It August 2012.Indd

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r o iitt C Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc PO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 48 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 7 August 2012

In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee 2 President’s prattle 2 Bulletin Board 3 Walks Wafﬂ e 3 Training Triﬂ es 3 Membership matters 3 Want the inside scoop? 4 Review: What’s happening in Namadgi? 7 Activity program 12 Feeling literary? 12 Wednesday walks

A frosty walk up Red Hill GENERAL MEETING 8 pm Wednesday 15 August 2012 Environmental weed control in the ACT Presenter: Steve Taylor The ACT Parks & Conservation Service, Senior Weed Management Ofﬁ cer, Important dates Steve Taylor will give an overview of environmental weed Control in the ACT. 15 AAugustugust He will also talk about invasive weeds that ACT bushwalkers should keep an eye out for so that quick action can be taken when new infestations establish in GeneralGeneral meetingmeeting remote areas. 22 AAugustugust CommitteeCommittee memeetingeting Main hall, 22 AAugustugust Hughes Baptist Church, Submissionsubmissions close for 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes Septembereptember it 19 SSeptembereptember Annualll General Meeting Committee business

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee

President: Phillip Starr [email protected] 0419 281 096 hereh hhave all ll the h lladies di gone? Alison li iis the h sole l Treasurer: George Carter Wlady on your committee. All committee members [email protected] are doing a great job, which is certainly appreciated. My 6251 2130 job as president has been made easier by the enthusiasm of our current committee. It is just that the committee Walks Secretary: Rob Horsfi eld would be more representative of our Club membership [email protected] if we had more lady members. Can you help address this imbalance at the AGM in September? 6231 4535 By the time you receive this newsletter there should General Secretary: Stan Marks be a new document on the website ‘Transport Pooling [email protected] Guidelines,’ which is based on current practices for use by new and existing leaders and for the further 6254 9568(h) or 6274 7350(w) information of new members. Membership Secretary: Roger Edwards These are guidelines only and are not mandatory. Like [email protected] all of our documents it will be a living document and 6288 7863 or 0406 378 217 subject to review and change in the future. Training and Safety Offi cer: John Evans The last detailed records of the Club, which were passed onto the Canberra Archives for their safekeeping, cov- [email protected] ered the period up to 1996. Other later material has been 6288 7235 or 0417 436 877 given to the Canberra Archival Unit above the Library in Phillip, but little of it. The Archival Unit of the Canberra Conservation Offi cer: Nathan Holt Public Library is always ready to receive documents in conservation@canberrabushwalkingclub. relation to this Club’s activities and personalities, which org may be researched by any individual or organisation 0414 628 429 wishing to investigate bushwalking activities. It would be appreciated if past presidents and committee Web Manager: David Briese members would search through those papers that they [email protected] still retain from their time on the committee and pass 6286 3479 any that they feel have a historical interest to the Club’s archivist, Doug Wright. He will arrange for any papers, Editor: Alison Milton documents or books that you may have, to be handed [email protected] over and included in the Club’s archival material, which is already held in the Canberra Public Archives. 6254 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w)

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r o Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas C President [email protected] 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 Social Secretary: Quentin Moran [email protected] 6288 9840 Publisher: Tom George [email protected] 6257 0613 All members of the Committee can be contacted in one email to [email protected] CHECK IN: Ring Keith Thomas on 6230 1081 WEB SITE: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

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Page 2 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2012 g ro F e re o b o r r o C

Committee reports Watch how any challenges are met, such as ﬁ rst aid, navigational uncertainties, unexpected weather. Rob and Jenny’s annual Navigation refresher events have been sched- uled – see the activity program.

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r o here will be a total eclipse of the C ecommended practices for Training and Safety Offi cer Tsun ~0800 hours EST, on 14 No- Rday walks in the high country, vember 2012. The centre line for and in other challenging locations, the ‘path of totality’ is within a few have been published on the Club’s kilometers of Cairns, the shadow is website. Access them via the CLUB about 150 km wide and includes the DOCUMENTS button and the Daintree. Duration of the event is ‘Recommended Practices – Day ~2 minutes. In Canberra, projection Walking in the High Country and of the phenomenon onto a screen Coping with Challenging Condi- will show ~50% overlap of the sun’s tions’ link. Well worth a read by disc by that of the moon. This event everyone and careful consideration Please ensure that you update any might be a good excuse for some of by walk leaders. changes to your email address our members to plan a trip up there or inform the Membership and take in some of the Daintree as Every walk can be a training oppor- Secretary. tunity for you, if you want it to be. well, although November can be hot New members: Mark Rogers, and wet in that region. The last total Prepare for the trip by reviewing Wayne Puckett, Lelde Vitols eclipse seen in Australia was in 2002, the area of the walk on your map. at Ceduna, South Australia. There Try to estimate the route your walk Roger Edwards will be another to view from Sydney leader might take. Membership Secretary in ~100 years’ time; perhaps that’s a little long to wait. On the day of the walk, pay particular attention to the walk briefi ng and Training and Safety Offi cer, John plot the route on your map so that Want the Evans has posted onto the website a you can follow it. At the beginning document concerning day walks in of each leg of the trip, ask your inside scoop? the High Country. It is important for walk leader to describe that section members and especially leaders, to with you – start and fi nish locations, The Club’s commit- be aware of the content. The concern magnetic bearing, distance, change teetee ggenerally know is that we operate safely and are in height, expected going in terms adequately prepared in the event of ‘a of vegetation and land form. Stick what’sw going worst case scenario’. A succession of close to him or her and ask ques- on in the Club unanticipated calamities in adverse tions – any leader worth their salt before the rest conditions could easily result in a will appreciate sharing the naviga- fatality. Thanks to John for seeing tion with you. of the general this matter through. membership,me so Watch how they craft the walk’s The current walks program has navigation – use of handrails such as why not join the inner circle some good trips, both day and tracks, streams, ridges; use of catch- and get the goss ahead of time. overnight coming up. We could ing features so that objectives are The Annual General meet- always do with more overnight pack not overshot; deliberately aiming trips. At the last committee meeting off when navigating to point loca- ing is approaching and the I was confronted with a line of tions; use of spurs and drier slopes Club needs new committee bemused smiles when I mentioned on hills where possible. These are members, in particular, a new this, mid-winter not being the best just some of the techniques used. of times it seems. treasurer. Watch how they make the path, Each year, the committee work The end of the Club year is September whether it be setting an appropriate and committee positions are open pace on a track or forcing through is carried out (usually) by the for election. Thanks to all who have undergrowth or navigating round same small group of people, supported the walking program, knolls on ridges. but it needs new blood and both leaders and participants. I’m happy to stand again for the Walks Watch how they manage the party new ideas, so why not con- Secretary position but hasten to add – in terms of setting drink, eating sider giving up just a little bit that if someone else is keen and able and rest breaks; maintaining group of your time, even if just for and wishes to have a go, I wouldn’t cohesion (easing back the front run- contest it. ners, encouraging the back markers 12 months. and maintaining communication); Who knows, you might fi nd In the meantime, good walking! providing flora, fauna points of interest patter. it rewarding, and just get that

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r o C scoop! Walks Secretary

Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2012 – page 3 Review of general meeting talk

Quentin Moran

This article is a condensed version Walking Trails Rendezvous Creek walking trail has been upgraded to a loop walk. of a presentation given by Ranger Work is almost complete on the Ben Stevenson at the July CBC It now includes a new section of upgrade to the Stockyard Spur track, a footbridge across the creek, general meeting. walking trail, which starts from signage and marker posts. Corin Dam and goes up to join Summary the fire trail on the spur, which Gibraltar Falls track will be wider en Stevenson is the ranger for is also being upgraded, to where and have handrails with an elevated BCorin Dam and the Bimberi it joins Mt Franklin road. The platform at the bottom section and Wilderness area, Namadgi National main purpose of these upgrades a new balustrade at the lookout. A Park. At the July CBC meeting is to create a strategic fi re break new picnic area will be built in the Ben gave a talk on what’s happen- between Corin and Bendora water old car park. ing in the park, which covered the catchments. The new walking trail new Namadgi team, walking trails, will be safer (it contains hundreds Gibraltar Falls track upgrade management tracks, campground of steps) and includes soil erosion upgrades, Gudgenby in a Box pro- control and new signage. There will ject, new ranger guided activities, be a 5 metre fuel reduction zone Aboriginal rock art, new ACT wild- on either side of the walking trail. life atlas, bog restoration program, Work should be complete by the end community groups, artist in resi- of August. dence program, pests, weed control, public compliance, signifi cant sites Stockyard spur trail upgrade audits and asbestos recording. The new Namadgi team • Ranger in charge, Simon Tozer • Acting Senior Ranger, Louisa Roberts • Acting Ranger, Bendora, Mark Sweaney • Ranger, Corin and Bimberi Wilderness area, Ben Stevenson • Acting Ranger, Honeysuckle/ Riverview, Anthony Hart Minor work on other trails in the • Ranger, Orroral Valley, Bethan next few weeks: Square Rock will David have a platform across the wet area at Smokers Flat. Yankee Hat and • Ranger, Gudgenby, Mark Elford Yerrabi will get board walk repairs. • Ranger Naas, Ben O’Brien Maintenance has been diffi cult due to Parks, Conservation and Lands is There is expected to be some fl oods and favourable conditions for now known as Parks and Conserva- problems with people using bikes vegetation growth. However vegetation Service. (motorised and push bikes) and tion is being removed from a number of trails including Cotter Gap. The old rural district is now known dogs on the trail. If you see any as National Parks and Catchments. bikes or dogs please report it to the There are a high number of walkers This area encompasses Namadgi Namadgi Visitor Centre. using Namadgi trails. A database has been started recording numbers NP, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Report any cyclists sighted the Murrumbidgee River Corridor. from bushwalking registers. National Parks and Catchments is The Parks Service is keen to look at managed by Stephen Alegria and some arrangement where park rang- Brett McNamara. ers work together with enthusiastic community groups such as the CBC to maintain and improve walking

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Page 4 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2012 g ro F e re o b o r r o C trails across the park. Details to be Upcoming work will hopefully Research branch have developed a fi nalised at a later date. include new fi re rings and other new Wildlife Atlas tool. It will be improvements at Mt Clear, a new used to record, search and produce Management Tracks shelter and BBQs at Honeysuckle maps showing species locations Upgrades and maintenance is taking campground and hazardous tree across ACT. It can be used as a place on a number of Manage- assessments in various locations. valuable tool to record details of wildlife sightings across Namadgi. ment Tracks (i.e. roads and fire Gudgenby in a Box project trails). These include upgrades to This information will feed into plan- Mt Franklin and Cotter Hut roads A new interpretive display called ning decisions. You can help! Any to fl oat standard. Mt Franklin road Gudgenby in a Box is planned for signifi cant species sightings please is closed at Bulls Head for this the woodlands area in front of the report the details to the Namadgi reason—probably till after winter. Namadgi Visitor Centre. Its purpose Visitor Centre. There is fl ood damage to a number is to highlight 19th Century build- Bog Restoration of management tracks, which is a ing techniques and materials used priority and regular maintenance within what is now the national The 2003 fi res caused signifi cant has been delayed. Nonetheless park. It will include a shelter, some damage to Sphagnum Moss Bogs Mt Tennent, Orroral Ridge and Link seating and a pise wall interpreta- in highland regions of the park. fi re trails have recently undergone tion. The display may also include These bogs are very important maintenance. Wet soil and wind has the pastoral history of Namadgi in because they act like sponges and caused a number of fallen trees. general and Gudgenby in particular, fi lter the water, which eventually early settler’s architecture and some makes its way into our dams and Floods damage to fi re trail interview audio obtained by author becomes our drinking water. The Matthew Higgins. fi ltering improves the water quality. The fi re damage caused the water to fl ow straight through instead of fi ltering it. The restoration program has included the use of shade cloth to increase the humidity and provide shading and also damming of the bogs to disperse the water. These measures have shown promising results. A few wet years have been very Ranger Guided Activities favourable for bog restoration and Campground Upgrades most bogs are recovering very well There was a great response to a and looking good. Thanks are due The Orroral Valley campground couple of guided walks along the to many dedicated people over the now has drive up sites, fi re pits and Settlers Track during autumn and last 10 years. picnic benches at all sites, a new another is planned for spring. Other shelter with gas BBQs and the toilet guided walks planned for spring block has been improved. include wildflower identification Shade cloth used for bog restoration on Stockyard Spur, Grassy Creek Woods Reserve campground now heritage and a walk in the Orroral has several new camp pads, a new Valley. BBQ shelter, fire rings and new paths including disabled access to the Aboriginal Rock Art shower block. Some dangerous limbs have been removed. A pay onsite The Aboriginal Rock Art Work- system has been introduced while the ing Group is involved in annual Cotter campground is closed. monitoring of rock art sites. A full 12 month comprehensive assessment has been completed. New shelter at Orroral campground No signifi cant issues were noted. The group recently won the 2012 ACT NAIDOC Caring Northern Corroboree Frogs have for Country award. recently been re-introduced into The group has also the Ginini Wetlands earlier in the been nominated for year, which is a major milestone! the National Land Whilst funding has been cut back, Care award, the win- photo monitoring and pig control ner of which will be will continue. announced this month. Working with Community Groups ACT Wildlife Atlas National Parks Association work The Conserva- parties have been involved in Briar tion Planning and and Pine wilding control across

Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2012 – page 5 many areas of the park. The Gudg- Baiting and trapping of foxes and contracts and by individual rangers. enby Bushies have been working dogs has continued over the park. It has been a big year for St Johns on native vegetation regeneration There have been many sightings Wort, African Love Grass, Black- in the Boboyan pines area. The in recent months as pups disperse. berry, broadleafs, Briar and Broom. Canberra Bushwalking Club has The introduction of M44 ejectors For the fi rst time for a few years the been working on Broom control in on some runs has reduced illegal whole Broom infestation in the upper the Cotter Hut area and the Parks pig hunting activity, which had Cotter was covered and controlled. Service has also done a lot of extra interfered with some runs. Foxes New infestations include Chilean Broom control this year in areas are in high densities at the moment Needle Grass at Gibraltar Falls and north and south of the CBC area. due to favourable conditions. Corin Dam, and Ox Eye Daisy off Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t Corin road (first recorded site in been kind to the Kosciuszko Huts There are high densities of rabbits the ACT). You can help by looking Association this year—several across the park due to favourable out for: Orange Hawkweed, Ox- working bees have been cancelled conditions, particularly in the val- Eye Daisy, Chilean Needle Grass, due to weather and related access leys. Mapping and subsequent Broom, Potentilla Recta, African problems. Green Corp has been control has been completed in the Love Grass and Serrated Tussock. Orroral Valley. Controls included involved in track clearing at Square Ox-eye daisies Rock. The Parks Service has also fumigation and baiting and densities been working with Outward Bound. in the Valley are now signifi cantly lower. Mapping is currently under- Artist in Residence Program way in the Gudgenby Valley. There may be more funding coming. The Artist in Residence program is Some very high densities have been a partnership between Craft ACT recorded. A rabbit proof fence was and the Parks Service. It involves constructed around Orroral Home- artists living temporarily onsite at stead to reduce rabbit damage. Namadgi and Tidbinbilla. It aims to engage a wider community base Mapping of rabbit warrens and therefore support for the parks natural and cultural values through Public Compliance the medium of art. It has provided an ideal opportunity to showcase the Unauthorised access has been adaptive management and ‘reuse’ of targeted using cameras and after our historic huts. hours operations with the rural police. Campground vandalism This year’s theme Talking Water has been targeted by after hours took place in April with printmaker and early morning patrols. Dogs on Antonia Aitkin taking up residence walking trails is a problem despite at Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage the signs—as is illegal dump- in Namadgi for a week over April. ing. Reports from the public are The open day that showcased her invaluable. If safe to do so, obtain work at the end of the week was details such as time, date, number very well attended and supported. of offenders, registration plates and The program will continue with a take photos. new theme next year. Audit of Signifi cant Sites Pest Control All rangers in Namadgi are cur- The 2012 pig program was recently European Wasps are showing up in rently auditing signifi cant sites in completed. There were low numbers remote areas of Namadgi as well as their respective areas. It is a great relative to previous years. Some all campgrounds and picnic areas. opportunity for new rangers to interesting findings: Some pigs With the expected drier familiarise themselves with their were recorded travelling summer approaching a ‘patch’. This involves rangers going up to 15 km in one big year is expected for out to existing sites recorded on night. One pig wasps. If you fi nd a nest, GPS and taking photos in order to was recording don’t approach as they monitor the sites. consuming will attack. Please report Asbestos Removal in excess of all European Wasp sight- 15 kg of the ings on any public land Not only is there existing asbestos wheat poi- to Canberra Connect. If in the park, particularly around old son in one the sighting is in Namadgi space tracking stations, but asbestos night. There national park you may con- has also been dumped in the park. were 36 pigs tact the Parks Service directly. An asbestos removal registry has found in the Blue been developed. Asbestos is being Gum fl ats area—six of them were Weed Control removed as soon as possible. If you poisoned successfully. Follow up There has been a very big weed fi nd asbestos please don’t touch it trapping has taken place with some control effort in 2011–12. Hundreds but report the details to the Namadgi success. of hours have been spent through Visitor Centre.

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Activity program Activity program Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with Rob Horsﬁ eld (Walks Secretary) Ph: 6231 4535 (h), Email: [email protected], Post: 11 Studley Place, Kambah, ACT 2903

Information for participants Distance and diffi culty Transport Distance: The transport rate is 40¢ per km per vehicle, divided equally among (S) Short - under 12 km/day all participants. The cost each participant actually pays may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the condition of (M) Medium - 12-20 km/day the roads and other factors. The cost given may be an estimate per (L) Long - over 20 km/day person or the cost per vehicle or both. Park admission and camping Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. climbed. Duty of care Terrain: Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that (E) Easy - fi re trail, tracks, beaches etc he/she does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to (M) Medium - bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or (R) Rough - much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles damage to property. Each person is required to sign the Club’s (W) Wet - compulsory swims, many river crossings ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form. Visitors are welcome to join (X) Exploratory trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips. Booking Contact the leader early rather than late. Book by Thursday For further information see: 2.00 pm for the following weekend (both one-day and multi-day www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org walks) so the leader has time to arrange transport. Check with the leader about: Check-in after walks Before a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names X the need to carry water, tents/fl y, maps, etc of their party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their X appropriate clothing, footwear safe return or trip cancellation, to the Check-in Offi cer, Keith X any precautions you might need to take for severe weather Thomas ([email protected], 6230 1081 changes. leave message if no answer). The Check-in Offi cer or the Walks Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to Secretary (6231 4535), not the Police or other bodies, should be the our Club. fi rst point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning.

Equipment hire Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your own equipment. The Equipment Offi cer is Rob Horsfi eld, who can be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside PLB, George Carter, 6251 2130 The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- Thurs–Sun 9–12 August: Cross country lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge skiing 4 day trip (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘fi rst A four day ski tour carrying packs and camping in the time’ weekend walkers. snow, probably from Munyang towards Grey Mare A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be Range, route to be decided according to snow conditions. refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon Requires prior experience with similar trips. Maps: return and whether they are returned late. Mount Kosciuszko and Khancoban or as advised. Leaders: Linda Groom and Peter Conroy 6281 4917 Item w.e./week [email protected] or. Transport: $30 or as Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 advised. This is a joint activity with the Canberra Cross Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 Country Ski Club. Limit: 8. 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 Saturday 11 August: Two huge rocky Assorted packs $5 / $15 outcrops Legoland and Booroomba Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 Rocks + views – M/E Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 A chance to explore and photograph two huge granite Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) outcrops+ superb views. Drive past Honeysuckle GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) camping ground and park at the Honeysuckle Collimation Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need tower car park. From here walk and explore the huge when collecting and returning gear. rocky ledge of stone known as Legoland via the huge triangular rock aboriginal shelter. There is a huge cavern underneath Legoland and also narrow scrambles for those inclined. We will have morning tea dangling our legs over the rocks and looking at the view of Orroral Valley below and all the mountains in the distance. Then

Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2012 – page 7 Activity program return and park at the Honeysuckle car park . From here forests, as well as a sheltered sub-alpine bog. About 12 walk 5 kms and climb up about 260 m to the Booroomba km with a couple of ascents of 150 metres. Map: Corin Rocks where we will eat lunch enjoying more superb Dam Leader: Ian Wright 6286 1473(h), iwri5712@ views. Please book and meet at Kambah shops by 8.30 am bigpond.net.au Limit: 8 Transport: TBA where I will organise transport. Those needing a lift can probably be catered for too. Map: Corin Dam . Leader: Janet Edstein [email protected] (preferably) 6288 1398 Transport: ~$15 per person Saturday 11 August: A ridge with a view – M/E–M Walk from the Spring Creek car park along a series of ridges through open forest to an unnamed grassy peak for lunch with spectacular views from Lake George to the Tinderries. Similar return. Part on and part off track, about 13 km, 600m aggregate climb and 6 hours actual walking. Map: Captains Flat. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 Saturday 18 August: Canberra Centenary 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected]. Trail: Sections 7 and 8 – Tuggeranong to au Transport: ~$40 per car, estimate per person $15 Parliament House via S Canberra ridges – L/E,ptX Saturday 11 August: 12 Historic sites at Follow the proposed route of the CCT beside Tuggeranong Glenburn–Burbong – S/E Creek, through MacArthur onto the Isaacs Ridge. Then Have you ever visited the 12 historic sites nearby via Red Hill and down Melbourne Avenue to Parliament the Burbong Bridge over the Molonglo, just east of House. Around 30 km and 300m climb. Maps: Queanbeyan? It is a fascinating collection of sites Tuggeranong and Canberra. Leader:John Evans 0417 (actually in the ACT), including stone and slab 436 877, [email protected] Transport: ~$10 per homesteads, graves, charcoal kilns and copper mines. person, car shuttle required. Further details at www. You can download a free colour monograph on the sites johnevans.id.au from http://www.npaact.org.au/category.php?id=64. The area is maintained by a small group of very keen people, Saturday 18 August: Gorilla Rock, Booroomba the Friends of Glenburn, along with assistance from ACT Rocks – M/R Rangers. Let’s give them a hand, pay a bit forward and We walk along the AAT from Honeysuckle Creek Camp walk and work for the day. Blackberry lopping seems to Ground before heading off into the bush to Gorilla Rock be a high need – conservation can be historical, as well as for morning tea and then through bush to Booroomba environmental. We can even drive in! Map: Bungendore. Rocks with a steep climb and rock scrambling along Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877, [email protected]. the way. We will enjoy lunch, with great views, at au Transport: free for willing workers. Further details Booroomba Rocks then return via walking track. Map: at http://jevans.pcug.org.au Corin Dam, Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected], Transport: Sunday 12 August: Bundanoon Gorge from $10 per person. the east – S–M/R/X Most of the walks in the Bundanoon area are on the town Sunday 19 August: Morning Stroll: (western) side of this scenic sandstone gorge. This walk Lake Burley Griffi n – East Basin and will approach the eastern rim from the car park where Jerrabomberra Wetlands – S/E Patons Fire Trail leaves the Meryla Road. We will see the Reprising a walk of Phillip’s from March that had to narrow canyon section downstream of the dam. 10–12 be changed due to fl ood damage and postponed in May km, 200–300m uphill. Forest, some scrub and scrambles due to confl icting events. This walk takes us from the across side creeks. This walk will be upstream of the area Carillon in a loop around the East Basin of Lake Burley visited in October last year. Map: Bundanoon. Leader: Griffi n with an excursion into Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Jeff Bennetts 0418 662 870 (send text if no answer), This is a relaxing walk with the possibility of sighting a [email protected] Transport: ~340 km return large number of bird species, especially water birds in ~$34–$45 per person. Limit: 12 their natural habitat. There is some shade but most of the Tuesday 14 August: Navigation refresher #1 walk is in the open. Total distance only 10 km so home 7-30pm at 11 Studley St; Kambah. An evening looking at for lunch. Map: Canberra Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 maps and compass. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfi eld. 628 429 or [email protected] Transport: ~ Drive 6231 4535(h) yourself but tell me when you book if you need a ride. Tuesday 14 August: Granite Tors: Honeysuckle (17), 18–19 August: Royal National Park I have booked three cabins at the Ben Ricketts Reserve Creek – M/R near Robertson and we will drive down on Friday night. From the Honeysuckle Creek campground we will On Saturday, we will do a spectacular and beautiful follow the Alpine Walking Track north for about 20 walk in the Royal National Park, from the southern end minutes, then go bush and follow a meandering route to North Era beach and return about 5½ hours actual to the northwest and west, in the upper catchments of walking. On Sunday, we will do the short but also Honeysuckle and Blue Gum Creeks. The route will link beautiful walk (1½ hours) at Minnamurra Rainforest then up some interesting granite features that the leader has visit the Illawarra Fly, a brilliant treetop walk ($22) and. found on a previous reconnaissance. There is a mixture Map: Otford Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568 (h), 6274

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Activity program 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: Tuesday 28 August: Mt Domain via spur to ~$60 per person, Accommodation:~ $60 Snowy Corner – L/R 18–19 August: Corang Peak and Corang Let’s see how scrubby it is south of the Snowy Corner cairn on the Tidbinbilla Ridge. To Mt Domain, then Lagoon – M/M–R down to Fishing Gap and back via the Ashbrook Rd fi re Mostly on walking tracks, this walk is suitable for rea- trail. Around 16 km and 750m climb. Map: Tidbinbilla sonably fi t people who have had little weekend walking Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877, john@johnevans. experience. Wog Wog Car Park–Corang Lagoon–Broula id.au Transport: ~$8 per person. Further details at www. Brook–Canowie Brook – Corang Peak–Wog Wog johnevans.id.au car park. Maps: Corang Leader: Rene Davies and Keith Thomas 6230 1081(h), [email protected] Saturday 1 September:Smokers Trail carpark Transport: ~$25 Limit: 8 to Orroral Valley carpark cross-over – L/E This is a repeat of a walk cancelled due to torrential rain in Tuesday 21 August: Navigation refresher #2 June this year . This cross-over walk is an opportunity to 7-30 pm 11 Studley St; Kambah. #1 not a pre-requisite walk the whole scenic Orroral Valley. Either start from the but would help. An evening Dead-Reckoning Exercise, Smokers Trail carpark and walk mainly downhill through mud-map and compass in the dark at the back of Kambah. alpine forest or start from the Orroral Valley carpark and Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h) walk uphill with about 400 m climb to Smokers Gap. About 20 km and 400 m climb. We meet at Sawpit Creek for lunch and exchange car keys. Drivers need to be aware that there is a car swap before the walk so that all walkers eventually walk back to the car they started with. I will need another leader to help with this walk. Map: Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek Leader: Janet Edstein 6288 1398, prefer email janet. [email protected] Transport: $14 (31 August), 1–2 September: Bundanoon gourmet weekend – M/M Drive to Bundanoon YHA on Friday evening, our base for the weekend. On Saturday, we will walk to Bonnum Pic. Distance: 16 km Climb: 400m, 5½ hours walking. Saturday 25 August: Murrumbidgee River On Sunday, we will do the Four Lookouts walk, about Corridor – Casuarina Sands to Kambah 3 hrs walking. Both have spectacular views and, based Pool – M/M on previous experience, lots of wildfl owers. The YHA Starting from Casuarina Sands, this is an undulating walk is a renovated early 20th century home of delightful following the Murrumbidgee River corridor to Kambah ambience. Shared meal on Saturday evening. About 5 Pool. It has wonderful views over the river and Bullen hrs walking each day. Maps: Picton and Mittagong. Range. About 14 km in all. Car shuffl e required. Map: Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), Stan. Cotter Dam / Canberra / Tuggeranong, Leader: Nathan [email protected] Transport: ~$50 per Holt 0414 628 429, [email protected] Transport: person, Accommodation: ~ $60. Drive yourself but tell me when you book if you need Friday 7 September: Nadgigomar Nature a ride. Reserve (southern section) – M/M Saturday 25 August: Art/Photography, A walk down ridges to lunch on a sand bank of the Shepherds Lookout, Murrumbidgee River Shoalhaven River at around 568E 923N. An optional short – M/E shin-deep wade. Back by a different route and then 3 or 4 km From Shepherd’s Lookout in Belconnen follow the of fi re trail. The ridges in this area are pleasant walking: trail down to the Molonglo River, cross the river then mostly gentle in gradient and largely free of understorey, continue to Uriarra Crossing, follow the track around with occasional steep stony sections and patches of scrub. Sturt Island, walk off trail to the confl uence of the The high points provide some views between graceful white Molonglo and Murrumbidgee Rivers, then climb back gums. Around 13 km in total. One and a quarter hour drive up to Shepherds Lookout for a fi nal, magnifi cent view of from Queanbeyan, via Euradux Road. The road is best the Murrumbidgee River towards the ACT/NSW border. done in 4WDs (Forester or above). Map: Durran Durra Approx 8 km and 3–4 hours. Depart from Shepherds Leader: Linda Groom: [email protected] 02 6281 4917 Lookout car park, Stockdill Street, Holt at 10 am. Map: Transport: $50 per car. Limit: 12. Umburra: Leaders: Rob Horsfi eld and Chris Martin. Sunday 9 September: Mount Major and Bookings to Chris 0420 521 630 ; 6255 4010(h), mounts minor – M/R [email protected] Transport: n/a We will climb Mount Major (1330 m) from the Sunday 26 August: Navigation refresher #3 Jinglemoney Firetrail and then follow the ridge part way 0800hrs at 11 Studley St; Kambah. #1,2 not pre-requisites towards Mt Lowden. We will spend a little time exploring but would help. A day in the hills west of Kambah the tops in this area which are a rather magical mixture position-fi nding and using route cards. Leaders: Jenny of orange granite, snowgrass, ferns and rainforest-like and Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h) patches. There are also some good views. The main ascent is about 250 metres up Mt Major. The most diffi cult terrain is about 20 minutes of thick scrub on

Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2012 – page 9 Activity program a steep slope amongst boulders; there is also a bit of Leader: Terence Uren [email protected] scrambling. Around 5 and a half hours actual walking. Transport: ~$200/vehicle + KNP entry and overnight A 45 minute drive from Queanbeyan. Map: Bombay. parking fees + (possible) chairlift/oversnow transport. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 02 6281 Accommodation: $90 per person (twin share). Limit: 8. 4917 Transport: $50 per car Limit: 12 Saturday 15 September: In the shadow of 8–9 September: Navigation refresher #4 Palerang – S/E–M A weekend off-track in the Namadgi with pack, map A walk in the Tallaganda National Park. From the Forbes and compass. This is usually a popular trip (Sentry Creek track head east of Hoskinstown, follow trails to Box). People who don’t wish to practice navigating are Mulloon Creek, then along the Palerang fi retrail before also welcome. Map: Yaouk Leaders: Jenny and Rob swinging west off track for about an hour to the creek and Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h) Transport: ~130 km return, the Mulloon fi retrail back to the cars. Mostly on track. $52 per car. The forest is different from that near Canberra. About 5hrs actual walking. Map: Bombay Leader: Stan Marks 6254 (7) 8–9 September: Gulaga (Mt Dromedary)/ 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Bermagui Coast Walk – M/E Transport: ~$15 Drive to Tilba Waterfront Cottages Friday evening where we stay for the weekend. On Sat we climb Mt Gulaga. It is Sunday 16 September: Knolls in Billy Range about a 6 hour walk, all on track and about 14 km return. – M/M The climb is moderately hard ascending about 750 m over Propose to check out the knolls about 4 kilometres north 5.5 km. Sunday’s walk is a scenic ramble about (10 km) east of Glendale Crossing. About 450 metres of climbing which offers vistas of mountain (Gulaga), lake (Wallaga), and some scrub bashing involved. Map Michelago. island (Montague), headland and beach. The track winds Leader: Roger Edwards 6288 7863 rosemarie@ around Wallaga Lake and continues to Murunna Point, grapevine.com.au Transport: $52.00 per car. Limit: 8 Camel Rock, Haywards Beach, Keatings Headland, Long Swamp and Moorehead Beach. Maps: Wandella, Central Tuesday 18 September: Navigation refresher Tilba and Bermagui. Leader: Barry Keeley 6241 3447 #6 (h), [email protected] Transport: ~$170 7-30 pm at 11 Studley St; Kambah. An evening outdoor per car, ~$50 per person. Accommodation: ~$32 per exercise using GPS (waypoints, etc). Leaders: Jenny person per night. and Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h). (7)8–10 September: Cloudmaker and 100 Man Tuesday 18 September: Exploring the Upper Cave – L/M–R Shoalhaven #2 – M/R, possibly L/R, X Drive to Kanangra Walls Friday night for a three day walk From the end of Middle Mountain Road (~372E 182N) with time to appreciate the comforts of 100 Man Cave an exploratory walk through pleasant forest that is gently where we will camp for two nights. Mostly on track, but sloping and mostly open, and down a tributary to meet with broken quartzite along some of the ridges, off track the Shoalhaven a little upstream of the point reached near the Cave and a scramble off the end of the Walls. We on a trip in the same area in May, then up the river and will take day packs on the middle day to search for 1000 back to the cars to complete the circuit. The river will Man Cave on the eastern side of Ti Willa Plateau. Approx have some scrub, some steep slopes and probably some 700 m ascent/descent fi rst and last days (not all at once). rock scrambling. We will aim to keep our feet dry. This Superb southern Blue Mountains views and early spring walk is all within Deua National Park. About a 2 hour fl owers. Map: Kanangra. Leader: Meg McKone 6254 drive from Queanbeyan. Map: Snowball Leader: Linda 5902(h) [email protected]. Transport: Groom [email protected] Transport: TBA Limit: 12 ~500 km return, $200 per car, $50 per person. Limit: 8. Tuesday 11 September: Renns Bluff – L/R/W/ pt X Bungonia SCA–Mt Ayre–Shoalhaven River–exploratory spur–Renns Bluff–Mt Pollock–Rainbow Ridge– Shoalhaven River – return via Mt Ayre. Tracks, off-track sections mostly open scrub. Nice views, steep descents/ ascents, river crossings, some exposure. ~14 km, Saturday 22 September: Nattai Gorge/ 1000m total ascent. Map: Caoura. Leader: Brian Surin Boxvale Tramway – M/M 0438276350, [email protected] Transport: ~$100 Walk through light forest then traverse the spectacular and per car, + park entry fee. beautiful Nattai Gorge near Mittagong. Lunch at Boxvale Tuesday 11 September: Navigation #5 Creek then back to the cars along the historic tramway 7-30 pm at 11 Studley St; Kambah, An introductory alignment. All on track but a steep climb out of the gorge. evening on the GPS. #1– 4 not pre-requisites. Leaders: About 10 km, 4½ hours actual walking. Map: Mittagong Jenny and Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h) Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan. [email protected] Transport: ~$30 14–17 September: Spring Snowshoeing – M/M Fancy travelling ~60 km on snowshoes without having Tuesday evening 25 September: Navigation to sleep in the snow? On offer are four ~15 km day trips refresher #7 – An introduction to PC from a Smiggin Holes lodge. Previous experience not software for GPS necessary but you must have a reasonable level of fi tness. 8pm at UTM 55H 685271-6088292 (MGA94). Various Maps: Perisher Valley, Geehi Dam, Chimneys Ridge. digital mapping applications and ancillary software,

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Bulletin board which can interface with a GPS, are demonstrated. 6– 8 October: Main Range cross country These make useful walk planning and recording tools. skiing – L/M Presenters: Keith Thomas and John Evans. Please book Walk several kilometres, camp below the snowline and with John at [email protected] or 0417 436 877. do day tours from the tents to the Main Range. The camp Note: TBA will probably be on a tributary of the Club Lake Creek Navigation Refresher # 8: Direction, Time and but location will depend on snow conditions. We will Position using Sun and Stars with Geometric/ cross the Snowy River, which may involve wading, to Technical Drawing methods. get there. Will suit people with previous experience in back-country ski touring. Map: Perisher Valley Leader: 02 6281 4917 Peter Conroy [email protected] Transport: TBA. Limit: 12. 20–21 October: Buckenbowra Wilderness – M/R partly X Sunday 29 September: Billy Billy Rocks – A walk to explore the ridges, beautiful forest, creeks S/R and possibly small gorges in Monga National Park. We Since the 2003 bushfi res access to this rock cluster has will park near Penance Grove (15 minutes from Kings been made more diffi cult by thick regrowth and fallen Highway), walk 3 level km along the now closed River timber. This walk tries a new approach (for the leader). Forest Road, climb 380 metres in 5 km on the Boundary Starting where the Billy Billy Creek crosses the Corin Fire Trail, descend 700 metres in 3.5 km on the ridge from Rd., it will follow a ridge north of the Creek for about 64E 503N to 67E 493N to an unnamed creek. Previous 2.4 km., south west,to the Billy Billy Rocks. After some experience in this area suggests this ridge will be dryish exploring of the many clefts in the rocks we will have and fairly open. The creek has a couple of sections that lunch on a high spot. The return will be south, across the look on Google Earth like small gorges; we expect to fi nd head of Billy Billy Creek to a smaller cluster of large rocks a rain forest campsite before or between the gorge-like called by Josephine Flood ‘Bogong Rocks’. After more sections. On Sunday we have the option of returning via exploring of rock clefts, we will descend to the Square a creek tributary (in which we have previously found Rock car park and follow the Corin Rd. back to the cars. lovely rain forest) from 681E 507N or by ridges or by the The distance is about 6.5 km. with total climb of 400m steep Turtle Fire Trail. Expect some scrub and loose and with some diffi cult scrub and rock scrambles. Map: Corin slippery rocks. Fuel stoves only. Maps: Monga, Araluen. Dam Leader: Mike Morriss 62875304(h) 0408 280 866, Leader: Linda Groom 02 6281 4917 lbgroom@gmail. [email protected] Transport; ~72 km return, com Transport: TBA Limit: 8 ex Kambah, ~$30 per car 26 December–1 January: Victorian Alps – 29 September–1 October: Budawang variety of walks S/E to L/R weekend – M/M We will do a number of day walks, utilising a number of I have booked basic accommodation near Nerriga on the walks leaders, in the region over this period, including edge of the Morton National Park for the long weekend, Mt Feathertop, Bon Accord Spur, Swindlers Spur, the driving down Saturday morning. We will leave Canberra Razorback, Diamantina Spur, Mt Tabletop, Cobungra on Saturday morning and walk to Churinga Headland for River and The Twins, Mt Blowhard. We will be staying lunch with a spectacular view over Ettrema Gorge and, if at the Leeton Lodge in Mt Hotham for 7 nights. Maps: like 2010, wildfl owers in abundance (2½ hours easy off Feathertop, Harrietville, The Twins, Tabletop, Fainter track) then go to our accommodation. On Sunday, will 1:25,000; Dargo Plains, Cobungra 1:50,000. Leaders: walk to The Vines, a beautiful and varied walk (6 hours Barry Keeley 6241 3447 [email protected] all on track); those interested can go on to the bora ground and Stan Marks 62549658 (h), 62747350 (w) stan.marks@ on Quiltys Mountain (another hour on track except for one infrastructure.gov.au Transport: TBA. Accommodation: short, steep section) assuming the weather allows it and ~$25 per night per person. Full payment of accommodation someone comes who is prepared to lead it. Return home is required by end of October. Monday morning. The cabin holds four and has a basic stove. Others can use tents but all can use the shower at 26 June to 20 July 2013: Kakadu – M/R/X/W the Stone Cottage. Map: Endrick and Touga Leader: Three walks in succession in the South Alligator River Stan Marks 6254 9568 (w) 6274 7350, stan.marks@ and Jim Jim Falls area – probably a 6 day walk around infrastructure.gov.au Transport: ~$40, Accommodation: Dinner Creek, a 6 day Koolpin Gorge to Gunlom walk, depends on numbers, ~$20 camping, $40 inside. and a 10 day circuit from Jim Jim Falls to Twin Falls and return. There is likely to be an option to do either the (5) 6–8 October (Canberra LWE): Blue Dinner Creek and Koolpin walks, or the Jim Jim/Twin Mountains – M/M walk, joining or leaving the group by public transport. Leave Canberra Friday night and stay in a comfortable Would suit people who have previous experience on guesthouse in Katoomba for the long weekend. Saturday: several overnight ‘Rough’ grade walks and experience Wentworth Falls including Vera Falls, Wentworth in walks of 5 days or longer. Rock scrambling, scrub Pass and National Pass. Sunday: into and along the and possibly compulsory swims. Maps: El Sherana, valley fl oor from Furber Stairs to Mt Solitary (climb Callanan, Koolpin, Goodparla and Jim Jim Falls, all optional). Monday: Centennial Glen and Porters Pass 1:50,000. Transport. Airfare around $600, share of 4WD (3½ hours). Each walk has great valley views. Map: rental around $750 plus petrol Leader: Linda Groom. Katoomba. Leader: Edwina Yee 0418 651 421, Edwina. Expressions of interest to Linda [email protected], [email protected] Transport: ~$80 per person. 026281 4917 Limit: 9 Accommodation: ~$75 for the weekend. Limit: 16.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2012 – page 11 Membership fees 2011/12

Feeling literary? Item Single Household Have you had a great experience on a ClubClu walk? Been Hard copy it $46 $73 movedd to write about it, either inn proseproosee or verse?vve Felt the Electronic it $27 $54 urge toto see youryour name in print?printt? OrOr eveneven justjujus taken some great photo shots that youyouu wouldwoould likelikike tot share.shhare The CClublub welcomes contributionscoonnttributit ono s fromfromm membersmemb so why not write about an interestinginteresstting experienceexxperrieennce on a walkw or just an enjoyableable walk. Alternatively,Alteernatitivevely, sendsesennd in a photophoto or two with a Wednesday walks short paraparagraphgraph aboutabboout it/them.itt//theemm. Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted The closinglosing datedatee forforo eacheaach issueissssue of itt is the dadatete of the 4th every Wednesday. Walks are conducted in turn by Wednesdaynesday ofof everyeveeryr month.moonthh. HandwrittenHaH ndwritten and posted mate- leaders from the CBC, Brindabella Bushwalking rial is acceptable,accepttabablee, butbubut emailememaia l iss preferred.prer ferred. We alsoa welcome Club and National Parks Association (ACT). Details photographs,graphhs,s preferablypreefeferar bly ass separatelysepaarately scannedscanne items or about destination and meeting place are emailed to digitall images.imaaggeses. WeWe cancan scanscacan originalorigginal photographs.photogra Contact: those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Contact Ph 6254254 0578,0505787 , [email protected] @c@ annbeberrrraabushwalkingc Janet Edstein [email protected] to get your Post: 200 OO’Sullivan’SSulullilivvan Street,Street, HIGGINS,HIGGINS, AACTCT 2261561 name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s Alison Milton,Milto Editor contribution to these walks.

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