Hi to all followers of the expedition #TasmaniaWinterTrek this page will contain several resources, links, to book progress, ideas and to the several future events (I hope) related to the expedition. It might leave my main website in the future to be a complete new standalone page.
1) Bushwalking discussion during the expedition - That Mad Belgian - #TasmaniaWinterTrek announcement
2) Garmin Inreach Trace - Google Earth file (to be coming)
3) Where was the Panasonic camera (and a few other items) lost on the Derwent river? What about the 1000 AUD reward?
4) Book structure (draft, to come soon)
5) Book progress (not really to come soon, I'll add a newsletter you can subscribe to know when the book is out or when I need some help for some sections)
6) Events related to #TasmaniaWinterTrek (if I come for a tour in TAS/OZ. Not before 2026-27)
...
3) Lost equipment and reward.
On D25, I had a packraft accident that could have been fatal. I went down paddling the upper Derwent river from lake St Clair, paddled under the dam (class 3) then I had a choice to make as the river split into 2 directions. I took the right (going down, west arm) and few minutes later I faced a tree log that is fully across the river arm. I stopped for a few seconds assessing the log that was 90% just under the surface of the water. A large branch coming from this log a bit like half a rainbow just above the log. I thought it would be just possible to go over the log and bending my upperbody backwards to go at the same time under the big branch. The water was so powerful, it pushed me facing the side of the boat against the log, pressure started to push the boat against it and a second later I tilted, water entered the boat and it started to sunk half under the log. I grabbed the branch to pull my body out of the boat. Retrieved paddle, saw my black day-drybag (a hole in it) sinking and going half floating going away. 30 min later I had managed to get the boat on land (not knowing yet about 2 punctures and 10cm tear on the floor. I went around the log to check if I could see my black drybag but nothing. Went then around the log with all my gear and boat (what I should have done in the first place) and paddled to safety with the sinking boat. In the next 24h I had repaired the boat, bought a shitty 15AUD headlight at Cradle Valley, told the rangers, the manager of the hotel/restaurant gave me 2 pairs of sunglasses from his lost&found items.
But I lost of of this: Panasonic HC-VX980 and memory card / Petzl Actik Core / Julbo explorer sunglasses / tiny 10liters blue backpack / Rode Videomic Pro / a few gopro mounts, tiny tripod, peanuts, 1 green 800ml gatorade bottle (some water in it) 1 empty 1,2 liter transparent bottle.
Location accident?
Questions? email me, I'll add the answer here if relevant for others.
3) Lost equipment and reward.
On D25, I had a packraft accident that could have been fatal. I went down paddling the upper Derwent river from lake St Clair, paddled under the dam (class 3) then I had a choice to make as the river split into 2 directions. I took the right (going down, west arm) and few minutes later I faced a tree log that is fully across the river arm. I stopped for a few seconds assessing the log that was 90% just under the surface of the water. A large branch coming from this log a bit like half a rainbow just above the log. I thought it would be just possible to go over the log and bending my upperbody backwards to go at the same time under the big branch. The water was so powerful, it pushed me facing the side of the boat against the log, pressure started to push the boat against it and a second later I tilted, water entered the boat and it started to sunk half under the log. I grabbed the branch to pull my body out of the boat. Retrieved paddle, saw my black day-drybag (a hole in it) sinking and going half floating going away. 30 min later I had managed to get the boat on land (not knowing yet about 2 punctures and 10cm tear on the floor. I went around the log to check if I could see my black drybag but nothing. Went then around the log with all my gear and boat (what I should have done in the first place) and paddled to safety with the sinking boat. In the next 24h I had repaired the boat, bought a shitty 15AUD headlight at Cradle Valley, told the rangers, the manager of the hotel/restaurant gave me 2 pairs of sunglasses from his lost&found items.
But I lost of of this: Panasonic HC-VX980 and memory card / Petzl Actik Core / Julbo explorer sunglasses / tiny 10liters blue backpack / Rode Videomic Pro / a few gopro mounts, tiny tripod, peanuts, 1 green 800ml gatorade bottle (some water in it) 1 empty 1,2 liter transparent bottle.
Location accident?
In the summer, at the water level of the upper Derwent is very low. Chance to find the equipment is fairly good. GPS coordinates are estimates.
1000 AUD dollars Reward conditions:
* once the camera is found and out of the water (dry or not, it was in another small drybag, not sure 100% tight waterproof) remove battery, remove SDcard (bottom camera) and dry it with a towel. Do not let it wet and rust in the air. The camera might work if dry inside the drybag.
* you can keep sunglasses if found / If headlight there and dead, I'd like to have it as souvenir, same for rodemic. Perhaps the Rodemic survived?
* I'm of course mainly interested in the memorycard and the content. First contact me, do not insert it in a drive. Take a photo and email me.
* I think of found it is a great story, and opportunity to speak again of the "Mad Belgian" and at the same time in the press give an update on the book if any progress. So you might have your name in the media, even interviews.
* If you don"t want the money, perhaps a donation to a charity of your choice or in a free talk of me in a school of your choice (1000AUD is half of a cost to fly me to OZ/TAS)
* You send me package at your cost, I will do the payment on a bank account once received. My risk if nothing can be recovered but normally big chance I get it all. Trust me I will not fail on my promise.Questions? email me, I'll add the answer here if relevant for others.
