South Coast Track

[Bernie]

Hi everyone need some advice. I am wanting to do the South Coast Track Melaeuca to Cockle Creek in Feburary 2010.
What I want to know is can I do this track by myself? Is it a popular track that time of year and would I be walking with others on the track?
I am finding it hard to find friends or others who would do the walk with me. I would love to do this walk. I have walked the Overland Track a couple of times and have done many multi day walks up here in Queensland so am not a novice. Any feed back would be good thankyou.
Bernie

[NickD]

Hi there. In February you will very much be sharing the track with other punters. Campsites will also be shared with others however on a remote walk like this, it is not neccessarily a bad thing as it gives you a slight safety net if anything was to go wrong. However you cannot rely on people always and sometimes they may be more a liability for yourself.
If you've done the Overland Track yourself you should be okay with planning the logisitics for a SCT, you just have to be aware of tougher sections of track and less hospitible campsites. (no huts).
However if you do wish to join a commercial group, PM me and I can give you a run down on what's included with the company I work for. (Nik, I hope this doesn't come across as advertising).
Regards
Nick

[Bernie]

Thanks Nick. I have been doing a heap of research on the track, bought John Chapmans book The South West coast. Doing the track solo will be my last choice, So if I find anyone to do the track with will be great If not will go it alone. Meeting other people along the track will not be a problem for me. So thanks for the advice, am open to all who can give me info on it.
Cheers.
Bernie

[lyndoor]

Hi Bernie
I did the SCT several years ago in Jan with a group of friends. We met one solo walker & a few small groups en route but the nature of the walk does lend itself to having buddies along. Don't get me wrong, it was a fantastic trip but really be aware of what lays ahead of you if you do it alone.

There are rivers, inland & onshore, that need crossing either by foot, rope/cables or rowing.
The Ironbounds is a Mother of a mountain to climb. She can turn really nasty at a drop of a hat. When you least expect it can bring on winds, rains, hail, snow & then just to be fickle bring out the sun again...been there. We had two of our walkers come down with very severe gastro (the joys of bush loos?), one of them over the Ironbounds, delirious & weak. You wouldn't want to be in a position like that on your own...Walking down, hour after hour through the seemingly endless roots strewn track on the western side is both mentally & physically challenging on it's slippery surfaces..had the bruises to prove it!
It is coming into the breeding season for our snakes (all venomous to varying degrees), who enjoy taking up residence in the grassy plains & scaring the b'geesus out of unwary walkers...just ask my friend, who was a blubbering mess after her first two pairs!
You have a few cliff base dashes along the way, if you don't get the tides right.
The weather can be just as unpredictable as the OT & as NickD said there are no huts in which to warm or dry in the unpredictable weather we have here in Tassie.

Don't be put off by my comments because it is beautifully wild & pristine...it's just remote & our lone walker from Belgium nearly turned round & retraced his steps with us after his experiences on the walk.

Par Avion & Tasair take flights into Melaleuca, so if your travels have flexibilty, you could wait until they had spare seats with a flight booking & tag along with that group.

I do hope you get there. It still is one of the best walks I've done to date!

lyndoor

[corvus]

am not goin there well but
c

[lyndoor]

Ahhh, Corvus, ya big chicken. Live life dangerously!!
lyndoor

[stephen5594]

hi everyone. I'm from Santa Clarita, California. I'm a writer/producer and I'm doing research for a comedy that takes place in the South Coast Track. What I'm looking for are personal experiences from you bushwalkers, especially the horror stories that have happened and what was done to overcome the elements, the plant and animals indigenous to the areas. I hope you all don't mind me "picking your brains" so to speak. I want to make this comedy as accurate as possible when it comes to walking in the South Coast AND to show the beauty of Tasmania. If you have more information you can share, you can e-mail me at: composer_music@sbcglobal.net

I appreciate all your assistance.

Sincerely,

Stephen Gerzeli

[frank_in_oz]

hi everyone. I'm from Santa Clarita, California. I'm a writer/producer and I'm doing research for a comedy that takes place in the South Coast Track. What I'm looking for are personal experiences from you bushwalkers, especially the horror stories that have happened and what was done to overcome the elements, the plant and animals indigenous to the areas. I hope you all don't mind me "picking your brains" so to speak. I want to make this comedy as accurate as possible when it comes to walking in the South Coast AND to show the beauty of Tasmania. If you have more information you can share, you can e-mail me at: composer_music@sbcglobal.net

I appreciate all your assistance.

Sincerely,

Stephen Gerzeli

Hi Stephen,
Good luck carting the camera gear in ....

[Bernie]

Thanks lyndoor
Will take all your advice onboard, as I said to Nick Solo would be my last pick so here is hoping I find someone to do it with
Bernie.

[lyndoor]

[lyndoor]

No probs, Bernie. Hope you get there. You won't be disappointed.

More fun with friends anyway! Hey, you might even come across stephen5594 with his camera!

Happy walking, lyndoor.

[north-north-west]

Oh, Piffle!
I did the section from west of the Ironbounds to Cockle Creek solo after getting a major case of the *&^%$#@! with my companions, and it was the best part of the whole thing, despite the weather over the Ironbounds alternating between mediocre and ruddy 'orrible. An experienced and properly prepared and equipped solo walker won't have any trouble. Provided s/he is sensible.

[pazzar]

I am also considering walking the south coast track over the summer, not too fussed when. Feel free to contact me, as I am currently walking alone as well. I am looking to go in mid February.

[Bernie]

Hi am going in mid Feb to start the south coast track if your around than look out for me.
Cheers. Bernie

[nothingwmn]

I also will be doing the SC mid Feb with 2 mates.
If anyone has any suggestions for the best way to get info on tides, it'd be much appreciated!

[BarryJ]

Try this site:

http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/tides/