Never Never in July.

[kanangra]

A mate and I are planning on a trip through the Never Never in July. We plan to go in via Lake Myrtle and Meston Hut then along to Junction Lake and through the Never Never to the OLT. From there we plan to walk the OLT to Pelion and then out via Dans Paddocks and back to the Mersey Forest Rd. This is almost a complete circuit with only a couple of K's of road bash at the end. As usual we don't have a lot of time and I was wondering if the three days we have is enough? We do tend to keep moving fairly well and cover quite a lot of ground. I was thinking first night at either Meston or Junction and 2nd night at either Ki Ora or Pelion and out on the third day?

K.

[philm]

It will take you about 5 hours to get to Meston Hut on the Lake Bill Track then about another 2 hours to Junction Hut. This would be day 1.
The second day from Junction to Kia Ora can be a big day - depending on the weather and the amount of water in the Mersey and the crossing. I would plan on an early start and perhaps an 8-10 hour day so you will need to make the most of the daylight.
On Day 3 this could be another big day but may be doable - I have not walked this section so best to ask others on the forum.

July can be great but the weather - water, snow and ice can signifciantly change the above timings.

Enjoy the trip.

[kanangra]

Thanks for that.

K.

[tigercat]

Kia Ora, Pelion, Lees Paddocks, out is a long day, maybe 9 hrs

2 alternatives to shorten the trip
moses ck track to Junction lake rather than lakes Myrtle and Meston, 5-6 hrs
pad from the OT just S of Kia Ora hut to lees paddocks and the RD 6 hrs
Using these tracks I had a gorgeous circuit last June crisp frosty sunny weather, 3 days. viewtopic.php?f=42&t=13914
These tracks take a bit more nav than the route you describe.
details of the tracks on this website http://tastracks.webs.com/merseyvalley.htm also in John Chapmans book on the OT and WOJ

If you had 4 or 5 days you could explore the waterfalls maybe climb a peak or 2

All the best for your trip

[kanangra]

Thanks for that suggestion. I've walked out from Junction on the Moses Ck track so thought I would try a different route in. Your alternative suggestion about heading down from Ki Ora past Wadleys hut is a good idea. that could save us a bit of time.

K

[rodb2013]

The Never Never is a leech infested maze. We joked that maybe that's why is called that except the critical word is missing "Again". Admittedly we walked it on a day of 30mm of rain so didn't have much fun. We walked the other way but along the valley past the two huts (forget their name) then up to the OLT, along a bit then down again to Harnett Falls. I don't know if it is possible, but following the Mersey River from Harnett directly down stream would allow you to avoid the OLT.