Bushwalking in winter can be entirely safe if you go in appropriate weather conditions and are prepared with the right gear, Launceston Walking Club president Maria Monypenny says.
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"At any time of the year it really does come down to the conditions," Ms Monypenny said.
"We've had lots of wonderful trips and winter can be a fantastic time.
"It can be beautiful and sunny, with really great walking, but with the weather conditions we have had over the weekend it's a lot more questionable if you should be hiking.
"With the right weather, the right gear and the right experience it's a wonderful experience."
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Despite the fact the club had to cancel a trip on Sunday to Mount Beecroft near Cradle Mountain, Ms Monypenny said there were several advantages to walking in winter.
"For most of us who like the wilderness it's about the fact it's so much quieter at that time of year," she said.
"You don't have to worry about heat which can often be a problem in summer. You're not going to get bushfires or anything like that.
"You have much more easy access to water, so you don't have to cart lots of water with you."
Ms Monypenny said those hiking in winter needed to carry a well-insulated tent and insulated ground sheet, a sleeping bag suitable to at least minus 10 degrees with a liner and a shovel to dig with.
"Your tent is really important," she said.
"You've got to take a four season tent at this time of year and it has to be a dome-shaped one because of the snow, so it can shed the snow around it.
"Your most important gear is good layering, good warm clothes, a beanie, gloves, good waterproof boots and gaiters to keep the snow out.
"If your feet get wet you are going to get chilled right through."
Ms Monypenny said walkers needed to be prepared for the fact tracks will be covered making navigation hard.
"You've got make sure you have a map or compass and can't be totally reliant on GPS because battery power might be an issue, as they don't do as well in the cold," she said.
Ms Monypenny said there was no correct answer as to what you should do if the conditions changed suddenly and left walkers in difficulty, such as what happened to Victorian hiker Michael Bowman who spent over week bunkered down in his tent near Lake St Clair awaiting rescue.
"If it's possible and it's safe to do so walking out, and getting down lower, is best," she said.
"If the weather is really bad as it was for [Michael Bowman] staying put is most definitely the correct thing to do.
"That's why it is essential to take extra supplies. You've got to be prepared for extra days in the bush and be carrying an Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon so you can set that off if you can't get out."
Ms Monypenny said the Launceston Walking Club would not go out with a group of less than four hikers.
"When conditions aren't as good too that becomes even more important. In winter where there are less people around we would advocate a minimum group size of four," Ms Monypenny said.
"Regardless of conditions, anybody can get hurt and you can become separated from your EPIRB."
Deloraine Walking Club secretary Peter Coleman, however, said people wishing to hike in the current "very difficult" conditions would be better off bringing a set of cross-country skis.
"We would not advise [walking]," Mr Coleman said.
"If you were stuck in that you'd be in a bit of strife."