Wild Mountains of Tasmania.

[louphi]

Hi all,

I need your help again for my new project:
Any advice, any email of photos, scan of map with your previous walking
routes, GPS position, time required to walk what i never climbed or
walked.... matters.
Thnak for helping in advance, I plan to start between 15 and 30 of
december 2006(latest)

The project in brief : walk from CRADLE VALLEY to COCKLE creek climbing
lots of mountains.
Previous experience in Tassie (see my website, excel file for details)
http://www.louis-philippe-loncke.com
* overland in 5 days including : Cradle Mt , lake will, Ossa,
Waterfalls, LAbyrinth+ Lake Elysia, Acropolis
* Mt Wellington, Walls of Jerusalem walk in 1 day
* CApe Pillar walk in 1 day
* freycinet in 1.5 days
* South coast track (melaleuca to cockle creek) in 4 days.

The project in details
------------------------------
I will start with 40 days of food: MORNING weetabix+powder milk /
LUNCH+DAY butter+muesli bars+biscuits / dehydrated food (probably 2
serve pack of backcountry cuisine)
Start at Cradle valley and follow this path rooughly (any advice on
these passing points or climbed mountains welcome)

*** Part 1 (+- 7 days)
(on overland)
* Cradle Mt (MUST HAVE)
* Barn Bluff (MUST HAVE)
* Pelion West (then go off track to) (MUST HAVE)
(off track, if there's a track tell me)
* Mt Achilles
* Mt Ossa (MUST HAVE)
* Mt Massif
* between Mt Hyperion and Mt Geryon
* Lake Elysia
* Mt Minotaur
* Mt Gould (MUST HAVE)
* Narcissus hut (L St Clair)
* Cuvier Valley track
* Mt Olympus (MUST HAVE)
* Ranger Station

*** Part 2
* Mt Rufus (MUST HAVE)
* gingerbread track OR Franklin river to
* road - A10
* Mt King William 1 (MUST HAVE)
* Mt King William 2 (MUST HAVE)
* Mt King William 3 (MUST HAVE)

option 1 OR
option 2
* (off track) walk to proposed land filed and track ??? *
Cross Gordon river
* cross GORDON river just before Gell river
* walk to lake Daphne
* walk to lake Daphne
* Mt Shakespeare (NICE TO HAVE)
* Mt Shakespeare (NICE TO HAVE)
end option choice
* Mt Wylds Craig (NICE TO HAVE)
option A or B depending on easiest to go to Adams Ruins.
A: saw a track called Rasselas east of gordon river : does it still
exist ? mainained ?
B: several track or 4WD track seen om maps from Mt Wylds craig
--> In brief how to go south along gordon river. east ? west ? along
tiger range ? down Florentine river ?
* reach route B61 (via track coming from Adams field ruins)

*** Part 3
* side trip Mt Mueller (NICE TO HAVE)
* depending on time : offtrack to Mt Anne or via Road
* Mt Eliza, Anne, Sarah Jane to Edgar Dam (MUST HAVE)
* Scotts Peak DAm
* Port Davey track to Arthur Range
* Route along summits of Arthur Range
* Mt Hesperus (MUST HAVE)
* Mt Orion (MUST)
* Mt West Portal (NICE TO HAVE)
* join track going to Federation Peak

*** Part 4
* Federation Peak (MUST (of course))
* Mt Bobs (via track going North west of Fed PEak of via LAke Geeves)
(NICE TO HAVE)
* Robert River to
* Piction River to
* Mt LA Perouse (MUST)
* Pindar Peak (NICE TO HAVE)
* Oval lake
* South Cape Rivulet River to
* South Coast track
* South East Cape (MUST)
* Cockle Creek
END, rest a bit, and do some bushwalking in Mt Field NP and Frenchmans
Cap.

As said prevuiously, 40 days of food = +- 20 kg, equipment = 12 kg.
Again I will try to be less than 35 kg at the start.

This time, someone agreed to give me a GPS so any GPS poins for the
summits are welcome.
Any advice (nothing is stupid) welcome

PS: For those who think it's impossible and that I'm crazy, yep I am. I
even thought first to follow the Franklin river walking, climbing
Frenchmans cap as side trip, then walking up the gordon river, paddle
lake pedder.
I know it seems impossible, but I'll try to go as far as possible. The
Everest was not climbed on its first attempt.

[JAM]

louphi,
It might be a good idea to take an EPIRB.

Your walk will be very much more difficult than any of your previous
walks in South Eastern Australia.

The track to the old landing fields near Gordon River has completely
overgrown, and is impossible to follow.

The Vale of Rassalas Track does exist, but it goes to Lake Rhona, not
further north as shown on the Wedge map.

Also, be aware that we have had a lot more wild fires in Australia than
usual this summer.

James Mc

[Roger Caffin]

Hi louphi

Post by louphi
The project in brief : walk from CRADLE VALLEY to COCKLE creek climbing
lots of mountains.
Previous experience in Tassie (see my website, excel file for details)
http://www.louis-philippe-loncke.com
* overland in 5 days including : Cradle Mt , lake will, Ossa,
Waterfalls, LAbyrinth+ Lake Elysia, Acropolis
* Mt Wellington, Walls of Jerusalem walk in 1 day
* CApe Pillar walk in 1 day
* freycinet in 1.5 days
* South coast track (melaleuca to cockle creek) in 4 days.

Be VERY VERY VERY careful.

The walks here in Australia which you have done so far are not hard walks.
The route you are proposing is extreme in some places. Sure, the Cradle Mt
area is simple enough, but some of the others ...
With all due respect, I do not think you can have much of an idea of what
this country is like. A number of quite competent people have died in that
country, and their bodies have never been found. We do not expect to ever
find the bodies either.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[John Mc]

This sounds interesting.

It is going to be hard. Very very very hard. If you nail it, you will
go down in history as one of the legends. If you don't, as Roger
writes, you may disappear into history unfound! Either way, history
awaits your attempt. There are those of us who shudder at the thought
of your plan. There are also those of us who would drop our mouses and
come too! It's all been done before. Some of us have linked together
most of the landmarks that you suggest, if not all in one go. As James
implies though, it looks a lot easier on the map than on the ground. I
looked at your website and liked the determination and focus that I
saw. You will need your reserves of those qualities. The scrub here is
difficult. It is hard to explain how difficult. You need to experience
it to find out. The South coast Track in 4 days is OK, but you will
need to lift your game in the scrub.

Write this down:

1. Long sleeved shirt.
2. Scrub gloves.

J.

[David Noble]

Post by louphi
Hi all,
The project in details
------------------------------

Thats a lot of food to carry in one go - and you will need to carry a
lot of gear as well (eg tent and stove, fuel, etc)

It would be sensible to depot food at Lake St Clair,Road th Strathgordon
etc. As well - you will several pairs of leather scrub gloves and sets
of long pants and shirts - just to deal with the scrub.

MORNING weetabix+powder milk /

Post by louphi
LUNCH+DAY butter+muesli bars+biscuits / dehydrated food (probably 2
serve pack of backcountry cuisine)
Start at Cradle valley and follow this path rooughly (any advice on
these passing points or climbed mountains welcome)
*** Part 1 (+- 7 days)
(on overland)
* Cradle Mt (MUST HAVE)
* Barn Bluff (MUST HAVE)
* Pelion West (then go off track to) (MUST HAVE)
(off track, if there's a track tell me)

There is a track up Pelion West (turn off - no longer marked) - and the
area high up is a dolerite boulderfield - you would need to be careful
with a large pack. Traversing to Archilles is relatively straightforward
along an open ridge - but then more boulders on Thetis and to Ossa -
not too easy. You will need good weather.

Post by louphi
* Mt Achilles
* Mt Ossa (MUST HAVE)
* Mt Massif

Yes - possible (see the Keith Lancaster website)- but scrubby and some
bluffs. I have never travsered from Ossa to Massif directly, but have
descended from Massif to Kia Ora hut a couple of times - its not too bad
going down - but there is some (easy by Tassie standards) scrub

Post by louphi
* between Mt Hyperion and Mt Geryon
* Lake Elysia
* Mt Minotaur
* Mt Gould (MUST HAVE)

Faint track over the tops to Gould

Post by louphi
* Narcissus hut (L St Clair)
* Cuvier Valley track
* Mt Olympus (MUST HAVE)
* Ranger Station
*** Part 2
* Mt Rufus (MUST HAVE)
* gingerbread track OR Franklin river to
* road - A10
* Mt King William 1 (MUST HAVE)
* Mt King William 2 (MUST HAVE)
* Mt King William 3 (MUST HAVE)

Not too bad except for the big saddle which is a bit scrubby

Post by louphi
option 1 OR
option 2
* (off track) walk to proposed land filed and track ??? *
Cross Gordon river
* cross GORDON river just before Gell river

scrubby descent - then buttongrass and scrubby plains....

Post by louphi
* walk to lake Daphne
* walk to lake Daphne
* Mt Shakespeare (NICE TO HAVE)
* Mt Shakespeare (NICE TO HAVE)
end option choice
* Mt Wylds Craig (NICE TO HAVE)
option A or B depending on easiest to go to Adams Ruins.
A: saw a track called Rasselas east of gordon river : does it still
exist ? mainained ?
B: several track or 4WD track seen om maps from Mt Wylds craig
--> In brief how to go south along gordon river. east ? west ? along
tiger range ? down Florentine river ?
* reach route B61 (via track coming from Adams field ruins)

never been to those places.

Post by louphi
*** Part 3
* side trip Mt Mueller (NICE TO HAVE)

You used to be able to walk on the old Port Davey Track close to Mt
Mueller - we once used it to go to the upper Weld. I would expect it to
be a bit more overgrown now

Post by louphi
* depending on time : offtrack to Mt Anne or via Road
* Mt Eliza, Anne, Sarah Jane to Edgar Dam (MUST HAVE)
* Scotts Peak DAm
* Port Davey track to Arthur Range
* Route along summits of Arthur Range
* Mt Hesperus (MUST HAVE)
* Mt Orion (MUST)
* Mt West Portal (NICE TO HAVE)
* join track going to Federation Peak

fairly straightforward track walking

Post by louphi
*** Part 4
* Federation Peak (MUST (of course))
* Mt Bobs (via track going North west of Fed PEak of via LAke Geeves)
(NICE TO HAVE)
* Robert River to
* Piction River to
* Mt LA Perouse (MUST)

expect a lot of scrub - moss jungle, tight pandani etc - hard country.

Post by louphi
* Pindar Peak (NICE TO HAVE)
* Oval lake
* South Cape Rivulet River to
* South Coast track
* South East Cape (MUST)
* Cockle Creek
END, rest a bit, and do some bushwalking in Mt Field NP and Frenchmans
Cap.
As said prevuiously, 40 days of food = +- 20 kg, equipment = 12 kg.
Again I will try to be less than 35 kg at the start.
This time, someone agreed to give me a GPS so any GPS poins for the
summits are welcome.
Any advice (nothing is stupid) welcome
PS: For those who think it's impossible

Your route is not impossible - but you would need to be aware of what
you are getting yourself into - and it would be best to do some off
track walking in Tasmania first. Also - when walking in Tasmanian scrub
- it is often better to be in a group - so you can share the leading in
the scrub - this is particularly so in baura - tea tree country - which
I think is the hardest and most tiring tassie scrub.

Have you experienced walking in -

Baura- tea tree country (and when combined with fallen logs and cutting
grass....)

Moss jungle

Horizontal scrub

Dead stick country

Thick scoparia
--------

Good luck,

Dave Noble
and that I'm crazy, yep I am. I

Post by louphi
even thought first to follow the Franklin river walking, climbing
Frenchmans cap as side trip, then walking up the gordon river, paddle
lake pedder.
I know it seems impossible, but I'll try to go as far as possible. The
Everest was not climbed on its first attempt.

[l***@gmail.com]

Excellent inputs already guys thanks. I gonna learn a lot this week.

* Never walked off track in Tassie (saw photos and talked to Chris
Bray, the young adventurer, so I kinda understand what to expect even
not experienced yet)
* Weather conditions:
- walked the overland and side trips in Nov 2004, with bad weather
(almost died in the Acropolis caught by snow storm on summit (when i
arrived i had sun!))
- know what rain is, and had no gloves to climb acropolis, ossa
etc...

Regarding off track, I got lost on Tindibilla ridge (Canberra) in fog,
so cut accross in steep descent.
The off-track Northen part of Fraser Island was very hard, at times i
climbed steep slopes in dense 3m high scrub entralaced with vianes... a
100 to 200m per hour.
My off-track 3 days from the West end of the West McDonnell NP to
Redbank gorge (including Zeil, Razorback) is of course not considered
as Tassie Standards.

I know I can expect impenetrable scrub, but I want to try. I would
already find it very good if I make it to the Mt Anne.

Anyway, please continue helping. I alraedy know I have to buy strong
gloves. Where can I buy cheap ones ? K-mart ?

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Louphi

off track in Tassie <snip> so I kinda understand what to expect even
not experienced yet)

No, until you have been through bad Tassie scrub you can't know what to
expect. Sorry, but you will understand later.

Anyway, please continue helping. I alraedy know I have to buy strong
gloves. Where can I buy cheap ones ? K-mart ?

You want the yellow Riggers gloves available in hardware stores. NOT the
grey split leather ones, and nothing which is not full leather. The Riggers
gloves are dearer, but they last infinitley longer than the ones with cotton
backs.
There are cheap Chinese copies available, but the stitching on those is
poor. Buy the most expensive Riggers gloves in a large hardware store, and
rub a lot of Snow Seal into them before you go. A LOT of it. They will wear
out fast enough.
You will want very tough nylon clothing to hanf]dle the scrub - long
trousers and long-sleeved shirt. No cotton. You will also want a very tough
hat for the scrub.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[David Noble]

Post by Roger Caffin
Hi Louphi
You want the yellow Riggers gloves available in hardware stores. NOT the
grey split leather ones, and nothing which is not full leather. The Riggers
gloves are dearer, but they last infinitley longer than the ones with cotton
backs.

Some of us have used leather welding gauntlets for scrub - and though
heavy - they are excellent for protecting your wrists

Post by Roger Caffin
There are cheap Chinese copies available, but the stitching on those is
poor. Buy the most expensive Riggers gloves in a large hardware store, and
rub a lot of Snow Seal into them before you go. A LOT of it. They will wear
out fast enough.
You will want very tough nylon clothing to hanf]dle the scrub - long
trousers and long-sleeved shirt. No cotton. You will also want a very tough
hat for the scrub.

agreed - on our first Prince of Wales Range trip - we had a long
approach route via the King William Range and the Spires Range (cimbing
all named peaks) - and by the time we got on the last section of the
POW's we found our scrub clothes wearing out. This included the leather
gloves. We ended up spending several hours each night for the last few
nights sewing up clothing - sacrificing other items of clothing to make
patches.

Hats were good at keeping out dust and small leaves from going down your
backs whilst scrub bashing. We did find our necks getting a few cuts due
to cutting grass. And - those of us with normal leather gloves - we
found our wrists getting quite a few cuts as well.

In thick scrub - we had a rigid system of lead rotation - each person
took 10 minutes in the front, till everyone had a go - then we all had a
10 minute rest - and continued like this.

Dave Noble

Post by Roger Caffin
Cheers
Roger Caffin

[Roger Caffin]

Post by David Noble
Some of us have used leather welding gauntlets for scrub - and though
heavy - they are excellent for protecting your wrists
And - those of us with normal leather gloves - we
found our wrists getting quite a few cuts as well.

Yeah, get cuts on wrists here in NSW too.
Hum - you know, adding 1000 denier Cordura 'sleeves' to the Riggers gloves
could be a neat trick.

Post by David Noble
In thick scrub - we had a rigid system of lead rotation - each person
took 10 minutes in the front, till everyone had a go - then we all had a
10 minute rest - and continued like this.

Bit hard if solo!

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[Terryc]

Post by David Noble
We ended up spending several hours each night for the last few
nights sewing up clothing - sacrificing other items of clothing to make
patches.

Beginning to sound like my King Gee B&Bs for Welding; canvas lined. I'd
suggest a full leather welding apron, but they are extremely heavy {:-).

[John Mc]

Post by l***@gmail.com
* Never walked off track in Tassie (saw photos and talked to Chris
Bray, the young adventurer, so I kinda understand what to expect even
not experienced yet)

I looked at the website of Chris Bray. In terms of traveling in
Tasmania you can best learn from his mistakes. He clearly set off on
his trip poorly equipped and researched. A machete like Chris carried
will slow you down, and would not be welcome in the National Parks/WHA.
Use scrub gloves and ease your way through the gaps. I agree with Roger
about leather riggers gloves from a hardware store. They will wear
through in time so a few pairs might be needed for your task.

A great deal of the challenge of off-track walking is finding a decent
route, so it would be a shame to deprive you of that satisfaction by
providing too much specific info. Dave's notes give you a very good
starting point, and further study of the maps should help clarify your
options.

Please keep us posted!

J.

[Roger Caffin]

Post by John Mc
A great deal of the challenge of off-track walking is finding a decent
route, so it would be a shame to deprive you of that satisfaction by
providing too much specific info.

LOL!
I am reminded of a conversation I once had with a very old guy at Kedumba
Station (in the valley below Katoomba, at the east end of Solitary). The
Police sometimes used him as a 'guide' for search & rescue around Mt
Solitary. He said he had 'been over Solitary many times, and the easiest
route was in PolAir'.

I was going to suggest taking aerial photos of the area, but the problem
with that idea is you can't tell the difference between ti-tree scrub 2
metres high and ti-tree scrub only ankle high.

Louphi: off-track travel in that country can be measured in kilometeres per
day. A distance of TWO km per day is not uncommon in some places.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[David Springthorpe]

Post by Roger Caffin
Louphi: off-track travel in that country can be measured in kilometeres per
day. A distance of TWO km per day is not uncommon in some places.
Cheers
Roger Caffin

Should we alert S&R in anticipation ?

[louphi]

Thanks David, but already done :P (just the Huon-ranger knows)

More seriously, I tried an email to John Chapman (helped me previously
with my larapinta-330 km walk) but his mailbox was full yesterday. If
someone knows him, maybe he's in the outdoors for a while. So if
someone knows, tell me, or if someone is a good mate of him, a small to
call warn him his mailbox is full.
I think he'll have great advices for me too.

Roger, thanks again^10.

to all: yep you'll all be posted (website update this week with tiny
description of walk, and full report of attempt if alive around march
2007 (i fly out hobart to Syd on 09/02/2007 and Syd-Belgium
12/02/2007))

Thnaks for the help on "scrub" issue, but i'd like more info on
approaching the "MUST" mountains, your experience, your times if
possible.

I will probably walk-creep between 12-16 hours per day. Maybe more at
the end.

If machete not a good idea (i was going to ask ranger if authorised),
what about a 10 cm blade knife? (i had a 3 cm blade swiss army knife in
the outback) Are there kind of vianes in there ?

i read Fed peak (if i can go that far) is better approached from the
south, but i'll be coming from north. It is said about a 600m
bluff-cliff that is popular for climbers but bushwalkers walk it?
Pack-hauling need ? or "just" a 70 to 80 degrees slope ?

When i saw the maps, i kinda feel that on average if i stay high in the
mountains, i have less vegetation (especially route on the tops of
arthurs range). What's your opinion?

I am thinking of using the 100.000 maps (+GPS+compas) and read the
25.000 to write notes on my 100.000. (too much weight of all
25.000+cost high).
For all my previous walks (even in NZ) i had no topographic maps, just
the Lonely planet Bushwalking in OZ (by the way the new edition 5th, is
out as well as the NZ one)

And as Jon Muir once said, we go for the question marks ! ... I just
don't want to have too many of 'em. So continue with help, thanks.

Oh, and if someone around Sydney wants to discuss-prepare the project
with me (with maps if you have, or i'll just buy them before) I am 100%
free.

I also plan to call my contact (let's call her my agent) at Cynthia bay
(to email my mum who does not sleep well)
But i'd like to make people aware of where i am as often as possible.
So i thought of several possibilities:
* day of rest in Maydena --> is there a lot of traffic there to hitch
hike (bus tours for underground dam tours???)
* leave a note in register book at start of port davey track
(summetime= people will walk the track and thus someone will drop a
group there, meaning i can be lucky to put a note and someone will just
send an email or call my agent when opening the logbook box)
* .... your suggestions? (don't tell me satellite phone, i know that
option but with less than 1000 dollars on my bank account...)

Regarding timing i think:
* Cradle valley to West Pelion (including cradle MT barn bluff): 2days
* day 3 to ossa off track from West pelion.
* then 4 days to reach cynthia bay.
so 1 week for part 1.
* Mt Rufus to road: 1 day
* reach summit William 1 on day 9 or 10.
* after: question mark

end: Fed peak (considering climb done) to BOBs (2 days)
Bobs to La Perouse: 3-4 days.
La Perouse to Bay to Cockle ck: 2-3 days.
===> Fed Peak to END 7-10 days.

Mt anne circuit + reach Scotts Peak: 3 days
Scotts Peak - Mt Hesperus (arthur range): 1day
Mt Hesperus - Fed Peak: 5 days
==> Mt Anne to FedPeak : 10 days

It leaves me 11 days to go from Mt William 1 to about the B61 road.
Which is kinda impossible hehe.
But with thorough prep of the "easy" paths, I can become close and with
sparing food, i can maybe make my 40 days of supplies 45 days.
And if too exhasuted, i'll stop, and if really slow with high need of
food: I'll ressupply at Maydena.

[Jim Harker]

I believe that John and Monica Chapman are walking the Australian Alps
walking track. Some people I know ran in to them around Mt Howitt the
weekend before last. I don't know whats happened to them with the fires
in Victoria. Everyone in the part of the Alps west of Mt Hotham is
supposed to have been evacuated by now. Maybe they had got through that
section.

Jim

Post by louphi
Thanks David, but already done :P (just the Huon-ranger knows)
More seriously, I tried an email to John Chapman (helped me previously
with my larapinta-330 km walk) but his mailbox was full yesterday. If
someone knows him, maybe he's in the outdoors for a while. So if
someone knows, tell me, or if someone is a good mate of him, a small to
call warn him his mailbox is full.
I think he'll have great advices for me too.
Roger, thanks again^10.
to all: yep you'll all be posted (website update this week with tiny
description of walk, and full report of attempt if alive around march
2007 (i fly out hobart to Syd on 09/02/2007 and Syd-Belgium
12/02/2007))
Thnaks for the help on "scrub" issue, but i'd like more info on
approaching the "MUST" mountains, your experience, your times if
possible.
I will probably walk-creep between 12-16 hours per day. Maybe more at
the end.
If machete not a good idea (i was going to ask ranger if authorised),
what about a 10 cm blade knife? (i had a 3 cm blade swiss army knife in
the outback) Are there kind of vianes in there ?
i read Fed peak (if i can go that far) is better approached from the
south, but i'll be coming from north. It is said about a 600m
bluff-cliff that is popular for climbers but bushwalkers walk it?
Pack-hauling need ? or "just" a 70 to 80 degrees slope ?
When i saw the maps, i kinda feel that on average if i stay high in the
mountains, i have less vegetation (especially route on the tops of
arthurs range). What's your opinion?
I am thinking of using the 100.000 maps (+GPS+compas) and read the
25.000 to write notes on my 100.000. (too much weight of all
25.000+cost high).
For all my previous walks (even in NZ) i had no topographic maps, just
the Lonely planet Bushwalking in OZ (by the way the new edition 5th, is
out as well as the NZ one)
And as Jon Muir once said, we go for the question marks ! ... I just
don't want to have too many of 'em. So continue with help, thanks.
Oh, and if someone around Sydney wants to discuss-prepare the project
with me (with maps if you have, or i'll just buy them before) I am 100%
free.
I also plan to call my contact (let's call her my agent) at Cynthia bay
(to email my mum who does not sleep well)
But i'd like to make people aware of where i am as often as possible.
* day of rest in Maydena --> is there a lot of traffic there to hitch
hike (bus tours for underground dam tours???)
* leave a note in register book at start of port davey track
(summetime= people will walk the track and thus someone will drop a
group there, meaning i can be lucky to put a note and someone will just
send an email or call my agent when opening the logbook box)
* .... your suggestions? (don't tell me satellite phone, i know that
option but with less than 1000 dollars on my bank account...)
* Cradle valley to West Pelion (including cradle MT barn bluff): 2days
* day 3 to ossa off track from West pelion.
* then 4 days to reach cynthia bay.
so 1 week for part 1.
* Mt Rufus to road: 1 day
* reach summit William 1 on day 9 or 10.
* after: question mark
end: Fed peak (considering climb done) to BOBs (2 days)
Bobs to La Perouse: 3-4 days.
La Perouse to Bay to Cockle ck: 2-3 days.
===> Fed Peak to END 7-10 days.
Mt anne circuit + reach Scotts Peak: 3 days
Scotts Peak - Mt Hesperus (arthur range): 1day
Mt Hesperus - Fed Peak: 5 days
==> Mt Anne to FedPeak : 10 days
It leaves me 11 days to go from Mt William 1 to about the B61 road.
Which is kinda impossible hehe.
But with thorough prep of the "easy" paths, I can become close and with
sparing food, i can maybe make my 40 days of supplies 45 days.
And if too exhasuted, i'll stop, and if really slow with high need of
food: I'll ressupply at Maydena.

[Roger Caffin]

Post by louphi
If machete not a good idea (i was going to ask ranger if authorised),
what about a 10 cm blade knife? (i had a 3 cm blade swiss army knife in
the outback) Are there kind of vianes in there ?

I do not remember seeing any vines.
The 'horizontal scrub' is much too heavy and dense for a machete: it would
just be excess weight.

Post by louphi
i read Fed peak (if i can go that far) is better approached from the
south, but i'll be coming from north. It is said about a 600m
bluff-cliff that is popular for climbers but bushwalkers walk it?
Pack-hauling need ? or "just" a 70 to 80 degrees slope ?

Either route works just fine.

Post by louphi
When i saw the maps, i kinda feel that on average if i stay high in the
mountains, i have less vegetation (especially route on the tops of
arthurs range). What's your opinion?

Well, yes, staying out of the scrub-filled valleys is good, but the ridges
can be very rocky and tough in places.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[John Mc]

Post by louphi
If machete not a good idea (i was going to ask ranger if authorised),
what about a 10 cm blade knife?

Why would you want to stand still long enough to cut something with a
machete or knife, when you could have pushed it aside with your scrub
gloves, and already moved beyond it?
Scrub travel is about time efficiency as much as anything, and you need
to keep moving forward, moving from side to side finding the line of
least resistance.

Post by louphi
(i had a 3 cm blade swiss army knife in
the outback) Are there kind of vianes in there ?

Yes, a lot of vines in some types of scrub, but you push them apart,
and some will snap off. As Curtis Mayfield wrote; "Keep on pushing!"

Post by louphi
i read Fed peak (if i can go that far) is better approached from the
south, but i'll be coming from north.

Just follow the track in that easy area.

Post by louphi
When i saw the maps, i kinda feel that on average if i stay high in the
mountains, i have less vegetation (especially route on the tops of
arthurs range). What's your opinion?

In some areas. In others, try to link together the button grass leads.

Post by louphi
I am thinking of using the 100.000 maps (+GPS+compas) and read the
25.000 to write notes on my 100.000. (too much weight of all
25.000+cost high).

Why not use the 1:100,000 for the tracked sections, and pieces of the
1:25,000 maps for the untracked sections? Save weight where
unnecessary, but have the best info where you really need it.

Post by louphi
* Cradle valley to West Pelion (including cradle MT barn bluff): 2days
* day 3 to ossa off track from West pelion.
* then 4 days to reach cynthia bay.
so 1 week for part 1.
* Mt Rufus to road: 1 day
* reach summit William 1 on day 9 or 10.
* after: question mark
end: Fed peak (considering climb done) to BOBs (2 days)
Bobs to La Perouse: 3-4 days.
La Perouse to Bay to Cockle ck: 2-3 days.
===> Fed Peak to END 7-10 days.
Mt anne circuit + reach Scotts Peak: 3 days
Scotts Peak - Mt Hesperus (arthur range): 1day
Mt Hesperus - Fed Peak: 5 days
==> Mt Anne to FedPeak : 10 days
It leaves me 11 days to go from Mt William 1 to about the B61 road.
Which is kinda impossible hehe.

That would be fine for a strong party. The relentlessness of the
schedule will be challenging.

J.

[Terryc]

Post by louphi
If machete not a good idea

Nothing is really ideal. Every cutting instrument has an optimal target.
Machetes were created for lush tropical leafy vegetation and it is so
much hard work to swing one all day.

Basically, you need to dress so that nothing can catch on anything and
have a similar treatment for a pack. The idea is to slide through the
vegetation. It is so much easier. Sometimes you do it vertically with
pack on back, sometimes you do it horizontally (almost) dragging pack on
stout cord behind you and sometimes you just climb over the bloody top.

Post by louphi
And if too exhasuted, i'll stop, and if really slow with high need of
food: I'll ressupply at Maydena.

I always pack some rice as emergency food. You only need a billy and
water to cook it. It is far preferrable to the other alternative of
lard, which is the highest energy content, but weight of the various
flavourings to make it edible goes against it.

[louphi]

I wih I had a Sony Alpha-100 with a GPS-CS1.
My dad just just send a photo of that GPS-CS1. But when are they gonna
also add the direction where the photo is taken + the tilt-angle
(shooting towards bottom or up)

nevermind.

I think mgonna buld a can stove (called the lightweight zen stoves used
with alcohol).

I have already a few coke-cans, and 2 designs: 1 will be around 15gram
and the 2nd (with booster) 30gr.

You guys have tested this stuff before ? in Tassie ? or should I take
anyway my MSR-XGK with diesel (would need to buy a few botltle then :(
)

update of my website for end of week with report story of Fraser and
Larapinta.
Some photos of LArapinta to been seen on the dutch hiking site(their
virtual exhibition) (link on my website in the exhibition website)

HAve already 2 sponsors (cheap dehydrated food+epirb)

any one knows where i could get cheap maps around sydney ? or maybe at
cost price ? or if I contact directly Tasmap ?
any contact name+phone for this appreciated.

LPL

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Louphi

Post by louphi
I think mgonna buld a can stove (called the lightweight zen stoves used
with alcohol).

Alcohol stoves are very light, but the fuel weighs a ton. Bad idea for a
long trip.

Post by louphi
You guys have tested this stuff before ? in Tassie ? or should I take
anyway my MSR-XGK with diesel

Yuk! An XGK with kero maybe, but not diesel.

However, both the options you have listed are heavy. Doubtless others will
scream protests, but I recommend you look at a small upright canister stove.
For the length of time you are considering, plus the difficulties of the
terrain, this will be your lightest option. See the FAQ pages such as :
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Efficiency.htm

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[j***@mbox.com.au]

Post by louphi
any one knows where i could get cheap maps around sydney ? or maybe at
cost price ? or if I contact directly Tasmap ?
any contact name+phone for this appreciated.

Louphi, I wish I could find cheap maps around Sydney. Suggest you try
Map World in Sydney CBD (280 Pitt Street Ph: 02 9261 3601). Not cheap
but they are probably the most likely to have all the maps you might
want/need. Outdoor shops in Kent Street (behind Town Hall) is the other
place to look. Might be a little cheaper but you'll probably find that
that one will only have 2 or 3 of the required maps, another will have
1 or 2 etc.

You could try Tasmap but I doubt it would be cheaper (it's run by the
government).
See http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/JGAY-5496DW?open

"Cost of maps:
1:100,000 Topographic Series - RRP $9.10 (includes GST)

1:25,000 Series - RRP $9.10 (includes GST)"

Good luck with the trip and take care.

Kind regards,
John W

(to reply change mbox to bigpond and remove .au)

[louphi]

thanks,

tired that last week.

MAPS:
--------
RRP in map world piit st is 10.20 AUD
Paddy Pallin had all 100.000 i needed and lots 25.000. all at 9.10 AUD
Mountain Design & Mt equipment only had tasmaps for "bushwalking"
cradle, south coast, jerusalem...
The problem is that i can't ask Paddy Pallin for sponsorship as i'm
with Activate Outdoors.

At P PAllin, I satyed 1 hour to look at the maps, no problem to browse.
Mapworld is different, they were a bit pushy, but on one day the
manager wasn't there so i could browse a bit better, but didn't have
all 25.000

EQUIPMENT
-------------------
I called Roger Chao, Young adv of the year for crossing the whole
Arthur Range in mid-winter.
He carried over 60kg, and a volume of voer 130 liters.
My aim was to limit myself to 35 kg. The backpack I wanna use is 55
liters. I went to the gear shop na din 55 liters I could only fill up
40 pack of degydarted food (BP cuisine, BC Pantry). So I need more
volume. I am thinking of an ORTLIB 90 liter heavy duty drybag.
I could clip it with straps behind my backpack, filled only with
lightweight stuff: dehy food, tent...
After the Cradle St-Clair (not too much scrub on the DUCANE crossing) i
could start to put more stuff in the backpack.
And after the King William Range, I can put the whole backpack in the
drybag to float accross the GORDON river, and later Picton, Roberts
Rivers...
The drybag can be put under my feet for sleep or better:i can go inside
with my feet in slp bag (waist deep). This coz i have only the
thermarest 3R (110 cm by 51cm i think).After Mt Anne, I should only
have my 55l backpack which will keep me small and have a steamlined
body to go thru the wilderness.

What do you guys think ?

Roger Chao told me i needed more FOOD.
My aim was: supper : 2 serve backcountry dehydated food
breakky: 4 weetabix+powder milk (as has not much energy i'll only try
to take 1.2 kg od powder, not tasty but saves weight)
dinner: that's the tricky part: I thought about drinking oil (3600 KJ
per 100g), eat butter (3200KJ/100g), eat nutella (2000KJ/100g)or peanut
butter (2600KJ/100g)and eat around 4 uncle tobys cherry coconut muesli
bars per day.

But i need to keep a balance will all that, or maybe add meat somewhere
(at the start? as heavy).

I am thinking losing 10-15kg. (i'm 181 cm, 69 kg).

I read a body like mine will loose 2g fat for 1g muscle when my body
strat to eat myself up.

Other equipemnt i have:
MSR tent zoid 1 (1person+backpack)
tikka plus light
walksticks, whistle, fleece pullover, fleece beanie, polyprop long
sleeve shirt, polyprop long sleeve pants, gaiters. My raincoat is
sealed zipped, brand new and the fabrics seems strong. Not goretex i
think but said breathable (french decathlon-quechua brand).
stove+pot+1 spoon.

I'm hesitating about dry clothes?
spere i surely take : gloves (2-3), socks (3p). One long Kway pants,
and thinking about a short.
i have a 5liter banana bag i clip always on the front carrying: camera,
epirb and spare bats, will add GPS this time.

I have a 10 m rockclimbing cord, but it's 2 mm thick. (to be used to
make laces, dry line, pack hauling or hanging myself)
Maybe i should have thicker (stronger) like 4mm.

i also have a santa claus hat, but i'll give it away in Cynthia bay.

For the dehyd food, i think opening the packs (36 out of 40) and put
everyhting together in 2 bigge rpacks (save weight and volume) I'll
keep 4 packs untouched to use pouched for eating. hopin to reach a
volume of 30 instead of 50.
Q? They should make this dehydarted food with pack of 1, 2 and 5 kg.
Would be better value, ecologic and save room...

Planning
------------
I dunno if some of you are goin to Tassie, I'll sure put my name in the
logbooks.
I know there's a lot on the Overland, 1 in Mt Anne.
Any one knows where else we find a logbook ?
The idea is that i can put a note for people following me to call my
contact in Sydney to tell i'm ok.

PS: If i find a Tiger, can i kill or capture it and bring it (and
aborting project) so we can retreive cells and clone it ? Was this
animal attacking humans by the way ?

Saw on John Chapman, site, he's walking till early december.

Anyone wants me to call him underway (cynthia bay, MAydena?, or after
leaving a note in a logbook) so he can put new on this google group ?
Hopefully i could stop a car on the B61 and ask the driver to call
you/my contact in sydney.
LPL

You might find this adventure interesting (1000km in 24 days, small
packs...) : http://www.ryanjordan.com/

[David Duffy]

Post by louphi
--------
RRP in map world piit st is 10.20 AUD
Paddy Pallin had all 100.000 i needed and lots 25.000. all at 9.10 AUD
Mountain Design & Mt equipment only had tasmaps for "bushwalking"
cradle, south coast, jerusalem...

You might try the State Library. In Queensland at least their map library has
a lot of 1:25000's, and we photocopy the appropriate sections. The nice
thing is that often the maps are older, and so show useful features absent
from more recent maps (in Queensland, the routes of old logging roads).

David Duffy.

[r***@hotmail.com]

louphi i dont really like my name being thrown around in vain(and i
dont suppose the other people( you quoted would like it that much
either...), and i think you misunderstood/heard me.I did not carry
60kg, as i told you on the phone, i did not weigh my pack at the start,
i weighed it at the end and it weighed around 40 then, so i didnt know
the starting weight, mind you this included full winter/snow/ice gear
to. also let me reiterate a 55litre backpack for 45 days is VERY small,
and tasmanian scrub is not at all like larapinta scrub or anywhere
else(planning to carry you sleeping mat, tent, and sleeping bag on the
outside of your 55l pack is just asking to litter the wilderness
environment with torn off gear!). I once bashed down from the top of
hartz mountains to the picton river no joke we moved a few hundred
metres a day, its not far from the top of the hartz to the picton but
could take up to a week...I would definately advise you gain abit more
experience in off track southwest tassie walking before starting this
solo walk.........please make sure you are ready for all this, and know
what you are getting yourself into. best of luck -roger

[John Mc]

Post by louphi
The backpack I wanna use is 55
liters.

In the scrub you want nothing on the outside of your rucsac, everything
inside. If you want to travel independently for 40 days, get the right
pack to do the job. Get a big pack that you can compress down to a
smaller size as you consume your food.

Post by louphi
I am thinking of an ORTLIB 90 liter heavy duty drybag.
I could clip it with straps behind my backpack, filled only with
lightweight stuff: dehy food, tent...

They are good, but this idea needs some re-thinking. It's impractical
on the track, totally implausible off-track. It will get snagged and/or
shredded, along with its contents.

Post by louphi
And after the King William Range, I can put the whole backpack in the
drybag to float accross the GORDON river, and later Picton, Roberts
Rivers...

A couple of smaller thinner drybags would cater for river crossings.
There are lighter ones available, check out the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil
Dry Sacks.

Post by louphi
After Mt Anne, I should only
have my 55l backpack which will keep me small and have a steamlined
body to go thru the wilderness.
What do you guys think ?

A proper sized pack that you can reduce would be better.

Post by louphi
Roger Chao told me i needed more FOOD.
My aim was: supper : 2 serve backcountry dehydated food
breakky: 4 weetabix+powder milk (as has not much energy i'll only try
to take 1.2 kg od powder, not tasty but saves weight)
dinner: that's the tricky part: I thought about drinking oil (3600 KJ
per 100g), eat butter (3200KJ/100g), eat nutella (2000KJ/100g)or peanut
butter (2600KJ/100g)and eat around 4 uncle tobys cherry coconut muesli
bars per day.
But i need to keep a balance will all that, or maybe add meat somewhere
(at the start? as heavy).

I would want more variety, particularly dried fruits and vegies and a
decent lunch each day. I take about 800g/day in the Tassie scrub but
I'm heavier than you to start with, and don't go for 40 days without
restocking.

Post by louphi
walksticks,

A complete liability in the scrub. Leave them at home.

Post by louphi
i have a 5liter banana bag i clip always on the front carrying: camera,
epirb and spare bats, will add GPS this time.

Another liability in the scrub. Put these things in your rucsac and
leave the front pack behind.

Post by louphi
PS: If i find a Tiger, can i kill or capture it and bring it (and
aborting project) so we can retreive cells and clone it ? Was this
animal attacking humans by the way ?

A tiger would be considered feral in our wilderness, and does not
belong.
A thylacine would be wholly protected and you would be inviting jail
time to interfere with it in any way.

J.

[Roger Caffin]

Post by John Mc
In the scrub you want nothing on the outside of your rucsac, everything
inside.

Absolutely.

Post by John Mc

Post by louphi
I could clip it with straps behind my backpack, filled only with
lightweight stuff: dehy food, tent...

They are good, but this idea needs some re-thinking. It's impractical
on the track, totally implausible off-track. It will get snagged and/or
shredded, along with its contents.

Yep, 100%

Post by John Mc

Post by louphi
walksticks,

A complete liability in the scrub. Leave them at home.

Hysterically useless, actually.

Post by John Mc

Post by louphi
i have a 5liter banana bag i clip always on the front carrying: camera,
epirb and spare bats, will add GPS this time.

Another liability in the scrub. Put these things in your rucsac and
leave the front pack behind.

Yep.

Wonderful stuff, both the ti-tree scrub and the hori.
After you have escaped.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[John Mc]

Post by John Mc

Post by louphi
The backpack I wanna use is 55
liters.

In the scrub you want nothing on the outside of your rucsac, everything
inside. If you want to travel independently for 40 days, get the right
pack to do the job. Get a big pack that you can compress down to a
smaller size as you consume your food.

Further to the above advice,

I have a serviceable Lowe Expedition that I could "lend" you, if you
fail to talk a new pack out of your sponsors, or squeeze one out of
your budget. My old Lowe from the '80s is half knackered, but will
manage another big trip, and can probably navigate its own way out of
the southwest if needed. I'd like it back if possible, for sentimental
reasons, but will not be too upset if I never see it again. It's been
retired for a while, but saw service again last year when I needed two
large rucsacs for a scrub project. It's not pretty but can take a big
load. If you want it, let me know and I'll make it available for you.
Of course, try for a newer rucsac if possible.

J.

[louphi]

Mmmm.

In the shop today they also don't really like my idea of clipping a
drybag. We are thinking of course of a bigger 110 liter or so +
compression straps.

I am thinking of a thick canvas drybag like the gaiters fabric.
The sea to summit small ones i use them already i the bag for
electronics and waterproof stuff sacs for tent and sleeping bag.

Regarding food:
breakky:
* weetabix : 1500 kJ per 100g / 4 liter volume for a 1200gram pack
* oats powder: 1590 kJ / 2.3 1000
* cooking oats: 1600 2
1100
* powder milk: 900 2.2
1250
* peanut butter 2100 0.6
360
* honey 1400 0.4
600
* nutella 2175 0.9
1000
* cereal rooled oats 1550 1.2 1000

will try to find best mix of it. Keeping volume low.
LPL

[Roger Caffin]

Post by louphi
He carried over 60kg, and a volume of voer 130 liters.

He was mad.

Post by louphi
So I need more volume. I am thinking of an ORTLIB 90 liter heavy duty

drybag.
You might be better off with a Macpac Cascade and a good pack liner. Filled
up, that's enough weight.

Post by louphi
Roger Chao told me i needed more FOOD.

Likely.

Post by louphi
I am thinking losing 10-15kg. (i'm 181 cm, 69 kg).

Unwise to plan for this - even if some weight loss does happen.

Post by louphi
I have a 10 m rockclimbing cord, but it's 2 mm thick. (to be used to
make laces, dry line, pack hauling or hanging myself)
Maybe i should have thicker (stronger) like 4mm.

4 mm cord is strong enough for slither abseils. You can't hold onto 2 mm
cord with enough strength.

Post by louphi
For the dehyd food, i think opening the packs (36 out of 40) and put
everyhting together in 2 bigge rpacks (save weight and volume) I'll

Unwise.
Real probability of some water getting into pack. SEALED dehi packs are
worth the extra weight.

Post by louphi
You might find this adventure interesting (1000km in 24 days, small
packs...) : http://www.ryanjordan.com/

Ah yes - Backpacking Light stuff.

Cheers
Roger Caffin

[r***@hotmail.com]

prehaps carrying 100grams of butter a day in the middle of summer in
your pack to eat may not be the best idea........polar/cold weather
climate food is quite different to normal hiking food, also it may even
be wise to delay this trip another 1 or 2 months(thats not much time),
and just go down to tassie for a week or so and do some smaller shorter
off track bush hikes (frankland ranges etc) so you can get used to the
conditions of south west tassie scrub(the sword grass gets very tall
and thick) the navigation difficutlties, the weather, the mud etc. And
slowly build it up, as desert hikes are quite different(navigationally
and terrain wise), and then decide what gear/food/equipment to bring on
your longer trip. tried and tested gear works the best! Also (90l
ortlieb bags are very heavy!) and planning to not eat enough
calories/protein to purposely lose muscle might not be the best
idea.....also watch out for th ewater situation, bush bashing to a near
water source(as the crow flies) can take quite a while!

best of luck again
-roger

[S. Inkson]

Well someone has to say it Loupi (loopy?)
While your plan is not totally unusual (there is a route of sorts
starting on the 'Penguin to Cradle Trail' and then roughly following
your proposed route south) people that have done it have had quite
extensive experience of these areas - you don't!
To do it with this lack of knowledge may be macho and may or may not be
disastrous but I can't see how it will be enjoyable so whats the point?
I agree with Roger, do at least one short trip first.
It IS annoying for Tasmanian searchers and taxpayers to look for well
meaning but thoughtless and ill prepared walkers who seem to be out to
prove something - usually how dumb they are!
The last clown to do this put a lot of selfless people out of their way
searching and worrying - only for him to stumble out on to the south
coast track and be feted by the mainland media as some incredible
bushman when he was just an under prepared fool.
Simon

Post by r***@hotmail.com
prehaps carrying 100grams of butter a day in the middle of summer in
your pack to eat may not be the best idea........polar/cold weather
climate food is quite different to normal hiking food, also it may even
be wise to delay this trip another 1 or 2 months(thats not much time),
and just go down to tassie for a week or so and do some smaller shorter
off track bush hikes (frankland ranges etc) so you can get used to the
conditions of south west tassie scrub(the sword grass gets very tall
and thick) the navigation difficutlties, the weather, the mud etc. And
slowly build it up, as desert hikes are quite different(navigationally
and terrain wise), and then decide what gear/food/equipment to bring on
your longer trip. tried and tested gear works the best! Also (90l
ortlieb bags are very heavy!) and planning to not eat enough
calories/protein to purposely lose muscle might not be the best
idea.....also watch out for th ewater situation, bush bashing to a near
water source(as the crow flies) can take quite a while!
best of luck again
-roger

[John Mc]

I kind of agree Simon, but on the other hand, it is do-able if he's
good enough, so it'd be a shame to be too negative. His motives are
obviously not the same as the average bushwalker's, he's clearly
seeking fame and future income as an "adventurer". Distasteful
glory-seeking to you and I, but a necessary step on the path to
commercial success for him. If you find his plans nauseating, check the
website of his adviser www.chrisbray.net for an even worse concoction
of failures, ineptitude, hlaf-truths and omissions that has been sold
to the gullible as serious "adventurer" gospel. Careers are launched on
this kind of rubbish.

I agree it would be awful were his folly to cost the taxpayer
extraction dollars. At least there are plenty of escape options along
the way, if he is wise enough to use them.

Cheers,

John

[Roger Caffin]

Post by John Mc
to the gullible as serious "adventurer" gospel. Careers are launched on
this kind of rubbish.

I've been through SW Tassie as well. Can I get some of the glamour rubbing
off onto me?

Cheers

[louphi]

Made small mistake:
maps in map wolrd sydney at 10.95 (but received 15% off) (2 maps)
Paddy PAllin was 9.10 (asked discount, got 15% off too) (3 maps, they
had all 100.000 i needed 2 days ago).

I saw a lot of activity on the forum (didnt notive there was a button
"NEWER" for over 25 messages).

I have a big homework this weekend:
* calculate food (calories, weight volume)
* ideal-fastest ROUTE
* equipment

You help is very appreciated. I consider you all as the brain of this
project. I will have to make choices,

Roughly to reply a bit:
There are of course less Aussie being rescued in Belgium
I spent over 25.000 AUD in 17 months in the Aussie economy. I won't get
my super annation back. It's all for you. (ok certainly not as high as
the cost of a rescue, but to be multiplied by the probability)
And it's an attempt, i give me 20% chance to make it to the end.
It was this project of crossing half of PNG (kokoda+ try to walk inland
to bacl cat and climb wilhelm then walk to MAdang... flight too
expensive)
I fly out OZ on 12/2/2007

ok, no time for more comments, still a lot to do.
have a nice weekend all of you.
LPL

[louphi]

Hi,

I have read all the posts from start till here.

I would like (and most of you do) to put outside this "Wild Mountains
of Tasmania" project your judgement about
adventurers-commercial-fame-glory things. Use other forum if you want.

I am not perfect and still learning (probably till i reach 80, i I
reach that age).

Please leave Chris Bray out of this, I met him once and we had a very
good evening exchanging ideas, I respect him, what he did and certainly
found he was very smart.

I don't want fame and don't believe Chris wants it. I just want to
enjoy (even if i'm a bit masochistic, but nothing big to what i've been
through in my youth) what I've loving since I arrived the first time in
this country: walking in the nature, feel the air, hear only birds,
flies...

And for those who've been on my website and seen the project section,
well IF i can "use" the press, the media, etc to go further and enjoy
new places. I'll do that.
If one day I can make a bit of money out of what I do like the most,
I'd make me happy.

I go to the bush first for myself, not for the money, but hey, if I can
make some money to continue being in the bush, why not? (writing
articles, books, making adventure DVDs, guiding people...) It's a big
and very difficult business, with a lot of risks.
I'm just ready to take them.

I know a lot of you are worried about another idiot (I'm not telling
i'm not one of 'em) dying in the wild. I like to be alive, and on this
trip there are lots of escapes as you know:
* going east to the roads
* B61
* Maydena for resupply if needed
* from Fed peak finishing to farm creek, tahune forest reserve

I'll make the ideal route, and decision will be made underway.
I will face the hardest terrain i've ever been on (through) and for
days.

I'm not superman, but we all know that in case of
danger/accidents/extreme environment.... the human body can do
miracles.
Not to sure but I think Jon Muir tried 3 times before crossing OZ, the
French Regis Belville tried to cross the entire Sahara. Mike Horn did
amazing things (don't ask me to do 5 % of his achievements, not for me)
Sarah Marquis has walked with 4 resupplies from Alice Springs to Cairns
to Broken hill to Norseman to Alice Springs in 17 months.
People have escaped from the goulags in search for freedom going with
nothing and facing the Taigas of Siberia, the Mongolian steppes, the
Gobi desert, the Chinees plains, and the himalaya.
And Aussie heroes have fought on the Kokoda track.
I'm not going to war, I just try to do an adventurous walk linked
several mountains I wanna climb and take photos.

I hard had times in the fiords of NZ off-track of the dusky track. The
larapinta-Zeil I did in september was an opportunity to find out i
haven't reached my limits of my motivation. I just had painfull feet,
ortherwise it was almost a peice of cake.

As R. Caffin said, I think I'll find out myself how hard it'll be in
Tassie. Not much time to train, I trust my instinct and judgement based
on your advices/help to keep me out big troubles finishing or doing
only half of this trip.

Now I go back to preparation...
LPL

PS:
Louphi (pronunciation : Loo-Fee) comes from LOU is-PH iIippe but
people say usually Louis. (not Louise, not Louie, "s" said in english
but not in French, Luis in Spanish and Lodewijk in Dutch)

[louphi]

Route
--------
(no Penguin-cradle, as aim is not to cross tassie)
PArt 1
* Start dove lake-crdle valley
* overland: climb Cradle Mt, Barn Bluff, West Pelion
* Off-track ridge achiles-thetis-Ossa-Massif (maybe down to Kia ora hut
OR Du cane hut)
* ridge till lake elysia - track - Minotaur - Gould - lake marion
(climb only ossa and gould)
* narcissus hut-byron gap-cuvier to Climb Olympus-Cynthia bay
* Rufus track- climb rufus-gingerbread track-rufus canal road-A10

Part 2
* A10 to 4WD track "harbarracks road"- climb K William 1
* ridge + climb K William 2+3
* HARD part : go to Denison range (along east gordon? )
* Denison ridge to Lake Rhona
* Rasselas track, maybe climb Wright underway.
* on road : pass east of needles, east of Mueller
* GO to Maydena (hitch hike) and take a rest or just make a few calls,
resupply if needed to reach 20 days of food.

Part 3
* hitch back to where i left
* old port davey track or (depend on time) scotts peak road
* Mt Anne circuit, climb Eliza, Anne (no Lot, maybe Sarah Jane)
* Edgar dam, scotts peak dam
* Mckays track
* Alpha Moraine route-track (maybe one or 2 more summits)
* climb Heperus, follow Arthur range -route to centaurus ridge, lucifer
ridge
* Climb Fed peak

Part 4
Apparently it seems this is the most difficult part: SCRUB-walls !!!!
My food will be low, heath low, energy low, weight and volume low,
motivation high.
* cracroft track-route to Bobs + Bobs knobs on ridge
* Then hmmmm, will depend on food.
* to Mt raneg of Precipitous bluff ?
* kameruka route to pindars peak ?
* Mt La perouse ?
* oval lake, cape rivulet south river ?
OR from PB directly to new river lagoon ?, South Coast to end ?

LPL

[John Mc]

Post by louphi
* narcissus hut-byron gap-cuvier to Climb Olympus-Cynthia bay
* Rufus track- climb rufus-gingerbread track-rufus canal road-A10

Very easy. Enjoy.

Post by louphi
Part 2
* A10 to 4WD track "harbarracks road"- climb K William 1
* ridge + climb K William 2+3.

Easy to the sountern end of the northern plateau. The drop-off and
re-ascent to the southern plateau is moderately scrubby. Pandanifolia
on the south-facing slopes, baeura on the north-facing. From the edge
of the southern plateau across to beyond KW2 is very easy and open, for
at least a few km past KW2. I've only been as far south as 296136,
after which it starts to drop off and is reputed to get thicker and
harder to push through. James mentioned at the beginning of the thread
that the bombardier track is now difficult. You must choose a route to
suit yourself between KW3 and the Denisons. I've walked the high ridges
between Innes High Rocky and the Denisons and they are all fine. You
could follow the Gell and Gordon Valley and maybe someone can comment
on that route.

Post by louphi
* HARD part : go to Denison range (along east gordon? )
* Denison ridge to Lake Rhona
* Rasselas track, maybe climb Wright underway.

All easy.

Post by louphi
* on road : pass east of needles, east of Mueller
* GO to Maydena (hitch hike) and take a rest or just make a few calls,
resupply if needed to reach 20 days of food.
Part 3
* hitch back to where i left
* old port davey track

The remaining feasible section that skirts Mt. Bowes is fun to follow,
but getting tricky. The road would be simpler.

Post by louphi
or (depend on time) scotts peak road
* Mt Anne circuit, climb Eliza, Anne (no Lot, maybe Sarah Jane)

All easy. If you are going to climb Sarah Jane, you might as well go
via Lot. Very nice and easy.

Post by louphi
* Edgar dam, scotts peak dam
* Mckays track
* Alpha Moraine route-track (maybe one or 2 more summits)
* climb Heperus, follow Arthur range -route to centaurus ridge, lucifer
ridge
* Climb Fed peak

No problems with any of this.

Post by louphi
Part 4
Apparently it seems this is the most difficult part: SCRUB-walls !!!!
My food will be low, heath low, energy low, weight and volume low,
motivation high.
* cracroft track-route to Bobs + Bobs knobs on ridge
* Then hmmmm, will depend on food.
* to Mt raneg of Precipitous bluff ?

All simple as far as Lake Sydney. Getting up onto Bobs is moderate, as
is the scrub between Bobs and Bobs Knobs. After that things will be
difficult. Your only realistic option between Bobs Knobs and the
Southern Ranges is to stick to the ridge crest and descend towards
Vanishing Falls. I've not done the section between the summit of Bobs
Knobs and the Salisbury, but it is reputed to be difficult. Occasional
parties use this route and link it up with PB so there is the chance
you'll pick up a bash pad. The rainforest along the flanks of the
Salisbury and New Rivers (I've paddled on the New twice) is mostly
mature with moderate understorey, so a potential escape route may be to
follow the banks of the New down and pick up the South Coast Track.

Post by louphi
* kameruka route to pindars peak ?
* Mt La perouse ?

All on track.

Post by louphi
* oval lake, cape rivulet south river ?

People do tend to come unstuck in this region, as Simon pointed out. It
is a notorious zone. There was an account of a competent HWC party that
handled this descent well a few years back. They had no problems but
were a very experienced party, and you must realise that there is a
tendency in experienced Australian bushwalkers to understate the
difficulties, as opposed to over-stating them. The walk out to Lune
River via Moonlight Ridge is a classic alternative.

Post by louphi
OR from PB directly to new river lagoon ?, South Coast to end ?

If you ever get as far as PB, this would be a more sensible finish than
to attempt a descent of South Cape Rivulet.

Whereever I've used the word "easy", that applies to a fit, strong and
very experienced party. I would caution anyone reading to subsitute
"very difficult" for "easy" if any one of the three adjectives fit,
strong, or very do not apply.

BTW: A similar project was completed a couple of years ago by a
Tasmanian couple as their honeymoon, but they started at Penguin,
finished at Cox Bight and included the POWs and Franklands.

Regards,

John Mc.

[JAM]

louphi,
Your plan is a BAD IDEA. The Bobs Knobs area will spoil it
all. Although I've not walked it, those who have report 100 metre /
hour speeds when they have several people to share the scrub bashing.
You will not have someone to help.

On a scale of difficulty, lets call Freycinet or Tasman Peninsula
Tracks Grade 1, and the Overland Track Grade 2 (assuming it rains all
the way and you keep out of the huts). Bobs Knobs to Precipitous Bluff
would be about grade 10.

A serious issue to consider this summer is wild fire as there is an
extreme drought at the moment. We have had massive fires in south
eastern Australia in November and December. We don't normally get
significant fires until January. January will probably be worse. Fires
can move at a speed of a few kilometres per hour. In thick scrub, you
cannot move this fast. If you are in difficult country and there is a
wild fire, you will die. If you are on a track, or near mountain
lakes, you may survive.

Here are some more sensible alternatives:

1. Modify your route to finish along the Port Davey Track. It's
actually an excellent walk, and you could still do a loop down the
Arthur Plains to Federation Pk and back over the Western Arthurs.

2. Walk the Tasmanian Trail instead. See
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/recreation/tastrail.html

3. Do multiple shorter walks of a week or two. This would be the most
enjoyable alternative as it will allow you to just walk the best bits.
It will also allow you to do some quite hard walking, and asses your
abilities for the future.

I have personally taken the option 3 several times when I was a
student. We would head down to Tasmania, walk for a couple of weeks,
go back to town for re-supply, and head out again. A great way to see
the place. There's hardly anywhere in Tasmania that you can't get to
on a ten or twelve day walk. You can start with easier walks like
Frenchmans Cap or the Arthurs, and progress to something more
challenging if you like.


James Mc

[s***@hotmail.com]

Just a quick post to say that Louis called me from Lake St Clair
Visitors Centre at the southern end of The Overland Track on 31st Dec
06 to report his position, and that he was ok, and proceeding as
planned.

Happy New Year to all.

[JAM]

That's great news. Though he's not at the serious stuff yet.

JamesMc

Post by s***@hotmail.com
Just a quick post to say that Louis called me from Lake St Clair
Visitors Centre at the southern end of The Overland Track on 31st Dec
06 to report his position, and that he was ok, and proceeding as
planned.
Happy New Year to all.

[s***@hotmail.com]

Another update: Louis just called me, he's at little town 'Maydena',
half way through his trip. He said his food was rationing well, his
pack now only about 36kg (started with 49kg apparently!), he's feeling
positive. His intended date to make this update call from Maydena was
the 10th to 13th Jan, so he'd right on time. Next he's heading onto the
'3rd stage' of his 4-part trip:

STAGE 3
On the road to Mt Anne circuit, Mt Anne circuit, then road to the 2
dams (edgar, scotts) then track to Mt Hesperus in the Arthurs Range.
Follow the "ridge route" of the Arthurs to the West, go down and route
to Federation Peak

Good on him.

[d***@gmail.com]

Any further news of Louis?

[s***@hotmail.com]

Latest news from Louis:

I got an email from a hiking party who met Louis on Tuesday 16th Jan
'In the Western Arthurs', Louis asked them to pass on this message to
me, that "he is OK and on schedule to finish in early February." The
guys also sent a photo of them with Louis, and their own comments were
"He is well, though very thin, in good spirits and was heading off to
lake Oberon to climb Mt Orion". And yes, in the photo he does look
thin, but definitely full of energy & enthusiasm.

So far so good. I'll write another post when I next get news.

[s***@hotmail.com]

Louis finished his remarkable trip!

For details of the journey visit his webpage:

http://www.louis-philippe-loncke.com

[louphi]

Indeed, but it'll be around MArch,, lots of things to do in meanwhile.

small post on my blog (accesible from website and reverse)
http://louphi.blogspot.com

Check other posts maybe like the one with my 57.3 megapixel panoramic
photo of Ormiston Pound taken from Mt Giles II summit (made up from 17
* 9 megapix). For that one, if anyone knows someone working for the NT
department of tourism, drop me a line. I believe that photo could be
used to promote NT, maybe printed on canvas on 10 by 2 meters or so.
Ideal to put a huge photo as AD in the outback or on a sydney building
(maybe the one in construction on george st)

[Darryl C]

Post by louphi
Indeed, but it'll be around MArch,, lots of things to do in meanwhile.
small post on my blog (accesible from website and reverse)
http://louphi.blogspot.com
Check other posts maybe like the one with my 57.3 megapixel panoramic
photo of Ormiston Pound taken from Mt Giles II summit (made up from 17
* 9 megapix). For that one, if anyone knows someone working for the NT
department of tourism, drop me a line. I believe that photo could be
used to promote NT, maybe printed on canvas on 10 by 2 meters or so.
Ideal to put a huge photo as AD in the outback or on a sydney building
(maybe the one in construction on george st)

louphi,

If you plan on selling photographs to the NT government you better hope
that you had the foresight to have a permit to take the photos.
(see <http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/permits/filming.html>)

If I remember correctly, publishing any photo taken in a NT park
commercially, and that includes publishing it on your own website where
you receive no direct income from that photo, requires a permit.

regards,
Darryl

[Ken]

Post by JAM

Post by louphi
Indeed, but it'll be around MArch,, lots of things to do in meanwhile.
small post on my blog (accesible from website and reverse)
http://louphi.blogspot.com
Check other posts maybe like the one with my 57.3 megapixel panoramic
photo of Ormiston Pound taken from Mt Giles II summit (made up from 17
* 9 megapix). For that one, if anyone knows someone working for the NT
department of tourism, drop me a line. I believe that photo could be
used to promote NT, maybe printed on canvas on 10 by 2 meters or so.
Ideal to put a huge photo as AD in the outback or on a sydney building
(maybe the one in construction on george st)

louphi,
If you plan on selling photographs to the NT government you better hope
that you had the foresight to have a permit to take the photos.
(see <http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/permits/filming.html>)
If I remember correctly, publishing any photo taken in a NT park
commercially, and that includes publishing it on your own website where
you receive no direct income from that photo, requires a permit.
regards,
Darryl

The regulation allows "photography for commercial purposes" with a
permit. That should allow anything that doesn't make money, like
displaying on web pages, and it would be hard to argue that holiday
photos were taken for commercial purposes, even if they were
subsequently sold.

[louphi]

It's an issue I've been discussing before going to he West MD with
someone important in bushwalking.
My walk was holiday and so i didn't need a permit, like most of you I
walk, I take photos.
And I also show some on my website.
Now it changes if i realize some of my photos could be used/published
maybe one day.

My idea is to contact them and discuss. I have this panoramic photo,
which I think could be printed to tens of meters wide to show the
beauty of Ormiston Pound. Now I believe if I get in contact with them,
there will be 2 options:
* not interested, then i can still maybe one day print the photo for
myself 3m wide or so.
* interested, then some negociation could be made. I'm ready to give
away all rights on this photo e.g. if my website is shown clearly on
every print or so.

But yeah, thanks for remembering me this fact, I forgot it.

I think the photographers-filmmakers (probably 99% are aussies) going
in NT's parks to surely make business of it have a permit. I didn't
need it.

And in my opinion, the permit is ridiculous as I know NT wants more
(foreign) tourists as most of 'em are in NSW-QLD.
Showing to the world there's something else then Ayers Rock in NT
(almost the only thing most tourist know about the red center) can
only benefit the territory.

I tried to be in the papers in Hobart after Tassie, even TV would have
been great. Why?
well of course, it'll help to get me/my website known BUT also it'll
help me to prove in Belgium my walk was hard and drive a bit
attanetion on my adventure. If I go on OZ TV, I'll get BEL TV. If I
can speak about the dangers (education) and beautiness of Tassie
(tourism) it's all good for the state.
And my aim is conservation, by my photos+adventures I hope I can help
a little (especially in Europe) to make understand the fragile world
we're destroying.

We all know I cannot make much money or very hardly can live from an
adventure/photography job. To make money I better go back to
engineering-management, which is probably what I'll do in the coming
weeks.

[j***@mbox.com.au]

Post by louphi
RRP in map world piit st is 10.20 AUD

That's outrageous.

Post by louphi
Paddy Pallin had all 100.000 i needed and lots 25.000. all at 9.10 AUD
Mountain Design & Mt equipment only had tasmaps for "bushwalking"
cradle, south coast, jerusalem...
The problem is that i can't ask Paddy Pallin for sponsorship as i'm
with Activate Outdoors.

Activ8 Outdoors (opposite Paddy Pallin) had a box of maps stuck away in
a corner last time I was there. I can't remember if they had Tassie
ones but it might be worth a look if they're sponsoring you. Or can
they get them for you?

Kind regards,
John W

(to reply change mbox to bigpond and remove .au)