Arthur Range Solo Full Traverse

[Wirednomads]

Hello everyone. Here is a plan I have for mid febuary. Flying into Hobart on Feb. 11, hoping to start on this journey Feb.15. If anyone has any advice on this route guide, my gear, and food stores it would be greatly apreciated. This is a rough draft of the unplan. Also does anyone know if I can borrow an EPIRB from the local police station for free?

I formed this Itinerary using the Hobart Walking Clubs Route Guides to the Western Arthurs published in 1968, Eastern Arthurs & Federation Peak is based on the 1969 CCT Guide, various blogs, and a map of Old River from 1997. I plan to update/refine this as I do more research.

Day 1 - Hitch-Hike to Scotts Peak, prepare gear - 0km - Start
Day 2 - Walk into the Authur Plains to Junction Creek - 7km - a half day
Day 3 - Up Moraine Alpha to Lake Cygnus or onto Lake Oberon - 5 hours or 9 hours - 11km - a long day
Day 4 - Spend Day at Lake Oberon, explore area - 0km - rest day
Day 5 - Over Mt Pegasus & Mt Capricorn to High Moor - 4km - a scrambling day
Day 6 - Along the Beggary Bumps to Haven Lake - 4km - a scrambling day
Day 7 - Over Mt Scorpio to Promontory Lake - 5km - A scambling day
Day 8 - Over West Portal to Lake Rosanne - 10km
Day 9 - Half day to Pass Creek - 7km - 2.5 hours
Day 10 - Climb Luckmans Lead and continue to Goon Moor - 5km - 6.5 hours
Day 11 - To Thwaites Plateau - 4km - 4 hours climb Federation if weather suitable
Day 12 - Allow day to climb Federation Peak via the SouthWest Cliff Normal Route and explore area.
Day 13 - Return along Eastern Arthurs to Stuart Saddle - 6km - 6 hours
Day 14 - Return to Cracroft Crossing - 10km - 7 hours
Day 15 - Along Arthur Plains to a make-shift camping spot near the Kappa Moraine - 10km - 3 Hours
Day 16 - Along Arthur Plains to Junction Creek - 10km - 3 hours
Day 17 - Contingency Day
Day 18 - Contingency Day
Day 19 - Contingency Day
Day 20 - Morning walk to Scotts Peak - 7km - 3 hours - Finish

Gear

Sleeping
Hilleberg Nallo 2 2p Tent + FP
Thermarest X-Therm Sleeping Pad
Western Mountaineering Versalite Sleeping Bag
Cooking / Drinking
MSR Whisperlite International Stove + Repair Kit + 2 Fuel Pumps
20oz Fuel Bottle x 2 - Cooking with Petrol
Emergency Self-Made Can Stove
Pinnacle Soloist 1L Cooking Pot
Small Plastic Mug
Plastic Cutlery
Nalgene 1L
Osprey 2L Water Bladder
Katadyn Pocket Microfilter + Charcoal Filter
Steripen Adventurer UV Pen Light
Fishing Kit
Clothing
Camp-Four 5.10 Approach Shoes
2x Wool Socks, 1x Bamboo Socks
Wool Hat
Cut-off Wool Gloves
Synthetic Thermal Leggings & Top
2x Cotton T-Shirts
North Face Wind Barrier
Prana Pants
Patagonia Rain Jacket
North Face Rain Pants
Self-made gaiters.
Packs & Bags
F-Stop Satori EXP 62L Backpack + Large Internal Camera Unit
Sea to Summit EVent Compression Dry Bag x 2 - 15L & 30L
Sea to Summit Rain Fly
Tools / Misc
Leatherman Fuse MultiTool
2x Lighter & Waterproof Matches
15m Rope for Bag Hauling and Physchological Value
Black Diamond Aluminum Trekking Poles
Black Diamond ReVolt 120L HeadLamp
6x AAA Batteries
Emergency & Hygiene
EPIRB - Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (Will try to borrow one from the local Police Station)
Emergency Blanket
First Aid Kit
Dr. Bronners Tea Trea Hemp Castile Oil
Photography Equipment
Nikon D800, 3 Batteries
32gb CFx2, 32gb SDx1, 16gb SDx1
Benro Aluminum Travel Tripod
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AF
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 AF
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AF

Food

Trying to plan for twenty days would normally seem like such a duanting task. However, somehow, I have found myself within the perfect location to prepare for something such as this. My friends have an amazing organic Veggie/Fruit garden and we go around picking wild trees whenever possible. We have been dehydrating fruit since I arrived back in December (They picked me up hitch-hiking ). I also have access to a Vacuum sealer and will use this to indvidualize each meal. As a rough estimate I plan to consume around 750g-800g of food per day, 15-16k kJ per day. This would put my food weight at around 15-16kg at the beginning.
Dehydrated Fruit and Veggies
Dehyrdrated Fish and Meats
Oats
Various Nuts/Seeds
Chia
Rice Noodles, SP Fettucini, Lentils, Quinoa
Freeze-Dried Coffee + DH Milk
Loose-leaf Tea
DH Eggs
90% Cocao


If anyone has any suggestions/advice it would be greatly apreciated. Im sure I have forgotten many things, but this is just a rough draft of what I have in mind.

Love and Light

Jordan

http://www.facebook.com/wirednomads


Sources:
http://www.thesarvo.com/confluence/disp ... ation+Peak
http://www.david-noble.net/Tasmania/Guides/Guides.html
https://peopleandotherstrangecreatures. ... tion-peak/
https://peopleandotherstrangecreatures. ... p-tasmania

[Scottyk]

Hello everyone. Here is a plan I have for mid febuary. Flying into Hobart on Feb. 11, hoping to start on this journey Feb.15. If anyone has any advice on this route guide, my gear, and food stores it would be greatly apreciated. This is a rough draft of the unplan. Also does anyone know if I can borrow an EPIRB from the local police station for free?

I formed this Itinerary using the Hobart Walking Clubs Route Guides to the Western Arthurs published in 1968, Eastern Arthurs & Federation Peak is based on the 1969 CCT Guide, various blogs, and a map of Old River from 1997. I plan to update/refine this as I do more research.

Day 1 - Hitch-Hike to Scotts Peak, prepare gear - 0km - Start
Day 2 - Walk into the Authur Plains to Junction Creek - 7km - a half day
Day 3 - Up Moraine Alpha to Lake Cygnus or onto Lake Oberon - 5 hours or 9 hours - 11km - a long day
Day 4 - Spend Day at Lake Oberon, explore area - 0km - rest day
Day 5 - Over Mt Pegasus & Mt Capricorn to High Moor - 4km - a scrambling day
Day 6 - Along the Beggary Bumps to Haven Lake - 4km - a scrambling day
Day 7 - Over Mt Scorpio to Promontory Lake - 5km - A scambling day
Day 8 - Over West Portal to Lake Rosanne - 10km
Day 9 - Half day to Pass Creek - 7km - 2.5 hours
Day 10 - Climb Luckmans Lead and continue to Goon Moor - 5km - 6.5 hours
Day 11 - To Thwaites Plateau - 4km - 4 hours climb Federation if weather suitable
Day 12 - Allow day to climb Federation Peak via the SouthWest Cliff Normal Route and explore area.
Day 13 - Return along Eastern Arthurs to Stuart Saddle - 6km - 6 hours
Day 14 - Return to Cracroft Crossing - 10km - 7 hours
Day 15 - Along Arthur Plains to a make-shift camping spot near the Kappa Moraine - 10km - 3 Hours
Day 16 - Along Arthur Plains to Junction Creek - 10km - 3 hours
Day 17 - Contingency Day
Day 18 - Contingency Day
Day 19 - Contingency Day
Day 20 - Morning walk to Scotts Peak - 7km - 3 hours - Finish

Get a copy of John Chapman's South West book if you don't already have one to help you with the above.
Gear

Sleeping
Hilleberg Nallo 2 2p Tent + FP
Thermarest X-Therm Sleeping Pad
Western Mountaineering Versalite Sleeping Bag
Cooking / Drinking
MSR Whisperlite International Stove + Repair Kit + 2 Fuel Pumps
20oz Fuel Bottle x 2 - Cooking with Petrol
Emergency Self-Made Can Stove are you going to carry fuel for this, petrol might be a bit dangerous!
Pinnacle Soloist 1L Cooking Pot
Small Plastic Mug
Plastic Cutlery consider a spork and then use the sharp knife of your leatherman
Nalgene 1L
Osprey 2L Water Bladder
Katadyn Pocket Microfilter + Charcoal Filter
Steripen Adventurer UV Pen Light
Fishing Kit I don't think there is any fish to catch on this route
Clothing
Camp-Four 5.10 Approach Shoes
2x Wool Socks, 1x Bamboo Socks
Wool Hat sun hat too?
Cut-off Wool Gloves
Synthetic Thermal Leggings & Top
2x Cotton T-Shirts Not sure cotton shirts are the best option, maybe merino might be better
North Face Wind Barrier
Prana Pants
Patagonia Rain Jacket
North Face Rain Pants
Self-made gaiters.
Packs & Bags
F-Stop Satori EXP 62L Backpack + Large Internal Camera Unit
Sea to Summit EVent Compression Dry Bag x 2 - 15L & 30L
Sea to Summit Rain Fly
Tools / Misc
Leatherman Fuse MultiTool
2x Lighter & Waterproof Matches
15m Rope for Bag Hauling and Physchological Value
Black Diamond Aluminum Trekking Poles
Black Diamond ReVolt 120L HeadLamp
6x AAA Batteries
Emergency & Hygiene
EPIRB - Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (Will try to borrow one from the local Police Station) see this link http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?id=7364
Emergency Blanket
First Aid Kit
Dr. Bronners Tea Trea Hemp Castile Oil
Photography Equipment
Nikon D800, 3 Batteries
32gb CFx2, 32gb SDx1, 16gb SDx1
Benro Aluminum Travel Tripod
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AF
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 AF
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AF all that camera gear looks heavy!

Food

Trying to plan for twenty days would normally seem like such a duanting task. However, somehow, I have found myself within the perfect location to prepare for something such as this. My friends have an amazing organic Veggie/Fruit garden and we go around picking wild trees whenever possible. We have been dehydrating fruit since I arrived back in December (They picked me up hitch-hiking ). I also have access to a Vacuum sealer and will use this to indvidualize each meal. As a rough estimate I plan to consume around 750g-800g of food per day, 15-16k kJ per day. This would put my food weight at around 15-16kg at the beginning.
Dehydrated Fruit and Veggies
Dehyrdrated Fish and Meats
Oats
Various Nuts/Seeds
Chia
Rice Noodles, SP Fettucini, Lentils, Quinoa
Freeze-Dried Coffee + DH Milk
Loose-leaf Tea
DH Eggs
90% Cocao
try to assess you daily intake of total calories and see if it will be enough, you'll need approx 6000 per day. Also make sure your balance of fats/carbs/protein is ok

If anyone has any suggestions/advice it would be greatly apreciated. Im sure I have forgotten many things, but this is just a rough draft of what I have in mind.

Love and Light

Jordan

http://www.facebook.com/wirednomads


Sources:
http://www.thesarvo.com/confluence/disp ... ation+Peak
http://www.david-noble.net/Tasmania/Guides/Guides.html
https://peopleandotherstrangecreatures. ... tion-peak/
https://peopleandotherstrangecreatures. ... p-tasmania

What's you total pack weight? The list looks like it will put a lot of weight on your back. Are you experienced with that kind of weight on your back?
It looks like you have a pretty good handle on things but I would be a little worried about the total weight.
Also you don't have nay maps, compass and maybe a GPS?
Have you got any experience of Tasmanian walking? It is quite an undertaking and although you can pull out half way through between the western-eastern sections once your up on the ranges there is not much chance to bail out easily

[bumpingbill]

Wow!

You've given yourself a fair bit of time. You might want to quickly read this trip report; viewtopic.php?f=42&t=19016

They got from Federation Peak to Lake Pedder in 4 days. Now, that's very very very fast, but if you can speed up a little you'll be able to carry less food.

Also, if you're hitchkiking and don't have to pick up your car, any reason why you need to go back to Scott's Peak? Why not exit via Farmhouse Creek Track?

EPIRB can be hired (rather cheaply) from Service Tasmania. I think it's about $30 a week.

Make sure you post back here with a report when you get back. Looks like an amazing trip.

[philm]

Looks like a big trip and yes I would be interested in your pack weight as this looks heavy. Your food menu does not look like enough to sustain you given the energy you will be consuming (difficult terrain and heavy pack).
The area you plan to walk can be wild - weather and steep inclines and declines along the ridges.
I would not take any cotton or bamboo scks - once wet they will not dry - wool and synthetics are best.
Good luck.

[Wirednomads]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! In response to some of the questions:
I will not be carrying a copy of John Chapmans book as I couldnt see purchasing it for a one time expedition and I am basically out of money again until I attempt this and find work in Tasmania once out of the wild. I guess I will also not be borrowing an EPIRB if the cost is that amount per week. They didn't have these things in the 60s-70s and people did it.
I do have a compass and a copy of the Old River Topographical Map 1:100k, but no GPS.
I do not have any experience walking in Tasmania but I have completed two week alpine hikes within the United States, a month in Nepal(Required a helicopter evacuation on day 18 for severe A.M.S.), and multiple volcano's solo in indonesia. However this will likely be my most challenging undertaking as of yet.

As far as gear weights I need to do a test pack but I'm assuming ill be around 30-35kg starting out. 30kg is usually my maximum comfortable weight I can carry long distances. I once climbed a volcano in Indonesia with 44kg and it was a miserable experience, never again. I've decided to not take the self made stove as you're right, petrol would be a bit volatile. There are no fish within the lakes? As far as the camera gear goes, its one of the main reasons I travel so the weight is worth it to me. I blog about all of this on www.facebook.com/wirednomads.

My total food intake is targetted around hitting 16,000kJ per day or 3500-4000 cal per day. I only weigh around 65kg. I've decided also to leave the acrylic filter out and only travel with the steripen. I will only take three pairs of wool socks and the cotton tshirts were mainly to sleep in at night. Also from reading the trip report that bumbingbill shared I believe I will modify the trip plan and attempt to come out at Bathurst Harbour. I will spend some time today and gather all the details I can for each day, my total gear weight, and more specific information on the food. Thanks again for everyone taking the time to read and offer advice

[Mountain Rocket]

If you only weigh 65kg a 30-35kg start weight will be horrendous in my opinion. I am sure you have realised by now but the Arthurs is basically up and down the whole way.
From memory there is something like 3.5km of vertical just along the ridge of the WA alone, and that obviously doesn't include the ~1000m up to Mt Hesperus!

Not taking an PLB is also not something I would advise, especially given you are doing it solo. It is wild country out there, remote and very exposed.
One slip (easy to happen!) and you do your ankle and I dare say you would find yourself in pretty serious trouble.

[Wirednomads]

I'm not positive on that total weight but I will have a better idea this evening. I feel you are right about not taking a PLB and I will organize the money and hire one. I feel it is pretty irresponsible not to.

[DanShell]

I feel you are right about not taking a PLB and I will organize the money and hire one. I feel it is pretty irresponsible not to.

Correct.

I can't help on your topic of discussion because I am not ready to do this walk myself yet but I will say I am looking forward to seeing your photographs. I just had a stalk of your Facebook page and your photography skills are very good

[Wirednomads]

Ah i'm very excited to have this chance to photograph the Arthur Mountains. Thanks for the positive words Dan

[Scottyk]

I wouldn't do that walk without a full set of 1:25 000 maps for the walk. The map you have really isn't enough.
Not having an epirb is dumb but that's your choice.
A pack weight of 30kg plus is not very smart for a 65kg person. I would try really hard to rationalise your camera gear to get this weight down.
I encourage you to do the walk but take advice on the navigation and pack weight if you want to succeed.
Oh, and have fun

[Nuts]

My back hurts and knees ache looking at all that gear. I'd love that camera kit, but it could be buried in the pack mostly (for me), you should bring back some nice images though.. from the days you get good weather.. Though yes, a Big load there! Good advice given re weight and time. Good Luck!

[horsecat]

You could save quite a bit of weight by going zoom lenses rather than all those primes. Yep, I know that fast lenses are expensive though. On most day and multi-day / week hikes I usually carry something like a 24-105mm (or a 24-70mm, F/2.8 ), 16-35mm, F/2.8 (or a 15mm x 40mm) and perhaps a 70-200mm. A light 40mm, F/2.8 can be handy. It's all still a bit weighty but you could take a couple (or just a 24-105mm) and still cover most situations and get great pics

[Wirednomads]

Ah I think you are right horsecat but for some reason I can't get away from the prime lenses. They seem so much sharper than any zoom lens I shoot with. Considering leaving the 105mm and 50mm and just going with the 24mm and 85mm which cuts out a bit of weight. I recently sold a 14-24mm f/2.8 which was heavier than most of my lenses combined.

[horsecat]

Ah I think you are right horsecat but for some reason I can't get away from the prime lenses. They seem so much sharper than any zoom lens I shoot with

Understandable, but sometimes it's a compromise to ensure that a walk is completed (and hopefully enjoyably). One thing with primes that do annoy me is changing lenses in the bush and bad weather. I've lost count on how many times I've had something blow onto the sensor - and for some reason it's usually on the first day

[bumpingbill]

Uhhh you probably don't want to come out at Bathurst Harbour.

It's in the middle of nowhere. The only ways out are to walk (5 or so days), catch a plane from Melaleuca (which will cost $250ish) or by boat (unlikely there'll be one there willing to give you a lift).

[Snowzone]

No Way I would want to be carrying over 30kg on the Arthurs. It is very tough going and a heavy pack is going to make it much harder and more chance of injury. Some of those scrambling sections the pack weight takes over and its *&%$#! hard to hang on. Could of missed it but I didn't see a pack hauling rope in your kit?
I agree with all Scotty's advice and if you can't afford Chapmans book see if you can get photocopied pages of the relevant sections from a library or somewhere. The notes are very useful and the maps would also benefit. I used tasmaps 1:25000 and was glad I had them.

Your plan of some shorter days and some contingency days is good. The weather can come in pretty bad down there. No the lakes do not have fish in them.

Good luck, we'd love to hear about it and see the fantastic photo's when you return.

[Azza]

I think your pack is going to be too heavy for this trip at least as far as dragging it over the top of the range.
What people often do is pack mule it down the Arthur plains to Cracroft crossing, stash most of your food somewhere secure and then walk the Eastern Arthurs. Then on the way back collect the stash and return over the Western Arthurs.
Much more sensible than trying to lug all that weight over entire range.

Ditch the water purification gear, never used it in Tasmania in my entire walking career. Just be sensible about where you get water.. i.e. not from next to the toilet pods.
Fishing kit is going to be pretty marginal.. i.e. you might get a trout in the Huon River but it won't be any use on the range and I think your not allowed to catch the native galaxia. Technically you need an inland fishing licence.
15m rope.. your probably better off with 5m of cord that is strong enough to lower or raise your pack. You don't need 15m.
This time of year its light till pretty late ~9ish.. I barely use my torch. so you probably don't need to carry much in the way of extra batteries.
PLB - hire from Service Tas.

No stuff hanging on the outside of your pack unless you want to lose it, have it shredded, crushed, smashed etc.
I'd probably ditch one of your lenses.

[biggbird]

Ah I think you are right horsecat but for some reason I can't get away from the prime lenses. They seem so much sharper than any zoom lens I shoot with. Considering leaving the 105mm and 50mm and just going with the 24mm and 85mm which cuts out a bit of weight. I recently sold a 14-24mm f/2.8 which was heavier than most of my lenses combined.

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

As others have said, that's a lot of gear. Everybody has different tolerance levels out in the bush, but I wouldn't bother bringing cotton tees to sleep in. Usually I will bring a full set of thermals as emergency/dry clothing and just sleep in them, or if a longer walk then bring a separate thermal top + full set. Merino is best for every night wear as it smells a lot less!

Personally wouldn't bother with rain pants, as they tend to be relatively bulky/heavy and in my opinion, short of regular deep snow etc, I don't see the benefit. Your legs will dry out eventually, and you're already taking another pair of pants so wind should be less of an issue. But then, I guess I have very hairy legs, so perhaps I have more insulation/warmth to spare than most

If you do need to borrow the 1:25k maps, I'm happy to lend them to you. Also have a copy of Chapman's book you could have a squiz through if needed! Send me a PM if you're keen.

[DaveNoble]

Yes - seems you are carrying far too much stuff!!! If you do a trip along the range you want as light a pack as you can get away with. The walk in from SPD is easy, although it can be a bit boggy, and then a reasonable walk up Moraine A, and not too bad to Cygnus - but after that the nature of the walk changes - a lot of steep up and downs and many of them involve scrambling. You need to often use your hands to grab hold of trees, bushes etc and be very careful. I would suggest you look at a few videos of the traverse to show you what to expect (there are some on YouTube). You seem to be carrying a heavy 2 person tent, far too much clothing, redundant stuff - like the extra stove (and why not take a single small gas stove? - much lighter and forget all the extra pumps and repair kit), 3 pairs of socks! (you only have one pair of feet - plus a spare pair, perhaps, to wear in the tent if cold). Camera - a full frame SLR camera is heavy and bulky and prime lenses... too much weight! A heavy tripod?

I think you need to get your pack weight down to no more than 20 kg. That should be enough for 12 days food and gear and some camera gear. Perhaps just take a small camera (e.g. Sony RX100 or similar)?

Also -a lot of your days are quite short - are you planning on doing half days because of the huge pack? or perhaps you are planning on doing each section twice (and running back to pick up the second half of your load)? If the weather is good - then walk..... do not have a rest day if there is good weather. Save them up for when the weather craps out (it often does). The walks notes you have are probably out of date - when there was a lot more scrub and route finding to contend with. If you have a light(ish) pack - then it is not too hard to do long days. If you want to take good photos - then you need to be up early in the morning for dawn, and get you camera out again late in the afternoon (e.g. 8 pm) or during stormy conditions.

I have seen a lot of parties walk into the range, spend a few days in the first section, and then retreat back down to Junction Ck - either because of bad weather or lack of scrambling ability.

I think to enjoy the range you need to be able to scramble well - and then you can discard the pack hauling rope. It is difficult to scramble well with a huge pack!

The suggestion of walking along the plains and making a depot at Pass Ck is a good one, then you can go up and down the Eastern Arthurs and you can then reload and traverse the WA's Alternatively - pack 12 days food which is sufficient for a full traverse in good weather, traverse the WAs', and then if you have time - up and down the E Arthurs, and then back out the plains - or out the Yo Yo Track or out to Farmhouse Ck. If you just do the WA's - then it is still a very good trip. Most parties that set out to do a full E and W traverse just do the W Arthurs - A to K - and they are often parties that have some experience of walking in Tassie. I have done full traverse but also done plenty of partial traverses when that is all the weather has permitted. They have still been very good trips.

Also - if you are not familiar with the conditions - then there are major safety issues to consider when walking solo. People may have to endanger their lives to search for you or to rescue you. Even things like setting up a tent on a tent platform or what sort of tent pegs to use in Tassie are important. You often need to cook inside your tent because of rain and wind. The tracks are well made in some places - but in other places can vanish and you need to do your own route finding or follow very faint pads (e.g. like form Lake Rosanne to Pass Ck) - and how to get out of a patch of baura/tea tree which you can encounter on the Arthur Plains if you lose the track.

Dave

[stepbystep]

Excellent advice from Dave. But if you have a D800 I'd bear the weight of that, perhaps lose a lens. Look forward to your pics.
I quite happily carried ~25kg through the Arthurs recently, but I'm a fairly solid 75kg guy. I'd imagine any more than 20kg would be a lot for a 65kg guy like you.

[Wirednomads]

Wow thank you all for taking the time to respond and give advice. I've been pretty busy the last few days just trying to finish up all of the food prep. I did a quick weight total of my gear + 16 kg of food, and not counting what I will be wearing, puts me at around 35-37kg starting weight with that food. I could always decide to leave some of the camera equipment but I would almost trade a heavier pack for shorter days/better photography. I'm carrying the tripod as I would love to do some astrophotography over some of the lakes. I think I will at least bring the steripen for water purification as it only weighs 107g. The fishing kit is only a spool of line and a few hooks, lures, sinkers, ect; Probably leave it. I will hire a PLB for 3-4 weeks. I had considered cutting the 15m rope down to 5m but will I need any longer rope for river/flooded stream crossings? I will cut out any cotton I was planning on bringing and just have a spare set of thermals for sleeping. Two pairs of wool socks. The rain pains I have only weigh 200g. I will leave out the extra pumps and repair kit with the stove and try to minimalise the packed weight of it as much as possible. The two person tent is my shelter, a bit attached at this point to trade for a lighter tent. I've used the Hilleberg Nallo in a lot of different environments and it has never failed. I can't trade the camera gear for a smaller camera as I can't get the quality of photography im seeking with these cameras. Always dreaming of producing content on another level. Another issue is most of my gear will be strapped to the outside of my pack. Unfortunantly this is the design of the camera pack I'm using but everything is secured tightly and covered with a rain fly(which I assume will be shredded rather quickly)

I realize a lot of the days are quite short, this is mainly due to the route guides I've found, but I think I'm ok with going slow each day. Would be nice to have camp set up and climb whatever is near to photograph the sunset. I have no set time scale really other than the food I can carry and the fact my visa is up for Australia on March 21. Will fly to NZ from Hobart for a year.

I am fairly confident in scrambling and almost hoping to have some crazy weather/storms. And I am not particuarly familiar with the conditions in Tasmania but I am aware of the safety issues while walking solo. In no way do I want to endanger the lives of others in a search for me when I did something that I perhaps was not prepared or informed enough to be doing on my own. This is why I decided to post here; the advice from you all is invaluable to me, thank you . I have considered doing a food drop at Caracroft Crossing, but Ive thought of continuing after federation and possibly trying to walk out another route. I should have enough dehydrated food to last me 20+ days. And no I wouldn't know how to get out of a patch of baura/tea tree but I'm sure I'll work out something

Cheers,

Jordan

[Scottyk]

Sounds like your set to go.
The gear strapped to the outside of your pack can be a real pain and most people avoid it altogether on routes like the one your doing. A pack cover will help a lot, maybe take some spinnaker repair tape (buy it from your local yacht chandlery) so you patch it as you go. Like this stuff https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_item ... lutePage=1
Hope the weather holds out for you

[philm]

Given your pack weight I would listen to the advice provided and ditch the water purifier and other extra gear - a few gms here and there soon add to extra kg's! The fresh water is great to drink as long as you are careful where you collect it from.

[Azza]

To be honest I reckon your 10kg over the max weight of where I would think you might have a chance of success. 25-27kg would be a good target to aim for.
It's not so much of a walk as its an exercise in ducking and weaving... up then down.. get pack caught on tree / rock / root, swing off tree branch, scramble down ledge, repeat 500 times.
Going to be damn hard work with a 35kg pack will all your stuff hanging off the sides. Remember it gets harder after Lake Oberon.
The sort of stuff where its going to be easy to do an ankle or knee with a heavy load on.

I still wouldn't bother with the steripen - save the weight. I have one, never used it in Tasmania.

I don't think there are any river crossings on your intended route that will be too troublesome unless it really pours, if you've got 20 days food better off to wait it out.

Good luck.. Hopefully we don't hear about you in the news.

[stu]

Have to agree with Azz & other posters, way too much gear, way too much weight.
I had a mate do both West & East Arthurs in 5 days a few years ago...warranted moving pretty quickly.

My first time through the WA's we did the whole thing, including pretty much every summit / side trip in 8 days, with time to kick back at the end of each day.
I'd have thought you could chip back your time by 5 days & still do both ranges comfortably...like, very comfortably, with plenty of photo phaffing & chilling time.

As Azz said, that much pack weight makes you unwieldy (have had around the 30kg mark a couple of times & I can tell you, every kilo over about 25 you REALLY feel, let alone over 30kg), particularly in that terrain; you'll either go for a topple or destroy your knees.

Both ranges aren't all that difficult technically (compared to some of Tassies harder off-track ranges); yes, they have a lot of scrambling, up and down etc. but you are following a track the whole way.

The walking poles might be handy to get you to the base of the range, but you'll find them useless for most of the walk, they'll really get in the way & aren't appropriate to day after day of scrambling; consider ditching them at Junction Creek or at the base of Morraine A for collection later. Hope the 5.10's are the high version, with that much weight you'll need plenty of ankle support...Oh, & what's the fishing kit for? Galaxia are pretty small!!!

Hope this helps...good luck, they are both amazing ranges

[Son of a Beach]

I agree with the numerous posts that 35kg is too much. That would just make the whole trip so much less pleasant. It could also make the scrambling-up/down-cliffs-of-mud very dangerous. The 'scrambling' people refer to here is effectively climbing very steep slopes, including virtually cliffs in come cases (some rock, some mud) both up and down and this occurs for hours most days.

Take note of the items Dave Noble (and others) suggest to dump.

I would also suggest that 20 days is unnecessarily long. I would plan on 15 or fewer days - check some more accurate track notes. If you don't want to buy John Chapman's book, then borrow a copy. His notes on this trip are excellent (except for bits where the track was re-routed since the book was published). Last time I did the full traverse, we completed it in 12 days (but carried a few days worth of emergency rations in case we needed to take longer).

[Nuts]

These guys have a lot of combined experience, invaluable help.

re: stove (you don't list pot?) those things are bombproof! They can block but are easy to clear. The pumps do eventually fail (crack in the plunger etc) but it takes a Lot of use. I'm not sure how familiar you are with its use, the plunger needs a bit of lube (lanolin before you go, even butter or spittle' will do it). We carried them for many years without any special kit. I'd pull it apart and get familiar, ditch the spare pump and kit. I'd also use Shellite (white spirits), cleaner and less blockage (even with the jet)? and i'd imagine more efficient. You can't use either in a al can stove? carry 600ml metho, use metho on warmer days/lunch etc(?). Most people use canister gas it seems (again some additional expense)

I'd ditch the rain fly, probably the emergency blanket. We have Nallo's, great tent, I'd find something lighter (which probably translates to $ so..). The 1:25000 maps would be handy, even on a phone app?

20 days would be awesome! I like the cruisey pace, personally i'd probably carry all that stuff to Oberon and, knackered, spend a week there eating and sleeping! Not an impossible weight but impractical, potentially an additional hazard (as others say & is what i'd be thinking). Heard of people dropping food up K moraine before starting? .. though would cost a day and, solo, only save a few kg.. You don't seem concerned with the weight so just to add something to the collective thoughts.

[Wirednomads]

Alright so I sat down and got a more exact idea of how much all of my gear will weigh. Great idea on taking more tape to repair the pack cover as it goes, usually have a small amount of duck dape. I will take the advice and leave the steripen, as well as the fishing kit. Thank you for the advice on the whisperlite. My only problems have been sometimes i have problems keeping the fuel burning once I get down to less than 1/4 of a bottle. I've also already had one pump fail is the reason I now carry two. Will take the time to take one apart and become more familarised with it and leave the extras behind. If i can find white spirits or a bit of metho I will take that with me instead of petrol. It just seems to be the easiest to find all over the world. I realize that 20 days seems like a long time but I've even thought of staying out longer if time/food permitted. Perhaps try to find a way to extend the trek past the arthurs or just simply go slowly. Haha and I've had the same thoughts about just eating a lot of the food if the weight becomes a problem. I will list all the food im prepping soon but will be eating amazing, all fresh dehydrated fruits, veggies, beef, kangaroo, ect. Going to vacpac individual meals with a close idea of the kj or cal per pack.

Hilleberg Nallo 2 2p Tent + FP: 2700g
Thermarest X-Therm Sleeping Pad: 425g
Western Mountaineering Versalite Sleeping Bag: 510g
MSR Whisperlite International Stove: 441g
+ Repair Kit: 96g
+ 1 Fuel Pumps: 69g
20oz Fuel Bottle x 2 - Cooking with Petrol: 2000g
Pinnacle Soloist 1L Cooking Pot: 300g
Small Plastic Mug: 50g
Plastic Cutlery: 5g
Nalgene 1L: 179g
Osprey 2L Water Bladder: 300g
Camp-Four 5.10 Approach Shoes 2015 420g
2x Wool Socks 125g
Wool Hat 60g
Cut-off Wool Gloves 75g
Synthetic Thermal Leggings & Top 500g
North Face Wind Barrier 590g
Prana Pants 400g
Patagonia Rain Jacket 380g
North Face Rain Pants 210g
F-Stop Satori EXP 62L Backpack - 850g
+ Large Internal Camera Unit - 760g
Sea to Summit EVent Compression Dry Bag 15L 148g
Sea to Summit EVent Compression Dry Bagx 30L 210g
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Rain Fly 113g
Leatherman Fuse MultiTool 170g
Lighter & Waterproof Matches 15g
15m Rope for Bag Hauling and Physchological Value 400g
Black Diamond Aluminum Trekking Poles 500g
Black Diamond ReVolt 120L HeadLamp w/batt 97g
Black Diamond FreeWire Quickdraw x 2 200g
Black Diamond Neutrino Carabiner x2 72g
Patagonia Lightweight Travel Duffel 214g
EPIRB 250g
First Aid Kit 100g
Dr. Bronners Tea Trea Hemp Castile Oil 100g
Nikon D800 900g
3 Batteries 88g x 3 264g
32gb CFx2, 32gb SDx1, 16gb SDx1 25g
Benro Aluminum Travel Tripod 1300g
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AF 270g
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF 155g
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 AF 380g
Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 AF 720g
Food Twent Days 16000g

Total Weight: 34.048kg
Total Weight Minus Worn Items: 31.288kg
Total Weight Minus Photography: 29.274kg
Total Weight Minus Worn - Photo: 27.274kg


If I didn't carry quite so much photography gear my weight wouldnt be as bad. It's worth well beyond its weight to me though. There are also a few other things I could cut out but most stuff on there I think I am planning to take. The lightweight travel duffel I wont take if most of my food fits inside the pack. Also keep in mind the weight will be dropping 800g per day.

Jordan

[Azza]

I'd probably go buy one of those tiny Kovea stoves that weight < 100g, a couple of gas canisters and ditch the 2.6kg of stove and fuel.
If your rehydrating you don't need much gas. It would probably come in at under 500g stove and fuel.
i carry a water bladder, I'd even think about ditching the nalgene bottle.
A couple of cheapo crocks or thongs instead of half a kg 4.10's for camp.
Treking poles will be next to useless up on the range.
What are you planning on doing with the quick draws?
Travel duffel?
Rope - I have a 5 or so metres of 5mm cord or something like that.. does the job for pack hauling and doesn't weight much.

Sleeping bag seems a bit light on for Tasmania.
I reckon you've got another 3.5-4kg+ of potential weight saving there.

[icefest]

Two biners and a quick-draw? Serious overkill.

Your stove + fuel + pot weigh 3kg.
With a 50$ gas stove and a 450g canister you would be fine for the full trip and be carrying 1/3 of the weight.