Condition of the track - Overland Track
Posted: Mon 02 Nov, 2009 12:20 pmThought I'd start a topic on the condition of the track.
Have you done it / any of it recently?
How did you find the condition of the track, and how was it compared to your expectations?
Since July 09 I have done the part between New Pelion Hut and Pelion Gap twice.
The biggest difference between these two times was the extra number of fallen trees, no doubt from the strong southerly storm we had going back a month or two.
There are at least a couple of places where the track needs to be left in order to get around the obstructions, this is forming new pads. Pretty bad as yesterday marks the start of the paid permits period.
I also noted that there were only two of the toilets at New Pelion hut open. Judging by the amount of gear hanging to dry on the verandah at New Pelion on Friday, there must have been a long queue Saturday morning! Must have been busy there too - couldn't see the railing at all, for clothing, packs etc.
On the track there is no mud to speak of - always less than boot-deep and often a better option to step in it because you know what you are going to get. There are large sections of masses of exposed tree roots, where the soil around them has been compacted / eroded over time and traffic. It's my view that these are becoming a hazard themselves because of the likelyhood of walkers that encounter them are possibly often the type that read the glossy bits about this fantastic Overland Track as a comparitive highway, and perhaps might not be as prepared (mentally / fitness?) for the extra effort and care to negotiate these significant rooted areas. They are of course extremely slippery when wet. I recall a long section of this in the part between Frog Flats and New Pelion hut, last done back in February. Wasn't overly difficult, but I did talk to a few oncoming walkers who were struggling with it.
Going back a while I heard a report where the wire on the boardwalk near Cradle was so bad it pierced the sole of someones boot and stabbed their foot. Quite a number of the old boardwalk boards are loose / rotted away etc, I remember parts along Cradle Cirque where the boards were a hazard to step on.
So, what do we expect the Overland Track to be? Do we want it rough and rugged with some of the authenticity left in, or should it be boardwalk highway all the way?
My views? Authenticity - it shouldn't be "easy" as such, but the bits where you are forced off-track to negotiate should be promptly fixed, and the dangerous bits like the wire and the loose boards should also receive attention. But, it all costs money, doesn't it...
Interested to see what other people think. All opinions are welcome.
Have you done it / any of it recently?
How did you find the condition of the track, and how was it compared to your expectations?
Since July 09 I have done the part between New Pelion Hut and Pelion Gap twice.
The biggest difference between these two times was the extra number of fallen trees, no doubt from the strong southerly storm we had going back a month or two.
There are at least a couple of places where the track needs to be left in order to get around the obstructions, this is forming new pads. Pretty bad as yesterday marks the start of the paid permits period.
I also noted that there were only two of the toilets at New Pelion hut open. Judging by the amount of gear hanging to dry on the verandah at New Pelion on Friday, there must have been a long queue Saturday morning! Must have been busy there too - couldn't see the railing at all, for clothing, packs etc.
On the track there is no mud to speak of - always less than boot-deep and often a better option to step in it because you know what you are going to get. There are large sections of masses of exposed tree roots, where the soil around them has been compacted / eroded over time and traffic. It's my view that these are becoming a hazard themselves because of the likelyhood of walkers that encounter them are possibly often the type that read the glossy bits about this fantastic Overland Track as a comparitive highway, and perhaps might not be as prepared (mentally / fitness?) for the extra effort and care to negotiate these significant rooted areas. They are of course extremely slippery when wet. I recall a long section of this in the part between Frog Flats and New Pelion hut, last done back in February. Wasn't overly difficult, but I did talk to a few oncoming walkers who were struggling with it.
Going back a while I heard a report where the wire on the boardwalk near Cradle was so bad it pierced the sole of someones boot and stabbed their foot. Quite a number of the old boardwalk boards are loose / rotted away etc, I remember parts along Cradle Cirque where the boards were a hazard to step on.
So, what do we expect the Overland Track to be? Do we want it rough and rugged with some of the authenticity left in, or should it be boardwalk highway all the way?
My views? Authenticity - it shouldn't be "easy" as such, but the bits where you are forced off-track to negotiate should be promptly fixed, and the dangerous bits like the wire and the loose boards should also receive attention. But, it all costs money, doesn't it...
Interested to see what other people think. All opinions are welcome.
