Training

How do I prepare for Easter Venture?

Ask others who have been before. Go on practice hikes - practise packing your pack - prepare your menu - check your gear - practise map and compass skills -increase your fitness through exercise and walking everywhere. Wear in your walking boots always with two pairs of wool or wool blend socks e.g. 'Éxplorers'

Cut your toenails properly a few days before you leave. It is imperative that your team carries correct and sufficient equipment, food and clothing.

How far will we hike? And How hard is it?

E.V. teams plan their own hike route using the coordinates given. The distance you walk and where your team goes is up to them.

What should I wear?

Theme gear + comfortable 'weather suitable' clothing. Always wear a hat - sunhat during the day, even if it is cloudy and a warm beanie at night. Long sleeved shirts/tops + shorts [nylon if the weather looks wet - they dry easily not like cotton] +well worn in footwear. Please be aware that there will be a NO HAT - NO HIKE policy this year.

What Gear Should I Take?

Rucksack [at least 65L with internal frame]. Pack all your gear in smaller plastic bags into your pack lined with a large garbag [orange garden type are best] All your things will stay dry even if your pack is wet through!
Wet weather gear/jacket [Japara/Goretex ...]
Lightweight plastic groundsheet Sleeping bag and inner sheet.
Sleeping mat.
First Aid Kit with contents to help you treat personal injuries:-blisters, sprains, Bandaids - antiseptic [Betadine...] - Panadol - blister dressing - crepe bandage -personal medication...
Lightweight hike tent with sewn in floor with flysheet and lightweight pegs. Hutchies or bivvy bags are not acceptable.
Toilet gear [small soap, comb, flannel, tooth brush & small toothpaste, small towel]
Hat [sun protection-sunscreen 30+,lip balm] beanie
Hiking shirt.
Shorts.
Warm jumper/thermal top
Sleeping clothes
Underwear
Wool blend thick socks.
Spare clothes [not too many changes!!]
Toilet paper and small lightweight trowel.
Small torch
Water containers [at least 2 litres]
Map holder - compass -whistle on cord - pencil, paper...
Billies to prepare meals eating utensils K.F.S. mug small tea towel...
Handkerchiefs
Gaiters

Where do I sleep?

Venturer Overnight Camps are established by E.V. staff each night in a different location. First aid, water, hot water at meal times, camp toilets and entertainment are supplied.

Each sub-camp has leaders to help and advise you if you have problems.

Branch policy requires separate tents for male and female Venturers. [This means no sex...]

For safety, on arrival at the Venturer overnight camp, you must report to the campsite check-in point.

This is also the case at each lunchtime site. When you arrive at camp your E.V. Passport will be collected and your team number recorded to detect late or missing teams.

What about meals?

There are no shops near the E.V. site. Due to firebans there are no fires and no stoves on E.V. Lightweight ingredients and meals able to be prepared with only hot water are essential. We supply hot water at each campsite for tea and breakfast. Your team needs 2 billies. We cater for teams not individuals. Plan, purchase food, pack, carry, prepare and eat meals as a team. Sunday's evening meal is supplied for you.

Menu suggestions:

Breakfasts: Weetbix muesli breakfast bars powdered milk milo Tang.

Lunches: cold pies / pasties sausage rolls / cut rolls from home for the first day - Sardines/mussels/metwurst/cheese portions/sticks/ bread pita bread vegemite peanut butter hard boiled eggs Vitaweet biscuits ... Margarine and peanut butter are excellent sources of energy.

Tea: soup/oxo Pasta meals/ tuna /deb and vegetables/ camp pie/
Instant pudding/ angel delight!! Cheese cake if you want a real carbohydrate boost and want to impress the camping judges!!! [White Wings lemon is the best!]

Snacks: high energy muesli/energy bars scroggin/ dried fruit/ biscuits/fresh fruit...
Your team is expected to show your sub camp leaders what you eat so that we know that you are eating well for the hike.

How Should Units Select Teams?

Compatibility - Experience - Attitude - Fitness - Training.

Who do you get along with and who you don't mind sharing gear/tent/decision making...with?
i.e. people with the same aim as yourself. Decide on your aim e.g. To go for broke or just do your best or just go along for the ride.

It is best to select a team leader - probably the most experienced - who will make the final decisions after consulting the other members.

We will put you with other incomplete teams if you cannot make groups of 4 from your own Unit. Check with other Units to combine members before you apply. Venturers hike in teams of 4.

What Are the Main Problems Encountered on E.V.?

Too much gear taken i.e. Several changes of clothing are not necessary Excessive toiletries
Heavy tents, pegs are all extra unnecessary equipment.

Your pack should weigh no more than 1/4 - 1/3 - of your body weight.

Too little gear taken: E.V. is not Rogaining! There is a certain minimum gear that is essential for your safety. Adequate raingear [plastic ponchos are not good enough for a 4 day hike] sleeping bag, tent with fly and warm clothing [thermals are warm and light] for night time are essential.

Dehydration: Keep up the fluids. Many small sips of water are best. Beware of energy drinks.
Your body requires fluid replacement at increasing levels according to activities and the weather.

Faulty Packs: Check yours well before Easter.[internal framed packs are good]

Blisters: Wear in your footware well before EV - wear two pair of socks and wearing a pack on your practice hikes. Your feet should be firm in your boots but not tight - be prepared to add or change the ratio of thick/thin socks. Wool/synthetic blends. Treatment: apply second skin or elasto-plast or bandaids as soon as a sore spot is felt [heel, toe. ankle]

Not enough sleep Gung Ho Hikers always seem to get enough sleep except on the Sunday night!!!

Getting lost: The map is not often wrong. Stop, study the map and terrain. Try to work out when you last knew where you were-look for prominent features. Wait for help- another E.V. team. Getting lost can be avoided. Take note of road or track directions before setting out from each activity site and at each change of direction or major feature.

After dark set up your tents - shine your torch - look for other lights. Be prepared to camp where you are for the night - you should have enough water with you at all times for this.

The E.V. Hike Team searches for lost teams and does not give up until all teams are in camp!!!!!

Insufficient good food: See the menu and snack suggestions included on this page.

A lack of planning beforehand. This web site should set you on the right track.

What Happens If A Team Member Gets Hurt or Sick?

Protect them from further danger/injury - stay with your team mate - apply first aid and make them comfortable - send 2 people for help to the nearest activity checkpoint or road. Roads in the E.V. area are patrolled during event.

If the weather is cold and wet pitch your tent and get in it and in your sleeping bag if you have to wait for help.
You are expected to treat your own minor injuries but a qualified Ist.Aid person will be at each lunch spot and at the night camps if you need help.

If you are not feeling well, tell someone about it early. Viruses are travel bugs and get around in droplets spread by coughing or sneezing. E.V. does not have a doctor so if necessary you will be taken to a hospital. If you cannot continue hiking with your team you go home. We are not able to transport you from campsite to campsite.

Specific Skills for Easter Venture:

A sense of fun!
A willingness to join in all activities.
Map Reading - All team members need to be proficient in map and compass skills plus route planning.
At the beginning of the hike each team will be issued with a colour 1:50 000 map and the coordinates of the checkpoints for the first section until lunch. After lunch you will be given the coordinates for the afternoon section of the hike.Check points and activity sites have different values i.e. bronze - silver - gold.
Setting up camp quickly and efficiently.
Preparing meals using hot water supplied at each campsite.
Sharing tasks and working well together.
Always take a waterproof jacket even if the weather forecast is for fine weather.
Nights may be very cold. If you get lost or hurt a wind proof and water proof jacket is good protection.

Survival on E.V.

Easter Venture is a hike. The main reason for Venturers going home from E.V. is blisters.

At the first sign of sore feet [heel. toe. ankle] STOP!!!!

Put a strip of plaster over the red skin to protect the sore area and hold the skin together before a blister develops. The best cover for a raw blister is your natural skin pulled gently back in place and protected by adhesive plaster. Using 'Second Skin' is another method.

Hypothermia

Always take a waterproof jacket, have a good breakfast and eat regular snacks.

If you get very cold for a long time without exercise, energy foods, protection from the cold your body starts to close down some functions resulting in exposure.[wind, rain and cold together are potentially lethal] Having a good breakfast plus regular extra energy food throughout the day besides your meals is essential.

Other factors which may predispose hypothermia are:- poor food, a poor mental attitude, inactivity, recent illness and lack of fitness. Small, thin people are at risk because they have less natural insulation.
The signs of hypothermia include general slowing down, slurred speech, stumbling or clumsiness, lack of interest or awareness, out of character behaviour, excessive shivering.

Treatment: Stop and rest. Protect the cold person from the wind, using a space blanket, and cold ground using a groundsheet. Give energy food- energy bars, sweets, biscuits. If it is wet pitch your tent remove excessive wet clothing and warm the patient gradually in a sleeping bag.

Hyperthermia

Results if you get too hot and can't cool down. A sun hat plus loose fitting, light coloured, long sleeved tops are ideal with 30+ sun protection. Water is the best drink with frequent sips. The tube water systems are a good idea but don't share yours!! Too many germs are spread this way.

Drink often in small amounts to prevent dehydration - feeling thirsty, decreasing urine output of a darker colour are some indicators.

So if you or members of your team feel very hot, dizzy, very thirsty: sit down in the nearest shady spot, sip small amounts of water, cool down -remove any excess clothing, sponge with a damp flannel/handkerchief, fan each other, lie with your feet higher than your body.

Personal Hygiene

Everyone smells on hikes so deodorants are not necessary. Having a sponge - in tent - wash is a good idea.
Wash your hands using soap after toilet use and before food preparation and eating. Washing your feet each day prevents blisters

Toilet Training! Use minimal impact techniques: At least 100m from a water source or potential watercourse, dig a hole 15cm deep [no deeper so that the micro organisms can speedily decompose your faeces] cover well and stamp earth down on top then cover with leaves... Wash your hands.