Frenchmans Cap New Track

[ILUVSWTAS]

Just happened to be speaking to Dick Smith last week, he's been in the state and said he officially opened it last week.

[Tortoise]

Spoke to Parks at Queenstown today. They say the track still isn't officially open (I guess there are different definitions of official!), as they are still doing work around it, but yes, we can definitely use it.

[tibboh]

yipee

[Peak Bagpiper]

Used the new track over the weekend. 7.3km from Lake Vera, the new track parts to the right (the old track has some branches over it) and rejoins the old Philps Lead with 2.4km to go to Lake Vera. What isn't spelled out is that two of the camp sites on the Loddens aren't on the new track. If you're interested, here is the path we took:

[Peak Bagpiper]

And I know ILUVSWTAS will be particularly delighted with this one!

[Peak Bagpiper]

The state of the junction between the old Loddens track (left) and track along the new section (right) on 03/03/13, 7.3km from Lake Vera.

[Peak Bagpiper]

Still some work to do on the new track, but even with parts roped off, it is fine to walk around these sections.

[Peak Bagpiper]

2.4km from the hut at Lake Vera, the new track (left) joins the old Philps Lead (right). For all of the traditionalists out there, there is still a "spirited" climb remaining!

[ILUVSWTAS]

And I know ILUVSWTAS will be particularly delighted with this one!

This has got to be your best bag yet... Get any comments from other walkers?

Stunning day for it too.

[Tortoise]

Wish i'd been there that day!! Mull of Kintyre perhaps? I'll think of bagpipes when i get there, hopefully this month... considering a post in finding walking companion...

Oh, and thanks for the pics, PB. Excellent info.

[Peak Bagpiper]

This has got to be your best bag yet...

Certainly the hardest work for a single peak! Had 40Kg into and out of Vera spread across double packs with 80L on the back and 60L on the front

Get any comments from other walkers?

A few and all positive. I blame the heat.

Stunning day for it too.

Amazing. All three days were like that.

Wish i'd been there that day!! Mull of Kintyre perhaps? I'll think of bagpipes when i get there, hopefully this month... considering a post in finding walking companion....

It was a corker. I played 'Mist Covered Mountains' (my standard piece under such circumstances) and finished this time with 'La Marseillaise', of course!

Oh, and thanks for the pics, PB. Excellent info.

Cheers! Happy to share.

[Tas Tom]

New track was opened two weeks ago when Dick visited Tas. Not 100% finished but very well done by the track workers and a good walk

[tasadam]

New track was opened two weeks ago when Dick visited Tas. Not 100% finished but very well done by the track workers and a good walk

Anyone see anything to verify this on the Parks site?

[Tortoise]

Spoke to Parks at Queenstown today [4th March]. They say the track still isn't officially open (I guess there are different definitions of official!), as they are still doing work around it, but yes, we can definitely use it.

New track was opened two weeks ago when Dick visited Tas. Not 100% finished but very well done by the track workers and a good walk

Anyone see anything to verify this on the Parks site?

I don't expect there'll be anything on the Parks site until it's 100% finished.

[stepbystep]

Spoke to Parks at Queenstown today [4th March]. They say the track still isn't officially open (I guess there are different definitions of official!), as they are still doing work around it, but yes, we can definitely use it.

New track was opened two weeks ago when Dick visited Tas. Not 100% finished but very well done by the track workers and a good walk

Anyone see anything to verify this on the Parks site?

I don't expect there'll be anything on the Parks site until it's 100% finished.

Or perhaps until the tent platforms are built

[Tortoise]

Ah yes! Maybe i've got a bit more leeway to fit in my trip before the hordes arrive.

[ILUVSWTAS]

[

Or perhaps until the tent platforms are built

Dick told me there was no plans to build more platforms.

[Son of a Beach]

He's calling the shots now, eh?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Judging by the phone call he had with Nick Moody while talking to me, yes absolutely!

[PeterJ]

Judging by the phone call he had with Nick Moody while talking to me, yes absolutely!

Well there is Nick Mooney, Peter Mooney and Brendan Moodie, who do you mean?


Peter

[Son of a Beach]

They do say that money talks.

[ILUVSWTAS]

They do say that money talks.

That's for sure. Unfortunately it only whispers to me.

[Son of a Beach]

[bluewombat]

Certainly the hardest work for a single peak! Had 40Kg into and out of Vera spread across double packs with 80L on the back and 60L on the front

You must be building a distillery up there with that sort of weight. Dinae yer maw noo tell you aboot knees

Great effort , keep up the good piping
bw

[Peak Bagpiper]

You must be building a distillery up there with that sort of weight. Dinae yer maw noo tell you aboot knees

Distillery? That'll explain why I was just about passing out - the fumes! Aye, I ken knees. Bit o' a wee scunner a ken but, och, it wasnae tae bad nae ahm doon.

[corvus]

You must be building a distillery up there with that sort of weight. Dinae yer maw noo tell you aboot knees

Distillery? That'll explain why I was just about passing out - the fumes! Aye, I ken knees. Bit o' a wee scunner a ken but, och, it wasnae tae bad nae ahm doon.

PB,
You mean it "wisnae sae bad noo am doon" dont you
corvus

[stew]

Was there any signage to discourage use of the Loddon's route?

Not signage, but you'd have to purposfully step over some tea tree across the path to go into the loddens track

[dazfromtaz]

Great Photos! I love the pipes, imagine sitting at Tahune and hearing a bloke on bagpipes!!!! I would have freaked out!!!! haha great work!!

[Peak Bagpiper]

Great Photos! I love the pipes, imagine sitting at Tahune and hearing a bloke on bagpipes!!!! I would have freaked out!!!! haha great work!!

Cheers, Daz! I gave them a run on Ossa and East Pelion a couple of weekends back and, for a change of scene, on top of the Gordon Dam over Easter. Had a look at the lumps south of Scotts Peak Dam and my eyes hurt just thinking about it. Got to go there, though....

[stepbystep]

This just through from PWS

Frenchmans Cap walking track closed for fire management burns

The Parks and Wildlife Service advises that fire management burns will be undertaken from 4 April through to 7 April at Loddon Plains in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

During this time the Frenchmans Cap walking track will be closed.

The planned burn commences at the junction of the Loddon and South Loddon Rivers. The burn is bounded to the west by the walking track and the east by the South Loddon River, extending south for approximately three kilometres.

The burn may generate a great deal of smoke.

Please follow directions of the fire crew working on the ground and respect any signage present during the burning operation.

Further Information: PWS Queenstown field centre - 6471 5920