That Mad Belgian

[Overlandman]

Day 51

23 Sept. 50gr of food left. Not enough for bushbashing to the cape. Might try a bit if enough time. Wanna end around noon. Thinking about writing a book about my 2 TAS expeditions.

Incredible effort. Looking forward to reading the book Lou-Phi

Links

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

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

[bushwalker zane]

ARGH! I'll be away for the next few days and unable to watch the blue dot for the final day.

Well done Louphi! A stunning achievement!
And those that are heading down to meet him, legends.

[mikeb]

Wishing Louphi all the best during this final day of his amazing journey.

It has been great fun following the progress of his expedition in real time thanks to the pings and daily reports provided by his InReach device - I suspect he may have created a new spectator sport - armchair bushwalking.

And the ‘hive mind’ and expert commentary provided through this website has really enhanced the experience. It’s allowed us all to feel a small part of what he’s been going through - although sitting in the comfort of one’s living room it’s easy to forget the difficulties he has endured as he struggled through snow, rain, freezing temperatures, mud, scrub, gale-force winds, heavy swells and darkness, all carrying a massive load on his shoulders.

The man is a legend and I will miss his half-hourly pings from Tassie’s wilderness.

[MrWalker]

He won't be there by noon. Chapman's book suggest 3-4 hrs from there, so he'll probably leave by 8am.
But when you are low on food and still exercising, your body uses up fat to keep you going. Then when you run out of fat you start burning up muscle tissue. He is now much weaker than when he zoomed out of Melaleuca, so don't expect a finishing sprint.

He might exceed 2km/hr along the beach and on the good track across Blowhole Valley, but he'll slow up in the last section with all the tree roots to trip over.

It's been a great effort and it's amazing that he has been able to keep going so well after taking 10 days longer than he expected on the PCT.

[durks]

This has been a remarkable solo effort by Louphi: hats off to him. I have very much enjoyed following along via this Forum, and I will be fascinated to read his account of this trip - and his previous one - if he does finally put pen to paper. Adventures like this really do explore the art of suffering.

In that vein, I would be interested to hear Louphi's view on how having access to modern communication devices like the Garmin InReach changes the overall psychological experience. Those things exist - and it would be ascetic to totally spurn them - but there is no doubt that they change the calculus. His personal comparison of his two trips will be interesting to hear.

All that can wait of course! First, a shower, then beer, pizza, and a nice warm bed - and then repeat as necessary.

Anyway, well done. What a great trip!

[bluewombat]

The man is a legend
BW

[Mark F]

Will he weigh himself pre or post shower? It will make a considerable difference.

Also gear - wet or dry?

[beardless]

This is such a remarkable adventure. He has shown prenominal [sic] fortitude. It is difficult to comprehend how hard it would have been. The weight he carried, the number of days, the distance, the terrain, the winter weather,and running out of food. And all solo. He had opportunities to give up but pushed on.

I would love to read his book on his two big Tasmanian treks.

Does anyone want to guess how many kilos he has lost? My guess is 12.

Nick Monk please pass on a massive congratulations to LP from all of us watching at home.

I don't know if this is possible but perhaps alongside those who have contributed 10,000 to this forum perhaps the administrators could make him an honourary life member of Bushwalk Australia.

[mikeb]

8AM start it is - on track for a midday finish if he forgets about SE Cape.

[Mechanic-AL]

Congratulations LouPhi
A complete legend.
The human mind and body is truly an amazing thing, some more so than others !!

Al

[stepbystep]

Yep stunning effort. I hope he really enjoys the stroll out.

[bernieq]

prenominal

??

For me, watching LouPhi's markers certainly has been key - would have been pretty boring without them. It's been inspiring following the trek - not to emulate (that would be mad) - but to push a little harder, go a little further, a little more often.

Congratulations for aspiring to, planning, and executing, an epic trip.

[north-north-west]

Will he weigh himself pre or post shower? It will make a considerable difference.

[north-north-west]

South Cape Bay 10:07. Not bad going in his condition. Now he just has to climb up from the beach...

[jmac]

“Low energy. No cape. To cc”

Good decision.

Phil has opened up the Rangers Station and turned on the hot water. Nick is heading down the track with camera. ABC are apparently en-route from Hobart.

[gayet]

South Cape Bay 10:07. Not bad going in his condition. Now he just has to climb up from the beach...

Been at the base of the climb for a while now - assume his 'bips' are not necessarily every 30 mins or its taking a while to become available to us mere mortals.... .

I wish him a speedy journey across to CC.

[tastrax]

Plenty of choice for Louphi’s lunch!

[stepbystep]

I'm assuming the beer is on ice! He's probably being told to walk up and down the stairs at SCB by the media so they can get a decent shot haha ...

[tastrax]

Haha, yes there is also a beer in the fridge! Media still on the road I suspect

[gayet]

But he is nearing the end of the forested bit, pretty much open road from there. If I remember correctly.

[stepbystep]

Haha, yes there is also a beer in the fridge! Media still on the road I suspect

ABC are en route. Georgie Burgess with a news crew.

[bernieq]

Are we there yet

[mikeb]

Are we there yet

Maybe he's having a breather while he waits for Georgie to arrive?

Probably just the trees - only 1km to go now! Top effort!

[wildwanderer]

I hope inreach give him a free subscription after this. What a massive AD for them his trip has been.

He has to be approaching the beach now. last ping was 800m from the beach and about 25 mins ago.

[north-north-west]

The fruit and chocolate will have an interesting effect on his digestive system, given how long it's been since he's had anything like that. Hope Nick's prepared to stop in a hurry on the drive back.

[mikeb]

The fruit and chocolate will have an interesting effect on his digestive system, given how long it's been since he's had anything like that. Hope Nick's prepared to stop in a hurry on the drive back.

Hope they've checked the bananas for needles...

[gayet]

Look's like he is there!!!!

Ping at 12:43.

[Mountain Rocket]

Amazing stuff, truly inspiring!! Well done Lou-Phi! I honestly didn't think he'd make it after the early struggles on the PCT.

Thanks to everyone in this thread who made the spectacle all the more enjoyable, particuarly jmac for his updates and extra details on possible routes etc.

arrival

[GPSGuided]

Is there mobile coverage at the finish?

[MrWalker]

Look's like he is there!!!!

Ping at 12:43.

That is SA time. Ping is 1:13pm Tas Time

Well done anyway. i was expecting about 6hrs today, but he did in five.