CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB NEWSLETTER

it Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc. GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume 53 Number 4 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org May 2017

GENERAL MEETING 7.30pm Wednesday 17 May 2017

The Alpine Weeds Project Presenters: Greening and NPWS

Since 2014 nearly 50 members of the Canberra Bushwalking Club have participated in a project with the NSW NPWS and Greening Australia to help survey and treat invasive weeds in the alpine and sub-alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park.

CBC members have contributed over 300 volunteer days to the project. CBC members have proved to be ideal volunteers for the alpine weeds project – they love to walk, and they want to help protect the Australian alps.

Focus weeds have included sweet vernal grass, milfoil and more recently mouse-ear hawkweed. Representatives from both NPWS and Greening Australia will provide a project wrap-up at the May meeting, as well as discuss future opportunities for CBC members.

Hughes Baptist Church Hall 32-34 Groom Street, Hughes

In this issue President’s Report CBC committee members Help Wanted Training and Safety report Review of April CBC meeting Activity program Editor The CBC Family Activity Program Bulletin Board Walks secretary‘s report Book Review Obituary Membership Trip Report

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 1 Committee Reports

FROM THE PRESIDENT The implementation time for the Club’s new software is upon us. The Project Leader, Linda Groom, has been working tirelessly and patiently with the developers to bring this project to fruition. The new software will allow online booking among many other features, and the new web site has been designed to be mobile -friendly. While the new system can be used without training (and there will be guidance material on the website), some training will help you to pick it up more quickly. Linda has arranged for a day of training on 22 May and our General Secretary, Cynthia Coppock has been taking bookings. Please contact her ([email protected]) to reserve a spot – training is for 1 hour.

The topics to be covered include: For leaders: personal data and privacy options; viewing ‘My History’; how people will make bookings; sending a walk offer to the Walks Secretary; managing bookings on your walks; sending a Trip List; checking-in; no-need-to-book walks; the ‘archived’ view of your past walks; posting a Trip Report (optional). For members: your personal data and privacy options; viewing the list of members; renewing your membership; looking through the activities list; searching it; how to request a booking; how to cancel a booking; viewing ‘My Bookings’; booking for a partner or friend; viewing ‘My History’; viewing it and searching back issues; viewing and searching Trip Reports.

If there are members who cannot be part of the training on 22 May there will be other options. If you are a leader, a small-group training session at a member’s home may be possible or there will be the set of exercises used on 22 May that can be used to train yourself at home. Similarly, the set of exercises used in the general training for Members can also be provided for self-training at home. Thank you to Linda for all her work on this Software Project.

Lorraine Tomlins President

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 2 Committee Reports

TRAINING and SAFETY REPORT Cold days and nights return.

In the ACT, May heralds the return of seriously cold weather. Following Anzac Day, even hardy Canberrans turn on their heaters, a luxury that we walkers don’t have in the bush. Cold winds, rain, snow and wet vegetation can catch out the unwary. I myself had a fright last September, when my cold wet arms and legs made me feel very poorly indeed. On all walks beyond Canberra Nature Park walkers should take thermals, waterproof clothing and a PLB. Stop and rug up if you feel cold. If caught out overnight, seek or build protection from the elements. This April, a father and son lost for three freezing nights in South West Tasmania, made a shelter out of vegetation. They had learnt this strategy by watching Bear Grylls (apparently) and their protective actions likely saved their lives, until they were found by emergency services.

David Dedenczuk Training and Safety Officer Changing 'Fagus', Tarn Shelf, Tasmania

Photo: David Dedenczuk

FROM THE EDITOR

Thank you to those who gave me such positive and constructive feedback about my first newsletter in April, and for all your interesting contributions. I have received some great articles for this newsletter. I particularly thank Jenny Horsfield, Meg McKone and Linda Groom for sending in their contributions this month — Jenny for a book review, Meg for her report of an Easter trip to the beautiful Blue Mountains, and Linda for her review of the Club’s family activity program. Linda can take all the credit for building this program into an increasingly popular series of activities catering for families with children of all ages— potentially our next generation of Club members and the assured future of our Club.

Meredith Hatherly Editor

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 3 Committee Reports

FROM THE WALKS SECRETARY

There was some great walking last month. Eighty-five members and visitors enjoyed six different overnight and day trips over Easter and many were out again on one of the six trips the following weekend.

Walkers are invited to submit a few sentences of trip report and up to 10 photos to [email protected] for publishing on our very popular Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/CanberraBushwalkingClub . Share your trip with others who couldn’t make it and inspire them to join in next time.

This month’s Activity Program is just as robust, so make your choices, contact the leader to book and get out there!

Do take up the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the Club’s new software and web site during the training on Monday 22 May. Details are in the email you received from our General Secretary on 18 April and also in this newsletter.

Enjoy your walking and happy feet.

John Evans Walks Secretary

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Please keep your email address up to date via your membership page on the website. Contact the Membership Secretary if you need help.

A warm welcome to the following new members: Natasha Crook, Shay Simpson, Mike Brett, Andrea Coomblas, Stephen Carter.

Roger Edwards Membership Fees Membership Secretary 2016/17

$33 per person

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 4 CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB COMMITTEE

President: Lorraine Tomlins Editor: Meredith Hatherly [email protected] [email protected] 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496 6154 1513 or 0413 396 258

Treasurer: Julie Anne Clegg Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas [email protected] [email protected] 0402 118 359 +64 27 535 6176 Walks Secretary: John Evans Social Secretary: Jenny Horsfield [email protected] [email protected] 6294 8232 or 0417 436 877 6231 4535 General Secretary: Cynthia Coppock Publisher: David Williams [email protected] [email protected] 0408 266 501 or 6270 9010(w) Membership Secretary: Roger Edwards ————————————————————— [email protected] 6288 7863 All members of the Committee can be contacted in one email to Training and Safety Officer: David Dedenczuk [email protected] [email protected] 0417 222 154 Check in: [email protected] Conservation Officer: Cynthia Burton [email protected] Web site: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org 0488 071 203 Web Manager: Andrew Meers [email protected]

Contributions for the newsletter

Your contributions are welcome in this newsletter. Send anything that you think might be relevant and of interest to Club members, perhaps a great walk you have been on, an interesting photo, ideas or articles that have caught your attention, perhaps a letter to the Editor if there is something you would like to say. If you send a photo, and it is not your own, you must have the owner’s permission to use it. The name of the photographer will be included unless they request otherwise. Please note that any article you send in may be edited to fit, or to correct spelling or other errors, or to better suit the requirements of the Club. The closing date for each issue of it is the fourth Wednesday of every month. Send contributions to [email protected]

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 5 REVIEW OF APRIL 2017 CLUB MEETING. Guest Speaker—Anne McCleod. The Summit of Her Ambition: The Life of Marie Byles

Talk about a girl’s own adventure! Just hearing about her action-packed life makes you want to have a good lie down. Anne Mcleod’s book The Summit of Her Ambition: the spirited life of Marie Byles details the life of an amazingly energetic, go-getter of a woman. Marie was in charge of her own destiny at a very early age and was many, many things, including an environmentalist, activist, photographer, mountain climber, bushwalker, author, the first female solicitor of NSW, supporter of women’s rights and gender equity in a world dominated by men and living proof that individuals can make a difference. Phew! Makes you feel inadequate. Some of the people in the CBC have even met her. Born in England in 1900, she was shaped by her strong-minded parents. At the age of four, her father Cyril took her on her first outdoor experience - a hike up Mt Snaefell on the Isle of Man - sowing the seed for her enduring love of nature. Her mother protested alongside the suffragettes. Cyril Byles, an expert in railway signalling, was offered a consultancy position with NSW Railways. The family emigrated in 1911. Marie studied at University, first an Arts degree then Law. She graduated in 1924 but found it impossible to find a position in a legal firm as it was inconceivable to employ a female solicitor. She finally gained a position as a legal clerk. Marie went bushwalking with her parents, learning to navigate by map and compass. She then took her friends on bushwalking adventures, encouraging lots of people to get out and enjoy the Australian bush.

At the summit of Mt Cook in a In 1928 she set off for London on a cargo boat, mastering the use of a blizzard—January 1929 sextant to the extent that the captain let her steer the boat. Once in Europe, She bought mountaineering gear and climbed throughout the Lakes District, then with the Scottish Women's Climbing Club in the Highlands. But where to next I hear you ask? Why Norway of course, then the Canadian Rockies and even New Zealand where she climbed Mt Cook in a blizzard! Is there no end to the talents of this mere slip of a girl? Nuh! Back in Sydney she set up her legal practice in a broom cupboard (well almost - it was actually a corner of the foyer of the Duke of York Theatre). There, her reputation for fairness and honesty grew such that she survived the Depression - clients used to pay her in vegetables if they had no money. In 1929, Marie joined the Sydney Bush Walkers Club where she rubbed shoulders with well-known legend of a bushman, Myles Dunphy. Paddy Pallin was also influenced by her. He saw the rucksack she brought back from Norway, copied it and thus began his amazing outdoor business. Marie with Sydney Bush Walkers at Bouddi

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 6 Review of April 2017 Club meeting—The Life of Marie Byles

In 1932 the SBW saved the in the from being ringbarked by a farmer. A Federation of Bushwalking Clubs of NSW was formed to act as a lobby group to protect the most beautiful wilderness areas. Marie used her legal skills to ensure these natural areas were preserved. The Greater Blue Mountains National park was eventually declared through their effort. Marie also persuaded the Federation to lobby for the reservation of Bouddi Headland on the southern tip of the Central Coast as a park. More than 100 people turned up to working bees that Marie organised to do maintenance work on the park and create the network of pathways and coastal track. Conservation runs in the family – in 1932 her brother Baldur Byles did an environmental survey on the impacts of cattle grazing on the High Country - on horse back -which led to the declaration of Kosciuszko National Park. She helped ensure the reservation of Barren Grounds as a park - I am sure lots of us have walked there! In 1939, she established the Bush Club, leading day walks for European Marie Byles refugees. When she had finished conquering the physical realm she turned inwards on a spiritual path, embracing Buddhism and naming her house ‘Ahimsa’, Gandhi’s principle of non-violence. Marie died in 1979. She is an inspiration to all women past and present, doing much for the women’s equal rights. We as bushwalkers have a lot to thank Marie for. Would many of our wonderful national parks exist today without her? I don't think so. I was so inspired by Anne’s presentation, I bought the book to read more about this absolutely amazing woman’s life. Reminds me of Gertrude Bell - Queen of the desert. Now there was another truly incredible woman. Summary: Lois Padgham Photos supplied by Anne McCleod

To The Bushwalkers

The gold of gompholobium It is not shape of form or wealth, Above a dimpled sapphire sea, Or youth, or strength that makes you fair, And pink of eriostemon But kiss of sunshine gold, and health Beneath a twisted grey gum-tree! Of free fresh purifying air.

And fair as flowers and ocean blue, Oft have I watched the dawn’s pale hue And joyous as the springs caress, From on my bed beneath the sky, My comrades of the bush are you, And love the earth the more for you, Bright keen and fresh with happiness. Who loved the same wild things as I.

Marie Byles March 1942

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 7 The CBC Family Activity Program COORDINATED BY Linda Groom

In May 2014, the CBC Committee considered, once again, the question of how to attract younger members into the Club. The Committee decided to target people in the age range mid-30s to mid-50s. Since many people in this age range have children living at home, it seemed like a good idea to offer walks that were suitable for children. An early and important policy decision was that the children must always be accompanied by a parent or carer - walk leaders should not take on that responsibility. It seemed like a good idea, but it took some months to happen. The first PRAMbulation was held on 18 September that year. PRAMbulations are urban walks on bike paths and other terrain suitable for prams, in Canberra’s green areas. Usually about one hour to an hour and a half long, these walks allow parents and grandparents to discover new walking routes. The first PRAMbulation was a circuit of Weston Park and attracted 8 adults and 2 babies. Needless to say, the babies received a lot of adoring attention. In subsequent PRAMbulations, the proportion of babies increased. It soon became clear that the PRAMbulations were not leisurely ambles. The parents wanted to pack as much exercise as they could into the time available. Occasionally the whole walk would come to a stop, to search for a jettisoned Striding out at Jerrabombera shoe or if a baby needed some urgent attention, but apart from that, the pace was brisk. As the leader of most PRAMbulations, I found my fitness increasing! In 2016, an entirely predictable event, which I failed to predict, occurred. The babies reached walking age. Attendance at PRAMbulations decreased. Despite attempts to advertise the PRAMbulations through play groups and online interest groups, we were unable to recruit another group to replace the PRAMbulation ‘graduates’. PRAMBulations are now scheduled on request – if any two families want a PRAMbulation on a certain date, we will add one to the Club program. As the PRAMbulations became less frequent, the ‘Toddlers Toddles’ began.

Toddles for Toddlers The inaugural Toddlers Toddle was held on 5 November 2015, near the Namadgi Visitors Centre, in the rain. One hardy PRAMbulation graduate and her well-organised mother turned up. Repeated a few weeks later in fine weather, the toddle attracted four families, and the kids had a delightful time playing in a minuscule creek. Toddlers Toddles are now a regular feature on the Club program. There is at least one each month, except around Christmas and in July, when families are too busy or it’s too cold. Most of them attract 30 to 40 participants, with the kids ranging from 12 months to 4 years old. Promotion through the ACT Government Nature Play program and through the kind support of the Sticks and Stones Playgroup has helped bring a steady stream of keen parents and grandparents to the Toddles. Rock scrambling, Cuumbeun Nature Reserve

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 8 The CBC Family Activity Program

It is very rewarding to watch the kids learn simple bushwalking skills, such as walking on uneven ground and balancing on logs (very low logs!) And learning that ant nests are something to walk around, not across. It is also rewarding to see their fascination with everything from feathers to gum sap. I was a bit surprised by the attention paid to fresh kangaroo poo, but we managed to turn even that into a learning experience – ‘We poke it with a stick, not our fingers’.

Walks for older kids After experiencing varied attendance figures, we learnt that school holidays are the best time to program walks for older kids. A popular Swimming and cooling off, Bells Creek Cascades destination is Wild Cattle Creek. Older members familiar with this area may not have realised how ideally suited it is to racing bark boats. The cascades above Bells Creek Falls are also popular in the summer school holidays when swimming holes and natural water- slides are much appreciated. A highlight last year was an overnight walk to camp in the Wave Cave, Morton National Park. The route included a descent through Skinny Woman Pass, to which the kids were naturally adapted. The crossing of Bainbrig Creek turned into an engineering exercise, with kids, and adults under their instruction, hauling logs to build an almost successful bridge. The intermittent that falls across one part of the huge mouth of the Wave Cave was running beautifully, yet the floor of the cave was perfectly dry. The kids loved it.

The future The Club has now established a position of Family Activities Co-ordinator. Like Wednesday Walks Co- ordinator, it is a non-Committee position. I am holding the position until the September AGM. I intend to keep leading lots of family walks but it would be great to hand over the co-ordinator position in September. Please talk to me if you would consider taking it on. The demand for Toddlers Toddles and walks for older kids is steadily growing. It is partly fuelled by research reports on the huge benefits to children of outdoor experiences in natural environments – benefits in the areas of problem solving, team work, adapting to risks and even in eyesight development. The family activities program has resulted in a number of new members, and is laying the groundwork for a new generation of bushwalkers.

Article and photos by Linda Groom

Family walk heading to Legoland

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 9 Book Review

Cotter by Richard Begbie

I met Richard Begbie when he lived at Top Naas, running Caloola Farm as a brave social experiment to help troubled kids find new directions. He was a farmer, an historian, an unorthodox Christian pastor, an environmentalist and even then a writer. We used to enjoy his regular columns in the Canberra Times. He wrote a beaut children’s book, Tennant’s Gold, based on the legend of the bushranger John Tennant hiding his gold somewhere on our local mountain. Since leaving Naas and moving to the Bungendore district where he now farms, Begbie has written two marvelous new books, The Story of his Ride and now, Cotter. The first of these books was written as a tribute to his former neighbor and friend, Max Oldfield, and describes Max’s life growing up in the Naas Valley. The background setting of both books is the country to our south and the mountains to the west – country we now love as . The subject of Begbie’s new book, Cotter, is Garrett Cotter, ticket of leave man. He settled high above the Naas Valley before his move to Michelago across the Murrumbidgee . This book has been compared – rightly I think – to Kate Grenville’s ‘The Secret River’, for it is about the early clashes and confrontation between white settlers and explorers and the local indigenous people. In 1822 Garrett Cotter was transported to NSW for life, for his part in rural agitation by Irishmen against their absentee landlords. The book – a fictional -re creation of Cotter’s life – evokes the hardship and brutality of the convict experience but also captures the sense of hope and promise that the colony offered to these victims of an unjust imperial system. In NSW, Cotter was fortunate in the men he was assigned to, notably the Kenny family who had taken up land down near Lake George. Cotter proved himself a skilled horse rider and gained the trust of the Garrett Cotter Kenny family, eventually being given the task of seeking better pastures during the great drought that devastated the colony in the late 1820s. In this enterprise, Cotter was given great help by the local Aboriginal leader, Onyong, who not only guided him to watered country along the , but taught him many skills about survival in this new landscape. These skills were to be life-saving in the coming years, when Cotter, accused of horse-stealing by one of Kenny’s neighbours, was banished for four years ‘beyond the limits of location’ to the unsurveyed and unsettled country to the west of the Murrumbidgee. There, Cotter explored the wild reaches of a river which was later to bear his name, and built a hut in what we now call the Upper Cotter valley. It is believed that during these years Onyong and his people were occasional and helpful guides and visitors. Cotter was eventually pardoned and settled back into the farming community of the region. He married and moved to Michelago where he had a large family and was a prominent and well respected member of the local community. Onyong and his people are there at the end of the book too, but as shadowy figures who have lost their land and their traditions, reduced to begging in the streets of Queanbeyan or haunting the local properties for work and shelter.

Ooyong’s breastplate Richard’s books ‘The Story of his Ride’ and ‘Cotter’ are both available at good bookshops and as well ‘Cotter’ is on-line and an e-book. Jenny Horsfield

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 10 Trip Report: Consider the

Meg McKone

Party of Canberra Bushwalking Club and Coast and Mountain Walkers members: Meg McKone, Anita Davis, Kim Hello, David Springthorpe, Anne Watson, Mary Robinson, Steven Robinson, Scott Krezjlik.

Where to go at Easter when the bush is full of walkers?

I’d spent many Easters enjoying secluded off-track walks in wilderness areas like the Wollemi and the Blue Breaks. Now I felt like an on-track walk with a nice easy river thrown in for good measure, but no crowds. Despite the Coxs having a bad press (I was told very recently that it is slimy and the water will make you sick), I had happy memories of long ago walking on grassy green banks with clear water sliding over smooth granite and sandy shoals. I had drunk bucketfuls, and it had never made me sick.

More recently, I’d had a different experience, stuck on the eastern side of the river between Konangaroo and Breakfast Creek due to a roaring flood and suffering long-lasting stings from waist-high nettles. Now, desperate for a destination and prepared to give it a go again, I was more worried about there being enough water, especially at Mobbs Swamp. A quiet stretch of the Coxs River near Breakfast Creek AD The Canberrans and Sydneysiders met up at Dunphys Camp above the Carlon property, ready to start walking on Easter Friday. Although a few family tents had been erected, the place was nowhere near as crowded as I’d expected. We met a few parties on the way out, mainly runners coming down from Taros Ladders, getting fit for a big long-distance race in a few weeks time. Trail running is becoming extremely popular on the easily accessible tracks of the Blue Mountains.

I had no need to be worried about lack of water. The creeks crossing the fire trail under Narrow Neck were full and as we neared Mobbs Swamp the track was so wet that we didn’t have to go down to the cave for water. Though I intended to walk out along the ridge from Mt Merrimerrigal to Mt Dingo and Splendour Rock, I had no desire to carry water up to camp on top. We shared the campsite beneath the casuarinas with a couple of other parties, but it was big enough for them to be out of sight.

Next morning three of the party went back – one to catch a plane, one feeling sick and the third because he’d been cold overnight. Oops! Using the 10% rule, I was only entitled to lose four-fifths of one party member.

As the remaining five of us continued on, I realised I’d missed the turning up to Warrigal Gap, which had taken off unnoticed somewhere before our campsite. However, a few kilometres further on the track up to Dingo was a good one with a nice scramble Panorama from Splendour Rock, with Mts Cloudmaker, Paralyser and Guouogang. through the cliffs. Anita Davis

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 11 Trip Report: Consider the Coxs River

It was a magnificently fine, cool, calm day and we lingered a while taking in the view of some the best scenery that the Blue Mountains has to offer – the deep Kowmung and Coxs gorges flowing down to the stored water of Warragamba Dam, the rugged bulk of Cloudmaker and its surrounding ridges and steep spurs, a glimpse of the golden cliffs of Kanangra Walls, then the high blue peaks of Mts Paralyser, Guouogang, Queahgong and Jenolan on the far side of Kanangra Creek and the Coxs River. Judging by the number of people we met coming down the track (including CMW member Rob Simon, out for a two day ramble), it must have been very crowded there the previous night, so I was glad we’d stopped at Mobbs.

It was a pleasure walking along the open, steep-sided, undulating ridge to Mount Yellow Dog, so typical of Blue Mountains ridges, with shadowy blue glimpses of the rugged Krungle Bungle Range through the trees. Zig-zags in the track eased the steepness of Yellow Pup Ridge down to the Coxs River. We met two parties coming up and a lot more people along the river, setting off in the direction of Katoomba, most or even all of them, it seemed, having come over Cloudmaker from Kanangra. It must have been very crowded at Dex Creek the night before!

At the bottom of Yellow Pup we had an easy crossing over a sandy stretch of thigh-deep water just above a set of rapids, then crossed again to access a huge, deserted, grassy bank above a particularly lovely stretch of what I thought was the Coxs, lined with casuarinas which spread their sheltering arms over clear pools and gentle rapids. Although it had been pig-rooted in the past (as has the Kowmung and the rest of the Coxs), we found enough spots to erect our tents for a comfortable night.

Next morning I realised we had a second river on another side which created a V shape of our capacious bank – it was the Coxs, and we’d spent the night on Kanangra Creek at Konangaroo Clearing, which Our grassy campsite at Konangaroo bore no resemblance to the weed-infested bank where I’d camped clearing . Kim Hello some ten years ago. Now we had twelve or so delightful kilometres up the Coxs to Davys Camp, about an hour short of Breakfast Creek. The autumn sun sparkled on the clear water, steep blue ridges towered above us, the banks provided mostly easy walking, and the crossings were no more than waist-high. Just in case there was something nasty lurking in the innocent-looking waters, we took water from freshly-flowing Guouogang Brook and Queahgong Creek, though I did drink the Coxs at camp that night without any ill effects.

Close to Breakfast Creek, the coarse river sands took on a pinkish hue, probably from the pink granite that outcrops further upstream. We spent a lot of time looking at numerous species of fungi which had also adorned the track the day before. We took photos of some small, isolated trees that could have been the weed Tree of Heaven, for identification by CMW members who have put considerable efforts into eradicating this pest. We met no other people, only two small groups of cattle whose cow pats were a small price to pay for keeping the nettles and other weeds in check.

Close to Breakfast Creek were footprints in the sand and the smell of burning plastic. A party had left their fire smouldering and full of rubbish. We removed numerous tin cans, lots of aluminium foil and even a burnt gas Flower-shaped puff-ball fungi at bottle, all which Steven and Kim carried out in two full plastic bags. After Konangaroo clearing. KH putting out the fire we left a note in the unwashed, almost new, heavy gauge aluminium saucepan (tinned spaghetti for dinner, anyone?), just in case its owners came back for it: Please: * extinguish your fire, * remove your rubbish. Thank you.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 12 Trip Report—consider the Coxs River

In the past I’ve been bored with the many crossings of Breakfast Creek, but not this time. Despite its use over perhaps a century by stockmen, horse-riders, fishermen and bushwalkers as access from Carlons to the Coxs River, it remains a beautiful, unspoilt creek cut into cliffs of grey quartzite, its pools and rapids shaded with myrtles, gums and huge old casuarinas. Where it is rough, the track makes the going easier.

Carlons Creek, rising steeply to Dunphys Camp on the ridge above Carlons, also has a track, this time surrounded by thickets of waist-high nettles (no cattle here) which made us grateful for our long pants and gaiters. But there was no sign of Tree of Heaven, thanks to the hard work of Ian Olsen and helpers.

Reaching our cars at Dunphys Camp was a real culture shock after our tranquil walk. It was chock-full of tents, cars and people, some of them engaged in a game of cricket (fortunately for our cars with a tennis ball) and playing loud music.

So how did this all stack up for an Easter walk? The crowds hadn’t been a problem for us. In fact we’d had two nights on our own on the river. We hadn’t seen another person on the Coxs between Konangaroo and Breakfast Creek, and had passed only one other party, a group of fishermen, in Breakfast Creek. Best of all, the river had been at an ideal height and absolutely beautiful.

So, instead of bypassing this much maligned river, and if there’s been recent rain, but not too much, you might like to consider the Coxs.

Summary: Meg McKone Photos: Anita Davis and Kim Hello

HELP WANTED

We still need a technical assistant for the general meetings

The committee continues to seek a volunteer who would be willing to take on the role of technical assistant at general meetings.

Their responsibilities would be the projector, PA system and laptop, plus associated stands and leads.

The task each Wednesday meeting would be to set up the equipment ready for use, pack it up after the meeting and store it at home.

If you think you can help, please contact Jenny Horsfield, 6231 4535 or [email protected]

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 13 ACTIVITY PROGRAM for MAY it 2017 Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with John Evans (Walks Secretary) Ph: 6294 8232 or 0417 436 877. Email: [email protected]. Post: Villa 68, 200 Woodcock Drive, Gordon

Information for participants Distance and difficulty Transport

Distance: Costs are 38¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This (S) Short – under 12 km/day amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the (M) Medium – 12–20 km/day condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given are for the (L) Long – over 20 km/day 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 Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres costs which leaders should list separately. climbed.

Terrain: Duty of care (E) Easy – fire trail, tracks, beaches etc Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that he/she (M) Medium – bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to risks that could (R) Rough – much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or damage to property. (W) Wet – compulsory swims, many river crossings Each person is required to sign the Club’s ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ (X) Exploratory form. Visitors are welcome to join trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips.

Booking For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Contact the leader early rather than late so the leader has time to ar- range transport. See walk description for booking deadline. Check-in after walks Check with the leader about: Before a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names of their  the need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc. party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their safe return or  appropriate clothing, footwear trip cancellation, to the Check-in Officer, David Dedenczuk  any precautions you might need to take for severe weather chang- ([email protected] 0417 222 154 leave message if es. no answer). In the event that you are late returning, worried relatives Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to our should contact the Check-in Officer or the Walks Secretary (6294 8232 Club. or 0417 436 877) in the first instance, not the Police or other bodies.

Equipment hire

Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated before lashing out on your own equipment. The Equipment Officer is Rob Horsfield, who can be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside PLB, Lorraine Tomlins, 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496.

The equipment available and current rates per weekend/week are set Wednesday walks out below. Hirers are responsible for collecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge (but not the deposit) is waived for Two walks one Medium/Easy and one Medium/Hard, are members who are ‘first time’ weekend walkers. conducted most Wednesdays. Walks are conducted in

A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be refunded, turn by leaders from the Canberra Bushwalking Club depending on the condition of the items upon return and whether they (CBC), Brindabella Bushwalking Club (BBC – Peter are returned late. [email protected] and Kathy [email protected]) and National Parks Association Item w.e./week ACT (NPA - Mike S, 0412 179 907). Destination and Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 meeting place details are emailed a few days before each Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 walk. (BBC and NPA leaders as listed in the activity Snow tent $15 / $40 program). 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 Assorted packs $5 / $15 Control your receipt of Wednesday Walk emails via your Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 membership profile. Contact John, co-ordinator of Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25 Wednesday Walks, via Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 [email protected] for

Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for general enquiries. If you are not a member of CBC, BBC conditions) or NPA you must contact the leader before the walk to GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) discuss the level of difficulty and must be accompanied on the walk by a sponsoring member. Please note that Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need when leaders retain the right to not accept any walker. collecting and returning gear.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 14 Activity Program

Saturday-Sunday 13-14 May: S24C#5 – Horse Gully Hut – S/E Day 1: An afternoon walk along Naas Valley Trail passing Demandering Hut to Horse Gully Hut. Approx 9 km, 100 m climb. Camping by Horse Gully Hut (water tank/fire place/pit toilet). Day 2: A morning return by the same route. Approx 9 km 100 m climb. Ideal bush break for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Map: Colinton. Leader: Gerald Dodgson 0438 119 803 [email protected]. Transport: ~$60 per car. Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thursday. Limit: 16.

Saturday-Sunday 13-14 May: Max and Bert’s Hut – M/R South Brandy Flat car park–Dry Creek–Booth Range– hut and return. ~500m climb and 8 km distance each way. Maps: Michelago, Colinton. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535(h), [email protected]. Transport: ~$40 per vehicle.

Saturday 13 May: Honeysuckle Trail to Brindabella Valley – L/E,X When driving the Mt Franklin Rd, have you seen the gate at the top of the Honeysuckle Trail south of Bendora Hill? There’s a track which descends 700m down a spur to the in the Brindabella Valley. Let’s walk down it - then back up. Around 14km and 700m climb. Maps: Tidbinbilla and Brindabella. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877 [email protected] . Transport: ∼$15 per person.

Monday 15 to Thursday 18 May. Paddle South Coast Lakes from a camp at Depot Beach Campsite. Grade M/M Winter is approaching but the South Coast should still be warm enough to explore some lakes and by kayak. From a campsite at Depot Beach we might explore Durras Lake NP, The Clyde River Estuary above and below Nelligen and, weather permitting, some near shore paddling from Long Beach or Maloneys Beach on the Clyde estuary. Camp each night at Depot Beach NPWS campsite. Campsite fees are $25 per night and include hot showers. Please make your own booking at: http:// www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/depot-beach-campground. Essential equipment includes a robust kayak or sea kayak for the near shore paddling, full flotation safety gear, a car with roof racks, and camping gear. Leader Peter Conroy [email protected]. Mobile 0409 764 785. Map: use link http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/draw/?bg=tw&z=14&c=- 35.631409,150.296765&marker= and pan and zoom around, for air image change to "World aerial (Arc GIS)" in top RH corner of screen. Transport cost if shared: $126 per car plus cost of day drives from Depot Beach.

Wednesday 17 May: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by BBC Kathy Handel and Peter Wellman.

Wednesday 17 May 7.30pm —MONTHLY MEETING

The Alpine Weeds Project Guest speakers from Greening Australia and NPWS

Hughes Baptist Church Hall, 32-34 Groom Street Hughes

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 15 Activity Program

Saturday 20 May: Wild Cattle Flat - S/E-M Climb via fire trail east of Captains Flat to the trig station atop the Bollard Ridge from which views to the west. Then follow the ridge as it descends through open forest until you cross Ballinafad Creek. Lunch on a hill above the creek, then cross Wild Cattle Flat and back to the cars through open forest. All on track or easy off track. 8km, 300m total climb, about 4 ½ hrs actual walking. Map: Tinderry. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, [email protected]. Transport: ~$20.

Saturday 20 May: Nursery Swamp and Rendezvous Creek – M/E-M Walk some old favourite tracks and routes. Visit Nursery Swamp walking all on track, the highest montane swamp in Australia. Return to Nursery Creek and walk the route across and down to Rendezvous Creek. 1km down the creek are cascades. A geocache at each destination. Around 15km and 600m climb. Map: Rendezvous Creek. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877 [email protected] . Transport: ∼$10 per person.

Tuesday 23 May: Caoura Ridge, Morton National Park – L/R/X The walk starts on the Caoura Road, 21 km southeast of Marulan. We’ll follow fire-trails for 5 km, then investigate the base of the upper cliff-line above Tallowa Gorge. If feasible, we’ll follow the base of the cliffs for a few hours, then head back to the fire-trail. If time allows, we shall also visit the cliff tops above the Shoalhaven Gorge. The off-track walking may involve difficult scrambling in steep, rocky, and scrubby terrain. There is approximately 6 km off-track and 11.5 km of fire-trail. There is a 2 hour 10 minute drive each way. Minimum distance: 17.5 km with 600 metres of ascent. Maps: Bundanoon, Burrier and Caoura. Leader: Ian Wright 62861473, [email protected] Transport: 332 km return Limit: 8.

Wednesday 24 May: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by CBC John Danaro [email protected] (E–M leader Jenny Horsfield) and NPA Mike Smith.

Friday 26 May: Toddlers Toddle - Red Hill Glades - S/M A 400 metre circuit on gently-sloping grassy ground in Red Hill Nature Reserve, investigating logs, rocks and a tiny gully, designed for families with children up to around 4 years old. The spot catches the morning sun and is sheltered from most winds. Please be ready to start walking at 10.30 am (note the later than usual start time). We should be finished by around noon. No need to book; all welcome. Park in the pull-out area on the bend in Gowrie Drive, Deakin, about 500 metres before you get to the entrance to the Federal Golf Club. Map: Google Maps. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 0474 507 259. Transport: Drive yourself.

Saturday 27 May: Snowy Corner to Tidbinbilla Mountain – M/R Car park-top of Lyre Bird Trail– Snowy Corner–Mt Tidbinbilla–ridge-line–Tidbinbilla Peak–part of the Camel Hump Trail-car park. ~700m climb, 10 km, ~6 ½hours. Map: Tidbinbilla. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535(h), [email protected] Transport: ~$30 per car.

Saturday 27 May: Harrisons Peak and Ridge with a View - M/M A walk through open forest near Captains Flat, initially on a fire trail to a beautiful open ridge (the ridge with a view) 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 track to return to the cars. About 12km and 300m aggregate climbing during the day. About 5 hrs actual walking. Map: Captains Flat. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, [email protected] . Transport: ~$15.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 16 Activity Program

Saturday-Sunday 27-28 May: S24C#6 – Pryors Hut – S/E Day 1: An afternoon walk along Mt Franklin Road to Pryors Hut. Optional trip to Mt Gingera. Approx 8 km 300 m climb. Camping by Pryors Hut (fire place/pit toilet). Day 2: A morning return by the same route. Approx 8 km 100 m climb. Ideal bush break for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Map: . Leader: Michael de Raadt [email protected] Transport: ~$40 per car. Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 16.

Tuesday 30 May: Coolumburra Cliffs # 4 M/R/ part X A circuit to continue my exploration of the cliffs of this area, with their dramatic cliff-base scenery and cliff -top views. From Bulee Gap on the Nerriga-Nowra road, we head north across Willies Creek to Pagoda Pass, and further north on the tops till we find a route down. Then north east along a cliff base, doubling back along the wide rock balcony on the cliff top. In the afternoon, we will head back to the cars by going where the scenery beckons, a little east of our morning route. There will be some scrubby sections, and some rock scrambling. I am not expecting the rock scrambling to be exposed, though with an exploratory trip one can’t be certain. 9 fairly energetic km, with some slow times while we search for routes through cliff lines. Total ascents and descents around 300m broken into several 50 to 80 metre sections. Map: Nerriga. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 0474 507 259. Transport: $90 per car. A 1.5 hour drive from Queanbeyan. Limit: 12.

Wednesday 31 May: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by CBC John Danaro [email protected] (E–M leader TBA) and NPA Mike Smith.

Saturday 3 June: High Hills East of Gibraltar Creek – M/R We drive to the Corin Dam road, near to Woods Reserve. We then walk off-track down to Gibraltar Creek, then up spurs to the unnamed high hills to the east of the creek. We then proceed north east along the tops for a few kilometres before dropping back down to the creek and the road again. This is rough, rocky, scrubby terrain. Around 11 km and 700 m climb. Please advise leader of intention to participate by COB Thursday 1 June. Map: Tidbinbilla. Leader: David D 0417 222 154, [email protected] Meet at Kambah at 8:00 am. Transport: 90 km ($10 per person).

Saturday 3 June: Mundoonen Nature Reserve - M/M This Nature Reserve lies just south of the Hume Highway between Gunning and Yass. The area is attractive, open woodland. I plan a day of fairly light walking, about 4hrs, a mix of fire trail and off track. Map: Jerrawa. About 4hrs walking. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, [email protected]. Transport: ~$10.

Saturday 3 June: Foothills of Rob Roy - S/R/ part X A 6km circuit to explore some of the more interesting parts of the Rob Roy Nature Reserve. We will start by heading up a rocky creek, through a small granite section with cascades (usually dry), then follow the creek up for a further 2 km before turning north and climbing through grasslands to an open hilltop (880 m high) for views. Then down to another small creek and back to the cars via a trail. The initial rocky creek involves some easy rock-hopping and scrambling and is a good introduction to ‘rough’ terrain. Suitable for families with active kids 7 and above. Total 6 km, with ascent and descent of 200 metres, probably around 3 hours at a moderate pace. Bring a snack. No need to book. Meet at the sloping car park, approx. opposite 10 Orange Thorn Crescent, Banks, ready to leave at 9.30 am. Map: Google Maps. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 0474 507 259. Transport: Drive yourself but let me know if you need or can offer a lift.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 17 Activity Program

Sunday 4 June: Goulburn Wetlands, Rocky Hill Memorial and Historic Waterworks Museum – M/E A rare chance to see beautifully-restored Victorian steam machinery in action. The Goulburn Waterworks Museum’s 130-year-old steam pump is the only one of its kind remaining in situ in the Southern Hemisphere (see http://www.goulburnwaterworks.com.au/ ). Six times a year it is brought to life by knowledgeable volunteers. Start at Goulburn Railway Station, with a stroll along the pathway to the new Goulburn Wetlands. Then climb to the Rocky Hill Memorial and up the tower for a panoramic view of the city, followed by morning tea. After descent, pass the Gaol to reach the junction of the Mulwaree and Wollondilly. Follow the Wollondilly upstream past the Police Academy to Marsden Weir, location of the Waterworks Museum. After seeing the engines in operation we’ll lunch at the riverside picnic spot. The café, open on steaming days, serves nice cakes, savouries and drinks for reasonable prices. Return via Fitzroy Street and the Victoria Park Rose Garden. Approx 14 km. Map: PDF map will be emailed to all walkers. Leader: Tom Gosling 6943 2523, [email protected] Transport: $60 per car.

Sunday 4 June: Rock Flats - L/R From the Orroral Tracking Station, we follow the Cotter Hut Road and the Australian Alps Walking track to Cotter Gap, where we turn due south and follow the contour for about 2 km to Rock Flat. I have not been to Rock Flat for several years, and I will decide the return route according to how rough the bush is. Either return the way we came, or return east along the obvious ridge line via spot heights 1391, 1426 and 1466, from where we descend to the Granite Tops Walking Track and thence to the cars. An unusual flat, well worth seeing, with some hard going through the bush. Height gain 600 m. Transport: $35 per car. Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Corin Dam. Book by 6 pm Friday. Leader: Mac Kirby, 0422585519

Wednesday 7 June: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by BBC Kathy Handel and Peter Wellman.

Wednesday 7 June - Friday 7 July: Carr Boyds, Drysdale River and Keep River – M/R/X/W Three trips near Kununurra, WA. The Carr Boyds with rugged gorges, small canyons and high plateaus. Drysdale River National Park, noted for Indigenous art, wildlife, rocky side creeks and Solea Falls, accessed by float plane. Keep River National Park, with its unusual rock formations. Longest pack-carry is 10 nights. Suit people with previous experience of multi-day trips at CBC ‘rough’ grade. Maps: tba. Leader: Linda Groom 6281 4917, [email protected] Transport: in addition to fares to Kununurra – $1200– $1700 per person. Limit: 8. Fully booked; waiting list commenced.

Saturday-Monday 10-12 June: Royal National Park Weekend I have booked a large house at Bundeena, at the northern end of the Park. Leave Canberra on Saturday morning. That afternoon we will walk south along the coastline and back enjoying spectacular views. On Sunday, we will drive to Otford and do the loop to North Era, Burning Palms and back. On Monday, we will walk the Lady Carrington Drive, once a road, through magnificent rain forest. Combined meals Saturday and Sunday evenings. Maps: Otford and Port Hacking. Leader: Stan Marks (h) 6254 9568, [email protected] Transport: est. $60; accommodation: est. $120.

Sunday 11 June: Devils Peak – 5 km+ M/R We drive to Piccadilly Circus in the Brindabellas, then drive along Two Sticks Road to the north. Park at the base of Devils Peak. It will be a short, but scrubby walk to the summit. Around 5 km (though significantly more if roads need to be walked) and 150 m climb. Please advise leader of intention to participate by COB Thursday 8 June. Map: . Leader: David D 0417 222 154, [email protected] Meet at Cooleman Court carpark, Weston at 8:00 am. Transport: 120 km ($14 per person).

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 18 Activity Program

Wednesday 14 June: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by CBC John Danaro [email protected] (E–M leader Bob Dewar and M–H leader Philip Gatenby).

Wednesday 21 June: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by BBC Kathy Handel and Peter Wellman.

Wednesday 21 June 7.30pm —MONTHLY MEETING

Hughes Baptist Church Hall, 32-34 Groom Street Hughes

Saturday 24 June: Serenity Rocks - M/M Park the cars near the junction of the Palerang and Jinglemoney fire trails. After about 20 minutes on the fire trail, head off along a clear footpad to Serenity Rocks for lunch with spectacular views before returning to the cars. A pleasant and relatively easy walk, about 10km, 200m climb, about 4 hrs walking. Map: Bombay. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, [email protected]. Transport: $20

Saturday-Sunday 24-25 June: Beginner snowshoe, Kosciuszko NP – S-M/M Based from Jindabyne 2 nights from Friday evening, we will select walks based on snow conditions and group capability near Perisher, Thredbo, and Guthega. A chance to learn to drive some of CBC’s new snowshoes. After our first day, enjoy a winter BBQ by Lake Jindabyne on Saturday evening while we plan tomorrow’s adventure. Maps: Perisher Valley, Geehi Dam, Chimneys Ridge. Leader: Rowan Peck, [email protected] Transport: ~$170 per car plus Park Entry fees if applicable. Bring a bottle of wine for accommodation in Jindabyne. Bookings: By email, before 5 pm Tuesday 20 June. CBC snowshoes are booked for this trip, or hire locally. Limit: 10 (nearly full).

Wednesday 28 June: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by CBC John Danaro [email protected] (E–M leader Mike Morriss) and NPA Mike Smith.

Wednesday 5 July: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by BBC Kathy Handel and Peter Wellman.

Saturday-Sunday 8-9 July: Snowshoeing, Pryors Hut – M/E Day 1: A morning walk up Stockyard Spur Track to Pryors Hut. We will don the CBC’s new snowshoes and explore the Mt Gingera and Brumby Flats area during the afternoon. Approx 10 km, 600 climb. Camping by Pryors Hut (fire place/pit toilet). Day 2: A leisurely departure and return down Stockyard Spur track. Approx 8 km 200 m climb. Map: Corin Dam. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959, [email protected] Transport: ~ $40 per car. Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 8.

Wednesday 19 July 7.30pm —MONTHLY MEETING

Hughes Baptist Church Hall, 32-34 Groom Street Hughes

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 19 Activity Program

Wednesday 12 July: Wednesday Walks Coordinated by CBC John Danaro [email protected] (E–M leader Robin Cayzer and M-H leader TBA

Friday evening-Sunday 21-23 July: White’s River Hut snowshoe, Kosciuszko NP – S–M/M After camping at Island Bend on Friday night, we start early Saturday from Munyang following the fire trails up Schlinks Pass to Horse Camp Hut and on to White’s River Hut for an overnight stay. Share or build your skills snow camping, and in emergency alpine shelters. Return via the opposite side of the valley to Munyang on Sunday. About 20km and 450m climbing and descent on alpine fire trails. Map: Geehi Dam. Leader: Rowan Peck 0412 041957 Bookings: [email protected] by 8pm Wednesday 19th July. Transport: about $160 per car from Canberra, plus park entry fees if applicable. Limit: 8

Wednesday 26 July - Tuesday 8 August: Ridges and gorges of Razorback, West MacDonnells M/R/partly X You will need to be in Alice Springs on Tues 25 July and not leave until Wed 9 August. Two walks, mainly off-track, in the West Macs. Week 1: Six days exploring the narrow ridges and gorges on the western side of Mt Razorback from base camps by delightful pools in Crawford Creek, and returning to Redbank Gorge. I don’t know what we will find, but it looks spectacular! Off-track walking with steep climbs and scrambles, possibly wet. Week 2: Eight days along the seldom-visited north side of the Chewings Range between Ellery Creek and Hugh Gorge, including Peak Alone (unnamed, 1179 metres), sections of the main ridgeline and small gorges, with explorations at the northern end of Hugh Gorge. Also on the CMW program. Maps: West MacDonnell NP Maps 1 and 2. Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902, [email protected] Transport: $ lots return flights to Alice Springs plus bus transport to start and end of walks ~$250. This trip is now full.

Saturday 29 July - Sunday 3 September: Central Australia - M/M Three weeks in the red centre visiting the Western Macdonnells (including sections of the Larapinta Track), Watarrka, Uluru, Kata Tjuta and more, camping beside the cars and doing day walks. We will also spend a week driving there and another week coming back seeing interesting places along the way. Leaders: Linda Stone and Jeff Bennetts [email protected] There are eight coming so far; a few more could come as long as another vehicle (4WD or AWD) is made available. Please make, by email, an expression of interest without delay if you would like to join us.

Tuesday evening 29 August: Navigation refresher #1 An evening with map and compass This is at the home of Jenny and Rob Horsfield 62314535(h). [email protected].

Tuesday 5 September: Navigation refresher #2 An Evening dead-reckoning exercise – S/E This revisits the techniques of navigation for conditions of minimal visibility using a ramble out from Jenny and Rob’s home. 6231 4535(h). [email protected].

Saturday 9 September: Navigation refresher #3 Position fixing – M/M This is a day-ramble in the hills and on the river at the back of Kambah consolidating position finding techniques. ~200 m climb and 15 km distance. Map: Tuggeranong. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535(h), [email protected]

Saturday-Sunday 16-17 September: Navigation refresher #4 Sentry Box Mountain – M/R Off track in the Namadgi. Day 1: Naas car park, Waterhole Hut– Sheep Station Creek–Lutons Hut. ~200 m climb and 10 km distance. Day 2: Lutons–Sentry Box and return as a side trip, Naas Valley to the car park. ~600 m climb and 12 km distance. Map: Yaouk. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535 (h). [email protected]. Transport: ~$48 per car.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 20 Activity Program

Tuesday evening 19 September: Navigation refresher #5 Introduction to GPS An evening at the home of Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535(h), [email protected].

Saturday 23 September: Navigation refresher #6 Use of GPS to navigate – S/E Revisiting #2 using Waypoints and Routes. Map: Tuggeranong. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535(h), [email protected].

Thursday evening 28 September: Navigation refresher #7 GPS and PC software An evening demonstration of PC software and digital maps to plan and analyse trips recorded on a GPSr. 0417 436 877, [email protected] to book.

Weeks 3 and 4 October: Sundown, Girraween, Bald Rock, Richmond Ranges NPs - M/M Approx two weeks of car camping with day and overnight walking in a selection of these and possibly other NPs in Southern Qld and Northern NSW. There are two 2-3 day walks in Sundown NP and day walks of different lengths in them all. Spectacular spring flowers in some, rainforest in Richmond Range. Maps: See leader. Leader: Meg McKone, 6254 5902; [email protected]. Transport: $$$. Also on the CMW program.

Advance notice: Australian Alps Walking Track with Mac Kirby I plan to walk the Australian Alps Walking Track in the spring / early summer of 2017. I expect to take about a fortnight for each of the three sections: Walhalla to Hotham, Hotham to Thredbo, Thredbo to Tharwa. I plan to take a couple of days break between sections (i.e. in Hotham and in Thredbo). I will welcome companions for the whole walk or for parts of it. Exact dates and other details to be worked out to suit the party. Expressions of interest to 0422 585 519, [email protected]

BULLETIN BOARD

The 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] Hone your navigation – go rogaining! Rogaining is bushwalking that emphasises navigation and strategy. You can be as competitive or as relaxed as you like. The 2017 ACT rogaining calendar is now out at www.act.rogaine.asn.au For further information, contact Jonathan Miller on 6161 5131

World Orienteering Day Wednesday May 24th. Join 250,000 people around the world in this world - record attempt at any of ten different orienteering events in Canberra. Choose a local school for your children , a local park at lunchtime or take up the challenge of navigating in the dark. Or you can even try indoor orienteering. All welcome. No experience necessary. http://act.orienteering.asn.au/events/?EventID=3978

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 21 OBITUARY

Colin Watson OAM 1924-2017

Colin Watson passed away at the age of 93 on May 2. He was a passionate bushwalker and campaigner for the Budawangs and the National Park System. Watson’s Pass on Folly Point is named after him.

Colin started bushwalking in the Budawangs in the late 1940s, and in the 1950s and 60s assisted George Elliott with the creation of the 'Budawangs Sketch Map'. The Sketch Map was then published by the Budawang Committee, which Colin founded in 1967 to promote the area. The map opened up the Budawangs to bushwalkers, and versions of it are still used by bushwalkers to this day

Colin received an OAM in 1989 for his service to conservation and bushwalking, and in 1999 the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife named Colin Friend of the Century.

Keith Thomas

Colin Watson at Folly Point above Watson Pass in 1986, looking towards the Castle

Photograph from the Eurobodalla Beagle

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2017 – page 22