Trip planning - what and how do you do it.

[Grantmac]

Hi all, been getting into my hiking a bit lately and want to plan more multi day hikes both on and off track. Obviously there are many great ideas here but struggle to really nut out and plan routes properly. I really like to know and understand the process that people go through to do this. In particular people like Kanangra who has posted about some very interesting and long routes which I really would like to replicate sometime. Looking forward to any comments and advice, thanks in advance.

[Allchin09]

Hi Grantmac - I'm sure many people have different methods, but for me it involves spending a heap of time looking over maps! I'm not sure if you know about it, but there is a free online version of the topographic maps (for NSW only but if note that is where you are from) which also has satellite imagery. It's called SIX Viewer and can be accessed via http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

I find it a great tool for exploring new areas that look interesting, or for following along trip reports / track notes that can be found on the web. Some resources besides this forum (where you can search through it to find things already posted, or ask questions on an area in your own new thread which someone will usually be able to answer) include websites such as WildWalks.com and bushwalkingnsw.com as well as guide books on the area of interest which sometimes be found at a local library or bought through a bookshop.

If you are having troubles working out how far you should be walking in a day, or where are good spots to camp etc, then I suggest sticking to the recommendations of the above websites, or to what is given in trip reports (as long as you are of a similar ability to those who have done the walk before you).

I always record how long it takes me to travel each section of a bush walk, and over time you gain an understanding as to how fast you can comfortable travel within a certain amount of time. Generally 4-5km/h for good fire trail, 3-4km/h for good walking track, and slower speeds as the terrain becomes harder. A tool called Nasmithis Rule can sometimes come in handy for estimating speeds. http://www.wildwalks.com/bushcraft/tech ... -time.html

Having a conversation with people who have previously done a route that you are looking into, or have covered similar area is always very beneficial as well.

What ever you do, don't be afraid to ask question on the forum, or to even post what your plans are before heading out for a walk. People here are always happy to give advice, some of which can be very helpful!

[Moondog55]

One of the best tutorials on trip planning and route planning is in the BMLC handbook if you can find one or I could loan you my spare copy.

EDIT

But I did just find one on eBay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-1986 ... 27dc3e8e60

The equipment in the book is old fashioned and out of date but everything else is still perfectly relevant

[Grantmac]

Great one. Thanks for the info so far all, I think I need to invest in many maps I see.

[Giddy_up]

For me the planning is fun, map or maps out and google earth giving me some spatial perspective. Then a study here of other peoples accounts and then online for any missed reports or related information. Once you have done that and your confident in your capabilities, execute, stay safe and enjoy why you set out in the first place.

[sim1oz]

Some great advice written above. I read trip reports and blogs (as well as books and articles) to get walking ideas. Then I get maps and use google earth to plan out the trip based on our typical walk speeds, eg. where to camp, where to get water. When trip notes are available, I usually photocopy them or print them out to take with us. While we normally stick to our planned route, we sometimes want to keep walking and will change where we stop for the night. As long as we know where to get water, it is easy to be flexible. I enjoy the planning as we don't get out anywhere near as often as I'd like.

[Grantmac]

Yes some very helpful advice, thanks all.

Moondog, I purchased that boos from eBay, just waiting for it now.

Oh so I know where to find info and ideas for walks. Now I want to start finding camp locations and water as stated by sim1oz. Apart from track notes and asking on forums etc. how do people make their decisions based on the maps?

[icefest]

To find water using maps you'll need to know a lot of other stuff too.

Recent rainfall. How much. Below/above average.

Terrain. Good luck finding a flowing creek on a limestone plain.

Geology. Know the fault lines, to help find springs/seeps.

Techniques. Where do you dig in a dry riverbed.

Common sense. "This is stupid, I'll just walk in winter instead"

[sim1oz]

Icefest has a really good point. Maps can only take you so far. Finding where water WILL be is different from where it MIGHT be. Books, travel notes and people's recent experiences can shed more light on whether a particular water source is 'permanent', seasonal or other. Hence you will often find posts on this forum with people asking whether someone has recently been to a certain place and found water, eg. in a watertank, creek etc

[Shorty]

Glad I saw this thread, I'm also wondering about trip planning and where to start. I think you have some great points to think about Icefest! Do you know of a book that can explain those things you've mentioned? Ie, where DO you dig in a dry riverbed and why? My guess would be in the centre as I guess it would be the last place to dry up. Is there a "Hiking for Dummies" book?... There should be!

[Moondog55]

This whole forum can be "Hiking for Dummies" if you want.
Also "Bushwalking for Experts" sometimes
Best advice any-one can get is to start short and small and get experience on easy walks. Packing a rucksack with ALL the gear and doing a couple of long day walks is one way to find out how long you can walk for with a decent load on your back. Good way to go is to have a luxurious picnic half way

[perfectlydark]

Thats a fantastic idea actually, start with all the gear you think youll need and learn what you didnt need, and what could be done better

[sim1oz]

We started with walks from books with detailed trip notes. It is easier to start with walks on tracks and minimal bushwacking, and then build up to creating your own walks (or walking little-used 'tracks' that are completely overgrown). We also built up from day walks to overnighters to multi-day walks (longest so far was 8 days). I've started thinking about 2-4 week walks here and overseas.

[MartyGwynne]

What great advice everyone and well done those starting out to listen and learn and ask the dumb questions (no such thing as a dumb question). I always record my trip plan, food, packed items etc. so I can either use it again or modify it to suit another walk. I also use an app for my iPhone called gram weenie where I can save my pack contents and weight for different trips.
Where to find water is one of my phobias so I will mostly always carry too much water for the days trip. I have found that by walking in an area you like a lot you work out the where and how to find water for that terrain.

[Lophophaps]

There's a new edition of the BMLC book, http://www.adventurepro.com.au/bookshop ... thD_fQW1e8, published in 2000. Whilst slightly dated, it is far more current than the 1986 edition. For example, PLBs and GPSs are mentioned.

Planning skills come from experience, and being with people who know. The BMLC book and this website will greatly assist, but ultimately you have to be part of a group and learn over time.

My approach is to start with as much research as possible. The longer the trip the longer the research. For example, if you are going on an easy day walk you can probably get the information online the day before. But if it's a 14 day sojourn in the Western Arthurs then planning should start several months before, especially if you have not been there. My longer trips usually have quite a bit of paper - transport by plane, bus and rail; detailed itinerary showing columns of day, date, brief route description, distance, altitude gain and loss, time, and notes; escape routes; contacts, gear list; fuel resupply details if travelling interstate; insurance; maybe more. For shorter trips the itinerary may be broken into stages for each day. A lot depends on the sort of trip that is planned.

[Moondog55]

I didn't know about the new edition. I may have to purchase for my library.

[Lophophaps]

Moondog, the 1986 edition has nothing really dangerous, but it's dated. I'm a contributor to both editions.I see no harm in having the 1986 book on the shelf, but it should be replaced. OTOH, it may be argued that it's a bit specialist for a borrowing library. Not my call, or call number (796). Or girl.

[Moondog55]

Personal library, it will mean I have all of the editions.
A bit like having all of Colin Fletchers CW, you can see the evolution of gear and attitudes if you compare books from may different decades
EDIT
I just looked at the ridiculous postage cost in that link, I'll wait until I get up to Melbourne and buy at a bookshop

[Lophophaps]

Personal library, it will mean I have all of the editions.
A bit like having all of Colin Fletchers CW, you can see the evolution of gear and attitudes if you compare books from may different decades
EDIT
I just looked at the ridiculous postage cost in that link, I'll wait until I get up to Melbourne and buy at a bookshop

I agree about the changing attitudes and gear. For example, tins used to be burn, bash and bury. Now it's carry in and carry out. A frame packs went to H frame and then internal frame.

I cannot find the 2000 edition for a reasonable price, or at all in most cases. Bushwalking Victoria may know what happened to the stocks when BMLC folded. see http://www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au/. If the book is hard to find or essentially out of print then it's shame. A lot of people put a great deal of effort writing and editing the book, and it's still quite relevant. Maybe a reprint... Don't mind me, I'm partly delusional.

[Onestepmore]

Good points above
I always weigh my packed bag too, and always strive to have it weigh less each time I go somewhere
After a walk, I'll review what I took and, more importanly, note what didn't get used
Some things I didn't use will get taken again, eg FA kit, PLB, often rain gear, but I may modify them
When organising food, I always repackage it, and bundle everything for each meal together, in a separate labelled zip lock bag. Then you don't end up taking too many tea bags or packs of nuts etc. Plus one extra meal - 'just in case'

And yeah, water planning, very important. It's funny, when in Chile recently, I was chatting to our guide about water. He's found all Australian clients seem almost obsessed about water and tend to carry too much on them in Chile. he said other nationalities hardly ever ask how much they need to carry on them, or where they can fill up. He couldn't believe it when I said we'll often need to carry 3 or more L water back home. I think, coming from a country where it rains all the time, you can have no conception about how much we here in Australia are conscious of where to find water, how much there will be, how long we have to walk to the next watering place, is the water drinkable etc.

[davidf]

Firstly beer. Buy beer and maps and onli ne notes and combine. 1 to 2 hours prior to leaving throw a bunch of stuff in the backyard and pack the pack. Halve. Raid kitchen (its about this time you've got the missus out of the house). Have a checklist of what not to throw out ie. Shoes, rain coat, water bottle food. The rest is just extra. Whatever you missed you'll never forget again.

[icefest]

Glad I saw this thread, I'm also wondering about trip planning and where to start. I think you have some great points to think about Icefest! Do you know of a book that can explain those things you've mentioned? Ie, where DO you dig in a dry riverbed and why? My guess would be in the centre as I guess it would be the last place to dry up. Is there a "Hiking for Dummies" book?... There should be!

The outside of a bed in the riverbed.
To be honest though, you're better off not relying on it. If you need to resort to such techniques your planning went horribly wrong.

Most survival books have some sections on finding water. The US army survival manual is freely available on the internet and whilst somewhat dated, mostly relevant.