Great Southern Land Or Team Loco on the Overland Track – Tasmania, Sept 2005

SITUATION:

Being newly single again in 2005, a group of my mates decided we would do the ultimate boys trip and brave the wilds of Tasmania.

Well, eight months of planning and training have finally paid off.

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Posted in Civilian, Trip Log by with 2 comments.

REVIEW – KATHMANDU SELF-INFLATING MAT COMPACT 38

ITEM: Self Inflating Mat Compact 38

MANUFACTURER: Kathmandu

DESCRIPTION:

A lightweight self inflating sleeping mat, suitable for 2 or 3 season use.

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Posted in Civilian, Overnight, Short Trip, Sleeping & Shelter by with 4 comments.

REVIEW – Kifaru Woobie

PRODUCT:      Woobie (Poncho Liner in the American vernacular)

MANUFACTURER:      Kifaru

DESCRIPTION:

A lightweight, poncho liner. Made of two-tone material (grey/green). Weight is approximately 600g. Size is 66×84 inches unfolded (approx. 167x213cm). Paracord loops are placed on the corners and spaced strategically around the liner. A stuffsack is built in to the woobie.

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Posted in Civilian, Military, Overnight, Short Trip, Sleeping & Shelter by with no comments yet.

REVIEW – Thermarest Prolite 4 Sleeping Mat

ITEM:      Prolite 4 sleeping mat

MANUFACTURER:      Thermarest

DESCRIPTION:
A lightweight, self inflating sleeping mat designed for trekking.

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Posted in Civilian, Long Range, Military, Overnight, Sleeping & Shelter by with 4 comments.

REVIEW – Merrell Intercepts

ITEM:      Intercept Lightweight Trail shoe

MANUFACTURER:      Merrell

DESCRIPTION:

A lightweight, low profile trail runner.

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Posted in Civilian, Clothing & Footwear, Short Trip by with 4 comments.

REVIEW – Mystery Ranch Crew Cab

ITEM:                     Crew Cab

MANUFACTURER:            Mystery Ranch

DESCRIPTION:

The Crew Cab is an expandable pack made up of 3 separate compartments and components for carrying loads that are unusual in size and shape. It can be used as a compact day pack of 31L (1900 cubic inches) capacity, or expanded out to 82L (5000 cubic inch) capacity.

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Posted in Civilian, Long Range, Military, Mystery Ranch, Packs & Webbing, Specialist by with 5 comments.

REVIEW – Sealskinz Gloves

MANUFACTURER:            Sealskinz

PRODUCT:      Ultragrip Gloves

LAYOUT/DESCRIPTION:

A windproof, waterproof, breathable glove with grip dots on fingers and palms.

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Posted in Civilian, Clothing & Footwear, Military, Wet Weather by with no comments yet.

REVIEW – Strider SOA

DESCRIPTION:

Medium sized, fixed blade sheath knife from the Strider stable.

Ok, this isn’t really a review, more like a boast/brag on my part that I have something cool. Humour me, it’s the only entertainment and meaningful relationship I have at the moment whilst stuck in a mining town.

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Posted in Civilian, Military, Miscellaneous Equipment by with no comments yet.

REVIEW – AA Maglite Torch

ITEM: AA Mini-maglite

MANUFACTURER: Maglite

DESCRIPTION:
Standard Maglite AA model torch, with after market LED bulbs and tail switch.

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Posted in Civilian, Military, Miscellaneous Equipment by with 1 comment.

I Don’t Like People: Whitsunday Great Walk, Conway National Park, Oct-Nov 07

Situation:

Overlooking the backpacker mecca of Airlie Beach in sunny North Queensland, The Whitsunday Great Walk meanders over the Conway Range.  According to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife website about this walk, there is the chance wander through majestic rainforest, splash through seasonal creeks and overlook the coastal townships, watch for the flash of the Ulysses butterfly and the haunting call of the wompoo fruit dove. There are a selection of tracks throughout the area, for different time spans and abilities. For the great walk, meandering through Conway National Park for about 30 klicks, and intended to take 3 days, there is two main camps: Repulse Creek and Bloodwood. Both camp sites have self-composting toilets and water tanks.

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