G'day

For those interested, BackpackGearTest.org has completed the
following product tests during October and November 2006. These tests
are undertaken for no monetary gain by BackpackGearTest.org and are
undertaken in the field by backpackers (hikers, trampers,
bushwalkers) normally over a four month period. The tester, upon
completing the reporting requirements gets to keep the gear at the
end of the test.

Just click on the link to be taken to the test reports.

Black Diamond Equipment Mountain Series Enduro CF hiking poles
Black Diamond Equipment Cosmo Headlamp
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/blackdiamondequipment/

Crazy Creek Products Lightweight LEX Hammock
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/crazycreek/

Coleman Cloudview 2
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/coleman/

Flatworld Orikaso Solo Set
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/flatworld/

Granite Gear Stratus Latitude Pack
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/granitegear/

IBEX Outdoor Clothing Outback
	 http://www.BackpackGearTest.org/ibexwear/

Industrial Revolution Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker
	 http://www.BackpackGearTest.org/industrialrev/

JetBoil Group Cooking System
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/jetboil/

Keen Footwear Venice Sandal
Keen Footwear Humboldt
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/keenfootwear/

Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge Camping Hammock
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/lawsonhammock/

Merrell Passage Ventilator Mid
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/merrell/

Mountain Safety Research
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/msrcorp/

Nite Ize Inova Microlight
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/niteize/

Outdoor Research Zealot Jacket
Outdoor Research Nimbus Sombrero
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/orgear/

Sierra Designs Wicked Fast Sleeping Bag
  	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/sierra-designs/

Smartshield Sunblock Product Line
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/smartshield/

Suunto Advizor
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/suunto

Versalayer Ability Softshell
	 http://www.backpackgeartest.org/versalayer/

Regards
Andrew Priest
List Moderator
http://BackpackGearTest.org

Hi all,

Recently purchased some suncream with 30+ SPF and insect repellant, by
Marine Blue.

Great stuff, I would say as a suncream its a good as they get and the
added bonus of insect repellant.

I was 80-90% better off than the people around me who didnt have the
cream interms of flies staying away.

Nothing can totally keep the flies away but this did a very good job,
would put it at the same as Aeroguard.

Got mine at the supermarket.

Hope this helps

Thanks for that Nathan, anything would be useful.
Cheers
Alex
On 30/11/2006, at 7:23 AM, Seal, Nathan J wrote:

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Hi Alex,



I am leading a walk through Karajini National Park in the Pilbara area
around Tom Price next August, I to have been trying to get info about
walks north with not a lot of luck, but I will forward you our schedule
and our plan once we have confirmed all details. We are also hoping to
undertake a walk in the Burrup Penisula just north of Dampier in the
same trip.



As for the Kimberley I have a number of hiking books at home which I am
certain reference the bungle bungles, if they have any info I will pass
it on to you.



All the best Alex.





Nath













-----Original Message-----
From: aushiker@... [mailto:aushiker@...]
On Behalf Of Alex Morse
Sent: Wednesday, 29 November 2006 7:24 PM
To: aushiker@...
Subject: Re: [Aushiker] walking in the Kimberley



Thanks for that Andrew, I've sent the email and wait with baited
breath....
On 29/11/2006, at 1:23 PM, Andrew Priest wrote:

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This e-mail and files transmitted with it are privileged and confidential
information
intended for the use of the addressee. The confidentiality and/or privilege in
this e-mail is
not waived, lost or destroyed if it has been transmitted to you in error. If you
received this
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(a) not disseminate, copy or take any action in reliance on it;
(b) please notify the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA immediately by
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Department of Agriculture and Food WA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for that Andrew, I've sent the email and wait with baited
breath....
On 29/11/2006, at 1:23 PM, Andrew Priest wrote:

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Mostly, there are more in the book, and go into greater details with maps,
trail guides, and further contact details for each walk.


At 01:59 PM 29/11/2006, you wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>I jsut received my copy of the above guide, sells for about $12.95,
>available from www.perthtrails.com.au

Thanks for sharing Mark. Are the walks in the book the same as on the
website?

Andrew



Yahoo!7 Groups Links






Regards,

Mark McLauchlin
Proprietor
Swan Valley IT
ABN: 60 288 056 889
Mobile: 0400787459
Email: mark@...
_________________________________
MSN: markmclauchlin@...

"This message and any attachments may contain proprietary or confidential
information. If you are not the intended recipient or you received the
message in error, you must not use or distribute the message. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy the original message. Thank
you."

Hi Guys,

Just a quick email to let you know Mountain Designs are having a
Christmas Sale for our Club Members starting tomorrow Thursday
November 30th and finishing Sunday December 3rd. As an existing
member you get 25% Off EVERYTHING in store.

Then from Monday we'll have specific items on Sale, lots of great
Christmas Specials all the way to December 25th!!!

Cheers,
Mike Wood
Mountain Designs Perth, Fremantle, Claremont, Whitford City, Garden
City, Bunbury, Albany and Rockface.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 01:59 PM 29/11/2006, you wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>I jsut received my copy of the above guide, sells for about $12.95,
>available from www.perthtrails.com.au

Thanks for sharing Mark. Are the walks in the book the same as on the website?

Andrew

Hi All,

I jsut received my copy of the above guide, sells for about $12.95,
available from www.perthtrails.com.au

There appears to be some very nice short walks in there, few are a
little longer at 16-25Km.

Heaps of places in there that I had not even heard of before.

Definately worth checking out.

Cheers
Mark

At 08:32 PM 28/11/2006, you wrote:
>Hi everyone, I asked this a few months ago and got no replies- has
>anyone been walking
>up in the Kimberley [specifically the Mitchell Plateau] or know
>anywhere good to get
>advice?

Dear Alex

There are one or two leaders in the Perth Bushwalkers Club who
regularly lead walks up north. They "may" be willing to provide
advice. I suggest you email the Club.  The email address is
info@....

Regards
Andrew

> I have two down sleeping bags with broken zips. Does anyone know
> somewhere in Perth that I can get them repaired.

Dear Sir Irene :-)

I suggest you touch base with Mainpeak at Cottesloe. They where doing
repairs and likely still do.

Oh, great write up in the Venturer too. Thanks for that and great photos
to P2.

Andrew, Sir

I have two down sleeping bags with broken zips. Does anyone know
somewhere in Perth that I can get them repaired.

HI Alex thanks for that, my kids are 8 and 10, i am just looking for
some where different to take them for the weekend during their
holidays, some where they can cool off, and not too many idiots
about, some thing Dwellingup is getting a name for, did you say the
camp site is 1.2 kms away from the beach...

---- Original Message ----
From: morses5@...
To: aushiker@...
Subject: Re: [Aushiker] any ideas on a good campsite
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:21:59 +0800

>Hi david
>the beach is about 11/2 km from the campsite down a steep hill [ not
>good for little kids if you've spent the day surfing and have to walk
>
>up]. its a spectacular beach but not especially safe for swimming -
>if
>your kids are little they'll be better off playing in the fresh water
>
>stream at the southern end.
>Point rd campsite is definitely worth visiting for a barbie in the
>evening - amazing numbers of possums who will steal snaggers from
>your
>hand.
>
>Alex
>On 27/11/2006, at 3:13 PM, davidpo wrote:
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> Hi everyone, I asked this a few months ago and got no replies- has anyone been
walking
> up in the Kimberley [specifically the Mitchell Plateau] or know anywhere good
to get
> advice? I and a few mates are keen to go next year but have found planning
very hard to
> do in the absence of any useful info. I would be grateful for anything
relevant [I have no
> desire to be eaten by salties]
No personal knowledge, but try contacting Willis Walkabout (Google them).

Cheers
Roger Caffin

Hi david
the beach is about 11/2 km from the campsite down a steep hill [ not
good for little kids if you've spent the day surfing and have to walk
up]. its a spectacular beach but not especially safe for swimming - if
your kids are little they'll be better off playing in the fresh water
stream at the southern end.
Point rd campsite is definitely worth visiting for a barbie in the
evening - amazing numbers of possums who will steal snaggers from your
hand.

Alex
On 27/11/2006, at 3:13 PM, davidpo wrote:

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Hi everyone, I asked this a few months ago and got no replies- has anyone been
walking
up in the Kimberley [specifically the Mitchell Plateau] or know anywhere good to
get
advice? I and a few mates are keen to go next year but have found planning very
hard to
do in the absence of any useful info. I would be grateful for anything relevant
[I have no
desire to be eaten by salties]

Regards

Alex

Thank you very much Alex.
regards David

---- Original Message ----
From: morses5@...
To: aushiker@...
Subject: Re: [Aushiker] any ideas on a good campsite
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:06:47 +0800

>if you just want to camp, Conto's campsite is always a winner [ off
>caves rd behind lake cave] - often quite busy but its a decent size.
>Point Rd campsite is just round the corner with some tame possums but
>
>you need a 4WD to  get in [or walk, obviously]. Both are on the cape
>cape track so there's some nice walks.
>
>Alex
>On 23/11/2006, at 9:17 AM, dpower10au wrote:
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HI Paul thanks so much for the feed back.
David

---- Original Message ----
From: homes@...
To: aushiker@...
Subject: Re: [Aushiker] any ideas on a good campsite
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 16:33:01 +0800

>Hi David,
>
>Part of the Cape to Cape Track might be suitable.  This track runs
>from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin.  If my memory serves me, get
>dropped off at Redgate Beach and walk north to Prevally Park.  Stay
>overnight at the Prevally caravan park. From Prevally head north to
>Ellensbrook Homestead camping area and over night here.  The third
>day head north to Gracetown and finish the walk.  You could leave a
>car at the Gracetown Caravan Park and get a lift/taxi to Redgate
>Beach.  That way your car will be safe.
>
>Don't over do it and take plenty of water.  I have only tackled this
>
>walk in the cooler months - not sure if January would be too hot.
>
>
>Paul
>
>
>On 23/11/2006, at 9:17 AM, dpower10au wrote:
>
>> HI all, i want to take my two boys out over their summer holidays,
>so
>> am looking at some time in January, for a couple of days, does
>anyone
>> know of a nice place quite near a beach, i am quite sure it will be
>> busy but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>> Kind Regards David
>>
>>
>>
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>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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HI Andrew i have a two drive and just looking for some thing near the
beach, sounds like Conto's is the go, and plenty to see down there
how close is the beach to the campsite? thanks for the information.
David

---- Original Message ----
From: morses5@...
To: aushiker@...
Subject: Re: [Aushiker] any ideas on a good campsite
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:06:47 +0800

>if you just want to camp, Conto's campsite is always a winner [ off
>caves rd behind lake cave] - often quite busy but its a decent size.
>Point Rd campsite is just round the corner with some tame possums but
>
>you need a 4WD to  get in [or walk, obviously]. Both are on the cape
>cape track so there's some nice walks.
>
>Alex
>On 23/11/2006, at 9:17 AM, dpower10au wrote:
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At 08:52 AM 24/11/2006, you wrote:
>Thanks for the input Andrew,
>
>Looking at the Granite Gear website it does not appear as though there are
>any dealers in Aust, did you purchase online?

Both of my Granite Gear packs are ex-test units, so no I did not
purchase them online as such.

>Would be nice to be able to try it on before.

They are purchased according to your measurements, so it would be
hard to get one in the shop configured correctly anyway.

Andrew

Thanks for the input Andrew,

Looking at the Granite Gear website it does not appear as though there are
any dealers in Aust, did you purchase online?

Would be nice to be able to try it on before.

Cheers


At 04:26 PM 23/11/2006, you wrote:

>I noticed that Andrew P has one and also put up a review on backpack
>gear test, do you still use this Andrew? Any more comments on it?

Hi Mark

I do still use my Macpac sometimes. Last major walk with it was the
Larapinta Trail in July 2005. I tend to use my Granite Gear Stratus
Latitude more often now.

I have had issues with the Macpac's seams giving away which has meant
parts of the harness system coming loose or not doing their job
properly. It has had to go back to Melbourne for repairs twice now,
but keep in mind I have done a reasonable distance with this pack
(probably around 1 500 km) and carried some big loads with it (up to
30 kg) and often 20 kg + over quite a number of days so my usage may
be above "normal".

Would I buy another Macpac? Probably not because the design is dated
in my view and the packs are too heavy for the sort of walking I do
here in Western Australia.  There are other reasonable strong
materials out now which lead to much lighter packs. My Granite Gear
survived Fitzgerald River just fine and is a good kg or more lighter
than the Macpac and just as comfortable if not more comfortable.

Regards
Andrew



Yahoo!7 Groups Links






Regards,

Mark McLauchlin
Proprietor
Swan Valley IT
ABN: 60 288 056 889
Mobile: 0400787459
Email: mark@...
_________________________________
MSN: markmclauchlin@...

"This message and any attachments may contain proprietary or confidential
information. If you are not the intended recipient or you received the
message in error, you must not use or distribute the message. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy the original message. Thank
you."

At 04:26 PM 23/11/2006, you wrote:

>I noticed that Andrew P has one and also put up a review on backpack
>gear test, do you still use this Andrew? Any more comments on it?

Hi Mark

I do still use my Macpac sometimes. Last major walk with it was the
Larapinta Trail in July 2005. I tend to use my Granite Gear Stratus
Latitude more often now.

I have had issues with the Macpac's seams giving away which has meant
parts of the harness system coming loose or not doing their job
properly. It has had to go back to Melbourne for repairs twice now,
but keep in mind I have done a reasonable distance with this pack
(probably around 1 500 km) and carried some big loads with it (up to
30 kg) and often 20 kg + over quite a number of days so my usage may
be above "normal".

Would I buy another Macpac? Probably not because the design is dated
in my view and the packs are too heavy for the sort of walking I do
here in Western Australia.  There are other reasonable strong
materials out now which lead to much lighter packs. My Granite Gear
survived Fitzgerald River just fine and is a good kg or more lighter
than the Macpac and just as comfortable if not more comfortable.

Regards
Andrew

At 05:06 PM 23/11/2006, you wrote:
>if you just want to camp, Conto's campsite is always a winner [ off
>caves rd behind lake cave] - often quite busy but its a decent size.
>Point Rd campsite is just round the corner with some tame possums but
>you need a 4WD to  get in [or walk, obviously].

I have driven into Point Road a couple of times from the east in a
two wheel drive in summer. Wasn't a big deal.

Andrew

if you just want to camp, Conto's campsite is always a winner [ off
caves rd behind lake cave] - often quite busy but its a decent size.
Point Rd campsite is just round the corner with some tame possums but
you need a 4WD to  get in [or walk, obviously]. Both are on the cape
cape track so there's some nice walks.

Alex
On 23/11/2006, at 9:17 AM, dpower10au wrote:

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Hi David,

Part of the Cape to Cape Track might be suitable.  This track runs
from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin.  If my memory serves me, get
dropped off at Redgate Beach and walk north to Prevally Park.  Stay
overnight at the Prevally caravan park. From Prevally head north to
Ellensbrook Homestead camping area and over night here.  The third
day head north to Gracetown and finish the walk.  You could leave a
car at the Gracetown Caravan Park and get a lift/taxi to Redgate
Beach.  That way your car will be safe.

Don't over do it and take plenty of water.  I have only tackled this
walk in the cooler months - not sure if January would be too hot.


Paul


On 23/11/2006, at 9:17 AM, dpower10au wrote:

> HI all, i want to take my two boys out over their summer holidays, so
> am looking at some time in January, for a couple of days, does anyone
> know of a nice place quite near a beach, i am quite sure it will be
> busy but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
> Kind Regards David
>
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all,

Went and tried out a macpac today, Torlesse series 25L, was very nice,
little heavy but still nice.

Anyone have a macpac out there that have some comments?

I noticed that Andrew P has one and also put up a review on backpack
gear test, do you still use this Andrew? Any more comments on it?

Cheers
Mark

Yes, I did half of that walk about 3 years ago - Mt Frankland, Mt Roe,
Lymburner falls as a 4 day walk but didn't manage to include Granite
Peak - so this was to rectify that omission - very glad I did, Granite
Peak is an easy climb with a track up to an old Forestry commission
fire hut - the views from the top are spectacular - like the Stirlings
but no visible farmland, only bush - we reckoned we could see a radius
of about 30 km  with only 2 tracks visible and no buildings or cleared
areas. Slept on the top in bivvies and woke above the clouds.
BTW Weld rd bridge on the way in is down so you have to go the long way
round, photos may be possible [a] when I get then from the photographer
and [b] if I can work out how to upload them [not done that before]

Alex
On 23/11/2006, at 10:39 AM, Andrew Priest wrote:

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At 09:25 PM 21/11/2006, you wrote:
>a couple of weekends ago I did a splendid 3 day walk in the Mt
>Frankland National Park
>[and it was a bit wet!]
>Lochart Pool to Mt Johnston --> Ted s Pool [ potable water that high
>up on the Deep
>River], Teds Pool --> Granite Peak --> back to the car. Loads of
>wildflowers, birds and
>roos, not especially taxing apart from coming around Mt Johnston.
>All in all - highly recommended as a shortish 2 1/2 day walk

Thanks for sharing Alex. Photos?

BTW the Forest on Foot book describes a three day (?) walk in this area.

Andrew

At 09:17 AM 23/11/2006, you wrote:
>HI all, i want to take my two boys out over their summer holidays, so
>am looking at some time in January, for a couple of days, does anyone
>know of a nice place quite near a beach, i am quite sure it will be
>busy but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>Kind Regards David

Hi David

Do you have a 4WD? Are you willing to travel far or do you want to
something pretty close to Perth? Are you looking for a wilderness
camping or caravan park camping?

Andrew, Sir

HI all, i want to take my two boys out over their summer holidays, so
am looking at some time in January, for a couple of days, does anyone
know of a nice place quite near a beach, i am quite sure it will be
busy but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards David