Bushwalk Australia

Hi everyone.

I'm considering walking the Overland Trek in late January, early February in 2010.

I'm thinking that I'll end up walking the track solo, which is no worry to me. I haven't ever done a solo walk before, that is the problem! I've been camping year ago, when I was younger, used to go around 5 times a year when I lived in NZ. Have been in all seasons, including winter, dealing with ice and waking up with your tent filling with water. I've just done a day trip to Mount Warning, and I've had a few camping trips around the place. I'm hoping to fit some more trips in this year too. I'm wondering what people think, and if you think that I'm capable of walking it solo or not, I'd love to hear from you! I may only be 18, but I'm responsible and mature. I'm thinking of walking in in Jan/Feb next year and since it's peak season, I'll be expecting that there will be plenty of people on the track that I can get help from, is something terrible happens. It's likely that I'll carry a PBL to be safe, and also to keep the parentals at ease. I will be properly training for it, and I'm already reasonably fit, from running and walking around where I live!

Enough rambling, time to hear from you!

Thanks,
J.M.

EDIT: Is it possible for a moderator to move this topic to a more appropriate forum?

Updated!

jbmarshall90 wrote:Hi everyone.

I'm considering walking the Overland Trek in late January, early February in 2010.

I'm thinking that I'll end up walking the track solo, which is no worry to me. I haven't ever done a solo walk before, that is the problem! I've been camping year ago, when I was younger, used to go around 5 times a year when I lived in NZ. Have been in all seasons, including winter, dealing with ice and waking up with your tent filling with water. I've just done a day trip to Mount Warning, and I've had a few camping trips around the place. I'm hoping to fit some more trips in this year too. I'm wondering what people think, and if you think that I'm capable of walking it solo or not, I'd love to hear from you! I may only be 18, but I'm responsible and mature. I'm thinking of walking in in Jan/Feb next year and since it's peak season, I'll be expecting that there will be plenty of people on the track that I can get help from, is something terrible happens. It's likely that I'll carry a PBL to be safe, and also to keep the parentals at ease. I will be properly training for it, and I'm already reasonably fit, from running and walking around where I live!

Enough rambling, time to hear from you!

Thanks,
J.M.

EDIT: Is it possible for a moderator to move this topic to a more appropriate forum?

G'day J.M.
You should have no problems doing this "solo" as there will be at least 29 others doing it when you start on day one and in my experience you will most probably have made some walking mates by the time you get to Windemere
Just ensure you have the best gear you can afford especially a good rain jacket and use a good quality pack liner the PLB is probably not needed but for the parental peace of mind worth the hire cost.
My only caution is dont go on side trips on your own especially the Mountains or the less visited Waterfalls and take good care of your gear dont try to dry wet boots near heaters it will only stuff them up .
Ok you are reasonably fit however I suggest you do some practice walking with a full pack and for preference on a big hill and your youth will see you through
c

Haha.

Good to hear my youth will help me out!

I was kinda hoping to do the Cradle Mountain Summit and Mount Ossa Summit. Hopefully there will be people on the track doing those side trips when I go and do them, so safety won't be an issue then.

Yeah the PBL thing is something else I would have to organise. I'm hoping that letting the parentals know how many people leave to trek it a day, would be enough to bring piece of mind. If they want me to take a PBL, they can pay for it

I'm starting to get gear together. I've already got myself a Kathmandu Vardo0 V4 (I think?). I'll be getting a decent sleeping bag, light tent, shoes and good jacket through out the year, when I can afford it. I'll be making more posts as it gets closer to the time, on general advice and equipment.

G’Day Mate
While I'm far from an experienced Tassie walker I have done the o/t twice so I will try and help. I did it once a few years back solo in April and climbed Cradle, Ossa , walked to pine valley and climbed the Acropolis and did all the waterfalls and smaller side trips. I also took my wife on her first ‘multi day ‘walk a couple of years back.
I will take the info you provided on yourself on face value.
The walk itself is straightforward, well defined and not to strenuous with only 3 distinctive climbs. Navigation is not an issue unless it was covered in snow. At leas ¼ of the trail is boardwalk so the boggy spots are gone, the huts are where you camp and are reasonable spaced for easy days. Avoid the huts and use a tent if you can. They are horrid places filled with tourists whinging that there feet hurt. As I like my solitude I struggled a bit with all the people on the walk. One other thing I noticed was that people were getting up early and racing to the next hut to ensure they got a good bed (sad).
You need to be able to walk in sustained rain and sleep down to about -2ish .I see you are buying your gear. I have some non mainstream ideas on gear that I won’t push on anyone but when you are selecting your gear let weight be at least one of the factors that you use to make a decision. Also keep a tally on your accumulative weight. The man gripe with complaining tourists is sore legs due to not selecting there gear wisely.
I had no problems with the summits; there will be heaps of people on cradle, a few on Ossa, but limited or none on the rest. You may want to stick to those two. I think a PLB would be overkill.
I think you will be fine and far from alone.
One last thing, I highly recommend walking down the lake at the end. It’s a beautiful and relaxing end to a great walk. So many people get to Narcissus and say thank god that’s over, get on the boat and head for the resort which I think is very, very sad…
Hope that helps
Darren

Wifey did it "solo" last May - bad weather but had a ball. (she is 52) Ran into a lot of people but usually made sure they were Ok and then took off to keep moving and warm. She wrote it up here on our blog: http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/o ... -trip.html You might pick up a bit of advice there.

She is currently planning a return visit for June / July either on her own or in a small party (I have to work......)

jbmarshall90 wrote: Is it possible for a moderator to move this topic to a more appropriate forum?

Done.

I agree with Darren that walking Lk St Clair is the way to go at the end of the walk (and the ferry is rather expensive). It adds a few hours (maybe half a day depending on walking speed) to your walk, but it is well worth it. I time it to avoid the times of day when the ferry is going past (the boat going past would detract somewhat from the wilderness experience).

I think a PLB would be a good idea, especially if you get somebody else to hire it for you. Having said that, I don't carry one myself (yet), but I'm thinking it would be a good thing to do. The Overland Track is certainly safer than most other walks of similar length, but if something does happen, you're still a long way from anywhere.

On the navigation thing I agree it should not be an issue but you still should definatley know the basics like how to take bearings and work out your location on a map using a compass. You probably won't need to, but if you do happen to get off track for whatever unlikley reason, it's important to be able to work out where you are and hence which way to go go to find the track, especially if you aren't familiar with your surroundings. You probably already know this - but just in case you don't it is worth learning.

Son of a Beach wrote:It adds a few hours (maybe half a day depending on walking speed) to your walk, but it is well worth it.

That's not right! It's 17.5 KM... http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=8206

It took us a full day to walk from Narcissus to Cynthia Bay. And we found the experience quite tough. We did stop at Byron Gap turnoff for a photo shoot, lots of fungus and greenery there, and we had lunch at Echo Point.
But "a few hours" to get from Narcissus to Cynthia Bay? No way... Not after completing the Overland Track, assuming you'll be doing a couple of mountains as well.
We were stiff and sore on the last day. My wife had a sore knee so I took a lot of the weight, I had a swollen Achilles tendon so the last couple of KM was really tough going for us.
Also, looking at the Chapman book, it shows the route as primarily flat. Not so, lots of roots & trees to bypass, zig zagging through the forest.
Having said all that, I would do the lakeside trip every time, not the ferry unless you had an injury that meant you really couldn't walk it, or you were out of food or time or something.
But I would allow a full day for this. A couple of lads from Sydney left Narcissus early and caught a bus at 3PM so it can be done hastily, but if your body feels a bit of wear after a number of days walking, take your time and spend a full day enjoying this wonderful forest. Likely infested with Black Cockatoos, too.

I would spend the extra day up into Pine Valley. The lakeside track is a nice rainforest walk but it is a long scramble. I was supprised how little you get to see view wise across the lake. Iv'e heard it said that 'you havent completed the OT unless you walk the lake', what a croc (i have also heard that you need to start an finnish at the visitor centers....!)

I guess it all depends on the person. Sorry if my times are at all misleading. I've only done the lakeside walk once, and I was in a real hurry (to get to Echo Point before dark). It took me about 3.5 hours walking to get from Cynthia bay to Narcissus (with an overnight stop at Echo Point in the middle). But like I said, I was in a great hurry, and the recommended time is apparently 5 hours walking (according to the PDF tasadam linked to) which is still 'a few hours' by some reckoning.

There are not a lot of mountain views along the way, but I loved the walk for the forest, and for Echo Point itself. I would definitely do it again at the end of the Overland Track if I had the time to spare (as well as doing Pine Valley - if I had time to do both, but I generally do Pine Valley as a separate trip on it's own).

Nuts wrote:Iv'e heard it said that 'you havent completed the OT unless you walk the lake', what a croc (i have also heard that you need to start an finnish at the visitor centers....!)

Sure is a croc! Doesn't the Overland Track start in Penguin?

Son of a Beach wrote:Sure is a croc! Doesn't the Overland Track start in Penguin?

No, it starts in Devonport and finishes in Dover...

Hi everyone!

Thanks a bunch for the posts. Since I'm at uni, I'm waiting until I know if / when I can get work experience for my course and then I'll book everything. I have most of it worked out. I'm thinking that I'll get the Ferry back this time, since I'm kind of on a time limit. I won't be able to go till Feb the 1st me thinks, and then I'll get home a week before uni gets back, so that should give me time to get organised. I'm hoping to walk it again sometime after my first trip, so I can take side trips and take longer to walk it.

Yeah, I'm taking weight into consideration. Kathmandu's product catalogue has most major items that you'd take trekking, with their weight. I think my pack weighs around 2 or 3 kg? Not 100% sure anymore, I'll check later. I'm hoping to get a sleeping bag that can handle at least 0 degrees c. I'd like to head back to the home country (NZ) and get some trekking down South sometime too.

I'll probably ditch the idea of a PBL, seems like it won't be necessary with all the people on the track and since I'm only taking 2 side trips, it's likely that I'll be seeing the same people every now and then. I'm sure that reading a map won't be too much trouble, but I'll be making certain that I know how to BEFORE I leave

Yeah, I'm already decided on the sleeping in a tent and not the cabins! I think it'll be much more private = more quality sleep I'm also thinking that I'll be leaving earlier in the morning too, so I won't be disturbing anyone if I sleep in a tent.

Frank in oz! Thank you, I've already checked out your blog and it's been really helpful! I love hearing of people treks and the food ideas on there will certainly be used when I prepare for my trek!

One problem so far, is the bus timetable! I can't seem to work it out at all! Maybe I'm missing something very obvious (likely), but I can't work out what days it leaves and comes back and what time!!! I'm trying to figure out what time it will leave Launceston on a Wednesday (Probably the 3rd of Feb 2010) to get to the start of the track. And then returning on a Thursday or Friday (Probably the 11th of Feb 2010).

Later on tonight, I'll put up my planned itinerary so you can check it out and make suggestions or whatever.

Again, thanks for all the posts!

tasadam wrote:

Son of a Beach wrote:Sure is a croc! Doesn't the Overland Track start in Penguin?

No, it starts in Devonport and finishes in Dover...

No, it definately starts and finnishes here: http://www.wildernessexpeditions.net.au ... wildexpS+1

(sorry scrap that ifya like)


jb, the coach leaves from LSC every second day, you'll need to catch the early ferry. Looks like next summers timetable isn't up yet but keep an eye on their site:

http://www.tassielink.com.au/walking-track-fares.html

Keep all your food packed well away if you want a good nights sleep in a tent

Nuts wrote:

tasadam wrote:

Son of a Beach wrote:Sure is a croc! Doesn't the Overland Track start in Penguin?

No, it starts in Devonport and finishes in Dover...

No, it definately starts and finnishes here: http://www.wildernessexpeditions.net.au ... wildexpS+1

(sorry scrap that ifya like)

hahah... you guys are all too funny for me (and I think I'll even let you get away with that blatant rule breaking just this once - it was just so smoothly done), but don't forget to link back to us, eh?

Alrighty, so here is a proposed itinerary!

February 1: Fly Brisbane to Launceston JQ753. Night in Launceston
February 2: Free day to get last minute food and supplies. Night in Launceston
February 3: Bus to Cradle Mountain. Night before start of track
February 4: Begin track. Night at Waterfall Valley
February 5: Continue track. Night at Lake Windermere
February 6: Continue track. Night at Pelion
February 7: Continue track. Night at Kia Ora
February 8: Continue track. Night at Windy Ridge
February 9: Continue track. Night at Narcissus
February 10: End of track. Ferry to Cynthia Bay. Night at the resort
February 11 / 12: Bus to Hobart. Night (or 2) in Hobart (Not sure of the bus timetable, but hopefully on the 11th so I get a day in Hobart )
February 13: Fly Hobart to Brisbane DJ705

So what does everyone think? I think that it'll be nice to have a whole day in Launceston and a whole day in Hobart, so thats what I've tried to plan for. I thought it might be a good idea to spend a night at the track start, so that I can start my first day early in the morning, instead of later in the day. I'm hoping for a night at the Resort at the end of the track and then getting the bus to Hobart when it runs. I'll then have a free day in Hobart before I fly home! YAY! Excited, even though it's a while away, I don't have all the gear, and I'm not 100% sure if I'll even be going! YAYAYAYAY!

jbm,
Looks like a good itinerary and you have given yourself free days start and finish, the "resort" at the end is nice place to get fried food and beer if you need it
c

corvus wrote:jbm,
Looks like a good itinerary and you have given yourself free days start and finish, the "resort" at the end is nice place to get fried food and beer if you need it
c

That, I might need! A decent wash too! Do they have a washing machine there? I'm sure by that stage, ALL of my clothing will be in desperate need of a wash!

I believe they have however when we spent the night at Cynthia Bay we did the cheap sleep in tent thing at the camp ground and in those days a 50 cent shower seemed to go for ever probably all changed now .
The cafe still serves comfort food though as we experienced a couple of months ago when driving through however the Derwent Bridge Pub just 5km down the road(bus picks up from there also) is cheaper and has good backpacker accommodation and even nicer beer and fried food and for breakfast the Derwent Bridge Roadhouse excells.
c

The way i like to finish the O/land is to go over Byron and down the Cuvier. Much better than going around the lake. I have walked the O/land 8 times (3 times over the gap and the rest around the lake) and never caught the ferry(have used the ferry to get up and back from Pine Valley, Nice views on the lake).


Roger

norts wrote:The way i like to finish the O/land is to go over Byron and down the Cuvier. Much better than going around the lake. I have walked the O/land 8 times (3 times over the gap and the rest around the lake) and never caught the ferry(have used the ferry to get up and back from Pine Valley, Nice views on the lake).


Roger

I would enjoy doing the extra walk instead of catch the Ferry, but I've decided to leave that, and also the side trips, to another time. I'm going to be pressed for time as it is. I have to get sorted for uni when I get back, and somewhere in Jan / Feb I'll need to be applying for graduate jobs, so I'll be very busy! Leaves something for me to really want to come back to another time!

G'Day
Firstly it’s your holiday so do whatever YOU want. But you did ask for comment so here goes. You could can the day in Launceston. Then from memory the summer bus gets to cradle about 10am so just set off, climb cradle and you will be at waterfall late in the arvo. I like more time in the bush but that’s me. On my April solo trip I left Kia ora. went to all the waterfalls including climbing to the bottom of the big one, Had lunch at windy ridge then walked through to pine valley. A long day with not much daylight at the end but i was rewarded with a clear day and a morning to myself on the acropolis. I then walked back to narcicis for the night.
On the lake walk you could easily walk from windy to echo, There is a small campsite near the hut or if its still you could camp on the beach. I really like walking down the lake. The trees will be in flower when you there and the change in the forest as the eucalyptus trees become more prominent, and the overpowering smell is nice.
At lake St Clair book into the backpackers if you want a bed.$40 and a shower. (Make sure you book) I think its nicer hanging around the lake edge than Derwent Bridge and the Beer is no cheaper.
The bus to Hobart leaves late in the arvo during summer from memory.
My summer Tassie trips always are too short and I have to cram, Last summer I got up and went to work on the Thursday at 4.20 in the hunter valley and went to bed at lake St Clair at midnight. Same coming home I got home at 1am and went to work the next day. The things we do..
Whatever you do its almost impossible not to enjoy yourself
Darren

What is this "resort" at the end of the Overland Track? Have I been missing something?

I've only done the Cuvier Valley track once (6 months ago), and loved it. However, I would not recommend this for inexperienced walkers now as there is actually no track at all for much of the valley, and you just have to find your own way. Even where there is a track, it is very overgrown. I couldn't find any easy way around Lake Petrarch, and had to scrub bash for some of the way (and again for a short section further down the valley). Parks no longer maintain this track at all (according to the sign at the southern end of it).

An early start on your first day means that you will have plenty of time to climb Cradle Mtn (if you wish) and still get to Waterfall Valley without having to worry too much about time. Not knowing your walking speed, I wouldn't recommend trying to fit too much into any one day, but if you're fit and not a slow walker, you can shuffle things around a bit (eg, skip Windermere if you're up to a long day, and spend more time climbing mountains later on). There's plenty of options, but if you're new to the area, the plan you've chosen is a good one.

Son of a Beach wrote:What is this "resort" at the end of the Overland Track? Have I been missing something?

I doubt it .
http://www.lakesidestclair.com.au/lakesidestclair/home/accommodation.sok?startdiv=1&gclid=CK7Z_cDCg5oCFRUupAod5BrHFw
I think it was called Lake St Clair Wilderness Resort previously.

jbmarshall90,
We stayed in one of the cabins at LSC after finishing the OT. They have a communal laundry (coin operated). You can get change plus soap powder for about 40 cents from reception.

Your schedule looks good to me if time is limited. We walked in peak season (& fine weather) from Ronny Creek to the end in 7 days including a one night side trip to Pine Valley and walking along the lake to finish, with an overnight stop at Echo Point. We also went up Barn Bluff, Mt Ossa, visited Hartnett Falls and did a side trip from Pine Valley to The Labyrinth. That's a fair bit to do in a week and, although we saw a lot, it was a bit rushed at times. Day 2 we walked through from Waterfall Valley to New Pelion with a brief lunch stop at Windermere. I wouldn't do that again in hindsight. It was quite a long way and personally I wouldn't recommend it if you want a relaxed trip. I'd like to revisit the OT at some time myself and take it a bit slower.

As has been said already it's likely at that time you'll make acquaintance with others on the track. We certainly befriended a few solo walkers during our trip. But you still need to be self-reliant.

I agree with other posters. While the walk is not outragreously difficult, it does have its challenges and things can go wrong, including rapid weather deterioration. Make sure you have appropriate gear, knowledge and experience. I'd recommend to do at least some overnight trips with the same load that you plan to carry on the OT, over similar terrain if possible. Also make sure you know how to use your new gear properly before the trip.

johnw wrote:

Son of a Beach wrote:What is this "resort" at the end of the Overland Track? Have I been missing something?

I doubt it .
http://www.lakesidestclair.com.au/lakesidestclair/home/accommodation.sok?startdiv=1&gclid=CK7Z_cDCg5oCFRUupAod5BrHFw
I think it was called Lake St Clair Wilderness Resort previously.

Wow... how have I never seen that before? I had no idea that was there. I knew about the dorm accommodation, but have never noticed those flash-looking (for colourbond) cabins before!

Hey SOB.
Maybe you do what I do. I subconsciously block out things I cant afford
Doesn’t always seem to work though
Darren

Lots of people seem to attempt too much out there, many dont Really seem to be having the best time. There are many side trips (others not mentioned in print) and it seems that as time passes, more seem to believe that these side trips are also part of the track. I would suggest just the main track and Mt Ossa perhaps for a 6/7 day trip. Stop n smell the roses. From memory the bus leaves Early afternoon (could be wrong) which would mean the early ferry (both will need booking)

Nuts wrote:Lots of people seem to attempt too much out there, many dont Really seem to be having the best time. There are many side trips (others not mentioned in print) and it seems that as time passes, more seem to believe that these side trips are also part of the track. I would suggest just the main track and Mt Ossa perhaps for a 6/7 day trip. Stop n smell the roses. From memory the bus leaves Early afternoon (could be wrong) which would mean the early ferry (both will need booking)

Yeah, thats what I seem to think, for looking around the net. I think that I'll have a night in the dorms and then get the bus the next day. Just depends on what days the bus leaves. I'll arrange it all when I know I can start booking things.

jbmarshall90 wrote:February 1: Fly Brisbane to Launceston JQ753. Night in Launceston
February 2: Free day to get last minute food and supplies. Night in Launceston

So what does everyone think? I think that it'll be nice to have a whole day in Launceston

Someone has advised against the day in Lonnie, but in view of the airline you are using it may be useful insurance to have that in reserve.
Casting no aspersions, but they have been known to be rather late

If you're on time after all and have time to spare, go walking up the Gorge and to Duck Reach and back on the Zig Zag track to recover from your flight. It doesn't compare with the Overland track, but sure beats the CBD

Son of a Beach wrote: hahah... you guys are all too funny for me (and I think I'll even let you get away with that blatant rule breaking just this once - it was just so smoothly done), but don't forget to link back to us, eh?

Just checked, and think the link was maybe already there