Put yourself in that picture! There is something grand and aspiring about dreaming of the wild places – and these are some of the wildest places on earth. This is an indispensable companion to bushwalking/tramping in New Zealand. Even if it remains forever a ‘coffee table’ book, do buy it anyway. If you have a […]
Moir’s Guide South: ‘The Great Southern Lakes and Fiords’: Read More »
We can choose to do anything. The corollary: we can do anything we choose. This is a priori. Truth. Though many people find it hard to choose, choosing instead the mob. (Horace: ‘odi profanum vulgus et arceo’ = ‘I deplore the vulgar throng & put it from me’). There is this other truth: Many of
Mountain Laurel Designs: Event Rain Mitts: Della and I both have a 42 gram pair of these. I can tell you they are well made and durable, and enormously welcome when cold rain would otherwise result in frozen hands (I have had this happen in surprisingly mild warm autumn weather when a sudden squall comes
This an interesting, innovative concept. It provides a huge shelter area for a small weight spend (18 oz – 513g in Silnylon; 11oz – 313g in Cuben) . Could be good for a small group of hunters. I think you should consider one of these shelters and some kind of groundsheet (eg a mylar space blanket)
I have been playing with Col. Whelen’s famous ‘Forester’ Tent design: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/col-townsend-whelens-forester-tent/ I have certainly come to the conclusion that the classic A-frame tent sloping away to the back has seldom been bettered. I reduced some of his dimensions and increased others. We do not need such a tall tent as his, particularly at the
Della: Steve and I, with Tiny and Spot, spent the last 2 days walking over the Baw Baw Plateau from Baw Baw across to Newlands Road on the Upper Yarra Walking Track. It was a delightful walk and we selected good weather for it (which is needed!). One section on the first day was particularly
Upper Yarra Track Section Eight: Baw Baw to Newlands Rd Read More »
At first glance these excellent tasty mixtures might seem a bit too lean for backpacking, but I used half the recommended water, so a packet made up to one litre with water (so it would fit in my 1100 ml billy). I used the stock sachet and added a 50 gram sachet of tomato paste
As you can see the track is well made, delightful and easy to follow from the Ada Tree all the way to Warburton, with numerous signposts. If you have a couple of days to spare, this is a pleasant jaunt. You can turn it into a loop: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/ada-tree-loop-walk-4-days/ Gerard White and his partner Bridgette completed
Upper Yarra Track Section Eleven: Ada Tree to Big Pat’s Creek: Read More »
The route along the tops is a delightful mix of alpine heath and snow gums. Every couple of kms you will find a small stream (sometimes to the side of the track) with fresh water. For example there is water near the St Gwinear turnoff, just after Mt St Phillack, at Mustering Flat and in
Upper Yarra Track Section Eight: St Gwinear Track Junction to Whitelaw’s Hut: Read More »
Only a bit over a km from Platina Station on the walk from Erica to Walhalla you can take this lovely walk down to the historic Horseshoe Tunnel. The tunnel was created over a century ago to divert the river so the dry river bed could be sluiced for gold. The sidetrip takes about 1.5
Upper Yarra Track Sidetrip: Horseshoe Tunnel/Coopers Creek Read More »
