When you see something like FSDW-3B in the BBW magazine or on a meeting clipboard, the letters before the hyphen are abbreviations showing the type of activity; the number and letter after the hyphen are the grading of the activity.

Type-of-activity abbreviations
 

1. FAMILY GROUP ACTIVITY

F

Activity organised under Family Group conditions. Contact the Leader before nominating.
 

2. DISTANCE

S

Short - Under 10 km per day

M

Medium - 10 - 15 km per day

L

Long - 15 - 20 km per day

X

eXtra long - Over 20 km per day
 

3. ACTIVITY

ABS

ABSeil

BC

Base Camp

DW

Day Walk

TW

Through Walk

ETW

Easy Through Walk

NW

Night Walk 

CYC

CYCle

FMR

Federation Mountain Rescue

KYK

KaYaK

ROG

ROGaine

SOC

SOCial Activity

S&T

Safety & Training
 

Grading abbreviations

To assist people to choose appropriate walks for their skill, f itness and experience level, BBW walk leaders use the following system to grade walks. Please note that walk gradings are subjective and approximate.

4. TERRAIN GRADING

1

Path with smooth surface and low gradient

2

Well-formed path or graded track with some minor obstacles

3

Graded track, with obstacles such as rock or root intrusions, fallen debris, or creek crossings

4

Rough, unformed track or open terrain, with obstacles such as rock or root intrusions, fallen debris, or creek crossings

5

Rough or rocky terrain that may require use of hands, and/or creek rock hopping that requires small to moderate steps. Fallen debris possible

6

Steep, rough or rocky terrain requiring use of hands, and/or creek rock hopping requiring moderate to large steps or jumps. Fallen debris possible

7

Climb or descend steep rock, using hand or foot holds. May be some exposure. Good upper body strength required

8

Climb or descend near vertical rock with exposure, using widely spaced or small hand or foot holds. Climbing skills may be required. Good upper body strength required

9

Sustained climbing or descent of vertical or near vertical rock with exposure, using widely spaced or small hand or foot holds. Advanced climbing skills may be required. Good upper body strength required
 

5. FITNESS AND ENDURANCE GRADING

(Note: Walking times do not include breaks)

A

Basic - Generally suitable for new bushwalkers. Up to four hours of walking and possibly minor hills. Slower pace with frequent breaks

B

Easy - About five hours of walking and up to 300m of elevation gain/loss per day

C

Moderate - About six hours of walking and up to 600m of elevation gain/loss per day. Agility required

D

High - High fitness, endurance and agility required. Up to eight hours of walking and about 1000m of elevation gain/loss per day

E

Challenging - Very high fitness, endurance and agility required. Up to or more than twelve hours of walking and greater than 1000m of elevation gain/loss per day
 

An example and some helpful notes
 

EXAMPLE: MDW-5D

No F so this is not a Family Group activity

M

Medium distance (eg 12 km per day)

DW

Day Walk activity

5

5 - terrain (eg Rough or rocky terrain that may require use of hands, and/or creek rock hopping that requires small to moderate steps. Fallen debris possible)

D

D - fitness and endurance (ie High fitness, endurance and agility required. Up to eight hours of walking and about 1000m of elevation gain/loss per day)

As a guide, new members should start by nominating for a 1 to 3 Terrain walk and A fitness level, even if they walk frequently and consider themselves to be fit. They should then progress through the various grades eg, 4B, 5C, 5D, 6C etc until they are able to accurately gauge personal ability and performance in relation to the Club walk gradings.

Individual walkers are responsible for ensuring they are capable of doing the walk for which they nominate. Members are encouraged to contact the walk leader and discuss fitness and skill levels if they are in any doubt. Group safety and enjoyment can be jeopardised if an individual is unable to complete a walk, therefore walk leaders can refuse to take a member if they are unsure of their capabilities.

Easier Walks. Beginners and inexperienced walkers can expect assistance and guidance from the walk leader during a 1 to 3 Terrain walk; but Club members are responsible for their own safety and well-being, based on personal judgement and their own level of risk acceptance.

More Difficult Walks. Walks graded Terrain Level 4 and higher require increasing degrees of self-reliance, albeit in a cohesive and supportive team environment.

Difficult Walks. Very accurate self-assessment of ability is required before undertaking technically difficult day walks and off track through walks in remote areas. Total self-reliance and absolute personal responsibility for safety and risk acceptance are essential.