LOGISTICS
The team will drive over 3,500 km
from Melbourne, Victoria to Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia. The
team will then charter a plane from Fitzroy Crossing to Mt Barnett Station;
this puts them within striking distance of the upper reaches of the river.
Shuttled to the wandering stream, this marks the beginning of the 400
kilometre journey. Travelling by raft, three to four weeks will be allocated
to make the descent of the upper Gorges of the Fitzroy.
Raft travel allows for carriage of reasonable quantities of gear, however
the limiting factor will be the payload of the aircraft. With kayaks,
equipment and the basics for survival taking up most of the room, bush
tucker will be relied upon to supplement our meagre supplies. Upon Arrival
at Fitzroy Crossing the team will have a meeting with local aboriginal
elders to learn first hand how to utilise food from the land.
This extended period spent on the river will allow flexibility in day-to-day
on river decisions, more time for extensive rapid scouting, multi-day
stays at the newly discovered rapids, and the ability to monitor weather
conditions and wait out cyclones which will in turn bring better water
levels and better waves. This extra time in the Kimberley wilderness will
also provide ample time to document rock art, flora and fauna.
After arriving at Fitzroy Crossing the group will take 2 days rest and
eat some well deserved cooked meals before driving west towards Derby
where they will under take the first descent of the Mt Hardmen Creek and
Mt Wynne Creek. Unlike other rivers of the Kimberley the Mt Hardmen Creek
and Mt Wynne Creek can be reached by only a couple of days' hard hiking
cutting the need for helicopter drops or air support. Both these creeks
should be completed in 7 days.
Daily check-ins will be made via satellite phone to give updates for the
Live Blog, and also to get the latest weather reports.
EDGE OF THE WORLD
The Kimberley Region is extremely remote. The logistical
problems of simply getting to the river with their equipment will be a
major undertaking. The Kimberley covers an area of 423,517 square kilometres;
three times the size of England, fifteen percent bigger than Japan, or
a similar size to California. The team will be days away from any road
for extended periods, helicopter being the only support.
For every fourteen square kilometres there is one person in the Kimberley.
