First overnight walk - Lees Paddocks?

[Deb]

I am after some information about the suitability of Lees paddocks as an overnight walk. We are a group of 5 "mature aged" walkers. We have done lots of long day walks but are keen to try an overnight walk. Just wondering what the Lees Paddocks track would be like after all this rain? We walked this track as a day walk a couple of years ago but would like some information about the current state of the track and suitability to camp overnight at this time of the year.
Also, what is the minimum gear with which we could attempt an overnight walk to this area - we would only go if the weather forecast was favourable and certainly don't want to go under equipped, however we also don't want to spend more $$ than we need to. Do we need a heavy duty tent or is a small, general purpose tent sufficient?
Thank you to anyone who can give advice.
Regards
Deb

[Joel]

I have not been in since April, but I would imagine after all the rain that it would be incredibly wet and muddy. I think it's fair to say that the creeks would be absolutely thundering down at the moment also. I wouldn't want to go up there at this time of year.

[Fizzygood]

Hi Deb, lovely part of Tassie but to go in there at this time of year on top of the rain we have had would make for a very wet and muddy walk... You will need high quality 4 season gear, experience at route finding in what could be very challenging conditions, and remember its a fuel stove only area so no fires for cooking or warmth!

I am assuming you are considering going in via the Arm River track.... this was under snow last weekend!

Whatever you decide, be safe and have fun!

Cheers, Erin

[corvus]

Deb,
Lees Paddocks are an ideal overnight walk destination (but not now as Joel mentioned owing to the Creek levels ) I suspect you will need to think about this as a closer to Summer trip when the track is nicer however it does have muddy stretches all year and you do have to cross un bridged creeks.
To put it more in perspective I have taken dozens of children in there over the years and we used 3 season moderately priced tents and as you would expect their sleeping bags were not "top of the range" but not ultra cheap and they were perfectly comfortable and safe.
I assume you have adequate Packs and Footwear and you will need fuel stoves of some kind ,gas cannister type will be the cheapest and you will get away with basic Aluminium billies the rest is up to individual choice.
If you are very lucky you may even have access to Lees Hut for cooking and socialising if conditions are a bit rough of an evening and be prepared to be mind blown by the scenery .
P.S. If you have not walked carrying an over night pack please do some practise with the weights you are likely to carry (I suspect 15 to 18 kg)
c

[corvus]

Hi Deb, lovely part of Tassie but to go in there at this time of year on top of the rain we have had would make for a very wet and muddy walk... You will need high quality 4 season gear, experience at route finding in what could be very challenging conditions, and remember its a fuel stove only area so no fires for cooking or warmth!

I am assuming you are considering going in via the Arm River track.... this was under snow last weekend!

Whatever you decide, be safe and have fun!

Cheers, Erin

G'day Erin,
Blinkin long way into Lees Paddocks via Arm River Track,a wee bit disorientated perhaps!!
Dont want to preach but please be assured of you facts before posting please
c

[the_camera_poser]

It's cheating, but I just booked the Scout hut for two nights next week for our first family overnighter

[Fizzygood]

Corvus, you can walk walk into lees paddock via Arm River, it is approx 8klm along the Arm River Track to the Lees Paddock turnoff at Lake Ayr and then probably 4 or 5 klm to Lees Hut...

OK, not the shortest route but a route nonetheless!

[corvus]

It's cheating, but I just booked the Scout hut for two nights next week for our first family overnighter

t_c_p,
Its not cheating as you still have the walk up there which can take over an hour young or old you just have the advantage of luxury when you get to your destination and no tents to erect
c

[the_camera_poser]

You ought to drop in for a visit C!

[corvus]

Corvus, you can walk walk into lees paddock via Arm River, it is approx 8klm along the Arm River Track to the Lees Paddock turnoff at Lake Ayr and then probably 4 or 5 klm to Lees Hut...

OK, not the shortest route but a route nonetheless!

Why on earth would you want to go up the Arm River Track and Head back down the Reedy Lake Track (Venetian Blind Track) for an overnighter especially a first overnighter and with your vehicles many many kilometres apart !!
Yes its a route so is the track from the Overland from Kio Ora and the route from off Cathedral and can you contemplate inexperienced walkers even rout finding on the Reedy Lake track let alone even finding the start!!
I repeat my previous statement please check information before posting .
c

[Deb]

Thanks to everyone for your comments - we will reconsider and plan for later in the year. Have walked this track before as a day walk, but really wanted to be able to spend more time as it was certainly a beautiful spot and we only spent about an hour before having to turn around and head back. As we are not seasoned overnight walkers , in the interests of comfort and safety, we will put it off until the weather warms up. Our gear is probably not up to a full-on winter experience, but should be ok for a summer trip. I appreciate the input from more experienced walkers.
Cheers,
Deb

[the_camera_poser]

Deb- a while back I started a thread for overnight walks for families- these might be of interest to you. Here's the link to it:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2557

[Fizzygood]

Point taken Corvus but the Lees Paddock Track is even mentioned by J.Chapman as an alternative access route to Pelion Hut and most people would consider this strange....

Its all about the walking anyway...

[corvus]

Point taken Corvus but the Lees Paddock Track is even mentioned by J.Chapman as an alternative access route to Pelion Hut and most people would consider this strange....

Its all about the walking anyway...

Erin ,
With due respect we were not talking about routes to Pelion Hut we were talking about newbie over nighters doing a walk into Lees Paddocks huge difference so which part of the wrong direction don't you get !!
Sorry to say this but I have done all of the walks mentioned in this post numerous times and the basic Lees Paddocks walk will be a good over nighter .
Erin you are quoting from a book and have not even done this I suspect so never mind "its all about the walking anyway... " giving out wrong information can lead to serious implications but come to think about it would anyone really take you seriously with your suggested walk into Lees
c

[Fizzygood]

It was not a 'suggestion', just an assumption... I know people who have walked (and still do) into Lees Paddock this way... but again, I take your point....

[Son of a Beach]

It was not a 'suggestion', just an assumption... I know people who have walked (and still do) into Lees Paddock this way... but again, I take your point....

I've walked into Lees Paddocks via the Arm River Track from Pelion end (but obviously you'd have to get to the Pelion end somehow first). Perhaps this is what Fizzygood means? I don't think I would never walk into Lees Paddocks via the Arm River Track from the car park end - that would be a very odd thing to do.