Heading Bush this Winter? - Here are some safety tips!

Winter is a fantastic time of the year for bush walking - mountains dusted with snow, lush vegetation and cooler walking conditions but there can also be many dangers associated with hiking at this time of the year.

In this article I'm going to cover some tips that you will need to know before you head off into the great outdoors this winter.

In the winter you will generally encounter higher rainfall and in alpine regions lots of snow. Under foot the conditions may be a bit more treacherous, so you will need to be a bit more careful where and how fast you walk.

1. Plan Ahead. Make sure that you have researched your walk and factor in a contingency day or two in case bad weather hampers your progress.

2. Check the weather. Are you a local to the area where you are going to walk? You could always do it another day!

3. Know your abilities and your limits. Have you walked or camped in adverse conditions before? Allow time for the unexpected.

4. Pack for the conditions. You will need 4 season gear, sufficient warm clothing, good wet weather gear and sturdy footwear.

5. Have a plan and tell a friend. Make sure that you leave with a friend, Park Ranger or Police a detailed itinerary of your walk, timings and next of kin.

6. Take emergency equipment. You should have a compass and a topographical map of the area that you are going to visit and know how to use them. Take with you a EPIRB [emergency position indicating response beacon] and/or a satellite phone. If you don't have these devices, they are able to be hired. Pack your personal phone as well, but coverage may be limited.

7. Have an emergency plan. In the event of an emergency you will need to know what to do. Always walk in a group of 3 or more and never leave a sick or injured person alone while someone gets help.
Remember our rule: "Less than 3 shall never be"

If you are not sure of your abilities or have the appropriate gear but want to experience some magical winter walks, consider a guided option in your state or territory.
  

Walking the Overland Track in Winter

Walking the Overland Track at any time of the year is a fantastic experience.

In April around Anzac day you have the "turning of the Fagus" where the green leaves of the Deciduous Beech Trees changes colour to red, orange and gold and it is only here in Tasmania that you will experience this.

From December to January is when the Alpine plant, the Mountain Rocket flowers, blooming from a white to a pale pink colour.

Happy Campers

Winter is a different experience to other seasons on the track as it is more tranquil and the trail is quieter.

The peaks and passes are often dusted with snow, lakes are frozen and the air is fresh and crisp.

To walk this alpine landscape in winter is an amazing experience and very photogenic.

At Adventure Seekers, in winter we run our tours a little different to summer. We utilize the huts instead of camping, or the more hardy can choose to camp if they wish.

We add an extra day to the tour as a contingency (7days) and move at a more leisurely pace as we shuffle along in our snowshoes through this magical landscape.

Winter tours run from the 21st July through to the 15th September 2014. You can book online here or just give us a call.

Have you walked the Overland Track before & when? Do you think that you would be up for a snowshoeing adventure? Please get in touch by commenting below.

The Overland Track - Winter Camping

You can experience winter type conditions at any time of the year on the Overland Track so if you plan to camp on your 6 day journey, we have some tips for you to make your trip hassle free.

Firstly, on the Overland Track you are required to camp in the designated camping areas and this means using the wooden tent platforms at each hut location (not at Waterfall Valley - use grass area).

The current anchor systems on the platforms make it difficult to secure your tent so we advise that using a free standing tent (ability to stand up by itself without the need for using tent lines) is more suitable and easier to pitch.

When you pitch your tent ensure that there are no overhanging tree branches above your tent as snow build up on the branches will eventually weigh the branches down and cause the snow to fall onto your tent in large clumps.

By using a 4 season tent, this will keep you a lot warmer. With a 4 season tent the outer fly generally touches the ground which keeps out the wind and snow pushing through. The inner mesh is also a lot thicker and windproof.

One disadvantage may be the the buildup of condensation on the inside of the tent. Most tents have a separate fly mesh that can be unzipped to allow air flow (adjust to suit). A good tip is to have a small chamois inside the tent to wipe up any condensation present. In winter conditions it is common that the top of your sleeping bag may feel slightly damp the next morning due to the condensation.

Weather conditions may not make it possible to dry your tent each day and you will have to pack it up wet. We suggest that you use a dry bag to store your tent in as not to get other gear inside your backpack wet.

Once you have pitched your tent at your next campsite use the chamois to dry the inside of your tent then lay down your bedding.