RRCV Navex 2008
Navigation is very important to all of us. To find your way around Australia’s wonderful bush safely, you need to know how to use a map, a roamer or protractor, a compass – and if you have one, a GPS or a GPS/PC combo. Many of us just follow a trip leader – and hope they know where they are going! But the trip leader may not always be there…
Navex has a great tradition in the RRCV. It used to be an inter-club navigational challenge. These days it’s just for us and, although it is still a competition of sorts, the focus is on fun, having some “navigational exercise” and having a great weekend in the bush.
This year we will return to Murrindindi and build on what we did in Noiv 2006. The event will use straightforward navigation, with plenty of tips in the instructions as well as signs or clues on the ground to help you find you way around. We’ll use a range of roads in the area – including some good 4WD roads.
For people who have not navigated much there will be someone at the start to help you. There are no tricks in this – it’s about plotting gird references and directions from the instructions, then using the info on your maps, your compass and what’s around you to find your way to each point. Most importantly, it’s not a race. There will be no time pressures on you, although we need everyone back at camp by late afternoon for safety reasons.
Saturday night dinner around the campfire is a Navex tradition – and lots of fun. It will be a good opportunity to swap stories, spend some “quality time” in the bush and enjoy the company of other members Friday night can be a bit of fun too…
That’s Navex 2007 – a bit of navigating, a bit of 4Wding and a lot of fun! If you have any queries make sure you contact one of the organisers… See you there!
Meeting Time: 8.30 am Saturday 17 November 2007, in time for a 9.00 am briefing. Many will be arriving and setting up on Friday evening…
Meeting Place: Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, Murrindindi Road, in the Black Range State Forest. Meet at the Blackwood Camping area – look for the RRCV sign. Murrindindi Scenic Reserve is about 30-45 mins out of Yarra Glen. Supplies and fuel available at Yarra Glen and Glenburn. The reserve has Toilet facilities. There is a small camping fee.
Trip Standard: 4WDing: Easy to medium, depending on weather. Navigation: Straightforward.
Fuel: Full tank out of town.
Maps: Rooftop’s “Toolangi – Black Range Forest Activities Map”, Edition 2. Scale: 1:50,000. Recommended: Ausmap Map Reading Guide, which includes a “Map Card” for plotting and scaling. Cost $2. Get your map before you leave town.
Navigational Eqpt A pencil, eraser and a ruler, roamer or protractor (for plotting and scaling on the map.) If you have a plastic coated map, something that’s not a pencil! A compass. A decent hand held one will suffice. Test it before you come into the forest, on a known bit of road.
You do not need a GPS, or a GPS/PC seetup. Note too, even if you do have these things you will still need the paper map, a pencil and a ruler or plotter.
Other Equipment You need to have: First Aid Kit, snatch strap and shackles, front and rear recovery points and a UHF radio.
Food and Water Bring all food for your stay, including morning and afternoon teas, lunch and dinner. Supplies are available approx 16 km away at Glenburn.
Clothing Be prepared for summer – there is a river behind the camp for a (shallow) swin.
Comms UHF channel 15
Vehicle Your vehicle and equipment are your responsibility. Ensure you are appropriately equipped and that your vehicle is reliable, roadworthy and safe. Good tyres are essential.
Itinerary Navex is a one day Saturday event. But, we will be camping at Murrindindi Reserve on Friday and Saturday nights. We will organise wood for campfire cooking, subject to fire restrictions.
There will be a briefing at 9.00 am on Saturday Morning and Navex will kick off at 10.00 am. It will be split into two sections with a lunch break back at camp. Everyone should be back at camp by late afternoon.
Organisers
Chris Brown, Jenni Donaldson, Ron Douglas and Steve Hollowood
Sign Up: For members, using the link below. Or, in the Trip Book, by email to Trip Coordinator.