That Mad Belgian

[Warin]

Big day today.

A very big day. Yay.
He'll have friendly faces around him tomorrow. Might even get an early start to the day?

[Overlandman]

Another beautiful day up on the OT
Hope the sunshine helps today.
Regards OLM

Just putting the links at top of page

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

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

[tastrax]

day 19- 22 Aug. I met Marion, a Belgian girl, while ascending. Lookout and full
deep snow plateau. Made me happy. Best weather since june. Summited Cradle
Mt: best view ever! Yup!

day 20- 23 Aug. I overslept. Woke up when the sun was hitting hard. Again dry and
windless day. Met hikers, talked. Fell by slipping on a boardwalk under the
snow. Now camping on platform.

#TasmaniaWinterTrek

https://www.facebook.com/LouPhi.Loncke

[Overlandman]

Louis arrived at Pelion just before 9.00pm
Hope he climbs Ossa tomorrow on the way to Kiora
Regards OLM

[bumpingbill]

On his way back from Ossa now.

How much snow is up there at the moment?

[doogs]

On his way back from Ossa now.

How much snow is up there at the moment?

I'd imagine still a fair amount even though plenty will have melted in the last couple of days.. here's the Mt Mawson cam for a rough comparison

[Warin]

So that will be ~9pm for Kia Ora .. going on today’s rate of progress to the Mt Ossa turn off.

[MrWalker]

So that will be ~9pm for Kia Ora .. going on today’s rate of progress to the Mt Ossa turn off.

He can go a bit faster downhill than uphill with his big pack so maybe 8pm, but he'll still have a couple of hours in the dark, again.

[Warin]

So that will be ~9pm for Kia Ora .. going on today’s rate of progress to the Mt Ossa turn off.

He can go a bit faster downhill than uphill with his big pack so maybe 8pm, but he'll still have a couple of hours in the dark, again.

I did say .. his rate of progress to the turn off.. not the part after the turn off

--------------------
Personally I'd rather 'get up' earlier .. get a few things done in the predawn light.
But it is his trip.

--------------------
Edit.
Congrats MrWalker..8.08 pm

[MrWalker]

So that will be ~9pm for Kia Ora .. going on today’s rate of progress to the Mt Ossa turn off.

He can go a bit faster downhill than uphill with his big pack so maybe 8pm, but he'll still have a couple of hours in the dark, again.

I did say .. his rate of progress to the turn off.. not the part after the turn off

--------------------
Personally I'd rather 'get up' earlier .. get a few things done in the predawn light.
But it is his trip.

--------------------
Edit.
Congrats MrWalker..8.08 pm

I think that is the first time I have come anywhere near correctly guessing what he will do.

His latest blog says he "will start longer days". I hope this means he is going to start earlier in the morning and not just walk (or paddle) later at night.

[doogs]

So that will be ~9pm for Kia Ora .. going on today’s rate of progress to the Mt Ossa turn off.

He can go a bit faster downhill than uphill with his big pack so maybe 8pm, but he'll still have a couple of hours in the dark, again.

He has stated that he is quite happy travelling in the dark, on one of his trip reports he seems to revel in it.

[Overlandman]

More weather on the way.
A bush walkers alert was issued last night.
Hasn’t left Kiora yet so possibly Bert Nicholls today?
Regards OLM
https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/56 ... on-sunday/

[Warin]

Hasn’t left Kiora yet so possibly Bert Nicholls today?

Now half way to Bert .. might make there about 3 pm.
Then he might keep walking ..
Unless he takes time to look at the water falls...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Ossa 3 days ago

[ILUVSWTAS]

Whoops... upside down miss Jane. Stupid ph.
Met Louis at pelion. Spoke for a while. Said he had about 40days food left and trip maybe 50 days depending on route.

Jmac he is still contemplating the gorge. But even the Derwent was running fast so we'll just have to wait and watch.

[ILUVSWTAS]

And ftr he didn't stay in kitchen hut. He has stayed in tent every night.

[Warin]

9pm at the pine valley turn off.
Inreach looks a bit strange .. some problem there?
Maybe past echo point tomorrow.

[MrWalker]

9pm at the pine valley turn off.
Inreach looks a bit strange .. some problem there?
Maybe past echo point tomorrow.

It looks like he's camped at the track junction. There is a nice flat spot there, so a sensible place to stay.
I think he might be planning to paddle down the lake. It might be faster than walking.

[north-north-west]

I think he might be planning to paddle down the lake. It might be faster than walking.

In a kayak, it is. In a packraft, with a fair bit of wind . . . I'd like to be watching.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I think he might be planning to paddle down the lake. It might be faster than walking.

In a kayak, it is. In a packraft, with a fair bit of wind . . . I'd like to be watching.

He said he was thinking of jumping in the river at Derwent Bridge. And paddling the King William lake. Pretty sure he was going to walk out to Cynthia Bay.

[stepbystep]

Having packrafted across Port Davey and Joe Page Bay with a tailwind I'd highly recommend it! Our crazy friend won't be so lucky with prevailing wind direction.

The Derwent presently would be pretty 'exciting' in a packraft...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Having packrafted across Port Davey and Joe Page Bay with a tailwind I'd highly recommend it! Our crazy friend won't be so lucky with prevailing wind direction.

The Derwent presently would be pretty 'exciting' in a packraft...

It was certainly flowing very fast 6 days ago. Had to dig my car out of the snow at LSC at 7pm last night then drive home very very slowly in snow all the way to Ouse. I can imagine the rivers would be even more exciting now!

[jmac]

Thanks for the update ILUVSWTAS.

If he reckoned he still had 40 days worth of food left, he must have been eating like a sparrow, because he started with 44 at best. He must have had a huge boost in morale with how well the OT has gone after a miserable time from Leven Canyon via Black Bluff.

Did he make any comment about his feet? He was having some blister and boot trouble earlier in the walk. Or his swollen hand?

He's on the move as of 10:a.m. today, so he could be paddling from Narcissus by lunchtime. The wind is from the wrong direction (SW) but if he hugs the shore he should gain some protection, and it is expected to ease during the afternoon, so he might be able to scurry across Cynthia Bay late p.m. or during the morning calm tomorrow. Tuesday and Wednesday look perfect for paddling; he should use the opportunity to get right across to Guelph Basin.

J.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hey Jmac no worries.

Yes he did say maybe 40days food, so it may have been a conservative estimation. He also mentioned he wasn't an overly experienced paddler so was planning on playing it by ear as much as possible and said the information you provided was extremely valuable. Said the PCT was one of the toughest walks he has ever done and will never ever go back there.

No mention of any injuries except a few choice words about how heavy the pack felt on his back. Especially when you slip off the track and it falls on top of you. Mentioned forgetting to put his boots away overnight and waking with them frozen solid and in need of thawing before setting off for the day. He was in good spirits and said the smiles and encouragement from people on the OT has given him a huge boost.

[Warin]

He's on the move as of 10:a.m. today, so he could be paddling from Narcissus by lunchtime.

Paddling looks to have started 4 pm. How will paddling go after dark?

[Tortoise]

How will paddling go after dark?

It might maximise the adventure, which seems to be what he likes. Slight chance of snow shower and possible hail. At least the wind appears to have dropped.

[MrWalker]

How will paddling go after dark?

It might maximise the adventure, which seems to be what he likes. Slight chance of snow shower and possible hail. At least the wind appears to have dropped.

He took 90 min to Echo point, by 5pm, so I estimate another 3 hrs paddling at that rate. He'll finish after dark.
His paddling speed is faster than his walking speed, so probably worth going on if there are no big objects to run into. It may depend whether he can see any stars.

[jmac]

At 5:28 p.m. over a kilometre south of Echo Point; it must be bliss to be paddling after carrying that heavy load for 23 days. He'll probably be comfortable pushing on and shore-hugging until near darkness, maybe even after dark if he gets tempted by the jetty lights of Cynthia Bay. I'd personally stop and camp before then. It's getting interesting to watch now!

[stepbystep]

At 5:28 p.m. over a kilometre south of Echo Point; it must be bliss to be paddling after carrying that heavy load for 23 days. He'll probably be comfortable pushing on and shore-hugging until near darkness, maybe even after dark if he gets tempted by the jetty lights of Cynthia Bay. I'd personally stop and camp before then. It's getting interesting to watch now!

I was about to say he'd be stoked to be off his feet! Super calm up there now too. A very smart move...tomorrow will be very interesting!

[Overlandman]

Quote
“It may depend whether he can see any stars‘
Certainly clear skies at Cradle Mountain at the moment
There was a full moon last night

Most of us know the track so far, but heading South from Cynthia Bay hopefully we will keep getting good information from forum members that know the areas.
Regards OLM