Critique of plan needed

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Hi Commander.

Why don't you do Bert Nichols through to Echo Point hut? My wife and I did that our first time down the Overland, and it made more sense to do a slightly longer day (had lunch at Narcissus) and then left a slightly shorter last day.

Plus it's much quieter/more peaceful at Echo Point.

I'd recommend that if you don't go to Pine Valley.

SAH

[Nuts]

OK, no, just where you said:

maybe I should book a seat on the ferry as a contingency plan. If I feel fine on Dec 6th, I will lose the money but will have the experience of walking and in case there are problems, I should be able to take the ferry and the bus at 1145 which is important as I fly out of Hobart that night.

I know it needs to be booked in advance, was wondering if they were making you pay in a advance also... just curious was all..

[ltcommander]

Thank you for the suggestion SAH. Sounds like a good plan - I will look into it.

Nuts, I did not even try to book it. I think I am fit enough to be able to walk it and I am also investing a great deal of time (and money) in getting good gear. So, I am just hoping that I won't need the ferry.

The last item I am trying to arrange is fuel for my stove. I reach on Dec 1st morning at 0830 (JetStar) from Melbourne and will be meeting someone who will drive me to Cradle Mountain at 10am from Launceston airport. My stove is a a Jet-a-boil stove and the picture of the gas canister is at http://hikeinhongkong.com/images/IMG_0129.JPG.

I just contacted the Park guys to see if I am able to buy the gas canister when I get to Cradle Mountain at 1pm. Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Thank you,

Vince

[Nuts]

Common cylinders, if not that size (or brand) then the larger ones are widely available. The transport company would likely be the best option organise them for you?

[ltcommander]

just did, thank you! He told me that he was going to be away all week, so not sure if he will have time.. Hopefully the park guys will also have it and that will be my contingency plan.

[mr majestik]

in your given time i would suggest

day 1 ronny creek to lake windemere (as a very full day you could leave your pack at kitchen hut and side trip up cradle mt)
day 2 lake windemere to kia ora (side trip up mt ossa, this is another very huge day)
day 3 kia ora to bert nicols (side trip to d'alton + furgusson +hartnett falls)
day 4 bert nichols hut to lake st claire visitor centre (inc lake walk).

for the first two days you would need to depart at first light to make the side trips, myself and a friend did them without the side trips in october and it wasnt very hard,
we departed about 10am and got to windemere in about 7 hours inc breaks
windemere to kia ora in about 9 hrs, we wanted to do mt ossa but bailed purely because of losing light and clouds moving in.
kia ora to bert nicols with the waterfalls was nice and easy.
bert nicols to lake st claire visitors centre is a very nice level stroll.

personally i think it would be nicer to go slower so you can do barn bluff, mt oakleigh, and the acropolis, but that schedule above fits well into your time frame and still gives you nice side trips to remember.

[ltcommander]

Great, thanks Mr. Majestik. All set for next week now!

Going to temporarily miss trail running in Hong Kong!

[ltcommander]

Hi guys, thanks again for all your help.

Here is a report I wrote on the experience in case you are interested. http://hikeinhongkong.com/?p=1336

[abmacus]

Hi Itcommander

Not sure if you are back in "internet range?"

How did the walk go? I am thinking of doing Frenchy suggestion of the walk into Pine Valley and visiting the Acropolis.

[photohiker]

Hi guys, thanks again for all your help.

Here is a report I wrote on the experience in case you are interested. http://hikeinhongkong.com/?p=1336

Well done!

Now you know why some of us prefer a tent to a hut!

[abmacus]

My Apologies

[north-north-west]

Forget about going in to Pine Valley as a side trip, it's not worth the effort. If you have half a day, go up to the Gould Plateau instead.