Training Log Archive: PrueD

Day 4 of the 3 Capes Track. This involved an initial hill climb, with lots of steps, then a walk though a shaded and damp coastal rain forest, more cliff top walking and views, to a track junction where we left our packs. We then went down another cape - this one had about 800 beautifully built steep stone steps (which needed to be traversed in both directions) and amazing cliff top views. This part of the walk was accessible by day walkers from Fortescue Bay, so there were a few of them.
Once we returned to our packs we thought it was to be 'an easy roll' down to the bay. But it ended up a steep descent on more beautifully built rocky stairs, but my knee complained continuously. But I made it.
At Fortescue Bay we went for a much welcomed swim. The day was brilliantly sunny and the sea cool, but the swim was wonderfully refreshing. Then we caught the bus back to Port Arthur, and I stayed on board to continue back to Hobart and then a flight back to Melbourne the next morning.
Overall, I think I got tremendous value for my $399 fee. It was a terrific trail, which I understand cost something between $35M and $60M to construct (this includes the 'huts'). Everything was in perfect order and all supplies come by helicopter. A highly recommended walk.

C • Traveling vicariously 2

Day 3 of the 3 Capes Track. This involved leaving our packs in a shed (purposely provided for this purpose) and walking out on Cape Pillar. The board walk had hundreds of steps (my bung knee would have preferred it to be a continual slope). We then came out of the bush into shrubland and then into open cliff country, overlooking Tasman Island. The cliffs were immense and you could see seals on the rock shelves below. White sea eagles (with 2 meter wing spans) were also about.
National Parks gave everyone a booklet that explained the natural features and history of the walk. Regarding Tasman Island, it appeared that lighthouse keepers and their families had to have their teeth removed so that they wouldn't get a tooth infection while on the island. Also, early lighthouse keepers had cats, which multiplied uncontrollably and ate a huge number of birds and animals on the island. A special poison called Curiosity was used to control them. At one of the our lookouts there was a plaque commemorating Curiousity, with paw prints heading towards the cliff edge, which I thought doubled well as a warning sign.
One of the features of the walk were themed seats designed by Uni of Tasmania design students. They were incredibly interesting, fitting with the theme of the location, and really well built.
We returned to our packs and hiked to our next hut. I was a bit tired after this day. Each hut had a ranger in residence and this one was very friendly and chatty. This one was an indigenous former fisherman in the area, and he was able to explain the changes in the kelp beds and fish types as a disastrous result of the warm currents from the tropics, which previously only traveled south as far as Eden, now reaching the southerly parts of the east coast of Tasmania.

Day 2 of the 3 Capes Track. This involved walking through shrubland on either gravel tracks or along board walks. The walking was easy (a bit deceptive in hindsight, especially considering what was to come). I walked with the two 'husbands' and a girl from US who was a professor of pharmacology and triathlete - in Australia for a water polo competition. However, despite her sporting pedigree, she was very slow.
The next 'hut' (Munro's) was amazing, with a view over the cliffs and sea. However, it was very windy. We were each allocated a bucket of warm water to put in a canvas overhead bag in an outdoor shower. This was quite pleasant despite one person questioning why we needed a shower at all. While showering, my clothes blew away into the bush.
Later in the evening, my sister ventured down from her luxury hut (of which we could see no sign - not even an entrance track) and brought the peasant an apple (which was greatly appreciated).

C • Peasants 7

Day 1 of the 3 Capes Track walk in Tasmania. This involved catching the boat from Port Arthur, which first toured around the bay, and then offloaded the 45 people in my group on the beach at the start of the walk.
The first part of the walk was uphill and this was my first time carrying a pack for many years. I walked with 'my sister's husband's sisters' husbands' - a concept that few on the walk managed to grasp.
We were on the cheap walk (take your own food and sleeping bag - cost $399) whereas my sister, her husband, his sisters and a number of their friends were on the expensive walk (take only your clothes - cost $3000). I am not sure where the value was in the additional $2600.
I was surprised at the high standard of the track and huts, and there was no need to step off the track at any point - which was good as it prevented pathogens entering the environment.
I was in a hut with 7 other people, but it was all fine and the beds very comfortable. The kitchen facilities were also excellent.