If you’re new to bushwalking with a group, or simply appreciate the reminder, here’s a list of ‘Ten Commandments’ that we all should follow:
- DON’T BE LATE Make sure you turn up at the appointed meeting place on time so that the others aren’t waiting A late start can mean a late finish which is no fun if you forgot to pack your head torch and have to stumble around in the dark on the way back to the cars.
- BE READY TO GO Just because you arrived well before the appointed time, doesn’t mean you should then proceed to hold everyone up while you eat breakfast, change your clothes or Facebook all your friends to let them know you are about to embark on the adventure of a
- DOUBLE CHECK YOU HAVE EVERYTHING You don’t want to have to admit to the Leader when you stop for lunch that you left yours sitting on the bench at home, or that you forgot your water bottle; or be asking to borrow someone’s tea bag, or their toilet paper, or if anyone has a spare pair of gloves or a rain jacket, or …
- MAKE SURE YOU’RE UP TO IT Don’t kid yourself (and the Leader) that sure, you can manage a five-day pack walk in the mountains, after all you have been walking around the block every night after Check the walk grading, look at a topographical map of where the walk is being held (that’s the map with all the little lines on it), and if you’re not sure ask. Don’t ruin everyone else’s trip just because you have a big ego.
- LEAVE A MARKER When nature calls and you have to duck into the bushes for a quick whizz, let someone know and make sure you leave your pack on the track so that when the Leader sends out a search party because you’ve slipped on a rock and are now lying unconscious in the undergrowth they’ll know where to start
- RIGHT OF WAY Don’t forget that the walkers grunting and gasping up the mountainside have the right of way over the walkers cheerfully strolling down the mountain. It’s always polite to step off the track to let the poor buggers get by if there isn’t a lot of room. (You might even offer them a hand up).
- INTERSECTIONS These can cause a lot of confusion and heartache, especially if you head off in the wrong direction. If you get there before everyone else because all those evening walks around the block have made you super-fit and you’re out to prove that you can manage even if you are carrying a 30kg pack, STOP! The accepted code of conduct is to WAIT until everyone in the group has arrived (including the Leader) before
- FIVE MINUTES ‘TIL BLAST OFF! According to some, the most important aspect of bushwalking etiquette is the five-minute warning. You’ve stopped somewhere on the track for morning tea and you’re wondering… Do I have time to set up the stove and boil the billy for a cuppa, can I unroll my mat and have a little lie down and catch up on my emails, is there enough time to walk up to that ridge behind us and take a few panoramic photos? A good Leader will establish the length of the break and provide a five-minute warning before the walk is due to
- SILENCE IS GOLDEN Sometimes it’s rather nice to walk without a constant chatter happening around Sometimes we like to appreciate the silence of wild places; to listen to the lyrebirds showing off their repertoire of bird calls; to hear the wind rustling through the leaves of the mountain ash; to hear the soft patter of rain on our jacket hood. So don’t forget to take a deep breath and let the stillness embrace you, rather than filling every second with your scintillating insights.
- APPLAUD THE LEADER At the end of the walk it’s quite alright to give the Leader a standing ovation, a slap on the back, a warm handshake or help them unload their pack; better still shout them a coffee and cake on the way home to show your gratitude for organising the whole experience and getting you and your 30 kg pack home safe and sound.