Closure of Waterfall Valley Hut over Summer 2019/20

[dazintaz]

As Waterfall Valley will be closed over the summer, what are the considerations for Day 1? Walk to Scott Kilvert or soldier on through to Windermere? I think PWS should be promoting starting the OT from Dove Lake walking via Hansons Peak and reserving Scott Kilvert Hut for the paying customer during the construction period. I don't favour the state of limbo walkers are faced with until they start walking, many won't know what to do until they're up there, its better to promote a particular route to avoid congestion at Windermere. Thoughts?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Why is Waterfall valley going to be closed? PWS website says it will be reopened by the end of July?

[Nuts]

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[north-north-west]

Currently, the dunny at Scot Kilvert is being replaced, and construction of something - looks like another larger dunny - is also under way at Waterfall, as well as a number of tent platforms having been installed near the hut. Any walkers using those huts will be sharing them with the construction crews. Choppers have been buzzing back and forth with equipment, materials and workers for the last week. Replacing the Waterfall hut seems a bit over the top given the improved tenting facilities, but who knows how TasPAWS' mind works these days.
Also looks like there's a fair bit of work planned on the track between Scott Kilvert and the Cradle cirque.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Wow, interesting. Thanks for the updates everyone.

Scott Kilvert is going to be very over run this summer then!!

[wander]

It feels like the Waterfall valley Hut was replaced only recently, time flys by.

[Son of a Beach]

I wonder what the issues are with the WV hut that are more urgent than other huts. It's a lot newer (and larger?) than both Kiaora and Windermere.

Doesn't worry me, as I usually avoid the huts. I avoid WV in particular as the wardens based there have no way of knowing who does or does not need to have a thorough lecture on gear and safety (they usually do this necessary job quite well - it's just not for me!). It's much more pleasant to just walk right past and avoid the interrogation and crowds altogether.

[north-north-west]

I don't favour the state of limbo walkers are faced with until they start walking, many won't know what to do until they're up there...

The booking page specifically says that the Waterfall hut will be closed and that OT walkers need to go via Scott Kilvert. It takes a fair bit of selective blindness to go past that warning, book a pass, start the walk, and find yourself "in limbo".

[north-north-west]

I wonder what the issues are with the WV hut that are more urgent than other huts. It's a lot newer (and larger?) than both Kiaora and Windermere.

Plus there's room - if a little less comfort - for a few more at the old hut.
Windermere needs repairs fairly urgently too. Skylights are leaking, amongst other things.

[matagi]

Easier to bypass WV and just walk all the way the to Windemere surely? It's not like Days 1 and 2 are particularly long in terms of walking time/distance.

[north-north-west]

Easier to bypass WV and just walk all the way the to Windemere surely? It's not like Days 1 and 2 are particularly long in terms of walking time/distance.

Depends on a number of factors, including desired sidetrips (Cradle, Barn Bluff, Lake Will) and time of arrival at Ronny Creek. The bus from Launnie won't exactly get you to Pencil Pine at dawn, and you still have to collect the track pass etc.

And Windermere is not all that big either although it does have plenty of tent platforms.

[Warin]

Easier to bypass WV and just walk all the way the to Windemere surely? It's not like Days 1 and 2 are particularly long in terms of walking time/distance.

Depends on a number of factors, including desired sidetrips (Cradle, Barn Bluff, Lake Will) and time of arrival at Ronny Creek. The bus from Launnie won't exactly get you to Pencil Pine at dawn, and you still have to collect the track pass etc.

Arrive at least the day before you want to leave - this allows for any problems on the way there. Do Cradle Mt that day if you want. Pick up your track pass in the afternoon.
Next day off early. Possibly do Barn Buff.
Camp at Lake Will?

[crollsurf]

Marions is one of the highlights. I think sticking to the track and walking onto Windermere would be the better option unless the weather is bad

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[north-north-west]

Possibly do Barn Buff.

Not even in summer.

[Tortoise]

Marions is one of the highlights. I think sticking to the track and walking onto Windermere would be the better option unless the weather is bad

I think Hansons Peak is underrated. But maybe that's partly because it's usually people-free.
I expect some people with >20kg packs who haven't done a lot of walking might not like the steep rocky bits with the chains.

[davidn3875]

I enjoy the alternative to going over Hansons Peak which is to drop off around Hansons Lake and Twisted Tarns and back to the Lake Rodway Track and past Artists Pool and on to Scot Kilvert Hut camping area. The climb up to the Overland Track from Lake Rodway is a sharp pull up but no worse than up over Marions Lookout IMHO.

[Nuts]

I'd imagine the advice (ie. the map) is formed around thinking people will want to (stick to the OL route &) climb CM along the way, which many do, and is easier from the western approach.

Getting back up from SKH adds a bit of extra effort, but not a lot to the second day, could skip Lk Will that day if necessary.

[dazintaz]

Easier to bypass WV and just walk all the way the to Windemere surely? It's not like Days 1 and 2 are particularly long in terms of walking time/distance.

Depends on a number of factors, including desired sidetrips (Cradle, Barn Bluff, Lake Will)

Desired sidetrip Lake Will

[bigwallclimber]

We are walking the track again in January 2020 and had already decided to link days 1 and 2 into 1 day, after reading this it was a wise decision,

The only concern for me now is water, dont want to carry too much from the start and would like to pick some up on the way through, any ideas where to get it from Waterfall Valley if it is closed ?

Dave

[norts]

Plenty of streams just after you leave the WFVH turn off or even after the climb over the first ridge( The ridge that the private hut is on ) after leaving WFV. Good stream near where the old Cirque Hut use to be.

[north-north-west]

There are plenty of creeks and lakes on the way.

[bigwallclimber]

Plenty of streams just after you leave the WFVH turn off or even after the climb over the first ridge( The ridge that the private hut is on ) after leaving WFV. Good stream near where the old Cirque Hut use to be.

Thanks greatly for that, no issues then

[FatCanyoner]

Is the prioritised upgrade of Waterfall Valley Hut in any way linked to the proposal for helicopter canyoning trips down the nearby tributary of the Hartnett Rivulet. I haven't seen what the outcome of that proposal was (it's the same company that runs Dove Canyon). The plan was to fly canyon groups in and out of the helipad close to the hut.

[stepbystep]

If I was caught up in this doing the OT I'd be climbing Marions via Crater Lake, hanging a left onto the Face track, summit Cradle, continue on Face track to Lake Rodway Track, if time wasn't a problem on the day a sidetrip to the Twisted Lakes or Hansons could be done before dropping down to SKV via the Rodway Track. No backtracking that way and brilliant scenery. Barn could be summited day 2 en route to Windemere...as for the upgrade to the hut the mind boggles, I wish they'd do some work in other parts of the reserve system...

[Nuts]

Is the prioritised upgrade of Waterfall Valley Hut in any way linked to the proposal for helicopter canyoning trips down the nearby tributary of the Hartnett Rivulet. I haven't seen what the outcome of that proposal was (it's the same company that runs Dove Canyon). The plan was to fly canyon groups in and out of the helipad close to the hut.

It seemed they are talking about a landing spot near their start, south of the valley, east of the track.'Hartnett River' ..whatever that is...
Not to say reprobates don't have some other sort of plan for WFV, or thrill-seekers, or helicopters.

project_brief_-_Heli-Canyoning_at_Cradle_Mountain_Anthony_OHern.pdf

(472.49 KiB) Downloaded 731 times

PS. Always good water where the track crosses above Branigan Falls.

[Mark F]

If I was caught up in this doing the OT I'd be climbing Marions via Crater Lake, hanging a left onto the Face track, summit Cradle, continue on Face track to Lake Rodway Track, if time wasn't a problem on the day a sidetrip to the Twisted Lakes or Hansons could be done before dropping down to SKV via the Rodway Track. No backtracking that way and brilliant scenery. Barn could be summited day 2 en route to Windemere...as for the upgrade to the hut the mind boggles, I wish they'd do some work in other parts of the reserve system...

That would certainly be my plan if doing the walk. By far the best way to get in both Cradle and Barn Bluff if you are not super fit.