Bushwalk Australia

I'm walking up Eskdale spur for an overnighter at MB in a couple of weeks. I've never been up there and considering taking my wife, who is the newbie. How difficult is it?
The hardest walk hat she has done is the climb to the labyrinth in tassy, would this be worse, given that she will have a lightish pack.

If you park at Camp Gap, Eskdale Spur is the shortest route up Bogong. Greater altitude gain to the summit, but overall length would be less than Narcissus to the Labyrinth. But she can always stop and wait for you at Mitchells if the climb is too much.

Thanks NNW.

north-north-west wrote:If you park at Camp Gap, Eskdale Spur is the shortest route up Bogong. Greater altitude gain to the summit, but overall length would be less than Narcissus to the Labyrinth. But she can always stop and wait for you at Mitchells if the climb is too much.

There is a shorter way up from Granite flat (keep going past Eskdale). I have not done it in a while but did so in winter and best to have a 4wd. The track was good and you gain a lot more height then cut across to Michelle's hut and onto Eskdale spur. Some maps erroneously call it Mitchell's hut but it was named after Howard Michelle who along with Cleve Cole and Mick Hull attempted a winter crossing of the Bogong High Plains. They got into trouble and Michelle walked out and got help from the Batty's and others in Glen Valley. Cleve Cole died that trip. The steepest bit is past Michelle's but it is also the best view. It may be hard for some but I think it is worth it. I would take a short steep climb any day over a very long and constant up hill. When you need a break you just turn around and tell the others you are soaking up the view which those who are fitter ought to be doing anyway. Is it a marriage breaker. Don't think so but you may have to be very nice to her afterward and carry a bit more on your back during.

It's actually Michell without the e on the end. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Michell

The short steep over the long constant up hill for me too thanks You can nibble away and not lose much time on a short steep if it's really hard but there's not much relief from a long climb.

Thanks guys, we're doing it with a club so don't have any options on the route but I know that we will take a 4 wd track a fair way up- so sounds like the route you've mentioned.
I'll be carrying the food, tent and water, so I reckon it's doable. That's allayed some of my worries, I
She'll be fine with a short and steep route.
Cheers all.

Is there a gate about a kilometre above Mountain Creek?

Lophophaps wrote:Is there a gate about a kilometre above Mountain Creek?

Only on the creek track and that's seasonal. There's a side road from the Mountain Creek to Mitta Mitta road that goes in to Camp Gap. Plus the Granite Flat option, although that's a much longer drive and, from memory, comes in from the east.

I think. Been too long since I've been in there . . .

north-north-west wrote:

Lophophaps wrote:Is there a gate about a kilometre above Mountain Creek?

Only on the creek track and that's seasonal. There's a side road from the Mountain Creek to Mitta Mitta road that goes in to Camp Gap. Plus the Granite Flat option, although that's a much longer drive and, from memory, comes in from the east.

I think. Been too long since I've been in there . . .

You can get to the Granite flat track from Mountain creek and the Eastern side. We did it from Mountain Creek. It is a bit longer in the drive but a great option to get up high. Much longer of course to come in from the Omeo Highway. Some people use it to access Bogong in the Winter for skiing. Thanks Neil for the correction on Michell. Fingers and brain not talking.

I would prefer the Eskdale spur to the Staircase up or down. We are using the Eskdale spur to descend from the summit this Labour Day weekend.

Make sure she cuts her toenails. I went up the staircase and down Eskdale Spur solo last Easter. Forgot to trim my toenails and although I could feel it I was a bit too weary on the way down to stop and do it. Seems like they have only grown back properly the last month or so. Absolutely loved it and I am going back just after Easter , maybe for an overnighter and further exploration.
Raider

I always use Eskdale in winter. A couple of steeper longer bits, but a few flatter bits too. Normally takes us 1 3/4 hrs to Michell's, with all the winter skiing crap on board. Would be less of 20 yrs younger, or just carrying basic gear!

A

But how do you pronounce it?
I had thought it was Mitchell and pronounced it that way, but as a surname, I would have thought that would probably be close.
Some locals were pronouncing it 'Mishell' - like a girls name.

[The locals had come in from Granite Flat]

And I definitely got sore legs going down Eskdale past the hut.
Coming down the track up top was fine, but below the hut it became much more gravelly and harder to keep proper traction.

eggs wrote:But how do you pronounce it?
I had thought it was Mitchell and pronounced it that way, but as a surname, I would have thought that would probably be close.
Some locals were pronouncing it 'Mishell' - like a girls name.

[The locals had come in from Granite Flat]

And I definitely got sore legs going down Eskdale past the hut.
Coming down the track up top was fine, but below the hut it became much more gravelly and harder to keep proper traction.

Our friend who is a member of the Cleve Cole hut club thing pronounces it like the girls name. He is local too. I take may lead from locals. We came down Eskdale spur one winter in a blizzard and were nearly blown off our feet on the first part. Slid down on our bums for a bit. Spur walking certainly gives all the leg muscles a good work out up and down. Plus the toe nails. Ouch. A walking pole or 2 can be very useful on this terrain to help with those slips.

It's not pronounced like the girl's name. (or, as has been pointed out, spelled like the girl's name)

The emphasis is on the first syllable, not the second. The second syllable is not dragged out, and is pronounced like the last three letters in Mitchell Phonetically something like Mishil or Mishul might get you closer.

The name is uncommon, which is probably why so many get it wrong. It was a long time ago and IIRC the family are in Adelaide, so first hand local Vic knowledge may be slim.

I guess we all know where we are talking about now. It is probably getting a bit off the topic, pointing the finger at myself as much as anyone else.

Xplora wrote:I guess we all know where we are talking about now. It is probably getting a bit off the topic, pointing the finger at myself as much as anyone else.

Concern for factual detail, and a little pedantry, are particular characteristics of this form

Wandering a little from the topic is a characteristic of all forums, I think ?

Hey - what's the point of going to remote places if you don't know the names..... ummm - oops!

Going up this weekend. said newbie unable to attend now....

How's the water situation? Do I need to lug up 10l or is there a reliable source at the hut or on top? It may be warm on the saturday.....

The summit soak may be dry or slow. The creek below Cleve Cole is always running ... if you go down far enough. Big River is always running. The creek at the helipad on Quartz Ridge should be okay. The other Bogong huts may or may not have water, so carry water for the ascent and descent on these spurs.

We ( VNPA) are going from Watch bed Ck. to Roper hut this Sat.
Sun. we are going down to Big River and up to Cleve Cole hut.
Monday we are going over the top of the big Fella and down the Eskdale spur.
It should be a big adventure!

Thanks for the advice, I'm heading up with the local walking club - should be a good weekend

Amazing, I have comms on summit of Mt bogong.
One of yhe best post storm sunsets I've ever seen, the moths are out and the sky slowly darkening over the summit, which is still and mild.
Camped just under the summit cairn. Magic.

slparker wrote:Amazing, I have comms on summit of Mt bogong.
One of yhe best post storm sunsets I've ever seen, the moths are out and the sky slowly darkening over the summit, which is still and mild.
Camped just under the summit cairn. Magic.

You should have near to line of site to a lot of comms from up there.
I hope we see some pictures of what you describe when you return

took some photos from my phone but did not look particularly good.

i did notice a nice effect of the sun setting behind mt Buffalo throwing an enormous buffalo shaped shadow on the stormclouds to the east... that coupled with the lightning to the SW made for some eerie light effects...

Sounds wonderful.

I was up on the Mt. Bogong summit yesterday. The weather was perfect !. I will post a trip report soon. The T spur is the torture spur!