Lady walks 25km's to get out of murray sunset

[BT50_Cam]

Just saw this on the news and thought I would share.
We took our tambo towed behind our Mazda bt50 to mopokes hut from Pink lakes. It's not the hardest trip but we would have never considered that a ford transit van would be the 'ideal' vehicle for the trip. And this woman wants to drive around Australia.
 

Story


Cheers,

Cam

[macca]

Down around Mopokes it gets a bit sandy but if she come in from the north to Rocket lake where she broke down then its a good gravel road all the way, theres not much at Rocket Lake, I was going to stay the night there but decided to go over to the Shearers quarters, much better.
What I can not understand is why people like this dont carry equipment to help get them out of these situations, I travel alone a lot of the time and would not attempt even a trip to Murray Sunset without at least an EPIRB or spot tracker I also carry a sat phone and contact my family every nite and they have a contingency plan if I dont make contact

[Kit_e_kat9]

Isn't Rule # 1 - stay with your vehicle?

Kit_e

[Rowanb]

She is alive and well except for maybe a few blisters. I say good on her she rolled the dice and won. I remember a time not that long ago when something like this was considered an adventure. Im sure we all remeber as kids there was a time when there were no mobile phones no EPIRBS no fuel stations open 24hrs, and off we went with a see ya when I see ya did this more times than I can count by myself and with dad. Hell I still do it, I take a chance its all part of the adventure, like her I carry plenty of water and food and I am trained in what I can and cannot eat in the bush and at times just do it for the heck of it.
Are we all getting risk averse or soft.

[Jason B]

She is alive and well except for maybe a few blisters. I say good on her she rolled the dice and won. I remember a time not that long ago when something like this was considered an adventure. Im sure we all remeber as kids there was a time when there were no mobile phones no EPIRBS no fuel stations open 24hrs, and off we went with a see ya when I see ya did this more times than I can count by myself and with dad. Hell I still do it, I take a chance its all part of the adventure, like her I carry plenty of water and food and I am trained in what I can and cannot eat in the bush and at times just do it for the heck of it.
Are we all getting risk averse or soft.

Well said.....OHS and risk management is destroying our freedoms..............

[Bird]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=15187.msg291320#msg291320

I say shes dumb... no research what so ever done on the area.. that place gets backing hot in summer, thus why theres no passing traffic..

Now shes going to sell her story to Total AffairnightACATT what ever and clean up

[qlddsl]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=15187.msg291320#msg291320

I say shes dumb... no research what so ever done on the area.. that place gets backing hot in summer, thus why theres no passing traffic..

Now shes going to sell her story to Total AffairnightACATT what ever and clean up

couldn't agree more, why go there in that vehicle and solo. just stupid, not once has any media recommended staying with your car or having appropiate communication and saftey equipment...

[macca]

She is alive and well except for maybe a few blisters. I say good on her she rolled the dice and won. I remember a time not that long ago when something like this was considered an adventure. Im sure we all remeber as kids there was a time when there were no mobile phones no EPIRBS no fuel stations open 24hrs, and off we went with a see ya when I see ya did this more times than I can count by myself and with dad. Hell I still do it, I take a chance its all part of the adventure, like her I carry plenty of water and food and I am trained in what I can and cannot eat in the bush and at times just do it for the heck of it.
Are we all getting risk averse or soft.

I'm all for adventure, part of the reason I travel solo a lot of the time, but that was just plain stupid. If you watch her interview on channel ten she says" they ought to put signs up saying 4wd only", every map I have on the area  say 4wd on a lot of the tracks and if she had done any research she would have seen warnings for remote area travel at that time of the year, I'm not saying dont do it , sh!t I have just got back from that exact area myself, and solo as well, good on her for having a go just prepare yourself research it and go for it, and take some of our technology as a get out of jail card if something goes wrong

"she rolled the dice and won".... and if she lost?

"Well said.....OHS and risk management is destroying our freedoms.............. "
Got nothing to do with it, Preperation Planning Prevent Poor Performance


Well said Lost......"DUMB"

[Rowanb]

If she lost she dies...... Another Darwin story to tell. She got stuck (who hasn't) she had comms that had zero reception (who hasn't been in that situation) she made a decision that could have gone either way and came out the other end in one piece (pretty sure we all have been in that situation)

The thing is she "will" learn from it, its what life is all about. The more informed, read smart, people out there the better place the world will be.

Me personally I prefer a calculated risk taker over a risk averse person any day. Quite some time ago we called these people explorers, I wonder how many people called them "dumb" for opening up the majority of this country that we have the privilege to go bush in. Saying that; to play the devils advocate some of those guys didn't make it but I'm pretty sure we don't call them "dumb" hell songs poems etc have been written about their exploits. (Yes I know technology was not on their side and yes I know that most off the time they had informed pers of the destination time period etc).

And yes I understand the implications of the knee jerk reaction of certain people that may claim "its dangerous we better close that track restrict access to here there and everywhere (not a shot at the greens BTW)

BTW yes I do take more than enough comms gear to gain and maintain comms I have water I have more than enough emergency rations and I abide by the 6Ps (Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance)

Do we have any 56 year olds here that could walk that far? or younger for that matter.

[jeeps]

Now shes going to sell her story to Total AffairnightACATT what ever and clean up

Maybe she's smarter than you think

[Bird]

Maybe she's smarter than you think

yep, I wonder if she DID walk 25klms... would be impressive to do in that heat even travelling at night (and sleeping in the afternoon when its hottest?? Gimme a break, come up with better than that) if you havent trained for it with 2 backpacks, and she sure as fawk doesnt look marathon material to me.

[jaycamrie]

She is alive and well except for maybe a few blisters. I say good on her she rolled the dice and won. I remember a time not that long ago when something like this was considered an adventure. Im sure we all remeber as kids there was a time when there were no mobile phones no EPIRBS no fuel stations open 24hrs, and off we went with a see ya when I see ya did this more times than I can count by myself and with dad. Hell I still do it, I take a chance its all part of the adventure, like her I carry plenty of water and food and I am trained in what I can and cannot eat in the bush and at times just do it for the heck of it.
Are we all getting risk averse or soft.

I agree we have all taken risks ,when a bit younger the first trip i went to the cape me and a mate just decided to go jumped in the car esky full of grog swag no tools whats so ever 1 spare we made it there and back dont think i would do it like that again though.

[yogie]

I say she's stupid and bloody lucky, she had sold her house, so spend a grand and get a sat phone, simple as that, she has two phones with different telco's, and while she's at it get a UHF radio. Very lucky as I said.

[speewa158]

With or with out  all the bell & whistles she is having a bloody red hot go . Not sitting at home watching it on TV having a go . I have a huge respect for what she has achieved  so far . On the fingers of 1 hand how many can you check off with others that open the door to adventure . Some sail around the world & get stuck John Bulimore for example rescued by our Navy . Having a red hot go in antarctic water . Its really a pitty that she didnt find something like us ( MySwag ) to consult before departing Possibly it could have got through to she the depth of the pool she was jumping in to . Rolled the dice won ,, yes ,, learned that information is king & made the very best of the cards delt . Walking 25KM with food & water as she did saved her life or there could be a Bongo with a body in it out there still . Report card Did well , could do it better next time . With that much fight in her there will be a next time 

[D4D]

I say she's stupid and bloody lucky, she had sold her house, so spend a grand and get a sat phone, simple as that, she has two phones with different telco's, and while she's at it get a UHF radio. Very lucky as I said.

x2

[macca]

If she lost she dies...... Another Darwin story to tell. She got stuck (who hasn't) she had comms that had zero reception (who hasn't been in that situation) she made a decision that could have gone either way and came out the other end in one piece (pretty sure we all have been in that situation)

The thing is she "will" learn from it, its what life is all about. The more informed, read smart, people out there the better place the world will be.

Me personally I prefer a calculated risk taker over a risk averse person any day. Quite some time ago we called these people explorers, I wonder how many people called them "dumb" for opening up the majority of this country that we have the privilege to go bush in. Saying that; to play the devils advocate some of those guys didn't make it but I'm pretty sure we don't call them "dumb" hell songs poems etc have been written about their exploits. (Yes I know technology was not on their side and yes I know that most off the time they had informed pers of the destination time period etc).

And yes I understand the implications of the knee jerk reaction of certain people that may claim "its dangerous we better close that track restrict access to here there and everywhere (not a shot at the greens BTW)

BTW yes I do take more than enough comms gear to gain and maintain comms I have water I have more than enough emergency rations and I abide by the 6Ps (Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance)

Do we have any 56 year olds here that could walk that far? or younger for that matter.

The people that opened up this country were as well prepared as they could be at the time and yes quite a few of them died, but they were taking a calculated risk
In the 70's and 80's  I raced on ocean racing yachts halfway round the world, being called dumb and stupid more times than I care to remember but we were on boats that we prepared the best we could at the time, taking a calculated risk
The tracks she drove on are not serious 4WD tracks, they even show up on city navigator but to try and drive a delivery van down them during the hottest time of the year without any backup to me was not calculated very well at all
I am all for people getting out there and having a go, love talking to them about their adventures when camping, dont care if someone wants to ride a push bike accross the Simo as long as they prepare as well as they can, good on them.
Carrying a sat phone, having decent recovery gear and letting someone know where you are going doesn't make you risk averse or soft neither does it mean you are bullet proof things can still go wrong.
Again don't have a problem with her having a go just get herself prepared first , she may not be so lucky next time and that would be a tragedy

macca 

[HEM19X]

With or with out  all the bell & whistles she is having a bloody red hot go . Not sitting at home watching it on TV having a go . I have a huge respect for what she has achieved  so far . On the fingers of 1 hand how many can you check off with others that open the door to adventure . Some sail around the world & get stuck John Bulimore for example rescued by our Navy . Having a red hot go in antarctic water . Its really a pitty that she didnt find something like us ( MySwag ) to consult before departing Possibly it could have got through to she the depth of the pool she was jumping in to . Rolled the dice won ,, yes ,, learned that information is king & made the very best of the cards delt . Walking 25KM with food & water as she did saved her life or there could be a Bongo with a body in it out there still . Report card Did well , could do it better next time . With that much fight in her there will be a next time 

Actually our navy rescued that pommie [Balimore] TWICE...  still think he should have been stuck with the costs.

[Muso]

She got away with it.  My concern is for rescuers (land or sea) that have to put themselves into a tricky situation.
I'm sure rescuers would have more than enough fuel/food/water and communications before they leave base, why doesn't everyone.

Most of the rescues off our coasts (inshore) are small boats running out of fuel. IMO they should be charged the full recovery costs for their neligence.

Our first trip to the Flinders (Parachilna Gorge) was an eye opener. In the gorge their is no mobile phone coverage and the only people I could contact on UHF were cars travelling between Blinman and Parachilna. And because of the stormy conditions in the gorge, there was hardly any campers. After 3 days I felt very vulnerable, especially when a large branch blew down and missed our camper by about 5 metres, when it was only me and SWMBO and nearly 65 years old. I won't go into the outback without a travelling companion any more.

[speewa158]

Glen You have had a close shave with the branch & have learned . Now you wont travel alone , but you will still travel so you take a crowd with you . More heads around the camp fire . The lady that walked out has learned as well & through her adventure others hopefully will have a think before heading off 

[eldo]

just read the story, sounds like a bit of a battler, i give her credit for even surviving the situation. i do also think she is silly for attempting this type of trip a little unprepared, some one should maybe attempt to contact her and give her some advice, maybe invite her to a my swag meet up so she can get educated on remote area touring.

[rattrodeo]

Hi all.. I know this area well, I have a apprentice that lives not that far from the Rock hole plus it takes me about half to three quarters of a hour drive to get from my home to the shearers quarters. There is several gates to get into that area, most of then start as two wheel dirt tracks, but several sections can get suddenly very soft this time of the year which is not hard 4wding but can catch people out. I have been court out before looking around at the pretty flowers and views then you all most come to a complete stop.. Preparation is the key as it would have been very hot for her.. Phones and the UHF is important but not much use out there.. Dean.

[Madcat]

I too know this area pretty well.

The majority of the Northern Tracks are doable with a car, I know a group of Mokes that drove from East to West through the entire park without issues (but I guess if one of them got bogged 2 people could lift it out).  I've seen falcon utes drive the Birdsville.  So the choice of her Vehicle is not the issue.

But issues can occur without warning, doesn't take much to get a car/van bogged.  (I dragged two cars out of soft sand less than a metre from the side of a bitumen road on the way to Adelaide one day as they both had stopped for a leak.  I was the first of several passersby that had anything on board to tow with).  So you don't need to be remote to get bogged.

The real issue is how prepared are you if travelling remote and alone.

Did this traveller have a map of the park (generally found at the entry into the park).  This would of helped significantly in the choice of shortest track out of the park.

IMHO I think she did the right thing in walking out of the park,  given no-one knew she was there, and the lack of other travellers this time of year, and with the right precautions of water, food, shelter and PROPPER footware, and walking the cool times and resting through the hot times, it was survivable.  (Remember surviving with sore feet is better than dieing without trying) Did she leave a note with her van telling of her walking out in case a vehicle came upon her van from the opposite direction to her walking?

What would of happened if she stayed with the vehicle, no-one looking for her, drank all her water, and still no-one came along, then she would have no escape means.

If it was me out there, and I died under a tree trying to get help, then great!, better to die out in this beautiful country than dieing in a nursing home in front of a #$%&* TV.

Out of all this I believe that she should of had an EPIRB as a minimum, whether in or out of mobile range, flat phone battery, duress, whatever, at least someone is alerted to her trouble no matter where she might be.

[Desert lover]

Both Tony Bullimore and Thierry Dubois (rescued from Southern Ocean) in 1997 were competing in the Vendee Globe round the world single handed yacht race.  Competitors in races such as this go to enormous lengths to make sure their boats are well equipped and seaworthy, carrying the proper emergency equipment as required by the race organising committee.  The boats were carrying "Argos" beacons which continually transmit, identifying specific boats but also transmit position, latitude, longitude,speed and bearing.  At the time of the epirbs going off, these two sailors were approx 1400 nm from Perth .   Only ten days earlier Raphael Dinelli, another lone yachtsman had been rescued from a life raft (dropped by the RAAF) by Pete Goss both of whom were also competing in the same race....
What these sailors couldn't control was the weather... certainly they can try to navigate around the worst of it if they know it's coming.

So, how well prepared was our lady in the National Park?  She should have known it would most likely be hot, that the road or track conditions could have been an issue for her 2wd vehicle and that the area is somewhat remote and may or may not have had mobile coverage.  I wonder if she even had a uhf radio?

What exactly was the nature of her "distress" - reports I heard said that her vehicle had broken down???  So depending on the mechanical failure she may or may not have been able to fix it anyway.... (Tony Bullimore certainly couldn't replace his keel!)     
Good on her for hiking out... at least (from reports) she took food, water, sleeping bag and even an umbrella for shade.  I too do hope she left a note at the vehicle.

 However, one would hope that next time she ventures off the bitumen she travels in company, with the appropriate gear and  vehicle for the conditions and has let someone know where she will be.