tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123195812024-03-08T00:54:38.135+11:00Our Hiking BlogHiking advice, bushwalking stories, gear lists, backpacking in Australia, Overland Track help, hiking food and many trip reportsFrank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-47994095616452017902009-10-25T16:18:00.018+11:002009-10-27T13:29:26.563+11:0057 signs you might be obsessed with hiking, backpacking or bushwalking.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Get teased by friends and family that you are obsessed with hiking?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Can't resist an outdoor goods sale just in case you find a new bit of gear?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Spend time at your day job dreaming of your next trip?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Don't understand why anyone would stay in a five star hotel when they could be sleeping in a tent or tarp?</span><br /><br />Frank recently joined the forums at <a href="http://trailspace.com/">Trailspace.com</a> and he stumbled across a thread titled:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://www.trailspace.com/forums/backcountry/topics/54844.html">You know when you are a backpacker when: </a></span><br /><br />and it got him thinking that maybe HE is obsessed with the idea of the next hike or bushwalk. On continued examination he decided that being obsessed with such thoughts <span style="font-weight:bold;">is a healthy pursuit</span> and he was particularly reassured there are many others (particularly in this U.S. forum) who think the same way!<br /><br />So in this post we summarise some of the great comments on the <a href="http://trailspace.com/">Trailspace.com</a> forum and <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">invite you to add your own answer to this question in the comments section below:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">You know when you are a backpacker, multi-day hiker, bushwalker, tramper or treker <span style="font-size:85%;">(phew, one word to mean the same thing would be great)</span> when:</span></span><br /><br />1. During the winter, most of your internet browsing history contains new places to backpack, new gear, etc.<br /><br />2. Your wife tells you to buy the bigger tent because if you don't stop ordering new gear we are going to have to live in it.<br /><br />3. You pack your stuff in boxes to move, and there are more boxes labelled "gear" than there are labelled "kitchen"<br /><br />4. You insist on taking the stairs at work and when you get to the top, you stop for a snack break<br /><br />5. Your truck payment is late because there was a sale at REI/ Mountain Designs/ Paddy Pallin.<br /><br />6. You close your eyes at night and still see a white blaze/ yellow triangle/ track sign.<br /><br />7. You're always saying..."I just wanted to see if that way was quicker".<br /><br />8. You have calluses on your shoulders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DBxo8cJPkKskRciVD0HcUbEpyAsLYElk9Nr-IVjluQNxrWD7yMbA4ITKWuW5jPfscq5RGtENOao6CIMsgfyAhNiZHlhAfacYpxfNdfs1APgAu33cB4eOVjdRi2pOaKTkbDlyPw/s1600-h/geocacher.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DBxo8cJPkKskRciVD0HcUbEpyAsLYElk9Nr-IVjluQNxrWD7yMbA4ITKWuW5jPfscq5RGtENOao6CIMsgfyAhNiZHlhAfacYpxfNdfs1APgAu33cB4eOVjdRi2pOaKTkbDlyPw/s400/geocacher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396421409511070338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a rel="cc:attributionURL" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbiskoping/">Picture by mbiskoping</a> / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a></span><br /><br />9. You tell the clerk at Goodwill / the Op Shop they should have a synthetic and wool section.<br /><br />10. You cook spaghetti noodles and then dehydrate them. Same with beans.<br /><br />11. When not out backpacking you waste time on internet forums talking about it.<br /><br />12. You realize that you think the people who don't backpack are just a little....weird....<br /><br />13. You randomly organise a carpool for the 6 hour drive to MEC / a track and back just because<br /><br />14. There's an MSR pot gripper on top of your stove at home<br /><br />15. There's a car under 5 feet of snow in the driveway because you unscrewed the licence plate to make a brake on your winter sled<br /><br />16. All your socks are expedition weight merino wool<br /><br />17. You use your 90L pack to carry the groceries<br /><br />18. You sleep on a thermarest<br /><br />19. Your keychain is a Swiss army knife/fox40/flint combo on a biner/ climbing loop<br /><br />20. Your homepage is Trailspace.com/ <a href="http://bushwalk-tasmania.com/forum/">Bushwalk Tasmania</a><br /><br />21. You name your sleeping bags (yes you can come with me this time, Hayden McWeatherfordshiredam IV)<br /><br />22. You wonder if the meal you are eating can be dehydrated effectively...<br /><br />23. You are given the weird look when you try to explain to your co-workers how you ended up burning your hand when your homemade Pepsi stove exploded..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1feNCqvSqsHneywhqErnf0QxALkuyIxsZZSNbep-4oxBsf2OFuf4zkEfkjjA7hpldjRCbMKPFY4gbV4Qc9vgAVvD6KSgAOpHeJ-FZgfR_0f_8j7AoL0fYf0blx9A9clmG_JrQTQ/s1600-h/hiking+gear.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1feNCqvSqsHneywhqErnf0QxALkuyIxsZZSNbep-4oxBsf2OFuf4zkEfkjjA7hpldjRCbMKPFY4gbV4Qc9vgAVvD6KSgAOpHeJ-FZgfR_0f_8j7AoL0fYf0blx9A9clmG_JrQTQ/s400/hiking+gear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396424448268558482" border="0" /></a><div cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" about="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedayhascome/2509430786/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a rel="cc:attributionURL" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedayhascome/">Photo by thedayhascome/</a> / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a></span></div><br />24. You see a hailstorm as a unique opportunity to test your tent.<br /><br />25. You know you are a climber or backcountry skier, when it's -40, your friends say let's camp out, and you don't hesitate to grab your gear and head for the door.<br /><br />26. When you visit relatives for the holidays, you camp in the backyard<br /><br />27. You sleep in your sleeping bag because you just can't get comfy under bed covers<br /><br />28. You never stay in motels when travelling, but stay in the woods/bush nearby<br /><br />29. You cook on your camp stove at home, because that’s the only cook set you have<br /><br />30. When you go hiking for the weekend, you don't want to go back to work on Monday<br /><br />31. You learn edible plants to save weight in your pack.<br /><br />32. You test your new sleeping bag in your room with the windows open, during winter...And maybe the fan blowing on you...<br /><br />33. You never stow your gear, it always stays mostly packed, accessible & ready to go at a moments notice.<br /><br />34. When you partake in a spirited debate about boots. ....and tents in hurricanes.<br /><br />35. You ask questions no one can answer like: How do you get snail slime off a tent.<br /><br />36. You hike all day just to cook over a beer can cause that is the real test of your stove making skills.<br /><br />37. You check on your two packs at least once a week. You don't want them gaining weight when your not around...<br /><br />38. You enjoy eating whatever the hell you want guilt free with a beautiful view and nobody to disturb you.<br /><br />39. When your friends call or e-mail for recommendations for equipment (and you give them 5 equipment options for every question).<br /><br />40. When you can outfit at least two of your friends completely so they can go on a trip with you.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3ZPJlHfYhoDkj8hiAkYcZWUXtxChD1HDgefkwHU-L6tYNC9eX3I3X1OIaH7BxnYtiPfy5ygwKfL0P3URcVQ7MHfW2tCqyNufugQIwaNQheIuYU2u9n4q_K0KYbV-KZMFzWqHhA/s1600-h/I+love+my+backpack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3ZPJlHfYhoDkj8hiAkYcZWUXtxChD1HDgefkwHU-L6tYNC9eX3I3X1OIaH7BxnYtiPfy5ygwKfL0P3URcVQ7MHfW2tCqyNufugQIwaNQheIuYU2u9n4q_K0KYbV-KZMFzWqHhA/s400/I+love+my+backpack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396425527726707618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a rel="cc:attributionURL" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/canadianveggie/">Photo by canadianveggie - he loves his backpack</a> / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a></span><br /><br />41. When you have to sneak new equipment past your spouse into the house.<br /><br />42. When you've memorized, to the 1/10th of an ounce, the weight of all your equipment.<br /><br />43. When you can recite the URLs of your favourite cottage gear manufacturers when you are asked for recommendations on the trail, as well as prices and a general summary of the user reviews from backpackgeartest.<br /><br />44. When you can bring two extra stoves, two shelters, two extra pads and random rain ponchos to the trailhead/ start of the trip , because you know someone will forget something.<br /><br />45. When your bear canister has more miles on it than your car.<br /><br />46. You evaluate prospective spouses based on their gear holdings. Mine had an original North Face Oval Intention, dubbed "the Bim-Bam Room" (yes, we name our tents). Love at first sight...<br /><br />47. You keep energy bars and bottled water in your car...just in case<br /><br />48. You wear a rain jacket on a sunny day JUST IN CASE<br /><br />49. You pass my the cooking section in Wal/K-Mart and double take cuz you could have SWORN you saw an MSR pot<br /><br />50. You get excited when you have no dinner plans so you can use your cook set<br /><br />51. You're the only one in 10 miles that's happy when the power goes out in winter<br /><br />52. You ignore your boss's emails to click on *30% off sale at REI.com/ Mountain Designs*<br /><br />53. You think about your next hike during you current one<br /><br />54. Your dream job is testing gear.<br /><br />55. Most of your recipes will work on or off the trail/track, and the approval process of new recipes includes trying it out on trail<br /><br />56. When your back at home and you say to yourself....."I think there's half a snickers bar in my pack."<br /><br />57. You can accurately guess the weight of "trimmable" stuff from a pack<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have we missed anything? Drop us a comment and add your ideas to the list, we would love to read them!</span></span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.trailspace.com/">Trailspace.com</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> is a great community for backpackers, hikers and anyone who loves the outdoors. Drop by, look around and join like Frank did. There are many like minded people there!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Related Posts</span></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/08/best-hiking-gear-for-multi-day-trip-in.html">Larry, our resident gear junkie's list from The South Coast Track</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/02/5-features-i-dont-want-in-new-hiking.html">5 features we don't want in a new backpack</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/02/which-one-person-hiking-tent-one.html">Best one person tent? You decide</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/02/spirituality-of-bushwalking-one-mans.html">The Spirituality of Bushwalking</a> - great post by Grant<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/01/blanket-bay-follow-up.html">Our Hiking Blog goes car camping</a> - definitely NOT lightweight!Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-71521427154183621352009-10-22T07:44:00.013+11:002009-10-22T18:37:36.102+11:00Camp Hosting? Cockle Creek - Tasmania - Volunteer Opportunities for summer 2009/10<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Looking for two weeks camp hosting in Southern Tasmania?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Happy to volunteer as a campsite host at Cockle Creek?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Like the idea of free accommodation in return for working with the Parks and Wildlife Service?</span><br /><br />The Parks and Wildlife Service in Tasmania are seeking Campground Hosts for two week stints at Cockle Creek in Southern Tasmania.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Cockle+Creek,+Tasmania&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=57.345405,79.013672&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FSCtZv0dIsPACA&split=0&hq=&hnear=Cockle+Creek&ll=-42.463993,146.601563&spn=2.836575,4.669189&z=7&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&q=Cockle+Creek,+Tasmania&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=57.345405,79.013672&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FSCtZv0dIsPACA&split=0&hq=&hnear=Cockle+Creek&ll=-42.463993,146.601563&spn=2.836575,4.669189&z=7" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Cockle Creek is well known by bushwalkers who are completing (or starting) the <a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2006/03/south-coast-walk-tasmania.html">South Coast Track</a>. This tiny "village" is 2 hours drive from Hobart and is the <a href="http://www.discovertasmania.com/destinations/hobart_and_surrounds/cockle_creek">furthest point you can drive south in Australia</a>.<br /><br />This is a great way to have a free "holiday" and to experience some of Tasmania's beautiful wilderness areas. For example, it is a relatively easy walk into the start of the South Coast Track to visit spots such as Coal Bluff or even further on to South Cape Rivulet. It would also be a bit of fun being there to meet hikers who had finished the South Coast Track and check out their condition after this 6- 10 day walk!<br /><br />Larry Hamilton, <a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/08/hiking-south-coast-track-in-tasmania.html">in his excellent series on the South Coast Track</a>, shared a couple of pictures with us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqDwB6Szht26sqg0EcPHFQm_wBVwHkLqEd9GVywi4kv7nKLUeXWzrZxfk3sIhsgqNk-piKXAjE9tKT_IEaD5ROjs7IZJU5mtbyklempP0S62Z7r1x7IlCdJwsJCgQSABZluwnpg/s1600-h/cockle_creek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqDwB6Szht26sqg0EcPHFQm_wBVwHkLqEd9GVywi4kv7nKLUeXWzrZxfk3sIhsgqNk-piKXAjE9tKT_IEaD5ROjs7IZJU5mtbyklempP0S62Z7r1x7IlCdJwsJCgQSABZluwnpg/s400/cockle_creek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395189105298384786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The beach at Cockle Creek</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUJMkuoJZHUwocK1djpC9HUfhiJr7Nxuj5cbUhzoo-xBHzJ6S37KOl8kQvxIPGVdWKHFpBlTqItSopzokapkrJgTOQ7aBhfRMURj5GNvCx94E6nWg5c1s3JFqI5HQvJXEyYYJlg/s1600-h/cockle_creek_bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUJMkuoJZHUwocK1djpC9HUfhiJr7Nxuj5cbUhzoo-xBHzJ6S37KOl8kQvxIPGVdWKHFpBlTqItSopzokapkrJgTOQ7aBhfRMURj5GNvCx94E6nWg5c1s3JFqI5HQvJXEyYYJlg/s400/cockle_creek_bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395189103994096898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Cockle Creek bridge</span><br /><br />As you can see, it is a very pretty place and quite isolated. Looks like a great spot for a couple of weeks in Tasmania!<br /><br />This is the <a href="http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=28184">link to the full information provided by Parks and Wildlife Service in Tasmania</a> (including contact details of where to apply)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Related Posts</span></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/07/south-coast-track-tasmania-solo-winter.html">The South Coast Track - Solo Winter Trip report by Larry Hamilton - Part One </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/08/south-coat-track-ironbound-ranges-and.html">South Coast Track - Part Two by Larry Hamilton - Ironbound Ranges and Leeches</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/08/hiking-south-coast-track-in-tasmania.html">South Coast Track - Part Three by Larry Hamilton - Surprise Bay to Cockle Creek</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/port-davey-track-trip-report.html">Larry's Port Davey Trip Report</a>- great reading<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/hiking-gear-ideas-for-multi-day-trip.html">Gear List for Wilderness Bushwalking Trip</a> - Larry Hamilton's excellent gear list<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/south-coast-track-louisa-and-faraway.html">Stuck between Louisa and Faraway Creeks</a> - Our adventure on the South Coast Track<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2006/03/south-coast-walk-tasmania.html">Hiking the South Coast Track</a> - our first (and last time)<br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-77936990242353548532009-10-18T18:02:00.001+11:002009-10-19T18:30:01.166+11:00Best hiking gear for a multi day trip in Tasmania? A retrospective review<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">What is the best hiking gear for a wilderness adventure?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">What gear do I need for a multi-day hike?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">What is the best equipment (stove, coat, poncho, overpants, sleeping mat) for several days hiking?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">In this guest post , Larry Hamilton (self confessed gear junkie) analyses his gear selection for a recent 10 day hike on Tasmania's South Coast Track. It is a follow up of a</span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/hiking-gear-ideas-for-multi-day-trip.html"> previous report about his gear for the Port Davey Track</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> and is Part one of a two part "gear fest"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Introduction (and apology)</span><br />These gear notes have been included against the advice of my wife who believes it just indicates a tendency <span style="font-style: italic;">towards nerdishness about equipment, extremely embarrassing materialism and makes me look like an overgrown boy scout</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />So if you aren't into gear choices stop reading now and if you are, don't let your partner read it.</span><br /><br />Their chortles and guffaws are likely to be quite off putting!<br /><br />I admit to being a bit of a gear freak and I enjoy the preparation for walks because it means a planning phase which holds its own pleasures and which provides an opportunity to think anew about what I like and what I need. This year for the South Coast Track I planned to take food for fourteen days and at just under a kilo of food per day that meant a fair proportion of my pack weight would be of food. As a result I planned to pare the rest of my gear down as much as I could.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jacket</span><br />From my experiences on the Port Davey Track last year in some appalling weather I ditched my goretex jacket and pants and a pair of goretex overmits. I replaced the jacket with a Montane Featherlite H2O jacket with substantially less bulk and weight.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj6aYZHelHn511gY5noCGwDxrC0gwkhVJQxxLnnhxNmLXyRTaEa32_LBZ-hJCLvSQxGdcJL89W9I-EAFzT-GtqFPI2-dORA_H7Kf7gsHDpco9pqr6Ob6StlCpbKmW2mGtXg1WAw/s1600-h/Montane+Featherlite+H2O+jacket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj6aYZHelHn511gY5noCGwDxrC0gwkhVJQxxLnnhxNmLXyRTaEa32_LBZ-hJCLvSQxGdcJL89W9I-EAFzT-GtqFPI2-dORA_H7Kf7gsHDpco9pqr6Ob6StlCpbKmW2mGtXg1WAw/s400/Montane+Featherlite+H2O+jacket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392968850146500898" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />I used this jacket and liked it but the DRW properties were quickly eroded in areas where my pack rubbed on the jacket such as over my shoulders where the straps rubbed and across my shoulders and across the small of my back. Because I predominantly had the jacket as a windproof barrier I wasn't too worried but I'll experiment in proofing the jacket again with a slightly different DRW treatment.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />I believe that you inevitably end up getting pretty wet anyway from the bush, from wading through creeks and from wicking up sleeves, and down through neck openings so I expect to get wet on walks and am not concerned primarily about the level of waterproofness. So the only goretex items I took on this trip were my gaiters.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overpants</span><br />I replaced my goretex overpants with some Golite Whim pants again with a substantial reduction in both weight and bulk.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML5-LlgguAEVqPmTRjK5L6sBKZia2qFjYiCukX3X663Sh12UdxHc5M4KnzUPvLDoLq8pRnenJJ7AIDxkPuLqCgJrQY0ckI5DOLEVlbyulQeMICjfYrcXgqgMfpSvFFC1iynQxJw/s1600-h/Golite+Whim+pants.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML5-LlgguAEVqPmTRjK5L6sBKZia2qFjYiCukX3X663Sh12UdxHc5M4KnzUPvLDoLq8pRnenJJ7AIDxkPuLqCgJrQY0ckI5DOLEVlbyulQeMICjfYrcXgqgMfpSvFFC1iynQxJw/s400/Golite+Whim+pants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392968876408346578" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't end up using the overpants which I took mainly as a windproof barrier for my legs rather than for their waterproofness but if the weather had been like it was last year they would have had substantial use.<br /><br />I live in regional Western Australia and don't have an opportunity to see and try out exotic gear so I ordered a large pair over the phone and they were enormous on me so my sartorial elegance was really suspect with them on but with the advantage that I could get them on over my boots. I will probably purchase a smaller pair before my next walk. Despite the fact that they stayed in my pack for the trip I'd take them with me again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overmits</span><br />I gave up on overmits and simply carried two sets of gloves; a fairly light pair of windstopper gloves to walk with and an pair of fleece gloves to use with a fleece beanie and my set of dry gear in camp.<br /><br />It turned out not to be sufficiently cold enough to wear either pair and so these remained unused but I was pleased to carry them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In Addition:</span><br />I took a pair of thermals for everyday use and used them only in camp. My recorded temperatures inside the tent on waking (at around 5.30am most mornings) varied from a brisk 4 degrees Celsius to a balmy 13 degrees Celsius.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poncho</span><br />On a whim I took also a tarp/poncho as I'd read positive reports about the use of these. I actually tried to use this as a poncho on the beach trek to New River and it took me half an hour of dancing around in drizzle along the beach trying to put it on. Stupidly I'd only tried this out at home with my wife to help me get it on.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I defy anyone on their own to successfully and quickly get into a poncho with a full pack in a reasonable breeze.<br /><br /></span>I must have looked a sight trying various ways to get it over my full (and fairly high) pack in a balanced way. I tried to put it over my head and then manouver it over my pack, fighting the wind's efforts to blow it back. I used one of my walking poles to try to get it in place and only managed to look stupid. I put it over my pack and then tried to get under everything, and put my pack on with the poncho already in place but only succeeded in getting tangled up. I eventually got it mostly sorted out albeit getting pretty wet in the process and it worked for the next couple of kilometres until I got to the boat crossing where I needed to take it off anyway.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I think that ponchos are only useful when walking with another person who can assist in arranging the poncho across the pack so that it drapes as intended.</span><br /><br />On the one day that I holed up from some heavy rain I used the poncho as an additional tarp which gave me some added scope for movement outside of my tent in the rain but I wouldn't take it again. If I wanted additional tarp space (a luxury), I'd take a spinnaker tarp instead. So the poncho will be consigned to the growing pile of gear that I've tried and discarded.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sleeping Mat</span><br />I ditched my self inflating mat (three quarter length) for a Thermarest Z Lite closed cell foam mat for a substantial savings in weight but an increase in bulk. My experimentation with this before starting the walk had revealed that my hips (I'm a side sleeper) compressed the foam enough to <span style="font-weight: bold;">mean the insulation was insufficient and I got cold. </span><br /><br />I always previously carried a small piece of closed cell foam as a seat in camp and as a foot pad for my three quarter length self inflating mat and I found that this was usefully employed under the Z lite in my hip region to provide the necessary insulation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I disliked the added bulk of the Z lite inside my pack and found the lack of comfort when sleeping a frustration. </span><br /><br />Sleeping mats are always a compromise but I've resolved to shell out for an Exped Downmat for winter trips in the future. I'll endure the additional weight in return for greater insulation and comfort.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stove</span><br />I opted to change my stove system from my Triad titanium burner used last year and go for more convenience but extra weight by purchasing a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Clickstand and using a standard Trangia burner.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisXKGVHrG_qmBUkSL4DIkOBS4rBJrZ5cB8o7J42t-nsFTXvQcdoWjPMXpBe6Zh40966-GYs0WWuj9qgIz3NGf9zpXTJ25MToR0MvP822fjBqPLwMSv4kwc1f-GJIXSzRsy5i9rQ/s1600-h/Clickstand_with_burner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisXKGVHrG_qmBUkSL4DIkOBS4rBJrZ5cB8o7J42t-nsFTXvQcdoWjPMXpBe6Zh40966-GYs0WWuj9qgIz3NGf9zpXTJ25MToR0MvP822fjBqPLwMSv4kwc1f-GJIXSzRsy5i9rQ/s400/Clickstand_with_burner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392968868675879458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVQeJVCyDqT6VruH0Mv6UDgWXY9qLo8m5fWtBl8HswHtmsRjLnQtqSym1PcC-0rHhbHwd0-V4Fqed3ecphmVT5cfFA7AlKWMbulQLR-XM8zvehJFUZGe5s_JwZDQRMf_YJ56SYQ/s1600-h/Clickstand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVQeJVCyDqT6VruH0Mv6UDgWXY9qLo8m5fWtBl8HswHtmsRjLnQtqSym1PcC-0rHhbHwd0-V4Fqed3ecphmVT5cfFA7AlKWMbulQLR-XM8zvehJFUZGe5s_JwZDQRMf_YJ56SYQ/s400/Clickstand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392968857415665090" border="0" /></a><br />I went for the heavier Trangia burner for two reasons. Firstly it enabled me to carry unused fuel in the burner as the cap has an o-ring. The second reason is because it has a simmer ring. I'm not sure why I think that this is an advantage because I never simmer and didn't on this trip but it came with me and was used only as a snuffer for the burner.<br /><br />I like the Clickstand but was careful about packing it because I didn't want to bend the frame and render it useless. So I had to take a bit more care with packing than I'm used to. I normally get pretty violent in ramming gear into small spaces in my pack, particularly at the beginning of a trip when space is at a premium.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pots</span><br />My MSR titanium pot came again with its home made pot cosy. I also took my favourite double-wall titanium mug rather than a lighter single wall one I sometimes use. Some luxury is worth it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fuel</span><br />I took 1600ml of metho for my stove in a 1 litre MSR fuel bottle and a 600ml coke bottle. I always get too nervous about fuel use and ended up using just on a litre for the eleven days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Additional Gear</span><br />This year I took a small pair of binoculars which I thought would be useful and provide me with another dimension of interest along the coast. I ended up using these very little and mostly only because they were there and because I didn't want to take them back unused. I wouldn't bother with the weight again on a walk.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leeches</span><br />I have a thing about leeches and some interesting experiences with them. During the year I engaged in some research and wanted to experiment on this trip with Pyrethrin (or Permethrin its synthetic equivalent) as it was reported to be very effective against leeches.<br /><br />I'd considered DEET but had rejected that as being noxious to me and not as effective as Pyrethrin.<br /><br />As I normally do I took salt but this time before starting I rinsed my walking pants, socks and gaiters in Permethrin shampoo intended for pets. I also took some Pyrethrin horse insecticide in a small spray bottle. I doubt that the shampoo wash made much of a difference as the constant soaking of my clothes would probably have rendered the wash useless after a short time.<br /><br />This trip I didn't have much of a problem with leeches but the few I had a chance of having a go at shrivelled up with a touch of the Pyrethrin spray and unlike DEET, Pyrethrin doesn't affect fabric or plastics. So I'd take that again and leave the salt behind. Salt is always a problem because of its need for waterproof storage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Many thanks to Larry for his excellent write up and review of his gear. We will post part two in the next few days where the rest of this self confessed "gear junkies" equipment for the trip is reviewed.</span></span> <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Related Posts</span></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/07/south-coast-track-tasmania-solo-winter.html">The South Coast Track - Solo Winter Trip report by Larry Hamilton - Part One </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/08/south-coat-track-ironbound-ranges-and.html">South Coast Track - Part Two by Larry Hamilton - Ironbound Ranges and Leeches</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/08/hiking-south-coast-track-in-tasmania.html">South Coast Track - Part Three by Larry Hamilton - Surprise Bay to Cockle Creek</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/port-davey-track-trip-report.html">Larry's Port Davey Trip Report</a>- great reading<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/hiking-gear-ideas-for-multi-day-trip.html">Gear List for Wilderness Bushwalking Trip</a> - Larry Hamilton's excellent gear list<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/south-coast-track-louisa-and-faraway.html">Stuck between Louisa and Faraway Creeks</a> - Our adventure on the South Coast Track<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2006/03/south-coast-walk-tasmania.html">Hiking the South Coast Track</a> - our first (and last time)<br /></span></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-9821315445723316142009-10-14T13:35:00.001+11:002009-10-15T07:52:57.504+11:00The Overland Track - Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair - a nice slow trip<span style="font-weight:bold;">Spring hiking in Tasmania? Will there be snow or just rain?<br /><br />Hiking the Overland Track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair?<br /><br />A leisurely bushwalk on a World Heritage "Top 10 Hikes in the World"</span><br /><br />We have just returned from a seven day, six night trip on the Overland Track in Tasmania. There were four of us in the party with the plan to take our time and enjoy any good spring weather we might get along the way. With typical Tasmanian weather variability we were blessed with some great sunny days and also snow, sleet and rain in various forms. All this was expected and we were well prepared for any conditions.<br /><br />Why hike the Overland Track again you may ask? Because we LOVE it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In this post we will just make a few comments and observations about the trip, as there are many other posts on Our Hiking Blog about hiking the Overland Track. Check out the links to them at the bottom of the page.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAQtIeAcffomcCNx2CpT6hsZXVFJOsYMXM_pCPrmxzaf7VKte4M0Nd-UqXkn2X3nCDxSFnqCxHUN30SWYuoju4PMMaxGqZgIHdAhmZJtaD3DYkcyooVTbcDkya_kN7KI8SsNWqg/s1600-h/heading+up+the+horse+track+-+Overland+Track.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAQtIeAcffomcCNx2CpT6hsZXVFJOsYMXM_pCPrmxzaf7VKte4M0Nd-UqXkn2X3nCDxSFnqCxHUN30SWYuoju4PMMaxGqZgIHdAhmZJtaD3DYkcyooVTbcDkya_kN7KI8SsNWqg/s400/heading+up+the+horse+track+-+Overland+Track.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386735531341212946" border="0" /></a>Heading up the Horse Track as an alternative to the big grunt up Marions. Perfect for someone with<a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/hiking-with-bathmophobia-7-hiking-trips.html"> barthmophobia</a>. It is still a bit of a "climb" but over a longer distance. Every time we do it it seems to get harder....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgudWnKXoYiVATPi2HMs1sKmmF7jsDDwThs0bAKdffXdZzGp8xafJlL5n289OwKbPs4lG3sVOVGLz-BQAEicDjCyKjMj21GlwFHMcYvh5C6mYmzksYo-kENUhZuqHiM0qPJNHOw/s1600-h/Snow-+horsetrack+to+kitchen+hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgudWnKXoYiVATPi2HMs1sKmmF7jsDDwThs0bAKdffXdZzGp8xafJlL5n289OwKbPs4lG3sVOVGLz-BQAEicDjCyKjMj21GlwFHMcYvh5C6mYmzksYo-kENUhZuqHiM0qPJNHOw/s400/Snow-+horsetrack+to+kitchen+hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386735558157994882" border="0" /></a>We were hoping for snow, in fact a lot of snow! <span class="fullpost"> It had snowed heavily a couple of weeks before and while there was some on the Cradle Plateau it was very slushy and soft. Above is Sue heading across the Horse "Track" towards the intersection with the Overland Track proper (where it intersects just before Kitchen Hut)<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />We had planned to take snow shoes (Yowies) but Frank ended up the only person carrying them as the snow was patchy and not forecast for the duration of the trip. They were OK in this section but because the snow was so soft and slushy they broke through to ground several times and it was quite difficult to get them out of the snow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQS7zL29Kok1OAiPqLojGdTkai26XHHk0EogOcFg3xqN4spnQWMwTpzz3BLqFUu0o8sO4kFIV-0sRcPNCtBnCEDUIPgpuBXAZgON96o79OOvExZ_Vvx8HfWa9yEh2mFKdKVfX5g/s1600-h/Cradle+Mountain+snow+-+towards+Kitchen+Hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQS7zL29Kok1OAiPqLojGdTkai26XHHk0EogOcFg3xqN4spnQWMwTpzz3BLqFUu0o8sO4kFIV-0sRcPNCtBnCEDUIPgpuBXAZgON96o79OOvExZ_Vvx8HfWa9yEh2mFKdKVfX5g/s400/Cradle+Mountain+snow+-+towards+Kitchen+Hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386731999292422178" border="0" /></a>Heading across to Kitchen Hut (with Cradle Mountain in the background). The snow was particularly soft here as there was a lot of water running across the ground (under the snow)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCmzQjrVh0EwgX5xhsxAS_lKE4PsWiTUSlDzaXRhofV-udK5dDKnVwB3rtbqyp-Qp03GsgNoJjtajz6W8rQW-28Hwb2_jw0ZUwbqOQ8meT8xEqREUTCSHqwbr-g0Ki7yn5zELUQ/s1600-h/Snow+Cradle+Mountain+-+Overland+Track.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCmzQjrVh0EwgX5xhsxAS_lKE4PsWiTUSlDzaXRhofV-udK5dDKnVwB3rtbqyp-Qp03GsgNoJjtajz6W8rQW-28Hwb2_jw0ZUwbqOQ8meT8xEqREUTCSHqwbr-g0Ki7yn5zELUQ/s400/Snow+Cradle+Mountain+-+Overland+Track.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386735552249356482" border="0" /></a>The Overland Track was easy to find in the snow. We had fantastic weather on day one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHgKYjbIF58aTexk_Z8gdOnHqn_O6WorFEYCgSUuw5LXDi2wP86f9mQRcy606wUhV0z0GzC_zHIDStvDy-TC_vQnO_6OYsPTf5yixd0a0vKfeDkSmxx9h_JFPt0Up9XgXo6-SeA/s1600-h/Sunset+from+near+barn+Bluff+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHgKYjbIF58aTexk_Z8gdOnHqn_O6WorFEYCgSUuw5LXDi2wP86f9mQRcy606wUhV0z0GzC_zHIDStvDy-TC_vQnO_6OYsPTf5yixd0a0vKfeDkSmxx9h_JFPt0Up9XgXo6-SeA/s400/Sunset+from+near+barn+Bluff+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386740261614626722" border="0" /></a>We left the Ronney Creek car park (the official start of the Overland Track) at 1pm. Slow as ever, and hindered by the snow, we reached Waterfall valley Hut at 7pm. Sunset (above from just before the Barn Bluff turnoff) was at 6:07 so we had quite a bit of walking with headlights in the dark.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYo_8FUQIImoHvwJ57x0oGybKxisrUMfsXI-hpcYK4vr1sbiAwV8dCjpESwUcqa7ohvth69Qi5Fon1O_HvoZTwpcBQT3_0h81pmW-RhdmgXLTo2QZRtxDHRRGTyHAZs9LHdlPpw/s1600-h/Cooking+-+Windemere+Hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYo_8FUQIImoHvwJ57x0oGybKxisrUMfsXI-hpcYK4vr1sbiAwV8dCjpESwUcqa7ohvth69Qi5Fon1O_HvoZTwpcBQT3_0h81pmW-RhdmgXLTo2QZRtxDHRRGTyHAZs9LHdlPpw/s400/Cooking+-+Windemere+Hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386731992208678914" border="0" /></a>Cooking dinner at Windemere Hut we were surprised to be the only party in the hut that night. We were lucky enough to get ABC radio reception here and were able to listen to the AFL football and hear our team win the game and make the Grand Final. We also had Pelion and Kia Ora huts to ourselves which was surprising (but nice for a change, we have been at Pelion Hut when it was at it's capacity of 60 people)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt3sVnUPBA8uL_1br2g57oR_oWpCDvZOBbs9KjlEJTiwHkL1VqT1r4TKBMTmWUwMeMIlxlpLr_5o1IX93MGjfi1pK7MZn3gEpplGMjmh5x-guBuFLN6fSRrLaakGPVjxAy8Pyng/s1600-h/Track+conditions+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt3sVnUPBA8uL_1br2g57oR_oWpCDvZOBbs9KjlEJTiwHkL1VqT1r4TKBMTmWUwMeMIlxlpLr_5o1IX93MGjfi1pK7MZn3gEpplGMjmh5x-guBuFLN6fSRrLaakGPVjxAy8Pyng/s400/Track+conditions+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386740275703665826" border="0" /></a>Of seven days hiking, we had two totally fine days. The rest was a variety of "weather". Pictured above is John heading down the track. Tasmania has had a significant amount of winter and spring rain and the track was quite wet in places.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-wjsKHokClsF9ACeDPbW-35a2z9PrbF4y4JWvQjr5YpAMCKgaBqg9vz6M_42Fy5HimVez2gZxRhUe7zBY0hr6YVjKUxEzuXwiBR-cud0CuB8DTq_UR4iDJuKOBFip-GHaGs59w/s1600-h/Sue+and+Frank+Pelion+Gap+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-wjsKHokClsF9ACeDPbW-35a2z9PrbF4y4JWvQjr5YpAMCKgaBqg9vz6M_42Fy5HimVez2gZxRhUe7zBY0hr6YVjKUxEzuXwiBR-cud0CuB8DTq_UR4iDJuKOBFip-GHaGs59w/s400/Sue+and+Frank+Pelion+Gap+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386740241186685234" border="0" /></a>At Pelion Gap and the Mt Ossa turnoff. That evening we discovered we had red faces from sunburn! Colin had left Pelion Hut early hoping to climb Mt Ossa. When he arrived it was covered in cloud and after waiting an hour decided to head on to Kia Ora. As he says, no use climbing a mountain if you can't see the view. We arrive in sunshine and a cloud free Ossa!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FQ3F_ok1x600vSoPKP3CciauyHsfIwvikO2Pq49jR7NdFBJUo3GiIYqLnsQdVBL5IBRr2k31Kr1wr0usgWKJZNG5gE3rk3AgQPbjKkSaJ4n1kGi7WKKKaYNJrhBiqhfV0VkhHw/s1600-h/Snow+pelion+Gap+to+Kia+Ora+Hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FQ3F_ok1x600vSoPKP3CciauyHsfIwvikO2Pq49jR7NdFBJUo3GiIYqLnsQdVBL5IBRr2k31Kr1wr0usgWKJZNG5gE3rk3AgQPbjKkSaJ4n1kGi7WKKKaYNJrhBiqhfV0VkhHw/s400/Snow+pelion+Gap+to+Kia+Ora+Hut+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386740234257462178" border="0" /></a>Sue heading down Pelion Gap towards Kia Ora Hut. Nice bit of snow here but not enough for snow shoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-odSstsAcsJo0TsTaVnyTyaSgO6y8q6Wn2e7X6Fxvu-grnxBJwR25Pv4IUU52T_VAB2J9b07kmiaoieRKUUDd6mkb_eQ9LErUV8ZhHWGoJRj8TAk32BRs0gheYJtnoGztQfArQ/s1600-h/Frank+cold-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-odSstsAcsJo0TsTaVnyTyaSgO6y8q6Wn2e7X6Fxvu-grnxBJwR25Pv4IUU52T_VAB2J9b07kmiaoieRKUUDd6mkb_eQ9LErUV8ZhHWGoJRj8TAk32BRs0gheYJtnoGztQfArQ/s400/Frank+cold-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386735515134672338" border="0" /></a>It was a "bit chilly" on a couple of days. Pictured above is Frank feeling the cold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOI7jrEg9d-hrBmiqSuNmGDy-zPSn_smoZiIgoCya3Lb9jShbLONc1efhkKeD3G6WC_aFzNQ8SeDPzu8uo8IvJe_uBIPykeElTJlJn5-jWK_m451nbQ8J5siLmKaNnWoSMQjezPA/s1600-h/Ferguson+Falls+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOI7jrEg9d-hrBmiqSuNmGDy-zPSn_smoZiIgoCya3Lb9jShbLONc1efhkKeD3G6WC_aFzNQ8SeDPzu8uo8IvJe_uBIPykeElTJlJn5-jWK_m451nbQ8J5siLmKaNnWoSMQjezPA/s400/Ferguson+Falls+-+Overland+Track+Tasmania.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386732007970728818" border="0" /></a>We had never been into Ferguson Falls (which are between Kia Ora and Bert Nichols Hut) and were lucky to have chosen a great time of the year as it was PUMPING! We could not believe the roar of the water nor the sheer volume coming over the waterfall. It was a great side trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q489V7kMyWbT6rBetFTn_sae9KPXKDh1LxR-0cS89qXpW7JNDQarQQUjc5OvWb_MokyqAZPTeD3DRgpNXFzIHQS6ktAXdM1PnaEyx83yxE8tZ8mcLV6RnhwtZJ0dqalIOcxrgQ/s1600-h/Acropolysis+from+Bert+Nicols+Hut.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q489V7kMyWbT6rBetFTn_sae9KPXKDh1LxR-0cS89qXpW7JNDQarQQUjc5OvWb_MokyqAZPTeD3DRgpNXFzIHQS6ktAXdM1PnaEyx83yxE8tZ8mcLV6RnhwtZJ0dqalIOcxrgQ/s400/Acropolysis+from+Bert+Nicols+Hut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386731967265376866" border="0" /></a>Above is a great view of the Acropolis from Bert Nichols Hut. The new hut is an interesting addition to the Overland Track. There is a very long, funny and interesting post on <a href="http://bushwalk-tasmania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=103&start=0&hilit=Bert+Nichols">Bushwalk Tasmania about the Hut development</a>. (some people love it, others hate it- we can see both sides)<br /><br />We completed the walk at Echo Point Hut as the jetty at Narcissus was under a metre of water due to the high level of Lake St Clair.<br /><br />In conclusion, a few reflections on this walk may be useful for anyone planning a spring bushwalk on the Overland Track.<br />- the snow was wet and really soft. Travel time was slow and snow shoes unhelpful<br />- temperatures were never below freezing so the tracks were slushy and wet rather than icy as we had in our <a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-5-overland-track-kia-ora-hut-to.html">Winter Overland Track</a><br />- We took it easy and just went from hut to hut. It made for a very relaxing trip, leaving late (between 9 and 10 am) each day and arriving into the Hut most days between 2 and 4 pm. It was a great way to "do" the track.<br />- We saw 22 people in total for the whole seven days (and saw no one for 3 of the days). If you are experienced, well prepared and not too ambitious it may be a good time of the year to hike the Overland Track without the seasonal "crowds"<br />- we allowed 7 nights and 8 days in case the weather held us up (or if we wanted a side trip). Snow is very common in September and there had been a large dump two weeks before our trip.<br />- we ended coming out "early" and had a night at the Derwent Bridge Hotel. It was great and we really enjoyed the food and hospitality.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Related Posts</span></strong><br /></span><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/hiking-overland-track-downloadable-book.html">How to hike the Overland Track - our eBook on getting the trip done - 2009/10 update</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/05/backpacking-overland-track-view-from.html">Backpacking the Overland Track - a view from the States</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/12/food-menu-for-9-days-hiking.html">Planning food for a multiday hike</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/search/label/Overland%20Track">Various Overland Track posts</a><br /></span></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-27884847527685607072009-10-12T09:10:00.015+11:002009-10-12T15:13:40.886+11:00Bibbulmun Track - Advice and tips on this long distance hike<strong>What is the best section of the Bibbulman Track to hike?<br /></strong><br /><strong>Do you need a tent?<br /></strong><br /><strong>What is the water supply like on this famous 1000km adventure from Kalamunda, a suburb in the hills on the outskirts of Perth, to the historic town of Albany on the south coast of Australia?</strong><br /><br />We received an email from Bruce asking several questions about the Bibbulman Track, and in this post, we share Dave Tomlinson's answers with other readers of "Our Hiking Blog".<br /><br />Regular readers will remember Dave's excellent reports on the Bibbulman Track and The Great South West Walk.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU9OQaSHLYXiQYsSkATOhKIQy_JAu18SP5F32kzOUhI2zOw71ID_sVI4GMJL_fzhiDCzrVjy-1dyBYIIIBeJrf4ZyOCSc79wPZ4_EOX2OhwslTngc_mCmkOKfZNF7p4N0qETfZw/s1600-h/Waugal+track+market+-+Bibbulman+Track.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391476825413417890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU9OQaSHLYXiQYsSkATOhKIQy_JAu18SP5F32kzOUhI2zOw71ID_sVI4GMJL_fzhiDCzrVjy-1dyBYIIIBeJrf4ZyOCSc79wPZ4_EOX2OhwslTngc_mCmkOKfZNF7p4N0qETfZw/s400/Waugal+track+market+-+Bibbulman+Track.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have split Bruce's email into questions and then Dave's answers.<br /><br /><em>My name is Bruce Bxxx and I was thinking about doing a hike on the Bibbulmun for the full month of December 2009. I am an experienced walker (Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker, trails in Tasmania, Argentina, Chile, Ireland, Scotland), though had a couple of questions I was wondering if I might bother you with.</em><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><em>Q: I understand Dec can be very hot on the Track...will I have problems finding water? I realize the shelters' tanks should probably have some. But was wondering I might endure some very dry spells with empty tanks. I'll probably start the morning off with 2 full litres in my pack.<br /></em><br />A: December is summer time in Western Australia but it may not have the heat of February when I was on the track.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpEzIbZ1MrvvcUciK8VeDlG2cZB6XsgJ7N37yn9Mzg0JYuPWYwKAlTHYHltw_sObBco1MlG7iwZ3Awq5YYLt9RuVPRFlpBtDDbMa6xlfxW0MjZTRdhrXqMWGmlLpfRIgSJd94rQ/s1600-h/water_bibbulman_track.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391496722170439698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpEzIbZ1MrvvcUciK8VeDlG2cZB6XsgJ7N37yn9Mzg0JYuPWYwKAlTHYHltw_sObBco1MlG7iwZ3Awq5YYLt9RuVPRFlpBtDDbMa6xlfxW0MjZTRdhrXqMWGmlLpfRIgSJd94rQ/s400/water_bibbulman_track.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Dave's water carrier - note the tannin stain - no problems to drink</span><br /><br /><strong>Please be assured that you'll have no problem with water.<br /></strong><br /><br />The CALM (Conservation and Land Management) staff do a wonderful job maintaining the facilities and checking that tanks have adequate water. They are also supported by an army of volunteers along the entire track length. During my hike, a couple of the tanks had low water levels with a request to be conservative with it but it was never a problem. Because you can depend on water at every shelter only carry what you need to drink.<br /><br /><strong>I consistently arrived at each campsite with only about 100m left in my bottle.</strong><br /><br />Carrying any more is pointless. Through the top of the northern section you can 'double-hut', which means you can refill halfway through the day and carry even less.<br /><br /><em>Q: If I walked from 2 Dec to 29 Dec...what would you recommend as being the best part? North to Mid? Mid to North? South to Mid or Mid to South? I probably only have enough time for 350 or so miles.</em><br /><br />The question of which part to hike is a difficult one because it depends on the individual. Each section offers it's unique beauty and tranquility. There are a few highlights though and the most popular section for many is the area around Walpole because of the huge and iconic karri trees.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvD10_rzRh_WkLR7cmwYSGuMCnBHg3tf152tJLy4ss8GhIGLXZH_riQoJGIsOt9jLhNOpEdZqgHTPduEqX68FASSDqtz14o6pfRxMGYGLk1Wm8zOG7XaaX7LXk653-05_H29fjg/s1600-h/karri_tree_bibbulman_track.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391496726521711010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvD10_rzRh_WkLR7cmwYSGuMCnBHg3tf152tJLy4ss8GhIGLXZH_riQoJGIsOt9jLhNOpEdZqgHTPduEqX68FASSDqtz14o6pfRxMGYGLk1Wm8zOG7XaaX7LXk653-05_H29fjg/s400/karri_tree_bibbulman_track.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Karri Tree</span><br /><br />The southern section has some magnificent coastal scenery although the hiking is more difficult in parts because of the sand dunes. There are some beautiful areas of Jarrah forest in the northern section and I loved the rugged Pingerup Plains.<br /><br />To be honest, I really can't answer this question because it depends on what you prefer. I suggest you have a look at the track photos that I've uploaded onto the internet and see what inspires you. The link is: <a href="http://s474.photobucket.com/albums/rr108/DaveTomlinson/Bibbulmun%20Track/">here to all my pictures</a> .<br /><br /><em>Q: I'll probably carry a 3 lb tent.</em><br /><br /><strong>A: At the time I hiked the track there was absolutely no need for a tent.</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB2tQ5z_Qs-d4yex2JcaPxbd06btNbwzQ-CG23-HmPd3YIL2NsxXy2vgpicmPi74QCmTvKi1rI1qV3etTGUKMZ9XHt7xdsrDscQgNtJULnsjuJ7OIbswgEtzffJUb2RE1o_WY6w/s1600-h/frankland_river_campsite.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391501782740085458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB2tQ5z_Qs-d4yex2JcaPxbd06btNbwzQ-CG23-HmPd3YIL2NsxXy2vgpicmPi74QCmTvKi1rI1qV3etTGUKMZ9XHt7xdsrDscQgNtJULnsjuJ7OIbswgEtzffJUb2RE1o_WY6w/s400/frankland_river_campsite.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Frankland River campsite</span><br /><br />This could well be different in spring time when many people hike to see the wild flowers. However, with December being the beginning of summer I would suggest you don't need it. So, unless you plan to camp between the shelters (where you won't have water)<br /><br /><strong>I suggest you leave it behind. The shelters comfortably sleep at least 8 people.</strong><br /><br /><em>Q: Could I get by with a sleeping bag rated to 10 degrees C or 45 degrees Farenheit?</em><br /><br />A: The sleeping bag is an interesting question because I don't trust their ratings. Mine was rated at 5C and was only just adequate, especially in the southern section where it's cooler.<br /><br /><strong>So, to be honest I don't think a bag rated at 10C would be warm enough.</strong><br /><br />For your comfort and peace of mind I'd suggest 5 deg C or even 0 deg C. Remember that the shelters are not fully enclosed. They are three-sided and although they are beautifully constructed and provide shelter from the prevailing winds, it can still be chilly at night.<br /><br /><em>Q: Any problems finding gas cannisters for stove (iso butyl mix)?</em><br /><br />A: Providing your stove is a standard model, you won't have any problem finding gas canisters.<br />Each town that you pass through will have them in either the supermarket, general store or petrol station. I used the butane canisters with the threaded connection. Depending on the time of year and the section of track you are in, you may be able to use the fireplaces to cook but fire bans are often in place during the summer period.<br /><br /><em>Q: Think I would need a fleece?</em><br /><br />A: Dave did not address this question but I would, note answer to sleeping bag question, it can get cold at night! (Frank)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#660000;">There is also another great post by Dave on the blog titled - </span></strong><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/06/bibbulmun-track-planning.html"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Bibbulman Track planning </span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#660000;">- it is well worth reading in conjunction with this post.</span></strong><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Related Posts:</span></b></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/bibbulmun-track-long-distance-hike.html">Bibbulmun Track - Part One - A very long hike</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/05/bibbulman-track-southern-section-trip.html">Bibbulmun Track - Part Two - The Southern Section</a><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">The Official Site:</span></span></b><br /><a href="http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/trip-planner.aspx">Bibbulmun Track - Trip Planning</a><br /><br />Many thanks to Dave Tomlinson for his fantastic words and pictures for this post.<br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-26687789773219078172009-09-09T09:22:00.011+10:002009-09-09T11:25:56.376+10:00Family backpacking or bushwalking - planning your tripPlanning on a hiking trip with your children?<br />Looking for information on how to bushwalk or backpack with your family?<br />What is the best way to go multiday hiking with your kids?<br /><br />Damian and Renee have a fantastic blog called <a href="http://www.adventureinprogress.com/">Adventure in progress</a> which focuses on "Encouraging families to get outdoors and experience adventure".<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.adventureinprogress.com/system/files/images/hiking%20up.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 425px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.adventureinprogress.com/system/files/images/hiking%20up.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Frank got lost in reading some of the terrific posts and enjoying Renee's wonderful photography.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />This family , with three young children, just completed their first family backpacking (we call it bushwalking in Australia) trip to Gentian Pond on the Appalachian Trail. Damian just posted a great yarn titled: <a href="http://www.adventureinprogress.com/gentian-pond-success-failure">Gentian Pond Backpacking - Successes and Failures </a><br /><br />It is highly recommended reading as Damian has analysed the different gear that worked (was a Success) and did not work (Failed) when hiking with children. Great reading and very informative.<br /><br />(btw -Gentian Pond Campsite is on the Mahoosuc Trail section of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire, located 5 miles or so from the Maine border)<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Related Posts</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/03/hiking-gear-basics.html">Hiking Gear - the basics</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/02/spirituality-of-bushwalking-one-mans.html">The Spirituality of Bushwalking - one man's reflections</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/04/alpine-walk-hannah-2007.html">Australian Alps Walking Track - when your kids go it alone!</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/walls-of-jerusalem-to-overland-track.html">Tasmania Hiking - we drag out the young people!</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/03/hiking-gear-what-are-basics-to-get.html">What basic gear do you need to get started multiday hiking?</a></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-84057197450620305682009-08-25T08:28:00.027+10:002009-08-26T09:06:36.311+10:00Microspikes - a solution for hiking in icy conditions?Having trouble hiking or bushwalking on icy tracks?<br />Want to stop falling over on your next winter trek?<br />Are conditions too good (or not good enough) for snowshoes but icy and slippery?<br /><br /><strong>What is the best footwear for hiking in the snow or ice? </strong><br /><br />Hiking in Tasmania in winter can be a treacherous experience. The snow is not consistent and there are many sections of track that remain icy all day or , just to add to the fun, the duck boarding is covered with compressed, slippery snow and ice. When we were there a couple of years ago, walking was slow and dangerous as we constantly tested our footing to avoid slipping and a serious fall.<br /><br /><br />We needed a solution for our Overland Track hike in mid September (early Spring)<br /><br />Snow shoes were impractical to wear all the time because of the inconsistancy in snow cover. In addition, the narrowness of the track or it's condition meant it was dangerous to wear snowshoes as they can easily be caught in roots or rocks.<br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rvhu05c59ZmoA-Ik4A-DUccfr5MT50H38k4NTrYWNgARbyQYRS3mbWCUroXnO7bDh_emxgsU0d9yGJ-1XpEPTbToXmE_ZwrzWIIMLVKtYWelABAaCNKblkVtxiZcyV1EpDpDVw/s1600-h/ice_roots.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373743383175538722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rvhu05c59ZmoA-Ik4A-DUccfr5MT50H38k4NTrYWNgARbyQYRS3mbWCUroXnO7bDh_emxgsU0d9yGJ-1XpEPTbToXmE_ZwrzWIIMLVKtYWelABAaCNKblkVtxiZcyV1EpDpDVw/s400/ice_roots.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In an attempt to solve this problem we recently purchased some <a href="http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html">Kahtoola Microspikes</a>. This weekend we tested them around Falls Creek in Victoria on a family skiing trip and were very happy with our purchase.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfXsKq8qoQOVegkk-NZGA0fuJaHh0mecMP2zdWG51ITTAfvgXFsIuCJ7ob_GclsnLNOcU9lTuQzKkkgRiU_x99lopx5PiHD7Q-0nBo1oISv5bIawDKVtwQ1Z9vmcDORVDgUJGnw/s1600-h/spikes_prod.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373661230808774482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfXsKq8qoQOVegkk-NZGA0fuJaHh0mecMP2zdWG51ITTAfvgXFsIuCJ7ob_GclsnLNOcU9lTuQzKkkgRiU_x99lopx5PiHD7Q-0nBo1oISv5bIawDKVtwQ1Z9vmcDORVDgUJGnw/s400/spikes_prod.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>What are they?</strong><br />"Lightweight" (300 - 400gms depending on size) boot / shoe "chains" WITH spikes<br /><br /><strong>Background:<br /></strong>The microspikes were recommended by Alan, a mate from the east coast of the USA, <a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/05/overland-track-tasmania-what-scenery.html">who walked the Overland Track </a>with us a couple of years ago. (we have never seen them for sale in Oz)<br />We researched them and according to the "blurb" the Microspikes are OK for rock, concrete, scree, ice, snow. Perfect for the type of conditions we would be facing.<br /><br />Four pairs were ordered from <a href="http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.html">Kahtoola</a> - the prices (in Australian dollars) worked out to $90 each including freight.<br /><br />Incredibly, they were ordered on a Monday night and were delivered Friday of the same week!<br /><br /><strong>Test<br /></strong>We went to Falls Creek in Victoria last weekend on a family ski trip. The conditions were snowy, icy and very slippery on the roads etc around the village.<br /><br />Threw on our Microspikes and they were great:<br />1) Really easy to put on (almost one handed)<br />2) Did not feel too weird to wear on solid surfaces like road and gravel - (Thought it would be like being perched up in the air on unstable chains)<br />3) Worked a treat on icy surfaces. Just like walking normally<br />4) Worked really well on compressed / icy snow (like you get on duck boarding) Including one section that was almost a 40 degree angle.<br />5) Did not move around or slip off the boot - just held in position<br /><br /><strong>Possible risks/ problems / issues<br /></strong>- This was an hour long test in "civilised" conditions - no pack or tree roots or bog holes - therefore untested in rough conditions (not that the OT is very rough)<br />- not sure of durability of (to quote) "tough elastomer shoe harness" if hooked in branches , roots etc. It does fit very snugly to your boot / shoe so that is a bonus.<br />- NOT designed to replace snow shoes in deep snow - we bought them to improve traction where snow shoes are a pain i.e. wearing big and clumpy duck like feet trying to walk up an icy rock face or down a very slippery section of duck boarding<br /><br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />- Look the goods for us even if they assist with increasing our speed on icy sections by 20%<br />- adding another 400g is acceptable if we can save a few falls and bruises<br />- will probably still take snow shoes (we have Yowies and have used them in the area before) on the chance there is a good dump of snow and we can do some off track walking<br />- We will do a follow up post on how they perform in real conditions<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993300;">Related Topics: </span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/liven-on-edge-or-was-it-in-cold.html">Living on the Edge – or was it cold? Pictures of Walls of Jerusalem to Overland Track via the Never Never </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-one-launceston-to-dixon-kingdom-hut.html">Launceston to Dixon Kingdom Hut – Walls of Jerusalem – Winter </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-2-walls-of-jerusalem.html">Walls of Jerusalem – Mt Jerusalem – Winter </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-three-dixon-kingdom-hut-to-lake.html">Dixon Kingdom Hut to Meston Hut – Winter </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-4-lake-meston-hut-to-kia-ora-hut.html">Meston Hut to Kia Ora Hut – via the Never Never – Winter </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-5-overland-track-kia-ora-hut-to.html">Kia Ora Hut to Pelion Hut – Winter </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-6-pelion-hut-to-windemere-hut.html">Pelion Hut to Windemere Hut – Winter </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/07/day-7-windemere-hut-to-cradle-mountain.html">Windemere Hut to Cradle Mountain Lodge - Winter</a><br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-19646729924699687362009-08-17T17:22:00.000+10:002009-08-17T17:41:14.164+10:00Hiking the South Coast Track in Tasmania - Surprise Bay to Cockle CreekIn this post, Larry Hamilton continues his extensive trip report on the South Coast Track in Southern Tasmania.<br /><br />This post commences on Day Eight where Larry had overnighted at Surprise Bay, (one of our favourite places on the SCT) and continues to the end of the Track at Cockle Creek.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Eight 26 June</span><br /><br />The rain continued heavily overnight and was steadily falling in the morning so I took an enforced rest day. Because of the previous rest days I got a little stir crazy and would have liked to keep moving but it wouldn't have been pleasant walking. I had a brief respite from the rain in the afternoon and ventured out with my camera. The creek I crossed yesterday which was over waist deep was impressively high and I got a photo of it which unfortunately didn't do it justice. Had I been crossing it today it would have been an exciting swim.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCEGj9NIlARHsV3pOULD9AoxyR4ybe8AVueJNmcEp89uHN2pMFwjPtnzvKGSAFCQydGGLpqbfUvw1p91g8JGP-t6yc6pGs8nQM25ooTyIiBADk4drq7PPEDRCXZKhxQQSutaU7w/s1600-h/surprise_bay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCEGj9NIlARHsV3pOULD9AoxyR4ybe8AVueJNmcEp89uHN2pMFwjPtnzvKGSAFCQydGGLpqbfUvw1p91g8JGP-t6yc6pGs8nQM25ooTyIiBADk4drq7PPEDRCXZKhxQQSutaU7w/s400/surprise_bay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367862456850481282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Surprise Bay from the campsite</span><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Nine 27 June</span><br /><br />It stopped raining about 1am and apart from the occasional sprinkle was pretty dry. The wind had also dropped off so the condensation issues in the tent were pretty severe. It is a short hop to Granite Beach with the South Cape Range thereafter so in clearing weather and showers I walked over the range and down to Granite Beach. Granite Beach turned out to be the highlight of my trip probably because I arrived with rainbows and three quite big waterfalls pouring into a very pretty bay. I also liked the climb up beside the waterfall and the interesting location of the campsite. The rain showers gradually decreased and stopped late in the afternoon enabling me to dry some of my gear out and really appreciate just what a pretty spot it is. I'd go back there in a flash.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQd7w1LyzHv_-_3bm4AKRezDdJ-CVvKNplX2Gfwg97wDaTEu2KaSq-meBODi1q77h9JRX3sb1Lx8ECwC6ZADABW7x5fpWLmHj6V1qGWAYUWFRFTw-GnB4VU5tCvvKSY-YaeOXjQ/s1600-h/tent_granite_beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQd7w1LyzHv_-_3bm4AKRezDdJ-CVvKNplX2Gfwg97wDaTEu2KaSq-meBODi1q77h9JRX3sb1Lx8ECwC6ZADABW7x5fpWLmHj6V1qGWAYUWFRFTw-GnB4VU5tCvvKSY-YaeOXjQ/s400/tent_granite_beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367868740453888738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Tent and tarp setup at Granite Beach campsite</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzzEjf57Us-VUt7PWu-InWdqF03Red_mCmX5N5Y1vwoW_x_4y8GLjTq6M3jkOBC-5V7u597Zd-Fe9tUhTp7MTXOiuhTPvFsm8QCnC_jTnVS1dhdEiVVFYs7gx3vz4Um3voZKGjA/s1600-h/granite_beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzzEjf57Us-VUt7PWu-InWdqF03Red_mCmX5N5Y1vwoW_x_4y8GLjTq6M3jkOBC-5V7u597Zd-Fe9tUhTp7MTXOiuhTPvFsm8QCnC_jTnVS1dhdEiVVFYs7gx3vz4Um3voZKGjA/s400/granite_beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367862468148931746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Granite Beach from the western campsite</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Ten 28 June</span><br /><br />I started early and was walking in pretty dim light at 7.30am as I anticipated a long day over South Cape Range. The weather had cleared and I had a bright, sunny and cool day. As predicted it was a muddy day and I sloshed over the range getting dirtier and dirtier. Initially the descent is tough with long drops and lots of exposed and slippery tree roots. Because of the rain, the track was in many places the river course and I got pretty wet. The later descent from the range when I broke out of the forest is a really nice walk and because I had made good time over the range I ended up whistling happily along a nice track through light coastal forest down towards South Cape Rivulet. I'd had a good day which I didn't really expect, given the tales I'd heard about South Cape Range.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaXo1eVt_CeZL0scfxCdSZuM6MLqbc15FdI4uG5eD4gmw02mbYMCHf1jpLWHMtHJjtTDrmVuiL_MjKVI8GZwoShCR1vINQjRsU21PQm3WOrrTp3_di9Wx4z0RvBkd_cybs2Ee6A/s1600-h/south_cape_range_to_ocean.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaXo1eVt_CeZL0scfxCdSZuM6MLqbc15FdI4uG5eD4gmw02mbYMCHf1jpLWHMtHJjtTDrmVuiL_MjKVI8GZwoShCR1vINQjRsU21PQm3WOrrTp3_di9Wx4z0RvBkd_cybs2Ee6A/s400/south_cape_range_to_ocean.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367862473411091042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking back at the ocean from the South Cape Range</span><br /><br />I ended the day by swimming South Cape Rivulet which was still big from the rain on the previous days. The camp on the west side of the rivulet is a nice spot in a unique environment. I set up camp and got into dry gear. Towards the evening clouds gathered in the west and it looked as if rain was on the way again as I prepared my evening meal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz_bfLyTHty3D49TWEH66L75kyV0edHoLaxToa4qNW1JGUeEoyJx-1qmj1oNvgalLgiPKWVmD-KQTNYeUxBC3hpdkiUNqNW4Dgzb16ZYokTMV9F57F4SBIzORfH5mpZ1GFfbMeA/s1600-h/south_cape_rivulet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz_bfLyTHty3D49TWEH66L75kyV0edHoLaxToa4qNW1JGUeEoyJx-1qmj1oNvgalLgiPKWVmD-KQTNYeUxBC3hpdkiUNqNW4Dgzb16ZYokTMV9F57F4SBIzORfH5mpZ1GFfbMeA/s400/south_cape_rivulet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367862476846020562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">South Cape Rivulet</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Eleven 29 June</span><br /><br />I had some rain showers overnight but the day dawned clear with light and fluffy clouds which cleared during the day. It wasn't too pleasant putting on completely saturated clothes when it was only six degrees in the morning but it didn't take long to warm up. The walk to Cockle Creek is a pleasant one and has some great views, some beautiful beaches and some interesting landforms at Coal Bluff.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeArZE2vKUPi8urJrUfKKUWNRRc4bbvnfhjrOrugfXampgrzuQAd_gC8ygBGpquLrNcnzRO-mPNGBvArZdM40wyy0ezshgWPTUu9hcJ_PWSKwwm8bwMkm0OaimQL0AesdDlcYOmw/s1600-h/larry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeArZE2vKUPi8urJrUfKKUWNRRc4bbvnfhjrOrugfXampgrzuQAd_gC8ygBGpquLrNcnzRO-mPNGBvArZdM40wyy0ezshgWPTUu9hcJ_PWSKwwm8bwMkm0OaimQL0AesdDlcYOmw/s400/larry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367868748692394946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The author - Larry Knight </span><br /><br />It is a really enjoyable way to end the walk and I felt a bit ambivalent at the finish. I still had food and fuel in my pack but had to stop. I was pleased to be at the end but also disappointed that there was not more to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWBFsnQdvHu8T2oOPOoDTmZrHeifXJzIrfrK1V29NT1ZX5ecuqA_Lmb1KSbaJvv7ZUmc5StH1-TJ6u76kJLJb2XCzd18j9K8r8B4rbJL3pEo5OGWsnV9RlkqS3Mg-Hd_gXTPCRw/s1600-h/cockle_creek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWBFsnQdvHu8T2oOPOoDTmZrHeifXJzIrfrK1V29NT1ZX5ecuqA_Lmb1KSbaJvv7ZUmc5StH1-TJ6u76kJLJb2XCzd18j9K8r8B4rbJL3pEo5OGWsnV9RlkqS3Mg-Hd_gXTPCRw/s400/cockle_creek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367868754899080018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The beach - Cockle Creek</span><br /><br />I arrived at Cockle Creek at midday and after phoning Dover for the pickup taxi had plenty of time to change into clean clothes, phone my wife and poke around Cockle Creek taking photos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDUlkj0VxNd5jm3Ehz1vBdPWcXd9WMfbsti5rwgKdCiy99fVz3XgfqPMeQPXVcct8vcOa9p0852fHZ5S-au5DBuU20cgxCi_hyphenhyphen1v_Xbx3v_GXR1_pupJI-IxoUGCRNM4Kp5sQFQ/s1600-h/cockle_creek_bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDUlkj0VxNd5jm3Ehz1vBdPWcXd9WMfbsti5rwgKdCiy99fVz3XgfqPMeQPXVcct8vcOa9p0852fHZ5S-au5DBuU20cgxCi_hyphenhyphen1v_Xbx3v_GXR1_pupJI-IxoUGCRNM4Kp5sQFQ/s400/cockle_creek_bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367868757168834178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Bridge over Cockle Creek</span><br /><br />I was lucky with the weather and had taken it easy. The walk was everything I'd expected and certainly as good as it is reported to be. I'd happily do the walk again but am setting my sights on seeing some of South West Cape and of the side bays, now that I've seen the main track. I enjoyed having the South West Track to myself and didn't see a soul for the eleven days. That for me adds to the sense of wilderness. I'd certainly recommend the walk as one to do. The track is well marked and navigation isn't an issue. The muddiest plains have boardwalks and there is sufficient challenge in the walk to make it exciting and interesting. But it is the environment and the scenery that really make it worth doing.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Related Posts</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/07/south-coast-track-tasmania-solo-winter.html">The South Coast Track - Solo Winter Trip report by Larry Hamilton - Part One </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/08/south-coat-track-ironbound-ranges-and.html">South Coast Track - Part Two by Larry Hamilton - Ironbound Ranges and Leeches</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/port-davey-track-trip-report.html">Larry's Port Davey Trip Report</a>- great reading<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/hiking-gear-ideas-for-multi-day-trip.html">Gear List for Wilderness Bushwalking Trip</a> - Larry Hamilton's excellent gear list<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/south-coast-track-louisa-and-faraway.html">Stuck between Louisa and Faraway Creeks</a> - Our adventure on the South Coast Track<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2006/03/south-coast-walk-tasmania.html">Hiking the South Coast Track</a> - our first (and last time)<br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-30857472520993131552009-08-09T11:39:00.011+10:002009-08-13T15:27:52.032+10:00South Coast Track - Ironbound Ranges and LeechesIn this post we continue with Larry Hamilton's guest post on hiking the South Coast Track in Southern Tasmania.<br /><br />The South Coast Track runs between Melaluka and Cockle Creek in the South West Heritage area in Tasmania. It combines spectacular coastal hiking with some (a lot) of slog through inland sections with mud and more mud....<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(153,0,0)">Part Two commences from the Louisa Creek campsite before he heads up the Ironbound Range, a climb notorious for difficult weather conditions and a very steep exposed climb.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Day Four 22 June</span><br /><br />I was up by 5.30 am packing up in the dark and on the track before dawn at 7.45am. It was a beautiful, clear, still morning and the weather report for the area was for heavy fog. That wasn't evident in the Louisa River valley but as I ascended the Ironbounds the fog rolled in over the ranges and through the valleys from the west. I was above the fog by the time it arrived and so got a very pretty view of the mountains poking out of the fog for most of the day. And I walked in clear weather for the whole of the day. I got to the top of the Ironbounds at 11.30am and was pleased to have had a cool day for the climb. Tackling the climb on a hot summer's day wouldn't be my idea of fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc05VSivGWSaQj8npq9c4jQgQvW_qJX5Mkllv9NsgdB8bgJoOtU-wTHMn4yJ_DL7UtOWkMz61hseaqFFpfI76fzXEQd47uSATvX6WCU-piuSHHTCm-jEm6zCK7tIv5rpIDH5Reg/s1600-h/top_ironbound_mountain_range_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367789224689288306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc05VSivGWSaQj8npq9c4jQgQvW_qJX5Mkllv9NsgdB8bgJoOtU-wTHMn4yJ_DL7UtOWkMz61hseaqFFpfI76fzXEQd47uSATvX6WCU-piuSHHTCm-jEm6zCK7tIv5rpIDH5Reg/s400/top_ironbound_mountain_range_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Views from the Ironbound Range- great weather</span><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyle4JXssF9F3WEIuTqKAjeQVs457UVDPnDiiW9V54jbgc146N4JpyzQ6p4_NtCl0sTFDMODWpdBffF_kB6g_mW6omJmD_EZ7NxMT5mw2HCZrWqLddYMaWUz5By6MmGI6tFupIiw/s1600-h/top_ironbound_mountain_range_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367789229276758322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyle4JXssF9F3WEIuTqKAjeQVs457UVDPnDiiW9V54jbgc146N4JpyzQ6p4_NtCl0sTFDMODWpdBffF_kB6g_mW6omJmD_EZ7NxMT5mw2HCZrWqLddYMaWUz5By6MmGI6tFupIiw/s400/top_ironbound_mountain_range_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I hit the Ironbounds high camp at midday, had lunch and a look around the campsite. The descent was trickier than the ascent as everyone finds and I reached the low camp at 2.30pm and thought carefully about continuing as dusk was not that far away. I decided to push on and almost immediately came across a number of big trees down across the track and my pet hate (yellow, slimy mud! I much prefer the peaty black mud) this combination slowed me down considerably, probably contributed to by some weariness from the climb and descent.<br /><br />I got into camp as dusk was descending at 4.15pm in pretty dim light and was pleased to have done so. Little Deadmans Bay is a pretty spot and I thought I'd take another rest day to have a good look at it and its surroundings on the morrow.<br /><br />(Ed: Check out this post <a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/south-coast-track-solo-by-very-fit.html">Hiking the South Coast Track Solo by a very fit woman</a>)<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Day Five 23 June</span><br /><br />Having resolved to take a rest day I woke up feeling fresh and eager to continue and as a result thought again about continuing. The forecast was for deteriorating weather and drizzle in the evening so I fought the tendency to keep moving and instead I took advantage of the sunshine and pretty location to dry things out, relax and take some photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUajEX8RXfCCbZBl7OKQHlVGUGZdlcSBEq9eG_ZU7LZctmel7F8MYZyA2W7sCLBTX3WKypql_03JUeGh_cORWbwcknmpmbezoN6-dnH2TpLhqIcPC2kQnN7oIXDD2jd-AB7yzwRQ/s1600-h/deadmans_bay.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367789240546194802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUajEX8RXfCCbZBl7OKQHlVGUGZdlcSBEq9eG_ZU7LZctmel7F8MYZyA2W7sCLBTX3WKypql_03JUeGh_cORWbwcknmpmbezoN6-dnH2TpLhqIcPC2kQnN7oIXDD2jd-AB7yzwRQ/s400/deadmans_bay.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Deadmans Bay</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Day Six 24 June</span><br /><br />The drizzle didn't eventuate yesterday or last night and while the weather was evidently coming, it was not a frontal gale coming from the west but more heavy overcast and increasing drizzle. It is an easy walk from Little Deadmans Bay to the New River Lagoon and the rain started while walking on the beach approaching the lagoon. I had an interesting half hour trying to put on a tarp/poncho I had brought with me and would have been good entertainment for an observer as I struggled to get it draped as it is intended to be. When I eventually got it on I had a good laugh at my tracks on the beach. It looked as if I'd had a moment of madness dancing and pirouetting around in the midst of a sober and solitary trail up to and on from that mad dance. I enjoyed the walk along the beach.<br /><br />Somehow the wind and the drizzle matched the wildness of the waves, the windswept beach with its jetsam of bull kelp and the pacific gulls and oyster catchers along the shore. As the wind wasn't all that strong and was mostly from a northerly direction the crossing was uneventful and uncomplicated. I was impressed by how many wombat and wallaby tracks there were along the banks of the lagoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6FTOKKz5365T97V5o2SePq0oI4Zsn2PKEyV5Ck0GngxBLEIy1Mh_bsHhAqgjUAq6tOfyRe6cFcb7SQ3WcPSsgZ0ZZapACIV2WmWmy1MIsQAdGFWuDRMkEZhrMYjUJhg3BJEFwg/s1600-h/New_river_lagoon_boat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367789237769948498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6FTOKKz5365T97V5o2SePq0oI4Zsn2PKEyV5Ck0GngxBLEIy1Mh_bsHhAqgjUAq6tOfyRe6cFcb7SQ3WcPSsgZ0ZZapACIV2WmWmy1MIsQAdGFWuDRMkEZhrMYjUJhg3BJEFwg/s400/New_river_lagoon_boat.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The boat at New River Lagoon - it is heavier than it looks!</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Day Seven 25 June</span><br /><br />The morning forecast was for increasing showers and rain for the next four days but while there were some heavy showers, most of the early rain was drizzle really so I packed up and headed for Surprise Bay. I got pretty wet on the walk to Surprise Bay as the showers certainly got heavier so I decided to camp there after a short day to wait out the worst of the rain. It was a nice walk though. The crossing of Milford Creek was a thigh-deep wade and it looked like it was rising.<br /><br />By the time I got to Surprise Bay the creek at the west end of the beach was running pretty strongly and was turbulent with froth and dark with tannin so that I had no idea how deep it was. It turned out to be above waist deep with a strong current but I managed to keep my feet. The campsite above the beach was quite large with a good selection of sites to pitch a tent so I set up my tent and tarp and added my poncho/tarp to the set-up which allowed me quite a bit of dry space to sit under outside of my tent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcjFbI0X0Dz_r3eSpawIiEv2kSPL4GkAJpnqC-EHwwNsVZG8qaX6JeeAmZ7G3KA-0euEGOuOhA1ylR29UF07SRAfV4nvSUeq8233PUMIDNqAuOHlZeY4lFWDurWyeTGmfoy3CnQ/s1600-h/New_river_lagoon_from_air.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367789249441147426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcjFbI0X0Dz_r3eSpawIiEv2kSPL4GkAJpnqC-EHwwNsVZG8qaX6JeeAmZ7G3KA-0euEGOuOhA1ylR29UF07SRAfV4nvSUeq8233PUMIDNqAuOHlZeY4lFWDurWyeTGmfoy3CnQ/s400/New_river_lagoon_from_air.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">New River Lagoon from the air</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Leeches!</span><br /><br />I came across my first leech here. I can't say I'd missed them earlier in the walk as I'm not too fond of the little suckers but I'd been surprised by their relative absence and had puzzled over why this might have been the case. I can only think that the salty air and seaside environment was something that they weren't fond of. I always carry salt to deal with them and know how much they dislike it.<br /><br />For this trip I was keen to try some pyrethrin spray that my research indicated should be effective with leeches. So the first leech was experiment number one and it was one leech down. Even here there were not many leeches and because of that I suppose I got careless. After retiring to my sleeping bag after dark something bothered me while I was lying there reflecting on the day. On turning on my led lantern I discovered a leech stretching from the inside of the inner tent towards my cheek, only a few centimetres away. A flurry of activity and some more spray and scratch leech number two. That had me checking the inside of my tent pretty carefully to make sure that there were no more to surprise me inside the tent and that the inner was zipped up fully.<br /><br />When it gets dark at 5pm and doesn't get light again until 7.30am I tend to spend a lot of time in my sleeping bag and really too much time trying to get some sleep. Winter walking is a way of catching up on sleep and I wouldn't recommend it for insomniacs. At night I value the mp3 player and little radio, even when the reception is pretty crappy.<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(102,0,0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Related Posts</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/07/south-coast-track-tasmania-solo-winter.html">The South Coast Track - Solo Winter Trip report by Larry Hamilton - Part One </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/port-davey-track-trip-report.html">Larry's Port Davey Trip Report</a>- great reading<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/hiking-gear-ideas-for-multi-day-trip.html">Gear List for Wilderness Bushwalking Trip</a> - Larry Hamilton's excellent gear list<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/south-coast-track-louisa-and-faraway.html">Stuck between Louisa and Faraway Creeks</a> - Our adventure on the South Coast Track<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2006/03/south-coast-walk-tasmania.html">Hiking the South Coast Track</a> - our first (and last time)<br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-30544346970831900132009-07-29T18:43:00.014+10:002009-08-09T10:38:51.971+10:00Overland Track - Winter hike - a photographers paradiseThere are photographs of the Tasmanian Wilderness and then there are beautiful images.<br /><br />Pieces of art that reflect the beauty of the area and tell a story that excites you and makes you want to be there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjZQojR4u3Q7bizdajmaiX4ASbNZrWIdkibsPvq_OKUJ731uTLFmdXK9Wc_Cf25IYmgAqzGVi6YP8jY-EK1XzHFApl6YjVPlNsWKe4R7dP3_cSS4t6M-Xn_aehzJec2Sb486fAA/s1600-h/frosted_duck_board_dave_noble.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjZQojR4u3Q7bizdajmaiX4ASbNZrWIdkibsPvq_OKUJ731uTLFmdXK9Wc_Cf25IYmgAqzGVi6YP8jY-EK1XzHFApl6YjVPlNsWKe4R7dP3_cSS4t6M-Xn_aehzJec2Sb486fAA/s400/frosted_duck_board_dave_noble.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364172310982166786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ice on duck boarding - Dave Noble</span><br /><br />In this post, we highlight a TINY part of a fantastic photographic essay of a recent hike across the <a href="http://www.david-noble.net/Tasmania/ReserveWinter09/Menu.html">Overland Track in Tasmania by Dave Noble</a> (and party). The walk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair covers about 85km of some spectacular wilderness in the heart of Tasmania. It is usually undertaken over five nights but in this case the trip was planned for 10 days to allow for side trips and photography.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc1to-wJn36WLUF7lSgHGSKRV2IY32bY2s_KLmdw0CyeS5dBzIh31ffBC0jU6PaIXFg6gvdAdonplZ4bwFtblUOQdbSaBaacxRRgkHKcDOyzF4X5rJq7U9QZxwZiYzSHm6lEpPw/s1600-h/fire_kiaora_huit_dave_noble.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc1to-wJn36WLUF7lSgHGSKRV2IY32bY2s_KLmdw0CyeS5dBzIh31ffBC0jU6PaIXFg6gvdAdonplZ4bwFtblUOQdbSaBaacxRRgkHKcDOyzF4X5rJq7U9QZxwZiYzSHm6lEpPw/s400/fire_kiaora_huit_dave_noble.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364172304071580882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The glow of a coal stove - Kia Ora Hut - The Overland Track - Dave Noble</span><br /><br />Frank has enormous respect for Dave Noble who has been hiking in Tasmania (and many other places) since the early 1970's. He has achieved many feats that are the envy of less adventurous bushwalkers. These include extensive multi-day hikes in the South West National Park in Tasmania in the mid 1970's and then a multitude of fantastic trips in various places across Australia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKqXEzlXRb1iYydPDhYoD6GPAz1IXGf8Z3OdfOiZ1vgenlsFLZ2RsU7R6n6ntu08r9crmNzP_EMQijrf_poR0FkmMzdRHKGP-zuo62MxV74wP8LRHqyUPJTx18ET2TFm6zADcng/s1600-h/lake_holmes_dave_noble.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKqXEzlXRb1iYydPDhYoD6GPAz1IXGf8Z3OdfOiZ1vgenlsFLZ2RsU7R6n6ntu08r9crmNzP_EMQijrf_poR0FkmMzdRHKGP-zuo62MxV74wP8LRHqyUPJTx18ET2TFm6zADcng/s400/lake_holmes_dave_noble.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364172296535167266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Close up with reflection - Overland Track - Dave Noble</span><br /><br />We encourage you to visit Dave's site and read the full trip report and check out the terrific images of this winter hike: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.david-noble.net/Tasmania/ReserveWinter09/Menu.html"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Reserve in Winter - A Walk Along Tasmania's Overland Track - July 2009</span></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />Related Posts:</span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/06/10-mistakes-not-to-make-doing-overland.html">Overland Track - Winter in Tasmania - some lessons</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/hiking-overland-track-downloadable-book.html">The Overland Track eBook - information post</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/overland-track-e-book-reviews.html">Overland Track eBook reviews </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/overland-track-tasmania-sues-solo-trip.html">The Overland Track solo - Sue's trip report </a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Additional Information<br /></span></strong><a href="http://mattworldwide.com/2009/overland-track-2008/">Overland Track 2008 - Great trip report by Matthias</a><br /><a href="http://bushwalk-tasmania.com/forum/index.php">Bushwalk Tasmania - the resource for Tasmanian Bushwalking</a><br /><br />All photographs are used with the kind permission of Dave Noble</span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-38829746561018186572009-07-28T13:11:00.015+10:002009-07-31T20:19:31.642+10:00South Coast Track - Tasmania - Solo winter trip reportSolo hiking in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area?<br />A fantastic mix of coastal and inland hiking over 85km (53 miles)<br />Wild oceans with the next land mass south the Antarctica?<br />Challenging bushwalking with harsh weather conditions, no huts, minimal infrastructure that requires experience and thorough planning?<br /><br />If all (or some) of the above get you itching for a great adventure then read on.....<br /><br />In this guest post, Larry Hamilton returns with a wonderful trip report following his recent completion of the South Coast Track in Tasmania's far south west.<br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108152275406628363312.00046fbca555808a59715&ll=-42.463993,146.57959&spn=2.836575,4.669189&z=7&output=embed" scrolling="no" width="425" frameborder="0" height="350"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108152275406628363312.00046fbca555808a59715&ll=-42.463993,146.57959&spn=2.836575,4.669189&z=7&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">South Coast Track</a> in a larger map</small><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The following is Part One of Larry's South Coast Track trip report from Melaleuca to Louisa River.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intentions</span></span><br />This walk was originally intended to be combined with the Port Davey Track and completed in 2008. <span class="fullpost"> Unfortunately last year I struck some unusually bad weather and took longer to do the Port Davey track than planned because I had to wait out bad weather and high stream levels. When I got to Melaleuca my resupply food wasn't waiting for me and took another three days to arrive. Prudence led me to cut my losses and fly out from Melaleuca rather than continue with no buffer of spare days for bad weather or high rivers. So the South Coast Track and the completion of my planned walk waited until this year when I managed to find another period of leave to do it.<br /><br />My goal for this year was to do the South Coast Track in winter, allowing for sufficient food, fuel and time to accommodate the vagaries of the weather and flood levels. Accordingly I kept a period of three weeks available to undertake the walk had had my fingers crossed that the weather would not delay a Par Avion flight into Melaleuca longer than a week. I therefore planned to have available sufficient time, fuel and food for 14 days on the track, hoping of course to be able to complete it in shorter time.<br /><br />In winter you don’t get long daylight hours and you have to be prepared to wait. I started the South Coast Track on 19 June when it doesn’t really get light enough to walk until 8 am and it is almost dark again at 5pm. I ended up going over the Ironbounds on the day after the winter solstice and took 8.5 hours but I started before dawn and walked into Little Deadman Bay in the dusk. Short daylight hours are I think the biggest limitation in winter walking, much more so than is the weather.<br /><br />I'd planned to be very flexible with my itinerary and looked forward to taking some side trips. I particularly wanted to get into Louisa Bay as I'd read that this is a pretty spot. As it happened though, the good weather enticed me to get past the problem rivers while the water was low so in the end I didn't take any side trips and instead took rest days and poked around the main campsites along the track.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trip Report</span></span><br />The weather was kind to me approaching the date of my leave and my booking with Par Avion for an 18 June fly out wasn't delayed. I flew into Melaleuca with five tourists doing a visit to Melaleuca combined with a trip out on Bathurst Harbour with the Par Avion pilot. I decided to go out onto Bathurst Harbour with them, stay at Melaleuca for the night and begin the South Coast Track the following day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day One 19 June</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOiZfuNFrjZuzmRHf39G0DzKm2K6RbmMAvjSw5Xli801ZI5korv7hgk3xIrRtxhnlCLdnuP4rEVqR1k2U_QxGHo-_ZGkCvnDqfv46bN2s_HnMEGh7PAbpRy1CUoSS1N1mdqV6SA/s1600-h/point_eric_view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOiZfuNFrjZuzmRHf39G0DzKm2K6RbmMAvjSw5Xli801ZI5korv7hgk3xIrRtxhnlCLdnuP4rEVqR1k2U_QxGHo-_ZGkCvnDqfv46bN2s_HnMEGh7PAbpRy1CUoSS1N1mdqV6SA/s400/point_eric_view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363352103314317042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Towards Point Eric</span><br /><br />Despite having some overnight rain the day dawned clear and cold and I had a beautiful day walking in to Freney Lagoon. I was at the beach early and had lunch at Point Eric. Because of the time I decided to push on to Buoy Creek, arrived there early in the afternoon and whiled away the afternoon sitting in the sun, eating scroggin and drinking cups of tea. I had knee deep water in rounding Black Cliff even though it was just past low tide but that was the only tricky spot for the day. An easy and enjoyable day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tbGWQoU6vwypJD7poie9jCUHbqTNDL5HrDQwc79yblHlQTGYoVSVzU_zzJW7PFscmb2Fgc8ZJQ6Q00OJHdsSmwW4AnYNrXRMCVhkL5l-NNpsvpB_ImYROao7mH34Z4aiSqYYew/s1600-h/point_eric_river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tbGWQoU6vwypJD7poie9jCUHbqTNDL5HrDQwc79yblHlQTGYoVSVzU_zzJW7PFscmb2Fgc8ZJQ6Q00OJHdsSmwW4AnYNrXRMCVhkL5l-NNpsvpB_ImYROao7mH34Z4aiSqYYew/s400/point_eric_river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363352110358721970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking back towards Point Eric</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Two 20 June</span><br />Another clear and cold day with lots of dew. It was quite muddy going up alongside Buoy Creek across the buttongrass plain and I slipped and fell a couple of times. In one fall the branches of a bush flicked my glasses off and despite some earnest efforts and about half an hour looking I couldn't find them. It didn't help that the frames were a similar colour to the buttongrass stems and that I my acuity wasn't flash without my glasses so I ended up giving up without finding them. I always carry a spare pair of reading glasses but would have to manage without glasses for distance work for the rest of the trip. I've got quite severe astigmatism and while I can cope without glasses, my capacity to deal with detail is significantly reduced. I found it interesting that I coped well without glasses when the light was good but in dim light I found myself peering myopically at the track. So at each end of the day and under heavy tree cover particularly when it was cloudy, I suffered a bit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4RTozKsWi9EIrfu_s4IpSpLlITz5PHGQ4cnZm4vMeFutFP49XKRCVT2Yp2IE5OhDFbZ_9dQMNYam-7xP0KxJy4No9QmhEfzuzQ-Dn564WMJCu1yrhiZn2-kppamELlpXD_EbAA/s1600-h/tent_site_buoy_creek.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4RTozKsWi9EIrfu_s4IpSpLlITz5PHGQ4cnZm4vMeFutFP49XKRCVT2Yp2IE5OhDFbZ_9dQMNYam-7xP0KxJy4No9QmhEfzuzQ-Dn564WMJCu1yrhiZn2-kppamELlpXD_EbAA/s400/tent_site_buoy_creek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363352110768926338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Buoy Creek campsite</span><br /><br />The Red Point Hills were the first ascent of the trip. Foolishly I tried to take these quickly and ended up suffering as a result. My preparation for the trip was interfered with by a busy work schedule and too much work travel which cut into my training. When I started panting on the way up Red Point Hills I worried a bit as the 200 metre ascent was tiny compared to what was ahead. My concern was unnecessary as it turned out as I quickly got my second wind and got into a groove with climbing at a more sensible pace. The view from the top and the desire to linger and enjoy it helped as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgiRun-f2-qc3nC_01VilcYE76585m37O0vSVXwfMBVK8UpcBhr4e0fU5z7gmfqQdzya7u-YVI7QhzZU574bJgqUgUqi-3ulEi7sqInWa97NsUxLn7TrNTVbGIC4kAy4bVvIT7g/s1600-h/view_red_point_hills.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgiRun-f2-qc3nC_01VilcYE76585m37O0vSVXwfMBVK8UpcBhr4e0fU5z7gmfqQdzya7u-YVI7QhzZU574bJgqUgUqi-3ulEi7sqInWa97NsUxLn7TrNTVbGIC4kAy4bVvIT7g/s400/view_red_point_hills.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363352112930119618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking back towards Buoy Creek from Red Point Hills</span><br /><br />The day was a significant one as three potential delay points (Faraway Creek, Louisa Creek and Louisa River) were passed without incident as the water was low and the crossings trouble-free. I was both surprised and impressed by the extensive boardwalk that had been installed over the wet buttongrass plain approaching Louisa River. Along the way there were many packs of boards that had been airlifted in and were awaiting a construction effort. It would have been a very muddy and damp section without the work already done and the upgrading of the track is going to be pretty extensive.<br /><br />I found this a fairly tiring day, probably because it was the second day of the walk which I always find the toughest and the first day with vertical ascents and mud. Because of this I was pleased to get into the campsite at Louisa River. During the day the wind had picked up and some gusts were quite strong. I kept eying off the dead branches of the forest trees I was camping under and was careful to pick a site that was not just level and dry but without branches likely to come off in a high wind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGYwqJzOX0KnHVbM_-ON2QnztLXnciUlhGFX9pvLzal3UZ-ys4rjQm9UFZjpm9JQhji5EIsPeFqoJCo9dqJ-OTILOlhZvDghrpw7-ShBXHWu1gVXXJ266zqkRjsQF-LQPzxLOZA/s1600-h/louisa_river_crossing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGYwqJzOX0KnHVbM_-ON2QnztLXnciUlhGFX9pvLzal3UZ-ys4rjQm9UFZjpm9JQhji5EIsPeFqoJCo9dqJ-OTILOlhZvDghrpw7-ShBXHWu1gVXXJ266zqkRjsQF-LQPzxLOZA/s400/louisa_river_crossing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363352117280488594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Louisa River Crossing</span><br /><br />Just on dusk I surprised a young Eastern Quoll determined to investigate my tent. I had to work hard to discourage his interest. Because of his determination to check out my food supplies, I was a bit anxious about him returning and damaging my gear in his enthusiasm to get at my scroggin supplies. Despite my worries and some careful listening in the dark I don't think he returned. Maybe my snoring scared him off.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Three 21 June</span><br />I decided to have a relaxing day poking around Louisa River, partly because the forecast was for strong winds and some rain but also so that I would be rested for the anticipated long day over the Ironbounds. John Chapman had provided me with the locations of the interim campsites on the Ironbounds so I was prepared to make the trip over the Ironbounds a two-day trip but for obvious reasons I wanted to do it in one day. As a result I had a rest day on the winter solstice and used my little radio to listen in to the broadcast football matches.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Related Posts</span></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/port-davey-track-trip-report.html">Larry's Port Davey Trip Report</a>- great reading<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/hiking-gear-ideas-for-multi-day-trip.html">Gear List for Wilderness Bushwalking Trip</a> - Larry Hamilton's excellent gear list<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/south-coast-track-louisa-and-faraway.html">Stuck between Louisa and Faraway Creeks</a> - Our adventure on the South Coast Track<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2006/03/south-coast-walk-tasmania.html">Hiking the South Coast Track</a> - our first (and last time)<br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-39007373539491000692009-06-22T12:52:00.007+10:002009-06-25T14:59:47.258+10:00Bibbulmun Track - Planning<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000kms from Kalamunda, a suburb in the hills on the outskirts of Perth, to the historic town of Albany on the south coast of Australia.</span><br /><br />In this post, our "End to Ender" Dave Tomlinson, shares his experience on planning, equipment, food, shelter, clothing, cooking and navigation.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">There is some great information in this post to assist anyone planning all or part of the Bibbulman Track - something we would love to undertake in the future.</span></b><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Shelter</span><br />The Bibbulmun Track has wooden shelters generally spaced between 13km and 24km apart. The average distance would be about 18km, although in the Kalamunda National Park they are only about 10km apart. I recommend passing through every second one in that section.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndNd_Lal_iZb7mZErLUZT-AQDee8fpX2ajhLj0yynG0GmTS9MIOhKoy8W2Qc8SlNsmda6Qe5iKX1k_9kk__m0PsJGI49Yar2RXLntCsMZs9DAn-GNYn57v7IzgRVRM36NwhpSqQ/s1600-h/bibbulman_track_waalegh_shelter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndNd_Lal_iZb7mZErLUZT-AQDee8fpX2ajhLj0yynG0GmTS9MIOhKoy8W2Qc8SlNsmda6Qe5iKX1k_9kk__m0PsJGI49Yar2RXLntCsMZs9DAn-GNYn57v7IzgRVRM36NwhpSqQ/s400/bibbulman_track_waalegh_shelter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351078617681182290" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Inside the Waalegh shelter - great facilities</span><br /><br />At the time of year I completed the track I had 80% of the campsites totally to myself. So there was no need to carry a tent and I appreciated not having the extra weight. I could assure anyone walking in summer that you'd always find accommodation in the shelters. However, the most popular period for hiking is in spring time when the wildflowers are out. Based on what I read in some of the logbooks, I couldn't give the same assurance during this season.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn0gRNdd4cWo1eIG7dvo56n61N92D2NiLHOKapTWvIl37a2kIlhzCY2fI7xdiD2gj_kcsZcNcleHv6xzx8fOKtWqQNR8SS28XpDJkbQg3fCc3UFvJp1Y1g-ySVtDbWSL6PUF-Vg/s1600-h/bibbulman_track_waalegh_shelter_outside.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn0gRNdd4cWo1eIG7dvo56n61N92D2NiLHOKapTWvIl37a2kIlhzCY2fI7xdiD2gj_kcsZcNcleHv6xzx8fOKtWqQNR8SS28XpDJkbQg3fCc3UFvJp1Y1g-ySVtDbWSL6PUF-Vg/s400/bibbulman_track_waalegh_shelter_outside.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351077919247892082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Waalegh shelter - water tank and fireplace</span><br /><br />The facilities of the track are world class and very well maintained. I often thought of the wooden shelters as large 'bus stops', with three sides that always offered protection from the prevailing winds. There was a difference between the shelters in the northern half and those in the south. Those in the north had a picnic table in the middle and hardboard bunks on either side. In the south the sleeping platform extended around two walls in a large L shape with the picnic table in the remaining space. Both would be able to sleep a maximum of 16 people.<br /><br />The campsites were generally in a very pleasant location and well landscaped. Apart from the shelter and picnic table, there was a pit toilet that often had toilet paper. There was a large rainwater tank beside the shelter and this is checked by park staff through the dry season to ensure there is always an adequate supply. There was always a fireplace that can usually be used for cooking but I respected the summer fire ban and used my camp stove instead. Most sites also had a second picnic table outside the shelter.<br /><br />The one campsite which was different from the others was Mount Wells. This was fully enclosed hut because it's in an exposed and often windy location. You feel a bit like Scott in the Antarctic staying there but as the wind whistles around outside you appreciate having the four walls and it's a nice view when you awake in the morning.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Stove</span><br />My camp stove is a simple arrangement that folds up into a small pouch. It uses the butane gas canisters that have a threaded attachment to the stove. I found, on average, that one standard size canister would last about a week and they were easily found at every town along the track. There was one occasion when I ran out of gas and had to (very carefully) break the fire ban to cook.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWPO0xYYk-UMOFlHkylNeIRxSZUkdpwYQk5DI_UiE4hs1C0VPog52e7eF5sQqzpn8Q7r6Xs5C8B3HOcqPQqjTFGEqPy_7kN743TxMF9jI2yQ5aWnHSfSSX6bNAmnA-0iuZFDoHA/s1600-h/bibbulman_track_shelter_fire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWPO0xYYk-UMOFlHkylNeIRxSZUkdpwYQk5DI_UiE4hs1C0VPog52e7eF5sQqzpn8Q7r6Xs5C8B3HOcqPQqjTFGEqPy_7kN743TxMF9jI2yQ5aWnHSfSSX6bNAmnA-0iuZFDoHA/s400/bibbulman_track_shelter_fire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351077908751341298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The offending fireplace...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Clothing</span><br />Again, this depends largely on the time of year. I walked during February and March which is the warmest time of the year in Western Australia. So, I usually only needed t-shirt and shorts when I was hiking during the day. Sometimes I'd use a light windbreaker along the southern coast but it was never cold. It was sometimes cool in the evenings so I put on a sweater and long pants. Altogether, I only had about four days of rain in seven weeks but appreciated having my Goretex jacket when it did.<br /><br />One of the most important recommendations I could make about clothing relates to your feet. They are what will carry you each day and you must look after them. Firstly, ensure your boots are well broken in and comfortable. Secondly, wear two pairs of socks and always carry at least one other pair. Wearing a thin pair of socks under your hiking socks will help prevent blisters. Also, ensure that your toenails are always cut short, especially in sections that involve hills.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sleeping Bag</span><br />My sleeping bag is rated 5ºC and this was adequate…just! There were some nights, especially in the southern section, where I needed my warm clothing inside my bag at night. Obviously, the rating of your sleeping bag will depend on the season you are walking but I'd make a simple recommendation: go 5ºC below what you think you'll require. A bag with a hood is best, especially in the colder conditions.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Other equipment </span><br />Apart from my clothing, sleeping bag and cooking equipment, there were a number of other important items that should be taken. If you are hiking in summer then ensure you have good supplies of sun cream and insect repellent. A basic kit and first aid knowledge are essential, especially if you are hiking alone. Know what to do if you get a snake bite.<br /><br />I had a headlight and very small torch as a back up. If you enjoy the camp logbooks as I did, there is usually plenty of reading at each site but I recommend taking a book and also a journal. In such tranquility, I enjoyed writing about my thoughts and experiences each day. I also recommend taking an MP3 player. Listening to some music for half an hour is always a pleasant way to end the day. The one thing that I wish I hadn't taken is my deodorant. I meant well but really…who needs it out there?<br /><br />A couple of things I did find very useful were an inflatable pillow and a net you can wear on your head to keep flies and mosquitoes away. I didn't need the latter too often but really I valued it sometimes. I found my pair of gaiters to be useful in the southern sections that involved walking though sand dunes. Never forget your sunhat, especially in summer and I recommend carrying a beanie at any time of the year.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Food</span><br />Food, glorious food. In planning any hiking trip, this is undoubtedly one of the first considerations. Between Kalamunda and Albany, the Bibbulmun Track goes through a total of seven towns, past a roadhouse and a camping ground. So, you always need to be supplied for between three and ten days along the way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zid5dk2qNesE1DoHPFRU9IihoN6EwtVUgnKhvJEkiN7GSY38QkynlvwxaxySjcN68a8fA-ZzK2Y-zI65OzB0-eZE0AE2tvvHzrNcK15h9jSYuKCzQsXhbtqbwe7I59Sf9QfwPA/s1600-h/bibbulman_track_fungus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zid5dk2qNesE1DoHPFRU9IihoN6EwtVUgnKhvJEkiN7GSY38QkynlvwxaxySjcN68a8fA-ZzK2Y-zI65OzB0-eZE0AE2tvvHzrNcK15h9jSYuKCzQsXhbtqbwe7I59Sf9QfwPA/s400/bibbulman_track_fungus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351077906384047730" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mushrooms along the Track - don't think this one is edible</span><div><br />The longest leg is the first from Kalamunda to Dwellingup. This is ten days, although you do reach the roadhouse at North Bannister after a week. Apart from a good takeaway meal, an ice cream and some snack food, don't count on being able to re-supply here. The other option is to hide a food drop here for the three days through to Dwellingup.<br /><br />Each of the other towns has either a general store or even small supermarket where you can get the food you require and also a new canister of cooking gas. If you need to buy any new clothing items (I wore out a pair of socks), Collie, Pemberton, Walpole and Denmark all have a reasonable range. I also recommend the bakeries in these towns, although the one in Collie does close early on some days.<br /><br />There is also a small store in the settlement of Donnelly River that stocks some hiking food. There isn't a great variety but you'll certainly find enough to get you through to Pemberton. Peaceful Bay has a general store at the caravan park which was well stocked when I was there. However, this is a seasonal place and wouldn't have the same choice at other times of the year. I suggest checking in Walpole if you're unsure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoCpfUnK8vKfnKqE4Kk5o-a2W_oks_wHgTFey-tx9LE-NDQ8ermD1AvcR3DOPqm_Av1XNZBMGQy7xIV5UKbmGpj7mtCY76lLbuT_jao0UhrMNKFJhWODG8sGHoNJNyWTijUy0Tg/s1600-h/bibbulman_track_wolpole_yha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoCpfUnK8vKfnKqE4Kk5o-a2W_oks_wHgTFey-tx9LE-NDQ8ermD1AvcR3DOPqm_Av1XNZBMGQy7xIV5UKbmGpj7mtCY76lLbuT_jao0UhrMNKFJhWODG8sGHoNJNyWTijUy0Tg/s400/bibbulman_track_wolpole_yha.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351077905076123682" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Youth Hostel at Walpole - Dave was very impressed with all the "locals" he met along the Track</span></div><div><br />Personally, I like to carry at least a small quantity of fresh food. This was usually in the form of a cucumber and a few apples, tomatoes and carrots. I recommend carrying fresh food, cheese and salami in a small cooler bag, especially in warmer weather. This will help it stay fresh and protect it from getting squashed in your pack.<br /><br />Ensure that you have a large plastic bottle (at least 1.5 litre) with you. This will carry your water while you're hiking but I also used it to have a bath at each campsite. Remember that water is heavy so don't carry more than you need to each day. Consider the weather conditions, distance and whether you will be passing a campsite along the way. I usually arrived at my destination camp each day with about 100ml of water. This small amount was kept in case anything unforeseen happened.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Camera</span><br />As with all of my trips, I had my digital camera with me. Although it's a little more bulky than most, it does have 6x optical zoom. Compared to the 3x zoom of many cameras, this is often very handy. To conserve batteries, I removed them from the camera each night and replaced them again in the morning. I was able to recharge them at each place I stayed at along the way. Always carry a spare set though because there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to capture that beautiful scene because of dead camera batteries!<br /><br />I always carry my camera on the front supporting strap of my pack. That way it's always easily accessible without having to stop. I always ensure it's kept dry and away from sand and dust as much as possible. It's a good idea to have a second data card and always ensure you have enough space on it for the photos that you're likely to take.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Navigation</span><br />There is no need for a detailed topographical map or GPS unit. The track is very well marked along its entire length and any navigational errors were simply due to my own inattention at vital moments. Keep watching for those yellow triangle track markers! It's not essential, but I recommend a small guide book or at least some notes from the internet as a reference for the terrain and any particular things of interest along the way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhullT8WvmAP8T3Vk-ubSElmLHZFGzO_tfXDGsFHjj5ftiXwOpRTzu18JpYg-RBv5GFT3F7c_PDmeXNw1kQv6lmUHz9ArICI0-Zg7bXpsNvqUVvQDHo9rWCFIjuRXc6Gs5z8EUeMw/s1600-h/bibbulman_track_marker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhullT8WvmAP8T3Vk-ubSElmLHZFGzO_tfXDGsFHjj5ftiXwOpRTzu18JpYg-RBv5GFT3F7c_PDmeXNw1kQv6lmUHz9ArICI0-Zg7bXpsNvqUVvQDHo9rWCFIjuRXc6Gs5z8EUeMw/s400/bibbulman_track_marker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351077910462462786" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Related Posts:</span></b></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/bibbulmun-track-long-distance-hike.html">Bibbulmun Track - Part One - A very long hike</a></div><div><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/05/bibbulman-track-southern-section-trip.html">Bibbulmun Track - Part Two - The Southern Section</a><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">The Official Site:</span></span></b><br /><a href="http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/trip-planner.aspx">Bibbulmun Track - Trip Planning</a><br /><br />Many thanks to Dave Tomlinson for his fantastic words and pictures for this post.<br /><br /><b>Don't forget to check out his other posts on the Great South West Walk, another long distance hike on the other side of Australia.</b><br /><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-great-walk-you.html">GSWW - Section 1 - The Cobboboonee Forest</a></div><div><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-glenelg-river-to.html">GSWW - Section 2 - Glenelg River - Nelson</a></div><div><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-discovery-bay-and.html">GSWW - Section 3 - Discovery Bay to Trewalla Camp</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/great-south-west-walk-capes-and-bays.html">GSWW - Section 4 - The Capes and Bays</a><br /></div></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-3714743848463154412009-06-16T14:24:00.012+10:002009-06-16T20:30:47.688+10:00Cradle Mountain adventure - a short storyAdventure around Cradle Mountain?<br />Fact or fiction?<br />A day hike around Cradle Mountain with a twist (or two)?<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Then this story is for you!</span><br /><br />Frank stumbled across a very enjoyable blog today titled <a href="http://kookaburraseranade.blogspot.com/">American in Oz.</a> He reads a lot of blog posts about Tasmania and especially the Cradle Mountain area in Australia's most southern state, Tasmania. These post are a great source of inspiration and fun when he is stuck in his "real life".<br /><br />This post , <a href="http://kookaburraseranade.blogspot.com/2009/06/tracks-less-traveled-tasmanian-short.html">Tracks Less Travelled, a Tasmanian short story</a> , really got his attention and the beautiful word craft and surprises in the story had him captivated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP_orvXBktUeJ-2gee2OZ2Uh6bs3chENjc-oVYrgDA9fgaF8ZPVCAxIr7U12bhju4x5bDb1ksCwzT2Loh3sZ-enwn7Yg-8O_v1ME1zOIqyt2_LplYR9oeDSkMqbejPCkE84UJzg/s1600-h/Definitive+Cradle+Mountain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP_orvXBktUeJ-2gee2OZ2Uh6bs3chENjc-oVYrgDA9fgaF8ZPVCAxIr7U12bhju4x5bDb1ksCwzT2Loh3sZ-enwn7Yg-8O_v1ME1zOIqyt2_LplYR9oeDSkMqbejPCkE84UJzg/s400/Definitive+Cradle+Mountain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347792250990742322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Another fantastic image by Tasadam, <a href="http://tasadam.redbubble.com/sets/72904/works/3047659-2-definitive-cradle-mountain">Definitive Cradle Mountain</a> - This picture is from a set titled <a href="http://tasadam.redbubble.com/sets/72904/works">The Overland Track - Tasmania </a>- well worth a look at all his great photographs.</span><br /><br />The following are some exerts from the story by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09119617158793875934">annielaural:</a><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span> At the same time that she was fearful of stepping off the planked trail, she wished she had the courage to head off cross-country, to snake up the face of Marian’s Lookout, to beat Chris to the top. The competition between them never failed to engage her <span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">" </span>Nueva’s was far more moderate in grade, longer with twelve hundred year old King Billy and Pencil Pines growing close to the water. Pandani towered over her head in the protection of the Ballroom Forest and Cutting Grass and Sassafras, growing far too close to the track, waited to wound. Daydreaming here was out of the question.<span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">" </span> It was still early afternoon. She had three more hours of daylight. A night in the dark on the trail was not appealing. She had plenty of clothes if she kept moving, but she didn’t have enough cold weather gear to spend the night out here, especially if it rained, and it was bound to rain as the temperatures cooled down <span style="font-weight: bold;">"</span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">To read the whole story (and it is a lot different to what you would normally read here), go to the full post on </span></span><a href="http://kookaburraseranade.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"American in Oz"</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> , </span></span><a href="http://kookaburraseranade.blogspot.com/2009/06/tracks-less-traveled-tasmanian-short.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Tracks Less Travelled - a Tasmanian short story</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><br /><br />We hope you enjoy it.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Related Posts:</span></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/11/overland-track-planning-walk-from.html">The Overland Track - Planning the walk from Overseas</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/05/backpacking-overland-track-view-from.html">Hiking the Overland Track - a view from the States</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2006/11/cradle-mountain-local-walk-and-lodge.html">Cradle Mountain local walk and Cradle Mountain Lodge</a><br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-29558837901640581842009-06-15T06:52:00.027+10:002009-10-16T16:51:04.587+11:00Overland Track - Tasmania in Winter - some lessonsThe Overland Track in Tasmania is a fantastic 6 days hiking experience. It is isolated, can throw up tough conditions and challenge you both physically and mentally. In fact, unless you are adequately prepared for bitterly cold and mind numbing conditions in winter, you risk serious problems (and the possibility of death) No joking.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Walking the Overland Track in winter needs thorough planning, excellent gear and experience in tough Tasmanian conditions.<br /></span></strong><br />In this post we are shamelessly plugging our <a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/hiking-overland-track-downloadable-book.html">Hiking the Overland Track eBook</a>, not as a way to make us rich, <strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">but as a good resource to help you plan your trip and reduce the risks to a managable level.<br /></span></strong><br />Why the plug?<br /><br />We have just finished reading Aaron White's blog <a href="http://aaronaaa.blogspot.com/">Aaron's Assonant Advertures In Australia </a>and want to share some of his posts with potential Overland Track hikers. We highly recommend reading Aaron's Overland Track posts to get the full story.<br /><br />We really enjoyed Aaron's writing style and story telling ability - it is great read.<br /><br />This first post : <a href="http://aaronaaa.blogspot.com/2009/06/overland-track-chronicles-part-one.html">Overland Track Chronicles - Rugging up</a> sets the scene for his recent winter trip.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84UFd_zpVZ0DsUO5givjUu5JI0_Fe2BdXchsVyp5yo3C-TKcL0EKwH2zD3WEHMj78Ic1PAl4U9aEqtpU4oQtqwvYX2XawZEiJ_EwfljReJibdBgnj3-S-hZ_jpZcato8HShAWQw/s1600-h/sue_frank_winter_tasmania"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347311836006467826" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84UFd_zpVZ0DsUO5givjUu5JI0_Fe2BdXchsVyp5yo3C-TKcL0EKwH2zD3WEHMj78Ic1PAl4U9aEqtpU4oQtqwvYX2XawZEiJ_EwfljReJibdBgnj3-S-hZ_jpZcato8HShAWQw/s400/sue_frank_winter_tasmania" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Sue and Frank - hiking in Tasmania - winter - can't be too bad, we are smiling!</span><br /><br />As reasonably experienced Tasmania hikers, reading his story immediately created warning bells in our minds, so we decided to post some snippets of his experiences and make a few comments about them so others who attempt the Overland Track in winter can be better prepared.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />So read on, snippets from Aarons posts about a "hearty native Minnesotan" hiking the Overland Track in early winter. <em>(with our comments below)</em>:<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Buying Gear:</span></strong><br />Without hesitation, he led me to a corner that was a forest of hangers with only rainjackets. "It rains a lot in Tasmania, so you'll need a good shell layer. This jacket here is 100% rain and wind proof. Feel it. Real gortex."<br />Mmmm gortex. I felt the smooth, yet rubbery sleeve and subtley turned the affixed price tag to my direction. $800.<br />"So will this keep me warm as well?" I asked.<br />"Oh no, sir!" The definity of his answer jabbed a hole right through what was left of my not-ignorant face. "This is just a shell layer. You'll need a good fleece jacket, coat, and of course (chuckle) thermals. I mean you at least have thermals right?"<br /><br /><em><strong>Read this post: </strong></em><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-hiking-clothes-for-multi-day-hike.html"><em><strong>Best Hiking Clothes for a multiday hike in Tasmania - the layering principal</strong></em></a><strong><br /></strong><br />I found a cheap rain jacket for sale at a random Sydney shop for $40. In Launceston, I bought my stove, fleece coat, fleece gloves, tent and some wool socks at the local K-mart. I wasn't a Super Backpacker Man, but I think I was alright.<br /><br /><em><strong>In the </strong></em><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/hiking-overland-track-downloadable-book.html"><em><strong>Overland Track eBook </strong></em></a><em><strong>we go into detail about gear selection, what you need to take and what is not required.</strong></em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Planning:</span><br /></strong>That night though, I didn't sleep, not even for a minute. I tossed, turned and froze to death under my pile of blankets in the heated Tasmanian room. Launceston isn't even in the mountains. I already knew my light summer sleeping bag would not be enough, even when fully clothed. I thought of my gear, my garbage bag gaiters, my lack of sleeping mat. Why did I buy potatoes?<br /><br />I rolled out of bed at 5:59, yelling at my 6:00 alarm to wake up. I saw that it was the morning of May 13th (duhn duhn duh!!!!). I repacked my bag, cut back on some of the food, tossed out my potatoes. I removed the one pair of comfort clothing I saved for my first night off the mountain and cut back on a few other odds and ends. The bag was still too heavy, but it was at least manageable.<br /><br /><em><strong>Read this post: </strong></em><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/03/hiking-gear-what-are-basics-to-get.html"><em><strong>Hiking gear what are the basics to get started</strong></em></a><em><br /></em><br />I still wasn't content. I threw on my hiking boots and headed to the 24hour Kmart for a camping mat. Freezing to death from no ground insulation was not the way I wanted to kick it. I walked a half block before I hit another obstacle to my coming hike: my ankles were in intense pain.<br /><br />Three hours later, I arrived and Cradle Mountain National Park, ready to go, pain or not. I caved in a bought some actual rain pants at the inflated middle-of-nowhere price of $60<br /><br />Many hikers leave on a sunny day, unprepared, without raingear or warm clothing and die when trapped in a snowstorm. I was undertaking it in mid-May, when you don't have to pay the $150 fee, but have to deal with less desirable weather and very short days.<br /><br /><em>Hiking during the non fee paying season is Ok if you are experienced and prepared. There is minimal support from Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service and less people around to help get you out of trouble. </em><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnCmfOYPJdWrmcSOX1f3ClpvBG6IB4aQCKqwVrnsoGZsQChlS5X7AVZkncOMLSgj3EqhqHWIPBULGKPJ2A4-NdpXPnfhg660-tA3Y_a3TDBZGRSmhn0HnGNo4IdYRXc96PDtk3A/s1600-h/sue_winter_hiking"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347313404958564210" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnCmfOYPJdWrmcSOX1f3ClpvBG6IB4aQCKqwVrnsoGZsQChlS5X7AVZkncOMLSgj3EqhqHWIPBULGKPJ2A4-NdpXPnfhg660-tA3Y_a3TDBZGRSmhn0HnGNo4IdYRXc96PDtk3A/s400/sue_winter_hiking" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Sue, heading off into the Walls of Jerusalum in December (the first month of the Australian summer)</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Overland Track:</span></strong><br /><br />"Continue on? Isn't this the hut?"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt5ggEuI26JeWXuCCFyhXf48pBnFKZlYOUjrqeT1tkkvddqNZGjMNGefZr7oFm3UkckuPlltPV4R2xwVjZ3fj-FcI-q0JNdyKemhdY99Fo9h8I9aR70MbkYUznIkRjryneAoN9A/s1600-h/kitchen_hut"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347309424358244546" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 300px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt5ggEuI26JeWXuCCFyhXf48pBnFKZlYOUjrqeT1tkkvddqNZGjMNGefZr7oFm3UkckuPlltPV4R2xwVjZ3fj-FcI-q0JNdyKemhdY99Fo9h8I9aR70MbkYUznIkRjryneAoN9A/s400/kitchen_hut" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Kitchen Hut in better weather - May 08- note the second level door and shovel for access during heavy snow and also leon in jean shorts - they got wet the first 10 minutes and stayed wet for the rest of the trip (wrapped up in the bottom of his pack)<br /></span></strong><br />"Oh no, this is just Kitchen Hut, an emergency shelter. The first overnight hut is another two hours further on."<br />That put me at just more than halfway done with the day. I was already exhausted: my back hurt, my ankles hurt, and one layer of face had been not so carefully removed by unhindered, blowing precipitation. There was thankfully only 30 minutes left on the open mountain face.<br /><br />I collapsed upon opening the door. I just wasn't in enough shape for this first day of climbing, but a good nights sleep would hopefully give me the strength for the next. The hut was quite nice, with wooden bunks to sleep 25 and a gas heater to dry off all of our gear.<br /><br />Even with a rain jacket, rain pants, fleece coat, hooded sweatshirt, t-shirt, and jeans, I was soaked all the way down to my thermals. I had a backpack cover over my water resistant backpack, but this proved useless: everything in my pack was wet. That day, even the super backpackers, with their $1000 dollar backpacks and special waterproof covers learned the lesson that "waterproof" is a myth.<br /><br /><em><strong>Read this post by Matthias at Matt Worldwide: </strong></em><a href="http://mattworldwide.com/2009/preparing-for-a-10-day-hike-in-south-west-tasmania/"><em><strong>Preparing for a 10 day hike in South West Tasmania</strong></em></a><br /><br /><strong><em>Do not take cotton clothes such as jeans or track pants, once wet they will NOT DRY .</em></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The second morning - leaving Waterfall Valley Hut</strong><br /></span>I jumped out of the creek, gave it the finger, and stomped through the pouring rain back to the hut and threw my fifty pound pack in the corner.<br /><br />"I'm done! It's cold, rainy, everything is wet, it's too f**king foggy to see anything, and there is a f**king knee deep creek right at the start of this horrible day. Now, I'm going to have to walk with wet feet for the next 25km. I paid $1000 to do this piece of s#$t walk and it has been nothing but one... big...f**king...disappointment. I'm not putting up with this. I'm going back. That's it. F%$k this s*&t!"<br /><br />The others at the hut were not really expecting such a tirade, especially minutes into the second day of the hike. Everyone, just kept on eating the breakfast in uncomfortable silence, until a young German woman finally asked the one question on everyones' mind. "Is there any way around this knee deep creek?"<br /><br />"No!"<br />Five minutes later, I had my socks wrung out, I had my clothes put back on and was ready to move on.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Arriving Windemere Hut</span></strong><br />I removed my completely wet gear and went into my backpack for my dry change of clothing. Even after repacking everything in garbage bags, my clothes were still damp. The left me with no dry clothes and the temperature was quickly dropping.<br /><br />Within minutes, I was shivering uncontrollably and started feeling a bit faint. I could tell I was showing the early symptoms of hypothermia. I threw on my fleece coat even though it was wet. That is one thing I love about polar fleece, it is the amazing fabric that maintains warmth, even when wet.<br /><br /><strong><em>Lightweight plastic garbage bags are not waterproof - they perforate easily and you gear will get wet. You need to double bag critical gear inside a pack liner (pack covers will not keep your pack contents dry!)</em></strong><br /><br />The previous night, Brian (a guy Aaron met on the Track) had slept in a tent in the rain, instead of the hut. Everything he owned, including sleeping back was soaked. His body was not forgiving him for the prior two days' punishment. He was cramping, worn-down, cold. Instead of pushing on that day, he decided to rest another day. This was an option I chose to wave, despite the inconceivably worse weather that day.<br /><br /><strong>Since I was not going forward, I wanted to head back and see all the various side trails along the way I had passed up.</strong> - At this point Aaron decided to return to the Cradle Mountain end of the walk and not risk worse weather conditions that were forecast - a wise move.<br /><br />I awoke in the middle of the night with the startling discovery that the Socks Paradox was in fact a myth. Once I donned my fifth pair of socks, wrapped my feet in a sweater, put the bottom of my sleeping bag in a canvas shopping bag, I was able to make my feet merely cold. It was a long, blustery night. The wind tested the structural integrity of the cabin.<br /><br />I wasn't the only person who had a cold night. A young British bloke spent the night with merely a blanket. His one pair of socks was soaked from the previous day's walk. The sneakers he brought were still wet and he had no rain coat. The temperature was below freezing that day. Despite this, he pushed on. This is how people die.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The End- back at the Cradle Mountain Area</span></strong><br />I was in my element, until I reached the top of the mountain.<br />Suddenly, I found myself in North Dakota mid-blizzard or maybe on top of mountain mid-blizzard, same difference. I pushed forward through knee-deep snow, which was good, because it stabilized me from being toppled by the wind. I was glad it was only a couple of miles back to Kitchen Hut. </p><p>Inside the Kitchen Hut, I found an Aussie family from Brisbane, with a twelve year old child. They started the previous day, but got trapped from the excessive winds. I was actually quite glad to see them safe and alive; other hikers the previous night had told me of this family.<br />They decided to head back to the park with me, so we headed out into the blizzard. At first it wasn't too bad, but after fifteen meters, the wind came back with a vengeance, the strongest I've faced on the trail. Being from Queensland, the boy had never seen snow before, now he was stuck in Antartica. They wisely turned back.<br /><br />Many thanks to Aaron White for his great insights and honest appraisal of his Overland Track experience. Remember, you can read Aaron's eight posts on his blog, <a href="http://aaronaaa.blogspot.com/">Aaron's Assonant Adventures in Australia.<br /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Related Posts</span></strong><br /></span><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/hiking-overland-track-downloadable-book.html">The Overland Track eBook - information post</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/overland-track-e-book-reviews.html">Overland Track eBook reviews </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/overland-track-tasmania-sues-solo-trip.html">The Overland Track solo - Sue's trip report </a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Additional Information<br /></span></strong><a href="http://mattworldwide.com/2009/overland-track-2008/">Overland Track 2008 - Great trip report by Matthias</a><br /><a href="http://bushwalk-tasmania.com/forum/index.php">Bushwalk Tasmania - the resource for Tasmanian Bushwalking</a><br /></p></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-50904248561049868182009-06-11T14:20:00.037+10:002009-06-14T09:24:18.862+10:00Tasmanian Winter Images - Introducing TasadamTasmania, Australia, is a photographers dream.<br /><br />Wilderness, huge vistas, interesting elements and unspoilt scenery.<br /><br />Taking a good picture is not hard but <strong>getting a fantastic photograph</strong> takes talent, time, effort and perseverance.<br /><br />In this post, we invited <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/tasadam">Tasadam</a> to share some of his spectacular wilderness photographs that focus on winter in Tasmania. Winter has just arrived in Australia and these shots are part of <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/tasadam">Tasadam's beautiful portfolio </a>. In the future, as the seasons change, more of Tasadam's work will be featured here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lAO74gbF87QRuSwfGyZ3zIUTAFyETXhyphenhyphenm4oTVz1LL_C1msxOFxVE76F-bi5OnaRseHHgN5o84YmCaZkW0FdMeQ1DYs8hUHfrcV8sFZHrSQecqhbV4TvtRbvj3zIY50U6oDFATw/s1600-h/Water+in+three+forms.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346263318588890930" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 278px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lAO74gbF87QRuSwfGyZ3zIUTAFyETXhyphenhyphenm4oTVz1LL_C1msxOFxVE76F-bi5OnaRseHHgN5o84YmCaZkW0FdMeQ1DYs8hUHfrcV8sFZHrSQecqhbV4TvtRbvj3zIY50U6oDFATw/s400/Water+in+three+forms.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Water in Three Forms</span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >About the Artist<br /></span></strong><br /><em>My name is Adam and I live in Tasmania, Australia, so I call myself Tasadam.</em><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><em>I have been taking photographs for many years. I started when I was young – I don’t really remember when. I do remember when I was 11 years old, I went on a school camp for 6 days and had a 110 Instamatic film camera. My spending money went on film, and I remember my parents weren’t too impressed when I returned home with all those photographs that needed developing…<br /><br />I studied Photography as an extra subject at Technical College in 1981 where I first picked up an SLR camera. By this time I had developed an eye for subject and composition detail. The honing of my current skills along with the training in technique I received was excellent and opened me towards a new level. </em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQVIDukz1xoLrbtBkIQLtmgYOPwfnNAZfCz7bAIjTPaKvClK_SsYdfSQ_okmKCJU9esBlBpj4JvQs8CAibg3proEVGTQaAqnxvItoeQ-LZ8kPOrPGtSLuLBeyyFmcd5th0jrcJA/s1600-h/Snow+&+Ice,+Cradle+Mtn+Plateau,+Tasmania.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346263314637431698" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQVIDukz1xoLrbtBkIQLtmgYOPwfnNAZfCz7bAIjTPaKvClK_SsYdfSQ_okmKCJU9esBlBpj4JvQs8CAibg3proEVGTQaAqnxvItoeQ-LZ8kPOrPGtSLuLBeyyFmcd5th0jrcJA/s400/Snow+%26+Ice,+Cradle+Mtn+Plateau,+Tasmania.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Winter Cradle Plateau</span><br /><br /><em>Not long after, I had a few SLR cameras and various lenses of my own and my style and skills flourished.<br /><br />Beyond film, I introduced myself into the digital photography era and have subsequently upgraded my equipment several times.<br /><br />I have taken modelling and portraiture photography in the past along with weddings, and though I find them enjoyable (although stressful), <strong>I prefer to do my photography in conjunction with another passion – bushwalking.<br /></strong><br />When my wife and I go bushwalking in Tasmania, we typically carry around 10 kilograms of camera gear – two bodies, two tripods, five lenses, and various accessories – batteries, memory cards, cleaning apparatus and the like.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX_g4jQ-FzjqrFFWMdrBgOcKQwfQVo8w8KjmBFhAADIGtXotJhYHN2UVW0szRauGavzrYN26FXPTFcYZ3jO2kiymQlDRYXZ54xyGbJoay-ofWTW35kkZN_fm7sZbVjgC4svnatg/s1600-h/Winter+Summit,+Mt+Ossa,+Tasmania.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346263317475052210" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX_g4jQ-FzjqrFFWMdrBgOcKQwfQVo8w8KjmBFhAADIGtXotJhYHN2UVW0szRauGavzrYN26FXPTFcYZ3jO2kiymQlDRYXZ54xyGbJoay-ofWTW35kkZN_fm7sZbVjgC4svnatg/s400/Winter+Summit,+Mt+Ossa,+Tasmania.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Winter Summit Mt Ossa </span><br /><br /><em><strong>I prefer to portray images as I saw them, rather than overdo the post processing with HDR and over-saturation etc. It takes time to process, adjust levels and sharpness to create the best image possible.</strong></em><br /><br /><em>I trust you enjoy the results of my efforts.<br /></em><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Check out <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/tasadam/art">Tasadam's art here</a> and enjoy more of his wonderful Tasmanian photographs. You can access his full winter gallery<a href="http://tasadam.redbubble.com/sets/67947/works"> "Cold Tasmania" here. </a></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Related Posts</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/outdoor-photography-6-great-links-to.html">Outdoor Photography - Six great links to help make your pictures brilliant</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/02/overland-track-track-images.html">The Overland Track - Track Images</a><br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-41585521389299639262009-06-11T08:36:00.009+10:002009-06-11T09:07:23.994+10:00Win a free trip to Tasmania and hike the Overland TrackHike the Overland Track free?<br />Win a trip to Australia and a free trip on the Overland Track with Cradle Mountain Huts?<br /><br />We stumbled across this opportunity today for anyone who owns a pair of Blundstone Boots (an Aussie icon in work footwear)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyvr91R9TAhQDtv-xrx3Cftc8nPNqiWyj9UErcr-2AKywW52BfTIWncHYlVJr6IMK1kSNE1Y-HWaNQ9GAMfNqSJS4znGpXtyZvcxF3HC6tFnD4pe5bpmHkwm15_RDdwlB1aPRzg/s1600-h/barn_bluff"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyvr91R9TAhQDtv-xrx3Cftc8nPNqiWyj9UErcr-2AKywW52BfTIWncHYlVJr6IMK1kSNE1Y-HWaNQ9GAMfNqSJS4znGpXtyZvcxF3HC6tFnD4pe5bpmHkwm15_RDdwlB1aPRzg/s400/barn_bluff" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345835730836014562" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Towards Barn Bluff - Overland Track- Tasmania</span><br /><br />Head off to the <a href="http://blundstone.ca/yourboots/">Blundstone Canada </a> web site and check out the competition they are running to win a FREE trip from Canada to Tasmania. Included is a guided walk across the Overland Track with Cradle Huts. (worth around $A2500)<br /><br />This is the blurb off the website:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Cradle Mountain Huts Walk an all inclusive experience for two people 5 nights - 6 days<br /><br />The Cradle Mountain Huts six-day walk follows the iconic Overland Track through Tasmania's World Heritage Area. This 40 mile journey offers a rare privilege - one of the world's great walks through an ancient and richly varied landscape is normally accessible only to the hardy - for at the end of each day hikers sleep in private, environmentally-sensitive cabins. </span><span style=""></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style:italic;">There are hot showers. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style:italic;">Food and wine can feature almost as much as the mountains, rainforests and indigenous wildlife. The huts have been designed to complement their sensitive surroundings. Each hut contains twin share accommodation, toilets, heating, full kitchen facilities and a living/dining area. The guides on this unhurried journey share their knowledge of the landscape, the flora and the fauna, to ensure a rich and informative journey.</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The competition runs until the 30th June, so get in quick.</span><br /><br />We love our Blundstone boots and had a pair each for years. They are are great Aussie icon...<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#804040;">Related Posts:</span></strong><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/12/hiking-overland-track-downloadable-book.html" target="_blank">Hiking the Overland Track e-Book</a></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/11/overland-track-tasmania.html" target="_blank">Release of the Overland Track book</a></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/cse?cx=partner-pub-4325558234527734%3Ax399ufp94hd&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=overland+track" target="_blank">Various Overland Track posts</a></span></strong></p>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-85881125245283228712009-05-17T20:28:00.003+10:002009-05-19T04:57:57.106+10:00Outdoor Station Podcasts - Great listeningFrank does a lot of commuting by train and car each week. The ONLY advantage of this is the time it allows to listen to some great podcasts on a huge range of interesting topics.<br /><br />One of his favourites is <a href="http://www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk/index.html">The Outdoor Station</a> from the UK. They have some great topics related to the "Outdoors" - duh! hence the name....<br /><br />Topics covered range from gear reviews, trip reports, interviews and as they say, much much more!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRUVeEIir9Nn2OkCR_He0DsEfzxtWpf7R-2fP7wPH-tlyWe8nkygVqbhZI7HlxyUjRac5z5HTlD3lE4VDbKzC7vbGr2s5cJJikqbufEcGafi3_lFU4O_zMdKB02L6norUOS4ltg/s1600-h/TOS-Logo-Square.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRUVeEIir9Nn2OkCR_He0DsEfzxtWpf7R-2fP7wPH-tlyWe8nkygVqbhZI7HlxyUjRac5z5HTlD3lE4VDbKzC7vbGr2s5cJJikqbufEcGafi3_lFU4O_zMdKB02L6norUOS4ltg/s400/TOS-Logo-Square.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336362551253495058" border="0"></a><br />We highly recommend you drop by and subscribe to the audio and video podcasts, Professionally produced, they are very relaxed, informative and present some great information.<br /><br />Click on the sample below, <font style="font-weight: bold;">"Get out there"</font> to down load or you can listen directly from here. This podcast, as described by Outdoor Station is:<br /><font style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" size="3"><font style="" size="x-small" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-serif"><br />A rich and varied podcast for you this time, as I catch up with the <a href="http://www.ramblers.org.uk%20/">Ramblers Association</a> to hear how there’s a new influx of members in these credit crunched times, Andy continues his love affair with everything French by finding out how inexpensive it is to travel on the <a href="http://www.locaboat.com/">canals of mainland Europe</a>, plus I discover how, if you can’t get to the Desert, you can bring the Desert home to you with <a href="http://www.haremnights.co.uk/">Harem Nights</a>! Recorded at the NEC early 2009</font></font><br /><br /><div align="center"><font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Get Out There!</strong><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.hipcast.com/playweb?audioid=Pb23aafe4b41bd9cc1fe5a706692e77e5Ylp9SlREY2t8&buffer=5&fc=FFFFFF&pc=CCFF33&kc=FFCC33&bc=FFFFFF&brand=1&player=ap21" scrolling="no" width="246" frameborder="0" height="20"></iframe><br /><br /><a rel="enclosure" href="http://www.hipcast.com/export/Pb23aafe4b41bd9cc1fe5a706692e77e5Ylp9SlREY2t8.mp3">Download<br />MP3 File</a></font></div><br /><br /><font size="4"><font style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Do you have any favourite outdoor podcasts you can recommend? We would love to hear your suggestions and fill the iPod with some great stories about the outdoors.</font></font>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-70190594546310197772009-05-15T04:42:00.006+10:002009-05-15T09:13:54.773+10:00Bibbulman Track - Southern Section - Trip Report - Part Two<em>The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000kms (620 miles) from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia. It goes through the heart of the scenic South West and traverses some of the most beautiful bush, forests and beaches that Australia can offer.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">In this second guest post, Dave Tomlinson shares with us Part Two of his experience of walking the Bibbulmun Track, end to end, in 2007. In doing this he became one of around 500 people who have achieved this feat.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong>This track is one of the epic bushwalks in Australia (and most likely) the world.</strong><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL4OZDdW-P3gZZ7__ZkpN9l3h7M_n3tj_m7WTQcGoy7FLgMI4LHasnLZHuXEyyOwSaZ3LqgSUNg2sYpiz_DkLcg_-El-wxWk4zMfgzx8Pxb686tJBrqmlPAaIlMk_Tg_UvqdJ6w/s1600-h/Karri_tree_bibbulman_track.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335798609265236162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL4OZDdW-P3gZZ7__ZkpN9l3h7M_n3tj_m7WTQcGoy7FLgMI4LHasnLZHuXEyyOwSaZ3LqgSUNg2sYpiz_DkLcg_-El-wxWk4zMfgzx8Pxb686tJBrqmlPAaIlMk_Tg_UvqdJ6w/s400/Karri_tree_bibbulman_track.bmp" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Karri Tree - beautiful and straight</span><br /><br />As I progressed south the scenery began to change more dramatically, especially as I got into the karri forests. The karri are the very tall trees and one of the icons of southwest Australia. They actually shed their lower limbs as they grow so a mature tree will have a huge single trunk supporting branches high above the forest floor. Walking beneath these majestic trees was a great experience. I also loved the tingle trees which were also very tall but seemed to have more character with knobs on their trunks and twisted branches. Many of them had the bases of their trunks hollowed by fire but continue to grow.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Before reaching the coast, the track comes south through an area called the Pingerup Plains. It was a section that I particularly enjoyed and not just because the terrain was as flat as a chessboard. The plains are characterised by large flat areas of low bush and pockets of forest. Red bottle-brush flowers added a nice touch of colour along the way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vyf5bCi9cjDnH-SqRvDrhD9lY9YUsXsotU6B3w4_XOSSzMZS_765BJaPfMlRaJGFQkOIgVzDJoyq7TYNDs0yfwqK95cNwFJ9llB7E15pLpM543SOJ8eaUUajD__0Nr3NQAOIpw/s1600-h/pingerup_plains_red_bottle_brush_bibbulman_track.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335801829274507330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vyf5bCi9cjDnH-SqRvDrhD9lY9YUsXsotU6B3w4_XOSSzMZS_765BJaPfMlRaJGFQkOIgVzDJoyq7TYNDs0yfwqK95cNwFJ9llB7E15pLpM543SOJ8eaUUajD__0Nr3NQAOIpw/s400/pingerup_plains_red_bottle_brush_bibbulman_track.bmp" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Red Bottle Brush on Pingerup Plains </span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><p><br /></p><p></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O8tTRfu94D7lMV5fXPIpacvCcSkWkusNEQtiaV32TRyLjc0dpZamSyHjMWxrTbmq-7wHgrT5_KhqSIyceZtgVSH_h8nros_-lyAS_n81x6ZgZoPqyxtY7SFaN5CClbl1RE729w/s1600-h/tingle_tree_bibbulman_track"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335800572344568722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O8tTRfu94D7lMV5fXPIpacvCcSkWkusNEQtiaV32TRyLjc0dpZamSyHjMWxrTbmq-7wHgrT5_KhqSIyceZtgVSH_h8nros_-lyAS_n81x6ZgZoPqyxtY7SFaN5CClbl1RE729w/s400/tingle_tree_bibbulman_track" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Old Tingle Tree - burnt out many years ago</span> <p>This is the area that can be very wet and swampy in the spring. While I was walking though the reeds and scrub I could see the dry cracked mud where water had once been. Two shelters in this section are located beside granite domes that offered panoramic views in all directions including my first glimpse of the Southern Ocean.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h9AGmaXD6iDYxJc1RgcE-J6xF-8W3Iu2aCF6ZEjeCFzxdwdFQYZGAhTQCnU14kCtA032ZibL-deyWbunuJCbDyie2LpFvnUK0XahZizTfb49_p5J7tSybyDSaYo_Tn7yqDzqsA/s1600-h/mandalay_beach_bibbulman_track.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335810854517594434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h9AGmaXD6iDYxJc1RgcE-J6xF-8W3Iu2aCF6ZEjeCFzxdwdFQYZGAhTQCnU14kCtA032ZibL-deyWbunuJCbDyie2LpFvnUK0XahZizTfb49_p5J7tSybyDSaYo_Tn7yqDzqsA/s400/mandalay_beach_bibbulman_track.bmp" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Mandalay Beach - first view of the Ocean<br /></span><br />Finally, after 730km of hiking through forests, bush, mountains and valleys I arrived at the coast. It was an amazing feeling to see the ocean and it certainly added another dimension to my hiking experience.<br /><br />Mandalay Beach is the first beach I arrived at and was named after a shipwreck early last century. Tides and shifting sands mean the wreck is sometimes uncovered but I didn't see anything. The coastal views were great but I really had to earn them, especially in the softer sand dunes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvUgep_poVmbh0CYGnVjAPZE3pRB87KCLLLiA4tMqun00vZROW2Xu12utGYnNfGE0z2HAZduKWxSV1A0six1vh3YUXgbUjfD3ZrGKW6Vj1LzwpV9xaOQuAvPKptzuiDw9pqcSwg/s1600-h/mazoetti_beach_salmon_bibbulman_track.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335801830455694482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvUgep_poVmbh0CYGnVjAPZE3pRB87KCLLLiA4tMqun00vZROW2Xu12utGYnNfGE0z2HAZduKWxSV1A0six1vh3YUXgbUjfD3ZrGKW6Vj1LzwpV9xaOQuAvPKptzuiDw9pqcSwg/s400/mazoetti_beach_salmon_bibbulman_track.bmp" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Salmon netting - an interesting diversion on Mazeotti Beach - great fish!<br /></span><br />Sand dunes can be hard work and sometimes it feels like taking two steps forward and one back. In my first day along the coast, I also had a stiff head wind, the track was overgrown in sections and I was doing 29km which ended in a steady climb up a mountain. So, although I was very tired when I arrived I could reflect on one of my best days. The scenery went from the rugged plains to coastal heathland, to the beach, sand dunes, lovely forest and finally the mountain...all in a day!<br /><br />During my journey east towards Albany I had to walk a number of beaches and cross a number of inlets. Fortunately at this time of year there are seasonal sandbars at the mouth of the inlets so I had no problems. At other times of the year hikers have to wade across or in one case follow the track around to a canoe shed and paddle across to the other side. That would have been fun but on a day where the distance was 23km over sand I was quite happy to save walking a couple of kilometres!<br /><br />I think the longest 20km I've walked in my life was one day between Walpole and Denmark. It was a hot and started with 11km over some big sand dunes. Nice views but hard work. My reward for all that was a walk along Mazolleti Beach that went for 7km. A long drag but fortunately most of the sand was reasonably firm around the high water line. My final reward for all that was a 2km slog straight uphill to the campsite! I saved that till after I'd enjoyed a swim in the translucent waters of the Southern Ocean.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJacp3koJ7Bw7MvpxDyB0ur3NqJShTDDQhW2ruCayA4ClHCZvwbv6EqCXD8DL45tBU3oDJO3Q7MCXEEhUaMASZOID4hVo9ZewQxBhIgHgu8ZVPeUdFwHnJs7n0gUwcA2OznJ1vA/s1600-h/wiliam_bay_campsite_bibbulman_track"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335801837144283410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJacp3koJ7Bw7MvpxDyB0ur3NqJShTDDQhW2ruCayA4ClHCZvwbv6EqCXD8DL45tBU3oDJO3Q7MCXEEhUaMASZOID4hVo9ZewQxBhIgHgu8ZVPeUdFwHnJs7n0gUwcA2OznJ1vA/s400/wiliam_bay_campsite_bibbulman_track" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">William Bay campsite - great facilites<br /></span><br />The entire track is marked by yellow triangles with a black mythical waugal snake printed on it. (According to the original south-west Aboriginal people, the waugal or rainbow serpent is an all-powerful creator who created and maintained the natural and cultural law. It is believed to inhabit special areas and remains sacred to them.) On average, there are about four of these markers per kilometre generally nailed to trees but also on posts, logs, signs and rocks. Altogether there would be about 5000 of them.<br /><br />So I didn't think navigation would be a problem but it's actually very easy to lose the track. I think virtually everyone does it at some point. The reason is that the Bibbulmun Track merges and intersects with various other tracks, paths and roads. So, if you have a moment of inattention at a vital time you'll walk past a marker indicating a left or right turn and continue on what you think is the correct route. Suddenly it'll occur to you that you haven't seen a marker for a while and it becomes a choice between continuing in the hope you'll find one or return to where you saw the last one. After having to backtrack a couple of times I quickly became a lot more alert for markers!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKrXFMk-0-SCx4MxRSJ07PdMN6r7c-bbDoTLmv2_xb8rnN1syTRIfFdHHLLbCyrXDwMjDKKr4td5o033WmHRsU6VMCjH4QImZG-0BAXtzoZrmDexKNNow45vlkkQ6j8jZ-yAVLg/s1600-h/waugal_track_marker_end_bibbulman_track.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335808282848851458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKrXFMk-0-SCx4MxRSJ07PdMN6r7c-bbDoTLmv2_xb8rnN1syTRIfFdHHLLbCyrXDwMjDKKr4td5o033WmHRsU6VMCjH4QImZG-0BAXtzoZrmDexKNNow45vlkkQ6j8jZ-yAVLg/s400/waugal_track_marker_end_bibbulman_track.bmp" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Picture of the last Waugal Snake marker at the end of the Bibbulman Track - Albany</span><br /><br />Fortunately I didn't have the same problems as some people. I read about a few who got lost for up to three hours coming down one of the mountains. They claimed the cairns were poorly aligned but I didn't have any problems. Then there was this quote in one of the hut log books: "Got lost in the swamp but didn't realise it. Saw waugal and headed back down the real track. Realised I was going the wrong way, turned around and got lost again!" Amusing…but only in hindsight!<br /><br />Although I only met a handful of people along the route I never felt lonely out in the bush. Through the northern half of the track I had every shelter (21 consecutive nights) to myself. It was an odd feeling when another hiker arrived and I had to share one. The main reason I never felt lonely was because of the log books at every shelter. There were always two - one to record basic details and another to write your thoughts, comments, philosophy, complaints and memories. As I progressed along the track, I started to recognise various names and got to know them through their comments in these books.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZKm3tGGaHibo5bLQWo9w_DFXQ3ODVhx_5aLui-DCzYjsDDKtPBoF9EJgGKdqR-4T_TVg7ZnJ1iwW4yUALtRDfzVTGHZNgYQp3F59XOHXTXhIAM_IQJJqZp26ElwSkFYw-KB3SA/s1600-h/black_cockatoo_bibbulman_track.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335811927884070514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZKm3tGGaHibo5bLQWo9w_DFXQ3ODVhx_5aLui-DCzYjsDDKtPBoF9EJgGKdqR-4T_TVg7ZnJ1iwW4yUALtRDfzVTGHZNgYQp3F59XOHXTXhIAM_IQJJqZp26ElwSkFYw-KB3SA/s400/black_cockatoo_bibbulman_track.bmp" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Even though you may be walking alone, there is alwats nature to keep you company - Black Cockatoos ready to fly.<br /></span><br />So, I would hike alone through the first part of the day and then 'catch up' with people later in the afternoon. The date of their entries didn't seem to matter because apart from small diversions and realignments, we all basically followed the same route. So I enjoyed reading what they thought about the day and often found their comments very amusing, especially if there were hills, sand dunes, swamp mud or adverse weather involved. I was also interested in reading comments from hikers going in the opposite direction because they offered valuable information on track conditions, accommodation and where to buy supplies.<br /><br />One of the hikers who did the track in summer wasn't quite so content with her own company. One of her entries read: "After three and a half weeks, one finds oneself to be quite the bore." There were some genuinely funny things written and I copied them into the back of my journal. This is an entry from one of the first shelters: "First night on the track and a wet day made my backpack 20kg heavier. Sleeping on a bed of nails would be luxury compared to the hard wood floor. Oh, the peace and tranquility! Only 16 in the shelter tonight, including 6 ten year old boys. I'll be back - this is addictive stuff!"<br /><br />Aside from all the amusing quotes, thoughts and poems there were also some inspirational comments. The one that really stood out to me was this: "If there were no difficulties in the track it would let in a poorer class of walker and reduce the status of the end-to-enders." That really inspired me if the track was overgrown, the weather was bad, my pack felt unusually heavy, I was tired or if the terrain was challenging. I simply repeated that quote to myself, reminded myself what I was doing and that it wasn't meant to be easy.<br /><br />Overall though, I did it much easier than many others. Amazingly, I completed the whole distance without even a blister. Apart from some general soreness when I first started, I didn't have any problems at all. There wasn't a single day when I didn't wake up and feel excited by what I was doing. Even on the most physically demanding days I embraced the challenge and never felt any doubt about reaching Albany in good health. The weather was generally very good and my Goretex jacket was often nothing more than my pillow at night. I only had rain on four days in the entire seven weeks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydcO2XoTyPM1Mbz9BcYHRfdRZKmgcV1Jnm69CO9OMXaaikxP3DOUxydW60aRSu5dHzFaBeO6vhOybVUt8BI6oSODzVstNLxD1Ptl07Y0_e31Va5E-kl8JHcOI-wuqeDAshh1bNQ/s1600-h/albany_windfarm_bibbulman_track"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335808285375817266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydcO2XoTyPM1Mbz9BcYHRfdRZKmgcV1Jnm69CO9OMXaaikxP3DOUxydW60aRSu5dHzFaBeO6vhOybVUt8BI6oSODzVstNLxD1Ptl07Y0_e31Va5E-kl8JHcOI-wuqeDAshh1bNQ/s400/albany_windfarm_bibbulman_track" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> The Windfarm at Albany - spectacular coastal views<br /></span><br />The huge distance of the track was sometimes more of a challenge mentally, especially through the first week or two. After slogging through the heat and hills of the first couple of days I remember thinking that I'd only completed about 4% of the journey! So I tried to focus only on what I'd completed, not what I still had to do. When I passed the halfway mark I was happy to think about both. In my mind I treated leaving a town the beginning of a new hike and it often felt that way. I had fresh supplies, clean clothing and in one place I even washed my backpack and I started again feeling great.<br /><br />A great aspect of this hike was that it offered seven weeks in a beautifully peaceful environment to contemplate, reflect and dream. Life becomes wonderfully simple because the path is laid out for you and all you need to do is follow it. The Bibbulmun Track is like a well cut jewel that shines whichever way it is approached. A special thanks to all the park rangers and especially track volunteers who keep it this way. It's been a privilege to walk its entire length and I'd recommend the experience to anyone.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Qk-sCksLxiuY-9cybC5SCtZeIslLbRc6LaydoKQCncrUrkDC7wo0fumL5IUajnUunqiWJ9Rh5CR7pOxIoCDt0257sdFz3fPnu-egTrbytkwPRA5PxdLlPT5c3_JIiToAMiJow/s1600-h/dave_at_the_end_bibbulman_track.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335808281176180962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Qk-sCksLxiuY-9cybC5SCtZeIslLbRc6LaydoKQCncrUrkDC7wo0fumL5IUajnUunqiWJ9Rh5CR7pOxIoCDt0257sdFz3fPnu-egTrbytkwPRA5PxdLlPT5c3_JIiToAMiJow/s400/dave_at_the_end_bibbulman_track.bmp" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Dave Tomlinson reaches the end (and planning his next trip no doubt!)<br /></span><br /><br />Dave<br /><br />The road goes ever on and on<br />Down from the door where it began<br />And I must follow it if I can<br /><br />'Hobbitt' - J R Tolkein<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Information:</strong></span><br />The <a href="http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/Home.aspx">Bibbulmun Track Foundation has the <strong>best website</strong> </a>we have ever come across that supports a multi day hiking adventure.<br /><br />There is a <strong>massive amount of information</strong> regarding:<br /><br /><ul><li>Planning </li><li>Gear and equipment</li><li>Friends of the Bibbulmun Track </li><li>Track Information, conditions and closures</li><li>News</li><li>Maps and resources</li><li>And so much more we don't have room.</li></ul>Please check out their site - <a href="http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/Home.aspx">The Bibbulman Track </a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Related Posts:</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/bibbulmun-track-long-distance-hike.html">The Bibbulman Track - a very long hike - Part one</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-great-walk-you.html">Great South West Walk</a> - Dave at it again with a 200km (125 miles) walk over 2 weeks<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/12/food-menu-for-9-days-hiking.html">Hiking Food for a multi-day walk</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/03/hiking-gear-what-are-basics-to-get.html">Hiking Gear - What are the basics to get started? </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-hiking-clothes-for-multi-day-hike.html">Best clothing for a multi day hike </a><br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-18373308722423361122009-05-08T20:37:00.011+10:002009-05-09T07:50:27.829+10:00Do you know Tasmania? No? then find out!Want to get to know Tasmania?<br />Would you like to walk in a beautiful rainforest?<br />Stroll along a deserted ocean beach?<br />Climb a rugged mountain peak?<br />Camp beside a hidden tarn?<br />Ski across a drift of newly fallen snow?<br />Follow a meandering river through a misty gorge?<br /><br />Then the <a href="http://www.launcestonwalkingclub.org.au/">Launceston Walking Club </a>could be for you and their <strong>44th Spectacular Wilderness show is definitely worth attending.</strong><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ_RQSklMWqzeMXQqMRjrI2yHAyDUnd0ZIlbHSbJ3Bd8LPmudMif4WWaITF9WCQ5wdsiGlViJ8ojCjk-bqLgBFZbZDBIAwVvCHHwR1tqj3RaA4kYHY9XRH4AK3C8dhMcBqQLSUg/s1600-h/Do_you_know_tasmania.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333400586276095346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 354px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 461px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ_RQSklMWqzeMXQqMRjrI2yHAyDUnd0ZIlbHSbJ3Bd8LPmudMif4WWaITF9WCQ5wdsiGlViJ8ojCjk-bqLgBFZbZDBIAwVvCHHwR1tqj3RaA4kYHY9XRH4AK3C8dhMcBqQLSUg/s400/Do_you_know_tasmania.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> (Click on poster to get a full size view)</span><span class="fullpost"><br /></span></p><p><span class="fullpost">The show, on late this month, is a great way to see why we all love bushwalking in Tasmania.<br /><br />The main feature this year will be the official launch, by Senator Bob Brown (one of Our Hiking Blog's national treasures) , of the first two DVD's of the clubs 16mm movie collection. One movie from each DVD will be featured in the show.<br /><br />We can't make it, but maybe you live in Tasmania or will be visiting Launceston between the 25th and 29th May. Feedback from this spectacular event has always been wonderful so please try and support the Club and enjoy their Multi Media Wilderness Extravaganza!<br /><br />Ian, from the Launceston Walking Club, is keen to present to show "on the mainland" in (possibly) November and we hope to arrange one in Geelong. Anyone who lives in the southern States and is keen to attend, or discuss with Ian the possibility of a show near you can <a href="mailto:frankinoz1-blogg@yahoo.com.au">contact us here by email.</a> and we will forward your email.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Related Posts:</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/08/putting-our-votes-where-our-mouths.html">Joining the Greens </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/07/river-runs-free-great-read-about-saving.html">The River Runs Free - book review</a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Other Links:<br /></span></strong><a href="http://www.launcestonwalkingclub.org.au/">Launceston Walking Club </a><br /><a href="http://bushwalk-tasmania.com/forum/">Bushwalk Tasmania Forum</a></span><br /></p>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-87558052358224701962009-05-04T07:13:00.004+10:002009-05-04T07:44:01.118+10:00Waterproof gear for C2C - Irish Sea to North Sea - what is best?<strong>What are the best waterproof gear options for hiking in Northern England for the C2C walk?<br /></strong><br /><strong>How do you choose the best clothing to keep warm and dry?</strong><br /><br />We received an email from Joan seeking advice on what are her best options for rain protection when she undertakes the <a href="http://home.freiepresse.de/uwdel/coasttocoast.html#wann">Coast To Coast Walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea </a>.<br /><br />Because we are in Australia, and have no idea what the conditions are like, we decided to post the question here.<br /><br />So, calling all "Our Hiking Blog" readers, please leave a comment with your opinion so Joan can get as much advice as possible regarding her waterproof clothing choice for this 12 day hiking journey.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7bUgu6U1opRiG-AhES2lQzbAGtlvzMJ3ck_ZiYbkiIimQgiCyiQp09205UdAIqDJ8Jlmi89XSDB40e42-Yg7e7ywtZtWmc84vw2jKIckO6l79408vMRGPP_GZLWb5yqMpaNFRw/s1600-h/waterproof_hiking_clothes"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331715092272296082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7bUgu6U1opRiG-AhES2lQzbAGtlvzMJ3ck_ZiYbkiIimQgiCyiQp09205UdAIqDJ8Jlmi89XSDB40e42-Yg7e7ywtZtWmc84vw2jKIckO6l79408vMRGPP_GZLWb5yqMpaNFRw/s400/waterproof_hiking_clothes" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Leon, Alan and Frank - Overland Track May 08 - ready for the rain that lasted 4 days!</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">Frank and Leon in Gortex, Alan in more lightweight gear - we all eventually got slightly wet....</span><br /><br />Here is Joan's question:<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><em>Hi,<br /><br />I am planning to hike the C2C (Irish Sea to the North Sea - 190 miles) in England, have gortex boots, gaiters and a pack cover. I am trying to decide what the best, light raingear will be and would appreciate your advise.<br /><br />I have some older (heavy) gortex gear, i.e., pants & jacket, and I have some lightweight "waterproof" gear (marmot precip jacket and pants). I am leaning toward going with the lighter gear and carrying a poncho to add another layer if the rain gets heavy. What do you think?<br /><br />Thanks for the great website/blog!<br /><br />Joan M.</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><strong>Related Post</strong></span><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-hiking-clothes-for-multi-day-hike.html">Best Hiking Clothes for a Multiday walk</a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Please drop us a comment so that others, especially Joan, can share in your wisdom.</span></strong><br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-12564793519729346062009-04-23T11:07:00.047+10:002009-04-27T07:56:02.925+10:00Outdoor Photography - 6 great links to help make your pictures brilliant!<strong>Having trouble taking fantastic outdoors photographs? </strong><br /><br /><strong>Need some advice on how to take great photos when hiking, bushwalking or backpacking? </strong><br /><br /><strong>Don't understand how your digital camera works or how to get the best out of it? </strong><br /><br /><strong>Always wanted to know how to take a perfect photo of a waterfall, rainbow, sunrise, sunset or beautiful scene?</strong><br /><br /><br />One of the great things about getting out into the outdoors is the spectacular scenery, or that magic moment you just have to record for ever. We have taken hundreds (probably thousands) of digital photographs on our various hiking trips. Occasionally they have been really fantastic, other times very disappointing.<br /><br /><strong><em>We needed to learn how to take a great digital photograph.</em></strong><br /><br /><a title="Walking in a row along The Long Sea by eir@si, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eirasi/31950828/"><img height="335" alt="Walking in a row along The Long Sea" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/22/31950828_0bf5422471.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eirasi/31950828/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Walking in a row along the Long Sea by eirsi</span></a><br /><br />We stumbled across a fantastic site that has heaps of ideas, tips and tricks and advice about taking digital photographs. The site <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/" target="_blank">Digital Photography School </a>is a terrific resource for anyone from beginner to expert who wants to improve their digital photos.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />We love it, it has a great community (over 200,000 email subscribers , including us), offers excellent advice (with a very active forum) and allows you to view photo's posted by members that make us green with envy.<br /><br />We recommend you check out the following topics at <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/">Digital Photography School</a>. There is heaps to learn and this is a great place to get excellent information.<br /><br /><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-sunrises-and-sunsets" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">12 tips for photographing stunning sunsets or sunrises</span></a><br /><br /><a title="Sunset at Blackhead Beach by _setev, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/downunderphotos/416024998/"><img height="339" alt="Sunset at Blackhead Beach" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/416024998_3b07449a2b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/downunderphotos/416024998/">Sunset at Blackhead Beach by Setev </a></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/waterfall-digital-photography" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Waterfall digital photography</span></a><br /><br /><a title="Lumsdale Waterfall 1 by ~~Tone~~, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonymangan/611780383/"><img height="500" alt="Lumsdale Waterfall 1" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/611780383_6e7c8d2bc8.jpg" width="363" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonymangan/611780383/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Lumsdale Waterfall by Tone</span></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/11-surefire-tips-for-improving-your-landscape-photography" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">11 surefire landscape photography tips</span></a><br /><br /><a title="No Turning Back by mischiru, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mischiru/1785457623/"><img height="500" alt="No Turning Back" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/1785457623_24b92e514e.jpg" width="334" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mischiru/1785457623/"><span style="font-size:85%;">No turning back by mischiru<br /></span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-mushrooms-toadstools-and-fungi" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">How to photograph mushrooms, toad stools and fungi</span></a><br /><br /><a title="Color Among the Forest Floor by Brian Hathcock, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ception/251985769/"><img height="362" alt="Color Among the Forest Floor" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/116/251985769_48c80ad6d2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ception/251985769/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Color Among the Forest Floor by Brian Hathcock</span></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-shoot-in-direct-sunlight" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">How to shoot in direct sunlight</span></a><br /><br /><a title="Pacific Sun by mischiru, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mischiru/421865056/"><img height="329" alt="Pacific Sun" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/421865056_e18b254161.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mischiru/421865056/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pacific Sun by mischiru<br /></span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-a-rainbow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">How to photograph a rainbow</span></a><br /><br /><a title="Fire Rainbow by colinjcampbell, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cjc/439775719/"><img height="334" alt="Fire Rainbow" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/439775719_b26c7154c3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cjc/439775719/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Fire Rainbow by Colin Campbell</span> </a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Further Information / Links</span><br /></span></strong><a href="http://bushwalk-tasmania.com/forum/">Bushwalk Tasmania</a> has a great monthly photographic competition - it is well worth visiting (and joining) as some wonderful wilderness photographers lurk there.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tasadam.com/">Tasadam</a> has some excellent <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/tasadam/art">Tasmanian wilderness photographs on his site</a>, beautiful images - and available to purchase<br /><br />All the beautiful photographs on this post are from<a href="http://www.flickr.com/"> Flickr </a>using a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/">Creative Commons licence</a>. You can get lost there for hours.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">Related Posts</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/02/overland-pictures-i-really-like.html">Happy snaps on the Overland Track</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/02/overland-track-track-images.html">Overland Track images</a> by Rick McCharles from <a href="http://besthike.com/">Besthike.com</a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Have you got any favourite photographic sites with either great pictures or tips and tricks about digital photography? If so, leave a comment and we can check them out.<br /></span></strong></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-5582093525443158092009-04-22T15:20:00.022+10:002009-04-22T20:21:12.275+10:00The Bibbulmun Track - a long distance hikeThe Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000kms (620 miles) from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia. It goes through the heart of the scenic South West and traverses some of the most beautiful bush, forests and beaches that Australia can offer.<br /><br />In this guest post, <strong>Dave Tomlinson shares with us his experience of walking the Bibbulmun Track, end to end, in 2007. In doing this he became one of around 500 people who have achieved this feat. </strong><br /><br />This track is one of the epic bushwalks in Australia (and most likely) the world.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM-lyYWYpqOq9LNxpa0rfrblMfmePrbmG8R7JFm4VZywa0WyEOF20c8Fh6CdW3FPXbBbdt0-0EUSPvRmhHp9YhOpvPNo1Tf6sOVr92RxiFu2uJT5JkynsQtmKu-OIN3kkcChIiw/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_map_large.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327384200760642354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM-lyYWYpqOq9LNxpa0rfrblMfmePrbmG8R7JFm4VZywa0WyEOF20c8Fh6CdW3FPXbBbdt0-0EUSPvRmhHp9YhOpvPNo1Tf6sOVr92RxiFu2uJT5JkynsQtmKu-OIN3kkcChIiw/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_map_large.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/track-info/Overview-Map.aspx"><span style="font-size:85%;">Map - The Bibbulmun TRACK Foundation</span></a><br /><br /><em>Dave commences Part One of his story with some reflections and background on the walk</em>:<br /><br />It's difficult to know where to start in describing such an epic hike but at the beginning seems the most logical place. The Bibbulmun Track was an idea originally conceived in the 1970's and finally became a reality in 1998. Since then, approximately 500 people have completed the entire distance and been inducted into the 'End 2 End' club. There's no doubt it's a long way to walk. Although it only covers a small corner of Australia, if it was in Europe it would stretch from Paris to Rome! So, it was with that rather daunting knowledge that I tentatively set out on a hot day in early February, 2007.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nOPuf8o4lbvnyzZi_Pwi7k3zi5MfSRt9KiccVkXDFz6NxWg4Q_CV7bRQzqiRp1Fa28HV0PgzUkIstl18W3zJ8L5U920TGkwU5mw_tA8hJqHX2yzrV7czOp5f3_vzRmyGAq7CZA/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_waugal_track_marker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327393692859400626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nOPuf8o4lbvnyzZi_Pwi7k3zi5MfSRt9KiccVkXDFz6NxWg4Q_CV7bRQzqiRp1Fa28HV0PgzUkIstl18W3zJ8L5U920TGkwU5mw_tA8hJqHX2yzrV7czOp5f3_vzRmyGAq7CZA/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_waugal_track_marker.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Waugal Track marker - Dave thinks there are 5000 of them</span> <p><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />When I reflect on the entire time I spent hiking the track, I think the first few days were the toughest of all. There is nothing quite like the challenge of carrying a heavy pack over difficult terrain in 40 degree heat. Although the track goes through eight towns, the first one is ten days from Perth. So, my pack was very heavy with supplies and I was stiff and sore during those initial stages. But as I progressed, my muscles began to get attuned to what was expected, my pack gradually lightened and things became easier.<br /><br />The facilities along the way are truly world class. I spent seven weeks walking and averaged about 20km per day. I wasn't carrying a tent so had to rely on the track campsites. These are basically three-sided structures that offered hardboard platforms for sleeping and a couple of picnic tables for eating etc. Most of them are in beautiful locations that have been pleasantly landscaped with a bush toilet and flat areas for pitching tents if required. They all have a large rainwater tank so, although I was hiking in a relatively dry period, I always had plenty of water available.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArXkO3y6Op13et4GT2tx-CabBV9cp5LpWhWNITPlyYABkb99TbHf8E-FjtthDNIXZTP7vKz_52xffEFK6HHU9psVL0BslkWt7IKJQWfZ50l5ta6AgkfkChDMBAXlGedWg_LjnKA/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_waalegh_campsite_long.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327393688114055026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArXkO3y6Op13et4GT2tx-CabBV9cp5LpWhWNITPlyYABkb99TbHf8E-FjtthDNIXZTP7vKz_52xffEFK6HHU9psVL0BslkWt7IKJQWfZ50l5ta6AgkfkChDMBAXlGedWg_LjnKA/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_waalegh_campsite_long.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Waalegh campsite from a distance</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQS4xQf9szzua8PKJamNZtrRKTivMCFyYO5H3_7seNkEZzGnkG-FwgR0sJm3x0T59L48c767cJgcENiGkWvAoHO7zw943uCblRoQH5Wj3SFjt5BAmyNFjPb_qTb_dmS8FowhlSeQ/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_waalegh_campsite.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327393685623003474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQS4xQf9szzua8PKJamNZtrRKTivMCFyYO5H3_7seNkEZzGnkG-FwgR0sJm3x0T59L48c767cJgcENiGkWvAoHO7zw943uCblRoQH5Wj3SFjt5BAmyNFjPb_qTb_dmS8FowhlSeQ/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_waalegh_campsite.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Waalegh shelter</span><br /><br />During the first four days the campsites were only about 10km apart so I 'double-hutted' through that section. After that, they were anywhere from 13km to 24km apart. I did a few more double hut days later in the hike where I totaled about 30km for the day. The shelters in the northern half of the track all had fireplaces but I couldn't use them because of a total fire ban. Sadly, I did come through a couple of areas that were affected by bushfires but in all honesty the damage wasn't as bad as I expected. I'd describe it as 'superficial' with blackened tree trunks and burnt leaves but still a lot of green foliage.<br /><br />Initially, the scenery didn't change greatly from day to day. It was characterised by forests of jarrah and marri trees, granite outcrops and various native bushes. February is a hot, dry month in Western Australia and most days were spent under blue skies and sun. The trees offered some protection from the sun as I walked and I always appreciated any shade I could get.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBliQTfbsxh51v5LeZmzHitwpS1yaOuOGBAkN7WqfVyUNGwWZ9Hqj4u9Y_o9T-XkLoyq7Ct0GA4vVrkwr2v4XR-N-ryDMM5BE6lWG9miBrXDg21KEWbFp64PzPHiuxcLTFWoySzA/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_flat_hiking.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327397127640534802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBliQTfbsxh51v5LeZmzHitwpS1yaOuOGBAkN7WqfVyUNGwWZ9Hqj4u9Y_o9T-XkLoyq7Ct0GA4vVrkwr2v4XR-N-ryDMM5BE6lWG9miBrXDg21KEWbFp64PzPHiuxcLTFWoySzA/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_flat_hiking.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> A lot of the first half hiking was like this country</span><br /><br />After a couple of weeks I started to follow a river for the first time. Unfortunately at this time of year the water levels were very low and barely flowing in most places. This was the same for other rivers along the track but it was pleasant hiking though the valleys anyway. There were variations in the flora around this area as one day I enjoyed the sight of paperbark trees, gum trees and swamp vegetation. A couple of days later the track climbed across private farm land and offered great pastoral views.<br /><br />The scenery in this whole northern area would have been greatly enhanced if the Western Australian wildflowers were in bloom. Unfortunately, spring is the season for these displays so I missed this aspect of the hike. However, doing the track at this time means plodding (and wading at times) though water and swamp mud. It also means sharing the track with many more people and not experiencing the same tranquility I enjoyed. So, with all are pros and cons, I certainly have no regrets about my timing.<br /><br />Aside from the diverse scenery, I also enjoyed seeing a range of Australian wildlife. I saw or heard kangaroos most days, with some large ones in the south. At various times I also saw emus, feral cats, pigs, quokkas, a bobtail lizard, skinks, bandicoots and of course snakes. While I was disappointed only seeing one snake in the northern half, my count quickly increased along the southern coast. There were a number of the relatively harmless dugites but also the larger and more dangerous tiger snakes. I spent a lot of my time watching for them on the track in front of me, especially if it was sunny. A venomous snake bite out in the wilderness would mean a lot of trouble so I decided that prevention was by far the best cure!<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmvaBw8jFj10nkqUQwtHTrqEzaTuZJuoqauFHquRaquA3mu80EoJ6E3b7vz7vb3CJDDSpez5UWEltFg_het6YTFYfohhjGacD4RlSm18au4qt73F7DDImbqCqLMIaSdqMVwvYTw/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_bandicoot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327398953346328594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmvaBw8jFj10nkqUQwtHTrqEzaTuZJuoqauFHquRaquA3mu80EoJ6E3b7vz7vb3CJDDSpez5UWEltFg_het6YTFYfohhjGacD4RlSm18au4qt73F7DDImbqCqLMIaSdqMVwvYTw/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_bandicoot.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Bandicoot</span> </p><p>There were also many different types of birds to admire along the way. I didn't have a book to identify many of them but I did get to see the mighty wedge-tailed eagle and the protected red-tailed black cockatoos. Some of the smaller birds such as the blue and fairy wrens were very friendly around the campsites. They would often come within a few feet of where I was sitting, especially if it happened to be lunch time. I didn't actually see one but I often heard kookaburras calling out from the trees somewhere.<br /><br />Then there was the wildlife that I didn't enjoy or appreciate. March flies must surely be at the top of this particular list. These are large flies with a nasty bite that will even go through clothing. Fortunately though they are relatively docile and you can kill them with a reasonable success rate. The best thing after you've hit them is to watch the ants attacking it. It's a fearsome struggle that can go either way but generally the ants overpower the stricken fly. I felt no compassion because they often made me feel like the only whale in a Japanese fishing contest.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WiPJQtiq7Hv5GyOzk2T5-UjuHytu2z4xq2zrSc3oSCYBVUVbqwi_DmlZjLNUo0gYdw5yBXz-5Mxexzrl9KL5MlkSwv9cFKERm3Ck8IPgP1tdOTR9ZhsQuL-H6MgryQeqC10E1A/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_dookanelly_campsite.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327397128935280098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WiPJQtiq7Hv5GyOzk2T5-UjuHytu2z4xq2zrSc3oSCYBVUVbqwi_DmlZjLNUo0gYdw5yBXz-5Mxexzrl9KL5MlkSwv9cFKERm3Ck8IPgP1tdOTR9ZhsQuL-H6MgryQeqC10E1A/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_dookanelly_campsite.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Dookanelly Campsite - One of Dave's favourites - set up like a lounge room</span><br /><br />A close second to the flies were the mosquitoes. They seemed to be worst along the southern coast and I had one particularly bad night where they were constantly buzzing around my head. One shelter seemed to have a problem with ticks but I quickly removed them before they could do anything. And finally...leeches. After swimming in one of the lakes I found a couple on my feet and pulled them off just in time. Nasty!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bmkCinxpXEQemgUfISps6FeVWAvf5C7ogp4ZkAEY3I6IyeiXaIAjDFT-7Ug_RGCb84B1SrT5AfUoZdcUdkZsLa6Tm7EGZmY-2IvNANFs8ibxrQx2ZPHFZHO11GtktuAoGSvAgQ/s1600-h/Bibbulmun_Track_half_way.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327397128764687170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bmkCinxpXEQemgUfISps6FeVWAvf5C7ogp4ZkAEY3I6IyeiXaIAjDFT-7Ug_RGCb84B1SrT5AfUoZdcUdkZsLa6Tm7EGZmY-2IvNANFs8ibxrQx2ZPHFZHO11GtktuAoGSvAgQ/s400/Bibbulmun_Track_half_way.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> The half way mark? "You are exactly half way between here and there"</span><br /><br />This is the end of the first part of Dave's trip report. The second half where he continues his wonderful tale and reaches the end of this epic journey will be available on Our Hiking Blog soon.<br /><br />Dave was also kind enough to write up a planning and gear sheet that will be added soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Don't forget, if you want to receive updates of any new topics (and Dave's next instalment)subscribe and </p></span></strong><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/OurHikingBlog" type="application/rss+xml" rel="alternate"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/OurHikingBlog" type="application/rss+xml" rel="alternate"><strong>get an email when we update Our Hiking Blog</strong></a></p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;"><strong>Further Information:</strong></span><br />The <a href="http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/Home.aspx">Bibbulmun Track Foundation has the <strong>best website</strong> </a>we have ever come across that supports a multi day hiking adventure.<br /><br />There is a <strong>massive amount of information</strong> regarding:<br /><br /><ul><li>Planning </li><li>Gear and equipment</li><li>Friends of the Bibbulmun Track </li><li>Track Information, conditions and closures</li><li>News</li><li>Maps and resources</li><li>And so much more we don't have room.</li></ul><br />Please check out their site - <a href="http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/Home.aspx">The Bibbulman Track </a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Related Posts:</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-great-walk-you.html">Great South West Walk</a> - Dave at it again with a 200km (125 miles) walk over 2 weeks<br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/12/food-menu-for-9-days-hiking.html">Hiking Food for a multi-day walk</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/03/hiking-gear-what-are-basics-to-get.html">Hiking Gear - What are the basics to get started? </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-hiking-clothes-for-multi-day-hike.html">Best clothing for a multi day hike </a><br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-29547434555980576002009-04-14T09:27:00.020+10:002009-04-14T20:29:28.574+10:00Trail mix, Gorp or Scroggin - hiking snack food by any other name!What is the best snack food when hiking?<br />Yummy nibbles to keep up your energy?<br />Easy food to eat while hiking, bushwalking, mountain climbing or treking?<br /><br />No matter where you live or what you call trail mix you probably have a favourite "snack" food you take hiking.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_mix"><em>Wikipedia</em></a><em> describes trail mix as the ideal snack food for hikes, because it is lightweight, easy to store, and nutritious, providing a quick boost from the carbohydrates in the dried fruit and/or granola, and sustained energy from the mono- and polyunsaturated fats in nuts</em><br /><br />We have been modifying our scroggin over several years and in this post describe how we put it all together and prepare our scroggin for each hiking trip.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>The "rules":<br /></strong></span>- cut up your treats into small pieces for different taste sensations<br />- avoid anything that melts or goes too soggy<br />- avoid anything too sticky (makes big chunks) or soft (breaks up into small pieces that are hard to grab)<br />- there are no real rules - just add what you like to eat<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The recipe:</span></strong><br /></span>This is just a sample of the type of snacks we use in our scroggin, <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>mix and match it to your taste</strong></span>.<br />- Liquorice all sorts cut into quarters<br />- Liquorice twists or straps cut into 2-3 cm (1") lengths<br />- jelly beans<br />- snakes - cut up<br />- jelly babies<br />- dried fruit such as apricot, pear, sultanas, raisins, currents etc<br />- chocos<br />- Liquorice chocolate coated bullets<br />- yogurt balls<br />- M&M's<br />- smarties<br />- Nuts - peanuts (we use unsalted or EVERYTHING gets salty), cashews, almonds etc BUT nothing with shells<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9bA_7z3IjFo4SAXRvWx0NogfSC-9KQCcsnA_JkyzOU4dtSCO9RogpM13pF7pd3ZyTQXHkIUsq22hAsv-m-XEC0KlT4XomURas_ch0uW6wvYAoKj652BfAnqSl02vTjsi4tyDQ/s1600-h/scroggin_mix.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324327765533316434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9bA_7z3IjFo4SAXRvWx0NogfSC-9KQCcsnA_JkyzOU4dtSCO9RogpM13pF7pd3ZyTQXHkIUsq22hAsv-m-XEC0KlT4XomURas_ch0uW6wvYAoKj652BfAnqSl02vTjsi4tyDQ/s400/scroggin_mix.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Our scroggin, mixed and ready to bag<br /></span><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>The amount:</strong></span><br />- We take 100grams (about 3.5 ounces) or a small ziploc bag per person per day (this has gradually been reduced from about 200g as we now tend to eat less).<br />- We count the first and last day in the trail as one bag<br />- On a 5 night hike we take 5 bags (half for first and last day)<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">How we buy it all:</span></strong><br /></span>- We work out how many nights we are hiking - for example, 4 nights, 400gms each, two of us, total required 800gms! Our last trip we needed 1.6kg or 3.5 pounds!<br />- off to the supermarket and head to the confectionary / health food/ nut / dried fruit sections<br />- graze around for 30 min or so deciding what looks good (best to eat BEFORE you go there)<br />- start adding bags of goodies to our basket, writing down the net weight of each bag<br />- once we reach the required amount / weight we usually throw in an extra bag or two to get some more variety<br />- head off to the checkout and nearly faint at the cost..... junk food is expensive.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">The packaging process:</span></strong><br />- get a large bowl or container<br />- open packets, cut up large pieces and add to bowl<br />- beat off the children and hungry animals<br />- mix together by hand taking care not to eat too much<br />- depending on the amount you have decided for each day, weigh or fill bag with required amount<br />- share the leftovers with the kids<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EACoordCeOtVWU4s5t2fN0CQnE6BztGE72muz4AHg1WmyGQ6cKz0pPTVRL_7v6kSlzu55BdqhwcBsr-0A8ZfSQ3WZMOXKOakMhBPXgSAJ_0WkbBw5xm-wGQ_mySIwHPWzIl_1A/s1600-h/scroggin_trail_mix_+for_hiking.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324327763895528594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EACoordCeOtVWU4s5t2fN0CQnE6BztGE72muz4AHg1WmyGQ6cKz0pPTVRL_7v6kSlzu55BdqhwcBsr-0A8ZfSQ3WZMOXKOakMhBPXgSAJ_0WkbBw5xm-wGQ_mySIwHPWzIl_1A/s400/scroggin_trail_mix_+for_hiking.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Seven days of scroggin for three people - bagged and ready to go<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Advantages</span></strong>:<br /></span>- we love the convenience of a pre-measured amount each day<br />- you don't eat all your scroggin in the first few days<br />- your get a real energy boost nibbling on high sugar food each hour or so<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Disadvantages:<br /></span></strong>- You can add some serious weight to your pack if you are hiking for a few days, for example, seven nights, 700grams (1.5 pounds) of trail mix.<br />- you can get sick of the same tastes each day - think about putting a mix of different items in for different days if you are out for more than a couple of days e.g. nuts and jellybeans or bullets, snakes and yogurt balls in one bag. Experiment.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">We would love to hear what you take as trail mix or scroggin or gorp. Leave us a comment so others can read them and use your ideas on their next trip.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Other ideas:</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trail-mix-recipe/index.html">The Food Network - Trail Mix</a><br /><a href="http://www.users.on.net/~skip/index.cgi?recipe=Scroggin">Skipper's Scroggin recipe </a><br /><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Related Posts</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/12/food-menu-for-9-days-hiking.html">Food planning for a 9 day hike</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/09/food-preparation-for-overland-track.html">Food preparation for the Overland Track and other multi day hikes </a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2007/09/we-received-email-from-lauren-about.html">Meal ideas for the Overland Track or other long hikes<br /></a><br /></span> </p>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-19259796671030348762009-04-12T16:20:00.000+10:002009-04-13T09:42:42.392+10:00Hiking gear - learning from your mistakes and fixing themHave you ever returned from a hiking trip and thought?<br /><br />- never again, it is all too hard, too heavy and too difficult<br />- my pack was loaded badly<br />- my tent was too heavy<br />- my food was awful<br /><br />Matthias, a fellow blogger and mate at <a href="http://mattworldwide.com/">Matt Worldwide </a>posted a fantastic , detailed analysis recently on the <strong>lessons he has learnt from his first two Australian bushwalks.</strong><br /><br />A very thoughtful and thorough blogger, Matthias has put together a long post about his preparations to undertake the South Coast Track in Tasmania over Easter. We highly recommend you read his full post <a href="http://mattworldwide.com/2009/preparing-for-a-10-day-hike-in-south-west-tasmania/">Preparing for a 10 day hike in South West Tasmania</a><br /><br />Here are a few of the key points he has identified and tried to fix. We will look forward to his post trip report to determine if he has been successful!!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuY081CK5BUIdX2h1XZ1nIaaYunNeQBFavxyWeCoOPhzOxn_yFTZhOqvwRg7RoZNHcWQ7CUvOLSXZsUwI4_uzxKfniqjJCtkZEzvNlli1ly80w63Cyg2kiYfWOaRVws67TcxHKQ/s1600-h/hiking_backpack_overloaded.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322582671242154002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuY081CK5BUIdX2h1XZ1nIaaYunNeQBFavxyWeCoOPhzOxn_yFTZhOqvwRg7RoZNHcWQ7CUvOLSXZsUwI4_uzxKfniqjJCtkZEzvNlli1ly80w63Cyg2kiYfWOaRVws67TcxHKQ/s400/hiking_backpack_overloaded.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Mark at Louisa Bay - strapping on his gear - he carried around 30kg and regretted it!</span><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />- My backpack was badly set up and caused me pain in back and shoulders.<br /><br />- My backpack was too heavy, I carried too much stuff<br /><br />- I carried too much food, and what I carried was too heavy (e.g. cans or fruit cake).<br /><br />- I didn’t carry mosquito repellent.<br /><br />- Cotton clothing, not really suitable for hiking.<br /><br />- I had blisters on my feet all the time.<br /><br />- With only a 1 litre bottle I ran out of water sometimes.<br /><br />- No real rain protection (it was summer so a light poncho-like jacket did the trick).<br /><br />- Food planning and the positioning of stuff in my backpack in general was too complicated. On most days I didn’t have lunch because I didn’t want to unpack everything. I didn’t carry real lunch food anyway, only snacks, so I simply walked on to the next camp and had early dinner. It didn’t bother me much, once I start walking I can walk the whole day without eating much, but I think it would be beneficial to have a lunch break.<br /><br />- My tent was too heavy and took up lots of space.<br /><br />Read Matthias's full post <a href="http://mattworldwide.com/2009/preparing-for-a-10-day-hike-in-south-west-tasmania/">Preparing for a 10 day hike in South West Tasmania</a>, it is great information.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Does all or some of this sound familiar? </strong></span><span class="fullpost"><strong>It does to us, so we will be keen to read how Matthias' improvements to his hiking gear set up works after he completes the South Coast Track. </strong></span></p><br /><p><span class="fullpost"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">We would love your comments about how you have modified your gear over time and what you would change if you could.</span><br /></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#663300;">Related Posts</span><br /></span></strong><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-hiking-clothes-for-multi-day-hike.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Best hiking clothes for a multi day trip</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/03/hiking-gear-what-are-basics-to-get.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hiking gear - what are the basics?</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2008/03/starting-off-hiking-john-chapmans.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">John Chapman's advice for beginners </span></a><br /></span><br /></p>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12319581.post-40808705278923427442009-04-10T13:08:00.004+10:002009-04-11T17:13:24.942+10:00Great South West Walk - The Capes and BaysPenguins?<br />Enchanted Forest?<br />Blowholes?<br />Seals?<br />Petrified Forest?<br />and The End....<br /><br />The final section of the Great South West Walk is described as "The Capes and Bays" and in his fourth guest post, Dave Tomlinson shares his trip report of this popular and beautiful area.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDNJ8RYN13yu5Auyn-6kyKX1mm09ti1xAYglyx3R8Wfx42sGbZjg3FyzC-dmn-8x1k-1WVi46bF7zeCVDy_SZ0jFGC4aVhWxJN93JtAr8PQ-FeaZVYQfGduRN3RYt4cYQuttfkw/s1600-h/petrified_forest_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322553918390832418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDNJ8RYN13yu5Auyn-6kyKX1mm09ti1xAYglyx3R8Wfx42sGbZjg3FyzC-dmn-8x1k-1WVi46bF7zeCVDy_SZ0jFGC4aVhWxJN93JtAr8PQ-FeaZVYQfGduRN3RYt4cYQuttfkw/s400/petrified_forest_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Petrified Forest </span></p><p>The 27km from Tarragal Camp around Cape Bridgewater to Trewalla Camp was my longest day but also one of the most enjoyable. Initially I had to traverse some pastoral land which offered beautiful views of Bridgewater Lakes. After enjoying some native bush around the lakes the track pushed its way out onto the rugged and windswept headland. As I progressed down the western side the vegetation became sparser until it became barren with a moonlike appearance. I took a break at The Springs camp, which was surprisingly well presented and so named for the freshwater spring nearby.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XaMFxuNhZoekbItPgSJil5Kp8PlUL-q_r8nWblkVmt7LZrA620bFN500GBabawaWLqw4tMhG-TAU5YlMBk3pNyQgTRB8LyjUJBLaiFiKSxzorj10iUzuX4O6l1T1rrLjNDSzdw/s1600-h/bridgewater_lakes_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322547207597236194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XaMFxuNhZoekbItPgSJil5Kp8PlUL-q_r8nWblkVmt7LZrA620bFN500GBabawaWLqw4tMhG-TAU5YlMBk3pNyQgTRB8LyjUJBLaiFiKSxzorj10iUzuX4O6l1T1rrLjNDSzdw/s400/bridgewater_lakes_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Bridgewater Lakes<br /></span><br />At various points there was evidence of the ancient lava flow that created the Cape. Unfortunately there wasn't much action at the blowholes when I was there but it wasn't much further to see the Petrified Forest. There are a number of theories about how this surreal landscape of calcified sediment was formed. One of these is that a forest was smothered by a large sand dune and water seeping down through the sand formed a crust of sandstone on the outside of the tree trunks. This process decayed the organic matter, leaving behind the "petrified trunks".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2YgjJ7QYpMMpNgZ0A9o0-9afbiPAe35gjYlzWAuiZ8AJL1krnCOZmajzoIyeJQHYDAhyphenhyphennVlMQcQ1IzQzGFkMPYr7onpDBfYbTXWdVnXabkMiJOd9sNhJKwnP_5DOJfZf39wW9w/s1600-h/Cape_bridgewater_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545916966682050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2YgjJ7QYpMMpNgZ0A9o0-9afbiPAe35gjYlzWAuiZ8AJL1krnCOZmajzoIyeJQHYDAhyphenhyphennVlMQcQ1IzQzGFkMPYr7onpDBfYbTXWdVnXabkMiJOd9sNhJKwnP_5DOJfZf39wW9w/s400/Cape_bridgewater_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Cape Bridgewater in the distance<br /></span><br />After rounding the southern tip of Cape Bridgewater the track passes high above a colony of Australian fur seals, over the highest sea cliff in Victoria (130m above sea level) and descends to the tranquil community of Bridgewater. This eastern flank of the cape is sheltered from the prevailing wind and is noticeably greener. I had the recommended fish and chips for lunch before following the gentle curve of Bridgewater Bay around to Trewalla camp. This site offered good views looking back to the cape I'd just walked from. The only worry I had that night was the dark clouds that rolled in from the sea during the evening because my tent is not entirely waterproof.<br /><br />Although I woke the next day to a heavy looking sky it remained dry and reasonably warm. In fact I never had more than a few light spots of rain the entire hike. The next headland I had to round was that of Cape Nelson.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs0ukIv3NXQM_9dR5hvRQ6Ik9YlhZ6NePJHC7PmngoR9ryF4mz4LzeLU70qs93q7CnFmfMzwiqYvlHzgnGkp-uDPPHfjTLoCZtJAThVPYb5b619XA0l3aDdRgc5n0uJEul2ytGg/s1600-h/cape_nelson_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545905590311074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs0ukIv3NXQM_9dR5hvRQ6Ik9YlhZ6NePJHC7PmngoR9ryF4mz4LzeLU70qs93q7CnFmfMzwiqYvlHzgnGkp-uDPPHfjTLoCZtJAThVPYb5b619XA0l3aDdRgc5n0uJEul2ytGg/s400/cape_nelson_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Cape Nelson</span><br /><br />After a few kilometres along the beach the track climbs (which the help of some wooden steps) up the dune and onto the cape itself. Although smaller, the scenery is similar to Cape Bridgewater with the landscape becoming very rugged and barren toward the end. At the southernmost point is the distinctive red and white Cape Nelson lighthouse built in 1884.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgrGtv8yjTx6OHM3lnh7UY_2WtqKVj6Nsc4tqy3DsyUCDkYqo8FJpFcWggVmblj8bHsVD4QmCmLn7S17uozMZe0uUg7MLT0b45nJc4KNV4IDaO0BbvcF1zo1HwHNfvL2LzosbCw/s1600-h/rockpool_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545912030781298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgrGtv8yjTx6OHM3lnh7UY_2WtqKVj6Nsc4tqy3DsyUCDkYqo8FJpFcWggVmblj8bHsVD4QmCmLn7S17uozMZe0uUg7MLT0b45nJc4KNV4IDaO0BbvcF1zo1HwHNfvL2LzosbCw/s400/rockpool_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Great coastal scenery</span><br /><br />It was noticeable that extra resources have been allocated to the track and campsites around the headlands. This is clearly the most popular section and many people do the 'Three Bays in Three Days' walk from Portland to Bridgewater Lakes. I stayed at Mallee Camp on the eastern side of the Cape Nelson. This was a lovely campsite apart from one thing: it's located close to a large wind turbine. The sound of the huge blades cutting the air disturbs both the ambience and even your sleep if they continue turning into the night. Fortunately for me the wind ceased soon after dark so the turbines fell still and silent.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHy7ITqrctJfCxYsLlwg0MHX-QFpwwgqRPO2T-gjsl4VKRN8-SUrfU8Dw-jeIljILnH5pkNLtPawGtB-SoBH4V027QScMbxw_xKPol_OgQSfPS50l0XMQxnu1fEclVDXGd9HSgA/s1600-h/mallee_camp_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322551131683197858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHy7ITqrctJfCxYsLlwg0MHX-QFpwwgqRPO2T-gjsl4VKRN8-SUrfU8Dw-jeIljILnH5pkNLtPawGtB-SoBH4V027QScMbxw_xKPol_OgQSfPS50l0XMQxnu1fEclVDXGd9HSgA/s400/mallee_camp_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Mallee Camp - nice and close to the wind turbine...</span><br /><br />The track passes through the Enchanted Forest on Cape Nelson. This is where the twisted branches of Moonah trees, draped by vines and surrounded my lichen covered rocks combine to form a slightly haunting and fairytale like setting. Yellow Rock is a popular surfing and picnic spot but deserted as I passed by. The final cape of Sir William Grant is the smallest of the three and leads onto the aptly named Point Danger. There is a large Australasian gannet colony in this area.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpndacoPea2ZLM3-_kPW16Vs8vuSsQmqJlLmQfVjaJeeNHiOKAEtPWJHH_r8TTvSeciJ3Ua-A2ZQPqpIUBykHaEosMlAPfO9NZ2evfw6gx4OKlz9D-G_nJ_ZhVl2hjW6v9bOUSWQ/s1600-h/trewella_camp_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545909449466386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpndacoPea2ZLM3-_kPW16Vs8vuSsQmqJlLmQfVjaJeeNHiOKAEtPWJHH_r8TTvSeciJ3Ua-A2ZQPqpIUBykHaEosMlAPfO9NZ2evfw6gx4OKlz9D-G_nJ_ZhVl2hjW6v9bOUSWQ/s400/trewella_camp_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Trewella camp with morning light over Cape Bridgewater<br /></span><br />The final few kilometres into Portland is a much better walk than the track leading out the other side. The local aluminium smelter provided funds for a smooth 2km pathway suitable for the disabled. There are nice views of Portland Bay and it passes historic sites such as a sealing station and bay used for quarantine purposes in the 1800's. Part of this section is dedicated to one of the locals who volunteered much of his time over the years to develop and maintain the track. It's these people that make the track what it is today and I owe a special thanks to.<br /><br />Returning to Portland completed the Great South West Walk and I took a moment to reflect on the experience. I'd hiked 13 days through wonderfully diverse scenery, observed fascinating wildlife and enjoyed good weather. I'd recommend this walk to anyone because of its variety. From a vision conceived nearly 30 years ago, it became a beautifully planned and well constructed hiking track. Through the years it's received various upgrades and extensions to become the world-class walk it is today. It truly is a symphony in four movements; each of them unique and offering something different to the others. The brochure for the walk asks the question "When will you do it?" I'm now very happy to be able to answer "I already have."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj1slzuch7bh7nj84rrwTbarDx_MKppdFDKVbLqPHvtMLgCXJGnO_9t8lwjiM9O5ZJUKJCi1ld__NDGmnJuh0kUhO7a37AH4mwO7S8OWvkdSSJyQc_LnHKSewuCyLRVjU3iKL_A/s1600-h/the_end_portland_great_south_west_walk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545902257003762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj1slzuch7bh7nj84rrwTbarDx_MKppdFDKVbLqPHvtMLgCXJGnO_9t8lwjiM9O5ZJUKJCi1ld__NDGmnJuh0kUhO7a37AH4mwO7S8OWvkdSSJyQc_LnHKSewuCyLRVjU3iKL_A/s400/the_end_portland_great_south_west_walk.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">"The End" picture - Dave reaches Portland<br /></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Related Posts:</span></strong><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-great-walk-you.html">GSWW - Section 1 - The Cobboboonee Forest</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-glenelg-river-to.html">GSWW - Section 2 - Glenelg River - Nelson</a><br /><a href="http://frankinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/great-south-west-walk-discovery-bay-and.html">GSWW - Section 3 - Discovery Bay to Trewalla Camp </a><br /><br />Many thanks to Dave Tomlinson for his wonderful trip report and photographs. The Great South West Walk looks like a fantastic trip and is now on our "to do" list. You can check out all of Dave's <a href="http://s474.photobucket.com/albums/rr108/DaveTomlinson/Great%20South%20West%20Walk/">photo's here </a><br /></span>Frank and Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964997923422444099noreply@blogger.com3