Some preparation is required before attending EV.
It is essential that all team members have participated in a practice hike before EV so that you can:
Fires or stoves for cooking are not permitted, but hot water for morning and evening meals will be supplied. You will need billies for collecting hot water.
You are responsible for all of your rubbish. There are no bins provided. You will be taking all rubbish and food packaging that you bring to EV back to Adelaide.
You are responsible for your own personal welfare. It is expected that participants take reasonable actions to prevent blisters before presenting to First Aid.
You might like to talk to others who have attended a previous EV for tips and advice.
The information below includes general guidance, hints, and tips on how best to prepare you and your team for attending Easter Venture.
Remember that EV is a team event and your whole team should be involved in training and preparation.
It's up to you and your team! EV teams plan their own hike route using the coordinates given, and the distance you walk and where your team goes is up to the team.
Each team will be issued with a colour 1:50,000 map at the beginning of the hike. The coordinates of the checkpoints and controls are also provided.
Therefore, it can be as easy or hard as you like!
Take the shortest route and just do the activities or challenge yourselves to get every single gold checkpoint.
Just don't forget to save some energy for the lunch and night activities run by Theme Team.
Venturers hike in teams of at least four, and a maximum of seven.
When forming a team for EV, you should consider the following attributes:
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. Are you planning to make every effort to reach every checkpoint, 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 four from your own Unit. Check with other nearby Units to combine members before you apply.
Hats are compulsory during the day, regardless of the weather. Baseball caps do not provide sufficient protection from the sun.
Everyone is encouraged to wear a comfortable costume for EV, even while hiking. What you wear should be comfortable and suitable for the weather.
Wear well-worn footwear! Do not bring new shoes/boots to EV.
During the day, shorts and a long-sleeved nylon shirt is suggested. Avoid cotton tops as they do not dry quickly. Heavy materials such as denim should be avoided.
It can get cold at night, and long pants, a jumper, and a beanie are recommended.
You will need to bring all your food, with the exception of Sunday dinner, which is supplied.
All teams and participants must carry enough gear to be self-sufficient for each day.
Electronic mapping and location devices should not be brought to EV, as maps are provided.
Individuals will not be allowed to start each day of EV without the equipment listed below.
The total gear weight limit per person is 16kg. Hikers should be aiming for a maximum weight to carry of one quarter of your body weight (slight build),
or one third of your body weight (heavier build) – up to the maximum of 16kg.
You will need to bring all your food, with the exception of Sunday dinner, which is supplied.
All participants must carry enough gear in their day packs to be self-sufficient for each day.
The rucksacks or large sports bags of day pack participants are transported via trailer between campsites and are not accessible during the day. If it's needed during the day - put it in your day pack.
Electronic mapping and location devices should not be brought to EV, as maps are provided.
Individuals will not be allowed to start each day of EV without the equipment listed below.
The total gear weight allowance per person is 16kg (combined weight of rucksack/large sports bag and day pack).
All participants are required to carry with them their own personal first aid kit, and teams must also carry a larger team first aid kit.
First aid kits should include the followings items at a minimum.
You will need to bring all your food, with the exception of Sunday dinner, which is supplied.
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.
Due to fire ban restrictions, fires or stoves are not permitted at EV. Instead, hot water is provided at each campsite for breakfast and dinner. Your team will require at least two billies to collect hot water. We cater for teams not individuals.
There are no shops near the EV site! Lightweight ingredients and meals able to be prepared with only hot water are essential.
Plan, purchase, pack, carry, prepare and eat meals as a team.
Remember...Sunday's evening meal is supplied for you.
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. A tomato might be able to fit in your cup during the day so it doesn’t get squashed.
Dinners: Soup/oxo Pasta meals/ tuna /deb and vegetables/ couscous and parmesan cheese / Instant pudding/ angel delight. Cheese cake if you want a real carbohydrate boost and want to impress the camp judges.
Snacks: High energy muesli/energy bars, scroggin/ dried fruit/ biscuits/fresh fruit...
Venturer tents at EV 2021
Venturer overnight camps are established by EV staff each night (usually) in a different location.
For safety, on arrival at the Venturer Overnight Camp you must report to the campsite check-in point. When you arrive, your EV Passport will be collected and your team number recorded to detect late or missing teams.
Teams are organised into subcamps, with their own subcamp Leaders that can help and provide advice.
Venturers will set up their own tents in their team's sub camp area, and then prepare their own meals. Work together to share tasks so that this can be done quickly and efficiently.
Branch policy requires separate tents for male and female participants.
First aid, drinking water, hot water at mealtimes, and camp toilets are provided.
Theme Team also operates an entertainment area at each campsite, that everyone should visit and get involved with.
Your well-being at Easter Venture is of our utmost importance. However, it is important that you also take care of yourself.
It is expected that participants take reasonable actions to prevent blisters before presenting to First Aid.
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. The maximum weight is 16kg per person (day pack or full pack).
Too little gear taken: EV is not Rogaining! There is a certain minimum amount of gear that is essential for your safety. Adequate raingear (plastic ponchos are not good enough for a four day hike), sleeping bag, tent with fly and warm clothing (thermals are warm and light) for night time are essential.
Dehydration: Keep up your fluid intake. Many small sips of water are best. Beware of energy drinks as they can increase your body temperature, heart rate, and perceived rate of exertion. Drinks with caffeine should be avoided, as caffeine is a diuretic and depletes water from your body. Your body requires fluid replacement at increasing levels according to activities and the weather.
Faulty Packs: Check yours well before Easter (those with internal frames are good).
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 EV 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.
If lost after dark, set up your tents - shine your torches around - 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 EV 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.
Everyone smells on hikes so deodorants are not necessary. Having a sponge - in tent - wash is a good idea.
Wash your hands regularly using soap, particularly after toilet use, before food preparation and eating! Use hand sanitiser whenever you cannot wash your hands.
Washing your feet each day can help prevent 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 and use disinfectant gel. Applying antibacterial hand sanitiser (available in tiny bottles at your local supermarket) is a good idea before preparing and eating food. It will kill the little nasties and ensure that you do not suffer from food poisoning or gastroenteritis. Nobody wants to be vomiting or have diarrhoea on a hike!
Protect them from further danger/injury - stay with your team mate - apply first aid and make them comfortable - send two people for help to the nearest activity checkpoint or road. Roads in the EV 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 First 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. EV 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.
The main reason for Venturers going home from EV is blisters from walking.
Footwear should be well worn in before EV. Try wearing two pairs of socks. Your feet should be firm in your boots but not tight - be prepared to add or change the ratio of thick/thin socks or wool/synthetic blends.
At the first sign of sore feet (either your heel, a tow, or ankle) - STOP!!!!
Hot spots need to be attended to straight away by covering them with tape or blister block (refer to the personal first aid kit items).
Put a strip of tape (never use band aids) over the affected 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 a blister block is another method.
Participants are expected to have taken reasonable action to prevent blisters themselves before presenting to First Aid.
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 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 or 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. Seek assistance from the EV First Aid Team.
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.
Treatment: 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. Seek assistance from the EV First Aid Team.
Compiled by Michael Woodward, tweaked and added to by others...