RAMBO OF THE SOUTHWEST

(from "Yeti" Autumn 2000, some names and places have been changed to protect the person involved in this story)

Some years ago I visited the South West of Tasmania and came across a man I was to nickname “Rambo of the Southwest”. There he was in all his sartorial splendour dressed in a pair of stubbies, tee-shirt, red bandana, knife on his belt and carrying one of those small stowaway daypacks. His feet were bare and he was definitely travelling light. He carried no food and was begging, borrowing and stealing his sustenance as he walked.

He had walked in from Cockle Creek and was heading towards Melaleuca some 5 to 6 days away when I found him resting his wet and muddy feet at the side of the track. He wanted to know if it was possible to “DO” Precipitous Bluff in 6 pairs of socks (well of course it wasn’t, it’s a 7 sock mountain!). A passer by then gave him a pair of running shoes which he wore for a while and then discarded them, it was more comfortable barefoot!

He was raiding the food store hut at Melaleuca when the Rangers caught up with him. Rambo had gorged himself with as much food as he could eat and then crammed as much as possible into his jacket. This must have reminded him of Christmas as there were many sealed parcels all containing the most wonderful goodies. and after 6 days of walking one can eat almost anything. It was explained that walkers were relying on their food being at Melaleuca for the next stage of their walk, Rambo must have felt guilty as he helped to return what he could to its correct box which was no easy task.

Returning to the walkers huts Rambo was convinced that he must return to Hobart but the ranger had not bargained on Bruce the New Zealand tramper who had just completed the Port Davy Track. Bruce, not suspecting that Rambo was half a needle short on his compass, proceeded to relate the story of his walk, well, Rambo had to have a go, it was easy, a doddle according to Bruce and so when the ranger returned, after booking the plane to Hobart, Rambo had decided to press on. After much argument and a night without sleep the Ranger finally bundled Rambo onto the light plane bound for Hobart, but what to do with him, surely he couldn't be left to roam the streets, and then an idea, he knew someone who worked at the mental hospital, yes he would take him. And to this day who knows what happened to Rambo.