Federation + Port Davey or South Coast track

[zacktuckey]

My friend and I are trying to plan a 9 or 10 day trip through the Southwest NP. We're interested in the South Coast track, or Port Davey track. I'm also really interested in doing Federation peak if possible.

I understand that Federation does not require climbing ropes to ascend, however I've noted that there have been several fatalities and that the route has some areas that are fairly exposed. I also understand that unpredictable inclement weather can cause delays. I don't have any rock climbing experience really. For a sense of what I am comfortable with, the steepest peak I've hiked/scrambled up is Black Tusk, if anyone has travelled to BC, Canada. edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Tusk for those interested

Does this seem of similar difficulty to Federation?

Also:

If we were to take the approach from Scott's Peak, I understand that it would take about 4 or 5 days to get to Federation. What would be some worthwhile areas to explore with the remainder of our time? What places could we finish the trip that would have bus or shuttle service?

I would really like it if we could set out from Scott's Peak, make it to Federation, and then continue on for some more walking to a final destination that also has land transport available.

Perhaps it would be better to devote the entirety of the trip to the South Coast track? Too bad I get the notion doing Federation so stuck in my mind!

[ollster]

I suggest you review the comments/pics in this thread...

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1512

[Azza]

Not sure how Black Tusk compares to Fedder.
The final climb up Fedder is approximately 100m up a series of ledges till you reach a gully near the top on the rather vertical Southern Face.
Its fairly easy scrambling (From a technical rock climbing point of view its Grade 5 Aus/NZ) but a few sections are very exposed and you
definately wouldn't want to make a mistake.

Time wise 9-10 days isn't enough to climb Federation Peak and do the South Coast Track.
Its almost enough to walk from Farmhouse Creek via Federation Peak through to Melaleuca along the Pt Davey Track.
Likewise its almost enough to Walk the Pt Davey + South Coast track.

Cheers

Aaron

[wello]

9 - 10 days would give you a great opportunity to do Federation from Farmhouse Creek, take in some peaks in the Eastern Arthurs and walk out via the Huon Track. That much time would also allow a couple of days for bad weather (which is a must in that area) or a day walk to warm up before you start. Perhaps Hartz Pk or something in the Picton Range. Traversing the Eastern Arthurs and exiting to Scotts Pk or Port Davey starts to look like a long trip in the time, and makes the logistics difficult too. There's a couple of bushwalking transport companies that will pretty much take you to the start of any track, but they're not cheap. Apparantly Geeveston Taxis will take you to Farmhouse Creek. You can fly in or out of Port Davey (Melaleuca) - small planes so they won't fly in bad weather.

Wello

[NickD]

Just got back from Federation Peak so I might be able to give some fresh perspective, as it was only three days ago I was on the summit.
The climb itself, I think is a little bit over hyped, whilst there are some if you slip you'll die moments, it wasn't the sheer 600m drop that everyone talks about, it was at the most, fifty metres direct to where you'd fall. Geeves Lake is still 600m below, and it does give it the gigantic heights aura, but I was expecting more. However, I found the track to the summit not as well marked as I'd like, and therefore I found the scariest parts was when we were creeping around ledges looking for cairns, but if you infact find the correct route the whole way up it should be a breeze for anyone with scrambling experience.

On the other hand I think Moss Ridge should be hyped up more than it is, it is a difficult ascent with a big pack, add the fact that there is no water for 6 hrs and it becomes quite exhausting! Some of the small cliffs you must ascend there with your pack/pack hauling is tiring!!

God it is an awesome mountain though, and Beechervaise plateau is amazing!!

[zacktuckey]

Thanks very much for the info. I'm grateful for your perspective on Federation and Moss Ridge. I'm glad to hear it's not as harrowing as some make it out to be. I've been looking through Chapman's South West Tasmania and thinking about looking further into Federation via Farmhouse, and on to Scott's Peak. I think Tassielink buses can go to Geeveston, and from Geeveston maybe we could catch a taxi to Farmhouse Creek, as wello suggested. I suppose coach pickup could be arranged from Scott's Peak back to Hobart.

[zacktuckey]

I have attached an image file of a proposed route for us to take. Does this seem feasible in 9-9.5 days?

[Dave Bremers]

I have attached an image file of a proposed route for us to take. Does this seem feasible in 9-9.5 days?

depends on your fitness! For all that I think 9-9.5 days will be a pretty quick walk, you'll need good weather all the way. When I did the Eastern Arthurs we spent 9 days and returned via the Arthur Plains rather than the Western Arthurs. Wasn't the fastest we could have gone, but on the other hand we couldn't have shaved more than 2-3 days off it. Granted, I haven't done the Western Arthurs, but to my knowledge 9 - 9.5 days is not enough. What are others' thoughts on this?

[Dave Bremers]

Thanks very much for the info. I'm grateful for your perspective on Federation and Moss Ridge. I'm glad to hear it's not as harrowing as some make it out to be. I've been looking through Chapman's South West Tasmania and thinking about looking further into Federation via Farmhouse, and on to Scott's Peak. I think Tassielink buses can go to Geeveston, and from Geeveston maybe we could catch a taxi to Farmhouse Creek, as wello suggested. I suppose coach pickup could be arranged from Scott's Peak back to Hobart.

Granted, some make it out to be like Punks in the Gym, however scarce cairns, serious exposure, slippery rocks, and a point called "the Ledge" make it a tricky prospect. Coming down was worse, and I believe it was during the descent that a man died just recently. The southern traverse is pretty scary itself, we took the "northern lakes route" to avoid half of it. But keep switched on, and you'll realise that the actual difficulty is no worse than a scramble. As for taxis, Huon Valley Taxis do a bushwalker's 'route' to Farmhouse from Geeveston for something like $100. 0408 125 130.

[Son of a Beach]

We took 12 days to do the Eastern and Western Arthurs including Federation Peak and no other side trips. We had two consecutive short days that could have easily been combined into a single day making for an 11 day through trip.

We were of moderate walking experience and moderate fitness at the time and could probably not have done it any quicker than 11 days (at least not without reducing the enjoyment of the walking more than would be worthwhile for us).

(We had planned for 14 days, including potential bad weather waits, and allowed for 15 days fully catered for food and fuel.)