Tell Someone Where You Are Going

[DougW]

I have just launched a new website aimed at giving travellers of all descriptions, bushwalkers in particular, a means of leaving their travel intentions (aka route plan) online, to be delivered to a "trusted contact" if he/she has not logged in again by a designated time. It is an added extra to filling in that Ranger logbook that may (or may not) be checked from time to time.

As a bit of background, my wife and I conceived this idea when doing the South Coast track 10 years ago, after meeting numerous solo walkers from all over the world (God love 'em, especially the Israeli bloke we met at the base of the Iron *&%$#!, who had a 1kg block of cheese and a bunch of bananas). I doubt they would have told anyone what they were up to and 99 times out of 100 it would not matter. This website is dedicated to those cool people who, the 1 time out of 100, deserve to be protected.

Check out the site, if you like, and by all means let me know what you think of it. All feedback gratefully received. It is at http://myredflare.com

Doug Worrall

[Taurë-rana]

Hi Doug,
This seems like a good idea to me, bush walking and travelling as well - I travelled round Aus for a couple of years in a 4WD with my husband, and there were many times that if we'd got stuck or had an accident, no-one would have had any idea for days that we weren't where we were supposed to be. It's not too bad letting someone know where you are going and when you'll be back when you're at home, but a bit harder when you are somewhere else, even if it's just the other side of the state.

[Gippsmick]

Brillient idea. While I wouldn't rely on this product alone, it a valuable addition tool that should compliment other systems already available.
Does it just alert key contacts who then instigate SAR through authorities? If it alerted authorities straight off I could see some limitations, especially when your safe and sound but don't have internet access. I for one will be using it.

[ashlee]

Fantastic idea, will check out the website in a minute
I must admit I'm a shocker for not letting anyone know where I'm going... Most times I just wake up in the morning and decide where I'm going that very moment. I get so carried away that I don't think of it until I'm out in the bush!

[north-north-west]

Yeah, I'm much the same. Worse, in fact. Most of the time I have half a dozen possibilities in mind and end up somewhere else. I once started driving up to the Snowies and three days later found myself west of Mildura . . .

[corvus]

Women!!

[north-north-west]

Nothing to do with genitalia, mate. It's just plain curiosity.

[iandsmith]

May I commend you for your thoughts in helping others. Sadly, I am one them. However, it's not by choice that I walk alone; I simply can't find someone who wants to do the harder walks with me. Basically, no one I associate with is fit enough.
So, thanks for the site, I must put it in a memory bank.
Cheers, Ian

[jerreldulay]

Wow, this service is an extremely good idea!! Great job on that!

[corvus]

Nothing to do with genitalia, mate. It's just plain curiosity.

Quriosity iuguolo cattus
c

[flyfisher]

Does that mean puss got dead???
ff

[corvus]

Does that mean puss got dead???
ff

Vae penuriosus puss.
c

[flyfisher]

Yeah, thought so.

poor puss

ff

[daznkez]

my partner and i have often talked about something exactly like this great idea, we often head off for 3-4 day walks (currently away from home more than at home as work is seasonal) so it is hard to tell someone every time you head out. one thing i would suggest is a mobile phone or phone in option some people now have internet enabled phones and most everyone has a mobile. the other thought was brought home to us on our last trip (had to stay out at whitleys hut an extra night could have been 2 more days but luckily got out) due to flooding in the north west we were perfectly safe and would have have enough food to last it out just but with your site a full scale search may have been activated unessasarily in preety severe conditions. Hope these few sugestions will help steamline your idea also will be joining up to support this service thanks