Tents and Possums and nice spots near Overland Track

[philm]

We have done the Overland Track a few times and we are undertaking our next trip in the Reserve this April. We wanted to go off track a little for a few nights and wanted to know:

What are some nice spots not too far from the Overland Track that we could stay for 1 or 2 nights?

When camping out I wanted to seek advice about where to store the packs and food at night - when staying in tents near huts we always store the packs in the huts to stop the possums eating their way through tents. When camping out what is the best advice regarding where to store food in or outside the tent and in the packs?

[ollster]

When camping out I wanted to seek advice about where to store the packs and food at night - when staying in tents near huts we always store the packs in the huts to stop the possums eating their way through tents. When camping out what is the best advice regarding where to store food in or outside the tent and in the packs?

I always store my food in roll-top dry bags, inside a roll-top pack liner, in my pack. Never had any issues. I think if you can eliminate the smell that attracts them then they won't start munching through gear.

[pazzar]

Thetis-ossa saddle is a nice spot, about a 4 hour walk from the track. Leonard's tarn is another in the same area.

[whynotwalk]

Possums and other tent-raiders tend not to be a problem when you're camping in little-used sites well away from huts. Generally speaking it's only when they get habituated to human presence (and scraps of food) that they become a real problem. Hence all the "horror" stories from places like the Overland Track or the South Coast Track. I'd suggest putting food in a bag, inside your pack, and in the tent is good insurance.

As for good spots near the Overland, at the southern end Shadow Lake and Mts Rufus and Hugel are worth a visit. So too Lake Petrarch, if you can find the track. Near Du Cane Gap you can (eventually) access the Traveller Range/Orion Lakes/Mountains of Jupiter. The area is largely trackless, and neither comfortable nor easy to navigate when the cloud is low. The western end of the Walls (Lakes Adelaide, Meston and Myrtle, and/or the Cathedral Plateau) is also worth a visit. I would access these from the Walls or the Mersey Forest Rd rather than the Never Never, which is tricky to navigate unless you're experienced off-track in Tassie.

It sounds like you'll be pretty self-sufficient, and not relying on Overland Track facilities. But just be aware that track rangers will still be out on the OT in April, and they are tired of being spun yarns about "just came in from X or Y" and "we're not actually walking the OT" when people are really just trying to avoid the fee (not that I'm suggesting you are!)

cheers

Peter

[mjdalessa]

Leonards Tarn in the Thetis Ossa saddle looks amazing, I have not been yet but its very high on my list.

High camp on Oakleigh in the gully before the summit.

Mt. Massif and Lake Helious also have amazing campsites, unfortunately didn't get there this summer.

[philm]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I'll try a few out.

[Nuts]

Cut out bits

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[ILUVSWTAS]

What?? Are these actually "no camping zones" ?? Or just "discouraged camping zones"??

[Nuts]

One is designated 'no camping', two are trashed old tracks and associated campsites that have either been taken off maps or had the entrances blocked to discourage further general trashing. Encouraging some bloke on a general forum (nothing personal) to camp next to the tarn on Ossa speaks for itself!!!

Sometimes (aimed at nobody in particular) it seems more important on here to show off where youv'e been than give thoughtful advice..

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh thats fair enough. You know the OThighway better than anyone on here after all.

[weetbix456]

Maybe a high camp on the plateau between Cradle and Barn?

this is a day walk area..scott kilvert is the only place you're allowed to camp before waterfall valley

[Nuts]

Yeh thats fair enough. You know the OThighway better than anyone on here after all.

Well... I do know what my feet look like.
I guess its cool to call it a highway?, who cares, I just see one of Tassie's greatest nature based assets.. unfortunately sometimes at odds with some 'real' tassie 'bushwalkers'.

[Vern]

I think just having some content removed by the moderator may be a better way of dealing with it...just a sugestion...

[Nuts]

Perhaps a good option for this topic but it comes up time and again. As a major source of info surely someone in parks (media officer) is paid to keep an eye on just such sources, where are they?? so on...

[pazzar]

Some of the content has been removed.

I think most things parks related in thrown into the 'too hard' basket. It seems the only accountability is where there is money at stake. Why do you think we have people asking for alternatives? A place as beautiful as the reserve needs to respected and allowed to recover, so area's that had been suggested may seem inappropriate. Then I guess my own post is no better, I mentioned fragile alpine areas, albeit with a rough route to it, but should we be promoting such areas? It would be a shame for the future generations to miss out on the opportunity to visit these spots, all because we couldn't 'afford' to manage them. It's a bit of a tricky one though.

[Nuts]

yep good post (its still a Park though!!!)

[DaveNoble]

When you camp well away from the huts - then possums are not a problem. So no need to take steps to make your food possum-proof.

As you do the Overland Track - you will notice plenty of great campsites just near the track part way between the huts. They are often well sheltered and close to water. Off track is similar - plenty of campsites - all over the place. Just look!

Dave

[ILUVSWTAS]

"Reserve" has nothing to do with pb. Not quite sure how it would, just voicing your dislikes in the same breath here....

I came to know the term for the area through Dave Noble and a couple of other mates who have been walking in that area for years.

Why does it offend you so Nuts???

[Nuts]

Well, its p/baggers and gamers using the term here so...

[ollster]

I only use it because a) I picked it up from others and b) it's quicker than typing "Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park".

But just for you Nuts, I'll stop.

[stepbystep]

.....i'm guessing its more of an experience/ego thing....

I'm guessing you're correct on at least one point
In reverence to your sensibilities I will now refer to 'it' as "The Lake St Clair-Cradle Mountain National Park, part of the greater Tasmanian World Heritage Area"

Can't just call it the park, that's where I walk my dogs, National Park is near Mt Field, geez this is a tricky one....

[Nuts]

c'mon, wasn't really an either/or but it being all ego would be pretty disappointing..
anyhow.. pleanty of reserves around. How about The park, give it deserved respect n all that?

[stepbystep]

How about The park, give it deserved respect n all that?

Haha, you have no idea how much my dogs respect The Park

Everyone I walk, game or peak bag with respect that area, and all natural areas of Tasmania a great deal so I don't think it matters if they call it The Reserve, The Park or satans playground does it?
Anyway if it makes you feel better I'll call it The Park, really I will...

I agree completely that some like to stick their chest out to prove they've been here or there and maybe I've done the same?? Hopefully our VERY young friend that made a silly post has learned a lesson.
Perhaps you want to edit your post as it now is the only trace of these more sensitive areas hackles were raised over?

[doogs]

The Park is where I promised to take my kids today for fun and ice cream! I am going to keep calling it 'The Reserve' and make out that it is a secret magical place similar to 'The Beach'

[Nuts]

No, and i didn't expect you guys would give a dogs danglies, call it what you like (just thought it worth an enthusiastic mention )

[ollster]

No, and i didn't expect you guys would give a dogs danglies, call it what you like. Gives cred in the right minority i guess.

What the hell are you talking about? You've got some issues if you can connect calling a place by a quaint historical name, and metaphorical dick waving. I think the problem here is all you Nuts.

http://www.cradle-mountain.com/cradle_m ... istory.htm

"Reservation of land began in 1922 when an area from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair was set aside as a 'scenic reserve and wildlife sanctuary'. In 1927 63 990 ha, including Cradle Mountain, were set aside as a reserve. Known as 'The Reserve' to generations of bushwalkers the area was eventually enlarged to 124 942 ha. It became a National Park in 1971."

Why are you so butthurt over this?

[philm]

When I raised the initial post my intentions were genuine - to enjoy the national park but respect the environment. There has been a lot of passon in the post trail and I agree this is about a balance. I am an experienced bushwalker and my aim is to respect and care for the environment but also enjoy its beauty. We are talking about a national park and there is more to the park than just the Overland Track itself. That is why I asked the initial question. I understand that we don't want masses of people distroying sensitive areas but also beleive that using experience and care the impact on the environment in camping off-track is minimal as long as it is not overrun with careless people.

[whynotwalk]

Keep it nice boys and girls!

In response to Nuts' call for some PWS person to give chapter and verse here, all I can say is that there's a "thin green line" out there, and lots of jobs that should get done don't. There are some PWS staff keeping on eye on the forum, but they tend to keep their whistle in their pocket. In the end educating walkers is also a community responsibility (that means US). I personally think we (the forum) do a reasonable job on behalf of these places, even if every now and then we need some "guidance",

cheers

Peter

[Nuts]

Sorry phil, it was a good post and some good alternatives suggested. Mentioning sensitive areas close to the track has come up before and seems to take a bit of coaxing to get any response. The rest is (obviously) unrelated and just the usual cast of characters coming out to give each other a bit of a stroke (can be amusing at times)

1971 !!!

[Miyata610]

1971 !!!

So, in 1971 the age of majority was 21... So let's allow people born before 1950 to call it a reserve, because it takes them longer to remember new names.