AAWT - November and December 2015

A forum for discussing the Australian Alps Walking Track. This is a 655 km long track from Walhalla (Vic) to Tharwa (ACT)

AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby jobell » Wed 11 May, 2016 2:10 pm

Late last year I walked the AAWT. It's taken me nearly six months to write it up on my blog...so please excuse if I'm slack and just provide a link to that blog here rather than doing any more writing. I'm all written out for the moment. It's a tad long winded but I've tried to provide a good honest account of my experience.

The link is to the first entry about the walk, you'll find other entries before about the preparations if that interests you. Otherwise, I hope it provides you with some entertainment.

http://troubletravels.blogspot.com.au/2 ... chive.html
"Not all those who wander are lost." J.R.R.Tolkien
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby neilmny » Wed 11 May, 2016 5:15 pm

Hi Jobell,
I've just been working my way through your blog and it's a great read and pictures.
Well done on giving those 4wd yobbos a big serve. I doubt they expected that.
I've read up to Thredbo so far and will certainly enjoy reading the rest.
Thanks for your effort in writing it up.
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby scoha » Wed 11 May, 2016 7:47 pm

Excellent blog JoBell - well done for making the effort and brings back memories for me as well.
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby jobell » Thu 12 May, 2016 8:32 am

Thanks guys. :0)
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby surly 17 » Sat 14 May, 2016 1:15 pm

Hi jobell, just finished reading your blog over the last few days really enjoyed a very honest account. I think one of the joys of walking solo is being able to make your own decisions, move on if you don't like somewhere stay longer if you do. Also the ability to walk at your own pace.
Was there a reason that you didn't walk over the cobberas I guess it might have been time.
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby jobell » Sun 15 May, 2016 11:28 am

Hey Surly 19

Yes, time was the main reason we didn't walk over the Cobberas. We had lost a day early on and needed to make that up for my walking partner's schedule. He had more limited availability than me. But - as you said, there are advantages to walking solo - we actually ended up finishing two days ahead of our schedule, possibly because we had had enough of each other's company by that stage of the walk. :o

Cheers, Joanne
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby scoha » Sun 15 May, 2016 5:14 pm

I ventured into the Cobberras on my trip and it was about the toughest part of the AAWT IMHO - spectacular yes, hard work yes, worth it not sure. If you've got the time have a poke.
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby north-north-west » Sun 15 May, 2016 6:18 pm

Cobberas is easy enough if you know the right lines to take, but it wouldn't be that hard to run into trouble if you're new to the area. Relatively few through walkers bother with it. Not sure if that's good or bad.
I find the odder decision being to follow the official route via Charlotte Pass, Smiggins and the Link Rd. Incredibly boring compared to the high route and, apart from the advantage of the solid footing, I'd have thought a longer walk with more undulations.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby Lophophaps » Tue 17 May, 2016 8:40 am

jobell wrote:The link is to the first entry about the walk, you'll find other entries before about the preparations if that interests you. Otherwise, I hope it provides you with some entertainment.

Most interesting indeed, well written. Thank you for writing.
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby sim1oz » Tue 17 May, 2016 4:09 pm

Great blog. I really enjoyed reading it and looking at the photos. Thank you for sharing your reflections and tips. The AAWT is on my bucket list - I hope to do it soonish. I'll look forward to your last 'Tips' post and the story of your southbound AAWT adventure in the not too distant future.
Carpe diem!
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby jobell » Thu 02 Jun, 2016 7:25 am

NNW - we took the longer and lower route via Charlottes Pass and Smiggins Holes as while we were on the Main Range the wind gusts were 100km/hr and a thunderstorm was approaching. We diverted off and had to back track to Charlotte's Pass to do this. In better weather I would have much preferred the walk "up top".
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby north-north-west » Thu 02 Jun, 2016 5:28 pm

jobell wrote:NNW - we took the longer and lower route via Charlottes Pass and Smiggins Holes as while we were on the Main Range the wind gusts were 100km/hr and a thunderstorm was approaching.

Mmmmmm, ok, suppose I'll let you off this time . . .
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby jobell » Sun 05 Jun, 2016 7:45 pm

Lol. I promise I'll do better next time I do it!
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby Lophophaps » Mon 06 Jun, 2016 5:38 am

jobell wrote:NNW - we took the longer and lower route via Charlottes Pass and Smiggins Holes as while we were on the Main Range the wind gusts were 100km/hr and a thunderstorm was approaching. We diverted off and had to back track to Charlotte's Pass to do this. In better weather I would have much preferred the walk "up top".

If the wind was from the SW then the tent could be used as a para-sail to get to, say, Happys Hut, maybe further. The AAWT has been done from the north, the south, summer, winter, so why not by para-sail? PWS should put in tunnels for walkers when the weather is bad. The existing tunnels are in the wrong place and are filled with water, not useful at all.
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby Stroller » Fri 24 Jun, 2016 12:41 pm

north-north-west wrote:Cobberas is easy enough if you know the right lines to take, but it wouldn't be that hard to run into trouble if you're new to the area. Relatively few through walkers bother with it. Not sure if that's good or bad.
I find the odder decision being to follow the official route via Charlotte Pass, Smiggins and the Link Rd. Incredibly boring compared to the high route and, apart from the advantage of the solid footing, I'd have thought a longer walk with more undulations.



What does he mean by the "right lines"?
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Re: AAWT - November and December 2015

Postby north-north-west » Fri 24 Jun, 2016 6:45 pm

She means certain pads and open leads between certain points. I've spent enough time exploring the area around Cowombat and the Limestone to be able to pick the best options pretty easily. But someone new to the area would most likely have more trouble, and that would be guaranteed in bad weather.
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