Frenchmans Cap Tasmania , The best hike in australia ? Maybe... 

Thanks for dropping by Nigel , yes 20 years ago I do not even want to think how muddy it was , and the guys would have been different, so well done , probably looking at doing mount Anne later this in Tasmania 👍 thank you

West coast is amazing and probably expect any type of conditions , but as we saw following rain it produces amazing mists and vistas , breathtaking, completely different from the mainland, enjoy it as it’s quite an unforgettable experience 😊

Big congratulations 👏 you must have struggled to keep your head above the mud plains in those days , I heard it was a huge struggle in those days , the huts also were bit different if one was relying on them . Did you do Mt Anne by any chance ?

Thanks for visiting

Thank you 🙏 well that’s an excellent question . There is a couple of interesting dynamics that I might mention . It’s easier to manage logistically if from Tasmania and with own car . We spotted an opening during Covid and flew from Melbourne on a Thursday morning first flight and last flight out on Sunday . If I could do it differently I would fly in the day before organise a car on that day and also get the gas canisters organised at the shops . Unfortunately there was stuffing around with the car and getting gas. We did not leave till about 10.30 or maybe even 11. So that’s a first point . If you want to sleep in the tent or cabin is another consideration. You need to leave early to get a spot in the cabin . The campgrounds at both cabins are on boards with chains so not ideal to perfectly set up the tents , and we all had at least two extra guy lines so the fly does did not touch the inner tent . Given the area gets huge amount of rain you want to set up your tent as properly as possible . There is a soggy area on the other side of the cabin where one can pitch couple of tents but there is trees overhanging and leeches everywhere. The cabin is pretty old but accommodates a few people with a fire place . It was a bit rowdy when we were there . Also some people turned up after us and there was no room on the boards, I can’t recall but the boards I think might fitted about 8 tents or so. I would leave early for the next leg as it’s a full day . The dick smith funded cabin is amazing either way extraordinary view from the inside . It fits about a dozen and very clean and warm as it has electricity running powered by water fed generator. So renewable. We did manage to get spots inside and it was comfortable but the two people who slept in the tents got a fair bit of buffeting and heavy rain , also not easy to sleep under those conditions and it was easier in the cabin .There is not many places to put the tents and once again it’s on boards. I will say I think there is 10 permits issued per day however some people stay around for 5 or 6 days or longer so accomodation space can be tight . Going to the summit one needs to take water but you don’t want to take your pack with you . I would recommend some sort of basic cloth bag on two strings that does not take much space to put a bottle of water and some snacks in , you don’t want to carry them on you , I put them into the pockets of my big rain jacket however not ideal scenario, so that’s what I would do differently. If you are thinking of heading back on that day to camp 1 then leave early for summit as when you head back to camp 1 on the same day you want to get a decent camp spot. Hiking poles essential to camp 2 as it’s very slippery. Also you should have at least mid or full boots as you don’t want to do an ankle there . Remote but extremely beautiful part of Tasmania , any injuries they would need to get a chopper I think . When we were there over 4 days it rained 2.5 days and heavy not like what we get here In Melbourne. Gear wise we are all seasoned hikers in oz and also in the Himalayan and the European alps. Everyone was fit . We usually do one hike daily per month and overnight every second month . Apart from that for me I cycle to work in cbd so that’s 20km and carry 6kg pack . So reasonably fit albeit unlike others I don’t do gym . In terms of our gear we have top notch as if in the remote places you don’t want anything to go wrong . My pack is osprey Aetha 85l , bit too big for this but very comfortable but you probably could do with 65 to 75 depends how efficient you are . Friends did this hike in 3 days previously , I would stay longer as long as possible if one enjoys nature . We have a group going there as they completed the overland and Frenchman’s cap is a step up on that . I would not do it in winter and only do it the other 6 months of the year. I had a problem with my scarpas as I lost one sole on second day and the other the next day , they were only used once in the Himalayas and were about 3 years old so scarpa is a good brand and I think I was just unlucky . Also my trusty xped r7 endured two Kilimanjaro trips and after 15 years it actually partially died on me on one side so that’s also why I wanted to sleep inside the cabin up higher up . Xped is a good brand and I use thermarest r7 at the moment , smaller and as warm as the xped but not as comfortable. Also to add I would not do this trip as solo hiker as if something happens , break a leg or what ever , the area is too remote . Anyway I think I probably cover it , good luck with your trip and the better preparation the more rewarding experience it will be .👌 let me know if you have any more questions 👌

Thank you Peter for your generous comments, i just cannot imagine how it was when you did it in 2 days during the sodden lodden days, incredible, and then again, the older gent in our group is one of the fittest people i know , fitter than me , and heading off to europe in march to do the Camino 775km, we flew up from melbourne on thursday and flew back on sunday and i have to say so far its the most beautiful hike in oz that i have done, its simply stunning, we are hoping to do mt anne sometime this year, Tasmania has a lot to offer, best of luck with your hiking peter :)

Thank you for your generous comments and dropping by, Tasmania in its glory definetely offers something different to the mainland , thanking you rob

You are very right , it takes time and if I was to do it again I would make sure I fly from Melbourne to Hobart the day before and leave the day after , otherwise it’s tight timewise and logistics of picking up and dropping a car hire , enjoy it as it’s unforgettable experience and the rain adds to the mystique of the place 😊

Yup, I turned around at that steep bit where they had to climb sideways along the rock wall. Wasn't sure how to do it safely.

@@jamesrowlands8971 it makes it tricky when it’s wet which I guess it usually is , some of the yoga fans in our group were better prepared 😊

Thank you fir dropping by , it’s an under appreciated state and yes scenery is stunning thank you

You are quite right there is a few , Tasmania’s hikes seem to be a bit more exotic/primeval, hard to find it on the mainland and peaks are more European in nature 👍

@@youradventure0710 True. But I do remember a hike in the NSW blue mountains. Incredible. Still, a few walks I've had around my home in Rosebery do remind me of Gondwana. Australia is awesome.

@@peterblair6489 yes nsw is beautiful and blue mountains are special , another world when one descends into it and only on the edge of a big city 👍

Thank you Neil, he is actually Polish , and he has run over 30 marathons in his life around the world and the most focused person that I know , no shortcuts for him and he just came back from walking the 750km or so of the Camino in Europe . Positive energy is important . Thank you kindly 😊

@@youradventure0710 wow he's a rare breed happy new.year

He definitely is , thank you and happy adventures in 2023 👍

Thank you , yes his knees are not the best well spotted but he is actually going on the 775 km Camino in a few months , ex marathon runner . We are from Melbourne so we only had 4 days We did not know anything about the cave? , is it somewhere on the trail?

@@youradventure0710 John Chapman's book ill say no more that's ya hint haha take care yes all good check my channel for Tas hikes

Thank you , they were Scarpas , I had them in Nepal for three weeks for the EBC about a year before and that was the next hike when we went to Tasmania, I was surprised as they are a reputable brand , maybe they did not like the moisture but funny thing my other one pretty much went as well on that trip , perhaps they don’t like moisture , I have had a lot more success with Merrell shoes brand , in the outdoors I tend to stick to good brands , thank you

Thank you , we did it over 4 days at Easter, two days it rained albeit not heavy and 2 days good weather , when we finished and started packing gear into the van the rain came down heavily. The week before the whole area was under snow , it’s really spectacular and I would do it again .

Thank you