REGISTRATION

This event is NOW CLOSED! If you still really want to come, message me (Daniel Gensemer) or text me (0404497812) and I may be able to squeeze you in.

WHAT IS THE HIKE?

Caroona Creek Conservation Park is one of the more underrated parks in South Australia. Located near Burra, it features rocky landscapes with winding dry creekbeds and numerous gorges. We'll travel through remote gorges on seldom travelled footpads and old maintenance trails on a 30km, two day circuit. We're staying in Mount Bryan East Schoolhouse, perhaps the best hikers' hut in the Mid North, and the newer Caroona Creek Shelter. The moon will rise after midnight, so we have a good chance of spectacular starry nights. The area's May temperatures typically range between 7 and 16 degrees. Rain is relatively unlikely.

ROUGH ITINERARY

FRIDAY - We travel to Mount Bryan East Schoolhouse in our own time. It's suggested that you and the people you're carpooling with start driving from the city before 6pm so you can reach the schoolhouse by 9.

SATURDAY - We'll walk from the Schoolhouse into the conservation park via the Heysen Trail, making our way down Tourilie Gorge and having lunch at Tourilie Hut. An easy flat walk leads us from here to Caroona Creek Shelter and our night's camp. 15km total hiking.

SUNDAY - After climbing the bank of Caroona Gorge, we'll walk down seldom used vehicle tracks through undulating scrub before taking four-wheel-drive tracks back to our starting point. 15km total hiking. A suggested optional afternoon challenge is tackling the steep 2km climb of Mount Bryan, the tallest mountain in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

CLUB GEAR

If borrowing a club sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent, hiking bag, or hiking stove, come to the gear room between 5-6pm on Wednesday 10 May to pick up gear. If you're on the event and can't make that time, contact me. You can return your gear straight after the event if it's dry - if not, we'll arrange another time you can return it. To borrow gear, you'll have to pay a $10 fee for gear upkeep - we'll contact you about how to pay it. Club gear must be well looked after and be returned dry and with no parts missing. It's suggested you find people to share club tents and stoves with, next Wednesday or through the group chat if you have no one to go with.

TRANSPORT

Carpooling to the event will be organised via group chat. Mount Bryan East is 2.5 hours away from Adelaide. I'd suggest stopping at the Burra Hotel if you want a restaurant dinner on the way.

PACKING YOUR BAG

Pack the heaviest things, like water, as close to your center of gravity (lower back) as possible. Waterproof clothes with plastic bags or dry bags. Don't pack more than a third of your bodyweight (including food and water).

FOOD

If this is your first overnight hike and you're intending to go to the Gammons with us, do some research and apply it on this hike! You may be happy with one night of sub par food but not with seven in a row. Two minute noodles are forbidden by the mountain gods. Avoid canned food (unless it comes in smaller cans like tuna). Since the water tanks we'll be using aren't limitless, conservation of water is important - bring food that won't require too much washup. Personal hiking favourites include cold cereal with powedered milk for breakfasts, instant potato mash with mettwurst and zucchini for dinners, carrots, jerky, dried mango, tuna wraps, gatorade powder, and oat bars.

GEAR

As a rule, your pack, fully loaded with food and water, should be less than 1/3rd of your body weight.

Items with an asterisk* can be borrowed from the club. Items in italics aren't necessary but may make your experience on the trail better. Items in bold are of special note and must be taken.

SHARED GEAR

Lightweight Tent*

Hiking Stove* with Fuel

Cooking pots*

CAMPING/HIKING GEAR

Means of carrying 3 litres of water

Means of waterproofing important items such as clothing (dry bags, pack liner, or garbage bags)

Sleeping bag* (Recommended 5 degrees or lower COMFORT rating, liner* can be used to lower rating)

Sleeping mat*

Head torch and spare batteries

Eating/cooking utensils

Lightweight mug and bowl

1 night's dinner - Bringing nothing but 2 minute noodles is forbidden

2 Breakfasts

2 Lunches

Snacks

Water purifyer such as tablets (as we are drinking unfiltered water from a rainwater tank)

CLOTHING

Shoes suitable for hiking in rocky terrain

Gaiters*

Underwear

Thick socks

Long sleeve shirts

Jumper

Rain jacket

Pants

Hat

OTHER

Toothbrush, toothpaste

Toilet paper

Binoculars

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Matches/lighter

Multitool/knife

Trekking poles

Camera

Phone w/ powerbank

Journal and pen

Paracord

Anything else you'll need personally