Hey all, my mates and I are planning to tackle The Castle in a few weeks (my 3rd time and their 1st) and I've read some recent varying reviews on all trails that ropes to get up to the summit have been removed.

Has anyone recently done it and able to confirm this? I understand there are a couple of ways to get to the top and this could be why some people didn't come across them.

A lovely little eel on a night bushwalk in the Central coast, so beautiful.

https://www.goodarchitect.com.au/tunnel-trail-dog-walk

I'm slowly building up my kit. I do some solo hiking, mostly local national parks, and working towards multi-day solos. Also part of a bushwalking club. I'm registered for a basic navigation course but at a cross-roads for my next major purchase. I'll eventually do both but have to budget:

Should I prioritise a first aid training course or getting a PLB or Garmin Inreach (or similar)? I can see pros and cons of both but wondering what the conventional wisdom is.

Would appreciate any input.

Aye, I'm a big puss and want to avoid leechees and ticks even though I could easily get rid of them with a spray and a clipper. If I wanted to go for a multi day hike / camp in the hinterlands, where would be the best place to be in NSW?

One of my favourite walks, such a beautiful day for it.

https://www.goodarchitect.com.au/spion-kop-loop

Does any one remember the size in litres of the "white mountain" brand Bush I dayoack? After 20 years I need to upgrade to a new bag. If I knew the size of my old one it would really help. TIA.

Hi

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Posted with admin permission.

Hubby has a good quality, heavy macpack backpack (about 3kg). Any recommendations for a lighter one that is still comfortable?

Have been really enjoying some delicious bunya nuts, sometimes eat wild raspberries.

Don't feel quite confident eating lilli pilly fruit, feel like I need someone to tell me definitively that they are lilly pillys first!

What wild foods is everyone eating and how did you get the confidence level to identify and eat them?

Cotton gets destroyed on longer walks and your feet are cooked by halfway. Switched years ago and never looked back. I like the Injinji and Creepers ones, does anyone else have ones they would recommend?

I have some friends who invited me on an overnight hike from Katoomba to Mount Solitary, into the valley and back. They are suggesting to finish the second day via the blue path, but I would have thought that route would entail a fair bit of road walking, and that maybe the yellow route would be more enjoyable. What are all of your thoughts from those who have don't these routes before? Also, is it worth detouring to the Kedumba River crossing campground and the slab hut? All advice welcome. Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm looking to get some clothes for hiking, but everything feels really plastic-y. I feel that type of material just makes me sweat more. Does anyone know of some good bushwalking clothes that are made of natural materials? Ideally, Australian made.

hi there,

looking for places to go hiking, I am a keen nudist and looking for tracks or places where I can hike by myself or with friends naked.

state forests are a bit risky.

thank you

Just missed out on the Jatbulla track this year, really want to do another big one, what are the best ones you have done?

Really hoping to book Jatbulla this year, had three of us on the computer, refreshing every minute from when it opened, no booking. Knew it was hard, didn't realize how hard!

Everyone enjoying experimenting cooking with these yummy potato like nuts?

Any one else struggle when they don't go for a bushwalk every day?

Have recently had to make some urgent repairs to a deck and as a consequence didn't get out for a bushwalk for two weeks until today. (Would normally go every day).

Finally got out today and immediately felt so much better, that beautiful fresh air smell, those time yellow birds, running water and all the green in Strickland.

It's not getting outside as we were out working on the deck, it's not going for a walk as we did small walks for our dog it's very specific, I really need to get out for an actual bushwalk every day.

Anyone else like this?