Claude-Van Dyke-Minnow Falls-Roland 21st-22nd November

[sthughes]

Okay for those of you who may be interested I've posted a few pictures here: http://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq136/simonthughes/Tripple%20Top%20Walk%20November%202009/?albumview=grid

[Speculator]

Okay for those of you who may be interested I've posted a few pictures here: http://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq136/simonthughes/Tripple%20Top%20Walk%20November%202009/?albumview=grid

Thanks for the pics Simon. Looked like you guys had a great time! So, did you go to the Roland summit? Looks from the pics like you came back down to O'Neils Road.

Hal.

[Ent]

Hi All

Thanks for a top two days of company and especially sthughes for the luxury accommodation and Pomysi for proving yet again if something can fit in his pack it will go up a mountain at speed with no complaints. I think the photographs can better explain the weather than any words can. The Strollers on Sunday split into two. Four took the easy way down the face track and four trial blazed at high speed down O'Neil's track. Ok, four took the scenic route down the Face Track and four admired the rain forest route. Um? views from Roland? Maybe four brave strollers marched to get the cars down the Face Track and at least two of the other four had seen enough of slippery wet rocks (me being one) and took the escape route down with two as additional company.

Now as fate would have it on Monday I bumped into the one time record holder of the three peaks run who did it in two hours five minutes Um? Err? what the heck how can you do that The haul up Van Dyke would be a high speed crawl so I assume that the track was dry that time was run but even then amazing endurance. Honestly those that run it must have ankles re-enforced with carbon fibre and have a pretty healthy contract with their maker I have a rather colourful arm and deep thumb cut as battle damage from the conglomerate rocks.

Tomorrow I will post a few pictures as well taken by Dafna and a very few from my camera as it was not waterproof The highlight of the walk apart from great company was the stunning wild-flower display that goes to prove that Tassie can entertain you regardless of the weather. In fact the more adverse the weather the greater the hidden beauty. And as all the Strollers confirmed, there is no such thing as bad weather with appropriate equipment and a robust sense of adventure. Now where were you Julafreak?

Cheers Brett

[corvus]

Once again sthughes magic photographic memories of stroll
corvus

[Drifting]

Oh man, who drug that giant tent up there? They're the sherpa for me!

[Ent]

Hi All

Now more photographs with most coming from Dafna camera. http://picasaweb.google.com/brussell237/2009_11_21# Do we need to consider a better way to carry a tent? It was ok but maybe not good in high winds.

Cheers Brett

[sthughes]

Oh man, who drug that giant tent up there? They're the sherpa for me!

Well it was only 11.2kg, plus another 1kg for the green dining shelter. We divided it between 5 of us, Pomysi carrying the heaviest part at 3.5kg. Ironically he also took his own tent and slept in that, about another 1.5kg I imagine. So thanks Si!
It really was nice to be able to stand up and get dressed comfortably (in the 2m internal height) with it raining outside, my Microlight would have been a pain. Was also a nice warm & dry spot in the evening.

Do we need to consider a better way to carry a tent? It was ok but maybe not good in high winds.

Yes I think Si will be a bit less enthusiastic next time, so maybe we do. It's actually pretty good in a stiff breeze. It's no bomb shelter but pretty good for it's size.

[Ent]

Do we need to consider a better way to carry a tent? It was ok but maybe not good in high winds.

Yes I think Si will be a bit less enthusiastic next time, so maybe we do. It's actually pretty good in a stiff breeze. It's no bomb shelter but pretty good for it's size.

Actually was referring to carrying it when erect as per the photographs. Though I do agree Pomysi got the raw end of the deal big time on this. But I do like the idea of a group tent as it makes for a much more social-able idea than hiding in small solo tents on a wet evening. The major win was our resident snorers did not so maybe it was the slope of the ground or threats of physical voilence but the only snoring I heard was from the outside.

Next walk to no hut I will bring the Katium that can sleep three and provide sitting space for double that.

Cheers Brett

[sthughes]

Ahh I get ya now

Perhaps I'll see if I can borrow my sisters 10 man tent next time?

[corvus]

Great action packed and still life pics Dafna and Brett treasured memories for me as I wont be doing that one again as I discovered a couple of muscles just under my hip area that I did not know I had
corvus

[Drifting]

Hey- that's pretty good divided up between you- good idea!

[corvus]

Thankfully I've been up to Van Dyke and Roland twice already (thoroughly enjoyable country).......for some reason I don't think I'll be able to take in the views too much this time, I think I''ll be concentrating too much on the track and placing one foot in front of the other without tripping on something and falling flat on my face!

Phil,
Just interested on your previous Van Dyke /Roland walk which way did you go.
corvus

[corvus]

What has not been mentioned is that all of the Strollers could have Socialized inside which was the reason for taking it and most of us did so thanks sthughs
corvus

[Ent]

I discovered a couple of muscles just under my hip area that I did not know I had
corvus

Um? maybe a group tent is not such a good idea Sorry could not resist that line

Come on Corvus you did a great job and just consider it nature's way of recommending more hill climbs to get the fitness back. I did notice yesterday on the mountain bike that I had bit more torque and better balance so could creep up a few more technical bits (that is for me but just a ride in the park for others). Only issue was maybe drinking the water at the first creek was not a good idea

Cheers Brett

[corvus]

I discovered a couple of muscles just under my hip area that I did not know I had
corvus

Um? maybe a group tent is not such a good idea Sorry could not resist that line

Come on Corvus you did a great job and just consider it nature's way of recommending more hill climbs to get the fitness back. I did notice yesterday on the mountain bike that I had bit more torque and better balance so could creep up a few more technical bits (that is for me but just a ride in the park for others). Only issue was maybe drinking the water at the first creek was not a good idea

Cheers Brett

Did the water at the first trickle (O'Neils Creek ) give you a guts ache or what!! and speaking of fittness I suspect I am fitter than you just 20 years older
corvus

[Ent]

Did the water at the first trickle (O'Neils Creek ) give you a guts ache or what!! and speaking of fittness I suspect I am fitter than you just 20 years older
corvus

Glad it was just not me suffering from the O'Neils laxative qualities At least this has largely settled down now. Water up in the Roland area is a big bug bear especially given that it was raining. Mid summer would be strictly bring your own water.

Um fitter now than 20 years ago, so there is still hope for me

Cheers Brett

[Phil]

Thankfully I've been up to Van Dyke and Roland twice already (thoroughly enjoyable country).......for some reason I don't think I'll be able to take in the views too much this time, I think I''ll be concentrating too much on the track and placing one foot in front of the other without tripping on something and falling flat on my face!

Phil,
Just interested on your previous Van Dyke /Roland walk which way did you go.
corvus

Hi Corvus

We started up the O'Neill's track (on a spectacular day), and about 1.5km in there is a junction which we turned right at. This track then leads to a junction at which you can turn right to head up to Claude or turn left to do the climb/scramble up towards Van Dyke (you would have passed this junction last weekend). After wandering to the summit of Van Dyke we then headed on towards Roland and then back down the O'Neill's track back to the car.

It was a very enjoyable day circuit with only some 'back-tracking' required.........