Monash University Outdoors Club

MUOC FAQs

GENERAL

Q: What kind of activities does MUOC run?

A: The club offers a range of activities including: 

• • Bushwalking (day hikes and overnight hikes)

  • Climbing (weekly indoor bouldering and top ropes nights and outdoor climbing trips)

  • Mountain biking 

  • Rogaining 

  • Trail running 

  • Paddling 

 

Q: Do I need to be a member to attend an event?

A: Yes. MUOC memberships are $30 for Monash students and $60 for non-students. Purchase your membership here !

 

Q: How do I find out about upcoming events?

A: See our event calendar here . Events will also be regularly announced on MUOC social accounts such as Instagram (@monash_outdoors)

 

Q: What are the costs of the trips?

A: The general costs vary depending on the event. Tickets usually cover things like transport, campsites and gear maintenance. Personal costs may also include food, additional gear hire (MUOC does this too!) 

 

Q: What if I don’t have a car?

A: No worries! Carpooling is often organised and included in the ticket price. 

 

Q: Can I hire gear?

A: Yes. MUOC has a range of gear available for members to hire here .

 

Q: What if I don’t know anyone?

A: Sign up and get ready to meet some awesome new people!

 

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CLIMBING

Q: Can I come on a bouldering trip as a beginner?

A: Maybe. Most event descriptions will indicate what grades the trip is pitched towards. Please read that to decide if a trip is appropriate for you, beginner trips will be labeled as such.

 

Q: What if I’ve never been climbing before?

A: Great! Join us at our weekly bouldering or top ropes sessions. They run throughout the semester. 

 

Q: What gear do I need?

A: At our weekly sessions shoes can be hired for the night so all you need is some flexible clothes

 

Q: Can I hire shoes for an outdoor trip?

A: This depends on the trip. Please read the trip email/description to find out if shoes will be available to hire for the trip you are interested in.

 

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BUSHWALKING

Q: I’ve never been hiking before, where do I start?

A: Join us on one of our day hikes, running on the weekends throughout the semester.

 

Q: Can I come on a day hike as a beginner?

A: Yes! Our day hikes are for everyone and are a great place to start. 

 

Q: Can I come on an overnight hike?

A: Bushwalking experience is advised on our longer trips. We recommend you attend a day hike or car camping trip first. 

 

Q: What is car camping?

A: Car camping is when we drive to our chosen campsite and will usually stay there for a few nights in tents. Activities such as bushwalking and climbing are offered on these trips.

 

Q: What about intermediate and advanced hikes?

A: Experience is required for more advanced events. You will need to attend previous club events or be able to prove your experience to our friendly trip leaders.

 

Q: What gear do I need?

A: Gear requirements vary depending on the event. Specific packing lists are provided for each trip and gear hire is available. 

General overnight hiking gear includes: appropriate walking shoes, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent, stove, weather appropriate clothing and plenty of water. Most of this can be hired through the club

 

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PADDLING

Q: What is paddling?

A: Paddling is a generic term for a range of different activities that use paddles - for MUOC that means whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking and touring/sea kayaking. 

 

Q: What gear do I need?

A: MUOC has all the paddling gear that you would need to come on a trip. You will need to have some specific clothing, depending on the exact trip, but will be things like closed toed securely fitting shoes that can get wet, thermals, hat/sunglasses etc

 

Q: Can I attend as a beginner?

A: Yes! Beginner events are run throughout the year so keep an eye out. Please note that you must be able to swim to attend all paddling trips, and for kayaking trips you will need to start with an intro to kayaking session or have equivalent knowledge. 

 

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MOUNTAIN BIKING

Q: What if I don’t have a bike?

A: MUOC has a range of mountain bikes available for members to hire. 

 

Q: Can I attend as a beginner?

A: Yes! Beginner events are run throughout the year so keep an eye out. Please make sure you are comfortable riding a bike!

 

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ROGAINING

Q: What is rogaining?

A: Rogaining is a team sport that involves navigating through the bush with a map and compass to find controls (checkpoints). Each control is worth a different number of points (usually 20 - 100) based on their difficulty to find and get to. The team with the most number of points at the end of the event is the winner!

 

Q: Can I come on a rogaine as a beginner?

A: Yes. All events are open to beginners, unless otherwise stated. Rogaining is easy to learn on the go and during the event. All teams will have at least one experienced rogainer to help teach and guide the team.

 

Q: Is there any MANDATORY GEAR?

A: Yes. All rogaining events require each participant to have their own compass (not digital), whistle and headlamp/torch (not on phone). The club will provide a first aid kit for each team.

 

Q: What if I don’t have a compass?

A: A compass may be hired from the club or at the event on the day for a small fee (includes $50 deposit).

 

Q: How long and far is the event?

A: Events commonly run for 6 hours. At a relaxed pace, most people cover about 15 km, but with a brisk walk teams can reach up to 25 km.

 

Q: Are there any fitness requirements?

A: There are no fitness requirements to attend rogaining events. However, you must be comfortable walking/hiking on gravel paths and rugged bush terrain for the entirety of the event.

 

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Still got questions? Contact us for more information!