Mt Anne Circuit

[dee_legg]

Hi All.
Over the coming weekend i'm doing to the Mt Anne Circuit walk.
Anyone have any tips for the track?

[Son of a Beach]

Haven't done the circuit, so can't give you much advice, but hang on to your tent. Have a family history of tents blowing away up there. When my brother did the circuit, his friends tent blew away never to be seen again. All four of them had to sleep(?) in one two man tent. When I was on shelf camp another time, my tent blew off, but I had one foot in the door at the time, so managed to catch it (otherwise it would have been over the edge of the cliff). Later that day while walking back along the plateau, the wind was so strong that we would frequently all fall over at the same time at random intervals simply due to the strongest of the gusts.

[norts]

Beautiful Walk.
Rat at High Camp hut.
The notch can be difficult. You may need a rope. The rope was handy for pack haulling.

Nice camp at Lonely Tarns.

Roger

[tasadam]

Sorry I do not have advice to help you. But I look forward to hearing all about it. I am planning Mt Anne and maybe the circuit in late February.

I have read about the notch and it sounds interesting... Whether or not it is too much for my wife and I to attempt, I do not know.
I would be interested to hear whether the circuit is a track (can follow), or a route (must navigate).

My only attempt at Mt Anne was done > 15 years ago. I was under the cliff of the summit looking almost straight up at it, stepped off a dolerite column and it broke away and tumbled down to the lake, making a threatening rumble echoing through the valley along the way. So I turned around at that point and headed back, collecting the rest of my gear from the hut along the way, and made it back to the car right on dusk.

Enjoy your walk!

[dplanet]

Beautiful Walk.
Rat at High Camp hut.
The notch can be difficult. You may need a rope. The rope was handy for pack haulling.

Nice camp at Lonely Tarns.

Roger

Hi Nort,

I was told that it is better to start via Lake Jud track instead of Mt Anne track. That would save on the big climb. Is this true? Would someone confirm this.

[tasadam]

I remember the climb... When you start at the Mt Anne track, you have 400 metres of duckboarding then it starts - up, and fairly steep. But still, it only took a couple of hours, so nothing that bad... I wouldn't hesitate to go up that way again.

But then, it was more than 15 years ago and I may have forgotten how hard it was... Anyone else?

[Son of a Beach]

It is only a couple of hours to high camp hut, but it is a constant steep climb for that entire 2 hours, and quite hard on the legs. I'm not familiar with the Lake Jud track, or the Mt Anne Circuit beyond the Mt Anne daywalk itself.

[norts]

I would not recommend the coming up from the Lake Judd track. It is just as steep but the track was overgrown on the down slope(was a couple of years ago). It is alot easier to walk down pushing through this than pushing up against it.

The track is fairly easy to find, we only had problems because of the snow. It was hard to find a few of the cairns. There are no problem at all until you get to the Shelf camp turn off then the track is not as well used.

We got caught out on Mt Lot as the snow (over waist high in alot of places)slowed us right down and we couldn't make it from High Camp to Lonely Tarns in one day. A night under the stars on the edge of Mt Lot looking down at Lake Judd was a night to remember. Luckily it stayed fine.

Roger

[dplanet]

Thank you.

[dee_legg]

hey everyone, thanks for all the responses!
i'll let you know how it all goes when i return.. looks like we should have some good weather over the weekend but the smoke from the fires might ruin some views.
anyway, see how we go.

[tasadam]

Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Have fun...

[dee_legg]

Hello again.
Got back yesterday from Mt Anne... was an amazing trip.
Unfortunately we didn't complete the circuit; upon arrival at the shelf camp we decided that The Notch and Lot were not for us.
So we spent the night at the shelf camp and then returned to the carpark the next day via a different route which involved some great views into Lake Judd.

My body is very stiff and sore as a result of this walk... the first few hours of the walk really are just straight on up!- probably a tad understated in the track notes.
It was a shock to the system.

[Cinvala]

It took me three attempts to finally get to Mt Anne. So don't be to disappointed.
I still regard Mt Anne as one of the hardest walks in Tassie.

[pkbgr]

Hello Dee Leg,

I've been to Anne and Sarah Jane, but not to Lot or his wife. As an avoider of (very) steep spots, I had planned one day to go to Lot via Judd and Sarah Jane (thus avoiding notches et al) and then return the same way. I must say I found Anne itself a little disconcerting. But the whole area is just so magnificent!!

[leebel]

The 'circuit' was one of the first and best walks I've done in Tassie. Not for the fainthearted though. It is a steady climb up the main track. We did it in the late afternoon and camped near the hut first night. We went up Mt Anne the next morning (dropped packs at the saddle). I agree that in freezing conditions the ascent is very dangerous to impossible as there is a shelf sloping away that is often ice covered.

We also did Mt Lot and most of the way to Lot's wife - but a track for the latter was indistinct. Agree fully that a short rope is a darn good idea for that segment. ~3m would do. We headed down through the scrub - not recommended! Camped the second night at Lonely Tarns. Sunrise here if the weather is good - is awesome with Lightning Ridge behind you. The descent from Sarah Jane is boggy as hell in places, unless someone has fixed it. The walk out on the Lake Judd track is a doddle.

[erratic]

There are 2 recognised routes to the summit of mt anne. The direct ascent route from the saddle, and a longer cairned route around the west face. I've found the west face route is easier for people that find basic rockclimbing a bit daunting.

[kramster]

There are 2 recognised routes to the summit of mt anne. The direct ascent route from the saddle, and a longer cairned route around the west face. I've found the west face route is easier for people that find basic rockclimbing a bit daunting.

I've summitted Mt Anne twice, both times taking the direct ascent route - it is kinda tricky in a couple of places (once there was ice over a couple of ledges which made them a bit hair-raising). Haven't (yet) been over the Notch / Lightning Ridge.

I'd be interested in the west-face route however (I think I remember seeing some cairns from the summit heading back down that way). Have wondered about using this alternative route as an access to Pandanni Shelf / North East Ridge - has anyone been out this way at all?

On both trips, we camped up on Eliza Plateau (you can get some pretty amazing sunsets up that way, looking back out over Lake Judd). It does get pretty exposed up there however (there is no real shelter).

Lake Judd track was (very very) wet when I went (or is that wet?) that way - we had to wade swollen creeks. If you are in the mood for a side-trip, Schnells Ridge gives pretty good views of the area too (and less chance of ending up in the drink). It is pretty much "choose your own adventure", generally following the most prominant ridge-line, near the end of the boardwalk, after crossing the Anne river.

Should the weather end up absolutly awful, the camping ground at Edgar Dam is quite nice too.

[Mickeymoo]

Kramster, I was up on top of Mt. Anne as a day trip a couple of months ago and went for a bit of an explore down the west route but got stuck on one part where I couldn't find an easy way down so I gave up (it was only a quick look though and as there are cairns I'm sure there is a way down).
Pandanni shelf/north east ridge is a magic spot, I went around the west side of Mt. Anne from the saddle just before the main scree slope up to the normal summit route (not on the day trip, we had camped at shelf camp on this occassion), then followed the ridge (in some cases the track is the top of the ridge) for about 1.5kms until it takes you down to a clearer area (the route is a little scrubby and steep at times) with some massive cushion plants from there a pad/track winds its way back towards Mt Anne through the pineapple grass, rainforest and pandani, then went back the same way I had come. It is advised not to go all the way out towards no mans land as the area becomes Karst (caves etc) and can be quite dangerous unless you know what your doing.
I'v attached a couple of pics for interests sake and to show the ridge that is followed. Hope that helps awnser your questions.

Michael.

[bluewombat]

The Mt Anne circuit is one of the gems of tasmanian walking, but as previously mentioned not for the faint-hearted. In my mind a rope is mandatory for the Notch even for experienced folk. Have attached a couple of photos to show why you should do the whole circuit, if you have time. Personally I would not walk up from Lake Judd, the tradition way of doing the circuit is best. One hint is if you have an old bike, stash it at the exit point from Lake Judd track, that way you can bike back to your car rather than slog it out along the road...which is very boring and hard on the feet.

'Sunrise at shelf camp' ,

Looking at Mt Anne from shelf camp in the morning

The way ahead from Shelf camp

[tasadam]

MMmmmmmm Guess where I will be in a week, weather permitting.....

[tasadam]

...weather permitting...

Weather permitting?

Outlook for Saturday :
Showers, mainly about the west, central highlands and the south. Light snowfall about the higher peaks later. Cool to cold with fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds.

Could be delaying the start...

[Son of a Beach]

aw come on, sunshine is for wussies! And nobody ever actually gets up Mt Anne in good weather anyhow.

Seriously though... have a great walk!

(BTW, I have been up Mt Anne on a sunny day once, but I know of some people who've had bad weather there every time they've been).

[Penguin]

Last tiem I went to Mout Anne you could not get past High POint Hut the weather was so bad. We made over 60 cups of tea and coffee for the day walkers from Hobart. It became the high point hut tea house!

We as off to Frenchman's tomorrow - last time we got no view due to low cloud could be the same again - blast and other words.

[Mickeymoo]

Both times I have summited i have been lucky and had quite good and warm weather, but my first time up there it was snowy and once we got to the ledges and saw they were covered in ice we gavve it up.

[kramster]

Outlook for Saturday :
Showers, mainly about the west, central highlands and the south. Light snowfall about the higher peaks later. Cool to cold with fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds.

I agree - it does look like one of those "special" weekends. Whats the bet it will be sunny for the next week or so afterwards?
I'm looking at my Mt Field trip (Rodwary Range - K-Col - Lk Belcher) becoming downgraded to a bit of a Lk Belcher return wander if it looks foul up high.

[tasadam]

I agree - it does look like one of those "special" weekends...

Indeed.

Warnings:
1. A Gale Warning is current for all Tasmanian coastal waters.
2. A Small Craft Wind Alert is current for the southwest and Central Plateau lakes.
3. A Bushwalkers Weather alert has been issued for western, central and southern highland areas.
4. A Sheep Graziers Warning has been issued for the southeast and Huon grazing districts.
5. A Road Weather Alert has been issued for northern, central and western roads

[tasadam]

Well, we didn't manage the circuit, but here seems a good place to discuss our trip.
Weather was indeed interesting. Headed up to Hgh Camp hut on Monday 25th. Met Pat and Eric from Canberra who had an even more interesting time with the weather. Hopefully they will find this discussion and share their story.
Tuesday we went to Shelf camp and set up for what turned into a 4 night stay. Kicked about camp Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday, in the clouds but they lifted enough for us to give Anne a go, made it to the summit. Though a forecast of 10cm of snow coming across from early evening kept us on our toes, and indeed we'd just got down from the two hairy cliffy bits near the summit when we got a bit of hail - a small prelude of what was to follow.
Wednesday evening as the front crossed, the winds probably didn't exceed 25 knots with gusts to perhaps 30 (thanks to Lance from BOM Hobart and Mark from BOM Ltn - yes the phone works there). Slept pretty well, not cold as we were equipped for a winter walk.
Thursday we awoke to a morning of white. Lots of snow! Good thing we'd done the summit, as this snow ruins any consideration of an ascent for the next couple of days. Though we didn't have great views from the top, it was certainly well worth going, the fog cleared enough for an excellent look around before the weather turned.
Thursday was cool and a number of weather cells crossed throughout the day - they were interesting as you could feel the air get really cold before they came - then it hailed, and the hail stopped as the snow started for the second half of the cell crossing. Typically lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Then we were back outside with our cameras.
Friday allowed us a trip out along the North East ridge beyond Anne, though a late start due to the weather and the uncertainty of the fog ever lifting as well as a lot of slow going hopping over snow covered boulders only allowed us an hour at Pandani Shelf - a most delicate area. Returning, the weather turned out quite nice and sunny at the saddle just before the last ascent to Anne. Then as we reached the plateau around the Shelf Camp / Anne Circuit junction, the sunset was nothing short of spectacular.
Saturday we packed up camp and headed out, taking all day with our cameras. Met up with Stuart and Dan from Hobart, they climbed Anne as a day trip - a couple of pretty fit blokes, powering on. They got to the summit but didn't see anything - it was foggy on the whole range all day. They didn't see a log book on the summit, neither did we. Does anyone know whether it is still there and just hidden, or has it been taken away?
We have a lot of photos to sort, I will post some in the gallery when I get time.
All in all, a most successful and enjoyabhle walk - the weather made it interesting and beautiful - a bit of snow in summer was great as I am unlikely to go up there in winter...

[tasadam]

A bit of follow up, I have heard from Eric and Pat (as mentioned of in my last post).
Their comments on the walk have been added to this topic.
It's an interesting read.

[Penguin]

We are off to do the Circuit later in the month. As per the start of this post - any tips, ideas, suggestions or just plain comments?

P

[frenchy_84]

Can someone please post a photo of the difficult section of the notch? i have only done Mt Anne as a day trip so i havent seen the difficult section that may make some turn back?