Frenchmans Cap New Track

[ILUVSWTAS]

So there will be a regular race to and from the Cap with a time of say 2 hours?

It didn't seem to take us any less time, it's just less muddy.... Poor old Dick obviously doesn't like mud.

If you can find out when Dick is coming to Tas next, I reckon that's when the track will be opened...

Hope they're busy building tent platforms now.

Hahaha yeh good point.

There had been alot of clearing around Vera, I think the ranger mentioned it was planned...

[Penguin]

Hahaha yeh good point.

There had been alot of clearing around Vera, I think the ranger mentioned it was planned...

I wonder how they are going to manage overnighters at Tahune??? Not a lot of space up there I felt.

[ryantmalone]

Wow, this has all turned a bit serious...

I know, I dont like it either!

Ok this is me on a section of the track that was not yet completed....

Oh, that's far too much mud for my likings...

[north-north-west]

I give it two years before it's as sodden as the old route.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Seems they actually thought about the route on this one, it goes through alot of forest, very hard to make it muddy. It's similar to the first part of the walk on a hardpan track, it wont get muddy.

[north-north-west]

Nice. I'm thinking about Frenchman's for the upcoming trip, but don't know if I have time (or strength) for all the summits in the area. Maybe I should just face the Soddin' Loddens and go back on the new track later for whatever I don't get this time.

So many walks. So little time left.

[ryantmalone]

Nice. I'm thinking about Frenchman's for the upcoming trip, but don't know if I have time (or strength) for all the summits in the area.

I'm thinking next summer, a visit is in order for sure, plus a long overdue visit to Mt Anne.

Still havent bagged that one, and dead keen to do so.

[Fizzygood]

Have also 'stumbled' across the new track. It's good but yes, unfinished. In terms of time and distance it feels about the same... very mellow strolling through light forest.

Third trip in and finally got the summit!

[ryantmalone]

I'm curious as to how the new track avoiding the mud will affect traffic numbers.

Have Parks considered additional space for camping, platforms, etc?

[stu]

When we were last there they had been clearing additional space around Vera hut (near the existing heli pad, not sure if this was for tents tho?).
Also curious as the existing sites in the forest at Vera are almost unusable when it's really wet & there isn't much tent space at Tahune.
They'll need to get onto this pretty quickly!!!

[ryantmalone]

When we were last there they had been clearing additional space around Vera hut (near the existing heli pad, not sure if this was for tents tho?).
Also curious as the existing sites in the forest at Vera are almost unusable when it's really wet & there isn't much tent space at Tahune.
They'll need to get onto this pretty quickly!!!

I know that you can use the Helipad to camp, although I am pretty sure that this is limited to certain times of the day (after dark only or or something like that). I remember a handful of spots after the hut, but could imagine that being muddy as anything.

I'd be more curious as to whether Parks will consider a fee to use the track, similar to the Overland Track, so that they can control numbers. I'm of the opinion that the Sodden Loddens have always done a good job at controlling numbers on the track, and without that, I'd be very concerned of the impact that large numbers of walkers will have on the area.

Really hoping that Parks have considered this before they open the track.

[Lagaro]

The new track is a bit shorter and definitely easier than the stretch of the Loddons that it replaces.
What it certainly does not do is make Frenchman's cap easier to reach!
If someone couldn't have handled it before then I doubt this will make much difference.

When the new track does open I would imagine that droves of walkers that feared the toughness of the walk will come thinking that it is now somewhat easier

It shouldn't take too long for the word to get out that the walk is still tough and the numbers will hopefully return to normal.

What are some other takes on this?

[stepbystep]

PWS would never have a 2 way fee based track I wouldn't think. They could stick a bridge over The Irenabys and include that in an OT style walk

Someone(?) told me Dick Smith has laid out money for the track but not for infrastructure like tent platforms etc. I could be wrong with this though.

[Fizzygood]

Agree with Lagaro, initially there will be more people that try to go in.... they will quickly realise that:

1) The new track does not make it shorter (or if it does, it is negligible)
2) The new track reduces significant amounts of mud but there is still lots of it in other places
3) It takes between 20 and 25 hours (of walking) across 3 to 5 days for most groups to climb the cap and return... the new track comprises 4 to 5 hours of this
4) The new track has no impact at all on the amount of climbing required...
5) Dick Smith will still have muddy shoes when he reaches Vera

Cheers, Erin

[ryantmalone]

The new track is a bit shorter and definitely easier than the stretch of the Loddons that it replaces.
What it certainly does not do is make Frenchman's cap easier to reach!
If someone couldn't have handled it before then I doubt this will make much difference.

When the new track does open I would imagine that droves of walkers that feared the toughness of the walk will come thinking that it is now somewhat easier

It shouldn't take too long for the word to get out that the walk is still tough and the numbers will hopefully return to normal.

What are some other takes on this?

My take is that walking in waist deep mud has always been somewhat of a deterrent for the masses, and with the notorious section of the walk now turned into a much more pleasant stroll, I think that more people are going to feel inclined to do the walk.

No doubt, the walk is reasonably tough. A little more so than the Overland, however with the mud out of the way, this walk is now going to be just as attractive as the Overland Track.

PWS would never have a 2 way fee based track I wouldn't think. They could stick a bridge over The Irenabys and include that in an OT style walk

Someone(?) told me Dick Smith has laid out money for the track but not for infrastructure like tent platforms etc. I could be wrong with this though.

To the contrary, if the track ended up becoming very heavily used, I believe 110% that they would charge a fee for walk in walk out. Why wouldn't they? If huts needed to be upgraded, platforms needed to be installed, over crowding became an issue, and toilets needed to be airlifted out more regularly (which I believe will certainly be the case), then why not?

[wander]

Is there not already a fee in place via the Parks Pass system?

[ryantmalone]

Is there not already a fee in place via the Parks Pass system?

There are fees for park entry, however, in the case of the Overland, this gives them control over numbers, so you have a less chance getting issues such as overcrowding, overflowing toilets, and minimise environmental impact as much as possible.

Not that I am a fan of having to limit numbers in national parks, but if it has to be done, it has to be done. I still remember walking through Frog Flats near Thetis in the early 90's when the extent of trackwork was that there was a pile of wood at one end of the flats with a sign asking for hikers to carry a piece of wood, and place it at the end of the boarded section and put it in place (as to stop further damage), and you know, of all the hikers that we passed, or that overtook us, not a single one carried a piece of wood. So it begs the question, who are we to moan about having to pay?

[Stibb]

My take is that walking in waist deep mud has always been somewhat of a deterrent for the masses, and with the notorious section of the walk now turned into a much more pleasant stroll, I think that more people are going to feel inclined to do the walk.

I agree and I'm guilty here. Or rather, my husband. I would go through the mud but I would never get him through. It's definitely high on our list but we will wait a bit until it slows down again (if there will be a rush. I suspect so) and to get a few more easier peaks under our belts first.

Are there any decent spots to pitch a tent along the new route to make the first day shorter? No need for details right now, but an indication would be nice

[Fizzygood]

Yep, tent sites are under construction by the looks of it!

Regardless of the new track, this is still a tough, muddy, long walk with lots of uphill and plenty of ways to get in trouble for the unprepared or inexperienced adventurer!

[Fizzygood]

I've posted this before but it's relevant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL0z0nZrZHU&sns=em

[ryantmalone]

Yep, tent sites are under construction by the looks of it!

Regardless of the new track, this is still a tough, muddy, long walk with lots of uphill and plenty of ways to get in trouble for the unprepared or inexperienced adventurer!

Oh of course. Its in an area where things can go wrong in a big way.

I just wrote a blog post about my last trip to the area, was a bit of a shambles. Link is in my sig.

I'm pretty certain that I'm going to spend a fair bit of time up there next summer when I have the time.

[tasadam]

Just wondering, can I walk the muddy old track after the new track is opened, or are they going to block it off?

[north-north-west]

Treat it as an off-track walk.

[ryantmalone]

Just wondering, can I walk the muddy old track after the new track is opened, or are they going to block it off?

I couldn't imagine Parks Tas trying too hard to restrict people walking on the Loddens. I could imagine seeing a few signs up letting walkers know that the area is re-vegetating and that walking the track is discouraged, but prohibiting walkers, it would just be a lost cause and Parks would know it.

This thread alone is testament to how walkers will just go wherever they want.

[Hallu]

Except that keeping to tracks and avoiding muddy areas is essential to prevent the spread of the cinnamon fungus, something many walkers aren't aware of.

[dazfromtaz]

Iluv thats hilarious!!! really??????? Cant share details of a new walk!!!! Forgot i was on bushwalking forum site! Cos no-one bush bashes around here hey??? haha

[tasadam]

Cant share details of a new walk!!!!

Yet. Parks haven't opened it yet, so we will respect that on this forum. I am sure the details will be forthcoming once the fanfare of the opening of the new track is announced.

And yes, I'll be taking the new track, I was just curious to see whether anyone would pick up on why someone would be wanting the mudbath of the Loddens over a new track. Seems not...
Sure wouldn't be for sentimental reasons... Plenty of mud elsewhere if I want my fix.

[dazfromtaz]

Thanks for your wonderful words people, there is group of 7-8 going in this weekend to check it out, good to hear its a great track yippeeee!!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Iluv thats hilarious!!! really??????? Cant share details of a new walk!!!! Forgot i was on bushwalking forum site! Cos no-one bush bashes around here hey??? haha

As the forum moderator has pointed out yes, that's right. It is against forum rules.

[Son of a Beach]

Iluv thats hilarious!!! really??????? Cant share details of a new walk!!!! Forgot i was on bushwalking forum site! Cos no-one bush bashes around here hey??? haha

As the forum moderator has pointed out yes, that's right. It is against forum rules.

There is no forum rule against sharing details of tracks. As far as I can tell, the moderator was merely suggesting (or observing) that people comply with the developer of the track, PWS, who presumably don't want details posted publicly yet. That is not a forum rule.

The nearest thing in the forum rules that I can think of is:

Avoid posting detailed information on accessing sensitive areas without recognised tracks to public topics

(That rule is very rarely enforced on anybody, and very rarely has any significant impact on any discussion. It does not prohibit discussion of any tracks and does not prohibit discussion of the vast majority of off-track walks.)

If people are interested in what the rules actually do say, there is a link near the top right of every forum page conveniently titled 'Rules' just to make sure you know what it links to.