Stirling Range Infomation

The Awesome Stirling Range Adventure Trip: Who:  

Current running club members are invited Emma Hart & Patrick Fletcher will lead the Awesome Stirling Range Adventure Trip.

Cost: 

All the costs are being paid for by the school, except for your lunches on Saturday and Sunday, your breakfast on Sunday, climbing food, snacks and beverages.

Accommodations:     

Stirling Range Retreat: www.stirlingrange.com.au You will have heated accommodations and all linens will be provided Most of you will sleep in single bunk beds, but because of the number of women in running club, two women will have to share a double bed.

The male running team members will have separate accommodations from the female members.

Kerry and Patrick will have separate accommodations

Itinerary:       

21 May leave at 7:00 AM sharp -- we will decide on a pick-up locations and times Arrive in the Stirling range at around 12:30 pm Have a quick lunch on arrival at Bluff Knoll (Provide your own lunch) Begin climb at 1:00 pm After climb check into Stirling Range Retreat Dinner Provided Relax

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22 May this day is more flexible Wake up and have breakfast (provide your own breakfast) 9:00 am departure to next the mountain—depending on how we feel, we’ll pick our second mountain Lunch/tea on top of the mountain, or on the trail. (provide your own lunch) Depart at approximately 2:00 pm Arrive Perth 6:30-7:00 pm

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What to Bring:     

Bring a set of clothes to change into after your hikes on Saturday and Sunday Bring warm camp clothes—it will be cold at night Bring your toiletries e.g., toothbrush, deodorant etc.

Bring an easy lunch for Saturday and Sunday e.g., premade sandwich for Saturday, and the ingredients to make an easy lunch for Sunday.

Bring your breakfast. There will be cooking facilities for this meal.

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Hiking food and beverages Camp snacks and beverages See the specific clothing list for the hike below. If you are missing something from this list, try to borrow it. I also have some clothing and equipment I can lend.

Clothing/ Equipment for the Climb:             

Shoes--Running shoes/hiking boots (make sure they are worn in to avoid blisters) Socks--Synthetic socks for climbing/Warm socks for camp Pants--Long lose fitting synthetic pants Underpants--Synthetic are best for hiking, but cotton will do T-Shirt--Synthetic T-shirt Long-sleeve shirt--Synthetic long-sleeve shirt Fleecy-- Fleecy jacket or another style of light warm secondary layer Rain/wind Jacket Shell--Light rain jacket Hat--The broader the better Sunglasses--UV rated sunglasses Sunscreen Water bottle--Water is essential. 1-2 L depending on the temperature should be enough.

Small backpack--A light small backpack is a good idea to carry food, water, extra clothing.

Suggested Good and Drinks for the Climb:      

Granola bars Sports bars Sport Drink Coke – sugar gives you quick energy, one can is more than enough Water – best sport drink ever invented High calorie, high carbohydrate food is great.

How to dress for the climb: 

Dress in layers e.g., synthetic t-shirt + longs sleeve top + fleecy + rain/wind shell You can shed layers, and add layers as necessary. Depending on the temperature on the day we climb, you may start with a t-shirt + a long sleeve top + pants. When you get to the summit you may want to put on your fleecy for warmth and your rain/wind shell.

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Long lose fitting synthetic pants are great for climbing. They provide projection and warmth.

Shorts are fine, but you will find it cool at the top, and they provide limited protection from the sun and snakes. If you want to wear shorts, bring some type of synthetic pants to put on at the top. The top of the mountain is cooler and can be very windy.

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Synthetic clothing is better than cotton. It is fast drying and this means you will stay warmer. Most likely you will sweat as you climb and be a little wet at the top of the mountain—if it rains, you may be very wet at the top. If you put a warmer layer on once you reach the top, most likely your synthetic under layer will dry before you descend.

Cotton has gained a nickname: Killer cotton. The reason is that if you get wet and cold while hiking you could become hypothermic and die. It is very unlikely this will happen to you while climbing a small mountain like Bluff Knoll, but it is good habit to avoid cotton.

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Carry a little pack with your extra clothing, food and water. It is important that you can take care of yourself on the mountain i.e., carry your own stuff and have enough food and water to complete the climb. While others may be willing to share, it is good practice to be a selfsufficient hiker.

Problems While Climbing: 

Ankle injuries can occur while climbing. While running shoes are adequate to climb in the Stirling range, hiking books provide a lot more ankle support. If you plan to be a life-long hiker, I recommend buying a good pair of hiking boots. However, any new boots will need to be broken in. This mean you have to wear them until they are comfortable. New hiking boots can cause blisters and very sore feet.

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Blisters are also a common problem. Make sure your footwear is well broken in before you use them to hike.

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It is also possible to lose your footing and fall. There will be steep sections of the climb.

Always make sure you have solid footing and keep your centre of gravity—this is around your waist and butt area—low. So, if you are going down a steep part, crouch and place your feet deliberately.

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Never push another hiker. At the top of Bluff Knoll there is a cliff. We do not want to ‘playfully’ push someone to their death. So, absolutely no pushing.

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If you feel sick or uncomfortable at any time, or you are injured, inform the climb leaders: Patrick or Kerry.

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There are snakes in the Stirling Range area. If you see a snake, avoid it. Don’t try and catch snakes. If you see a snake, avoid it. If you are bitten by a snake, do not try and capture the snake. Move away from it. Do not try and suck out the venom. Read this for more detailed information: http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/australian_snakes.html While being bitten by a snake is possible, it is unlikely. Snakes will try to avoid you and they are not as active at this time of year.