ARMIDALE BUSHWALKING CLUB INC. ACTIVITIES PROGRAM Winter Spring 2021 DATE CONTACT VENUE DETAILS Sunday 4th July Frances Grindlay Old North Road and Little Short walks in the Guyra area to Little Llangothlin Lagoon, the convict built abutment along Old North Road at 0406 625 259 Llangothlin Lagoon near Guyra Falconer and Thunderbolts Cave on the way home. Sunday 11th July Paul McCann Threlfall walk east of Armidale A joint walk and picnic lunch with Armidale NPA to farewell a founding member of our club and a long time 0456 368 680 member of the National Parks Association of NSW. Sunday 18th July Julie Kennelly Dangars Gorge near Armidale A day walk down to Salisbury Waters and either an easier option to return back along the track or a more 0455 166 443 adventurous option to return via another route. Peter Laffan 0428 821 069 Sunday 25th July Kate Carter Gara Gorge near Armidale A day walk following Powers Creek downstream to the Gara River and returning via a different route. 0427 706 987 Sunday 1st August Paul McCann Dangars Gorge near Armidale A day walk to Mihi Falls Lookout then for the more adventurous we might follow the fence around to the top of 0456 368 680 the falls. The falls are running well due to the recent rains. Sunday 8th August Julie Kennelly Woolpack Rocks near Ebor A day walk along a track from Native Dog Picnic Area to Woolpack Rocks for a great view over the Guy 0455 166 443 Fawkes Gorge. The are has recently reopened following the fires in 2019. Sunday 15th August Kate Carter Mount Duval near Armidale A day walk mostly on tracks from Dumaresq Dam to the summit of Mount Duval. The trees obstruct any views 0427 706 987 but the forest on top is lovely. Saturday 21st to Peter Laffan Long Point area near Hillgrove An overnight walk down a steep spur to Bakers Creek with time to explore along the creek and possibly visit the Sunday 22nd August 0428 821 069 big Red Cedars to see how they survived the drought. Sunday 29th August Trudie Laffan Gara Gorge near Armidale A day walk mostly off track to Chaffeys Rocks for a view of the Gara Gorge from a different angle. 0428 821 069 Sunday 5th Paul McCann Gara River to Bakers Creek A day walk following the Old Hillgrove Road to the historic village of Metz then along the rim of Bakers Creek September 0456 368 680 Falls near Hillgrove Gorge to the falls. Sunday 12th Peter Laffan Sandy and Snowy Creeks near A day walk along Sandy and Snowy Creeks near Ebor. The regrowth following the fires in 2019 may be a bit September 0428 821 069 Ebor thick in places. Friday 17th to Pat Schultz Pilliga Tour with Armidale NPA Come join the local NPA to explore the natural wonders of the Pilliga area and also see how gas extraction is Sunday 19th 0428 725 852 threatening the area as well. September Sunday 26th Kate Carter Mt Yarrowyck west of Armidale A day walk off track traversing the summit of Mt Yarrowyck. Lots of great views from several vantage points September 0427 706 987 along the top. Saturday 2nd to Paul McCann Styx River State Forest east of An overnight walk mostly along tracks to check out the route of the waterfall way Track through Styx River SF Monday 4th 0456 368 680 Armidale and Cunnawarra NP. October Wednesday 6th Paul McCann Armidale Secondary College General Meeting and Walks Planning Session for the months October to January October 0456 368 680 Sunday 10th Jo Campbell Round Mountain and north A day walk along tracks to a vantage point in the north west section of the park and a visit to the highest point in October 0497 583 877 western part of Cathedral Rock the New England region. NP near Ebor Sunday 7th Chris Smith Bike ride and walk near Glen A bike ride with short walks to Bullock Mountain and three rivers. More details next program. November 0448 938 968 Innes SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES:  All leaders must check the NPWS website for park closures and other alerts. Never enter a closed area as there may be hazards which could impact on those on the activity. Fines apply for entry into closed areas without permission. Also a Trip Intention Form must be completed online. Visit the NSW NPWS website for more information on park closures, alerts and to complete the trip intention form.  Always seek prior permission if part of the walk is on private property. Leave gates as you found them when traversing private property, crown road corridors or travelling stock reserves.  All activities are subject to last minute changes if river levels, bush fires and weather conditions make for unsafe walking. Contact the leader prior to the activity at least a week in advance. If you are unsure about your suitability for a activity discuss it with the leader. Please try to contact the leader at least a week prior to the walk so travel arrangements and other matters can be decided before the walk.  While the threat of the Covid 19 virus has eased do not become complacent until the vaccination program is completed and medical authorities have assessed the outcome. Always follow the latest advice and regulations regarding the virus which may change during the period of this program. New variants of the virus are circulating which are more infectious than the previous variants  If you contact a leader concerning a activity and your plans change resulting in being unable to join the activity please advise the leader of your withdrawal from the activity preferably no later than the evening prior to the activity. If there is a last minute problem (car won't start, flat tyre or you got lost trying to find the meeting location) try to contact the leader on their mobile phone if they have one. We may be able to pick you up or wait for you if you are on your way to the meeting point. Normal waiting time is fifteen minutes at the agreed meeting location unless advised otherwise by the leader.  Leaders should ensure they have a printed copy of the waiver form. The leader needs to sign and date the bottom of the waiver form after completion of the activity. Completed waiver forms should be returned to Armidale Outdoors after the activity or given to the secretary if they are on the activity. If you need a copy of the waiver form advise the secretary and a copy will be emailed to you.  Leaders should also ensure they have at least one distress beacon with the group at all times. The club has a distress beacon for use on club activities along with a water filter and some climbing tape usefull on activities traversing steep slopes. These items can be collected from Armidale Outdoors. Alternatively arrange for another member who is participating on the activity to collect the distress beacon and other items from Armidale Outdoors. Please ensure the items are returned so they can be used on the next activity.  All participants should advise the leader of a suitable emergency contact on the waiver form in the event of an incident occurring on the activity. The email column is optional but please ask the leader to record your email address if you are a new member or if you have changed your email address since the last activity so we can send you updates to the program. All non members must pay an insurance surcharge of $5 to the club or the leader prior to joining the activity. If you are a financial member of another club affiliated with Bushwalking NSW then you are covered and do not need to pay the $5. If you plan to do multiple activities with Armidale Bushwalking Club please consider joining the club and your membership fee will assist us to continue offering activities.  Finally take time to enjoy your surrounds and the many interesting things one might see on a activity. If you get behind ensure you call out so those in front can wait for you and ensure you don't become lost. If you are having trouble keeping pace with the group let the leader know. Never assume which way the group went unless you can see them ahead or have established voice contact. Those in front should regularly check to see if those behind are in sight. If you cannot see those behind then tell the leader to stop and back track to locate the missing persons.

A FEW TIPS FROM BUSHWALKERS WILDERNESS RESCUE SERVICE ON WAKING SAFELY: Give written route details to a responsible person. Tell them when you return. Take adequate clothing, spare food, water proof matches, map and compass. Don’t travel faster than the slowest person in your group. Don’t leave an injured person alone. If you’re lost, stop! Stay where you are. If you’re overdue, phone home ASAP. LOOKING DOWN THE VALLEY OF THE BELLINGER RIVER FROM THE TRACK TO WRIGHTS LOOKOUT