Van Journal Week 11: Federation Peak

Van Journal Week 11: Federation Peak

Last week we got a foretaste of the true wilderness of Tasmania, which made you want more. So this week we dipped deep into the Southwest National Park - one of the last real wilderness areas in the world.

There is something in the wild places on earth, which, although it is cruel and irreconcilable, has a certain attraction that is undeniably contagious. Maybe it is because we feel small or helpless in these places. True wilderness requires respect. To put us in a position of complete vulnerability, humiliate us and remind us of how insignificant we really are.

We need that more than ever today.

But we didn't go aimlessly in one of the most remote wilderness areas on earth. Our goal was to reach the summit of the Federation Peak, an iconic tower of rock and ice that Sir Edmond Hillary called "Australia's only real mountain".

This was one of the most difficult hiking experiences of our life so far, and although we did not reach the summit, it was a great learning exercise in relation to survival and humility.

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• Alt = "River crossing on the Eastern Artur Traverse Track for Federation Peak">

Federation Peak and Southwest National Park

Haylea and I both describe ourselves as very experienced hikers. We prepare and plan wilderness hikes like this. But nothing could have prepared us mentally for the upcoming challenge.

The thing with the Federation Peak or Feddy is that reaching the foot of the summit itself requires a long, miserable and notorious muddy 20-Kilometer crossing through dense, overgrown forest and a mushy level with button grass. This is a challenge in itself, but the last step is a 3 -kilometer long, almost vertical root climb, which leads a steep and eroding mountain range, which is known as Moss Ridge. Then you have to climb steep rocks and ice to the summit, with a fully exposed 600-meter base underneath.

We are experienced and know our limits. We hiked everywhere and spent almost a month to cross some of the highest mountain passes in the world in the Himalayas. What many people, including us, do not recognize at first is that the height is not the decisive factor for difficulties.

The majority of the eastern Arthurs Traversse route lies, although it is sporadically hilly, only between 450 and 1200 meters above sea level. But let me tell you, three days in which we were soaked to the mark at the mark, porching our wrinkled skin and wading over 60 kilometers through knee to hip-high sludge have definitely strengthened our respect for the Australian wilderness.

But I don't get me wrong, a winter summit of the Federation Peak has been on my Bucket List for a while. We had prepared ourselves meticulously and were never in danger or overwhelmed. But I think I try to say that, no matter how much you are planning, nothing you mentally prepare for the miserable conditions out there.

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• Alt = "flooded route on the Eastern Arthur traverse track">

The saturated, sad southwest

Tasmania and especially the Southwest National Park are known to be incredibly unpredictable when it comes to the weather. We thought we had the perfect 3-day window to drive to the edge of the Southwest National Park, to hike and return to the remote summit. The weather should be on our side, there was no wind or even cloudy for the next few days.

After we had completed the bumpy trip to Farmhouse Creek, we experienced this notorious unpredictability. We spent the night sleepless in the van and thought "this rain will surely stop soon". Of course, rain is not a problem if you are warm and healthy in your well -insulated home on wheels. It was the idea of ​​being thrown at one of the most muddy and wildest places in the world that kept us awake.

The rain did not stop. In the first daylight we got updated weather forecasts on our satellite phone, which convinced us that this bad weather would finally be over until noon. Of course it wouldn't.

But we were prepared. We have the right equipment, the right fitness, bush skills and the stubbornness to continue. All very necessary components of an undertaking like Federation Peak.
Alt = “Start the Farmhouse Creek Track for Federation Peak”>
After relentless rain, this route was almost completely flooded from the start. The winter conditions brought snow to a depth of 500 meters and the rivers and streams plunged through the valleys and the slopes of the rainforest combers.

The course was hard. And in the end we never made it to the summit of the federation summit. We came to the Berchevaise Plateau, just below the last climb. The slippery, icy conditions meant that it was not certain for us. We were extremely stubborn to make it so far, but not so stubborn that we risked our life for a summit.

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• Alt = "Federation Peak Tasmania">
• Alt = "Hiking in the hinterland of Tasmania">

I am very grateful that this experience was given to me. Our first real foretaste of the Tasmanian World Natural Heritis will be remembered forever and the lessons will not be forgotten.

Although the failed summit attempt has dulled the ego a bit, I am very proud of our performance and even more proud of Haylea, which really went to its limits at this summit. There are not many people out there who can do what she has done and I feel honored to be able to call her my life partner. Let's just say that she deserves a week Van-Life-Luxus, hot cappuccinos and steaming fruit bread included!

Tahune adventure

This 11th week of our van Living adventure in Tasmania was mainly dedicated to our expedition for the Federation Peak. But we also made a stopover to see Tahune Adventures, one of the most famous adventure parks of Tasmania.

Unfortunately, the Tahune forest was badly affected by the 2018-2019 bush fires. We looked at Tahune Adventures and the famous Airwalk and I wrote a detailed travel guide that I am sure that he will be useful for other people who travel through Tassie and search for things that can be done.

Plans for week 12

Since we would soon be traveling with Van in Tasmania for three months, we were very happy that we extended our stay until the end of July. Winter is slowly sneaking in, but there is so much more what we want to see and do on this beautiful island. And I think after experience this week we are mentally immune to the cold!

Unfortunately, the conditions in the southwest of my camera demanded their toll. I had to send it to repair this week, but hopefully I will get it back soon.

After returning from Southwest National Park, we were also informed about some heartbreaking news, which meant that Haylea quickly had to fly back to Sydney to be with her family and close friends. I couldn't accompany them or be there to support them because we cannot turn off the van anywhere. It left me back with a helpless feeling of guilt, but it is one of the realities of life on the street.

So I will spend a large part of the 12th week alone in the van until Haylea returns on June 13th. I didn't plan much, but I think we will spend a lot of time in the van to keep me warm and catch up with computer work. A little less exciting than trying Australia's most difficult hiking summit in winter!

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