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novice to the bush

Fri 13 Dec, 2013 4:42 pm

From March 22 2014 to March 23rd 2014, Im planning to participate in an operational exercise run by the Bushwalkers Wilderness
Rescue Squad at Winburndale Nature Reserve

My role in the exercise will be that of a radio operator, which means I will be stationed at one place for 24 hours
straight and relaying information about the exercise via radio.

From what I have read Winburndale Nature Reserve does not have any modern facilities, which means
it is in remote bushland

Since this is the first time Im doing something like this, would the following be sufficient
for the overnight exercise?

- small tank of water that you can buy from woolies
- jeans, plus a jumper
- hiking boots
- t-shirt
- pan for cooking
- hat
- packeted or freeze dried food for meals:

Re: novice to the bush

Fri 13 Dec, 2013 6:45 pm

Definitely no jeans or other cotton clothing!

You'll need a waterproof jacket and a couple of litres of water.

I presume you are walking in? How far?

Re: novice to the bush

Fri 13 Dec, 2013 6:54 pm

What did the folks at Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad advise? I'd think they would know best, along with anyone who has specific local knowledge.

Re: novice to the bush

Fri 13 Dec, 2013 10:01 pm

If your driving in (I get that impression) then just bring water, food and a way to cook. Plus warm clothes and toilet paper!!! (Dont forget that). If your walking let us know some more details maybe?

Re: novice to the bush

Sat 14 Dec, 2013 7:12 am

I won't be walking in. The two possible options I have for transport are

1. I take the train up to some station, then get a ride off someone from BWRS to the site
2. Someone is kind enough to give me a ride for the entire journey

Throughout the exercise, I'll remain in the one spot for 24 hours

Strider, how come no jeans and cotton clothing?

Re: novice to the bush

Sat 14 Dec, 2013 7:30 am

Cotton jeans may be very tough, but experienced walkers avoid them like the plague, especially in cold wet weather, because they absorb huge amounts of water, never dry out, can shrink badly around your legs, and can lead to hypothermia.

Re: novice to the bush

Sat 14 Dec, 2013 10:43 am

im actually talking about denim jeans

Since it is in western NSW, Im assuming the temperature could become freezing overnight as well

Re: novice to the bush

Sat 14 Dec, 2013 11:18 am

cooee wrote:Cotton jeans may be very tough, but experienced walkers avoid them like the plague, especially in cold wet weather, because they absorb huge amounts of water, never dry out, can shrink badly around your legs, and can lead to hypothermia.

jG_83 wrote:im actually talking about denim jeans


Hi jG,
Denim is actually a particular weave of cotton, that is especially good at staying wet and cold. So denim is the main fabric that experienced walkers avoid at all costs.

Re: novice to the bush

Sat 14 Dec, 2013 1:50 pm

jG_83 wrote:im actually talking about denim jeans



So was l..............

Denim is made from tightly woven fabric that comes from COTTON warp yarn and white COTTON filling yarn. The filling yarns are stretched across the width of the fabric and interlaced at 90-degree angles with warp yarns, which are also stretched the length of the fabric. This creates an interwoven pattern of diagonal lines called “twill weave.” There are two kinds of twill weaves: left hand twill, which is softer and runs diagonally from right to left, and right hand twill, which runs diagonally from left to right and is flatter and smoother.

Re: novice to the bush

Sat 14 Dec, 2013 1:57 pm

Freezing overnight = take a good sleeping bag

Re: novice to the bush

Sat 14 Dec, 2013 5:42 pm

But as poster is saying this isnt a bushwalk in the alps its a 24 hour stint in one spot in the wilderness..I doubt very much a choice of jeans will be detrimental and im presuming some form of shelter in case of wet weather..lets keep things in context here...
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