Tas Parks Rangers

[Roger]

I rang the Ranger at Lake St Clair to ask about track conditions between Lake St Clair and Narcissus and Pine Valley, Acropolis and Labyrinth. At the time the Ranger advised that track conditions were difficult, particularly after the recent heavy snows.

Notwithstanding the Rangers detailed information, I thought I would give Pine Valley a go. Next day the Ranger called me back to advise me that, if I was still intent on going, the track conditions around Pine Valley, Labryith and Acropolis had worsened and that I should give serious consideration to NOT doing the walk at this time.

I decided to take the Rangers advice and probably for the wiser.

I also contacted the Rangers in Queenstown and Cradle Mountain for details on Frenchmans Cap and Overland Track respectively and was similarly advised.

I would like to openly express my thanks to the Tas Parks Rangers. They do a fabulous job and often for little recognition but always supporting the bushwalking community in a friendly and caring way.

Women and men, voluntary and paid who work the tracks of Tassie ....... I salute you.

[GPSGuided]

Nice Rangers! But based on write ups here, some walkers seemed to relish in those conditions.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

What they achieve on a shoestring budget is remarkable. I have always found the Rangers excellent, except for one twit who I was assured via PM had pulled his head in since.

The track workers are amazing too. I know they are private contractors, but the father/son team who have been on the OLT for the last few years always say hi and seem to smash out serious metres.

I guess you'd have to love your job and be committed to conservation to survive in those sorts of jobs.

[north-north-west]

Great people for the most part.
I went for a little walk out of Cynthia Bay a week back, leaving around 3:15. Almost all the tracks were officially closed and when a Ranger saw me heading off with a full pack he stopped to check where I was going. When I told him he just checked I had snowshoes, maps and PLB and sent me on my way rejoicing.
I like a man who knows when he's dealing with someone who knows what they're doing.

[Roger]

Good in the Ranger. Enough people head off on multi day hikes ill prepared and under informed. Some of the people I have come across on the trails are 'accidents waiting to happen'. A couple of years ago I was doing a winter walk on the OLT and came across 3 nurses from Sydney at Waterfall Valley who were multi day hiking for the first time. Snow was thick and their plan was to wait for me to head off and then follow in my footsteps. I suggested they turn around and head back to Cradle Lodge.