Southern Ranges Winter Traverse

[Leaky Platypus]

I am wondering about a loop that starts at Catamaran, hikes along the South Coast Track to New Lagoon, up to Precipitous Bluff, across to Pinders Peak, then off Moonlight Ridge Track and down past Swallows Nest Lakes, along that ridge South East and back to Catamaran.

Im happy that I have enough experience to do the loop but am just wondering if anyone has done this loop or has any ideas to share.

Thanks for your help

[Azza]

You mean down past Mt Leillateah?

As for a loop - The traverse of the southern ranges is a pretty well established track these days, but that bit is off track and through some very scrubby terrain.
There are a few people on the forum who've been down that way and would probably describe it as one of the nastiest routes they've done and have no plans to ever return that way.

So I'd be careful with that one.. especially in winter.

[ollster]

down past Swallows Nest Lakes, along that ridge South East and back to Catamaran.

Yeah, don't do that. It's really not worth it. "We" did a day trip to Mt Leillateah (end of that ridge) last year from the road to Cockle Creek and it ended up taking almost 15 hours. Admittedly we made a tactical error in adventurously doing a loop rather than a straight in/out, but it still would've been a 12 hour day with daypacks. With big packs it would be a nightmare.

Edit: If I recall we did <1kph for the trip. Again, with day packs.

I think I can post pics of the ridge from Leillateah if you're interested.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Some people in the HWC tried the ridge once, they didnt get far very slowly!!
I was a part of the trip Ollster described, It was certainly pretty tough. Very scrubby.