Climbing Mt Augustus, deaths.. interesting read

In 2006, we drove up the west side of the Kennedy Range and over the top, spending a night half way.
The top is very different from any expectation you may have.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

I recollect that over top of range track now closed. we did it with regiment in the 80's. it was fairly rough.
it was a drilling sample track originally i think. re: we camp on edge pic, what vehicle is that? looks a bit like an oka. did you go over in that?
MG

Yes it is our OKA. No it was not a particularly difficult track in 2006.
We called Parks and they were very helpful . We also called the property owner on the NE side and got their permission. It was pretty scratchy coming down.
Couple more pics.....

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

hi pete n marg, nice pics. looks like you went up a Mt Aug . track.
i am wondering if 'your' kennedy rg trk is the same as we took as my recollection was very rough climb ( high grade) . hard to see any tracks on the sat view ( google earth) . the kennedy rg top track is mentioned, and on map as in Ex Oz. ( compliments - bing images-search).

how did you find the Oka as a vehicle in outback? i was tempted myself.
MG.

Oh dear. You are right.
I am constantly confusing Mount Augustus and the Kennedy Range.
Very different features of course. :)
Those latest pics are the Kennedy Range. I am not aware of a track up Mt Augustus.

We have been touring in the OKA since 2003. It has taken us to many spectacular locations.
We love it.
I am currently building another one with an aim to keep it under 4.5T.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Gazz , I climbed the Gloucester Tree in December 1976, They had similar ladder setup then but every second spike in the tree was timber from memory, not all steel as they have now. We met another couple a few days earlier in another town, they were from SA and they were at the tree when we arrived, the guy climbed it with me. The two girls stayed at the bottom and all you could see was two spots at the bottom, the colour of their clothing. I'm sure I'm still fit enough to do it again but would I want to? Its a long way up and certainly a memorable day. Michael

G'day Michael

About 15 years ago I was there and got about half way up when it started raining quite heavily and when a young couple up the top started coming down I thought it best I do the same.

Shame really as that is something I like doing - maybe next time

Cheers
Gazz

Ps those timber steps would have been interesting lol

Good for you. Sadly, many others don't, and obviously, are dying because of it. Closing of the walk probably won't make it impossible for clever clogs to do whatever they want anyway. It may make it a bit more interesting if they need helicoptering off though.

I see you are the adventurous type.

Travel safe.

Because if something goes wrong (and it can happen to anybody) I know who will be out there helping.

Sneering at police officers who have to search for missing people in the most difficult conditions and then carry their bodies out is pretty poor form I reckon.

I know who will be helping also.. I expect them to if required as I (we) pay them to be there..

I dont think legistaling that you cant climb a hill is the answer.. If we start down this path we will run out of cotton wool.. and things to do..

Plenty of precedent in favour of closing during certain conditions. Various walks in some National Parks are already subject to closure on days above 36 degrees (or likely to be). The Simpson Desert crossing is closed during certain months.

Yes.. unfortunately we have slowly taking away the ability for grown people to make their own decisions in favor of the dictatorial nannie state.

“Yes.. unfortunately we have slowly taking away the ability for grown people to make their own decisions in favor of the dictatorial nannie state.“

What dictatorial nannie (nanny?) state? Where is it and what is it?
Sounds like an angry empty cliche.
There are lots of ‘grown people’ who behave like babies, that is certainly true. Jacqui Lambie got that right the other day in her speech in the Senate.
Nats.

No angry at all, bemused how you got that out of one sentence.. its just what's happening.. You can pretend it isn't.. or you can see it for what it is.. I feel sorry for future generations that will have others doing all their thinking for them..

in regard to closing things- out of protecting us....true story : silly crim goes to old quarry ( Boya i think) starts to raid the scrap metals, ignores mine closed signs obviously. climbs barbed wire fence ( DANGER 100,000 V ) into HT transformer compound and starts taking copper. so far so good. eyes of the main line coming in ... trans was isolated ( large pull bars) , incoming pole mains still on.
Kabang. zapped and thrown 10M away. turns up at hosp with elect burns etc.. would you believe lawyers tried to claim quarry partly at fault, duty of care. you gotta love it.

also..when army closed cross overs at old navy range ( Lancelin area) into wedge isl and fenced it with warning signs, 4x 4 ers still shoved fence over and entered. still used as prac and live fire rge and mil ex

.Mg.

Hi Mike g2,

Interesting isn’t it that a criminal can attempt to break into your home, trip over a brick in your front yard, and sue you for personal injury. Go figure.

Macca.

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I'm curious..... why is the "Troops" vehicle bar-work wrapped in fabric?

That is so you can't see it Allan.
Dave.

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Doesn't seem to be working too well Dave.

Partly correct. up close it is usually visible . designed for reducing vehicle outline from more distant recon ( ariel, binocs, nearby patrol.) and is often on roll bars as well as a type of cam. can work unseen from 250 m away if well done in right situation. personal cam combined with good placement and nerves works at 2 m away +.
hessian generally used, used as a ''quick wrap'' that is dropped on stopping for period . this cuts out the shine thru of light between ground and vehicle as seen looking towards horizon , an important part of good cam. see basic pic- this basic example needs further tweaking to reduce any sharp corners. use of cam paintwork for objects beneath as well helps. best example by a mile is yowie suit.



Note: if camouflaged object moves too much ( how often see a moving haystack or bush ?)... poor result obviously.
MG.
Former ARes.

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Well Mike, I learn something new each day.
But if I squint real hard........ nah, it still looks like a truck. But perhaps they are not in full drag? lol

Were there army trucks in some of those pictures?

In my time in the Army ( Non Voluntary) we walked everywhere and it was all uphill. Didn't have a Cam to record anything but I did have a 25 set on my back plus a few other things.
Dave. Former Grunt :)

to David M / mike H9, not that many showing army trucks for now. will have to dig up my old collection. i have borrowed a few pics from online sources for posts so far. Military groups are are quite proud of their achievements and this is a good source of such pics if you dont actually have the appropriate one yourself. taking camera on deployments myself was not that common.

can relate to those foot patrols and carrying kit . legged it over almost all of Tng Area, Bindoon and some of Pilbara- inland from Canarvon for 3-4 yrs b4 being encouraged into a commission. in our time was obviously. different being reserves.

MG
ex 7fd Amb.