Marcus O’Dean gives a time-proven perspective of what you can do to minimise discomfort and maximise safety on bushwalks.
Today the outdoor gear and the materials from which it is made may have significantly changed, but the principles espoused here remain as true as when Paddy Pallin tramped through all those hills and rivers in the 1930s.
Some walkers go to significant expense buying the newest and lightest … and then they get more of it and stuff their packs full of it so they can cater for all contingencies. They do themselves a disservice if they carry stuff that they don’t use on three successive walks (apart from a first aid kit) that they shouldn’t be putting it in there in the first place. Parkinson’s Law, “that work expands to fit the time available” could be easily applied to backpacks i.e “gear expands to fit the space available”.
Here are some tips and techniques that will keep you walking longer and better that you may be able to adopt on your next overnight bushwalk.
Use a smaller pack. While you may need a 70-litre-plus pack for skiing or snowshoeing, by judicious gear selection, you may get away with a 45-50-litre pack. I used to love the old Summit Gear Warrigal Aussie-made gems. Known as day-and-a-half packs, they fitted all I needed for a four-day Budawangs sojourn (with a loaf of rye bread) and we travelled fast and far. Naturally, if you are on extended walks with no resupply, temper this with common sense.
Multi-use items. The cord you use to support your light fly shelter between trees or sticks can double to lower your pack and gear down precipitous cliff lines. Why carry an extra rope? Carry that principle to a recycled wine cask bladder that you use to carry water to camp and can also be an effective neck cushion when you sleep. You get the idea. Look for those opportunities to take items that do double or triple duty.
An extra warm layer-two ways. You can save on expensive self-inflating mats, by getting a cheaper thinner budget one, placing it over a thin closed-cell foam mat and laying your folded spare clothes between the two layers for extra warmth and insulation. The large extra garbage bag, which weighs nothing, can be worn between layers when it turns out colder or sleeting and core temperature preservation is essential – just cut two arm holes and head hole. Bonus – a beanie on the head is worth two jackets on your back for warmth.
Take pressure off your joints. If you are walking in forested country like the Blue Mountains, grab two straight sticks about 1.5m long, cut shallow notches in one end and tie some wrist loops of cord on them and they’ll do admirably for trekking poles (or you could just buy trekking poles – Ed), then use them at night to hold up one or both ends of your fly shelter. When you stop for a short breather, lean your pack against a tree and take the weight off you hips and shoulders. Also, keep your hip belt at the correct position and tensioned so it does its job.
Close and Heavy. Put dense, heavy items closer to your back in the pack. This keeps you better balanced through your centre of gravity being closer. Use weigh-nothing, draw-cord stuff sacks to compartmentalise your gear and keep a mental pack map of where everything is packed and do it the same way every time.
Plan walks close to water. Then you don’t need to carry so much of it. Sterilise it with a few drops of iodine per bottle or use other purification methods that don’t require you to carry extra devices.
Light footwear pays. Most bushwalks do not justify heavy full leather boots with thick soles, especially if you minimise what’s on your back and you relieve pressure with walking poles. US Army studies concluded that a kg on your foot was the equivalent of 5kg on your back. Heavier boots tire your legs quicker and encourage sloppy foot placement.
- Some lightweight foodie implements to consider:
Nesting aluminium billies and frypan. - Opinel brand folding knife – beautifully designed, ultra-light and hold a great edge.
- Cut-down wooden spatula for frying/stirring,.
- Some foil
- A small spoon or spork
Cooking tips
- Pack self-raising flour and milk powder to make pikelets or damper in a billy on coals. They are warming and full of much-needed carbs.
- Use a cooking fire where you can. Hold your hand 60cm above coals until too hot to determine oven temperature, 1-2 sec- 260°, 3-4 sec - 200°, 5-6 sec-150°, 7-10 sec -100°.
- Use a small cooking fire when can and select walks where this is accepted. Watch for fire danger though.
- 10. Take a cooler sleeping bag than you need. Then wear a beanie, your thermals and fill your water bottle with hot water and put it inside a sock. Voila, you now sleep 10° warmer.
Can-do mindset. Ok, I know I said “10 tips” but this encapsulates the Basic Bushwalking attitude to exploring the outdoors. Walkers who gain the most from their endeavours put more thought into the activity itself, rather than the gear they pack. They have developed self-reliance to the point where gear is a secondary consideration, not the reason for the walk justifying expense on gear that ultimately just makes other people richer.
If you can do that then you will have achieved greater satisfaction and be a more integral part of your environment, rather than someone who just ticks a location off on a list.
So now it’s time to get out there and experience the best that the world can offer and you will do it for longer and be more happy in the process.