Gear theft on overland?

[flatfoot]

Has anyone heard of reports of gear theft on The Overland Track?

I'm planning to do the walk in the peak season (December) and would like to do some side trips (minus the full pack by taking essentials and valuables in a small daypack).

What strategies do you use to protect your main pack from theft? (other than putting it on your back)

There is this http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=48. It weighs 580grams.

There is a video on the rei website.

http://www.rei.com/product/709209

[Drifting]

There's an old post about this somewhere on here. Seems like Currawongs and rats are the biggest thieves, though from memory someone had some food stolen from a hut once.

[Lizzy]

I guess you are kinda hoping that no-one could be bothered carrying anymore than they already have....
When I was travelling o/s I locked up my pack with 2 little padlocks that have a special clip which fits on the backles of a hiking pack. Advantage is they weigh next to nothing. Disadvantage is you could just cut the straps and get in . They really act as a deterent rather then stop anyone with any real motivation. I forget what they are called but I got them in one of the camping stores hanging up with all their other little gadgets.
Cheers
Lizzy

[Ent]

Generally theft is low with lost or muddle gear being more a problem. Suggest keep all gear in or next to the main pack as cleanup crews at the hut might think the stray bits and pieces have been left behind. Having said that lowlives do exist but more likely to be breaking into the car as most are too lazy to walk far.

Cheers Brett

[sthughes]

I have locked my tent in the past and sometimes hide the main pack in the bushes, but otherwise tend not to worry. You can get those Pacsafe wire mesh bag things that you can lock to a tree, they do weigh a bit but then anything that actually stops (rather than deters) probably will.

Another thing I have seen is an alarm. It's designed for push bikes to deter thieves. It basically just makes a hell of a noise if it is moved.

You could just go ultra-heavyweight and most people won't want you're stuff

[Penguin]

Unfortunately the reports of theft are increasing, however I, nor anybody I know directly, has had anything pinched.

As mentioned, wildlife does most of the pilfering.

There are stories of camera's etc going astray. It will be a sad day when we have to lock up our stuff when two to three days from civilization.

I am now following the campertrailer forums as well. There are reports of whole campertrailers being stolen when folk have been camped out in the outback. I have purchased 8mm stainless chain for this - a bit heavy for the pack though.

[rohjoe]

Pelion Gap is a definitely a hot spot for Currawongs. Got back from Ossa on Thursday last week and there was rubbish lying all around the row of packs there. They are quite adept at undoing zips, buckles etc. Fortunately we had hidden ours under a bush away from the action. A good idea is to put your pack cover on as they are likely to look for the easiest targets.
Rohan

[flatfoot]

Pelion Gap is a definitely a hot spot for Currawongs. Got back from Ossa on Thursday last week and there was rubbish lying all around the row of packs there. They are quite adept at undoing zips, buckles etc. Fortunately we had hidden ours under a bush away from the action. A good idea is to put your pack cover on as they are likely to look for the easiest targets.
Rohan

Good tip! I bought myself a 26L deuter pack last weekend for day / overnight walks. It has an integrated rain cover which is a nice feature. When I get round to buying a pack for extended trips I think I will get a deuter for the same reason.

[corvus]

Never had any problems with Currawongs just turn you pack harness side up when you leave it or as previously stated put your rain cover on it.
On the OLT the only theft you may experience in huts is of your tucker,sensible vigilance should take care of this
If you encounter " starving " walkers you will also be amazed as to what leftovers they will scoff
corvus

[flatfoot]

On the OLT the only theft you may experience in huts is of your tucker,sensible vigilance should take care of this
If you encounter " starving " walkers you will also be amazed as to what leftovers they will scoff
corvus

<offtopic>
How frequently have you encountered people that are badly under-prepared in terms of quantities and type of food they will need for their energy needs?
</offtopic>

[ollster]

I know Stu Bowling has seen it first hand. Well, supplies theft anyway, which is filthy behaviour and potentially worse than gear theft in some ways (you NEED to eat, you don't need your camera!).

He and some companions returned to Narcissus hut after dark, back from a day trip up Mt Gould. They found someone had helped themselves to some fruit-boxes and an amount of port, which was quite clearly with other foodstuffs and obviously in a do-not-touch spot.

If I recall correctly the guys had also had their packs tampered with. There were people in the hut in bed, but no one said a word to them. Stu will no doubt correct any inaccuracies.

[Azza]

Hate to say it but the OLT tends to attract a fair few backpackers as opposed to what I'd called bushwalkers.
And if you've ever done a bit of backpacking and stayed in a youth hostel, you'll know there are those opportunisitic ones out there.
Trying to get by and extend their holiday with limited resources and funds.
Not saying they're all bad, but I'd kinda liken overland track huts to a bit like staying in a youth hostel.
You probably don't want to leave anything valuable lying around.

[flatfoot]

Hate to say it but the OLT tends to attract a fair few backpackers as opposed to what I'd called bushwalkers.
And if you've ever done a bit of backpacking and stayed in a youth hostel, you'll know there are those opportunisitic ones out there.
Trying to get by and extend their holiday with limited resources and funds.
Not saying they're all bad, but I'd kinda liken overland track huts to a bit like staying in a youth hostel.
You probably don't want to leave anything valuable lying around.

Given it will be peak season, my strategy will be to avoid the huts and pitch a tent. May duck into the huts for cooking if the weather is really bad. I'll be careful with the valuables - that includes food LOL.

[corvus]

On the OLT the only theft you may experience in huts is of your tucker,sensible vigilance should take care of this
If you encounter " starving " walkers you will also be amazed as to what leftovers they will scoff
corvus

<offtopic>
How frequently have you encountered people that are badly under-prepared in terms of quantities and type of food they will need for their energy needs?
</offtopic>

In peak season you will come across more than one who dont take anything other than 2 min noodles and will scrounge ,one year I when on an overnighter to Waterfall Valley there was a woman in the hut with no stove and only carrying nuts to do the through trip (she was also wearing Moccasins) so expect the unexpected out there
corvus

[JamesMc]

About 8 or 10 years ago we met a Victorian party who had left a food drop at Pass Creek while they went for a few days' walk up to Federation Pk. On returing they found most of their food stolen, with just enough staples left so they could walk straight out without starving. So their planned traverse of the Western Arthurs became a traverse of the Arthur Plains.

Theft can happen. It's not hard to hide your stuff in the bush where nobody's going to find it. In fact, I hide stuff in the bush in preference to leaving it in my car.

JamesMc