Best down jacket for the overland track in winter

[Razz]

Hey I'm new to this forum.
Would like to start by asking what down jacket would people recommend for the overland track in winter I have a trip booked for June. I currently own a ghost whisper down jacket and merino wool base layers and light fleece . I would only be using the down jacket for around camp in the huts. I'm wondering what are people's thought would I need a warmer heavier jacket or be fine with that. Also any other general information or tips about doing the over land track in winter would be useful.

[tazrich]

That combination works fine for me, but i'm born & bred Tasmanian, so you may feel the cold more then me coming from Qld

[norts]

Have you a plan for deep snow or frozen board walk , ie snow shoes or mini crampons etc? I did the OLT in July and had waist deep snow.
Happy to answer any specific questions.

Norts

[Moondog55]

I'd add a windshirt to that and either a UL synthetic vest or another UL layer
We are all different but my experience in similar conditions would have me choose a synthetic Long John set rather than woollen and make sure you have similar layering for all of the body; legs, head , hands and feet

[philm]

In winter whilst walking I find a Marino base plus shirt plus hard shell rain jacket the best whilst walking
When at camp I use a Patagonia down sweater and a second dry Marino base
If I am still cold I add the hard shell rain jacket on top
I get warm whilst walking and just to add that you could always use a fleece jacket (100 weight) during the day if cold

I would not use the down during the day

[Razz]

Have you a plan for deep snow or frozen board walk , ie snow shoes or mini crampons etc? I did the OLT in July and had waist deep snow.
Happy to answer any specific questions.

Norts

Yeah we all will be carrying snow shoes and micro spikes better to have them n not need them then to not have them and need them

[Razz]

I have Merino wool base layers a light fleece top from mountain equitment with a hood and light fleece pants I'll mainly be walking in the merino wool during the day with my hard shell on and maybe the light fleece top if it's really cold

Only be putting the down jacket on once I stop and reach the hut or stop for food and will have dry merino wool layers for the huts

Another question I have would be in regards to food as well I could bring a lot more perishable items with the weather being cold in tassie any tips or recommendation anyone had

[norts]

Definitely get away with more perishable items but these usually weigh more.
Camp shoes are helpful, the huts will have damp floors, ppl coming in wet and gear trying to be dried around heater. Also just help to insulate your feet, walking around cold floors in socks is not comfortable.
Roger

[Razz]

Definitely get away with more perishable items but these usually weigh more.
Camp shoes are helpful, the huts will have damp floors, ppl coming in wet and gear trying to be dried around heater. Also just help to insulate your feet, walking around cold floors in socks is not comfortable.
Roger

Thanks heaps for the advice
Going to try out the feathered friends down booties they have a water proof sole so I'll give them a try

[Moondog55]

Down booties are great to sleep in but sometimes a waterproof hut slipper is better for the huts and quick toilet trips hence my liking for Crocs

[Scottyk]

Hey I'm new to this forum.
Would like to start by asking what down jacket would people recommend for the overland track in winter I have a trip booked for June. I currently own a ghost whisper down jacket and merino wool base layers and light fleece . I would only be using the down jacket for around camp in the huts. I'm wondering what are people's thought would I need a warmer heavier jacket or be fine with that. Also any other general information or tips about doing the over land track in winter would be useful.

Others advice on down jackets and possible layering options would seem to be spot on so I don't have much to add.
One piece of general advice for Tassie winter walking is to take note of sunrise and sunset times and keep them in your mind when planning. In June you will just about be walking in the dark by 5:30pm and this can catch people out.

[philm]

Yes in cold / winter you can bring more perishables but as others have said weight is the main consideration. If I am taking perishables I will normally take some steak and if if cold this will last one or two nights - easily. Its also a nice break from the freeze dried meals at the end of a long day!

[Razz]

Cheers for all the great info

I'll be arriving in launceston then getting a bus to cradle to start the trek where the best place to stop n get gas canisters or shellite ?

[Scottyk]

Cheers for all the great info

I'll be arriving in launceston then getting a bus to cradle to start the trek where the best place to stop n get gas canisters or shellite ?

Cradle Mountain visitor centre has gas canisters,call ahead to be sure. Allgoods, Paddy Pallin, Macpac are all in Launceston and will also have them

[Moondog55]

The other thing to consider food wise is a proper long cooked stew. Properly cooked and sealed or frozen the shelf life allows a real meal on evening one and possible even evening two if you have the capability of cooking retort
Nothing quite like a good goulash or curry when cold, wet and tired

[Razz]

Yep that sounds really good I don't want freeze dried meals the whole trek going to try and have fresh food the 1st and 2nd nights more perishable foods for the added nutrition n vitamins
Yeah only bad thing is with getting gas canisters from cradle is it will be shut by the time I arrive my plane gets in at 3:45pm in Launceston so I have to find a place on route

[Drew]

A friend and I are also thinking of doing the Overland this June. Thought I'd jump on this thread rather than creating another thread on the mega OLT sub-forum...

For cooler conditions I normally have 200gsm merino base layer/s, 100 weight fleece, Montane Anti-Freeze down jacket. I tend to feel the cold a bit once I've stopped, so I think I'll need a bit more warmth to cope happily with the damp cold conditions. I'm not about to spend a bomb on a more heavyweight down jacket, so thinking some options are a heavier fleece under the down (like this maybe: http://www.hiking.com.au/p/lowe-alpine- ... /GFA-07-IN), or a down vest under the down, or a second lightweight down jacket (Uniqlo perhaps?) under the jacket. I think I'd lean towards the heavier fleece as it has the bonus of not being useless when wet - not much good having 2 down jackets if they're soaked!

I'm expecting/imagining similar or slightly warmer temps to what I experienced in Nepal last October (3 Passes trek) but with damp air instead of dry. That is, *&%$#! cold when sitting around doing nothing!

I guess there's a pretty strong possibility that we'll want snowshoes. Thinking of hiring these in Launceston. Probably worth taking even if there's no snow in the forecast when we begin?

I'm guessing that at that time of year the huts won't be super crowded and we'll be able to sleep in them comfortably enough? Of course we'll have a tent for emergencies too, but if we can plan on using the huts then we'd just take 1 tent between us for emergency use instead of 1 each for use most/all nights.

Thanks, any thoughts appreciated.

[philm]

Yes June should be fairly quiet so the huts should no be busy. If you have one 2 person tend between 2 of you this should be fine. You may wish to consider mircospikes for grip on the icy boards and slipery conditions. Snow shoes would be wise but you may check the weather forecast a few days ahead.
In terms of warmth at camp I generally use a merino base layer plus fleece pants and top plus down jacket. If you are still cold then jump in the sleeping bag.
I would not think you will need 2 down jackets for the reasons you have mentioned.

[johnrs]

Razz
Bunnings by the airport has shellite/white spirits,
there is a hardware store in Deloraine with gas canisters.
John

[Razz]

A friend and I are also thinking of doing the Overland this June. Thought I'd jump on this thread rather than creating another thread on the mega OLT sub-forum...

For cooler conditions I normally have 200gsm merino base layer/s, 100 weight fleece, Montane Anti-Freeze down jacket. I tend to feel the cold a bit once I've stopped, so I think I'll need a bit more warmth to cope happily with the damp cold conditions. I'm not about to spend a bomb on a more heavyweight down jacket, so thinking some options are a heavier fleece under the down (like this maybe: http://www.hiking.com.au/p/lowe-alpine- ... /GFA-07-IN), or a down vest under the down, or a second lightweight down jacket (Uniqlo perhaps?) under the jacket. I think I'd lean towards the heavier fleece as it has the bonus of not being useless when wet - not much good having 2 down jackets if they're soaked!

I'm expecting/imagining similar or slightly warmer temps to what I experienced in Nepal last October (3 Passes trek) but with damp air instead of dry. That is, *&%$#! cold when sitting around doing nothing!

I guess there's a pretty strong possibility that we'll want snowshoes. Thinking of hiring these in Launceston. Probably worth taking even if there's no snow in the forecast when we begin?

I'm guessing that at that time of year the huts won't be super crowded and we'll be able to sleep in them comfortably enough? Of course we'll have a tent for emergencies too, but if we can plan on using the huts then we'd just take 1 tent between us for emergency use instead of 1 each for use most/all nights.

Thanks, any thoughts appreciated.

Yeah I'm thinking along the same lines as you I'll just take a extra fleece and n light down jacket
I'm taking my microspikes n snowshoes just in case we do get snow and a ultralight cuben fiber mid style tent just in case we don't make it to a hut or if they are full

[Razz]

Razz
Bunnings by the airport has shellite/white spirits,
there is a hardware store in Deloraine with gas canisters.
John

Thanks heaps ! I'll have to check them out

[Drew]

Yes June should be fairly quiet so the huts should no be busy. If you have one 2 person tend between 2 of you this should be fine. You may wish to consider mircospikes for grip on the icy boards and slipery conditions. Snow shoes would be wise but you may check the weather forecast a few days ahead.
In terms of warmth at camp I generally use a merino base layer plus fleece pants and top plus down jacket. If you are still cold then jump in the sleeping bag.
I would not think you will need 2 down jackets for the reasons you have mentioned.

Thanks Phil. That's a good point about using the sleeping bag if cold - you can't do that so easily when camping but if staying in huts it's much easier to do. I do have some Yaktrax that I took to Nepal so might take them for icy boards.

[Razz]

Hey guys
Have any of yous had any experience getting snow shoes on a plane
What's the best way to pack them so they don't get damaged or damage other stuff with the sharp teeth
And can you bring freeze dried Meals / protein bars in your luggage
Cheers

[hobbitle]

And can you bring freeze dried Meals / protein bars in your luggage
Cheers

Yup.


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[stry]

Hey guys
Have any of yous had any experience getting snow shoes on a plane
What's the best way to pack them so they don't get damaged or damage other stuff with the sharp teeth
And can you bring freeze dried Meals / protein bars in your luggage
Cheers

Cardboard secured with duct tape has always been enough when I have carried sharp stuff separately.

You will probably have to pay for the additional piece of luggage, depending on your fare conditions.

[Razz]

Thanks yeah I might try some card boards n bubble wrap see how I go

[Moondog55]

I bought an oversized UL duffle bag from the Op-Shop; laid my snow shoes on the bottom and put my rucksack on top; then closed it up. I also used some corrugated cardboard to protect the snowshoes and rucksack from the baggage butchers. Takes up very little room in the bottom of the rucksack and weighs about 300 grams after cutting off the excess webbing
I put the shoulder strap in my carry -on
Rucksacks are fragile where planes are concerned

[Razz]

I bought an oversized UL duffle bag from the Op-Shop; laid my snow shoes on the bottom and put my rucksack on top; then closed it up. I also used some corrugated cardboard to protect the snowshoes and rucksack from the baggage butchers. Takes up very little room in the bottom of the rucksack and weighs about 300 grams after cutting off the excess webbing
I put the shoulder strap in my carry -on
Rucksacks are fragile where planes are concerned

Yeah that's what I'm worried about the baggage handlers just destroying my equitment I'm going to try fit everything in a duffle n wrap it with cardboard and bubble wrap I don't want anything getting broken n maybe the real fragile stuff I'll take carry on thanks for the good tips