Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

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Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby cliffold » Fri 19 Jan, 2018 6:22 pm

A mate and I are planning to walk from Dixons Kingdom hut to Ironstone hut via the Ritter route in the next few weeks and would love some advice
We've done a recce out to Ironstone hut this week and will check out best access through Zions Gate next week
We have a Tasmap showing presumably a rough idea of where Ritters Track used to run
Reading reports on this site and talking to some friends it seems a more common route is W of 40 Lakes Peak and W of L Evans and no mention of Ritters
Has anybody here experience with Ritters route.
Any ideas or links to more details
Planning hut to hut in 1 long day (but will have gear should it go pear shaped!)
Are the other "routes" much quicker
Open to all comments
Thanks
cliffold
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IMG_20180116_105401[1].jpg
Ironstone this week
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby johnrs » Sat 20 Jan, 2018 8:52 am

Hi Cliffold
Not much left of the Ritters track but if you search this site you will find some posts.
Mostly easy walking through beautiful country so just look at your maps and go.
John
Last edited by johnrs on Mon 22 Jan, 2018 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby ppiph » Mon 22 Jan, 2018 8:28 am

Hi Cliffold

We did the reverse, Higgs to WoJ in late December. The cairns marking Ritters track are there but are easily lost (we lost and found them many times). The route marked on the Jerusalem 50K Tasmap does not relate to any track on the ground and certainly does not follow the cairns. We made our own way around the many lakes/tarns and it was a wonderful walk.

We took two days from Ironstone Hut to WoJ (we walk slow :-)) and camped at Lake Gwendy. We had had fantastic weather but I can see that it could be challenging if the weather turned bad. Its a very exposed area but is beautiful part of of Tas.

Rod
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby north-north-west » Mon 22 Jan, 2018 9:52 am

As johnrs said, just get the maps and make your own way across country where you like. It's very easy open walking, with an infinite variety of options on routes and campsites.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby Warin » Mon 22 Jan, 2018 12:50 pm

See https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/48460 ... 5/146.4004
Given the straightness of the 'track' that would be a very rough plot. Possibly the ends of the straight bits are cairns?
That references http://www.simoncubit.com.au/blog/ritters-track
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby cliffold » Thu 01 Feb, 2018 5:45 pm

Thanks for your advice
Looking forward to getting out there in the next week or two
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby taswegian » Thu 01 Feb, 2018 8:59 pm

Here's an old map that was passed onto me. I think it's origins may have been an old Tramp magazine.
Ritters.jpg
Great Western Tiers, Ritters track

I reduced it in size a bit. Original much better resolution, but lot larger.

Unfortunately the late Simon Cubits reports are no longer online.
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby cliffold » Mon 05 Mar, 2018 2:05 pm

Had a great walk out here last month through the Walls and out to Western Creek in glorious weather with no snake sightings
Didn't come across many original cairns until nearing Evans Lake although we could occasionally discern the route from the landscape
There are several other lightly marked routes that we inadvertently followed, in the exuberance of an early morning start we got half way to New Year Lake before consulting the map and getting out the compass. Did wonder why the sun was in the wrong place. Back on track by L Butters and found our way to Gwendy for lunch.
In the afternoon Ironstone mountain was in regular view giving us an easy navigation aid. Imagine it would be a lot easier going the other direction as Mt Jerusalem would be a landmark for most of the track
Waded waist deep across one lake to save a detour but otherwise straightforward.
P2130058.JPG
Had plenty of time so detoured over 40 Lakes peak then down the marked track to the wonderful Ironstone Hut for a bath in the lake
True to forecast the Monday storm front came through bringing 100kmh headwinds, rain and driving hail for our exit via Lady Lake and the Higgs track. A good reminder why we carry thermals and raingear even in summer
P2140069.JPG
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby DuskyBay » Sat 26 Jun, 2021 5:43 pm

taswegian's map is taken from Skyline No. 10, Sep. 1960 (p.28), a publication of the Launceston Walking Club. The initials K.E.L. are those of the editor, Keith Lancaster.
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Re: Ritters Track - Walls to Higgs Track

Postby north-north-west » Sun 27 Jun, 2021 4:51 pm

The line marked on ListMaps and in Chapman's book is reasonably accurate with a few amendments:
Go around the southern end of Nips Lake; do not try to cross with the dotted line.
Minor detours at some creek crossings will enable dry-foot passage.
The approach to Powena Creek valley gets a bit vague. Stay on the higher, more open part of the ridge until there's a clear line down. If going in the opposite direction, head up onto the ridge along the clearest line.

There are a lot of cairns along the route, including a good number of very large old ones, possibly erected by Ritter himself. Some sections have easy to follow pads as well. Some do not. When in doubt, scout around for cairns; you will eventually find one, probably in the direction you least expect.
It's a good walk, through some really lovely and varied country.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
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