Walking Australia’s High Plains is a hike through a land of sapphire green and blue clouded valley’s that one may never see anywhere but here. Although the mountains look soft with kind rolls, the truth is they provide some of the most challenging hiking terrain you will encounter. Sun, wind, snow, and rain are the four powerful elements that we need to contend with in the high plains. These elements are known to happen all in the same day, unseasonal, and individually or collectively provide a merciless climate to hike through. These helpful hints from Falls Creek Guides could be difference between a smooth hike and a trek for survival.
How to use your Clothing
Whilst having a great gear list is crucial the thing that gets let out is how to use your wonderful gear. One of the best tips we can give is to keep your body temperature comfortable . Whilst walking in a group it is easy to feel like you are being helplessly carried along in a migrating herd. Don’t be afraid to stop and take a moment, and before you reach for that water bottle, set up camp or take that picture, layer up or down to make sure your personal climate is comfortable and working for you. Taking this little moment is what will keep you up with your herd.
An Essential Clothing check list
- Two sunglasses
- Gloves
- Sun hat and winter hat
- Sunscreen
- Two pairs of socks
- Waterproof and wind proof clothing
- Thermal layer top and bottom
- Mid layer
- Down outer layer
- Wind proof waterproof external layer
- Gaiters
Feet First
I can remember putting hot water on new leather boots and walking around the house to shape and perfect a pair of hiking boots. The feet are number one, and luckily enough hiking boots have come a long, long way since then. You may not need the kettle anymore, but make sure you’re breaking in your new best friends before you hit the trails. Walk about the house, if your office is in a high rise, hike a few flights before work or on your lunch break.
The most difficult thing is to know what level of hiking boot to select. For the Victorian High plains, we suggest a boot with ankle support and a soft to medium Vibram sole.
Before departure, lay out your topographical map and huddle with the group to plan and explain your intended route Let someone from back home know your intentions and if you have a GPS with tracking, you can even share your route with them. At the trail head there is an intentions book. These books are not only fun to fill out but provide a great way to share your plan. Check each other’s medical kit to ensure that the contents have not expired or deteriorated. Ensure a lightweight bivvy bag is part of your hiking medical kit. Examine the weather predictions and adjust the trip time or in extreme weather conditions, you may need to consider cancellation. For Australia, our particular events of fire, flood and lightning are the weather conditions to avoid.
The ‘wish I had done’ list
The gear and supplies
- First aid kit with blister, energy glucose, bivvy / shelter, and air mat.
- Fitted boots
- Backpack at least 45lt but up to 80lt for overnight adventures.
- Map or GPS equivalent
- Matches waterproof/burner
- Water bottle
- Food
- Gaffer Tape
- Toilet disposal “Poop Tube”
Hints for moving up and down through your hiking day
The Down
The key part here is to soften the impact on the knees and ensure that you keep balance. Our two main tips here is to shorten your stride this will keep your body over your feet and lessen the heavy strides on your joints. The second tip is look up to 4 to 8 metres ahead to anticipate what is coming up and give your body time to adjust plan the next steps.
The Up
When hiking up, keep your steps short and at a pace that you can still talk and do not feel that every step is a heavy breath. If the climb is very steep, take a rest step where both legs are together in the middle of a stride. This means that your body weight is supported by both legs and will give you true rest.
Movement Keys.
- Move slow to go fast
- Breathe as you move so that you can still talk
- Use a rest step
The Food and Supplies
Make sure you think hard about how much food and water you’ll need. This will depend on the distance, but as a reference you will need to eat between 2,500 to 4,500 calories per day or about 1.1 kilo of food for a day trip. Dehydrated food by Campers Pantry is a great light weight option, and ther are many quality (and delicious) brands that make these. Some fast energy chocolate, nuts and dried fruits are also a good back up to snack as you go. With water, you’ll need about 1L for every 2 hours you’re out there. Bear in mind the alpine area can be extremely dehydrating. and you’ll be exerting a lot of energy so if in doubt… pack more water! Generally, carry two litres minimum, and in some cases, boiling extra water or topping up in a fast-flowing stream through the day can be necessary.
Australia is an amazing country to walk and one of the most challenging climates to hike and move through. There are many things to consider but following the gear lists and extra tips from Falls Creek Guides will have you on a good step for starting out on our magnificent high plains.
Here are a final few bullet points to have as a check list.
- Footwear that fit
- Small Steps
- Leave a plan
- Have a plan and a map
- Clothing for the unexpected
- First aid kit and how to use it
- Move at your pace
- Select a distance and trek that is achievable