Lake St Clair to South West Track?

[ILUVSWTAS]

I think the first 2 days will be easy for you. It's the Lake King William to the Adamsfield section that has me concerned.

[Son of a Beach]

...the cross country section from Butlers Gorge and across the Vale is a concern, namely because of lack of tracks and of course the Gordon Crossing. I have allowed extra time to cover the this section.

As for running the whole way - this is is not possible, I doubt there would be a human in the world that could do it. The idea of trail running is to run the flats and walk the hills basically. Quite often you can walk up hills more efficiently and quickly by walking them. On flatter open sections you run and thus you can cover extraordinary distances. I have competed in enough events to know that this works.

Have you walked (or run) in off-track scrubby south west Tasmania before (or even on untracked button grass)? Because the concerns you listed don't seem to cater for the type of territory you are most likely to encounter. The most likely causes for slowing down in the south west has nothing to do with hills, and there is no such thing as "flatter open sections". Even if the map says it is open and flat, it is probably button grass, and not something many people are going to be capable of running through.

You may be well aware of all this (in which case, sorry for stating the obvious), but I thought I'd better at least make sure. The scrub down there can be almost impenetrable in some places (like 300m per hour), and although button grass can be easily negotiated, it would be dangerous to run and is quite awkward to walk through.

Anyhow, I wish you all the best with your endeavour, as it's a great concept!

[Son of a Beach]

Bear fears the horrie and donga!!! Kinda like some Northern forum members...

Well, thanks for at least using the word "some" so as not to paint us all with the same brush!

[ILUVSWTAS]

...the cross country section from Butlers Gorge and across the Vale is a concern, namely because of lack of tracks and of course the Gordon Crossing. I have allowed extra time to cover the this section.

As for running the whole way - this is is not possible, I doubt there would be a human in the world that could do it. The idea of trail running is to run the flats and walk the hills basically. Quite often you can walk up hills more efficiently and quickly by walking them. On flatter open sections you run and thus you can cover extraordinary distances. I have competed in enough events to know that this works.

Have you walked (or run) in off-track scrubby south west Tasmania before (or even on untracked button grass)? Because the concerns you listed don't seem to cater for the type of territory you are most likely to encounter. The most likely causes for slowing down in the south west has nothing to do with hills, and there is no such thing as "flatter open sections". Even if the map says it is open and flat, it is probably button grass, and not something many people are going to be capable of running through.

You may be well aware of all this (in which case, sorry for stating the obvious), but I thought I'd better at least make sure. The scrub down there can be almost impenetrable in some places (like 300m per hour), and although button grass can be easily negotiated, it would be dangerous to run and is quite awkward to walk through.


ESPECIALLY buttongrass that is 3 feet high.
And yes flatter open section just simply do not exist ANYWHERE south of the Lyell highway.
Anyhow, I wish you all the best with your endeavour, as it's a great concept!

[Nuts]

Ive seen the runners during and at the end of the OT section, incredibly fit. Can only imagine their state on the back of Penguin to Cradle, let alone then hoisting the backup supplies to get them safely through (or Back from) the next section. While I sincerely (for yourself, the cause as well as for our SES) wish you all the best, cant help wondering if the cause itself would be better suited choosing a less arduous route (and one where there will be people to notice). Either that or include a longer 'walking section'..?

At least though the snakes should be less active in November.

Its a bit of a dilemma posting the general details here without comprehensive notes on preparation, gear, experience etc. being obviously intelligent enough to realise the concerns that people will have (taking into account that you fully understand what yer in for)

Last edited by Nuts on Sun 01 Aug, 2010 3:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Can I also add that there is NO SUCH THING AS THE SOUTH WEST TRACK!!!! I hate it when people call it that.

There is the SOUTH COAST TRACK
or the SOUTH WEST CIRCUIT

There, I said it........

[Nuts]

I'm confused, is Willy Ultrarunner? I thought Willy had second thoughts?

[ILUVSWTAS]

I think they are seperate ppl, I just keep looking at this title thinking. ARRGHHHHHHH

[Nuts]

lol, It could be seen as a question (ie its there a track from LSC to the South West?)

(which partly got an answer here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4296&p=49364#p49364 )

[tastrekker]

...I strongly recommend the following two articles from SUBW as compulsory pre-reading before considering trackless walks in the area:
A Royal Thrash
The Hand that Bashed the Bauera...

Updated links:
A Royal Thrash
The Hand that Bashed the Bauera

[biggbird]

...I strongly recommend the following two articles from SUBW as compulsory pre-reading before considering trackless walks in the area:
A Royal Thrash
The Hand that Bashed the Bauera...

Updated links:
A Royal Thrash
The Hand that Bashed the Bauera

Great reading, thank you!

[Rexyviney36]

Did he make it?

[wildwanderer]

Still running last I heard. Something to do with the terrain and conditions being tougher than anticipated..