3 Peaks- anyone doing it this year?

[kanangra]

I notice Melinda has just mentioned this on another thread. Is anyone planning an assault on this classic this year?

K.

P. S. It's been on my mind for a while and I wouldn't need a lot of persuasion.

[melinda]

Hi Kanangra,
A 48hr ^^^ peaks is always on my mind!
The problem is the sort of training to get that fit is brutal. And even then there are no guarantees, it's the sort of thing where you really need the weather on your side.
Melinda

[kanangra]

Melinda,

I couldn't agree more. You need plenty of daylight but then it can't be too hot. Hence either Autumn or spring are the times to go. Something to plan towards?

K.

[Jellybean]

Howdy,

Certainly sounds interesting (I guess dealing with the weather that Huey throws up is part of the challenge! but it would be nice to have clear weather). I wouldn't be able to do it this year but maybe next year if it can be completed in the 48 hours without running? (One of my knees is a little bit trashed and I am banned from running).

Cheers,

JB

[kanangra]

Yes it can be. Takes about 28- 30 hours to walk it. Leaves 18 for resting. Makes it sound easy?

[tasadam]

Following Phil's Roland Run, maybe he's got a few tips. Who knows, he might even be interested...

[Jellybean]

Yes it can be. Takes about 28- 30 hours to walk it. Leaves 18 for resting. Makes it sound easy?

Easy as! ...... and then she woke up

[melinda]

OK guys you asked for it!
The ^^^ is like ... well, have a look.

http://3pktg.blogspot.com/

Melinda

[kanangra]

Thanks for the link.

K.

[Jellybean]

OK guys you asked for it!
The ^^^ is like ... well, have a look.

http://3pktg.blogspot.com/

Melinda

Thanks Melinda. I also saw this account of the Challenge - http://tqft.net/trips/TR-ThreePeaks.html - when I Googled it (not nearly as visually pleasing as your blog, but interesting just the same! ).

Cheers,

JB

[melinda]

Hi Jelly Bean,
The blog isn't mine. I just made a few contributions to it.
The guy who put it all together was very thorough.
There are a lot of very good links to past 3^^^ attempts on it.
What it does illustrate is the sort of training we put into building fitness and learning the route well.
We had an agreement, if you can't keep up, the others keep going, you had to be capable of getting out on your own.
It was all hard, but gee we had a lot of fun!!!!
Melinda

[kanangra]

Melinda,

After all that training did you actually do the trip? Couldn't see it on the blog?

K.

[melinda]

Hi Kanangra,
Well, its a bit of a sad story.
Two attempts, two years ago and last year.
On the first year, did the first day, no problems.
Second morning going up Paralyser I was absolutely wasted. (We went counterclockwise)
Scree slope on the bottom of Paralyser coming out of Whalania Creek is a right pain.
Pulled out at the Paralyser cairn and walked out by myself to Kanangra road. Friend picked me up there.
Could not keep up with the other two. I think I said before we had an agreement, if you couldn't keep up you bailed, so that the others had a chance.
Last year (plan was to go clockwise) we started in the pouring rain (3am) and everyone stopped early, weather was hopeless.
So no, haven't done a 48 hour ^^^.
Not sure if I need to now, but the idea is always lurking in the back of my mind.
Who knows what this year will bring!!!
Melinda

[kanangra]

Gee that is unfortunate. But don't despair. there is always this year. Go on you know you want to. I'm contemplating an attempt this year. Probably September?

K.

[melinda]

Kanangra says,

Go on you know you want to

Melinda says,

[Jellybean]

Hi Jelly Bean,
The blog isn't mine. I just made a few contributions to it.
The guy who put it all together was very thorough.
There are a lot of very good links to past 3^^^ attempts on it.
What it does illustrate is the sort of training we put into building fitness and learning the route well.
We had an agreement, if you can't keep up, the others keep going, you had to be capable of getting out on your own.
It was all hard, but gee we had a lot of fun!!!!
Melinda

I like thorough..it gives you a better chance of success!

Definitely lots of good info - both for those who were attempting it and those who may follow

'Think the agreement was a great idea (and that it was planned for and agreed to well ahead of time).

I can see why you had fun - it's great to test your limits - even if you don't reach your goal, you have a much better appreciation of what you're capable of (what's that saying? The journey is just as important as the destination? Oh so true).

[Dave Bremers]

Kanangra,

I currently have a thread up about doing this ("to sleep or not") so yeah I'm pretty keen.

Had a first 'attempt' read: recon the weekend just gone, started too late (had been awake for 13hrs already, not a good start). Piked at the top of Tarros Ladders, slept for 2 hrs then went back, ~30k 7pm to 6am. Good intro to endurance hiking and hiking in the blue mountains (first time here).

Next recon is planned for either this weekend 13/14 or the next one 20/21, will start early am and do a return trip to the Coxs, hopefully in one push.

Main attempt is fixed for the weekend of the 3/4 of April, moon mostly full rise 9:30pm set after sunrise, still a decent 12.5hrs of daylight including civil twilight. I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to work it, maybe sleep til 3am somewhere close to the start and then push off, or start 7pm, sleep either in a cave at Tarros Ladders or down at the Coxs.

Dave

[melinda]

Hi Breminator,
Let us all know if you need any advice on this.
(I think I read somewhere you are from Canberra)
Having the route nailed really helps on ^^^.
Melinda

[Dave Bremers]

Hi Breminator,
Let us all know if you need any advice on this.
(I think I read somewhere you are from Canberra)
Having the route nailed really helps on ^^^.
Melinda

Hey thanks, Melinda, I will ask for some advice: how challenging is the off-track navigation? I'm fairly confident with following features but I'm a bit concerned with the area around Dexs Ck. Also, whats the scrub like for the majority of it? Is it so open that it's practically a track or dense or somewhere between? and while I'm at it, what's this about a footpad along the route?

I'm originally from Canberra, only moved up here about 6 weeks ago.

Dave

[kanangra]

The route up Strongleg is quite clear with a well worn track most of the way. It becomes fainter as the terrain levels out more but with care can be followed all the way to Dex Ck. without too much difficulty. There is one or two discs on trees but don't rely on those. You drop down the slope into Dex and cross straight over the creek and head up the other side to Cloudmaker. From Cloudmaker you need to turn right ( west ) and head that way. Personally I find the most challenging part of the route navigationally is to take the correct ridge off Guouagang.

K.

[melinda]

Hi Breminator98,

Some of the route is offtrack.

The off track navigation isn't too hard because most of the time you are following clearly defined features or routes. (For example: There is a clearly defined track off Cloudmaker down to Roar knoll,then there is a footpad thru the saddle to Marooba Karoo. When dropping off Marooba Karoo down ridge there is a pad for some of the way until you drop off ridge, offtrack to hit Thunder Bend on Kanangra Creek. No track up ridge for Paralizer, and so on.)

Some of the tracks are fine, scrub free; others are small footpads that do tend to get overgrown if there haven't been many people passing thru.(People walk out there less in the summer months because of the heat and water situation, so some of tracks can grow over a bit until everyone starts walking out there in the cooler months.)

Dexs Creek can be a bit tricky because there is a virtual maze of tracks. This only covers a relatively small area but people do tend to loose time out there. (Especially in the dark!)

I would also say that there is a section of scrub on the southern edge of Quouogang (when heading for Naroo or Mt Bullagowar) that is a bit messy also.

Remember this is 90 odd kilometers, so there is a variety of conditions encountered.

Most successful 48hr ^^^ attempts involve good knowledge of route. Then you don't have to worry about navigation, just lasting the distance! But heh, you're young, go for it!!!!

Ask more questions as needed.

[ianpeterscott]

I'm planning on making an attempt around the 17th Feb 2011. But this is obviously very dependent on weather.
I got excited about attempting the 3^^^ a while back and had it planned for 26/12/2010. The weather was so bad that we decided to bail before reaching Cox.
Also I'm still trying to work out a way to avoid leeches and snakes all over me when we are only taking a tarp and space blankets.

[melinda]

Hi Ian,
I've never had a problem with "leeches and snakes all over me".
By the time you get back to Katoomba you will be very grateful that you were only carrying a tarp and space blanket.
Honest!
Good luck.
M