Arthurs traverse transport logistics

[Drew]

I'm planning a traverse of the Arthurs for early January 2020, starting at Scotts Peak Dam and finishing at Farmhouse Creek. The group isn't finalised yet but it looks like being 2-4 people.

I'm trying to figure out transport and I'm not seeing any options other than very expensive private drop-off and pick-up, or hoping the one Tasmanian (potentially) in the group has lovely friends who might like a long drive or two.

One of the mainlanders in our group will be in Tassie beforehand with her car. She could either send the car back with her partner before the walk or keep it in Tassie, but I'm not sure how it will be much use to us - not much point driving ourselves to Scotts Peak Dam if we then have to go and get the car afterwards!

Also, given the nature of the walk we can't be sure how many days we will need (or even if we will finish the planned route), so arranging a pick-up will have to wait until quite late in the walk. Is there likely to be much phone reception on the range/plains to enable us to do this? I imagine this is a common problem for walkers attempting this route, so I'm hoping the answer is yes!

Any suggestions appreciated.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Biggest suggestion I have at this point is take note that the Farmhouse creek track is closed, as is the Eastern Arthurs, and in fact past morraine K on the Western Arthurs.

Not going to re-open until the 2021 season at the earliest either I'm afraid.

[Drew]

Biggest suggestion I have at this point is take note that the Farmhouse creek track is closed, as is the Eastern Arthurs, and in fact past morraine K on the Western Arthurs.

Not going to re-open until the 2021 season at the earliest either I'm afraid.

Bugger! That sucks. But I'm glad you've told me now rather than in 2 months time!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yep you could have gotten a nasty surprise.

Plenty of other walk options to fill the time though. Lots of info on this forum alone.

Good luck.

[CBee]

What part of the farmhouse creek track was affected by bushfires?

[ILUVSWTAS]

What part of the farmhouse creek track was affected by bushfires?

50ks of the road you drive along to get to it.

[ILUVSWTAS]

And sections of the track in the cracroft valley were affected.

[CBee]

New River is the best way in, then.

[ILUVSWTAS]

New River is the best way in, then.

Haha sure why not....

[CBee]

Haha sure why not....

Ah, and obviously the only way out too.

[Osik]

For those who have an afternoon & weren't around at the time...

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2977

[CBee]

For those who have an afternoon & weren't around at the time...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3mVL780Jp8

[north-north-west]

For those who have an afternoon & weren't around at the time...

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2977

That thread never gets old.

[Thylaseen]

For those who have an afternoon & weren't around at the time...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3mVL780Jp8

What can I say??

Awesome, Amazing.

The river looks - COLD, FREEZING.

Moss, cutting grass, horizontal branches.

And then a nice little amble up Federation - glad they got some views.

These guys are legends.

[CBee]

That thread never gets old.

Never. Every single user here was a New River route expert, except the guy who actually went on it. Hilarious.

[Drew]

That looks like a lark, I'll do that instead! I'm glad they've "freed" the route for me.

[CBee]

To me that video is far more interesting than any of the mainstream dramatised docos. It pictures the reality of the terrain from the adventurer POV without artificial situations to create the attention of the viewer. There's no manipulation from a filming crew or director/editing. You get everything in few minutes, cold, wet, climbing, slippery bouldering, extreme scrub, exposure, vertical bushbashing, crappy weather and insane camp spots. I'm not sure if this route is the hardest in Australia or one of the harder one, but anyone planning this mission should test their mental ability before hand for sure.

[farefam]

The video is fabulous. I can't believe I'm the first person to have put a comment about it on youtube. I've done a few Tassie rivers solo, but this is definitely not one I'll be adding to my bucket list. The look on their faces when they first spot Lake Geeves is priceless. Huge respect for their mental strength and determination.

[Drew]

And sections of the track in the cracroft valley were affected.

So with the track closures the whole Arthurs Traverse is off the cards for this summer, but we're still keen to come down for the Western Arthurs. I thought we'd be able to do the circuit from Scotts Peak Dam, coming down Kappa Moraine (the track is closed east of Kappa Moraine). But now I see that McKays track is closed too. I imagined this would be our route to get back to Scotts Peak Dam. Any thoughts on the likelihood of this reopening for the summer?

[north-north-west]

And sections of the track in the cracroft valley were affected.

So with the track closures the whole Arthurs Traverse is off the cards for this summer, but we're still keen to come down for the Western Arthurs. I thought we'd be able to do the circuit from Scotts Peak Dam, coming down Kappa Moraine (the track is closed east of Kappa Moraine). But now I see that McKays track is closed too. I imagined this would be our route to get back to Scotts Peak Dam. Any thoughts on the likelihood of this reopening for the summer?

*scratches head*
I had been under the impression that that part of McKays was open. Maybe not. Perhaps you should contact TasPAWS directly to confirm whether you will have to retrace your path to exit or whether the short circuit is usable.
There is no expectation that any of the affected SW tracks will be opened this summer.

[bogholesbuckethats]

There aren't any privately owned hut based walks in the area so it's unlikely the tas gov will be in a hurry to get it repaired.

The Frankland traverse might be a nice alternative assuming it is not on fire by January.

[Drew]

I had been under the impression that that part of McKays was open. Maybe not. Perhaps you should contact TasPAWS directly to confirm whether you will have to retrace your path to exit or whether the short circuit is usable.
There is no expectation that any of the affected SW tracks will be opened this summer.

A forum member has advised me that as the Western Arthurs is open from Alpha to Kappa they are allowing people to use McKays track west of the Kappa Moraine track, but it is closed to the east.

I'm awaiting a call back from Parks to confirm this.

[bmr]

I’ll be awaiting their reply to you, as this was my plan for the New Year also. Hopefully still able to come down via Kappa.

[tastrax]

I had been under the impression that that part of McKays was open. Maybe not. Perhaps you should contact TasPAWS directly to confirm whether you will have to retrace your path to exit or whether the short circuit is usable.
There is no expectation that any of the affected SW tracks will be opened this summer.

A forum member has advised me that as the Western Arthurs is open from Alpha to Kappa they are allowing people to use McKays track west of the Kappa Moraine track, but it is closed to the east.

I'm awaiting a call back from Parks to confirm this.

That’s what is listed on the website as at 23rd September, although it could be more descriptive re the use of McKays track for the traverse

https://parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7785


Open tracks – please note the following tracks are open: The Mount Wedge Track, Mount Sprent Track, Western Arthur Range Traverse from Alpha Moraine to Kappa Moraine, Port Davey Track, South Coast Track and the Hartz Mountains National Park are open.

[Drew]

I’ll be awaiting their reply to you, as this was my plan for the New Year also. Hopefully still able to come down via Kappa.

The person I spoke to at Parks was pretty useless. I had to explain to him the Western Arthurs route and where McKays Track was. In the end he agreed that the western end of McKays track was probably open. He was going to get someone to call me back this week. I'm fairly satisfied that it will be fine to do Alpha to Kappa. I am bit worried though that it might be very busy with so many other areas closed.

[tastrax]

I will see if I can get someone to update the website with better descriptions

[bmr]

Parks have confirmed use of McKays track west of Moraine K and they’ve updated the website to make it clearer.

[tastrekker]

For those who have an afternoon & weren't around at the time...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3mVL780Jp8

This video shows a pruning saw being used to cut trees and footholds being hacked into a moss cliff. They did not understand the concept of Leave No Trace.
Back to the OP... Perhaps this will be the summer that Gorilla Ridge makes a comeback. Refer page 131 of John Chapman's South West Tasmania 1978 edition.

[CBee]

They did not understand the concept of Leave No Trace.

Slightly probable but then debatable. They are making room for a rough camp, tree branches will regrow (?). As for moss. I don't see harm, if it wasn't for the vid you would not know someone left trace in that part of the world. All off-track activities, especially in high density vegetation, mean substantial traces left behind.

[north-north-west]

They did not understand the concept of Leave No Trace.

They are making room for a rough camp, tree branches will regrow (?).

Cut branches do not regrow. Other branches will, but amputation is permanent.