Bushwalk Australia

Hi there,

I will doing the Frenchman's Cap walk in a weeks time and was wondering.. will gaiters assist at all through the muddy sections?

I'm a fairly short person (149 cm) and am imagining that the mud will reach past my thigh so even if I were wearing gaiters, the mud will find its way seep in from the top of the gaiter.

Seeking your opinions about this..

YES!

a) They will provide leg protection from sticks under the mud - you never know what's under there.
b) They *may* stop mud/water from seeping into your boots (height of mud/water dependent).
c) they'll keep your socks/overpants clean(ish/er).

I just tend to wear mine all the time these days - it feels wrong without them.

Thanks for that- think I will invest in a pair. I didn't think about sticks being in the mud (well I guess that may be where the expression comes from!)

I'd agree with ollster, they are a MUST for most Tassie walks, the Loddens especially.
Sinch the top of them a little tighter when entering the mud & you should be safe from leakage.
I was at Frenchmans earlier in the year & had a very, very close call with a large Tiger snake on the way out -
it struck at my calf & missed by a whisker; I heard it hiss loudly at me. Gaiters aren't just for mud!
I use the Sea to Summit Gore-tex variety & find them great, very burly & breathe well.
Hope the weather gods shine on you, it's a fantastic slice of Tassie out there

Stuart.

stubowling wrote:I was at Frenchmans earlier in the year & had a very, very close call with a large Tiger snake on the way out -
it struck at my calf & missed by a whisker; I heard it hiss loudly at me.

I came within about a meter of a pretty big one at about waist level on that flat bit as you come over Mt Mullens. It was loosely coiled up about the size of a "family" pizza on the top side of the track. I've seen a mate of mine chased along the Huon track by a big one too, flaring itself like a cobra.

I really, really hate snakes. Another very good reason for gaiters and overpants (or walking in Winter).

149cm! You might want to take a snorkle as well. Gotta love that mud - and it don't get no thicker than on the Lodden Pls. Awesome walk regardless.

C