First Overnight Walk

[pazzar]

I am planning on taking a couple of friends on their first overnight walk, looking at 2 nights max. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for suitable walks in the south of the state. My friends are quite fit and have good gear. I know places like WOJ and Freycinet are good easy walks, but I dont want to take them somewhere where they wont be challenged, as we plan to walk the SCT later on in the year. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Ent]

Tackling the Frycient peaks would give an idea of fitness without having to find out the hard way and also be less demanding on equipment. The two night circuit would be the way to go with a side trip to Amos at the end to get a bit more elevation. Mount Field walk to Tarnshelf and onward would be a good chance to get familiar with colder nights, assuming a heatwave does not hit. If you really want a hit out then Frenchman Cap in two nights using Vera as a base would give a great chance to check out people and gear. If you are keen I would think FC is the best option given your final objective of SCT but if you have doubts then Frycient. Fitness is great but hour of hour of mud and driving rain often requires more stubbornness than fitness.

Cheers Brett

[pazzar]

Thanks for that. I had Frenchmans in mind, given that there hasnt been too mucch rain previously. I'm sure they can handle a bit of mud, but I dont want them to be put off bushwalking forever if it is really bad up there. I'd like to take them through mud just to prepare for SCT

[kramster]

You could always try out the first part of SCT (as far as South Cape Rivulet), but if you were after something a little different, perhaps one of the following:
- Lake St Clair circuit (take the lakeside one way, and the Cuvier Valley on the return - probably a night in at Lk Petrarch for some niceness too)
- Pine Valley / Labrinth / The Acropolis (probably take the ferry as far as Narcissus)
- Mt Anne (camp on the Eliza Plateau, summit Mt Anne on the middle day, climbing Mt Eliza with packs would be good practice for the Ironbound Range)
- Mt Field West (camp at K-Col / Clemmes Tarn one night, and maybe Twilight Tarn on the 2nd - this would be a much easier option)

[Son of a Beach]

Lake St Clair circuit (take the lakeside one way, and the Cuvier Valley on the return - probably a night in at Lk Petrarch for some niceness too)

I really enjoyed this route. It's worth noting though, that the Cuvier Valley track is no longer maintained, and is very overgrown and deteriorated. On some sections there's no visible track left at all (or if there is, it's easy to miss). I'm not trying to discourage this route, but just thought that this information might help the punters make the choice that is right for them.

[pazzar]

I'd love to take them up Mt Anne, but do you really think this would be suitable for a first walk?? It is very exposed up there, and I know that would probably freak me out if it was my first time. I looked at the St Clair circuit with a possible climb up Mt Olympus, but I was a bit unsure of where the Olympus track actually leaves the St Clair track. Everything that I had read was fairly unclear of the actual location of the track. I'd rather St Clair to Frenchmans simply for the safety of leaving my car there.

[stepbystep]

Maybe Rhona and the Denisons, bit of mud, some mountains around Rhona to climb with the option of safe camping at the lake for a couple of nights or move onto one of the higher lakes for a second night.
I did it on my own as my 2nd tent based o/nighter, my first was Clemmes Tarn as Kramster suggested, reason being I could retreat to a hut if it all got too much. It is pretty exposed up there also.
Cheers, sbs

[Drifting]

WOJ is not a easy walk!

[pazzar]

I did WOJ as my first walk and found it pretty easy going.

[Son of a Beach]

I guess it's all relative. WOJ is hard compared to, say, Lees Paddocks, but easy compared to Frenchman's Cap.

[Ent]

The SCT appears ambitious as the target walk so either a more gentle lead in with more walks in or try something like Frenchmans Cap with the option to bail out and return plus you have the option of a hut or two if tenting is not liked. New people to walking are a bit unpredictable as some very fit runners do not like broken ground while other hate mud and others you might have doubts about solider on in the harshest conditions with a beaming smile. Of course weather is a major component so much easier to enjoy FC when you can stroll across the Lodden Plains rather than the more typical ploughing through so when I was there the major issue was the up and down and scenic drops rather than the battle of plains. Never done the SCT but I am told it can be very muddy and no huts.

I got caught twice (maybe three times) in assuming someone's walking pace on day walks would apply to multi-day ones so somewhat more cautious on assuming such things.

Cheers Brett

[pazzar]

I agree with you completely there Brett. The idea of FC and the huts is much better for a first time walker, and it is not so remote as well. I wouldn't even consider taking people to the SCT without having some experience with multiday walking. I haven't done the SCT myself either, so I wouldn't want to be down there with first time walkers. Do you know the state of the Loddon Plains at the moment? I'd like to do it soon before the weather turns on us.

[Ent]

We were there on the Australia Day Long Weekend and from what can gather the Loddens is even drier so now is probably the best chance to check it. The LWC will be there on the long weekend according to their walks schedule.

Any more recent reports?

Cheers Brett

[pazzar]

So I think we have decided to attempt to go to Lake Rhona. I understand that this is a good 2-3 night trip. How much longer does it take to get to Lake Curly? Would it be possible to do a return trip to Lake Curly in 5-6 days?

[ILUVSWTAS]

I wouldnt suggest going to Curly as 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th... etc etc 21st 22nd 23rd 24th ...etc etc etc 56th 57th 58th 59th 60th... walk

It's something you should only do if/when your fairly experiencd at off track walking with good navigation skill. Water MAY be an issue. It's meant to be pretty scrubby in places especially if a wrong turn is made.

[pazzar]

i wasn't planning on taking any first timers through there, I just asked out of interest. I'd like to think I could get there one day. I think we'll spend 3 or 4 nights around the Rhona and head back out

[ILUVSWTAS]

Phew.....
Yeh good plan! Ok in that case Rhona is a good idea! Should take about 6 hrs to walk in. Spend the next day on the range or lazing at the lake, then about 6 hrs to walk out! Gordonvale is very interesting.

Curly is high on my to do list also, nearly made it in there this year but boat access fell through, hoping to nail it next year, though the POW is calling.......

[pazzar]

I have lots on the 'to do' list, but its a matter of getting people to come with me, I dont think the parentals are too keen on me taking solo trips. I'd like to get through the full traverse of the Western Arthurs before the end of the year.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh thats understandable! I used to do alot of solo walking, not so much now though I do enjoy it! I did the Southern ranges solo, Anne circuit, SCT... and lots of daywalks.
Western Arthurs I was GOING to do solo until I nice young fella from this forum asked if he could come along, I would have gone solo and probably had little trouble, but It was VERY nice to have someone else along and one slip in many places up there could end badly. And he is studying to be a doctor, very handy to have as a walking partner...

[pazzar]

I have a friend who is very keen to do some walks now, he has been out of action all summer due to rowing competitions, so bring on the winter walks!

[MrCAMEL]

Hey fella, did you let all the kind people know what happened last time??

Haha

[pazzar]

Last time? Last time was a rather uneventful trip.

[ILUVSWTAS]

well lets hear about it then??

[pazzar]

Lets just say that I was one of the Westerns Arthurs victims

[ILUVSWTAS]

Victims as in??

[pazzar]

Chopper ride - dont ever bust your leg out there, its not much fun

[ILUVSWTAS]

Ohhhhhh mate nasty!! where and when did that happen??

[pazzar]

This was on my trip out there in November. I haven't lived it down yet, everytime I go somewhere now someone has to remind me to come home in my car

[ILUVSWTAS]

Well I hope you've recovered ok mate!
Yeh hopefully thats something Im never going to find out about..

[pazzar]

yeah all good now, knocked me out for a couple of months though, hopefully something I never have to go through again.