In the News

[Phil]

See the folliwing link:

http://www.news.com.au/national/wanted-the-man-whos-armed-dangerous-and-hiding-in-sydneys-blue-mountains/story-e6frfkvr-1225884959367

It just makes me feel sick. I hope she recovers swiftly.....my thoughts are with you Alison.

It goes to show that things like this can happen anywhere really, how sad.

[ILUVSWTAS]

It is kind of scary isnt it.

[Lindsay]

Very disturbing. Soundls like the Florabella Pass track they are talking about. A nice couple of hours walking and popular with the Cubs and youth groups when I used to live in the area. We talk a lot about the natrual hazards of bushwalking, but not so much about the human dangers that may be lurking around. Thankfully these incidents are rare but seem all the more shocking when they do occur.

[johnw]

Very disturbing. Soundls like the Florabella Pass track they are talking about. A nice couple of hours walking and popular with the Cubs and youth groups when I used to live in the area. We talk a lot about the natrual hazards of bushwalking, but not so much about the human dangers that may be lurking around. Thankfully these incidents are rare but seem all the more shocking when they do occur.

This is real a worry for those of us who often walk solo, but fortunately a rare occurrence as you said. A bit more of a worry as I'm doing some bush regen. not too far from that area this weekend. At least there'll be a group of us. Definitely Florabella Pass by the description, walked it several times. Although close to civilisation it's sufficiently isolated and less frequented that any incident could go undiscovered for some time. Let's hope he's apprehended soon.

[Lindsay]

This bloke has been caught: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 944171.htm

[Greenie]

Just hope it doesn't turn many people off from bushwalking. The chances of this happening must quite small.

[north-north-west]

Officers searched the man and say they found a knife hidden in his pants.

Is that a knife in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?

Sorry.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Haha dont apologise, You've obviously got a "sharp" wit

[neil_fahey]

Yep definitely a terrible story and not something any of us think about when we head off alone on a hike. I'm always worried about getting bitten or falling over and breaking something - getting stabbed has never entered my mind that's for sure! However, has anyone ever heard about this happening before? Anywhere? Ever? Didn't think so... Would be a bit silly to be put off bushwalking because of it.

[stepbystep]

Suburban bushland can provide this danger as it is easily accessible and easy to hide in while also being relatively quiet and private.
As read in the Mt Faulkner thread all sorts hang out on the urban fringe, especially dodgy buggers with horticultural pursuits. Dope plants of course convert directly into lotsa $$$ and people do what they see fit to protect 'the cash crop'. Some methods include razor wire and rabbit traps, definately enough to cause severe injuries, and if you happen to stumble upon them while they are out tending their babies................
As a kid I grew up on this urban fringe in Perth and the local bush turned up all sorts of pond life, from bullies assaulting school kids on their way home, people dumping rubbish, the aforementioned druggies or even dumping bodies
I think the good news is that the vast majority of these low-lifes are too lazy to walk far, so my guess is, that once you are half an hour into the bush your safer than in your own bed!

[corvus]

Do not be complacent as the these drop kicks drive cars and have been known to vandalize and thieve from cars even as far up the road as the Walls Car Park.
Main perp is in Risdon at present but he will have mates as they always do so we are never really safe
corvus

[Ent]

Good point SBS. A local policeman was lucky to be alive when a low life set up a shotgun to a trip wire. If wandering around at lower altitude and you notice a agriculture cash crop do not give into curiosity to check it out as traps are not uncommon as low lives seek to protect their "investment" from other low lives.

Cheers

[Lindsay]

A few years ago a search for a lost walker on the Jerusalem Bay track, part of the Great North Walk not far from my place, turned up a sizeable cannabis crop that had been lovingly tended. Don't know about any booby traps though. I have read somewhere that this is a real issue in the national parks in the USA, and that some missing hikers may have unfortunately stumbled across some illegal activity and paid the price.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Policeman bore the brunt of a shotgun which was triggered to the front door of one many years ago.
Also quite a few have been found around St Helens, The forest reserve just short of copping also has been a popular place. A mate of mine went for a pee on the side of the road and casually remarked on his return that he found one. Of course we didnt believe him until we saw it with our own eyes.
Also found one in the bush between Gielston bay and Risdon vale many moons ago, when there WAS bush up there....

Should be pretty safe at this time of year though

[Nuts]

Many moons ago I went for a walk in an area of bushland behind Narrabeen (Sydney). It was just suburban parkland and surrounded by houses. As I walked through a shallow valley I noticed that the ground had a strange feel. Ridges/mounds of earth spread across the valley and it was the same across the entire valley floor. It had me baffled. At the head of the valley I came to a rock overhang/cave. In it I found some beds/old matresses and dozens of seedling trays and other equipment.... It was incredible, you could clearly see houses further up the hillsides! I'm guessing the crop was busted (doh) but if not it must have been huge! (and not even a single bud left over )

[ILUVSWTAS]

Bummer!

[Ent]

When working at Clements and Marshalls the people at the onion drying shed noticed something looked different. After many discussions they finally figured it out, someone had stolen the shade cloth around the drying sheds This is used as camouflage netting. Also irrigation pipe etc was regularly stolen from the orchards. The local Port Sorrel hardware store was a prime target for snatch and grab of similar materials. A friend at a hardware store noticed that high quality scales and electric paisley cutters were often brought together

Anyway, as mentioned be wary in the bush as traps are often set so avoid rubber necking.

Cheers Brett