Bushwalk Australia

Hi there,

My wife's first trip to Tassie this weekend. We are staying overnight at Cradle Mt and want to have a good walk on Sat and then enjoy the accom on Sat night.
I was planning to head to the Summit, but haven't done it before.
I've done a lot of walking but have a couple of questions as she is a bit of a novice, so I want to make sure she enjoys it.

- is there much mud?
- how would you rate difficulty (1 to 10)
- is the round trip time about 5-6 hours?
- Is a day pack with lunch, warm clothes, wet weather gear and emergency items OK for this walk?
- Should I pack for all seasons (since it's Tassie)?

Cheers for any answers!

I understand it's now snow covered up there at the moment and you'll face ice on the summit climb.
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9316&p=267064

Doesn't sound like a walk for a novice. Probably best to decide what to do after you get there and know the latest condition on the ground.

It's not muddy but nor is it a trip for a novice of whose ability you're unsure - there's a lot of boulder-hopping on the summit track and a little basic scrambling. Plus in winter it's likely to be icy. Better to stick to the high circuit. If you want summits Campbell and Crater are both short sidetrips. Not as high or dramatic as Cradle, but much better for a newbie.

Always pack for all seasons. It's nearly winter anyway so make sure you have suitable clothing.

I would pack for anything and go for a look, if the weather is good and there is no ice then go up a bit and have a look, you can always stop and turn around if it gets dodgy and the views are good any part of the way up. The track does duck over the southern side of the mountain near the top and this would be ice covered and would stop you so the summit is not really achievable if you not set up for ice etc.
The face track is good as a circuit.
Just what ever you do pay really close attention to the forecast as a big cold front can make the car park seem a long way off very quickly

Be Guided by the Hotel staff they will be aware of the conditions up there and check out the Parks Staff they should know .

When you say your wife is 'a bit of a novice' - can you give us more of an idea of what you know she can do?

I've taken novices who could easily do Cradle summit, and others for whom even the Dove Lake circuit was unexpectedly a challenge. I'm guessing she must be pretty fit or you wouldn't be contemplating the summit. But as others have said, it depends on how she goes on climbing up boulders etc. And ice is scary.

I've met far too many people who have been put off bushwalking for life by a lousy experience early on. I figure aim lower and add more if she's doing well.

E.g. maybe go up Marions Lookout first (try the steep way up that's past the boat shed - less people, and it will give an indication of what she is comfortable with). The shorter loop (v steep) is to go back down via Lake WIlks to join the boardwalk back to the car. Lovely lake, cascades, hobbit forest. If she's having a ball, continue along the Face Track and return via Hansens Peak. If you're absolutely hooning, add Little Horn (search this site for details) along the way. That's a delightful peak with gorgeous views, and it is one end of the Cradle after all. Or in and out via Hansen's Peak + Little Horn.

All weather-permitting, of course.

We've been taking a few day-climb groups up there from Launceston UncleJr, it's a huge day for them but some make it (usually with their driver as well ). 6-8hrs should do for the usual routes from the lake or Waldheim area. I think the turn-back advice is great, go, start struggling- turn back If there is snow and ice it will get harder to move but also it could be just the last 1/2hr, through the boulders and up ledges, that makes turning back a difficult choice. Ice cleats would be useful for an early start.

You should pack for all seasons, no mud, ice/snow.

Thanks a lot guys - all great advice. Will take the "wait and see approach" re weather (although forecast looks great at this stage). Will make the call when we get there on whether to do the lot and turn back if it's not fun, or head out to do the circuit with Hansens from the start.
Thanks again for your good advice.

My response is that there are novices and there are novices. Be conservative. I suggest (just as Tortoise did) that you pack a good lunch plus emergency gear and simply walk up to Marion's Lookout early. If the chains and steps are too icy , turn back. Cradle summit would be too extreme anyway. You can walk back the same way or by Dove Lake or even Waldheim by an alternative route. If the day is fine and warm go and have a snack at kitchen hut and return the same way or by one of the alternatives. You will be lucky if Cradle summit is clear anyway and the views from Marions are tres spectacular anyway. After you have had a good day and your relationship has not been destroyed by your over enthusiasm, you can plan future walks based on your day out.
Ian

I'm pleased to say I can report on a successful trip! Given the good weather on Saturday we were walking early, and got to Marion's via Wombat Pool easily in beautiful sunshine. We were at Kitchen Hut by about 11 so we headed on the Summit Track to see what it was like. I was dubious about the 2.5 hr return sign, but it was slow going over some of those boulders - both up and down...

There was one group ahead who had turned back before the top who we spoke to on their way down but the wife was going great so we pushed on. We got to the gap close to the Summit before it was all too icy to go on. Still had spectacular views from where we were. I think, going by the topo we were only 100-200 short of the summit and I could see the marker poles that led to it but it would have been suicide to continue - even with crampons I would think.

Found a nice quiet shallow just off the Face Track for lunch and then returned via Wilkes Track and a lovely flat finish around Dove Lake before a very comfy night at the Lodge.

A great day, thanks to great advice from you guys. Cheers for the help!

Well done on having a go and making the most of a great bit of weather.
Pictures?

Three cheers for Mrs Uncle Jr! Sounds like you might have some excellent adventures to come.

Sounds good Uncle Jr, great weather run lately. The last bits can be a bit tricky & slow, especially with some ice around..
Any notes on how long it took you then?

Fantastic and your wife is no novice! At least no longer.

Scottyk wrote:Well done on having a go and making the most of a great bit of weather.
Pictures?

Pics as promised!