Frenchmans Cap: what age?

[JohnR]

Planning on doing Frenchmans Cap with my 12 year old son in early April 2014.

He has done the Walls (Dixons Kingdom return) and Freycinet Circuit and many day trips /climbs.

For those in the know do you think it is doable for an average 12 year old with a bit of experience? Weather should not be a problem as we can time our departure based on a good forecast (although we will still obviously be prepared for the worst).

Any suggestions or info on experiences with younger kids on the walk would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[Son of a Beach]

Have you done the walk yourself? I would recommend doing it for yourself without the 12 year old first. 12 year olds vary a lot in physical and mental capacity and only you will be able to judge your own son's abilities well. As much as people may attempt to describe the track and it's difficulties, it's not really possible to get across all the information in a way that will be fully understood.

In any case, here's my 2 cents...

Frenchmans Cap track is orders of magnitude more difficult than the Walls or Freycinet. Having said that, it would certainly be achievable for some 12 year olds. But it would very much depend on their ability to handle long demanding days.

I would imagine that it would be mentally easier now that the Sodden Loddens have been bypassed, but there is still a lot of long moderately steep uphill slogs. The section of track approaching Barron Pass is quite a hill (although not in the same league as Morraine A). There are some rough parts on the other side of Barron Pass as well. The track is not technically challenging, but is physically demanding.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Hmmm... Could be fine, but depends on the individual 12yo. I wouldn't go in unless confident I could carry both packs and still help him along if it got all too hard.

You might need to split the first day into two, especially on the way in. It took me and my wife a full 10 hard hours of walking with a full pack on the way in (although bypassing the Loddons should save you a heap).

Perhaps something like the OT would be a good step up from Freycinet but still a bit easier and much better supported (hut wardens, lots of people etc.)

Good luck.

[Strider]

When I did Frenchman's I met a young fella at Vera, around 12-13, that had summited the day before us. He seemed to be taking it in his stride but Dad was probably carrying all the load.

[JohnR]

Thanks for all those helpful tips. For a 12 y.o pack limit is really sleeping bag, sleeping mat and jacket.

I have not done the walk myself but have researched it a fair bit / talked to others about it. Also only being in Tassie 2 months of the year does not allow the luxury of doing a test run.

Sounds doable, so we will give it a run (there is always the option of turning back at any point in our journey). No doubt a better option than Fedders, which is what he wants to do!

Trouble with OT is that you probably need to book well in advance so you have no ability to control the likely weather conditions. Staying warm and dry (as possible) is very important when you are only 28-30 kegs of skin and bones!

Great to hear others of simliar age have done FC.

Cheers

[Strider]

Even if it only make it to Vera for an overnighter its still a great adventure at that age

[geoskid]

Agree with SoaB.
Totally doable by the right 12 yr old. Yours can walk, and is is keen, Dad is prepared to turn back if needed. Do it - excellent bonding time. You have appropriate gear?

[geoskid]

What I do with my boys is ramp it up for them each time, as long as I'm not out of my depth.
Won't be long before they are guiding me thru the places I havn't got to (and there is a lot). 12-14 is a good age to make their eyes pop as to what is out there! (y'know - testosterone and all that).

[JohnR]

Thanks geoskid and strider.

Agree that it is a good age for getting them into the right habits and testing them mentally.

I remember coming back over the saddle after 3 days doing the Freycinet circuit when my 8 y.o daughter finally cracked and asked / demanded: "Why can't we have holidays like normal people and go to Disneyland". Of course at the end (after the tears dried up and we got back to the carpark) she looked back and did not regret a minute and rightfully had a sense of achievement.

It is the perfect pursuit for challenging them mentally with no or minimal danger. Not to mention the health benefits and development of organisational skills and respect for the environment. They also learn very quickly without the comforts around.

[JohnR]

Well he did it in style - 3 days. Made it to the summit on day 2 and then a big 23km hike out on the final day (Lake Tahune to the Carpark). He even enjoyed what is left of the Sodden Loddons.

The Ranger has to be commended on the state of the huts. The Lake Vera Hut in particularly is a home away from home. Clean, bright, warm and great facilities. The log books at Vera and Tahune provide some great historical detail and reinforce the uniqueness of where you are.

We feel pretty privileged to be able to walk in such an amazing area. From Barron Pass on the place is very special.

Not much fauna (no snakes and only 1 wombat) but the flora was very diverse and interesting for a 12 year old.

[geoskid]

Excellent John,
Glad it all went well, your young fella would be rightfully chuffed with himself, no doubt

[tibboh]

Well done.
That's a lifelong memory he will cherish for sure as the years go by. He is a very lucky lad to have you as a father. I can't wait till my son hits that age.

[Lindy]

Hello to all,

I am wanting to walk to Frenchmans Cap early 2015. I'm a keen bushwalker but not an expert on maps and offtrack walking. Is this a well maintained track with good markers? I've walked some of the more popular areas in Tasmania and found the tracks to be well identified. Any advice from someone who knows would be greatly appreciated..... thanks.... Lindy

[north-north-west]

Hello to all,

I am wanting to walk to Frenchmans Cap early 2015. I'm a keen bushwalker but not an expert on maps and offtrack walking. Is this a well maintained track with good markers? I've walked some of the more popular areas in Tasmania and found the tracks to be well identified. Any advice from someone who knows would be greatly appreciated..... thanks.... Lindy

It's one of the better made and maintained tracks in Tassie (especially now it's mostly been routed away from the Loddens). Getting lost requires a serious commitment.

[icefest]

If your plan is only to go there and back you should have few problems.

Clytemnestra and other side trips will be hard; and easy to get lost without experience - not recommended if you have any doubts.

Avoid summiting if the weather is awful, most Tassie tracks above the tree line get pretty gnarly in a storm.

[Lindy]

Thanks to both for the useful information. I look forward to yet another great walk in Tasmania.

Lindy