Hiking food taste test

“Food is an extremely personal choice so I have decided to do a review on every hiking meal I could get my hands on here in Australia and New Zealand.
I’m realising more and more that a delicious meal can enhance my enjoyment of wild places. I love backpacking with delicious and nutritious food.”

Kate Grarock (Alone Australia, Season 1) gives us a pretty thorough review of 18 meals – what’s you pick of the bunch?

Extreme Weather?

PLANNING FRAMEWORK
The Australian Adventure Activity Standard and associated Good Practice Guides cover weather. In the Australian Adventure Activity Standard v1.0 weather is covered as part of the Environment (5.1, p.8)
• weather and emerging weather variations
• severe weather and fire weather warnings
• bushfire and fire danger rating

Providers should identify and monitor weather and environmental conditions that might trigger modification,
evacuation or other relevant response.

The Core GPG Version 1.0 lists the documentation that must be available to activity leaders including;
• the risk management plan (completed for each activity)
• the emergency management plan
both of these documents should address Extreme Weather.

The Core GPG v.1.0 in section 5. Environment (p.19) has further details for our planning;

5.1 Environment related planning
A risk management plan must address all relevant environmental conditions.
Environmental conditions that should be considered include but are not limited to:
• weather forecasts, warnings and associated conditions (e.g. dry, snowmelt, heat, wind, rain, lightning) at the location and for the duration of the activity
• climatic conditions (e.g. drought, rain saturation, humidity)
• knowledge of the landscape of the activity area and how it relates to environmental conditions (e.g. is it sheltered or exposed, lightly treed or heavily timbered)
• the prevailing conditions of the area and what implications this has for environmental conditions (e.g. a long period of drought could affect the bushfire potential or the stability of trees during a strong wind event, during a wet period this can affect the likelihood of rivers and streams rising quickly)
• the potential access and egress routes, including for evacuation if this is required (e.g. are there river crossings, potential road closures, alternative routes)

5.1.1 Trigger points
A trigger point is a particular circumstance or situation that causes an action to occur.
Trigger points and actions to be taken in response should be developed before the activity.
A trigger point may be based on but is not limited to:
• a quantifiable or forecasted measure of particular weather or environmental conditions occurring (e.g. wind speed, temperature, river level)
• a specific or forecasted event occurring (e.g. lightning, strong winds)
• an index or rating reaching or forecasted to reach a specified level (e.g. fire danger rating).

Weather-related trigger points can be based on forecast and/or actual conditions. Consideration should be given to the possibility that actual conditions can be better or worse than forecast.

Reaching a trigger point sets in motion a responsive action, which may include but is not limited to:
• monitoring the conditions more regularly
• modifying the activity
• ceasing the activity
• evacuating the area.

Section 5.1.2 of the Core GPG v.1.0 covers Climate and weather, and gets into a bit more detail about monitoring weather forecasts. The focus will differ between activities eg. high winds for sailing, lightning for high ropes, snow fall for hiking in alpine areas.

A system should be in place to inform leaders in a timely manner if a severe weather warning has been issued for the area in which the activity is taking place.
Weather forecasts and alerts must be reviewed as part of the risk assessment before commencing an activity.
Monitoring of weather conditions must be undertaken during the activity.
Updated weather forecasts and warnings should be accessed or monitored during the activity
…
Adverse climate and weather conditions may require action, including but not limited to:
• consideration of an alternative venue
• modification or cancellation of the activity.

Bushfires, prescribed fire and fire danger are covered in the Core CPG v1.0 in section 5.2 (p.21-22). The monitoring of bushfire conditions should be undertaken regularly and, where practical, updated bushfire condition forecasts, warnings and alerts accessed throughout the activity.

5.2.1 Bushfire trigger points
Trigger points must be based on the fire danger rating.
The risk management plan and emergency management plan should include guidance on trigger points and associated actions for forecasted bushfire danger ratings of very high, severe, extreme and catastrophic, and if a bushfire event occurs.

MORE GUIDANCE
Outdoors Victoria links us to Weather guidance from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM);
🌦 Weather guide for LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES [PDF]
🌦 Weather guide for MARINE-BASED ACTIVITIES [PDF]
.

SCOUTS VICTORIA
Scouts Victoria has an Extreme Weather and Emergency Management guideline [PDF] Issued: January 20 2020 which has been updated with Interim Extreme Weather and Emergency Management Report (Jan 2023 – Due for update Spring 2024). (Some bad document management there as the older document is the one located via a search).

The purpose of this guideline is to define the processes that should be implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all Scouts Victoria members, volunteers and employees during extreme weather events and emergencies.

This guideline need you to know if the area your activity is taking place in is a designated ‘Bushfire Prone Area’. To determine if your activity or campsite is in a bushfire prone area, go to https://mapshare.vic.gov.au/vicplan/ and enable Bushfire Prone Areas layer. (Note that areas with a Bushfire Management Overlay are still defined as Bushfire Prone Areas.)

From the Tool Bar > Map
Layers: Bushfire selecting BMO – Bushfire Management Overlay and BPA – Bushfire Prone Area

.
From the Interim Extreme Weather and Emergency Management guideline (Jan-2023);

Cancel, Reschedule or Relocate an Activity
The Leader in Charge of an activity must cancel, reschedule, or relocate a Scouting activity at the earliest opportunity if any of the following occur:
• A fire danger rating of “Catastrophic” is declared for the fire district in which an activity is planned, and the activity is in a designated “Bushfire Prone Area”
• A fire danger rating of “Extreme” is declared for the fire district in which the activity is planned, and the “Fire Danger Rating Trigger Actions” cannot be complied with.
• An “Emergency Warning”, “Watch and Act Warning”, or “Recommendation to Evacuate” is issued for the location of the activity
• A warning is issued against travel to the location of the activity

The Fire Danger Rating Trigger Actions;

.

TOOLS
🚑 Vic Emergency https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ (also available as a phone app)
⛈ BOM Weather http://www.bom.gov.au/ (also available as a phone app)
🌩 My Lightning Tracker (phone app)
🌊 Willy Weather (Tides & Wind) https://www.willyweather.com.au/ (also available as a phone app)

FIRE
🔥 CFA – Includes a 4 Day Forecast https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/

🔥 Victoria Fire Danger Ratings http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/fire-danger-ratings.shtml

FLOOD / RIVER HEIGHT
🌊 BOM – Australia Rainfall and River Conditions http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood/
.

Scouts – Bushwalking – Review>

A bit of a Prompt for the Review> process.
To assist in your Adventurous Journey planning, Review your completed hike;
🏕️ What didn’t go to plan?
🏕️ What would you do differently next time?
🏕️ Can you update your Adventurous Journey hike plan using this information?

Use this link to open the PDF file in a new browser tab.Or download it!

📄 Scouts – Bushwalking Review> [PDF]

No one wants to go ….

I’m going to drop this here as a bit of a generic response to the “No one wants to go ….” approach to activites. This is a response that has crept into youth behaviour in Scouting, at school camp, and in their general life.

It is a noticeable impact from the COVID lock downs in Victoria where everything is labelled as ‘too dangerous’ and youth (and many adults) retreat to their Comfort Zone.

It is part of our role as Leaders to facilitate the move out of the comfort zone it is defined in the Purpose, Principles and Method of the Movement as a component of our non-formal education method.

❝ The Comfort Zone is where you feel safe and in control, while the Growth Zone is where you push yourself to learn and grow. Breaking out of your comfort zone can be daunting, but it’s essential for growth and personal development. ❞

Scouting Builds Resilience for Life. In 2019, Scouts Australia partnered with Resilient Youth Australia to explore the impact of Scouting on young Australians. The Resilience Survey revealed that Scouts report to have an overall better life satisfaction than their peers, and that the longer they stay in Scouts the more resilient they are likely to be.

*BUT * the resilience doesn’t come from the Comfort Zone, it comes from the Growth Zone.

This is where the Scouting model uses Adventure: A risk-taking experience that challenges an individual beyond their comfort zone, in any (or all) of the SPICES. We encourage Scouts to challenge themselves through experiences that push their boundaries and lead to exciting individual achievement.

This doesn’t occur if they are not being encouraged to try new activities and take perceived risks.

Environmental Risks – Cinnamon Fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi)

❝ I can minimise damage to the environment while bushwalking. ❞

— Scouts Australia, Outdoor Adventure Skills – Bushwalking – Stage 5

On top of our standard Leave No Trace principles we should be allowing for damage to the environment in our activity risk assessments. A big risk that you will come across when hiking in Victoria is Cinnamon Fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi).

Cinnamon Fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) is a microscopic, soil-borne disease-causing organism that attacks and destroys plant root systems causing plants to die through lack of water and nutrients. Patches of dead or dying vegetation can indicate the presence of this silent killer and grass trees are particularly susceptible. It is spread through infected plants and the movement of contaminated soil and gravel, and there is no known cure.
— Parks Victoria

From a camping and bushwalking perspective, how do we prevent Cinnamon Fungus spread?

• Be clean on entry and exit – camping gear should be free of soil, gravel and mud prior to entering or leaving any park, reserve or campsite (particularly in high risk areas). Don’t bring soil or gravel in – and don’t take any home!
• Use boot cleaning stations where available – they are there for a reason.

Be clean – Washdown Procedures
Hygiene protocols seek to limit the human assisted spread of P. cinnamomi. Washing your boots at boot cleaning stations along your hike, and cleaning camping gear is important. Cleaning your tent pegs, ground sheet / tent foot print, and even tent poles where they dig into the dirt.
Disinfect your gear with a disinfectant;

• 70% methylated spirits (700mL methylated spirits + 300mL water)
  [ p.21 in Suddaby T. & Liew E. (2008). Best Practice Management Guidelines for Phytophthora cinnamomi in the Sydney Metropolitan CMA ]
• bleach (dilute to 25%) [ Invasive Species Council – Keep your gear clean in the wild ]

And a few more to think about …
The Invasive Species Council’s Keep your gear clean in the wild campaign lists a few other pests to have in your risk assessments.

• Chytrid fungal disease
• Didymo ‘rock snot’
• Weeds (how many seeds do you have on your socks?)

First Aid Kit (Review)

A long, long, time ago I was talking about reviewing first aid kits and modularising them. I’ve finally done the base document reviewing the AAAS, Safe Work Australia, and WorkSafe first aid kit lists.

This also has a first attempt of clustering for modules.

[1] AAAS (2019-SEP) Core Standards GPG v1.0 – Appendix K First Aid
[2] Safe Work Australia (2019-JUL) First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice
[3] Worksafe Victoria (2021-NOV) Compliance code: First aid in the workplace

Is the Outdoors an equal access space?

It’s true that the outdoors is free, but is it equal? Is it a space where anyone can go and gain the benefits that are so obvious to anyone who has enjoyed a day on the hills or a climb on a crag. Unfortunately, not; a new BMC-commissioned study has shown that economic or cultural barriers can prevent those who need it most getting outside. And we are looking at what we can do to change it.

#OutdoorsForAll

[1] New BMC research draws direct correlation between earnings and ability to get outdoors (2023-May-19) [BMC]

risk minimization in the use of fuel stoves

In March 2023, Scouts Victoria released a safety bulletin Bulletin Three: Improvised Liquid or Gas Fuel Stoves prohibiting the use of any improvised liquid or gas fuel stoves in Scouting.

❝ Unfortunately, the stoves produced were low quality and there were some leakages of fuel. Further, when one of the stoves was being refilled a flame flashed back to the fuel bottle which understandably startled a youth member.
The youth member accidentally kicked a stove with their foot which splashed ignited methylated spirit onto two other Scouts. One of our Scouts sustained serious burns that required specialist treatment including a skin graft.
Trangia stoves are already part of our program and provide the same output whilst being safer because of their inbuilt safety features including the extinguishing ring and windshield. ❞
— Scouts Victoria. Bulletin #3 Improvised Liquid or Gas Fuel Stoves

There are some problems occurring here.

Reading the text of this bulletin we see some troubling approaches to use of portable camp stoves,

1. there was some (unmanaged) leakages of fuel
2. a stove was being refilled a flame flashed back to the fuel bottle
3. a youth member accidentally kicked a stove with their foot

Methylated Spirits (or denatured alcohol) stoves are the go to stove in the Led Outdoor Activity (LOA) sector, and as such there is a lot of documented information for their use, and their issues, available to the Outdoor Practitioner.

There are ‘known knowns’ in the Outdoor Education / Outdoor Risk communities with skill sets that are taught & implemented to manage the risks. Going back to the early Uploads Project reports it has been clear that campcraft (i.e. cooking, campfires; 5.7 incidents per 1000 participants in 2014-2015) has a series of risks that should be mitigated.

How is the risk mitigated? In an Outdoor Education context – via systems that are put in place to avoid issues.

In 2021, The Uploads Project created a PreventiMap for Incidents in the Outdoors: Campcraft Activities which gives a good view of the areas that need to be addressed for a successful risk management system.

February 10, 2021 – Campcraft Activities [1]
Since September 14, 2018, 473 injury or illness incidents relating to Campcraft Activities have been reported. Although, 89% of these incidents were minor in severity, 7% of the incidents were reported with a potential severity rating of serious, severe or critical. In addition to an overview of a subset of data we typically provide in our Infographics, such as, the types of incidents and frequently reported contributory factors, this infographic presents a PreventiMap for Campcraft related incidents. The PreventiMap shows a network of interventions that could be explored to prevent and management campcraft related incidents.

Further information is provided via Outdoor Education training in the methods for managing these cooking systems. (In the Scouts Victoria context, this skill set should be being provided to Leaders via the ‘Scouting Adventure’ training. (Scouts Victoria (2023-Feb) What Can I do? A guide to running Adventures Activities in Victoria))

Group management and cooking stoves
Lightweight cooking stoves have a good safety record, but the combination of people, fire, fuel and lack of knowledge can give rise to a serious accident. If cooking in groups, then it is important to ensure:

• there is a safety brief to the whole group
• that users have been trained in the proper use of the stove
• that systems have been set up to minimise the possibility of burns
• that first aid is on hand should a burn occur
• that there is equipment to put out a fire

— Group Management and cooking stoves
p.46-47 in Christine Froude, & Scott Polley (2011) Outdoor education : foundations for tertiary and senior secondary education. 2nd Edn.

In A practitioner’s first-hand perspective on ways to address issues raised around campcraft incidents (PDF) Dr. Clare Dallat gives case studies, and goes into some of the emerging themes surrounding cooking safety. This is a must read document if you are using hike stoves in your program. She also hits the nail on the head with how accidents occur;

❝ As we know, accidents and incidents in complex systems are caused by multiple factors and there is no such thing as a root cause. ❞
— Dr. Clare Dallat [3]

Knowing this, lets look at those issues again:

As with any of our skill sets in the Outdoor Adventure Skills there are safe approaches if we know how to use and check the equipment we are using correctly. If we do not have this knowledge we increase our risk.

1. “there was some (unmanaged) leakage of fuel”
Commercial Trangias, or similar commercial stoves, get damaged, and leak, and can cause similar impacts in an uncontrolled environment.
Using a fuel bottle with a safety valve for safe, controlled fuel outflow also reduces this risk.
Check all equipment before it gets used, and have procedures for the use of stoves or fire so that any spilled fuel during refueling cannot be accidentally ignited.

2. “a stove was being refilled a flame flashed back to the fuel bottle”
The solution to this is good refilling practices using a Fuel Dump system where the ‘the car goes to the fuel station’.

Policy of risk minimization in the use of fuel stoves [4]

1. Encourage users to test whether the burner is still alight by holding the back of the it hand over it first
2. Always instruct users to pick up the burner, and remove it from the stove before refilling. It is a much better scenario to treat a minor bum to the fingers if indeed this is the outcome!
3. Instruct your groups to establish a “fuel dump” where all fuel is stored in a central area, which is easily observed and all users to bring the burner to the fuel to refill rather than the reverse.

Importantly, the Fuel Dump is in a central area of the camp, away from the Cooking circle (covered in item 3) so that it is about 10m away from stoves [5].
An important safety consideration, especially if you have novice stove users in your group, is not to use mixed fuel types in your fuel dump.

Policy of risk minimization in the use of fuel stoves [4]

• Never allow a group to have fuel of differing types, i.e. trangia with a few MSR shellite burning stoves…. a sure recipe for disaster, and it is a more regular occurrence than one would think.

3. “a youth member accidentally kicked a stove with their foot”
If a youth member is kicking a stove, you have a poorly implemented cooking circle procedure.

Why have a cooking circle?
The cooking circle imposes a process onto the cooking, with clearly defined spaces and roles this minimises human traffic and congestion in the kitchen. This adds a risk management mitigation to both the food cooking (burns) and preparation (cuts) activities.
There are variants on the cooking circle, here’s the one that I favour;

The Cooking Circle

• Cooking and food preparation are supervised activities
• Always use stove on a flat spot with ideally no grass/ undergrowth so that stove is stable
• Stoves are placed on the ground (see [3] for a discussion on this).
• Center Circle: The center circle is a safe space – nobody walks into it – this reduces the risk of a Trangia being kicked over as there is no traffic passing the Trangia
• The Trangias are setup around the Center Circle. Only the “Cook” should access this area, one cook per Trangia (use the Trangia strap as a head band to identify the Cooks).
• Cooks should be squatting – this reduces the burn risk as the cook is able to move away quickly in the event of splashes and spills.
• The Centre Circle should be at least 10m away from the fuel dump and at least 5m away from tents.
• Outer Circle: The next circle out is the preparation space. Food preparation, chopping, peeling, etc. occurs here.
• The Cook can collect from the preparation area, the preparers cannot go to the Cook.
• No one else should enter either of these areas until the Cooking Circle is packed away.
• Cleanup uses the Cooking Circle (for hot water for washing) and the Cooking Circle can be decommissioned once all Trangias are packed down for transport.

Where are we now?

Looking at what happened in the scenario quoted from the Safety Bulletin, and ignoring the ‘Penny stoves’ issue, there were problems with stove management. The scenario described had both poor “cooking circle” and fuel management “fuel dump” protocols. There is a large disconnect from the skill levels that are required for Guides & Instructors via the National Adventurous Activities Framework (NAAF) and what was occuring.

The Australian Adventure Activity Standard and related Good Practice Guides cover cooking in the Camping Good Practice Guide Version 1.0;

6.2 Use of cooking equipment or fire
Incident data suggests that there is an elevated likelihood of incidents when cooking or using stoves.
There must be appropriate training in the use of stoves.
There must be appropriate supervision when participants use stoves or fire

Procedures for the use of stoves or fire must include:
• establishing a cooking location and arrangement that minimises human traffic and congestion and avoids movement were users step over stoves
• having stoves located on a stable, flat and level base
• refuelling gas or liquid fuel stoves does not occur while it is still alight
• any spilt fuel during refuelling cannot be accidently ignited
• extinguishing the stove occurs before moving its location
• fuel containers being locating away from possible ignition sources
• use of suitable equipment to hold and manipulate hot cooking equipment
• passing hot equipment, water or food over any part of another person is avoided
• stove or fire users being situated to quickly avoid or move away from hazards that might burn them
• stoves or fire only being used in well ventilated spaces to prevent a build-up of toxic gas fumes
— Australian Adventure Activity Standard, Camping Good Practice Guide Version 1.0

These elements of Good Practice are addressed through using the procedures that we have seen above; Fuel dumps with refilling procedures, and Cooking Circles, combined with suitable supervision.

❝ Whenever I look at something going bad, I ask;
Were there systems in place? Were they up to date, were they being implemented.
Systems. Systems. ❞
— Gordon Graham

From the Uploads report we can see that it is critical to both “Develop policy/guidelines around campcraft equipment” [1] and have training in good practice for the use of hike stoves (such as cooking circles, fuel dump, and refilling practices).
Once you have your management systems in place, it should not matter which liquid fuel stove you are using – your system will allow you to cook safely. As you progress through your Outdoor Adventure journey you will meet many more stoves than the standard Trangia – your systems should allow for their safe use.

REFERENCES
[1] Incidents in the Outdoors: Campcraft Activities (2021-Feb-10) [The UPLOADS Project]
[2] Serious injuries from camp stoves on an LOA program (2018-Nov-14) [The UPLOADS Project]
[3] A practitioner’s first-hand perspective on ways to address issues raised around campcraft incidents (PDF) Dr. Clare Dallat (2018-Nov-14) [The UPLOADS Project]
[4] Fuel Stoves and their Dangers (1999-Aug) Originally published in the Newsletter of the Outdoor Educators’ Association of South Australia, Volume 18, Issue no 3, August 1999 [Bushwalking Leadership – South Australia]
[5] Group Cooking! Trangia Life [Offtrack]
[6] Trangia Safety [SlideShare]
[7] Camping Good Practice Guide Version 1.0 (2019) [Australian Adventure Activity Standard]

Starting to plan your Adventurous Journey

Hi, to get you thinking about your Adventurous Journey, I’m going to link you into some resources.

1.) Introduction
https://v3ntur3d.wordpress.com/2022/10/27/adventurous-journey/

2.) The Expedition Activity Report (how to plan an expedition) – updated for 2020
Available from https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/age-sections-adults/venturers/venturer-resources/
Located under > Award Scheme Resources

3.) Other resources
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A5Sgm56G3LaoyEQgYoTeGcG0Hsnhwi4w?usp=share_link

4.) Scouts Australia e-Learning.
In the Scouts Australia e-Learning there is a Youth section.
https://training.scouts.com.au/curriculums/page-for-training-for-youth-members

In there you will find two very useful modules;
i.) Elementary Navigation
ii.) Navigation Skills

There is also a set of three modules for Level 1 Bushwalking which are worth a look.

Please note: “Your Adventurous Journey should occur when working on Milestone 3.” — p.45 ‘Adventurous Journey Overview’ in Youth Member Guide – Venturer Scouts

Adventurous Activity Guide (AAG) [Scouts NSW]

8.6 Adventurous Activity Guide (AAG) – an adult member of Scouts NSW who:

• holds the units stipulated in the NAAF and preferably, a Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership (until July 2022 a Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation is equivalent),
• has a Certificate of Adult Appointment or holds an appointment as a Rover
• possesses a capability to mentor and motivate youth members
• is appointed as a NSW Activity Guide by the SC(AdvAct)
• directly controls certain higher risk activities

In addition to delivering AA, an AAG is expected to:

• Mentor youth members and Adventurous Activity Assistant Guides and follow the Scouting Method when delivering activities.
• Abide by all National and NSW Policies and Procedures including especially, The Policy, PRO75 Adventurous Activities – Core Conduct Procedure, and supporting discipline Procedures and Guides.
• Maintain skills currency in disciplines for which they are an AAG including attendance at mandatory annual safety and rescue workshops and maintaining First Aid qualifications. Maintains a comprehensive Personal Logbook.
• Maintain a physical capability and fitness sufficient to self-rescue and rescue any Dependant participant in their care.
• Assist in the delivery of the AA Program including helping deliver Region and State AA.
• Provide an environment where Youth members feel safe, that they can contribute, can learn, can lead, and can obtain an enjoyable experience.
• Helps deliver Scouting Adventure training to adults under the direction of an Assistant Leader Trainer (ALT).
• Contribute to the overall community and become part of a Discipline Activity Team and potentially, a Discipline Activity Council.

— in POLICY Adventurous Activities POL36 Adventurous Activity Policy V3.0 [PDF] (2022-Jan-28) [Scouts NSW]

Maintain;
– skills currency in disciplines for which they are an AAG including attendance at mandatory annual safety and rescue workshops
– First Aid qualifications (including annual CPR renewal)
– a comprehensive Personal Logbook
– a physical capability and fitness sufficient to self-rescue and rescue any Dependant participant in their care.

Guide Position description v1.0 [PDF] (2022-Feb-08) [Scouts NSW]