Mt Speculation Warning, Summer 2013

[wildlight]

Howdy folks.

Have just returned from a trip and felt compelled to mention, for the safety of fellow bushwalkers, that...
Camp Creek just below Mt Speculation ( North of Mt Buggery ) has no water.

Not even moisture.

The creek was followed for about 700 meters downstream, still no sign of water.

Macalister Springs was flowing at about 1/2 the rate it normally would this time of year, so things are becoming quite dry in that area.

That being said however, if you are interested in photography and want to nail some stunning images of wildflowers, Mt Howitt ( and the whole area ) is an insane riot of colour right now.

Buggery is ablaze, in fact, it's probably the best wildflower display since the fires.

Just remember to haul some precious liquid, and you'll be sweet.

Safe steps to all, Happy 2013.

WildLight.

[andrewbish]

Wow - I was up there a week ago and there was plenty of water at Camp Creek.

[wildernesswanderer]

I was up there Christmas and had plenty of water too. Must have dried up fast

[davids]

Do you mean camp creek on the road NE of Mt Spec? I'm confused that you said north of Mt.Buggery. Or do you mean streams down off the tops N of Mt.Buggery but south of Mt.Spec?
re water, when Mac Springs is dry, there is a soak round past the top of Devils staircase and that little campsite there. A pump filter makes it easier to fill the waterbottle.
David

[madmacca]

Yeah, I'm a little surprised that Camp Creek is dry. Has anyone been up Mt Spec in January and confirm this?

[jford]

We were on Speculation on Australia Day weekend (end of January) and there was water at Camp Creek. We did the walk up the Queens Spur Road from Upper Howqua camping area, then up Buggery. There was no water along the Queens Spur Road at all, so we were very glad to find water in Camp Creek once we got there.

[wildlight]

Sorry folks, been off the radar.

The problem was at Camp Creek, where we normally get water. There may have been some localised rain between my post and when jford was there. We weren't the only ones to observe the conditions, a lurker of this forum (from Sale), leading a group of 7 younger hikers, was in a bit of bother with only a litre of water per person from the time they arrived at Spec, to when they returned to Maccy Springs.

There was quite a storm (rain, thunder, lightning) at the Howitt Plains carpark, as we covered the last 300 meters back to the car. Conveniently timed. Jford, how much flow was there at Camp Ck?

We weren't badly off on the walk, I have a habit of over-packing the water supply, having been in strife a couple of times in dry conditions. We drank our last on the bit of the Crosscut where the track comes up from the ..Thorn range>?/Stanleys Name Spur? Fairly close to the turnoff back to Macalister Springs. But we were thirsty- at Catherine Ck we gave away most of what we had to the kids, figuring they needed some too.

I can well assure you- when we were there, Camp Ck was dry, we followed it for about 500 meters or so, not overly concerned, because we had water.

Then the group turned up- they checked too, with no success. We hope to get out there again when the Licola Rd opens post-fires.

Safe Steps

WildLight

[jford]

Flow at Camp Creek was decent, more than a trickle, and no problem filling bottles. We were mighty glad to find it. There was some cloud that dropped moisture (if not rain) when we went over the Crosscut. The trees were dripping.

[Summitview]

Hi there.

I am considering walking a circuit at Easter, relying on water at Hellfire Creek (belowMt Madgdala) and Camp Creek (at Mt Speculation). Would appreciate any more recent reports on water availability at these locations.

thanks

[ryantmalone]

Both Hellfire Creek and Camp Creek are usually running, that said, getting towards the end of Summer, ANY water is going to be scarce.

With the amount of rain that the high country has received as of late, I'd assume that both Hellfire and Camp Creek would be running, but consider alternatives just in case.

Example - there is usually a little water in the gully to the right of the track up Howitt, at the campsite just before the treeline.

Mac Springs is usually reliable, but a filter here is mandatory, as the water supply is ridden with Giardia. Not using a filter here is like playing Russian Roulette.

Water is usually reliable 1km down the Stanleys Name Spur track, however that is an extremely steep 1km.