PLB loan for Bells Line of Road trips

[ferozious]

I regularly borrow PLB's from Springwood and Katoomba Police stations for my Blue Mountains trips.

However, when I venture up the Bells Line of Road for canyoning trips (from Blacktown), it isn't convenient for me to make the detour to Katoomba or Springwood.

I think that if Windsor Police Station was part of the TREK program (http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_ ... ntion/trek), it might be doing a favour for many people; especially considering that the Blue Mountains Police Rescue often do respond to incidents in this area (Claustral Canyon, Wollongambe, etc.)

Does anyone else ever find this an issue and think that there would be interest in having free PLB loans from Windsor Police Station? (It would even allow people to hire a PLB for trips to the Colo region).

I might send a few emails to enquire whether Springwood and Katoomba have an excess of PLB's in stock over the weekends and whether there would be capacity to move some to Windsor. I would even be willing to donate towards such a cause if extra PLB's would be required.

[Solohike74]

I think there should be free PLB loans at the National Parks office in Nuggets Crossing, Jindabyne, and at Jindabyne Police. If they were offered earlier, a young Canadian lost in KNP might've been found early on, increasing his chances of survival and saving valuable search hours and helicopter runs.

The Windsor Police proposal is of use, I'm sure it'll be useful.

[FatCanyoner]

Ring Windsor Police Station. My understanding is they already have PLBs there to loan out. I have seen that stated on the OzCanyons email list and a quick search brought up the same message from Blue Mountains Police Rescue (posted in 2011):

At present PLB's are available from Springwood, Kattomba & Windsor Police Stations, National Parks Heritage Centre Blackheath, Visitor Information Centres at Glenbrook, Echo Point and Oberon.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/blue-mou ... 5331124591

[ferozious]

Thanks for that info FC.

I gave Windsor Police Station a call and yes they do hire out PLB's.

The cat has already been skinned.

[kjbeath]

And if there is anywhere else, write to the Minister of Police or Minister for Environment or whatever it is called, and appropriate opposition members. If they put some EPIRBS somewhere and they aren't used it is no trouble to move them elsewhere.

[Strider]

Why oh why can't this service be available in Tassie!

[DaveNoble]

I think the PLB's in the Blue Mts area - are available for free loan. I believe they were all donated by a generous business person.

Dave

[north-north-west]

Why oh why can't this service be available in Tassie!

It is for Cradle/StClair. Wouldn't be surprised if there were other Parks that had them, too.
Or you could just bite the bullet and buy one instead of bludging off the poor, honest taxpayer (me) . . .

[Grabeach]

I always thought that the PLBs available from the police were for visitors from other areas or those who did a 'once in a blue moon' off track walk. I assumed anyone who walked off track even semi regularly would have their own. Hell, I'm one of the most frugal characters around and hardly walk at all these days, yet I've got one. Mind you I have come across those who spend $400 plus on shoes and $200 on sunglasses who "can't afford one"! Seriously, I would hate to have a visitor not be able to borrow one because they were all out on on loan to us locals.

[tom_brennan]

Basically, they cost about $60/year. These days they're $300-$400, and have 5-7 year battery life.

You'll pay $60 in petrol and tolls just driving to the mountains more than once a year.

[Wollemi]

I regularly borrow PLB's from Springwood and Katoomba Police stations for my Blue Mountains trips.

I am astonished to read this statement. Have the police not yet asked you to consider purchasing your own?

'Regularly'? How ever did you manage before the advent/common usage of such a device?

[ferozious]

I regularly borrow PLB's from Springwood and Katoomba Police stations for my Blue Mountains trips.

I am astonished to read this statement. Have the police not yet asked you to consider purchasing your own?

'Regularly'? How ever did you manage before the advent/common usage of such a device?

If they were not on offer then I would probably buy one. I'm sure most people 'regularly' renew their insurance even though they are perfectly confident with their driving skills. I don't hire PLB's as a substitute for being well prepared. I do however, understand that some things are beyond my control and careful planning (I've nearly trodden on snakes several times whilst solo walking a long distance from anywhere).

I think it is a great service on offer and I never find that there is a lack of PLBs available for loan. If I am one day fortunate enough to have excess income I would surely donate for free PLB's to be on loan 24 hours a day in more areas such as Kosci, Morton, Barrington, Tassie, etc. The system has been put in place for people like you and I, its not just something that novice tourist walkers should consider. It would be a shame to not make use of the service and have it one day removed due to lack of use.

The police at Springwood and Katoomba are always very nice people every time I come in to hire a PLB. Some of them are even keen walkers/canyoners themselves and like to have a chat about where I'm going etc.

[ferozious]

As for 'not being able to afford one', yes you can consider it as one of those things that you can't really justify not being able to afford.

I only started full time work this year and it is becoming feasible for me to buy my own.
As of last year when I was still a struggling uni student, $400 simply wasn't justifiable. There are many passionate outdoor enthusiasts out there who don't have the same financial freedom as you and I, so I think it is very good that this service is readily available to them.

Since the PLB's were generously donated by Benbro Electronics, making use of this service is in no way bludging off honest tax payers.

[tastrax]

Why oh why can't this service be available in Tassie!

It is in selected locations.... administered by Service Tasmania on behalf of Parks and the Police

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=7364