http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-28/scientists-find-lost-world-in-north-qld/5050194

ELEANOR HALL: Australian scientists have found what they’re calling a ‘lost world’ in a rainforest in far north Queensland. They had to helicopter in to a plateau that’s impossible to reach on foot, and in just four days exploring only a tenth of the plateau, they found three new species.

As Tom Nightingale reports, the scientists are already planning their next trip.

TOM NIGHTINGALE: Hundreds of kilometres north of Cairns, Cape Melville has dark granite boulders that perch on top of each other next to the ocean.

Dr Conrad Hoskin says it’s an amazing sight.

CONRAD HOSKIN: The rocks are about five or 10 or 20 or 30 metres wide, big each, and they’re just piled up, thousands, millions of rocks just all piled up, so the entire pile of rocks is about 500 metres high. And then on top of that you get a rainforest plateau.

National Geographic article:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131025-lost-world-australia-gecko-frog-skink-science-animals/

No wild tribes or dinosaurs?

Still pretty cool though :)

No non-avian dinosaurs.

But yeah, that’s cool as hell.

dv said:

They had to helicopter in to a plateau that’s impossible to reach on foot, and in just four days exploring only a tenth of the plateau, they found three new species.

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

sibeen said:

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

?

neomyrtus_ said:

sibeen said:

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

?

He likes to call bushwa to everything.

This is obviously a wonderful and spectacular discovery and in part due to its inaccessibility, however there are many other less spectacular, but nevertheless overlooked (lost) worlds. These tend to produce their own unique flora or micro-animal communities, or even larger animals (although still small) that are contained within the habitat.

There are inland regions, where small localised habitats exist, where climate change, etc, has isolated them, but even closer to home there are other less obvious isolated islands. I recently came across one of these and noticed a different suite of vegetation and on further study this area has produced several new species or variations from known species. So adventure and undiscovered lands are more common than you think and are within reach to those who seek them.

The terrain looks very much like Black Mountain near Cooktown.

PermeateFree said:

This is obviously a wonderful and spectacular discovery and in part due to its inaccessibility, however there are many other less spectacular, but nevertheless overlooked (lost) worlds. These tend to produce their own unique flora or micro-animal communities, or even larger animals (although still small) that are contained within the habitat.

There are inland regions, where small localised habitats exist, where climate change, etc, has isolated them, but even closer to home there are other less obvious isolated islands. I recently came across one of these and noticed a different suite of vegetation and on further study this area has produced several new species or variations from known species. So adventure and undiscovered lands are more common than you think and are within reach to those who seek them.

I saw some pics of ‘off the map’ protected lagoons up north. They were mind boggling. Like tropical fairy gardens.

Tamb said:

The terrain looks very much like Black Mountain near Cooktown.

Indeed it does, Tamb. Thanks for reminding me of the name.

sibeen said:

dv said:

They had to helicopter in to a plateau that’s impossible to reach on foot, and in just four days exploring only a tenth of the plateau, they found three new species.

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

It did sound a little like quitter talk. But then, they did only mention one foot singular.. Hopping on uneven hilly surfaces might just be too much.

not that I’d know how to get myself there at the moment but this would make a good site for an HF Pud

Riff-in-Thyme said:

not that I’d know how to get myself there at the moment but this would make a good site for an HF Pud

were it planned, wookie might even turn up seeing ‘he would see them coming!!’

Riff-in-Thyme said:

not that I’d know how to get myself there at the moment but this would make a good site for an HF Pud

Not with all those silicate rocks around. HF + SiO2 —> SiF4 (g) + other goodies…

Wow!
Packs backpack….right, I’m off to explore!

Aquila said:

Wow!
Packs backpack….right, I’m off to explore!

i was thinking beer soaked picninc but if you want to be cautious……

Aquila said:

Wow!
Packs backpack….right, I’m off to explore!

You can’t. It’s impossible to get to by foot…apparently sniff.

sibeen said:

dv said:

They had to helicopter in to a plateau that’s impossible to reach on foot, and in just four days exploring only a tenth of the plateau, they found three new species.

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

Let us know when you get there.

dv said:

sibeen said:

dv said:

They had to helicopter in to a plateau that’s impossible to reach on foot, and in just four days exploring only a tenth of the plateau, they found three new species.

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

Let us know when you get there.

It may be possible to balloon or paraglide in.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

sibeen said:

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

Let us know when you get there.

It may be possible to balloon or paraglide in.

The key point is that sibeen refutes that it is impossible to get their by foot.

dv said:

sibeen said:

dv said:

They had to helicopter in to a plateau that’s impossible to reach on foot, and in just four days exploring only a tenth of the plateau, they found three new species.

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

Let us know when you get there.

I’d have to imagine that if humans can reach the highest peaks in the world, mostly under atrocious conditions, then a jaunt up a molehill in northern Queensland may not be, in fact, beyond the rounds of possibility for someone with the wherewithal and physical stamina.

Perhaps we need an Australian Hilary to lay to rest the myth of this impossible to reach realm.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

Let us know when you get there.

It may be possible to balloon or paraglide in.

The key point is that sibeen refutes that it is impossible to get their by foot.

Impossible is a big ask.

sibeen said:

dv said:

sibeen said:

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

Let us know when you get there.

I’d have to imagine that if humans can reach the highest peaks in the world, mostly under atrocious conditions, then a jaunt up a molehill in northern Queensland may not be, in fact, beyond the rounds of possibility for someone with the wherewithal and physical stamina.

Perhaps we need an Australian Hilary to lay to rest the myth of this impossible to reach realm.

Surely somebody can scaffold it?

sibeen said:

dv said:

sibeen said:

Impossible…I’ll have to call bushwa on that.

Let us know when you get there.

I’d have to imagine that if humans can reach the highest peaks in the world, mostly under atrocious conditions, then a jaunt up a molehill in northern Queensland may not be, in fact, beyond the rounds of possibility for someone with the wherewithal and physical stamina.

Perhaps we need an Australian Hilary to lay to rest the myth of this impossible to reach realm.

Well height ain’t the whole story. I can walk up a 5 km inclined path, but I can’t climb a smooth overhanging wall even if it is only 20 m high.

dv said:

sibeen said:

dv said:

Let us know when you get there.

I’d have to imagine that if humans can reach the highest peaks in the world, mostly under atrocious conditions, then a jaunt up a molehill in northern Queensland may not be, in fact, beyond the rounds of possibility for someone with the wherewithal and physical stamina.

Perhaps we need an Australian Hilary to lay to rest the myth of this impossible to reach realm.

Well height ain’t the whole story. I can walk up a 5 km inclined path, but I can’t climb a smooth overhanging wall even if it is only 20 m high.

Yet a lone man can string a tightrope across a raging torrent simply because he needs to get to the other side when the river is raging as that’s where the fish are.

dv said:

sibeen said:

dv said:

Let us know when you get there.

I’d have to imagine that if humans can reach the highest peaks in the world, mostly under atrocious conditions, then a jaunt up a molehill in northern Queensland may not be, in fact, beyond the rounds of possibility for someone with the wherewithal and physical stamina.

Perhaps we need an Australian Hilary to lay to rest the myth of this impossible to reach realm.

Well height ain’t the whole story. I can walk up a 5 km inclined path, but I can’t climb a smooth overhanging wall even if it is only 20 m high.

Well, neither can I, but that’s because both you and I are fat bastards who know SFA about mountain climbing. Believe it or not, there is a whole sub community who find no greater joy than in finding big arsed mountains and then climbing them. “Because they are there” or some form of rot like that, Mallory I do believe, silly bastard, died doing it.

But impossible? I suspect it would be a walk in the park compared to reaching the south pole, as one example.

Mind you, it would be exciting to find a defined area that was relatively cut-off physically from the surrounding area, and just going up there for a look-see. For a scientist.

sibeen said:

dv said:

sibeen said:

I’d have to imagine that if humans can reach the highest peaks in the world, mostly under atrocious conditions, then a jaunt up a molehill in northern Queensland may not be, in fact, beyond the rounds of possibility for someone with the wherewithal and physical stamina.

Perhaps we need an Australian Hilary to lay to rest the myth of this impossible to reach realm.

Well height ain’t the whole story. I can walk up a 5 km inclined path, but I can’t climb a smooth overhanging wall even if it is only 20 m high.

Well, neither can I, but that’s because both you and I are fat bastards who know SFA about mountain climbing. Believe it or not, there is a whole sub community who find no greater joy than in finding big arsed mountains and then climbing them. “Because they are there” or some form of rot like that, Mallory I do believe, silly bastard, died doing it.

But impossible? I suspect it would be a walk in the park compared to reaching the south pole, as one example.

I think the point is that probably nobody had previously tried it because it just looked like a big pile of rocks with no real prize at the top to challenge anyone. However, now that the secret is out, they’ll be up there netting the new species to slip in trouser pocket and sell overseas.

party_pants said:

Mind you, it would be exciting to find a defined area that was relatively cut-off physically from the surrounding area, and just going up there for a look-see. For a scientist.

For me too and I’ve never claimed to be a scientist.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

sibeen said:

I’d have to imagine that if humans can reach the highest peaks in the world, mostly under atrocious conditions, then a jaunt up a molehill in northern Queensland may not be, in fact, beyond the rounds of possibility for someone with the wherewithal and physical stamina.

Perhaps we need an Australian Hilary to lay to rest the myth of this impossible to reach realm.

Well height ain’t the whole story. I can walk up a 5 km inclined path, but I can’t climb a smooth overhanging wall even if it is only 20 m high.

Yet a lone man can string a tightrope across a raging torrent simply because he needs to get to the other side when the river is raging as that’s where the fish are.

Well that wouldn’t be “on foot” now would it?

What interests me is, if there’s been nobody up there making a helipad, where did the helicopter land?

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

Well height ain’t the whole story. I can walk up a 5 km inclined path, but I can’t climb a smooth overhanging wall even if it is only 20 m high.

Yet a lone man can string a tightrope across a raging torrent simply because he needs to get to the other side when the river is raging as that’s where the fish are.

Well that wouldn’t be “on foot” now would it?

How else do you walk on a tightrope across a chasm with nothing but whitewater under.

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Mind you, it would be exciting to find a defined area that was relatively cut-off physically from the surrounding area, and just going up there for a look-see. For a scientist.

For me too and I’ve never claimed to be a scientist.

Of course, I’m in that category too.

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

Mind you, it would be exciting to find a defined area that was relatively cut-off physically from the surrounding area, and just going up there for a look-see. For a scientist.

For me too and I’ve never claimed to be a scientist.

Of course, I’m in that category too.

I’ve done a lot of things in remote places without backup helicopters that would cause many scientists to write a grant application for.

So basically sibeen you are saying these zoologists are a bunch of softies and quitters.

roughbarked said:

What interests me is, if there’s been nobody up there making a helipad, where did the helicopter land?

They must have had a step-ladder or something to climb down out of a helicopter still in the hover….

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

What interests me is, if there’s been nobody up there making a helipad, where did the helicopter land?

They must have had a step-ladder or something to climb down out of a helicopter still in the hover….

Yeah.. um.. in the short interview that I downloaded today of Germaine Greer and her bit of rainforest, she goes on about the fact that if it wasn’t easy money, Aussies usually let someone else do it.

It is possible I will see previously undescribed species in the vicinity of 146 E 43 S.

Sadly, even if I do, I probably wouldn’t know.

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

What interests me is, if there’s been nobody up there making a helipad, where did the helicopter land?

They must have had a step-ladder or something to climb down out of a helicopter still in the hover….

Yes, I assumed that they were dropped.

dv said:

It is possible I will see previously undescribed species in the vicinity of 146 E 43 S.

Sadly, even if I do, I probably wouldn’t know.

Take photos and erase your footprints.

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

roughbarked said:

What interests me is, if there’s been nobody up there making a helipad, where did the helicopter land?

They must have had a step-ladder or something to climb down out of a helicopter still in the hover….

Yeah.. um.. in the short interview that I downloaded today of Germaine Greer and her bit of rainforest, she goes on about the fact that if it wasn’t easy money, Aussies usually let someone else do it.

You know what really gynes by Greers?

dv said:

It is possible I will see previously undescribed species in the vicinity of 146 E 43 S.

Sadly, even if I do, I probably wouldn’t know.

So you haven’t got there yet?

dv said:

So basically sibeen you are saying these zoologists are a bunch of softies and quitters.

Pansies is the word I would probably use in my normal day to day conversational mode.

I’m not asking them to carry all there scientific gear up this mountain, surely they could find some stout yeoman in Cairns, or the surrounding areas, that would act as guides, porters and general batman. Someone to shine their boots in the morn, prepare the tea and biscuits at elevenness, prepare the bath after a hard days slog.

It’s not rocket science!

dv said:

roughbarked said:

party_pants said:

They must have had a step-ladder or something to climb down out of a helicopter still in the hover….

Yeah.. um.. in the short interview that I downloaded today of Germaine Greer and her bit of rainforest, she goes on about the fact that if it wasn’t easy money, Aussies usually let someone else do it.

You know what really gynes by Greers?

not really but I will if you tell me.

Take nothing but off, leave nothing but immediately.

Sibeen is onto something. Batman could do it.

dv said:

Take nothing but off, leave nothing but immediately.

:)

roughbarked said:

dv said:

It is possible I will see previously undescribed species in the vicinity of 146 E 43 S.

Sadly, even if I do, I probably wouldn’t know.

So you haven’t got there yet?

Lamentably, nay. The plan is for April.

dv said:

Sibeen is onto something. Batman could do it.

His batman, was what he was hoping for. He even purchased a safari hat on ebay just now.

sibeen said:

Pansies is the word I would probably use in my normal day to day conversational mode.

I’m not asking them to carry all there scientific gear up this mountain, surely they could find some stout yeoman in Cairns, or the surrounding areas, that would act as guides, porters and general batman. Someone to shine their boots in the morn, prepare the tea and biscuits at elevenness, prepare the bath after a hard days slog.

It’s not rocket science!

Maybe they could find an enterprising company of engineers to build a cable ski-lift…?

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

It is possible I will see previously undescribed species in the vicinity of 146 E 43 S.

Sadly, even if I do, I probably wouldn’t know.

So you haven’t got there yet?

Lamentably, nay. The plan is for April.

They say autumn is stable down there but isn’t April stretching it a bit?

In Singapore they’d just build a dome over the whole thing and you could get to the top by travelator.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

roughbarked said:

So you haven’t got there yet?

Lamentably, nay. The plan is for April.

They say autumn is stable down there but isn’t April stretching it a bit?

Carpe diem. She’s the gay.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

Lamentably, nay. The plan is for April.

They say autumn is stable down there but isn’t April stretching it a bit?

Carpe diem. She’s the gay.

I see the plan emerging.

Actually, I better check it is still available.

dv said:

Actually, I better check it is still available.

Can’t seize it if it isn’t there to grab.

Yes. Rainer Mautz hasn’t yet planted the Prussian flag on that speck of Van Diemen’s land.

dv said:

Yes. Rainer Mautz hasn’t yet planted the Prussian flag on that speck of Van Diemen’s land.

I did look at the confluences and realised that though almost all those in Australia are taken, the one nearest me has only been visited by two people who both got different location photos. I’ve walked across it many times.

dv said:

Yes. Rainer Mautz hasn’t yet planted the Prussian flag on that speck of Van Diemen’s land.

You should look up his Facebook and Twitter records for something to quote out of context, so you could write to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection arguing he is not a fitting & proper person to enter the country.

party_pants said:

dv said:

Yes. Rainer Mautz hasn’t yet planted the Prussian flag on that speck of Van Diemen’s land.

You should look up his Facebook and Twitter records for something to quote out of context, so you could write to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection arguing he is not a fitting & proper person to enter the country.

No doubt the NSA has something on him.

dv said:

party_pants said:

dv said:

Yes. Rainer Mautz hasn’t yet planted the Prussian flag on that speck of Van Diemen’s land.

You should look up his Facebook and Twitter records for something to quote out of context, so you could write to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection arguing he is not a fitting & proper person to enter the country.

No doubt the NSA has something on him.

If he comes out my way I’ll string a wire to knock him off his bike.

Anyway.. it didn’t all happen yesterday.

http://fffsforums.com/posting.php?mode=quote&f=2&p=2987

sibeen said:

dv said:

So basically sibeen you are saying these zoologists are a bunch of softies and quitters.

Pansies is the word I would probably use in my normal day to day conversational mode.

I’m not asking them to carry all there scientific gear up this mountain, surely they could find some stout yeoman in Cairns, or the surrounding areas, that would act as guides, porters and general batman. Someone to shine their boots in the morn, prepare the tea and biscuits at elevenness, prepare the bath after a hard days slog.

It’s not rocket science!

their

roughbarked said:

Anyway.. it didn’t all happen yesterday.

http://fffsforums.com/posting.php?mode=quote&f=2&p=2987

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neomyrtus_ said:

sibeen said:

dv said:

So basically sibeen you are saying these zoologists are a bunch of softies and quitters.

Pansies is the word I would probably use in my normal day to day conversational mode.

I’m not asking them to carry all there scientific gear up this mountain, surely they could find some stout yeoman in Cairns, or the surrounding areas, that would act as guides, porters and general batman. Someone to shine their boots in the morn, prepare the tea and biscuits at elevenness, prepare the bath after a hard days slog.

It’s not rocket science!

their

Bite me :)

I did spot it after I posted, but by then it was a tad late.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

Anyway.. it didn’t all happen yesterday.

http://fffsforums.com/posting.php?mode=quote&f=2&p=2987

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Well I’m sure fsm will let you in if you ask.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

roughbarked said:

Anyway.. it didn’t all happen yesterday.

http://fffsforums.com/posting.php?mode=quote&f=2&p=2987

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Well I’m sure fsm will let you in if you ask.

cbf

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

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Well I’m sure fsm will let you in if you ask.

cbf

fairy nuff you want me to copy the links for you then?

roughbarked said:

dv said:

roughbarked said:

Well I’m sure fsm will let you in if you ask.

cbf

fairy nuff you want me to copy the links for you then?

Up to you. I have no idea what you were trying to show me.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

cbf

fairy nuff you want me to copy the links for you then?

Up to you. I have no idea what you were trying to show me.

From Helix..
This is not ‘new’ news —- the species have already been described, so the info’s been floating around for some time (see below) —- but http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/news/JCU_130192 it is receiving a lot more attention now. The area investigated is about 140 km NNE of Cooktown (as the crow flies).

Here’s an http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3878275.htm interview with Dr Conrad Hoskin on ABC World Today (yesterday)

All descriptions are open access PDFs.

Skink: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3722.3.7 Saproscincus saltus
Frog: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3722.1.5 Cophixalus petrophilus
Gecko: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3717.4.6 Saltuarius eximius

roughbarked said:

dv said:

roughbarked said:

fairy nuff you want me to copy the links for you then?

Up to you. I have no idea what you were trying to show me.

From Helix..
This is not ‘new’ news —- the species have already been described, so the info’s been floating around for some time (see below) —- but http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/news/JCU_130192 it is receiving a lot more attention now. The area investigated is about 140 km NNE of Cooktown (as the crow flies).

Here’s an http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3878275.htm interview with Dr Conrad Hoskin on ABC World Today (yesterday)

All descriptions are open access PDFs.

Skink: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3722.3.7 Saproscincus saltus
Frog: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3722.1.5 Cophixalus petrophilus
Gecko: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3717.4.6 Saltuarius eximius

Well that’s a bit lame.

Shame on you, ABC.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

Up to you. I have no idea what you were trying to show me.

From Helix..
This is not ‘new’ news —- the species have already been described, so the info’s been floating around for some time (see below) —- but http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/news/JCU_130192 it is receiving a lot more attention now. The area investigated is about 140 km NNE of Cooktown (as the crow flies).

Here’s an http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3878275.htm interview with Dr Conrad Hoskin on ABC World Today (yesterday)

All descriptions are open access PDFs.

Skink: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3722.3.7 Saproscincus saltus
Frog: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3722.1.5 Cophixalus petrophilus
Gecko: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3717.4.6 Saltuarius eximius

Well that’s a bit lame.

Shame on you, ABC.

it’s still pretty cool though, right?