There are 4 basic directional indicators used; North South East and West.  I assume this is not news to you.  A compass uses the same principles and breaks directions down even further to allow more accurate descriptions.  When needing to be very accurate you will talk in degrees when general is ok then you will talk in cardinal directions (eg when describing wind direction or the general direction of a track.)

Below you will find two diagrams and a table. 

The cardinal points diagram shows a basic compass bevel and the cardinal points

The compass bevel diagram show the mix of cardinal points and degrees that are common on a compass

The Bearing and cardinal points table relates the angle in degrees to a cardinal point and the text descriptor.

An Australian standard for bush track was developed in 2001 in consultation with a number of out door bodies and organisations.  These Standards are used to describe the condition of the track and the terrain and give a feel for the level of experience required by people using them.

The following tables gives a bit of a feel for the tack classification standards.  I have modified them a bit from the AS 2156.1-2001 to suit the need of the website.  As well as these elements for classifying a track the standard does also outline guides for management, these include facilities to provide, publicity and intervention levels.

The pictures in this table act a a bit of a guide, but only refer to the specific element been studied (IE just the sign or gradient)

General	1  A well maintained path suitable for wheelchairs	2  A popular and well maintained nature trail	3  A well used and obvious bush track	4  An established bush track with limited signage	5  A marked trail that can become unclear in places	6  A known route with n signs and a very indistinct track if any
Track Conditions	Hard surfaced track suitable for wheelchairs. 1.2m wide. Minimal intrusions.	Modified or hardened surface. At least 0.9m wide. Minimal intrusions.	Modified surface, sections may be hard. <1.2m wide. Mostly clear of intrusions.	Generally distinct without major modification. Debris and obstacles are likely.	Limited modification,  indistinct in places. Debris and obstacles are likely	No modification of the natural environment.
Gradient	Steps allowed only with alternate ramp access.	Generally no steeper than 1:10. Minimal use of steps.	May exceed 1:10 for short sections generally not > 1:10. Steps may be common.	Limited to environmental and maintenance considerations.	May include steep sections of unmodified surfaces.
Signage	Signs for interpretation used frequently. Arrow markers used at intersections.		Signs and track markers used for direction. Limited signage for interpretation.	Minimal signage for management and directional purposes.	Signage is limited and only for management purposes.	Signage is generally not provided. But may still be track markers.
Infrastructure	Generally includes facilities such as seats, lookout platforms, safety and hand railing.		Generally facilities are not provided expect to deal with particular safety and environmental issues.		Generally facilities are not provided expect to deal with particular safety and environmental issues.	Generally facilities are not provided.
Terrain	No previous experience required, exercise normal care.		Need no bushwalking experience and a minimum level of specialized skills. May encounter steep slopes, unstable surfaces and minor water crossings.	Require a moderate level of specialized skills such as navigation. Require maps and navigation equipment. Need to be self-reliant, in particular for 1st aid and adverse weather.	Require a high level of specialized skills such as navigation. Require maps and navigation equipment. Need to be self-reliant, in particular for 1st aid and adverse weather.	Users require previous experience in the outdoors and a high level of specialized skills such as navigation. Require maps and navigation equipment. Need to be self-reliant, in particular for 1st aid and adverse weather.
Weather	Not applicable		Forecasted and unforecasted storms may impact on navigation and safety	Forecasted and unforecasted storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety	Forecasted and unforecasted storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety

A walk is then classified based on the higest class number found.

In this table below you will see the range of assessments made for a particular track ranged the full gamut but generally sat around class 3.  But because the one element of weather ranged from 1 to 4 then this walk will be ranked a 4. However if in the summer months the weather class never extends beyond 3, then you could class this was as a 3 in summer and 4 in other seasons.

Please see the AS 2156.1-2001 standard for more information.

Fuel stoves have become and essential piece of equipment for your pack on any over night expedition.  The stoves generally safer and much lower impact on the environment than the traditional campfire.  The debate rages as to which is the best kind of stove on the market.  The answer is easy – mine!  But since you don’t believe me, I have put together a chart that compares different aspects of different stoves so that you can pick one for you.

Now these figures are pretty general and will vary greatly depending on a bunch of things like model of stove, fuel quality, weather conditions.  But it should give you a feel for the main differences

Follow this link for test done by real people on real stoves 

The stove types compared are
Campfire 
Wood Gas (or gypsy stove)
Compress kerosene (Esbit or Hexamine)
Compressed gas (LPG or Butane)
Methylated spirits (pepsi can or Trangia
Multi-fuels (separate fuel tank) (MSR)
Multi-fuels (built in fuel tank) (Colman)

The elements compared are;
Weight (grams)
Standard Fuel container
Running time
Purchase Cost
Running Cost / per hr
Time to boil 1L of water (mins)
Energy Output (BTU’s)
Ease of lighting
Temperature control
Noise level
Availability of Fuel Supply
Ease to refill
Ease to judge fuel remaining
Use in Fuel stove only areas
Smell/smoke
Use in Snow

A topographical map can just look like a bunch of squiggly lines at first, but once you get used to the key or legend it becomes a simple way to find out an enormous amount of information.  This article has the key for the main components of the new NSW topographical map series.

Naismith’s rule was developed by a William Naismith in 1892 as a basic rule of thumb that can be used to calculate the time it will take to walk from point a to b.  The formula has been adapted a little since then and considers the distance to walk, the altitude changed and the speed that you will walk at.

This rule assumes a reasonable level of fitness, but Tranter’s corrections can but used to change the time to suit a particular level of fitness.

Naismith’s Rule first makes a calculation based on distance over time.  eg if your walking a 4km/h for 4 km it will take you one hour.  Not rocket science.  But it adds a bit over an hour and a half for every 1000m you climb and about three quarters of a hour for every 500 meters you descend.

I have include two methods to help you in your trip planning.  Firstly a calculator and secondly a Nomogram that you can use with a ruler in the field.  Have a play with both

This Nomogram below can be used to calculate the estimated walking time.

 

Naismith’s Rule Nomogram

 

 

If you wish to apply Tranter’s Corrections I have include a table below to help.

Fitness in the left column is the number of minutes that it would take you to climb 1000ft over 800m

You have heard it said that “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” Well, actually it’s both. Our bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and, as the last extremity is reached, by panting. As the body heats up, the heart begins to pump more blood, blood vessels to accommodate the increased flow, and the tiny capillaries in the upper layers of skin are put into operation.

The body’s blood is circulated closer to the skin’s surface, and excess heat drains off into the cooler atmosphere by one or a combination of three ways…

• radiation,
• convection, and
• evaporation.

At lower temperatures, radiation and convection are efficient methods of removing heat. However, once the air temperature reaches 35°C, heat loss by radiation and convection ceases. It is at this point that heat loss by sweating becomes all-important. But sweating, by itself, does nothing to cool the body, unless the water is removed by evaporation (sweat changing to water vapor). The downside of this method of cooling is that high relative humidity retards evaporation.

Relative humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor contained in the air, divided by the maximum amount the air can hold, expressed as a percent. A relative humidity of 50% means the air contains ½ of the water vapor it can actually hold. The maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold is dependent upon the temperature (the “relative” in relative humidity). The higher the temperature, the more water (actually water vapor) the air can hold. For example, air with a temperature of 0°C can hold about 4.5ml of water. Air with a temperature of 26°C can hold about an 30ml of water.

So, what does this all mean? Sweat is evaporated (changes from a liquid to a gas, i.e. water vapor) when heat is added. The heat is supplied by your body. The results are summed up in the table below…

We, at the National Weather Service, as part of our mission for protecting life and property, have a measure of how the hot weather “feels” to the body. The Heat Index is based on work by R.G. Steadman and published in 1979 under the title “The Assessment of Sultriness, Parts 1 and 2.” In this work, Steadman constructed a table which uses relative humidity and dry bulb temperature to produce the “apparent temperature” or the temperature the body “feels”.

We use this table to provide you with Heat Index values. These values are for shady locations only. Exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 10°C. Also, strong winds, particularly with very hot, dry air, can be extremely hazardous as the wind adds heat to the body. The Heat Index Table is below.

Remember, these values are in the SHADE. You can add up to 10°C to these values if you are in direct sunlight.

The chart below tells you the risk to the body from continued exposure to the excessive heat.