winter walk up Donna Buang

[hamishm]

I'd like to walk up Donna Buang as final training before heading off to Kilimanjaro, but it sounds like the track is slippery at the best of times and I'm worried the descent will be too treacherous with all the recent rain. Walking down the road doesn't exciteme much though. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Hamish.

[Lophophaps]

This time of year there could be rather a lot of leeches and wet scrub. You may do better on a wider track, perhaps One Tree Hill or Mt Dandenong. These have the advantage that if the weather turns you can back out quickly. Climb one of these several times and it's a fair workout. There are heaps of other hills around. A few years ago I climbed on on the Maroondah Highway, on the right (presumably towards the south) just before Black Spur. Quite steep and energetic. No view, just a large cairn on the summit. Can't recall the name. This may also suffice.

[Tortoise]

This time of year there could be rather a lot of leeches and wet scrub.

Ah yes, I remember now. My leechiest walk ever! We couldn't stop for a breather because they climbed on faster than we could flick them off. There were dozens (hundreds?) visible at any one time, waving ominously from any vegetation within cooee. I sat down briefly on my CCF square for lunch, flicking constantly. Many trails of blood were left on the mountain that day...

[stry]

I'd like to walk up Donna Buang as final training before heading off to Kilimanjaro, but it sounds like the track is slippery at the best of times and I'm worried the descent will be too treacherous with all the recent rain. Walking down the road doesn't exciteme much though. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Hamish.

I presume that you are meaning to go via the Mt Victoria track, and then along the ridge to Donna ??

You can start from Warburton, at the bottom of Martyr Road, which could be a bit greasy and uneven between Warburton and the aqueduct, or you could start from the aqueduct, above which it will be a little greasy here and there, but no big deal. I would take poles if you have them, but if you haven't don't be concerned.

Don't worry about the leeches. There are plenty, but no worse than many other south faces. Easy enough not get sucked on if you are aware.

Lots of people use it as climbing training, or as a finisher for other training. Go for it !!!

[hamishm]

I'd like to walk up Donna Buang as final training before heading off to Kilimanjaro, but it sounds like the track is slippery at the best of times and I'm worried the descent will be too treacherous with all the recent rain. Walking down the road doesn't exciteme much though. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Hamish.

I presume that you are meaning to go via the Mt Victoria track, and then along the ridge to Donna ??

Which is this route, right? http://www.mapmyhike.com/au/healesville ... e-77870548

Haven't been able to find a great map online otherwise, the Parks Vic site just has walks around the summit and not from the bottom.

Lots of people use it as climbing training, or as a finisher for other training. Go for it !!!

Cheers for that!

[stry]

That map in the link is more or less the route. The first bit of the track is shown a bit strangely - as starting somewhere east of the golf course. That's not correct. It starts at the bottom of a very steep bitumen climb (MartyrRoad) and pulls straight up from there, running beside the golf course initially. It It also appears to show the route as following a section of the bitumen road at the top, which isn't the case. There are a few signs and it isn't hard.

If you decide to do it, and are still a bit uncertain about the route PM me.

[madmacca]

I haven't climbed Kilimanjaro, but I would imagine it has its slippery sections. Donna should be good training.

The Donna track is pretty narrow and forested (ie. plenty to hang on to), and pretty much straight up. While it is possible to go for a slide, you're not going to slide off a cliff or anything.

[David M]

Is there anywhere on or near Mt Donna Buang where you can snow camp? Is there snow there now?

[Lophophaps]

See
http://www.warburtoninfo.com/mount-donn ... eport.html
for details. Donna Buang is a little low for regular snow. If you go after a fall to low levels you may get snow. The best close alternatives are Lake Mountain and St Gwinear.

[overlandnoob]

I was there last week - really only enough snow to build a very icy snowman, definitely not enough to camp on Donna Buang (and probably not really a place to do it even if there was lots of snow.

[stry]

It's been snowing flat out up there, and snowing now.

Likely to be a sightseeing madhouse this weekend though, and a pretty wet, leechy, place to camp for most of it.

[GBW]

Just back from our first snow camp at Mt Boobyalla near Donna Buang . Had an awesome time but I reckon it was -3? overnight and everything froze solid. But we were confident in our gear and it was a good test for our equipment, and I was comfy warm in my bag, mind you, I wore every piece of clothing I had to bed, including my rab down jacket. Some photos here...https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.738147129575070&type=1&l=5a133b4208