Are gaiters needed mid Febuary?

[scus]

Hello,I've got OLT booked for Feb 17th, so am just finalising gear and wondering if gaiters are actually needed?
I will be in shorts and trail runners.

Thank you

[bluewombat]

I for one would take gaiters, particularly if you are going to do some side trips off the main track. Also helps keep bits out of your shoes
cheers
BW

[scus]

Thank you for the response .
I am planning on doing side trips so will pack some gaiters I think then.
I usually don't wear gaiters for much more than keeping shoes clear of things, so only have trail runner ones. Are snakes a real concern on the OLT?
Thanks

[bluewombat]

Meeting a tiger snake on the OLT would not be out of the question, but if you keep your eyes open and leave them alone they will not be a problem. You are more likely to see a whiptail aka white lipped snake, these are much smaller, still venomous but their size means they are very unlikely to bite
BW

[matagi]

Meeting a tiger snake on the OLT would not be out of the question, but if you keep your eyes open and leave them alone they will not be a problem. You are more likely to see a whiptail aka white lipped snake, these are much smaller, still venomous but their size means they are very unlikely to bite
BW

I was under the impression whiptails were notoriously shy and you were therefore unlikely to see one. That said, my husband saw one on our OLT trip in November. We also saw 3 tiger snakes on that trip.

[ILUVSWTAS]

They are shy and timid creatures but they are very common and regularly seen.

[scus]

Thank you for the information, much appreciated!

[lc130]

Only 3 species of snake in Tas. All 3 are venomous but also shy. Thousands of people see snakes but very few are bitten and even fewer die. Only one recorded bushwalker has ever died from snake bite in Tas. That was in 1948, on the OLT between Pelion Hut and Pelion Gap, in 1948. So, it's not worth worrying about. Not falling off a cliff edge and not doing your ankle, leg or arm (sprain/break) are the most important issues.