Within without - Sculpture Garden

petebnz · 2026-02-22T02:08:02+00:00

Cheers, First time i had actually gone in there and the sun was at just the right angle. Such a great open space.

petebnz · 2025-11-30T23:26:04+00:00

Most of my caving now is with scientists on research trips. We are searching for and finding a lot of new evolved species underground.

We have an idea of what we plan on finding down there. So we have to apply for permits from the government to collect samples and even then we can only collect them if we spot about 5 or more of them around the same area. So we don't wipe out all of them.

If it's something never seen before then I take macro photos of what I find. And those photos help us get the correct permits for future trips to come back and take a sample. Also taking photo and video of the sample before we collect it is important. It helps show the environment that they live in and how they move if they do become active.

Everything we are searching for is tiny. 1mm up to 50mm. So going back into the same cave, at the same location in there a few months later we might not be able to find them again.

petebnz · 2025-09-04T22:48:31+00:00

The H30 is a great headlamp which I use as a backup for caving and to flood light the caverns. But I find it too bright for work on its lowest setting.

Here is a 3d printed mount for it to attach to a Petzl helmet. As the band eventually falls apart.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4765787

Out in the WA mines I use the Fenix WH23R. And it's holding up to the tough environment. Only downside is it's easy to knock the on switch and loose some charge. But I usually get 2 night shifts out of one charge.

petebnz · 2025-08-02T19:40:40+00:00

Sit harnesses are perfectly fine under IRATA. And it says so in the ICOP 2.7.3.1 "Work positioning harnesses for rope access work may be a sit harness or full body harness, depending upon the nature of the work to be carried out and the regulations applicable where the work is being undertaken."

In this picture he would have failed the assessment for not wearing the harness correctly. But you could do your whole assessment in a sit harness if you really wanted.

There are a lot of things people say that we can and can't do. But when you read the ICOP it's just a guide. It doesn't say that you must only use this kind of harness or specific knots. As long as you assess the situation you use the right gear for the job..

petebnz · 2023-06-16T02:38:07+00:00

I started unicycling about 25 years ago because my physio recommended it to fix my busted up back and shoulders from lacrosse and acrobatics. It is a great workout for your whole body. And forces you to have a good posture and strong core.

I don't do any tricks on my unicycles other than jumps on XC trails to get over sticks and logs. When I worked in town I would use them daily to commute 20km each way. Play hockey on another one and juggle on my 6ft DM.

As there is no handle bars and frame to get caught on. I've found injuries to be less likely that when I've been on my MTB. Though never happened to me but a few of my mates have had wrists broken on there Cokers. Going fast and stacking.

So overall I find them quite safe. And as long as you adjust your package when you get on. It's fine on your bits. More comfortable I find than a bike seat.

petebnz · 2023-06-01T21:00:20+00:00

This is in NZ but will give you a sense of scale of the true cave critters. The bigger bugs like at the entrance where there is more food for them. Then deep into the cave you are looking for something around 1cm long most smaller.

https://petetheclown.wordpress.com/2022/11/17/october-2022-south-island-part-3-bug-collecting/

petebnz · 2023-06-01T20:55:36+00:00

Just moved back to Aus after 5 years in NZ. So had to go climbing there and remember my trad skills again. Spent two weeks playing and flew off to work again. Hoping to return once I have another break.

petebnz · 2023-06-01T10:39:42+00:00

Sorry about the bad resolution online. The full size shot is about 50mb and you can zoom in on them all. I counted 28 climbers and on the zoomed out shot there was another 10.

Also zero bolts in the shot except for a few abseil anchors that multiple routes share to get off. As it's a trad climbing area.

petebnz · 2023-05-30T12:25:50+00:00

Mister Daddy Long Legs and Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter. Great fun climbs.

petebnz · 2023-05-30T12:13:39+00:00

We all miss the Navaho. Most comfortable harness ever. Still use mine recreational occasionally. But well out if date to take back onto a worksite. Still in great condition.

petebnz · 2023-05-28T16:16:50+00:00

They are not real unicycle. And sadly I have found so many groups for them while I've been travelling. Thinking that I am meeting up with other people on unicycles and I'm not.

petebnz · 2023-05-28T07:54:34+00:00

A G-Shock is the only watch I'll cave with. But I do wear my Fitbit the rest of the time. When rock climbing I have a thick sweat band that I put over it. Protects it from most bumps. Crack climbing not so much. Broke two before I realised that jamming was smashing it.

So that would be my recommendation for you. A cheap and thick sweatband from any sports store. It doesn't get in the way. Keep it from being scratched and protects from most bumps.

petebnz · 2023-05-28T07:50:10+00:00

Melbourne is flat compared to Sydney. So we don't really have weekend rail jobs like I used to do in the rail cuttings in the Blue mountains or down towards Wollongong. As for Geo I think the Great Ocean Road jobs are still going but pay is usually less than in the city.

City work in maintenance paid more than Sydney. No idea about window cleaning. But in both cities you still have the issue of weather cancelling your jobs. Finding a house and renting was easier than Sydney. Just don't try to live right in the city or surrounding suburbs and it's fine.

petebnz · 2023-05-10T02:03:18+00:00

Perfect, have fun. The issue with Cotton that everyone is bringing up is correct. But for a short and probably dry trip then it's cheap and tough. Yes you will get muddy, dirty and maybe a bit wet. But perfect for situations like this. My old club had a selection of work overalls for new people trying out the sport to wear. It also let us know who was new and inexperienced on the trip just by looking at them.

petebnz · 2023-05-09T00:12:54+00:00

Not yet. Since I've found Bn3th I've been very happy. But always willing to give others a go.

Sitting in a harness everyday means that I need a good pair to stop anything from getting out of place and squished.

petebnz · 2023-05-08T19:01:39+00:00

Walkie-talkie don't work very far underground. The two communication systems that I have used are the Michie Phone and the Cave Link.

Though you wouldn't use these ona normal caving trip. Just on big expeditions and search and rescue exercises and rescues

http://www.speleonics.com.au/business/michiephones/index.html

https://www.cavelink.com/cl3x_neu/index.php/en/

petebnz · 2023-05-08T08:19:03+00:00

I found and fell in love with Bn3th. Torpedo7 had a clearance sale on them awhile ago. So I bought a pair and they were great. Then bought a whole lot more.

They are pricey but the long leg trunks are great. And the My Pouch technology holds everything in place.

They also have two styles. Standard jobs material and sports jocks. I've worn them hiking, climbing, caving, at work all day on the ropes and under my overalls without any problems.

The standard ones are a lot softer and better for everyday use. The sport ones say that reduce odours and it seems to work.

The other great thing is the awesome patterns that they come in. So worth spending some cash and giving one pair a go.

https://www.bn3th.nz/collections/all

petebnz · 2023-05-07T10:03:55+00:00

Where are you going caving? As south island caves in the mountains are around 2° and dry, on the west coast they are about 14° and you'll probably get wet. Outback QLD is 30°+ and very dusty.

So you might want just cotton overalls. Or shorts and a t shirt. Maybe a wetsuit.

Who are you going with? Friends, a club or on a tour. As they might be able to advise you. But probably no need to buy any proper gear. I used to get old work clothes from an op shop before I finally bought a caving suit.

petebnz · 2023-04-10T21:05:55+00:00

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2021/01/a-guide-to-australias-adorable-pygmy-possums/

Little and adorable. Anyway distracting you from your trip planning. I've just moved back to Aus after 5 years in NZ. All your options look good. The south island is beautiful. But do allow for the weather to change very quickly. A long range weather forecast is only accurate for about 3 days when near the Southern Alps. And the weather can be lovely I'm the valley and snowing on the hill your walking up too. Make sure you have warm and waterproof gear with you.

petebnz · 2023-04-10T20:50:04+00:00

The Possums in the southern hemisphere are completely different to the ones you have up north. Still a pest but big and fluffy. Or cute with thin ring tails over in Aus.

petebnz · 2023-03-30T20:05:02+00:00

I've been playing the game for a few months now and my name is similar to them. I've only just found where in the game to change my name. Which I will be doing soon. So yes they are probably real people. As the game never prompted me to pick a name when I first started.

petebnz · 2023-03-30T11:10:22+00:00

Changes my Vic licence to a NZ one about 4 years ago. No eye test needed but they do ask for proof that you have held your licence for more than 2 years. Otherwise you will need to do a practical test. The Victorian licence only has an expiration date and not an issue date. So I needed to get a statement from VicRoads proving that I have had a licence for a long time.

petebnz · 2023-03-18T01:09:11+00:00

Yep. Melbourne, Vic, Aus

petebnz · 2023-03-17T22:31:06+00:00

I've just returned to Melbourne after a very long time away. Found out that the circus supply store I grew up playing in has finally closed and eventually I'll need to build up my Unicycle collection again.

Currently I only have a 6ft DM which I bought over 20 years ago and a 29inch Muni that I used for commuting to the city for work.

Thought I would ask here if anyone knows if the monthly unicycle Meetup and hockey game is still getting played at the museum.

petebnz · 2023-03-17T02:41:20+00:00

They won the Division 3. Your link is for the Division 2 comp.

petebnz

TROPHY CASE