Week 5 of Training

The highlight of the week has been the Haggland Training. They are a $750,000 vehicle as a fully reconditioned jobbie and at nealy $40,000 for a new track something that needs a bit of special attention. This one used to be at the Falls Creek Ski Resort but AAD got it for a bargain $20,000 a few years ago just as a training vehicle. Kingston has the capacity to fully recondition and upgrade these vehicles on site which is pretty unique.

As you can just see it was a little muddy after a little bit of circle work and bending races between poles 7m apart. They are suprisingly good in reverse as the steering comes from hydraulic arms between the front and back cabins.

Weekend in Launceston with Simon, Rails and Stanley

After the hectic week in Freycinet I thought a restfull weekend was in order so hitched a ride in the back of an Abulance and found myself on the doorstep of some great friends in Launceston. Great food and conversation was mixed with a speed ascent of Cradle Mtn, Climbing in Cataract Gorge, watch kyaks float upside down through rapids and walks wit the ever alert Stanley (a Border Collie and family member for Rails and Simon). It was great to catch up and was thouroughly shattered upon arrival back in Hobart after 10pm on Sunday.

There was a significant amount of snow on Cradle Mounain which was a dampening experience as it soaked down into our boots. Many of the snow slope were rather steep and the photo of me haming it up just looks uncoordinated anyway loads of fun, sweat and sunscreen stung eyes.

SARINZ Training at Freycinet Week 4

SRAINZ stands for Search and Rescue Institute New Zealand who run a 5-day intensive verticle rescue course for the AAD which is just fantastic! For those of you who are wondering what these bits of rope mean I will let you know why they look out of shape! Day 1 started with the setting up of a 9:1 haul system to gain a mechanical advantage over the tasks and testing we were about to do. The photos below are the before and after shot for one of the prussic loops from my harness.

TECH Heads only for nthe next bit - The green rope is an unused 10.2mm Marmot Dynamic Rope of unknown age with a 5.5mm spectra prussic (well loved for 5 years on my harness) snapping at 9.280kN or a force eqaul to 928kg. I was suitably impressed and now regret putting it through the test! Anyway I still hve 2 more on my harness and will use them with confidence.

Below is a stretcher and Nick (another FTO) going over the edge of a granite cliff at Freycinet to pick up and unconscious (acting) patient or victim (which ever you prefer). The next shot shows how much rope and hardwear was used to safely facilitate his lowering and raising to safety.

Below are a few extra shot of a carrying exercise on steep slopes (hopefully a video) and some of the native wildlife. This currently under threat from the spread of 'Cinnamon Fungus' which causes root rot in the National Park.

Georg in Tassie Yipee!

I was very lucky to have a visit from a special lady for more than a week which was just great and accounts for my slackness on keeping you all informed. Anyway it was great to hang out and we caught up with friends and family in the process. Not to mention did a little walk in Freycinet to see Wineglass Bay and Hazards beach.

Although we did find that the water was a little on the fresh side of things. But like all invigorating swims we continued along walking as you do (see the above demo of George casually walking on the beach!

Week 3 Training In Hobart

Well it was a week to remember as the rain just kept on coming! Some 21 weekends with rain ticked off for Tassie. All that aside it really didn't matter as we were goin to get wet and muddy regardless as dirt, grit, mud and water laden soils flew in all directions as we embarked on a 2-day ATV (now known as quad bikes) course run by the Honda Trainers.

Good Fun was had by all with only a small amount of damage caused to the front wheel of a quad. The benefit of doing a course with the mechanics, diesel gurus and fella's that all live with quads is that a star picket and some fencing wire can quickly remedy most large scale damage due to being a little keen. And you simply just role them to where you want them and stand back for the masters to do their best.

Next on the list was off to the Helicopter Resources Training where we found ourselves running through the helicopter roping sessions so that they can take us and our gear out into the field. Just to let you know it is not the most comfortable feeling as a helicopter almost lands on you while you hook up a couple of 44gallon drums and make sure that you do not put the sling over a ski as it could result in 'dynamic rollover' (that one is for you ARDA) and a helicopter parking on top of you upside down very quickly.

Well the first week of life in Hobart has been a whirlwind of information and equipment. All starting as the Taxi from the Airport made its way into the city centre to reveal the 'Aurora Australis' in all its glory. There is some suggestion that it adds an extra post code or city centre to Hobart when it is docked! I have been very fortunate to be put up in a single apartment in the centre of town just walking distance from the ship.

Life at work started with copious amounts of information from computer access to waste management down south. The equipment that is issued is nothing short of extreme, massive carhartt boiler suits that make you look like an Eskimo, down jackets, 2 pairs of sorels for cold and colder, safety sunnies by Bolle and knee high socks. Of course there is more!

Catching the bus each morning and afternoon means that you do actually knock off on-time which seems a foreign concept after the last few years of teaching although there is not that much useable light at 5:30pm.

I finally got my bike out of the warf compound on friday and proceeded to go on a little mission after putting it together. Thank goodness for Ay-Ups as being the newbie in town I don't know where any of the tracks go or finish. Anyway after a late muddy night on Friday I enlisted some local advice from the Avanti Plus store down here. A couple of the boys took me out on the hill (Mt. Wellington) and gave me the heads up, again a muddy experience. I went back for more today and headed to the hills again but had my ride cutshort of the summit by SNOW! Yes thats right it is still falling down here and after emptying the holes in my helmet turned for the bottom.

Alice to Tassie

I leave 'Alice' for my upcoming adventure to the Great South Land (Tasmania and then on to the Antarctic), change of scenery and profession as I make my way down to Tasmania to start an intensive 6 weeks of training with the Australian Antarctic Division.

Over the last 2.5 years I have loved to be in this place and that is because of the people. The Alice Springs Cycling Community and St Philips College have been an integral part of why I have been here for this time and intend to return in April/May of 2010. In some ways a sadness comes from knowing what I will miss in the time I am away. Friends, the freedom of the mountain bike trails, way of life but most importantly the girl (George) who is the best thing that has happened to me in recent times.