The SCT solo / winter question

[solwara]

Hello,

I'm going to be in Tasmania for the entirety of June this month. It will be my first time in the state. For several years it has been a dream of mine to walk the South Coast Track (and possibly the Port Davies Track as well). However, I'd be walking it solo, and the season is obviously less than ideal.

I'm looking for a frank assessment of the rigors and dangers of the track in winter, given my experience and situation. I understand that there must be a group of first-time visitors to Tasmania with gung-ho attitudes and reckless ambition, and I certainly don't want to be one of them. I am looking for a challenge, but absolutely have no interest in doing something arrogant or stupid.

I've been bushwalking my entire life, across the eastern and western United States; in northern Canada, and throughout New Guinea (mud!). I'm in long distance runner shape, and have a Wilderness First Responder medical certification. I'm used to walking and camping in four seasons, and have appropriate equipment and a healthy appreciation of layers.

I grew up in northern Vermont, and certainly am no stranger to winters much colder than those in Tasmania. Of course, it's not as simple as that, as I understand the danger of weather lies in Tasmania is its variability and its tendency to hang around the 'hypothermia zone' whilst being very, very wet. Yet I currently live in western Oregon, with a very similar maritime temperate rainforest climate, and am not a stranger to walking in these conditions either.

In summation: I don't believe I am inexperienced or unprepared, yet the reputation of the region makes me very wary. Is there some ineffable element to Tasmanian conditions that render them worse than other cold, wet places?

Any advice / reprimands would be greatly appreciated.
Ethan

[tastrax]

WOW - first trip to Tassie and heading for the south coast, off season and solo.... that would not be my choice even with experience! At that time of the year (anywhere in Tasmania) you are likely to face ever changing weather conditions that will challenge you daily (Temperature, wind and rain!). Specifically on the south coast you are likely to face a couple of problems - first is getting in by plane - the number of days when light aircraft will be able to fly in and land at Melaleuca will be very limited. The other will be the river and boat crossings on both the Port Davey and South Coast tracks. You would need to be prepared to wait (sometimes for days) for the water levels to drop before proceeding... to the next river/creek ... which may also be up.... This may mean you get stuck in the middle with a long wait before being able to proceed either way.

Alternatively you could be a little more flexible in your itinerary and pick the best weather patterns and head anywhere across the state for the best opportunities. That might mean coastal or alpine depending on the weather pattern. This is much more likely to give you a great first impression of Tassie rather than flogging yourself between swollen rivers and windswept beaches.

Check out last years June weather at Maatsuyker Island (just off the south coast) - http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/20090 ... 0906.shtml

Or Scotts Peak - at the start of the Port Davey Track - http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/20090 ... 0906.shtml

[tastrax]

Here is a topic on one of the CREEK crossings in October... the rivers can be worse

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1831&p=15347&hilit=louisa+river#p15347

[Son of a Beach]

It sounds like you're quite experienced, but it would be wise to spend some time doing something safer in Tasmania in similar conditions first just to be sure that you really are prepared. Eg, something less remote, but otherwise similar, or something with a group of people familiar with the area.

[JamesMc]

As mentioned the problem will be river crossings. There's so many of them, and who's to say they'll actually get low enough to cross them at all in your limited time frame. I suppose you could take a lilo & wet suit, and paddle out to sea to get around them, but that's getting a bit extreme. The mud and rain will just be unpleasant.

My suggestion is to forget the South Coast Track, and walk the Overland Track instead. The scenery is fantastic, especially in winter, there's not many people around in winter, there are bridges on the creek crossings (though they can have water over them at times), and there's huts to dry off in. Also think about Mt Field, Tasman Peninsular, Freycinet and Maria Island.

JamesMc

[jimmyjam]

I think this would be ok with the great advantage of avoiding the crowds. I walked in last June accessing via the southern range with an ill advised shortcut down to New River lagoon, I was admittedly worried about the weather (got a better sleeping bag) and was lucky on this account, but someone with experience as listed, and just as importantly good equipment should be ok. Sure I was lucky with the river crossings as well but they do go down as fast as they go up but some experience of this is important as many people would be surprised how high small creeks are when they cross, I know I have been. Options for dumping extra food at melaleuca and the quality of accommodation at this end, (thanks Deny) give a few options as well. The threat of weather on this landscape when you are by yourself is an awesome and humbling experience on the edge of the world.