REGISTRATION

This event is officially closed! That said, you can still sign up on this page, and may be admitted to the hike pending experience level, time of registration, number of cars etc.

This is a Intermediate hike. You don't need previous overnight hiking experience to join, but as we're going up and down some mountains, you do need a base level of fitness. If you have any questions, text or message me - Daniel Gensemer 0404497812.

PRICE

A $10 gear use fee applies of you borrow a club sleeping bag or tent. Otherwise, since all of our campsites are free, the hike is free.

WHAT IS THE HIKE?

The hike will take place four hours' drive north of Adelaide in the Central Flinders Ranges near Quorn, and take three days. We'll leave Adelaide on Friday if we can, camping in a Flinders Ranges hut that night. If we have enough cars, we'll make it a linear hike with a car shuffle. Otherwise, we'll do a loop hike. The hike climbs untracked creekbeds and makes long ridge climbs over some of the biggest hills in the Flinders Ranges. The views are expected to be fantastic. Kangaroos, wallabies, and emus are very common here, and if we're lucky we'll see some yellow footed rock wallabies. Since it's steep and rocky, this hike makes perfect prep for the Week in the Gammons hike.

We're having fires at every campsite. Flying drones is also allowed this time yay

Weather: Expect 5-10 degree nights and 15-20 degree days. We're past the Goyder Line, so rainfall is possible but unlikely.

ROUGH ITINERARY

FRIDAY - We travel to Dutchman's Hut outside of Quorn in our own time. If people can't make it there on Friday night, alternatives like Bowman's Hut will be discussed in the group chat. Dutchman's Hut has electricty and is a free Heysen Trail hut.

SATURDAY - Those who feel like it can warm themselves up by making the 6 kilometre return hike to the summit of Dutchman's Stern itself. After leaving the hut, we'll walk about 15km down some creekbeds and across a gibber plain to the historic Eyre Depot campsite. Views from here extend to Lake Torrens and Port Augusta.

SUNDAY - A fairly straightforward untracked 12km hike up the steep Depot Creek leads to the Mount Arden South Campground. A quick summit of Mount Arden for sunset and we sleep.

MONDAY - This 18km day leads us over the summit and down the long, open summit ridge beyond. We'll descend from here into Buckaringa Gorge, where yellow-footed rock wallabies are often spotted. The hike ends in Buckaringa Gorge itself.

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 7 June 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

If a lot of beginners sign up for the trip, we'll organise carpools from the university. Otherwise, carpooling to the event will be organised via group chat. Dutchman's Stern is 4 hours away from Adelaide. Quorn's Transcontinental Hotel is a good place for a dinner if you need one.

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. 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.

Ankle supporting hiking boots are strongly recommended for this hike as it is very rocky.

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

2 night's dinners

3 Breakfasts

3 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