Wilderness trek

MEMBERS of No. 13 Squadron have undergone survival training at the Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.

The trek to Smitt Gorge covered 23km. A variety of surfaces from a bush track to soft sand to steep rocky surfaces were experienced. For the last part of the trek, members climbed down 500m of near vertical remains of a rockslide to reach the bottom of Smitt Gorge where an overnight camp was set up.

The exercise enforced the awareness of not carrying excessive pack weight, surviving on combat rations and the need for sufficient water intake to prevent cramping, dehydration and heat exhaustion in a hot and inhospitable landscape. These lessons were particularly important and relevant to the exercise, where temperatures soared along the tracks.

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