Precipitous Bluff party size

[andrewp]

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to PB across the Ranges and out via SCT next March and was wondering if anyone could advise on party size? Would a party with 4 tents have problems finding enough sites at the suggested camping areas across the Ranges?

Cheers
Andrew

[frenchy_84]

You should be able to fit 4 tents in most places. Probably best to skip moonlight creek on your first day as its a rubbish spot anyway and would be tight with 4 tents. When i did it, we stayed at Moonlight creek, Ouze lake, wylly plateau and PB high camp. The last two are very weather dependent but much nicer than leaning tea tree sadle or pb low camp

[andrewp]

Thanks Frenchy,
I don't think we'd make Pigsty as won't be starting until about 1pm. Would hill1/2 saddle be an alternative?
You must walk faster than us as I thought we'd have to stop at LTS from Ooze lake.
Cheers
Andrew

[frenchy_84]

I had no visibility when on hills 1 and 2 so cant really comment on suitability there but i doubt you will find water. There isnt much space at moonlight creek and due to all the rain we had, the creek was running through our campsite. All along the range in summer good water is hard to find. And leaning tea tree is no exception, just stagnant pools at LTS. At wylly plateau we had to walk for close to half an hour to get water, which was coming out of the side of Mt Wylly but it was worth it as it rates as my favorite campsite of all time (check out the favorite campsite thread to see images). I didnt think the day from Ooze to Wylly was exceptionally long. Long days and early start should see you through comfortably.

[andrewp]

Many thanks

[ILUVSWTAS]

I've been up here several times, and the camp between hill 1 and 2 is a nice spot, providing it isnt TOO windy. there's some shelter but in a gale it'd be tight.

There's semi permamant water in small tarns on hills 2 and 3. You wont have any trouble finding water if you look about.

[nakedape]

Moonlight creek is not somewhere you should voluntarily stay if don't have to. My memory fails me for a name, but as you come off hill 4, if you head towards the lake (what is its name?) that's been on your right there is a sheltered camp in the forest. It is not large but 4 tents should nearly fit & is nicely protected from wind - Oh the wind, we were nearly blown of hills 1 through 4 when last down that way

[norts]

Dont think you would get 4 tents on Low Camp, would be very cramped.
Saddle between Hill one and two looks ok from this photo, cant remember taking much notice about camping as were were moving from Moonlight to Pigsty

Pigsty has plenty of room, Ooze has plenty of room as long as its not too wet. Some of the sites could be a bit wet, we spent a bit of time trying to find the best site but if it had been a smaller area we would have just used what was there.
Leaning Tea tree was wet. and exposed( then most sites on the ranges are).
We went from LTS to Low Camp

Low Camp Site

[Graham51]

You don't have to be fast to cover the distances between camps. Last year my wife and I didn't start walking till about 3 or 4 o'clock and we had our first camp at the top of the climb, below Bullfrog Tarns (I think that's what they're called.) You would get at least two tents there maybe three. Water's an issue. Second night was Ooze Lake, third at Wylie Plateau and fourth at Low Camp. I wouldn't really recommend that to anyone. Wish we'd walked on for another hour to the High Camps.We went out and back the same way because two years before we got gale force winds, snow hail rain etc and didn't get past Pigsty.
My point is, my wife walks slowly but she doesn't take long or many breaks. So she covers distance.

[mjdalessa]

Soon I am thinking of doing a return trip to Pindars, not taking full packs past pigsty. Chapman's book shows the return trip to be 12km, would 5hrs return be a realistic time for a fit party? (From Pigsty Ponds)

[ILUVSWTAS]

I did it in about 5 a few years back, I think that was with a side trip to Laperouse

[stu]

We did it as a party of 7 a couple of years ago, had nor problems squeezing in (5 tents in the group).
Camp sites were as follows (8 days with side trips):
Pigsty Ponds (2 nights; side trips to the Hippo & La Perouse)
Leaning Tea Tree saddle (with 4 others from interstate, complete with their 2 dogs...discussed at length elsewhere on the forum ).
PB low camp (tight, but managed to squeeze everyone in & around the 'unusable' hard stand, seen in norts photo).
Cavern Camp
Granite Beach
Sth Cape rivulet
It's a fantastic trip, enjoy

[mjdalessa]

Thinking about a return trip to Pindars or to Oberon in early to mid september. What weather have people encountered at this time of year? and yeah, I know, the worst can set in at any time of year...

[north-north-west]

Hmmm, I was looking at doing the same thing at about the same time. Starting to sound like it's going to be crowded.

Oh well, I can always find something else to do.

[ILUVSWTAS]

September is probably the most predictable of all months in Tassie as far as weather goes. You can rely on getting alot of very *&%$#! days.

[mjdalessa]

So no go? Might try Reynolds Falls instead...

[ILUVSWTAS]

So no go?

Well I didnt say that.... my crystal ball is just a bit uncertain.

[north-north-west]

September is probably the most predictable of all months in Tassie as far as weather goes. You can rely on getting alot of very *&%$#! days.

Pretty well all over Australia, from my experience.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Well thats what I said. I dont do the other parts of Australia as you know.

[mjdalessa]

Anyone got experience from the W. arthurs or Southern Ranges in September?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Errrr well as those 2 ranges are more prone to bad weather than anywhere else..................... proabably fine and sunny??

[mjdalessa]

I want to enjoy it e.g visibility, but I know if in a few weeks time the weather is fine I will regret having chosen something else. I was down that way for 2 days a few weeks ago and there was perfect weather up there for 3/4 time. I guess I could get lucky

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yeh thats the key, plan for somewhere cool, but have a foul weather backup option. And remember even if it's sunny in Hobart, doesnt mean it is down here......

[mjdalessa]

Yeah, its incredibly different. Like the day I attempted the Jubilees: Sunny in hobart but fine rain and poor visibility in the SW

[Azza]

I want to enjoy it e.g visibility, but I know if in a few weeks time the weather is fine I will regret having chosen something else. I was down that way for 2 days a few weeks ago and there was perfect weather up there for 3/4 time. I guess I could get lucky

I'd just wait until you know what the forecast and make the decision... just no point worrying about it now because it could be anything.
I don't think anyone has a crystal ball - Have a backup plan in mind or suck it up...

One thing is for sure - if its bad on the southern ranges it'll be bad in the Arthurs.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I want to enjoy it e.g visibility, but I know if in a few weeks time the weather is fine I will regret having chosen something else. I was down that way for 2 days a few weeks ago and there was perfect weather up there for 3/4 time. I guess I could get lucky

I'd just wait until you know what the forecast and make the decision... just no point worrying about it now because it could be anything.
I don't think anyone has a crystal ball - Have a backup plan in mind or suck it up...

One thing is for sure - if its bad on the southern ranges it'll be bad in the Arthurs.

Wernt you listening?? I said I have a crystal ball, it's just a bit foggy around that time.

[north-north-west]

There's nothing wrong with spending a day (or five) in your tent, anyway.

[Azza]

I spent 24hrs in a tent recently, went stir crazy... ended up walking out to the pub. Then walked all the way back in the next day.

[mjdalessa]

I want to get out and actually enjoy something so will be relying on an alright forecast. Will preferably be going to Oberon (w/ all side trips plus a day trip to Pegasus, Pegasus south and possibly as far as capricorn) or a return trip to Pindars, taking four days for either. If the forecast isnt so good, like more heavy snow and 9/10 degrees in Hobart I've got reynolds falls as a back up plan. Can anyone give me some basic info on Ossies track? Rhona is now also an option, is there still obstructions on the road (from the Gordon Range)?

[NickD]

Last year October 4th-6th were all days sitting inside a tent waiting for a snowstorm to die down, only going outside to occasionally dig out my tent using my trowel. This was on King William 2 Plateau. The weather can be pretty nuts around this time of the year, however, heading to the Western Arthur's for the same dates this year