frenchman's cap

[tigercat]

Enjoyed a wonderful 4 day trip to Frenchman's Cap and back. Sunshine on the summit, probably the first clear day in the area for a week.Very few people in the park. Shared the huts with seasonal track Ranger, Terry, very good company and a wealth of information. The mountain is truly awe inspiring. I would like to return and visit some of the other peaks in the area.

[tasadam]

It is a fantastic place isn't it?
The view from Frenchmans is fantastic! Well done.


Sent from crap electronic device using dodgy app.

[Miyata610]

Yeah it was great up there.

Good to meet you... What walks do you have planned next?

[norts]

I have met Terry too. He is a great character and he loves his Lake Vera Hut( note "his hut" lol) it evens has polished floors courtesy of Terry. Hhe also organised the matresses.

Roger

[Strider]

We had a bad experience with Terry to be quite honest.

First he told us we weren't allowed into Vera Hut - this quickly changed once he was informed we already had our gear laid out. Then he went into the hut like he owned the place and started harassing that nights occupants as to where to put their gear and allocating sleeping spots. Thirdly, we had to put up with him telling us all how great he was. This went on for such a length that people went to bed early so as to avoid it.

My understanding is that he is no longer employed by PAWS but takes it upon himself to "watch over" the area.

[Ent]

Hi

Vera is one of my favorite huts, probably because some one has taken it to heart. Always find great things have a character or two involved. All said and done the world is a better place for them.

Anyway Frenchmans is a great place and if you are lucky offers one of the great views in Tassie.

Cheers

[tassiehiker]

im leaving for frenchans this friday, what was the track conditions to lake vera like????

[Miyata610]

im leaving for frenchans this friday, what was the track conditions to lake vera like????

Remarkably dry. Some mud, but far less than expected. We left on Thursday, I'm not sure what the weather has done since.

[stu]

We had a bad experience with Terry to be quite honest.

First he told us we weren't allowed into Vera Hut - this quickly changed once he was informed we already had our gear laid out. Then he went into the hut like he owned the place and started harassing that nights occupants as to where to put their gear and allocating sleeping spots. Thirdly, we had to put up with him telling us all how great he was. This went on for such a length that people went to bed early so as to avoid it.

My understanding is that he is no longer employed by PAWS but takes it upon himself to "watch over" the area.

One of the many, many reasons I love off track walking so much...

Edit: its a great area isn't it, when I get time ill get some photos up of a trip to Philps Peak and Clytemnestra a couple of months ago, some beautiful and remote areas in the park

[Shona]

im leaving for frenchans this friday, what was the track conditions to lake vera like????

Have just come out (Wed 4th April) from one night at Lake Vera hut. Weather was fantastic, had rained earlier Tue morning for about 2 hrs but we didn't get any rain. The earlier boggiest parts of Sodden Lodden have been duckboarded and the rest are wet & boggy but easily able to get around or through - just a bit slower.

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[mjdalessa]

Walked through water most of saturday morning, had the pleasure of being greeted by an undies clad Terry at 2am in the morning too. Next morning he woke up at 6 (waking everyone else up too) and proceeded to cook breakfast and make small talk in his undies again, of course. Before leaving he made sure to allocate jobs; one to wipe the tables, another to sweep the floor, etc.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Walked through water most of saturday morning, had the pleasure of being greeted by an undies clad Terry at 2am in the morning too. Next morning he woke up at 6 (waking everyone else up too) and proceeded to cook breakfast and make small talk in his undies again, of course. Before leaving he made sure to allocate jobs; one to wipe the tables, another to sweep the floor, etc.

Seriously?? Does he realize he doesnt OWN the hut?? that's poor form!!

[gayet]

Owning or not, at least he makes sure those using it realise they have to pull their weight in keeping it clean - why leave it a dump for the next lot to clean up.... And undies is better than nothing at 2am....

[ILUVSWTAS]

Owning or not, at least he makes sure those using it realise they have to pull their weight in keeping it clean - why leave it a dump for the next lot to clean up.... And undies is better than nothing at 2am....

Most bushwalkers are usually quite aware of these things... I've never walked into a hut to find it in any less than perfect condition, not saying it doesnt happen, but i've never seen it. However if some nude dude started ordering me around, i'd be more likely to refuse.

[Strider]

Hahaha there really isn't anything else like the permanent mental image of Terry Reid in his jocks! Believe me!!!!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hahaha there really isn't anything else like the permanent mental image of Terry Reid in his jocks! Believe me!!!!

It's something I can truly live my life happily without seeing.....

[tigercat]

Edit: its a great area isn't it, when I get time ill get some photos up of a trip to Philps Peak and Clytemnestra a couple of months ago, some beautiful and remote areas in the park [/quote]
What were your routes to Philps Pk and Clytemnestra and what were they like?

[mjdalessa]

He's nice enough, just doesn't realise how much his generosity/ self employment hinders the general walker.

[mr majestik]

i walked in in lat feb just after terry and some workers had cleared around vera hut and repainted tahune hut, we left the windows open all afternoon when we arrived as it was still a bit fresh. Vera hut is definitely the nicest hut i've seen in tassie so far, if it takes someone to care for it to keep it that good i guess its better than the many basic unloved huts.

[Taurë-rana]

I would NOT be impressed at being organised by someone else in a hut, or at being woken at 6am. One of the good things about walking is that you are responsible entirely for yourself without someone else telling you what to do.

[vagrom]

Has the Dick Smith boarded part of the track in, now been completed?

[Strider]

Has the Dick Smith boarded part of the track in, now been completed?

It's a completely new track that by-passes a lot of the old section. Not yet opened but hopefully not too far away either.

The existing track already has a fair bit of boardwalk leading up to the Loddens.

[north-north-west]

I would NOT be impressed at being organised by someone else in a hut, or at being woken at 6am. One of the good things about walking is that you are responsible entirely for yourself without someone else telling you what to do.

No.
I recall once waiting for the ferry at Narcissus after being stormed out of Pine Valley, one walker who came in later tried telling me to remove my boots inside the hut.

Still, I have found that OT huts are often not cleaned properly/. I once had to spend half an hour emptying the ash from the Kia Ora stove before UI could use it, as it was absolutely choked. And whenever I've looked in at any of the High Country huts - from the Baw Baw to the northern Snowys - they've almost always needed a good sweep. And far too many people leave the *&%$#! doors open when they leave, too . . .

[Strider]

I recall once waiting for the ferry at Narcissus after being stormed out of Pine Valley, one walker who came in later tried telling me to remove my boots inside the hut.

That is fair enough IMO. Who wears boots inside a hut?

[north-north-west]

I recall once waiting for the ferry at Narcissus after being stormed out of Pine Valley, one walker who came in later tried telling me to remove my boots inside the hut.

That is fair enough IMO. Who wears boots inside a hut?

When you're just hanging around for an hour waiting for the ferry, and don't have any other footwear, why take them off?
And what gives Joe Blow the right to tell anyone else what to wear in a hut? If a Ranger or Hut Warden insisted, I'd think about it, but no-one else has the right to give orders.

[Nuts]

I recall once waiting for the ferry at Narcissus after being stormed out of Pine Valley, one walker who came in later tried telling me to remove my boots inside the hut.

That is fair enough IMO. Who wears boots inside a hut?

your joking surely... they're huts!!!

[tasadam]

they're huts!!!

+1.
I wouldn't wear boots in a hut if I knew they were muddy or something, but if someone told me to remove my boots from a Tassie hut I would tell them they're walking for the wrong reasons and I would move on, I don't need rot like that from people when I'm in the wilderness.
Beeides, I prefer the tent, except on a winter overland traverse when I didn't use it.
I think it's great that someone wants to care for a hut, but if his/her antics interfere with rule abiding walkers, I do have a problem with that.

Huts and hut wardens aside, Frenchmans is a great walk, been there 3 times and another visit is overdue. The summit view on a fine day is one of the best.

[Nuts]

Yes, It is great that someones looking after the hut but it needs to be kept in perspective. Iv'e never seen a ranger ask anyone to remove their boots (nor asked anyone). Even when swept theres a layer of dust in (even) the cleanest ones. It also shouldn't be expected that everyone carries spare footwear. Sure, if muddy it should be kicked off as best as possible but otherwise... that's what the brooms are for.. we always sweep out before leaving.

[Strider]

I wasn't joking actually. I wouldn't wear boots in a hut simply to avoid making a mess. But I guess it depends on the state of the hut to begin with! And I certainly wouldn't tell someone else what to do when out bushwalking.

[Ent]

.. that's what the brooms are for.. .

Strange, I always thought of them as transport for some people.