BushwalkBushwalk
Our magazine is all about bushwalkers writing for bushwalkers. Our community members write the articles and capture the amazing photographs and share the magazine with their friends. It is all about the community, but each edition is pulled together by a small team. In this article you will meet the people who strive to ensure that each edition is interesting, reads well, is laid out clearly, is accurate and is helpful.
Slopes of Mount Doris on a summer morningNick S
Meet The Team
10 | BWA December 2021
Matt on The Overland Track, Tasmania
Matt McClelland - editor
Tell me a few sentences about youI live on the north side of Sydney, NSW. I am a father of two and have been bushwalking since I was a Scout. I really enjoy multi-day walks and getting to know other bushwalkers. Most of the walking I do these days is on well-maintained walks as I spend a lot of time bushwalking, documenting walks for other people. I still love getting out to more remote places with friends and the kids. I have written four bushwalking books and have been working full-time in the bushwalking space for about 15 years. I'm most passionate about helping people get started in bushwalking.
How did you get involved with the magazine?I love hearing people's bushwalking stories, and rather than starting up yet another bushwalking blog (I think there are many great ones out there), I thought a digital magazine would be great. I have always wanted it to be a magazine for the bushwalking community - by the community.
Favourite bushwalkI don't have a favourite walk as such, more a favourite style - I like longer walks at a slow pace. The idea of a week or more on track, taking time to wander, explore and meet
other walkers on track. Sitting around chatting with friends or family at dinner. There is something about walking that is good for the soul.
Favourite memory on a bushwalkI am really not sure - it is a hard question. I think my favourite memories are ones where I got up early and walked to a peak for sunrise, or swimming on a lazy summer walk and hearing from other walkers about how they got into bushwalking.
What inspired you to start doing what you do for the magazine?To help bushwalkers have a stronger voice. I wanted bushwalkers to have a place to share their experience and stories with each other and for us all to build our understanding of what makes bushwalking better. I guess that the end goal is that we all can enjoy bushwalking more.
Your favourite food on a bushwalkHappy hours with my friends and new friends. This tends to be cheese, crackers, chips and some drinks. Something shared with others. Otherwise in a group I really enjoy making nachos and sushi rolls. Solo winter trips tend to be laksa and summer trips ravioli pasta and sauce.
Your favourite article in the magazineMan, I am hopeless with favourite type questions. I think it is any stories where people are vulnerable and share something real. Something that was hard or a mistake made on track. Something I can relate to and learn from.
Your wishes for the magazineFifty editions is amazing. I am very aware that this magazine could not exist without our fantastic team driving it. I am first very thankful for Stephen and Eva, who put in a huge amount of time and effort, and for Sonya, who is there in nearly every edition with something great to share. I am, of course, very thankful for all the authors who share their stories in each edition. My hope or wish is that more and more people would get involved and share their experience, skills and expertise, especially those who do not consider themselves as writers or do not have something to share. I would love to see how we can tease out these stories and experiences.
BWA December 2021 | 11
The salt marsh
Eva on the Great North Walk
Eva Gomiscek - layout
Tell me a few sentences about youI live in the tiny country of Slovenia, Europe. I'm a mother of two wonderful children and a wife to a great husband. I love hiking, and walking in nature with my family is what I picture as a perfect day.
How did you get involved with the magazine?Back in 2013 when Matt and I had been working together for about a year, Matt came up with the idea of an online bushwalking magazine. He knew people in the bushwalking community so he asked around for articles, I laid them out and the first emag was born. I loved every minute of creating it from the first edition on and still do.
Favourite bushwalkIn Slovenia we have stamps at tops of the mountains and in the huts. I love collecting these stamps, so I like any easy walk that has a hut and a stamp for my bushwalking booklet. And I need company. Solo hiking is not in the books for me, yet.
Favourite memory on a bushwalkYears ago I saw a picture of the salt marsh on the Mount Ku-ring-gai Track to Berowra station walk, and promised myself I'd see this if I ever visited Australia. I was overwhelmed when Matt took me there without me realising where I was going.
What inspired you to start doing what you do for the magazine?Years ago I set myself a goal to work from home, online and wanted it to be something in relation to design and hiking. I think I have exactly what I asked for, as well as a great team and a great boss to top it off.
Your favourite food on a bushwalkI've never done an overnight camping walk (yet) where I’d need to cook for myself. The food we eat on a hike is usually something quick from the backpack or a stew and some kind of strudel that we can get in a hut.
Your favourite article in the magazine Oh, that's a hard one. I don't think I can name one, but I prefer the ones that inspire me, either with photos, the lightness of the writing, the daring challenge, the knowledge or the yumminess (check Sonya's recipes, you'll understand what I mean).
Your wishes for the magazineI consider the magazine to be one of my babies, so I wish it all the best and look forward to at least another 50 more. I hope it inspires people to start bushwalking, to start writing about it and sharing their experiences and knowledge.
Bushwalking booklets for collecting stamps
12 | BWA December 2021
Stephen on the Six Foot Track, New South Wales
Stephen Lake - sub-editor
When I was 12-13 years-of-age, I joined Scouts, starting a bushwalking journey of over 50 years. Along the way I skied in remote places, went rock climbing, and went mountaineering, meeting the most wonderful people. Banjo Patterson pre-dates and describes bushwalking:
And the bush hath friends to meet him, and their kindly voices greet him
In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended,
And at night the wond’rous glory of the everlasting stars.
I saw the first edition of Bushwalk Australia and contacted Matt, offering to assist.
Favourite areasMany places appeal, with two being best for me. Jagungal has rolling plains, minimal scrub, good campsites and plenty of water, making it possible to get away from the crowds and vary routes. The Walls of Jerusalem and points south are similar, except the scrub is carnivorous in places and there's less people away from the Walls. Maybe the scrub ate them. For a few Central Plateau trips I drew a line on a map, letting the compass and hope guide the way.
I enjoy camping high, watching the sun set and the next morning watching it rise. This is often a gamble, for if the weather turns, I might get blasted off the campsite. It's nice to go back to familiar places.
Favourite articlesSafety and conservation are important, making the bush safer and better. It's wonderful to soak in the words of creative people and be part of the publication process. Two writers stand out in this regard. Craig N. Pearce has a most delightful way with words, unusual syntax and forms, words used in ways that I have never seen before, with a lovely flow. Read his October 2021 article Waking up to wilderness: a mid-life crisis and see what I mean.
North-north-west is similar, always expressive. The most powerful introduction of all articles was in the 2015 rescue report. Instead of the usual 50-150 words, NNW was
much shorter: "How do you know when it’s time to call it quits?" For sheer beauty, read her trip report Snowy Mountains Ramble in February 2018.
The most unusual article is by Nick Gleeson in August 2019 about his walk across Island Lagoon. It's flat desert country, easy navigation with one twist – Nick is blind.
One person has written more articles than anyone else, and excluding a few people, more than any 10 people put together. Sonya Muhlsimmer has provided wonderful recipes, written about her trips to many places, summer and winter, and advocated conservation values.
There are simply too many people and articles to name, so my apologies for not including you above. Your words and pictures make the magazine what it is, adding to the knowledge of many areas. Sharing the publication journey is truly lovely. You know who you are.
Life is meetingIn 1953 John Hunt led the first expedition to climb Mount Everest. He wrote the book Life is meeting. Meeting people online, entering into their world and sometimes meeting in person is a good part of BWA. BWA makes a difference - conservation, safety, or very readable accounts of trips and other things.
Subbing BWA has led to matters unrelated to editing. I've gained friends and developed a close relation with people who are often far away, people I trust implicitly. Sometimes it's a real struggle to fill the pages, so my main wish is that people would write more.
BWA December 2021 | 13
,_Maj-Britt_Engelh.jpg)
In the Western Arthur Ranges above Lake Oberon, an awesome place to celebrate New Year's Eve. From left to right, Paul Every, Sonya Muhlsimmer, Maj-Britt Engelhardt and Chris Riley.
Sonya Muhlsimmer - food expert
Tell me a few sentences about youI live in the Blue Mountains, NSW. For me, there is nothing better than either exploring a canyon, hiking for a day, a week or even two weeks out in the bush, or on the snow backcountry skiing. I also love food. I'm a qualified chef, a food scientist and an author of a cookbook specifically written for multi-day adventures, Xtreme Gourmet.
How did you get involved with the magazine?I went to a book launch and met Matt. He helped me with information about publishing a book, and I slowly got involved in the magazine.
Favourite bushwalkWestern Arthur Ranges, Tasmania. Australia. I would say it is one of the most rugged, hard and spectacular hikes I have done. This is
the best place to celebrate New Year's day with a good and tough bunch of friends. This walk is not for the faint-hearted. The glacial lakes, jagged peaks and hanging valleys are just stunning.
Favourite memory on a bushwalkHiking in New Zealand. I had just crossed the Ball Ridge, on the Mount Cook mountain range, and the wind blew me off my feet and down the hill. The feeling of awe in nature, the accomplishment and listening to avalanches in the distance is very humbling. I was blown over, literally ...
What inspired you to start doing what you do for the magazine?To give something back to a community where I belong. If my food knowledge can help someone's meal plan for a hiking trip and they eat a hearty meal on the track, the time and effort are worth it.
Your favourite food on a bushwalkWhen you share a meal or snacks with friends, but I do enjoy making laksa and chocolate cake.
Your favourite article in the magazineDo I really have to answer this? This is a tough question. It is not an article as such, but a poem from Stephen called Dedication.
Your wishes for the magazineTo read about everyone's adventure. If I can't get to all the places I want, at least I can read about it and experience it through others.
_in_Dione_Dell_Canyon,_Kanangra_NSW._Photo_by_Laurie_Cohen.jpg)
Sonya in Dione Dell Canyon, Kanangra NSWLaurie Cohen
14 | BWA December 2021