The following points are fairly comprehensive. Not all points apply to every walk. Planning and execution are easy – just walk through in your mind what needs to happen, from beginning to end.
Planning
Set a goal
For your first walk, your goal might be just to successfully lead your first CBC trip (if so, perhaps choose a track walk to simplify navigation)! Other goals could be scenic views or study of flora and fauna, geology, history or special sites. You may want to incorporate swims, peak bagging setting records or personal best times. Special activities such as snowshoeing, kayaking, mountain bike riding, canyoning or descending cascades may also be goals that you would like to achieve.
Research the area and general route
Maps (topographic/orthographic), previous walk reports (CBC it, other sources), brochures, guidebooks, Google Earth, talk to other walkers, internet.
Length and time
When deciding on the distance to be covered and the time required for the activity consider the number of hours of daylight and the travel time to and from the activity. A daylight hours calculator can be found at Geodetic Calculators.
Terrain and other considerations
Tracks, footpads. spurs, ridges, creek lines. Handrails. Generally damper on south and east facing slopes; generally dryer on North and west facing slopes. A walk (up in the morning, down in the afternoon) is preferable to a walk (down in the morning, up in the afternoon), but the latter is unavoidable if you are visiting a gorge. Try to plan a circular walk, rather than out and back the same route.
Seasonal considerations
Daylight hours, clothing, heat and cold. Mountains/sea/swims in summer. Access can be difficult in winter; snow, blizzards. Temperature decreases by about 1°C (perhaps 3/4°C) for every 100m climbed. Wind chill. Bush fires. Water. Cancel a walk if extreme conditions are forecast at the last moment.
Party size
Minimum 4, maximum 16 (exception for urban fringe rambles). Party sizes outside these limits need special permission from the Walks Secretary. There may be additional limits set by the management authority of the area in which you are planning to walk (eg. National Park limits)
CBC grading
Distance
| Code | Text | Description |
|---|---|---|
| S | Short | < 12 km/day |
| M | Medium | 12-20 km/day |
| L | Long | 20+ km/day |
Note: in calculating the gradable distance, add 1km for every 100m climbed
Difficulty
| Code | Text | Description |
|---|---|---|
| E | Easy | fire trail, tracks, beaches, etc |
| M | Medium | bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub |
| R | Rough | much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles |
| X | eXploratory | the leader has little knowledge of the proposed route |
| W | Wet | compulsory swims, some river crossings |
Reconnaissance
To be absolutely sure of the route, terrain, timing, etc, take a smaller (remember minimum 4) party on an unadvertised recce. The larger party on the advertised trip will move more slowly.
CBC documents to help with your planning
Guidelines for Leaders, Leader Registration Guidelines, Transport Pooling Guidelines.
Co-leader
Consider using a more experienced co-leader for the first couple of walks you lead, or else seek out a mentor.
Safety
Must carry a full map (not a photocopy of just the planned route segment, as factors on the day may require different exit routes) and compass; possibly PLB, possibly GPS; planned exit routes; first aid qualifications, and first aid kit. Have the phone numbers of the CBC Check-In Officer, CBC Walks Secretary and CBC Assistant Walks Secretary with you. Carry a notebook and pencil.
Permits
Camping permit, fire permit, permission to enter private property.
Route card
Using all the above considerations, one way to plan your route is to divide the trip into stages/legs. For each leg, locate the start and end point, the distance, going, estimated time, navigation aids and points of interest.
Example: 2010 03 09 Ridge south-east of Gudgenby Saddle Route Card
| From | To | Distance km | Bearing °mag. | Climb m | Going/Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Footpad | 4.2 | Fire trails. Expect views to Mt Gudgenby | ||
| Footpad | Gudgenby saddle | 2.2 | 238 | 260 | Footpad start is taped |
| Gudgenby saddle | SH1481 knoll 1 | 0.7 | 173 | 160 | Dry eucalypt |
| SH1481 knoll 1 | Knoll 2 | 1.0 | 126 | 90 | 130m down damper SE face, then up through regrowth |
| Knoll 2 | Knoll 3 | 0.7 | 161 | 20 | Down and up again. Expect views to top of Naas Creek valley |
| Knoll 3 | Knoll 4 | 1.1 | 113 | 10 | Ridge line. Lunch |
| Knoll 4 | Knoll 5 | 0.5 | 85 | 10 | Shallow saddle |
| Knoll 5 | Knoll 6 | 0.9 | 100 | 20 | Down 110, up 20 |
| Knoll 6 | Meet Old Boboyan Road | 1.3 | 48 | Down 150 | |
| Meet Old Boboyan Road | Finish | 5.7 | Fire trails. Possible side trip to Hospital Creek Hut | ||
| Totals | 18.3 | 570 |
Another way to plan your route is to create a narrative. For example:
‘From the creek junction go up the ridge, at the top turn left. Take a compass bearing, no need to read the number just follow the way it points. Follow the ridge to the first knoll which is long and skinny then the second knoll which is pointier and should have a good view.’
Advertising and taking bookings
Submit an ‘activity offer’
Include a description that is factual, and inviting. Include the name of the relevant topographic map(s). Nominate a booking deadline. The Walks Secretary will normally approve your offer but occasionally may suggest changes.
Manage bookings
First-time walker? Ask them about their walking history and capabilities. If in doubt, ask for a referee – a walk leader with whom they have previously walked. Refer them to the web pages, Guidelines for Participants, Suggested Equipment List, and Minimal Impact Bushwalking Code. Respect privacy.
If the participant has indicated they have a car available, ask if prepared to drive on this walk. Use appropriate vehicles for the roads to be driven (eg. 4WD for unsealed).
CBC forms and procedures
Acknowledgment of Risks and Obligations Sheet (PDF)- for No booking required walks or anybody who has not booked on Bilby;
CBC Emergency Contacts (PDF)
CBC Emergency Information (PDF)
CBC Incident Report Form (PDF)
Logistics
Make transport arrangements
CBC has a fine history of organising transport pickup within Canberra. Alternative methods are to ask passengers to drive to their driver’s home or ask all walkers to get themselves to a designated meet point.
Communicate final details to participants, including the weather forecast for the day.
Log in and submit the Trip List as close as convenient to the time of departure.
At the meeting point
Ensure walkers know each other – either introduce or form a circle and each walker states their name; be particularly welcoming to new walkers; don’t allow the tendency to stand in the middle of the car park where cars drive; pass the Acknowledgment of Risks and Obligations Sheet around for signing; phone late arrivals; don’t wait for late walkers past the limit you have set (eg. I begrudgingly wait an extra 5 mins, but prefer walkers to be at the meet point before the meet time).
If not already arranged, allocate walkers to drivers; ensure walkers have all their gear; ensure drivers know where they are going; if mobile phone coverage is expected, ensure drivers have each other’s phone numbers. Leave the meet point in a convoy.
Drive to the start of the walk
Try to stay in a convoy and drive safely. Be particularly aware of kangaroos. If a long drive (eg. to the snow), schedule a driver reviver and toilet break at appropriate (and appropriate is usually different for males and females) facilities.
The walk
On arrival at the start of the walk
Allow walkers time to kit up (some will get out of the car and be ready to walk; others will faff around with boots, clothing, equipment, or disappearing into the bush to the loo). Form a circle and do introductions again – particularly important if it’s a large party and there are new walkers. If this walk is a “no booking required” walk ensure everyone has signed the Acknowledgment of Risks and Obligations
Walk Briefing
This is critical. Using your map, explain the planned route for the walk. Include the walk highlights (but allow for some anticipation for when they are reached). Detail major rest breaks, water points, keeping visual contact, action if separated from party, where PLB is carried. Provide opportunities for walkers to ask questions. There may be additional special briefings (eg. I have experienced a brief from a fellow walker on the use of his Epi-pen in case of anaphylactic shock).
Setting out
As leader, you lead (at least initially). Appoint a ‘tail end Charlie’ – no one goes behind that person. If a stop is required whilst the party is moving (eg. to adjust clothing, loo break), the whole party stops. If a very large party, consider appointing buddy trios – groups of 3 who can at least check that they are all there at each break. Count the number of walkers in the party.
Visual contact
It is the prime responsibility of each walker to keep visual contact with the walker in front; it is the secondary responsibility of each walker to keep visual contact with the walker behind. Before any visual link is lost, call out for the forward element of the party to stop and then close up. This can be relaxed at the leader’s discretion on a well-marked track, where walkers may be allowed to walk at their own pace. However, walkers forward of the leader must stop to regroup eg. every 30 minutes, at the next track junction, at the top of a hill, at a water point at any easily established location.
First break
It is good practice to have a short break 10-15 minutes after starting. Equipment can be settled; we usually overdress at the start while waiting for the walk to begin, then get hot as walking generates heat, so the break allows clothing layers to be adjusted. Count the party members at every break!
Other rest breaks
Morning tea and lunch breaks. Water breaks, 5-minute break every hour. Stop after completing a hard leg (eg. the top of a steep climb). ‘Caterpillar’ breaks (the front stops and the rear catches up) – but give the last to arrive a spell too. Always say how long the break will be e.g. lunch break is 30 minutes. Always give notification of the time to restart eg. towards the end of lunch “We will leave in 5 minutes”. Stick to your time – don’t leave early; make it clear (in a gentle manner) to a walker not ready that they were given a warning and are holding up the entire party. Count the party members at every break!
Party enjoyment
Do your utmost to ensure that each participant is enjoying the trip. Use the particular skills and knowledge of a participant to inform others about flora, fauna, history, geology, etc. Find out something of interest concerning each walker.
Party morale
Do your utmost to engender high party morale, which is particularly important in adverse weather conditions. When appropriate, get to know each party member (but leadership and navigation come first). Morale tends to fall with constant exertion, and in the afternoon when we get tired. Engender party ‘ownership’ and involvement eg. welcome interest from others in your navigation.
Weakest walker
In every party there will be the weakest walker. It may be through lack of experience, incorrect clothing or equipment, lack of walk-fitness, sickness, or they might just be having a bad hair day. Without drawing attention to the walker, keep a particular eye on them. Keep an eye on any walker experiencing difficulty.
Navigation
As the walk leader, this is your primary responsibility. Use your prepared route card, modified by conditions you experience on the ground. Move in bounds. Know where you are. Accept assistance from other party members when required. The map rarely lies!
At the finish of the walk
Count the party members in! Ensure that all walkers are aware of how much to pay their drivers for transport. If there are cars with unequal numbers of passengers, ensure that all drivers receive the same amount. Some leaders like to have a cuppa or a bite to eat or a chat at the end of a walk; others like to just get in the cars and go. You might consider a walk debrief – how did the party members enjoy the walk? Ensure all car engines start OK, before the first car leaves. Ensure adequate driver reviver breaks are scheduled for long drives back.
Check-In
As soon as possible after completion of your activity, log in to Bilby and where bookings were required, change the booking status of all Approved bookings to “Attended” or “No Show” as appropriate and then click the Finish Activity link. If anybody had to sign the Risks form (everybody in a “No Booking Required” activity) then scan it and send to check.in”at”canberrabushwalkingclub.org (replace “at” with @ )