Multiday Hiking 50 Kilometres in Tasmania - Solo Hiking Frenchman's Cap

Solo Hiking Frenchman's Cap in Tasmania is something I'd been planning to tackle since I've started hiking. The 50km trail is generally completed via multiday hiking and staying in the huts provided. On the first day I cover ~25km from Lyell Highway to Tahune Hut. The second day see's me summit Frenchman's Cap and return to Vera Hut (~15km). On the third I return back to the trail head from Vera Hut which is ~18km.
See the exact path I took;
www.alltrails.com/explore/rec...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Contents of this Video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 - Travel to Trailhead
0:23 - Day 1 - Lyell Hwy to Tahune Hut
7:33- Day 2 - Tahune Hut to Summit to Vera Hut
14:08 - Day 3 - Vera Hut to Lyell Hwy
15:33 - Overview/Logistics/Challenges
Hiking Gear
Backpack - geni.us/9fUFSNe
Mattress - geni.us/QhvFEM3
Tent - geni.us/PAhP
Sleeping Bag - geni.us/IhbeWeA
Compression Sack - geni.us/JQNxM
90L Dry Sack - geni.us/KvW6T
Sleeping Bag Liner - geni.us/BYxnB
Jetboil - geni.us/eQkl
Gas canister - geni.us/45PZ6v
Water Bladder - geni.us/7Is1
Water Bottle - geni.us/fLCJCDD
Personal Locator Beacon - geni.us/iMXwCq
Spoon - geni.us/irWK6
Swiss army knife - geni.us/KEcfc1k
Clothing
Footwear - geni.us/B3wPfxl
Socks - geni.us/9xXMO4d
Underwear - geni.us/JYj1KAI
Pants - geni.us/4SmN
Long sleeved shirt - geni.us/KRiUJtM
Camera Gear
Camera - geni.us/kwgEu
Camera batteries - geni.us/xWl9vhy
Lens - geni.us/xde22
Microphone - geni.us/jfKqiit
DeadCat - geni.us/MhN7
Tripod - geni.us/vBjIfF0
SD card - geni.us/sZB0r
Drone - geni.us/ZItv
Drone Batteries - geni.us/ihs9Yp
Peak Design Capture Clip - geni.us/X7XAHj
GoPro - geni.us/6R8AMM
Charging cable (USB-C) - geni.us/9EcGfz6
Charging cable - geni.us/kvK8

[@keithdrower9120]

The music is beautiful, and the scenery is also beautiful. There is nowhere in the World like Tasmania. I wish I had discovered it 40 years ago. Thank you for this video. Glad you finally made it. What a legendary feat...!

[@azzastube9220]

Thank you for all of this. Very well shot, paced and captured the experience perfectly. I know this would've been quite the effort to capture along the way, so from all the guys out there planning a frenchmans cap trek like me - this vid is perfect so thanks a bunch.

[@BackpackingWithJason]

That scenery over the mountains is awesome!! Incredibly beautiful area for some backpacking fun. I’m glad you found your iPhone. Cool video 👍👍

[@brisbaneriver-thewholejour2600]

Tassie looks like the ultimate hiking destination in Oz - on my to-do list for sure

[@JoshCarrHikes]

It absolutely is! So many trails to do and they’re all stunning

[@cturtz]

Walked it last year with my Mum and it was incredible. Before this walk I had only done much less exciting walks in more boring areas and quite frankly didn’t think highly of hiking, but after Frenchman’s Cap all I can think about is getting out and doing some multi day walks. Really great video, loved the unique style. Subscribed and will be telling my family about your channel!

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Haha, I rekon I was in a very similar boat to you until I paid a visit to Switzerland! Very easy to catch the bug once you’ve seen how beautiful some places can be. Thanks for watching!

[@chuggers96]

5:39 is absolutely unbelievable - cannot wait to see this myself next year, looks like a dream hike scenery wise. Thanks for sharing as always Josh!

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the view. Was especially rewarding as it's at the right at the crest of a steep incline - Perfect place to stop for a rest and bite! Hope you're blessed with some decent weather when you tackle it

[@bshapingau8320]

Very inspiring vid. Thank you.

[@RL-im7ww]

This video is amazing mate!! Well done thanks for putting the work.in really enjoyed watching this!!

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers mate appreciate it

[@TakeAHikeWithMe]

Another awesome video mate, this hike is definitely on my favourites list, I enjoyed every minute of it, good to hear some of the behind the scenes chaos. Thanks for sharing your experience mate 😁🤙🏻

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers! Was a rollercoaster of emotions that day

[@Simply_Hiking]

Great hike! I must add this to my list. Thanks for the video

[@praktika1082]

Thanks for a video showcasing and showing your experience, instead of one of you TALKING about your experience. It's so much more rewarding, and I reckon from your perspective as a film maker, it's harder to do. So thanks.

[@chrisdewhurst719]

This is such a well made video. thank you, i love tassie.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Thanks for watching! Likewise

[@DorisHikingAdventures]

Beautiful!

[@jamesbell6996]

This is definitely one to add to the list, Josh! Great video. I'm off with a mate to do the overland in a couple of days, if it's anything like this we're in for a treat.

[@magdyhammad4158]

Thank you for sharing your experience, it was wonderful to enjoy another beautiful part of Tasmania presented with great photography skills. Sorry for loosing you phone for a while. But as you know well, this is hiking. Thank you again.

[@3xxiled]

Josh I did one of your suggested hikes the other day, was pretty hot but hell I had so much fun. Took us about 3 days return and overall covered about 50km. Good stuff, keep making content because I'm watching it

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Good to hear! Was it Frenchman’s Cap? I’ll keep making content as long people keep enjoying it 🙌

[@acau93]

Awesome and inspiring as usual Josh. Would love to see you tackle new zealand and some snowy alpine climates!

[@JoshCarrHikes]

That would be the dream. Hopefully we can get some sort of travel bubble with nz and it I might be able to happen!

[@Findmyself-um8zo]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. Tassie is my favorite place. I hope to do this sometimes next year.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

It's hard to stay away from the place when it's that beautiful!

[@ZakariKha]

Great video mate!

[@rajeetshrestha2712]

Sir your all hiking video is very nice👍

[@myrydian3173]

Nice video mate ! Always been keen on doing this track, view looks amazing !

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers! Absolutely recommend if you get the chance to

[@tazyt3388]

Mate it’s bloody wicked down there walked it years ago best place on earth goodonya great edit cheers

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Couldn’t agree more, I’ve got a feeling I’ll be visiting Tassie a lot in the future!

[@timnsandy1]

Looks a bit challenging for me, but so awesome to see through your eyes. Looked really cold. Looking forward to the next vid.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

If you took your time & worked up to it I reckon a lot of people would be able to tackle it, never count yourself out! Thanks for watching!

[@Chikkinlikkin]

Awesome. One to work towards for me!

[@glb4010]

Very nice huts on the track! I want to hike this someday. Looks like a good walk.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

It’s a great hike and personally rate it very high. Good luck!

[@juliapatten572]

This was my most recent hike in March. I am so relieved you mention how difficult it was as my knees felt it too! I stopped at Vera on the way in as well though - hats off to anyone who can push through to Tahune on Day 1. Really appreciate the warts and all recap at the end as well!

[@JoshCarrHikes]

It’s not an easy hike that’s for sure! The heating at Tahune hut & views atop of Frenchman’s make it all worth it though. Hope you enjoyed the trail!

[@juliapatten572]

@@JoshCarrHikes i really did but mostly i appreciate that you think it's not easy. i'm in my 40's and felt my spirits lift when you said that as i felt love for this trail in my bones but it also kicked my butt by that last push up the final hill :)

[@jimmyjoegamez7649]

I loved that walk. Gave me a lot of blisters though. llol!

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Injiji socks will sort that out 😉

[@johnseddon712]

Amazing as usual Josh. Great to see you hit Tazzie. We love the place . Thanks for sharing the mishaps . Keeps it real. Would love to see you do the South Coast Track. Watched every one of them and think you could do a better job. It was a real test for us as relative newbies.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers John. South Coast is definitely on the to-do list, hopefully planning on tackling it in January or Feb if all goes to plan. Fingers crossed for decent weather as I've heard it can get pretty rough along there

[@Spambrah]

Tbh the quality of the video was still good all the way through! Glad you had a good trip and lucky to didn't lose your phone.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers Tegan! I was a tad on the stressed side when all that went down so I’m glad it still turned out half decent 😅

[@delphinelesterlost3285]

Tasmania is such an amazing place, I've done some great road trips there. I look forward to hiking there when I can travel again

[@JoshCarrHikes]

It’s so stunning hey. Could easily spend over three months there checking out the scenery and knocking out all the trails

[@jonahdsouza6221]

5:39 Freakin incredible!! Had a awe inspiring moment just seeing this through my screen now I want to go there. Watch that phone next time as well XD quality stuff mate

[@JoshCarrHikes]

It actually looked like the landscape was painted on hey. Could have sat there for a longgg time had it not been so cold 😅

[@Rob.Parsons]

Nice dude, crazy about your phone. Same thing happened to me on an overgrown track from the 80’s. it’s still out there! 😅😅😂 keep up the treks bro

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Haha the Tassie wilderness must have thing for stealing phones! Got to say I’m a big fan of your channel dude, been tuning in for a while now. First stumbled across it when I started doing a bit of research into Frenchman’s Cap and have been hooked ever since 👌

[@Rob.Parsons]

@@JoshCarrHikes Cheers man I appreciate that! let me know when you come to tassie next we'll go bash some scrub.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

I’m actually headed back there in a few days time! Running a pretty tight schedule though so would struggle to fit in a bush bash.Will definitely sort something out next time around though! Same goes for you if you ever head West ;)

[@jeanittine8321]

Wonderful and beautiful and lovely...

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Tassie is the best!

[@damiano3575]

Nice one. I did this is 2017 when Tahume was being rebuilt. Looks like it went well. I kept goping down to Irenabyss on the Franklin and then out via Flat Bluff to the north but it got very complicated...

[@calmauric8218]

good vid mate. now looking forward to that track when i move to tassie

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Living in Tassie would be the dream. Enjoy!

[@Brian_Moser1118]

beautiful place. amazing filming skills! i cannot believe this is the place i will be moving to soon. seems like heaven

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers Mark. Tassie is bloody beautiful hey, super jealous that you’re making the move there!

[@Brian_Moser1118]

@@JoshCarrHikes maybe you visit me there and we go hiking ! i'll be new there no friends

[@wazoologist]

Thank you for another great vid. Having bad knees myself, I feel for you, makes it a lot harder and painful to do steep walks. I'm slowly investing in lightweight hiking gear. Hope to get to Tassie again one day to do some walks.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Definitely makes it less enjoyable when the ol knees are aching, but could be worse. Lightweight gear would help out! Cheers for watching

[@richieanker]

Tasmania is the place to go

[@jeanittine8321]

Take care of yourself always and be safe always wherever you are...pray pray pray always..

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Always, safety first!

[@richardstewart6160]

Lake Vera hut was built in 1979... if you do ever hike the Labyrinth, or the Overland Track - you'll find a few huts that are similar age & design (Windermere Hut on the OLT, and Pine Valley Hut in the Labyrinth)

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Long time ago! Great to know, thanks mate :)

[@WayneHolgate-do5ph]

I walked frenchmans cap in 78. There was an old hut there and were rebuilding new hut. Sodden loddens were really sodden. But great memories

[@ianmahoney3296]

Thanks for the info Josh. My wife and I head on the trail on 5th March 2021, Covid permitting. 39yrs after I put it on my bucket list after doing my first ever multiday hike on the overland trek. Handy tips as to what to expect and plan for even further Thanks for the info.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Got my fingers crossed for you guys 🤞 Cheers for watching Ian

[@davidbarnes3591]

That but is better than some hotels I have stayed in lol

[@deltamike5055]

Wow how good are the cabins! Better than the crappy ones in the Victorian high country. Great vid, subbed.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Best cabins I’ve come across by far! Tassie seems to take it to a whole different level when hiking

[@xl20051]

Good

[@anygivenweekend1193]

Nice one Josh! Well shot and edited despite your camera dramas. How epic is Tassie? I did a short walk from that trail head last year and am returning to do the Overland next year.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Tassie is amazing, already want to go back there! Damn that’ll be awesome, can’t wait until I get the chance to do that one myself

[@daniel_8181]

I missTassie a lot ....I wish I could go back to Australia and live there the rest of my life ....

[@JoshCarrHikes]

One of the best places in Aus

[@roobern4334]

Kraig adams

[@TasHikingAdventures]

nice video dude welcome to van diemons land haha....im local born havent seen your channel till now, next time your down hit me up for a beer and chat with a hike haha, this is on my list soon cant wait

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Bloody specky island that’s for sure. Thanks mate, you’ll love it when you get the chance

[@michaelmcphee2930]

Sublime work Josh. Your presentation and unique style is truly something. I don't know anything about video editing at all but if it was a still photo to my way of thinking I would tweak the HSL panels using luminance and play around with the reds, orange and yellows, which may give extra pop. Hope you don't mind me saying.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers Michael. I don’t mind at all, in fact your comment just proves to me that it’s something I know that I need to work on. I’m planning to switch editing programs within the next month or two for that reason. It’s meant to have much better colour grading capabilities so hopefully it’s an area you’ll see some improvement on in the future

[@michaelmcphee2930]

@@JoshCarrHikes that's a relief. You're right up there with everything you do. The only improvement if that's the right word is the colour when there's so much green. It'll add depth with the colours of flowers and branches etc adding to the contrast. You're very talented, thanks for sharing I look fwd to them as they come out.

[@chrisedie2307]

Great video, welcome to Tassie, the final bit up the summit looks sketchy (vertigo sufferer here).

[@JoshCarrHikes]

There was one section that was a bit sketchy and I rekon would catch a few people out that. Other than that though it wasn’t too bad

[@chrisedie2307]

@@JoshCarrHikes Thanks 😀

[@Puneridownunder]

Great effort 👍🏽 all your videos are informative and are really photogenic. How would you compare this walk with cradle mountain summit?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cradle Mountain is much easier than Frenchman’s. There’s a lot more scrambly parts heading up Cradle Mt though

[@christinegregory5233]

There is no silence in hiking.

[@Gullyrats]

Appreciate ya Hikes / Vids. Ya better move to Eastern states as We got mountains

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Can’t wait to get to the Eastern States. Have been trying for 2 years now but the border closures keep throwing curve balls

[@PetrichorWeaves]

This vid is amazing mate! Do you have the alltrails link for this one?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Cheers, the link is in the description now. Forgot to throw it in this time around, my bad!

[@Zwitch17]

What shoes and pants are you wearing and would you recommend either? Nice video btw

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Both are linked in the video description if you’re interested in having a look. I haven’t had any dramas since I’ve bought them nearly ago so can’t really say anything about them!

[@mikesutcliffe1142]

Boy, that looks pretty tough in spots! More than my knees could cope with, anyway. You're so lucky being able to go to Tassie (we're all still stuck in Singapore!) Did you do the Overland Track while you were there, too?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Haha it definitely had the heart pumping in certain sections! What's the restrictions like in Singapore? Unfortunately not as I'd have to take some time off work. It's on the to-do list though so hopefully I'll get to knock it out sooner rather than later!

[@mikesutcliffe1142]

@@JoshCarrHikes - We're in "Phase 2" in Singapore, so most things are pretty much back to normal - but everyone wears masks 100% of the time outside their homes and there's no live music yet (pretty tough for a drummer!) As soon as Aus will have us, I'll be heading to WA to do the Cape to Cape...

[@JoshCarrHikes]

@@mikesutcliffe1142 Good to hear that's it not too bad over there but bit of bugger with the live music! Cape to Cape is bloody amazing hey, I'm sure you'll love it when you get over here!

[@deldridg]

Mate - very decent of you to walk this twice for our viewing pleasure - once to set up the camera each time and once again for the shot! Excellent footage and production as always. Your commentary is very helpful and entertaining. Hopefully your Sony was fixable. Last year in Norway on a mountain hike, I was descending and our new 4K Sony video camera fell out of my pocket, bounced down about 20m of rocks and seriously damaged the viewfinder. It still works but isn't as pretty as it was. You had the whole family here totally wrapped in your vid and we're looking forward to doing our own overnight hikes asap! Cheers and thanks from Sydney, Dave and famo

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Damn, it did pretty well to survive a 20m though! Got the repair bill for mine the other day which ended up being $400 so that’s going to sting. Headed back to Tassie in a few days time again so hopefully you’ll enjoy this one too. Cheers for watching!

[@deldridg]

@@JoshCarrHikes Ouch - not cheap things to fix these fancy bits of gear we carry. Tas is a beautiful place and we're very jealous of you. Maybe next year we'll get the whole famo down there on a multi-day hike. Years ago my wife and I did the Walls of Jerusalem - amazing, despite the heavy weather. In the meantime, we'll enjoy your superb vids and pass them around. Cheers and thanks for all the hard work. BTW - you were pretty exposed in Frenchman's a few times. Is that a Garmin inReach you're carrying?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

@@deldridg I’ve only heard good things about the Walls of Jerusalem so I can’t wait to that one out myself. I was actually planning on hiking this time around until I found out there was a shortage of hire cars in Tassie (cheapest option was $250 a day!). Keen eye you’ve got there - Yeah it is, can’t put a price on safety!

[@tambayanonline6110]

Great hike! What would be a typical cost for this adventure?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Most of the time it depends largely on how far away the trail is from where I reside. This was my most expensive trip to date probably costing ~$1200 with flights, hire car etc

[@ramadamnn5622]

Hi Josh, just wondering is the trail well marked? My nav is terrible. Thanks. Great video btw

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Very well marked. You’d be doing well if you got lost

[@Amnesia2Morrow]

That's an awesome vid really captures the essence of the hike. Did it 5years ago before the new Lake Tahune Hut was built, pretty much did exactly the schedule you did. Day 1 Lyell wy to Tahune Hut was in constant rain though, so it was a real hard slog, but rewarded on Day 2 with clear day at the peak, everyone else we passed had to turn back due to bad weather or zero visibility. Spent a bit too much time at the top and sight seeing on Day 2 ending up at Vera Hut after 9pm, thank goodness for daylight saving. Well done! What camera do you use? Would love to go back and do Irenabyss or some of that off track stuff with someone good with nav.

[@Amnesia2Morrow]

Oh nevermind on the camera gear, I just saw it in your video descripton top stuff!

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Damn that would have been awesome! Same story here, the people the day before me had a white out & lightning storm on the way back down so was pretty thankful to be blessed with good weather the day I summited. Irenabyss would be great hey, I didn’t know it existed prior to doing the hike but now I’m thinking about going back just to finish it off

[@Amnesia2Morrow]

@@JoshCarrHikes I'm actually really impressed that you lugged all your camera gear up there (You have a full tri-pod as well?) We ended up tenting instead of staying in the hut at Vera, but pretty much had the old Lake Tahune hut to ourselves. I thought before hand that not having to carry much water due to all the natural water resources would cancel the incline troubles, but the rain, cold and freezing on Day 1 laid that theory to rest. Day 3 shirts off sunny weather.

[@JoshCarrHikes]

@@Amnesia2Morrow. I thought the same about water too, was still a bloody hard slog!

[@Amnesia2Morrow]

@@JoshCarrHikes It's uncanny we did almost everything to a tee as you did, crashed in our car first night, rainning but we had a more comfortable sleep as we were able to lay the seats down in our station wagon. It's tough isn't it doing 25km uphill after average sleep! Glad you found your iphone that would have been a bit of a heart attack doing it solo lol.

[@mohanpremarathna559]

What is the best time of the year for this hike? Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Nov to Feb if you want the best chances of good weather

[@TasHikingAdventures]

Mate lost his phone on Fincham track had to get choppered out and all....always have a map and compass always

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Most of the hikes I go on are usually reasonably marked out or the trail is visible enough. A compass & trail map wouldn’t have helped me out here but I do see the value in carrying. Would probably be something I’d consider if I was wild camping/trekking

[@lid144]

Beautiful scenery but those pole steps look too dangerous to navigate while carrying a heavy backpack.

[@christinegregory5233]

To be.

[@joeltihverainen1242]

Hi Josh. Possibiltity in 1 very long day (say 330 am kick off and 730pm finish with only a 20 min lunch break?) I feel like it can be done in good weather and a very fast moving time (part trailing running)?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

There’s an annual event where people race to complete it in a day. I think the record sits around 7 hours or something so it can definitely be done, would just be a matter of fit you are. This article has a bit more info; www.cradlemtnrun.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2022-CMR-information.pdf

[@joeltihverainen1242]

@@JoshCarrHikes Thanks Josh. Unfortunately this is info for the Cradle Mountain run

[@JoshCarrHikes]

@@joeltihverainen1242 Haha wow I buggered that one up. Frenchman's could definitely be done in a day too but you'd be pretty spent and need a decent pace. As a reference I think an above average hiker with decent fitness would be able to summit Frenchman's and stay the night at Tahune Hut even when carrying a 10-15kg. As you'd just be doing as a day hike you could travel a lot faster so I can't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to make it back to car park. There's plenty of water along the trail so you'd never have to carry much

[@rickychopsbarbershop4980]

What camera/audio do you use?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Sony a7iii & rode video mic pro plus

[@rikiellia]

Hey josh did you hotel quarantine after your trip ?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Nah no need to with direct flights from Tassie to Perth

[@rikiellia]

Thanks josh !! If it wasn’t for your videos I wouldn’t get the motivation ! Now I’m heading in November to do the 3 capes hike ! Thank you bro !

[@richardstewart6160]

end up finding out what went wrong with the Camera?

[@JoshCarrHikes]

Water damaged. I thought I'd done a pretty good job of protecting it from the rain but obviously not. I've sent it in for repair so fingers crossed the repair bill isn't going cost an arm and a leg

[@christinegregory5233]

Where are you?

[@dyong888]

And you took all that video yourself..... gosh. Well Done. All that placing the camera and walking the scene and walking back to pick the camera up.....

[@JoshCarrHikes]

It takes a bit longer but I love the process. Might seem odd but constantly have to think about the next shot makes me enjoy the hike even more. Yeah, I’m weird 😅

[@dyong888]

@@JoshCarrHikes yea you're weird man! But boy you have some advanced hiking skills for sure.