Bushwalk Australia

Do you ever just turn around on your travels and look back from what you have just walked and see the difference ?

All the time. Often for navigational reasons, particularly off track.

Also to savour the view from a different angle/perspective.

stry wrote:All the time. Often for navigational reasons, particularly off track.

Also to savour the view from a different angle/perspective.

x 2

I think it's important to get into the habit of looking back. It should be an essential part of navigation. I.e. noting features about the topography, vegetation and geology in case you temporarily get lost.

I make a conscious effort to stop and look around and I am always telling people who are with me to do the same.

This thread should be read while playing 'total eclipse of the heart'.
Thats all i can think when i saw the title hehe!
But yes i often.turn back to see the view from other angles. Sometimes to farewell a beautiful place.

It is also encouraging to see how far you've come vs how far is left to go.

I'll often look back at intersections, and try to cement them in my head.

On of track walking I'll also often look back to try and see if the route that I walked previously was the easiest or if I could have done better. It's a great way to improve routefinding.

perfectlydark wrote:This thread should be read while playing 'total eclipse of the heart'.
Thats all i can think when i saw the title hehe!
But yes i often.turn back to see the view from other angles. Sometimes to farewell a beautiful place.

Lol. Classic song for my ipod to remind me to turn around and see where ive been.

Ha funny clip.

Not as often as I should.

My hiking partner (wife) sets a cracking pace.

In fact, everything appears to be race.

Last weekends day hike for example:

I just beat you packing the sleeping bag.

I just beat you packing the pack.

I just beat you putting on gaiters.

etc etc.

She is great fun. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Absolutely...got into the habit when I used to do a lot of caving. Underground it is really important, things look totally different from opposite directions. It does help a lot when walking in unfamiliar territory (assuming you need to find your way back)

The first time my partner Caz took me on an off-track walk I got really worried after the first 20 minutes because he kept pausing and looking back the way we had come and looking left and right like he no idea where he was!!! But, as we were going out and back the same way he was simply looking back to see what the bush and landmarks would like when we reversed the walk. That first time I just followed along nervously thinking jeesh this guys got us so lost, sorry mum and dad! So, yes I have now also learnt to keep turning around - even on track walks and specially on loop walks or else you will miss something special!

Another reason to turn around. To check for forgotten items hats/waking poles etc.

Far too often. It kind of slows you down, but things do look so different from the opposite direction.

And there's nothing better than getting to the top of a climb and looking back down and realising how far you've come . . . especially if you can avoid the thought that you have to go back down . . .