Australia's Hardest Hike | The Western Arthurs, Tasmania
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- The Western Arthurs Traverse is said to be one of Australia's hardest hikes due to its rough terrain and adverse weather conditions. In this video, I solo-hike the Western Arthurs but end up meeting some great people along the way, as well as show you some of my hiking gear and tricks for having a better hiking experience.
00:00 Intro
00:40 Scotts Peak Dam
01:54 Huon River Campground
05:08 Alpha Moraine
05:57 Lake Cygnus Campground
09:50 Lake Oberon Campground
13:18 High Moor Campground
21:18 Haven Lake Campground
24:00 Kappa Moraine
31:56 Junction Creek Campground
32:11 Outro
WEATHER FORECAST
Federation Peak:
www.mountain-forecast.com/pea....
FEATURED HIKING GEAR:
- Mont Moondance 1 Tent
- Carinthia Defence 4 Sleeping Bag (Multicam)
- Bridgedale "Waterproof" Socks
- Injinji Merino Wool Socks
- MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Hiking Stove
- Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot
- Wildo Foldable 600ml Cup
- Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash Pocket Soap
MUSIC
Beyond the Badlands - Silver Maple
www.epidemicsound.com/track/s...
Froot Loops - Jobii
www.epidemicsound.com/track/Y...
Maps - August Wilhelmsson
www.epidemicsound.com/track/u...
The Big Trugh - August Wilhelmsson
Niyama - Van Sandamo
www.epidemicsound.com/track/d...
Paramount Crowing - Ran Aldo
www.epidemicsound.com/track/o...
lassitude - Just Normal
www.epidemicsound.com/track/f...
This video randomly popped up on my recommended feed and it was a really great watch! Keep it up
Awesome, thank you!
I love your respect for the environment as shown by wiping yourself down before a swim and taking your wipes out with you. I remember swimming in that same waterhole after coming down kappa on a similarly hot January day a year earlier. And yeah., the way back to the McKay's track from the water hole isn't easy to find. Glad you found your way back in the end.
Thanks Jim. Yeah, I think we all need to do our part to help preserve these beautiful areas.
After I watched your video I did a little bit of research on the Tassie South West Wilderness and found out what they've done to Lake Pedder 50 years ago. I'm so shocked by this it makes me wanna cry when I look at the before picture of the lake. 😢
I suggest the book 'the world of olegas truhannas'..as some good history of the lake prior to flooding..😊
Great video Alain.
It brought back fond memories of when I did it in 1987.
I rate it as my best hike ever I’ve ever done (that includes all the Great Walks in NZ) because of the duration, remoteness, difficulty and spectacular scenery.
There were no duckboards and tent platforms back when I did it.
It’s good you quickly found your way after becoming ‘lost’. When I used to hike with a bushwalking club, that four letter word was banned. We would say ‘geographically embarrassed’ instead LOL
You are wearing a great hat to protect you from the sun. I have a similar one (French Foreign Legion style). Most people wear baseball caps, which don’t give you 360 degrees protection when you’re out in the sun for long periods.
We had great weather, which fortunately you had for most of the trip. We carried 14 days of food to allow for bad weather. We had great weather, so we had to make a decision: to walk out early or stay for the full 14 days. We chose the latter, camping at each site for 2 nights.
There was no such thing as lightweight gear back then. I carried 34 kg and I only weighed 66 kg back then.
Hi David. Thanks for sharing some of your experience. I can imagine that it would have been quite different back then. Yes, love my hat - I think I prefer it over wide brimmed. I might start using that expression 'Geographically Embarrased" haha. Got more vids in the works, so hope you see them soon. Thanks again
Looks amazing 🤩
Fantastic!
looks amazing. great content mate!!
Outstanding video. Thanks for the experience 👍👌
Cheers to a great vid.
What a beautiful hike and loved your commentary mate well done, looks like an amazing place
Well done for finding that track and enjoy the nature !
Breathtaking intro friend! Outstanding video, shots are stunning.🙌🏻👌👌
Thank you bro
Excellent watch & recommendations…definitely keep it up…love your presentation 🙏🏽✌🏽
Fantastic video. Loved the scenery, sense of adventure, and the vicarious exploration though you sharing this. The narration also had a nice charm and humour.
Love what you're doing, amazing adventure
Thanks so much!
Thankyou for sharing Alain!
Brings back so many memories.
Thankyou for respecting our beautiful wilderness with simple cleanliness measures.
The view is worth the sweat!😊
Thanks. I do my best to respect the environment.
That was incredible. Thanks for going to so much effort to document that for us
Hey mate. Most welcome - I enjoyed doing it.
This looks bloody HARD! Thanks for sharing!
Hard, but great fun. Thanks for the comment 🙂
Lovely video, loved the positive vibes
Thanks so much!!
Great Vid!
Just came across your channel, subbed! I really enjoyed the video. Good mix of commentary and scenery 👍
Thank you mate. So glad you enjoyed it.
Nice work mate! Looks like it was quite the adventure!
Thanks Guys. Definitely worth it.
You are pretty much brave hiking all by yourself . A lovely video thank you .
Yes, thank you. Gotta say the people I met kept me company.
Thanks
Love the food from Strive and love your videos.
Thanks so much
Watching your video hurts my knees haha. Thanks for sharing this incredible video :)
Thank you :)
On my bucket list with YOU 🧸
Really really proud of what have you done there. Aspire to inspire before you expire!
You did so well with the photograph, sound effects, video Compilation and uplifting energy 😂
👏 👏 👏
Thanks Babe! Let's work up to it. Thanks for your support.😘
Really enjoyed your video Alain. I normally follow Scotty’s Gone Walkabout but loved your down to earth approach and the wilder/harder hikes you go on. Keep it up! (and hope your knee’s ok).
Thanks Nikos. Glad you enjoyed the video. I love making these videos wherever I’m fortunate to go. Gotta say, Scotty has some great vids, so glad to know that I’m putting out content that rivals his, haha. Knee is better thanks.
Congrats on 1k subscribers mate! This is the first video time seeing your content and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you!
Thanks very much Jordan. Really glad you enjoyed it.
Watching you pack down your kit after the first night had me in awe. New to hiking, and that set up amazes me! Hoping to do overnighters one day, and this video has given me much inspiration.
Thanks for the comment :) Yeah, you definitely should do an overnighter. Waking up to nature is a great experience.
Well done! What an amazing hike and beautiful scenery. New follower here. Crow
Much appreciated Crow. You got some great videos yourself. Let me know if you make it down to Aussie.
Loved the video Bro, you killed it, tough trek with challenges but you somehow made it look seamless. Incredible spot.
Thanks @ramio1983 . Surprising the toughest part for me was finding my way back after Kappa Moraine.
Great vid, Alain. Glad the weather improved for you! What a beautiful place - hope to get there myself before too much longer. PS: as an old fart with bad knees myself, hope your knee’s better!
Thanks mate. Yeah knee is better now.
Wonderful video! I love the way you were so calm about getting lost and just kept filming 😄 Also, I didn't know people still hitchhiked in 2022!
Thanks. It was more frustrating then something to be worried about, haha. Yep, hitch hiking is a bit of a thing in Tassie.
Hi Alain, I did this walk way back in 1998 and have such fond memories of it so thanks for bringing those back. Part of me wants to do it again but I'm not sure me knees will take the punishment. Last time two out of three of us buggered our knees and then hearing you comment about it... Great vid, thanks for sharing.
Hi Travis. Thanks for the comment. Glad the vid brought you back some of those memories. Hope you can do it again sometime. Better do them squats ;)
Top video. well done Alain. Looks tougher than Eastern Arthurs that I did many years ago...1983 i think. It rained every day in january. Woollen army pants, nylon jackets and heavy leaking tent but still great fun.
Fed peak a bit scary for non climbers. Nice personal touch and helpful interesting camera work.
Hi Ian. What an experience that would have been. I can imagine the tracks probably weren't as defined too. Did you do the Western Arthurs too?
Whooa! that looks like a tough one, but amazing nonetheless for sure...did you a good job Alain..
Thanks Jerson. Really glad you enjoyed it. Was quite the challenge.
love the mini sing along moment too lol
I liked that tent feature at 14:20 - can you review hiking gear - or at least show us through your current gear?
Absolutely. Time for a gear update.
Waterproof socks are trash hahaha. I loved reliving the arthurs - thanks for the vid!
hahaha, yeah, not buying them again. Gonna stick to my merino crew socks. Glas you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.
I reckon you need full on neoprene socks for waterproofing. I follow Nick Cave, a photographer in Oregon who uses those almost knee high socks for shooting pictures from the water. But I've never seen it used for long distance hiking, I'm worried they would suffocate your feet.I tried the toe Injinji socks once, it was a disaster. I got blisters everywhere. Now I use double socks, from a brand called Rywan and they saved my hiking life, I can't wear anything else now. I tried wearing two pears, one thin, one thick, but they slide too much on one another, while the Rywan double socks are stictched together in key areas, so it's perfect.
Beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing. New subscriber here:)
You're welcome mate. Thanks for the sub.
Great vid! Best hike we have EVER DONE! We just put up a few videos on the traverse if you fancy a trip down memory lane!!
Great. Thanks. I'll have a watch.
I remember the sun in Tasmania... You think "oh it's only 20 or 25° out, can't be that bad"... But the UVs are really nasty. You really need that protection. Even if you're in the forest. I remember getting sunburnt in the Cathedral Ranges of Victoria, while hiking all day mostly under the forest or thick brush. But in any case that Western Arthur video was a beautiful trip, can't wait to see more from you. Dunno if you live in Victoria, but you should check out Croajingolong national park if you haven't yet. It's one of my favorite areas in Australia, such a gorgeous unspoilt piece of coastline... I'm a day hiker so I can't help with long distance walks, but I know there is something called a "wilderness walk" in that park which is about 100 km long.
Hey Nicolas. Thanks, I'll check out Croajingolong National Park and the Wilderness Walk. You're right about the sun. The locals told me to assume 5 degrees extra than what the forecast predicts due to those UVs.
Whoa this video is amazing, what did I just watch? I have been in a trance the last 30 minutes just taking in the views and 4k resolution throughout this masterpiece. It has been so inspiring and giving me the 'its's time to go hiking again' vibes! I had a few questions.....When was this hike? What sort of rain jacket would you reccommend for this sort of hike? How many kg's you packin'? Best powerbank? Cheers and looking forward to more of your vidoes. PS: Also can't believe you bumped into a hiker you met for the second time at a different location!
Hey Anna. Thanks for all your questions. I did the hike in Jan this year, so weather was a bit kinder. I used the Marmot Precip jacket - just mid range light-weight jacket which did the job but is starting to wet-out (which they all eventually do). There's a lot of people who would recommend one of those MONT rain jackets for Tas as they are very durable and cove the thighs - but does fetch a high price. I just use whatever power banks I have, which are about 10,000 MaH each. I think my total base weight was 18kg, then add food and water is an additional 6kg.
the dexshell hytherm waterproof socks are good. Porrelle membrane. test them at home when you get them. Fill them with water and watch for drips. I returned one pair that had a price tag stapled to it. Also water on legs will go where?
Nice work! Hip belaying at Tilted Chasm looked fun :) Glad you found your way back to the trail, just wondering if you have a good source for paper 1:25 000 (or 1:50 000 m) topo maps?
Tassie is so beautiful, hope I get back there soon! Awesome shots you got, especially with the mist. What sort of camera do you use?
Hey @fitzroyfallz. I use the DJI Osmo Action as my main cam, and then just an iPhone for the 'cinematic' shots. Both have stabilisation. All powered by 3 x 10k mag power banks (for multiday trips).
Top video Alain, thanks for sharing, just a quick question, what camera do you use to firm?
Thanks for the comment. I use the DJI Osmo Pocket as my main camera and the IPhone 13 Pro as my secondary (for more cinematic shots).
Great footage of a spectacular place Alain, thank you! I may have missed this in the comments, what time of year did you take this walk?
Thanks Kerry. Did the hike in Jan this year.
Awesome video!!! 🔥 I may be doing the hike alone soon if I can't find anyone crazy enough to come with aha
Well done on your efforts Alain, inspiring video mate and well put together…So how did you avoid rats chewing your equipment, did you hang your food in nearest tree?
Hey mate. Thanks for your comment. I sealed my food in 2 x large zip lock bags, a sil-nylon bag, then in my pack overnight, which I kept in my vestibule (would rather the rats chew through my bag than the tent. I think part of it was just being lucky - I had heard stories of other people doing what I did, but the rats still got through.
how does the Mont Moondance 1 Tent work?
Great vid mate !! Is that a snugpack sleeping bag? Do you recommend them are they down or synthetic? Cheers for vid it's a great walk!
Hey mate. Glad someone finally asked. It's a Carinthia Defence 4. Synthetic bag. Got it online from Varuste.net in the EU. I've noticed that because it's very room inside, there are a lot of air-pockets to fill which can reduce the insulation. I imagine it working well if you have a liner inside to fill those pockets. I actually think getting the Defense 1 (lighter weight but less insulated) and using that in a modular system (pairing with the liner) if you need it for cold weather would be a more effective and lighter system. I'm keen to make a vid on this. Hope this helps.
@@AlainStewart ok awesome great review ...sold I'll check site out cheers for info !!
Well done! That's a difficult trip to do alone. What month of the year did you walk it?
Thank you. Did it in January.
What time of year did you go? I went in late December but didn’t get the consistent clear days you lucked out with. We’re planning to do it again 👍
Hey Goughy. Was a January trip. Looks like I got lucky on the weather, but this was actually my second attempt 1 year after. I aborted the first attempt.
Thanks for the vid, can I ask where I can get the same hat from?
Thanks. Brand is 'Sunday Afternoons' (French Foreign Legion style). I found it in the one of the camping stores in Hobart.
Well done! Some parts look sketchy as
Thanks. Yeah, pretty scary in some parts.
Definitely the evidence of sweaty feet .-) czcams.com/video/5HdRED3Utco/video.html Good Video mate, love that lush nature of Tassi.
What boots do you use?
Hey @indeedentertainment. Using leather GTX boots from an Italian brand called Aku.
The waterproof Sox are ok rinse them out with clean water and put them back on / helps to rinse your feet at the same time they look after your skin and stay warm when wet / the opossum or seal types work ok / bamboo are ok / used them 7 days a week Tas logging industry /
Cool. Thanks for the tips. Might give Seals a try.
Hey did you lived in singapore?
Hello. Yes, I lived in Singapore a long time ago.
HEY MAN.....WHATS UPPP
Hey man. My video is up. 😆
@@AlainStewart great jon brother
*job
you are so cute and positive!
Are they certified waterproof socks, did they divide you from even more of your money for the existence of the certificate
Good point. As they've been advertised as 'waterproof' and having paid the premium $80 for them, I would expect them to be certified as waterproof - if that is a thing.
@@AlainStewart if a vaccine against lead poisoning is certified, will i be insured if i still get lead poisoning after taking the vaccine?
Cavaet emptor
Sucks about your socks, my waterproof socks lasted 4days on overland track constant rain no wetting but I used different brand ANTU BAMBOO WATERPROOF SOCKS
Thanks. I'll check those out.
welcome to van diemens land not Australia
Whats the best season to go? I thought winter might be too dangerous because of snow storms and summer because of the heat.
Man people will tell you during the Summer months - safest time to go. Some ppl have done in Winter. Very important to check the weather.
wowwwww I love it. watching here from Hongkong sending my full support. 💖 thank you for sharing 💖
You're very welcome. Good to see the hikes you have in HK. Will do them one day.