Bushwalk Australia

I finished off my 10 days on the track at Echo Point on 13 May. What a lovely place. As for drinking the water , well I was agast to find a huge pile and I mean huge , of fresh human poo and paper on the shore line just before hut. I scooped it up and put in loo but I could not believe it . So as for the water ?? Steve C

scockburn wrote:I finished off my 10 days on the track at Echo Point on 13 May. What a lovely place. As for drinking the water , well I was agast to find a huge pile and I mean huge , of fresh human poo and paper on the shore line just before hut. I scooped it up and put in loo but I could not believe it . So as for the water ?? Steve C

Another case of brainless inconsiderate so called humans just as well that the Lake is so deep and refreshed from many sources and I doubt that the human Faecal count would be high however how I would so like to catch one of these Cretins" on the job so to speak" and encourage them to carry it out on their person (under their hat) only problem is I am probably too small and old to ensure it happened
c

Old schmold Mr Corvus.

Wily and resourceful is often a better substitute for brute strength anyway. A little speed and a bit of distance can be useful too. I'm sure a gentleman of your calibre would have no difficulty in coming up with a creative way of encouraging aforementioned cretins to better toilet habits. I'm sure I have an old victorian era pattern here somewhere for a toy cannon that might be useful for returning the "deposit" to it's original source... Covert ops??

No excuse for that kind of inconsiderate and frankly just plain gross behaviour. After all, it doesn't take much to do the right thing.

I know what I need for these inconsiderate Neanderthals it is a "Jobby Wheekin Shanghai" only problem is I would need to pick up the turds to load it
On a serious note we should be vigilant towards these lowlifes and harry them "from pillar to post" don't be Tassie reticent to give them a serve and if possible get them to remove their "Jobby" and TP Flowers
c

I just don't get it. Why do these people go walking in the first place? Surely they visit these places, like the rest of us, to enjoy the beauty. So why would they spoil it?

Its bewildering because these people surely wouldn't go out and void on their own nature strip at the front of their house. They know that is offensive. They'd probably get upset if a stray dog soiled their nature strip. So why, when they are standing in a precious place like Echo Point, do they behave like stray dogs.

Because they are Cretins but which Ethnic group can we pick on , or perhaps I should say what age group ??
c

Agree with all previous comments. Are these morons more likely to be tourists day tripping on the ferry rather than bushwalkers? Let's hope so. Either way it's a disgrace and totally unacceptable. There's an almost new loo just up the hill. Would it have been so difficult to walk 50 metres or so?

Clarity please on the Foreshore b4 the Hut on the way up or down?? not that it really matters.

c

IMO the increase in recent years of tp flowers and the like (and, increasingly in some areas, cigarette butts ) is a direct result of government's marketing of our national parks to a wider audience but without additional funding toward education and enforcement of a reasonable standard of behavior. Those of us who truly appreciate these areas wouldn't defile them, but many of those who fly in to "do" the overland track are just there for the "experience" and couldn't give a sh*t about the place (so to speak). Speaking to one of the OT summer rangers last year, she said that one of her main jobs each day was cleaning up tp and poo from the area around the toilets, as many walkers didn't like to use the toilets and preferred to go on the ground or duckboards nearby. Again raises the topic of whether many OT tourists are actually prepared for the remote area walk they are choosing to undertake...

The real truth of the matter is that many OT walkers as Singe pointed out are not prepared to for remote areas and
unable to stomach the strong odours in our "non working " composting toilets .
I have for one in mid summer needed to resort to my trusty iPood and its predecessors and do what bears do because of the eye watering Uric Acid stench emanating from often excrement stained Toilets.
c

G'Day
Most wild animals, IE those that are living in their natural environment are smart enough not to soil there own food and water supply. Domesticated animals however do it regularly. Cows are a perfect example as they will stand in my dams and pee and poo in there own water because they are stupid animals. Unfortunately humans fit into the later category as we as a whole are not smart enough not to sh*t in our own nests both physically and metaphorically
Darren

I have also had the disturbing and visually harrowing task of burying the inappropriate deeds of others, as well as collecting a large stash of litter from half way along the Overland Track.

My opinion on the solution stems from a comment made about one fo the tasks performed by rangers.
The solution is Photography.

At the start of the walk, a sidewalk-style board can be erected, displaying the habits of the so-called people that travelled before them.
As well, a static display of the rubbish that was collected from the overland track - no doubt that would be a large display.
And a WARNING in big letters, rangers are equipped with cameras, and those that are photographed doing inappropriate toilet acts and acts of littering will be
(a) prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and
(b) the photograph will be added to the billboard hall of shame and displayed at the start and end of the walk as well as on the website at
parks.tas.gov.au/hall-of-shame detailing their disgusting deed and naming them.
The only way one might have their name removed from the hall of shame would be to walk the overland track again, collecting at least three kilograms of litter along the way, detailing when and where it was found.

Of course it would never happen, but it would sure act as a deterrant to those about to undertake the walk - as well as a timely reminder to be careful about where you get your water from (and where you step).

I'm also outraged at reports such as your discovery.

Personally, I reckon no-one should be allowed on the Overland - and a few other places - unless they can show they have suitable gear (including waterproofs and trowel) and understand the importance of their appropriate use.
I came to this conclusion after reading an entry in the Pine Valley Hut logbook. One that had been written in late May. Some dopey mainlander was gushing over how wonderful the Overland was, and ended with a special vote of thanks to the ranger who had cobbled up rain ponchos out of garbags for her and her entire family, who were without any sort of waterproofs because "we didn't realise we'd need them." Really, ma'am? You're only going into the highest part of the wildest weathered state in the country, in late autumn - in what most Tasmanians consider to be early winter - into alpine country where the weather can go from clear blue skies to blizzards in fifteen minutes, and it never occurred to any of you that maybe a splash jacket or two at the least might be a good idea?


End of Rant.

Seriously, how hard would it be to make issuance of Track permits dependent on the proposed holder showing up with the gear they're taking? Of course, that would mean that there's more at issue here than the State Gov't gouging money out of the punters . . .
(Oooops, sorry about the extra mini-rant at the end there. It just slipped out.)

scavenger wrote:... without any sort of waterproofs because "we didn't realise we'd need them."

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :evil:

Eggzackerly.

scavenger wrote:dopey mainlander was gushing over how wonderful the Overland was, and ended with a special vote of thanks to the ranger who had cobbled up rain ponchos out of garbags for her and her entire family, who were without any sort of waterproofs because "we didn't realise we'd need them." Really, ma'am? You're only going into the highest part of the wildest weathered state in the country, in late autumn - in what most Tasmanians consider to be early winter - into alpine country where the weather can go from clear blue skies to blizzards in fifteen minutes, and it never occurred to any of you that maybe a splash jacket or two at the least might be a good idea?

)

With respect scavenger I think you comment is an urban myth for this reason ,anyone commencing the OLT in season would be checked out by the Hut Warden at WFV and again at Pelion unless of course they did it off season then no Ranger to cobble up raincoat bags for them.
If I am wrong please accept my sincere apology or cite your source and when it occurred.

In The Walls no such scrutiny, so imagine our surprise we come across two young men one German and the other Belgian walking into the Walls ,one in a Spray Jacket denims and sand shoes and other ditto cept gumboots,the weather was atrocious and the big Snow Storm was on its way,these two young men "did" the Walls and headed back out just beating the Snow Storm that caused us to retreat a day earlier than we had planned.

My point is that they had youth on their side and were travelling very light unlike a "family" on the OLT therefore my doubt
corvus

*sigh*
You having a bad day, or are you always this pernickety?

This occurred before the permit regime, I think, and even in those days there were occasionally rangers on the track. Pine Valley, six years ago (I'm fairly sure it was six. My next visit there was three years later.), the log book entry was made the previous May. And May is outside permit time, anyway.
And this isn't something I was told - when I use huts, I like to read the logbooks. There are sometimes very interesting remarks.

Another incident similar to yours - in 2003, at Waterfall Valley Hut, three young Poms doing the track. One was an experienced walker with good, worn-in but not outworn gear. One was a wannabe with a pile of bells-and-whistles top-line nice shiny brand new equipment he didn't have the foggiest about. And the third had one of those suitcases with shoulder straps, and set off into an incipient rainstorm (which turned to snow the next day) wearing a pair of heavy brown denim (almost canvas) overlong flares almost as wide as they were long, with matching down-at-heel plimsolls (no socks).
There are plenty of clueless twits around.

scavenger wrote:*sigh*
You having a bad day, or are you always this pernickety?

.

Yes and I like to keep my anecdotes up to date lest I would be citing "the briefcase carrying pair " or those who asked "what time do the leeches go to bed" so when I read posts on this forum I assume that we are talking about recent events not past history, with all due respects.
Do however keep posting your reminiscences on walks in Tasmania as the World reads this Forum and at times can make assessments for their travel itinerary in our Perfect Island State
c

Thanks for permission to carry on as usual. Sir.

I'll try to keep the ancient history to a minimum - except when it's relevant. Which the reference in question was.

r

scavenger wrote:Thanks for permission to carry on as usual. Sir.

I'll try to keep the ancient history to a minimum - except when it's relevant. Which the reference in question was.

Consider it my pleasure and what took you so long to reply
Glad to see you are up for the banter
c

Been a bit crook and a bit busy. One or the other I can cope with - the two together rather overwhelms me.

I'm better at banter than staying on topic. But I have been trying to be a good girl . . .

scavenger wrote:Been a bit crook and a bit busy. One or the other I can cope with - the two together rather overwhelms

I'm better at banter than staying on topic. But I have been trying to be a good girl . . .

Wait till you are older and feeling crook every day you may well end up as pernickety as I am

At least I can remember to stay on topic I think
c

Not a lot of discussion about echo point or beach poop, just a lot of p$%p.
ff

flyfisher wrote:Not a lot of discussion about echo point or beach poop, just a lot of p$%p.
ff

Who asked for comment from the cheap seats !! ruin2 poo
c

scavenger wrote:Been a bit crook and a bit busy. One or the other I can cope with - the two together rather overwhelms me.

I'm better at banter than staying on topic. But I have been trying to be a good girl . . .

Just been reading your post again and I ask you would a family have done the OLT to Pine Valley with no Rain Coats ?? a bit incredulous don't you think !!
You can be the judge ??
c

Hey Corvus, have you had a look at the posts under "Dumb questions / comments about bushwalking in Tasmania"? I fully believe them all after some of the wacky stuff I've seen on the trail!

corvus wrote:Just been reading your post again and I ask you would a family have done the OLT to Pine Valley with no Rain Coats ?? a bit incredulous don't you think !!
You can be the judge ??
c

*shrug*
I've seen stranger - and stupider - things.
Like people doing looong hard day walks in the Flinders Ranges or the West MacDonnells or Kakadu without drinking water, hat or sunglasses.
Like people setting off to climb Cradle Mountain in t-shirts and shorts and runners - when there's two feet of snow on the Face Track.
Like people trying to argue with me about whether or not I read something that I know damn-well I read . . .

Anyway, we're both off-topic. this supposed to be about toilet habits.

Makes good reading though.

i love the photo billboard-of-shame idea - they do that in some towns in england in the town centers with juvenile offenders.... Works VERY well there too i believe!

i certainly believe what NNW has said regarding unpreparedness on the OT, I have just got back from a couple of nights at Pine Valley and was just amazed at the stories others where telling of people they have meet on the way through.

And Adams idea on the poo sign is good too. One needs to go at the Mt Anne shelf camp as well, that is a mine field. Poos were seen above the surface close to water sources and not down stream of the camp. With campsite numbers limited there, we found one area we thought would be suitable only to find a number 2 in the corner!