Walking Tasmania’s Overland Track – Winter 2015
This years adventure is taking a slightly different approach to ‘Overland Adventure’. It’s still Overland, just not as we usually do it.
The Overland Track is Australia’s most well known, multi-day alpine walk. It’s a 65 km, six-day trek through the heart of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, part of the magnificent Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The stunning scenery and the physical challenge of the Overland Track have assured it a national and international reputation as one of the great wilderness bushwalks.
The trip came about because my friends Simon and Edwina decided it was a good idea to do this in winter. With less people on the track there would be more wilderness for us to enjoy. Sure its going to be harder with the cold weather and snow but it will be worth it.
The nature of the trip demands that you carry all your gear and supplies for the 6-7 day duration. In winter the bulk of down sleeping bags, clothing and fuel for the stoves soon adds up. My estimated bag weight currently sits at 20kg which includes snow shoes.
On the lead up to the trip I have been watching the weather and track reports with a close eye. The weather has become increasingly inclement with Tasmania experiencing its coldest and most snowbound winter since the 80’s. Many roads have been closed across the country and there have been snow drifts of 60cm reported at Cradle Mountain with temperatures around -5˚c. Still, we are keeping optimistic and hoping the track will remain open when we arrive later next week.
We arrive into Launceston on the 15th August and hopefully getting the bus to Cradle Mountain on the 16th. With all being well we finish the walk the following Sunday and leave Hobart on Monday 24th.
Keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram for updates and photos as I am sure this is going to be another eventful trip for Sirocco Overland!
Siberia Part III – To The Final Frontier Along The Road of Bones
How we took on the infamous Road of Bones during one of the wettest years in history, finally reached Magadan and then headed for Vladivostok, our final port of call.
After the Pamirs and Afghanistan, Russia’s Far North East held the next greatest allure for me personally. Motorbike accounts of the Old Summer Road and Magadan, the photos bringing to life the generosity of the people, the isolation, the remoteness, the raw beauty of the Taiga, the history, the Gulags, the ghost towns… I had to be there myself. I had to experience this.
Siberian Sunset
Photo of the Week: Landshut in the snow, Germany – February 2013
I rejoined Griff in Munich after a week in the UK, but camp sites are hard to find in the Bavarian capital, especially in winter. He had discovered the town of Landshut just outside Munich, and it had everything we needed – an open campsite, good pubs and good beer! We had fantastic food in front of a cosy fire before walking home through the snow. The peaceful walk back to our tent was just what I needed after a busy day’s travel.
10 of the best Wildcamps from 2013
Our collection of the top 10 most memorable, but not always the best, wildcamps from 2013. Each was chosen for a reason and has a story behind it. There were many more like these often in similar landscapes but these are the pick of the bunch.
Photo of the Week: Alesund, Norway – January 2013
Alesund, an ‘out there’ port town in the Fjord region of Norway. It took us a fair while to reach this place, catching a multitude of ferries and crossing many icy mountain passes. It was worth it though, the air temperature rose to about -4c so it was a little warmer than the previous week. I had to climb around 300 icy covered steps to get this photo and there wasn’t a handrail at all times. It was pretty tricky as the sun was setting and our parking ticket was expiring. Worth it though as I am sure you will agree.
Photo of the Week: Nordkapp, Norway – January 2013
Probably the first big milestone of the trip, something I am very proud of. Reaching Nordkapp in northern Norway. At 71 degrees North, Nordkapp sits as the most northerly point in mainland Europe a 1000km drive within the Arctic Circle. Days spent driving in short daylight hours and nights spent camping at minus 20 degrees C. It was bitterly cold the day we arrived and the wind was howling as we stood on the precipice looking out over the Arctic ocean into nothingness. Nothing between us and the North Pole. A beautiful day.
Photo of the Week: Huskies at Rest, Arctic Finland February 2013
Finnish Lappland – Huskies at rest
Huskies at Rest and keeping warm during our sledding activities last winter in Arctic Finland.
Photo of the Week: Col de Iseran, French Alps 2009
Church, Col de Iseran
As a former competing cyclist the lure of the French Alps drew us there in 2009 for a more relaxed driving holiday within Europe. Alongside driving the old military roads on the Italian border and the highest accessible point in Europe I wanted to drive some of the Tour de France main mountain passes in the region. The col de Bonnette, col de Parpilon, Col de Izord etc.
This photo is from the top of the Col de Iseran in late August. There is a TDF Museum here also but it was closed when we arrived as it was late in the season.
Photo of The Week: Cadair Idris, Wales 2007
Seeing as the UK and Europe may be expecting snow this Xmas l thought a little winter scene might be in order. Back in 2007 when we had the old Land Rover 90 we took a week off work and devised a route from south to north Wales encompassing as much off pavement as we could. The forecast on the run up to our time off didn’t look favourable with plenty of rain and low temperatures. The forecast was correct and we battled our way through mud and self recoveries all alone in the Welsh countryside.
Mixed in with our 4×4 plans was a walk up Cadair Idris and Snowdon. Even though it was spring, recent weather had brought the snowline down to 600m. We didn’t know the mountain particularly well, but we pressed on anyway. This photo is of Lisa on the south side of the cwm about 1 hour from the summit.
We made it back to a sodden roof tent just before it got dark.
Lisa
Griff
Sirocco Overland | Сирокко Оверленд 