Return to the the nattia OR Unfinished business...

[puredingo]

After failing in my mission a couple of weeks ago I made my way back down the Nattia valley on the weekend but this time with a more realistic plan, one that suits this time of year and my own personal abilities. Parking up on wattle ridge I walked down to Allum flat where I set up camp, I then did the stretch over to vinyard flat qiuet comfortably as the weather was pleasant and even a hint of breeze ruffling through the taller trees. Where the old road runs closest to the river i spotted a big ol' diamond python relaxing on and log island, one of the type that is basically black but for a few spattering of diamonds, unreal i thought as I love seeing these rare animals.

Arriving at Vinyard flat and finding the sun bursting through I thought it would be a good chance to jetterson son excess weight before my climb up the pass so I hung out my wet weather jacket (which also doubles as my pillow) my bed roll and my spare socks and undies. Up the pass I went in which compared to last time felt in no time at all! Kicked back awhile and read the diary, whick I couldn't add to as the pen didn't work and I didn't bring one DOH!! I drank the rest of my water up there and pondered the logistics of getting a nice comfy armchair as a permanent fixture? I'm all for keeping things to be left in their natural state but I could really appreciate a view like that just that little bit more if my back had something to lean against.

So after a bit of exploring I made my way back down, being waterless and the day now heating up I was looking forward to a facesplashing and a little sip out of the river but coming upon the river I noticed the water really disturbed and muddy? Pigs I thought, Nah not in the middle of the day...moto riders, no, generally you can hear then 6 valley over. Puzzled (and dry) I walked up to Vinyard flat to retreive my gear and head back to camp and yep, Jacket, bedroll socks AND undies all GONE!!!

On walking back to Allum flat things began becoming a bit more clear as I followed 4x4 tracks the whole way. They had obviously been clearling the road as the the fresh chips from the chainsaw were a dead give away. Back at camp and the tracks crossed over the river into Allum flat were still wet, I must of just missed him. There was a card from a ranger inside my tent, weird...Why wouldn't he assume that gear was mine and if not write something on his card, like for me to leave it if I don't own it and he'll return to pick it up???
Since it was only 2pm at this stage i did fair bit of exploring around the flat, boiled some water and prepared for a nights sleep without a pillow nor bedding.

Up at 5.30 and back at the car by 8...A nice little way to redeem my selfesteem after the last effort. Again should of taken a camera.

[kanangra]

Well done Pure Dingo. Did you find your knife? Probably like looking for a needle in a haystack. Like their hide taking your gear. Have you arranged to get it back from them?

K.

[puredingo]

Thanks, K. Yep I found the knife it was actually right in the middle of the track only about 100mtrs up from the signage at the base. I thought for sure it would be somewhere up around the goat track section where i was writhing around on the ground like a Southern Baptist who just had hands laid upon him.

No I haven't yet had to the chance to catch up with one Ben Owers but it's definitely on my list for this afternoon.

I seen your entry in the ledger, K and I must say what an impressive script you possess...In fact I seen quiet a few familier names I reconise from this site.

[jackhinde]

good stuff. bit odd about the ranger pinching you stuff, i wonder if he bothered to pick up the posthole driver and associated cropping goods that are at allum flat?

[WarrenH]

It sounds like National Parks could now be expecting gear that's left at the side of the track to be labeled, with your name, address and the estimated time of pick-up ... similar to how State Fisheries requires gear that's left unattended, to be labeled. If you don't label fishing gear it is an offense and the gear is confiscated.

I'm interested to know why the Park Ranger removed gear? Longer term food and water drops should be labeled understandably, but removing gear at the side of the track, that has obviously been placed for the short term, is putting the walker at risk.

Warren.

[puredingo]

Warren, I have since spoken to the ranger and reclaimed my stuff. His office is in picton and I'm in Wollongong so he arranged to have it sent down to their offices down here. I was hoping for a little bonus to compensate any inconveinces coused such as a secret map, gate key, immunity to prosercution for being in prohited areas...but no, nothing.

His story was he simply he assumed it was abandoned rubbish...which I found strange considering it was all hung up in a uniform manner, not to mention my tent was only 10 minutes away???

If I was him I would at least waited for the weekend to finish when you know there is less chance of any hikers about and then go in to clean the place up.