Lophophaps wrote:Josh, welcome to the forum.
John's book is still reasonably accurate. The AAWT is mostly on a track, very easy to follow. Most junctions have a marker, and some have a marker 50 metres along the track. As far as I'm aware the only trackless sections are Port Phillip Trail to the Murrumbidgee River (which has a good track under the phone line and in other places) and over the Viking (also good tracks in a few places). Both these sections will be interesting in low visibility, but with a GPS it should be much easier. In fine weather for the Port Phillip Trail section a GPS is not necessary. This is a pic looking back from the first phone pole to Port Phillip Trail. The blue arrow shows where I left the trail, which is more or less where the red arrow is. The red ellipse shows the on-off foot track to the poles. The other end is similar.
A number of people have done the walk recently, and will be able to give further and better particulars.
josh97 wrote:Thank you all.
It is my time in the bush that makes me appreciate your replies - help from strangers like you who are willing to go out of there way and share their experiences. Society is about helping each other and enjoying life together.
I am planning to set off in a little over a week. I haven't completed an itinerary - I am still working on this as well as factoring in inclement weather emergency detours to huts, but I am planning on putting up a big post when this is all finished.
In terms of navigation I have two primary concerns based off Chapman's book and other posts around here:
1. The track immediately SW of Pond Creek Flats appears to be hard to follow. I cannot locate topos in my nearby stores for these regions.
2. The same concern goes for the wilderness area as the track departs from Port Phillip Trail to Bullock Hill Trail - I can't seem to find the appropriate maps. This section worries me. There is an old fire trail towards the east of this wilderness route that I was planning to take that passes via MIller's Hut, but I am concerned that the state of the trail will be equivalent to a wilderness section.
When you guys mention off track, do you mean taking the alternate routes that don't follow gravel/minor roads? If so I would love to do this, however this is more of a reconnaissance trip. I will be solo and I would rather be on the safer side of things. I am confident in my hiking skills but not overly so that I trust being able to return to the track having ventured far off. I cannot afford the required maps so Chapman's book will be all I have aside from maybe a couple of 1:50 maps. I will not have food drops so I will have to carry my entire load. This greatly restricts my trip so I will not aim to take longer than 2 weeks.
You guys are very helpful. Any more pointers would be great.
Thank you all.
crollsurf wrote:If you think you will be out of power after Kiandra, maybe take a trannie.
Lophophaps wrote:It seems to me that you lack navigational confidence, and this is normal. Just start easy and be careful. If the weather is rubbish or you are tired, stop, wait, find another way.
paidal_chalne_vala wrote:Isn't there some thick knee high scrub that way?
Lophophaps wrote:The pad from the Rolling Ground to Whites River may be hard to follow in either direction. Another way is to go from Consett Stephen Pass SE or so to the top of the pensocks, then down steeply, or pick up the bends on the road above Guthega PS. There's an article describing this in the April magazine.
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