Things to Consider Before Walking

The shed offers members the opportunity of participating in some occasional walks as a supplement to our usual activities. The aim of this is to expose members to some of the delights of nature around and within Canberra, as well as getting some exercise.

Most walks will be designed to be undertaken within 3 hours from start to finish including breaks and be no more than 10Km and include climbs of no more than 200 metres in total. However there may be an occasion where we could go to Namadgi and do a half day walk. Generally walks will be held every two weeks on a Thurs with walks alternating between easy social strolls around simple locations like Lake Ginninderra versus more challenging scenic walks. These latter walks will tend to be more the medium and sometimes medoum/hard type of walk. Most walks will be on tracks or easy open country with minimal scrub bashing or cross country style walking.

Before Walking

Members should have an ability to walk at least 5Km in 2 hours. Some scenic walks may require climbs such as Black Mountain, Mt Ainslie, or Mt Taylor where the altitude change may be up to 150m (500 feet). This is likely to be the maximum. If undertaken slowly most can do this as we have already experienced.

The standard Shed liability will cover members for these activities. However members should carefully assess their abilities for any walks before turning up. If in doubt seek advice. Most of these walks should be fairly safe and we will take enough time to allow for adequate rests. You need adequate footwear. Sneakers with a good soul and grip would be suitable. Also you need comfortable trousers, shirt and jumper. You will need a polar fleece lightweight jacket or similar in winter. You definitely need a good hat in the warmer months. A small water bottle <300ml is adequate from May-Sept, Oct-April >500ml recommended. Simple snacks ie muesli bar or similar is adequate for such walks. It's unlikely that anything more than a small day pack would be needed. In fact if you can place things in the pocket or bum bag then this would be best.

Other items to consider: Camera, Mobile, strong aspirin, band aids, sunscreen cream in summer, and a small 50ml bottle of hand sanitiser. The leader will carry a mobile and small first aid kit, as well as have knowledge of the route. It would be wise to check the list about which sunscreens contain or may contain nanoparticles and ensure your sunscreen does not contain them. See Friends of the Earth Nanotechnology Project and especially theirr Safe Sunscreen Guide

Weather: If the weather is bad on the morning we will postpone. Cool weather above 5C is good for walking, however strong winds with rain or drizzle is not suitable when combined with cold weather. Over 30C is also too hot in the middle of the day. In summer we will consider early morning walks.

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