stepbystep wrote:If you have the time, inclination, desire. Guide it. The more people that connect with wild places the better off our planet will be. If you have none of those things, some good advice is to find a mentor with experience, or dare I say, tell them to take it stepbystep, before they walkon
Sandbars wrote:Both Isabel and Gareth are still young and still growing up, and maybe still have that blessing of youth that you can believe that you can achieve anything, and maybe that makes them rush in where angels fear to tread. But really, have you ever watched a baby learn to walk? They make mistakes, they get scraped knees, they fall over. We encourage them and try to protect them from the worst of it, and take a sigh of relief when they are finally proficient. Why should beginner bushwalkers be any different? We make mistakes, we fall over, we spend wet and uncomfortable nights, we learn, we adapt. As long as people are not heading out in a t-shirt in the snow, then surely we can encourage, while trying to share some hard earned experience?
north-north-west wrote:
You don't have to jump up and down and trample the dreamers into the dust, but warning them about flaws in planing and preparation is part of the guidance. And for some of us it's hard to have that advice ignored - at least in part because we're aware of the potential consequences.
neilmny wrote:Just about encouraging those that want to have a go to have a go.
walkon wrote:Which way do you go?
We've seen a few fresh faces pop up with dreams of doing some pretty good trips and it seems that unless the OP has stated a long list of cred, the advice is don't do it cause blah blaaah.
Starting out, I learnt by biting off more than I could chew and having a red hot go. From school hikes and camping with the old man to a 20 odd day trip up the bush with mates. No phone, plb, radio... or much of a idea really, just old fashioned map compass and enthusiasm. Nothing was stopping us and anyone who said we couldn't do it only gave us ammunition to prove them wrong. A few blokes who could see this gave us a guiding hand in the right direction. Sure we were unprepared, got wet, hungry and lost on occasions but it was this last help that gave us extra tools to help get us through.
While there has been an epic failure recently my hat goes off to those who dream big and go for it. Personally I offer advice on the open forum or by pm and you soon see when they realise that they have to change or improve things.
Sometimes, as in the case of the pommy guy, no amount of advice was going to sink in. Real life was the only teacher there.
A while back, some Tassie guys, had a big trip off track and bit off more than they could chew. They got hammered by the conditions and didn't reach the destination, but that's ok. They changed plan to suit and it was a good read following their journey in how they dealt with it.
Currently we have a girl named Isabel doing the AAWT and there is a negative vibe in the comments around how she is going. In some places where she has blogged that she was lost, I had lost the track in places as well, I knew where I was and with the track named as indistinct (other words most likely not there) you navigated to where you had to go. That's what they most likely did and they got through. I love the fact that she isn't sitting on the couch at home on facebook. We need more kids out there and lucky for her that she has such supportive parents. I'll hopefully meet up with her somewhere on the track and it will be good seeing someone chasing a dream.
So do you kill the dream or put the extra effort in and guide it?
north-north-west wrote:Guidance is always the best option. But sometimes you know from your own experience of places and conditions that people are not just stepping outside their comfort zone, but taking big enough bites to choke themselves* and endanger others in the process. And if those people won't listen to plainly expressed advice . . . well, when it's drugs or gambling or similar addictions we refer to 'enablers'. To me, not plainly saying that someone is trying to run before they have learnt to crawl is being an enabler.
You don't have to jump up and down and trample the dreamers into the dust, but warning them about flaws in planing and preparation is part of the guidance. And for some of us it's hard to have that advice ignored - at least in part because we're aware of the potential consequences.
Or am I just trying to excuse my own occasional lack of patience with some of the more blatant wannabes . . .
(*please excuse the mixed metaphors. it's a caffeine-free day)
Mark F wrote:When I reply to people with possibly over ambitious plans I hope I am not relentlessly negative but rather I try to identify things they need to consider before embarking on their adventure. This is usually about gaining skills or some experience. Why do I do this - because when the sh1t hits the fan other people, s&r, police, paramedics etc, all interrupt their lives and possibly put themselves in danger to rescue the usually naive but enthusiastic adventurer.
Sandbars wrote:I have spoken with both our pommy friend and the delightful Isabel. Our pommy friend I gave this advice: use your gear before you get here. Spend a night alone outside before you get here. I am not sure any advice helped him - and I am a little saddened that he spent so much money and did so little here.
geoskid wrote:Interesting isn't it. Obvious question Mark - How did you learn what you pass on?
GBW wrote:I know this couple who have 9 months experience doing overnighters and they think they can walk from Baw Baw to Howitt along the AAWT unassisted without seeking any advice. What would you say to them?
GBW wrote:I know this couple who have 9 months experience doing overnighters and they think they can walk from Baw Baw to Howitt along the AAWT unassisted without seeking any advice. What would you say to them?
ErichFromm wrote:Can someone point me toward the thread or update for this guy? was following for a while and was curious to see how it turned out - sounds like not well.....
GBW wrote:I know this couple who have 9 months experience doing overnighters and they think they can walk from Baw Baw to Howitt along the AAWT unassisted without seeking any advice. What would you say to them?
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