Trip Report: Wilpena
In late July, an assessor and three experienced bushwalkers headed into the Ikara-Flinders Ranges for a four-day assessment walk as part of the pilot development of Walking SA’s proposed Guide–Remote Award. Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia. Its Education Committee is developing the Remote Award to complement the existing Walking SA guide awards: Guide – Daywalk, Guide – Foundation and Guide.
The proposed Remote Award is intended to recognise the additional skills and judgement required to safely lead groups in remote and challenging walking environments. As a member of the Walking SA Education Committee, I was involved as assessor for this pilot assessment.
Wilpena: the perfect assessment environment
Wilpena was chosen because it provides an ideal environment for testing remote leadership. Beyond the established walking tracks are almost endless opportunities for off-track travel, with rugged terrain, steep slopes, complex navigation and a genuine sense of remoteness.
The four-day walk was deliberately designed to give each candidate substantial time in the leadership role. Each candidate took responsibility for approximately 24 hours, requiring them to demonstrate not only navigation skills but also their ability to manage a group, assess risks, make decisions and adapt plans as circumstances changed in this challenging environment.
Day 1 – Into Wilcolo we go-go
The walk began at Wilpena Resort, with the group heading towards Wilcolo Camp on the first afternoon. The initial section followed the Heysen Trail and provided an opportunity to settle into the landscape and begin working with map-to-ground interpretation.
Although relatively straightforward terrain, the pine forested sections provided some useful navigation challenges, particularly where the surrounding ranges were obscured and the relationship between map and terrain was less obvious.
The first evening at camp provided an opportunity to discuss equipment, leader preparedness, campcraft and environmental awareness before preparing for a much more demanding second day.
Day 2 – Abruptly up!
The second day provided one of the major highlights of the assessment. After relocating camp further North, the group travelled light for a day walk to the summit of Mt Abrupt. The route initially followed a creek system before climbing out and through steep country and into a saddle for lunch. Navigation required careful interpretation of the terrain, with candidates needing to distinguish between subtle landforms and identify appropriate check points.
The steep terrain also provided an opportunity to workshop advanced guide skills, including group management and safety considerations in challenging terrain. A roped ascent of Mt Abrupt created further opportunities to explore the boundaries of the proposed Remote Award and the responsibilities of a remote guide when managing more technical terrain. More than once the question was posed: when does a bushwalk guide become rock-climbing instructor?
Reaching the higher country provided spectacular rewards, with expansive views across the Pound, towards Ngarri Mudlanha-St Mary Peak, the Heysen and ABC ranges, and the plains to Lake Torrens.
The group eventually returned to camp in darkness—a useful reminder that remote leadership does not always finish when the sun goes down.
Day 3 – Do you know your ABCs?
Day three involved perhaps the greatest degree of route-finding and dynamic planning. The original intention was to explore the ABC Ranges to the east of Wilcolo Creek, taking advantage of the accessible high points and extensive views while providing plenty of opportunities for off-track navigation. The plan evolved throughout the day as the group considered the terrain, objectives and opportunities to develop particular remote leadership skills. Along the way, the group stopped to workshop river-crossing techniques, risk assessment, group management and contingencies.
Further up the range, pack-passing and hauling in steep terrain were explored before the group continued to gain elevation. The day involved entirely off-track travel, requiring advanced navigation skills including resections and advanced route-finding through steep country. The navigation displayed by the group was excellent, and they worked particularly well together as route options were discussed and decisions made.
High on the ranges, the effort was rewarded with more spectacular views across the Flinders landscape before the group began its descent towards Wilcolo Camp for its reliable access to clean water.
Day 4 – Putting it all together
The final morning began with some off-track navigation, including a compass-bearing exercise to cut a section of the established route. The group demonstrated accurate navigation and efficient leap-frogging techniques.
An incident-response scenario was then introduced, requiring the candidates to put their leadership and first aid skills into practice. The group worked collaboratively to manage the simulated incident, with responsibilities divided across first aid, communications, navigation, logistics and group management. Patient care and an appropriate exit strategy were developed, including consideration of emergency services and local ranger support. The walk concluded back at Wilpena Resort late on the fourth morning.
More than just a nav exercise
While navigation was an important component of the assessment, the four days demonstrated that remote guiding requires a much broader skill set. Candidates were assessed across areas including: route planning and navigation; route finding and terrain interpretation; dynamic risk assessment and decision-making; leadership and group management; communication and participant care; campcraft; incident response; adaptability and contingency planning.
Just as importantly, the assessment provided plenty of opportunity for professional conversations. Around the campfire and while moving through the ranges, the group shared experiences, anecdotes and ideas from their respective backgrounds. These conversations became an important part of the experience, adding a collaborative professional-development element to the assessment.
A valuable pilot for Walking SA
The assessment walk provided a challenging but highly effective environment in which to test the proposed Remote Award assessment tool. The combination of established tracks, steep and rugged terrain, off-track navigation, remote camps and realistic incident scenarios created genuine opportunities for candidates to demonstrate their capabilities. The cool-to-cold nights, generally cool days and occasional sunshine made for excellent walking conditions, while recent rain meant that water was readily available in the creeks—more so than is usual in this part of the state. And, as anyone who has spent time in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park will know, the landscape itself provided plenty of motivation. The views across the Pound, the surrounding ranges and towards Lake Torrens were a fitting reward after long days of challenging travel.
The Walking SA Education Committee will now consider feedback from the assessment group and evaluate the assessment tool for future use in Walking SA training programs and assessments. For the candidates, however, the assessment was more than a test of technical skills. It was an opportunity to demonstrate what it means to take responsibility for a group in remote country: to navigate well, manage risk, communicate effectively, make decisions and, ultimately, get everyone safely home.
Nick Glover
Walking SA Assessor