Bushwalking Skills in Extremely Difficult Tracked and Untracked Environments – Main Range NP

This workshop equips students with the skills and knowledge required to safely and effectively complete bushwalks in a variety of challenging environments, including bushland, arid, alpine, and tropical areas. Emphasis is placed on navigating rough, unformed tracks and untracked areas that feature significant natural obstacles.

In this skills training block, students will learn how to bushwalk in some of the most demanding environments. The course covers techniques for walking on variable and challenging surfaces, navigating untracked areas, and overcoming natural obstacles such as rocky or loose tread, dense vegetation, and water crossings. The unit also emphasises the use of navigation skills and equipment to compensate for the lack of signage or reliable route markers. This block prepares students for the physical and mental challenges of bushwalking in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments.

NOTE: This skillset is a physically demanding workshop that requires a Medium to High level of fitness. Only attend if you are an experienced hiker, who can complete track walks of at least 20km in a day, or at least 10km off-track. The terrain includes steep inclines, obstacle negotiation (scrambling, navigating around logs and other debris, creek crossing, etc).

Learning Outcomes:
– SISOBWG003 Bushwalk in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
– SISOFLD008 Navigate in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
– SISOBWG004 Cross rivers during bushwalks

Bushwalking Techniques:
Learning to walk in untracked areas and on rough, unformed tracks with no modification to the natural surface. Techniques for handling variable and unstable surfaces Strategies for navigating rocky or loose tread, roots, fallen trees

Navigation Skills:
Mastering navigation in environments with unreliable tracks and no signage. Using maps, compasses, and GPS to navigate challenging environments Understanding the Australian Walking Track Grading System, with a focus on grade 5 tracks

Obstacle Management:
Developing skills to safely and efficiently overcome natural obstacles encountered on tracks and in untracked areas.

Environmental Awareness:
Gaining an understanding of different environments (bushland, arid, alpine, tropical) and how they affect bushwalking.

Safety Considerations:
Learning to anticipate and mitigate risks associated with walking in extremely difficult environments.

Physical and Mental Preparation:
Building the endurance and resilience needed for long, challenging bushwalks.