Hey!
It's been a VERY long time since I've posted on this forum but thought I'd share a few pics from a trip I did last Saturday 18 Oct.
A mate and I left Launceston at 4am and started on the Frenchmans Cap track at 7am, we both enjoy a bit of trail running so the intention was to summit Frenchmans and then out that day.
Weather was favourable, slightly cloudy. The new track that bypasses the Loddons flows really nicely and we made good time. The forested climb up to Vera was slow, as was the section from Vera hut all the way to Barron Pass and that was with light packs on in the order of only 3kg or so! Although slow and hard going, it is all very beautiful nonetheless.
For anyone who's been there, upon reaching Barron Pass the landscape opens up DRAMATICALLY! Wowzers! Barron Pass all the way to Tahune and then to the summit is just absolutely exquisite, it was a real joy to be moving through the mountains in the manner we were, a trail runners heaven!
Although we had not been aware of any wind that day, it was quite cold and blowy on top, even some snow still sitting around. We sat down at 12:30 for some food and enjoyed the vista. After 30mins we were starting to feel cold very quickly so made a start back. Again the trail all the way through to Barron Pass is just breathtaking, we were pinching ourselves and really didn't want to leave!
Back to the car by 6:30pm after a quick and very fresh wash in the Franklin River, 5.5hrs each way. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday!
Here's a few pics, nothing fancy, combination of compressed iPhone and GoPro photos. For anyone who's interested, here's a link to the Garmin/Strava file from the day: http://app.strava.com/activities/208653717
Cheers
Phil