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General Climbing Discussion

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port davey track(tas) 14-Dec-2005 At 6:10:30 PM JamesMc

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I walked the PDT a few years ago from Scotts Peak as far as Ila Bay and back but did not cross over Bathurst Narrows. Also did quite a few side trips up the surrounding peaks. The PDT is not very popular, and the Parks & Wildlife Service don't promote it, so you won't find much info on the web. John Chapman's track notes are perfectly adequate.

Photos on my web site at http://www.jamesmcintosh.id.au

I went expecting it to be a less than interesting walk, and just a way to access the surrounding peaks. The track provided a much better walk than I expected.

There was a fair bit of mud north of Moraine A, where I believe the track has deliberately been allowed to deteriorate to discourage visitors to the Western Arthurs. Then there was a bit of mud near Crossing River, and also on the Crossing / Spring divide. Apart from this, the track was almost completely dry, which is amazing for SW Tas. In fact we suffered from sore feet because the track surface was so hard.

The camp sites are small, once you get past Crossing River; we had to squeeze to pitch 4 tents at some of them.

Crossing River would be dangerous to cross if it's high, Spring River has a log, but that could be under water during flood.

Mt Rugby is a popular side trip. It is a big mountain, and the upper section has huge conglomerate boulders you have to climb through, with deep holes between them. I found this more scary than climbing Federation Pk. Take care to follow the poorly cairned route here.

Other side trips we did were up Mt Robinson (good views, 5 hours return from track), Mt Berry (fantastic views, 10 hours return from Spring River), Mt King & Mt Legge (remote, 12 hours return from Spring River). It would also be good to walk up Davey Sugarloaf & visit the Davey Gorge.

All in all a great walk. let me know if you want more info.

James Mc

PS don't forget your umbrella.