Crest Range SW Tasmania

[mjdalessa]

Recently had 5 days in the Farmhouse Creek area. The plan was to climb Hopetoun and Crest but due to 2 days of very poor weather at the start there was no time. The rivers were way up so it was decided to climb the Crest Range. A 2.5km "furry" ridge leads up onto the range, which gives way to expansive views and open walking, the ridge took around 6hrs to ascend from the track. Camp was established in the lee of some boulders on the first high point. It was great to be able to sit around for well over 2hrs as the light faded with such great views. The ocean is clearly visable to the south and the mountains of the south west encompass the rest. Precipitous Bluff could clearly be seen from one vestible and Federation Peak out the other. The next day open walking on the ridge tops gave way to an again furry-ish descent into a divide in the range, before an extremely steep climb of 70 degrees or so leads back up onto the highier, cliffier part of the range. A knife edge ridge was traversed from here, with high cliffs forming one side and plenty of up and down before a grassy ramp lead to the roomy summit area and views into some very remote country. Provis Hills, the Spiro Range and the Norolds all seemed very close. The summit has a real feeling of detachment and remoteness, with no forestry scars or other man made intrusions visible. Most impressive of all is the unique angle of Federation this summit allows one to see. It seems all so close, merely one valley away, with Lake Geeves nestled at its foot. The return trip to the high point was followed by a 2hr descent to camp part way down the ridge and we walked out the next day. The range took a total of 3.5 medium days from the road at Farmhouse Creek, return. Truly an amazing little range that hopefully I will return to some day.

[Tortoise]

Wow! It constantly amazes me that after all this time, there are still places I don't know about that are so incredibly beautiful, in such a small area. Not a bad plan b! If only I were a mountain leaper... *sigh*

So thanks for the pics

[naturelover]

looks great. Thanks for sharing

[Son of a Beach]

Look like great views of the Easter Arthurs from there. Thanks for posting.

[tigercat]

Great photos
C