by north-north-west » Fri 22 Jan, 2010 3:06 pm
LAWS of BUSHWALKING v4.2.ii
Dedicated to the members of the BWT forum, in gratitude for their advice and encouragement
1] It is always steeper than it looks from a distance
2] It is always further than you think it is
3] It always takes longer than you think it will
4a] Never anticipate a summit . . . (see Laws 1 - 3)
b] . . . or a campsite, sign, landmark, junction, watersource, etc . . .
5] It is always harder walking back up the hill than it was walking down
6] It is always harder climbing back down the rocks than it was climbing up
7] Nothing can stop a truly determined horsefly/mosquito/leech/hut animal
8] Regardless of what is removed from your pack, it always gets heavier
9a] The second day is always harder than the first
b] So is the second week
10] If there is a short, easy route between point A and point B, and a long, hard one, the track wil inevitably take the latter
11] Notwithstanding the above, 'short'cuts aren't
12] The largest landslides/rockfalls/trees always land on the track
13] The weather is not your friend
14a] Maps don't lie . . .
b] . . . they do not, however, tell the whole truth
15] The mud is always deeper, and the scrub thicker, than you are prepared for
16] If there are two peaks, and you aren't sure which is higher, it's the other one
17] If you don't take it, you will want it*
18] If you do take it, just in case, you won't want it**
19a] You will always forget to pack something
b] It will be something you need
c] You won't realise you don't have it until you need it
d] This will occur far too late to go back for it
20a] You will always lose something
b] It will be something you need
c] You won't realise you have lost it until you need it
d] You will never find it again, no matter how much time you spend searching
21] There is no such thing as 'enough' chocolate
PHOTOGRAPHERS' ADDENDA
22] There is no such thing as 'enough' lenses/ film/card space/battery power/accessories
23] The most interesting/photogenic scenery/flora/fauna/events will always occur after you have run out of film/card space/power/light/time
24] The likelihood of dropping something is inversely proportional to the distance from water and/or a drop-off
25] Cameras don't bounce
26] Or float
27] A camera takes twice as ling to cover any given distance
28] See Laws 17, 18, 19 & 20
*note Ddd's corollary: chance of rain is inversely proportional to amount of wet-weather gear carried
**note Ddd's formula: likelihood of use is inversely proportional to size, weight, expense and fragility of said item
PLEASE NOTE; ANY OR ALL OF THESE LAWS MAY BE ABROGATED AT ANY TIME. THIS IS ALWAYS TEMPORARY.
AND YOU WILL PAY FOR IT LATER.
And remember: The Bushwalk giveth, and the Bushwalk taketh away. Blessed be the time of the Bushwalk.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
