General OLT Questions

[north-north-west]

A little extra food etc gives you more leeway in case of foul weather or sidetrips. You'll manage. Just don't try to rush. Make the most of the time you have.

[GPSGuided]

I know. Gets a bit cold out there with a bald head. I would put that in the 'stupid light' category for the condition.

[Overlandman]

All the best Dan
Bald head is a great idea, make sure you take a beanie.
You tend to loose a lot of heat from your head of a night.
17 kg is good,
Remember most accidents happen around the huts, when you start to relax, or have had a whisky or two.
If you climb Oakley make sure you go to the spires on the western end.
South of Kiora the waterfalls are also well worth a look if you get time.
Looking forward to your trip report.
Regards Overlandman

[Explorer_Sam]

I have a question about the Overland Track which I am doing for the first time in November this year. On day 1, is it too ambitious to plan a side trip to Cradle Mountain and then to do Barn Bluff in the evening after setting up at Waterfall Valley Huts, all in the one day?

[north-north-west]

Depends on fitness levels and departure time. I've done both in one autumn day from Waterfall, including the circuit via Scott Kilvert, Face Track and Lake Wilks, climbing back up via the shortcut track to Marions. Of course, I was a good bit younger and faster back then.

[Explorer_Sam]

Thanks NNW, I guess I'll do Cradle and see how I'm feeling at Waterfall Valley, and decide whether or not to do Barn Bluff.

[norts]

I would suggest that instead of trashing yourself on the first day do Barrn the next day. It is only a short day the next day to Windermere. More than enough time to back track back to BB. That would even out your first two days.
Norts

[simonm]

On our first day we bumped into a guy who did both Cradle and Barn Bluff after setting off around 12-1pm, and in less than pleasant weather. He arrived quite late at Waterfall Valley and we were suitably impressed. It's not something I would consider enjoyable though.

[Explorer_Sam]

Thanks for the responses. That gives me a pretty good idea.

Great suggestion norts. Definitely something to consider.

[gannybun]

Is it normal o put the big pack in a hut and bring the daypack for a side trip then returning to take the bigpack to continue the journey.

I was thinking to do that in Waterfall Valley and get my daypack with me when i go to Barn Bluff. or (leave Bigpack in Pelion Hut then Daypack to Mt Oakleigh then returning to take the bag to continue the journey?

Is it safe? will there be theft?

[dee_legg]

Very normal, Gannybun, you will not be the only one doing this! I've walked the track 25+ times and have never heard of any theft but I'd be sensible and take any small, valuable items like your passport and electronics on the side trips with you.

Have a great walk!

Dee

[DanShell]

Is it normal o put the big pack in a hut and bring the daypack for a side trip then returning to take the bigpack to continue the journey.

I was thinking to do that in Waterfall Valley and get my daypack with me when i go to Barn Bluff. or (leave Bigpack in Pelion Hut then Daypack to Mt Oakleigh then returning to take the bag to continue the journey?

Is it safe? will there be theft?

As dee-legs has already stated you will be fine. The only area I would be a little careful and even then it is unlikely there would be any theft is around day walk area's such as at Kitchen Hut.

[gannybun]

Is it normal o put the big pack in a hut and bring the daypack for a side trip then returning to take the bigpack to continue the journey.

I was thinking to do that in Waterfall Valley and get my daypack with me when i go to Barn Bluff. or (leave Bigpack in Pelion Hut then Daypack to Mt Oakleigh then returning to take the bag to continue the journey?

Is it safe? will there be theft?

As dee-legs has already stated you will be fine. The only area I would be a little careful and even then it is unlikely there would be any theft is around day walk area's such as at Kitchen Hut.

Thank you Danshell and Dee!! Pardon me as this is my first time.

I suppose Mount Ossa is a full bigpack up?

[north-north-west]

I suppose Mount Ossa is a full bigpack up?

Nope. Leave the pack at Pelion Gap (unless you're planning on camping up top, which is sternly discouraged by the authorities), and just take what you need for the sidetrip.
Be careful to make sure that the Currawongs can't get into the pack - they're very, very clever at undoing zips and other closures to get at food, so lie the pack on its front and make sure there is nothing easily accessible for them.

[gannybun]

yes i seen the bird in some of the picture here. ;( out for blood!
so there is a place to put the bigpack. in the event if there is rain?

i think i will lock up in a backpack protector. can they pierce thru the raincover material ?

[dee_legg]

Hi again Gannybun,

I wouldn't worry about a lockabe pack cover, they tend to be heavy and cumbersome., I find that a raincover is adequate for keeping the birds out (as well as obviously keeping your pack dry whilst walking or when left behind on a sidetrip) but also take a few s-clips (like this: https://www.niteize.com/product/S-Biner-MicroLock.asp) so I can clip the zips together on my pack to ensure the birds get nothing!

Have a wonderful walk!

[gannybun]

Thank you Dee!

Typically what is the sun rise and sundown on the OLT on late jan/early feb?
is having a EPIRB necessary?

[RonK]

so there is a place to put the bigpack. in the event if there is rain?

[Strider]

Is that quite an old photo Ron? I don't remember any cordwood at Pelion Gap when there in September.

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[RonK]

Is that quite an old photo Ron? I don't remember any cordwood at Pelion Gap when there in September.

Hehe - yes, how time flies. That was in 2004.

But it was still there when I visited in 2005...

And in 2008...

[Strider]

I was probably too busy looking at the view

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[north-north-west]

I think that cording is gone and the platform has been enlarged a little.

edit: yes. These shots are from 2009.

Attachments

[Strider]

Thanks NNW. I knew I wasn't imagining things!

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[Azza]

Thank you Dee!

Typically what is the sun rise and sundown on the OLT on late jan/early feb?
is having a EPIRB necessary?

At the moment is about 5:50am sunrise to 8:50pm sunset - heaps of daylight hours this time of year.

Opinions are going to differ on the EPIRB / PLB.
At this time of year there will be plenty of people on the track, rangers and hut wardens around to assist if something happens.
I guess you need consider what happens if your on a side trips, lost or between huts alone and something goes wrong.
How will they find you?

The proper politically correct answer is yes you probably should carry one if walking solo.
If you do end up being rescued no doubt you'll be criticised if you don't have one.

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?id=7364

[gannybun]

Thank you Dee!

Typically what is the sun rise and sundown on the OLT on late jan/early feb?
is having a EPIRB necessary?

At the moment is about 5:50am sunrise to 8:50pm sunset - heaps of daylight hours this time of year.

Opinions are going to differ on the EPIRB / PLB.
At this time of year there will be plenty of people on the track, rangers and hut wardens around to assist if something happens.
I guess you need consider what happens if your on a side trips, lost or between huts alone and something goes wrong.
How will they find you?

The proper politically correct answer is yes you probably should carry one if walking solo.
If you do end up being rescued no doubt you'll be criticised if you don't have one.

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?id=7364

Thank you! Azza!
At the moment is about 5:50am sunrise to 8:50pm sunset -> GREAT! 8.5PM SUNSET! that is more than 12hrs of daylight!

i am doing OLT solo, i guess its better to have one in case one is down on luck.
2. The PLB is to be returned to the PWS location or Service Tasmania shop stated on this form by 5pm on the
nominated Return Date.
Can we rent from Launceston and return it in Hobart?-> they didnt quite state it in the t&c.


Not sure if this is the correct place to ask. i am probably renting a tent. any idea how does one set up a tent?
the only time i did set up a tent was when i was a boy scout when i was 10.
apologies if the question come off too vague.

[RonK]

Thanks NNW. I knew I wasn't imagining things!

Astonishing - that's a lot of cordwood which has disappeared. Where could it have gone? Burned perhaps, have there been fires? Surely not felled?

[Lophophaps]

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask. i am probably renting a tent. any idea how does one set up a tent?
the only time i did set up a tent was when i was a boy scout when i was 10.
apologies if the question come off too vague.

If renting the hire company should have instructions, and may be able to let you put the tent up before you leave the shop. Most tents are reasonably simple. I suggest putting it up and taking it down few times before you leave.

It's quite important to have a tent that has the fly go up first. If it's raining and the inner goes up first the inner gets wet. Make sure that you have enough pegs. They may not be necessary on camping platforms but if you have to camp between huts the pegs will be needed. Choose a horizontal flat spot away from likely streams that appear after rain. A mate was caught on this point in Tassie - nice ground, smooth, flat, and a dry creek bed that became very wet when it rained.

[north-north-west]

Thanks NNW. I knew I wasn't imagining things!

Astonishing - that's a lot of cordwood which has disappeared. Where could it have gone? Burned perhaps, have there been fires? Surely not felled?

I think some of it may have been used to harden parts of the Ossa track.

[Nuts]

Ongoing up there over summer, some stonework on Ossa approach, new composite fibre grid in places.
Most of the older cord is stacked out of sight/flown elsewhere. A lot is in poor condition.

[RonK]

Thanks NNW. I knew I wasn't imagining things!

Astonishing - that's a lot of cordwood which has disappeared. Where could it have gone? Burned perhaps, have there been fires? Surely not felled?

I think some of it may have been used to harden parts of the Ossa track.

Sad - I don't think its removal has improved the landscape.