Abels: The List of Abelists

[naturelover]

In January 2015, Bill Wilkinson phoned and asked me to make a list of people who had completed, or nearly completed, the Abels. We agreed that '20 or fewer to go' was the male cut off point. I thought attaining 80 or more Abels gave a good representation of the top female Abelists, so that is the female cut-off; he agreed we did not want "Abelling" to look as if it was a game only for the boys. He was going to publish the List in his book.
Since then, certain people have persuaded him to change his mind (I think. It does swing quite a bit), so I have found a different place to publish my requested work.
The provisional list is in my blog. If you are on the List , please check details, as I am submitting them 29th March. If you should be there and are not, please let me know ASAP. Thanks, Louise

http://natureloverswalks.blogspot.com.au

[north-north-west]

According to his latest letter, Mark Hallam has only 13 left. Pretty sure Martin Doran is now down to one - Tramontane.

Oh, and that show-off leading woman is 58 (and a half) .

[DanShell]

Thanks for sharing this. All very inspiring people, you two included obviously.

Is there a list of Abels online somewhere?? (I write that without googling first mind you).

Just to be pedantic you have a typo.........Stuart Bowling (6) aged 44. Second youngest make on the list

[naturelover]

Thanks ever so much Lee and Dan for correcting and adding to my information - alterations now made on the web.

Dan, there is no list, but I have made one to help the Abelists, so I can publish that in my blog and you can lift it from there. I'll organise that tonight. Good suggestion - thanks.

[DanShell]

Your welcome. I have been doing some searching and information is limited. Obviously it is all in the books but nothing online.

Basic information such as, what are the rules? What height, drop, distance apart etc makes a mountain suit the list. How do you document that you have been there, what evidence needs to be provided etc.

[Tortoise]

Fascinating, Louise, thanks!

[pazzar]

I don't think I can knock off a quick 20 before the 29th to make that list!

Your welcome. I have been doing some searching and information is limited. Obviously it is all in the books but nothing online.

Basic information such as, what are the rules? What height, drop, distance apart etc makes a mountain suit the list. How do you document that you have been there, what evidence needs to be provided etc.

The qualification for an Abel is a height of over 1100m, with a drop of 150m on all sides (ie the connecting saddle to the next peak must be at least 150m lower).

As far as documenting them, it is largely done on an honesty system, and after all, there is no prizes for finishing anyway - so you are only cheating yourself if you are dishonest.

MJD has shared a spreadsheet that is a useful way of keeping tabs of where you are up to as well, as well as keeping tabs on all the other lists out there. It is hidden in this thread: http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 5&start=30

[north-north-west]

Basic information such as, what are the rules? What height, drop, distance apart etc makes a mountain suit the list. How do you document that you have been there, what evidence needs to be provided etc.

Minimum height: 1100m (the mountain, not the walker). Minimum all-round rise and fall until the next highest ground: 150m. I'm assuming the claim rule is the same as the official Peak Baggers List - "you have to touch the very tippy top".
No evidence or documentation is required, it's an honesty system - although most walkers can provide photographic or GPS evidence of their claims, or have companions to back them up.

[DanShell]

Thanks Pazzar. I only have about 150 to go I should be 'abel' to get them done by the time I'm 95, which incidentally is about the age I should be able to afford to retire..........

[Osik]

Just out of curiosity NNW, which 7 does that show-off leading woman have remaining!?

[naturelover]

I just posted an alphabetical list of the Abels that I drew up. Please feel free to lift off and use.
Cheers

[north-north-west]

Just out of curiosity NNW, which 7 does that show-off leading woman have remaining!?

The three in the Spires group (Conical, Pokana and The Spires), the EArthurs (Fedders and The Needles), Tramontane and Millers Bluff. Millers is easy enough (once deer season is over) but the others are all multi-day trips that are going to take a bit of organising (as well as suitable weather). Too many route options to choose from.

[naturelover]

For those seeking an alphabetical list of the Abels, I have posted one in my blog. As I have a large number of overseas readers, for whom this list is pretty meaningless, I have backdated it to 15th Dec, 2015, under the heading "The Abels: Alphabetical List" so that such readers don't have to scroll forever to read what they actually seem to like - trip reports with photos. Hope you understand,
cheers,
Louise

[Osik]

NNW, that's a nice cluster to finish with, with some brilliant options to be the last peak standing (so long as it isn't Millers, though that would be kind of fun in a way).

Nice topic too Louise, you're trucking along very nicely as well (as are a few others mosing about these parts!).

[north-north-west]

NNW, that's a nice cluster to finish with, with some brilliant options to be the last peak standing (so long as it isn't Millers, though that would be kind of fun in a way).

You'd hate to finish with something like Patrick or Penny West, wouldn't you? The ultimate in anti-climaxes.

It's good to see names you recognise on those lists. When I was walking in to do Proteus (and Pelion West), Tony Woolford had signed out in the Lake Ayr log earlier that day as having just completed it as his last Abel.

[doogs]

Not me, I'm saving something easy for last..I want to have celebratory drinks on the summit!

[north-north-west]

Not me, I'm saving something easy for last..I want to have celebratory drinks on the summit!

kunanyi/Wellington? Doesn't get any easier than that. You could have a whole party up there.

[naturelover]

I was saving Legges Tor for my last, planning a party of relatives and friends who don't walk, but greed for another Abel got in the road about two weeks ago, and my husband and I went up and nabbed it after dinner one night. I liked my sunset shot. I'll be left with something awful like Nereus as my last at this rate.

[Osik]

Ahh, Abel fever strikes again! Nereus seems to be last on a few people's lists but I think NNW didn't mind it so much (though said she won't be back again - so maybe not such an endorsement!). I guess that's how these things work out, you're either left with Rat's Castle or Pokana...

[north-north-west]

Nereus is fine as far as Walled Mtn. After that it gets progressively yukkier. NL has been to Macs, so she knows what to expect thus far. The descent to the next saddle is scrubby; the climb up to Green Bluff scrubbier (scoparia galore, bearable when flowering but otherwise . . . ); the next descent a lot longer than it appears from the top because you have to go down at an angle, but not quite as consistently scrubby; the buttongrass on the flat section big enough to be very tiring for someone with shortish legs (me) and the tea tree towards the far end just a *&%$#! nuisance. And apart from a trickle running down Green Bluff and another on the shelf below it, the only water beyond Macs was yabby holes.
Once you get to the forest it's OK. In fact, the forest is lovely - some of the tallest pandanus you'll ever see. Couple of nice scrambly bits to get to the summit platform, then an easy wander back to the high point.

It's one strictly for the peakbaggers and masochists.

[CasualNerd]

I was going to make a list of Abels for myself, as a database so it's searchable by region / height / etc and ordered how you like. Would there be any interest in making this public for others ?

I've probably done less than 10 off the list but I plan on doing a lot more as I get the chance.

[Mountain Rocket]

Wow I thought there would be more than 6...

Gah now I have quite an itch ... time to go scratch it.

[north-north-west]

I was going to make a list of Abels for myself, as a database so it's searchable by region / height / etc and ordered how you like. Would there be any interest in making this public for others ?

I currently have three Abels lists: alphabetical, height, and date completed.

Wouldn't hurt to have something like that, although you can always use MJD's peakbaggers spreadsheet. Which can be a little unwieldy as there are over 600 entries on it.

[Tortoise]

It could well be staring me in the face, but I don't seem to be able (so to speak) to easily figure out exactly how many Abels there are now, given the bits of tweaking in recent years. Can anybody save me the trouble of adding them up?

[north-north-west]

158

[Tortoise]

Thanks. Only 118 to go!
Edit: Wait a sec - it's 117 now!

[north-north-west]

Hope this works. A list of Abels by height (based on maps and the books - GPS readings vary considerably).

Code: Select all

1     OSSA                                                   02/2013*
2     LEGGES TOR                        04/2002?
3     PELION WEST                        04/2015*
4     BARN BLUFF                                                    04/2002?
5     CRADLE MTN                                                    04/2002?
6     STACKS BLUFF                   03/2014
7     DUCANE RANGE                  01/2013
8     MASSIF                        01/2013
9     KING DAVIDS PEAK               04/2011
10     CASTLE CRAG (FALLING MTN)      12/2012
11     THETIS                        02/2013
12     ACROPOLIS                     04/2002?
13     GOULD                           05/2014
14     HYPERION                        01/2013*
15     OLYMPUS                        03/2013
16     PELION EAST                     02/2013
17     JERUSALEM                     04/2002?
18     CLUMNER BLUFF                  04/2014
19      TURANNA BLUFF                  12/2013
20     GELL                              10/2014
21     FRENCHMANS CAP               02/2015
22     IRONSTONE                     12/2013
23     ELDON PEAK                     03/2015
24     FIELD WEST                     02/1981?
25     WALLED MTN                     01/2013
26     MERSEY CRAG                     12/2013
27     GOULDS SUGARLOAF            01/2013
28     ANNE                           03/2013
29     BARROW                        01/2013
30     PERRINS BLUFF                  02/2013
31     WESTERN BLUFF                  03/2014
32     RUFUS                           04/2002?
33     MACS MTN                        01/2013
34     EMMETT                        02/2014
35     TWIN SPIRES                     03/2011*
36     HUGEL                           10/2014
37     SANDBANKS TIER               03/2012
38     SNOWY STH                     03/2013
39     GUARDIANS                     05/2014
40      WILD DOG TIER                  03/2012
41     RATS CASTLE                     03/2012
42     NEVADA PEAK                          03/2013
43     MANFRED                        01/2015
44     CUVIER                           11/2014
45     RODWAY RANGE                  04/1981?
46     FLORENTINE PEAK               02/2012
47     BYRON                           03/2013
48     RAGGED JACK                     03/2014
49     BEN NEVIS                        03/2014
50     HIGH DOME                     10/2015
51     MENSA MOOR                     05/2014
52     ACHILLES                        02/2013
53     RICHMOND CRAG (KING WILLIAM 2)       02/2015
54     ELDON BLUFF                           03/2015
55     ROGOONA                              03/2011
56     WELD                                 03/2014
57     BLACK BLUFF RANGE                     02/2014
58     WYLDS CRAIG                           04/2011
59     TAYTITIKITHEEKER (DRYS BLUFF)      04/2011
60     PICTON                                 03/2012
61     KING WILLIAM I                        02/2012
62     ELDON CRAG                           03/2014
63     MOUNTAINS OF JUPITER               02/2015
64     SLATTERS PEAK                        01/2015
65     CHEYNE RANGE                        10/2014
66     REEDS PEAK                           03/2016
67     SARAH JANE                           03/2013
68     OAKLEIGH                              02/2013
69     PHILPS                                 02/2015
70     INGLIS                                 02/2014
71     PILLINGER                              04/2011
72     OTHRYS                              10/2014
73     MURCHISON                           04/2011
74     FIELD EAST                           09/2009
75     CLYTEMNESTRA                        02/2015
76     KUNANYI (WELLINGTON)               1965?
77     LOT                                    03/2013
78     SNOWY NORTH                        03/2013
79     BONDS CRAIG                           03/2016
80     MOTHER CUMMINGS PEAK               03/2011
81     COLLINS BONNET                     02/2012
82     PYRAMID MTN                        10/2015
83     SADDLEBACK                           08/2014
84     HARTZ                                 05/1981
85     HORIZONTAL HILL                     01/2015
86     CAMPBELL                              04/2002?
87     MUELLER                              02/2014
88     WENTWORTH HILLS                  09/2014
89     IDA                                    02/2015*
90     AGAMEMNON                           01/2015
91     ROLAND                              10/2007
92     PINDARS PEAK                        03/2012
93     QUAMBY BLUFF                        04/2011
94     ADAMSONS PEAK                        03/2013
95     FEDERATION PEAK
96     HOBHOUSE                           10/2015
97     SHAKESPEARE                           03/2013
98     LODDON BLUFF                        10/2015
99     MILLERS BLUFF   
100  VICTORIA                              01/2013
101     PARSON & CLERK                        09/2015
102  CASTLE MTN                           10/2015*
103  THUMBS                              03/2014
104  BREWERY KNOB                        02/2014
105  CLEAR HILL                           03/2014
106  LORD                                 02/2014
107  ROCKY HILL                           10/2015
108  GEIKIE                                 02/2012
109  ARTHUR                              01/2013
110  NEREUS                                 01/2016
111  WEST PORTAL                           12/2015
112  TYNDALL                              02/2012
113  DOME HILL                              10/2015
114  CAMP HILL                              10/2015
115  RECONDITE KNOB                     02/2014
116  JUKES                                 05/2015
117  TRESTLE MTN                           05/2012
118  LA PEROUSE                           06/2012
119  KATE                                 05/2014
120  PROTEUS                              04/2015
121  ORION                                 03/2011
122  SIRIUS                                 03/2011
123  OWEN                                 08/2014
124  WEDGE                                 05/2012
125  SEDGWICK                               02/2012*
126  PRECIPITOUS BLUFF                     03/2012
127  SORELL                                 02/2016
128  DUNDAS                              02/2012
129= PENNY WEST                           09/2015
     = SHARLANDS PEAK                     02/2015
     = TRAMONTANE
132  BEECROFT                              02/2014
133  MARIAN                              02/2012
134  POKANA PEAK
135  NESCIENT PEAK                        08/2014
136= READ                                 02/2012
      = CONICAL MTN
138= SPIRES
      = EAST TOWER                           07/2015
140  MAURICE                              08/2014
141  ALBERT                                 08/2014
142  PATRICK                              09/2015
143  VICTORIA CROSS                     03/2012
144  WRIGHT                              03/2016
145  BOBS                                 02/2013
146= CHIMAERA                           10/2014
      = STEPPED HILLS                        03/2016
148= HAYES                                 03/2011
      = WEST TOWER                        07/2015
      = WYLLY                                 03/2012
151  HIPPOGRIFF                           10/2014
152  ABBOTTS LOOKOUT                     04/2015
153  NEEDLES
154  ALDEBARAN                           03/2011
155= SCORPIO                              03/2011
      = ST VALENTINES PEAK                  02/2014
157  TOR                                    02/2014
158  MARRIOTTS LOOKOUT                  04/2015   



[biggbird]

I made an addition to the peakbaggers list spreadsheet a few years ago, with an added Abels only spreadsheet, meaning you can tick them off on here (just add the number 1 to the "complete" column for your desired Abel), and follow your percentages etc. I had previously shared it somewhere on here, but figure this may appeal to the list tickers out there.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q36m8lwplq4gx ... .xlsx?dl=0

Hope this will be helpful to some. Let me know if you have any trouble accessing it.

On another note, I'm way off! After completing 4 over the Easter break, we're up to 75... Mind you, that means my partner is only 5 off being included in the female list. If only work wouldn't keep getting in the way. Oh well, one day.

[naturelover]

Congratulations to the newest completer: John Carswell, who took 54 years to do so, beginning and ending in the West (first as a primary school student, Mt Owen, final one, Mt Geikie). Congrats also to Maureen Martin, who joins the female list in second position. I heard Maureen talking and could tell she'd done a heap. I encouraged her to count, sending her the alphabetical list that is in my blog, and there she is, nearly at the finishing line. The blog has been updated

[north-north-west]

Please Maureen, overtake me. The pressure is too much - I'm starting to crack.