The real walk

Yeah it took a while, had a lot to do..

The walk I ended up doing has restricted access, it's restricted due to some government towers ( no idea what they do) at the peak. And they deem it to be a security risk or a bloody terrorist threat if someone wanted to go up there and blow them up. But really, no one is going to be bothered carrying explosives or the tools to bring down a coupla towers. And anyway if they could be bothered they'll do it regardless of the crazy warning signs all over the place. 

But I say, F 'em. They want to block access in a national park?? I've read the act and the only legal way there can be restricted access is due to damaging the local ecosystem.

Right then, I'll start with: No Swedish backpackers' on this trip!

What a pity.

It was a nice walk started out with a lot of switch-backs which get damn tiresome really quick. I didn't even make it to the peak.

I didn't see one other person on this walk, must be due to the signs at the start. I should mention that yes there is a large fence at the start of the walk, and there is a (one) guard person at the location too. I checked him out  a week before asking about the track and just had a polite chat.

He started off denying that there was ever a walking track there!

Until I convinced him I knew my walking tracks around the area and told him where the track went to. He admitted the existence of the track but has been closed since a cyclone has been through.

I didn't push him too much as to why they blocked off this one section due to dangerous conditions (That's the official version) which is illegal. All nation parks are deemed dangerous that's why there is no clause to restriction access to a park for that very reason.

Anyway the walk was bloody rough! It hadn't been trod for ages... I was happy to have taken my machete because the vines and crap were covering the track like crazy.

 So I get a fair way up and there is a cool view of the waterfall through some trees, that's my destination I though. But alas I had been walking for almost two hours and it was really tough going. I turned back, defeated, I have to go back. Also saw signs of wild pigs too, do NOT want to encounter those while walking solo.

I'll get back to that walk another day...

Back to hiking/ sorta

SO this is new, I haven't been on the walk yet but am going tomorrow.... Am doing a pre-emptive hike story.

Right so I'll drive on over to the start of the walk(haven't decided which it'll be yet) And get out have a little stretch and find the start.
It's not going to be a long one.
So there's heaps of friggan mud around and it just started raining, has that ever stopped me? Ha!
Right, I've fallen over right on top of a muddy bit. Shit. Can't stop now...
I walk past two swedish backpacker girls (This actually does happen quite a lot) and they start giggling at my muddy side. Then I stop them, ask them if they had seen the film 'Wolf Creek'> the first one says nope, but ! The second one must have and starts looking worried, said something in her lan. To her friend and they both bolt off through the rain forest.

I walk on, elated, reach the pinnacle of my walk and stop to take in my surroundings. By now the mud has cracked and if falling off, I'm dry and successfully scared  some holidaymakers.


So that would be good, I'll have to write back after really doing the walk...

Facebook new data centre

Facebook will be putting ARM based servers in their upcoming Oregon data centre.

What does this mean for the general Facebook user? Nothing at this point, rather Intel will be watching carefully and holding their breath.

If Facebook's plans go well, we may see a dramatic drop in prices.

facebook_plans_hardware_and_software_change

Wifi Networks and Facebook weaknesses / Firesheep

FireSheep, the tool that allows the capture of a number of social networking sessions around you in an unsecured network like... An open WIFI network at the train station, aeroport or coffee shop.
A couple of researchers have compiled a few scripts to create the tool 'FireSheep', this can allow a remote user connected to a wifi access point to capture a social networking 'session' that a person is having on the same wifi point. And take it over by a single click. This tool was demonstrated at the ToorCon Hacking Conference in San Diego on Sunday.

The tool can effectively control the applications Facebook, Twitter and IGoogle. FireSheep gets in through the lack of transaction security for the many social networks.

As always though, wifi is always going to be a security issue, since everything through a single point (although encrypted) is broadcast to anyone who cares to listen> Or sniff rather.

Firesheep works on unencrypted wireless LAN connections with services that do not use the secure HTTPS.

This problem has been know for some time now and isn't anything new. The point is now the Two researchers have released their program for the general public. This problem will require social networking sites to  revamp their session transfer information stuff...

Most people that are already aware of this problem but still need the use of social networking tools for unsecured wifi, create a V.P.N. at their home and can then, through their home computer, create for themselves a secure session.


More details: Kaspersky's Threatpost

Blue arrow

Okay so I got back to the blue arrow, filled with water, snacks and supplies.... lol

It was bloody hard! At least five trees ( The huge ones not the little shrubs) over the beaten track that I had to climb, scramble over. And the track was so sloppy I nearly fell a few times.
But it was good to get back out there in the real forest.
Usually I meet a few others walkers on this track, but this time, zero.
We have been having non-stop rain here hence not many stupid people like me want to walk through the jungle as a torrent of water renders the path un walk-able for most.
So I'll do it again and take a few snaps next weekend so you'll all see what I mean.
Cheerio

Red Arrow (Again)

So due to all the cyclone and flooding destruction here, it's difficult to access an open trail.
I resorted to partaking the Red Arrow, and sure enough it was chockers with after-workers.
A pretty easy walk usually, this time the track has been washed away in parts, a few trees and lots of bamboo over the pathway makes for a interesting walk.
I have to avoid the after five session because > one ex girlfriend walks it too!

Yeah it hasn't stopped raining here in Cairns since Yasi ploughed through a few weeks ago. But really no one cares about that now, all eyes are on Japan going critical.
 It doesn't mean we can forget about our national parks walking tracks! Wish the park rangers had a better budget and could open the tracks sooner.

So more walking tales to follow, I've nearly done all of the available hikes in the Cairns area, next on the list is Davies Creek waterfalls on the tablelands.
 I hear it's a rock-hopping track all along the river bed and best not to traverse after rain..

Update during the week to let ya all know about it. 

to walk or not to walk

Yeah I can't really remember the last time that I went for a hike, ever since cyclone Yasi went through most of the tracks have been un- hike-able.
So I'll get to some tracks soon!
In the meantime I'm going to watch the first season of pokemon. No really I am.
Remember when Ash caught his first pokemon? The catapie? Those were the days! And he steals Misty's bike? LOL nice one. Yeah I'm up to episode 3 now it rocks.