South Coast Track

[ewing1will]

I'm an American, about to spend a few months in Australia. I have been reading a lot about the South Coast Track in Tas and was getting pretty excited about walking it in March. However, I have almost no experience backpacking and I would be going solo. My friend at home, who has never been to Tas but has considerably more outdoors experience than me, took a look at the walk and basically urged me not to do it. His concern is that most of the trail is so remote and I am so new, that if something were to happen I could be in a really dangerous situation, far far away from help. For people who know the trail, is my friend right? Would I be crazy to try to do this alone? I want a challenge for sure, but dying of starvation because of a sprained ankle doesn't sound like a great time.

[ollster]

Welcome to the forum!

My friend... urged me not to do it... is my friend right? Would I be crazy to try to do this alone?

I'd have to say your friend is probably spot on.The SCT is fairly remote, and there are some bits you could get yourself into trouble on - boat crossings and potentially getting lost in mist along the ranges are possibilities - as well as snakebite, injury, tents getting ripped apart by storms etc. I generally would discourage solo walking unless you have a lot of experience under your belt. If you REALLY, REALLY feel compelled to go, make sure you take an EPIRB (personal locator beacon) and don't set it off unless you're in real trouble (ie: not just because you're feeling tired - nothing personal but this happens and generally annoys everyone).

You'd probably see a few people each day, so you probably would be found if you messed yourself up (excepting getting lost of course). Cheery thought, eh?

You could try using the "Find walking companions" bit on this forum to see if anyone is heading out that way during your stay?

[JamesMc]

The South Coast Track is pretty rough compared to American tracks, (or at least comared to Yosemite which is the only place where I've been walking there). It has a number of reasonable sized rivers that don't have bridges; these can be dangerous to cross when flooded.

You might be better off considering the Overland Track- also remote but it's a better quality track and has bridges.

Both tracks will have lots of people on them, so if you do collapse in a heap, it won't be long before somebody comes past.

There's also some worthwhile walking on the continent that's less remote.

JamesMc

(PS don't forget to bring your gun. The locals can get mighty unfriendly if you stumble onto one of their secret trails.)

[ILUVSWTAS]

The South Coast Track is pretty rough compared to American tracks, (or at least comared to Yosemite which is the only place where I've been walking there). It has a number of reasonable sized rivers that don't have bridges; these can be dangerous to cross when flooded.

You might be better off considering the Overland Track- also remote but it's a better quality track and has bridges.

Both tracks will have lots of people on them, so if you do collapse in a heap, it won't be long before somebody comes past.

There's also some worthwhile walking on the continent that's less remote.

JamesMc

(PS don't forget to bring your gun. The locals can get mighty unfriendly if you stumble onto one of their secret trails.)

HAHAHA And here I was thinking this was very reasonable sound advice, until I got to that last line...

[corvus]

The South Coast Track is pretty rough compared to American tracks, (or at least comared to Yosemite which is the only place where I've been walking there). It has a number of reasonable sized rivers that don't have bridges; these can be dangerous to cross when flooded.

You might be better off considering the Overland Track- also remote but it's a better quality track and has bridges.

Both tracks will have lots of people on them, so if you do collapse in a heap, it won't be long before somebody comes past.

There's also some worthwhile walking on the continent that's less remote.

JamesMc

(PS don't forget to bring your gun. The locals can get mighty unfriendly if you stumble onto one of their secret trails.)

G'day JamesMc,
I think you had better EDIT this post we dont like the GUN reference SO DO IT NOW
corvus

[ILUVSWTAS]

Are you a moderater now Corvus??

I think he was just having some fun......

[Dave Bremers]

Never been to the states but I do hear that our 'tracks' (are they even that?) are a lot harder. Pretty sure James Mc was just joking so leave the post. Mate it seems like you don't have that much experience so I think this would be a pretty brutal start to your bushwalking career. That said, you could do it with others if you were confident of your fitness but not alone.

[corvus]

Are you a moderater now Corvus??

I think he was just having some fun......

There is no FUN in reference to shooting someone ,when you are older you may realize this ,just ask the survivors from Port Arthur or those who had to deal with the TRAUMA.
corvus

[stepbystep]

Are you a moderater now Corvus??

I think he was just having some fun......

There is no FUN in reference to shooting someone ,when you are older you may realize this ,just ask the survivors from Port Arthur or those who had to deal with the TRAUMA.
corvus

Hi Corvus,

Im sure SWTAS. B98 & James Mc don't mean disrespect to the victims of gun related crime, and I'm quite sure it isn't age/generation related.
My old man(may he rest in peace) used tasteless quips like this constantly to my complete embarasment, so there you go......not ageist, just a bit insensitive.

I have a great friend who was/is a councillor to the victims of trauma at PA and she taught me that OVERsensitivity to these issues only proliferates the pain.

I'm sure that those that maybe a little too quick to 'shoot from the hip' as they say, may be more likely to think before 'shooting' if given a little more gentle persuasion.

Respectfully yours. sbs

[corvus]

No excuse for insensitivity ,(shoot from the hip ) I stand by my statement no FUN in reference to shooting someone my Daughter is a Psychologist who can relate serious problems with those who are insensitive to violence of any kind.
Remove the Gun reference and I will be a happy old fart
corvus

[stepbystep]

No excuse for insensitivity ,(shoot from the hip ) I stand by my statement no FUN in reference to shooting someone my Daughter is a Psychologist who can relate serious problems with those who are insensitive to violence of any kind.
Remove the Gun reference and I will be a happy old fart
corvus

Wish I could but it 'aint my post.
Sensitivity felt by one isn't felt by all, doesn't make any of it right or wrong, perhaps just misunderstood.
Sorry that comment hit you in the wrong way corvus, I grew up with that stuff
P.S. Guns belong in museums.
sbs

[ILUVSWTAS]

Are you a moderater now Corvus??

I think he was just having some fun......

when you are older you may realize this ,
corvus

I hope I never get so old I cant see an innocent comment for what it is.

I've had friends commit suicide by shooting themselves,

Not that I like guns, I actually hate them as well, BUT guns dont kill people.. people kill people!

[corvus]

Are you a moderater now Corvus??

I think he was just having some fun......

when you are older you may realize this ,
corvus

I hope I never get so old I cant see an innocent comment for what it is.

I've had friends commit suicide by shooting themselves,

Not that I like guns, I actually hate them as well, BUT guns dont kill people.. people kill people!

All asked for was the removal of the GUN comment simple no boner what is so hard about that , ILUVESWTAS there is no innocent comment about shooting anyone.
I suspect you may change your mind when you mature and have children.
Corvus

[ILUVSWTAS]

Shows how attentive you are my friend. I HAVE children. And I suspect I am older than you think!

If it bothers you so much bring it to the attention of the site moderaters and let them decide.....

[Dave Bremers]

%%%%'s sake lets lose the sensitivity, apparently I have no opinion though because I don't have children. Now should I be construing that as insulting? Or should I claim my baby bonus right away and get the maturity bonus with it? (This is not a dig at people who have children, btw, I'm kind of a fan otherwise I wouldn't exist)

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hehehe Dave you childless man you, how dare you have an opinion...

Anyway If I've upset you corvus I apologise

[Son of a Beach]

OK... knock it off, people. Let's please keep this topic on topic.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh good point Nik

South coast track is an excellent place to start multi night solo adventures as the track is VERY easy to follow ( just follow the mud ) and there will be thousands of people seen daily so if trouble is had help is near at hand. Also it's pretty flat with only a few small rises and one range to cross.

The biggest worry would be the river crossings I'd suggest studying up on how to do this before setting off!

[corvus]

OK... knock it off, people. Let's please keep this topic on topic.

Nik ,
All asked for was the removal of the Gun comment.
corvus

[wello]

I walked to South West Track with my relatively inexperienced partner between Christmas and New Year 2006. She's of reasonable general fitness, but had never walked in the South west. Despite this lack of experience, we had no issues and really enjoyed the trip (mind you six days of perfect weather certainly helped). There are no issues following the track, although people not used to walking in Tas might find the mud challenging. Some of the climbs are reasonably significant (the Ironbound range is 900m then 900m down in the space of around 9km, generally done in one day), particularly if you are not used to carrying a pack for an extended walk.

The weather is another major consideration. Poor conditions are possible (perhaps even likely) even in summer. Being from the USA, you may well be used to snow and cold generally, but these can be much harder to deal with by youself a long way from civilisation.

There are plenty of people on the track, but I'd put the numbers you'd see in a day at "dozens" rather than thousands. Virtually all groups walk West to East, so one thing you could try to reduce the risk is to do the same and make friends with a group at the first camp site. chances are you'll see them each night and you can look out for each other. Another thing no-one's mentioned is mobile (cellular) phone coverage. I rarely bother carrying a phone as you can rarely rely on coverage. You can sometimes get 3G signals on higher peaks, and a satphone will generally be ok, but I now carry an EPIRB as my last resort.

Good luck

Wello