Last week I visited a forest in North East Tasmania. Comprising predominantly Myrtle Beech trees or Nothofagus Cunninghamii, an ancient tree dating back to the time of Gondwanaland, I was hoping to capture some good alpine forest images.
Because backcountry ski boots are made to be much lighter than downhill ski boots without compromising performance or durability, backcountry ski boots use far more advanced materials including carbon fibre, Grillamid & Pebax. Subsequently, these boots require specialised tools, and extra skill and understanding to fit and modify them successfully.
In the backcountry one of the best things you can do to increase your chances of rescue if required is to leave detailed information about your intended journey with a reliable person. Someone who loves you or cares about you & is going to know you are missing.
There is a plant in south west Tasmania called horizontal scrub. It’s called that because it grows up vertically and falls down horizontally, then more shoots sprout up from those horizontal branches. So not very friendly to bushwalkers.
Perform a thorough check of all your gear & equipment at the start of each season & prior to every tour, it pays to be at a heightened state of preparedness ready to make the most of favourable conditions. If meeting a group at the trailhead, as well as talking over the intended route the night before you should have discussed the possibility of any shared equipment. Each individual should have their gear checked prior to commencement on the day by the group.
Last week most of the restrictions for movement within Tasmania were lifted with the majority of national parks also being accessible. I chose to visit a new area (for me) on the southern side of the Ben Lomond Massif. There is a relatively short track that climbs from Storeys Creek (population 1) up onto the plateau next to Stacks Bluff and that plateau was my destination.
Shopping for a new tent is a complex task with many choices that may look very similar. With pitfalls aplenty we've compiled these 7 questions you should ask when shopping for a new tent.
...on the morning that the reserves were to be opened, I was awake at 3am, on the road by 4am and walking away from the car in the foothills of Mount Wellington at 5am.
My five favourite Mont gear picks after a winter and summer season in the European Alps with over 200 days of climbing, skiing and paragliding in the mountains from shorter day hits to multi day adventures.
Thinking your tour through in its entirety as best you can helps to formulate a realistic & achievable experience. Due consideration will identify weaknesses which can be averted allowing you to maximise your day & increase your safety margin. Contingency plans are a must allowing you to have a Plan B if required & cater for unexpected accidents, illness or mechanical failure.
A few years ago I was thinking about my first major expedition. Being a keen sea kayaker and living in Tasmania, the choice was pretty obvious, paddle from mainland Australia across Bass Strait to Tasmania. This was 2011 and I was 55 years old so I decided I needed to get cracking and plan the paddle before I got too old, it’s a long paddle!
I have visited the Walls of Jerusalem dozens of times over the years but for some reason I had never walked the Junction Lake track. So it was time to do a little exploring. I climbed the usual track up past Trapper’s Hut, disturbing a beautiful, sleek black Tiger snake on the way. It wasn’t long before the Junction Lake track branched off and new country was ahead. It was a fast, easy walk down to Lake Adelaide, followed by a somewhat slower twist/turn down to a really attractive campsite at Lake Meston.
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