Saturday 9th April 2016 - Off Track Training Day 1

Post date: Nov 2, 2016 4:36:53 AM

Bernie assisted by Michelle and Rick, our safety and training officer, gave Julie, Christa and Richard a most informative and enjoyable introduction to off track walking. We all came equipped with long sleeves, long trousers and gaiters ready for the plants and creatures we expected we might encounter. After a theory session at the Binna Burra shelter hut we set off for a lesson in how to recognise where we are going and where we have been. Having passed the test and got back for morning tea it was time to head off track to Split Rock and practice our newly learnt skills. Below the rain forest canopy it was a warm humid day and after all the ups and downs, crawling over fallen logs and around thickets of Wait-a-While we arrived in the open on the top of Split Rock looking down on the Coomera Rover far below. Time for a rest and lunch and time to swap anecdotes of past trips like the time Janine’s pack slipped over the side and Bernie had to go down and rescue it. We then exercised our navigation skill and retracing our steps back to Binna Burra, had another short theory session and afternoon tea before heading home.

Bernie pointed out that he was not a trained instructor but his lack of formal training was more than made up by his knowledge acquired in over 40 years of bushwalking. Thanks Bernie and Michelle for a most enjoyable walk and talk.