Alexander Pearce Memorial Overland Crossing

[woodsman]

I have just been looking at some of the strange inconsistencies in some of the posts about a lightweight overland crossing. From everything I understand the Overland track is a bit of a tourist highway where in the more favourable months like March almost anything goes? Like someone else posted, “Maybe it's just hard for us 20th century, average income, folk to believe it's possible”?

I have always wanted to do the overland track, but I am honestly a bit disappointed about how easy and crowded the walk has become. As an alternate to going plastic as alluded to, why don’t some good Tasmanians go back to their roots and do a traditional crossing. Why compete with the futurist lightweight enthusiasts?

With the availability of fattened tourist I was considering an Alexander Pearce memorial crossing. Any Takers???

[Post Edited by Admin]

[Son of a Beach]

I'm no vegetarian, but that's a little more gruesome than I'd care to consider.

[Singe]

Gruesomeness is no barrier for me, still wouldn't do it though - you are what you eat!

[Son of a Beach]

Gruesomeness is no barrier for me, still wouldn't do it though - you are what you eat!

... or who you eat? That's definitely beyond me.

[norts]

There is a trip being organised to follow the approximate roue of Pearce. Don't know many details but it going head east from Macquarie harbour traversing south of Frenchmans. Not sure where they are meant to be coming out but I reckon the scrub will be horrendous.
I dont think they are planning on the same meals as Pearce.

[tasadam]

From everything I understand the Overland track is a bit of a tourist highway where in the more favourable months like March almost anything goes?
I have always wanted to do the overland track, but I am honestly a bit disappointed about how easy and crowded the walk has become.

The overland track is far from "easy" and I can tell you straight that not anything goes. Plenty has been said previously in gear topics. Ill or under prepared walkers are just as likely to get themselves into difficulty on the Overland track as they are on any other walk, particularly of this duration and distance.
The one benefit you have on this walk is the larger numbers of people to rescue you if your thongs do break, sole comes off your sandshoes, et al.

If you've always wanted to do the Overland track, then do it. Unless you believe at the start that you won't enjoy it, there is plenty of good walking and beautiful natural scenery to take your mind off the numbers of people that you may encounter. Once you've done it, come back & tell us about it. And have a re-read of those posts you refer to and give us your first-hand opinions. Enjoy!

[corvus]

I tend to assume on these posts so forgive me if you are experienced however write back when you have ascended Marions on day one with a 5/6 day pack and have also done the descent to and climb from Frog Flats to Pelion plains and tell me its easy.
Lets hope the torrential rain or snow or hail or scorching sun did not impede you yes it can happen on one day ,the Overland Track has been improved but it is not to be taken as a dawdle so please don't say that it is easy as it can change from hour to hour and is not easy-doable yes -but not easy

[walkinTas]

Gee I'm glad to hear the Parks are going to make the Overland Track easy. Last time I was up there I slipped on the ice left on the track. That must be a serious OH&S breach. I saw a lady walking around Dove Lake in high heels and was very concerned she might get her heels stuck in the gaps in the board walk.

If Parks are listening, there are no sheets or pillows on the bunks and a good mattress would be appreciated. There wasn't even a fridge to put the beer in overnight. And there needs to be more helicopter pads along with telephones so people can ring up for a rescue if they break a shoe lace or get a leech bite. You probably need more huts too so people don't have to walk so far each day. Now that it is going to be an easy walk for the tourists, it might be a good idea to put vending machines in the huts and hot water, so people can buy a meal and make a coffee at the end of the day. A log fire and a few armchairs would be nice too, and a telly and some decent DVDs so theres something to do when you get sick of the bush telly. Oh yeah, don't forget the hot shower and a flushing dunny.

Maybe I should book one of those organised tour thingies and then I'll have someone to carry my kit for me, cook my meals, clean my boots and get me a cold beer!

[Joe]

Gees woodsman to catch 4 big ones with your first cast is a fair achievement

[Son of a Beach]

There wasn't even a fridge to put the beer in overnight.

I disagree. I've found that nearby creeks and snow drifts make excellent fridges!

[Son of a Beach]

Gees woodsman to catch 4 big ones with your first cast is a fair achievement

You should have seen his original post! I first thought it might be an existing member signed up under another name. The fact that he's not yet read the PM I sent explaining the edit to his original post increases my suspicion.

The fact that he's never visited the forums after making this post leads me to think it's nothing more than a post-and-run in order to have a go at a few individuals (which is what was edited out of the original post).

[Joe]

well scouts honour its not me...I've been that flat out this week i missed all the fun. Plus...I think its pretty obvious by now that if I have something to say I wouldn't bother with a 2nd account

[Nuts]

How to cook humans,
How to cook for humans,
How to cook forty humans
How to cook for forty humans
It took a few days but then everyone bit at once!
Suprised that the issue was with the OT being easy, not the weird tastes...

[corvus]

Check out my post in Bush Tucker for long pig(dehy of course) I usually wash it down with a nice Chianti or perhaps a Sangriovese

[Steve]

As soon as I saw the name Alexander Pearce I recognized it, but couldn't remember the whole story.

For those interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Pearce

Quite gruesome indeed.

[johnw]

Hopefully most of us choose more moderate bushwalking meals , but all this discussion around Alexander Pearce reminded me about the two new films relating to him from the books topic (1 movie and 1 doco) http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=255&p=5746&hilit=documentary+about+Pearce#p5746. I thought that these may have been released already but seems like they are still in the pipeline:

Dying Breed now due for release 6/11/08
http://hoyts.ninemsn.com.au/movie/3199.asp

Last Confession of Alexander Pearce (looks like possible release 13 October)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099204/
And "coming soon" according to the ABC:
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/documentaries/programmakers/genres.htm

I also found this interesting radio interview yesterday with book author Nick Bleszynski, who has also written about Pearce. It gives a good explanation of his likely motivations:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2008/2312888.htm

When I read the book "Hells Gates", there was some contention about which route Pearce and co actually took. One hypothesis suggested that part of it may have followed more or less where the Lyell Highway now runs.

[tasadam]

<snip>One hypothesis suggested that part of it may have followed more or less where the Lyell Highway now runs.

Cool! Now we can all do the Alexander Pearce Memorial crossing in the comfort of our wheeled cages with the benefit of plenty of on-board supplies - esky included, for the all important beverage (except for Des, the driver).
A whole lot easier than the Overland track indeed!

[Natt]

I tend to assume on these posts so forgive me if you are experienced however write back when you have ascended Marions on day one with a 5/6 day pack and have also done the descent to and climb from Frog Flats to Pelion plains

I remember Marions peak day one fully loaded. As soon as I read this a flood of memorys came back.

The OT was hubbies & mines first "serious" walk. While it was busy - its not a dawdle

I remember day 2 - we got a tad to keen and ended up camping at Frog Flats (had left from Waterfall Valley Hut). That was too far for us - and day 3 was a limp to old Pelion Hut for a rest day after spending the night in the tent crying because of the pain in my legs.

After that it was fine - some knee issues but I had painkillers and that took off the edge and as the pack lightened it was all good.

We managed to do windy ridge Hut all the way to lake St Clair in the one day on the promise of a hot shower at the end.

I remember some walkers outside the cafe at the end with a bowl of hot chips. I almost mugged them for some. - had they not handed some over of those chips I guess there may actually have been a "Alexander Pearce" moment

[corvus]

So many do that and suffer the consequenses like you did ,even now I would have a "rest day" at Windemere and take advantage of a Lake swim

[johnw]

snip...The OT...its not a dawdle

I agree. While most of the walking itself is not too difficult for experienced walkers, it's no picnic either with a full pack.

I remember day 2 - we got a tad to keen and ended up camping at Frog Flats (had left from Waterfall Valley Hut). That was too far for us

We did much the same but continued through to New Pelion on day 2 after leaving WFV. While we coped with it, it did make for a very long tiring day, especially the muddy descent to Frog Flats and the climb up the hill on the other side. The rest stops were getting more frequent as the day wore on. I wouldn't do it that way again. Aside from anything else it meant that we only stayed at Windermere briefly for a lunch break and missed the side trip to Lake Will. If doing the OT again I would want to spend time at both of those places.

snip...So many do that and suffer the consequenses...I would have a "rest day" at Windemere and take advantage of a Lake swim

Yep, good advice . I thought we were the only ones keen (silly?) enough to keep going all the way through until I noticed several other parties struggling into New Pelion as night fell.

[wanderer]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum but have looked it up now and then. The mention of Alexander Pearce
caught my attention. I am one of a group of 6 retracing his movements from Sarah Is. to Ouse and
we set off in 2 weeks time. If anyone has any questions regards our walk I'll be only to glad to
answer them. Will keep an eye on this link. Cheers

[johnw]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum but have looked it up now and then. The mention of Alexander Pearce
caught my attention. I am one of a group of 6 retracing his movements from Sarah Is. to Ouse and
we set off in 2 weeks time. If anyone has any questions regards our walk I'll be only to glad to
answer them. Will keep an eye on this link. Cheers

Hi Wanderer, welcome to the BWT forums. Having read the Hells Gates book, I'm interested in your plans (not that I'm ever likely to attempt such a walk myself ). Is the trip informal, eg a group of friends, or has it a specific historical or other purpose? Will there be a blog or web site reporting your progress that we can look up? How did you plan your intended route? And finally, good luck with the trip . I imagine it will be quite an experience!

[Son of a Beach]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum but have looked it up now and then. The mention of Alexander Pearce
caught my attention. I am one of a group of 6 retracing his movements from Sarah Is. to Ouse and
we set off in 2 weeks time. If anyone has any questions regards our walk I'll be only to glad to
answer them. Will keep an eye on this link. Cheers

Hi Wanderer,

I second John's welcom and his comments. If you don't have anywhere else on the internet to report on your trip, we'd love for you to post a new topic here after your return!

[the_camera_poser]

Nawwwww- bushwalking tourist tastes like dehydrated food. Just take out the middleman, whack them over the head when they've finished cooking but pre-dining, and take their food.

[wanderer]

Back again,
the trip started off informal but after reading Dan Sprods book on Pearce and Hell Gates to name a few
we decided to follow as accurate route as knownly possible. A couple of sponsors have come on board and we are
trialling a Spot Messenger GPS for the SES. A web site is being set up so people can access the map data and
follow our daily progress, be it very slow at times I imagine. I'll pass it on this weekend when I find out
the name myself. Cheers ...

[johnw]

Back again,
the trip started off informal but after reading Dan Sprods book on Pearce and Hell Gates to name a few
we decided to follow as accurate route as knownly possible. A couple of sponsors have come on board and we are
trialling a Spot Messenger GPS for the SES. A web site is being set up so people can access the map data and
follow our daily progress, be it very slow at times I imagine. I'll pass it on this weekend when I find out
the name myself. Cheers ...

Thanks for that. Look forward to the info when you have it . The results of the Spot Messenger trial would be interesting too, as these devices have been discussed on the BWT forums recently.

[Jaxter]

but after reading Dan Sprods book on Pearce and Hell Gates to name a few
we decided to follow as accurate route as knownly possible.

I ran into Dan Sprod last Friday at the pub (he's a Friday afternoon regular at the same pub I go to and hangs out with someone I used to work with - it's such a Hobart thing!) and mentioned your posting. He was pretty chuffed to hear about it and said that he got a lot of info on possible routes etc from Bob Brown. He did ask what you were doing for food and hoped you weren't trying to recreate the full experience!!

[wanderer]

Hi there,
our web site for The Cannibal RUN starting on the 17th nov. is
http://www.stormplanet.com/thecannibalrun.htm
One of the pages has the tracking of our SPOT Messenger GPS which
will be activated Monday morning. The web site is still being updated
so you will find more stuff added over the next few weeks.
Cheers.

[johnw]

Hi there,
our web site for The Cannibal RUN starting on the 17th nov. is
http://www.stormplanet.com/thecannibalrun.htm
One of the pages has the tracking of our SPOT Messenger GPS which
will be activated Monday morning. The web site is still being updated
so you will find more stuff added over the next few weeks.
Cheers.

Hi Wanderer,
Thanks very much for posting that info. The site looks comprehensive and well put together, will explore it in more detail tonight. I look forward to tracking your progress! I note that you're a group of SES volunteers. I know there are one or two on the BWT forums, as is my son in NSW SES who will be interested on all counts, also a bushwalker he's read the Pearce story too.

Again, good luck with the trip .

[geoskid]

Hi Wanderer,
One of your team members is a fellow Hash House Harrier (Prickle is her Hash name) and she was telling us about this trip on Monday night at Hash. I guess she'll be getting a few prickles on this trip too! I'll be following your progress on the trip
site with great interest - sounds pretty heavy duty! Some of your groups other walks wer'nt a walk in the park either.
Hope you all have fun and stay safe.
Geoskid