Walls of Jerusalem firstie

[Tassie tyger]

Okay, you've probably grown tired of listing best campsites etc for WOJ, as I've read most of them this morning trying to plan for late October, my first time to the walls

I'm excited and daunted. I am so excited to be going, if weather allows it but also I don't want to harm the environment. Tips in such a fragile area?

So, 6 days to allow for book reading weather, and to actually enjoy the area rather than ticking it off a to do list
Was thinking of camping mt Jerusalem saddle, maybe dixons if not too habituated, lake ball or Adelaide. Better suggestions?

Best views and introduction to walls by heading up the main trappers hut track, or a better way? I don't mind steep, I have calves made for the Matterhorn, but would love to have best entrance, view, in good or bad weather.

And what are your highlights in this area? Photographing the minute in the pools of Bethesda, or sitting on solomons throne, or walking to a place like Thor that is off the usual itinerary?

Hope you don't mind another barrage of questions, but hey it's only been a few weeks since the last WOJ question surely

Looking forward to some goodies thanks in advance from the WOJ first-ie

[Mechanic-AL]

There are many alternate campsites around the Walls but considering the area is primarily alpine and rather fragile it is perhaps not in the best interests to go listing some of these places on-line. Most of the best camping areas away from the designated ones are pretty easy to spot from the main track so if you want to avoid the crowds I dont think you will need directions.
It is a stunning area. I have only ever accessed the Walls from the north. On a clear day the views to Howells Bluff, Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff and most of the other peaks along the OLT is awesome. But I would imagine that each of the different approaches holds its own unique experiences. Rather than trying to choose the "BEST" approach maybe you should aim to visit the area more than once attacking it from a different view point each time.

Hope you score some crystal clear spring time weather and have an enjoyable experience.

AL

[Tassie tyger]

Thanks AL

I'm sure I will be a multiple returnee, as the various weather conditions would highlight something different each time. Might see a view, might not, but the mist could be gorgeous. Love tassie weather and the way it makes rain sometimes enjoyable

Will try to stay on tent platforms the first night before camping, and thank you for easing my mind about site locations.

Sounds so stunning the views you spoke of, why has it taken me so long? Soon to be rectified.

Thanks again AL

[Strider]

The Walls is an amazing area but your toileting strategy goes totally against the principles of Leave No Trace. Multiple small disturbances recover much faster and with less damage to the landscape. Where possible, use the toilets provided at Dixon's and Wild Dog Creek. Digging a hole in such a fragile environment is not an option!

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[Tassie tyger]

Plan is to camp at dixons with toilet but if packed with people or are heading to lake ball, will need to either hold on really tight, or follow the usual parks leave no trace rules

If only we could cube up Like wombats and carry it out

[geoskid]

Thanks strider, this is why I asked, and thank you for confirming my thoughts. Plan is to camp at dixons with toilet but if packed with people or are heading to lake ball, will need to either hold on really tight, or follow the usual parks leave no trace rules

If only we could cube up Like wombats and carry it out

You can tube up (poo tubes) and carry it out.
Or, like the vast majority, just tell yourself you are a Leave No Trace walker.

[Strider]

Look into poo tubes if you are serious about carrying it out...

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[geoskid]

Double post

[Tassie tyger]

Got to say I really get angry when I see the White tissue pee stop fairies have been. Even found them outside the pit toilet up at deep bay, got to be kidding me.

I remember there was a lake Rhona post talking about packing up your trash, and some kind of poo tube only area signage.

Thanks again everyone. Now....your best favourite climbs, poises or sitting spots in the walls, enough poo

[Scottyk]

If you want to see the area and have the least impact then stick to the hardened tracks and use the toilets provided. Camp in the areas PWS wants you to.
Lots of people walk in different spots in the area but they probably won't put it on the forum.
In nice weather you can just follow you're nose and see some different spots.

[Tassie tyger]

Thanks scottyk for taking the time to post.

Really thinking I shouldn't have posted now, as one query has turned into a tonne of poo. Will teach me to not stay in the shadows

Thank you for your help matey

[philm]

If you have 6 days you might consider the following:

Day 1 walk into Dixon's and stay 2 nights exploring surrounding area - Mt Jerusalem, Solomon's Throne, etc.
Day 2 explore around including Lake Ball
Day 3 walk to Lake Meston - camp Northern end - beautiful spot (5 hour walk)
Day 4 To Junction hut and potentially take track to Lake Artemis - perhaps the best camp spot (from here you can climb up the hill behind the Lade to Mountains of Jupiter
Day 5 explore around then walk back to Junction Hut
Day 6 Junction Hut out on track to lower (Southern end ) of Mersey Forest Valley Road - assuming you can get picked up from here?

[north-north-west]

One word of advice - if you go to Thor, traverse the northern side of the lake, not the southern. This is one of those things that you're better off learning by my experience rather than your own.

[Tassie tyger]

Yikes! A nasty water logged slog? Or the great friend of hikers, scorparia? Great tip thanks

[Tassie tyger]

If you have 6 days you might consider the following:

Day 1 walk into Dixon's and stay 2 nights exploring surrounding area - Mt Jerusalem, Solomon's Throne, etc.
Day 2 explore around including Lake Ball
Day 3 walk to Lake Meston - camp Northern end - beautiful spot (5 hour walk)
Day 4 To Junction hut and potentially take track to Lake Artemis - perhaps the best camp spot (from here you can climb up the hill behind the Lade to Mountains of Jupiter
Day 5 explore around then walk back to Junction Hut
Day 6 Junction Hut out on track to lower (Southern end ) of Mersey Forest Valley Road - assuming you can get picked up from here?

Wow! Now that sounds delicious! We all know it's snow/blizzard dependant, but love it! Great plan!

I have over a week off, just food/weight restricted as to what can carry for how long, but this looks like a great meander of the alpine area.

Phil, you're awesome

[Lophophaps]

The WOJ is one of my favourite areas. I've approached it from nearly every direction except by parachute, and I think that's not allowed. Rather than a firm plan, have a first and last camp such that the first camp and the car can be reached in any conditions. Apart from that, a list of things to do will allow flexibility to allow for weather and sloth. I'm good at sloth.

There's some very pretty areas just outside the WOJ, light scrub, good remote camping, sheltered spots, excellent views. On my first such trip I drew a line on the map and followed it, worked out well. However, some places have very slow nasty scrub, best avoided.

[Tassie tyger]

Ah yes I have to admit, my one planet goodie is great for convincing sloth-Dom with that cheery yellow glow on a drizzly day

I'm really pleased with how many non-taswegians love this area. Thanks for caring for one of our islands special places even if it involves that lovely scrub

[north-north-west]

Yikes! A nasty water logged slog? Or the great friend of hikers, scorparia? Great tip thanks

Not just scoparia. Lots of tangled woody shrubs and low trees and bauera and etc on a very steep hillside. It drops off too steeply to be a viable wade.

[philm]

If you decide to try my trip plan please keep in mind you will need to be flexible based on the weather and conditions.

You will need to search on this site for the Moses Creek track which runs from Junction Lake to the Mersey Forest Road and also research the track from Junction Hut to Lake Artemis - camping at the lake is magnificent and there is platypus in the lake.

There are a few tricky navigation spots if you decide to do this walk so please ensure you can navigate with map and compass and have the track on GPS. Tricky parts are (1) parts of the moses creek track (2) picking up the track to Lake Artemis (you can get easily to the start of the track but the first 500m can be a little tricky to follow) and (3) parts of the track from Lake Meston to Junction Lake near the Mayfield Flats.

There are a few write ups on these areas on the site.

Its a magic area and weather permitting the walk I have outlined will take you to some well known and some less well known spots!

Hope you enjoy it and look forward to the write up!

[Tassie tyger]

Brilliant! Yes, I will have two well experienced hikers with me who have tramped for years through unchartered tracks. Climbed mt Ida with them and survived...just

Will read up on these areas and discuss with them, and a few alternates in case the weather booking doesn't work

Thanks again philm, appreciate the warnings and concern. I have no urge to reap my Westpac fees via a helicopter ride