Mt Anne Circuit 22/05

[kozevian]

Hi all,

I thought I'd share with you all my first experience of the Mt. Anne circuit, Easter break, 22-24/04 2011



The first day started off with the long haul up to Eliza plateau. We opted not to summit Mt. Anne as at this time the weather had decided it would rear its ugly head. Forced down to shelf camp but rain/hail/wind we spent the first night on Shelf Camp.

The next day we sat about the tent itching to go, and by late morning, regardless of the weather, we decided to set off.

The climb 'round to the notch, as most of you know isn't such a difficult route, just a few areas where pack hauling is needed. By the time we reached the Notch the weather had really kicked it up. The broken part of the ridge which forms the infamous Notch acts as a funnel for wind, and on this particular day I could've recorded some great sounds for the next movie about the Kraken.

After a bit of scrambling about the rocks, we hopped onto, over and down the steep escarpment. Here we used a fair bit of para-cord (any type of climbing rope would have sufficed) to help our bags down. In less-wet and windy weather a cord might not even be necessary, but due to the wet conditions we felt it would be prudent to haul the bags down.

After a snack or two at the bottom, we set off around the contour of the ridge towards what was marked on the map as Lightning Ridge. The weather by this point had reached almost unbearable, not due to cold or wind chill but rather balance (The bags had created the biggest problems for us as we scampered around the precarious rockfalls). There are several large boulders that one must clamber and then drop bags down along this foot-wide track toward lightning ridge. Judging by the map and our rather not-so-keen sense of spacial awareness (mostly due to low visibility fog) we were probably about half way along to where the route changes path and drops down out of the wind. (I have viewed some pictures since and realized we were probably not more than 100 meters off the major escarpment onto Lightning Ridge)

Those familiar with the route might have some idea of where myself and travelling companion were at this point. We reached a rock scree-ish-like rivulet which dropped off into the mist. The weather was still unrelenting and as exhausted as we were, we decided it was better to head back.

At this point, I suppose it is worth mentioning that we did not have a good enough idea of the layout of the area. We were prepared as far as fitness and equipment go on this 3-day circuit. We had studied the map intently and asked about our networks for advice on this particular area of the circuit. Perhaps talking to a ranger or bushwalk.com would've helped us make more serious decisions before we had entered such a precarious situation. I was truly stressed.

Anyways, we turned back and we realized we bearly had about 2 hours of daylight left. We could not have made it back to Shelf Camp in that time, especially since we didn't have our headlamps (which arrived the morning after we departed Hobart). The weather, did I forget to mention, wasn't letting up the the idea of scrambling.

Well, we noted on the map that there was a cover of trees down toward Lake Judd, yes I know, down that abysmal-looking rock scree. It seemed like the best place to set-up tent and shelter until first sunlight when we could ride out with better weather.

To cut an ever-increasingly long story short, we camped down in the bush below the rock scree (I'm not even going to go into the climb down the rock scree), using the fly of our tent as an overhead tarp to prevent the rest of our gear and tent from soaking in the constant rain that fell from the ultra-thick trees above. We walked out the next day, after a surprisingly comfortable, yet delirious night. The notch took quite a while to scramble up and we had to use our cord to heave the bags up a meter of two at a time.

By the time we reached Shelf Camp the weather cleared, leaving a golden glow over Lake Judd and Lightning Ridge, which we had attempted only a day before.

Walking out was one of the most relieving things I have done in a long time. I'm not a huge fan of retracing my steps, hence the attempted circuit, but this made my afternoon.

I've certainly learnt alot about the Tassie weather and the Southwest, more so than in all my other walks. Maybe some more information needs to be given at the rego station in regard to the circuit.

I am confident that in clear-weather this circuit would not have given myself and my companion nearly as much trouble. I would've also given us more of the views we had when we walked out, absolutely splendid.

See you soon, Mt. Anne.

[tasadam]

Cool trip report! Sorry it didn't go to plan, but I bet it's one of those trips you'll remember well!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Wow thanks for sharing your experience!!
Under most circumstances you were wise to turn back, however at the point you did the going does get much easier and you could have made the campsite before dark!!
Still well played and you made it out alive.

[Vern]

Mt Anne would be one of the best circuits I've done in Tassie. I hope you head back and get some good weather! I had a similar experience on my first time there with my wife. The weather came in big time and we turned back near the notch spending the second night on the Eliza Plateau. The snow and wind was just too much and it became too dangerous to hop down the boulders. The second time I had perfect weather and despite packing enough for three days I spent one long day and finished the circuit. Loved it!

[weetbix456]

any photos??

[kozevian]

No photos sorry. I have stashes and stashes of memories and journal entries. That is all unfortunately.

Speaking of photos, I do not own a digital camera myself, what does everyone here use?

Perhaps a disposable camera is the best option, in order to save a digital getting soaked? Or just a cheapish (miniature as possible) 10MP thingo?

[north-north-west]

We opted not to summit Mt. Anne as at this time the weather had decided it would rear its ugly head.

The weather on Mt Anne, in my experience, does not have a pretty head until you've given up on getting to the top or, at the least, made it up and back down without getting any sort of view.

Good going to get out on your own. It's not the easiest bit of the South West to deal with.

[luke_vic]

Well, we noted on the map that there was a cover of trees down toward Lake Judd, yes I know, down that abysmal-looking rock scree

Wow, i couldn't imagine having to head down towards Judd from the Ridge. From memory it is mostly cliffs down to the lake? Or are there some 'less steep' options down there?
We sat out a day of bad weather at shelf camp last year, and while it was frustrating at the time, the next day we were rewarded with picture perfect conditions. Looking back now i was so glad we waited it out, and I still wouldn't like to cross Lightning Ridge in anything less than good conditions. Glad to hear that you survived what could have been a disastrous situation!

[kozevian]

From memory it is mostly cliffs down to the lake? Or are there some 'less steep' options down there?

If you have a copy of the TASMAPS Anne 4424, the rock scree we tackled is directly to the right of Frances Bluff, which is probably the massive cliff you are mentioning.

It was not easy going, the small, loose rock scree soon became quite large boulders, covered with moss. I'm not sure which was easier, going up or down in complete fog. The rock scree eventually peters out and becomes some intolerable bushland.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

No photos sorry. I have stashes and stashes of memories and journal entries. That is all unfortunately.

Speaking of photos, I do not own a digital camera myself, what does everyone here use?

Perhaps a disposable camera is the best option, in order to save a digital getting soaked? Or just a cheapish (miniature as possible) 10MP thingo?

My wife & I have a Panasonic FT2 Digital Compact. Fully waterproof, shock proof, dust proof and frost proof.

It is very expensive for a compact ($400ish), but perfectly suited to bushwalking, especially Tasmania.

1. Can be dropped by accident
2. Can be used in the rain (fully waterproof with the correct precautions).
3. Reasonably small and light
4. Good, powerful battery. We have two batteries and got 1000 photos in 5 days on two batteries.
5. Comes with a silicone protective case to stop scratches (like mobile phone cover)
6. Takes full HD video.

Good going to get out on your own.

Yes, well done Kozevian.

Sounds like it was a bit hairy there for a while. The difference between you and someone who might have needed epirb rescue/died due to exposure was one thing - YOU HAD A SOLID PLAN.

Most people who die from exposure don't have a concrete plan on what to do at all stages in the event of poor weather. They get nervous, which leads to poor navigation, which leads to getting lost, and then in the excitement they forget they have a tent, dry warm clothes, and food in their backpack. Wander around for a couple of days/nights and it's all over.

It's worth sitting down with a map before going and at 1km intervals along the route working out how you will deal with a sudden change in the weather - ie walk forwards/backwards/sideways to find somewhere to setup camp and get warm (and have enough food to manage for several days in that spot).

At all points along the route you need to be less than 1 hour time-wise from being dry, warm, safe and with food in your belly. If you are further than that from safety, you should have brought better gear - ie more weather proof tent/better clothes/more food/experienced walking companion.

Hope you are greeted with clear skies next time!

[JamesMc]

Pentax Optio W10

Reasonable photos
Excellent macro
Light
Waterproof
Accidentally dropped it out of its bag and about 8 metres down a cliff. Slight scratch on the LCD screen but still works fine.

Mt Anne is wonderful - you should go back and do it again. Last time I did it in six days. Next time I'll take longer! Such a nice place.

JamesMc

[kozevian]

Thanks for the advice on cameras.

Also, thanks everyone for the support. Cannot wait to let you all in on my next adventure.

o/