The Sir Frederick Range (on the Sandy Blight Junction Track) - Video
Submitted: Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 23:48
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Mick O
The Saturday matinee is a look at one of the side trips along the Sandy Blight
Junction Track. I've just cobbled some of Scott and Gaby's video together to give you a look at the rather stiff climb up the rocky goat track that Len Beadell graded into the the
Sir Frederick Range almost 53 years ago to the day (19th May, 1960).
From a distance, the range appears as a small rocky group of hills that seem smooth, rounded and benign, the reality however is far different and there is a certain degree of difficulty associated with the ascent. On reaching the foothills, the entire range is covered in round rocks seemingly like smooth river pebbles. These range in size from few centimetres up to boulders the size of a microwave oven. It makes for interesting driving as Scott and Gaby's narration indicate ;-) At the time of our visit, the entire area had been scoured by fire making it appear like the surface of Mars.
Just what provoked Len to grade a road up these hills escapes me but I reckon it might have been for the view which is simply magnificent.
Cheers Mick
Reply By: Life Member - Phil B (WA) - Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 04:01
Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 04:01
Hi Mick,
Another great and enjoyable video, its a lot steeper to get up than it looks. we did it in 2010.
You said; 'just what provoked Len to grade a road up these hills escapes me but I reckon it might have been for the view which is simply magnificent'. Nothing so romantic Mick. Len said in 'Beating about the Bush';
'When I first visited this range I determined immediately to ascertain whether or not a vehicle could reach the crest. If it could, a bulldozed spur off the main access would greatly help the follow-up survey parties from the National Mapping Council. Heavy equipment was needed at each trig station to carry forward the survey and, where time permitted and if it was at all feasible, I would endeavour to pave their way with a road. Mountains such as Leisler were out of the question for such an operation, and heavy batteries, tellurometers, theodolites, and tripods would have to be carried on their backs all the way'.
Interestingly he drove up in his Landrover before the dozer put the track in. now that was a 4WD challenge!

Going down Sir Walter James in 2010
cheers
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Follow Up By: Life Member - Phil B (WA) - Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 07:48
Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 07:48
Oops
Sir Frederick Range not Sir Walter James !
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Follow Up By: Mick O - Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 22:48
Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 22:48
Cheers Phil. I was pretty sure Len would have mentioned it in a book but my memory didn't recall the detail. I must re-read...when I can get time ;-)
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