Summiting Frenchmans Cap

[wombat4787]

Hi all,

I'm a self confessed wouse when it comes to heights. After our recent trip to Tas, we are considering the next. Federation Peak was suggested and my reading tells me I'm not going to like that one. Just as I've ruled out a visit to the Western Arthurs. But Frenchmans might be on the agenda. To be specific, I don't like it when one slip can lead to death. I've done Mt. Ossa, Solomons Throne, Cradle Mtn, The Acropolis, to give you an idea of what I can cope with. So, in the considered opinions of those that have done this summit, is someone that is afraid of heights going to make it to the top? And if not, is there any point in going "half-way" to get a half-decent view?

Thanks,

Peter

[norts]

If you can do Ossa and the Acropolis, you should not have any problem with Frenchmans, no serious exposure as you climb to the top, nice large area on top.

Roger

[JamesMc]

There is a short near vertical scramble on the way up Frenchmans, with a rock slope just above, which could be slippery when wet. For someone who doesn't like heights, this would not be trivial.

JamesMc

[Tortoise]

Thanks for clarifying that James. I'm hoping to have my first trip to Frenchman's soon. Had no trouble with the Acropolis in dry weather, but the second time my party decided against trying - i was investigating, and had a little slide back down the scrambly rock before the gully to the summit plateau - apparently snow melt can make all the difference for those with shorter appendages, who aren't Spiderman-like on rock

[Strider]

What James said. See my avatar....

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Hi Wombat.

I'm like you - not a big fan of heights at all.

If you could do the Acropolis, I don't think you will have any problems.

The one vertical face (5 or 6 feet high) is quite easy to go up, but a little tricky on the way down. Other than that one spot, the rest of it is actually probably easier than Acropolis.

Good luck!

[vagrom]

Frenchman's? The first time i've heard any association with risk, at all. But sure, if you were heading in with the family perhaps. Anyway, there's a helipad at the hut. Carpe diem!

(Strider: where's Lake Geeves?)

Last edited by vagrom on Fri 08 Feb, 2013 6:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Tortoise]

Out of interest, how tall are you, vagrom?

[vagrom]

Uh,oh.... And we know who won with the Tortoise and the Hare.
Alright, i'm 5'7''.

[north-north-west]

(Strider: where's Lake Geeves?)

It's where you end up if you fall while climbing Fedders.

[vagrom]

North-west, it's just that Strider's Avatar resembles that classic shot of people summiting Fedders. Hardly fair to compare, wot?

[Strider]

You've lost me...

[vagrom]

Sorry Strider. I tried to see if I could enlarge that Avatar shot to see if I could remember where this precipitous little section is. If you took your photo there it may well be that it's actually an impressive incline and one worth noting. I've been up and down Frenchmans a few times and last with a guy who was pretty terrified of airy places, as I am somewhat too. The only section that cocerned us on that last descent, returning from Mt Seal, actually appeared to be pretty well stepped.
But fair enough. There does appear to be a general consensus. It just sounds more like that steep bit as you head up Mt Anne and of course, I guess there's no comparison?

[Tortoise]

Uh,oh.... And we know who won with the Tortoise and the Hare.
Alright, i'm 5'7''.

But I do note that that race wasn't up to a rocky mountain summit

[eggs]

Assuming we are talking about the same tricky little spot, this is a photo from below
It is the closest to a rock climb - you need to look for holds, but if there a few in the group, they could give some assistance.

The lads are about to climb up it in the direction of the arrow. [click on picture for better resolution]
And yes - it was wet when we did it.

Tricky section on Frenchmans Cap climb.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Hi Eggs.

I think that's the spot, but it does look very different in the wet - the colours are completely different to the dry.

I think the arrow shows the way up, but I think from memory the tricky section was further up? My mind says if you doubled the length of the arrow you've drawn, the head of the arrow would be pointing at the section which is quite a reach.

Then again, I could be quite wrong!

[Tortoise]

Hmmm Thanks, Eggs & SAH.
Note to self to go with someone more confident than me on Tricky Bits, who can descend before me and tell me where to put my feet. "Just 5"more!"

[Strider]

That's the one. I remember throwing my pack down onto that ledge where the guys are standing. From memory there is a bit of an overhang to the right, meaning its easier (albeit hairier) to go straight up it head on.

[Tortoise]

So whereabouts is this bit? I was thinking I'd be using a daypack at this point...

[eggs]

As to where it is - this is from the same spot looking down the track.
Its probably most of the way up - just before it flattens out and then becomes a rounded walk to the top.
Lake Tahune is a fair way down below to the left.

Looking down

And to help the view - this is a crop with better resolution of the spot.
The crux is really the bit that is overhung just where he is about to climb.
You may even be able to wedge in a bit on the roof there.

Closer view of crux.

[Strider]

So whereabouts is this bit? I was thinking I'd be using a daypack at this point...

Nearing the top. I had a mostly empty 60L pack with lunch and a few warm clothes in it for myself and one other.

[Tortoise]

Aha. I really must get around to a bit of basic rockclimbing with a climbing friend to increase my confidence on such things. Getting worse in my old age - and shorter

[north-north-west]

It's a little bit of a scramble, but there's no exposure there, I wouldn't think anyone with acrophobia would find it all that nasty.

[tigercat]

My memory is that there is a jammed chockstone in the crack in the overhang in the above photo that one can pullup on and lower down on.

[vagrom]

And if not, is there any point in going "half-way" to get a half-decent view?

PS: Frenchmans is famous for it's miserable weather, although i've no idea if things have improved with Warming. People used to walk in, wait for the weather to clear and then leave disappointed. A friend of mine walked in 2 or 3 times and never summited. It wasn't considered worth climbing if there was nothing to see of it's incredible, west Tassie views at the top.
But the walk in to Tahune Hut remains one of Tassie's most beautiful and legendarily boggy walks- a great intro. to Tassie walking for newcomers to the state and bushwalking in general.
From Vera to Tahune is awesome, in the true sense of the word. If the weather's bad, you get an idea of the famed, west-Tas. conditions as a bonus. It's high, terribly exposed to the weather, for a brief while beyond the pass but never too far from safety and company.

Last edited by vagrom on Tue 12 Feb, 2013 5:46 pm, edited 5 times in total.

[Son of a Beach]

As per the arrow on the sign, the route is directly up the rock behind this guy. But there are plenty of good hand holds and foot hold and it's only like that for a few metres before it then gets easier again.

P1030306.jpg (91.37 KiB) Viewed 7867 times

[Hallu]

lol you're afraid of heights and what is considered by many the toughest climb in Tasmania was suggested to you ? Don't try Mount Anne either then. Mt Murchison would be fine (although a pain in the *&%$#! in the wet), Barn Bluff too (both strenuous day walks). Chapman's books usually warn you if there are exposed cliffs and exposed climbing in the "safety" section. There are also many variations for the walks, for example you can visit the area near Mount Anne without climbing it and still have a great time, same for Fed Peak I'm guessing. And since Frenchmans isn't that long, you could include day walks such as Hartz peak.

You could also exchange the physical challenge for a navigational one and try some walks in the Tarkine or on the West coast. And don't underestimate the beauty of less challenging places such as Mount Field or Ben Lomond. They may not be at the top of peak bagging lists, but they're still worth it.

[Son of a Beach]

Frenchmans would not be considered one of the toughest climbs in Tasmania by very many people. I would certainly not put it in that league.

[Hallu]

I was talking about Federation Peak, he said "Federation Peak was suggested".

[vagrom]

Google: argument clinic.