family

Our overnight bushwalk up Mt Solitary in the Blue mountains was a great success. It was a fun time exploring the bush with the kids and doing Bear Grylls (Man vs Wild) impersonations. We think that Daniel (6) may be youngest to summit and camp up there. It was a big effort for the kids to do the scrambling up the knife edge and we found the climbing was their favourite part. I guess there are no surprises there.

We playing with a new toy the Go Pro Hero cam (HD) to give a bit of a different perspective for the video.

As the weekend draws near it's time to get the details together for this trip which hopefully we can still do it with my son feeling sick. I've also found another record of some kids doing this walk with the youngest being 7.

Each trip I ask a few questions and do a bit of research to ensure safety and enjoyment.

What weather should I expect and be prepared for?

Weather can make or break a trip. I find that when I know what to expect and come prepared then the trip is enjoyable, even if it's raining the whole time. The two sites I mostly visit for Australian weather information are Bureau of Meteorology and Weatherzone.

I found this set up the other day. The text reads...

A perfect fit for SUVs, minivans, and similar vehicles with rear liftgates or hatchbacks, the DAC Explorer 2 SUV Tent lets you enjoy camping off the ground. Comfortable and convenient, the Explorer 2 is easy to set up, thanks to bungee cords equipped with plastic coated hooks that attached to your vehicles underframe. There’s no worry of bugs getting in and ruining your sleep – this DAC SUV tent’s shock cord ensures it is snug against the vehicle, and it also has a no-see-un insect screen. Other features include fold up outer door panels, two way zippers and carrying bag. Strap one to your SUV for $109.

I've never seen anything like this available in Australia. Might be a market opportunity for someone?

I just came across the Oz Camps website.

It says;

"This map has been designed for campers who enjoy free/independent camping. Free camping includes National and State Parks which may attract a fee.

"This free camping map has been designed so that anyone is able to add/edit/delete places. Please ensure accuracy when completing the location."

So far it lists more than 300 sites. Brilliant!

Plus you can download the camp sites to your GPS - how good is that!