Walkon on the AAWT

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

Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Travis22 » Mon 11 May, 2015 8:55 pm

Congratulations Walkon!

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

Travis.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Bushwalker99 » Wed 13 May, 2015 7:55 pm

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.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Bushwalker99 » Wed 13 May, 2015 8:46 pm

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!
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Lophophaps » Wed 13 May, 2015 8:59 pm

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?
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Lizzy » Wed 13 May, 2015 9:55 pm

Good on you & well done! Have enjoyed following your journey.
Cheers
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Bushwalker99 » Thu 14 May, 2015 8:30 pm

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!
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Lophophaps » Thu 14 May, 2015 11:35 pm

Slight clarification, please. Did he walk 50 kilometres on each of two consecutive days or over two consecutive days? One bit of bad weather and he would be in an interesting place. Even if I could walk that fast I'd rather go slower, taking in the scenery.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Bushwalker99 » Fri 15 May, 2015 8:58 am

He walked 50 km on each of two consecutive days ie 100km in two days. Crazy!
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Lophophaps » Fri 15 May, 2015 11:29 am

Goed grief. At that rate he needs but one phrase in English - good bye. His still pictures probably came out as movies, 24 fps.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby GPSGuided » Fri 15 May, 2015 2:22 pm

Sign of fitness and toughness? He was probably training to qualify for the French foreign legion.
Just move it!
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Lophophaps » Fri 15 May, 2015 3:04 pm

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


The FFL did not turn the sand to glass!
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Mark F » Fri 15 May, 2015 5:15 pm

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.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby GPSGuided » Fri 15 May, 2015 6:43 pm

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. :D
Just move it!
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby north-north-west » Fri 15 May, 2015 7:05 pm

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.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby odnuas » Fri 15 May, 2015 9:14 pm

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

Postby walkon » Sat 16 May, 2015 8:46 am

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
Attachments
Screenshot_2015-05-15-10-06-46-1.png
Sorry for my ugly mug again, Andrew put a few of me up but I like this shot, it was my first pain free day in a fair while and has good memories
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Sth Selwyn water tank, really nice place for a camp
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Amid all the burnt of area you got this
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This is my fav overgrown track maker
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Happy Days, the Viking :)
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The Viking chute, a bit cluttered atm
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From Spec, a cloud waterfall over The Barrys
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Screenshot_2015-05-15-10-09-20-1.png
:)
Cheers Walkon

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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby walkon » Sat 16 May, 2015 9:01 am

Last few, just a cross section of my pics
Attachments
Screenshot_2015-05-15-10-09-53-1.png
Would you take the left or right bridge
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Right of course, very slippery though
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I kept waiting for smurfs to pop out
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Lots of fungi on the last leg
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Little Easton
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Wind blowing so hard here it was scary
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Phillack Saddle
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The End, last steps
Screenshot_2015-05-15-10-13-35-1.png (665.17 KiB) Viewed 28744 times
Cheers Walkon

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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby DarrenM » Sat 16 May, 2015 1:05 pm

Congrats Walkon. Great achievement, well done.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby kanangra » Sun 17 May, 2015 12:57 pm

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

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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Nuts » Sun 17 May, 2015 7:01 pm

Wow, big effort walkon, well done!
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Suz » Sun 17 May, 2015 7:14 pm

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
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby north-north-west » Mon 18 May, 2015 8:51 am

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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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Bushwalker99 » Mon 18 May, 2015 7:55 pm

[/quote]
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.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby wilray » Sun 09 Aug, 2015 11:28 pm

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
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby wilray » Mon 10 Aug, 2015 8:31 am

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
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby north-north-west » Mon 10 Aug, 2015 10:22 am

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?
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Lophophaps » Mon 10 Aug, 2015 11:12 am

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.
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby north-north-west » Mon 10 Aug, 2015 11:14 am

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..
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby wilray » Mon 10 Aug, 2015 7:02 pm

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
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Re: Walkon on the AAWT

Postby Travis22 » Mon 10 Aug, 2015 10:59 pm

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.
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