H
ave you ever been totally alone with nobody for
kilometres around? When in wild seclusion,
something magical emerges. Things become
clearer. Whether it’s relationship quandaries,
solutions to problems or life direction, everything seems so
simple when watching sunset on a mountaintop, and then
rolling into bed after an audience with the stars.
Because of its remote nature, wild camping is the domain
of the experienced hiker, particularly one with a high level of
navigational competence. This is not something to be
entered into in a blasé manner. Hikers with no experience of
wild camping and off-track walking should practice in less
remote locations first, preferably with somebody who is
experienced.Trialovernightroutesthathaveeasily
accessibleescaperoutesshouldthingsgetgnarly.Build
confidenceandskillbeforereallygettingoutthere.esAbound
ingis spontaneous.Part
is notknowingwhere
g toendup,whichmay
g atfirst,buttheflexibility
eparedtocampanywhere
esomeexperiences.The
camp,thewildertheview
uretogetthere.If you’rehikingalongtheMurrayRiver
andhavea bitethat’sturnedseptic,
lookforOldMan’sWeed,whichcanbe
usedtotreatwounds,infectionsand
inflammation.Bindingtheleavesofthe
plantdirectlytotheforehead(orother
partsofthebody)createsheatsothe
plantcanreleaseitsoil,whichis then
absorbedintotheskin.Somewattle
treeseedsareexcellentsourcesof
proteinandcarbohydrates,andcanbe
eatengreenanddry.If in NewZealand,
Harakeke(flax)leavesareidealfor
makingsplintsforbrokenlimbs,while
huika can be ground into a poultice and
used to treat septic wounds. In Peru,
chewing coca leaves alleviates altitude
sickness. Know your flora. It could be
invaluable.Contours
Channelthemountaingoat.Lookfor
contourstonavigateup/downsteep
terrain.It’llmakeoff-trackwalkingmuch
easier.If climbinga steep,rock-strewn
hillin therain,forexample,watchwhere
slowerwatercoursesflow,wherethe
waterrunsnaturallyandeasilydown
theslope.Followingthesetrailswill
oftenbetheeasiestrouteupordown.WILD CAMPING GUIDE
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