Think before you TREK
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is encouraging all park visitors planning a remote adventure or multi-day walk this year to Think Before You TREK.
Plan your hike like your life depends on it – because it does
It’s an alarming fact, in Australia there’s at least one bush rescue every day. Plan your hike so you and your group make it out safely. Don’t put your life, or the lives of others at risk.
Plan to survive your hike
There are many specialist skills that set outdoor professionals apart from the rest of us. We don’t all have to be experts to be safe in the bush. Make sure you prepare before stepping foot on the trail and carry the gear you need for what you are doing.
A First-timer’s guide in preparing for multi-day hikes
However enjoyable, a multi-day hike involves physical strength and endurance. It is a hobby and a task that you should highly prepare for.
How to make your outdoor experience more comfortable
Taking a trip into the wild can get a little uncomfortable at times. The good news is, with a couple of extra additions to your packing list, you can maximise your comfort. Here are our top ideas for making the outdoors your home.
The Ten Essentials
The Ten Essentials are survival items that hiking and Scouting organisations recommend for safe travel in the bush. However, personal preferences and differences in conditions may dictate otherwise and with experience most adventurers add and subtract from the list depending on the situation.
A Beginner’s guide to hiking
The great thing about hiking is you get to pick your speed and difficulty for the perfect amount of challenge that suits you. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started with this beginner’s guide to hiking.
Cold weather hiking tips
When the cold weather rolls in, your hiking adventures don’t need to stop. There are a range of things you can do to stay safe and comfortable during your winter hikes. Here are some of our top tips.
Trail running – getting started
Whether you’re fuelled by fitness or adventure, trail running is an incredibly rewarding activity. Here are some simple tips to get you started.
14 Outdoor Hacks For Rainy Weather
Rainy weather doesn’t have to ruin your outdoor adventure. With the right preparation and knowledge, you can keep the good times rolling when the heavens open. Here are our 14 outdoor hacks for rainy weather.
Trail Running: How much water should you carry?
The answer, of course, varies. How much water you carry on a trail run depends on many factors. It may be tempting to carry more water than you need. But, this means you’ll be running with a lot of extra weight, which isn’t practical or wise.
Be a better hiker with these six tips
It doesn’t matter if you are a newbie or seasoned hiker, there are ways we can all improve the experience. Here’s six tips that may help on your next hike.
Tips on choosing a campsite
If your planning on heading out into the wilderness, be sure to read these tips on choosing a campsite, your home away from home.
Overnight hiking with kids
Do your kids hear the call of the great outdoors? Whether you have toddlers, young children or pre-teens, it is, with some planning and preparation, possible to answer the call with kids in tow.
Hiking trail etiquette
Following a few interesting experiences on the trail, I came to realise that a lot of people have either forgotten or are not aware of correct trail etiquette. Here are a few tips for you to consider on your next adventure.
Hiking solo
Being alone, hiking solo, on the trail is an amazing experience and one that I personally enjoy as well as being with others. If the empty, open trail beckons you, then solo hiking might be what you’re looking for.
Leave No Trace
The Leave No Trace Seven principles provide guidance to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way that avoids human-created impacts. The principles have been adapted so they can be applied in your backyard or your backcountry.
10 Tips for hot weather hiking
It is possible to still enjoy the outdoors in our brutal summer weather. You just have to adjust your thinking a bit and take a few extra precautions beyond the basics. Here’s 10 Tips for hot weather hiking.
Get fit for trekking
Are you wanting to Get Fit for Trekking? If you are preparing for a trek, whether it is Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, Kokoda or a multi-day adventure in your local national park, you need to seriously consider your fitness.
Get fit for hiking
Are you trying to Get Fit for Hiking? If you exercise regularly, you may be ready for short trips and easy terrain right now. But if you don’t get as much exercise as you’d like, set up a basic training regimen that wakes up sleeping muscles and works your lungs more efficiently.
Hike in a group
Hiking with a group can be a very rewarding experience. You get to share something you enjoy with like minded people and will often form strong bonds due to your …
Let someone know before you go
Here’s some information and safety tips to help you plan your hike. Let someone know before you go and always leave a trip intention form with someone who can raise the alarm if you do not make it back in time.
Time and distance planning
On any hike it is important that you know the length of the hiking trail and how long the hike will take. Time and distance planning is particularly relevant when hiking with other people and over varied terrain.
Make an early start
Hike as much as possible of each day’s distance in the cool hours of morning (or evening). Summer afternoons are typically hotter in Australia and the heat will amplify your fatigue and increase your changes of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Hiking checklist
Here is a summary of what I believe to be the essential items you should carry on both day and overnight adventures. Your hiking checklist. I have provided a more detailed information under preparing your pack.
The benefits of hiking
Hiking is a great way to get in touch with nature and to get a bit of exercise as you explore. From boosting fitness, to improving mental wellbeing – and even helping us in our social lives, hiking offers all kinds of tangible benefits.
Plan your hike
It doesn’t matter if you are going for a half hour stroll or a multi-day trek, the principles are still the same. Plan your hike, it’s the single most important aspect of anything you do.
Hike grading system
The Council of Bushwalking Australia endorsed the Australian Walking Track Grading System (AWTGS), a voluntary walking track standard. Through many years of hiking in the Australian bush, I believe the AWTGS does not adequately prepare hikers as in some cases the public description misrepresents the experience and expertise required.
