Advice for first overnight hike maybe thT Castle

[Kingsleythelost]

Hi

Im a complete newb to bush walking and this is my first post so please be kind. My experience so far has been camping out of a car and day walking to fairly well tracked places. Its not something that i thought id enjoy but i think im getting addicted. My best walk so far was to Pigeon House mountain and the kids loved it.

Ive decided that id like to do a few overnight hikes. Ive got all the basic equipment all be it some bits are a little on the heavy side. Ive got 2 kids sometimes three (Its complicated)...im looking at my next step i guess picking a good walk that is challenging enough to feel like Ive accomplished but not overly difficult.

I live in Bungendore so i guess anything in Batemans Bay, Ulludulla or Canberra region. Ideally a one night walk. Ideally a 4-5 hour hike with a nice ending place to camp etc then a return trip home maybe a different way...I don't own a 4WD.

One walk i was thinking of doing was The Castle only because i sort of know the area and its beautiful.

Any advice is appreciated.

[clarence]

The Castle is probably not the best for your first overnight walk in my opinion, especially with kids. The last part of the climb up the Castle has some moderately exposed steep rock scrambling. The Castle can be done as a day walk, so maybe try it on your own first before you take the kids.

I would suggest the Shoalhaven Gorge, for example around Bungonia (eg an overnighter down through Bungonia Gorge then down to the Shoalhaven) or Badgerys Point. If you can organise a car shuttle one of the best introductory overnighters is from Long Point downstream to Badgerys on the Shoalhaven. There is no formal track and it involves a few river crossings, but is easy and spectacular walking.

Alternatively, starting from the western entrance to the Budawangs (Wog Wog) may be a better introduction to overnighters. Maybe get a guide book (like Ron Doughtons Budawangs Guide) which will have full route descriptions and gradings of many tracked walks and give you heaps of inspirations and options to get started.

If you look on the NSW section of this forum you will see other suggestions and ideas which may suit.

Clarence

[Kingsleythelost]

Hi Clarence thankyou for your reply

I guess its just a matter of picking one...Ive got a lot of skills to learn on the camping side never mind the entire what direction am i going thing!

If i wanted to go to your suggested Bungonia Gorge to Badgerys point where would i get the information i need to do this walk. A quick google search has revealed to me this map http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/BudawangsBrochure.pdf I might also try and get the book youve mentioned.

Are there any better maps? Is there a website i can go to and print a topo map of the area? Im sorry if my questions sound newb but they are! Im just a little flustered about what to do next.. Ive been storing away hiking and camping gear and now im at the point i want to use it! I dont own a GPS unit yet but im thinking it would be a great investment then in theory i can download the walks store them and off i go?

[Kingsleythelost]

Ive found a mapping program i can run on my Iphone one called EveryTrail has anyone used it? Im thinking of upgrading so i can download the maps onto the phone. A USB solar charger will be needed iphone batteries wont last! I know a dedicated GPS would be better but not bad for 3.9$ to get me going.

I wil still like to have a paper topo and compass as a backup but im not sure where to get these from.

[perfectlydark]

Cheap out local map shops if any or parks and wildlife office for maps. If your using the phone gps make sure you save the maps as I garuntee you wont be able to rely on online maps out bush

[clarence]

If you're a bit "flustered" with the whole navigation/camping thing maybe keep to fully tracked routes to start with. There is a bit of a knack to getting the whole camping/overnight thing sorted if you haven't done it before, but it is a good experience. Once you have your overnight kit and some basic navigation sorted then try something more adventurous.

The 1:25 000 topographic maps and a compass are important, as GPS units are not fool proof and learning to read a map is a good basic skill. If you start on not-too-hard walks a GPS would not be an essential by any means.

Several guide books like Ron Doughtons, will have a section in the front on gear/preparation etc. A bit of reading up will go a long way.

I'd suggest Wog Wog to Burrumbeet Brook and return as a start, then maybe Bungonia Gorge (if your pack isn't too big and awkward- as there is a big boulder field). There are also lots of walks in the Snowy Mountains (provided the weather/season is favourable).

Clarence