Moss Ridge update

[farefam]

Did a walk in to Federation Peak via Moss Ridge a fortnight ago. It is some 15 years since I last walked it (which I think may have been a year or two after the track was re-routed). Noticed that the track has become much more overgrown in that time, particularly near the South Cracroft River. The track is also poorly marked for a short time in the vicinity of Saddle Camp so take care there. 15 years ago it was possible to do Moss Ridge without packhauling, but I had to packhaul this time as one of the peat cliffs near the top of Moss Ridge is starting to collapse and lacks good hand holds. Lots and lots of fallen timber across the track as well, so its one of those tracks where you just can't get up a good speed for long. I came across one walker who thought himself lost on the banks of the Cracroft River (between Crest Camp and Forest Camp), so I just posted this topic to remind people that the track does have its hazards, there are plenty of places where a slip could result in broken bones, and in places where the track marking is widely spaced it does require some experience to follow it. If in doubt, the Eastern Arthurs approach, though longer, is in my view physically much easier and a good deal more scenic. A bouquet to Parks and Wildlife for the remediation work done at Bechervaise Plateau (would be good to see a toilet put in here though) and Hanging Lake. Can't comment on Thwaites Plateau as all I saw was the inside of the clouds.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Did the Eastern Arthurs over New years myself via the YOYO track and out Farmhouse.
Definately agree with the state of the track down Moss Ridge and about the vagueness of it at some points near the rivers and creeks.
I have to strongly disagree however with the physically easier part though. I found the Eastern Arthurs equally as tough as the Western Arthurs and in comparison the Farmhouse track (once down off Moss Ridge) is basically flat and less than 8 hrs back to the carpark!

[Azza]

Been in there several times but that was over five years ago now. Plenty of wood across the track back then as well.
The peat cliffs were falling apart back then, I'm guess that great big peat step that was hanging out from the side of the cliff has broken off?

I think there have been quite a few cases in recent years of people getting a bit lost in the cracroft valley, generally I think its people who are relatively new and a little inexperienced with SW tasmania walking.
The first time I walked out over the south picton saddle, it was getting very late in the day starting to get dark, we're very tired, wet and in a hurry to get home. We had quite a bit of trouble finding the route through the forest.
In contrast years later I had no problems at all and was quite suprised how well it was tagged compared to what I remembered first time round.
Just goes to show what a difference fatigue, a little inexperience and a bit of stress can make.

[ILUVSWTAS]

The peat cliffs were falling apart back then, I'm guess that great big peat step that was hanging out from the side of the cliff has broken off?

It's still there~!! Some guys warned me and Martin about it, saying it was cracking. When we got to it I stood on it and saw the big crack appear, it wont be long before it does come off. Martin also saw the crack and decided to go down a different way.....