Friends

New look website – works on smartphones and tablets

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Our website has been refreshed and is now optimized to work on smartphones, tablets and desktop/laptop computers.

Visit our new-look website.

> NOW

The website reformats itself to display on different devices – meaning it is always easy to read and easy to use regardless of whether you are using a smartphone, like an iPhone or Android, or a tablet, like a iPad or Galaxy, or a laptop or desktop computer.

Registering for a walk on your smartphone will now be an easy task. As well as a new look, the front page has been streamlined to provide key information of interest to independent hikers, and people hiking with the Friends.

The Interactive Maps page has been upgraded so it now works natively on smartphones and tablets. The End-to-End points have also been updated and re-installed to the Interactive Map.

A new area of the website has been created featuring the Day on the Heysen Trail – the Warren Bonython Memorial Walk (Sunday 6 October 2013). This will be updated in coming months with more information, including a feature allowing people to choose the different section of the trail they could walk, and include other event information.

> SOON

Soon the registration system will be upgraded. This will allow you to log-in, making walk registration easy, and you will be able to review your walk history. The complicated PayPal payment system will be replaced by a simple NAB payment interface.

> LATER

Later, our forums and shop areas of the website will be upgraded so they too work on smartphones and tablets. Our shop will feature all the products sold in our physical shop.

Visit our new-look website now.

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A hasty hiking escape from a bushfire. Where have you been hiking this summer?

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It gets pretty hot over the summer months in South Australia. Often our members head elsewhere to cooler climates to continue hiking.

But even when it’s cooler, bushfires can still be a risk. One of our members, Jeremy, found himself hiking towards a large fire front on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania. Here’s a photo he has shared with us when he first noticed the fire as he came out of dense forest.

You can read more about his escape on his Notes from a Trailhead blog.

Don’t forget our Twilight walking program is underway, a two hour walk each Wednesday evening. www.heysentrail.asn.au/walks

Where have you been hiking over recent weeks? Perhaps leave a comment on our Facebook page, where this same post has been made.

Stay safe everyone!

Working Bee at the Southern Trailhead

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There is a working bee near the southern trailhead of the Heysen Trail at Cape Jervis. Run by the Cape Jervis Coastal Community Group, volunteers are needed to assist on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd December.

Saturday 1st December

10am – 12.30pm: removing tree guards near Lands End (tree guards to be re-used by the Friends of the Heysen Trail)

12.30pm – 2pm: BBQ lunch provided

2pm – 4pm: woody weed lopping and seed collecting

Sunday 2nd December

10am – 12noon: seed sowing

Please contact Carolyn or Liz for more information and directions.

New Southern Guidebook, older guidebooks no longer supported

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The re-print of the Southern Guidebook has been released. Stocks of the 2010 edition ran out mid this year.

The new guidebook has the same cover as the 2010 edition, but includes re-routes from the previous two years like the new spur trail into Victor Harbor. A few recent re-routes have not been included, these re-routes can be viewed on our website.

With the release of this edition, support for three older guidebooks has been suspended. Re-route notifications for the original 2004 Southern Guidebook, 2005 Northern Guidebook and 2007 Southern Guidebook will no longer be posted on the website.

End-to-End 5 finishing its walk season on a high note

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The End-to-End 5 group finished its walking season on a high note, being the first Friends group to hike past the new tank and campsite at Smith Hill, elevation 616m, on the Tothill Ranges.

The tank was recently installed by the Friends and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), however it is yet to receive its first rain.

The group had two days of fine weather, with increasing temperatures, culminating in 37 degree heat on Sunday.

A full report on their adventures can be found at their blog http://fohte2e5.blogspot.com.au/

Last Sunday’s Walk for Nature

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Last Sunday’s Walk for Nature with Nature Foundation SA went well – a sunny day with $32,000 raised towards conservation projects.

The Friends of the Heysen Trail led two groups, Mary Cartland lead the 12km walk, and president Robert Alcock led a smaller group, including a number of families with pushers, on the 3km walk.

The Friends were proud to be involved in supporting the Nature Foundation who have been involved in many conservation projects in South Australia, some of which the Heysen Trail traverses.

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We’re on Pinterest!

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We’re on Pinterest! Find us at pinterest.com/heysentrail

We’re sharing hikers’ photos of the Heysen Trail. We’ve been sharing some pretty cool photos of scenic views, wildlife, flora, sunsets, artistic shots, ruins and campsites.

Don’t know what Pinterest is? Pinterest is a photo sharing website, it lets you organize and share all the cool things you find on the web. More info on what Pinterest is can be found at http://blog.beminteractive.com/2012/02/pinterest-explained-3-pinning-tips.html

Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook

Walk for Nature is in two weeks, join now!

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The Walk for Nature is coming up on Sunday 21st October. Join the Friends of the Heysen Trail team to walk the 12km return route, or register as an individual or new team to walk either the 3, 6 or 12km return walk along the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater Oval to Woodhouse Activity Centre. Help Nature Foundation SA to raise money to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage South Australia’s wildlife and environment.

More information about the Friends of the Heysen Trail team can be found at www.everydayhero.com.au/friends_heysen_trail. Email the team leader, Robert Alcock (rra320@yahoo.com.au), for further information about how to join the team. You can also support them by donating to the cause via https://secure3.everydayhero.com.au/friends_heysen_trail/donate.

More information about the Walk for Nature can be found at www.naturefoundation.org.au/help-nature/walk-for-nature/

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Twilight Walks begin this week

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As the walking season comes to a close, and with the warmer evenings and daylight saving our Twilight Walks begin this week. There is a 1.5-2 hour walk every Wednesday night until April. The full programme will be available soon, in the meantime here are the details for the first four walks:

  • Wed 10th Oct 6pm: West Parklands http://bit.ly/west-parklands Visiting Adelaide’s historic western fringe, out to North Adelaide over the Torrens and return. Optional Chinese dinner afterwards at Hawkers Corner, West Terrace.
  • Wed 17th Oct 6pm: Western Torrens Linear Park http://bit.ly/western-torrens Along the River Torrens linear path. Optional dinner afterwards at the Lockleys Hotel.
  • Wed 24th Oct 6pm: Chambers Gully http://bit.ly/chambers-gully Lovely natural bushland close to Adelaide, steady but not steep climb with great views of Adelaide. Many Koalas and kangaroos. Optional Indian dinner afterwards.
  • Wed 31st Oct 6pm: Burnside Ramble @ Tennyson http://bit.ly/tennyson-dunes West Lakes lakefront and Tennyson Dunes – Burnside is too easy! Optional dinner afterwards at the Lakes Hotel.

Further details of our walks and walker registration can be found on our website at www.heysentrail.asn.au/walks/

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First Friends group heads south (downhill) as another member completes her End to End 3 trek

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A social and happy group of members have completed the first 6 days southbound on the Heysen Trail. Starting at Parachilna Gorge, and a 31km final day rocky walk to Mt Little camp near Mayo Gorge. A week of wonderful walking through the Flinders Ranges, enhanced by the diligent planning, organisational and leadership skills of our leader, Dean Mortimer. Thanks to Dean, who dressed in “reverse” to lead us, for such a successful and highly enjoyable week.

Meanwhile, also up north – Sandy Wood completed her End to End 3 walk at the Parachilna Trailhead yesterday. Delayed from last August due to a non walking injury along the trail, 3 days from finishing with her group, it was pleasing to see her wide smile beaming ever wider as she approached the final stile. Well done Sandy.

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