Exit Strategies when lost in South East Queensland

Off-track walking often involves degrees of being navigationally challenged and I attribute the skills of navigating I have now to dealing with these situations in the past. Each incident ought to be regarded as a learning experience and not a frustrating waste of time. The worst experience for me in southeast Queensland was between Tweed Trig and Mt Gipps where the presence of parallel ridges and an absence of clear foot pads led to an unplanned overnight stay in Grady’s Ck. Luckily this was during an extended hike and I was in mobile phone range near Richmond Gap the following day. So no-one had to worry needlessly or begin a search.

Hikers ought to be forgiving of their leaders if they stray off-course. Sometimes the different unplanned route is much more interesting and more wilderness based and the group is privileged to learn about areas that perhaps none in the group have ventured into before. On rare occasions (and the odds are this will happen to the best of us) an impenetrable feature may be encountered such as a cliff, thick vegetation, or waterfall. Consider it a new discovery rather than a reason to be critical of the walk leader. The walk leader on an off track walk ought to have the experience and terrain reading skills to negotiate the feature safely with the group.

Some tips:
1. Don’t panic – the worst that is likely to happen is that you will be late getting back.
2. Don’t rely entirely on a GPS. Canopy coverage can distort readings and even prevent readings.
3. Ridges are better to follow as a general rule in SEQ than creeks. The nature of the volcanic southeast is such that creeks are rocky, slippery and slower to progress along. Many creeks above 500m in altitude end in gorges with waterfalls that can lead to injury. Many ridges have had logging tracks in the past and most walking tracks seem to follow the highest ridges. Creeks are especially dangerous in wet weather to follow due to slippery rocks and increased water flow. Yes you will get to civilisation but you are likely to be battered and bruised as well.
4. Use a compass and keep to a bearing that by the map is sure to meet a landmark (creek, ridge, track) that you will be familiar with.
5. Go back if the terrain is too rough. All of the major national parks in SEQ have areas that are treacherous. Sometimes even the 1:25 000 map series do not adequately show cliffs and waterfalls. Turn around if: the slope is too steep, there are a lot of loose rocks, you come to the top of a cliff, the vegetation is thick wait-a-while, lantana, native raspberry, or Maiden’s Blush. The habitat of these plants is usually specific to a small area like the top of the ridge or an open patch in rainforest.
6. Carry a mobile phone. The top of most mountains will give reception. Tracks are usually also found on mountaintops and are the means to get a GPS reading or map fixes.
7. Enjoy it – there is little to be worried about in the area. You will probably survive longer uninjured in these areas than the Queen St Mall.
If lost in these areas:

• East Lamington: Head Up or South to meet the Border track, Ship-stern, or Dave’s Ck circuit. Don’t go down as each creek has a major waterfall to negotiate.
• West Lamington: If below 400m, most creeks are free of their major waterfalls and can be followed, otherwise move west and south on ridges that will lead to Christmas Ck or Running Ck. Do not head South to Grady’s Ck as it is a hard watercourse to follow.
• Lever’s Plateau: Head North as the north side is largely cleared. Once the border fence is met you can follow it to the Avocado farm, the road leading north from below Mt Tanna, or Palen Ck Prison Farm or further to Mt Lindsay Border Gate or Richmond Gap.
• Mt Barney: If you get fogged in, a bearing should be taken and followed to Barney Saddle from where the Peasant’s Ridge route is now clearly marked. Do not go down Barney Gorge or Rocky Ck if it is wet as they can be both slippery and dangerous.
• Mt Ballow region: This region is cloaked in thick rainforest. Heading South would lead towards Woodenbong, North towards Mt May, and East to Burnett Ck. Half a day of walking along these bearings would be hard but would be enough to get you to fire trails or roads.
• Mt Clunie: If East of the rabbit fence head north into the Watson Ck catchment. At Watson Ck falls walk west to the ridge (rabbit fence and near the border gate). If west, you need to find the main ridge back to the top of Mt Clunie as there are many cliffs in this area. Keep exploring in a systematic way remembering that the right ridge runs almost East – West in a line.
• Wilson’s Peak – the creeks can be followed into Wilson Ck. This will end at Kinnanes falls and the Verandah. If you don’t know the route stay on the top of the ridge heading north west until there are no cliffs to the north. Head North to the road.
• Main Range – to find the main scenic rim route move east until the escarpment is found. If you need to make a safe descent it is better to go West as the slopes are gentler and the valleys higher. There are many nice property owners in Emu Ck and Swan Ck valleys.
• Mount Mistake – Creeks to the north have road heads leading to Laidley. Ridges run East to the main Mount Mistake Ridge that follows the Winder track to Mt Mistake. It takes about 5 hours to walk from Mt Mistake to the start of the Winder track.
• Brisbane Forest Park – appears to have a herring bone design. The main road acts as a backbone with long ridges leading north and south. Stay on the ridge tops and head to the main road.