Walk stages

[abmacus]

Im starting the Overland Track on 17th December 2011 with my son (its his 21st Present, thats what Im telling him, I really only asked him because he has his wilderness first aid and can carry 5 times his own weight ) We arrive at Cradle Mountain noon on 17th and head off straight away. Have booked the ferry to leave Thursday 22 in the morning. Any suggestions as to how to break the trip up into stages that would also enable us to get up to mount Ossa. We have both done a reasonable amount of bushwalking, (son is an outdoor education assistant instructor, and ive done a few walks in New Zealand and around the South West) We dont want to sprint through but have I given ourselves enough time to see enough to make it worthwhile?

[norts]

17th -W/fall Hut
18 Windermere Hut side trip lake Will
19 Pelion Hut
20 Kiaora Hut, with side trip up Ossa
21 Windy Ridge - side trip the falls on the Mersey
22 Walk to Narcissus

Also possible to walk Kiaora - Narcissus in a day, use to do it when there was no Windy Ridge, if you have an early ferry I would recommend this.
W/fall - To Windermere is a short day but if you decide to go onto Pelion in the one day it is a big day, but ppl do it. I was in Pelion the other day and a couple arrived at pelion at 730pm after deciding that it was too early to stop at Windermere( they were sorry that they had continued on).
I look at the early stop at Windermere as a half day rest day.

Roger

[johnw]

I agree with norts' suggested itinerary.

W/fall - To Windermere is a short day but if you decide to go onto Pelion in the one day it is a big day, but ppl do it. I was in Pelion the other day and a couple arrived at pelion at 730pm after deciding that it was too early to stop at Windermere( they were sorry that they had continued on).

+1. We made the same mistake. Windermere seemed to early to stop and also wanted to squeeze in a night at Pine Valley later on, so pushed on to Pelion. I was absolutely stuffed that night and somehow managed to fall out of bed , thankfully only from a bottom bunk in the hut. When I get the opportunity to walk the OLT again I plan to do it slowly and smell the roses.

[Son of a Beach]

I agree with norts' suggested itinerary.

W/fall - To Windermere is a short day but if you decide to go onto Pelion in the one day it is a big day, but ppl do it. I was in Pelion the other day and a couple arrived at pelion at 730pm after deciding that it was too early to stop at Windermere( they were sorry that they had continued on).

+1. We made the same mistake. Windermere seemed to early to stop and also wanted to squeeze in a night at Pine Valley later on, so pushed on to Pelion. I was absolutely stuffed that night and somehow managed to fall out of bed , thankfully only from a bottom bunk in the hut. When I get the opportunity to walk the OLT again I plan to do it slowly and smell the roses.

Cirque Hut used to be good to make the first day a little longer, and then the second day a bit shorter, making a trek all the way to Pelion somewhat easier. It's a pity Cirque Hut no longer exists.

[norts]

Yeah, I remember it well, first hut I ever used walking the OT.
In those days 1973/4 the walk between huts was much more arduous and the distance between them seemed more sensible than these days when you fly between huts. On that first walk there was no Windy Ridge, it had recently burnt down, so the only option(if hutting) was Kiaora to Narcissus. Kiaora/ New Pelion were both tin sheds.
Roger

[stepbystep]

17 Scott Kilvert Hut sidetrip to Twisted Tarns via Lake Hanson or if late over Hanson Peak
18 Windermere Hut side trip Barn Bluff or Cradle Mtn or Lake Will
19 Pelion Hut possible sidetrips to Old Pelion Hut or if feeling energetic Mt Oakleigh
20 Kiaora Hut, with side trip up Ossa, Pelion East is also fantastic
21 Windy Ridge - side trip the falls on the Mersey
22 Walk to Narcissus

[corvus]

Yeah, I remember it well, first hut I ever used walking the OT.
In those days 1973/4 the walk between huts was much more arduous and the distance between them seemed more sensible than these days when you fly between huts. On that first walk there was no Windy Ridge, it had recently burnt down, so the only option(if hutting) was Kiaora to Narcissus. Kiaora/ New Pelion were both tin sheds.
Roger

norts you will remember the view from the Dunnie at Cirque it was the best on the OLT eh!!
and the tin sheds were a blessing in foul weather
corvus

[abmacus]

Thanks for the info so far, Got my info pack today. Looks like we may be pushing it to do all the stuff we want to do. We are catching the 9.00am ferry on the 22nd so we can catch the Tassielink bus at 12noon.
We arent getting into Cradle mountain until 12noon either so we will definitely need to stay at the first hut and if conditions will allow us, we want to scoot up to the top of cradle mountain.
Will spend a bit more time studying the map.

Cheers

Have had a brief squiz at the info pack. There is much more to look at than I thought.
Due to our brief time frame I think we will be under the pump. The Waterfall hut Pelion walk looks doable if we get an early start, the map doesnt appear to show to much in the way of steep hills. Normally would take it easier but really want to do the Walk up to Mnt Ossa.

If we are leaving Cradle Mountain at noon, will we get time to get up to the top of Cradle Mountain and to the first hut?

[frenchy_84]

IMO. I would go,
17th WFV hut, even with the late start Cradle Mtn is doable with the long days of summer.
18th Pelion Hut (windemere really is to close to WFV) and there isnt a big climb that day.
19th Kia Ora Hut with Ossa sidetrip.
20th Pine Valley with the water fall sidetrips
21st Acropolis in the morning then walk to Narcissus
22nd wait round at narcissus for the ferry

[weetbix456]

frenchy's x2. pine valley really is one of the highlights and shouldnt be missed

[abmacus]

IMO. I would go,
17th WFV hut, even with the late start Cradle Mtn is doable with the long days of summer.
18th Pelion Hut (windemere really is to close to WFV) and there isnt a big climb that day.
19th Kia Ora Hut with Ossa sidetrip.
20th Pine Valley with the water fall sidetrips
21st Acropolis in the morning then walk to Narcissus
22nd wait round at narcissus for the ferry

Thanks. Have had a look at the map and a quick read of John Chapmans book. Sounds like a good plan.

Cheers

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Depends if you are up for some peak bagging.

If you do Waterfall Valley to Windermere on day 2, I'd recommend a slight backtrack from WFV at the start of the day and heading up Barn Bluff if the weather is good. Lake Will is nice, but not that special. It's a very easy and quick walk to Lake Will too, only about 20 mins each way from the main track - could still be done with heaps of time if you first head up Barn Bluff.

From what I remember of Lake Will, it's just a case of take a few photos on the beach and have some lunch, then head back. Pretty, but not that spectacular. If I had my time again, I don't know that I'd go to Lake Will. And I definitely wouldn't bother with the falls on the other side of Lake Will. Was quite a long mud slog (and left my gaiters back at the track junction, so my legs got cut up by the grass) just to see a very ho-hum waterfall.

Ossa definitely a highlight of the trip, and a must do if the weather is right.

[corvus]

Just a caution from one who has done this many times please don't be lulled into WFV to Pelion unless you are really fit and do not care to stop and smell the flowers as the distance is over 20 km (day two big packs) and could take you up to NINE hours to do it
After Pelion the days are well spaced and if you are feeling fit Pine Valley is nice.
Enjoy your Walk
corvus

[Nuts]

Yer, i'd agree, i'd also think twice in planning Pine Valley and The Acropolis and to Narcissus in one day. These are both achievable and abilities have a huge range (especially between the young and aging : ) the fit and the very fit ) but iv'e seen a lot of fit people regret such big days. Its easy to plan too much, (iv'e done the (main ) track as an overnighter) but the standard route in the given time allows a holiday, the others a ticklist..

enjoy

[Nuts]

Just to add that the waterfalls in WFV, Lake Will and Innes Falls are worth a visit on the way to Windemere. A close look at the map will reveal a few side options on the way to Pelion (and the Pelion area is worth exploring). (ie peaks are not the only highlights)

[frenchy_84]

Well its hard to argue with Nuts experience, however i still stand by my itinerary. Going from WFV to Windermere, you will arrive at lunch time, and lake will isnt worth visting let alone able to take up half a day. and from windermere to pelion its down hill for most of it, just a gradual rise coming out of frog flats with nothing of note to stop for. If WFV to windermere was one leg, i would atleast do Barn bluff in the morning, so i wasnt left playing cards all afternoon. And while it may be a long day, it frees time up for pine valley, which is the best part of the track, and the winner of the landscape photo comp shows how good the summit of the acropolis is.
and besides in summer you have approx 15hrs of daylight so you dont even have to power through to make these stages achievable, the usual OT womble pace will see it down pretty casually.

[Mark F]

If you are taking a tent (and you should for safety reasons) then you can camp after Windemere and walk through to Kia Ora with the climb of Ossa on Day 3. There are some nice spots not too far off the track around Pine Forest Moor and my ancient map shows possible camp sites at Pelion Creek and Frog Flats (bring your inflatable pontoon)

[corvus]

Pelion Creek Campsite has been closed for at least 15 years that I can remember,camping at Frog Flats is still OK if you can stand the Mozzies and Leeches but why camp there when you are only around one km to nice camping and a big hut at Oakleigh View (New Pelion)
corvus

[Nuts]

Frenchy, loads to see! I'd take ten days and while bagging peaks has its attraction the views are very similar. Its fascinating; people interested in more mindful things, some can get just as much enjoyment from visiting a cultural site, cave, waterfall, staring at a cushion plant community, lazing by a lake, reading a book perhaps... all valid.

[abmacus]

Hi Nuts
It seems as though the more I read/research the more there is to see.
Unfortunatley the usual time limitations are against me and the son. We are both reasonably fit so I was going to go with the WFV to Pelion - Pine Valley option. Im not a Peak bagger, didnt even know what that was and had to google it when the term was posted.
It seems as though I am going to have to make plans to come back. Maybe with my daughter for her 21st (8years away!) hmmm, ill be over 50 by then!!
We had set a couple of "to do things" and getting up Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa were 2 those anything else is a bonus.
I think that if I could have got a later (afternoon) bus back on the 22nd it might have made things a little easier. And I couldnt start ealier as there werent any spots available.
We will know soon though
Still hanging out. Taking my 13 year old for a quick walk over 2 nights on the Bib track next week to test out my new Hubba Hubba

[Nuts]

Its a great walk abmacus, however completed. There are many things to do and see, some not on a map or guidebook.
Cradle summit is easy enough from 12 noon. At a relaxed pace most would nab it and be at WFV by 6/7pm.
Ossa summit is a highlight (if you get the weather onside).
Pine Valley, Acop, Narcissus can be done, wouldn't bother unless the weather is clear (while the valley is interesting, for most, the climbs are what makes it).


The first time i did the walk i bagged nothing but too much food, caught some exotic virus asap and had explosive diarrhea. I'm not sure if it was the virus or heat stoke that saw me tent bound at Fury Gorge (WFV was night three..) The ten days were like some sort of cruel nightmare. The experience and my immediate determination to do it again... were too much for the GF, she left on the red eye from Hobart the morning after we arrived, havent seen her since enjoy

[Nuts]

PS.. I didn't use the term 'Peak bagger' just bagging peaks, two different things (i'm sure 'they' appreciate the attention though )

[mjdalessa]

Where was old cirque hut? Ian boss walker doesnt mention it in his peaks and high places or show it on his map... anyone got a map that does?

[corvus]

The old Cradle 1: 25 000 Edition 1 ,1986 (4038) map still shows Cirque Hut ,nothing to see there now.
corvus

[johnw]

Where was old cirque hut? Ian boss walker doesnt mention it in his peaks and high places or show it on his map... anyone got a map that does?

The old Cradle 1: 25 000 Edition 1 ,1986 (4038) map still shows Cirque Hut ,nothing to see there now.
corvus

A whole topic about it here including images:
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3970

[Nuts]

The old track is still there and a couple of piles of cordwood in the bush, not much else. It was abt 30/40m east of the track immediately on reaching the flats to the south of the first main ridge off Barn (the one with the private hut). I believe there was talk of a hut closer to Pineforest moor, renovating Windemere must have been a lot less expensive. The private huts seem better positioned (distance wise at least..I thought they had done a good job to hide Kia Ora, not from Cathedral..).

Standby might be an option abmacus, to squeeze an extra day or two, always seems a few spare places.
Call the ferry (from the UHF in Narcissus hut) asap on arriving.

[abmacus]

Thanks Nuts. I certainly hope that I dont have to go through what you did, or hope nothing goes through me like that.
Have locked in all of the travel etc so will stick to the plan at the moment although will be flexible according to weather, viruses etc.
Just on 4 weeks 3 days to go and I am getting more excited as it gets closer.

Cheers

[abmacus]

17th WFV hut, even with the late start Cradle Mtn is doable with the long days of summer.
18th Pelion Hut (windemere really is to close to WFV) and there isnt a big climb that day.
19th Kia Ora Hut with Ossa sidetrip.
20th Pine Valley with the water fall sidetrips
21st Acropolis in the morning then walk to Narcissus
22nd wait round at narcissus for the ferry[/quote]

Just reviewing the plan, we take off to Tassie on Wednesday Start Walking on Saturday!
The walk from Kia Ora to Pine Valley seems pretty big about 19km I think I worked it out? and skips Bert Nicholas Hut (or Windy Ridge Hut as Chapmans Book Calls it)
Are we going to get time to suss out some of the Waterfalls?