Trip Reports

Frenchmans Cap, Tasmania

Before I really understood what I was getting myself into - I was on my way to Frenchman’s Cap which lies on Tasmania’s west coast about an hours drive east from Strahan.

The two day walk in was no day at the beach, in hindsight it’s very easy to say that it wasn’t that bad, but when I look back at the photos all the aches and pains are still very fresh in the my memory. I have Summit Gear to thank for fitting me to one of the many backpacks they have on offer.

With 30+ kilograms of weight on my back the Summit “Cloudmaker” didn’t leave any bruising on my hips or shoulders, that first leg of the walk was 20 klms of mud flats that in some parts my leg would sink in past the knee.

The second day of walking was not muddy at all; instead it was steep and rocky and in some parts very difficult to pass with a heavy pack, however…look at that view!

We had every intention of doing a week of climbing in this amazing spot, but Frenchman’s has its own weather system, the inside of the hut became a very familiar site. After six days of playing cards and taking day walks in the rain, the sun finally came out and I fell sick as a dog.

Thankfully everyone else got a little taste of the climbing to be had at Frenchman’s Cap. Although I didn’t get to climb at least my hips and shoulders didn’t have to heal up like everyone else’s!

One day soon I will return to Frenchman’s (possibly via the Franklin river) to finish business and take a lead or two on one of the countries most incredible looking cliffs.