Canberra Bushwalking Club Newsletter Canberra Bushwalking

Canberra

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r o Bushwalking C it Club newsletter Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 51 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 4 GENERAL MEETING May 2015 8 pm Wednesday 20 May 2015 In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking In pursuit of the ACT’s Great bushwalk Club Committee Presenter: Karen Cody 2 President’s prattle What happens when a middle-aged woman emerges from the long tun- 2 Membership matters nel of societal obligations? Follow Karen’s misadventures as she pursues 2 Notice of Motion for May “The ACT’s Great Bushwalk”. A 400 km long proposed route, which circum- general meeting navigates the fairyland snow gums of the ACT’s alpine country, its grass- lands and riverine gorges, and a few of its idiosyncratic suburban fringes. 3 Walks Waffle Members’ interest in participating in the development of the objectives and 3 Training Trifles route for the ACT’s own great bushwalk will be canvassed at the end of the 4 Review: On and off the presentation. Larapinta 5 Trailrider at the Heritage The hall, Festival Hughes Baptist Church, 6 Walking in Patagonia: surviving the Villarrica 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes Traverse 29–31 March 2015 7 Activity program Also some leaders of walks in the current and next 7 Wednesday walks month will be on hand with maps to answer your 11 Bulletin board questions and show you walk routes etc 12 Feeling literary?

Important dates

20 May General meeting 27 May Committee meeting 27 May Submissions close for June it Committee reports

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee President’s President: Linda Groom prattle [email protected] 6281 4917 Inter-club visits Treasurer: Julie Anne Clegg BC has recently agreed to arrange inter-club visits [email protected] Cwith the Hobart Walking Club (HWC). The HWC 0402 118 359 has kindly invited all CBC members to a week of walk- Walks Secretary: Lorraine Tomlins ing, specially programmed for us, from Tuesday 8 to Monday 14 March 2016. The program will include, on [email protected] each day on five of these days, two day walks of dif- 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496 fering levels of difficulty, plus some multi-day walks. General Secretary: Gabrielle Wright CBC will return the favour during a week in spring 2016, when we will run a program for HWC members. [email protected] 6281 2275 Lorraine Tomlins, as Walks Secretary, will be sorting out the details with HWC. At this stage it looks like half Membership Secretary: John Evans the places on each walk will be reserved for each Club, [email protected] until a few days beforehand. 6288 7235 or 0417 436 877 This an absolutely wonderful opportunity to walk in Tasmania with the local experts. I hope you will keep Training and Safety Officer: David Dedenczuk the dates free and join me in Hobart next March. [email protected]

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o C 0417 222 154 President Conservation Officer: Cynthia Burton [email protected] 0488 071 203 Notice of Motion for Web Manager: David Briese [email protected] May general meeting 6286 3479 hat the Club accept the proposal from Zealous TSystem to develop new Club management Editor: Alison Milton software. [email protected] Background information is in the two documents 6254 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w) ‘Proposal to purchase new Club software’ and Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas ‘Blue Sky 8’ on the Club Documents page of the Club web site. You need to enter your Club pass- [email protected] word to see them. Or you can contact Linda Groom 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 and ask her to email you copies. All members are invited to consultation sessions on Saturday 9 or Social Secretary: Cynthia Coppock Friday 15 May; please RSVP to Linda. [email protected] 0408 266 501 or 6270 9010(w) Publisher: Tim Wright Membership matters [email protected] 6281 2275 Please keep your email address up to date via your All members of the Committee can be contacted membership page on the website. Contact the Mem- in one email to bership Secretary if you need help. [email protected] New members: Peter Blayney, Kerri Blayney, David Lindley, Judy Scutter Check in: [email protected] Member Profile: Rob and Jenny Horsfield Web site: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org enny and Rob have been keen walkers since they Jwere teenagers. They met in the Sydney University Bushwalking Club and after marrying spent seven years

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Committee reports in the UK working and studying, ex- provided they have the right equip- ploring the Lake District, Scotland ment and have taken the necessary and the Dolomites in their holidays. precautions. They also enjoyed a lot of country Walks rambles where they lived on the It is important to have warm and North Downs. weatherproof apparel. Woollen Waffle (or equivalent high tech material) The birth of two children in London garments should be worn or carried. drew them back home to their he Training Trifle is all about I prefer a mixture of wool, polar- own families and they have lived Tkeeping warm. What I want to fleece and microfibre garments. in Canberra ever since. Jenny’s talk about is keeping warm while This includes a woollen beanie bushwalking slowed down while you are wet. This is very much on (or balaclava), woollen gloves, she was busy raising four children my mind because on a recent CBC polarfleece jacket , microfibre shirt but eventually she joined Rob in the trip from Mittagong to Katoomba and trousers , woollen socks, solid Canberra Bushwalking Club where we experienced the great NSW rain leather boots and thermal under- they have been keen members ever deluge. This meant we were very wear. Some folks might choose since. They have filled several wet and potentially very cold. We to substitute the polarfleece jacket committee positions over the years. couldn’t finish the walk as planned with a fleece jacket, woollen bush Rob especially enjoys getting because of a flooded river. Luckily shirt or jumper. Consider a woollen off the beaten track in relatively we were well prepared (warm and scarf for additional warmth. Avoid unvisited country, which included synthetic layers, robust raincoat, cotton clothes, which if wet, will a trip along the rarely traversed over pants) but even so relentless stay wet and chill the wearer. The Black-Allan Range which forms the rain takes it toll. What are my les- list of waterproof garments car- border between NSW and Victoria. sons from this experience? Hat ried should include a long Gortex Jenny enjoys the sport of Rogain- and headbands – head warmth is raincoat, overtrousers and gaiters. ing, which provides the interest of important; a number of upper lay- The trick is to have multiple lay- bushwalking combined with the ers – when arms are cold, hands ers, that one can add or remove intellectual challenge of new route and fingers are clumsy; pack liners as body temperature or ambient finding, and she has valued the and plastic bags to ensure sleeping temperatures change. It is good to partnership of other CBC members bag and some clothes are dry; high carry some spare dry warm clothes at these events. energy snacks close at hand so the too, and use a stuff bag and pack body can be refueled without too cover or pack liner to protect them Rob runs a workshop based pro- long a stop and the potential to get from getting wet. gram for ‘kids at risk’ at a local cold – walking generates much farm. Jenny is a keen supporter of If camping overnight, don’t forget needed warmth. But I am still to pack a good sleeping bag and a local landcare groups and is a local searching for a better raincoat. historian and writer. Their common thermarest. The spare clothes can function as a nice pillow. Whether it

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Lorraine Tomlins r interests include a love of reading o and natural history. C is a day walk, or an overnight walk, Walks Secretary don’t forget to have a well-protected PLB, map and compass and to have told folks where you are going. Training If weather conditions look foul, prior to the commencement of a trip, you should consider going to a lower level destination. Winter Trifles is a good time of year to walk at the Coast. Keeping warm. Should one get cold, despite your clothing and precautions, you may old weather has arrived with a be at risk of hyperthermia. I will For over 10 years Rob and Jenny Cvengeance in the ACT and sur- address this very serious risk in a have facilitated the Club’s annual rounds. The cold snap in April was coming training trifle. ‘Navigation refresher’ course. evident as low temperatures, wind, These seven practical sessions cold rain and snow. The Brindabel- I will be leading two winter camp- culminate in a weekend trip in the las had a beautiful, but sobering, ing training trips in Namadgi in July southern Namadgi, camping out dusting of snow. Such snaps will and August this year and encourage overnight and climbing Sentry Box happen with increasing regularity as folks to join in. Mountain. The only pre-requisite winter approaches, and sometimes

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David Dedenczuk r o is a desire to learn or improve your they can happen without warning C navigation skills. Keep a sharp or having been predicted. These Training and Safety Officer eye on the activity program and cold snaps can make for unpleas- book as soon as you see the course ant, even dangerous conditions, for scheduled! bushwalkers. However, in the right wintry conditions, walkers can walk Membership Secretary safely and enjoy the experience,

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2015 – page 3 Review of general meeting talk

2–18 June 2014

Photo: Peter Jones

he talk at the April Club meeting distance walkers with the logistics of creeks are often tree lined, but fires Twas an enjoyable presentation food drops and transport. The CBC are not permitted, so fuel stoves of the extended walk undertaken party used Trek Larapinta for sup- were carried. by nine club members and led by port. A food drop was transported Linda Groom and Peter Conroy, to Ormiston Gorge and stored in The party undertook two linked in the winter of 2014, in the West a secure room. A pre-arranged walks, with a short break in Alice MacDonnell Ranges of the North- meal was available at Standley Springs between each. Linda gave ern Territory. Chasm and Ormiston Gorge, which a detailed presentation of the route provided a welcome break from the that the party followed for each Although the walk mostly followed more spartan dehydrated fare that walk. The photographs were excel- the renowned Larapinta Trail, which the party carried. On this trip, water lent, conveying not just a sense of extends from Alice Springs in the was plentiful and available in water the vastness of the ranges, but also east, to Mount Sonder in the west, holes or strategically located tanks. showing some of the finer details of the party also walked off-track for The weather was benign with sub- the varied arid zone ecosystems. On a few days to explore other features zero temperatures on some nights. this walk, every mountain provided in the MacDonnell Ranges, before an unrestricted panorama of jagged re-joining the marked trail. The ranges are arid but recent ridges and cryptic gorges and the rain had provided a flush of green route to be followed for the next few The Larapinta Trail is 220 kilome- growth and filled waterholes and days.The second walk was a more tres long and commercial support rivers, so there were many excellent difficult undertaking and the party services are available to assist long campsites. The larger gorges and left the Larapinta trail for two days and climbed Mount Giles. They also Campsites were generally flat and comfortable explored a few of the small canyons in the area. Club member David Williams, who lectures in ecology, was on the trip and his knowledge of the arid zone was an added bonus. Following Linda’s talk, David gave an absorb- ing presentation that covered the geology and geomorphology of the

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Review of general meeting talk

Participants on the walk were: Linda Groom, Peter Conroy, David Williams, Karen Cody, Peter Jones, John Hall, Alan Laird, Marg Sharp, Brendan Kelly First Walk: Hugh Gorge to Simpsons Gap: 5½ days: 78 km Hugh Gorge – Fringe Lily Creek – Stuart Pass – Brinkley Bluff – Standley Chasm – Jay Creek – Simpsons Gap Second Walk: Redbank Gorge to Serpentine Gorge: 9 Days: 90 km Redbank Gorge – Mount Sonder – Rocky Bar Gap – Finke River – Ormiston Gorge – Mount Giles – Giles Creek Yards – Serpentine Valley Dam – Inarlanga Pass – Counts Point – Serpentine Gorge

Trailrider at the Heritage Festival raham Scully, who is a mem- Gber of both CBC and NPA, reports that NPA and ACT Parks collaboratively organised a dem- onstration of Trailrider at Namadgi Visitor Centre on 13 April. This year they targeted agencies pro- viding services to people with a disability, rather than individuals and this was hugely successful. Five agencies participated and all were impressed with Trailrider, the Visitor Centre, its facilities, the Woodlands Trail with its lake and pobblebonk frogs, the recon- structed Gudgenby homestead facade, eastern grey kangaroos, wood ducks, orange fungi and ghost moth chrysalis casing. So enthusiastic were the agency staff, that the very next day two buses, 5 staff and 10 clients arrived at the Visitor Centre to try Trailrider once again. CBC Member Mike Morriss was one of the ‘sherpas’ who gen- erously gave assistance on the day. Graham Scully

Heading off track towards Mt Giles. region as well as information about Photo: Peter Conroy some of the plants and animals of the ranges. He also had knowledge of aboriginal ochre pits and identi- fied some of the native food plants. Light in Hugh Gorge: Photo: Peter Jones John Hall closed the presentation with a light hearted look at the quirks and foibles that he had observed in his fellow walkers on their long trek. I came away from the presentation with the impression that this was the trip of a lifetime for many of the participants and that the scope for future walks in the area is almost unlimited. Ian Wright Photos: Linda Groom unless otherwise indicated

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2015 – page 5 Trip report Walking in Patagonia: surviving the Villarrica Traverse 29–31 March 2015 t the end of February Paul and out our little stove and made us a cup and Villarrica, the latter quietly AI began a series of overnight of piping hot milo. It was wonderful. puffing away in the background. walks in Patagonia in Chile and Ar- Looking back, I think I was probably We alternated between walking gentina. We spent 11 days hiking the in the first stages of hypothermia in black lava fields, beech forest, complete Torres del Paine Circuit, and that warm drink saved me. For boggy marshes, in rocky creeks and 3 days in the Fitzroy area and 6 days the next 2 hours we hiked steadily like sand dunes except they were in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. higher with increasingly cold winds ash and scoria dunes. As we hiked This included a wonderful one day and up and down what we think were westward, Volcan Lanin, on the hiking up 1000 m to a hut just be- hills, valleys, craters and along level Chile/Argentine border increasingly low Mt Tronador, staying the night country – little of which could we dominated the scenery. The track there, enjoying a beautiful meal and see because of the cloud. We simply was well marked, however I felt after walking near the glaciers we followed what we could see of the pretty exhausted from Day One’s descended the next day. track and it was always great relief effort. We passed Laguna Blanca to see a marker pole. Every now and and ate lunch on the side of a very Our last hike in Patagonia was the then Paul checked the GPS and yes windy and cold volcanic rim. Villarrica Traverse, in the Parque we were on the right track! Nacional Villarrica about 30 kms Finally, we saw our next camping from Pucon in Chile. It is about Finally – and only for an instant – destination, Laguna Avutardas, way, 600 kms south of Santiago and in a the cloud lifted and we could see way down in a valley. It took another comparable latitude to Melbourne enough to gaze down over to Lago 2 km to reach it, climbing down a It was very memorable. Volcan Vil- Azul (1590 m asl), our destination steep, rocky gully, along a forest larrica is the Chilean volcano that for the day. Wearily, we continued and among cows grazing (illegally) erupted on 3 March this year and for another 2 km and finally walked on pasture. Here the cold winds I wasn’t all that happy being there, down a very steep hill and reached deterred us from walking along the especially as during the first evening the campsite at about 3.30 pm. The beach and having a swim, which we arrived and while sitting outside temperature was about 8 degrees. is what we did when we brought a enjoying a meal, the volcano started It was so cold in the gloomy and group of 10 other bushwalkers in to smoke again. Everyone assured windy fog and we retired early after 2008. Instead, we quickly erected us that it was safe. I remembered our dinner as it was so unpleasant. our tent, cooked dinner and were though, that Herculaneum was miles in the tent by 6.30 pm!! away from Vesuvius and was buried So ended Day One: 16.5 km, about under metres of ash… 1400 m climb with nearly 700 m That day we had walked another descent. 16 km, 600 m up and about 750 m The next day, we hired a taxi that down and camped for the night at took us close to Palguin, an alternate Day Two. I awoke early and went about 1450 m asl. starting point from the normal one, outside at 6 am with the temperature as the first two days of the traverse definitely subzero. The stars were Overall it was a pretty tough walk, had been closed by the National sparkling and it was wonderful to and I was appreciative of Paul carry- Parks (CONAF) due to activity of the see part of the Southern Cross and ing all our gear—tent, cooking gear volcano. We walked on a dirt road for Orion’s Belt (Chile has changed its and dinners—while I carried our about 3 km to the CONAF guarderia time zone, so it is still pretty dark lunches and breakfasts. We carried where we were given a map of the at 7:30 am). I wondered whether our own sleeping bag and clothes. area and signed in. The amazing thing to wake Paul, but it was very cold. It was so cold we ate brekky in Day Three was quite easy by com- for us was seeing all the volcanic parison, only 12.5 km, a 350 m ash and pieces of ejecta covering the the tent, then Paul nobly went out and heated water for our hot drink. climb and an 1100 m descent, all ground, so recently originating from in forest except for the last 3.5 km Volcan Villarrica ~14 km away. Everything was covered with frost and ice so as the sun rose we spent along the newly-upgraded highway Day One. Starting at 870 m asl, we the next two hours drying the ice into Puesco. After 2 hours we man- climbed most of the day (almost off our tent, inside and outside and aged to hitch a lift to the next town, 1400 m up according to our GPS), up sleeping bags. As there was no wind Curarrehue, 20 km away. Here we through wonderful mixed Araucaria and when the temperature rose only caught a bus for the final 40 km and beech forest until we were above a little, it felt quite balmy. I almost ride to Pucon and wearily (and the tree line. From then on, we hiked went for a swim—until I saw ice with great relief for me) returned to through fog in very exposed country. crystals nearby. Instead I took our wonderful clean comfy hostel. As we climbed, the temperature photos of near perfect reflections That night we enjoyed a super and clouds dropped and the wind in the lake. meal—it was to celebrate that hike increased. We stopped for lunch at and the last of 6 weeks of walking about 700 m up (1580 m asl). We That second day was very scenic in Patagonia and it was so nice to put on thermals and parkas but I – dramatically so. We could now snuggle in a bed again! couldn’t stop shivering so Paul got see more volcanoes including Lanin, Quinquilil, Quetrupillán Janet Edstein

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Activity program Activity program Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with Lorraine Tomlins (Walks Secretary) Ph: 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496, Email: [email protected], Post: 17 Forbes Street, Turner

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 (M) Medium – 12–20 km/day on the condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given (L) Long – over 20 km/day are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, an estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. climbed.

Terrain: Duty of care Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that (E) Easy – fire 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 Booking after a maximum of three trips. Contact the leader early rather than late so the leader has time to For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org arrange transport. See walk description for booking deadline. Check with the leader about: Check-in after walks XXthe need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc Before a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names of their XXappropriate clothing, footwear party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their safe return or XXany precautions you might need to take for severe weather trip cancellation, to the Check-in Officer, Keith Thomas (check.in@ changes. canberrabushwalkingclub.org, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 leave Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to message if no answer). The Check-in Officer or the Walks Secretary our Club. (6248 0456 or 0434 078 496), not the Police or other bodies, should be the first point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning.

Equipment hire Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has Due to space, walks scheduled more available for hire before lashing out on your own equip- than three months in advance may appear ment. The Equipment Officer is Rob Horsfield, who can only on the Club’s web site. be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside PLB, Keith Thomas, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667. The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for collecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘first Wednesday walks time’ weekend walkers. Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted every Wednesday. Walks are A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon conducted in turn by leaders from the Canberra return and whether they are returned late. Bushwalking Club (CBC), Brindabella Bushwalking Club (BBC) and National Parks Item w.e./week Association (ACT) (NPA). Details about Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 destination and meeting place are emailed to Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Contact Janet Edstein wednesday.walks@ Snow tent $15 / $40 canberrabushwalkingclub.org to get your name 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s Assorted packs $5 / $15 contribution to these walks. Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25 Walk details will be advised a few days before the walk, via the Wednesday Walks email list. Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 Walkers who are not members of the BBC, NPA Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) or CBC must contact the walk leader before the GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) walk to discuss the level of difficulty of the walk. Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need (Please note that walk leaders retain the right when collecting and returning gear. not to accept any walker.) Non-members must be accompanied by a sponsoring member.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2015 – page 7 Activity program Saturday 16 May: Pheasant Creek–Mt Herlt – Thursday 21 May: Jerrabomberra Lake M/R PRAMbulation – S/E From the Boboyan Road near Rendezvous Creek the route Unknown to most Canberrans, this serene and green walk crosses open ground to climb the ridge forming Pheasants includes a park filled with mature trees, waterbirds, a section Creek then along through scrub to the rock outcrops of Mt with views across paddocks, and opportunities to gawk at Herlt. Descent is directly into Rendezvous Creek. Map: mansions. One of the most scenic PRAMbulations. The Rendezvous Creek. Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield route is designed for parents or grandparents with kids in 62314535. Transport: $40 per car. strollers. About 1 hour of walking, a there-and-back route so there is an option to sit out for part of the walk if your Sunday 17 May: Serenity Rocks for babies in baby won’t settle. Non-members welcome. No need to book. back packs – S/M Meet in the bitumen car park off Bayside Circuit (at the back A short version of the Serenity Rocks walk designed for par- of nos 77–79 Bicentennial Drive), Jerrabomberra, at 1 pm. ents and grandparents with kids in back packs. A 9 km walk, Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] Map: Google through beautiful Eucalypt forest and across a ferny creek to Maps. Transport: Drive yourself. a viewpoint. On fire trail and informal walking track; some sections of the track are steep and loose underfoot. The pace Saturday 23 May: Honeysuckle Creek: Weed will be set by the needs of the kids in the backpacks. We’ll Control meet in Hoskinstown and drive a further 20 minutes to the A joint CBC/NPA work party to carry out weed control start of the walk. Non-members welcome but bookings activities in the Honeysuckle Creek area. Cut and dab essential. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] equipment provided but suggest bringing gloves and bush 02 6281 4917 Maps: Bombay, Bendoura. Transport: if saw. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8:30 am. Map: shared, $45 per car. TBA. Leader: Martin Chalk, NPA. Bookings: Quentin Moran, [email protected], 6288 9840 Transport: (15) 16–17 May: Durras weekend – M/E– M/M $36 per car. Leave Canberra Friday night, stay in comfortable cabins at Depot Beach Caravan Park. Saturday will be the spectacular Saturday 23 May: Harrisons Peak and Ridge Little Forest Plateau with views to the Budawangs, Pigeon with a View – M/M House and beyond with lunch at Gadara Point. On Sunday, A walk through open forest near Captains Flat, initially on Ross Andrews will lead a walk along the coast south of a fire trail to a beautiful open ridge (the ridge with a view) Murramarang, from Emily Miller Beach to Richmond Beach, with a spectacular view from Mt Coree to the Tinderries. thence the Garden of Unearthly Gums, Oaky Beach, North We then walk largely on track to Harrisons Peak, also with Head and the cars. Two superb walks, about 4½ hours Sat, spectacular views, for lunch. A mixture of on and off track to 5 hours Sunday. Maps: Kioloa, Tianjara, Milton Leader: pick up the disused railway line to return to the cars. Linear Stan Marks 6254 9568, [email protected] Transport: distance 12 km, about 300 m aggregate climbing during the ~$50 Accommodation: ~$60 depending on numbers. day. About 5 hours actual walking. Map: Captains Flat. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568, email: [email protected]. 16–17 May: Sub 24 hour camping #4 au Transport: ~$15 (S24C#4) – Bushfold Flat – M/E Day 1: An afternoon meander along the Australian Alps Sunday 24 May: Pyramid Hill, Tidbinbilla – Walking Track from the Tharwa Visitor Centre. Camping by M/R Bushfold Flat Hut. Day 2: A morning return by Mt Tennent Pyramid Hill (or the Sugarloaf) is an 1172 m peak to the Trail. Optional trip to Mt Tennent. Ideal bush break for busy south west of Devils Gap in Tidbinbilla. It’s easy to get to people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Devils Gap, but thereafter to Pyramid Hill there is no track. Map: Williamsdale. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 The scrub and boulders will be diabolical, but those with [email protected]. Transport: ~$30 per car. Book: a devil-may-care attitude are sure to enjoy the experience. Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 16. This is a rare chance to visit this peak, so don’t miss out. Bring scrub gloves and some warm clothes. Pace will be Tuesday 19 May: Parliament Hill, Blue moderate, but with stops to admire plants, rocks and birds. Mountains National Park – L/R/X We will leave Canberra from the Kambah Shops at 8:00. The walk starts at the junction of the Little River fire-trail and Map: Tidbinbilla. Leader: David Dedenczuk, ddedentz@ the Jerrong Road, 34 km northeast of Taralga. This is a new bigpond.net.au 0417 222 154 Book: by Friday 22 May. area for the leader. We will follow the fire-trail north for 6 Limit: 8 Transport: $6. km then head off-track for the day. We will climb Parliament Hill and explore the woodlands and forests in the catchments 23–24 May: Bimberi Peak from the West – of Parliament Creek and Cunninghams Creek. This is a M/M–R long day, with numerous ascents and descents. There is a 2 Trip depends on weather (road closed the following weekend hour 35 minute drive each way. Minimum distance: 16 km for winter). A 3 hour, 220 km drive via Cooma, Adaminaby, with approx. 850 metres of ascent Map: Mount Armstrong and Tantangara and Pockets Saddle roads to the locked Leader: Ian Wright 62861473, [email protected] gate at Gurrangorambla Creek. Walk fire trail to Oldfields Transport: 371 km return Limit: 8 Hut, then AAWT to Murrays Gap to camp, 8km. Either an afternoon or next morning ascent of Bimberi Peak with day Wednesday 20 May: Wednesday walk packs, 6 km return and nearly 400m climb on rough footpad. See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Huge views, 2 geocaches. If time and interest, we could Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC whip up Mt Murray for another cache. Around 23 km and Contact: [email protected] 950 m climb. Maps: Rules Point and Rendezvous Creek. Wednesday 20 May 2015, 8 pm Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877 [email protected] Transport: ~$40 per person. Limit: 8. If the drive is not MONTHLY MEETING negotiable, Plan B: walk in from Orroral. Around 50 km In pursuit of the ACT Great bushwalk and 1900 m climb. Maps: Rendezvous Creek and Corin Presenter: Karen Cody Dam. Transport: ~$15 per person. The hall: Hughes Baptist Church

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Activity program Wednesday 27 May: Wednesday walk Canberra Centenary Trail from Forde, passing through the See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the northern campsite. See freestone rock sculptures and border Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA markers beside the track with great views over Canberra. Contact: Mike Smith [email protected] Either there and back, or one-way to Hall and a car shuttle. Around 19 km and 400 m climb. Maps: Hall, Beddulluck. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877 [email protected] COMMITTEE MEETING Transport: Drive yourself to the Mulligans Flat Road Wednesday 27 May 2015, 8 pm entrance to the (north) Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. Late at the home of Keith Thomas bookings considered. 6 Ryrie Street, Campbell Sunday 7 June: Pheasant Hill and Boboyan Hill – M/R Submissions close for Pheasant Hill and its companion, Boboyan Hill, are two June it very high hills in the southern part of Namadgi, near to the 27 May 2015 Settlers Track. They are often admired but not often visited. There is no track to the hills, though the scrub is ‘fairly light’. This is a good opportunity for those interested in visiting Saturday 30 May: Mundoonen Nature two of Namadgi’s more obscure hills, and those interested Reserve – M/M in having a good cardio work out. Pace will be moderate, This National Park lies just south of the Hume Highway but with stops to admire plants, rocks and birds. As this is a between Gunning and Yass. The area is attractive, open winter walk, it is especially important to bring some warm woodland. I plan a fairly light day of walking, about 4 hours, clothes. We will leave Canberra from the Kambah Shops at a mix of fire trail and off track. Map: Jerrara Leader: Stan 8:00. Map: Yaouk Leader: David Dedenczuk, ddedentz@ Marks 6254 9568, [email protected] Transport: ~$10 bigpond.net.au 0417 222 154 Limit: 8 Transport: $12. Book: by Friday 5 June. 30 May–11 July: Trekking in Peru – M/M–L/R Salcantay, Cedros–Alpamayo and Huayhuash circuits plus Wednesday 10 June: Wednesday walk a Macchu Piccu visit. Trip fully booked (was advertised See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the through CBC Bulletin Board last year); waiting list avail- Activity program, for conditions on participating. CBC able. Maps: TBA. Leader: Linda Groom lbgroom@gmail. Contact: [email protected] com 62814917. Transport: by air and bus. 12–14 June: Budawangs track maintenance 30–31 May: The Fortress and Sams Creek From a car camp (access via 4WD) near “The Vines,” –M/R/X undertake vegetation maintenance on walking track to This is a reconnaissance along the ACT border between Styles Plain, Hidden Valley, and possibly Mount Tarn. Meals the saddles south of Kelly and north of Gudgenby. Some provided by NPWS. Map: Enderick CBC coordinator: difficult scrub and terrain. Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk. Quentin Moran, [email protected] 6288 9840 Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 62314535 Transport: Transport: TBA $40 per car. Saturday 13 June: Tidbinbilla Mountain – Late May–June: Northern NSW and Central M/R Qld – M/M–R partly X Lyrebird Trail, Snowy Corner, Tidbinbilla Mtn, Tidbinbilla Approx. 5 weeks of day and overnight walks, with car Peak, Camels Hump fire trail and return. Map: Tidbinbilla. camping. Join for some or all of the sections. Visit the Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: NPs of Northern NSW and Southern Qld, including Mt $36 per car. (Park entry fee may also apply). Warning and parts of the Scenic Rim walk. Day walks Wednesday 17 June: Wednesday walk in Mount Moffat NP in Central Qld to see interesting See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the sandstone formations. Pinnacle hunting in Ka Ka Mundi Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC NP (exploratory). Forester-style AWDs required for Central Contact: [email protected] Qld. Run jointly with the Coast and Mountain Walkers of NSW. Expressions of interest: ASAP, please. Maps: See Wednesday 17 June 2015, 8 pm leader. Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902 frankmckone@ optusnet.com.au Transport: $$$. MONTHLY MEETING Walking in New Guinea Wednesday 3 June: Wednesday walk Presenter: David Lindley See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC The hall: Hughes Baptist Church Contact: [email protected] 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes Thursday 4 June: Ginninderra fields PRAMbulation – S/E A walk of a little under an hour beside Ginninderra Creek Thursday 18 June: Curtin and Yarralumla and in the open spaces of Dunlop, designed for parents and Creek PRAMbulation – S/E grandparents with kids in strollers. Non-members welcome. A circuit through the leafy suburb of Curtin and past pad- No need to book. Meet near the turning circle at the eastern docks, with some steeper sections to improve your fitness. end of Clode Place, off Clode Crescent, Macgregor, at The route is designed for parents and grandparents with 1 pm. Leader: Irene Davies [email protected] Map: kids in strollers and takes about 55 minutes. Includes about Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself. 5 minutes of short grass and dirt – the rest is on bitumen or Saturday 6 June: The Beddulluck Waltz – L/E concrete paths. No road crossings. Non-members welcome. Someone has to go tropo for Go Topo! 18,000 m² of ACT No need to book. Meet at the end of Crowther Place, land are on the Beddulluck 1:25000 map and we have to Curtin, off Prendergast Street, at 1 pm. Leader: Meredith walk for 200 m / 3 minutes on it to qualify. Walk the northern

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2015 – page 9 Activity program Hatherly [email protected] Map: Google few metres of the fire trail are a little bit stony. Non-members Maps. Transport: Drive yourself. welcome. No need to book. Meet at Isaacs Shops (= Farr Place, Isaacs) at 1 pm. Leader: Sue Vidler 6290 0490. Map: Wednesday 24 June: Wednesday walk Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself. See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA 25–26 July: Coronet Peak – M/R Contact: Mike Smith [email protected] Day 1: Orroral Valley, Cotter Gap, and Pond Creek. Day 2: Morning side-trip up Coronet Peak then return. This trip would be suitable for beginning over-night back-packers. COMMITTEE MEETING Map: Rendezvous Creek Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield Wednesday 24 June 2015 6231 4535. Transport: $32 per car.. Thursday 30 July: Conder PRAMbulation – S/E 27–28 June: Mt Scabby – M/R A circuit with some good views and some cute ponds. The Day 1: Old Boboyan Road car park, saddle south side route is designed for parents and grandparents with kids in of Gudgenby, Sams Creek, Scabby ridge, dry camp. strollers and takes about an hour. Includes about 20 minutes Day 2 Mt Scabby, Sams Creek and return. Maps: Yaouk, steadily uphill. All on bike path or paved footpath. Non- Rendezvous Creek. Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 members welcome. No need to book. Meet in the large 4535. Transport: $40 per car. bitumen car park near the playing field at the end of the unnamed cul de sac, signposted Conder Playing Fields, off Thursday 2 July: Kambah loop Heidelberg Street, Conder, near Vikings Lanyon, at 1 pm. PRAMbulation – S/E Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 0468 344 381 A pleasant circuit that includes green corridors and good Map: Google Maps. Transport: Drive yourself. views across playing fields to the mountains. The route is designed for parents and grandparents with kids in 1–16 August: East and West MacDonnells – strollers and takes about an hour. All on paved path or M/R/W/X bike path includes about 15 minutes of steady uphill. East MacDonnells: Bus to Trephina Gorge, then 6 days Non-members welcome. No need to book. Meet in the car exploring the slot canyons, gorges and ridges of Mordor park at the Kambah Woolshed, corner of Springbett Street Pound (permission has been gained from the lease- & O’Halloran Cct, Kambah (just 1 minute off Drakeford holder). This is exploratory, with probable swims and Drive), at 1 pm. Leader: Jenny Horsfield 62314535(h) rob- possibly climbs in the canyons (Jennings Gorges). West [email protected]. Map: Google Maps. Transport: MacDonnells: A nine day walk with the highlight of camp- Drive yourself. ing (and clearing lots of rocks) on top of the Chewings Range between Mt Giles and Giles Yard Spring. Ellery Ck Saturday 4 July: Booroomba Rocks, Blue Big Hole, Fish Hole, Portals Canyon, Canyon of Defiance, Gum Creek, Bushfold Flats – M/M top of Chewings Range, Giles Yard Spring, Ochre Pits. Starting from Booroomba Rocks car park, this circular Compulsory swims and climbs involved. Take advantage walk first climbs a track to Booroomba Rocks for views of the rain! Expressions of interest: ASAP, please. Run towards Canberra. We then descend to Blue Gum Creek jointly with Coast and Mountain Walkers of NSW. Maps: and follow it downstream to Georges Creek junction (some Alice Springs, Hermannsburg 1:250,000 Leader: Meg scrub). From there we take a fire trail to Bushfold Flats and McKone 6254 5902(h), [email protected] the Australian Alps Walking Track back to the cars. About Transport: $$$. Limit: 8 4 km off and 10 km on track with the 500 m altitude gain spread through the day. Maps: Corin Dam, Williamsdale Thursday 13 August: Stranger Pond Leader: Jeff Bennetts 62315899 [email protected]. PRAMbulation – S/E au book between 23 June and 2pm 2 July. Transport: 100 A semi-circuit that starts out like a regular PRAMbulation km return, ~$37 per car, $10 per person. Limit: 12. and then gets a little different as we move from paved path to hard-packed soil path for about 10 minutes and pass a 4–5 July: Lutons Shed – M/M–S/E series of ponds and paddocks. Good for waterbirds and Day 1: Starting from Yankee Hat Picnic Area passing Frank views. The route is designed for parents and grandparents and Jacks Hut crossing Gudgenby saddle then down Sams with kids in strollers and takes about 55 minutes. Non- Creek Fire Trail to Lutons Shed. Approx 15 km (5 km members welcome. No need to book. Meet in the dirt off track and 300 m climb). Day 2: A morning return by carpark near Bonython Primary School, in Bardolph Street, Old Boboyan Road passing Hospital Creek Hut. Approx Bonython (opposite No 1 Morice Place), at 1 pm. Leader: 10 km. Ideal for those stepping up from easy overnight bush Linda Groom [email protected] Map: Google Maps. walks. Map: Yaouk. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959, Transport: Drive yourself [email protected]. Transport: ~$60 per car. Book: preferably by email before 1800 Thu before. Limit: 8. Saturday 15 August: Worn Boot Bash To be advised. Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Saturday 11 July: Boboyan Trig– Hospital Creek – M/R/X 29–30 August: Nursery Hill–Rendezvous This trip looks at the route between Boboyan Trig and the Creek–near-by spot height – M/R/X Old Boboyan Road car park. It will require a car shuttle. This is a good trip for beginners to over-night backpacking. Map: Yaouk Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. The side trip Sunday morning is to reconnoitre the spot Transport: $44 per car.. height feature west of the campsite. Map: Rendezvous Creek Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: Thursday 16 July: Isaac Pines PRAMbulation $32 per car.. – S/E A delightful circuit through suburban Isaacs and its peaceful 3–4 October: Family camp, Tallaganda NP – pine forest reserve. The route is designed for parents and S/R grandparents with kids in strollers and takes about 1 hour 10 A chance for families with kids to experience camping with minutes. On concrete, bitumen and hard-packed fire trail; a a remote feel in beautiful forest beside Mulloon Creek,

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Bulletin board Tallanganda NP. Only 600 metres from the cars, but some gnome homes. Bring seats for lunch around a small BBQ scrub and a log crossing of the creek en route. Yabby catch- fire. Billy tea, damper on a stick and potatoes in foil will be ing on Saturday afternoon. An option on Sunday morning supplied. Adults without children are also most welcome. to explore several hundred metres up a tributary – thicker A joint CBC–NPA activity. Map: Lake George Leaders: scrub and some loose rock and scrambling – to falls and Tulley, 9 years old and Freya, 8 years old with guidance cascades. Leaving Canberra around 1 pm Saturday, back by from their mother Bronwen Scully, and Linda Groom. early afternoon Sunday. 50 minutes drive from Queanbeyan. Bookings: to Bronwen 6236 9600 bron@designermaker. A joint CBC–NPA activity. Map: Bombay Leaders: Linda com.au Transport: TBA Groom 6281 4917, [email protected] and Graham Scully for NPA. Contact: Linda to book. Transport: if 24–25 Oct: Sub 24 hour camping #5 shared: $48 per car. (S24C#5) – Horse Gully – S/E Day 1: An afternoon toddle along Naas Valley Trail passing (9) 10–17 October: Blue Mountains – up to Demandering Hut. Camping by Horse Gully Hut. Day 2: M/M or L/E A morning return by the same route. Ideal bush break for A trip in the Blue Mts with day walks mostly on tracks busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for begin- away from the main tourist areas. Walks may be Narrow ners. Map: Colinton. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 Neck, Sassafras Gully/Magdala Glen, Fortress Ridge, Glow [email protected]. Transport: ~$60 per car. Book: Worm Tunnel/Dry Canyon, Mt Mouin, Blackfellows Hand Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 16. Cave/upper Wolgan lookouts, Devils Hole. Camp or cabin accommodation. Further details in July it, email enquiries 14–15 November: Sub 24 hour camping #6 only until then please. Leaders: Linda Stone and Jeff (S24C#6) – Pryors Hut – M/E Bennetts; [email protected] Day 1: An afternoon amble up Stockyard Spur Track. Camping by Pryors Hut. Optional trip to Mt Gingera. Day Sunday 25 October: Family day at Gundaroo 2: A morning return by the same route. Ideal bush break – S/M for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for This tour and picnic of the family property on Brooks beginners. Map: Corin Dam. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 Creek is for accompanied children and adults. During a 073 959 [email protected]. Transport: ~$40 per loop walk, we will be shown the creek and discover its car. Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 16. little critters, climbing trees, tree house, climbing nets and

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] Full skyline traverse of Cradle Mountain from Bushwalking survey Weindorfers Tower Bushwalking NSW and NPA NSW are planning a confer- Expression of interest. I am considering undertaking this ence on bushwalking on a Saturday towards the end trip and would like to hear from anyone who would like to of 2015. In preparation they are asking bushwalkers to join me. Lots of rope work and exposed scrambling are complete the survey at wild.tl/bwconf2015 involved. No date planned, just a thought at this stage. Allan Donnelly email: [email protected] NPA seeking info on horse damage The National Parks Association of NSW is compil- Advance notice - Walking in Tasmania – March ing a report on feral horse sightings and damage in 2016 Kosciuszko NP. They would appreciate hearing from The Hobart Bushwalking Club (HBC) and the CBC are CBC members via the survey form at docs.google. working together to arrange reciprocal visits to each com/forms/d/1Mbsjkn2-uxohtHwBaRzvbPg8Zl1ORiIN- other’s favourite walking areas. The HBC is proposing 3bu7emcIfq4/viewform to host CBC members for a week in early 2016 – Tues- day March 8 to Monday March 14. For our part it would MSR Hubba HP one-person hiking tent – Fast be spring 2016 – September/October/early November. and Light Series – $400 ONO While the details are being worked out there would be This tent has been used once and for one night only. It is day walks and extended walks of varying difficulty with ultra light and freestanding and weighs just 1.36 kg. The the emphasis on walks that are best known to locals. fabric canopy delivers increased warmth and protection from blowing snow, sand, and wind and its unique pole 21st Birthday for the Wollemi Tree: Sat 18–Sun configuration provides maximum interior space. It has a 26 July ‘stay-dry’ entrance and large vestibule for storing gear. It will be 21 years since David Noble, with botanists, It is quick and easy to setup due to the all-in-one hub- discovered and named the Wollemi tree. The National and-swivel pole design that is strong and simple to use. Arboretum will celebrate this during Tree Week. For Also included is a lightweight waterproof ground sheet. more details [email protected] I purchased it online from the UK for $500 and selling because I no longer intend to do overnight walks. If interested in viewing, please call 0401 198 302.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2015 – page 11 Feeling literary? Membership fees 2014/15 Item Single Have you had a great experience on a Club walk? Been Hard copy it $67 moved to write about it, either in prose or verse? Felt the Electronic it $27 urge to see your name in print? Or even just taken some great photo shots that you would like to share. The Club welcomes contributions from members so why not write about an interesting experience on a walk or just an enjoyable walk. Alternatively, send in a photo or two with a short paragraph about it/them. The closing date for each issue of it is the date of the 4th Wednesday of every month. Handwritten and posted material is acceptable, but email is preferred. We also welcome photographs, preferably as separately scanned items or digital images. We can scan original photographs. Contact: Ph 6254 0578, [email protected] Post: 20 O’Sullivan Street, HIGGINS, ACT 2615 Alison Milton, Editor

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CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB

May 2015

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