East Pelion summit attempt

[WOFTT]

Hi fellow walkers

During our recent Overland walk when we reached the Mt Ossa turnoff I decided to go up East Pelion by myself. Although not a difficult climb I did struggle a little with the route. It was well marked at the start of the trail but became increasingly more difficult to find the trail as I ascended. I did find the cairns people had built, but then stuggled as I reached the the base without knowing where to begin scrambling. I re-checked the map to be sure and it seems straight up was the way. I did a little scramnbling and got about half way up the final part but it seemed more difficult than I had imagined. (we did ascend Cradle Mt on the way and I did not find that hard going).

Can anyone give me some idea as to how to get up to the top? Perhaps being by myself may have been a factor. (chicken)

Also I came across lots of little green lizards about 3 - 4 " long . Does anybody know the name of these little beasties???

Finally on decent I stepped over a green snake about foot long. It was dark green in colour. So I would be keen to know what type of snake this was.

WOFTT.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Green snake?? Must have been a whip snake if it was small. These are usually a pale colour though!!

[Taurë-rana]

The little whippy I saw on Saturday was dark green too. Very cute these are, especially when you're wearing gaiters they couldn't possibly bite through. I haven't ever seen them aggressive though.

[corvus]

G'day WOFTT,
The scramble /climb to the top of Pelion East is just that so dont feel bad if you missed out as you just pick your own climb.
Little green lizard would have been most probably the southern grass skink and the Green sake most definitely a white lipped whip snake
corvus

[WOFTT]

G'day WOFTT,
The scramble /climb to the top of Pelion East is just that so dont feel bad if you missed out as you just pick your own climb.
Little green lizard would have been most probably the southern grass skink and the Green sake most definitely a white lipped whip snake
corvus

Thanks corvus,

I googled an image of the southern grass skink and that is the beastie all right. Hundreds of them sunning on the rocks.

I use to catch whip snakes in Sydney bushland and they are a slate grey colour but it looked very much the same size and type.

Here is an image - bad as it is i missed the head doh!

[ollster]

Can anyone give me some idea as to how to get up to the top? Perhaps being by myself may have been a factor. (chicken)

Did you follow the cairns around the left of the summit block and up the gulley?

[MJD]

As Ollster points out you need to traverse around to the left a bit when you reach the cliffs. It is then an easy scramble up an obvious and cairned gully. Nothing hard at all.

Of course, it's always easier with a bit of moral support or if you've been there before.

[Drifting]

G'day WOFTT,
The scramble /climb to the top of Pelion East is just that so dont feel bad if you missed out as you just pick your own climb.
Little green lizard would have been most probably the southern grass skink and the Green sake most definitely a white lipped whip snake
corvus

Thanks corvus,

I googled an image of the southern grass skink and that is the beastie all right. Hundreds of them sunning on the rocks.

I use to catch whip snakes in Sydney bushland and they are a slate grey colour but it looked very much the same size and type.

Here is an image - bad as it is i missed the head doh!

What are refered to as Whip Snakes in Tassie are known as White-Lipped Snakes on the mainland, and the whipsnakes that you would have been catching in Sydney, while they look similar, are a different species.

[bushrunner]

Saw this little guy on the track beside Lake Salome a couple of weeks ago.

[WOFTT]

As Ollster points out you need to traverse around to the left a bit when you reach the cliffs. It is then an easy scramble up an obvious and cairned gully. Nothing hard at all.

Of course, it's always easier with a bit of moral support or if you've been there before.

Ah ha! Thanks Ollster and MJD

I will remember that on my next trip.

Woftt.