Detecting in Dec-Feb in WA to hot?

[Timbo]

I am planning a 2-3 month trip from Dec-Feb in WA and wanted to see weather anyone has some experience/advice if this is a good idea.
How is it with the temperatures in the early morning and evening and also what about snakes?

Thanks

 

[slipped disc]

I think you will find the short answer is - forget it ! you could try and google W.A. summer temps. and gold prospecting there at this time of year. gold prospecting - 4 umer has many posts about this also.

 

[Westaus]

It is possible, my mate and I have done it, 50'c in the shade got a pic to prove it as well.

That and the damn flies make it almost unbearable. We drank copious amounts of water and we were also adding hydrolytes etc... as well. It is do able but certainly not the best time to be out there. Make sure you are well prepared and have backups on backups. Also good communications of some type is essential.

Mornings and evenings are certainly nice, but the moment the sun is up until it goes down you have those damn flies. Did I mention the flies

 

[Paydirt]

Used to work exploration from kal all months of year, don't see why swinging a detector would be different, just keep the fluids up , IE 10 litres plus per day.Snakes meh

 

[Nanjim]

It may be possible...I am in The Pilbara...
At the moment 05:09hrs the temp is 24.....
Going to be 41 again today....
With an early start say 05:00 thru till 10:00 ..
Park up till mid to late arvo ...go out again....till sunset...
Drink plenty of water.... I drink 7 to 10 L of water a day ....
Remember if you are drinking water and you are not Pissing YOU are not drinking enough .....
First sign of dehydration is a dry mouth .....

Cheers Nanjim
Jim

 

[Paydirt]

One suggestion - go there and acclimitise for a while first before trying to get any serious work done. Same as me going from the mild highcountry at the end of Dec to the family farm on NSW north coast - humidity gets me every time initially - work your way into it, as Nanjim say do split shifts and good luck trying to rest in the hottest part of the day.

 

[Jaros]

Good tips mate. :/

 

[nuggetino]

One suggestion - go there and acclimitise for a while first before trying to get any serious work done. Same as me going from the mild highcountry at the end of Dec to the family farm on NSW north coast - humidity gets me every time initially - work your way into it, as Nanjim say do split shifts and good luck trying to rest in the hottest part of the day.

Good advice here.

Perhaps as a precaution also learn about the signs of heat exhaustion and how to look after yourself if you do suffer the symptoms so you don't end up with heat stroke.

I will be heading there around the same time as you so you're not alone out there mate. As Nanjim says split shifts are the way to go. Make up a plan and stick to it. My plan is a 4.30 start with the headlamp on and 10am finish with a couple hours in the evening to pull together an 8 hour day while keeping all detecting work in the 30 degree temp range (pleasant) .

A hammock (with fly net) in the shade and a cold beer will get you through the killer heat during the day. Some of us can't make it to the goldfields in prime season. Be smart about it and you'll be fine.

As for snakes. They're there but they're in every other state too. Don't worry about them. I don't and I'm still alive. If you're concerned wear long light loose fitting trousers. I'd be more concerned about Bunyips. They grow bloody huge in WA.

 

[Westaus]

Drink plenty of water.... I drink 7 to 10 L of water a day ....
Remember if you are drinking water and you are not Pissing YOU are not drinking enough .....
First sign of dehydration is a dry mouth .....

Cheers Nanjim
Jim

That was easily what we were drinking 7-10l as for toilet, very few but was going, any less fluids and we would have started to be in trouble.

Cannot stress fluids enough, also get a sprayer bottle and have it full with water, a quick spray of mist really helps as well

Edit - You have to keep your core cool, that was the problem we were facing. We were hot and it took a long time to feel comfortable, your body was cooking you could feel it at times. It was the radiating heat from the ground that was worst, so find shade. PPPPP

Double Edit - Sorry forgot to mention those damn flies...

 

[slipped disc]

ALL good and correct advice from all. I answered on the basis that Timbo seems inexperienced in undertaking such an expedition, based on the questions asked and that it is early November already and he plans to leave in a few weeks. that worries me.
I have worked at Olympic dam for 5 years and understand all of this. For my first trip to WA. this time of year, I would want to go with some-one with knowledge and experience. for core temp. maintenance, there are cotton vests with pockets for frozen ice packs,of course you would need to be able to freeze the ice packs.

 

[Nanjim]

Today got to a lazy 42.5.....
Lots of fun working in it lol

Cheers Nanjim
Jim

 

[joe]

I know the iphone will struggle operating at those temp.

Detector? for some

Batteries?

 

[slipped disc]

Today got to a lazy 42.5.....
Lots of fun working in it lol

Cheers Nanjim
Jim

All good N. if you are experienced and seasoned to the conditions, that is the difference.

 

[Timbo]

Thanks for all the good advice.I will give it a go next month.
Mostly I have been detecting in the golden triangle thats why I wanted to hear about the conditions in WA.

 

[pebbles]

Theres been plenty of good advice given here and some of it from experienced people. Heres a bit more: Do yourself a favour and stay away until the weather cools!

Col

 

[Jen58]

I wouldn't go that time of the year..
But good luck if you do decide to go..