EQUIPMENT TALK: The Editor talks with Dr Telemark

Yeti: What sort of equipment would you take on a day walk?
Dr.T: Well, that depends on the sort of walk. If we are talking about a easy day walk in Sherbrooke forest or the Botanic Gardens and the weather is going to be fine, sunny and warm all day then I wouldn’t need to take much at all.
Y:. Surely you would need to take something?
DrT: Oh, yes, you would need a small day pack to carry such things as water and snacks but that’s about all. If I was going to the Botanic Gardens all I would take is a few coins to buy a Magnum, a plastic bag and a pair of secateurs to take some cuttings, no, edit that bit out please!
Y: Ok, what about a harder walk in much more rugged terrain, say in winter or early spring. Let's think, maybe somewhere like Mt. Bullfight.
DrT: Ah, yes, now we're talking, top walk, but at that time of year you really need to be well equipped.
Y: So you would take more than a small day pack and a few coins.
DrT: I certainly would, not because I thought that I wouldn’t make it home but because when you are walking in more remote areas, the potential for disaster is that much higher. Don’t get me wrong here but I think that 99.9% of the time there will be no problems, but it’s that .1% you have to think about. You know, all sorts of things could and do go wrong on walks and it’s just not worth talking the risk with your own and other people's safety.
Y. So each walker should be self sufficient with their own safety equipment?
DrT: Certainly, Look at it this way, If you are relying on someone else and they are relying on you and the proverbial hits the fan, well you're both up the creek without a paddle.
Y. So what should you take?
DrT: Again it depends on the walk, but I’ll tell you what I usually carry; firstly I have a compass and map even if I’m not leading the walk because if the leader happens to lose their compass we have a spare.
Y. Come on, that wouldn’t happen would it?
D. I have known it to happen on more than one occasion and disaster was averted due to the spare compass. Then I always carry my survival gear which comprises a cut down foam mat that fits neatly into the pack, a First Aid kit, a plastic bivvy bag, a ground sheet, torch & spare batteries, full set of thermals, hat, waterproofs, gloves, water, warm clothing, high energy food and a whistle. Oh! and some firelighters & matches.
Y: Firelighters? what would you use those for?
DrT: They make lighting a fire much quicker than rubbing two Boy Scouts together and you never know when you may need them. Say for example you are walking in untracked country and one party member is unable to keep up for whatever reason, sprained ankle, the runs, etc, it gets dark and you are unable to continue. If you are able to light a fire it will be good for morale throughout a cold and long night.
Y: All that extra gear sound like a lot of weight?
DrT: Not really, all up it probably weighs an extra 1 to 2 kilo’s but when it's getting dark and you're in thick scrub & geographically embarrassed the knowledge that you could survive the night out using the gear you are carrying helps to put your mind at rest.
Y: What about food?
DrT: Yes, there are those who would have you believe that you can survive for months on 1 chocolate bar but I would suggest that 1 gram of chocolate a day for 2 months is a bit monotonous. It is a wise idea to carry extra food , it will never go astray.
Y: Would you tell anyone were you were going?
DrT: A good point and one that’s often overlooked. Again it depends on where you are going, but for most trips close to civilization only a brief description of the walk left with a reliable person may be adequate. But for somewhere further afield a copy of a marked up map and detailed route description left with a reliable person and another copy with last minute changes left in the car is the safest way to go. If you are overdue or have some sort of problem at least the searchers will know were to look. Oh, and try to stick closely to the route as planned or searchers may well look in totally the wrong area.
Y: Would you carry a mobile phone?
DrT: Depends, in a lot of places a phone just does not work. Under heavy tree cover or in the bottom of a gully or just too far from the transmitter. A digital phone doesn’t seem to have good reception in the bush, so don’t rely on it as it may not work.
Y: And so finally to sum up.
DrT: As they say, be prepared, carry adequate gear, map & compass and let someone know before you go. Even on a day walk accidents can happen. Happy walking.