In addition to recognising the Canberra Bushwalking Club’s 50th anniversary, the ’50 Peaks in 50 Weeks’ event aims to increase activity by seeking new memberships, particularly younger members, encouraging members to get out walking a bit more, encouraging new leaders, and giving ‘retired’ leaders a reason to get excited about leading again.
Janet Edstein proposed this idea with support from Terence Uren and with John Evans offering to put the idea into motion. Thanks go to all three for their efforts.
Guidelines
- To qualify, a walk should be an advertised CBC walk (this ensures the usual safety and check-in).
- Peaks should have a name. Peaks are not restricted to the ACT. Challenging, remote area, unnamed features may be included after discussion with the recorder (John Evans).
- 50 Peaks in 50 Weeks’ walks should be nominated by a walk leader when the walk description is submitted to the Walks Secretary
- Visitors can walk, but only CBC members can score points.
- For inclusion in the ’50 Peaks in 50 Weeks’ event, the walk leader should include in the after-trip check-in the name of the peak(s), the trip distance, the total climb, and the terrain. In addition to the names of the party members, bonus point qualifications should be stated.
Scoring
A walk is scored by the system developed by Colin Boreham.
| Distance | Points allocated |
|---|---|
| 0-5 km | 1 |
| 6-10 km | 2 |
| 11-15 km | 3 |
| 16-20 km | 4 |
| 21+ km | 5 |
| Climb | Points allocated |
|---|---|
| 0-99 m | 1 |
| 100-299 m | 2 |
| 300-499 m | 3 |
| 500-699 m | 4 |
| 700-899 m | 5 |
| 900+ m | 6 |
| Terrain | Points allocated |
|---|---|
| All road, track or footpad, no rough going | 1 |
| Mostly road, track or footpad, no rough going | 2 |
| Some rough going | 3 |
| Moderately rough going/some scrub | 4 |
| Mostly rough going/thick scrub | 5 |
Rough going includes medium or heavy scrub; rocky, loose or slippery ground; rock scrambling; and stony creek crossings.
Add the three point allocations (for distance, climb and terrain) to give a Score.
Additional points
Additional points are allocated as follows
| Condition | Points allocated |
|---|---|
| Leader | 4 (shared if co-leader) |
| New leader | 5 |
| Snow | 10 |
| Age under 30 | 2 |
| Age over 70 | 3 |
| Overnight pack trip* | 5 |
* Does not include cabin or car camping. Additional points are awarded due to having to carry a heavier pack.
Results
- Each participant is allocated the score for the walk, plus any individual adjustments.
- All entrants with over 100 points will be awarded a handsomely illuminated commemorative scroll. Other recognition will be made for achievements such as the largest number of peaks and the highest number of points.
- Scores will be tallied and published on the Club’s website.
- The recorder’s decision is usually final. In exceptional circumstances, appeals should be directed to the Walks Secretary.
Score example
A party of 6 go to Mt Burbidge and return via the locally named ‘Mt Mavis’ (SH1711). It’s snowing at the top. The leader is a 71-year-old codger and he has a 25-year-old participant and a non-CBC visitor in the party.
Walk score (21+km + 900+m climb + rough going, scrub) = 5+6+5=16. Extra 10 points for snowing, so 26 allocated to each walker, except the visitor.
Individual scores:
- Leader 26+4 (for leading) + 3 (>70) = 33;
- The two ‘ordinary CBC’ members =26;
- 25 year old member = 26+2 = 28; Visitor = 0.
Each CBC member also scores 1 peak. Note that ‘Mt Mavis’ (SH1711) does not score as a peak, but contributes to the total distance, total climb and going.