Bushwalk Australia

Congratulations Walkon!

I cannot wait to see some more photos from your trip.

Travis.

Great result and congratulations. I finished the AAWT in December but had 4 fellow walkers so a lot easier in many ways than your solo effort. Loved reading your story and it brought back so many memories. I lost about 6 kg and took a while to recover - being 66 was possibly a factor! Hope you are well and resuming normal life in great spirits.

Hi again Walkon,
I was surprised that you met so many walkers. Going the opposite way in November/December we met about 4 walkers coming towards us over the 44 days plus 3 walkers going our way who we overlapped with from time to time. It was pleasant to meet up with them and compare notes. We did catch up with two groups of school kids at Mt Spec and that was good fun. I guess most walkers walk the same direction that we did. By the way we met a French young bloke who did the walk in 18 days - slightly better than our 44 days!

Good on you & well done! Have enjoyed following your journey.
Cheers
Lizzy

Lophophaps wrote:

Bushwalker99 wrote: By the way we met a French young bloke who did the walk in 18 days - slightly better than our 44 days!

AAWT in 18 days. Merde! Did he start any bushfires, were there scorch marks where a boot hit the ground?

He did 50 km on two consecutive days in NSW based on his log book entries!!! He was super lightweight - dangerously so in my view - probably about 9kg with no tent, no waterproof jacket, only a light poncho which was also his " tent" and a very lightweight Sleeping blanket. But Te weather was favourable and he made it!

He walked 50 km on each of two consecutive days ie 100km in two days. Crazy!

Sign of fitness and toughness? He was probably training to qualify for the French foreign legion.

While 100km in 2 days is way beyond my abilities, if you took the 100km section as Murray Gap to Mackays Hut it is 5km per hour for 10 hours (6 kph for 8 hours) each day on good fire trails with little elevation change - something Kanangra seems to knock out on a regular basis. I would be more impressed if they could do this between Hotham and Walhalla.

It's said that the Roman legions can move on foot for up to 50km/d while some early 20th century guerrilla armies are said in records to be able to move greater than 40km/d or 30km/d sustained. So 50km in a day is perfectly reasonable for a very fit (and crazy) individual. For some reason, I know of quite a few french friends who are pretty wild, or highly athletic for a better description.

Mark F wrote:While 100km in 2 days is way beyond my abilities, if you took the 100km section as Murray Gap to Mackays Hut it is 5km per hour for 10 hours (6 kph for 8 hours) each day on good fire trails with little elevation change - something Kanangra seems to knock out on a regular basis. I would be more impressed if they could do this between Hotham and Walhalla.

I used to be able to do 80km a day for two or three days before it started to catch up with me. Purely as daywalks of course, and a very long time ago.
A young and fit bloke, used to walking wouldn't find it that hard to do the easier bits of the track like that.
Daft in my opinion because, like most long distance tracks, the best bits are in the sidetrips and detours.

One of the best threads I've followed on here. The AAWT is one of my bucket list items. Congratulations on your achievement.

Thanks for the well wishes they are much appreciated. Here's some more pics as promised and I will put up a gear review soon as requested

Last few, just a cross section of my pics

Congrats Walkon. Great achievement, well done.

Yes congratulations. That is a fine achievement. I have often thought of attempting it myself. I hope that one day I do.

K.

Wow, big effort walkon, well done!

Nice pics The log bridge looks like one of those that you secretly bum your way across while no one is watching.

80km a day NNW! :O

Suz wrote:Nice pics The log bridge looks like one of those that you secretly bum your way across while no one is watching.

80km a day NNW! :O

It was a long time ago. More than half a lifetime.

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walkon wrote:Thanks for the well wishes they are much appreciated. Here's some more pics as promised and I will put up a gear review soon as requested

Hi Walkon,
Your photos bring back so many memories especially the Mt Spec shot and the log photo with the steps - I reckon it was Black River. We camped there and next day did the big climb - we were heading north.

Congratulations, and well done. I Am hoping to do the Walhalla to Mt Hotham section in the first week of Novermber, I am really battling over which sleeping bag to take, any suggestions from you as to what temp you suggest to carry for this time of the year. Also, what did you carry that you felt you didn't need. thanks

THAT IS THE FIRST WEEK IN NOVEMBER, so I imagine it could still get cold but I don't want to carry a heavy bag if I don't need to, appreciate any advice

Alpine areas you need to be prepared for any weather any time of the year. Better to take gear that can cope with the worst and not need it than to find yourself battling a Spring blizzard without adequate equipment.
There are never any guarantees with weather conditions, and there is some very exposed country there. Is it really worth worrying about a few hundred grammes given how unpleasant it would be to get caught out?

Agree with NNW. I've had falling snow in every month, albeit less likely and less intense as you move towards summer. I'm collating information about water in the Spec-Hotham section and will have this soon; latest information arrived a few minutes ago. Due to the possibility of no water for longish ridge walks you need to have a good backup in case a water bottle dies. I carry a four litre wine cask with one spare. On a longer trip I may carry two spares, about 50 grams each.

There's a thread about an AAWT walker who had to bale out on the Barries. From memory (can't find the thread) the consensus was that an overall map of each section should be carried showing road escape routes. I support this view.

Lophophaps wrote:There's a thread about an AAWT walker who had to bale out on the Barries. From memory (can't find the thread) the consensus was that an overall map of each section should be carried showing road escape routes. I support this view.

Yes, good point. The Rooftop maps are great in that respect, and being regularly field checked means you can rely on their notes about the condition of the tracks..

Thanks so much, yes you are right, it can snow anytime up there, just worrying about my weight, trying to reduce where I can. I would really appreciate any info about the track and especially where to collect water would be great. THANKS, I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO ANY INFO.
Yours Willy

Hi Willy,

Congrats on the upcoming trip!

I recon if you start a thread about your upcoming trip with a bit of information about your intentions so far and what your bringing, food drops etc. then you will get lots more helpful comments.

Sorry i don't think id be of much help because I'm still in that dreaming of doing the AAWT stage. Ive had the maps and guide book for years, just need the free time!

I do however have a lot of experience within the ANP and surrounding areas and echo what NNW has said, be prepared for any weather and temperatures out there year round.

Travis.