Trip Overview

Join us on an leisurely paced overnight adventure, exploring the Wombat State Forest.

There will be rest stops, cups of tea and plenty of time to take in the beautiful Lederderg River and surrounds.

This area is close to Melbourne, forgiving in it’s terrain (where we are headed anyway) and will make for an ideal weekend escape for those looking to start pack carrying or strengthen their skills.

There will be plenty of support offered leading up to the walk and along the way. Both your guides know the area well.

Ask us anything, we may even be able to arrange spare gear to save you buying  – if you are still unsure if hiking with a big pack is for you.

 

Accommodation / Camping

Camping will be in State Forest by the Lederderg River, with a fire to warm our toes.

We will explore and find our campsite as part of the days activities.

 

Itinerary and Walk Descriptions

Distance: 20-25 Kays, depending on the weather and group fitness.

Some with packs on, some with packs off.

Saturday 9:30am – After a quick sign in and gear check, we will set off from Blackwood town and head along the river towards Mt Wilson, exploring along the way, mostly on trails but also in some open bushland.

Sunday – After a leisurely start, we will set off back towards Blackwood, with a couple of possible detours thrown in, back at Blackwood town for a coffee mid afternoon.

 

Should you Participate?

We need to follow all state government guidelines regarding COVID-19, hence if you are required to be in quarantine or isolation, live in a restricted postcode (if and when designated by state government) or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms including the following, you should NOT be doing this walk:

• Fever
• Chills or sweats
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose
• Loss or change in sense of smell or taste
• Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

If you or anyone in your household feels sick in any way, please cancel. If you become unwell during the walk please notify your Leader immediately.

If you are in a high risk category, including being elderly or having a pre-existing medical condition, you should consider carefully whether you participate as the Club will accept no liability if you choose to participate.

Refer also to the Victoria state government Coronavirus page

 

Social Distancing and Good Hygiene

Before, during and after the walk, please practice social distancing and good hygiene to minimise the risk of infection:   Hygiene and physical distancing

• Carry a mask and wear it when required by the state government.

• • Refer to: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-vic-covid-19

• Maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and other walkers.
• Do not share food / water / equipment, or shake hands.
• Use tissues and do not dispose of these in the bush. Carry a plastic bag for disposing of tissues.
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
• Wash hands or use hand sanitiser when required.

If you are not able to practice good hygiene your Leader will ask you to leave the walk.

 

Transport

Transport to and from the walk location is by car. Please indicate your transport requirements and preferences on the booking request form when you book in.

If you don’t have a car, we can’t guarantee to provide you with a lift – this will depend on available drivers and their locations.

Drivers can choose whether they wish to take passengers or not.

For drivers who agree to accept a passenger, the Victorian State Government guidelines during Victoria’s CovidSafe restrictions are:

You can have passengers in your car. Where possible:

• your passenger should sit in the back seat in order to maintain physical distancing; 
• all passengers should wear a fitted face mask in the car if not from your household;
• increase ventilation in the vehicle by opening windows wherever possible and avoid having air-conditioning on recirculate;
• clean and disinfect high touch surfaces in the vehicle regularly.

 

Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please bring cash for this purpose.

 

Booking

Booking is  required for this walk.

For harder-graded walks, the leader has the right not to accept bookings from anyone they consider is not sufficiently fit or experienced to undertake it, so please provide as much relevant information as you can when booking. Unless the leader knows you well, please indicate what similar walks you have done recently (i.e. in the past few months) to give the leader confidence that you are capable of doing this walk.

For pack-carries, it is expected that anyone undertaking an overnight walk has at least the experience and equipment necessary to comfortably complete a “medium” graded day walk (refer also to What to Bring, below).

The Leader will confirm your acceptance on the walk, or not, via email.  The leader will provide details of where and when to meet.

Booking Fee:
Members: free.     Non-members: $10.

Payment:
To avoid handling cash, non-members are required to pre-pay their booking fee. Payment by Paypal or card is the quickest method, but if you choose to pay by EFT please follow the instruction to email the Treasurer with your payment details.

Cancellation:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity. Unless there are exceptional circumstances (e.g. you need to cancel because you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms), there will be no refunds.
So please do not book unless you are fully committed to walking.

 

What to Bring

• Hand Sanitiser
• Face Mask

• All the equipment, clothing, food and water you will need for the walks and overnight stays (refer Trip details above).

Refer to our Gear Checklist page for more details, or discuss with the leader.  If you are not properly equipped, the walk leader can decide not to let you participate on this walk.

 

Still have questions?

Check out Joining a walk and your safety

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Weekend and extended walks.

Check out our Covid-19 status.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

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