Bushwalk Australia

1) All that cold, wind and rain/snow discourage the ebssos^

2) Less chance of sunburn or heatstroke

3) The ebssos don't like it

4) You really appreciate your hot drinks and meals

5) Saves time as you don't have to apply anti-ebssos chemicals

6) Great atmospheric photographs

7) Saves money - the anti-ebssos chemicals last longer

Pack is lighter when wearing wet-weather gear rather than carrying it

9) Fewer ebssos to bother you

10) Adds to the adventure

11) More energy for walking as you don't waste it swatting ebssos

12) Better test of equipment and navigation

13) Have I mentioned the ebssos . . . ?

*Yeah, well, no-one expects the Spanish Inquisition.
^Evil blood-sucking spawn of Satan. Otherwise known as horseflies, marshflies or March flies.

scavenger wrote:^Evil blood-sucking spawn of Satan. Otherwise known as horseflies, marshflies or March flies.

Funny, I thought it was going to mean "tourists".

Hmmmmmmm . . . I'd never thought of it quite like that, but you do have a point.

Well that makes 19 reasons!

Does not the rain bring out the leaches?

Or are they angel spawn as opposed to satan's spawn?

wander wrote:Does not the rain bring out the leeches?

Not up in the Snowies.

I will swap you a dunny full of mossies for a March fly. In fact there is a dunny taking off right now from Frycient on its way over, hope the person got out

Now that would depend on the dunny, Brett, which is a whole new thread in itself. I've been compiling a list (with ratings) of Bush Dunnies of the High Country. Until I can get it up, just make sure you avoid Mawson's and Derschko's. Both are health hazards for very different reasons.

scavenger wrote:Now that would depend on the dunny, Brett, which is a whole new thread in itself. I've been compiling a list (with ratings) of Bush Dunnies of the High Country. Until I can get it up, just make sure you avoid Mawson's and Derschko's. Both are health hazards for very different reasons.

The one at Cooks Beach is frightening. You get in and hear this incredible buzzing sound and then look up and the ceiling is a mass of mosquitoes all in a very angry mood until they figure you are "locked" in and then on some hidden cue attack on mass like vampires from a B rated movie. Sure, I am use to occasional tribe of the little blighters but not a meeting of the Smith clan. Do not support the use of chemicals in the wilderness but I am now prepared to make an exception. In fact Cooks Corner camping ground should be re-named to Mosquito Bay.

Cheers Brett

Another reason for being grateful for bad weather - you can stay in your cozy tent and sleep all day.

Brett wrote: In fact Cooks Corner camping ground should be re-named to Mosquito Bay.

Names are often misleading. There's a stretch of the AAWT that follows Mosquito Creek Track. The Horseflies were their usual abominable selves, but even in the rain I never saw even one mozzie.

Do you want a few in case you are home sick

That's incredibly generous of you, Brett, but I think I can manage.
Horseflies have a nastier bite, after all. Mind, being bigger, they're a little easier to swat. There's always a trade-off.

scavenger wrote:That's incredibly generous of you, Brett, but I think I can manage.
Horseflies have a nastier bite, after all. Mind, being bigger, they're a little easier to swat. There's always a trade-off.

G'day scavenger,
Are your Horseflies the same as the European ones or are they Aussie March flies?
corvus

There's no such thing as a March Fly.
There are Horseflies, which are the bigger, slower, often green-eyed ones; and Marsh Flies, which are smaller, darker, leaner, meaner and tend to hang around in damper areas - hence the name. "March' Fly is a corruption of the latter and often used to cover both groups.

Good to have that point cleared up. Thanks

ff