Summiting Frenchmans Cap

[Son of a Beach]

Heheh. Sorry. I missed that. I thought it sounded odd!

Makes perfect sense now and I totally agree.

[Stibb]

Ok so reading here and there and looking at the tricky bits on the photos shown it seems very doable even with my short legs. What has Frenchman done to earn a 7-pointer status? Some comments even suggest that eg Acropolis is trickier (4-pointer!). I assumed the peak bagging points reflected the level of difficulty in getting to the top but suspect I'm wrong. Is it more how hard the overall walk is then?
Not that I actually care about the points, but I've looked at them to give me a hint about the difficulty involved...

[tigercat]

I think the 7 points reflects its iconic status, its amazing cliffs rather than its level of difficulty.

[eggs]

Some of the point levels refer to the time and difficulty taken just to get there.

[vagrom]

I think you're right about the icon business, rather than the lists being based on sheer hairiness. I think there's a hint of whimsy to the gradings that gives the lie to those who cast the odd nasturtium at baggers.
There's something for everyone and beginners can get good points up on easier peaks while the die-hards head state wide collecting theirs. The apparent inequality in gradings has always raised a bit of mirth and comment.

[Tortoise]

I think you're right about the icon business, rather than the lists being based on sheer hairiness. I think there's a hint of whimsy to the gradings that gives the lie to those who cast the odd nasturtium at baggers.

Another nasturtium caster! Pleased to make your acquaintance.

I'll be happy to collect my 7 points thank you very much, even though it'll feel a bit like cheating...
Or maybe Frenchmans will be downgraded once we have less mud to wade through...?

I confess i'm one with limited capacity for energy-sapping mud-wading, and am grateful that Dick apparently doesn't like it either. I might be one of the hordes unless I get a chance to go in the relative dry next month.

[tigercat]

I think Frenchmans Cap is one of Tasmania finest mountains, it wont be downgraded because there is a better track accross the Loddens.

[north-north-west]

I think the 7 points reflects its iconic status, its amazing cliffs rather than its level of difficulty.

Yeah, like PB - it's a long way from base, but it's not a difficult climb, the 9 points is mainly because it's PB.

[Snowzone]

It is a few years since I did Frenchmans so excuse the dementia but I don't recall any dry mouth moments where I was concerned for my safety. In fact even in a much shorter time frame like the next day, I must of still been confident because I went up again as the cloud obscured any view on the first outing. Well worth the second trip up.
Now I am certainly not a person that is full of bravado because I had plenty of OMG what am I doing here moments on Mount Anne. I don't think Frenchmans is any harder than the Acropolis. I do think it is an amazingly beautiful walk and the reflections of Frenchmans in Lake Tahune are worth seeing on their own.

[dazfromtaz]

I would say its far trickier getting over Barron Pass with a pack than climbing the summit of Frenchmans!