The List.
Find a list of Abels I have climbed here (as well as links to their essays) and information on what an Abel is! (Photo Credit: With kind thanks to Grahame Kershaw)
The Cheyne Range
Just a few days before the planned trip, a Bushwalker’s Weather Alert was issued for snow down to 600m. Not unusual for springtime in Tassie but after such a warm winter and dry start to spring, the forecast seemed out of the blue. The snow would certainly test our resolve on this trip!
The Hippogriff
As we loaded up the Mazda at the ungodly hour of 4:45am, the last-minute weather changing gods were threatening to rain on our parade again! Bugger it, we thought. Who cares if we get wet?! It’s fairly sheltered until the summit, and it’s a day walk. We would be returning to seated heats in the Mazda by the end of the day, so we decided to try our luck. What’s the worst that can happen?
Eldon Peak
It was time to summit the remaining Eldons Range Abel on our list - Eldon Peak.
Back in January 2023 we had completed an out-and-back traverse of most of the Eldon Range. Whilst a ‘full traverse’ sees walkers enter the range at Eldon Peak and head east, a lack of available days had us instead venturing in via The Little Eldons…
Mount Nereus
Misery loves company and Bender - who’d previously summited both peaks back in 2021 - had mentioned more than a few times that Mount Nereus was a pretty tough place to reach. We had planned on summiting Macs Mountain on the way to Mount Nereus, but for reasons that will become apparent it would not be summited until the next morning - some 26 hours after leaving camp!
Macs Mountain
Misery loves company and Bender - who’d previously summited both peaks back in 2021 - had mentioned more than a few times that Mount Nereus was a pretty tough place to reach. We had planned on summiting Macs Mountain on the way to Mount Nereus, but for reasons that will become apparent it would not be summited until the next morning - some 26 hours after leaving camp!
The (Namaste) Needles
As I sit to write this trip report, I am at a loss as to where to begin, for this (mis)adventure was a fairly miserable affair. Sure, the company was great, the wildflowers beautiful and a rainbow chased us out on our final day. But the three days prior walked a very, very fine line between adventure and stupidity. I will let you decide which side of the line the trip landed, but in no way would encourage anyone to replicate it. The Namaste Needles is a fine weather-only mountain.
Mount Sorell
Horror stories abound within the bushwalking community of a scrubby fortress protecting Mount Sorell’s sheer steep climbs that go on and on… and on and on! Well, dear reader, I can say firsthand that most of the stories are indeed quite true.
Mount Bobs
With Bender having already climbed Mount Bobs with a mate the previous year, it was time for me to visit this scrubby little mountain. It is said that it takes longer to reach Lake Sydney then it does to climb the mountain itself. I can 100% confirm this is true!
Mount Proteus
What a way to celebrate the last year in my forties! A rarely visited peak, new friends, old friends, sunny skies and conversations about riding gigantic prehistoric wombats, Never Ending Story-style. Talk about spoilt! Even 10km of lumpy, bumpy, quad-killing buttongrass couldn’t dampen the celebrations on our Mount Proteus trip.
Camp Hill
We begin our adventure to Camp Hill from the summit of Rocky Hill. The wind was whipping around us as we stood looking to our west, discussing where we might breach Camp Hill’s notorious scrubby guard. We thought, in the words of Mark Twain, that we had eaten the biggest frog a few days earlier on our visit to Pyramid Mountain and in terms of distance to travel, perhaps that was true.
Mount Oakleigh
With our plans for climbing Mt. Pelion West scuttled by snow, hail, rain and generally unfavourable conditions, we were more than a little disappointed. Snow and rain, a head cold and the frustration at the lost opportunity of Mt. Pelion West threatened to wipe out all the weekend's enjoyment. A new plan needed formulating and Mt. Oakleigh was just the salve for our woes.
Snowy South
With shorter winter daylight hours and only multi-day Abels left for us in the north of Tasmania, our adventures now tend to take us southwards. We chose Snowy South for no other reason than it appeared more than doable on a winter's day even if the weather forecast wasn't ideal.
King William I
We had previously completed the royal tour of Volume 1 of The Abels (Mts. Albert and Victoria) and so it seemed suitably fitting that our first Abel from Volume 2 should be another royal - Mt. King William I. Well that and the fact that we were heading to the shack, wanted to chase some snow and only had a few hours spare to indulge in our addiction of Abel bagging. And what a splendid snowy time we had.
Wylds Crag
With plans to climb the Chimera thwarted by a flooding Franklin River, we settled on Wylds Craig as an acceptable alternative. Viewing Wylds Craig from some angles it is easy to think you are looking at Frenchmans Cap's less substantial doppelganger.
St Valentines Peak
St. Valentines Peak is not only the most north-westerly Abel in Tasmania but - in our view - one of the prettiest to wander along. With an easy to follow and clearly marked track, an assortment of terrain and vegetation and an up-and-back time of under 5 hours, this Abel is sure to please everyone from Abel baggers to just plain old nature lovers.
Wentworth Hills
The Abels mentions that Wentworth Hills is "rarely-visited" and often "overlooked". We can see why. Perhaps we are being a little ungracious because for all the work required to get to the summit, we got not a single view. Not even a whisper.
Mount Thetis
In Greek mythology, Thetis (Goddess of the Sea) possessed the gift of prophesy and power to change her shape. Such was her power she bore a son called Achilles who was far greater than his father, Zeus. If Thetis were to rise from the seas she would stare proudly down at the mountain named in her honour for her namesake is as worthy an adversary as she might have been. What she gifts you in views she makes you earn - one giant boulder at a time.
Mount Wedge
The Abels describes Mt. Wedge as a "relatively easy foray into the southwest". Our legs were weary from a tough day out in the snow climbing Snowy North the day before, and as such we were looking forward to an easier, scenic wander. We knew from looking at maps that it would be a relatively short but very steep day out.
Slatters Peak
Had it not been an off track walk I would have set off sans gaiters, but the combination of scrub, snakes and summer-like warmth meant we erred on the side of caution and postponed our trip for a week. Knowing what I know now, I am very glad I did not attempt this walk without gaiters.
King William II
Little did we know that after summitting Slatters Peak in glorious conditions and lounging like lizards at Lake Anne less than 24 hours earlier, that we would wake the next morning to icy-cold winds, rain and thick mist that reduced visibility to less than 50m. In true Tasmanian style, the weather had thoroughly ignored the best predictions of the BoM and shown us that you are always, always at the mercy of nature.
Pokana Peak
I should start by saying that when I first sat down in front of my computer to write this blog, I had no idea HOW to tell the story of our Pokana Peak adventure… or should I say, misadventure! It’s been almost a week since we returned… my body still sports the usual bruises, scratches, aches and pains, but in this case my head is still buzzing with the craziness of our latest escapade.
Federation Peak
It’s fair to say that for most Abel baggers - whether they want to admit it or not - Federation Peak is the proverbial elephant in the room. Sheer vertical walls of quartzite surround all sides of her peak. Mountaineering legend has it that Sir Edmund Hillary declared Federation Peak as Australia's only ‘real mountain’, despite its diminutive 1225m elevation.
Mount Jukes
Mount Jukes had well and truly alluded us for at least two years. Why? Not because of its difficulty - it is a short and a fairly easy Abel to climb. Nor because of the long drive from Launceston - though incidentally it still took us longer to drive to the trailhead than to actually climb the mountain itself…
Horizontal Hill
With plans to traverse the Southern Ranges yet again tossed aside because of typical south-west Tasmanian weather (!) we settled on a shorter adventure closer to home. We turned our attention to Horizontal Hill, Mount Gould and The Guardians.
Mount Gould
After summiting Horizontal Hill the previous day, we now set out sights on Mount Gould. Our plans to high camp on the Gould Plateau had been scuttled by an incoming storm. So instead of a short day trip to the Mount Gould summit, we would have a lengthy day walk all the way from Nichols Junction.
The Guardians
Fresh (or more accurately, not so fresh) from summiting Mount Gould, we set our sights upon The Guardians. This essay continues on from the Mount Gould essay and begins from the small saddle below The Minotaur. We were a little weary, our bodies were overheating from bright, sunny conditions and we were in search of water…
Mount Anne
With an up and coming trip to Federation Peak planned for a few weeks down the track, we decided to head off along the Mount Anne Circuit as a practice for all things “scary”.
Mount Jukes
Mount Jukes had well and truly alluded us for at least two years. Why? Not because of its difficulty - it is a short and a fairly easy Abel to climb. Nor because of the long drive from Launceston - though incidentally it still took us longer to drive to the trailhead than to actually climb the mountain itself! No, simply because weather on the west coast of Tasmania is so darn unpredictable.
Nevada Peak
Nevada Peak is a lesson in being careful for what one asks for - because you might just get it. I was sitting on 74 Abels and Ben (Y) had reminded me a week earlier that 75 Abels is a major milestone for women (who are quite under-presented in the Abelist community) and asked what I had planned for the big 75.
Twin Spires
It was whilst wandering The Overland Track that I first glimpsed Twin Spires and thought "one day my pretty, one day". Well that day had arrived. It had arrived by way of a three-day long weekend with ambitions of summiting not only Twin Spires, but also Mountains Of Jupiter.
Snowy North
Having climbed Snowy South the week prior, we were keen to visit its northern partner. Snowy North has a reputation for making hikers work for its summit. Throw in more than a little snow on the day and it was unquestionably a worthy adversary. For all the difficulty that snow added to the climb, it made up for it with winter wonderland views and a sweeter touch of the trig point when our frozen hands finally grasped it!
Mount Ida
Mt. Ida's sharp dolerite point stands guard over the ancient rainforest below that line the shores of Ida Bay and Lake St. Clair. There is no better place to sit overlooking the unapologetic beauty that time, nature and glacial forces have combined to create.
Mount Byron.
Snacking on a ginger biscuit I reassessed my predicament.
Mount Pelion West
Mount Pelion West is whispered about in bushwalking circles for the tasks she throws at those that dare climb onto her dolerite strewn back. The whispers of dauntingly deep crevasses and boulders the size of buses are all true. The often spoken words that she should be respected and not underestimated are also true.
Mount Jerusalem
Also known as the East Wall, Mt. Jerusalem is the second highest feature in the Walls Of Jerusalem. As awe-inspiring as the view is from the top, it is paled by the views afforded to you for the entire journey. One. Spectacular. Place.
Sharlands Peak
I should preface this blog with a word of warning - this is how NOT to do Sharlands Peak! I am always learning lessons from my mistakes. A few factors contributed to a mate and I’s misery on this mountain. One - our eagerness to summit this Abel. Two - our exhaustion after a few big days of hiking. And three - time constraints.
Mount Mueller
Recently we were lucky enough to be included on a hike to the summit of Mt. Mueller with the Pandani Walking Club. Mt. Mueller is without question a beautiful mountain with many fine attributes, but the most delightful experiences on this day came as a result of the genuine warmness of the welcome we were extended.
Mount Inglis
Although often ignored because of its imposing neighbour, Mt. Inglis is worthy of climbing if for no other reason than to stand atop its summit and embrace the feeling of total and utter isolation. Its beauty is its remoteness and that same remoteness is also what creates its challenges.
Mount Hugel
I had first viewed Mt. Hugel from high on the summit of Mt. Rufus back in August 2019. If it wasn't for the fact I was standing knee deep in snow with deteriorating weather at the time I would have been keen on trekking from Mt. Rufus to Mt. Hugel and making it a dual-Abel day.
Mount Hobhouse
The Abels describes a route to the summit of Mount Hobhouse from the north-west but mentions access to the track proper is via the good graces of Hydro Tasmania, a precious key and a hydroelectric dam.
Mount Othrys
Like the Cat in The Hat does not like green eggs and ham - I do not like exposure. I do not like it at all.
Mensa Moor
We had forged a little bit of history and it was time for the rich rewards. A book deal? A movie? No - humble coffee and cake. Just perfect.
Mount Rufus
Every few steps we would need to just halt and appreciate the beauty of what lay across to our north-east.
Black Bluff Range
As the poplars thin the trail becomes marked with tape and reflectors and can only be described as spacious! I could have linked arms with 15 friends and still had room on the trail!
Mount Lord
With my love of finding all things alternate when it comes to climbing mountains we had decided to approach Mt Lord from the Florentine Valley instead. We called it the "fast and nasty" in advance. Little did we know that our ascent would fulfill the "fast" brief but also surprisingly and most pleasingly, it did NOT fulfill the "nasty" bit!
Mount Olympus
We all know I am in love with Greek mythology, so any mountain named after the very home of the Greek Gods themselves was inevitably going to grab my attention. Even without its captivating name, Mt. Olympus commands your interest as its massive form rises above Lake St. Clair, its bulk spread out over a lumpy, tumbled rocky ridge between its two opposing cliff plateaus.
Cummings Head.
It was time to spread my wings, put on my big girl pants and summit my first solo Abel!
Mount Beecroft.
If you are as lucky as we were the day we headed to Mt Beecroft, you might be treated to views of a snow capped Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff as you roam the button grass ridges and valleys. Pure bliss.
Rats Castle.
Whilst we were giggling and enjoying the added challenge of head high dense bush that required our full body weight to push through, others may not!
The Acropolis
The first part of The Acropolis track took us through some of the most enchanting forest we have seen. The track wound gently over tiny gurgling creeks and past huge old trees. Fungi of all shades littered the mossy edges of the path and colourful native berries hung from the trees.
Abbotts Lookout.
If you are looking for a bus ride to the summit of a mountain. look not further than Abbotts Lookout…
Marriotts Lookout.
A fantastic day's hiking spent in the company of the Launceston Walking Club and led by the amazingly competent Carolyn Farrar. Marriotts Lookout, unlike its nearby cousin Abbotts Lookout, is graded as hard by the Abels book and is not to be underestimated due to its dense scrub and lack of track markings.
Mount Achilles.
I love Greek mythology and the name Achilles brings thoughts of the Trojan wars and the heroic fighter – Achilles. I am also more than a little partial to the Hollywood movie Troy which portrays Achilles as Brad Pitt a fierce warrior but romantic at heart. For no other reason than its namesake I was eager to climb Achilles. Such a romantic notion. Mt. Achilles offers little by way of romantic stroll but instead lives up to its mythical reputation.
Mount Barrow
One of my biggest fears in life is spiders. Like 'jump out the window and burn the house down' fear if I see one. It's totally irrational - a bit like my fear of steep, windy mountain roads with dreaded switchbacks. Mt. Barrow itself is a very easy mountain to summit but after two years I still hadn't ticked it off my Abel bagging list. Why? Because that would involve driving those wretched switchbacks…
Mount Campbell
Mt Campbell definitely deserves its reputation as a short and quick mountain to climb. What most blogs fail to mention is that for a small climb it is big on uninterrupted views.
Clumner Bluff
Finally taking our own advice and ignoring the greedy little view monsters within us, we headed down towards the low alpine scrub in the saddle.
Clear Hill
Breaking out of the head high scrub, two things happened. The gradient suddenly flattened out considerably, and the scrub was replaced by sporadically placed boulders of conglomerate. Great chunks of lumpy, bumpy rock! Gorgeous big misplaced boulders of every shape and size.
Mount Hyperion
This is some of the prettiest country we have ever seen. Tarns sparkled in rocky beds, Pencil pines, Pandani and fagus as well as other vegetational delights lined the pad, and the huge mountains surrounding us seemingly in every direction were awe inspiring.
Du Cane Range Highpoint
After all, like Mark Twain says - "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first".
Clytemnestra
Clytemnestra throws many challenges at you and fights against you reaching her summit. Those that push through to her glorious peak are richly rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of floating on top of the world, whilst sitting high above her cliff bound southern and eastern faces. Wow. Just wow!
Walled Mountain
In hindsight, we are pleased it was a one-Abel kinda day. Why? Because Walled Mountain deserves quality time. The combination of its delightful climb and views make it one of my favourite mountains in the Labyrinth.
Collins Bonnet
To add a little variation, and to shorten the hiking time in between each summit, we decided to take mountain bikes and ride the interconnecting fire trails. What could go wrong?!
Cradle Mountain
A fresh dump of snow and a new hut to check out were the perfect excuses to re-visit this iconic mountain. It's the postcard picture of Cradle Mountain rising behind the southern end of Dove Lake that draws thousands of tourists and hikers alike to this pristine part of Tasmania.
Mount Tor
If endless amounts of head high - and at times virtually impenetrable - tangles of tea tree, wattle and banksia are your thing, then Mt Tor is waiting. If infinite amounts of knee high button-grass gets your groove on, then visit Mt.Tor. If you want to earn your mountain in scratches and bruises then a visit to Mt Tor should be high on your list.
Mount Emmett
Glancing over to Mt. Emmett it appeared as if a giant had emptied a huge bag of rocks out and the rubble had landed in one big pile. Like a sand castle made of big rocks instead of sand. Of course it wasn't a giant but the immense power of ice in our geological history that we have to thank for giving us Mt. Emmett.
Drys Bluff
Little did we know that short, under-2km traverse across the summit plateau from the trig to the summit cairn would test our tired legs almost more than the 1000m of elevation gain up to that point!
Mount Dundas
Then, after a noticeable increase in the upwards climb we were suddenly in middle earth. Or at least what I imagine J.R. Tolkien's middle earth would have looked like.
Mount Field East
I was particularly excited about this trip, as I had recently found out my father Michael was the inventor of - and holds the patents for - the 'SPS' sole design of my much loved Lowa hiking boots!
Mount Geikie
As I had arranged to climb Mt. Tyndall with friends on the last day of our trip, my first trig of the day belonged to Mt. Geikie - and that touch came much quicker and much more easily than I had envisaged.
Mount Tyndall
The sky above was gloomy. We were hoping it wasn’t an sign of weather to come - our trusty Norwegian weather man was predicting fine weather so we weren’t too worried - yet.
Mount Sedgwick
Let us promptly destroy any hopes that one might be able to simply "pop" over to Sedgwick, and be back to camp at Lake Tyndall in around 6 hours as described in The Abels! Even our bushwalking idol RockMonkey found it a solid 9 hour trek - and she is the fittest, fastest and gutsiest bushwalker we know!
Hartz Peak
No mountain hike should ever be underestimated, and that includes the lovely little Hartz Peak. Today was a lesson in why mountain rescues occur.
Ironstone Mountain
I had heard stories that compass bearings could not be trusted because the rock giving the mountain its name is mainly iron-bearing mineral?? I tested this theory during the hike and am pleased to say that my compass held its own with the InReach and didn't seem at all affected!
Mount Murchison
Mount Murchison lies on the west coast of Tasmania. Loved by tourists and locals alike for its "relatively short” climbing time and spectacular views, it had until recently eluded me. Why? Because every single time I have driven to its trail head I have been met by typical west coast weather of rain, snow or hail.