Bushwalk Australia

Is anyone able to help out with water availability up on the high plains?

Are springs / creeks running at this time of year?

Planned route is Copes hut, Towonga huts, bogong jack hut, spring saddle ruins and down into bogong

I've only been up there in winter so any directions to good creeks or springs would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Emily, there's heaps of water on the Bogong High Plains. I'd tend not to get water from near some huts, but in general the quality is fine. I've never needed to treat water there, which is good as I have no way of doing so.

There's a creek out the front door of Cope Hut. There used to be a soak in the back door. About 30 minutes on the pole line is Cope Creek, quite nice, very reliable. Cope Saddle has a small hut and probable water. The water is there but it may be hard to access. There's a few small soaks on the route to Tawonga Huts; best carry from Cope Creek.

The high route over the mountain formely known as Prince, er, Niggerheads, has water close to the the summit, and it's then fairly dry to Little Plain, good reliable water. In fine weather the ridge is much nicer than the low route on the track, which has several creeks. The ridge is easy open terrain, the only hard part getting off Mt N. There's a soak on the north side of Fainter North. From Bogong Jack, go north for about 600 metres to a good creek.

I do not know about Spring Saddle water, could not see any last time I was there. On the switchbacks to Bogong Village there's a few tanks, seem to be very reliable. There's a small dam above the bitumen, and a tap at one of the buildings at the gate.

I would treat the water at Tawonga Huts personally. Lots of horses, lots of horse poo in the water.

I always treat water, even tank water (don't know when possum last died in the tank!), and its just not worth getting sick!

Wheres better to camp? (purely based on nicer campsite, views, good grassy campsites etc) Bogong Jack Hut or Saddle Springs hut? Either way should be very doable for us from Tawonga huts

Emily, many tanks are sealed, and animals cannot get in. Tanks were used in biblical times, and more recently by many people who live in regions away from water on or in the ground. All is well. In general, providing riparian water flowing at an adequate rate rises in a mainly natural environment and is away from popular camping spots there's no need to treat it. While there is a need to treat some water, there's little or no science to prove that water quality is suss. I've asked managers to provide contemporary evidence to show that water is suss, and none has been provided. Managers are putting up signs to avoid litigation. If anything, since cattle were taken off the Bogong High Plains a few years ago, the water quality should be improved. As ground cover slowly improves, sediments will diminish. Pathogens may be an issue with stagnant water or water that's flowing slowly. Toxins and chemicals – not present. What's left?

I've not camped at The Springs, and found Bogong Jack Saddle to be nicer. There's a big yard, and views either side, with a slightly grotty hut to hide in. I'm more concerned about picking up something from a hut, even the flash ones such as on the Overland Track.

Thanks

Sounds like Bogong Jack might be the go. The weather looks perfect not to need to hide in a hut!

I agree, sealed tanks are a minor issue, however for the sake of not much money, I would rather not get sick when camping/on holidays!

Creeks however I am reasonably wary of unless its from a spring very high up (I work in land management and am very aware of feral animals that carry human pathogens around the landscape). We still have a lot of wild deer, horses, goats, pigs, and dogs in the high country, all of which can carry human diseases into our waterways. Again back to the I would rather enjoy my time in the bush!

(am I the only one who wipes down any benches with Metho or puts down a tarp before cooking?!?)

Emily, I assess each source on merits. The first factor to consider is the history, how many people have become ill. I'm unaware of any significant number of people becoming ill due to Bogong High Plains water. Second, what do people in forums such as this advise. For example, the advice above about Tawonga Huts is good. That said, the water is 500 metres from the hut and flowing very strongly. Third, I look for the science that shows that the water is crook. Agreed, animals can be vectors, but is this a significant problem? I do not know for certain, but on balance, providing sources are chosen with care, I suggest not. My background includes science, and I make evidence-based conclusions.

Agreed, the cost is relatively small, but I object to the hassle.

Providing no food or utensil touches a hut surface, I'm confortable cooking in huts. Drinking the meths makes me forget about such things, and kills any nasty bugs.

Treating water is a personal things and I tend to agree with Emily. Possums carry giardia and they climb on the roofs which supply the water for the tanks. Some people are less effected by these bugs. I do agree the signs are more to avoid litigation. I filter all tank water including my own tanks at home as my partner is quite susceptible to giardia but I am not. I also have a science background and have dealt specifically with animal parasites and pathogens. I know what they can do. Probability may be low but there is always a chance that little bit of water will contain something quite nasty such as a hydatid cyst which can be transmitted by many animals. I certainly do not mind if people choose not to treat water but that is their personal risk. To say that any water source is good for any person to drink without that water being tested is a bit dangerous, no disrespect intended to Lop or others who have done so in the many other threads where this topic has come up. I live 10km from the BHP. It is infested with people most of the time and they are probably worse than any other animal. Do I drink untreated water when in the bush and in particular on the BHP? Sometimes and I have not been affected to date but I cannot certify to anyone else it is safe to do so. People have so many different ideas about what water is safe to drink and mostly it is subjective. I raft ever year on the Mitta with some TAFE students and they tell me it is safe to drink the water if we are thirsty. Knowing that gray water and worse flows directly into the Bundara river which flows into the Mitta is enough for me not to let alone all the cattle and horses. The Cobungra is probably worse. My point is you never really know what is upstream.

emilyw wrote:(am I the only one who wipes down any benches with Metho or puts down a tarp before cooking?!?)

I definitely don't do that.

I've always drunk the water from the high plains straight, just stop, drop and skol.

I've always drank the high plains water without treating and I've never been sick from it. I have been ill from tank water once. Used the water from the stream that runs past Tawonga Huts at Easter. All good. I just make sure I collect it from high up and where its running.

Personally I think we get too carried away with cleaning etc. and then our gut bacteria does not get to fully develop and that's when we do end up getting sick.

I have a water pump filter and I use it .