First time on the OLT

[peter-robinson]

Peter,
Doing this with guided group you will have the best time, small pack size and depending on the group possibly hot showers every night it will be a wonderful experience for you.

Hi corvus, haha, no hot showers I'm afraid, I'm not going with that much luxury. Probably next time, when my wife come along

[peter-robinson]

Hey PR,
I live in enoggera and if you are training on mt cootha with 15kg almost everyday, you will breeze the OT. Your hardest day will probably be day 1, but once your up on the plateau you've pretty much done the climb. I train in a similar way. I usually go out to samford state park on the weekends with my 18kg pack and 2 kg ankle weights. I only train 3 days a week but I'm 50 so whatever. I might even pass you on the OT as I'm starting at the Walls of Jerusalem and hiking with my brother in law to Cradle Mountain. We'll probably meet somewhere between Pelion and Kia Ora Huts. You will know me because I will have high intensity colour sealskin hat and matching gloves. Been keen to try these. Anyway sounds like you are more than ready. The first time I did the OT was in September 2009 and there was 1.5 meters of snow on the plateau at cradle mountain. I was also by myself.
Hope to see ya. Good luck.

Thanks cixelsvd, I hope you have a great time too
I'm only a couple of years behind you and can't imagine wearing ankle weights - but now must try them sometime.
I'll probably be in a faded green Tilley T3 and have a pair of the yellow/green Helinox poles. Say hi if you spot me staggering along!

[peter-robinson]

Peter Mt Coot tha is a great training ground. Be sure to incorporate the honeysuckle and kokoda trails as much as possible in your walks as they are fantastic for getting the blood pumping . One thing you'll enjoy is getting away from the brissy humidity and walking in tassie...its bliss!
You can also elongate your walk and link over towards the enoggera reserve/reservoir. The basic mt cootha trail map that you pick up from various places on mt c will show most of the trails on it. Otherwise plenty of lovely walks up mt glorious way...also muddy sometimes if you want some practice there (you can pick up the topo map from the parks centre at the gap on waterworks rd).
Enjoy n best of luck. You'll just love your trip

Hi Bluegum Mic, ugh, the humidity!
It's the Honeysuckle track I've been doing, starting at the enviro hut, up the steep track the mountain bikers ride down, across the top, down the other side past Slaughter Falls and back again. I haven't tried the Kokoda yet but will give it a go over the next week. I've also tried a track that starts on Chapel Hill Rd, near the reservoir and it's awful steep too. None of them are really very long though. You're right, maybe Mt Glorious if I get a chance.
9 days and counting...

[peter-robinson]

Good effort merlin!

I started walking 7 years ago, was 5'9" and nearly 100kg. My goal was also to complete the OLT.

7 years later I've lost the best part of 20kg and have completed well over 200 walks of all difficulties, although I still haven't done the OLT

So I say never say never!!

And when you do, maybe take over merlin's thread like I have (sorry merlin) and tell the story.
How excellent to have a thread to inspire us first-timers.

[merlin]

Not a problem at all Peter, I've anjoyed getting such positive feedback and reading other people's accounts. It's inspiring me to continue challenging myself and I'm now looking at a range of 3 day hikes to do and take a couple of long weekends from work.

[merlin]

Good effort merlin!

I started walking 7 years ago, was 5'9" and nearly 100kg. My goal was also to complete the OLT.

7 years later I've lost the best part of 20kg and have completed well over 200 walks of all difficulties, although I still haven't done the OLT

So I say never say never!!

Thanks stepbystep, I've lost close to 35kg in the past 4 years but still have about another 20kg to go, so I've started the reverse to you and did the killer first before preparing with a range of others. I knew I was doing somthing wrong

[peter-robinson]

Not a problem at all Peter, I've anjoyed getting such positive feedback and reading other people's accounts. It's inspiring me to continue challenging myself and I'm now looking at a range of 3 day hikes to do and take a couple of long weekends from work.

Thanks merlin, sounds like you got the bug. Just training has me hooked. I've been walking nearly every day.

So.... Anybody want to share a story of their first time on the OLT? That could be interesting

[peter-robinson]

Peter Mt Coot tha is a great training ground. Be sure to incorporate the honeysuckle and kokoda trails as much as possible in your walks as they are fantastic for getting the blood pumping . One thing you'll enjoy is getting away from the brissy humidity and walking in tassie...its bliss!

Mic, I tried the Kokoda this afternoon, well, eventually...
Started at the Greenford St entry and after about 100m there's a T junction with signs saying bellbird track to the right and err, something else to the left. There's a long sign saying Kokoda trail on the left hand side so I headed left. It's a long gentle downhill all the way to the gap creek rd. This isn't right, surely it should ve a steep uphill. Darn it, I should have turned right!
I decided to just keep going and follow the trail all the way to the top of Mt Coot-tha, oh, the cockatoo trail. Once at the top, thinking the correct rack should be nearby I turned right and about 50m along, there it is. Oh goodness that's a steep downhill. This will be fun! I jogged/shuffled down the steep part (I love steep downhills) then walked back to the junction.
Checked my watch, yep, still time, so I headed back up the Kokoda, to the top, turned around and jogged the downhill again (did I say I love steep downhills? so much fun!). I got back to the starting point just as it was getting dark - perfect! Oh, no, I wasn't jogging with the big 15kg pack, just a small pack with water and the usual gear, probably 5kg tops.

Thanks again for the recommendation. I'll hit the Kokoda (uphill) some more and extend it somewhere on the other side.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1364552335.575766.jpg (65.21 KiB) Viewed 13163 times

[norts]

My first time walking the OLT was in 1974. I was 13 at the time.
Gear -that I can remember - gym boots, framless canvas pack and an old kapock sleeping bag, nylon spray jacket, woollen ex army pants.
Slept in the huts every night.
Stayed a night in the Old Beltana - that was a great old hut before we started.

First day was Waldheim to Cirque Hut via Horse Track. Cirque Hut wasnt officially opened then. All cooking was done on an open fire.

Second Day - Windermere - it was the old hut that burnt down. Dont remember much of this day

Third Day - Old Pelion was a very big day in those days - Pine Forest Moor was notorious for its mud. You use to go around the small wooded hill that you now go over. Also Frog Flats to Pelion Plains( especially near the top) was one big bog hole.

Fourth - Kiaora - Walked across Pelion Plain directly towards where the New (Old) Pelion Hut. The new Pelion Hut use to be where the tent platform is at New Pelion. We didn't climb Ossa or Pelion East( Dad did the OLT 10x and was proud to say he never a climbed a mountain in the Park) There was no platform at Pelion Gap. Kiaora Hut was a tin shed with an open fire place.

Fifth - Narcissus - the original Windy Ridge was burnt down and the new one hadnt been built yet so was a long day.Swinging bridge across the Narcissus was from one tree to another
No jetty in those days . Boats use to come up the Narcissus River.

Sixth Echo Point Dont remember any of this day

Seventh Cynthia Bay - we were met on the track by family with fresh bread and cold chicken - delicious.

That was the first of 9 trips

Roger

[Tortoise]

I started walking 7 years ago, was 5'9" and nearly 100kg.

So how tall are you now Dan?

cheers

Peter

PS - actually that is an inspirational part of your story that I didn't know about. Well done you!

Here here! I reckon you'd be standing a bit taller now, SBS. It's true - inspiring indeed.

So.... Anybody want to share a story of their first time on the OLT? That could be interesting

Well, apart from the badly burnt foot on day 2, requiring me to carry my walking boots and use my gym boots that would accommodate my fat foot ... memories include:

- waking up to dozens of leeches on the outside of the tent, and quite a few inside, before we started. Would the old campsite have been at Ronny Creek??

- Deciding the Ballroom Forest sounded the most interesting route - so we root-hopped the then rough track with a waaaaay too heavy pack, then up by Lake Wilks. Hmm. Not to be particularly recommended, though the track is so much better now. Knee began complaining bitterly.

- Lots of dips to cool off for most of the walk

-Windemere - discovering the community of bushwalkers who had mercy on me - extra first aid etc etc. Everyone we passed coming from the south asked, 'Oh, are you the one with the burnt foot? How's it going? Anything you need?' kind of thing.

Old New Pelion - having attached leeches for the first time (amazing, given point 1 above) - 5 of them happily enjoying their meal while I enjoyed mine. A helpful fellow refused to let me use my salt, insisted he would deal with them with his cigarette lighter, and added a burnt leg to my collection.

Kiaora - attempting to jump over a creek - the centre of gravity didn't quite make it. I grabbed a tree, but my grossly back-heavy pack got me stuck hanging backwards over the water. Friend helped out after he had finished laughing.

Pine Valley hut - dirt floor with sleeping platform one end. Rum and tea courtesy of a kind new friend. Entertained by a family of quolls after dark, who liked the warmth of the fireplace. Little quoll investigated a (lidless) jar of custard powder someone had left - and emerged with a look of surprise in a veritable cloud of the stuff.

Towards Echo Point - torrential rain, snow to follow, crook knee & foot, totally inadequate rainjacket, shorts (no thermals, overpants or gaiters), in a bit of trouble. Kind folk who overtook us had the fire blazing and billy boiled for us on arrival. They had also sent a group on to bulging-at-the-seams Narcissus hut, with an 'oh, there's plenty of room for you there', to ensure we got a spot.

Who wouldn't get addicted to bushwalking after a trip like that?

[stepbystep]

I started walking 7 years ago, was 5'9" and nearly 100kg.

So how tall are you now Dan?

cheers

Peter

PS - actually that is an inspirational part of your story that I didn't know about. Well done you!

Haha!

Ten foot tall when I'm in the magnificent Tasmanian landscape Peter

[merlin]

Kiaora - attempting to jump over a creek - the centre of gravity didn't quite make it. I grabbed a tree, but my grossly back-heavy pack got me stuck hanging backwards over the water. Friend helped out after he had finished laughing.
Sorry Tortoise, but I must say, even reading your story gave me a good laugh, especially the above. I'm surprised you ever went walking again after that sort of advanture

[peter-robinson]

Gear -that I can remember - gym boots, framless canvas pack and an old kapock sleeping bag, nylon spray jacket, woollen ex army pants.

Hey Roger, that's a great story. I clearly spend too much effort worrying about whether I have all the right gear!

[north-north-west]

So.... Anybody want to share a story of their first time on the OLT? That could be interesting

Cynthia Bay to Waldheim. Leaving later than preferred, taking for-bloody-ever through that forest by the lake until finally racking into a deserted Echo Point. Getting the stove going and finding a balaclava left behind by some gracious previous inhabitant - it was very useful the next couple of days.

Into Pine Valley, climbing the Acropolis, being overtaken by stormclouds on the summit just as I was lining up my first photo, almost running back down to the hut and just beating the worst of the weather. Scrounging dry kindling on the way up because all the wood and coal down below was saturated so they couldn't get the heater going. Having the hut - with a good fire going in the stove now - all to myself that second night.

Hauling out to Windy Fridge the next day after a quick visit to the Labyrinth (just climbing the Parthenon), in drizzle that turned to sleet that turned into a miniature blizzard. So glad to reach the hut and find dry coal and kindling, even if the stove hadn't been cleaned out. Two youngsters from the north and then a wannabe with a massive pile of brand new gear up from Narcissus arriving to share my lovely fire.
The snow stopping during the night, the sky clearing, the views of a snowtopped Acropolis in moonlight from the old kitchen window . . .

Heading off north before sunrise the next morning, onto a freshly snowed over track, with the occasional line of pawprints - quolls, wombats, possums, an echidna - the only things marring its cleanness. Clear skies and tiny snowdrifts at DuCane Gap, snow on the top of the sign, one of those mornings that feel like the world's been freshly made, just for you.

Waterfalls pumping, two blokes arriving at Hartnett Falls from the Never Never, wading easily through what had looked to me like a raging torrent. Birds everywhere, singing (I could still hear them, then), feeding, darting about.

The sheer beauty of DuCane Hut's setting, with the mountains behind, the trees and shrubs and grasses there, the old dunny. An early finish at Kia Ora, wandering on up the track to pass the time as half a dozen walkers from the north slowly came down to join me there.

Another pre-sun start, out of the hut before anyone else is even stirring. The gardens around the side of Doris, the boulder scramble up to Ossa on a clear bright cold morning, ice on the rim of the pool when I arrived, what seemed the most glorious and expansive view possible anywhere, anywhen, and no-one else around. The boulder hop and scramble to the summit rock in a rising breeze.
Pelion East being too windy to climb right on to the summit, the deep mud on the lower part of the approach track (if you think it's bad now, you should have seen it 15 years ago), a slow easy, satisfied rambling on down to New Pelion, lounging on the veranda in the afternoon sun while the buttongrass glowed gold, wandering down to Douglas Creek for some photos, wishing for the energy to tackle the infamous mud and leeches on the Oakleigh climb . . .

What seemed like an endless slog on to Windermere, first over the slippery, iced cording put in by Dicky Dwyer in his early days around the side of Pelion Plains, or maybe someone before him. (It's all still there, too, and no doubt still as treacherous under frost or ice). Then across Frog Flats and up around the side of Pelion West, past the King Billies next to the track.
Falling in love with Windermere at first sight, the lake, the hut, the fagus, the Native Hens feeding there unconcerned by walkers, the tiny possum trapped in the hut when the last walkers left, the robin who flew in and nearly brained itself trying to get out again. Swimming out to the island, freezing cold water at that time of the year, but still welcome after a sunny day . . .

The sight of Barn Bluff the next day, lurking over Will in much the same way Kunanyi does over Hobart, the crowds at Waterfall Valley, the climb up BB with only the ravens and currawongs for company, the rising wind on the top making me clutch the rocks for fear of being blown off into the lake.
The long, long day after that, with another early start, with cloud starting to follow the wind, around via Scott Kilvert, the Face Track, up to Cradle, with 90% of the daytrippers piking somewhere on the boulder field, taking someone's photo for them while they posed on the summit marker, then down past Wilks, up the shortcut track to Marions, and back to Waterfall Valley in the evening chill.

Walking out the next morning through another storm - wind, almost horizontal rain and sleet with occasional snow flurries, stumbling down the Horse track, walking out through Waldheim wishing I had the money to stop there, walking all the way back along the road to Pencil Pine through the still worsening weather with no-one stopping to give this one poor cold sodden person a ride (*&%$#!).

The wondrous glory of a dry room, a hot shower, and food someone else cooked, after finally making it to the campground. The weather breaking early evening, a still, clear, freezing cold night, stars blazing bright before the moon rose.
Walking out the next morning, with ice crystals three or four inches long growing out of the frozen ground, no wind but still so cold hands were kept tight in pockets, breath frosting the air, another new-minted world.

Naaaah, it was a right *&%$#! of a walk. Not worth remembering at all.

[tibboh]

So.... Anybody want to share a story of their first time on the OLT? That could be interesting

Cynthia Bay to Waldheim. Leaving later than preferred, taking for-bloody-ever through that forest by the lake until finally racking into a deserted Echo Point. Getting the stove going and finding a balaclava left behind by some gracious previous inhabitant - it was very useful the next couple of days.

Into Pine Valley, climbing the Acropolis, being overtaken by stormclouds on the summit just as I was lining up my first photo, almost running back down to the hut and just beating the worst of the weather. Scrounging dry kindling on the way up because all the wood and coal down below was saturated so they couldn't get the heater going. Having the hut - with a good fire going in the stove now - all to myself that second night.

Hauling out to Windy Fridge the next day after a quick visit to the Labyrinth (just climbing the Parthenon), in drizzle that turned to sleet that turned into a miniature blizzard. So glad to reach the hut and find dry coal and kindling, even if the stove hadn't been cleaned out. Two youngsters from the north and then a wannabe with a massive pile of brand new gear up from Narcissus arriving to share my lovely fire.
The snow stopping during the night, the sky clearing, the views of a snowtopped Acropolis in moonlight from the old kitchen window . . .

Heading off north before sunrise the next morning, onto a freshly snowed over track, with the occasional line of pawprints - quolls, wombats, possums, an echidna - the only things marring its cleanness. Clear skies and tiny snowdrifts at DuCane Gap, snow on the top of the sign, one of those mornings that feel like the world's been freshly made, just for you.

Waterfalls pumping, two blokes arriving at Hartnett Falls from the Never Never, wading easily through what had looked to me like a raging torrent. Birds everywhere, singing (I could still hear them, then), feeding, darting about.

The sheer beauty of DuCane Hut's setting, with the mountains behind, the trees and shrubs and grasses there, the old dunny. An early finish at Kia Ora, wandering on up the track to pass the time as half a dozen walkers from the north slowly came down to join me there.

Another pre-sun start, out of the hut before anyone else is even stirring. The gardens around the side of Doris, the boulder scramble up to Ossa on a clear bright cold morning, ice on the rim of the pool when I arrived, what seemed the most glorious and expansive view possible anywhere, anywhen, and no-one else around. The boulder hop and scramble to the summit rock in a rising breeze.
Pelion East being too windy to climb right on to the summit, the deep mud on the lower part of the approach track (if you think it's bad now, you should have seen it 15 years ago), a slow easy, satisfied rambling on down to New Pelion, lounging on the veranda in the afternoon sun while the buttongrass glowed gold, wandering down to Douglas Creek for some photos, wishing for the energy to tackle the infamous mud and leeches on the Oakleigh climb . . .

What seemed like an endless slog on to Windermere, first over the slippery, iced cording put in by Dicky Dwyer in his early days around the side of Pelion Plains, or maybe someone before him. (It's all still there, too, and no doubt still as treacherous under frost or ice). Then across Frog Flats and up around the side of Pelion West, past the King Billies next to the track.
Falling in love with Windermere at first sight, the lake, the hut, the fagus, the Native Hens feeding there unconcerned by walkers, the tiny possum trapped in the hut when the last walkers left, the robin who flew in and nearly brained itself trying to get out again. Swimming out to the island, freezing cold water at that time of the year, but still welcome after a sunny day . . .

The sight of Barn Bluff the next day, lurking over Will in much the same way Kunanyi does over Hobart, the crowds at Waterfall Valley, the climb up BB with only the ravens and currawongs for company, the rising wind on the top making me clutch the rocks for fear of being blown off into the lake.
The long, long day after that, with another early start, with cloud starting to follow the wind, around via Scott Kilvert, the Face Track, up to Cradle, with 90% of the daytrippers piking somewhere on the boulder field, taking someone's photo for them while they posed on the summit marker, then down past Wilks, up the shortcut track to Marions, and back to Waterfall Valley in the evening chill.

Walking out the next morning through another storm - wind, almost horizontal rain and sleet with occasional snow flurries, stumbling down the Horse track, walking out through Waldheim wishing I had the money to stop there, walking all the way back along the road to Pencil Pine through the still worsening weather with no-one stopping to give this one poor cold sodden person a ride (*&%$#!).

The wondrous glory of a dry room, a hot shower, and food someone else cooked, after finally making it to the campground. The weather breaking early evening, a still, clear, freezing cold night, stars blazing bright before the moon rose.
Walking out the next morning, with ice crystals three or four inches long growing out of the frozen ground, no wind but still so cold hands were kept tight in pockets, breath frosting the air, another new-minted world.

Naaaah, it was a right *&%$#! of a walk. Not worth remembering at all.

Thank you for painting such a vivid picture. I wanted the story to go on.
I wish I could remember more of my first OLT. The three things that are stuck in my mind are dying on the way up to Marions with a much too heavy pack (my walking companions helped carry part of my load), a perfect morning of awesome weather atop Ossa with a wedgetailed eagle circling above and the deep still rainforests south of the old Ducane hut.

[ryantmalone]

When I say larger guy, I'm 6 feet tall but about 115kg, so considerably larger. I wasn't originally planning to do the track till I had lost another 15 - 20kg but things didn't quite go to plan.

First thing first... Congrats on walking the OT with a few extra KGs around the belly. It definitely adds a bit of a challenge, that's for sure, but at the weight you are, nothing is impossible.

I recently dropped from 174kgs to 130, and this summer alone, I've done a lot of walking around the vic high country, and a few other places here and there. Planning for the WOJ this month possibly too.

Also done a lot of walking at Cradle Mountain weighing around 120kg too. The hike up to Marion's last time I did it was a killer!

If you train yourself, you'll be able to pull off walks like that much easier too. I walk a lot, cycle as well, and a little lower body weight training also helps as well, especially on those hill climbs.

[merlin]

When I say larger guy, I'm 6 feet tall but about 115kg, so considerably larger. I wasn't originally planning to do the track till I had lost another 15 - 20kg but things didn't quite go to plan.

First thing first... Congrats on walking the OT with a few extra KGs around the belly. It definitely adds a bit of a challenge, that's for sure, but at the weight you are, nothing is impossible.

I recently dropped from 174kgs to 130, and this summer alone, I've done a lot of walking around the vic high country, and a few other places here and there. Planning for the WOJ this month possibly too.

Also done a lot of walking at Cradle Mountain weighing around 120kg too. The hike up to Marion's last time I did it was a killer!

If you train yourself, you'll be able to pull off walks like that much easier too. I walk a lot, cycle as well, and a little lower body weight training also helps as well, especially on those hill climbs.

Thanks Ryan, I must say I'm extremely impressed with the massive amount of weight you've lost. It took me nearly 3years to lose that much and just over one and a half months to put a substantial amount back on. I'm still working on losing about another 20kg, so your story has very much inspired me to continue with more bush walking. Both Marions and Pellion were killers and I was never so glad to get to the huts as I was on those days.

[ryantmalone]

Thanks Ryan, I must say I'm extremely impressed with the massive amount of weight you've lost. It took me nearly 3years to lose that much and just over one and a half months to put a substantial amount back on. I'm still working on losing about another 20kg, so your story has very much inspired me to continue with more bush walking. Both Marions and Pellion were killers and I was never so glad to get to the huts as I was on those days.

It's amazing what a little health scare can do.

I've lost it a little the start of this year though, but getting back into the swing of things. May be heading to Cradle and the Walls of Jerusalem in a few weeks, so I'll be able to share your pain with the hike up Marions.

[peter-robinson]

Short version: I completed my first OLT walk on Friday last week. We had almost perfect weather and a wonderful time.


Longer version:

I think I mentioned before, I had decided to go with a tour group because I am just getting back into bush walking, had never done a multi-day hike before and because they would provide a lot of stuff I don't need (yet). Joining with a group was also to give me some confidence that I would survive the trip and would be, I hoped, good training for how to do this type of hike. I'm really happy with the whole trip - it all went very well. I had considered one of the groups that go in cabins each night, thinking it would be a good way to ease into hiking but decided camping would be a better experience and am very happy with that choice. Oh, there were seven in our group, with varied experience; and two guides who had both done a lot of hiking in Tas and were knowledgable & fun.


Day 0, Saturday the 6th of April
Travel to Launceston and pre-walk briefing

I flew Brisbane to Melbourne at 8am, had about an hour wait at Melbourne airport, then flew to Launceston. I got to mountain designs for the briefing about an hour early so dropped my bag there and went off to check in at my hotel then headed back to the briefing, still early so bought some thin merino sock liners which I had left at home. At the briefing I recognised a couple of people from the flight from Melbourne and from the hotel when I was checking in. The guides checked our gear to be sure we had everything we needed, then, back to the hotel and put everything into the pack they provided, along with other gear they also provided - tent poles and fly, thermarest, sleeping bag, rain jacket & pants, gaiters, large dry sack, etc. I packed everything into the backpack as best I could, left some excess clothes in my suitcase and headed to bed.


Day 1, Sunday the 7th of April
Meet in Launceston, transfer to Cradle Mountain commence trekking, camp at Waterfall Valley

The group minibus picked me up just after 6:00 am. We picked up the rest of the group and headed off toward cradle mountain. I was feeling nervous. On the way, we stopped for breakfast at ETC, the Elisabeth Town Cafe. This cafe was excellent. The guides said it used to be a really rough hotel. It's clearly changed sine then. Breakfast was great, coffee was great, the place was lovely.

We continued on our way, the guides chatting about the area, the rivers, the corner where Eric Bana crashed in the Targa, etc. We finally got to the visitor centre and picked up our passes. It was chilly and I was getting more nervous. We drove a bit further to a small hut, made some lunch, split up some group food and packed a bag of it each then wandered to the Waldheim replica cabin nearby, ready to start the actual walk.... Departed at 10:50

The first part of the walk is a bit of a blur. I was busy trying to get my pack (20kg+ at that point) to stop digging into the front of my shoulders. The day was clear and sunny, cool but not cold. We stopped at a small waterfall about half way up to crater lake and I filled my water bottle there. It's so nice to be able to just grab some fresh water from a stream or pool. We continued up to Crater Lake and stopped for a snack. Along this first section we saw lots of day hikers. It got a lot quieter a bit further on.

The climb up was a bit hard but nothing like what I had imagined after hearing horror stories about it. The views were good but I was a little disappointed to be able to see a road and a car park - we weren't remote enough yet. Strolling along the plateau was lovely. The walk down into waterfall valley was hard because my legs were tired. Sleep was fitful because I wasn't used to being constrained in a sleeping bag and because our group camp area was right above the waterfall which was working hard.


Day 2, Monday the 8th of April
Trek from Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere

I was up at 6-ish and the fog in the valley below us was lovely. I filled my bottle at the pool behind our camp, it tasted like water should. I splashed some on my face to wake up a bit and it was refreshing. After breakfast we packed up which took me longer than it should have, not being quite sure the best order or place to put everything into the pack, but I wasn't last!

The day was easy. The side trip to Lake Will was great. I felt the water and decided not to swim. One of the guides and a brave group member went in but didn't stay long. The water was somewhere about 12deg. We had a rest in the sun and had something to eat, went back to our packs and continued on. We had lunch a few km further on, atop a bluff overlookingWindermere.

We continued after lunch, arrived at camp, dropped our stuff then headed to the lake for a swim. It was cold but lovely, again about 12deg. I stayed in for maybe 5 minutes, got out and warmed in the sun. I had a second but much quicker swim and found it hard to get warm again. At dinner time I spotted a quoll sneaking about. We were reminded to get all food out of our packs and put it in our tents, between our sleeping bags. Later we were awoken to screams from two of our group. One was chasing a huge possum around, trying to reclaim a packet of jellybeans which she had left in her pack. Her tent-mate was admonishing her foolish ways! By now the jellybeans were strewn far and wide, being collected by numerous possums ambling about the place. They were the biggest possums I have ever seen.


Day 3, Tuesday the 9th of April
Trek from Lake Windermere to Pelion Plains

This is a long walk day, 17km, but not too difficult. Having finally worked out the pack adjustments, with the help of one of the guides, I was now really comfortable. I was also finally getting better at packing and my legs were feeling good. My wet stuff from swimming yesterday was just frosty from hanging in the tree overnight, but it was another lovely sunny day so I hung that stuff off my pack straps and they dried out as we walked. We seemed to spread out a bit today, a group at the front, a group at the rear, me in the middle. It meant we could regroup at rest stops to enjoy chatting and food but also I liked the quiet time of my own thoughts as I found my own rhythm during the walk times.


Day 4, Wednesday the 10th of April
Trek from Pelion Plains to Kia Ora, side trip to Mount Ossa

We headed out fairly early to make sure we were a bit ahead of some bad weather that was heading in, arriving at the Mt Ossa turnoff a little after 10. We dropped our big packs, grabbed our small day packs with some food, water, rain jackets and a fleece, then headed on toward our climb. We stopped briefly after the first climbing section, on the first rocky flat just before Doris, to regroup, then continued up and around to the Japanese Rock Garden around further. There we had an early lunch break before climbing up Mt Ossa.

The weather decided to roll in over us earlier than we had expected. While having lunch, the wind picked up, then picked up some more. The rain started, then turned into horizontal rain. It became quite cold and the rain turned into mushy sleet. While sheltering behind the rocks (taking care to not step on the button plants) we decided to head back down rather than take any risks. By the time we returned to our packs we just had some light rain which was quite pleasant to walk in. It was a brilliant day, exactly the sort of weather variation I had hoped for. I'll climb Mt Ossa another day.

The drizzle was kind and stopped for us to set up camp then came back for dinner but was no hassle because we had set up a big tarp to have space to hang out. The rain increased overnight but was gone by midnight. The possums were a bit annoying overnight


Day 5, Thursday the 11th of April
Trek from Kia Ora to Windy Ridge

Another beautiful sunny morning that turned into another beautiful day. Today's walk was lovely, through some deep old rainforest and with side trips to three large waterfalls, extra good because of last night's rain. We finally arrived at windy ridge but it wasn't windy and it's not on a ridge. Actually the group camp was in a weird hollow surrounded by fallen and smashed trees amid the forest. We had fun with possums sniffing around again but they already taken all the jellybeans days before so were no trouble really.


Day 6, Friday the 12th of April
Trek from Windy Ridge to Lake St. Clair. Ferry transfer to visitors centre, return to Launceston

I really enjoyed the walking on the last day but it was over much too quickly. We got to the jetty early and had time for a good long swim to refresh. 7 of the 9 of us went in and the water was 12deg. We put on our warm gear and were all packed up again just as the ferry arrived. The group bus met us at the other end of the lake and we headed toward Launceston with a lunch break at the hungry wombat.

I really enjoyed the trip and look forward to my next visit...

Thus ends the saga. Sorry it's so long, I did trim it a bit. Honest I did!

[Tortoise]

Hey P-R. Thanks for the report. Sounds like you gained great experience and confidence. There's countless more opportunities for amazing walks in Tassie. Hope you don't have to wait too long for the next one, and have a good idea of what gear you might like to get. I've bought some great second hand stuff from this forum - and some remarkably good stuff at op shops. Worth knowing what you're after and keeping an eye out, if you can't afford everything new.

Cheers

[merlin]

Great report P-R, sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed yourself. I didn't think the report was too long at all and was actually wanting more detail on some of the days. Never complain you'll about something you've enjoyed as you'll usually find others enjoyed and compare their own experiences.

[peter-robinson]

Hey P-R. Thanks for the report. Sounds like you gained great experience and confidence. There's countless more opportunities for amazing walks in Tassie. Hope you don't have to wait too long for the next one, and have a good idea of what gear you might like to get. I've bought some great second hand stuff from this forum - and some remarkably good stuff at op shops. Worth knowing what you're after and keeping an eye out, if you can't afford everything new.
Cheers

Thanks Tortoise, I learned a lot about tents, stoves, fuels, packs, etc and will keep an eye out for the for-sale section. I would really like to try hiking to a base camp and doing lots of exploring and day walks from there, something like Walls of Jerusalem perhaps. Need to find some local walks too - it's probably time to join a club for a while.

[peter-robinson]

Great report P-R, sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed yourself. I didn't think the report was too long at all and was actually wanting more detail on some of the days. Never complain you'll about something you've enjoyed as you'll usually find others enjoyed and compare their own experiences.

Hi Merlin, thanks, yes I had a great time. There's nothing I could fault with the entire experience, except, perhaps, that it went too quickly and I could have easily done another week or two. I shall go back through my notes and add some details while I still remember is there a place in these forums to give feedback on tour companies? The guys I went with get a really big thumbs up!