Stairs on th OT

[nicknackau]

Can anyone tell me if the overland track has any long sections of stairs?
Other than there being a long section with stairs on the first day to get to to Marions lookout I can't find anything around the net about other stair sections.
The reason I ask is because I have a dodgy knee. I can climb stairs all day but for a day or 2 after that stair climbs are a real challenge.
So if anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated,

[icefest]

There's not really any stairs, just several dodgy climbs.

Day one has the hill up Marion's and down the cirque again.
Then there's the descent down into frog flat - not steps but rather a really crappy washed out ramp.
Then you have Pelion gap - significant rise in elevation.
Lastly, almost every side trip bar Lake Will will have lots of steps.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Up to Marion's is more of a climb with a chain handrail with steep wooden steps rather than just a flight of stairs.
The entire track has continual steps up and down.

The horse track on day 1 to Kitchen Hut is longer but apparently a flatter way to start out.

[corvus]

G'day
After Marions you will have no "stairs" as such to face other than an easy board walk rise to Du Cane Gap

[RonK]

There are actually some long wooden staircases up from Dove Lake or from Ronny Creek to the saddle below Marions Lookout. There are also a few short flights before the final scramble along a short section of chain near the top. But this section is short - perhaps a hundred metres or so as I recall.
As previously mentioned you can avoid them by taking the Horse Track.
Carry Voltaren for your knees.
My knees trouble me more descending. Trekking poles help a lot. There are a few sharp descents along the way but most are not long enough to be a bother. The longest is probably coming down from Du Cane Gap to Windy Ridge.

[corvus]

The OP is aware of the Marions rise and whilst the Horse Track has no Stairs it is a seemingly never ending upwards slog and less scenic in my opinion.

[eggs]

I seem to remember stairs on the way down to Waterfall Valley, and possibly the descent to Lake Windamere as well.

If you have serious knee problems, I would think about doing a few shorter walks with some recovery days in between than attempting the OT.
Definitely use poles to help protect the knees.

[icefest]

Regarding the voltaren, go easy on it if you have any kidney problems or are taking blood pressure medication.

[Champion_Munch]

If you have dodgy knees, be sure you can carry a heavy pack (at least try an overnighter with a pack of similar weight before you do the OT), if you haven't tried so already. The weight on your back makes it much tougher on the knees, more than anything (I find at least). As mentioned, the sections of 'stairs' on the OT are not really like the stairs in your house or in your office building, they're usually very widely spaced because the gradient doesn't tend to be too steep (ignoring side trips).

[stry]

Yes - nothing that I would define as stairs.

Strongly second the suggestion for trekking poles (if you don't already use them). Best thing you can do for your knees !! (assuming you are in reasonable shape and not a tad lardy )

[corvus]

Regarding the voltaren, go easy on it if you have any kidney problems or are taking blood pressure medication.

I suspect the OP is talking about Voltaren Emulgel rather than GP script oral stuff,I have use the gel for a few years and it has helped.

[RonK]

Regarding the voltaren, go easy on it if you have any kidney problems or are taking blood pressure medication.

I suspect the OP is talking about Voltaren Emulgel rather than GP script oral stuff,I have use the gel for a few years and it has helped.

No, not Emulgel, I am talking about Voltaren Rapid 25 - the over-the-counter oral dosage available to anybody at pharmacies. It is certainly not appropriately used long-term, but 25mg is a mild dosage and quite safe for most people.

The pharmacist is obliged to ask about and to advise if you have any existing health conditions or prescriptions which preclude its use.

Otherwise, a couple of these each day for the week it takes to walk the OTL are likely to do far more good than harm.

[Scottyk]

I seem to remember stairs on the way down to Waterfall Valley, and possibly the descent to Lake Windamere as well.

If you have serious knee problems, I would think about doing a few shorter walks with some recovery days in between than attempting the OT.
Definitely use poles to help protect the knees.

I agree with eggs on this one

If you have issues with stairs in everyday life then you need to be really thinking hard about wether you are up the full OLT.
6+ days with 15kg or more on your back can really exploit any niggles you may have. Whilst stairs might be rare there are lots of long descents that will give a bad knee dramas. None of it is steep but it does rise and fall and you will feel every rise and fall.

Just make sure your up to it and then go and have a great time.

[GPSGuided]

I am talking about Voltaren Rapid 25...

My ski trip "wonder drug" for many many years. One 50mg at the end of the day for me at dinner ensures an enjoyable next day. But granted, use the lowest dose needed.

[corvus]

Regarding the voltaren, go easy on it if you have any kidney problems or are taking blood pressure medication.

I suspect the OP is talking about Voltaren Emulgel rather than GP script oral stuff,I have use the gel for a few years and it has helped.

No, not Emulgel, I am talking about Voltaren Rapid 25 - the over-the-counter oral dosage available to anybody at pharmacies. It is certainly not appropriately used long-term, but 25mg is a mild dosage and quite safe for most people.

The pharmacist is obliged to ask about and to advise if you have any existing health conditions or prescriptions which preclude its use.

Otherwise, a couple of these each day for the week it takes to walk the OTL are likely to do far more good than harm.

Stand corrected, was not aware of that particular product as I had only had previous experience of the "script" one which played up with me ,the gel is a good alternative for light niggles and I still use it to augment the Indocid I need to take twice a day.

[RonK]

Stand corrected, was not aware of that particular product as I had only had previous experience of the "script" one which played up with me ,the gel is a good alternative for light niggles and I still use it to augment the Indocid I need to take twice a day.

Holy cow! I ended up making an urgent dash to hospital in the early morning after taking Indocid.

My GP, a very laid back old timer prescribed it when I first developed gout. He casually remarked that it could give me an upset tummy.

Two nights later I awoke with terrible chest pains. My brother took me to hospital where the ER doctor had a good chuckle when I told him I was taking Indocid.

[corvus]

Just shows Horses for Courses ,I need to take pantoprazole to offset tummy upset with indocin also need to have ?? lots of other pills so perhaps that is why I am on indocin ? anyhow we are a long time dead so I am very happy to take each day as it comes

[greyim]

Can't resist - some pics of quaint (bygone?) steps on the overland ...

[icefest]

I remember reading a recent account by a OT ranger in the Frenchmans Cap logbook about how the'd love to copy the Frenchies stairs but that OH+S wouldn't allow them. :/

[Nuts]

They look good but don't last very long.
I'd give all the same advice re: stairs/steps. Though it can be done with dodgy knees, there's always braces, poles, medication and sideways.
If you do come back nick, you could at least thank these folks ^^.