Bogong - Mt Wills circuit

[oyster_07]

I am looking at an early-to-mid May trip up to the Bogong area. I intend to use this as an opportunity to recce an AAWT food-drop location in the vicinity of the Omeo Highway near Mt Wills.

My intended route is as below (sorry about the quality: the file was just too big otherwise). The distances on day one and three are long and I have considered contours in assessing them as reasonable. Long, but reasonable (and I'll probably have a fourth day up my sleeve just in case).

• Does anyone have any information regarding a route between Batty's Hut and Big River (at Frog Track)?
  
• I know that the there is not a maintained track between the AAWT heading east to Batty's Hut, but a route is pretty obvious.
  
• The route down to Big River following New Country Spur is pretty obvious, however does anyone have any information about vegetation density on the lower slopes?

Thanks in advance.

[wildlight]

My first reaction when I saw that map- was "wow- the daily totals!" 25k on Day 1, with over 2000m of ascent, and a huge descent as well… that's a helluva walk, especially in May…

Good luck with it, only you know your capabilities, put in a contingency plan and time adjustment for the notoriously fickle weather which you could encounter in May.

Please post up some photos and a trip report, this would be a fantastic walk.

Cheers
WildLight

[paidal_chalne_vala]

snow, sleet and hail are all on the cards for May in that area.

[north-north-west]

Mount Wills to Mountain Creek in one day, including the Bogong summit? In May?
Well, I hope you're one hell of a lot fitter and stronger than I am, and that the weather holds good for you.

I assume the route is hut to hut to avoid having to use a tent? I trust you are still going to carry some sort of emergency shelter, because that area at any time of the year can send down some nasty weather. Good luck.

[oyster_07]

Mountain Creek to Mount Wills in one day, including the Bogong summit? In May?
Well, I hope you're one hell of a lot fitter and stronger than I am, and that the weather holds good for you.

Actually, it will be Mt Wills to Mountain Creek (via Bogong) in the one day. Heading this direction is the easier direction.

[north-north-west]

Yeah, I realised that after and edited the post. It's still a long walk. Particularly at that time of the year, where I don't see how you can avoid finishing by torchlight.

[oyster_07]

Particularly at that time of the year, where I don't see how you can avoid finishing by torchlight.

Yes, that is a distinct possibility, but it's part of the experience. I'm also leaning to early rather than mid May in order to take advantage of the moon (cloud permitting).

[andrewp]

I walked up from Big River via Batty Spur to Batty Hut a few years ago. There were a lot of fallen trees and fire regrowth. We walked out from Batty Hut to Warby Corner. There was a foot pad to start off with but we soon lost it before we even got to Round Plain. There was a bit of snow on the ground.

•The route down to Big River following New Country Spur is pretty obvious, however does anyone have any information about vegetation density on the lower slopes?

From Timmins Lookout New Country Spur heads NE for 500m and then turns N. Your route as drawn does not follow the spur, but cuts down E to meet Frog Track. IMO navigating to meet Frog Track would be quite a challenge in good conditions. It is very steep. I would expect lots of burnt fallen trees to negotiate and lots of regrowth. Navigation would be easier in the opposite direction.

Good luck and I would be interested to hear how you got on and about the conditions.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I have never been to Mt Wills but it looks like a good one for winter snow showing. It is a long way from Melb. by car. I mean you have to go via Talangatta and Mitta Mitta via Wodonga . Is that right?

[north-north-west]

I have never been to Mt Wills but it looks like a good one for winter snow showing. It is a long way from Melb. by car. I mean you have to go via Talangatta and Mitta Mitta via Wodonga . Is that right?

No. Bairnsdale, Omeo and keep going north. Still a longish drive, but they've sealed the road all the way. The turnoff for the main track is signposted, but the road to the carpark often gets blocked by treefalls, so watch the weather.
Easy enough to pick up the walking track to Wills South, and the route from there to Wills is reasonably well marked. That's a slightly shorter drive.

[oyster_07]

Trip report at http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20154#p267833