ancat's recent photos

The river just upstream of the waterfall.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The river just upstream of the waterfall.

The waterfall just upstream of the lake.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The waterfall just upstream of the lake.

The river feeds into Lake Tali Karng at this easterly point.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The river feeds into Lake Tali Karng at this easterly point.

Fornicating centipedes.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Fornicating centipedes.

Ducks like water.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Ducks like water.

Two adults and three loud kids set up camp right by the lake.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Two adults and three loud kids set up camp right by the lake.

There's a couple of camp sites just a few metres behind those trees. The water was rather cold but it was damn nice on a hot day.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
There's a couple of camp sites just a few metres behind those trees. The water was rather cold but it was damn nice on a hot day.

Hello I can see you!

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Hello I can see you!

I probably don't need to tell you what this is. It took just under 2 hours to walk in without a pack...but I do walk fast.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
I probably don't need to tell you what this is. It took just under 2 hours to walk in without a pack...but I do walk fast.

This is the start of the downhill descent into Lake Tali Karng.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
This is the start of the downhill descent into Lake Tali Karng.

I don't think anyone is gonna walk back uphill for an hour to camp away from the lake.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
I don't think anyone is gonna walk back uphill for an hour to camp away from the lake.

Spion Kopje suddenly appears.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Spion Kopje suddenly appears.

Rocks and grasses and trees and stuff.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Rocks and grasses and trees and stuff.

Looking back over the Wellington Plains.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Looking back over the Wellington Plains.

The Sentinels in the distance. This rocky peak guards over Lake Tali Karng.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The Sentinels in the distance. This rocky peak guards over Lake Tali Karng.

This is either an old stockmans hut or some hobo hangout.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
This is either an old stockmans hut or some hobo hangout.

The walk to Lake Tali Karng from McFarlane Saddle wanders through the grassy fields of the Wellington Plains. This photo was taken just after dawn.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The walk to Lake Tali Karng from McFarlane Saddle wanders through the grassy fields of the Wellington Plains. This photo was taken just after dawn.

The start of the walk. I left at 5:30am so I couldn't get this photo earlier. I think it was about a 5 hour return walk in the end.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The start of the walk. I left at 5:30am so I couldn't get this photo earlier. I think it was about a 5 hour return walk in the end.

I love macro photography.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
I love macro photography.

Nugget woz ere.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Nugget woz ere.

The dodgy hut again.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The dodgy hut again.

The Wellington plains reminded me of Tassie 'cause it was sodden with boggy marshes from small creeks.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The Wellington plains reminded me of Tassie 'cause it was sodden with boggy marshes from small creeks.

Heading back to McFarlane Saddle carpark along the Wellington Plains track..

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Heading back to McFarlane Saddle carpark along the Wellington Plains track..

Find the track.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Find the track.

It's spring and the flowers are out. Yeah for flowers!

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
It's spring and the flowers are out. Yeah for flowers!

Looking north from the summit of Spion Kopje.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Looking north from the summit of Spion Kopje.

Looking back toward Lake Tali Karng from Spion Kopje. I also recommend you take the detour over Spion Kopje. There are no trees blocking your view.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Looking back toward Lake Tali Karng from Spion Kopje. I also recommend you take the detour over Spion Kopje. There are no trees blocking your view.

Spion Kopje.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Spion Kopje.

Riggall Spur track. A branch of Snowden Ck ran right beside the track at this point and had plenty of water in it at this time of the year.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Riggall Spur track. A branch of Snowden Ck ran right beside the track at this point and had plenty of water in it at this time of the year.

Victorian high country.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Victorian high country.

Looking back at the Sentinels.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Looking back at the Sentinels.

I think this is where Echo Point meets Riggall Spur track.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
I think this is where Echo Point meets Riggall Spur track.

The mighty Sentinels. Next time I'm gonna explore the walk up to The Sentinels from the lake.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
The mighty Sentinels. Next time I'm gonna explore the walk up to The Sentinels from the lake.

I bailed out of Lake Tali Karng and walked out along Echo Point and Riggall Spur tracks. They were closed because of safety issues but they were bloody fine as far as I was concerned and I ...

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
I bailed out of Lake Tali Karng and walked out along Echo Point and Riggall Spur tracks. They were closed because of safety issues but they were bloody fine as far as I was concerned and I ...

Purplus flowerus.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Purplus flowerus.

Hello little birdy. Are you hunting for worms?

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Hello little birdy. Are you hunting for worms?

There were a few trout swimming around in the weeds.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
There were a few trout swimming around in the weeds.

Looks like it might flood a bit here.

2009-11-10T18:53:42Z

ancat
Looks like it might flood a bit here.

The car park was the highlight of the walk and all those trees just got in the way of this magnificent gravel surface.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
The car park was the highlight of the walk and all those trees just got in the way of this magnificent gravel surface.

Hot and happy at the end of a very successful six day trip climbing Frenchmans Cap in the Tasmanian wilderness.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
Hot and happy at the end of a very successful six day trip climbing Frenchmans Cap in the Tasmanian wilderness.

Signing out from a bloody awesome adventure.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
Signing out from a bloody awesome adventure.

This is the best excuse for a break.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
This is the best excuse for a break.

Frenchmans Cap viewed from the top of some hill I can't remember the name of.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
Frenchmans Cap viewed from the top of some hill I can't remember the name of.

Back on the super highway.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
Back on the super highway.

The maze of eroded trails through the Loddon Plains.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
The maze of eroded trails through the Loddon Plains.

I thought you might like to see another flower.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
I thought you might like to see another flower.

Lake Vera in all its watery glory.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
Lake Vera in all its watery glory.

The flower of the button grass.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
The flower of the button grass.

Descending from Barrons Pass towards Lake Vera.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
Descending from Barrons Pass towards Lake Vera.

The east face of Frenchmans Cap. The white looking quartzite is the really good stuff.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
The east face of Frenchmans Cap. The white looking quartzite is the really good stuff.

View of Frenchmans Cap from Barrons Pass.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
View of Frenchmans Cap from Barrons Pass.

Doesn't really look like a Frenchamns Cap if you ask me.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
Doesn't really look like a Frenchamns Cap if you ask me.

Srambled pancakes for breakfast. Never again.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Srambled pancakes for breakfast. Never again.

We celebrated our climbing with an extra muesli bar and a cup of tea.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
We celebrated our climbing with an extra muesli bar and a cup of tea.

It's a long walk back to the bags and we opted to go light weight so I made an improvised shoe consisting of my rock shoe in a sock. The foot stays on top of the rock shoe rather than in it ...

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
It's a long walk back to the bags and we opted to go light weight so I made an improvised shoe consisting of my rock shoe in a sock. The foot stays on top of the rock shoe rather than in it ...

Anyone wants any beta on the climbs then make sure you read our entry in the hut journal.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Anyone wants any beta on the climbs then make sure you read our entry in the hut journal.

What do you reckon of that climb Mark? Smile factor of 8!

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
What do you reckon of that climb Mark? Smile factor of 8!

For what its worth here's a photo of pitch 7 on The Lorax (20). This pitch is actually well protected.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
For what its worth here's a photo of pitch 7 on The Lorax (20). This pitch is actually well protected.

Seconding pitch 6 on The Lorax (20).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Seconding pitch 6 on The Lorax (20).

Now it's my turn to lead through the massively over exposed traverse. This lead did amazing things to the size of my balls.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Now it's my turn to lead through the massively over exposed traverse. This lead did amazing things to the size of my balls.

After the traverse of doom you get to the jugs of glory.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
After the traverse of doom you get to the jugs of glory.

No matter how long he stared at the crack it still looked committing.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
No matter how long he stared at the crack it still looked committing.

Mark powered through the crux crack pitch with maximum style on The Lorax (20).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Mark powered through the crux crack pitch with maximum style on The Lorax (20).

Mark at the base of the crux crack pitch on The Lorax (20).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Mark at the base of the crux crack pitch on The Lorax (20).

Scrambling up the vegetated nonsense on the bottom pitches of The Lorax (20). This was not enjoyable.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Scrambling up the vegetated nonsense on the bottom pitches of The Lorax (20). This was not enjoyable.

After a few hours we got to the really real climbing on the white and yellow rock. Mark prepares to make the traverse out to crux pitch through the overhanging crack.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
After a few hours we got to the really real climbing on the white and yellow rock. Mark prepares to make the traverse out to crux pitch through the overhanging crack.

You can lead this pitch Mark. The vegetated stuff just got too serious so we made one small pitch to the start of the real climbing.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
You can lead this pitch Mark. The vegetated stuff just got too serious so we made one small pitch to the start of the real climbing.

I wish I was there again.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
I wish I was there again.

Day four. Morning clouds viewed from Frenchmans Cap.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Day four. Morning clouds viewed from Frenchmans Cap.

Dinner. Pasta and stuff. After eating only one muesli bar for the day anything would have tasted great.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Dinner. Pasta and stuff. After eating only one muesli bar for the day anything would have tasted great.

King Billy pine at Lake Tahune.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
King Billy pine at Lake Tahune.

Walking back down the summit path towards Lake Tahune.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Walking back down the summit path towards Lake Tahune.

It was pretty damn hot but Lake Tahune was pretty damn cold.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
It was pretty damn hot but Lake Tahune was pretty damn cold.

Looking back on the upper pitches of Tierry le Fionde (16). The climb follows a series of cracks on the right of this picture near the ridge.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Looking back on the upper pitches of Tierry le Fionde (16). The climb follows a series of cracks on the right of this picture near the ridge.

The view back down the exit gully from The 9th January (19).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
The view back down the exit gully from The 9th January (19).

The middle pitches of Tierry le Fionde (16). It looks better than it is.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
The middle pitches of Tierry le Fionde (16). It looks better than it is.

Just looking at the east face of Frenchmans Cap was scary. Somewhere in the middle of that semingly blank face is The Lorax (20) and we wanted to climb it.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Just looking at the east face of Frenchmans Cap was scary. Somewhere in the middle of that semingly blank face is The Lorax (20) and we wanted to climb it.

The exit gully from The 9th January (19).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
The exit gully from The 9th January (19).

Mark on the upper pitch of The 9th January (19).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Mark on the upper pitch of The 9th January (19).

Why do these adventure climbs always have so many traverses?

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Why do these adventure climbs always have so many traverses?

Another bomber belay brought to you by Mark.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Another bomber belay brought to you by Mark.

Frenchmans Cap is not a bad place to be climbing.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Frenchmans Cap is not a bad place to be climbing.

Mark had to wait for his balls to double in size before he committed to the crux traverse.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Mark had to wait for his balls to double in size before he committed to the crux traverse.

I don't knw what you're smiling about Mark 'cause you still have to get through the traverse.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
I don't knw what you're smiling about Mark 'cause you still have to get through the traverse.

Mark on the crux flake pitch of The 9th January (19).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Mark on the crux flake pitch of The 9th January (19).

Jono leads the bottom pitch of The 9th January (19). There were some wet and scary moments but generally it was a star above Tierry le Fionde.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Jono leads the bottom pitch of The 9th January (19). There were some wet and scary moments but generally it was a star above Tierry le Fionde.

This is the alpine strawberry.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
This is the alpine strawberry.

Day three and Frenchmans Cap takes a bath in the morning light.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Day three and Frenchmans Cap takes a bath in the morning light.

This is the alpine cushion plant in full bloom.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
This is the alpine cushion plant in full bloom.

There's Barrons Pass.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
There's Barrons Pass.

Check out this amazing insectivorous plant.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Check out this amazing insectivorous plant.

View east from the summit of Frenchmans Cap. You can see Barrons Pass through the rocky peaks in the background on the left.

2009-02-14T19:36:17Z

ancat
View east from the summit of Frenchmans Cap. You can see Barrons Pass through the rocky peaks in the background on the left.

Time to soak up the views after topping out on Tiery le Fionde (16).

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Time to soak up the views after topping out on Tiery le Fionde (16).

Would you believe that Frenchmans Cap has permamnent snow at about 1400m? Here's the photo to prove it.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Would you believe that Frenchmans Cap has permamnent snow at about 1400m? Here's the photo to prove it.

Mark blocking the view from the summit of Frenchmans Cap.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Mark blocking the view from the summit of Frenchmans Cap.

The final pitch through the roofs was a pile of choss. Steep and pumpy climbing on loose and crumbling quartzite. I probably wouldn't repeat it but I'm not dissapointed I climbed it.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
The final pitch through the roofs was a pile of choss. Steep and pumpy climbing on loose and crumbling quartzite. I probably wouldn't repeat it but I'm not dissapointed I climbed it.

We decided on the direct start of Tierry le Fionde (16) just to the left of the rubbish gully. It was wet and scary and I'd recommend it to anyone.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
We decided on the direct start of Tierry le Fionde (16) just to the left of the rubbish gully. It was wet and scary and I'd recommend it to anyone.

The route follows an obvious crack system around the left of the buttress, which was generally good climbing with plenty of gear and some big exposure.

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
The route follows an obvious crack system around the left of the buttress, which was generally good climbing with plenty of gear and some big exposure.

Day two at Lake Tahune hut and Frenchmans Cap emerges from the cloud at about 1030. Time to climb!

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Day two at Lake Tahune hut and Frenchmans Cap emerges from the cloud at about 1030. Time to climb!

Hello little insect. Do you like flowers too?

2009-02-09T19:01:11Z

ancat
Hello little insect. Do you like flowers too?