Bushwalk Australia

Howdy,
I've unexpectedly found myself with some time on my hands and intend to use some of it for a walk - from next Wednesday through Sunday. My plan was to take the Arm River Track to New Pelion Hut and spend a few days poking about. Those who have been paying attention will have summised that it will be a solo trip. The forecast seems OK - showers, falling as snow about 1000m etc, but nothing too ugly. I'm in good shape and geared up (minus crampons). Walked the Overland itself with a group in June. Here's the question/s. How sensible is it to try to summit Ossa, Oakley, Pelion East et al at this time of year by yourself? Or would you be better advised to stay low and, if so, what would people suggest on that part of the track? I'm also mindful of that I'll be at the hut for a few nights, so there's a fair chance of tagging along with another group. If the whole thing is a bad idea, anyone got any ideas for lower-risk multiday walks in Tas preferrably, but not necessily on the North-West.
Thoughts?

Stay flexible. If it's fine weather on the day you'd probably be fine. A bit of ice would be your only concern. If they weather is a bit *&%$#! however, i'd suggest staying low yes. Oakleigh (spelling!! ) Would be the safest of the 3 as it's lower and the summit is flatter (no climby bits)

As far as other walks go, Sorry, besides the tarkine I cant think of any low lying multi day locations i'd like to visit up that end of the state.

If you want to stay low what about going into Lees paddock, Reg wadley, Kiaora, Pelion Gap , Pelion Hut, back down to Lees, only high point is Pelion Gap. Only tricky area is Wadley to Kiaora but its not that difficult, just a bit of navigation and route finding.
Roger

Just had a bit of a light bulb. What's the three day walk like around Frayshunay*?

Esp for ILUVSWTAS.

wynyardwalker wrote:Just had a bit of a light bulb. What's the three day walk like around Frayshunay*?

Esp for ILUVSWTAS.

It's pronounced freckinet in case you were wondering... it's a very nice walk, this time of year East Coast is the go....that's why I'm off to the NW

NW is best.

Arm River track has other sights to offer... luvley lakes, aircraft skeleton, weird little hut.

I suspect the crossing to Oakleigh may be a little wet at the mo.

Interesting topic. I was supposed to go to Feathertop via razorback on my own this weekend. I have all the gear like plb, etc but I still bailed. If you ask me, if you have to ask if its worth going solo, its probably not. I saw some footage on YouTube of a heli rescue on the exact same path I wanted to take. Three blokes. One fell off side of hill 60 meters and cut his leg pretty bad making him immobile. If your on your own that's really difficult, and worse if you hit your head your pretty much done for. My advice would be to buddy up, especially In Potential snow conditions as it just compounds risk. Good luck

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wynyardwalker wrote:Just had a bit of a light bulb. What's the three day walk like around Frayshunay*?

Esp for ILUVSWTAS.

dont know, i've only ever done it as a daywalk....

wynyardwalker wrote: How sensible is it to try to summit Ossa, Oakley, Pelion East et al at this time of year by yourself?

Not very, especially given the weather forecast! All fine if nothing goes wrong, but if it does and you get caught out you would be in trouble, and it will be very icy and slippery so the potential for an accident is definitely there. There is still a fair bit of snow around up there at the moment - was near Cradle today.

adzza wrote:Interesting topic. I was supposed to go to Feathertop via razorback on my own this weekend. I have all the gear like plb, etc but I still bailed.

I just did three days solo in the Bogongs. The weather was pretty good except for a bit of low cloud on Saturday and a nippy breeze. Feathertop was clear Sunday morning except for a few early wisps - probably breezy up there too, but it would have been a doddle.
This time of year if you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get out.

In my opinion, if you have half a brain, a good map, compass, PLB & some knowledge on how to put all those pieces together, solo walking is no less dangerous than walking with a group of 3 or 4. You pay more attention to your surroundings on your own, and your not distracted chatting away to all those pretty lookin ladies you're trying to impress with your bushbashing mystique. A lot of people take a PLB in a group situation anyway. The only sucker-punch would be if you slip & crack open your head, and if that happened I don't think I'd really wanna wake up Also just let someone know where you're going.

Freckinet is a lovely walk in winter..get on it, or Maria maybe. But snow is better.

weetbix456 wrote:In my opinion, if you have half a brain, a good map, compass, PLB & some knowledge on how to put all those pieces together, solo walking is no less dangerous than walking with a group of 3 or 4. You pay more attention to your surroundings on your own, and your not distracted chatting away to all those pretty lookin ladies you're trying to impress with your bushbashing mystique. A lot of people take a PLB in a group situation anyway. The only sucker-punch would be if you slip & crack open your head, and if that happened I don't think I'd really wanna wake up Also just let someone know where you're going.

I agree 100% with these sentiments.
I enjoy group walks and solo walk equally.
I have had this discussion around solo safety at least 3 times in the last fortnight.
The blatant flaw with solo hikes was a damaging knock to the head.
It has just dawned on me to simply wear head protection.
I have a high dollar bike helmet that weighs nothing and no one will be around to look at me funny.
Have I just significantly increased safety and wriggled further away from being stupid by looking stupid !!!!!!!