Things I have learnt.

[puredingo]

If it looks like a stinging tree then it probably is a stinging tree. Trust your judgment and don’t touch it to confirm suspicions.

[Lamont]

Crazy kid.

[Huntsman247]

Hope you weren't typing that from some damp camp cave after being benighted by your failing GPS! :

Hahaha. Nearly.
Thankfully we managed to get to familiar track that didn't need navigating before this realization came about. Headlights lasted just to the car too. Just a long day. Lol. It's always an adventure.

[crollsurf]

Bumble bees love bright blue clothes.

So do March Flies apparently. That why it's always good to have a Blue pack to lend out to friends and family. Well yeah you know, at least your not getting biten.

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[commando]

Don't take tactical utility belts bush bashing and expect everything to be there at the end.

[north-north-west]

Don't take tactical utility belts bush bashing and expect everything to be there at the end.

Don't take anything scrub-bashing and expect it all to be there at the end. Including yourself.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

Don't take tactical utility belts bush at all, unless you're, er, tactical?

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[Lamont]

I will not put my sunnies in my bottle pocket ever again.

[Ms_Mudd]

I have learnt not to stand with my head close to my childs, while trying to point out a possums eyes in a headtorch if that child happens to be holding a stock fashioned into a spear and is prone to forgetting it is in their hands whilst swatting at bugs. My impaled eye is still watering.

[madpom]

Don't take anything scrub-bashing and expect it all to be there at the end. Including yourself.

Especially the missus

[puredingo]

So that's why I can't get one to stick around?

[puredingo]

When following a river and using the side creeks as reference points always be sure to NOT have the map UPSIDE DOWN!!!
Yes, this tale of woe actually happened to me at the end of a very long day in deep dehydration....

[flingebunt]

When following a river and using the side creeks as reference points always be sure to NOT have the map UPSIDE DOWN!!!
Yes, this tale of woe actually happened to me at the end of a very long day in deep dehydration....

In things I haven't learnt, when to turn around when you think you are lost.

[Lophophaps]

Puredingo, been there, done that.

I was leading a group on a ski trip from Bluff Saddle to Lovicks, Howitt and Tamboritha Saddle, a week. We had just a few hours of clear skies, with the rest foggy. Getting off Magdala in a whiteout was scary. I made a major mistake with a summit near there, cannot recall which one, and I was sacked as navigator. In the next saddle the brains trust had a map out when I caught up. They were all very experienced, just like me. I looked at the map, checked my compass and said that the map was upside down, 180 degrees. In the space of 30 minutes every experienced navigator had blundered. This is Howitt a little later.

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[Huntsman247]

Lophophaps Making navigational mistakes is fairly normal I think. Experience shows when you can get yourself back on course after making mistakes.
An experienced navigator is never lost, just geographically disoriented.

[commando]

Everyone gets lost eventually, par for the course, reflection on how it happened is the learning experience.
That feeling of how nothing makes sense is unforgettable.

[puredingo]

Yeah, when I did the old map upside down trip it was on one of those mid summer, long, hard and thirsty walks.

Funny thing was once I realised what I was doing wrong, calmed down and sat in the shade having a good drink, a rest and took stock it all became surprisingly clear and navigation was embarrassingly easy. Dehydration is a nasty business and can do strange things to a persons mind.

[ChrisJHC]

When following a river ..... at the end of a very long day in deep dehydration

Does anyone else see the disconnect in these two statements?

[peregrinator]

Yes, but there would be many rivers from which I wouldn't want to drink.

[Aushiker]

When following a river ..... at the end of a very long day in deep dehydration

Does anyone else see the disconnect in these two statements?

Coming from Western Australia, not at all unless you like saline water

[puredingo]

Yeah, I don’t always associate dehydration with dry, arid locations. Work hard enough in the right (or wrong?) conditions and things can go South pretty quick.

[eggs]

Rivers and water.....

[commando]

Perfect snake country

[Al M]

Tie a knot in a broken shoe lace with no spares on hand.

How to dramatically increase fitness, walking range, safety and reduce hike times with no increase in physical training - by easily shaving 4kg of pack base weight.

When to eat a window - when it’s jammed.

[Hikrazy]

1. Never trust a wet rock
2. Never trust a wet rock

[Parallax]

Keeping your boots dry pays dividends.

When you find a spot to camp, have a look around for a better spot before you pitch.

Some tent pegs can also be used as a spoon.

The wind direction will change 180 degrees in the middle if the night, so pitch your tent accordingly.

The rock you are about to step on will probably move.

Ridges have less scrub than creeks.

Put your torch on your head before sunset.

[rcaffin]

Some tent pegs can also be used as a spoon.
Two Ti wires pegs can be used as chopsticks...
Sorry - could not resist!

Cheers

[Snooze]

"Two Ti wires pegs can be used as chopsticks..."
And if you have the wrong shape pegs but a decent knife on you, chopsticks can also be whittled.

[crollsurf]

I just learnt that not having dinner can lead to sleeping cold that night. I managed to stay warn enough but only just. The night before was colder but because I had dinner, I was toast all night.

[north-north-west]

There are more things an overenthusiastic pup can do on a bushwalk (even a short one) to make life hellish than are dreamt of in your philosophy.