Bushwalk Australia

The Examiner reported today:

'The Westpac police rescue helicopter was yesterday called to the Western Arthur Range to rescue an ACT man left without shelter after high winds ripped his tent from the ground. Senior Constable Josh Peach, of Tasmania Police search and rescue, said the 23 year old activated his emergancy beacon at 9:15am. "He was intending to complete a 30 day trip over the western and eastern ranges but the winds tore his shelter to bits and he didn't think he'd make it to the next camp point before nightfall", he said.'

Interesting. I saw the chopper fly over our house and thought that's gotta be a rescue!!

I'd like to know where he was exactly, If he was anywhere but the dead centre of the range, surely one could just walk out?? Nick S and I had a similar problem at High Moor, we walked to Scotts peak from there rther than risk another night out. But anywhere between Oberon and High Moor is more than 1 full days walk I guess....

Anyway glad he's ok.... i'd also like to know what kind of tent it was......

Phil wrote:high winds ripped his tent from the ground.

Hmmn, that's a bugger. Any guesses as to what brand?

See, this is why every time someone asks for a tent for Tassie conditions I like to see it emphasised that the wind is your biggest enemy!

Yer, I saw that. Along with the kayakers who were rescued, they were back in the boats, conditions were moderating...
Neither Sounds like an 'emergency'? The S&R standard seems to be praise for them having beacons, leaving it at that.
It would be good to know details on planning, equipment, experience etc but i guess thats not news worthy.

Nuts wrote:Yer, I saw that. Along with the kayakers who were rescued, they were back in the boats, conditions were moderating...
Neither Sounds like an 'emergency'?

Maybe the PLB devices should need to be placed in a pool of blood before they will activate?

I'm torn - I wouldn't like to see people get themselves into trouble, but I'd like to think they'd make a *&%$#! effort before using a PLB. Like, I don't know, roughing it?

ollster wrote: but I'd like to think they'd make a *&%$#! effort before using a PLB. Like, I don't know, roughing it?

This coming from the man who said he'd hit the button on a day walk if he twisted his ankle???

ILUVSWTAS wrote:This coming from the man who said he'd hit the button on a day walk if he twisted his ankle???

I think I said it was appropriate if there was a broken arm or similar involved due to possibility of subsequent issues like infection or further injury. I may have been kidding about the ankle think, I can't recall. Anyway, I've got pretty good form for walking on twisted ankles as you well know.

Bugger it, I think we should just aim to do one way trips from now on and call in air support when we feel like going home.

Haha yeh you've got pretty good at letting us know when you've twisted that ankle too!! Blood curling are the 2 words that best describe the scream I remember.....

Yeh it seems the norm these days, I wonder if we could hit the button and ask for a lift UP to a range??

Yeah! Apparently all you'd have to do is take along a sacrificial tent and offer it up to the wind gods.

walkinTas wrote:Yeah! Apparently all you'd have to do is take along a sacrificial tent and offer it up to the wind gods.

ILUV's already got one.

ollster wrote:

walkinTas wrote:Yeah! Apparently all you'd have to do is take along a sacrificial tent and offer it up to the wind gods.

ILUV's already got one.

Hey so does MJD!! and they are still going strong!! You just worry about your own gear and i'll worry about mine ok!

Still isnt envy a sin?? Or is that just more tripe Hollywood has led me to believe.....

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Hey so does MJD!! and they are still going strong!! You just worry about your own gear and i'll worry about mine ok!

Still isnt envy a sin?? Or is that just more tripe Hollywood has led me to believe.....

Fair call. I'm glad you guys do all the R&D though.

LOL, I think it was Christianity, not Hollywood. Or really mankind trying to set behavioural boundaries to control people en masse if you want to distill it further.

Gear is important! To be absolutely certain that the sacrifice will be accepted and the rescue bird will be summoned, the pilgrim does need to be in possession of a small electronic device, which alarmingly, costs more than the asking price of a decent windproof tent.

walkinTas wrote:which alarmingly, costs more than the asking price of a decent windproof tent.

Lol. Nice point. Maybe offer discounts on PLBs for people who can prove they own 4 season equipment?

Funnily enough, my PLB weighs about half of my tent!!

Hmmm one may debate that point about Hollywood and religion... but I believe discussions like that are not allowed on this forum, and WalkinTas has had enough to do in the last 24hrs...

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Still isnt envy a sin?? Or is that just more tripe Hollywood has led me to believe.....

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins of Christianity. And the Seven Deadly Sins is also the title of a Hollywood blockbuster.

ollster wrote:Maybe offer discounts on PLBs for people who can prove they own 4 season equipment?

Sounds like a perfect scheme to me. The sort of thing that should appeal to a cash-strapped Government.

Yep so I believe.
My point was that I'd believe each one about as much as the other......

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Yep so I believe.
My point was that I'd believe each one about as much as the other......

Unfortunately there is more than enough proof that Hollywood exists.

Really?? I thought it was make believe like the Easter Bunny, Pixies and Eskimos.

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Really?? I thought it was make believe like the Easter Bunny, Pixies and Eskimos.

I know Eskimos are real, otherwise where do Eskimo pies come from?!

Hmmmmm oh yeh.

Yum though, I havent had one of those in years!!

walkinTas wrote:....the pilgrim does need to be in possession of a small electronic device, which alarmingly, costs more than the asking price of a decent windproof tent.

Pity you can't hire a 4 season tent for $40 a week from Service Tasmania when you need one!!!

No I do not know the all facts in this instance.

But in my experince every destroyed tent I have come across has been poorly pitched and I believe that contributed to the failure.

As for getting the helicopter in other factors may influence a decision to call for help or not. How far from the exit moriane are you? What does the weather look like (or what is the forecast if you can get one). How good is the rain coat?

wander wrote:As for getting the helicopter in other factors may influence a decision to call for help or not. How far from the exit moriane are you? What does the weather look like (or what is the forecast if you can get one). How good is the rain coat?

Totally agree. Individuals must make the call with full regard for their own circumstances. A fast trip home is infinitely more appealing than a slow death. And he sensibly made the call when there was still plenty of time for a rescue; he didn't wait until the late afternoon or middle of the night when his attempt to walkout had failed.

Still, I'd love to know more about the tent.

I wonder! When ILUV's sacrificial tent is finally offered to the wind gods on some lonely lofty crag, will he be man enough to use the little electron marvel he has so long carried in a hidden corner of his pack. Will he hesitate when faced with the certainty of mately ridicule, or will he bravely do what all stranded pilgrims must, will he summon the rescue bird. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode, ILuvWPbird! And will he expect them to drop him off at his house on the way back.

Ok, was being silly, but what would it take for you to push the button, and would you worry about tomorrow's headlines?

stepbystep wrote:Pity you can't hire a 4 season tent for $40 a week from Service Tasmania when you need one!!!

Seems an idea initially but then they(Parks) would need to know, decide on and take responsibility for whatever they hire. Its going to be heavy I guess.
Those trying lightweight shelters maybe have as much to learn from these things as a newbie? I recall someone talking about 'trying' a hexamid up there...
A bivy is good insurance...

Taking a plunge.. to me i wouldnt consider being left with a collapsed tent anywhere as an 'emergency', be in for an uncomfortable night(maybe more) but good rain gear, (the tent remains, even without a means to repair...) and a bit of savy should be all thats necessary. If they arent then preparation (research/knowledge/experience) has failed? Definitions are fickle though.

These things are always interesting.

walkinTas wrote:I wonder! When ILUV's sacrificial tent is finally offered to the wind gods on some lonely lofty crag, will he be man enough to use the little electron marvel he has so long carried in a hidden corner of his pack. Will he hesitate when faced with the certainty of mately ridicule, or will he bravely do what all stranded pilgrims must, will he summon the rescue bird. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode, ILuvWPbird! And will he expect them to drop him off at his house on the way back.

I lolled. But I can almost guarantee he'd be capable of, and attempt, self arrest first.

ollster wrote:

walkinTas wrote:I wonder! When ILUV's sacrificial tent is finally offered to the wind gods on some lonely lofty crag, will he be man enough to use the little electron marvel he has so long carried in a hidden corner of his pack. Will he hesitate when faced with the certainty of mately ridicule, or will he bravely do what all stranded pilgrims must, will he summon the rescue bird. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode, ILuvWPbird! And will he expect them to drop him off at his house on the way back.

I lolled. But I can almost guarantee he'd be capable of, and attempt, self arrest first.

Woah.. What do you want off me Oll? That's one of the nicest things i've heard you say......

Yeh I dunno. I'd be thinking about my kid and wife, so pressing the button wouldnt worry me in the slightest if I had to do it!! I'd like to think i'd be man enough to handle the ridicule that would come with it... but then again maybe i'd run and cry in a corner somewhere screaming for my mummy (she'd be busy tho huh guys)

Anyway, Ollster has a 2 man tent, so if mine fails there's always that option.

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Woah.. What do you want off me Oll? That's one of the nicest things i've heard you say......

Happy birthday.

LOL, 2 man?! Maybe if they're your size! You mean Az does?

PS: Gotta say, I love Stu's Hypnotoad avatar. Nice choice.

Haha, well at worst can I curl up in one of your vestibles?? Preferably not the "backdoor"one though.....

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Haha, well at worst can I curl up in one of your vestibles??

Hmmn, for a moment I thought you said...