Lt Tom Courtice and WO2 Chris Reeves, 39 Const Sqn, Capt Danny Lambert, 105 Const Sqn, Pte Jack Hansford, 39 Const Sqn, and Sprs Damian Coulson, Steve Denyar, and Stuart Quintal, 105 Const Sqn, on day two of Exercise Thylacine on the Arthur Plain with the Western Arthur Range in the distance. Photos from 22 Const Regt.

Peak performance
22 Const Regt conquer the elements of southern Tasmania

By Maj Filip Likar
ENGINEERS have conquered 50km of wild and wet Tasmanian countryside during a trek to one of Australia's most spectacular peaks.

Eight members of 22 Const Regt departed from Lake Pedder in Tasmania's south-west, and trekked to Federation Peak recently, as part of an adventurous training exercise, Ex Thylacine.

Federation Peak stands in one of the worst weather regions of Tasmania and is surrounded by cliffs.

But the dramatic scenery and sense of achievement are worth the effort.

Group member WO2 Chris Reeves believed the journey involves negotiating one of the most gruelling paths in Australia.

"The main problem with trekking in the South West is that your feet are constantly wet," he said.

"One of our party retired early due to loss of a number of toenails".

The remaining trekkers continued to make the 800m ascension to the backbone of the East Arthur Range.

By day five, the party were ready to hike the final 5km to the base of Federation Peak, a journey of four hours.

From there they launched their assault against the peak.

Team member Spr Damien Coulson recalled the difficulty of the climb.

"We dropped packs and began the climb, which only half of those that make it to the base ever complete," he said.

"We plunged deeper into the thick fog, passing by crimson red lichen - which gave the appearance of blood splattered across the rock, and 200m later we arrived at the top, surrounded by pure white cloud."

The final two days were spent descending treacherous Moss Ridge and negotiating the thick rain forest to the extraction point 25km away.

Ex Thylacine was a great challenge for the participants, featuring all the hallmarks of a classic adventure training activity.

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