Friday, March 04, 2016 Coincidentally the French(Belgians?) and I both got up at 6:00 AM, making us the best of roommates - almost. One of them snored and had a comically loud air mattress. I once received a complaint about my Thermarest Neoair, but his mattress sounded like a thunderstorm. I have no idea what …
Tag: Backpacking
Overland Track Day 3: Rocks, Rocks, Rocky Rocks
Thursday, March 03, 2016 At dusk yesterday I walked with the Belgians to Lake Windermere to look for platypuses, but none revealed themselves in the dim light. The night was chilly and my new sleeping bag overestimated, so I kept getting cold, waking up and adding layers. The Belgians got cold as well and moved …
Continue reading Overland Track Day 3: Rocks, Rocks, Rocky Rocks
Overland Track Day 2: Lakes
Wednesday, March 02, 2016 Everyone in the hut went to bed soon after sunset yesterday, but one man started talking to his hiking partner in the dark about Europe and train fares. I laughed silently. Eventually a woman asked him to stop and he said 'what? We're going to sleep already?'. No, we were lying …
Overland Track Day 1: Not Dead Yet
Tuesday, March 01, 2016 I'm not dead yet, therefore today was a net success! Sadly the weather was not my friend or even a casual Facebook contact. It was a continuation of the day before, windy and cold and damp. I took the first shuttle at 8:15 AM (free) to the Ronny Creek car park, …
Overland Track Pre-Hike 3: Unconventional
Monday, February 29, 2016 I took the McDermott shuttle from Lanceston to Cradle Mountain today. Unexpectedly the shuttle was part of a day tour, so the driver was providing information in a stream-of-consciousness type of way, including points like 'there are some people over there, I'm not sure what they're doing' and 'there's a student …
Overland Track Pre-Hike 2: Launceston
Sunday, February 28, 2016 Launceston has a good selection of hiking/camping stores, parks and signs directing you to public washrooms, so it's basically heaven. I purchased a fuel canister and enough food to remind me of the downside of eight days in the wilderness, deciding after feeling the weight of my pack to not return …
Overland Track Pre-Hike 1: Lady
Saturday, February 27, 2016 I flew from Sydney to Launceston today. The security employees were suspicious of my water filter and Steripen and rummaged through everything in my carry-on, which was a plastic bag filled with random items. A man also swabbed my boots and pockets and asked 'are you under or over 16?' ... …
Overland Track: Introduction
https://www.flickr.com/photos/187104378@N07/49679773013/in/dateposted-public/ No thanks, but recommendation noted. Friday, February 26, 2016 Tasmania's Overland Track, a 65 kilometre hike (82 kilometres if the walk around Lake St. Clair is included), will be a relatively short test for my right foot after a persistent injury I sustained almost two years ago. The government claims that '92 percent of …
The Heysen 81: More Advice Than You Never Asked for
So now you're interested in walking the Heysen, right? You're ready for a solitary and sometimes challenging journey? When to walk: Autumn and spring have the best weather, but the Heysen can also be walked in winter (North American summer). The parts that cross private property (many many parts) are closed during the Fire Danger …
Continue reading The Heysen 81: More Advice Than You Never Asked for
The Heysen 80: The End
Sunday, November 27, 2016 - 14.58 km My last day on the Heysen! The sky was sunny and I was feeling better than yesterday. I was planning to have breakfast at the Cobbler Creek picnic area, then realized that the picnic area is on an alternate route, so I ate on a random bench overlooking …
The Heysen 79: How Civilized
Saturday, November 26, 2016 - 13.24 km https://flic.kr/p/2inxe5n A few route options were available this morning. I chose the official Heysen route, which heads inland past Deep Creek Waterfall, but the Deep Creek Cove alternate may have been more scenic. The trail was beautiful single track with steps(!) on the steep bits, and I encountered …
The Heysen 78: Black Friday
Friday, November 25, 2016 - 17.28 km The day began with road walking, then a fence-following drop to Tunkalilla Beach. The angle of descent was absurdly steep and I fell once. At the bottom, I met three older men with large and heavy-looking backpacks. I couldn't hear them well over the sound of the ocean …
The Heysen 77: Only Death
Thursday, November 24, 2016 - 11.63 km https://flic.kr/p/2inzzpQ My day began with a short walk over the sand dunes to Waitpinga Beach, where a fisherman told me about sea fishing. Millipedes were wandering far out on the sand, and it reminded me of hikers who lose the trail but don't turn around. Go back! There's …
The Heysen 76: THIS IS WHY
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - 20 km I've been feeling under the weather with a sore throat, but today was my favourite day of this trip. The walk out of Victor Harbor along the ocean was beautiful - the map has it marked as not being trail, but it's actually lovely single-track - and Newland …
The Heysen 75: One Final Zero
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 I decided to take a rest day in Victor Harbor today. I have all the time in the world to finish the HT! Or a week and a half before the trail closes for the fire season. Same diff. I found the type of sunscreen I like, read a book from …
The Heysen 74: Ocean
Monday, November 21, 2016 - 21 km https://www.flickr.com/photos/186593395@N08/49470443078/in/dateposted-public/ Today was special because it was my arrival at the ocean! After however many kilometres, I'm about to start the final section of the HT, and everyone says that it's beautiful. I was planning to bypass Victor Harbor, but I realized that the sunscreen I was gifted …
The Heysen 73: High of 31
Sunday, November 20, 2016 - 34.34 km The wind picked up last night and I was too cold in only my sleeping bag, so I relented and pitched my tent. I thought when I woke up that the air felt strangely warm - the Mount Compass forecast was for a high in the lower twenties …
The Heysen 72: The Bigger Picture
Saturday, November 19, 2016 - 8.44 km I was still undecided when leaving Mount Compass about how far to walk today. The next campsite, Mt. Cone, is only 8.44 km from Mount Compass, but there are no established campsites for 35 km after Mt. Cone. I decided to decide upon arriving at Mt. Cone. https://www.flickr.com/photos/186593395@N08/49470530738/in/dateposted-public/ …
The Heysen 71: Unnecessary Space
Friday, November 18, 2016 Rest day in Mount Compass. The only notable event was when I was walking down the road and an oncoming driver swerved all the way into the other lane to give me space. That's too much space! That's unnecessary space! Black invasive millipedes infest areas of Australia and the caravan park …
The Heysen 70: Gila River Canyons Day
Thursday, November 17, 2016 - 8.56 km The weather was warm when I woke up and hot by 7:30 AM - an AZT Gila River Canyons day. While walking down the road from Finness Conservation Park, I noticed grassy flat spots with 'Private property/no trespassing' signs on the bordering fence. I wonder whether the Finniss …
BANE OF THE TRAIL 