Mt pelion west from arm river track

[longwayround]

Hi all, ive done a bit of searching on these forums but im unable to find any information on anyone who has done mt pelion west from arm river track and back in one day, does anyone roughly have any idea how long this would take? for example im a 24 year old male with 10 decent climbs in tasmania, i have completed mt ossa in one day from the arm river track and back(10 hours 30mins), im looking at doing mt pelion west next weekend on the 11th of october, any information is greatly appreciated thanks

[tasadam]

How good is your boulder hopping?
Not a journey for the feint-hearted... Why not take your time and stay at Lake Ayr, Pelion Hut or Frog Flats?
Top of P West has a long section of large boulders to skip across as you head along its crest toward the summit, not a place to be in icy conditions if you're in a hurry (which you will be if trying it in a day).

There are notes here on the forum somewhere on how to identify the turn left as you head north on the OLT, missing the turnoff could add some time to your journey.

[Tortoise]

Hi longwayround,

Scotty has a useful description of the start of the track here:
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=16380&p=236190&hilit=Pelion+West#p236190
a few other comments in the thread may be helpful.

I've also attached a pic of the logs in question. The start of the track is clear enough if you look in the right place.

I'm no help on times, as we took 3 days, camped 2 nights at Frog Flats. Only comment is that I reckon it's a lot harder than Ossa, because of the boulders. It's much slower in places, and the kind person who took us, who knows it well, wouldn't consider doing it in wet or icy conditions.

There are also a bunch of cairns that we didn't find so helpful - several sets, it appeared. Sometimes we could see the 'next' cairn, but there was no way to get to it across a chasm several metres across and of indeterminable depth. Part of the slowness was finding a navigable way through. (Another part of it was me. )

[longwayround]

i consider my boulder hopping very good, i enjoy the challenge and i do it as a fitness thing as much as enjoying the view at the top, i plan to be walking by 6am and hopefully back before 8pm is this a fair estimate? i have done my research and have a good idea where the track shoots off from OLT and how dangerous the climb to the top can be, i will be doing it by myself so as to go my own pace all day. Thanks Tortoise that picture will be a great tool to use

[pazzar]

I did Pelion West in a cruisy 8 hours from Pelion Hut, so I think if you gave yourself 12-14 hours it would be quite achievable.

[tibboh]

So are you alive longwayround.......and how long did it end up taking?

[Scottyk]

I wish i'd seen this one earlier. That's a VERY big day.
We camped at Lake Ayr, left our packs there with our tents. Started out pretty early and just got back to the tents at Lake Ayr just on dark.
As others have suggested a camp at Pelion or Frog flats would make it a much more enjoyable trip.

[1iron]

I did Pelion West in a cruisy 8 hours from Pelion Hut, so I think if you gave yourself 12-14 hours it would be quite achievable.

I reckon that's a good effort, partly depends how you find your way through the boulders. I would say Pelion to Pelion West 8.5 hrs plus Arm River to Pelion under 3 hrs. But still looking 13 - 14 hrs

[pazzar]

I did Pelion West in a cruisy 8 hours from Pelion Hut, so I think if you gave yourself 12-14 hours it would be quite achievable.

I reckon that's a good effort, partly depends how you find your way through the boulders. I would say Pelion to Pelion West 8.5 hrs plus Arm River to Pelion under 3 hrs. But still looking 13 - 14 hrs

We managed to avoid the big boulder scramble on the way back by heading straight down to the cliff line. We found an easier route across the top of them, probably saved an hour of rock hopping. We also spent almost an hour on top.

I think Arm River to Pelion is easy enough in under 3 hours, given that it is with a day pack. With a full pack it would take longer.

Interested to hear how it went.

[longwayround]

Hi all, sorry to let you down didn't end up doing it as the weather was supposed to be raining but in fact turned out to be a magnificent day sunday, went up to cradle mountain and climbed barn bluff instead only took 5 hours from dove lake car park to summit of barn and back beautiful weather got a great view on top enjoyed my lunch then started wishing id climbed pelion west!

[tigercat]

Hi all, sorry to let you down didn't end up doing it as the weather was supposed to be raining but in fact turned out to be a magnificent day sunday, went up to cradle mountain and climbed barn bluff instead only took 5 hours from dove lake car park to summit of barn and back beautiful weather got a great view on top enjoyed my lunch then started wishing id climbed pelion west!

Pelion West is not going anywhere, you can come back.

[sandym]

Hi All

Two of us are looking at doing Ossa, Pelion East and West as a few day (not sure how many yet) trip from Arm River. I've read the Overland track guidelines and this trip appears to fit in, but, what I can't seem to find out is if camping is allowed, where it is allowed and if you need to book/pay/ get permit. People have suggested Lake Ayr or Frog Flats. Do I need a permit to camp at Frog Flats? Which has the best campsite?

Thanks a lot,

Sandy

[north-north-west]

Both Lake Ayr and Frog Flats tend to be pretty leechy - especially the former. Camping is allowed pretty well anywhere not too close to the track, although not at some areas near Douglas Creek. For an in/out via Arm River neither permits nor fees are involved, but you'll probably meet a ranger or hut warden who'll check on your intentions.
You can set up at or near Pelion Hut if you want or find a quieter spot elsewhere. I've camped at Pelion Gap (although finding a leech-free site can be tricky), plus at the old Pelion Hut and few other spots in this section. Where you park yourself really depends on how you want to divide the days, and whether you're intending to do all the summits as daytrips.

[Tortoise]

There are a number of options at Frog Flats, some out of sight of the track, which is nice. Leeches and mozzies there too, but it was a very handy campsite before and after Pelion West. I still got to enjoy beautiful evening light on the speckie mountains all around, without being annoyed by the said critters. I'd camp there again if I go back.

[corvus]

You do need a Parks Pass and camping at Old Pelion Hut is idyllic and peaceful ( no dunny now but leech free from memory) and an opportunity to have a swim in Douglas Creek

[Scottyk]

Lake Ayre was the singular most leech ridden spot I have ever camped at. We set up our tents there at about 9am and I spotted one or two and didn't think much of it. We then climbed Pelion West and it took a bit longer than we thought so we got back just on dark. It had rained that arvo and the leeches had come out to play.
I gave up trying to get them all out of the tent, in the time it took to jump in I seem to have brought a few dozen with me. They were thick. The ground seed to just crawling with them.

Pelion West is a great challenge and worth it, just don't camp at Ayre in the rain!

[Tortoise]

Lake Ayre was the singular most leech ridden spot I have ever camped at. We set up our tents there at about 9am and I spotted one or two and didn't think much of it. We then climbed Pelion West and it took a bit longer than we thought so we got back just on dark. It had rained that arvo and the leeches had come out to play.
I gave up trying to get them all out of the tent, in the time it took to jump in I seem to have brought a few dozen with me. They were thick. The ground seed to just crawling with them.

Pelion West is a great challenge and worth it, just don't camp at Ayre in the rain!

Ah, bells ringing. Or the snow!! I was surprised how hard it was to get into the tent sans leeches, even with a seasoned leech-picker to help. Doesn't it ever get too cold for leeches?

[eggs]

Ahh - Lake Ayr
35 years ago we dropped the packs nearby and then had a strange sensation that all the bushes were moving.
Closer inspection revealed masses of leeches on the march. I later picked up a leech in the eye on the button grass plains there.

[sandym]

Thanks for all the information. Too bad I hate leeches, guess I'll have to stop being a princess and suck them up.

Another question for Tasmania folks although this might not be quite the right thread. Another trip we would like to do during our upcoming year in Tassie is The Acropolis. The 18 km hump along the lake shore track (Lake St Clair) looks a bit tedious. Would it be possible to paddle our sea kayaks from Cynthia Bay and camp near Narcissus?

Thanks again,

Sandy
http://theconspiracytimes.blogspot.com.au/

[north-north-west]

Thanks for all the information. Too bad I hate leeches, guess I'll have to stop being a princess and suck them up.

Chew the larger ones first. Or you might choke.

Another question for Tasmania folks although this might not be quite the right thread. Another trip we would like to do during our upcoming year in Tassie is The Acropolis. The 18 km hump along the lake shore track (Lake St Clair) looks a bit tedious. Would it be possible to paddle our sea kayaks from Cynthia Bay and camp near Narcissus?

Of course. I've paddled up the lake the last two trips into the southern Reserve. It's cheaper than the ferry and quicker than walking. Even with a headwind as long as it's not too rough an experienced paddler should be at Narcissus in around three hours.
And in calm conditions it's a great way to finish off - you can spend a day or two exploring the lakeshore.

[north-north-west]

ps: you can go in either from the Frankland Beaches launching site over near the Pumphouse, or the boat ramp next to the main campground. So far I've stuck to the beach site.

[sandym]

Thanks. The kayak and hike option sounds like the most fun and interesting.