The Things You See

with (TRUTHFUL) PHIL BIANCHI FOUR DAYS OF 'RELAXATION'

The bogging of a WA family of four in the Simpson Desert in November 2021, reminded me of a similar incident that befell me in 2008.

On a trip to the CSR Rudall River NP area, our party of two vehicles was camped west of Hanging Rock. The weather during the trip had been terrific; blue skies every day, it was shorts and tee shirts weather. While driving out of camp one morning a rain shower came out of nowhere. Within minutes big black clouds appeared, there was thunder and lightning and heavy rain started falling. It became heavier and heavier; the wipers couldn’t keep up. In an hour, and after travelling only 15km, a muddy flat stopped us. Thinking we could easily get out of this situation, out came the shovels and two sets of bog mats, a set of Maxtrax and a set of 'bottom of milk crate' style bog mats I had been asked to trial. We managed to gain a couple of metres each time before bogging again, all the while the heavy rain kept falling. After what felt like some 20 debogging efforts, and totally exhausted, we gave up. The Maxtrax were fantastic compared to the milk crate style bog mats. They quickly cleared of mud for reuse, whereas the milk crate type remained clogged, impossible to clean, were slippery and very heavy. We would have paid a king’s ransom for two sets of Maxtrax! Realising we needed shelter, a 3m x 3m canvas tarp was set up off the side of our Cruiser and our tent was set up on a tiny bit of high ground. By now my feet were suffering from hypothermia. My boots had filled with water and mud and were a hindrance, so I took them off and did all of the unbogging work in bare feet. Our friends set up their tent on higher ground in a patch of mulga, some 100 metres away. To improve our spirits, and because we had nothing else to do, we lit a fire. After creating a mound of mud that was above the water line, we placed some spinifex on it and then some wet wood. Using a gas blow torch and keeping the trigger pressed open we eventually got the spinifex and

Forlorn camp.

wood burning. Although it took a while, and almost a can of gas, we got there. To further improve camping facilities, our table was placed under the middle of the tarp. We then laid the bog mats around it like a board walk, which made walking back and forth while cooking etc. easier. During all of this it continued to rain and rain. Realising we were going to be here for more than an overnight camp, we contacted the VKS HF Radio Network, of which we were members, advising them of our predicament. They asked us to keep in touch daily via morning and evening skeds. Sleeping that night proved hopeless; by midnight the patch of high ground where our tent was pitched went under, the tent pegs pulled out and water had entered the tent drenching everything. Solid rain, lightning and thunder continued through the night. Day two dawned and the rain had eased slightly, but it felt like only from cyclonic to torrential. The ground was still very boggy, we couldn’t move; it was to be a rest day. Thankfully the rain eased to showers in the afternoon, so we advised VKS of the improving situation and assured them we were ok. On day three we found the country had dried out significantly but still not enough to get out. While having lunch, ten camels came through the mulga belt and across the flat towards us. Stopping for a few moments about 80 metres away, they watched us inquisitively. Suddenly they decided we were a dubious looking bunch and in a flurry of slipping and skidding legs they took off back to the mulga. Later in the afternoon we made up lots of flags, a stick with a length of toilet paper tied on. Using the flags we walked across the flat seeking the higher and firmer ground and marked out an escape route. That evening, during our sked with VKS, we were advised that the authorities wanted us out and were going to organise a rescue helicopter from Telfer. Feeling safe and believing we could get out without such intervention, we pleaded for them to wait until the morning before setting any rescue in motion. Thankfully they agreed. On the fourth morning conditions had improved further, we advised VKS we were confident in successfully getting out and that we were heading back eastward to the Rudall River NP north south track, then to the Talawana Track and Newman. We got off the boggy flat without any problems and so ended our three night stay at the Boggy Hilton; the flags worked a treat. Needless to say VKS were relieved at our success but not as much as we were. Despite all the planning, precautions and safety and communications gear, mother nature sometimes does things her way and catches you out.

Escape looks good but it's still treacherous.