The night had been cold (3C), the ground was wet and soft this morning as I prepared the vehicle for my escape; removing unnecessary equipment and loading empty water and fuel containers. Finally all was ready and I headed towards the river track - when wet it is the easier of the two tracks which service this location - I navigated the bog hole near my camp easily and proceeded to the main river track, no problems there either for its 3km then I arrived at the lower end of the main track and winced! Have you heard that old song by, I think, Flanders and Swan? The main line is "Mud! Mud! Glorious mud! Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood". Well.. the sight of that 200m section certainly chilled my blood especially as my current 4WD has road tyres. Not much choice but to tackle it if I wanted to get food and fuel and, of course, no winch as I sold it not expecting to be doing any further 4WDing. I got through but it was marginal.
Into Robinvale hoping the police were not looking for me on the charge of "Being a stupid person who takes a large caravan too far into the bush in winter". I got away with it and bought 35L of diesel for the heater, 15L of petrol for the generator, 85L of water and a similar amount of alcohol, I bought some food too :)
Not looking forward, at all, to the return trip I arrived again at *that* section of track and glared at it for a bit... it glared back. High range 4WD and plenty of speed (25kph?) I reckoned, I hit the go button and me and the track did battle, 'twas a close run thing but I made it.
Back along the river track, easy, then the bog hole close to camp - I was pretty confident by this time - so it was another floor the throttle and power through it!
The strategy worked well until I lost traction on all four wheels and, at a decent speed, began sliding sideways towards a very resilient looking tree, just before I had to consider a marriage proposal to the tree the back wheels found a bit of grip and I steered my way past it... I can't be sure but I think I observed an appearance of regret in its bark?
My full escape plan failed as, no way, could I haul three tons of caravan through that journey so I think I'm here for at least one, perhaps two or three, months. Ho hum... there are worse places to be... I have unlimited firewood, a pond of rainwater, a pleasant (when it's dry!) bush camp, a little internet coverage, Amateur Radio and the occasional opportunity of a day trip to Robinvale. I wonder if I could tunnel my way out...?
Radar said
02:26 PM Jun 8, 2022
At least you are out there in the bush, not like us waiting for med appointments dates before we can get away.
Craig1 said
02:34 PM Jun 8, 2022
build a raft
yobarr said
02:35 PM Jun 8, 2022
Mike Harding wrote:
Day four of my captivity and an escape attempt:
The night had been cold (3C), the ground was wet and soft this morning as I prepared the vehicle for my escape; removing unnecessary equipment and loading empty water and fuel containers. Finally all was ready and I headed towards the river track - when wet it is the easier of the two tracks which service this location - I navigated the bog hole near my camp easily and proceeded to the main river track, no problems there either for its 3km then I arrived at the lower end of the main track and winced! Have you heard that old song by, I think, Flanders and Swan? The main line is "Mud! Mud! Glorious mud! Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood". Well.. the sight of that 200m section certainly chilled my blood especially as my current 4WD has road tyres. Not much choice but to tackle it if I wanted to get food and fuel and, of course, no winch as I sold it not expecting to be doing any further 4WDing. I got through but it was marginal.
Into Robinvale hoping the police were not looking for me on the charge of "Being a stupid person who takes a large caravan too far into the bush in winter". I got away with it and bought 35L of diesel for the heater, 15L of petrol for the generator, 85L of water and a similar amount of alcohol, I bought some food too :)
Not looking forward, at all, to the return trip I arrived again at *that* section of track and glared at it for a bit... it glared back. High range 4WD and plenty of speed (25kph?) I reckoned, I hit the go button and me and the track did battle, 'twas a close run thing but I made it.
Back along the river track, easy, then the bog hole close to camp - I was pretty confident by this time - so it was another floor the throttle and power through it!
The strategy worked well until I lost traction on all four wheels and, at a decent speed, began sliding sideways towards a very resilient looking tree, just before I had to consider a marriage proposal to the tree the back wheels found a bit of grip and I steered my way past it... I can't be sure but I think I observed an appearance of regret in its bark?
My full escape plan failed as, no way, could I haul three tons of caravan through that journey so I think I'm here for at least one, perhaps two or three, months. Ho hum... there are worse places to be... I have unlimited firewood, a pond of rainwater, a pleasant (when it's dry!) bush camp, a little internet coverage, Amateur Radio and the occasional opportunity of a day trip to Robinvale. I wonder if I could tunnel my way out...?
Very interesting Mike! Braver than me, but I wonder how you're going to get by with only 85 litres of alcohol? Good luck! Cheers
Mike Harding said
02:47 PM Jun 8, 2022
yobarr wrote:
but I wonder how you're going to get by with only 85 litres of alcohol?
I know Yobarr! I'm hoping Dan Murphy do home deliveries.
yobarr said
03:13 PM Jun 8, 2022
Mike Harding wrote:
yobarr wrote:
but I wonder how you're going to get by with only 85 litres of alcohol?
I know Yobarr! I'm hoping Dan Murphy do home deliveries.
Up around Hall's Creek there are a lot of small 4wd Isuzu school buses that visit remote communities to bring children to school, rain, hail or shine. Stops parents claiming floods etc prevent them from getting their offspring to school. Perhaps you could negotiate something with Dan? Good luck! Cheers
Drones can Deliver.....and you have a trusty Genset to charge the Drone up and send it back...no probs.! KB
86GTS said
04:45 PM Jun 8, 2022
Don't worry, we know that area well too, we reckon you're in there until early September.
Mike Harding said
05:39 PM Jun 8, 2022
86GTS wrote:
Don't worry, we know that area well too, we reckon you're in there until early September.
Yeah, I tend to agree. However I spent both of the three month covid lockdowns here so reckon I'll survive. There are a lot worse places in this world in which to spend time and I've been to a few :)
markf said
06:32 PM Jun 8, 2022
I know that area pretty well and I reckon you're there for a while. I managed to get my old Haflinger bogged up that way in the mid 80's....
hufnpuf said
07:31 PM Jun 8, 2022
Wasn't it a successful escape, but you went back?
86GTS said
07:38 PM Jun 8, 2022
Mike Harding wrote:
86GTS wrote:
Don't worry, we know that area well too, we reckon you're in there until early September.
Yeah, I tend to agree. However I spent both of the three month covid lockdowns here so reckon I'll survive. There are a lot worse places in this world in which to spend time and I've been to a few :)
Inexperience would be the best way of summing up your situation.
Unfortunately for you things are going to get far wetter this year & more slippery than they currently are as a real Winter closes in.
The sensible option would be to pay for a rescue effort to get you out of the sh*t, although some experienced locals may baulk at the prospect.
Most people know not to camp along the Murray in wet weather, what were you thinking?
A lesson learnt.
Broken Bucket was a great spot to camp at for a week recently.
The solitude was magnificent & the whole experience was undertaken safely.
We could have happily stayed for a month or more.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Wednesday 8th of June 2022 07:40:52 PM
yobarr said
07:51 PM Jun 8, 2022
hufnpuf wrote:
Wasn't it a successful escape, but you went back?
Think Mike was travelling in his Trailblazer only, with the van left on site? Cheers
Mike Harding said
07:54 PM Jun 8, 2022
86GTS wrote:
> Inexperience would be the best way of summing up your situation.
Do you think so? I have spent 20 years+ visiting this area and feel I know it well.
>Most people know not to camp along the Murray in wet weather, what were you thinking?
I thought I'd head out into the bush rather than sit in a caravan park.. and it wasn't wet at that time.
>A lesson learnt.
I don't think I've learnt anything I did not previously know.
One may spend one's life "playing it safe" or one may take chances... I tend to the latter, you may not...?
Edit: 1pm, Thur 9/6/22
I have considerable experience of serious solo 4WDing in the Victorian High Country and the deserts of Australia and the Middle East and I am not inclined to be reckless or push limits, only twice have I been seriously bogged and both times I was able to resolve the situation myself, with a considerable amount of damned hard work, I hasten to add :)
On this occasion I am not bogged but simply trapped by unexpected and not forecast quantities of rain and failing to put aggressive tyres on my new(ish) 4WD. If one regularly travels to and camps, often for long periods, in the areas I visit then it is virtually inevitable that sooner or later something will go wrong. Where the experience comes in, and I like to think I have some, is to be prepared and equipped for such eventualities. To that end I have:
More communications gear than you could poke a stick at.
300L of potable water
Enough food for (guessing) six weeks
Solar panels, generator, diesel heater
Infinite firewood, a chainsaw and bow saw
A 75m x 25m freshwater pond
The ability, and boots, to walk out if essential
A positive attitude, a knowledge of the bush and the ability to cope
----
My actions were not reckless I simply got unlucky this time and, no doubt, that will happen again. Events such as this will never detract me from doing what I do, I ask for help from no one and if I ever need to I'll pay for it as required. All considered... it beats the hell out of travelling from caravan park to caravan park, such is not for me :)
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Thursday 9th of June 2022 01:11:32 PM
Bicyclecamper said
08:03 PM Jun 8, 2022
Radar wrote:
At least you are out there in the bush, not like us waiting for med appointments dates before we can get away.
I am out in the bush in the freezing cold in a tent, and I am loving it, have put back all my appointments until, I am desperate, I would love to be in Mikes Position, but not being able to get out. I have got a months worth of food for myself and Milo, water is here, and looks like the 4.5kg lpg will last a month at a time, ( I have a spare). It is freedom.
Radar said
09:06 PM Jun 8, 2022
Bicyclecamper wrote:
Radar wrote:
At least you are out there in the bush, not like us waiting for med appointments dates before we can get away.
I am out in the bush in the freezing cold in a tent, and I am loving it, have put back all my appointments until, I am desperate, I would love to be in Mikes Position, but not being able to get out. I have got a months worth of food for myself and Milo, water is here, and looks like the 4.5kg lpg will last a month at a time, ( I have a spare). It is freedom.
Sounds great.
hufnpuf said
08:24 AM Jun 9, 2022
yobarr wrote:
hufnpuf wrote:
Wasn't it a successful escape, but you went back?
Think Mike was travelling in his Trailblazer only, with the van left on site? Cheers
Thanks, so it was hard just to get the vehicle out? Yowser, I hope he'll be able to get out later on. Sounds scary to me, but I'm a wuss.
oldbloke said
08:40 AM Jun 9, 2022
Mike Harding wrote:
yobarr wrote:
but I wonder how you're going to get by with only 85 litres of alcohol?
I know Yobarr! I'm hoping Dan Murphy do home deliveries.
Consider DIY Grog
dogbox said
08:50 AM Jun 9, 2022
i'll bet you loved every minute of it (except the cleaning up after the fact)
KevinJ said
09:58 AM Jun 9, 2022
I'm with you Mike. Ignore the doomsayers. So long as you don't need public assistance, there is nothing wrong with your situation. My parents regularly get flooded in for weeks at a time sometimes but they have everything they need for the duration plus some.
Gundog said
10:45 AM Jun 9, 2022
Mike there are some great riverside camping locations along the Wakool and Edwards rivers between Kyalite and Moualmien.
Mike Harding said
01:12 PM Jun 9, 2022
Gundog wrote:
Mike there are some great riverside camping locations along the Wakool and Edwards rivers between Kyalite and Moualmien.
Thanks Gundog, if I ever get out of here I'll take a look :)
86GTS said
06:24 PM Jun 9, 2022
We don't usually stay in caravan parks but around 4 years ago we stayed at the riverside caravan park in Robinvale. They had a pay 4 stay 7 deal at the time. It was great on our flat, grassed site next to the Murray & we enjoyed visiting the local wineries & olive oil makers. The sunsets, sitting around our campfire while looking across the Murray were beautiful. We explored many free campsites along the river & thought that they would be a nightmare in wet times. The club at Euston has great meals & cheap alcohol prices in the bistro. They have a courtesy bus pick-up. An unusually soft option for us, but a lot of fun.
Maybe you could arrange a bus pick-up but maybe not.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Thursday 9th of June 2022 06:28:44 PM
landy said
09:46 PM Jun 9, 2022
Mike, I think I might be trying to teach Granny how to suck eggs a bit here, but have you aired your tyer's down a bit for some extra traction on your runs to town. Landy
Mike Harding said
08:10 AM Jun 10, 2022
Hi Landy
Thanks for the suggestion. Yes I have dropped tyre pressure, I doubt I would have got through on road pressures.
The track is drying, albeit slowly, and no rain is forecast for the next week so I *may* be able to try and get the van out in a week or so, fingers crossed :)
86GTS said
06:51 PM Jun 10, 2022
We've got ourselves in the sh*t a few times on or travels. Deep sand lakeside at Menindee & grey clay beside the Lachlan River at Booligal comes to mind. Someone mentioned camping beside the Wakool River at Kyalite on this thread. We did but it was pretty stressful getting out after a very enjoyable stay. Best of luck getting out of your predicament, we know how you feel. Here's a shot taken a few days ago at a very wet & cold Lake Hindmarsh.
It is a delightful spot when it has good water. I recall camping at the NE end in about 1996? around Xmas when the lake was full. My (then) wife and our younger son of about 11 had a lovely time, we were bush camped for a week and saw no one. I let my son drive the car for the first time on the sands there.
If you have not visited the Pioneers Memorial in the NE corner it is worth a look, Google now contains info. on it I believe.
If you have the vehicle, equipment and desire the tracks east from the Murrayville Track are worth doing in the cooler months but, as you may know, they are serious 4WD and remote areas.
PS. If you find Milmed Rock and decide to climb it ensure you have at least two hours of daylight remaining.
86GTS said
07:07 PM Jun 11, 2022
Yes a great area that we regularly visit.
We usually stay at The Wattles on the Northern End
This year it was too slippery to get into.
We visited the Pioneers Memorial on a previous stay along with Pella Church.
We love Birdcage Nature Reserve to the North which is a great area for our main interest of wildlife photography.
The whole area was the wettest that we had seen for more than 15 years.
The wheat farmers must be smiling.
rgren2 said
02:19 AM Jun 13, 2022
landy wrote:
Mike, I think I might be trying to teach Granny how to suck eggs a bit here, but have you aired your tyer's down a bit for some extra traction on your runs to town. Landy
On another thread I was informed when I suggested reducing tyre pressure, that you dont do that for mud.
Are We Lost said
10:22 AM Jun 13, 2022
I think it depends on the situation. If there is firm base underneath then the skinnier the wheels the better to reach the firm base and get grip. For example on a road where rain has been recent.
But in Mike's case, I would expect it to be too deep for that, and therefore low pressures may help.
Day four of my captivity and an escape attempt:
The night had been cold (3C), the ground was wet and soft this morning as I prepared the vehicle for my escape; removing unnecessary equipment and loading empty water and fuel containers. Finally all was ready and I headed towards the river track - when wet it is the easier of the two tracks which service this location - I navigated the bog hole near my camp easily and proceeded to the main river track, no problems there either for its 3km then I arrived at the lower end of the main track and winced! Have you heard that old song by, I think, Flanders and Swan? The main line is "Mud! Mud! Glorious mud! Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood". Well.. the sight of that 200m section certainly chilled my blood especially as my current 4WD has road tyres. Not much choice but to tackle it if I wanted to get food and fuel and, of course, no winch as I sold it not expecting to be doing any further 4WDing. I got through but it was marginal.
Into Robinvale hoping the police were not looking for me on the charge of "Being a stupid person who takes a large caravan too far into the bush in winter". I got away with it and bought 35L of diesel for the heater, 15L of petrol for the generator, 85L of water and a similar amount of alcohol, I bought some food too :)
Not looking forward, at all, to the return trip I arrived again at *that* section of track and glared at it for a bit... it glared back. High range 4WD and plenty of speed (25kph?) I reckoned, I hit the go button and me and the track did battle, 'twas a close run thing but I made it.
Back along the river track, easy, then the bog hole close to camp - I was pretty confident by this time - so it was another floor the throttle and power through it!
The strategy worked well until I lost traction on all four wheels and, at a decent speed, began sliding sideways towards a very resilient looking tree, just before I had to consider a marriage proposal to the tree the back wheels found a bit of grip and I steered my way past it... I can't be sure but I think I observed an appearance of regret in its bark?
My full escape plan failed as, no way, could I haul three tons of caravan through that journey so I think I'm here for at least one, perhaps two or three, months. Ho hum... there are worse places to be... I have unlimited firewood, a pond of rainwater, a pleasant (when it's dry!) bush camp, a little internet coverage, Amateur Radio and the occasional opportunity of a day trip to Robinvale. I wonder if I could tunnel my way out...?
At least you are out there in the bush, not like us waiting for med appointments dates before we can get away.
Very interesting Mike! Braver than me, but I wonder how you're going to get by with only 85 litres of alcohol? Good luck! Cheers
I know Yobarr! I'm hoping Dan Murphy do home deliveries.
Up around Hall's Creek there are a lot of small 4wd Isuzu school buses that visit remote communities to bring children to school, rain, hail or shine. Stops parents claiming floods etc prevent them from getting their offspring to school. Perhaps you could negotiate something with Dan? Good luck! Cheers
Drones can Deliver.....and you have a trusty Genset to charge the Drone up and send it back...no probs.! KB
Yeah, I tend to agree. However I spent both of the three month covid lockdowns here so reckon I'll survive. There are a lot worse places in this world in which to spend time and I've been to a few :)
I know that area pretty well and I reckon you're there for a while. I managed to get my old Haflinger bogged up that way in the mid 80's....
Wasn't it a successful escape, but you went back?
Inexperience would be the best way of summing up your situation.
Unfortunately for you things are going to get far wetter this year & more slippery than they currently are as a real Winter closes in.
The sensible option would be to pay for a rescue effort to get you out of the sh*t, although some experienced locals may baulk at the prospect.
Most people know not to camp along the Murray in wet weather, what were you thinking?
A lesson learnt.
Broken Bucket was a great spot to camp at for a week recently.
The solitude was magnificent & the whole experience was undertaken safely.
We could have happily stayed for a month or more.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Wednesday 8th of June 2022 07:40:52 PM
Think Mike was travelling in his Trailblazer only, with the van left on site? Cheers
> Inexperience would be the best way of summing up your situation.
Do you think so? I have spent 20 years+ visiting this area and feel I know it well.
>Most people know not to camp along the Murray in wet weather, what were you thinking?
I thought I'd head out into the bush rather than sit in a caravan park.. and it wasn't wet at that time.
>A lesson learnt.
I don't think I've learnt anything I did not previously know.
One may spend one's life "playing it safe" or one may take chances... I tend to the latter, you may not...?
Edit: 1pm, Thur 9/6/22
I have considerable experience of serious solo 4WDing in the Victorian High Country and the deserts of Australia and the Middle East and I am not inclined to be reckless or push limits, only twice have I been seriously bogged and both times I was able to resolve the situation myself, with a considerable amount of damned hard work, I hasten to add :)
On this occasion I am not bogged but simply trapped by unexpected and not forecast quantities of rain and failing to put aggressive tyres on my new(ish) 4WD. If one regularly travels to and camps, often for long periods, in the areas I visit then it is virtually inevitable that sooner or later something will go wrong. Where the experience comes in, and I like to think I have some, is to be prepared and equipped for such eventualities. To that end I have:
More communications gear than you could poke a stick at.
300L of potable water
Enough food for (guessing) six weeks
Solar panels, generator, diesel heater
Infinite firewood, a chainsaw and bow saw
A 75m x 25m freshwater pond
The ability, and boots, to walk out if essential
A positive attitude, a knowledge of the bush and the ability to cope
----
My actions were not reckless I simply got unlucky this time and, no doubt, that will happen again. Events such as this will never detract me from doing what I do, I ask for help from no one and if I ever need to I'll pay for it as required. All considered... it beats the hell out of travelling from caravan park to caravan park, such is not for me :)
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Thursday 9th of June 2022 01:11:32 PM
I am out in the bush in the freezing cold in a tent, and I am loving it, have put back all my appointments until, I am desperate, I would love to be in Mikes Position, but not being able to get out. I have got a months worth of food for myself and Milo, water is here, and looks like the 4.5kg lpg will last a month at a time, ( I have a spare). It is freedom.
Sounds great.
Thanks, so it was hard just to get the vehicle out? Yowser, I hope he'll be able to get out later on. Sounds scary to me, but I'm a wuss.
Consider DIY Grog
I'm with you Mike. Ignore the doomsayers. So long as you don't need public assistance, there is nothing wrong with your situation. My parents regularly get flooded in for weeks at a time sometimes but they have everything they need for the duration plus some.
Mike there are some great riverside camping locations along the Wakool and Edwards rivers between Kyalite and Moualmien.
Thanks Gundog, if I ever get out of here I'll take a look :)
We don't usually stay in caravan parks but around 4 years ago we stayed at the riverside caravan park in Robinvale.
They had a pay 4 stay 7 deal at the time.
It was great on our flat, grassed site next to the Murray & we enjoyed visiting the local wineries & olive oil makers.
The sunsets, sitting around our campfire while looking across the Murray were beautiful.
We explored many free campsites along the river & thought that they would be a nightmare in wet times.
The club at Euston has great meals & cheap alcohol prices in the bistro. They have a courtesy bus pick-up.
An unusually soft option for us, but a lot of fun.
Maybe you could arrange a bus pick-up but maybe not.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Thursday 9th of June 2022 06:28:44 PM
Landy
Hi Landy
Thanks for the suggestion. Yes I have dropped tyre pressure, I doubt I would have got through on road pressures.
The track is drying, albeit slowly, and no rain is forecast for the next week so I *may* be able to try and get the van out in a week or so, fingers crossed :)
We've got ourselves in the sh*t a few times on or travels.
Deep sand lakeside at Menindee & grey clay beside the Lachlan River at Booligal comes to mind.
Someone mentioned camping beside the Wakool River at Kyalite on this thread. We did but it was pretty stressful getting out after a very enjoyable stay.
Best of luck getting out of your predicament, we know how you feel.
Here's a shot taken a few days ago at a very wet & cold Lake Hindmarsh.
Hi 86GTS
Nice pic of the sunset over Lake Hindmarsh.
It is a delightful spot when it has good water. I recall camping at the NE end in about 1996? around Xmas when the lake was full. My (then) wife and our younger son of about 11 had a lovely time, we were bush camped for a week and saw no one. I let my son drive the car for the first time on the sands there.
If you have not visited the Pioneers Memorial in the NE corner it is worth a look, Google now contains info. on it I believe.
If you have the vehicle, equipment and desire the tracks east from the Murrayville Track are worth doing in the cooler months but, as you may know, they are serious 4WD and remote areas.
PS. If you find Milmed Rock and decide to climb it ensure you have at least two hours of daylight remaining.
We usually stay at The Wattles on the Northern End
This year it was too slippery to get into.
We visited the Pioneers Memorial on a previous stay along with Pella Church.
We love Birdcage Nature Reserve to the North which is a great area for our main interest of wildlife photography.
The whole area was the wettest that we had seen for more than 15 years.
The wheat farmers must be smiling.
On another thread I was informed when I suggested reducing tyre pressure, that you dont do that for mud.
But in Mike's case, I would expect it to be too deep for that, and therefore low pressures may help.