A good story...for a change :)

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 15:01
ThreadID: 60321 Views:3087 Replies:6 FollowUps:5
This Thread has been Archived
Gold Prospector found alive

I'm glad it wasn't me, and I'm glad it gave his name. Otherwise I'd be wondering if it was someone I knew.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 15:17

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 15:17
Footy,

I would never believe that you'd be in that situation! Reckon you would have either trecked back using your GPS or activated your EPIRB a long time before munching termites.

Kind regards
AnswerID: 318137

Follow Up By: Member - Footloose - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 15:34

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 15:34
Well I would hope that nobody would, but I guess stuff happens.
My say phone batteries would be flat, and I'd have yelled myself hoarse on the HF I rekkon if I had broken down without food and water for a week :)
Of course he was away from camp...so I would have turned the car radio up to find my way home.....assuming that the epirb and gps were back at camp.
The problem is that you don't really know what you'll do until you are in that situation I guess.
Not chasing that filthy yella stuff I rarely go further away from camp than a spot where I can actually see it. So it's difficult for me to imagine myself in a similar situation.
Many members of the forum might easily find the story more personal.
0
FollowupID: 584545

Reply By: oz doc - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 15:51

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 15:51
Yes it was good that he was found. I am amazed that he appeared so unprepared. I was fortunate to experience prospecting for the first time, with my parents out at Nullagine, this year. Even though we were only 'having a play' at it - they still went though all the precautions. Doesn't even have to be high tech. My mother is useless with anything electrical - so dad carries the gps and 2 way radio( he has no sense of direction!). However mum has a backpack with water, food, repellant and a box of matches and a whistle - just in case. Simple basic stuff can make all the difference.doc.
AnswerID: 318146

Reply By: Willem - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 17:44

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 17:44
Just heard it again on the news.

Silly bloke wanders off without water, compass or matches.
Always check where you are walking and take a bearing from your point of departure. You don't need a GPS as a boy scout compass will suffice(GPS would be nice though). Then you should be able to trace your way back.

Seasoned prospectors I went with a couple of months ago all carried hand held UHF radios and left car radios on.

It is easy to get lost and disorientated, even if you are an experienced bushman.
AnswerID: 318161

Reply By: Waynepd (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 18:32

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 18:32
Heard it on ABC radio this evening.
My ears pricked up when they mentioned that he was a pest inspector.... i thought oh no Pesty what have you done?
AnswerID: 318174

Follow Up By: Member - Footloose - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 18:52

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 18:52
Bet the police thought he was a PITA rather than a pest LOL
0
FollowupID: 584584

Reply By: Member - extfilm (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 18:52

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 18:52
Back in my younger days, I used walk in the WA gold fields 3 hours east of Leonora (Lake Carey) about 5k away from camp with a detector no compass, no gps, no maps and for some strange reason 6 hrs later I would always make it back to camp....... Then I had no fear. Now I wouldn't dream of leaving camp in that sort of area without a gps. maybe I am just getting old :(
AnswerID: 318178

Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 19:08

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 19:08
Very lucky chap. To come from over Vic and to be so under prepared. That new Spot me thingy would have had him found
in a day. Still a lesson to us all, Be prepared.
Cheers Brian
PS Wonder if he went home or stayed and hoped his luck
changed. He was in the right area
AnswerID: 318181

Follow Up By: oz doc - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 20:08

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 20:08
" spot me thingy" -??? doc.
0
FollowupID: 584607

Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 21:20

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 21:20
Hi Brian, If that "spot me thingy" was working, can't get a track on KiwiAngler at the moment so not sure what's happening there.

Cheers

D


Simba, our much missed baby.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 584635

Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 21:22

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 at 21:22
Hi oz doc, check out thread 59444

Cheers

D


Simba, our much missed baby.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 584636

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)