Do you look up before you set up?

[sol]

Last weekend Jen and I went for a drive out to Murray Falls to see how many campers were out there taking advantage of the beautiful weather.
As we were walking around chatting to a few campers, I noticed a large branch ( approx 2metres long) had broken off a Bluegum tree and was just sitting up there waiting to fall. I pointed it out to the guy who's camper was directly under it and when he saw it just replied " she'll be right mate"
I'd hate to see what would happen if it fell. 

     

 

[D4D]

That's why they call them widow makers...

[berlitza]

Every now and then you hear of some poor guy/gal that has been injured or killed via falling trees crushing there tent, The last one I heard was with a scout group and the poor kid was killed a few yrs back..

[GGV8Cruza]

Always have a bit of a look up and around the place. Water can be another issue, one weekend a while ago we had a great spot until it rained for 6 hours while we were out exploring and then we had a river running under the camper.

GG

[Marschy]

Last one I heard of was at an Adelaide golf club. I think from memory they got sued.

[austastar]

Hi,
   Yep, always.


Had a  bit of a dispute with a ranger at one National Park, when I flat out refused to use the allocated spot.
A very big branch was only just hooked, and was swinging in the breeze.
cheers

[xcvator]

Hi,
   Yep, always.


Had a  bit of a dispute with a ranger at one National Park, when I flat out refused to use the allocated spot.
A very big branch was only just hooked, and was swinging in the breeze.
cheers

X 2

[Kit_e_kat9]

Of course.  And it's more than just look up or worry about water!  We once camped near a nest of ants that were HUGE and didn't mind taking a good chunk out of you (and unfortunately the pups too) ... stung for ages.  I spent the rest of our overnighter with my feet off the ground.  The dogs chose the camper floor.  Even that was no protection against the buggers.

Kit_e

[staghornflat]

Yes, more so around big old river redgums, they can drop limbs at will during summer.

[sol]

Of course.  And it's more than just look up or worry about water!  We once camped near a nest of ants that were HUGE and didn't mind taking a good chunk out of you (and unfortunately the pups too) ... stung for ages.  I spent the rest of our overnighter with my feet off the ground.  The dogs chose the camper floor.  Even that was no protection against the buggers.

Kit_e

That reminds me of the time we got to a campsite at Reedybrook late at night. We setup beside a small bushy tree, had a quick bite to eat and a coffee and went to bed. We woke next morning to a campertrailer covered in hairy caterpillars . Took us ages to get them off the camper so we could find another spot.

     

[Fathom]

Yup, always check what's above me,
Although there is no tangible way to check a branch is ready to become a "widow maker".. (Unless glaringly obvious - already separated and hanging) and try to check the ground for critters/ water run off in case of heavy rain etc.

[hargs]

We never camp under any large branch that may fall and cause injury. Our local Tumut Caravan park had a river gum branch fall and kill and lady camper years ago, that was enough for us ,....

[Rumpig]

Of course.  And it's more than just look up or worry about water! 

Kit_e

i was camped at Bigriggen many years back at xmas time and saw a couple of local kids (who's parents had dropped them off there for the weekend to camp alone i found out later on) starting to set up their tent in a spot where i thought wasn't a good idea if it were to rain. it was obvious to me that the water would run down the hill and through their tent, i warned them about it and said it would be better if they set up elsewhere, they said they'd be right and would move if it looked like happening. low and behold, a big thunder storm rolled in one afternoon and dropped hail and rain as good as a summer storm does in SEQ, it was dark by then and i grabbed the torch to see how the young fellas faired. their tent was half collapsed and everything inside soaked but they were nowhere to be seen, i eventually found them seeking cover at the toilet block. lucky for them we had a spare tent still set up from a family member who had gone home that day, so the boys got somewhere to sleep the night and they called their parents the next morning to come and get them.

[BernieS]

Always. First thing I do, then I check the whole site over for any other nasties.
A few years back on our first outing in a rented camper trailer, we were camped about 30 metres away from a guy who apparently was a police prosecutor.  During a wild storm a huge branch dropped off a dead gum tree right on top of his Range Rover. Next day the park owner had the tree cut down. Pity he didn't have the foresight to do that before the damage was done to his wallet, which I suspect would have been more then just the cost of removing the tree.

Worse still recently we have stayed in a park where young gums have been purposely planted on the boundary of sites. The things were already dropping twiggy branches  Not to mention the leaves stain canvas when they get wet. What on earth is the owner thinking?

[paulo]

We were camped at Jimmy's Beach late last year and as were in the car about to go for a drive a small branch lobbed on the bonnet, enough to dint(dent?) it. Mentioned it to the manager and suggested "my car insurance would be the way to get it fixed". I wasn't trying to have him pay for it, but he couldn't care less. Glad it didn't fall on the other side and land on one of the kids!

[Steffo1]

Too right but it's normally to check the rain clouds 
Seriously, it's the 1st thing my navigator does as we've seen a few close shaves with other campers over the years.

[chester ver2.0]

No i did not once a paid the price.

Was running late and pulled in for an overnighter really late lovely spot no one there. 3am had a heart attack as the freight train went through not more than 30m from where we were sound asleep

[Brumbypt]

Last year up in the high country i tried to setup camp early, every spot i found had a huge. Tree leaning over the flattest spot on the camp site..
So had to drive an extra hour or so..

And to prove a point, the first camp site i stayed at i revisited this year, the tree had fallen over.. Best thing was it burnt well..

Gotta be safe out there ppls..

Another problem in wa was small camp sites in national parks. The people near us complained that out the back smelt of urine. Must have had a long term campers that used the same spot too wee..


*******.....PETER......*******

____________________________________________

I am a 2 shed family, one for me and one for living in..

1993 80 series landcruiser
Dual movement hip
Love the high country

[sol]

Had an hour to spare today so just had to go back out to Murray Falls to check out if that limb was still up in that tree.   Wow!! It's still there. Sure enough there's another camper parked under it.
Oh well

       

[Foo]

Hell yeah!

Foo

[Kydar]

Yeah do these days. Friends of ours had a decent sized branch come down on their camper last Xmas holidays. No one hurt but they ended up with horrible tear in their canvas.

[jwb]

Yes

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[Chris-Vi]

Yes, we always look up and down. I won't camp under a tree and always look for ants nests as well. 

[sol]

Was down at Mission Beach yesterday and saw a van parked at the information centre. The roof was covered in bird sh^t.
Wonder where he was parked

     

[#jonesy]

A few years ago teed up with a farmer to camp on his place down by the river, st the foot of some hills.  He mowed it for us so after we avoided the ants nest set up on the flat area just near where it drops down to the river. After a night of rain it turn out the flat area was in two inches of water and there was a slight lip at the river edge that held it bàck. At least it was easy to clean as it was only wet and not muddy.