Is she one of ours? Travels full time. She's braver than me, going into a place like that
I am very glad this woman is ok but I have to say I think she is somewhat foolish going into a remote area on her own without some form of distance communication (ie sat phone), personal epirb, UHF radio or SPOT device
Cruising Granny said
11:32 PM Jan 4, 2012
She certainly was foolish. No real bush driving experience, no 4WD, and a heavy vehicle with all her wordly goods within. She did everything wrong including leaving her vehicle and not telling anyone where she was going. I'm glad she is ok, and this time it all worked out ok. Please, please do it by the book for your own safety. Ask questions and accept advice.
Happywanderer said
11:49 PM Jan 4, 2012
Maybe she needs to join this forum CG.
jonathan said
06:35 AM Jan 5, 2012
.. hmmm .. yes .. you've all said what I'm thunking ..
Zoomtopz said
07:22 AM Jan 5, 2012
YES - ALLWAYS STAY With
YOUR Vehicle & Let Someone know
where you are going AND DON"T
change Your Plan.
Richo.
jules47 said
07:30 AM Jan 5, 2012
I know that country - and it is tough out there. Heat exhaustion would set in very quickly while walking, even at night - she is one very lucky lady. All who read the article should take a lesson from it - as Zoomtops says- let someone know, even if it is local storekeeper, and be prepared.
Gerty Dancer said
09:05 AM Jan 5, 2012
Tough lady! I'm too cautious to go into places like that, even the front page story about hoons in a free-camp in Tas makes me nervous.
Dougwe said
09:18 AM Jan 5, 2012
How lucky was she that she got mobile coverage (I could go on about Mobile coverage, but won't). I don't think I would have gone in there with my set up. I have been thinking of a personal EPIRB and have been looking around on the Internet at some that hang around your neck, something like the ones you have in the house when you are house bound (heaven forbid). I think I might look harder now. You just never know??? I hope she has recovered and has not lost that get up and go.
Dougwe said
09:19 AM Jan 5, 2012
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Tough lady! I'm too cautious to go into places like that, even the front page story about hoons in a free-camp in Tas makes me nervous.
GD, I think they should be hung from the nearest tree and very high up.
Gerty Dancer said
09:22 AM Jan 5, 2012
Dougwe wrote:
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Tough lady! I'm too cautious to go into places like that, even the front page story about hoons in a free-camp in Tas makes me nervous.
GD, I think they should be hung from the nearest tree and very high up.
I agree Doug, but the ******'s chainsawed the trees!
Dougwe said
09:45 AM Jan 5, 2012
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Tough lady! I'm too cautious to go into places like that, even the front page story about hoons in a free-camp in Tas makes me nervous.
GD, I think they should be hung from the nearest tree and very high up.
I agree Doug, but the ******'s chainsawed the trees!
I'll find one GD
Vic said
11:28 AM Jan 5, 2012
I agree with all the things and items she should have had for remote areas, but in relation to the story with two mobiles that had no reception, I am wondering who she had her phones with.
Down at Parry's Beach (only 20 kms from Denmark, WA) people with Optus and Vodaphone were not able to get reception at all even standing on high ground etc.
On the other hand, my Telstra prepaid Next G prepaid mobile got good reception even inside my van. My phone was much in demand by friends wanting to ring home (Perth) etc. As a general rule you should be able to get coverage with Telstra within 40kms of a town. FYI.
-- Edited by Vic on Thursday 5th of January 2012 11:44:32 AM
Dougwe said
11:36 AM Jan 5, 2012
You should be able to get 000 on any provider by dialling 112, provided there is some sort of cover.
Happywanderer said
11:46 AM Jan 5, 2012
They just showed this story on ch 7 news.
Couldn't believe the deep soft sand she was travelling on along that track. Would a vehicle like that be suitable for that type of terrain?
rockylizard said
12:01 PM Jan 5, 2012
Happywanderer wrote:
Would a vehicle like that be suitable for that type of terrain?
Gday...
In short .... NO ..... despite the fact the evidence suggests she was definitely a very eperienced 'bushwalker' and sensibly kitted herself out for the walk to get help and did it at night etc, she really should not have gone that far along those tracks.
4X4s get bogged in that stuff - not the territory for what appears to be an inexperienced 'sand' driver in a very large Ford Transit motorhome.
Given "all the rules" for solo travel away from major roads, into the bush etc, she actually broke all of them really. A lucky, albeit tough, lady.
cheers
John
Ron and Shirley said
12:58 PM Jan 5, 2012
Vic wrote:
As a general rule you should be able to get coverage with Telstra within 40kms of a town. FYI.
Vic
If you look at the Next G Coverage maps for Victoria there are two areas south of Mildura that are not covered, and in the surrounding area an external antenna is recommended. These are the desert National Park areas just to the north and south of the Mallee Hwy. This lady was in the Northern Park not too far off the centre. Going by the Telstra Next G maps she certainly would not have had coverage except by satphone.
As said before very harsh but beautiful country that would be dam hot this time of year.
The roads/tracks in that area can be rather deceptive. What looks like a good dirt bush road can lull you into a false sense, then suddenly it turns into a sandpit with deep drifts across the road. The area she was heading for, Rocket Lake, is really 4WD country.
However from the newspaper report it would seem she was not bogged but had a mechanical breakdown.
Vic said
01:13 PM Jan 5, 2012
Thanks Ron, as I said, as a general rule (but there are exceptions in some areas) but Telstra is still far superior for country travel than the other providers mentioned.
-- Edited by Vic on Thursday 5th of January 2012 01:15:08 PM
Joe said
02:01 PM Jan 5, 2012
I bet she'll be contacting Toxic Tech about a sat phone in the near future!
That really was her worst mistake as I wouldn't think that driving down a bush track like one of those in and out of Hattah/Kulkyne would be much of an issue. Things like Transit vans can get into more places than you'd ever expect and she seems to be reasonably bush savvy so I am sure she knew her limits in that regard.
Happywanderer said
02:09 PM Jan 5, 2012
In the TV news the pictures showed she had put rescue tracks under her wheels so I'm presuming she may have got stuck in the deep sand.
Joe said
02:18 PM Jan 5, 2012
Happywanderer wrote:
In the TV news the pictures showed she had put rescue tracks under her wheels so I'm presuming she may have got stuck in the deep sand.
Yes, but she had the Maxtrax and knew how to use them - things like minor boggings like that are nothing to worry about as long as you know what you're doing.
pricey43 said
07:17 PM Jan 5, 2012
We were geographically embarassed in the same park late last year. We travelled in to Rocket Lake (which is dry). We had our GPS and the map of tracks in the Park. Some of the tracks marked go down to motor bike tracks but the GPS didn't register this. We didn't have any mobile coverage. However, we had left details of the area we were going to and our expected time of return.
The TV report said that the lady's van broke down, but surely she was on the main tracks and had all her facilities in her van to survive for a few days until somebody came by.
-- Edited by pricey43 on Thursday 5th of January 2012 07:20:02 PM
Popeye said
08:09 PM Jan 5, 2012
I carry an Epirb at all times
Boroma577 said
08:22 PM Jan 5, 2012
pricey43 wrote:
The TV report said that the lady's van broke down, but surely she was on the main tracks and had all her facilities in her van to survive for a few days until somebody came by.
That's the part I also do not understand....why would you not stay with your vehicle which has water, shelter and food??
If she was heading in there to camp for a few days or whatever, one would think she'd have sufficient supplies to last till help came. Beats me!!
rockylizard said
08:25 PM Jan 5, 2012
Gday...
Except she did not tell anyone she was going in there ... and that area is a bit remote and may not have had a visitor to find her for weeks......
Cheers
John
rockylizard said
08:27 PM Jan 5, 2012
Gday...
.............. another one of those rules she forgot to adhere to ...
Cheers
John
Dougwe said
08:28 PM Jan 5, 2012
I never thought of that Boroma, your'e right though, I will stay with my mobile roof if ever needed but I will be still looking into a small EPIRB.
Boroma577 said
08:36 PM Jan 5, 2012
Dougwe wrote:
I never thought of that Boroma, your'e right though, I will stay with my mobile roof if ever needed but I will be still looking into a small EPIRB.
I had a small personal epirb Doug and always travelled with it until recently. It is now old technology so needs to be replaced.
I am considering a SPOT personal tracker but need to research it more before I decide.
rockylizard said
08:36 PM Jan 5, 2012
Gday...
EPIRB excellent idea ... but if you don't have one, and you haven't told anyone where you were going, depending on when your "family/friends" next expect to hear from you - you may not have enough tucker and water to last.
Therefore - even with an EPIRB - ALWAYS tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be returning ... and a 'drop dead' time/date to advise the authorities if you haven't been back in contact - eg: going into Big Bad Desert Monday for three days, should be back by 5pm Thursday. If I haven't contacted you by 5pm Friday call for help. For instance
I travel alone (and have done so for the past 12 years in reality) .... I always tell someone so they an get the coppers etc on my wheel if needed.
cheers
John
johnq said
09:59 PM Jan 5, 2012
All good advice.
I think that 112 doesn't convey any advantage over 000 and more. Coverage is there or not. What is useful to know though and I haven't tried it, is that a mobile without a sim will still work for 000.
Stay with the vehicle. Don't forget the SOS visible from the air and any reflective or brightly coloured tarp/sheet stretched out and pinned on the ground.
Light a fire in a safe spot and make it smoke. Any found tyre, foam mattress in pieces, plastic or your spare makes a smudge fire that many ****ies, police and rangers will investigate.
Goodness the usual word for farmers is censored. Didn't think of that:)
-- Edited by johnq on Thursday 5th of January 2012 10:01:32 PM
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/woman-rescued-from-last-hope-track-after-two-days-stranded-in-the-bush/story-fn7x8me2-1226236321818?sv=f025c19d7bda0a24c26eb20e03dac273
Is she one of ours? Travels full time. She's braver than me, going into a place like that
I am very glad this woman is ok but I have to say I think she is somewhat foolish going into a remote area on her own without some form of distance communication (ie sat phone), personal epirb, UHF radio or SPOT device
She did everything wrong including leaving her vehicle and not telling anyone where she was going.
I'm glad she is ok, and this time it all worked out ok.
Please, please do it by the book for your own safety. Ask questions and accept advice.
.. hmmm .. yes .. you've all said what I'm thunking ..
YES - ALLWAYS STAY With
YOUR Vehicle & Let Someone know
where you are going AND DON"T
change Your Plan.
Richo.
How lucky was she that she got mobile coverage (I could go on about Mobile coverage, but won't). I don't think I would have gone in there with my set up. I have been thinking of a personal EPIRB and have been looking around on the Internet at some that hang around your neck, something like the ones you have in the house when you are house bound (heaven forbid). I think I might look harder now. You just never know??? I hope she has recovered and has not lost that get up and go.
GD, I think they should be hung from the nearest tree and very high up.
I agree Doug, but the ******'s chainsawed the trees!
I'll find one GD
I agree with all the things and items she should have had for remote areas, but in relation to the story with two mobiles that had no reception, I am wondering who she had her phones with.
Down at Parry's Beach (only 20 kms from Denmark, WA) people with Optus and Vodaphone were not able to get reception at all even standing on high ground etc.
On the other hand, my Telstra prepaid Next G prepaid mobile got good reception even inside my van. My phone was much in demand by friends wanting to ring home (Perth) etc. As a general rule you should be able to get coverage with Telstra within 40kms of a town. FYI.
-- Edited by Vic on Thursday 5th of January 2012 11:44:32 AM
You should be able to get 000 on any provider by dialling 112, provided there is some sort of cover.
Couldn't believe the deep soft sand she was travelling on along that track. Would a vehicle like that be suitable for that type of terrain?
Gday...
In short .... NO ..... despite the fact the evidence suggests she was definitely a very eperienced 'bushwalker' and sensibly kitted herself out for the walk to get help and did it at night etc, she really should not have gone that far along those tracks.
4X4s get bogged in that stuff - not the territory for what appears to be an inexperienced 'sand' driver in a very large Ford Transit motorhome.
Given "all the rules" for solo travel away from major roads, into the bush etc, she actually broke all of them really. A lucky, albeit tough, lady.
cheers
John
Vic
If you look at the Next G Coverage maps for Victoria there are two areas south of Mildura that are not covered, and in the surrounding area an external antenna is recommended. These are the desert National Park areas just to the north and south of the Mallee Hwy. This lady was in the Northern Park not too far off the centre. Going by the Telstra Next G maps she certainly would not have had coverage except by satphone.
As said before very harsh but beautiful country that would be dam hot this time of year.
The roads/tracks in that area can be rather deceptive. What looks like a good dirt bush road can lull you into a false sense, then suddenly it turns into a sandpit with deep drifts across the road. The area she was heading for, Rocket Lake, is really 4WD country.
However from the newspaper report it would seem she was not bogged but had a mechanical breakdown.
Thanks Ron, as I said, as a general rule (but there are exceptions in some areas) but Telstra is still far superior for country travel than the other providers mentioned.
-- Edited by Vic on Thursday 5th of January 2012 01:15:08 PM
That really was her worst mistake as I wouldn't think that driving down a bush track like one of those in and out of Hattah/Kulkyne would be much of an issue. Things like Transit vans can get into more places than you'd ever expect and she seems to be reasonably bush savvy so I am sure she knew her limits in that regard.
Yes, but she had the Maxtrax and knew how to use them - things like minor boggings like that are nothing to worry about as long as you know what you're doing.
We were geographically embarassed in the same park late last year. We travelled in to Rocket Lake (which is dry). We had our GPS and the map of tracks in the Park.
Some of the tracks marked go down to motor bike tracks but the GPS didn't register this. We didn't have any mobile coverage.
However, we had left details of the area we were going to and our expected time of return.
The TV report said that the lady's van broke down, but surely she was on the main tracks and had all her facilities in her van to survive for a few days until somebody came by.
-- Edited by pricey43 on Thursday 5th of January 2012 07:20:02 PM
I carry an Epirb at all times
That's the part I also do not understand....why would you not stay with your vehicle which has water, shelter and food??
If she was heading in there to camp for a few days or whatever, one would think she'd have sufficient supplies to last till help came. Beats me!!
Gday...
Except she did not tell anyone she was going in there ... and that area is a bit remote and may not have had a visitor to find her for weeks......
Cheers
John
Gday...
.............. another one of those rules she forgot to adhere to ...
Cheers
John
I had a small personal epirb Doug and always travelled with it until recently. It is now old technology so needs to be replaced.
I am considering a SPOT personal tracker but need to research it more before I decide.
Gday...
EPIRB excellent idea ... but if you don't have one, and you haven't told anyone where you were going, depending on when your "family/friends" next expect to hear from you - you may not have enough tucker and water to last.
Therefore - even with an EPIRB - ALWAYS tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be returning ... and a 'drop dead' time/date to advise the authorities if you haven't been back in contact - eg: going into Big Bad Desert Monday for three days, should be back by 5pm Thursday. If I haven't contacted you by 5pm Friday call for help. For instance
I travel alone (and have done so for the past 12 years in reality) .... I always tell someone so they an get the coppers etc on my wheel if needed.
cheers
John
All good advice.
I think that 112 doesn't convey any advantage over 000 and more. Coverage is there or not. What is useful to know though and I haven't tried it, is that a mobile without a sim will still work for 000.
Stay with the vehicle. Don't forget the SOS visible from the air and any reflective or brightly coloured tarp/sheet stretched out and pinned on the ground.
Light a fire in a safe spot and make it smoke. Any found tyre, foam mattress in pieces, plastic or your spare makes a smudge fire that many ****ies, police and rangers will investigate.
Goodness the usual word for farmers is censored. Didn't think of that:)
-- Edited by johnq on Thursday 5th of January 2012 10:01:32 PM