WINTER WALK

[Roger]

I have a bit of time off work in August and was looking to go on a winter walk. I've done the South Coast Track several times but not in winter, Frenchmans Cap in autumn, Overland Track a number of times in all seasons and Walls of Jerusalem in April this year. I haven't done the Western Arthurs before and was thinking of giving it a go but but not sure if this is a good choice for a solo winter walk.

Can anyone tell me if they've done the WA in winter before and what the track is like (i.e. clearly defined, off track walking etc).

Can anyone point me in the direction of a solo good winter walk (apart from the above).

Regards

[icefest]

Not the greatest choice:

http://www.bogong.com.au/western-arthurs-winter
http://www.david-noble.net/Tasmania/Win ... sMenu.html
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=88
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14917
http://ourhikingblog.com.au/2011/07/wes ... inter.html
http://www.subw.org.au/archives/POR/Winter.html

May i suggest something slightly more tame. The never-never and the walls would be doable. The southern traverse is shorter (if you want punishment).

[Scottyk]

Why not go up the Labyrinth? Lots of peaks to climb and a hut at Pine Valley to use a backup or base camp if needed, if you have more time then walk back along Lake St Cair and do Mt Rufus. This would be a great winter option in that it gives you a bit more safety being within a day of a hut most of the time
You'll need snow shoes for this in August.
WA's in winter would be very hard solo, dangerous too

[north-north-west]

Scotty's suggestion is good.
You also have the whole of the Central Plateau in which to roam. There are plenty of good access points, including MacKenzie and Augusta/Ada, tracks, easy cross country navigation in much of it, and relatively few people to annoy you.

Shorter winter options also include Mount Field and Ben Lomond.

[Roger]

Thanks for the idea's. I put together another possibility:

1. Walk from Cradle Mountain Lodge via the Horse Track (never done that track) and overnight at the Scout Hut. Question is, can you overnight there and is it publicly accessible?
2. Next day do Barn Bluff, Cradle summit and over night at Scott Kilvert Hut.
3. Next day back to CM Lodge.

Is this feasible in winter?

[pazzar]

Thanks for the idea's. I put together another possibility:

1. Walk from Cradle Mountain Lodge via the Horse Track (never done that track) and overnight at the Scout Hut. Question is, can you overnight there and is it publicly accessible?
2. Next day do Barn Bluff, Cradle summit and over night at Scott Kilvert Hut.
3. Next day back to CM Lodge.

Is this feasible in winter?

Definitely. Just check the forecasts (and snow cams), and be prepared with snow shoes. Both summits in a day will need an early start too.

[norts]

Scout hut is not open to the public on a walk in basis, you have to book to use it. Other on here can give you better details. Also it is only a short walk from Ronny Creek to the Scout Hut.
Might be better if :
Day 1 Ronny Ck to Waterfall Valley Hut witha detour to Cradle Summit.
Day 2 WFV ,Barn Bluff and to Scott Kilvert
Day 3 Scott Kilvert to Ronny , lots of different options to get back to Ronny.
This walk will really depend on snow fall, Some very exposed country if the weather is really foul, but you do get huts each night.

norts

[corvus]

Scout Hut info here http://www.bplodgetasmania.com.au/
I would recommend Snow shoes in August JIC.

[icefest]

Take snowshoes to the trail but leave then in the car if no snow is forecast and none is on the ground.