Willdsouth89 wrote:Hi all
I had the OT planned with a friend who has recently needed to drop out. I was wondering if any groups of walkers are planning on starting on 29th Jan and would be happy for me to join for safety?
I am a 27 year old male from London, UK that runs half marathons so have good fitness, but have never hiked the OT before or done a multi-day hike.
Cheers
Will
Hi Will,
"Never walk alone" is advised in most places in Tasmania and I recommend it. But don't be too worried if by the time of the start of your walk you haven't found anyone to walk with. The Overland Track is probably one multi-day trek where there is a fair degree of comfort due to the number of people walking this time of year and the infrastructure in the park. Having said that, be sure that you are familiar with the hazards you might encounter - John and Monica Chapman's "The Overland Track" or their "Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park and Walls of Jerusalem National Park" book and the Parks website
www.parks.tas.gov.au (Overland Track pages) are excellent resources.
Its a well trodden track and you'll find that there will be plenty of people on the track at the same time and it would surprise me if you didn't meet up with a like-minded person when you start the walk or at one of the huts or even while walking on the track itself. If you decide to do some of the side tracks - such as Mt Oakleigh, Cradle summit, Pelion East and Mt Ossa summit - then it would be wise to have a companion to go with you due to the increased risk of climbing and scrambling. Its always a smart move to hire a PLB (just in case!) and if you have mobile telephone service with Telstra, there are a few points where you can get reception to call out (Cradle Cirque, Pine Valley Moor, DuCane Range (Labyrinth track), Echo Point on Lake St Clair and possibly all the major peaks.
Buses to Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre:
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Travel-g ... ntain.htmlall the best,
Ben