Things I have learnt.

[Taurë-rana]

When you are down a cave and decide to continue for some time because "there is no way that I can get lost in here", don't believe it.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hahaha no thats madness!! It's easier to get lost in a cave than in the bush

[BruceL]

That just because the contour lines on the map are not close together does not mean it will be easy walking.

[north-north-west]

Especially if it's a CDMA 1:25,000 map. 20 metre contour intervals, indeed!

[Ent]

"Dive in the water is lovely" is only correct if proceeded by "for a polar bear".

Cheers Brett

[kramster]

Don't fill the trangia burner with shellite...

[Taurë-rana]

Don't fill the trangia burner with shellite...

[songairen]

Wash yourself everyday- even when feeling wretched after a hard day- and if it's freezing cold think of the Russians
Eat well
Never forget the leukoplast
1 set of clothes for walking, 1 set for the campsite

Wash your clothes at every opportunity (long walks)
Bring a pack of wet tissues for the final wipe
Don't open the wine/beer until Day 10
Don't tell anyone you are carrying wine/beer until Day 10

[ollster]

Especially if it's a CDMA 1:25,000 map. 20 metre contour intervals, indeed!

Another one we discovered on a recent trip "just because the 20m contours look consistently spaced on the map doesn't mean there isn't a 15m high cliffline halfway down the ridge".

[ILUVSWTAS]

Especially if it's a CDMA 1:25,000 map. 20 metre contour intervals, indeed!

Another one we discovered on a recent trip "just because the 20m contours look consistently spaced on the map doesn't mean there isn't a 15m high cliffline halfway down the ridge".

We only discovered that by accident! I doubt any humans have EVER seen those cliffs before.....

[under10kg]

If you have a tent that uses trecking poles, make sure you do not forget the poles. Done that twice now!

[Jellybean]

No matter how well prepared you are, Mother Nature (aka Huey) generally has the last say.

[corvus]

Using possum trails(fallen logs) to ascend a Mountain is easier than descending,did this twice "first and last" Wadleys to Bishops peak
corvus

[north-north-west]

Especially if it's a CDMA 1:25,000 map. 20 metre contour intervals, indeed!

Another one we discovered on a recent trip "just because the 20m contours look consistently spaced on the map doesn't mean there isn't a 15m high cliffline halfway down the ridge".

que? All my Tasmanian 1:25,000 maps have 10m intervals.
And no experienced walker would ever trust the contours on a 1:50,000 map to be close to reality . . .

[Ent]

Contour lines is how a draughtsperson achieves artist freedom from the drudgery of detail.

[Singe]

Never remove tent pegs by pulling the fly... especially if they are attached via elastic loops

[Ent]

When using a rock top hammer in a tent peg consider before hand how you are going to get the peg out

[corvus]

Tie a loop of strong cord around your pegs! a bright colour is best for snow
corvus

[jcr_au]

Always put the car keys in the same pocket.

Returning to the car after a long 2 days to find the keys aren't where you always put them, and having to spend 1/2hr (probably 10min seemed longer) in the pouring rain with no shelter while you find them, is less than fun.

There are no trees to shelter under near Burra. It does rain in Burra in July. The wind never stops blowing a gale in Burra

john r

[north-north-west]

The surest way to improve bad weather is to leave your sunglasses behind.

[Derringer]

Don't use a windshield too close to a gas canister stove!!!
KABOOM!!!!!!!

Never tell your walking partners how far you have actually travelled after 5hrs in thick scrub (250m)

With enough ingenuity, you can make a camp out of very unlikely places


Kevin

[Dave Bremers]

Take less, then man up and deal with not having a second jumper.

Always take enough toilet paper (gastro forced 1.4 squares a day - doable but not pleasant).

[under10kg]

Never chat up a sexy woman walking solo with 30 kgs at the start of a 8 day walk.
Your frameless pack is not designed to carry extra weight.

[under10kg]

Do not dig your toilet hole with you hands as you never know what you might touch!

[ollster]

Always take enough toilet paper (gastro forced 1.4 squares a day - doable but not pleasant).

On that note... if you come out of all your bushwalks with virtually no toilet paper left, you didn't have "just enough". Unless you come out with half a roll still left, you're playing a dangerous game.

[ILUVSWTAS]

We had this conversation on the Franklands. A couple of guys got through 2 rolls. I used under half, and came out with enough for 1 more wipe! I felt very happy with how much I had left! It's like coming out with excess food, why bother carrying it for the last day if you dont need to??

[Derringer]

Never throw out old maps

Never tell a fellow walker, who has just sat down from exhaustion, that you are only 2hrs into an 12hr day


Kevin

[Jellybean]

Never chat up a sexy woman walking solo with 30 kgs at the start of a 8 day walk.
Your frameless pack is not designed to carry extra weight.

Sometimes lust has a price attached!!

[corvus]

Dont use Dunny rolls several individual pocket pack tissues is the way to go and no danger of the DREADED WET Dunny roll
corvus

[Lindsay]

Wiping your bum with leaves and fern fronds can be a learning experience.