Bushwalk Australia

The rains are back in, and heavy here in Sydney.

Whilst most seek pleasant days for our bushwalk outings, does anyone specifically aim for rainy days for their walks? A little stir crazy and thinking that with all the wet weather gears, there's really no reason to not take a walk in the rain. I can think of the leeches, slippery mud and rocks, sweating inside a rain jacket and the cleaning up after, but then there's also the unique watery bush scenes. The mists, the waterfalls, the muted colours...

What's your take in words and photos?

I guess my incentive stops with thunder and lightning strikes.

Some locations are so well associated with rain in my mind that I feel something is lacking if it's not precipitating, pluvialating, pissing-down. E.g., the Otways in Victoria.

Yes, I agree that lightning is a disincentive, but how much safer one feels in a tent! Or should that be: what the hell difference will it make if one is in a tent?!?

wouldn't get a lot done in parts of NZ if you waited for fine days... west coast south island, up to eleven metres rain a year in parts... waiting for fine weather doesn't tend to be part of a Kiwis planning process

peregrinator wrote:Yes, I agree that lightning is a disincentive, but how much safer one feels in a tent! Or should that be: what the hell difference will it make if one is in a tent?!?

That's a good question. What's the hit rate on tents? I'd imagine it'd be pretty safe nested in a valley and in the forest. Open high ground is obviously a different matter.

Coastal mist, most calming.

wayno wrote:wouldn't get a lot done in parts of NZ if you waited for fine days... west coast south island, up to eleven metres rain a year in parts... waiting for fine weather doesn't tend to be part of a Kiwis planning process

For NZ walkers, there's a separate thread titled 'Sunny blue sky and bushwalks'.

I love daywalks while its raining. Overnights not so much due to the drying/cleaning you.mentioned

I find walking in the rain to be very cleansing in a way. The mud, leeches and greater effort required to get places or keep pushing on makes me feel more satisfied with my achievements and make me feel stronger.
It lets me enjoy and appreciate the sunny days a little more!
Also I think tropical rainforest should be viewed while raining as it's just stunning! I have gone out before when I lived in NQ to walk and see waterfalls and view the jungle in all its glory.
SW Tassie rain coming in sideways at 70 I try and avoid however.

I don't actively seek out rain, and would possibly defer any alpine trips if the weather forecast was for very ordinary weather, but time in the bush is time in the bush, and the restrictions of work, family etc make any opportunity worth taking. I suppose the most spectacular "rain time" I've enjoyed was sea kayaking in Fiordland (NZ) after heavy rain when the waterfalls off the surrounding mountains were amazing, and wouldn't have been there during a drier spell.

A

wayno wrote:wouldn't get a lot done in parts of NZ if you waited for fine days... west coast south island, up to eleven metres rain a year in parts... waiting for fine weather doesn't tend to be part of a Kiwis planning process

For NZ walkers, there's a separate thread titled 'Sunny blue sky and bushwalks'. [/quote]

that would be the western astralia or northern territory forums

andrewa wrote:I suppose the most spectacular "rain time" I've enjoyed was sea kayaking in Fiordland (NZ) after heavy rain when the waterfalls off the surrounding mountains were amazing, and wouldn't have been there during a drier spell.

Similar but not as majestic are those spontaneous waterfall along the sea cliff around Sydney. They don't hang around long after the rain, unfortunately.

wayno wrote:that would be the western astralia or northern territory forums

Monsoon season up north is another sight to be seen I guess. Just warm rain.

GPSGuided wrote:The rains are back in, and heavy here in Sydney.

Whilst most seek pleasant days for our bushwalk outings, does anyone specifically aim for rainy days for their walks? A little stir crazy and thinking that with all the wet weather gears, there's really no reason to not take a walk in the rain. I can think of the leeches, slippery mud and rocks, sweating inside a rain jacket and the cleaning up after, but then there's also the unique watery bush scenes. The mists, the waterfalls, the muted colours...

I don't specifically aim for them, but generally enjoy them if not torrential - once I've prised myself out of my tent or car. Not many things beat the smell of Aussie bush in the rain. In the past I tended to feel a bit ripped off if I'd spent a few days in the mountains and only had clear blue skies. (I now have had enough wet walks in Tassie to happily accept any number of bluebird days. )

Trees and cliff lines looming through the mist; raindrops on leaves; sunlight highlighting brilliant wet colours on snow gum bark; rainbows and thundering creeks and falls after a storm. Love 'em.

Walking in rainforest in FNQ in a downpour dressed in shorts, boots and pack is a wonderful experience. I get quite shocked walking down south when the rain has the nerve to be cold, most unreasonable.

I love walking in the rain. One of my best memories is descending down into the Jamieson Valley to do the walk over Mt Solitary. Cold and misty and drizzling with rain - just beautiful. Tree ferns take on a special appearance in rain. And the smell of the wet forest floor.....marvellous.

I don't plan multi-day or overnighters to deliberately seek out rain, however I have done a couple of day walks in the rain and it is indeed special, especially when you know there is a hot shower and a dry bed at the end of a long cold day.

Now I am doing a bit of packrafting I actually look for a bit of rain to fill up the rivers. Had a nice walk/paddle on the Kangaroo the other day in the rain and did the Bents Basin trip yesterday- glad it wasn't today tho :O

Lindsay wrote:... walks in the rain and it is indeed special, especially when you know there is a hot shower and a dry bed at the end of a long cold day.

Oh, you've nailed it! One massive pleasure in life.

Ooh that pack rafting looks fun

I enjoy the rain since 2011 when I had two holidays to NZ in 4 months. Now rainy days just make me feel like I'm on holidays… ha ha! That's NZ for you ;P

Altho I do really grow to hate the sound of rain drops on my rain jacket hood when it goes on for hours and hours Drives me mental.

Ha this thread reminds me of the first time I did the south coast track in Tassie. lots of rain wind etc, but the part where you have to climb up a water fall (granite beach I think) the water is falling from above plus the rain from the side and then the wind blows the whole lot up your skirt (so to speak) now that was rain....

I'm always trying to convince book authors to include in their bushwalking books a "what to do on a rainy day" section. I first noticed it in the book NZ Frenzy, and it's one of the best ideas I've seen, with, from the same author, the "obscurometer" (measuring crowds for each walk, how to avoid them). I never "aim" for a rainy day, I doubt people do that unless they're snail or frog lovers, but some areas are fine on a rainy day. The wild coast of Tassie is perfect for it, whether it's South West, the West coast, or any cliff. I'm not a big fan of sandy beaches in the rain though, I prefer waves crashing on cliffs and rocks. That's why the Otways in the rain isn't very appealing to me. I'd love to walk the Mallee country in the rain though : first it'll distract flies, and second it's so rare it's actually attractive. Otherwise, I've never encountered a mountain walk where rain made it more appealing : rain in the mountains utterly sucks. It's slippery, visibility is poor so you can't see the peaks (and it's dangerous), and the wild life is sheltered where you can't see it.

If you want to see waterfalls in their full power then you need to venture out in the rain. This is often the same for creeks and rivers. I have a big list of places I plan to return to - during or just after heavy rain. Also - rain, during Autumn brings out fungi fruiting bodies - and they are rather special to see.

Dave

The best thing about the wet weather for me is it takes away the "if there's no water in this next creek I'm doomed" factor.

DaveNoble wrote:Also - rain, during Autumn brings out fungi fruiting bodies - and they are rather special to see.

Are there best areas for this? I understand that the Royal is good for this, especially around Waterfall.

GPSGuided wrote:

DaveNoble wrote:Also - rain, during Autumn brings out fungi fruiting bodies - and they are rather special to see.

Are there best areas for this? I understand that the Royal is good for this, especially around Waterfall.

Yes - rainforest areas - e.g. like Bola Ck in Royal NP

I love rainy walks, Sassafras Gully in Springwood is at it's best in the rain, great walk.

After this week, I'd definitely draw the line short of borderline cyclonic conditions. On numerous occasions I was delighted to be safely ensconced in a lovely dry home.

I'm wondering how many of you people wear glasses when bushwalking. Maybe all bushwalkers (except me) are longsighted.
When my glasses get rained on I can't read my map or GPS, nor can I enjoy the views and my camera gets fogged up so I can't show my family where I've been either.

Mostly I enjoy views (of mountains as much as from mountains) and they are just not as appealing in cloud and rain. So I study the forecasts carefully and try to never go in the rain.
I do enjoy waterfalls too, but since I slip on wet rocks I try to visit them after rain, not in it.

I have the same problem, MrWalker.

I always wear a peaked cap, but that has its limits when the wind is driving the rain into my face. My solution is to just take them off and put them in a hard case. No problem for me seeing where I'm going, or admiring views, but it does make for a bit of performance if something like a map then needs to be referred to. Not keen on contacts, so I guess I'll just keep muddling on.

More than familiar with glasses in my life. In the old days, a bit of soap wash helped. These days, there are anti-fogging solutions that one can apply to the lenses to minimise those problems. Yes, a hat will keep the glasses and the head dry.

MrWalker wrote:I'm wondering how many of you people wear glasses when bushwalking. Maybe all bushwalkers (except me) are longsighted.
When my glasses get rained on I can't read my map or GPS, nor can I enjoy the views and my camera gets fogged up so I can't show my family where I've been either.

Mostly I enjoy views (of mountains as much as from mountains) and they are just not as appealing in cloud and rain. So I study the forecasts carefully and try to never go in the rain.
I do enjoy waterfalls too, but since I slip on wet rocks I try to visit them after rain, not in it.

On numerous occasions I have had to remove the specs to attempt to see. It usually means I don't see a lot but is better than only seeing fog and raindrops.
Like Tortoise, the colors and smells of the bush are much more intense whilst wet. I don't mind the rain so much but I don't appreciate wind. And yes the thought of the hot bath afterwards always drives me on.

My personal cutoff is when I see less with glasses than without.

My glasses usually end up in a pocket when it's raining. It's a pain. I've seen some broad brimmed eVent hats in the shops and considered those, but maybe just a cap under the raincoat hood is better. It's quite a while since I've had a seriously wet walk though. Planning on the Overland early June so that might change...