Planned Western Arthurs walk

[dmerope]

G’day all.

I’m trying to work my way up to a Western Arthurs traverse from Scott’s Peak exiting via the Yoyo Track. I’ve read a fair bit on these forums, and I can’t find anything that specifically answers my questions.

I haven’t done much overnight bushwalking, apart from one Walls trip in questionable weather, hideously underprepared and undergeared, where I suffered thoroughly but enjoyed every minute. I have been getting some better gear, and I’m keen to get out and see Tasmania’s spectacular South West.

I have started planning a walk in November to get my experience up.

I was thinking of introducing myself to the region by starting very early from Scott’s Peak Dam up Alpha Moraine to Lake Cygnus. The next day I would walk as far as Lake Oberon before heading back to Cygnus and then exiting the way I came in.

I am fit (but not exceptionally so) and would have all the appropriate gear. I have studied Chapman’s guide at length. I would be walking with someone who is fitter and much more experienced in Tasmanian walking, but he has not walked the Arthurs either.

What do you guys reckon? Should I give it a shot? Would the experience put me in a good position to try the full Western Traverse down the track?

Thanks for your help.

[pazzar]

I would recommend walking the Mt Anne circuit as a warm up. This will give you a good idea of whether you are up to the task. Then when you do go to the Western Arthurs, know your capabilities. If you find it hard getting in to Lake Oberon, maybe it is best that you turn around there. The 2 days following Oberon are the hardest. The track is pretty good, its just a lot of up and down, and bits of steep exposure. My first trip in there ended in disaster, but I walked through there solo last November and had no dramas. It is a beautiful part of the world and is definitely worth checking out.

[JamesMc]

Might be better to wait until you have a bit more experience, or go with someone who really knows what they are doing. There's a HUGE step from to Walls to the WAs.

JamesMc

[norts]

Also you need to be able to cope in some of the harshest weather you can get in Tassie. This is a walk not to be taken lightly, I would recommend you do some easy multi day walks first eg OLT, South Coast .
You say you would have the appropriate gear, but do you know how to use it in harsh weather, how to keep it dry for multiple days.
I think you are stepping into the deep end.
Before I did the WA's I had done OLT, Frenchmans, South Coast and Mt Anne Circuit and alot of other shorter walks. On these walks I learnt alot about my gear and how best to use it and what I did and didnt need and my own physical and mental limitations .
I agree with Pazzar, Mt Anne circuit is a good test, it has some exposure like on the WA's.

[bernieq]

Hi dmerope,

WA is a great walk in fabulous country – one of the best in Australia. It does have it’s challenges.

Weather : can be great but more likely wet to atrocious. Lake Oberon is decision point - the two days beyond are very exposed with few alternate campsites and no escape options. The weather needs to be good (or at least improving) before setting off from Oberon. Build into your schedule at least one ‘weather-day’

Gear : this is unforgiving terrain. You need to know your gear well (stove, tent, pack, boots, sleeping bag) – know how it performs in adverse conditions, that it’s reliable, how to repair if necessary. Do you have a PLB?
Know how much food you need for an extended trip.

Physical : it’s 10 days (or thereabouts) and that requires a lot of kgs. The walk has a lot of near-vertical ups and downs. Being fit certainly helps but being ‘match-fit’ is more important.

As you’ve described your experience, I wouldn’t take you into the Western Arthurs. I’d advise you to do at least a couple of extended walks first (4+ days, not including the OLT – no huts in the WAs :)

A walk to Lake Oberon and return is certainly worth the effort but I'd save it until you plan to do the Western traverse. Get your experience elsewhere.
.

[dmerope]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm glad I posted, and will take the consensus advice. I particularly appreciate the value of knowing my gear, how to keep it dry, how much food I'll need (as opposed to what other posting in forum threads need). You guys are no doubt right that this is the really important knowledge, and knowledge that's hard to get without experience.

I'm interested in Mt Anne. However, Chapman's suggests that it is for "experienced parties" or words to that effect. He mentions that beyond Mt Anne itself the track is poorly defined. I was concerned that it was maybe harder than the WAs to Oberon, but given these reactions, it sounds like I got the wrong idea.

I'd love to do some longer walks (South Coast looks particularly appealing), but the reality is that this summer I cannot forsee being able to get time off work for more than one decent length (week or so) walk.

Frenchman's Cap and Mount Anne are probably the right length walks for me, as I could manage them in a long weekend or a four day weekend if needs be. Which one do you recommend I do first?

PS: I'd definitely be taking a PLB and maybe a GPS.

[pazzar]

Do Frenchman's first. It is relatively straightforward, but go to the second hut if you can. It will give you an idea of how you will go carrying a pack up a steep hill that way. Brilliant walk anyway - I can't get enough of the place.

As for Mt Anne, it has a couple of exposed sections. There is one bit on the actual summit climb that stops many people, then there is the Notch on Mt Lot. Definitely don't go solo around there. You may find you need to pack haul up the notch. It's not super high, but it's a bit awkward to climb with a pack on. The track itself is relatively easy to follow, Chapman's guide is pretty good for getting through there. I would go night one: Shelf Camp, night two: Lonely Tarns, then out, or you could camp near Lake Judd leaving a couple hours walk the next day.

[JamesMc]

dmerope,
are you a member of a bushwalking club. If not, you should consider joining one. You'll get lots of good people to walk with, and lots of good walks to do.

JamesMc

[north-north-west]

I'm interested in Mt Anne. However, Chapman's suggests that it is for "experienced parties" or words to that effect. He mentions that beyond Mt Anne itself the track is poorly defined. I was concerned that it was maybe harder than the WAs to Oberon, but given these reactions, it sounds like I got the wrong idea.

The hardest bits of the Anne Circuit are harder than the hardest bits of the WArthurs. But there are a lot less of them. WArthurs is pretty full on.

Pazz is right: get your experience elsewhere first. Start with some easy overnighters, then Frenchy's, then have a shot at Anne, and work up from there.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I'm interested in Mt Anne. However, Chapman's suggests that it is for "experienced parties" or words to that effect. He mentions that beyond Mt Anne itself the track is poorly defined. I was concerned that it was maybe harder than the WAs to Oberon, but given these reactions, it sounds like I got the wrong idea.

The hardest bits of the Anne Circuit are harder than the hardest bits of the WArthurs. But there are a lot less of them. WArthurs is pretty full on.

Pazz is right: get your experience elsewhere first. Start with some easy overnighters, then Frenchy's, then have a shot at Anne, and work up from there.

Anne is far easier than the WA surely!!

[Ent]

Hi

Agree with much of the advice only comment I can add is the WA is rather short of water so even if the distances appear short the up and down means lot of water can be needed. By a lot I mean by Tassie standards so factor in say two litres at least for the trip between campsites.

Great place to come to terms with fear of heights but I still would think it is a better group walk than a solo one.

Frenchmans Cap as suggested is a good walk to test out before hand.

Cheers

[north-north-west]

I'm interested in Mt Anne. However, Chapman's suggests that it is for "experienced parties" or words to that effect. He mentions that beyond Mt Anne itself the track is poorly defined. I was concerned that it was maybe harder than the WAs to Oberon, but given these reactions, it sounds like I got the wrong idea.

The hardest bits of the Anne Circuit are harder than the hardest bits of the WArthurs. But there are a lot less of them. WArthurs is pretty full on.

Pazz is right: get your experience elsewhere first. Start with some easy overnighters, then Frenchy's, then have a shot at Anne, and work up from there.

Anne is far easier than the WA surely!!

Overall yes, but that's not quite what I was saying.

[dmerope]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty confident I should be fine with Frenchman's, so I'll give that a go next time I get a chance, then have a crack at Anne and see how I'm feeling after that. Cheers for all the advice, it's much appreciated.