Bush walking is the best way to travel - it's also the only way to access more remote areas. Even in winter, it's possible to enjoy the mountains on foot with the addition of skis.

Provided proper clothes and equipment are used and adequate precautions are taken, it's also quite safe.

Precautions

Always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back.
The ideal group is four because: you can never recognise hypothermia in yourself; a two- person party is too weak to help itself in a dangerous situation, but if four are in a party, one can stay with a sick member while two go for help. Never travel alone!
Always take warm and windproof clothing, preferably wool since wet wool is warmer than wet cotton; current maps; a compass; water and food.
Always start early and plan an early finish (around 2.30 pm) so you're not travelling in the dark or trying to set up shelter as the temperature drops.
If planning an overnight stay, take a tent, sleeping bag and primus to heat your food.

Ski Huts have been provided in many areas - these are often simply old farm buildings or shelters that have been built in summer months by volunteers. They only provide shelter - rarely water or toilet facilities.

Make sure you leave your skis outside the hut at night as a special precaution against fire. If the hut is destroyed, your only source of transport is still available.

Clothing and food should be out of reach of animals and you should keep essential clothing next to you at night.

Users are on their honour to leave huts clean for the next groups. If firewood has been used, it should be replaced in the morning before moving on.

As ski-touring becomes more popular, these huts are often full, so don't rely on being able to shelter in them - always take a tent.

White-outs

These occur when the snow fields are covered in cloud and the reflected light between the snow and the cloud removes any shadows and contrast. It's very difficult to judge distances or to see irregularities in these circumstances and white-outs are, therefore very dangerous, since it's easy to lose all sense of direction.

Always carry your compass on your person in case you're caught in bad conditions.

Hypothermia

Exposure or hypothermia can kill and it's often difficult to recognise.

Danger signs: the victim is exhausted, lags behind, stumbles, slurs speech and is reluctant to carry on. Any sign that a member of the group is not "with it" mentally is a cause for alarm.

Stop every half-hour to talk to all members of the group - and be on the alert for these signs.

Treatment: Seek shelter from the wind immediately. Drop off a ridge to the lee side and look for shelter in tussocks, scrub, bush or behind rocks.

Put on extra clothing, have something to eat and drink, and watch carefully for signs of recovery.

If the victim appears to recover, do NOT continue walking that day. Make an early camp and ensure he/she has a good night's rest.

If the victim hasn't recovered within 15 minutes, you must warm the person straight away - there's no time to try to find shelter.

Find dry clothing, put the victim in a sleeping bag, have the biggest member of the party get in as well and then two other members must get into their sleeping bags and lie close alongside the victim. Body warmth is the best way to bring the victim's internal temperature back to normal.

NEVER apply excessive external heat (as from a fire) - this just brings the blood to the skin and away from vital internal organs and can result in death. Never give alcohol.

Travel to Australia

Bush-Walking and Ski-Touring Precautions in the Snowy Mountains of

New South Wales