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Bushwalking Etiquette
- BE PROMPT AND BE READY 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. 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 lifetime.
- 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 work. 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. If you do turn out to be the Speedy Gonzales of the group be aware to keep the rest of the group in sight. If you rush ahead, others feel pressured and there is no prize for first place in Bushwalking.
- 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 the search. If you need to pee, it’s best avoid electric fences and also consider the wind and slope. If you have other needs ensure that you are more than 100 metres from water and all waste is buried or carried out.
- LEAVE NO MESS You got into bushwalking because you love getting out into a pristine, natural environment. Leave it that way for others.
- 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) and let them have recovery time, before you head off as a group.
- CONSIDER OTHERS If you are in phone range it’s a good idea to turn your phone on silent (or maybe flight mode to save power) and only make or take essential calls. 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; Although we do love to share our scintillating insights too.
- LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS If you notice someone is struggling or needs a rest or some help, check in with them and let the leader know. If that person turns out to be you ask for what you need; a rest, a help with your load or…
- 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. All leaders are volunteers and deserve your appreciation.
