Bushwalk Australia

I heard second-hand that a number of people that started on the 17th pulled out due to the combination of bad weather and lack of appropriate equipment for the conditions. They made it as far as Kitchen Hut but pulled out. Apparently they had plastic ponchos, city clothing and inappropriate footwear. I was told that one was even carrying plastic bags containing gear/clothing!

It's good that they made the decision to pull out but surprising that they didn't pay much attention to the gear advice in the information pack.

you hear this all the time from the staff there. I've heard one tale of a lady setting out with stuff in two grocery bags and nothing more than a loaf of bread to eat.

Last year a German lady I met in a hostel said she walked the Ot with only 7 apples. Proper gear just no food. I still find it hard to believe.

We started OT on 19th Dec in pretty foul conditions...lots of rain and sleet and snow later between Windemere & Pelion, but weren't aware of anyone pulling out, even though some walkers weren't well equipped. Some folk from Nth QLD had opted to leave out their warm gear in order to keep pack weight down and had only shorts and no thermals, adequate rainjackets or overpants...they seemed to be making a dash from one hut to the next and cutting out side trips, but were still enjoying the walk and planning to be better equipped for future walks.

melot wrote:We started OT on 19th Dec in pretty foul conditions...lots of rain and sleet and snow later between Windemere & Pelion, but weren't aware of anyone pulling out, even though some walkers weren't well equipped. Some folk from Nth QLD had opted to leave out their warm gear in order to keep pack weight down and had only shorts and no thermals, adequate rainjackets or overpants...they seemed to be making a dash from one hut to the next and cutting out side trips, but were still enjoying the walk and planning to be better equipped for future walks.

A trip like that really lets you think about what you need and don't need. I have a mental note of gear I won't be taking next time. I've also just replaced my 10 yr old fleece with a much less bulky windproof shell (thanks to the Boxing Day sale).

What day did you reach Narcissus?

We didn't go the whole track this time - had to catch a plane @ Launceston on 23rd, so exited via Arm R. track on 22nd where we were met at the carpark by local friends on 22nd. Not many of the group we started walking with were planning to still be on the track on Xmas Day.