EOI - Western Arthurs Full Traverse Expedition - G6+ - 11+ days

This is an expression of interest. Start dates are approximate and open to negotiation based on ferry and flight connections. Generally 2nd half of January, Ealry Feb.

This is a Grade 6+ trip, with a Scramble grade of B- - Guide to activity grading
Important risk and safety notice about high grade trips - here

You may be required to make your own way to Scotts peak, I may be open to picking and dropping people off at Hobart for flights.

You will need a Tasmanian Parks Pass to enter national park areas

The Western Arthurs is one of the best and most challenging sub alpine walks in Australia with spectacular to simply sublime views of SW Tasmania and its glacial landforms and spectacular alpine lakes and cirques, that are only exceeded by what's In New Zealand.
This hike and scramble in my opinion is well beyond bushwalking and more akin to basic mountaineering with its remoteness and prolonged technical scrambling.
Therefore, the trip is only open to very experienced mountain explorers with some (known) climbing and scrambling experience. Generally, due to the objective risks I won't take anybody I don't know and/or without hefty hiking or climbing/scrambling experience.

If you are injured about the only way off this trip is helicopter rescue. Like all trips this will require a waiver/indemnity to be signed to participate.

I've done this before about 6 years ago and it required extensive pack hauling and construction of safety lines and improvised lowers and abseils (with the group I was with). It can be done without this,and also run!!! in a day but as an experienced climber and mountaineer I think you'll be mad to try it without basic rope techniques to mitigate the risk, especially with packs and it's also worth salivating the experience over many days. There are a few hairy descents on this traverse down sheer cliffs on tree roots and ramps composed of slippery shales which add to the fun??

Last time I got off at Moraine K, the usual exit but this time I would like to do the full traverse to the Western Portal and perhaps spend the night at Pass creek (First campsite on the Eastern Arthurs) before returning to Scotts peak via the cracroft plains - by itself an exquisite experience. Having done the Eastern arthurs, as well, the area is sublime so spending an extra day in this part of the world is very worthwhile.

I would expect that people would be able to climb an indoor grade 16 cleanly to demonstrate sufficient surplus strength for the trip.

Distances are short but the going is technical and slow with a lot of scrambling etc, creek crossings. I don't know where Chapman gets his times from lol. The start of the track (and end) can be exceptionally muddy and slippery. Packing for this expedition should be a studied operation and going as light as possible is a must, Preferably 4 season or very good 3 season (geodesic, tunnel or pyramid) tents are strongly recommended - freestanding are beneficial.
It can snow, blizzard or blow a 140km/hr gale in this area so preparation is very important. I would also recommend sharing tents and cooking gear for this trip as tent spaces are limited on the traverse.

A tentative itinerary is as follows:

• Day 1: Scotts Peak Dam/Huon Campground to Junction Creek Campground 4.3 mi / 7 km
• Day 2: Junction Creek Campground to Lake Cygnus 4.54 mi / 7.3 km
• Day 3: Lake Cygnus to Lake Oberon 2.6 mi / 4.2 km
• Day 4: Lake Oberon to High Moor 2.6 mi / 4.3 km
• Day 5: High Moor to Haven Lake 2.36 mi / 3.8 km
• Day 6: Haven Lake to Promontory Lake 2.8 mi / 4.5 km
• Day 7: Promontory Lake to Lake Rosanne 5.9 mi / 9.5 km
• Day 8: Lake Rosanne to Cracroft Crossing 3.7 mi / 6 km
• Day 9: Cracroft Crossing to Junction Creek Campground ~9.3 mi / 15 km?
• Day 10: Junction Creek Campground to Scotts Peak Dam/Huon Campground 4.3 mi / 7 km

An extra day at Pass creek may be part of the plan. - On day 8 - instead of going to cracroft crossing (Not a very nice campsite). Day 9 will be from Pass creek to Seven mile creek (much nicer campsite).

More info:
https://www.subw.org.au/2021/01/29/western-arthurs-traverse/
https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/southwest-national-park/western-arthur-range

The trip is waitlisted. Generally if I don't know you I may not accept you as I need to know that you can scramble and are confident in technical terrain and extended hikes. To train, go indoor climbing and hiking with the group.