moraine E advice

[mickg]

Hi, I'm planning a trip to the Western Arthurs in a couple of weeks and am thinking of a round trip up Moraine A and out via Moraine E.Has anyone used this exit route?, I've read it's pretty tough to follow and noticed the track,if there is one isn't marked on the new GDA94 maps. any thoughts would be appreciated

[eggs]

Penguin says that a ranger indicated that using that route is frowned upon.
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1713&p=14376&hilit=moraine+e#p14376

another post said it had been closed. See Azza comment http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1464&p=12060&hilit=moraine+e#p12060
Having said that, Dave Noble also comments: http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1523&p=12750&hilit=moraine+e#p12750

We did a trip of 3.5 days - all the way to Pegasus. We retraced the route back to Cygnus and then out via Moraine A.

[rucksack]

I have descended Moraine E. It's not difficult, but there is a bit of scrub on the way down, as others say. Frankly, I wouldn't bother. Just retrace your steps and descend down Moraine A; it's a much more interesting walk, with better views and arguably does less damage.

rucksack

[ILUVSWTAS]

I believe it is frowned upon.
So Mr Chapman says.

Parks dont like walkers using walking tracks they no longer use. I believe it passes an old historical site that they dont want the hordes to go and stickybeak at!!

Incedently I heard yesterday that someone high up in the PWS had issued some funding for one of their offices carpacks to be extended (from what I was told so someone didnt have to walk too far after parking their BMW) and re-surfaced. Going to cost *&^%$#@!.



Good to see the parks funds being used in such an appropriate fashion. Go ahead and use Morraine E Mick.

[ollster]

I believe it is frowned upon.
So Mr Chapman says.

Parks dont like walkers using walking tracks they no longer use. I believe it passes an old historical site that they dont want the hordes to go and stickybeak at!!

I'm inclined to say "*&%$#! you" to parks frowning upon track usage, considering they do so little to maintain many good tracks and instead pump ca$h into rubbish like the 2 capes joke. Unless the area is suffering destruction of some sort due to foot traffic, I'll be going where ever I want. SO THERE!

[ILUVSWTAS]

I believe it is frowned upon.
So Mr Chapman says.

Parks dont like walkers using walking tracks they no longer use. I believe it passes an old historical site that they dont want the hordes to go and stickybeak at!!

I'm inclined to say "*&%$#! you" to parks frowning upon track usage, considering they do so little to maintain many good tracks and instead pump ca$h into rubbish like the 2 capes joke. Unless the area is suffering destruction of some sort due to foot traffic, I'll be going where ever I want. SO THERE!

At least the capes thing is BUSHWALKING related. Im not sure it was PWS that had a say in that particular idea anyway....

Spending thousands to rebuild a carpark?? Yeh that's our money well spent!!

[stepbystep]

From what I understand the moraine has been heavily fire damaged a few years back so as rucksack says it might not be a particularly scenic option - having said that I contemplated going up moraine E in order to save some time, so if that's your motivation - go for it.

Re. 3 Capes walk I'd say parks have zero input on that one and like any beurocracy PWS *&^%$#! money against the wall instead of putting it wear it should - drives me nuts!

[ollster]

Spending thousands to rebuild a carpark?? Yeh that's our money well spent!!

Maybe it should be renamed CARparks and wildlife...

[wander]

On the topic at hand, the far West Ridge or Moraine that lies East West and ends not far from the Crossing River was burnt in the recent round of fires and the surface is very delicate and subject to erosion with very, very little foot traffic. I suggest staying off it for a couple more years. I looked at it from the top late Dec 2009.

Is not Moraine A (Alpha) which lies on a North East / South West line the prefered route from Parks? They certainly have tracked worked it from where this track reachs the top of the ridge onwards to the lakes. There is only a small section of this track that is burnt.

[mickg]

Thank's for all the replies, probarly should do the righty and return down Moraine A, although sometimes its the satisfaction of self reliance that is a big part of the experience (i.e off track navigation).
Another consideration was the time I had (4 days) and was hoping to get out to the top of Oberon

[stepbystep]

Another consideration was the time I had (4 days) and was hoping to get out to the top of Oberon

Given an early enough start and good fitness you should be fine, most parties spend night 2 at Oberon.

[stepbystep]

Thank's for all the replies, probarly should do the righty and return down Moraine A, although sometimes its the satisfaction of self reliance that is a big part of the experience (i.e off track navigation).
Another consideration was the time I had (4 days) and was hoping to get out to the top of Oberon

[eggs]

We started about 4 pm and walked to Junction Creek for the first night.
Second day was up Moraine A and through to Square Lake
Third day was a day walk out past Lake Oberon to Pegasus and then back, followed by backpacking to Cygnus
Last day was the walk out which took a bit less than 8 hours - but Cygnus to Moraine A was through viscious rain and wind.
We did have good weather for the first 3 days, but you should be able to get to Oberon and back in 4.

[north-north-west]

Day 1: Scotts Peak to Cygnus, via Hesperus and a tiny bit of scrambling on the Capella Crags.
Day 2: Cygnus to Oberon, via Hayes, Sirius, Orion and a lot of extra scrambling on the tors near Hayes. I really like that pile of rocks.

Then reverse the trip, with some extra sidetrips. Easy. Although there's too much mud and not enough rock in those four days, which is the main reason I did the full traverse.