Bushwalking Resources

Bushwalking Resource Sites

Bushwalking and Gear Advice

	aus.bushwalking newsgroup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
	Fuel Name FAQ.
	How to care for leather boots.
	MSN Group: Hiking and Backing - Open discussion all matters hiking and backpacking. [MSN registration required].
	LED Museum - The purpose of this website is to test and evaluate all kinds of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and products made with LEDs.
	Pete's Pages - Good advice on packs, poles and down gear.
	WildTiger - Worldwide Adventure Sports - Wiki
	Yahoo! Group: A and A Backpacking - Open discussion about backpacking. [Yahoo! registration required].
	Yahoo! Group: Appalachian Trail Hikers - Open discussion about walking the Appalachian Trail in the USA [personal goal]. [Yahoo! registration required].
	Yahoo! Group: AT Trail Chat - Open discussion about walking the Appalachian Trail in the USA [personal goal]. [Yahoo! registration required].
	Yahoo! Group: Hiking - Open discussion about hiking. [Yahoo! registration required].
	Yahoo! Group: Trekking - Open discussion about trekking - international focus. [Yahoo! registration required].

Food

Yahoo! Group: Light Trail Food - Open discussion about drying food, recipes and food on the trail. [Yahoo! registration required.]

Gear Reviews

BackpackerGearTest.org - A group of "gear freaks" where members test and report on various equipment. Has a fair and equitable policy on the testing procedures/reports to give ensure independent credible in the field reports by real backpackers, hikers, bushwalkers and trampers of the gear under test. Also includes an extensive database of owners reviews. My reviews and test reports include:

Tests:

	Kamik Chase Shoes - In progress - Updated August 28, 2006
	Therm-a-Rest Trail Comfort - In progress
	SealLine Storm Sack - In progress
	MSR CloudLiner Hydration Bag - In progress
	Zyflex Thermal Shirt and Pants - In progress
	Granite Gear Stratus Latitude Pack - Completed - Updated August 28, 2006
	Big Sky Products Better than Fleece Convertible Jacket - Completed - Updated August 28, 2006
	Big Sky Products Evolution 1P Tent - Completed
	Wilderness Wear Kosciuszko Socks - Completed.
	Petzl Tikka Plus Headlamp - Completed.
	Spectrum Brands Insect Repellents - Completed.
	Sierra Designs Osage Sleeping Bag - Completed.
	Red Ledge Cirrostratus - Completed.
	Mountain Safety Research Overland Carbon poles - Completed.
	Shock Doctor Ultra 3 Footbeds - Completed.
	Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Missing Link Test - Completed.
	Watchful Eye Designs O.P. Sak barrier bags - Completed
	Cascade Designs Therm-A-Rest ProLite 4S Sleeping Pad - Completed.
	Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Packcloth Gaiters - Completed.
	AntiGravityGear Mamas Kitchen Cookset - Completed.
	Tektite Trek Lithium Flashlight - Completed.
	Bite Trail Low Sandals - Completed
	Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone 3800 backpack - Completed.
	Enertia Trail Foods Single Meals - Completed.
	Leatherman Squirt S4 - Completed.
	Red Ledge Voyager Rain Gear - Completed.
	Birdiepal Junior Umbrella - Completed.
	Duray Socks - Completed.

Owner Reviews:

Carrix trolley

Sea to Summit Pack Cover

Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sacks

McNett SEAMGRIP SEAM SURE [Water Based] Seam Sealer

MSR SuperFly canister stove

Black Diamond Approach Trekking Pole

Macpac Cascade

Map Mate Digital Map Measurer

	BackpackingLight.com - The website associated with the Yahoo! group Backpacking Light. Has a strong focus on lightweight backpacking and equipment.
	The Lightweight Backpacker - Focus on lightweight backpacking.
	Backpacker.com Gear Reviews - Once you have got through to the section of interest, click on the link "Read more ... features" to get the full list of reviews in the section.
	The Lightweight Forum - Discussion forum focusing on various topics including gear. Searchable. Lots of experience here.
	Thru-Hiker.com - Limited number of reviews but it is growing.
	Trailspace.com - Comprehensive collection of personal (read owner's) reviews of their gear.
	Epinions.com - Consumer reviews
	Thebackpacker.com - User comments.
	Yahoo! Groups: BackpackGearTest - Admin group for the website, BackpackGearTest.org. [Yahoo! registration required.]

GPS, Maps and Navigation

	A General Introduction to the use of a GPS for bushwalkers
	Geoscience Australia - Federal mapping agency.
	GPS Information.net
	GPS Maps for Adventure Travel - Provides information on GPS units, related software, maps etc.
	Learn Orienteering - Good guide to using a compass.
	Map Reading Guide: How to use Topographical Maps.
	Personal Locator Beacons or EPIRBs. In response to recent discussions on the use of Personal Locator Beacons or EPIRBS and the likely action or inaction that RCC Australia takes, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has published an information page.
	Raster 50K CD

Magazines

	Outdoor Australia
	Wild Magazine - Australia.

Manufacturers

BackpackGearTest.org - Comprehensive list of manufacturers links

Ticks and Snakes

	Australian Venom Research Unit - University of Melbourne.
	International Venom and Toxin Database.
	Snakes Bites - University of Sydney
	Tick Alert Support Group
	Ticks and Mosquito Fact Sheets - University of Sydney.

Trails Databases

	Hiking @ DMOZ Open Directory Project
	HikeMore - Limited coverage of the USA
	Hiker Central - Scroll down for country/state listings.
	Thebackpacker.com - USA by state listing
	Trails.com - Seems to provide a detailed coverage of trails (small and large) in the USA.
	Trails Database, The - Claims to be the largest trails database in the world and is probably correct!
	TrailsRegistry.com
	WebRing - Do a search for hiking/tramping/bushwalking for rings relevant to your interest.

Western Australian Retailers

	Camping World - There are three metropolitan stores, located at Joondalup, Kelmscott and Rockingham and four country stores located at Bunbury, Collie (Bibbulmun Track town), Esperance and Mandurah.
	Kathmandu - Perth City
	Mainpeak - Perth City, Subiaco and Cottesloe.
	Mountain Designs - Metropolitan stores - Claremont, Fremantle, Perth City and Rockface. Country stores at Bunbury and Albany (Bibbulmun Track town).
	Paddy Pallin - Perth City.
	Ranger Camping - Balcatta, Bentley, Joondalup, Morley, O'Connor, Osborne Park and Rockingham.
	Snowgum - Perth City.
	The Chart and Map Shop - Fremantle.
	Wellington Surplus Stores, Perth City.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

While every effort has been made to ensure the veracity of the information provided in this website, the use of this information IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY and any activities you undertake based on this information IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.