Which Victorian Bushwalking Club?

[ErichFromm]

This is a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question, but was hoping to get some advice on which hiking club to join. Doing a bit of research and there seem to be many and without contacting every group and asking the same questions it is hard to narrow down the options.

Specifics: I'm a 30-something male who is a reasonably experienced hiker. I generally hike alone and mostly for multi-day hikes, UL and recently getting into Hammocks. Not abseiling, extreme rock climbing or anything - just nice endurance walks and carrying everything on my back. I'd like to find a group comprised of similar folk (i.e, similar age, with similar hiking interests).

Two groups that look interesting are:
http://mbw.org.au/
http://vmtc.asn.au/

Any other recommendations? Any assistance would be appreciated.

[icefest]

Many (both) of the larger University Hiking clubs would suit you, assuming you are prepared to walk with 20 somethings.

Or, just find 5 other like-minded people and do your own thing.

[Snowzone]

VNPA has an under 35's section. That may suit you.
You could always try and start a forum group!

[icefest]

You could always try and start a forum group!

[vorpal]

I'm down for that. I'm from Victoria, and not a member of any bushwalking club. I'm 24, so not sure if that's similar age enough.

[Snowzone]

I'm down for that. I'm from Victoria, and not a member of any bushwalking club. I'm 24, so not sure if that's similar age enough.

Personally I don't think age is the prerequisite for people in groups getting along. I walk with people from children through to some in their 70's and its more about finding common ground, similiar fitness and style of walking. For example some people prefer beaches some like mountains, some like early starts, others don't, etc etc etc.

[cooee]

Well said Snowzone.
Always looking for like minded walkers, have tried the clubs but if your not in the click.........mmmm
I'm with icefest +1

[vorpal]

I'd like to find a group comprised of similar folk (i.e, similar age, with similar hiking interests).

The only reason I stated my age was because the original poster stated his interest in finding someone of a similar age.

I wholeheartedly agree with you guys. I'm not discriminatory.

Ryan

[Lophophaps]

Bushwalking Victoria has a list of clubs. See http://www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au/.

It’s possible to sort clubs in several ways. Firstly, look for clubs near you. Secondly, look for clubs that suit your profile. Age is not a real determinant. Some clubs have mainly day walks, others may have mainly hard walks, or there may be a gender or religious theme.

I’ve walked with a few clubs, and all are pretty much the same in terms of making new starters welcome. You could seek further and better particulars from the Bushwalking Victoria list.

Don’t expect to go on a harder or longer walk until you are known. So many people assert that they are gung ho and it turns out that they are not, compromising completion, enjoyment and safety of others.

[ErichFromm]

Thanks for the replies. I'm a little surprised - thought alot of people on this forum would belong to clubs.

I know age is not everything - but it can be a good indication of compatability, both in terms of interests and capabilities.

I'll do as suggested. Next hike I'll post a plan and see if anyone wants to join (although one of the main reasons I wanted to join a club was to discover hikes, routes or destinations I wasn't aware of). Guess I should do both.

[tsangpo]

I'm in one of the uni clubs. Real mix of people from undergrads to young professionals. Big group of people with a fairly high turnover (exchange, moving universities) so can be a bit hard initially getting to know people but once you've been on a couple of trips you start to figure it out. Also a good way to get a taste of other outdoor sports that require a bit of an investment on your own (climbing, paddling, ski touring). Good also for accessing maps/books and member knowledge to get ideas for trips.

[Lophophaps]

I walked with clubs for 36 years, and it was the most enjoyable trips and people that you could envisage. Clubs have a huge amount of collective experience. This web site is good, but how to describe the route up the Castle in the Budawangs or a way across an area that has no track notes? Club go to these places. By building on them the next time on a non-club trip you can expand your horizons with more confidence.

[icefest]

Clubs are only good if you have a club nearby, or are in the loop with one from further away.
In places like Swan Hill, Broken Hill etc, you have no hope.

[pazzar]

I'm also on the look out for a club to join. I would be more interested in a uni-based club. I think there is one at Monash?? At the moment I'm limited to solo walking due to not knowing a great deal of people in Melbourne.

[MickyB]

I'm down for that. I'm from Victoria, and not a member of any bushwalking club. I'm 24, so not sure if that's similar age enough.

Personally I don't think age is the prerequisite for people in groups getting along. I walk with people from children through to some in their 70's and its more about finding common ground, similiar fitness and style of walking. For example some people prefer beaches some like mountains, some like early starts, others don't, etc etc etc.

I went hiking last year in the Southern Ranges in Tassie last year with a mate (who is about 20 years older than me) and his mate who is in his 70's. I am in my 30's and I struggled to keep up with both of them. It was the first time I had been hiking with my mate (who lives in Tassie) and had never met his mate before but it was probably the most enjoyable hike I had ever been on. I learnt heaps off both of them and we all really enjoyed each other's company.

I think if you have the same hiking interests age shouldn't really matter.

[Moondog55]

My local walking club is more of a day walking group
I may be interested in joining in somewhere local [ Lots of the Brisbane Ranges still to explore] but I am getting old and slow these days

[cooee]

[ Lots of the Brisbane Ranges still to explore]

Not wrong.
Your never too old.

[Snowzone]

My local walking club is more of a day walking group
I may be interested in joining in somewhere local [ Lots of the Brisbane Ranges still to explore] but I am getting old and slow these days

Hey Moondog I love the Brisbane Ranges and would be happy to explore with you anyday. Was half thinking it would be a good area to suggest a Victorian forum walk/get together as its fairly central to most areas.

[vicpres]

As mentioned by several others, the club directory on the Bushwalking Victoria web site is a good place to start. Both MBW and VMTC would fit your criteria, as would Monash Outdoor Club (Monash Uni), VNPA Bushwalking Group and YHA Bushwalkers. An advantage of a local club is that you are likely to have a local meeting place to rendezvous for walks, and if going meetings is your thing, they would be local. Apart from that practically all bushwalks will be outside of a club home territory, even for 'local' clubs in regional areas, so a local club perhaps isn't as critical as finding one where you fit, which might involve trying several clubs and/or walks. All clubs should welcome prospective members and allow them to attend a couple of walks on a try-out basis.

Age is probably the most common question asked about potential clubs and should perhaps be one of the least important attributes. Much more important is a walks program that meets your needs and people that you connect with and share common interests with. Some clubs won't fit your criteria/interest but there should be some that do.

I am biased (I am vice-president of BWV and president of Bushwalking Australia) and have been a club member for 31+ years, but it took me a couple of tries to find the right club for me but is was the second best thing I ever did i.e. joining a club. I also appreciate that belonging to a club isn't for everyone, and that is fine too.

[Moondog55]

As my beloved needs physical assistance I would like to get away during the weekdays if possible but YES anytime. Also thinking about joining thew Geelong Bushwalkers as the away groups are rather small and I prefer that to huge parties of people tramping together

[Moondog55]

G'Day Chris Welcome

[vicpres]

Thanks Moondog

I have actually been a forum member for 3 years, but don't get to contribute as often as I would like - too busy!

[morrowkarl]

Great to see your interested in a bushwalking club.
Your post sounds exactly like me 5 or so years ago. I was a keen bush walker restricted to going either solo or with my wife. On a midwinter OT trip my wife and I met up with a VMTC group doing the same thing. We didn't walk together but caught up each evening discussing the days trail tales. They were a fantastic bunch of people of all ages and personalities with a common interest in the outdoors. My wife and I joined the VMTC on our return to the mainland.
We are still active members of the VMTC and have done some excellent trips we wouldn't have been inclined to do otherwise. I am now the VMTC walks secretary responsible for collating the walks program.
The VMTC walks program IMO is the most diverse and exciting program on offer by any of the Victorian clubs. Check out the VMTC website and consider going on a couple of walks as a visitor. There is no obligation to sign up or anything. At least by doing this you can see if the club thing is for you.
The new VMTC program is fantastic with a range of trips in Tassie, NSW and VIC. Just to mention a few trips that are happening are Main Range, Raglan Range, Frenchmans Cap, Pelion Traverse, Arthurs Traverse, Blue Mountains walking and Canyoning, Budawangs, Central Plateau, bikepacking and many more. The amount of knowledge and experience gained from the elder members is invaluable so please don't let age of members be a deciding factor.
Hope this helped a little. Cheers, KM

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The VNPA is an option for joining a bushwalking club but over the years the numbers of people doing challenging remote overnight walks with that mob has shrunk. I am trying my hand with MEET UP on the www which has a range of bushwalking groups. I am trying them out myself, mainly as a walk leader.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

My experience with "Meet up" hikes has been so so. Mainly you have rank beginners who don't have the gear or the fitness for Mt Bogong style overnight pack carry treks.
Starting a hiking club through this forum has appeal to me.
If there are any hikers who want to come to five mile beach late in March or early April 2014 at the North of the Prom .,
please get in touch with me. I am a lefty , a greeny and I don't like bigots or Tony Abbott supporters. I do love nature, jazz music , the arts and world travel. That gives you an idea of whether we could get along while on a hike together.

[Jaala]

It can be difficult. When I arrived in Victoria I went searching for a club, and one of the uni ones in Melbourne seemed really appealling. They even had trips for people wanting to learn new things like climbing and abseiling etc. So I went to my first meeting and found people were in little groups, all bickering about each other. The 'leaders' had imaginary crowns on their heads and if you tried to join in conversation with one of these little groups there would be an awkward silence. I thought I would ignore the alarm bells and join on an overnight trip. This trip turned out to be a 50 strong gaggle of young kids with no interest other than partying.

[neilmny]

................So I went to my first meeting and found people were in little groups, all bickering about each other. The 'leaders' had imaginary crowns on their heads and if you tried to join in conversation with one of these little groups there would be an awkward silence. ..............

Pretty much what you find in every club of every kind, every where.

[rimair]

Hi Erich
Good to see your interest in joining a club as an option to complement your other walking activities. As mentioned above the breadth of experience and knowledge of places to go can be a big help when planning solo trips or those with mates. Joining a club is not a "sentence for life", just one more way to do the things you want to do. I am with Melbourne Bushwalkers (MBW) and value the association, but I also do a lot of walking outside the club. The criteria I would look at in the first instance are club size and diversity of program. The larger clubs can offer a wider range of options and don't mean that the size of the group walking is similarly going to be large. You will find that many active members are members of more than one club and if you find the one you start with is not the one for you they will readily share their experiences of alternatives that may suit you better.
Good luck and happy walking.

[ErichFromm]

Thanks for the continued responses.

My intent was to join a club and see how it went. Unfortunately I just haven't had the time due to a 1 year old taking up all my spare time (who would've thought??). I still intend to join a club - now more with a view towards something that my son can grow into, but it may be a while.

As to the talking to groups and getting awkward silences - guess it goes with the territory. Takes a while to fit in - most people don't consider it their role to welcome newcomers. I wouldn't expect much different. I'd imagine by the end of a long walk things would loosen up a little though....

[paidal_chalne_vala]

One of the problems with walking with a club is that there are many nerds who only talk about hiking and camping gear non stop for days . I don't care too much for that.