Mount Sorell and Darwin

[cap_jack]

We've heard of a route up from Darwin too, taken by a local lass but about 15 years ago.

We've tackled the climb from Farm Cove in Macquarie Harbour. We've got a boat which we leave there. Also have had a look at route from the Teepookana Plateau, but the Brendon River is too wicked to try.
From Farm Cove the starting point is pretty obvious and then our most successful assault kept on the open low plains until we'd cross the stream coming down fom the south side of the last peak. after that creek head up the ridge of the most southern peak. Only a fast fit person could make it up and down in a day, so we made a camp on a level spot 2/3 up and did the climb to the ridge and then along to the most northern peak, which is the tallest and back to camp in a day walk, then trekked down the next day. awesome scenery no tracks whatsoever, mostly button grass and low tea tree, except along the creeks where the veg grows head height.
we made a dvd of our climb - http://jackandjude.com/dvds/
it's the Tasmania 1 disc.

There are photos here:
http://jackandjude.com/photos/200910-voyage/

Attachments

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[stepbystep]

Sorell can now be done as a very long day walk, or a single night trip. We did it in 3 in a relaxed fashion including Mt Darwin and Darwin South. There's a 'route' all the way if you can find it....

[cap_jack]

Yes I think that must be the way the lady we know took.

Trevor Norton in strahan did it from farm cove in a day return, mind he can walk... When we tried we only got to the ridge line and had to rush back, got to the shore about 9PM.

From Darwin was it mostly button grass?

[stepbystep]

From Darwin was it mostly button grass?

4WD track, then cut track through thick scrub, then through rainforest, across Clarke River, more rainforest, then buttongrass, then rough pad through near vertical scrub, then lovely open tops! Then back again...

[cap_jack]

from farm cove, the first 50 M can be horrendous getting thru the cutting grass then its button grass, easy fast, but a fair trek. Going up is OK except for one slope that encumbered with stunted tea tree. Reasonable pad to camp on 2/3 up south ridge.

[stepbystep]

from farm cove, the first 50 M can be horrendous getting thru the cutting grass then its button grass, easy fast, but a fair trek. Going up is OK except for one slope that encumbered with stunted tea tree. Reasonable pad to camp on 2/3 up south ridge.

Looks really nice from that side. It's a great mountain to sit on

[cap_jack]

when did you go up? Did you find the trig? Was the visitor's book still there in a rusty biscuit tin? You would have found us in it, reckon it was summer 2010

[stepbystep]

when did you go up? Did you find the trig? Was the visitor's book still there in a rusty biscuit tin? You would have found us in it, reckon it was summer 2010

I think it was January 2014. Can't recall trig or logbook, tend to not hang about the man made structures. Some pics from our walk here...
https://www.facebook.com/dan.broun/medi ... 453&type=3

[pazzar]

Thanks for bumping this thread up guys. I was trying to think of somewhere to go and spend a night next week - revisiting your album SBS has made my mind up.

I'll have a look at the trig for the log book if I make it up.

[cap_jack]

This is the trig on the highest point, blown over in a west coast gale.

Having looked at your photos, very nicely taken, I think the west side is easier and more open. the tea tree on the ramps looks much the same, there' very little forest, along the top from one peak to the last is just the same, exquisite, views to the southern ocean, and of course macquaire harbour at your feet.

Attachments

Trig atop Mt Sorell

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our camp overlooking the harbour and ocean

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[cap_jack]

If you want to tackle Sorell from the west side, here's a way to reach Farm Cove without a boat. It's a bit of challenge but worthwhile. Drive to the Bird River Bridge and walk to East Pellinger. There's a taped track of sorts around to w.pellinger and from there up the forested ridge behind the main wharf (ruins) to the old grave and onwards to Farm Cove. In olden times this was the route, buttongrass after the forested ridge. from there take our route. Probably add a day each way, but plenty of lovely camps

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[Paul]

Her is another option to climb Mt Sorell.
We took this route after our boat trip to Pillinger, Farmhouse Cove and Sarah Island.
Then we walked to Ouse

Paul

Attachments

listmap-print2210178682878657282.pdf

(1.26 MiB) Downloaded 659 times

[north-north-west]

when did you go up? Did you find the trig? Was the visitor's book still there in a rusty biscuit tin? You would have found us in it, reckon it was summer 2010

Trig is still there, pretty much unchanged.
The log is now just a few rusted shreds of metal and a couple of sodden bits of paper loosely wrapped in torn plastic.

Good views,but. When the cloud lifts.

[cap_jack]

crikey! How'd you get across the Braddon? How long did the trek take? Where'd you camp ?
and lastly, the climb tell us more on that.
Didn't think the tin would last. You would have seen our names Jack and Jude in it, or was it just pulp? cheers

[north-north-west]

Braddon? I went in the easy way, via Darwin Plateau and across the Clark River. Took my time, two nights by the river and one up on the plateau.

Pulp. Nothing readable. Barely recognisable as having been paper.

[cap_jack]

my mistake, I downloaded Paul's route map and thought it was yours.
We drove passed Darwin to LBurbury to see Crotty the other day. Looked a faster way up.

[north-north-west]

It could quite easily be done as a return daytrip from the Darwin Plateau if you pick the right route (and have a 4wd to get to the start of the drop to the Clark River valley).

[cap_jack]

yes, I know a couple who have tackled it that way and had a look when we drove past. Personally I like staying up on the mountain, no need to rush and also get one of the most spectacular sunsets on earth.

[north-north-west]

Personally I like staying up on the mountain, no need to rush and also get one of the most spectacular sunsets on earth.

Yes, nothing like a high camp. Limited water on Sorell, however, and not a place I'd like to have to haul the stuff up. I found only one small flow, coming off the summit itself.

[cap_jack]

We like to camp under the far south peak on a large shelf a few hundred metres down, there's a good flow running down between that peak and the next north of it.

[cap_jack]

I came to post the route we used to Sorell peak, and read the notice above, then I remembered Ntl Parks fire bombed the slopes last year and relaized it is NOT a sensitive area. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid= ... sp=sharing