GENERAL MEETING 8 pm Wednesday 20 May 2015 In pursuit of the ACT’s Great bushwalk Presenter: Karen Cody What happens when a middle-aged woman emerges from the long tun- nel of societal obligations? Follow Karen’s misadventures as she pursues “The ACT’s Great Bushwalk”. A 400 km long proposed route, which circum- navigates the fairyland snow gums of the ACT’s alpine country, its grass- lands and riverine gorges, and a few of its idiosyncratic suburban fringes. Members’ interest in participating in the development of the objectives and route for the ACT’s own great bushwalk will be canvassed at the end of the presentation. The hall, Hughes Baptist Church, 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee 2 President’s prattle 2 Membership matters 2 Notice of Motion for May general meeting 3 Walks Waffle 3 Training Trifles 4 Review: On and off the Larapinta 5 Trailrider at the Heritage Festival 6 Walking in Patagonia: surviving the Villarrica Traverse 29–31 March 2015 7 Activity program 7 Wednesday walks 11 Bulletin board 12 Feeling literary? Important dates 20 May General meeting 27 May Committee meeting 27 May Submissions close for June it Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Volume: 51 Number: 4 May 2015 it C o r r o b or e e F r o g Also some leaders of walks in the current and next month will be on hand with maps to answer your questions and show you walk routes etc
Transcript
GENERAL MEETING8 pm Wednesday 20 May 2015
In pursuit of the ACT’s Great bushwalkPresenter: Karen Cody
What happens when a middle-aged woman emerges from the long tun-nel of societal obligations? Follow Karen’s misadventures as she pursues
“The ACT’s Great Bushwalk”. A 400 km long proposed route, which circum-navigates the fairyland snow gums of the ACT’s alpine country, its grass-lands and riverine gorges, and a few of its idiosyncratic suburban fringes. Members’ interest in participating in the development of the objectives and route for the ACT’s own great bushwalk will be canvassed at the end of the
presentation.
The hall, Hughes Baptist Church,
32–34 Groom Street, Hughes
In this issue2 Canberra Bushwalking
Club Committee2 President’s prattle2 Membership matters2 Notice of Motion for May
general meeting3 WalksWaffle3 TrainingTrifles4 Review: On and off the
Larapinta5 Trailrider at the Heritage
Festival 6 Walking in Patagonia:
surviving the Villarrica Traverse 29–31 March 2015
CBC has recently agreed to arrange inter-club visits with the Hobart Walking Club (HWC). The HWC
has kindly invited all CBC members to a week of walk-ing, specially programmed for us, from Tuesday 8 to Monday 14 March 2016. The program will include, on eachdayonfiveofthesedays,twodaywalksofdif-feringlevelsofdifficulty,plussomemulti-daywalks.CBC will return the favour during a week in spring 2016, when we will run a program for HWC members.Lorraine Tomlins, as Walks Secretary, will be sorting out the details with HWC. At this stage it looks like half the places on each walk will be reserved for each Club, until a few days beforehand. This an absolutely wonderful opportunity to walk in Tasmania with the local experts. I hope you will keep the dates free and join me in Hobart next March.
Linda Groom President
Membership matters
President’s prattle
Notice of Motion for May general meeting
That the Club accept the proposal from Zealous System to develop new Club management
software.Background information is in the two documents ‘Proposal to purchase new Club software’ and ‘Blue Sky 8’ on the Club Documents page of the Club web site. You need to enter your Club pass-word to see them. Or you can contact Linda Groom and ask her to email you copies. All members are invited to consultation sessions on Saturday 9 or Friday 15 May; please RSVP to Linda.
Please keep your email address up to date via your membership page on the website. Contact the Mem-bership Secretary if you need help.New members: Peter Blayney, Kerri Blayney, David Lindley, Judy ScutterMember Profile: Rob and Jenny Horsfield
Jenny and Rob have been keen walkers since they were teenagers. They met in the Sydney University
Bushwalking Club and after marrying spent seven years
Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2015 – page 3
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TheTrainingTrifle is all aboutkeeping warm. What I want to
talk about is keeping warm while you are wet. This is very much on my mind because on a recent CBC trip from Mittagong to Katoomba we experienced the great NSW rain deluge. This meant we were very wet and potentially very cold. We couldn’tfinishthewalkasplannedbecauseofafloodedriver.Luckilywe were well prepared (warm and synthetic layers, robust raincoat, over pants) but even so relentless rain takes it toll. What are my les-sons from this experience? Hat and headbands – head warmth is important; a number of upper lay-ers – when arms are cold, hands andfingersareclumsy;packlinersand plastic bags to ensure sleeping bag and some clothes are dry; high energy snacks close at hand so the body can be refueled without too long a stop and the potential to get cold – walking generates much needed warmth. But I am still searching for a better raincoat.
Lorraine Tomlins Walks Secretary
provided they have the right equip-ment and have taken the necessary precautions.It is important to have warm and weatherproof apparel. Woollen (or equivalent high tech material) garments should be worn or carried. I prefer a mixture of wool, polar-fleece and microfibre garments. This includes a woollen beanie (or balaclava), woollen gloves, polarfleecejacket,microfibreshirtand trousers , woollen socks, solid leather boots and thermal under-wear. Some folks might choose tosubstitutethepolarfleecejacketwithafleecejacket,woollenbushshirt or jumper. Consider a woollen scarf for additional warmth. Avoid cotton clothes, which if wet, will stay wet and chill the wearer. The list of waterproof garments car-ried should include a long Gortex raincoat, overtrousers and gaiters. The trick is to have multiple lay-ers, that one can add or remove as body temperature or ambient temperatures change. It is good to carry some spare dry warm clothes too, and use a stuff bag and pack cover or pack liner to protect them from getting wet. If camping overnight, don’t forget to pack a good sleeping bag and a thermarest. The spare clothes can function as a nice pillow. Whether it is a day walk, or an overnight walk, don’t forget to have a well-protected PLB, map and compass and to have told folks where you are going. If weather conditions look foul, prior to the commencement of a trip, you should consider going to a lower level destination. Winter is a good time of year to walk at the Coast.Should one get cold, despite your clothing and precautions, you may be at risk of hyperthermia. I will address this very serious risk in a comingtrainingtrifle.I will be leading two winter camp-ing training trips in Namadgi in July and August this year and encourage folks to join in.
David Dedenczuk Training and Safety Officer
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Committee reports
Walks Waffle
Training Trif les
in the UK working and studying, ex-ploring the Lake District, Scotland and the Dolomites in their holidays. They also enjoyed a lot of country rambles where they lived on the North Downs.The birth of two children in London drew them back home to their own families and they have lived in Canberra ever since. Jenny’s bushwalking slowed down while she was busy raising four children but eventually she joined Rob in the Canberra Bushwalking Club where they have been keen members ever since. They have filled several committee positions over the years.Rob especially enjoys getting off the beaten track in relatively unvisited country, which included a trip along the rarely traversed Black-Allan Range which forms the border between NSW and Victoria. Jenny enjoys the sport of Rogain-ing, which provides the interest of bushwalking combined with the intellectual challenge of new route finding, and she has valued the partnership of other CBC members at these events.Rob runs a workshop based pro-gram for ‘kids at risk’ at a local farm. Jenny is a keen supporter of local landcare groups and is a local historian and writer. Their common interests include a love of reading and natural history.
For over 10 years Rob and Jenny have facilitated the Club’s annual ‘Navigation refresher’ course. These seven practical sessions culminate in a weekend trip in the southern Namadgi, camping out overnight and climbing Sentry Box Mountain. The only pre-requisite is a desire to learn or improve your navigation skills. Keep a sharp eye on the activity program and book as soon as you see the course scheduled!
Membership Secretary
Keeping warm.
Cold weather has arrived with a vengeance in the ACT and sur-
rounds. The cold snap in April was evident as low temperatures, wind, cold rain and snow. The Brindabel-las had a beautiful, but sobering, dusting of snow. Such snaps will happen with increasing regularity as winter approaches, and sometimes they can happen without warning or having been predicted. These cold snaps can make for unpleas-ant, even dangerous conditions, for bushwalkers. However, in the right wintry conditions, walkers can walk safely and enjoy the experience,
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Review of general meeting talk
2–18 June 2014
The talk at the April Club meeting was an enjoyable presentation
of the extended walk undertaken by nine club members and led by Linda Groom and Peter Conroy, in the winter of 2014, in the West MacDonnell Ranges of the North-ern Territory.Although the walk mostly followed the renowned Larapinta Trail, which extends from Alice Springs in the east, to Mount Sonder in the west, the party also walked off-track for a few days to explore other features in the MacDonnell Ranges, before re-joining the marked trail.The Larapinta Trail is 220 kilome-tres long and commercial support services are available to assist long
distance walkers with the logistics of food drops and transport. The CBC party used Trek Larapinta for sup-port. A food drop was transported to Ormiston Gorge and stored in a secure room. A pre-arranged meal was available at Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge, which provided a welcome break from the more spartan dehydrated fare that the party carried. On this trip, water was plentiful and available in water holes or strategically located tanks. The weather was benign with sub-zero temperatures on some nights.The ranges are arid but recent rainhadprovidedaflushofgreengrowth andfilledwaterholes andrivers, so there were many excellent campsites. The larger gorges and
creeksareoftentreelined,butfiresare not permitted, so fuel stoves were carried.The party undertook two linked walks, with a short break in Alice Springs between each. Linda gave a detailed presentation of the route that the party followed for each walk. The photographs were excel-lent, conveying not just a sense of the vastness of the ranges, but also showingsomeofthefinerdetailsofthe varied arid zone ecosystems. On this walk, every mountain provided an unrestricted panorama of jagged ridges and cryptic gorges and the route to be followed for the next few days.The second walk was a more difficultundertakingandthepartyleft the Larapinta trail for two days and climbed Mount Giles. They also explored a few of the small canyons in the area.Club member David Williams, who lectures in ecology, was on the trip and his knowledge of the arid zone was an added bonus. Following Linda’s talk, David gave an absorb-ing presentation that covered the geology and geomorphology of the
Photo: Peter Jones
Campsites were generally flat and comfortable
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Review of general meeting talk
Participants on the walk were: Linda Groom, Peter Conroy, David Williams, Karen Cody, Peter Jones, John Hall, Alan Laird, Marg Sharp, Brendan Kelly
First Walk: Hugh Gorge to Simpsons Gap: 5½ days: 78 km
Hugh Gorge – Fringe Lily Creek – Stuart Pass – Brinkley Bluff – Standley Chasm – Jay Creek – Simpsons Gap
Second Walk: Redbank Gorge to Serpentine Gorge: 9 Days: 90 km
Redbank Gorge – Mount Sonder – Rocky Bar Gap – Finke River – Ormiston Gorge – Mount Giles – Giles Creek Yards – Serpentine Valley Dam – Inarlanga Pass – Counts Point – Serpentine Gorge
region as well as information about some of the plants and animals of the ranges. He also had knowledge of aboriginal ochre pits and identi-fiedsomeofthenativefoodplants.John Hall closed the presentation with a light hearted look at the quirks and foibles that he had observed in his fellow walkers on their long trek.I came away from the presentation with the impression that this was the trip of a lifetime for many of the participants and that the scope for future walks in the area is almost unlimited.
Ian Wright
Photos: Linda Groom unless otherwise indicated
Trailrider at the Heritage Festival
Graham Scully, who is a mem-ber of both CBC and NPA,
reports that NPA and ACT Parks collaboratively organised a dem-onstration of Trailrider at Namadgi Visitor Centre on 13 April. This year they targeted agencies pro-viding services to people with a disability, rather than individuals and this was hugely successful. Five agencies participated and all were impressed with Trailrider, the Visitor Centre, its facilities, the Woodlands Trail with its lake and pobblebonk frogs, the recon-structed Gudgenby homestead facade, eastern grey kangaroos, wood ducks, orange fungi and ghost moth chrysalis casing. So enthusiastic were the agency staff, that the very next day two buses, 5 staff and 10 clients arrived at the Visitor Centre to try Trailrider once again. CBC Member Mike Morriss was one of the ‘sherpas’ who gen-erously gave assistance on the day.
Graham Scully
Heading off track towards Mt Giles. Photo: Peter Conroy
Light in Hugh Gorge: Photo: Peter Jones
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Trip report
Walking in Patagonia: surviving the Villarrica Traverse 29–31 March 2015
At the end of February Paul and I began a series of overnight
walks in Patagonia in Chile and Ar-gentina. We spent 11 days hiking the complete Torres del Paine Circuit, 3 days in the Fitzroy area and 6 days in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. This included a wonderful one day hiking up 1000 m to a hut just be-low Mt Tronador, staying the night there, enjoying a beautiful meal and after walking near the glaciers we descended the next day.Our last hike in Patagonia was the Villarrica Traverse, in the Parque Nacional Villarrica about 30 kms from Pucon in Chile. It is about 600 kms south of Santiago and in a comparable latitude to Melbourne It was very memorable. Volcan Vil-larrica is the Chilean volcano that erupted on 3 March this year and I wasn’t all that happy being there, especiallyasduringthefirsteveningwe arrived and while sitting outside enjoying a meal, the volcano started to smoke again. Everyone assured us that it was safe. I remembered though, that Herculaneum was miles away from Vesuvius and was buried under metres of ash…The next day, we hired a taxi that took us close to Palguin, an alternate starting point from the normal one, asthefirsttwodaysofthetraversehad been closed by the National Parks (CONAF) due to activity of the volcano. We walked on a dirt road for about 3 km to the CONAF guarderia where we were given a map of the area and signed in. The amazing thing for us was seeing all the volcanic ash and pieces of ejecta covering the ground, so recently originating from Volcan Villarrica ~14 km away.Day One. Starting at 870 m asl, we climbed most of the day (almost 1400 m up according to our GPS), up through wonderful mixed Araucaria and beech forest until we were above the tree line. From then on, we hiked through fog in very exposed country. As we climbed, the temperature and clouds dropped and the wind increased. We stopped for lunch at about 700 m up (1580 m asl). We put on thermals and parkas but I couldn’t stop shivering so Paul got
out our little stove and made us a cup of piping hot milo. It was wonderful. Looking back, I think I was probably in thefirst stages of hypothermiaand that warm drink saved me. For the next 2 hours we hiked steadily higher with increasingly cold winds and up and down what we think were hills, valleys, craters and along level country – little of which could we see because of the cloud. We simply followed what we could see of the track and it was always great relief to see a marker pole. Every now and then Paul checked the GPS and yes we were on the right track!Finally – and only for an instant – the cloud lifted and we could see enough to gaze down over to Lago Azul (1590 m asl), our destination for the day. Wearily, we continued foranother2kmandfinallywalkeddown a very steep hill and reached the campsite at about 3.30 pm. The temperature was about 8 degrees. It was so cold in the gloomy and windy fog and we retired early after our dinner as it was so unpleasant.So ended Day One: 16.5 km, about 1400 m climb with nearly 700 m descent.Day Two. I awoke early and went outside at 6 am with the temperature definitely subzero.The starsweresparkling and it was wonderful to see part of the Southern Cross and Orion’s Belt (Chile has changed its time zone, so it is still pretty dark at 7:30 am). I wondered whether to wake Paul, but it was very cold. It was so cold we ate brekky in the tent, then Paul nobly went out and heated water for our hot drink. Everything was covered with frost and ice so as the sun rose we spent the next two hours drying the ice off our tent, inside and outside and sleeping bags. As there was no wind and when the temperature rose only a little, it felt quite balmy. I almost went for a swim—until I saw ice crystals nearby. Instead I took photos of near perfect reflectionsin the lake.That second day was very scenic – dramatically so. We could now see more volcanoes including Lanin, Quinquilil, Quetrupillán
and Villarrica, the latter quietly puffing away in the background.We alternated between walking in black lavafields, beech forest,boggy marshes, in rocky creeks and like sand dunes except they were ash and scoria dunes. As we hiked westward, Volcan Lanin, on the Chile/Argentine border increasingly dominated the scenery. The track was well marked, however I felt pretty exhausted from Day One’s effort. We passed Laguna Blanca and ate lunch on the side of a very windy and cold volcanic rim.Finally, we saw our next camping destination, Laguna Avutardas, way, way down in a valley. It took another 2 km to reach it, climbing down a steep, rocky gully, along a forest and among cows grazing (illegally) on pasture. Here the cold winds deterred us from walking along the beach and having a swim, which is what we did when we brought a group of 10 other bushwalkers in 2008. Instead, we quickly erected our tent, cooked dinner and were in the tent by 6.30 pm!!That day we had walked another 16 km, 600 m up and about 750 m down and camped for the night at about 1450 m asl.Overall it was a pretty tough walk, and I was appreciative of Paul carry-ing all our gear—tent, cooking gear and dinners—while I carried our lunches and breakfasts. We carried our own sleeping bag and clothes.Day Three was quite easy by com-parison, only 12.5 km, a 350 m climb and an 1100 m descent, all in forest except for the last 3.5 km along the newly-upgraded highway into Puesco. After 2 hours we man-aged to hitch a lift to the next town, Curarrehue, 20 km away. Here we caught a bus for the final 40 kmride to Pucon and wearily (and with great relief for me) returned to our wonderful clean comfy hostel. That night we enjoyed a super meal—it was to celebrate that hike and the last of 6 weeks of walking in Patagonia and it was so nice to snuggle in a bed again!
Janet Edstein
Activity program
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Activity programArrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with
Information for participantsDistance and difficultyDistance: (S) Short – under 12 km/day (M) Medium – 12–20 km/day (L) Long – over 20 km/dayNote: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres climbed.
Terrain:(E) Easy – fire trail, tracks, beaches etc (M) Medium – bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub (R) Rough – much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles (W) Wet – compulsory swims, many river crossings(X) Exploratory
BookingContact the leader early rather than late so the leader has time to arrange transport. See walk description for booking deadline. Check with the leader about:
X the need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc X appropriate clothing, footwear X any precautions you might need to take for severe weather changes.
Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to our Club.
TransportCosts are 38¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, an estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately.
Duty of careEvery person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that he/she does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or damage to property. Each person is required to sign the Club’s ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form. Visitors are welcome to join trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips.
For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org
Check-in after walksBefore a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names of their party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their safe return or trip cancellation, to the Check-in Officer, Keith Thomas ([email protected], 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 leave message if no answer). The Check-in Officer or the Walks Secretary (6248 0456 or 0434 078 496), not the Police or other bodies, should be the first point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning.
Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise statedEquipment hireTake advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your own equip-ment.TheEquipmentOfficerisRobHorsfield,whocanbe contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside PLB, Keith Thomas, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667.The equipment available and current rates per weekend/week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col-lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge (butnotthedeposit)iswaivedformemberswhoare‘firsttime’ weekend walkers.A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon return and whether they are returned late.
Item w.e./weekOlympus two person tent $15 / $40Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40Snow tent $15 / $403 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25Assorted packs $5 / $15Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions)GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use)
Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need when collecting and returning gear.
Wednesday walksMedium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted every Wednesday. Walks are conducted in turn by leaders from the Canberra Bushwalking Club (CBC), Brindabella Bushwalking Club (BBC) and National Parks Association (ACT) (NPA). Details about destination and meeting place are emailed to those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Contact Janet Edstein [email protected] to get your name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s contribution to these walks.
Walk details will be advised a few days before the walk, via the Wednesday Walks email list. Walkers who are not members of the BBC, NPA or CBC must contact the walk leader before the walk to discuss the level of difficulty of the walk. (Please note that walk leaders retain the right not to accept any walker.) Non-members must be accompanied by a sponsoring member.
Due to space, walks scheduled more than three months in advance may appear only on the Club’s web site.
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Activity programThursday 21 May: Jerrabomberra Lake
PRAMbulation – S/EUnknown to most Canberrans, this serene and green walk includesaparkfilledwithmaturetrees,waterbirds,asectionwith views across paddocks, and opportunities to gawk at mansions. One of the most scenic PRAMbulations. The route is designed for parents or grandparents with kids in strollers. About 1 hour of walking, a there-and-back route so there is an option to sit out for part of the walk if your baby won’t settle. Non-members welcome. No need to book. Meet in the bitumen car park off Bayside Circuit (at the back of nos 77–79 Bicentennial Drive), Jerrabomberra, at 1 pm. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself.
Saturday 23 May: Honeysuckle Creek: Weed ControlA joint CBC/NPA work party to carry out weed control activities in the Honeysuckle Creek area. Cut and dab equipment provided but suggest bringing gloves and bush saw. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8:30 am. Map: TBA. Leader: Martin Chalk, NPA. Bookings: Quentin Moran, [email protected], 6288 9840 Transport: $36 per car.
Saturday 23 May: Harrisons Peak and Ridge with a View – M/MA walk through open forest near Captains Flat, initially on afiretrailtoabeautifulopenridge(theridgewithaview)with a spectacular view from Mt Coree to the Tinderries. We then walk largely on track to Harrisons Peak, also with spectacular views, for lunch. A mixture of on and off track to pick up the disused railway line to return to the cars. Linear distance 12 km, about 300 m aggregate climbing during the day. About 5 hours actual walking. Map: Captains Flat. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, email: [email protected] Transport: ~$15
Sunday 24 May: Pyramid Hill, Tidbinbilla – M/RPyramid Hill (or the Sugarloaf) is an 1172 m peak to the south west of Devils Gap in Tidbinbilla. It’s easy to get to Devils Gap, but thereafter to Pyramid Hill there is no track. The scrub and boulders will be diabolical, but those with a devil-may-care attitude are sure to enjoy the experience. This is a rare chance to visit this peak, so don’t miss out. Bring scrub gloves and some warm clothes. Pace will be moderate, but with stops to admire plants, rocks and birds. We will leave Canberra from the Kambah Shops at 8:00. Map: Tidbinbilla. Leader: David Dedenczuk, [email protected] 0417 222 154 Book: by Friday 22 May. Limit: 8 Transport: $6.
23–24 May: Bimberi Peak from the West – M/M–RTrip depends on weather (road closed the following weekend for winter). A 3 hour, 220 km drive via Cooma, Adaminaby, and Tantangara and Pockets Saddle roads to the locked gateatGurrangoramblaCreek.WalkfiretrailtoOldfieldsHut, then AAWT to Murrays Gap to camp, 8km. Either an afternoon or next morning ascent of Bimberi Peak with day packs, 6 km return and nearly 400m climb on rough footpad. Huge views, 2 geocaches. If time and interest, we could whip up Mt Murray for another cache. Around 23 km and 950 m climb. Maps: Rules Point and Rendezvous Creek. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877 [email protected] Transport: ~$40 per person. Limit: 8. If the drive is not negotiable, Plan B: walk in from Orroral. Around 50 km and 1900 m climb. Maps: Rendezvous Creek and Corin Dam. Transport: ~$15 per person.
Saturday 16 May: Pheasant Creek–Mt Herlt – M/RFrom the Boboyan Road near Rendezvous Creek the route crosses open ground to climb the ridge forming Pheasants Creek then along through scrub to the rock outcrops of Mt Herlt. Descent is directly into Rendezvous Creek. Map: Rendezvous Creek. Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 62314535. Transport: $40 per car.
Sunday 17 May: Serenity Rocks for babies in back packs – S/MA short version of the Serenity Rocks walk designed for par-ents and grandparents with kids in back packs. A 9 km walk, through beautiful Eucalypt forest and across a ferny creek to aviewpoint.Onfiretrailandinformalwalkingtrack;somesections of the track are steep and loose underfoot. The pace will be set by the needs of the kids in the backpacks. We’ll meet in Hoskinstown and drive a further 20 minutes to the start of the walk. Non-members welcome but bookings essential. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 02 6281 4917 Maps: Bombay, Bendoura. Transport: if shared, $45 per car.
(15) 16–17 May: Durras weekend – M/E– M/MLeave Canberra Friday night, stay in comfortable cabins at Depot Beach Caravan Park. Saturday will be the spectacular Little Forest Plateau with views to the Budawangs, Pigeon House and beyond with lunch at Gadara Point. On Sunday, Ross Andrews will lead a walk along the coast south of Murramarang, from Emily Miller Beach to Richmond Beach, thence the Garden of Unearthly Gums, Oaky Beach, North Head and the cars. Two superb walks, about 4½ hours Sat, 5 hours Sunday. Maps: Kioloa, Tianjara, Milton Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, [email protected] Transport: ~$50 Accommodation: ~$60 depending on numbers.
16–17 May: Sub 24 hour camping #4 (S24C#4) – Bushfold Flat – M/EDay 1: An afternoon meander along the Australian Alps Walking Track from the Tharwa Visitor Centre. Camping by Bushfold Flat Hut. Day 2: A morning return by Mt Tennent Trail. Optional trip to Mt Tennent. Ideal bush break for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Map: Williamsdale. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 [email protected]. Transport: ~$30 per car. Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 16.
Tuesday 19 May: Parliament Hill, Blue Mountains National Park – L/R/XThewalkstartsatthejunctionoftheLittleRiverfire-trailandthe Jerrong Road, 34 km northeast of Taralga. This is a new areafortheleader.Wewillfollowthefire-trailnorthfor6km then head off-track for the day. We will climb Parliament Hill and explore the woodlands and forests in the catchments of Parliament Creek and Cunninghams Creek. This is a long day, with numerous ascents and descents. There is a 2 hour 35 minute drive each way. Minimum distance: 16 km with approx. 850 metres of ascent Map: Mount Armstrong Leader: Ian Wright 62861473, [email protected] Transport: 371 km return Limit: 8
Wednesday 20 May: Wednesday walkSee the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC Contact: [email protected]
Wednesday 20 May 2015, 8 pmMONTHLY MEETING
In pursuit of the ACT Great bushwalkPresenter: Karen Cody
The hall: Hughes Baptist Church 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes
COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday 27 May 2015, 8 pm at the home of Keith Thomas
6 Ryrie Street, Campbell
Submissions close for June it
27 May 2015
Wednesday 27 May: Wednesday walkSee the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA Contact: Mike Smith [email protected]
Saturday 30 May: Mundoonen Nature Reserve – M/MThis National Park lies just south of the Hume Highway between Gunning and Yass. The area is attractive, open woodland. I plan a fairly light day of walking, about 4 hours, amixoffiretrailandofftrack.Map: Jerrara Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, [email protected] Transport: ~$10
30 May–11 July: Trekking in Peru – M/M–L/RSalcantay, Cedros–Alpamayo and Huayhuash circuits plus a Macchu Piccu visit. Trip fully booked (was advertised through CBC Bulletin Board last year); waiting list avail-able. Maps: TBA. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 62814917. Transport: by air and bus.
30–31 May: The Fortress and Sams Creek –M/R/XThis is a reconnaissance along the ACT border between the saddles south of Kelly and north of Gudgenby. Some difficultscrubandterrain.Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk. Leaders: Jenny&RobHorsfield 62314535Transport: $40 per car.
Late May–June: Northern NSW and Central Qld – M/M–R partly XApprox. 5 weeks of day and overnight walks, with car camping. Join for some or all of the sections. Visit the NPs of Northern NSW and Southern Qld, including Mt Warning and parts of the Scenic Rim walk. Day walks in Mount Moffat NP in Central Qld to see interesting sandstone formations. Pinnacle hunting in Ka Ka Mundi NP (exploratory). Forester-style AWDs required for Central Qld. Run jointly with the Coast and Mountain Walkers of NSW. Expressions of interest: ASAP, please. Maps: See leader. Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902 [email protected] Transport: $$$.
Wednesday 3 June: Wednesday walkSee the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC Contact: [email protected]
Thursday 4 June: Ginninderra fields PRAMbulation – S/EA walk of a little under an hour beside Ginninderra Creek and in the open spaces of Dunlop, designed for parents and grandparents with kids in strollers. Non-members welcome. No need to book. Meet near the turning circle at the eastern end of Clode Place, off Clode Crescent, Macgregor, at 1 pm. Leader: Irene Davies [email protected] Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself.
Saturday 6 June: The Beddulluck Waltz – L/ESomeone has to go tropo for Go Topo! 18,000 m² of ACT land are on the Beddulluck 1:25000 map and we have to walk for 200 m / 3 minutes on it to qualify. Walk the northern
Canberra Centenary Trail from Forde, passing through the northern campsite. See freestone rock sculptures and border markers beside the track with great views over Canberra. Either there and back, or one-way to Hall and a car shuttle. Around 19 km and 400 m climb. Maps: Hall, Beddulluck. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877 [email protected] Transport: Drive yourself to the Mulligans Flat Road entrance to the (north) Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. Late bookings considered.
Sunday 7 June: Pheasant Hill and Boboyan Hill – M/RPheasant Hill and its companion, Boboyan Hill, are two very high hills in the southern part of Namadgi, near to the Settlers Track. They are often admired but not often visited. There is no track to the hills, though the scrub is ‘fairly light’. This is a good opportunity for those interested in visiting two of Namadgi’s more obscure hills, and those interested in having a good cardio work out. Pace will be moderate, but with stops to admire plants, rocks and birds. As this is a winter walk, it is especially important to bring some warm clothes. We will leave Canberra from the Kambah Shops at 8:00. Map: Yaouk Leader: David Dedenczuk, [email protected] 0417 222 154 Limit: 8 Transport: $12. Book: by Friday 5 June.
Wednesday 10 June: Wednesday walkSee the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. CBC Contact: [email protected]
12–14 June: Budawangs track maintenanceFrom a car camp (access via 4WD) near “The Vines,” undertake vegetation maintenance on walking track to Styles Plain, Hidden Valley, and possibly Mount Tarn. Meals provided by NPWS. Map: Enderick CBC coordinator: Quentin Moran, [email protected] 6288 9840 Transport: TBA
Saturday 13 June: Tidbinbilla Mountain – M/RLyrebird Trail, Snowy Corner, Tidbinbilla Mtn, Tidbinbilla Peak,CamelsHumpfiretrailandreturn.Map: Tidbinbilla. Leaders:Jenny&RobHorsfield62314535.Transport: $36 per car. (Park entry fee may also apply).
Wednesday 17 June: Wednesday walkSee the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC Contact: [email protected]
Thursday 18 June: Curtin and Yarralumla Creek PRAMbulation – S/EA circuit through the leafy suburb of Curtin and past pad-docks,withsomesteepersectionstoimproveyourfitness.The route is designed for parents and grandparents with kids in strollers and takes about 55 minutes. Includes about 5 minutes of short grass and dirt – the rest is on bitumen or concrete paths. No road crossings. Non-members welcome. No need to book. Meet at the end of Crowther Place, Curtin, off Prendergast Street, at 1 pm. Leader: Meredith
Wednesday 17 June 2015, 8 pmMONTHLY MEETINGWalking in New Guinea
Presenter: David LindleyThe hall: Hughes Baptist Church
Activity programHatherly [email protected] Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself.
Wednesday 24 June: Wednesday walkSee the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA Contact: Mike Smith [email protected]
27–28 June: Mt Scabby – M/RDay 1: Old Boboyan Road car park, saddle south side of Gudgenby, Sams Creek, Scabby ridge, dry camp. Day 2 Mt Scabby, Sams Creek and return. Maps: Yaouk, Rendezvous Creek. Leaders:Jenny&RobHorsfield62314535. Transport: $40 per car.
Thursday 2 July: Kambah loop PRAMbulation – S/EA pleasant circuit that includes green corridors and good views across playingfields to themountains.The routeis designed for parents and grandparents with kids in strollers and takes about an hour. All on paved path or bike path includes about 15 minutes of steady uphill. Non-members welcome. No need to book. Meet in the car park at the Kambah Woolshed, corner of Springbett Street & O’Halloran Cct, Kambah (just 1 minute off Drakeford Drive), at 1 pm. Leader:JennyHorsfield62314535(h)[email protected]. Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself.
Saturday 4 July: Booroomba Rocks, Blue Gum Creek, Bushfold Flats – M/MStarting from Booroomba Rocks car park, this circular walkfirstclimbsa track toBooroombaRocks forviewstowards Canberra. We then descend to Blue Gum Creek and follow it downstream to Georges Creek junction (some scrub).FromtherewetakeafiretrailtoBushfoldFlatsandthe Australian Alps Walking Track back to the cars. About 4 km off and 10 km on track with the 500 m altitude gain spread through the day. Maps: Corin Dam, Williamsdale Leader: Jeff Bennetts 62315899 [email protected] book between 23 June and 2pm 2 July. Transport: 100 km return, ~$37 per car, $10 per person. Limit: 12.
4–5 July: Lutons Shed – M/M–S/EDay 1: Starting from Yankee Hat Picnic Area passing Frank and Jacks Hut crossing Gudgenby saddle then down Sams Creek Fire Trail to Lutons Shed. Approx 15 km (5 km off track and 300 m climb). Day 2: A morning return by Old Boboyan Road passing Hospital Creek Hut. Approx 10 km. Ideal for those stepping up from easy overnight bush walks. Map: Yaouk. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959, [email protected]. Transport: ~$60 per car. Book: preferably by email before 1800 Thu before. Limit: 8.
Saturday 11 July: Boboyan Trig– Hospital Creek – M/R/XThis trip looks at the route between Boboyan Trig and the Old Boboyan Road car park. It will require a car shuttle. Map: Yaouk Leaders:Jenny&RobHorsfield62314535.Transport: $44 per car..
Thursday 16 July: Isaac Pines PRAMbulation – S/EA delightful circuit through suburban Isaacs and its peaceful pine forest reserve. The route is designed for parents and grandparents with kids in strollers and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.Onconcrete,bitumenandhard-packedfiretrail;a
fewmetresofthefiretrailarealittlebitstony.Non-memberswelcome. No need to book. Meet at Isaacs Shops (= Farr Place, Isaacs) at 1 pm. Leader: Sue Vidler 6290 0490. Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself.
25–26 July: Coronet Peak – M/RDay 1: Orroral Valley, Cotter Gap, and Pond Creek. Day 2: Morning side-trip up Coronet Peak then return. This trip would be suitable for beginning over-night back-packers. Map: Rendezvous Creek Leaders:Jenny&RobHorsfield6231 4535. Transport: $32 per car..
Thursday 30 July: Conder PRAMbulation – S/EA circuit with some good views and some cute ponds. The route is designed for parents and grandparents with kids in strollers and takes about an hour. Includes about 20 minutes steadily uphill. All on bike path or paved footpath. Non-members welcome. No need to book. Meet in the large bitumencarparknear theplayingfieldat theendof theunnamed cul de sac, signposted Conder Playing Fields, off Heidelberg Street, Conder, near Vikings Lanyon, at 1 pm. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 0468 344 381 Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself.
1–16 August: East and West MacDonnells – M/R/W/XEast MacDonnells: Bus to Trephina Gorge, then 6 days exploring the slot canyons, gorges and ridges of Mordor Pound (permission has been gained from the lease-holder). This is exploratory, with probable swims and possibly climbs in the canyons (Jennings Gorges). West MacDonnells: A nine day walk with the highlight of camp-ing (and clearing lots of rocks) on top of the Chewings Range between Mt Giles and Giles Yard Spring. Ellery Ck BigHole,FishHole,PortalsCanyon,CanyonofDefiance,top of Chewings Range, Giles Yard Spring, Ochre Pits. Compulsory swims and climbs involved. Take advantage of the rain! Expressions of interest: ASAP, please. Run jointly with Coast and Mountain Walkers of NSW. Maps: Alice Springs, Hermannsburg 1:250,000 Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902(h), [email protected] Transport: $$$. Limit: 8
Thursday 13 August: Stranger Pond PRAMbulation – S/EA semi-circuit that starts out like a regular PRAMbulation and then gets a little different as we move from paved path to hard-packed soil path for about 10 minutes and pass a series of ponds and paddocks. Good for waterbirds and views. The route is designed for parents and grandparents with kids in strollers and takes about 55 minutes. Non-members welcome. No need to book. Meet in the dirt carpark near Bonython Primary School, in Bardolph Street, Bonython (opposite No 1 Morice Place), at 1 pm. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself
Saturday 15 August: Worn Boot BashTo be advised. Leaders:Jenny&RobHorsfield62314535.
29–30 August: Nursery Hill–Rendezvous Creek–near-by spot height – M/R/XThis is a good trip for beginners to over-night backpacking. The side trip Sunday morning is to reconnoitre the spot height feature west of the campsite. Map: Rendezvous Creek Leaders:Jenny&RobHorsfield62314535.Transport: $32 per car..
3–4 October: Family camp, Tallaganda NP – S/RA chance for families with kids to experience camping with a remote feel in beautiful forest beside Mulloon Creek,
Bulletin boardThe Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no cost) goods for sale, private trips or other personal bushwalking-related matters. The Club is not involved in, takes no responsibility for, and does not endorse, the activities or goods advertised here. Hence, if people participate in any activities advertised here, they do so as private individuals, not as members of the Club, and will not be covered by the Club’s insurance.
Notices for the Bulletin board should be emailed to the Walks Secretary: [email protected]
Full skyline traverse of Cradle Mountain from Weindorfers Tower Expression of interest. I am considering undertaking this trip and would like to hear from anyone who would like to join me. Lots of rope work and exposed scrambling are involved. No date planned, just a thought at this stage. Allan Donnelly email: [email protected]
Advance notice - Walking in Tasmania – March 2016The Hobart Bushwalking Club (HBC) and the CBC are working together to arrange reciprocal visits to each other’s favourite walking areas. The HBC is proposing to host CBC members for a week in early 2016 – Tues-day March 8 to Monday March 14. For our part it would be spring 2016 – September/October/early November. While the details are being worked out there would be day walks and extended walks of varying difficulty with the emphasis on walks that are best known to locals.
21st Birthday for the Wollemi Tree: Sat 18–Sun 26 JulyIt will be 21 years since David Noble, with botanists, discovered and named the Wollemi tree. The National Arboretum will celebrate this during Tree Week. For more details [email protected]
Bushwalking surveyBushwalking NSW and NPA NSW are planning a confer-ence on bushwalking on a Saturday towards the end of 2015. In preparation they are asking bushwalkers to complete the survey at wild.tl/bwconf2015
NPA seeking info on horse damageThe National Parks Association of NSW is compil-ing a report on feral horse sightings and damage in Kosciuszko NP. They would appreciate hearing from CBC members via the survey form at docs.google.com/forms/d/1Mbsjkn2-uxohtHwBaRzvbPg8Zl1ORiIN-3bu7emcIfq4/viewform
MSR Hubba HP one-person hiking tent – Fast and Light Series – $400 ONOThis tent has been used once and for one night only. It is ultra light and freestanding and weighs just 1.36 kg. The fabric canopy delivers increased warmth and protection from blowing snow, sand, and wind and its unique pole configuration provides maximum interior space. It has a ‘stay-dry’ entrance and large vestibule for storing gear. It is quick and easy to setup due to the all-in-one hub-and-swivel pole design that is strong and simple to use. Also included is a lightweight waterproof ground sheet. I purchased it online from the UK for $500 and selling because I no longer intend to do overnight walks. If inter-ested in viewing, please call 0401 198 302.
Tallanganda NP. Only 600 metres from the cars, but some scrub and a log crossing of the creek en route. Yabby catch-ing on Saturday afternoon. An option on Sunday morning to explore several hundred metres up a tributary – thicker scrub and some loose rock and scrambling – to falls and cascades. Leaving Canberra around 1 pm Saturday, back by early afternoon Sunday. 50 minutes drive from Queanbeyan. A joint CBC–NPA activity. Map: Bombay Leaders: Linda Groom 6281 4917, [email protected] and Graham Scully for NPA. Contact: Linda to book. Transport: if shared: $48 per car.
(9) 10–17 October: Blue Mountains – up to M/M or L/EA trip in the Blue Mts with day walks mostly on tracks away from the main tourist areas. Walks may be Narrow Neck, Sassafras Gully/Magdala Glen, Fortress Ridge, Glow Worm Tunnel/Dry Canyon, Mt Mouin, Blackfellows Hand Cave/upper Wolgan lookouts, Devils Hole. Camp or cabin accommodation. Further details in July it, email enquiries only until then please. Leaders: Linda Stone and Jeff Bennetts; [email protected]
Sunday 25 October: Family day at Gundaroo – S/MThis tour and picnic of the family property on Brooks Creek is for accompanied children and adults. During a loop walk, we will be shown the creek and discover its little critters, climbing trees, tree house, climbing nets and
gnome homes. Bring seats for lunch around a small BBQ fire.Billytea,damperonastickandpotatoesinfoilwillbesupplied. Adults without children are also most welcome. A joint CBC–NPA activity. Map: Lake George Leaders: Tulley, 9 years old and Freya, 8 years old with guidance from their mother Bronwen Scully, and Linda Groom. Bookings: to Bronwen 6236 9600 [email protected] Transport: TBA
24–25 Oct: Sub 24 hour camping #5 (S24C#5) – Horse Gully – S/EDay 1: An afternoon toddle along Naas Valley Trail passing Demandering Hut. Camping by Horse Gully Hut. Day 2: A morning return by the same route. Ideal bush break for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for begin-ners. Map: Colinton. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 [email protected]. Transport: ~$60 per car. Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 16.
14–15 November: Sub 24 hour camping #6 (S24C#6) – Pryors Hut – M/EDay 1: An afternoon amble up Stockyard Spur Track. Camping by Pryors Hut. Optional trip to Mt Gingera. Day 2: A morning return by the same route. Ideal bush break for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Map: Corin Dam. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 [email protected]. Transport: ~$40 per car. Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 16.
Feeling literary?Have you had a great experience on a Club walk? Been moved to write about it, either in prose or verse? Felt the urge to see your name in print? Or even just taken some great photo shots that you would like to share.
The Club welcomes contributions from members so why not write about an interesting experience on a walk or just an enjoyable walk. Alternatively, send in a photo or two with a short paragraph about it/them.The closing date for each issue of it is the date of the 4th Wednesday of every month. Handwritten and posted mate-rial is acceptable, but email is preferred. We also welcome photographs, preferably as separately scanned items or digital images. We can scan original photographs. Contact: Ph 6254 0578, [email protected] Post: 20 O’Sullivan Street, HIGGINS, ACT 2615
Alison Milton, Editor
Membership fees 2014/15Item SingleHard copy it $67Electronic it $27
