Everything about Mount Bogong totally explained
Mount Bogong, located in the
Alpine National Park, is the highest mountain in
Victoria,
Australia. Big River separates the massif of the mountain itself from the
Bogong High Plains to the south. "Bogong" in the local Aboriginal language means
bigfella.
Like most Australian peaks, it can be climbed without specialised mountaineering equipment, and, indeed, there are several summer walking trails to the summit. The shortest route, via The Staircase Spur, is an eight kilometre walk with the track described as "moderate" in difficulty but with reasonably steep terrain, taking four hours in one direction.
Mount Bogong is a popular backcountry skiing mountain through winter but only has snow for the mid winter-spring months. It is relatively close (around 30km by road and walking track; 12km direct) to
Mount Beauty and several ski resorts (
Falls Creek &
Mount Hotham), giving easy access. Camping is relatively safe below the treeline but the summit ridgeline is very exposed.
Emergency shelter is also available at Bivouac Hut on the Staircase Spur, and at Cleve Cole, above Camp Creek on the broad ridge to the south of the summit. A third emergency shelter, Michell Hut, was destroyed by bushfire in 2003, but has since been rebuilt.
Vegetation
The lower slopes of Mount Bogong are covered with tall forests of Alpine Ash (
Eucalyptus delegatensis) to an altitude of about 1300 metres. From 1300 metres to 1800 metres, woodland and open woodland of Snow Gum (
Eucalyptus pauciflora) dominate, and above 1800 metres, the vegetation consists of alpine shrubland, grassland and herbfield.
History
In August 1936 Mick Hull, Howard Michell and Cleve Cole attempted the first winter crossing of the Bogong High Plains. The group became lost in blizzard conditions and Cole died of hypothermia soon after he and Mick Hull were discovered by a rescue party raised by Michell. The hut commemorating Cole's life was completed in 1938, and has served as the hub of back-country skiing and bushwalking exploration of the Bogong area since. Accommodation at the hut is free on a first-in-first-served basis, although donations to The Bogong Club are welcomed.
Parks Victoria advises skiers and walkers to carry an alpine-capable tent, and not to rely on accommodation in the huts.
Cole's death illustrates the danger of Mount Bogong and of the Victorian Alps in general. The mountains are geologically old and worn. Their low altitude and flattish, rounded tops make for easy skiing and walking, but descent of their steep sides in whiteout conditions can be perilous.
Routes
There are many routes up Mt. Bogong for hikers, including (going clockwise) Staircase Spur, Eskdale Spur, Long Spur, Duane Spur, and Quartz Ridge. All involve a climb of more than 600 metres from the saddle or creek at the base of these spurs.
The name is also given to:
Further Information
Get more info on 'Mount Bogong'.
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