South West Cape Circuit

[cyklone]

We are intending to do this walk in February and I wondered if anyone had been over it in the last week or so and knew of anything to beware of, or any interesting side tracks. I read Tasadam's track notes with interest (thanks for that Tasadam). I was particularly interested to find out how difficult it is currently to ford the creeks in Horseshoe inlet, and whether anyone had done the track in reverse (anticlockwise). If anyone has, did you have trouble finding markers etc? On another note, the last time I did Sth Cst Track, the sand dune in Prion bay went nearly all the way across and the exit from new river lagoon was right next to wierah hill and it took a bit of experimentation to find a spot to wade across. Does anyone have any up to date info on that sand dune?
I've also found that unfortunately my favourite campsite in Hobart is sold out on the days I want (The Astor), so I was wondering if anyone could recommend something else. I've stayed at central backpackers and although it is friendly, the times I've stayed there I've found it too noisy.
Thanks for any help.
Cyklone.

[tasadam]

This link is to a Google Map page, satellite view of the 3 creeks to Horseshoe Inlet.
It will show you roughly where to walk, and where to swim. How often the sand moves? Don't know.
But it should serve as a great indicator.

You read my descriptions and probably saw the photos. It's not an easy walk. Navigating is required. Weather can be a major issue.
The logbooks at Melaleuca huts make for interesting reading, many parties have been turned back by the South West Cape Range.
I don't want to see people taking this walk on just because they have seen it's possible and felt I should emphasize a few of those points.
Whatever you do, have fun and be safe!

[wobbly]

When we did it last november 3 of us swam the first creek only to the see the other 3 in the group walk out into the inlet keeping to the shallow sand bar and they only got water up their knees- this was at low tide- but heck the river was so cool (ok freezing) that 2 of us did it 3 times -its at most 10m wide. The next two crossings can also be waded again only up to knees if you walk out into the inlet a bit. The side trip to Spain Bay was a highlight- if you find a fork in the scrub between Stephens bay and Noufenger? bay its mine okay.

cheers
Peter

[ILUVSWTAS]

I agree with Wobbly. When I did it, I sat at the creek for a while wondering the best way to swim, then went for a poke around the mouth of the creek. I found by wading out into the bay about 40metres offshore I could stay on a sandbar and not get the prized jewels wet at all!!

A fantastic walk. The only untracked area is a short sectoin across the SW cape range which as Adam noted in poor weather good navigation is required. Also take care near Window pane creek to locate the proper track and avoid hitting the coast too early. That can be a very bad mistake indeed......

[AndyP]

Also planning on doing South West Cape then the South Coast Track in Feb, so may see you...although we are planning to start SWC on the 14th and go clockwise. Can't wait!

Re Prion Beach, I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but when I last did the walk about a year ago there was no need to cross the New River mouth other than by using the rowboat shuttle.

[wander]

We found the Horseshoe Inlet Creeks OK until the last one. the tide was high enough that when wewent the 40plusM ut to the sticks marking the end it was over my head. Nt comfy with a pack. So we went back to the shore and just swam across there. It was a warm day when we did it and so the swiming and so on was no problem.

A squall line came through the day we climbed and went along the South Sape Range. It was very difficult to cmplete the last 2km of nav in 5M to 10M vis to get off this onto the track in the forest. A combination of map and compass and GPS was used. Once in the forest the track was luverly.

A bunch of pics is here. They are completly un-edited so excuse the shockers.

http://picasaweb.google.com/skifree.telemark/2009SoutWestTrackTasmania#

[cyklone]

We'll give it a good go at making it around, but may get turned back by weather if I think it's unsafe. Still, we'll have plenty of food, plenty of time and a camera. Just a pity that you can't dehydrate wine or scotch. What I will do, based on the advice I've had from you lot, is take a copy of the tide tables for Bramble Cove at the mouth of Bathurst Channel. I'll let you know if they bear any relationship to what it is in Horseshoe Bay, to make it easier to plan wading around the creeks. I've taken note of your warning about Window Pane creek ILUVSWTAS and I'll keep my eyes open for your fork Wobbly (if I get that far). Thanks everyone for your help, especially for the links Tasadam.
Cheers,
Roger