Gear: Trusers and hded jacket. A gd quality rain suit is essential. Yu shuld be able t pull the trusers n ver yur hiking bts. It shuld nt be t light r it will tear n branch stubs r snags. Factry sealed Gre-Tex is ideal. But really there is NO need fr an extra pair f pants. Even in the wrst weather n the lngest trips ne pair f pants, ne lng jhn bttm and ne pair f rainpants will cver all situatins. This is nt a fashin shw. I went with a girl nce wh carried a change f clthes fr each day and wndered why her pack was s ppressive. But she sure lked great!

6 SHOES: Take care f yur feet after all they are yur main means f transprt. Fr mst shrt hikes yu're better ff with trail runners r light hiking bts with a bit f ankle supprt. Like any ther she, hiking shes shuld feel cmfrtable and easy t wear - sprting a few new blisters in the middle f nwhere is a decidedly unpleasant experience. New bts r shes must be brken in by wearing them fr a few days befre leaving hme nt n the trail. When trying n hiking shes and bts, take the scks yu wuld wear during yur expeditin --as well as rthpedic inserts (rthdics). If yu dn't knw what scks yu'll be wearing, then that's where yu shuld start. If yu change thickness and design f sck subsequent t purchase, that gd bt fit yu wrk hard fr, may be histry. As with yur ther apparel, yu'll want a sck with misture-wicking features and enugh fr each day. Since yu lift yur shes with every step, wearing running shes can save mre energy than any ther lightweight clthing chice. Lifting bts with every step results in lifting literally tns f weight n a lng hike. They say that every.5kil n yur feet is equivalent t 3kg n yur back. Yu wear running shes fr every day use because they re mre cmfrtable. Thse same shes are mre cmfrtable n a hike, t. They dry ut quickly if they get wet. They make yu mre agile. And mst imprtantly, yu feel less fatigue at the end f the day. GAITERS: They shuld hk nt yur btlaces and have a strap r rpe arund the bttm f yur bt at the instep. They shuld reach abve the calf muscle snugly. They are extremely imprtant in wet muddy weather and ideal fr walking thrugh spear grass. COOKING: Take just minimal equipment t ck fd. Buy equipment that is durable and will last. Seek ut TITANIUM (r ther ultralight) materials. Pts, stves, backpack stays, tent pegs, anything metal, if made f titanium, will be significantly lighter than any ther metal. Fr example, a titanium ck pt (with lid & handles) weighs 6 z. A tight-fitting lid is critical in rder t maximize the efficiency f yur stve. If yu have a tightfitting lid, the cntents f the pt will heat faster and, thus, yu'll cnsume less stve fuel. Yu can als blacken yur cking pts t use less fuel. A blackened pt will absrb and distribute heat faster than a shiny surfaced ne. Paint the utside f yur pts with flat-black stve paint. Shp at stres with reputable, experienced salespeple. This may surprise yu, but my advice, if yu are just starting ut -- UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED -- is t stay away frm utdr chain stres (yu knw wh they are)! Check yu lcal area fr the best utdr shps where yu can get advice frm experienced peple. If the chain stres are all yu have, then make darn sure yu've dne yur hmewrk--fr yur wn gd--and get a secnd and third pinin. Resist Gadgets. It seems every camp stre has dzens f clever little gadgets t add weight t yur pack. Dn't buy them! Knw Yur Gear. Acquiring the right gear is the first step. Yu must then gain a keen knwledge f hw each piece f gear wrks, hw it is assembled, and hw t maintain it. Practice using each gear item, befre yu leave hme. Visualize having t repair each item in the field (and be prepared t d s). The mre yu knw abut yur gear and the mre cmfrtable yu are with it, the mre secure and cmfrtable yu will be while n the trail. Keep track f the time and yur lcatin. If yu've packed lightly and nly expect t be ut fr a few hurs, yu really dn't want t find yurself kilmetres frm yur destinatin when night falls. Hiking shuld be a fun, nt a test in survival.

7 FOOD: Yu may want t hike fr just a few hurs, r yu may want t hike fr a few days. One meal and sme snacks are all that s needed fr a shrt hike. Planning meals fr a lnger hike requires mre thught. Yu have t chse fds that are light enugh t carry in a backpack and that can be transprted safely. Carbhydrates, prteins and fats are the three energy nutrients. High carbhydrate fds, such as cereals, pastas, grains, beans and fruits are excellent surces f energy. They are burned immediately as glucse r stred in the muscles as glycgen fr later use. At the beginning f a hike, the bdy burns glucse, then the glycgen that is stred in the muscles and finally after abut 30 minutes it begins t burn stred bdy fat alng with glycgen. Exhaustin ccurs when the bdy has depleted all f its supply f glycgen. The bdy can replace its stre f glycgen each day with a diet that has sufficient carbhydrates. With an inadequate supply, three days f hard backpacking will prduce fatigue and reduced speed and endurance. The best plan is t start eh mrning with a high carbhydrate breakfast. This culd include cereal, cca mix with pwdered milk, and sme dried fruit, then much lightly alng the trial. Save the fat and prtein meal cmpnents fr the evening meal. Fats and prteins take a lng time t digest, require water and xygen fr digestin and are best eaten after the heavy physical wrk f backpacking is finished. If yu are backpacking fr mre than a day, the fd situatin gets a little mre cmplicated. Yu can bring cld fds fr the first day, but yu ll have t pack shelf-stable items fr the next day. Canned gds are safe, but heavy and nt recmmended besides yu still have the tin t carry ut in yur backpack as rubbish. Yu can nw purchase relatively lightweight staples that dn t need refrigeratin r careful packaging. Fr example: Tuna in fil packs; Dried ndles and sups; Beef jerky and ther dried meats; Dehydrated fds; Dried fruits and nuts; and Pwdered milk and fruit drinks. Eat Heavy Fds, First! Fds such as, mealpack bars, fresh fruits & veggies, semi-dried sausages, etc., add the mst weight t yur pack. Eat them first t lighten yur lad. Carefully select snack fds. It is very, very easy t carry t many f these. Be tugh n yurself n these and carry barely what yu'll need. Carry very light backup fds -- that meal yu have fr emergency situatins. Dried fruit is anther heavy item. Carry nly what yu'll eat. Cunt them. 2-3 pieces f fruit per day is likely t be enugh. Dried bananas are an exceptin. They are truly dry and light. A big bag f nuts is als (t) heavy. The weight fr fd shuld be arund 1.13kg per day. WATER: Water is ne f the mst imprtant items in yur pack, and ne f the heaviest. Yu need it t sustain energy. Yu need it t avid bdy aches, headaches, and becming s uncmfrtable that yu dn t enjy yur hiking experience. If yu can avid carrying t much water, yu ll enjy a far lighter pack. Yur ability t find safe water and knw hw and when t treat it is a valuable skill.. Much f the water we find utdrs is safe, especially at high elevatins and when yu re near the riginal surce. Always cnsider what is upstream, and err n the side f cautin if yu dn t knw what is abve yu. Des the

8 water lk clear? Dn t wrry t much abut small animal life in the water. Wrry mre if there isn t any life in the water, and ask why. Sme experts talk abut running water being safer than still water, but studies have fund lake water t be amng the cleanest because the ultravilet rays f the sun kill bacteria near the surface. When taking water frm a lake r pnd, take water under the surface, but near the surface. Check the rate f water that is flwing int and ut f the lake. Are there any stck animals r ther animals that culd make the water impure? When hiking at lwer elevatins, yu need t be cautius f manmade cntaminatin frm agriculture and industry, including herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. N matter what water treatment system yu use, be sure yur hands are clean, especially after bathrm breaks. This is ne f the mst imprtant pints f this article. Impure hands can ften transfer micr rganisms t fd r water, and the water gets blamed fr the result. Biling is the ldest and mst basic way t purify water. A rlling bil will destry any pathgens. T be safe, bring the water t a rlling bil fr 3 t 5 minutes. Biling water fr drinking is slw and tedius, and adds t the weight f the fuel in yur pack. If it becmes necessary t use water frm streams, lakes, and springs, purify the water, with purificatin tablets and water filters, n matter hw clean it appears. The purificatin tablets which cntain idine, halazne, r chlrine kill mst waterbrne bacteria, viruses, and sme (but nt all) parasites. Sme parasites such as Cryptspridium parvum, Giardia lamblia, and larger bacteria are nt killed by purificatin tablets; yu must als use a water filter. These water filtering devices must be 1 micrn abslute r smaller. Water purificatin tablets, filters, and sanitizing tablets can be purchased at camping supply stres. Hw much water shuld yu carry? Aim fr at least tw litres per persn - the warmer it is, the mre yu need. Mst peple will prbably drink 4 litres f water in warm weather. The bdy can nly assimilate abut 4 unces f water at a time the rest ges thrugh yur kidneys s it s imprtant that yu sip water frequently rather than gulp infrequently. When cnsidering pack weight - ne litre water = 1kg. WALKING ON THE TRAIL. Maintain an efficient psture, while walking n the trail. First f all, yu need t make sure yur pack is packed crrectly. Assuming yur pack is relatively lightweight and prperly packed, yu shuld be able t walk nly slightly leaning frward under the weight f the pack. Try t maintain the psture yu wuld nrmally have while walking-- head up; shulders back; relaxed, swinging arms--in rder t reduce muscle strain and make yu a mre efficient backpacker. Discver Yur Hiking Pace! This is very imprtant. Everyne has a preferred pace, and t deviate frm that pace is smewhat annying, uncmfrtable, and even injury prducing. When first starting ut, dn't cncentrate t much n yur stride and pace, just d what cmes naturally and cmfrtably. It's imprtant that yu hike at yur wn pace t maintain that cmfrt level. Yu're ut there t have fun and achieve enjyment, nt t keep up with smene else. If yu hike with a grup--mst grups, if prperly guided, will allw fr this, and even encurage this. Eventually, yu may want t cncentrate n quickening yur pace r even slwing dwn. Over time, I have learned t cmfrtably quicken my pace r slw my pace, depending n the situatin. Walking pace shuld be restricted t that f the slwest member f the party. A leader shuld be with students at the frnt f the grup, whilst a strng walker shuld remain at the rear t prvide supervisin and supprt fr slwer walkers. The leader must make regular checks n grup numbers and ensure cntact between all members f the grup is maintained. Yu shuld have an understanding f what distances yu can hike. Mst peple have n sense f hw far a kilmetre really is and hw lng it actually takes t hike a kilmetre. A safe, cnservative estimate is 3 kilmetres per hur (thugh 3.5 is mre likely the pace yu'll be ging). It ges dwn t 1.5 t 2 kilmetres per hur fr ging up hill (depends n hw steep) r in scrubby terrain r creek rckhpping n dry rcks. It can g as lw as.25 t 1 kilmetre rckhpping n wet slippery rcks, travelling in very steep terrain r walking n sft beach sand. Five

9 kilmetres per hur is very fast fr a hiking pace. Anything ver 10 kilmetres is a lng day hike. 16 kilmetres is a really lng day hike. Add an extra hur fr every five hurs f hiking t allw fr fatigue. Watch where yu're ging. Especially nwadays, many trails are in a bad way--rts, ruts, wash-uts, rcks. Keep yur eyes and mind n the tread in frnt f yu. Plan each step, carefully. Yur eyes, mind, and ft placement must be in crdinatin with yur feet. That is why its imprtant t travel at yur naturally cmfrtable pace. If yu g t fast, yur ft placement may becme uncrdinated Accidents can ccur--and d. Even n well-kept trails, fting can be treacherus when wet, especially. Be careful ging dwnhill n wet tread. Use yur walking stick fr added supprt and stability. STAY HEALTHY Drink much, eat much, and maintain a stable bdy heat, as previusly mentined. When yu plan yur daily kilmetres, take int cnsideratin water, fuel, & clthes breaks. Als take int cnsideratin the terrain yu'll be travelling in and make the apprpriate clthing and supplies readily available in r n yur pack. If the garments, sunscreen, fd, etc. are readily available, yu'll be mre likely t stp and use them-- as ppsed t the hassle f digging arund in the pack lking fr things. Rest ccasinally. Whenever yu r smene in yur grup gets weary, it's imprtant t stp and rest. It's actually best if yu rest befre anyne gets weary. A tired backpacker, is a backpacker wh is mre prne t injury. When planning yur daily kilmetres, be flexible. Be prepared t stp fr the day when yu and/r yur grup gets weary and wants t stp, rather that pushing n t a pre-determined gal and risk smene getting injured. Prtect yurself frm sunburn. Carry and use hats with wide brims which prtect the eyes and face and with shruds that cver ears and neck. Frequently apply sunblck--at least, SPF 15-- in the muntains, try SPF 30 r higher. Prevent & treat blisters. If yur bts fit crrectly, yu'll be less likely t encunter blisters. A gd bt fit will be snug in the heel area and lng enugh that tes dn't jam up against the frnt f the bt when ging dwnhill. Als, wear gd hiking scks with padded bttms. Thse are the three areas in which blisters ccur the mst. If yu have a histry f blisters, then apply mleskin r 2nd skin r whatever t that area prir t hitting the trail. If already n the trail, stp immediately upn feeling a "ht" spt. When yu feel the ht spt, the blister is already frming. If yu stp right away and apply mleskin t the reddened area, yu'll mst likely have little mre that a sre spt fr a cuple days. If yu dn't stp and take care f it, it culd develp int a cnditin t painful t walk n. If a full-blwn blister des ccur, yu can drain it by lancing it at its base and then applying first, an antibacterial gel, and secnd, a cushined, adhesive bandage. Anther slutin, is t leave it, as is, undrained, and cver it as fllws: cut a sectin f 1/8" thick mlefam which is larger than the blister by 1/2" n each side. Then cut a hle in the middle f the mlefam a little larger than the blister and place it ver the blister. Next, Cut a piece f mleskin the same size as the mlefam and place ver the tp f the mlefam. Yu've nw encased and prtected the blister frm further abrasin. Yu shuld be able t cntinue n yur jurney. Bugs. Yu'll have t deal with bugs, ne way r anther especially flies and msquites. There are many bug-ff slutins--juices, creams, gels, sprays--mst f which are DEET based. Yu can als purchase bug-net clthes. This is prbably the main reasn that I carry a tent. If there were n bugs in the wrld, I'd be happy carrying, at mst, a bivy fr many f the utings I g n. There's n magic slutin, yu just have t discver a way t deal with it. Ticks. In tick cuntry, make sure feet, legs, arms are cvered with clthing. Wear lightclred clthing s ticks will be mre visible. Check ften fr ticks n clthes and in hair and n expsed skin. If yu d find a tick embedded in yur skin the recmmendatin is t remve it immediately by pinching yur skin with special tick-remving tweezers just belw the head f the tick and lift the tick straight up and ut. It is very imprtant t nt squeeze r twist the tick during the remval prcess since this can cause the tick t regurgitate germs int the wund. Als, d nt try t burn r therwise harrass the tick because it may burrw deeper. After remval, apply first aid t the wund, and it wuldn't hurt t save the specimen and take it and yurself t see a physician, upn yur return t civilizatin. Leeches. Leeches are nt life-threatening but mst f us dn t like them very much. There are a cuple f things yu can d t discurage the little suckers. If yu have leather bts make sure they are well iled r waxed leeches dn t seem t like these substances. Fr jggers try spraying well r cating with Rid r ther insect repellent. Use insect repellent (Bushman is the strngest) n yur skin and/r clthes. Flding the tps f scks ver the tp f yur shes r wearing gaiters can als make it harder fr leeches t get inside yur shes. Carry insect repellent in a handy place.

10 Salt is effective in killing the leech nce it has attached and pack a grund sheet clse t the tp f yur pack t ensure a leech free break. First Aid Kit it is abslutely imperative that yu carry a first aid kit when hiking. Each persn shuld have a persnal first aid kit in a small lightweight cntainer (a zip lck bag is gd). N matter what yu decide t carry in yur kit make sure yu check it each time befre yu g hiking. Tss ut ld r ut f date medicatins and restck with fresh supplies. Never be cmplacent and always take a First Aid Kit with yu. The ne time yu dn t will be the time yu need it. The fllwing items shuld be cnsidered when stcking a basic First Aid kit: Bandages varius sizes ne fr treating snake bite Pain relievers Panadl, ibuprfen Adhesive tape Alchl/antiseptic wipes Antihistamine Antiseptic intment Gauze pads Bandaids Butterfly Antifungal skin cream Anti-diarrhea medicine Safety pins Scissrs r multi-tl Sunscreen Triangular bandage Tweezers Prescriptin medicines + extra dse Cling wrap STAY FOUND Hikers must bear in mind the fact that they practise a sprt that entails certain elements f risk. They shuld be cnsiderate and remember that the cmmunity is nt impressed with having t meet expensive search csts because f their incmpetence. Carry & knw hw t use map & cmpass. Even if yu always stay n the trail and have n intentins f leaving it, it is imprtant t carry a gd quality tpgraphical map f the terrain that yu're in. A pr quality map, which desn't shw cnturs will nly lead t shcks when yu are facing that steep accent. If fr a brief mment, yu may nt be paying attentin r may get distracted and, cnsequently, take an incrrect frk in the trail, the tread f which gradually fades away. Yu turn arund and see n trail--yu're disriented and prbably lst. In my pinin, the map is the mst imprtant tl yu have because even if yu dn't knw the intricacies f using a cmpass, the map (assuming yu knw hw t read it) will allw yu get re-riented. Yu can climb t a high place pick ut sme utstanding land features then find them n the map (r vice versa) in rder t apprximate where yu're at. With this knwledge yu'll have an easier time finding yur way back t the trail. If yu knw hw t read the cmpass--which yu shuld-- yu'll have an even better chance f finding yur way back. Unfrtunately many hikers dn't pull ut the map until they're thrughly lst. The fact is it's usually a simple matter t cntinually mnitr yur lcatin n a map, duble-checking t cnfirm that yu're crrect. It's far mre difficult t figure ut yur lcatin after yu're s lst that yu haven't a clue. As yu hike, frequently ask yurself:

11 Are we ging in the cmpass directin the map indicates we shuld be travelling? Are we ging uphill r dwnhill when expected? Are we passing thrugh the type f terrain (pen fields, frest) indicated n the map? D trail junctins crrespnd with what shws n the map? Are we crssing rads r streams where the map shws them? Are visible landmarks shwing up in the directin they shuld be? If reality suddenly stps crrespnding t what the map tells yu t expect, but everything was checking ut five minutes ag, then it's easy t retrace yur steps fr five minutes, and see if yu missed a turn. If yu've been hiking alng in the wrng directin fr an hur, yu'll have a much tugher time salvaging the situatin. Dn't just rely n ne hiker in frnt t lead the way. At least ne ther persn in a grup shuld always be duble-checking. And really, everyne shuld be keeping track, fr several reasns: Yu'll be less likely t miss a turn if everyne is watching. If smene strays frm the grup, they need t knw where they are, and where they're ging. This gives everyne a chance t practice their map-reading skills, and t cmpare their cnclusins against thse f mre experienced hikers. And finally, it's fun. Rute-finding is a puzzle; smetimes an easy ne, smetimes mre challenging. If yu haven't a clue hw t g abut slving the puzzle, it may be bring t wait fr the leaders while they wrk n the puzzle. But nce yu understand the prcess and get invlved, rute-finding becmes part f the pleasure f a day f hiking. Be familiar with & pay attentin t, the terrain yu're in. Befre yu venture int an area, becme familiar with the terrain by studying yur map. As yu travel, pay attentin, stay aware f where yu are--dn't just blindly fllw the trail. Peridically, stp, turn arund and lk behind yu. See if yu can apprximate where yu're at n the map. Stay alert, dn't space ut, and yu'll stay fund. Stay n the trail. Use yur map t becme familiar with the trail, including intersectins with ther trails. It's nt uncmmn t cme acrss side trails which are well travelled by wild animals, climbers, fisherman, and sn-t-be-lst hikers. Again, pay attentin t the map, pay attentin t the trail. Stay n the right ne. If yu have a questin abut which way t g, refer t yur present lcatin n the map, pull ut yur cmpass, take a bearing and fllw the apprpriate trail. Nt all trails are well-defined, be prepared t use map, cmpass, and cmmn sense t validate the directin yu travel. Keep track f Each Other. If in a grup, the rule f thumb is dn't lse sight f the persn in frnt f and/r behind yu. If each persn has this attitude and practice, persns will have a better chance f staying fund; thse wh becme lst can be retrieved befre they becme "t lst"; and injured individuals can be quickly lcated and administered t. If lst, dn't panic. Once yu realize that yu're lst, stay calm, relax, and evaluate the situatin. Stay where yu are at, cntinuing n may just take yu farther frm help. Use yur emergency whistle t signal distress, r if yu dn't have yur whistle, make a lud nise hwever yu can. Get t the highest place in the immediate area, and using yur basic map and cmpass skills t apprximate yur lcatin, and begin wrking yur way back t the trail, cntinuing t make nise, until yu are fund, again. RELATED TO THE TRAIL As much as pssible, stay n the trail. Since many trails aren't prperly maintained, nwadays, they can get pretty mucky. Try t stay n the trail, anyway. That's why we have waterprf hiking bts. Every time we leave the trail t avid the muck, we cntribute t further ersin and degradatin f the trail. Hwever, n thse ccasins when we d need t leave the established trail, in rder t avid "excessive muck", we need t be careful f the vegetatin and try t walk where thers have walked, in rder t minimize and islate the impact. D nt litter. Whatever we pack in, we must pack ut. If yu can, pick up refuse that yu find which smene else has left behind. D nt cut new trails r shrtcut existing trails.

12 Selecting a Camp Site: Take the time t seek ut natural camp sites: Camp 200 feet r mre, away frm water surces--draw yur water fr cking, drinking, and bathing and carry it t yur cking & camping areas. Hnur designated lw-use r n-use areas. Especially, nes where revegetatin effrts are underway. Dn't Camp There! Camp n well-drained sandy r rcky sites, r n vegetatin that is heavily-laden with sft humus. D nt establish camp n high ridges that are expsed t wild weather--cld, high winds and lightening. Camp at lwer elevatins that are prtected by surrunding rcks, trees, and brush. Avid camping in basins because cld, damp air cllects and yu'll prbably awake, cld and damp. Find level grund smewhere in between, ut f the wind. D nt sleep laterally n a slpe r yu will awaken--assuming yu even get t sleep--with sre muscles where yu've been attempting (cnsciusly and uncnsciusly) t cmpensate fr the dwnhill pull f gravity. Seek ut slightly slped areas t ensure that yu dn't awaken in the middle f a puddle f water when that late-evening rain shwer ccurs. Whether yu sleep with yur head r yur feet n the upside f the slpe is up t yu. I feel mre cmfrtable with my head n the upside, thers feel mre cmfrtable, relaxed and better the next day by putting feet n the upside. Decide fr yurself. When smthing ut yur bedsite, be gentle. Dn't carry ut excavatin beynd what yu can fully repair, afterward. Firstly, pick ut the bvius larger sticks, stnes, and sticks, then, lightly, run yur hand ver the area brushing aside ther bstacles that might pke yu (r yur mattress). D nt, under any circumstance, uprt vegetatin. Cnsider what the grund lks like where an animal has bedded fr the night. Yur bedsite shuld nt lk wrse than that, when yu're finished using that space. Avid digging hles, trenches, and, therwise rearranging fragile terrain Animals & Yur Fd: Typically, it is recmmended that yu dn't stre yur fd in yur tent. Rdents dn't mind chewing hles in yur tent and pack, in rder t get t it. Hang fd high abve the grund using a prven technique a cnsiderable distance frm where yu are sleeping. In general, keep fd away frm yur sleeping quarters- -tent, sleeping bag--and anything else yu keep inside yur tent--clthes. Just remember, if yu spill that delicius pt f spaghetti n yur sleeping bag, yu might end up being the meatball! Take Care f Our Streams and Lakes: Camp, at least, 200 feet away frm streams and lakes, in rder t minimize water pllutin. D nt urinate in and arund streams and lakes. Wash yurself and dirty ckware a reasnable distance frm fresh water surces. D nt dump sap suds int streams and lakes. Sanitatin Bury human waste at least 6 inches deep. Tilet Paper - definitely take sme--verestimate quantity. Nettles and Sandpaper figs are nt gd alternatives.

13 Dn't dump sap suds frm bathing r dishwashing int the water. Fr bathing, take alng a few "handiwipes" and draw a pt f water fr rinsing. D this 200 feet away frm water surces. A little bidegradable sap dumped n the grund is kay, but never dump it in water surces--it takes much lnger t degrade and smene else might want t use the water surce after yu leave. Or, in the case f a stream, smene might be dwnstream drawing water fr cking r drinking purpses. Cleanup yur campsite befre yu leave. Fd refuse, pieces f paper, unburnt garbage, etc. Leave a sanitary and aesthetically pleasing campsite fr the next persn. If Yu Must Have A Fire: Use nly dwned dead r dying trees (never take frm live nes). Use existing fire rings, where pssible. D nt leave fire unattended. Make sure fire is cmpletely ut befre yu leave the campsite. If pssible, remve all traces f the fire. D nt leave unburned trash in the fire pit. Carry it ut! Create nly small fires in safe areas. IF YOU ARE LOST: If yu realise yu are lst, d nt panic. STOP (Stp, Think, Observe and Plan). Sit dwn and calmly try t wrk things ut. Appint a leader and her decisin t hld at all times. Ideas are t be discussed with the leader. Nte the time and estimate hw lng yu ve been astray and hw far yu can g befre dark. Yu may be able t retrace yur steps until yu can rientate yurself again. If yu have been navigating carefully, the chances are that yu will nt be very badly bushed. It is imprtant that befre yu mve, yu make a careful nte f the bearing yu are taking. If this fails and yu can see higher grund, head fr it and try t ascertain yur psitin by visual means. Climb a tree if necessary and if pssible. Any mvement is nrmally best made n ridges and spurs nt in scrub-chked gullies. If in a rainfrest r scrub fllw the ridge nt the creek. Preferably wear brightly clured clthing and ratin the fd yu have with yu. Once n a ridge yu may be able t use equipment such as a mbile phne IF yu have receptin. Satellite phnes allw cmmunicatin t the standard telephne netwrk frm anywhere in Australia t almst anywhere in the wrld. Sme sat phnes als ffer GPS tracking and lcatin facilities but sme can be bulky. If yu cannt see higher grund, walk n a fixed bearing in what yu think is the mst likely directin t higher grund. Mark the trail as yu g with tracking signs. D nt walk mre than a kilmetre and carefully nte yur bearings. D nt lse height. If it is getting dark set up camp in the remaining light rather than stumble arund in the bush. If yu still cannt decide n a directin t get yu ut f truble: Keep the grup tgether Return t yur riginal psitin and make camp but d nt camp t clse t running water as this makes searches calls inaudible. Light a fire clse by, which is visible, especially frm the air (smke by day, flaming by night) If yu hear r see birds this is an indicatin that water can be lcated in gullies. If yu have t g dwn fr water, return t yur riginal psitin with the water as sn as pssible. If yu decide t mve, leave a clear trail (arrws, ther tracking signs, break sticks, mark trees etc) and leave messages at camp-sites giving departure times, intentins and physical cnditin f party. Dn't wander t far frm yur riginal rute as pssible as the persn yu have left yur hike plan with will ntify the authrities and that area is where rescuers will start searching fr yu. Flash planes nly if psitin is desperate. Accepted distress signal is three 3 whistle blasts, 3 cees, 3 fires, 3 flashes f a mirrr r trch. These must be regularly spaced r they may nt be nticed.

14 A GPS is a great tl but it has its limitatins. In rder fr it t be useful after yu get lst yu need t use if befre yu get lst. Enter waypints as yu travel including yur starting pint. Then if yu get lst yu have marked an electrnic trail back t yur starting pint. Yu shuld knw hw t use a cmpass and be able t psitin yurself n a map. Never rely n a GPS. Thick frest canpy, bad weather and flat batteries can render it useless. Batteries usually run dwn after a days use. A tw way UHF radi shuld be used fr cmmunicatin if pssible if smene has t leave the grup fr any reasn. A radi's actual range will be abut 3.2 kilmetres r less. Why? Several factrs can inhibit tw-way radi perfrmance: Tpgraphy (hills, deep canyns, ridgelines, tall frmatins) Weather (such as thick cluds) Electrmagnetic interference (lightning) Obstructins (dense frest, structures) Large metal surfaces (inside a vehicle, range is usually less than 1 mile) The human bdy (which is dense and watery) can als blck radi waves. Yu may bst receptin f incming signals if yu attach a radi t a sectin f yur pack that remains away frm yur bdy instead f clipping it t yur belt. Ptential causes f radi interference are as randm as nature itself. S yes, yur tw-way radi results may vary. While dense frests r multiple ridgelines can be majr impediments t radi signals, scattered trees and bushes are mstly transparent r "translucent" t these signals. S even in frested r hilly territry, tw-way radis generally d a fair t gd jb f transmitting shrt-range signals. The mre pwerful the radis the quicker they use batteries with cnstant use they will use a set f standard batteries per day. Citizens Radi Emergency Service Teams" (CREST) are vlunteers wh are trained and mnitr the Gvernment allcated emergency channels n the Citizens Band Radi frequencies and summn help in cases f emergencies. They mnitr Channel 9 HF (High Frequency) radi, Channel 5 n the lder 18 channel radi, in additin t which channel 5/35 n UHF(Ultra high Frequency) is als mnitred. These Channels are legally reserved fr emergency and assistance calls nly. These channels may nt be used fr any ther purpse. In sme areas this mnitring service perates n a 24 hur-a-day basis, relaying emergency and assistance calls via radi and telephne t the needed authrity r service. If yu have an EPIRB (Emergency Psitin Indicating Radi Beacn) mve t elevated psitin and trigger it. An EPIRB is a radi distress beacn that can be activated in an emergency t transmit cntinus radi signals n the frequencies f 121.5MHz and 243 MHz simultaneusly. These signals can be detected by any cmmercial r RAAF aircraft within range and line f sight, and reprted immediately. The signals can als be detected by rbiting satellites and the signal relayed back t earth where the signal is passed directly t the Rescue Crdinatin Centre (AusSAR) in Canberra. When the signal is received by AusSAR details are passed t the Plice Service which is respnsible fr crdinating Search and Rescue peratins. The respnse time t an EPIRB signal may take several hurs r even ne r mre days depending n the weather cnditins. It is a valuable aid t an expeditin that is prperly planned and equipped. If smene sustains an injury, gd judgment is required t determine if it is: safe t prceed; better t send smene (tw peple, if pssible) back fr help; r stay where yu are and wait fr help.