Bushwalk Australia

Hi,
I'm hoping to soon head out on my first overnighter so wondering about how you normally go about planning for a trip, once you have a destination in mind. Assuming that you have your gear list sorted, I guess you then plan ahead regarding identifying a route, location/s for camp/sleeping, locations for water, plans for leaving vehicle (I guess this is common?). How do you approach this, assuming its a first time destination?

Cheers..

Maps come first for me. I will spend hours studying maps, memorising topography, access routes, closest roads and communities in case I need to get out early. Then I'll check the Bureau of Meteorology data for the area/s I plan to visit at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/ check the max and min temps, rainfall, etc. Check parks and rural fire service sites or phone them (preferable) to check for prescription burning in the area.
Put some important numbers in your mobile, SPOT or sat phone and make sure your PLB details are up to date.

research, research, research
as above and reading up in books or online or talking to people you can find about your trip location.
find out what the terrain is like. what the track is like, weather conditions.

All good advice so far, I agree with study your maps, I usually measure distances between notable points like creeks, roads etc, and write them down on the map, study the contours of the planned route, this helps with planning as it is very common to walk slower than anticipated so knowing how far and how steep or rough it is to next point or camp is very important.

I would add look at the area in Google Earth, you can sometimes get some understanding of the terrain and vegetation that you will be going through.

Tony

+1 for Google Earth. Depending on the popularity of the area, Google Image search can also be instructive.

I'll also plot a rough track in a mapping application and transfer that to my GPS and smartphone. I don't set the GPS to navigate that route, but I do make it visible. I'll also mark that route on my actual maps.

For multiday walks, I create an itinerary and transfer it to the back of a mapsheet. Not so important for an overnighter though.

Thanks for responses to date, really helpful!! Keep them coming....cheers

Research, I spend many hours researching online and maps, good quality Topo maps. Than I study the weather for that time of the year and closely watch the weather forecast building up to the hike. All items are weighed and added to a list. I work out the total weight of my pack and seriously consider every item. Before the hike, I know exactly how many Km's for each day and the terrain.
If it's a long trip, like next week, I will go on a test overnight hike to test my gear and choice of clothing.
I check for availability of water on the trail.
This is just part of my preparation's for a hike.

I just log on to http://bushwalk.com/ to browse key forums and topics, then search for things not yet found, then post new questions to fill any gaps. Works well for me so far.

Son of a Beach wrote:I just log on to http://bushwalk.com/ to browse key forums and topics, then search for things not yet found, then post new questions to fill any gaps. Works well for me so far.

+1

+2
corvus

Maps. Guide books if I have them. The forum. BoM. Maybe ask a mate. Check the access roads are open.

And after that I just make it up as I go along. Sometimes I don't even know for sure where I'm going until I get there. That adds to the adventure . . .

John Muir recommended that you "throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence".

north-north-west wrote:Maps. Guide books if I have them. The forum. BoM. Maybe ask a mate. Check the access roads are open.

And after that I just make it up as I go along. Sometimes I don't even know for sure where I'm going until I get there. That adds to the adventure . . .

+1 - a lot of hyper-organised people in here! altho i guess it is to be expected

i check the maps, check the elevation, expected weather and water supplies then pack my crap, organise my mates, tell my old man when to start getting worried and go!!

so that's what i've been doing wrong all these decades...

Marwood wrote:John Muir recommended that you "throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence".

Tony wrote:
I would add look at the area in Google Earth, you can sometimes get some understanding of the terrain and vegetation that you will be going through.

Tony

+1 on Google Earth. I particularly like the ruler tool which is handy for working out rough distances in a non-straight line.

When you finish all your research and know your route, take a piece of blank A4 paper and hand write hand draw mudmap your route, mark on your overnight locations, salient GPS/map references, contact details, track transport, car rego, maps you are using, bail out alternatives, start finish dates. Hang it on the fridge for the other half or whatever so that if you do go astray people know where you intended to go and what you were thinking. Anyone looking at it can make their own appraisal of your preparations/intentions in the light of whatever conditions arose. Worth getting in a routine so that everyone your end is on the same page when you start doing longer stuff. You will almost certainly never need it.

ggorgeman wrote: wondering about how you normally go about planning for a trip, once you have a destination in mind. ...
I guess you then plan ahead regarding identifying a route, location/s for camp/sleeping, locations for water... How do you approach this, assuming its a first time destination?

As others have alluded to, it's some of those other factors that actually determine what my destination will be for a particular walk. I have a list a mile long of walks i want to do, best in different conditions. In the early days I got ideas by reading track notes, then drooling over maps. I'd gauge expected times / reasonable distance to camp by comparing my times with write-ups of day walks i’d done, written up by the same author.

If nasty conditions are forecast, i'll put off a more exposed alpine walk in the interests of safety and enjoyment, and do a lower level walk, maybe to waterfalls to make the most of the rain/snow melt, maybe to a hut. (I do love some snow, just not extended blizzards, gale-force ice in the eyes, navigating in whiteouts etc)

If it's been dry, the availability of water is a determining factor for my choice (was much more an issue in Vic than NSW high country or Tas).
If I pick a walk i know will be challenging for me, i’ll have a plan b (for a multi-day walk, a plan c,d,e..).

Time of the year / amount of daylight definitely affects my choice too. As a first overnighter, I’d suggest pick a fairly easy walk to camp that has interesting side trips from there – mountain to climb, falls or gorge to explore etc. Better than walking in the dark by accident on your first trip, especially this time of year. Others prefer 'adventure', though!

hmm just chuck everything in and go..
It may take longer but you learn from what you do need to what you don't need.
Have a good trip??
I am now in Paris on much planned trip, bag(s) now weighing in at over 25 kgs started with 18.
I have used less of it than I would for a 7 day trip to south Tassie?????
OK your first trip is a big learning curve, second less so and there on.
The more we do the more we learn.
Enjoy
Marty

I winged my first few overnight and extended trips, my mate and I would hear of a trail, drive out there and walk the thing. My first actual overnight walking trip lasted 10 days and we walked about a 160km. We just winged it completely and cheers it worked out fine. they were awesome times and we had some great adventures.That was sometime ago and now I actually derive great pleasure in preparing before walks. I will check the net, buy a topo of the area and map out as much information prior to leaving as possible, I buy my bus ticket and bounce.

Have fun on your first walk, I'm sure it will be a hell of a journey.

Thanks for the responses, really valuable for a beginner. I have a one-nighter in mind, around the northern end of Grampians, an area that I'm quite familiar with as I grew up around there. I'll post a trip report once done. Cheers.