Bushwalk Australia

I'd appreciate some other's thoughts regarding the following:

My older (definately not elderly - there is a big difference between older and elderly!) father has had a long time wish to walk to the summit of Mt Roland - again!. He is an extremely fit 77 year old who walks several kms every day. He has hiked shorter but as steep routes, has summited Mt Roland before (albeit 15? years ago) and has recently expressed his wish to once again reach the summit of, what he descibes as, the best peak in Tasmania! He has no known major health conditions.

And I think I agreee with him on the 'best peak' opinion!

I was thinking that it may be a possibility! Perhaps accessing via the "three peaks track", or would the more direct route be suitable? I have walked via ONiells Rd - part way fire track. And camping over a night or two could be managed!
I don't think Dad would be too disappointed if he couldn't get up to the absolute summit. The boulders/rock scramble may deter him but I think he would really like to once again, get somewhere near the top! A good view of the surrounding countryside at least!

This would be a fair day walk for most of us, perhaps an overnighter for some and challenging, I think, for anyone a little more mature.

We are looking at early May as a timeline. I appreciate that this year is somewhat 'special' and that early May could mean 'early winter'! I've had some great views of Mt Roland dusted with snow, covered in cloud/fog/mist and rain! And I usually visit in Feb/ March or Oct/Nov.

All opinions wil be carefully considered - I have no wish to place anyone in a risky situation. At least one other person in our party would be a regular Tasmanian bushwalker with experience of year round Tasmanian weather conditions. At least two of us would be experienced bushwalkers.

Albeit not a major walk, I am considering all possibilities/ outcomes, etc.

Thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds great! Good on him.
I know of an older lady who still does harder walks than Roland.

Check out the link below for a description of a walk 'up the front' then 'down the back'.

http://tastrekker.blogspot.com/2010/11/mt-roland.html

The front track is direct, steep, poorly maintained and involves a bit of rock scrambling. It is my favourite as it's at least a third shorter than the back track and it is a walking track all the way. The back track on the other hand is longer, much more gradual and very well maintained. Aside from the extra distance involved, another reason I have a bit of prejudice against the back track is the first 4km is along a gravelled road and not what I would call a walking track.

All of this being said, if time is on your side, a slow plod up the back is the way to go. In May your reliable daylight will end by 6pm. I suggest walking from 8am to 5pm giving 9 hours so the required average pace is less than 2km/h.

The first 3 pics in my blog entry are from the front track and the last 2 are from the back.

Recently I was with a group that went up the O'niells road track. It included several elderly people , and they made it up fine. Just look for a shorter route to the left to the summit after you rise from meeting the kings road track . The 3 peaks is pretty long and would necesitate starting very early , and organising a car at O'Niell's road. Also , there are 2 good rest areas with seats if needed.

I was up there a week ago - in the mist.
We went up the back track and walked from Gowrie Park township.

The track is not a gravel road anymore and in places very beautiful with sassafras and gums, manferns, musk and other minor species. (I posted some pics http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5909&start=30 and previous page.

The day I went up we met some others and I would say the ages ranged from 52 - 75, so none were chickens and all of us looked fit and able.
This should be an easy paced good walk for your dad - you say he is 'extremely fit'.
On the other hand the '3 Peaks' are a lot more arduous IMO. The climb down from Claude and then back up Vandyke is quite steep. Its a beaut trip though. The track probaby mostly would be a bog judging on the amount of rain we are having and more to come.

The front track is one long steep slog - I never enjoyed it, especially coming down. But it is a scenic one.

As to the weather in May.
Its a time when we get anything but is probably more settled in as much you are less likley to start in sunshine and end in rain or snow, or any combination of. Check the forecast and work with that.
I'd say go for it and enjoy.

Thanks all! Your comments are encouraging and I think the trip will be a goer!

Dad is much fitter than me at the moment - I don't get to walk much over the summer .... too hot, too lazy! I can sense some serious training coming up over the next few weeks or I won't be able to keep up!

Hey I just say go for it. Mt roland is right in my back door the Oniels track is the one to take for a nice easy paced stroll up the mountian past Oniels Falls which should have some water over them in May. Take a billy and have a boil up at the creek crossing. Incidently there used to be camping spots just south of the creek (100 m) a few metres of the track Camped there with my son 10 yrs ago. I hope I am still walking When I become a more mature walker
Wako the diddlio just keep walking
Dave-1