Mt Ossa Summit, the highest peak in Tasmania

I am writing this blog entry, first, because of the recent sad news from the ABC broadcast of a 56 year old man, who fell to his death on the short steep slope section of the Mt Ossa summit track.

I attempted this track recently and would not encourage others, who are interested in “peak bagging”, to tackle this summit in slippery and/or misty conditions. 

It took me almost a full day for the walk and climb from Pelion Hut to the summit of Mt Ossa and back; at least 4 hours for the side trip with the start and finish at Pelion Gap on the Overland Track (OT) and over 2 hours go and return from Pelion Hut to Pelion Gap.

Having arrived at Pelion Hut and Camp via The Arm River Walking Track with the start at The Mersey Forest Road the day before, the Mt Ossa side trip was next, then a pack-carrying trip plan to Paddys Nut for two nights.

This was my second climb to Mt Ossa summit.  My first one had been (over 15 years ago?) with a few members from a walking group based in Melbourne–Victoria.  From memory, it had been cloudy when we had reached the summit.  The recent solo experience was unlike the group trip and the day’s conditions were calm and so clear, with superb panaromic views, unlike a previous solo trip on the OT, with a full pack, a few years ago, when the side trip had to be abandoned due to overcast conditions.

The first section of the summit track is the walk up to Mt Doris, where there are some good views on fine days.  A few OT walkers, that I spoke to at Pelion Hut, planned to only walk to Mt Doris. 

The track to Mt Ossa summit is well-maintained and marked.  There was one short steep slope section and I think that could be the location, in which the incident took place.

It is worth the climb and I would suggest an early start for your enjoyment.  Here are the photos:

 The gps track: Pelion Hut - Pelion Gap - Mt Ossa Summit

 

Me at Pelion Hut and Camp (left).  Mt Doris and Mt Ossa (right). 

Barn Bluff & Cradle Mountain (L).  Paddys Nut & Pelion West (R)

Mt Ossa's buttresses (L).  Mt Doris and Mt Pelion East (R)

Du Cane Range (L).  The summit plateau (R)

Useful links for walks in Tasmania

The festive season

New Year's Eve - Melbourne Fireworks 2016

I used to get away over the festive season exploring the wilderness and climbing the mountains.  This year I do the indoor 'walk' sorting out the photographs, which were taken on my walking trips in Tasmania early this year.  The areas where I hiked were remote, wild and fragile and I had to watch out my steps to avoid damages such as the cushion plants.  I enjoyed all the walks I did and most of them were in the Central Plateau, and in Cradle Mountain.    

My first walk was a 6-day trip around the Cathedral Mountain via Chapter Lake and Mersey River.   My second trip was a 8-day walk from the Mersey Forest Rd to Traveller Range via Lake Myrtle Track then back to north via the Never Never and Mosses Creek Track.  Based on the advise from a local walker I’d met at Lake Meston during my second trip, a 4-day Pelion loop plan was abandoned.  Instead, I just made it up to Paddy Nut campsite then explored and climbed with a day pack.   

All these walks were on and off tracks.  Route finding and navigational skills were essential.  Phone reception was very poor.  The only message went through when I was on a high point near the Cathdral Mountain.

Chapter Lake (L) -  Unknown tarn with Du Cane Range in the background (R)

 Waterfalls on the walks

Grail Falls, South of Chapter Lake

 

Hartnett, Fergusson and Boulder Falls on the Mersey River 

 Sunset on Lake Myrtle Camp; Mt Rogoona (L) 
Good view of Jupiter Mtns from Lake Eros tentsite (R)

 Clarke Falls (L), west of Junction Lake
and McCoy Falls in The Never Never

 Du Cane Range from Traveller Range (L)

The Acropolis and Mt Geryon from Traveller Range (R)

Camp near Paddys Nut.  Mt Thetis (L) and Mt Ossa (R)  
Click on the link to The Age - Victoria to see Australia - Melbourne fireworks 2015 video show by Fairfax Media.  
And, for some good firework videos, have a look at this in full screen

Otways Tour

Carisbrook Falls, Sabine Falls Walk

Beauchamp Falls, Hopetoun Falls,

and Sheoak Falls

The four waterfalls are accessible by car and short walking tracks with the exception of the Sabine Falls, which is about 2 hour return walk.

 Carisbrook Falls

                                                                        Beauchamp Falls         

                           

 

Hopetoun Falls                                                               

Track to Sabine Falls (L)  Fungi seen on the way (R)

              Sabin Falls

Last day 

Breakie time (L).  Ocean view from the tourist walk to Sheoak Falls (R)

Sheoak Falls

.. and finally, here is a short video of the visited falls - Otways Tour

 Back to  Erskine & Cora Lynn Valleys Circuit

(Lorne Waterfalls - Walk One)

 Back to Wye Falls Area