This page covers some general things about trips. Contact the trip leader for information about a specific trip, or an activity officer for information about trips in a specific area. Another excellent general guide that covers information such as what and how to pack, what to eat, and outdoor hygiene and etiquette is the ANUMC bushlore. This can be downloaded as a convenient two page pdf here

Choosing A Trip

Keep an eye on the Trip Calendar for trips that sound appealing. Please take into consideration your skill level and experience before registering for a trip. If you're not sure that a trip is the right level for you, contact the trip leader before you sign up.

Pre-trips

Pre-trips are meetings where anything and everything is sorted out in advance. They are usually held on the Thursday before the trip at the gear store. Check the Trip Calendar for when it is scheduled. The following sorts of things tend to be covered:

• Transport issues, including choosing drivers and working out meeting places.
• Gear. If you need anything (e.g. tents, stoves, climbing gear etc.) it can be hired from the gear store after the pre-trip.
• Specifics of the trip, like what exactly you're doing and anything special you need to be aware of.

As you can imagine, it is ESSENTIAL that you go to the pre-trip. If you can't make it, let the trip leader know and they'll try to accommodate you. If you don't call and don't attend the pre-trip then you probably won't be going.

Costs

Costs vary considerably from trip to trip. They include things like petrol, camping fees, gear hire, food (it's quite common to stop for a bite to eat while on the road) and national park entry. Generally, trip participants pay drivers a little more than the cost of the petrol used, to recompense them not only for petrol but for wear and tear of taking cars on trips. Petrol money is generally collected by the leader towards the end of a trip and distributed amongst the drivers. For some larger trips such as Huge Days Out and the Blue Mountains Extravaganza, petrol money is collected in advance at the pretrip and distributed to drivers by cheque.

What To Pack

The trip leader will tell you what to bring. If they don't - ask. Exactly what you need will depend on the nature of the trip. The following essential items should be in your pack at all times:

• Raincoat
• Personal first aid kit
• Warm jumper (wool or fleece)
• Enough money to cover costs
• Sunglasses, hat & sunscreen
• Pack
• Water bottle/s for at least 2 litres
• Food (e.g. scroggin/trail mix, chocolate, fruit, muesli bars)
• (Head)torch