Central Plateau to the Eldons - Has it been done

[beardless]

This is just a complete dream at this stage.

Has anyone walked from the Central Plateau, through the Walls, across Du Cane Range then to the Eldons, and out in one trip?

I realise getting out to the Eldons would be really hard scrubby work.

Would 17 days be enough? What would be the recommended quickest exit from the Eldons?

It will probably never happen but if it has it is cool to know if it has been done before and how long it took.

Cheers

[doogs]

I'd reckon you'd want a few more days than that, although if you're super fit and want longish days everyday then it's possible. The scrub getting to the Eldons from the Reserve isn't too bad, you'll encounter worse on the traverse of the range itself.
Difficulty and times also depends which route you're thinking about and decision making during the trip!! An exit over the Tyndal area may be best to avoid a lake walk/organising and waiting for a boat.
*I haven't heard of anyone attempting this trip..

[jmac]

I agree with Doogs; it's certainly achievable. You are basically linking together a lot of known quantities that have all been done before (depending on your precise routes selection). So the unknown factors are your body management, endurance and supplies.

As more and more of the remaining unwalked lines become known and established, extended link-ups like this seem a satisfying challenge for those congregating at the pointy end of Maslow's Hierarchy. Have fun with it.

J.

[north-north-west]

What would be the recommended quickest exit from the Eldons?

I can recommend the big yellow taxi.

Otherwise, if you're going across the main range to Eldon Peak, I agree with doogs - down to the river,cross, then up and over to the Spicer track. While it took us only a short day (about 5 hours total) to get around Burbury to the forest camp under Eldon Peak, the water level was fairly low and there had been some convenient burnoffs to open out part of it. It would be slower going now.

[beardless]

Thanks for the responses doogs, jmac and nnw.

I guess part of the concept is an interesting mountain filled way to explore from east to west across the world heritage area of the Central Plateau and the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Looks like more like 20 days is more realistic but means more weight and physical demands with the real tough stuff at the end.

Thanks for the advice about exits.

I think I will probably attempt to do the Du Cane and Eldons by themselves before trying the big one.

And if anyone does this in the meantime I world love to read about it

[north-north-west]

It wouldn't be hard to place a food drop. Depends on the route you take from the DuCane Range to the Eldons, but if you go from the Labyrinth, Minotaur, Guardians, Horizontal, Manfred, Cuvier, Goulds SL and across to Pyramid from there - or even directly to Tramontane from Manfred and then to High Dome either via the spire or down to the South Eldon saddle - it would be practical and straightforward to have a drop at Lake Marion. And/or at Pelion if you go via the Never Never, or Windy Fridge if you go via the MoJ and Gatepost.

ps: the traverse over Tramontane via Manfred and the South Eldon saddle is a route I've been looking at. Various people I know have done one side or the other of it, but going straight over makes for a lovely little loop. Goulds SL to Pyramid is a bit scrubby in places but I've been told there are still traces of the old track cut through there so it's not as bad as it could be.