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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

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King Island 29-Jul-2003 At 12:32:06 PM hardcore

Message

On 29/07/2003 nmonteith wrote:
>They would be more like 100 litres drums. Big enough to store a full size
>pack inside.
>
>Hugh, here is some questions i would like answered if you can...
>
>can you swim without being eaten by sharks?

We dived for abalone so I guess the answer is yes.
>
>are their biting insects?
>
If there are I can't remember them being a problem. Bush rats are a bit of a problem as they will have a go at eating anything - including climbing sacks.

>how protected from the wind is the campsite?
>
It's in the scrub/bush so it's well protected.

>how many routes are already established?

You need to discuss this with either Russ Crowe or Mick Hampton - BA will have contact numbers if you ring him on 9429 8017
>
>who else has climbed there?

I believe a few yachties who were also climbers tried a few things but no concerted climbing group has been there - but ask Mick or Russ.
>
>do you have a guidebook of sorts?

As above
>
>fresh water???

I think the hut has a rain water tank - but you would need to check this out either with Russ or Mick (I think Mick or Jamie Searle was the expedition quartermaster). Failing that the boat owner will be able to tell you.
>
>how easy was it to "live off the land" in regards to fishing?
>
>We took a lot of dried fruit and nuts for the daytime and non perishable food for evening meals. Remember there is no refigeration. For fresh food we dived for abalone but there is a skill in preapring it and Mick Hampton cooked into magnicent chinese style meals. I caught sea salmon with a spinner, but that was a bit of an exception. There are plenty of parrot fish which are very very bony - remember to take bait. Take at least one wet suit and flippers etc.

Among other things, take self raising flour to make damper. Any smokers should not use the expedition as a discipline to give up - they won't and they'll pay a high price for fags from those who took plenty of stock.

Food becomes very very important and your cook/quartermaster must prepare a detailed schedule of meals with members to avoid fights breaking out about who eats what.

We took a small electrical generator to charge radio batteries and provide the camp with lights at night. CDMA phones might work - they didn't exist when we went so we had marine CB and HF as a back up. You must have reliable communications and a regular contact schedule.

We had a small tinnie and outboard which the boat owner loaned us. Russ used to get from Erith to Deal Island but it is a daunting trip. Their are 8m tides and the currents can form a rip in the straights between Deal and Erith - so you need to be careful about timing trips otherwise you'll end up adrift in Bass Strait.

You didn't mention medical stuff - at least one of your expedition will need to act as a medico and have a really good professional fist aid kit - and know how to use it -including pain killers and other stuff in the event of an accident (assume the worse). It would take several hours to get a helicopter out to you - assuming good weather conditions.

Once you know who your expedition members are, I suggest you arrange to have a social meeting with Mick, Russ and myself and Jamie and Edwin if they are still around to share experiences.