Eldon Range Access

[chris_a]

Hi guys,
Planning a traverse of the eldons in early November - hoping to boat across Lake Burbury but not really sure how to go about this...
Does anyone know of anybody in the Strahan/Queenstown area who might charter boats or have any ideas? Not sure how people usually start this trip...
Cheers

[rucksack]

I think that there is another group traversing the Eldons around about then and they have organised a boat to take them across the lake; they are traversing from the western end of the range, of course. I am sure that someone from that party could point you in the right direction regarding a boat. You can also walk in from the eastern end via Lake Petrarch and from the south too, from the Lyell Highway by way of Pigeon House Hill.

rucksack

[pazzar]

We are aware of the group going in before us. No doubt they will be a useful resource of information for us. It seems to collect the full quota of Abels in the range the Lake Burbury approach is the best way to go, despite the big climb on day one/two. Looking forward to it!

[stepbystep]

What's your start date Jared?
Mark made contact with some boat hire guys out of Strahan I think, we have made private transport arrangements.

[pazzar]

We haven't set a date yet, we're waiting on the release of exam timetables so we can go as soon as we're all finished. Early November is as much as we know. I figured there might be a charter service of some sort in Strahan.

[stu]

I hope you'll be at least several days behind us Jared, we don't need any additional campsite squeezing thanks very much & would rather not see anyone else while we are out there, part of the reason for doing these remote range walks is to avoid other people

Why don't you go & do the Franklands like you had planned?

[pazzar]

Don't worry, we wont be there when you will be there. Franklands is still in the plans, but later in summer. You guys are heading in late Oct? I doubt we will be in until about the 10th of November.

[ollster]

I hope you'll be at least several days behind us Jared, we don't need any additional campsite squeezing thanks very much & would rather not see anyone else while we are out there, part of the reason for doing these remote range walks is to avoid other people

Why don't you go & do the Franklands like you had planned?

Raaawr! If they start a few days back from us (29/10) then I doubt there will be a clash, even with the laydays/sidetrip days scheduled.

Anyway, they're poor uni students and probably can't afford the charter boat, so it'll be a long walk around Lake Burbs for them.

[Nuts]

ha ha.. this is funny.. is October safe? I dont want to see ANYONE (besides my pet bush rat, seems to follow me everywhere...)

[stu]

Are you seriously going through nuts or just takin g the mickey!?
Wait until ILUV hears about all of this - expletive festival coming up

[Nuts]

I'll admit, a bit of both Stu, but no, yes its on the cards. I tend to only be able to plan a week ahead (if that).. may be October (def not November now ha ha ), if not likely March/May, either way i'd have no desire to cramp anyone's style & know exactly what would irk you..

I suppose people will know when your going, perhaps you could post the dates or something? Wouldn't be of much interest to me but at least others would have been warned... if I were them i'd avoid those dates knowing how you guys (quite rightly) would feel about 'traffic'..

btw.. has iluv asked 'our' permission to enter the star studded North (jj)..

[Nuts]

hold on... Jared says you guys are planning October?? bah.. just let me know eh? I'm sure we can avoid dramas (mine May be solo but may not.. I don't particularly mind seeing others but (as said) do understand..)

[ollster]

perhaps you could post the dates or something?

Sorry, it would attract too many groupies...

[Nuts]

ha ha, isn't that what 'points' are all about ; ) Your funny bugger, what is that thing >>>^^^

[ollster]

ha ha, isn't that what 'points' are all about ; ) Your funny bugger, what is that thing >>>^^^

If that's what points are all about... and we go out to remote places and "gain" said points... and there are just "us blokes" there... then this leads the mind to certain conclusions which I will neither deny nor confirm for fear of incriminating members of this forum.

It's the Party Gorilla.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon

[Nuts]

ha ha, isn't that what 'points' are all about ; ) Your funny bugger, what is that thing >>>^^^

If that's what points are all about... and we go out to remote places and "gain" said points... and there are just "us blokes" there... then this leads the mind to certain conclusions which I will neither deny nor confirm for fear of incriminating members of this forum.

I have no conclusions, It's all good for bushwalking, therefore the 'bush'. But hey... I Was an abba fan once i'll be anyone's groupie..

Party Gorilla hey.. my mind is at ease.

[frenchy_84]

Nuts, are u still gonna make your way out via the murchison?

[Fizzygood]

I hope you'll be at least several days behind us Jared, we don't need any additional campsite squeezing thanks very much & would rather not see anyone else while we are out there, part of the reason for doing these remote range walks is to avoid other people

Why don't you go & do the Franklands like you had planned?

I agree with you Stu! ... the last thing we want is to run into another group out there. This is an epic and I don't want it ruined by some gatecrashers!

Erin

[Nuts]

Nuts, are u still gonna make your way out via the murchison?

That's the plan Frenchy, swapped the Alpacka for a Yak but was hoping to have the funds for a Scout before this.. we'll see..

[pazzar]

I hope you'll be at least several days behind us Jared, we don't need any additional campsite squeezing thanks very much & would rather not see anyone else while we are out there, part of the reason for doing these remote range walks is to avoid other people

Why don't you go & do the Franklands like you had planned?

I agree with you Stu! ... the last thing we want is to run into another group out there. This is an epic and I don't want it ruined by some gatecrashers!

Erin

I understand where you guys are coming from. Knowing that you guys were going in, it was always my intention to leave plenty of time between when we go in and you guys go in. It is more likely that you guys will be out before we go in. It would be a nightmare if our party ran into you guys, that would mean trying to squeeze 6+ tents in I would guess, not good in such an environment. And yes I also enjoy a bit of solitude when I go walking, although I don't mind running into someone every now and then. I am sorry if we pressed any buttons here. But I am sure you understand that when an opportunity comes to go somewhere like this you have to take it, it would probably be years before I would have another chance to get in here with a group with adequate experience.

The Franklands are well and truly still in my plans for this summer, but much later, closer to Christmas. I consider the Eldons as my graduation present.

Jared

[frenchy_84]

Nuts, are u still gonna make your way out via the murchison?

That's the plan Frenchy, swapped the Alpacka for a Yak but was hoping to have the funds for a Scout before this.. we'll see..

nice size upgrade, was it a change to the 2011 model as well? Im off to "bag" the ringarooma this weekend in my Llama
... just a little of topic....

[stu]

I hope you'll be at least several days behind us Jared, we don't need any additional campsite squeezing thanks very much & would rather not see anyone else while we are out there, part of the reason for doing these remote range walks is to avoid other people

Why don't you go & do the Franklands like you had planned?

I agree with you Stu! ... the last thing we want is to run into another group out there. This is an epic and I don't want it ruined by some gatecrashers!

Erin

I understand where you guys are coming from. Knowing that you guys were going in, it was always my intention to leave plenty of time between when we go in and you guys go in. It is more likely that you guys will be out before we go in. It would be a nightmare if our party ran into you guys, that would mean trying to squeeze 6+ tents in I would guess, not good in such an environment. And yes I also enjoy a bit of solitude when I go walking, although I don't mind running into someone every now and then. I am sorry if we pressed any buttons here. But I am sure you understand that when an opportunity comes to go somewhere like this you have to take it, it would probably be years before I would have another chance to get in here with a group with adequate experience.

The Franklands are well and truly still in my plans for this summer, but much later, closer to Christmas. I consider the Eldons as my graduation present.

Jared

No 'buttons' pressed mate, it's all good
Certainly don't want to run into anyone else tho...had 8 days through the WA's & 8 days through the Franklands with our groups only ones on the range & it was bliss, running into someone else would make it feel a little less special for me, but that's just me...if I want to chat to & meet people that's what track walking is for. Having run into those idiots with the dogs at Leaning Tea Tree saddle on our 8 day Southern Ranges walk a couple of years ago makes you realise why you go bush to escape people, there are some wankers around, unfortunately sometimes in & out of the wilderness

A fine graduation present Jared - if we are out before you go in we can give you some notes / beta etc. - should make things a little easier or at least a little more informed.

Cheers.
Stu.

[Bodysurfer]

If you are going in from the west, keep an eye on the rainfall. When I was there one Xmas, there was NO water on the range.

[stu]

Yes, going in from a boat drop-off across Burbury to the Eldon River.
So no water, including yabby holes?
Which sections were the driest...?
I have heard there is water at saddle camp (b/w Eldon Peak & Bluff) & maybe expecting it to be dry from Camp Hill through to Coal Hill?
Expecting to carry fair amounts on most days, just to be sure...

[ollster]

If you are going in from the west, keep an eye on the rainfall. When I was there one Xmas, there was NO water on the range.

I'm sure the snow will be more than sufficient... Still, not ideal to hear of so little water.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Jared PM me if you want charter options. I still have the phone numbers. Your looking at around $700-$800 for the honour. And thats just to me for the phone number..

Hmm I was meant to swear somewhere wasnt i...... FiretrUCK

[pazzar]

I have a few Strahan contacts so with any luck I can get something a bit cheaper, otherwise we may end up walking the lake. I think I found your contact on google?

[Bodysurfer]

"So no water, including yabby holes?
Which sections were the driest...?
I have heard there is water at saddle camp (b/w Eldon Peak & Bluff) & maybe expecting it to be dry from Camp Hill through to Coal Hill?"

We went in from the Collingwood River via Camp Hill. There was no problem with water, however the Eldon Range was dry as a bone. Our group did Eldon Bluff and Peak as two separate day walks from Lake Ewart, so water was not an issue for us.

The spine of the Range is like a boulder field. The water would be in rock pools. I doubt there would be yabbie holes but we weren't looking. There was no water at the "saddle" b/w Bluff and Peak.

I'm a mainlander so I don't know if the summer was exceptionally dry that year. I just posted so that people wouldn't assume there would be water (there seemed to be plenty when Keith Lancaster visited). But there is not permanent water.

Magic place. We didn't see anybody the nine days we were out.

[Nuts]

Cheers B'surfer. All good info! I had heard the top of the creek off the spur lead to the west and down from the saddle that (i think) stu is mentioning but good points.. To the Peak and back would have been a ig effort, well done

[ILUVSWTAS]

Don't worry, we wont be there when you will be there. Franklands is still in the plans, but later in summer. You guys are heading in late Oct? I doubt we will be in until about the 10th of November.

It's ok Jared, We're actually all very flattered that you want to be like us so much you cant think up trips of your own and just copy every single one we do.