That Mad Belgian

[davidn3875]

I suspect by now, the quality of campsite is not high on L-P's thought processes.

[doogs]

If you're going to be pedantic, the first time he changed his original projected route that announcement became null.

I don't see it that way. It would be an incredible stretch to call his effort null even if he had called it quits a week ago. My pedanticism was feigned. I think the quibbles about him picking up a headtorch or the the definition of winter miss the point. He's in his own category. Who carries 7 weeks of food, never mind a boat, in their packs in the wilderness?

Is there anybody else out there doing what he's doing?

There was that othe bloke who did a 'winter traverse' earlier this year, starting the beginning of April, but his was with food drops and helped along with a bike and a chopper.
The beginning of September has some of the most wintery weather in Tasmania, much worse than June usually. I'd class his trip as a winter traverse. The only bonus of this time of year is the longer days which Lou Phi clearly didn't take advantage of!!

[north-north-west]

If you're going to be pedantic, the first time he changed his original projected route that announcement became null.

I don't see it that way. It would be an incredible stretch to call his effort null even if he had called it quits a week ago. My pedanticism was feigned. I think the quibbles about him picking up a headtorch or the the definition of winter miss the point. He's in his own category. Who carries 7 weeks of food, never mind a boat, in their packs in the wilderness?

Is there anybody else out there doing what he's doing?

I didn't say the effort was null, I said the announcement was. In other words, the exact route is irrelevant - his major target was an unsupported, unresupplied north-south traverse in winter. Quibbles about definitions of resupply and support are valid, but the winter traverse was completed when he hit the coast on Thursday.

[beardless]

Yesterday he reported he has sore feet. That will make every step painful and progress harder.

He is still in camp unless he is waking but has not turned on the in reach (which is possible to save power).

[mikeb]

He provides his definition of ‘unsupported’ at 1:55 in this interestingly named YouTube video.
https://youtu.be/tLWUc2ca6cs

[Mechanic-AL]

If you want to split hairs over how this walk will be recorded let's not forget that he did a few chunks of the PCT twice due to the effort required to lug 65kgs over and under fallen trees.
Doesn't that go some way towards counteracting the fact that he picked up a second hand pair of sunnies , a cheap head torch and didnt quite get home before all the balmy spring weather set in ?

Argue about it to the cows come home, just dont lose sight of what an epic achievement this has been.

[Axie77]

And that reminds me. Is the "temporary alternative track" east of Milford Ck still being used or has it been rerouted? He will not enjoy that if he has to do it.

The temporary alternative track is pretty permanent now with a bridge over the creek.

[Overlandman]

Links

https://eur-share.inreach.garmin.com/louphi

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

Almost there

[jmac]

I suspect by now, the quality of campsite is not high on L-P's thought processes.

I agree; actually don’t think campsite selection has ever been his priority!

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Argue about it to the cows come home

Yep, another great thread ruined by the quibbling of a select few

What a fantastic achievement so far LP. My thanks to Overlandman for constantly updating the links on the current page

[north-north-west]

And that reminds me. Is the "temporary alternative track" east of Milford Ck still being used or has it been rerouted? He will not enjoy that if he has to do it.

The temporary alternative track is pretty permanent now with a bridge over the creek.

A bridge? What is the world coming to?

[Nuts]

Bridges will be part of the upgrades for the private hut/ dry boot crowd. Can't otherwise hit those time targets for the corporate wilderness.

[geoskid]

Yesterday he reported he has sore feet. That will make every step painful and progress harder.

He is still in camp unless he is waking but has not turned on the in reach (which is possible to save power).

I hope it's the case that he's walking in stealth mode and we are all going to get a surprise ping, otherwise he'll have to get a Cliff Young shuffle on to get out at a reasonable hour tomorrow.

[Nuts]

Yep, another great thread ruined by the quibbling of a select few

OP says....... backslapping welcome, questions welcome, opinions welcome. Welcome!

[Warin]

A bridge? What is the world coming to?

Another bridge, apparently.

------------
Could be saving the last ergs of battery energy by not using the inreach today.

It will be interesting to see forthcoming analysis of his trip, by the press and himself.
I expect the exit will be made with some warning, so as to maximise publicity and have a return avalible (not to mention food!).

[NickMonk]

I'm aware that he had limited battery remaining. I think it may have been suggested to him to save the last bit of battery for coming out so people knew when to prepare to meet him.
But it's all a bit speculative. He might just be buggered.

[tastrax]

No - still at camp - just got a ping

[NickMonk]

Yep looks like he's off now.
Anyone want to place bets on how far he gets today?

[tastrax]

Yep looks like he's off now.
Anyone want to place bets on how far he gets today?

I reckon Surprise tonight, South Cape Rivulet tomorrow and into Cockle Creek Monday

[north-north-west]

Yep looks like he's off now.
Anyone want to place bets on how far he gets today?

I reckon Surprise tonight, South Cape Rivulet tomorrow and into Cockle Creek Monday

He's set his marker for Granite. Be a *&%$#! late finish to achieve that. Wonder why so late leaving today.

[tastrax]

I reckon his feet and general tiredness are causing the slow pace

[NickMonk]

It's been raining down there all morning too. Would be hard to motivate yourself out of the tent in *&%$#! weather and his condition.

[tastrax]

It's been raining down there all morning too. Would be hard to motivate yourself out of the tent in *&%$#! weather and his condition.

and with a long beach walk in front of you with the wind behind you....

[doogs]

Nice place to stop and enjoy for a few hours. Maybe take some pics and film the locale. Perhaps eat some seaweed and snooze!
It's his trip he can leave when he wants, do what he wants and he can't hear you lot anyway

[tastrax]

Nice place to stop and enjoy for a few hours. Maybe take some pics and film the locale. Perhaps eat some seaweed and snooze!
It's his trip he can leave when he wants, do what he wants and he can't hear you lot anyway

Maybe he snagged a crayfish and was savouring the extra protein!

[MrWalker]

I doubt if he'll finish before midnight on Sunday night, unless he now plans to walk straight through without stopping (always possible at this stage).
He really needed about 10 hrs today and 10 hrs tomorrow, but he will be going to midnight to do that today. So no early start on Sunday, or a very long section left for Sunday.
I realise he can go at any rate he wants, but he had hoped to be done by Sunday and may have adjusted his rationing for that.

[MrWalker]

He's set his marker for Granite. Be a *&%$#! late finish to achieve that. Wonder why so late leaving today.

If he can get to the camp at Granite then he will have done 21.5 km today and have 20.5 km to finish off tomorrow.
If he stops before Granite then he either has an even harder day tomorrow or he takes an extra day.
His late start today means that he won't get to Granite until about midnight.

[Warin]

If he can get to the camp at Granite then he will have done 21.5 km today and have 20.5 km to finish off tomorrow.
If he stops before Granite then he either has an even harder day tomorrow or he takes an extra day.
His late start today means that he won't get to Granite until about midnight.

A late finish today will mean a late start tomorrow. OK? Now that I have said that he'll finish late and start early

[tastrax]

In 2007 he went from Osmiridium to South Cape Rivulet in a day (18kms) after around the same time in the field so it is possible he will get to Granite.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... =818805682

[Mechanic-AL]

[quote="

A late finish today will mean a late start tomorrow. OK? Now that I have said that he'll finish late and start early [/quote]

It's exactly this WT *$&# element that has kept this so interesting ! Louphi keeps us all guessing !!!!
Wouldn't suprise me if he finished at 3 in the morning walking backwards in the nude
I'd be disappointed if he suddenly stayed on script and finished the way people expect him to !