Introduction to hiking
Let’s start by saying that I’ve been training people in hiking for a long time and been hiking since Jesus played for Jerusalem in under 14’s rugby. I still don’t know it all. I will never know it all.
However, that being said, I know enough to get myself into and out of trouble on most occasions (in tropical/subtropical/temperate areas)
After all my time hiking, I have developed an extraordinarily simple way of classifying hikers and any adventurer really. This matrix is what helps me keep it real and helps me stay alive. The less I know or the less experience that I have in what I’m intending to do, the more proactive preparation that I undertake.
Kris Bullen (Director)
Scout Leader 2008
Outdoor Adventure Australia Hiker classification matrix
What is preparation
Preparation really fits into two separate classifications:
Existing
Pro-active
Existing preparation is the culmination of things that you already have:
Knowledge
Skills
Experience
Gear
Attitude
Pro-active is the conscious decision to gather/do more of, specifically in preparation for what you intend to do and includes:
Weather forecasts
Terrain research
Prior adventurer reports
Gear upgrades
Physical training
Emergency planning
Route planning and familiarisation
In our blogs we will cover the following:
Planning
Gear
Training
Food
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