Back on the trail - preparation

Hi all,

Wow it's been a very long time.

Good news is that I will be out on the trail starting the 13th September. The aim is to walk from canning on the Bibbulmun track north.

Started food preparation lastnight and will work on the gear list next

Next update soon

Cheers all

Missing in action

Hi all,

Well it has been a while since my last post and any engagement in my normal activities.

Early in the year I was diagnosed with severe depression brought on by a few personal issues which I am happy to report are on the mend and I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as they say.

I have also been under the knife again for another, hopefully final, round of spinal surgery to correct some disk and nerve damage due to a MVA back in 2009.

As I mentioned things are starting to look up, and with the great help and support of family and friends I am to return to maintaining this blog and pick up my hiking time.

If depression affects you there are lots of great resources out there, one I found particularly useful was Beyond Blue. Sometimes just a few words to someone who seems to be struggling is all it takes.

Take care,
Trail_geek

New Joey Scout Leader

Hi All,
Well it's confirmed, I am a new Joey Scout Leader at Ellenbrook Scouts. Very excited to be back in the movement after about 20 years off.
My Son will join the mob about half way through the year which will be great too!
If there are any other Scout involved people out there I would love to hear from you particularly about your schedule for the year and what you find works well and not so well.

Cheers all

Albany Wind Farm Expansion - Hidden Valley Campsite to be relocated

Full information available here: http://www.trailtalk.com.au/forum/topics/bibbulmun-track-update-major?xg_source=msg_forum_disc

Albany Wind Farm Expansion - Hidden Valley Campsite to be relocated
Work has begun on the Grasmere wind farm - part of the expansion of the Albany Wind Farm. The six-turbine Grasmere wind farm will be installed at the western end of the highly successful Albany wind farm. Though they have different names, the wind farms will merge.
To safely carry out the works associated with constructing the wind farm extension, 4WD tracks have been temporarily closed and a section of the Bibbulmun Track diverted to an existing 4WD track running parallel to the coast. To ensure the safety of bushwalkers, no vehicles will be permitted to use this track during the closure.  This diversion is NOT a pleasant experience for walkers! Our advice is to avoid this area if possible until the realignment has taken place!
Extensive consultation has taken place between Verve Energy, DEC and the Foundation to assess the impact of the extension on walkers and to devise a solution to minimise the visual and auditory effects.  As a result, Hidden Valley campsite will be relocated further west to take it right out of the wind farm. Additionally, a new campsite will be built between the wind farm and Albany in the Tonndirrup National Park. This will result in three shorter days of approximately 13km each out of Albany, as opposed to the existing 19.5km to Hidden Valley and 17km to Torbay campsite.  This is an excellent outcome for walkers and will be implemented in line with the completion of the wind farm in early 2012.
The 14MW Grasmere Wind Farm will produce around 44GWh of electricity each year and, together with Albany Wind Farm, will meet 80% of Albany’s electricity needs with clean, inexhaustible renewable energy.  Grasmere will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by 43,500 tonnes per year from electricity production, equivalent to taking 10,000 cars off the road.
The new turbines will be placed on the coast using the same pattern and spacing as the existing wind farm and will be built to the same high environmental and social standards. The new wind farm will need a new underground power line connection for the entire 14km back to the Albany sub-station, so no overhead wires will be required.
For more information visit www.verveenergy.com.au

Bush Ticks in the suburbs

Hi,

While out in the garden this weekend I found a nice little bush tick crawling up my leg, unusual as I have never seen one around the house before.

This species are not dangerous to your health, however if they manage to burrow into your skin they can leave a nice little wound that is quite itchy for several weeks.

I decided to keep this one and will use it to show the Joey Scouts. I used a small jar and pure alcohol to preserve it.

Be on the look-out!
Cheers

Western Carpet Pyton - White Horse Hills CS

Hi,

Here are a few Youtube videos from my last trip out to White Horse Hills with buddy Andrew. The Carpet Python was a surprise.

Cheers

Schrade XT2B Drop Point Survial Knife

Hey,

In preparation for my upcoming hike/survival trail I purchased a Schrade XT2B fixed blade knife today, looks really nice. The appealing things to me were the rubber handle (feels nice) and the heavy blade.

I will feed back some more info on how it performs once I have the opportunity to give it a workout.

25 Tricks for Traveling Lighter

I was recently send this link titled "25 Tricks for Traveling Lighter"
Some great tips that work in nicely with the UL philosophy.
Thanks for passing this on Jennifer

WA 2010 Top Tourism Award Finalists

Hi,

Finalists were announced on the 20^th, sorry for the late post if you have seen this already. Good to see such a great list.

http://www.tourismcouncilwa.com.au/2010-wa-tourism-awards-finalists-announced/2570

Some of the outdoors/hiking you may be familiar with are; The Bibbulumn Track, along with TopTrailsWA, Yanchep National Park, Munda Biddi and the list goes on.

Well done to all the finalists,

Bibbulmun Track - Board Membership

Some very exciting news for me. Last night I was voted in as a board member for the Bibbulmun Track.

Hopefully I will be able to contribute is a positive way to this beautiful track we have.

Shapcott Hut - Coastal Plains Trail

Hi All,

 

You may recall that back in early 2009 Shapcott Hut on the coastal plains trail was destroyed by fire. Since then I have sent regular emails to the national park and DEC to establish when it would be rebuild.

 

Notification today came that they are going to be building a rammed earth replacement and expect that to be completed within 6 months.

 

Will keep you informed.

 

Cheers

Mark

 

Follow my lightweighthikers blog

 

Blue Tongue Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) Rescue

Hi,
Quick video from my Blackberry of a Lizard I picked up off the side of the road today whilst on my way back from a quick hike.

Death of a Legend - RIP Malcolm Douglas

The last of the real Aussie Bushies....

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-lose-true-blue-bushman-douglas-20100923-15o3r.html

Trial Survival Hike

I went out on my first trial survival hike this weekend past. My aim was to see if I could use the resources around me to build shelter, make fire and feed myself. I was not intending to stay out over night this time (not that confident yet) and I did have my pack with food and water.
This was a good test and I did have some success which I am happy with. Firstly I found two huge orange trees growing in an area of the state forest where there used to be a wine cellar (date unknown). They tasted horrible as were still a few weeks away from being ripe however they did provide some good liquid and are certainly edible if needed.
I then went on the gather the items needed for a fire bow saw, although I didn't get a chance to test it I will over the next week or so, there was too much rain for me to have a real first attempt at this.
Last but not least I made myself a shelter, this one would definitely not protect me from the weather but again I was happy with it for a first attempt.
Let me know what you all think.

More Gram Weenie Pro stoves and IMUSA Mugs on the way

Hi, more stove kits and now with the imusa mugs are on the way from the US. They should arrive in the next week or so. This is the first time the imusa mugs will be available. Still working on a price for the mugs but like the stove kits they will nice and affordable. Check out previous post for more info

Mini Keyring Torch

I bought this mini keyring torch a few weeks back and find it great. Amazingly bright for its size and it weighs only 8g.

That was one cold hike

Well as cold as it gets here anyway's, you guys and gals in the US may think differently.

I went out on a 15 km's hike in search of several(8) geocaches that I had been meaning to do for sometime. At 8:30am my Suunto watch read 6 Deg C. So cold my Oboz shoes were covered in ice.




Spot the Roo

Mont-Bell U.L Down Inner Jacket

My Mont-bell U.L Down Inner Jacket is on the way from campsaver.com. This should save me a few hundred grams.

Sea To Summit - UltraSil Daypack

My new goal, to pack for an overnight hike, light and compact enough to use a Sea To Summit Ultra Sil Daypack. I picked the pack up today nice and cheap on sale for a new store opening.

Achievable? Well we will see.





Ultra-Sil™ Day Pack
Ultra-light - only 68g
Volume - 20 Litres
Packs down small so it easily fits in pockets, purses or luggage
Simple, streamlined design so it’s light and low profile
Siliconized Cordura® for strength and durability
Water resistant fabric contains shopping spills and wet swimsuits or jackets
Two-way zipper closure

VIDEO: Aussies about to take on summit - Australian Geographic

VIDEO: Aussies about to take on summit - Australian Geographic