Your First Bushwalk - your first bushwalk, equipment,
clothing, food, tips, preparation

At this point you do not know if you will like bushwalking, our suggestion is -

Almost all our "Easy" bushwalks are designed for you to walk using normal everyday items within the Campbelltown / Sydney Region. Then if you enjoy your bushwalks and wish to continue and progress or attain a higher grade of bushwalk you can consider more specialised clothing and equipment.

Many people are not aware that bushwalking isn't the same as walking on a road or sports field, it is physically challenging. Six bushwalk grades have been developed to help you ease into bushwalking. These grades start at Easy and progress to Exploratory. The grades cater for the complete novice to the seasoned walker.

At any time a person may request advice on the purchase of equipment or moving up to a more advanced bushwalk grade, we are only too happy to help.

Inform the leader if you have a medical problem which may influence the walk ie Asthma, heart medication, diabetes etc. They have a right to know, it can affect everyone on the bushwalk and you may need their help. It is however a private issue between you and the leader.

The following list of tips and equipment is intended to help a you equip for your first bushwalk and make your bushwalk easier and enjoyable.

This list may seem long and daunting but will make the difference between an enjoyable, comfortable bushwalk and roughing it.

This quote is from my army days "Any fool can rough it outdoors, it takes common sense and effort to be comfortable".

Tips (before your first Bushwalk)

1. Start walking around the streets to increase your fitness and walking capacity.
2. Reduce the possibility of blisters by rubbing metholated spirits or petroleum jelly on the feet to harden the skin. Clip toenails to avoid damage or loss of toe nails caused by stubbing against rocks or pressure on the toes whilst descending gradients.
3. Have a good meal the night the before the bushwalk followed by a good breakfast on the morning of the bushwalk.
4. Do not take carbonated drinks as a substitute for water, the sweetener used in them is a Diuretic and can speed up dehydration during the bushwalk.
5. Cotton clothing absorbs sweat / water and takes a long time to dry out. Jeans are not a good choice of clothing on a bushwalk because of that reason. They can cause chafing and contribute towards Hypothermia in cold weather or when bushwalking in the mountains.
6. When bushwalking in the mountains be prepared for all conditions ie wet weather, cold windy conditions etc. Carry clothing to meet those requirements. Wet weather gear protects against the wind, it also keeps you dry. It doesn't keep you warm so additional clothing should be carried to combat the cold.
7. Trekking poles / walking sticks reduce the loading on the legs during a bushwalk and increase stability when descending slippery slopes or crossing creeks.
8. Drink often, if your mouth is dry you are already dehydrated, drink often during your bushwalk.
9. If the group is walking too fast for you, tell the leader!
10. If you need a break for a drink or any other reason, tell the leader. The group should walk at a speed suitable for the slowest walker.
11. On long bushwalks the fingers can swell, this swelling causes rings to become tight and painful. If this starts to occur, remove them if possible, better still, remove them before you start the bushwalk.
12. Seams inside clothing can chafe in sensitive areas, consider purchasing seamless socks (most good quality bushwalking socks). Underclothes often have seams inside, I reverse them and wear them inside out on long walks and generally use Lycra materials for their quick drying wicking properties.
13. Tip from Emma Bird - When long distance running I always put vaseline all over my feet to prevent blistering. I also apply vaseline under my bra straps, particularly in the under arm area, and also the inner arm (if wearing a singlet top) to prevent chafing. It feels a bit slimy, but no where near as unpleasant as red raw flesh in delicate areas!
    Emma is a local business women and has a personal trainer / gym background, Emma went on to explain this chafing is where the seams chafe against the arms etc which can occur on long bushwalks.
14. The shirt worn outside the trousers / shorts often eases the irritation caused by the shirt material folded and trapped inside the waist band against the skin by the backpack waist belt.
15. Cotton socks absorb sweat / water causing the skin to soften and help create hotspots leading to blisters. Wool socks have a natural lubricant and will keep the feet warm even when wet, a better choice. Modern hi-tec composite bushwalking socks can be expensive but worth it, they have padded heels and arch support with a seamless design to stop chafing. Mine have lasted up to eleven years with constant use. They were $32 a pair and a great investment..

Personal items for your bushwalk

1. Hat (preferably with broad brim).
2. Joggers / walking shoes / boots with a good gripping soles and comfortable clothing.
3. Socks which are wool or composite materials, not cotton (retains perspiration and can cause blisters by softening the skin on the foot).
4. Sun glasses.

Backpack Content

1. Make up a small first aid kit which should include:

• Several band-aids (for blisters, cuts and scratches)
• A stretch bandage (5mm by 75mmm) for snakebite or severe cuts
• A triangular bandage
• Sterile solution for washing foreign items out of the eyes
• Sunscreen / block out
• Personal insect repellent (mosquitoes, ticks, leeches etc) dependant on walk location
• Thermal Blanket (small heat retaining bag available from K-Mart or Big W costing a few dollars)
• Antiseptic
• Pain killers ie Panadol (check with GP)

2. Food:

• Meals for the day ie breakfast, lunch and dinner plus nibblies for in-between meals.
• Energy food eg: dried fruit, chocolate, emergency food supply if caught out overnight.
• Two litres of water, more may be required on hot days, minimum of 1 litre on a short walk.

3. Toilet paper

4. Warm jumper or jacket if it is a cold day

5. Wet weather clothing

6. Personal equipment

such as camera, binoculars etc.

7. Long trousers (dependant on terrain)

Call the walk leader for more information if you are unsure of what equipment to carry and what food you need. Check in with the Walk Leader on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the bushwalk for information about that walk. Confirm your participation the night before the walk.

This is also a good time to discuss conditions you will meet on the bushwalk and determine what equipment and clothing are required for that walk.

If I have missed anything, CALL!