Overland Booked for Jan 2014

[blockhead101]

I am so excited...I have booked the walk for myself My husband and our 10 yo Son for Jan 2014.
We camp often and do a fare bit of bushwalking however never hiked and camped in the same trip so are in the process of buying all the propper hiking gear.. The Sleeping bags however have me so very frustrated.. I am hoping i can get some recomendations.
Obviously i do not want to spend a $$$$$$ however i clearly do not want any of us to freeze to death either. Any good recomendations. I was looking at the Vango range but on the forums here, there seems to be a bit of negativity towards them.
Also does anyone know how much it is to hire a emergency beacon (we never carry one usually however i am thinking it may be a good idea due to the duration and isolation)

Any good tips on what we should definately take or food ideas are welcome.

Thanks

[Nuts]

If you want piece of mind you might want a sleeping bag with a compliance (see EN rating /numbers for expected temperature limits) quoted in the advertising, anything else is usually exaggerated (not always). Jan is usually ok but maybe not- a heat wave or snow.

There are so many options your best bet would be to get the model names and post them on here. Vango will most surely be over-rated i'd expect (eg. just going on the weight and down quality this one could be cold for some at -3c: http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/vango-v ... pAodlFsA-A )

[tastrax]

You can hire beacons from Parks - http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=7364

I think they also have them on first come, first served basis at Cradle Mountain as well. Pick up at Cradle and drop at Lake St Clair. Give them a call to check it out.

Cradle Mountain

4057 Cradle Mountain Road
Cradle Mountain TAS 7310
Phone: 03 6492 1110
Fax: 03 6492 1120
Email: [email protected]

[Peaksnik]

PLBs can be hired also from Paddy Pallin in Launceston.

[Pongo]

And if you're going via Devonport instead of Launny you can get PLBs from the Discover Tasmania centre there (I think that's what it's called). For memory it's around $30 a week.

As for bags, yeah buying 3 bags could get seriously expensive. A cheap way out whilst getting a very reliable bag is to source a hire bag. My local that hires bags does so for about 30-40 for a week.

We got a heatwave in March this year when I went, I never even zipped my bag up. Also, don't forget decent ear plugs .

Have fun Blockhead, it's an amazing experience.

[matagi]

If you don't want to spend $$$$$$$$$$ on a sleeping bag and want something reasonable, the Kathmandu Columbus (-3C limit rating) would work fine - I used mine at New Pelion Hut in October and was perfectly comfortable, if not a little warm.

They are currently on sale at $180.

[Julies]

If you don't want to spend $$$$$$$$$$ on a sleeping bag and want something reasonable, the Kathmandu Columbus (-3C limit rating) would work fine - I used mine at New Pelion Hut in October and was perfectly comfortable, if not a little warm.

They are currently on sale at $180.

Or you could try velogear, oland down bags and get three for just a tad more. I have use one for two tears, and its okay. I find it warm in base layers down to about 5c. With mid layers its okay to zero.

http://www.velogear.com.au/outdoors/cam ... g-bag.html

Julie

[Strider]

(we never carry one usually however i am thinking it may be a good idea due to the duration and isolation)

Just on this point, consider that it only takes one fall/snake/medical condition and no mobile coverage to find yourself in real strife. It makes little difference if you are 40km or 4km from civilisation if no one knows exactly where you are or whether you are in trouble. Accidents can happen anywhere, any time.

[Shorty]

How did you go blockhead101? Very exciting, I'm booked in for mid Feb, so any feedback you have as a beginner would be great. Hoping I can get away with using my old childhood sleeping bag, but no idea what it's rating is.

[braddon79]

Hey Team, I am booked for the 22nd Feb with my 3 good mates. Cant wait. Love to hear how its going. Looks very hot currently, no doubt it will pour rain if i am down their though!

[Shorty]

It seems you'll be getting there the day after I leave braddon79. I'm sure at least one of us is bound to get some good weather in that time, right?

[peter-robinson]

I went early March last year and had beautiful weather - 18deg days & blue skies. The only bad weather was the horizontal rain & sleet the morning we were going to climb mt Ossa. The rest of the day was lovely. I hope you get equally lucky

[braddon79]

Hey Fellow Hikers,
yes i am hoping for some good weather, the long term outlook is ok, but I am sure as soon as they hear I am heading that way it will either fry or freeze. Shorty, you never know your luck no doubt we will pass somewhere... airport or downtown launceston. Who knows.
Cheers. and bring on the weather!