St Patricks Head ST630 St Marys, Tasmania, Australia
By Geocaching Australia on 23-Nov-09. Waypoint TP5237

An enjoyable walk up to the top and a fun but careful scramble to the summit. With low cloud and drizzle I got very lucky as it was clear once I reached the trig. Thankfully the rock wasn't wet either otherwise it could be quite dangerous. The views from up here are incredible! Shortly after I descended back to the track the rain came in and low cloud blocked the view. Perfect timing! TFTTP!
Cheers,
The Hancock Clan

Out the East Coast way doing a spot of peak bagging with our walking club. Excellent track up this one courtesy of the recent track works. At the top it was very windy indeed so we tarried not long. Excellent views all around from the top.

With the recent ratty weather here in NW Tassie it was nice to see a sunny day forecast for the east coast at St Marys where St Patricks Head was waiting to be climbed.

St Patricks Head is 683m high and is Australias first Irish named location. Named by Captain Tobias Furneaux on 17th March 1773.

My last visit here was to find the cache...Paddy's Ropes and Ladders by craigrat.

Back then I had my trusty canine companion with me...aka sirius....but sadly his age now precludes him from doing any more bushwalks and mountain climbs, but as soon as I had put my hat and boots on, Murder(the younger of the two canine family....4 yo) started to get pretty excited as he just loves both bush walking and travelling around in the geo fourby. My eldest canine...Sirius...is now too old(16.9 y.o.) to leave the comfort of his bed in front of the wood heater...which has an electric blanket of course(which he just loves and is great for his arthritis). Having walked 100's of km's with me geocaching over the years up numerous mountains, bush walking along many trails plus along vast stretches of beaches etc while geocaching, he has certainly earned his rest..an amazing companion who never gave up no matter how hard it got for him...a truly remarkeable and treasured companion.

So now Murder has the opportunity to retrace the footsteps of his elder canine mate...sirius.

After deviating at Avoca to find geocaches around the Stanhope mine workings then up through Story's Creek for more caching, we eventually arrived at the car park at the foot of St Patricks Head...a very inspiring pinnacle with the survey beacon on top.

The first part up around the paddocks and through the lower slopes was quite easy but approaching the middle section things soon got quite steep. Murder hopped up the steep sections with ease giving me a helping hand as he was still on the lead. The last section was easier walking until reaching the rocky pinnacle where upon reaching the last leg up to the trig the going got quite a bit harder and the ladder was soon reached. I haven't taught Murder to climb a ladder yet....and just as well...so he had to remain on guard at the bottom of the ladder.After climbing the ladder the boulders were quite daunting...especially when on your own...darn pleased I put the EPIRB in my pocket.... as you could easily break a leg up here...or much worse. Finally made it to stand under the Trig where spectacular views were to be had.Views north past St Helens...north west to South Sister....south to Elephant Mt and beyond and back east looking along the expanse of farmland back towards Fingal. A very impressive walk indeed....all up time of 95 min from car park and return...not too bad for an old codger who just had a kidney transplant only 10 mths ago.

Tftc GCA and an awesome day...now its off to grab 3 driveby trigs on the way home...the next being St Josephs Spire at Fingal....cheers ST.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Climbed St Patricks Head Summit, such a beautiful climb fairly easy and only took 2 hrs found paddys rope and ladders up there aswell was a bit upset I couldn't get closer to the trig than in my photo because of my short legs

With our riding wiped out for the day by Saturday night's rain, we thought we'd go for a walk - and what a walk it was.
Some gorgeous ferns, a climb up what was basically a stream, and then the rock scramble at the top.
I climbed the ladder, and then froze.
After a few minutes, one of my fellow walkers (and fellow cacher) came back to find me frozen to the rock at the top of the ladder, unable to move through abject terror.
Thankfully he got me moving again and I was able to enjoy the awesome views, including the Fingal Valley with a LOT of water in it.

Today I found Paddy's Ropes and Ladders. I got to the top of the ladder but decided not to continue due to drop offs close to the track. I got a picture of the trigpoint from near the cache.

Certainly NOT a drive by drive

A hard walk to the top of St Patricks Head and continued up the ladder to the Trig

What a marvellous walk, I didn't think I was going to do the last few metres but I did and it was actually fine (some crawling may have been involved though). Thanks.

Having found the Paddy's Ropes & Ladders cache, Dippedidooda and ourselves continued on to attempt to get to the trig point. All of us were a little apprehensive about this last section, but dry rocks, no wind and mutual support increased our confidence. The ladder was a straightforward. One rock face was a challenge but after that, the trig point was reached with no issues (however, we would not have liked to tackle this if there had been a strong wind, or wet rocks or both). The views from the top were stunning - St Marys and the Fingal Valley to the west, South Sister to the north-west, St Helens and the coastline to the north and north east, and Mt Elephant to the south. Photos added to the Gallery include the obligatory trig point and various views from the top. Thanks Dippy for a joint assault on this trig point - mutual support made the task so much easier.

ID obtained from DPIW LISTMaps database and added to the cache name.

Found "Summit" and "Paddys Ropes and Ladders" and now able to claim this one. Definitely would not have wanted to be the folks involved with placing this trig.
Sensational views, sensational experience.

We walked, we scrambled and crawled our way to the trig what an amazing view and well worth the effort.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Well I can say I sat on St Patricks Head and ate my lunch
am I allowed to say that?

This isnt as challenging a climb as I was expecting.
The majority of people will do it even easier than me (unless you're still waiting for your growth spurt too) and even if you do have to do the odd freefall its worth the bruises
Keep an eye out for the wire near the top ... good to have a tight grip near the head
Certainly a very satisfying feeling at the top

A nice climb to the summit on a warm afternoon to get great veiws.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Bean here done that while doing ropes and ladders.

Published

Happen to have a photo of this from when we did Paddy's Ropes and Ladders

After a gruelling climb up, I managed to comlete the final couple of metres to stand at the top and attempt to take some photos in the descending mist and low light levels.

Rated: for Overall Experience