A Sleepless Night.

[kanangra]

I've just got back from my annual trip to the Northern Snowies. I'll write a report when I get a chance but thought folk might be interested on events on my first night out.

I started out from the Thomas Boyd track head on the Hume and Hovel walking track. I followed the track for a while and then turned off onto the Warogong FT. This I followed for the rest of the day through the Bogong Peaks wilderness. By dusk I had covered over 50 ks and was ready to call it a day. I settled on a spot just over Ruby Ck. The only available spot was right on the track but I hadn't seen a soul all day and there was no sign that any vehicle had been along the track in years, so I reasoned it should be fine? After all there had been a locked gate at the start of the track and I knew there was another ahead?

So I set up camp and enjoyed a good meal before turning in just on dark. It was a beautiful night. No moon and a star filled sky. it had been a long day. Over 13 hours on the trail. I was quickly asleep.

I thought at first I was dreaming. But no they were voices I could hear! And then a light reflecting off the trees. And then the unmistakable sound of an engine revving. This can't be happening? I peered out of the tent just in time to be blinded by the headlights and driving lights of a 4wd bearing down the track less than 100 m away! In a panic I tried to disentangle myself from the sleeping bag and scramble out of the tent. I made it just in time because the vehicle kept going, swerving at the last moment around my tent and continuing on over the fire and across the creek! I had to pinch myself. Was this really happening? Or had I dreamed the whole thing?

Shaking my head I made my way back into bed and had no sooner drifted off to sleep than I heard the sound of an engine revving. Not again? Sure enough on poking my head out I saw the lights of a vehicle coming back down the hill on the other side of the creek! Better prepared I grabbed my torch this time and waved it furiously as it approached. This time it stopped and it turns out they had lost their sheep dog and were out looking for it.

At least they apologized.

Next morning as I continued on my way I noticed that the gate just up the track from my camp had been cut as had the one on Michelago trail. This was no doubt how they had made their way in from the Goobarragandra power line road.

I exported the vandalism to NPWS field staff I happened to pass as they were having their morning smoko beside the Jounama trail.

First it me that has ever happened to me.

K

[puredingo]

Jesus! That could of been a fatal disaster. Glad you survived it, lucky your not one of those sleepers who fall into a coma once their eye lids meet.

A lost sheep dog?...Hmmm doubt it.

[kanangra]

It sounded fishy to me too.

K

[nq111]

That's bad. Hope the NPWS find them.

I have had a few run ins with 4x4s at night but never in your circumstances. I really ruins the experience even when not dangerous.

Bet it was hard to sleep the rest of the night too.

[highercountry]

Lots of morons around in the bush at the moment.
Just arrived home from a bicycle tour: Bairnsdale, Swifts Creek, Benambra, Native Dog, Gelantipy and Nowa Nowa.
Rest day at Native Dog Flat, New Years Eve about midday.
Three idiot 4WDers arrive, music blaring, let the dog loose (in a National Park), rev the crap out of one of the three vehicles, a Jeep, and then cross the Buchan river twice, off the track, carve large ruts in the bank from spinning wheels, dump a load of rubbish in a fireplace and then *&^%$#! off. *&^%$#@!.
At least they didn't stay for New Years.
Seems every city cowboy in a 4WD is up in the high country at the moment. I wish they would all *&%$#! off.

[flyfisher]

Did you grab some rego numbers and/or some pics of these *&^%$#@!.

This stuff tends to brand all 4w drivers as idiots. Fortunately in Tassie, most are responsible but some are not.

Photos and the name and shame thing is the way to go.

Does put a damper on a trip, I agree.

Flyfisher

[highercountry]

Did you grab some rego numbers and/or some pics of these *&^%$#@!.

Unfortunately not.
I suppose I was just a bit gobsmacked at the time by the brazen foolishness of these guys.
I'll be better prepared next time.

[Buddy]

I commiserate with your experience. Years ago I pitched a tent on a road near Scotts Peak Dam in SW Tas. Thought no-one would be using it. My bad, nearly got run over in my tent. Won't do that again. Guess a road is basically for cars,eh?

[Zone-5]

I have iron-on yellow 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material stripes ( like road crew jackets) both on my sleeping bag, pack and tent for this very reason!

Fear of being run over asleep at night tends to keep one awake! If drivers can see then it easier to miss it.



Also helps me easily find camp again when off at night to calls of nature.

[Bubbalouie]

I have iron-on yellow 3M[TRADE MARK SIGN] Scotchlite[TRADE MARK SIGN] Reflective Material stripes ( like road crew jackets) both on my sleeping bag, pack and tent for this very reason!

Nice idea (I doubt the reflective guy lines would work nearly as well as this), how well does silnylon hold up to the heat required to make things bond?

[Zone-5]

No, I would never apply direct heat to the silnylon material in case it just di$$olved!

I preheated the reflective material strips in an oven, then placed them where needed and then squished it between 2 wooden blocks with me standing on it for 2 mins.

It's rated to reflect back 99% of all incident light so this stuff is super bright! Don't forget you will be the only bright thing at night @ 10 kms. So any amount of tape visible to vehicle headlights will stand out like a glowing 'lighthouse' in the blackness of the night!

Get blue tape and no one will come near you!

[Zone-5]

Here is my loose 3M reflecto avionics strap that hangs from my backpack or anywhere if I have to hike at night.
As you can see it really does catch the light and it flaps around in any breeze!



I suppose it could also be used as a camp site flag on a walking pole to warm drivers that yes some one is here!