“All things considered there are only two kinds of men in the world – those that stay at home and those that do not.”
Rudyard Kipling – A British author and poet.

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YouTube link

Oh yeah…i hear that an audio or video entry would be seen as favourable at the moment ;)

And while you are over at the site register for the forum and help grow what could turn out to be a great local resource for discussing adventure activities and products.

I’ve always liked the capabilities of the OziExplorer software and the price point is pretty good…but the OziExplorer3D software is brilliant for trip planning.

I’ve thrown two screen shots of the Upper Yarra Valley around Warburton showing a section of the standard topo map and a 3D version of the same area.

If you are picking up a copy of OziExplorer i highly recommend that you grab OziExplorer3D as well :)

Silva Expedition 4 Compass, a great baseplate compass for experienced navigators from Silva with almost everything you would need from a compass. Magnifier, millimetre and inch scales. Romer scales: 1:63.360 1:50.000 1:25.000. A compass with extra functionality for GPS users.

Features:

• Easy map/compass works with the Silva 1-2-3 System
• Ergonomically shaped baseplate of scratch resistant acrylic
• Three silicone feet prevent the compass from sliding off the map
• Stencil holes in the base plate for exact position markings on the map
• Luminous points for night navigation
• Romer scales for plotting positions on maps
• Patented red/black north/south lines in the capsule for quick and correct course setting
• Accuracy max 1.0° from true course
• Swedish quality steel compass needle
• North indicator on the red end of the compass needle
• Sapphire jewel bearing
• Magnifying lens

It’s been a while since i’ve used a baseplate compass for navigation…but i’m sure it will all come back to me :)

The site contains information on the latest issue of the magazine, news stories, event information, product reviews, podcasts and videos, competitions, links to other outdoor and adventure related sites and a community sections containing a blog and a forum.

So a few weeks ago I set out on the great boot hunt…after much oohing and aahing at boots in the $300+ range, early last week I decided on a set of Hi-Tec Altitude IV WP leather boots from my favourite outdoor store, Anaconda for $229 during one of their great sales.

I was also checking out the new Denali mid hike boots and the Gondwana Longford boots, which they didn’t have in my size. I have quite a bit of equipment and clothing from both Denali and Gondwana, which I have been very happy with, but I might wait for them to make a few more boots as I believe that this is their first attempt at supplying a hiking boot.

Anyway…back to the Hi-Tec purchase. The boot spec’s and some images are below and I’ll give them a good work out over the coming months and report on my thoughts.

Hi-Tec Altitude IV WP
Brown Full Grain

Features

• Waterproof seam sealed full grain leather upper
• Soft padded leather collar
• Fully gusseted leather tongue
• Rustproof brass hardware
• Comfort-Tec sockliner
• Board lasted with steel shank for added rigidity
• Lightweight CMEVA midsole
• Durable carbon rubber hiking outsole

Burke’s farewell speech from the Burke & Wills Web website …

The Victorian Exploring Expedition left Royal Park, Melbourne on Monday 20th August 1860. Originally intending to leave at 1.00 pm, it was 4.00 pm before the party got away. Dr Eades, Mayor of Melbourne, mounted one of the drays and made a speech.

“Mr Burke, I am fully aware that the grand assemblage, this day, while it has impeded your movements in starting, is at the same time a source of much gratification to you. It assures you of the most sincere sympathy of the citizens. (Hear hear), I will not detain you; but for this great crowd, and on behalf of the colony at large, I say – God speed you ! (Cheers).”
His worship the Mayor then called for three cheers for Burke, then three cheers for Mr Landells and then three cheers for the party as a whole. Mr Eades then said ;

“God speed and bless you !”
…to which Burke replied;

“Mr Mayor, On behalf of myself and the expedition, I beg to return to you my most sincere thanks. No expedition has ever started under such favourable circumstances as this. The people, the Government, the Committee – all have done heartily what they could do. It is now our turn, and we shall never do well until we entirely justify what you have done in showing what we can do (Cheers).”

The band struck up “CHEER BOYS, CHEER” and the party headed northwards in the direction of the Sarah Sands Hotel before turning and traversing the whole length of the Park to the south gate and passing then round the cattle yards, the camels’ manure pile and then past the swamp and out of the South Gate onto Flemington Road then Mount Alexander Road towards Essendon.

While it is without a doubt one of the most famous and talked about expedition’s undertaken on the Australian mainland, it was also possibly one of the most badly organised expedition’s as well.

From the Burke and Wills Expedition Wikipedia entry…

In 1860-61 Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills led an expedition of 19 men with the intention of crossing Australia from Melbourne in the south to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north, a distance of around 2,800 kilometres (1,750 miles). At that time most of the inland of Australia had not been explored by non-indigenous people and was completely unknown to the European settlers.

The south-north leg was successfully completed (except they were stopped by swampland 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the northern coastline) but owing to poor leadership and bad luck, both of the expedition’s leaders died on the return journey. All together, seven men lost their lives, and only one man, John King, travelled the entire expedition and returned alive to Melbourne.

I’ve posted most of these links before, but since it’s the 149th anniversary of the expedition starting, i thought i would post them again.

Along with the Wikipedia entry, you can find a heap more information, photos, maps, and other things, at the links below.

Burke & Wills Web
Lots of info over at this website, including the Buke & Wills Walk.

The Burke and Wills Historical Society
A group of Burke and Wills enthusiasts who also run the Burke & Wills Conference every two years, with the next one being held at the Dig Tree (near Coopers Creek in Queensland) in 2011.

The Burke & Wills Walk 2008
Dave Phoenix is retracing the route of the Burke & Wills Expedition on foot and departed from Royal Park on the 1st if August 2008. You can track his progress via his blog.

Across Australia with Burke and Wills
A Google Earth Community complete with details Google Earth KML file and Google Maps route as well.

Memorials
A list of Burke and Wills memorials at White Hat.

In the Tracks of Burke and Wills
Follow Mike Wills (fourth cousin, four times removed of William John Wills) and friends as they trace the route of the Burke & Wills Expedition.

I would also recommend reading a book that was published in 2002 and written by Sarah Murgatroyd called, “The Dig Tree”, which is probably one of the better books about the expedition, and is available to buy online at Westprint.

“A traveller. I love his title. A traveller is to be reverenced as such. His profession is the best symbol of our life. Going from – toward; it is the history of every one of us. It is a great art to saunter.”
Henry David Thoreau – An American author.