Federation and the Eastern Arthurs

[norts]

Just had 7 great days, of walking, views and weather. I walked into Federation Peak via Eastern Arthurs. This was my first major solo trip(my first trip report too) and my first trip to Feder. I have had to do more solo walking as my usual walking partners are either working or broken!
This walk was a bit of a spur of the moment walk, it was on my walk list for this summer, but when I looked at the weather forecast and it kept getting better I thought I can get to Feder and summit in fine weather.
I only had one overcast/slightly drizzly day, that was from 7 mile to Pass Ck. The rest of the walk was fantastic. While on the range I camped at Goon Moor, Hanging Lake and again at Goon Moor. The only area I found challenging was negotiating 4 Peaks. There were a couple of spots where my ducks disease was a major disadvantage.
I arrived at Hanging lake at about 2pm on a perfect day and was contemplating summitting but was too tired. Was worried that this decision would come back to haunt me, but it didn’t!
Summit day was perfect with just a slight cool breeze. I was very nervous about the climb(I have done the WAs 3 times so rock scrambling isn’t a major concern). I didn’t want to get up or even half way up there and not be able to get down.
The climb didn’t seem as exposed as I had been led to believe. My philosophy is that a 10m fall will kill just as easily as a 600m. Took my time and checked the way before each stage of the climb. Got to the top and signed the log book, no one had been up since 24 Nov , this was 12 Dec.
So now I have my 10 points! Even if I hadn’t been able to summit it would have still been a great walk, the views on the Eastern Arthur traverse are awe inspiring.
As I was walking my thoughts kept going back to the pioneers who did all the exploration work. They were a driven lot and were better bushwalkers than I will ever be and I doff my cap to them all.

Roger

[stepbystep]

Well done Roger!

But this is no trip report without photos....please

[biggbird]

^Yes, where are the photos?! See many people about, or was it a lonely walk? Congratulations are deserved, sounds like a great walk, and definitely one I'm jealous of.

[norts]

I am not a great photographer but I will go through to find some that are worth putting on line.
As to other walkers, I met 3 ppl on the way in, they were coming out from WA's. I met a couple at Goon Moor campsite and met 2 blokes on the Arthur plains heading for Feder as I was on my way out.

Roger

[norts]

What all the hard work is about

The obligatory summit shot - the model aint much but the back drop is worth the shot

The best place ever for a lake - Hanging Lake

[stepbystep]

Yep that's some nice weather right there!

Thanks norts, I'm sure it's a confronting place to explore on your own. Kudos to you for getting out there.

V. jealous, but stoked for you

[tigercat]

Great photos and Congratulations!

[stu]

Thanks for sharing and well done Norts.
I second the kudos, a fine effort!
I had similar weather on my one trip there thus far so can second the feelings of splendour gettin this summit on a bluebird day

[norts]

Thank you, I think alot of the kudos should go to BoM. Their weather report was spot on which then made my part alot easier.

Roger

[Tortoise]

Wow, Roger - congrats!!! Pelion West can wait

[Nick S]

Nice one Roger, wouldve been an awesome experience in that weather.

[doogs]

Great stuff Norts. I did the Anne circuit 10/11th and can vouch that the weather was fantastic

[Nuts]

Nice Norts, well done. I like that first shot/close up (the others are fine too). One of these years I hope to climb fedders.

[norts]

Thank you everyone on your comments
It has always been on my list of places to go, but not a high priority, I'm not a Peak Bagger. I mainly wanted to see the Eastern Arthurs.

Roger

[north-north-west]

Hate hate hate hate hate . . . *sigh* well done, you lucky bugger. But this means all the good weather will be gone when I get there . . .

[biggbird]

What's this "not a photographer" business? Great shots! You've made a lot of people justifiably envious with all that blue sky.

[Nuts]

I'm not a Peak Bagger.

Haha, I like that, you seem to have covered some ground on different trips, maybe there should be an 'I'm not a Peak Bagger' List..

[norts]

I like to do routes( no crude comments)

Roger

[ILUVSWTAS]

maybe there should be an 'I'm not a Peak Bagger' List..

there is.

http://tastracks.webs.com/peakbaggers.htm

[Nuts]

Slothbaggers List? lol. somehow I don't think norts fits that one. Perhaps a.. er.. routebaggers list.

[Skinky]

I had a go at the Mt Anne Circuit earlier this week with my brother we had to turn back on the first day due to poor weather, this was our first visit to the Authur's area and we left with low moral and respect for the area.

I'ver spent a fair bit of time exploring the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair area and thought I was getting pretty hardy but the Aurthurs is definately another level up in terms of unpredictability and remote walking adventure.

We'll be back for sure and hope to eventually build up to the same route that you did. - Respect!

[tjsquire]

Awesome effort norts! And Skinky for that matter - sounds like I'm in a similar place to you, keen to venture into the SW and planning something for this year!

[ILUVSWTAS]

I'ver spent a fair bit of time exploring the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair area and thought I was getting pretty hardy but the Aurthurs is definately another level up in terms of unpredictability and remote walking adventure.

Yes it's a much bigger step up for sure. An old timer I know likes to say the Arthurs makes the weather for all of TAS.