Hello,
I recently completed the Southern Ranges Traverse solo, from Ida Bay through to Cockle Creek in December/January 2023 - https://youtu.be/UdTBL8BJguw
I spent new years day up on Precipitous Bluff - what an amazing place to welcome in the new year! I walked in the entire range in 7 days, walking approximately 96km including over 5000m of ascent.
My itinerary and general notes are as follows:
Day 1: Ida Bay to Pigsty Ponds - approx 7 hours
Day 2: Pigsty Ponds to Pandani Knob - approx 10 hours
Climbed Mt La Perouse and Pindars Peak
Had a fantastic sunset up on Pandani Knob. I carried approx 4 litres of water from Ooze Lake as I knew there was no water at Pandani Knob.
Day 3: Pandani Knob to Wylly Plateau - approx 6 hours, 9 hours including side trips
Climbed Mt Wylly and Mt Victoria Cross
Scrub was thick but it's not too bad if you are prepared for it - gloves and clothing.
Got lost coming out of Leaning Tee Tree saddle. Had to bash through some horizontal scrub to find the track.
There was a small pool on the Wylly Plateau to collect water. Otherwise there was a bigger pool on the way to Mt Victoria Cross.
Day 4: Wylly Plateau to PB High Camp - approx 6 hours
More dense scrub. I really didn't enjoy the boulders and scrub on Kameruka Moraine.
Water was collected from the waterfall on PB.
Incredible views at PB summit. Got smashed by winds after 1am. A group of 3 whom camped up near the summit bailed at 2am.
Day 5: PB to Suprise Bay - approx 12 hours
I was originally going to camp at Cavern Camp but the mosquitos put me off so I decided to keep going. The wade was actually really enjoyable minus all the tiger snakes whom decided to setup home on the banks - for this reason I kept mainly in the water.
Day 6: Surpise Bay to South Cape Rivulet - approx 6.5 hours
Day 7: South Cape Rivulet to Cockle Creek - approx 3 hours
I managed to get a lift back to my car from a solo walker on the SCT.
Overall it was an incredible walk and an achievement to complete solo. I got incredible weather (only a bit of rain on one of the nights).
I filmed the entire journey for anyone who wants to watch - https://youtu.be/UdTBL8BJguw