Mt Howitt Airstrip update plus warnings

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 at 19:56
ThreadID: 42182 Views:3336 Replies:4 FollowUps:5
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Went into the High country yesterday ( friday )

" Stuffed " is not the right word to use,, BUT re-growth is kicking in
Got home about 11:30 pm

The fire devistation is incredible, but up at 1500/1600 mts at about the Airstrip there was damage but nothing like whats below 1200-1300 mts ,,,
And thats only one road.

Caution !!!!!!

There is a very high risk of falling trees across the road, especially if its windy,,, we were lucky, but be warned, it will be tricky if the wind gets up

Cheers to all

Bucky
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Reply By: Member - Tim - Stratford (VIC) - Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 at 21:05

Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 at 21:05
Bucky & others,

Just heard today (about 4pm) that there was a land slide on the Tamboritha Road about 8 to 10 km's north of Licola. No damage to road but a heap of mud/clay sliding onto the road - I suppose from lack of vegetation and trees etc.

A fourby driver got through and then a 2wd sedan got stuck whilst trying to negotiate the slide.

Last I heard was that the police from Heyfield were on their way up to 'unstick' the sedan.

Just something else to think about with some of the rain falling up that way.
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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 04:38

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 04:38
Thats exactly right, and a lot more to come !

Nothing on top to bind the soil ,, Yet

Cheers
Bucky
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Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 14:46

Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 14:46
Bucky just out of interest where is the road closure sign on the Howitt road currently?
Cheers Craig..........
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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 04:36

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 04:36
Crackles
I never seen any road closure signs, all gates were open.
But that's not to say that it is safe ,, be warned !

I will not go up there again, till a week or so after a big storm

As I said before, there is a high possibility, of trees falling across the road, behind you and and in front of you, so take a chainsaw, and if you do not have one, a good drag chain.

Cheers Bucky
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Follow Up By: Robin - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 08:07

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 08:07
Websites show it not closed and also Dargo high plains road as now being open.

Robin Miller
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 17:07

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 17:07
No worries Bucky. I was just asking to get an idea for others that may be heading up that way how far they can go. I'll be waiting till after Easter to give the authorities a bit of time to make it safer before I go up. From what I've seen locally they aren't putting up additional gates to close the roads just a baracade on the left side with a road closed sign hung on it. Easy to drive around, but of course I wouldn't want to be caught on the wrong side. Might give the Licola Park Ranger a call to see what time frame they have on the closures.
Cheers Craig..............

PS. If there is a high chance of trees falling behind & in front of you does that mean there is a slight chance one will fall on top of you? :-)
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Reply By: Tony Middleditch - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 18:03

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 18:03
Hi Bucky.
I was wondering how the area on Kellys lane, just off the Tamboritha Road was affected? Nice little camp spot with running water from Shaws Ck.
Cheers Tony.
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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 07:04

Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 07:04
Is that tone-rone ?

Well well, Now I think ( but not too sure ) that there is a loop road that runs from Kelly's hut to the Tamboritha. Not done it myself
All things being equal, its open but you may need a chainsaw, ( just in case )
A mate of mine from Leongatha, did that loop, just 1 week before we went up there, and got thru, but had o chainsaw his way thru
The only reason we did not was that it was already 6:00 pm +, and we did not wanna get caught by a tree over the track, as you know it gets dark up there quick, especially when it clouds over.

Cheers Mate
Bucky
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Reply By: allanmac856 - Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 11:21

Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007 at 11:21
Was informed that no one should be going up that way, due to dangers of fallen trees, with more to come. As said earlier, DSE/Parks are hoping to get main routes into Wonnangatta/Talbotville open asap, being from Mrytleford & Dargo. Other 4wd tracks will be accessed/cleared when time permits. The annual 4wd tour for charity scheduled for April (I think) has been cancelled due to no real access in the H/C being available.

Your call if you want to go up there, but dont think authorites will look favourably if they have to spend time getting vehicles out, when their main focus now is clearing trees/assessing the area.

As a regular visitor there, wont be going anywhere near the place until late 2007; not worth the risk imo.
AnswerID: 221622

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