Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

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Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Mechanic-AL » Tue 24 Sep, 2013 7:56 pm

Have a loose plan at the moment to walk into Frenchmans Cap this summer and continue on to Irenabyss and out to Victoria pass via Mary Creek plains. I would appreciate any info of any nature regarding the crossing of the Franklin River and how well defined the track is from Irenabyss to Vic pass ? I,m no speed machine in the bush and would much prefer to take my time and enjoy the views and surroundings. What would be a moderate to slow time frame to complete this trip?
Cheers
AL
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A reed shaken in the wind"?
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby tastrax » Tue 24 Sep, 2013 9:00 pm

As this route is generally not on maps you are more likely to get PM's in response to your question (in line with forum rules) - rule 24. You might want to spell out your experience off track so folks can gauge your capabilities.
Cheers - Phil

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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Strider » Tue 24 Sep, 2013 9:28 pm

I am under the impression there is no track and the time for that section of the trip is measured in days.
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Mechanic-AL » Tue 24 Sep, 2013 11:33 pm

No Off track experience at all Tastrax, hence the reason for asking how well defined the "track"is. Considering there is mention of this route in one of Chapmans books I kind of thought this enquiry might be with in the forum rules. Have only just become a forum member today and dont want to upset anyone already. Like I said, all advice will be appreciated.
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A reed shaken in the wind"?
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Strider » Tue 24 Sep, 2013 11:44 pm

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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby ILUVSWTAS » Wed 25 Sep, 2013 9:02 am

Mechanic-AL wrote:No Off track experience at all Tastrax, hence the reason for asking how well defined the "track"is. Considering there is mention of this route in one of Chapmans books I kind of thought this enquiry might be with in the forum rules. Have only just become a forum member today and dont want to upset anyone already. Like I said, all advice will be appreciated.



In Tasmania, "route" generally means no track.
Nothing to see here.
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Son of a Beach » Wed 25 Sep, 2013 11:51 am

There is no track at all for much of the way. It took me one day to get from Tahune to Irenabyss, and two days to get from Irenabyss to Victoria Pass. The route is very scrubby in some sections and seriously leech ridden if you go through Mary Creek Plains (so I've heard - I went around the Plains which I think was easier).

We saw no water for about 1.5 days after the Irenabyss, apart from yabbie holes amongst the grass, so we used straws (plus carried full bottles).

If you're not experienced with off track walking, do not attempt this walk. You will need to be competent with off track navigation, and at least a bit of scrub bashing to do this walk.

Full trip report from 2007 here: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=281&p=1741 (no details of route finding included though, as some people consider it to be a sensitive off-track area).
Last edited by Son of a Beach on Wed 25 Sep, 2013 2:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby icefest » Wed 25 Sep, 2013 2:17 pm

ILUVSWTAS wrote:In Tasmania, "route" generally means no track.

I think it's similar in NZ.
Son of a Beach wrote:If you're not experienced with off track walking, do not attempt this walk.

This. No matter where, solo multi-day off-track walking is not a good idea without any prior experience.
Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful.
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Scottyk » Wed 25 Sep, 2013 6:48 pm

G'day AL and welcome to the forum.
Frenchamns Cap return is a great walk on its own. I understand the desire to do a circuit, I alway like to do a circuit too.
Maybe pick another walk if the desire is to do a circuit.
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby vagrom » Wed 25 Sep, 2013 8:18 pm

Chapman offers info on this extension in his Cradle St Clair guide
Surgite et .. andiamo!
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Mechanic-AL » Wed 25 Sep, 2013 9:38 pm

Excellent stuff. Just the sort of valuable info and advice I had hoped for. Frenchmans Cap to Vic Pass has not been put in the too hard basket yet but I think I need to do a bit more compass gazing and less time searching for pink ribbons before taking it on. The Frenchmans Cap and Irenabyss return is on for this spring/summer though. I can imagine a few people have read my comment about prefering to take my time and thought here's another mainland wanker intent on wandering off into the Tassie bush and becoming another search and rescue statistic. I just cant understand getting out and doing something so enjoyable and then blasting through it like your late for work?? Ive done the Southcoast Track twice and Scotts Peak to Federation Peak and back out the Yo-Yo track and loved every footstep of the way. Like most people venturing into the Tasmanian wilderness I am constantly wondering what the next big adventure could be. The walk out from Frenchmans Cap and on to Victoria pass defenitely got me wondering and as Scotty said it eliviated backtracking. Thank you all for keeping my feet AND my mind grounded!
Cheers

AL
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A reed shaken in the wind"?
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Re: Frenchmans Cap to Victoria Pass

Postby Chris » Thu 26 Sep, 2013 6:50 pm

Mechanic-AL wrote: I just cant understand getting out and doing something so enjoyable and then blasting through it like your late for work?? AL
Couldn't agree more AL! :D
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