Tent platforms on the OT

[Ciaran]

Howdy all. Got a friend doing the OT on the 28th of this month, his first walk in Tassie and I know there will be many more to come, he is wanting to know if the tent platforms where available have tie offs for guy ropes. But I was unable to give him any feedback. It's been along time since I was on the track myself (mainly because of traffic and cost these days) and can't recall taking much notice.

I have expressed that THIS is the only site to get ALL the relevant information, most recent updates from the most experienced walkers going around.

[norts]

There areadjustable wire ropes, with snap hooks also there is usually nails to tie off to.
I have set up my First Arrow, tunnel tent, and my microlight on OT platforms, carrying a some extra cord can be handy.
I have attached extra cord to my my microlights fly. Its always on there, has been handy on the platforms.
Roger

[corvus]

Howdy all. Got a friend doing the OT on the 28th of this month, his first walk in Tassie and I know there will be many more to come, he is wanting to know if the tent platforms where available have tie offs for guy ropes. But I was unable to give him any feedback. It's been along time since I was on the track myself (mainly because of traffic and cost these days) and can't recall taking much notice.

I have expressed that THIS is the only site to get ALL the relevant information, most recent updates from the most experienced walkers going around.

Tell your friend that the huts are really nice and that at this time of year should be reasonably quiet
corvus

[Ciaran]

....have made that point to him corvus, but I think he is looking for a little privacy after doing the Kokoda Track not long ago. I have no doubt that the wife will be swinging that way too.

I got the impression that she is expecting fine weather throughout !!!

Good luck with that one!!

[whynotwalk]

Here are a couple of pix of platforms at Windy Ridge/Bert Nichols, showing the cables, toggles and nails, as well as giving something of the feel,

cheers

Peter

[Jaxter]

...as well as giving something of the feel...

The "feel" is hard and cold! I prefer the privacy of a tent and understand the need for platforms, but boy was that wood uncomfortable!

[corvus]

Just a reminder that ALL sleeping surfaces(other than on the ground) on the OLT are on unforgiving wood
corvus

[Ciaran]

Those pics certainly answer the post, thanks for that Whynotwalk.

Nothing better than knowing what you can expect when you are on a first time walk. Gives you a small pieceof confidence in being prepared.

[ninjapuppet]

I see someone sitting on a chair!!!!!

did someone carry a chair the whole length of the OT ?????

[tomberli]

I see someone sitting on a chair!!!!!

did someone carry a chair the whole length of the OT ?????

You wouldn't believe it but I've seen it more than a handful of times people lugging stupid chairs up and down the Overland track. Had one of my guests rock up with a foldable chair once before a trip and I tried to convince him that it wont be necessary as we have lots of chair sin the huts and he could sit on his pack or a log along the track put he claimed that he had already carried the chair along the Kokoda and to Everest base camp and he wanted it along just for old times sake...
In fact he managed to incorporate the chair into his pack so he didn't even have to take it off but could simply sit down anywhere with his pack on and would end up on the chair - i was kind of impressed to be honest

[Nuts]

The wires and other attachments (trip hazards) dont provide the right angles to pitch many tents to their best. As a tent is not a Kite, It can also be difficult to get the correct tension with the (over engineered) adjustment system they incorporate. Taking a few cup hooks is a good idea...

There are not tent platforms available at each hut, 'ground' camping/pegs are necessary also.

Group sites are not 'available' even if it is dark and no group has arrived

[enduro]

So if the tie downs are not well spaced to accommodate tents to their best tensions, maybe my desire to take a 5x8foot Integral Sil-tarp with an OR Alpine Bivy might leave leave me with some comfort problems?

The Integral Sil-tarp is a tie down and requires the facility of walking poles or similar to support it into an A frame of several variations.

I do have the option for an more advanced tent, however exchanging the 1.4kg + 600G light bivvy (2.0Kg) for a 200g Sil-tarp + heavy duty Bivy 800g (1Kg) is very appealing. I would hate to carry the tent when I would be using it as a shelter in case the Huts were packed.

From my understanding, not too many ppl go in even lat Nov.

[Peaksnik]

Enduro,
You shouldn't have any problems if you take some spare guy cord. The cup hooks - just a couple - are a good idea (I've not used them myself); and some platforms have a handy supply of rocks that can be useful if fine tuning is needed with placement of tie downs.

Cheers

[enduro]

Enduro,
You shouldn't have any problems if you take some spare guy cord. The cup hooks - just a couple - are a good idea (I've not used them myself); and some platforms have a handy supply of rocks that can be useful if fine tuning is needed with placement of tie downs.

Cheers

What are cup hooks?

[tastrax]

Cup hook

http://www.toolstation.com/images/libra ... /90559.jpg

[enduro]

Cup hook

http://www.toolstation.com/images/libra ... /90559.jpg

ahhh .... a cup hook! So simple!

Thanks for clarifying.

[Liamy77]

What do you folks reckon.... is it worth adding a groundsheet or something under your tents? (for warmth / comfort / punctures etc??)

[Bap]

I always carry a footprint for my tent, and have found it useful.

[enduro]

I have just had a brand new Mont Moondance 1 (1.4kg) handed to me to test over the weekend and anticipate using it on the OT. I might take the whole thing or just the fly and my bivy for the Nov trip. Why? Well I'll probably use the Bivy in the hut to help keep me warm overnight and use the biv in the tent instead of the ground sheet. This will save me 400g's.

Alternatively I could just take my Sil-Tarp and the OR Alpine Bivy, be nearer to nature and save even more g's.

[Nuts]

What do you folks reckon.... is it worth adding a groundsheet or something under your tents? (for warmth / comfort / punctures etc??)

Groundsheets dont provide a lot of warmth. If something is that sharp, probably not a lot of puncture proofing. I say 'Narrrrr" That what a tent floor is for!

[Liamy77]

What do you folks reckon.... is it worth adding a groundsheet or something under your tents? (for warmth / comfort / punctures etc??)

Groundsheets dont provide a lot of warmth. If something is that sharp, probably not a lot of puncture proofing. I say 'Narrrrr" That what a tent floor is for!

yeah i think ill take an extra 1cm foam sleeping mat as my comfort thingy with the 3/4 length therma rest instead ( and maybe a patch and glue incase i meet something sharp)...

[frank_in_oz]

yeah i think ill take an extra 1cm foam sleeping mat as my comfort thingy with the 3/4 length therma rest instead ( and maybe a patch and glue incase i meet something sharp)...

Very, very rare to find anything sharp on the platforms. Anything sharp would have been bashed to death long ago. We take a sheet of polly as a slight addition to the (old) floor of the tent. It is cut to just fit the footprint (not the fly) - works ok.

This is a pic of our Sea to Summit Dart at Windemere when my wife, Sue did it solo. http://ourhikingblog.com.au/2008/04/ove ... -trip.html. We just wedge the pegs into the platform if there arn't any nails or wire to hook on.

[Macca81]

frank, unless its windy, ya dont even need to bother about pegs with the dart. with just my sleeping gear in it, its holds upto a reasonably stiff breeze without pegs. most i have ever put in was 2 pegs and that was when tents around me were breaking poles in the wind!

[frank_in_oz]

True enough Macca,
They are pretty good like that. That one was Sue, not sure if she "pegged" it down or just let it free stand (I was at work

[Nuts]

Just to help for those asking about tent platforms on the Overland Track:

* There are no public platforms at Waterfall Valley (You'll need to camp on grass) (the only platforms here are for commercial use (and they can arrive late in the evening...)
* There is one large platform at Pelion (Will accomodate 3/4 tents (but usually gets left to 1 or 2)
* No platforms at Narcissus (or Pine Valley or Echo Point)

The other 3 nights at Windermere, Kia Ora and Windy Ridge each have platforms scattered between several sites (within 100 or so meters of the huts). It seems to work out... most people opt for the hut, especially when its cloudy ( ) those wanting a bit more privacy can find it.

The platforms are various sizes and in some cases abstract shapes (around trees etc, as can be seen above). It can be a squeeze though even large tents (ie Nallo3 GT ) shouldn't have too many issues (just remember to start by pitching close to one end (this is where (at least a couple of) cuphooks are handy). Carry some extra guyline in case you run off...

Medium size cuphooks (ie sold in coles etc) can be a struggle for some... try them... (into pine)... otherwise you can get larger ones from h'ware stores.. just take enough for the main guys, there are enough other nails etc to use for the other points.

The holes left once removing the hooks close up, perhaps better than hammering pegs between the boards


*Tarps are possible around the platforms and most sites though keep an eye on what is happening to the tree your tying the ridgeline too. Extra cord to spread the load?
*Cord is also useful as a hanging line (clothes etc) to avoid any more snapped branch 'hooks'
*The rocks you'll see around the platforms are often left from people trying to hold their tent down when using the provided perimeter wire cables. If doing it this way (using wires and rocks) watch for abrasion into your straps or tent fly. Otherwise:
*Go around and tuck the wires out of the way...!
*Be very careful not to drop anything through the cracks, you may never get it back...



*There are possums and assorted other critters, put all food deep inside your pack or inside (and away from the walls of) your tent

[corvus]

G'day Nuts,
Good advice sounds like you have done it before
corvus

[johnat]

I always carry a footprint for my tent, and have found it useful.

+ 1 ... carry the footprint, used it under the tent on the platforms and on the ground. It aids in retaining warmth in the tent and avoiding coolth penetration from the ground, breezes up between the boards etc.

We also carried a blow-up mattress each, insulated "Big Agnes" and they were very useful in and out of the huts. Our companions took "self-inflating" sleep mats and they were similarly helpful.

[Greenie]

What length of cord is needed? I will need enough for 4 tie down points.
Thanks

[Overlandman]

Also look above the area where you are about to set up, on windy nights tree limbs and the occasional possum do fall to the ground