Tortoise wrote:That's an excellent idea, thanks.
I had hoped to camp in the Labyrinth earlier in the year, but that didn't work out with the very large group I was in (thankfully for the environment - there were way too many of us).
We got as far as the Pool of Memories, which well and truly whetted my appetite to come back & stay for a few days. Missed out on Geryon North & Walled Mtn, so they are calling my name loudly (bit worried re Geryon Nth being too hard for me though). Then it doesn't seem too far to lots of other peaks - but i hadn't thought of Big Gun Pass from there. Now i just have to decide how many weeks I can take off this summer...
ILUVSWTAS wrote:Tortoise wrote:I had hoped to camp in the Labyrinth earlier in the year...
We got as far as the Pool of Memories, which well and truly whetted my appetite to come back & stay for a few days.
The Pool of Memories is technically in the labyrinth........
Big gun pass is only a 5 minute sidetrip from the Ducane highpoint, which you have to go around if planning to climb Geryon North.
stepbystep wrote:All good and well having a route like this but if you are not comfortable navigating in this environment this is a walk probably best left until your Tasmanian experience grows imho.
nq111 wrote:stepbystep wrote:All good and well having a route like this but if you are not comfortable navigating in this environment this is a walk probably best left until your Tasmanian experience grows imho.
I think to be fair there are conditions that anyone would struggle to navigate with just map and compass if not familiar with the walk. I don't think too many people would have trouble navigating Ducane in good weather - but bad weather is a different story.
GPS is a great tool - why not use it?
Skinky wrote:...I emigrated from the UK 2 months ago and have been out bushwalking every weekend since....
nq111 wrote:Fair enough.
I had a slightly different reading:
- This guy has been walking regularly in Tas for 2 months. That is spring - should be enough to get a sense of what it is about unless he has only been going to freycinet;
- He has spoken extensively with other walkers already about the Ducane Traverse so likely has discussed local walking challenges;
- He is from the UK - and given he appears to be reasonably experienced - likely has experience with northern England and Scotland which have more similarities with Tas weather than most parts of the world
I suspect Skinky will be somewhat bemused to read this little debate next time he visits the forum!
doogs wrote:Walking in the UK is very different from Tasmania, the weather is worse there but the walking is easier as there are tracks all over the place. On this walk there is scrub and boulders to contend with no track from when you leave the OLT until the Labrynth. viewtopic.php?f=42&t=9699&p=128735&hilit=ducane#p128735
nq111 wrote:I don't often put up trip reports but will post a report on our Ducane Traverse last week when I have the photos (probably in a couple of weeks).
We were blessed with the full variety of Tassie conditions - from marching up the overland track in shorts and t-shirt under a blue sky - to an extra day tent bound at 1300m with snow, ice and wind making safe travel impossible.
Great trip and nothing especially hard about it other than the weather and snow conditions on some days (and the odd misguided 'short cut' though patches of Tassie scrub). We were lucky enough to get some awesome views in places but missed seeing much after Big Gun Pass.
My heroes from the trip:
1) Vapour barriers: We both had RBH Designs calf length vapour barrier socks and these proved superior for maintaining warm feet under constant wet and slushy snow conditions. My feet were in the best condition of any such trip I have done. Whilst normally considered a tool for very cold conditions the concept proved viable for the near to just freezing + sopping wet combination that dominates walks in Tasmania. I also used a vapour barrier in my sleeping bag and whilst temperatures were not particularly cold (i had to vent the sleeping bag a fair bit and sometimes my feet were too hot), it helped with moisture management and my sleeping bag remained well lofted throughout the trip - despite mostly very wet tent nights;
2) GPS: I know real walkers should know how to navigate by map, silva and 'using the force' only but on an unfamiliar track, with visibility at times in the tens of metres, keeping track of where you are on this occasion would challenge most traditionalists. It was actually scary how much we relied on the GPS on some days and whilst if performed flawlessly, we will bring an extra as a backup on similar trips. Yes, we had waterproof topo maps and compasses as backups;
3) Dried coconut cream. Fantastic energy/fat content per gram, some great nutritional features (including lots of potassium) and makes any meal taste better. $1.40 per sachet. Will be on all of my future colder weather trips.
More to come later....
cixelsyd wrote: I just bought the RBHDesigns vprthrm shirt/jacket and I can't wait to try it out next April in tassie. RBH are a great small company. I have a very odd body shape and Nancy from RBH was terrific in getting my shirt/jacket made to order. It's pretty hot up here in brissie but I've keep trying my vprthrm on. I really like how they look and I can't wait to trek in it.
nq111 wrote:cixelsyd wrote: I just bought the RBHDesigns vprthrm shirt/jacket and I can't wait to try it out next April in tassie. RBH are a great small company. I have a very odd body shape and Nancy from RBH was terrific in getting my shirt/jacket made to order. It's pretty hot up here in brissie but I've keep trying my vprthrm on. I really like how they look and I can't wait to trek in it.
Nothing like testing new gear. Be interesting to hear how the shirt / jacket compares - what are you planning to use if for - sleeping?
Some people don't like vapour barriers because they keep you humid and sticky. An advantage of coming from Brisbane is that this feels just like home!
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