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r o iitt C Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc PO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 47 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 10 November 2011 GENERAL MEETING 8 pm Wednesday 16 November 2011 In this issue Walking the Camino 2 President’s prattle 2 Walks waffl e Presenter: Tony Kevin 2 Training trifl es 3 Review: There’s a bear in Former diplomat and ambassador Tony Kevin, who has lived in Canberra with his family since retiring from DFAT in 1997, walked a 1200 kilometre there – 19 October 2011 Camino pilgrimage route in Spain in 2006, from Granada in Andalucia 4 Blue Mountains weekend to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. It took him 8½ weeks. It wasn’t 5 Encounters with the bushwalking as we understand it in , and Tony mostly stayed in Snowy simple but comfortable country inns; but it was a challenging walk all the 6 Membership matters same. Tony looks forward to talking and answering questions about his journey and about the Spanish Camino (which has several alternative 6 In the Club routes) in general. There will be some copies of his book ‘Walking the 7 Activity program Camino’ (Scribe, 2007) available at an author’s discount. 10 CBC Xmas Party 11 Bulletin Board Main hall, 11 Wednesday walks Hughes Baptist Church, 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes

Important dates

16 Novembermber Generalal mmeetingeeeting 23 Novembermber Committeettee memeetingeting 23 Novembermbeer Submissionssions close foforr Decemberberr it 16 Decembermber Xmas party Committee reports President’s Walks Training prattle waffl e trifl es

t the AGM some members here are good trips on the pro- ou can view the Club’s train- Asigned a petition to protect the Tgram over the next walking Ying calendar on the Training Gardens of Stone from a proposed month (12 Nov to 12 Dec) but as and Safety page on the CBC web open cut mine. At the last committee happens there are occasional gaps on site. The next event on 6 Decem- meeting it was agreed to support this weekends. Over the Festive Season, ber is ‘Preparing for an overnight campaign by sending a letter to the no it is published for January so the bushwalk’. Do contact Paul to book NSW Minister for the Environment December it has to schedule walks – see the Walks Program for details. and Heritage requesting that the from ~12 Dec to 12 Feb (preferably open cut mine proposal be rejected. the end of Feb). Leaders are invited It’s never too late to start leading to contribute walks for this period. walks, even if you missed the recent John Kyatt was reappointed as new leaders’ information night. We the Club’s auditor at the October The ‘Announce’ system for short- can help you with mentors and/or General Meeting. notice walks is working well. Hope- co-leaders. Do contact the Walks fully leaders would usually try to get Secretary. Quentin Moran and John Thwaite their walks scheduled in it and use have been appointed as Conserva- ‘Announce’ on an incidental rather To get a snapshot of Club members’ tion Associates for our Club and, than routine basis. I think over-use navigation capabilities, we’ll be together with Nathan Holt (Con- would lessen its effectiveness. conducting short, post-walk surveys servation Officer) will represent in the new year. Just a return of us at various conservation forums It’s good to see the following numbers, not names. Please be during the year. We have a vacancy people newly listed on the Club’s willing to be involved, as a walk for one more Conservation Associ- Leaders Register: Paul Bowen, leader or walk participant. ate and invite interested members Kate Dawson, Nathan Holt, Richele to nominate for the position by Rasmussen, Barrie Ridgway and TipS of the month: You head on contacting Nathan (0414 628 429 Llewellyn Sibley-Punnett. As you 90° magnetic for 1.5 km towards a or [email protected]). would appreciate, encouragement hut built beside a north-south track. helps, so please give them plenty You reach the track, but see no hut. It was agreed at the last committee of support by going on their walks. Do you turn left or right to reach it? meeting that the Club set up a Face- If, instead, you set your compass on book page. Further information will In the hot weather, trips are fre- 85° magnetic, on reaching the track be provided as planning progresses. quently planned for , the coast you know you can confi dently turn or the High Country. However, if right to reach the hut. This is called A $200 donation has been presented, you are walking in the heat, please aiming off. on the Club’s behalf to Snowy remember: adequate fitness and Hydro SouthCare. It is reassuring water and suitable clothing—par- TipS question of the month: What that this helicopter rescue service ticularly a functional hat. We had grid-magnetic angle would you use is available if any bushwalker needs some hyperthermic (excess heat) for walking in Namadgi National such assistance. cases in recent years. Park? Would this do for walking on the Bibbulmun Track in WA? Congratulations and many thanks The 9th Annual Worn Boot Bash Send your answers to training@ to our new walk leaders (see Walks was on Sat 29 October and led by canberrabushwalkingclub.org or Waffl e). It is wonderful to see so many John Evans. The 33 km involved a ring 6288 7235. Kudos to the fi rst new leaders prepared to contribute to low route from the Tidbinbilla picnic randomly selected correct answer the success of our great club. Please area to the north of Black Springs received by the 4th Wednesday of encourage them by walking with Mountain then high, back along the month, in categories ‘member them whenever you can. We currently the ridge, over the Camels Hump < 5 years’ and ‘member > 5 years’. have a varied and interesting walks and down to the car. John arranged program but this will be greatly for the weather to be kind and was Answer to last month’s question: enhanced with the additional leaders. patient with the writer who found it The two locations are the same. The number of overnight pack walks hard to keep-up with him, Keith and One is based on the ADG66 map (especially for first timers) will Avi. I think it was something in the datum and the other, the GDA94 increase but more importantly there water that they were drinking. Avi map datum. will be more day walks to meet the said he accidentally had detergent

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current demand. These extra day C in his. It made me wonder about the Training and Safety Offi cer walks will have the potential to reduce others? But it was a good day and I the number of participants in each would strongly encourage those who walk by spreading them over various would like a little challenge to go on walks. This will make these walks the 10th next year. more enjoyable and also the smaller numbers will enhance walkers’ safety. In the meantime, good walking!

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Review of general meeting talk

atthew Higgins returned to and the fur traders Mthe club to give another of his from Europe soon excellent presentations at our Octo- copied them. ber meeting. He told us of a recent trip with his wife, Stephanie, to the In such a rich United States and Canada, a jour- landscape, there ney that took them from the bright was also plenty lights and stunning architecture of of evidence of New York to Skagway, the port in how much has south-eastern Alaska from which been lost through nineteenth century adventurers set human settle- out on their journey to the goldfi elds ment. The bison, of the Yukon. powerful sym- bol of the great The year of their travels—2010— plains, came very was the International Year of Biodi- near to extinction. versity, and this was an appropriate By the 1880s, it time to encounter the amazing rich- is estimated that ness of life on the North American the giant herds, continent. Matthew saw peregrine numbering up to falcons circling around the glass 30 million ani- and steel towers of Manhattan, and mals, had been a wide variety of small mammals reduced by hunt- and water birds, which make their ing, to about home in the city’s green heart, 2000. Beavers, Central Park. Some of Matthew’s clever builders of and Stephanie’s photos celebrated dams and lodges, were ruthlessly young. And like mountain regions the enormous expanse of water – hunted by fur traders, as their fur throughout the world, they seem 20% of the world’s surface water was in great demand for fashion- to be imbued with spiritual signifi - – stored in the Great Lakes, which able hats in Europe. Now that the cance, arousing awe and wonder in lie just south of the train route west species is protected, their numbers the onlooker. from Toronto. Ontario is home to are starting to recover. The fi nal part of the journey was a numerous species of birds, with boat trip from Vancouver through the ice-bound winters of the region The train journey west to Vancou- ver passes through the Canadian the Inside Passage up the western leading to the mass migration of coast of British Columbia to south- many species every year. This Rockies. Matthew commented that these magnifi cent snow-bound eastern Alaska. Here they were able watery landscape had profound to sail up close to giant glaciers implications for human travellers as peaks, with their sharp ridgelines, fl uted walls of snow and enormous carving away into the sea; they saw well: native Americans developed black bears feeding on shellfi sh in the technology of building birch glaciers, reminded him of the Himalayas, being geologically quite the intertidal area along the fi ords, bark canoes for getting around, and humpback whales swimming against a spectacular background of immense snow-covered peaks. Matthew provided a wonderful commentary on the natural history of the places they visited. He also told us stories about the First Nation peoples who still maintain elements of their traditional culture, as well as some anecdotes about the fur trappers, gold-diggers and explorers of British Columbia. We look forward to another visit from Matthew—to tell us next time about his travels in the Arctic!

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Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2011 – page 3 Trip report

s a new member of the CBC, After lunch at the AI’d heard many good things top, we started the about the bushwalking weekends return journey – in the Blue Mountains organised by upon reaching the Edwina. In October, 13 of us jour- landslide, it started neyed from Canberra to Blackheath to rain (the only for a weekend of Blue Mountains rain we got over bushwalking goodness. the weekend). Other than getting The fi rst walk on the agenda was drenched, the rain from Furber Steps to Ruined Castle gave us a very dif- and return. Pre-warned by Edwina, ferent walk back up there was mass application of the Furber Steps. Bushmans to ward off any leeches. Water was pour- We headed down the steps, walking ing over Witches past the Witches Leap waterfall, Leap and the view with a small trickle of water falling. towards the Three Even with the low cloud around, the Sisters, including scenery was impressive. rainbow, was awe- At the bottom of the descent, we some. walked past the bottom of the scenic The weekend’s not railway, with a few of us making a all about the walk- mental note to take the train rather ing though. After than the steps. Although the walk getting back from was all on track, there was a bit of the walk and drying scrambling around a landslide. off, there was an The climb to Ruined Castle was optional dinner at an steep but blissfully on the short Indian restaurant in side. There were some impressive Blackheath. It was waratahs to see and photograph. great to unwind, enjoy good food the 50 Peaks event. Lunch was at the and good company end of Narrow Neck, with wonder- after a wonderful ful views over the mountains and day’s walking. towards Lake Burragorang. A few of the group also went down the side The walk on day of Narrow Neck to have a look at two was a stark the Taros Ladder, before the return contrast from day journey back to the cars. one. The walk fol- lowed the Narrow The last walk of the weekend Neck plateau near was the simply spectacular Grand Katoomba, with Canyon, from Neates Glen to Evans fabulous views Lookout. The walk was along a over the Megalong track that followed the canyon, tak- Valley on one side, ing in some wonderful sights. Our and towards Mount morning tea stop was on a crossing Solitary and Ruined of the creek, one of the best places Castle on the other. I’ve ever stopped to eat. On the way The walk was on a out, we passed a number of National fi re trail and largely Parks employees continuing their flat. Morning tea valuable work maintaining and was on the top of upgrading the track. Bushwalker Hill, We all headed back to Canberra followed by a walk by going through Oberon, with a to the end of the number of us stopping for another plateau for lunch. enjoyable lunch. There ended a On the way, there wonderful weekend of bushwalking was a short detour in the Blue Mountains. to the top of Clear Nathan Holt Hill, for those of us

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Trip report

hree days’ notice for a pack Twalk is a bit short, but four of us took a third long weekend in October to visit the in perhaps its remotest stretch, the section where it seems it’s decided to go back to its start near Kosci. Like many, my awareness of the Snowy perhaps started with hearing Banjo’s ‘Man from...’, but gained a bit of geographic fi delity as the Scheme was fed to us as our greatest national achievement. The Jindabyne Dam was completed in 1967 to ‘turn the Snowy inland’, and when I first saw the river at McKillops Bridge (Victoria) in 1980, we camped by shallow pools in a sandy bed 100 m wide, weed covered, almost dead. I was aware of a little of the area’s shared history with NSW—Strzelecki, McMillan and the pre-Federation role of Delegate Searching for the Snowy asked and So in December 2000 four of us but realised that Melbourne people often answered a lot of good ques- found our way to Delegate, then tended to think of the river as tions too, amongst them whether the Burnt Hut Crossing. It was a (mostly) theirs. I also discovered users of that water got it too cheaply rewarding excursion, for both the the Snowy area offers some great because the scheme was paid for river we walked and the country walking country and that to raft the by city users of its electricity. So I and communities we discovered. river was an ‘icon’ trip, so it was a took note when restoration of the Then I moved to Canberra and thrill when I was offered a seat, with River became an issue in Victoria’s in subsequent explorations have paddle. That was a great experience, hung parliament of 1999, and later, touched the Byadbo Wilderness; and shared with people who knew when relevant governments agreed crossed Blackjack Mountain; and much about the effect of the dam to return the Snowy to 28% of its meandered parts of the river more on the people and ecologies down- natural fl ow, it seemed time to get than it does. There are a few sets stream. George Seddon’s 1994 book into its more remote sections while of rapids and occasional low falls I could. along it; those near Byadbo Creek, the Snowy River Falls, have been dubbed by canoeists ‘The Washing Machine’, and on each visit I’ve committed to see it when there was a ‘decent’ fl ood. My hope of signifi cant action was optimistic of course—the fl ows ‘02 to ‘04 were around 3% of ‘average natural’, then in 2005 lifted to around 4%. Federal election 2007 promises to lift the fl ow to 21% by 2012 sounded great, but despite the completion last year of work on the Jindabyne Dam to facilitate releases, competing interests look like restricting the total to around 5% for some time. So my hopes of a ‘decent’ fl ow had faded, until in October there was a burst of publicity for the coming ‘biggest release ever’ from Jindabyne. That stirred my memories and I decided to ‘go for it’.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2011 – page 5 Trip report At the Delegate petrol bowser the price wasn’t showing, but real road- side service was being provided by an old face with a craggy grin. ‘No,’ he insisted, ‘the cafe down the street isn’t good, it’s the best in Oz’, and he’s probably right. Driv- ing again, we turned west and soon were following winding rural tracks with just enough signage to match the 1:100k map. There is a longer and slow public road that ends on Byadbo Creek a day’s walk up from the Snowy, but our objective was their confl uence, in Kosci’ National Park. For this the most convenient access was through private property, and in this the owners had been most helpful. So by midday we were sitting on a hilltop having lunch—or a second or third. A detour to a nearby lookout had allowed us to orient ourselves—north was the Snowy valley and Monaro, and a few km to the west of Blackjack Mountain Beyond was a cliff-nosed bulk. Morning magic, the hills aglow in early sunlight. It’s clear Continued on page 11 and calm. Buzz of a fl y, tinkle of bellbirds, soft tread of feet, distant truck on the highway. The landscape draws me, the distant ranges. What’s it like up there? Is there a climber on Membership top looking back down at me? matters the sea mist clears and I see beyond Please ensure that you keep the the timbered ridge Membership Secretary informed of any changes to your email to a cloudcapped range address. beyond ... and beyond? New members: Kaye Buchanan, I sink into the landscape, sink into myself. Who am I? Where do I Rebecca Herringe, Jack McCaffrie, come from? Where have I been?

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 CHRISTMAS PARTY  Sunday 11 December, 6pmm In the Club at the home of The Great Walks magazine has featured the Canberra Alison Milton Bushwalking Club in its 20 O’Sullivan Street, Higgins Annual magazine, which was Ph: 6254 0578 in the shops from the weekend of 29–30 October 2011. we provide: barbeques you provide: food, drinks, Why not check out a copy –

plates, utensils, fold-up chairs if there are any left.  

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

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

Equipment hire Membership fees 2010/11

Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has Item Single Household available for hire before lashing out on your own equip- ment. The Equipment Offi cer is Rob Horsfi eld, who can Hard copy it $46 $73 be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside Electronic it $27 $54 PLB, George Carter, 6251 2130 Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- Thursday evening, 10 November: Black Mt lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge Hat Band – S/E (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘fi rst Meet at 6.30 pm, park at end of Frith Street near electric- time’ weekend walkers. ity sub-station. Some distance from the top, there is a A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be track around the mountain with 360 degree views. No refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon need to book. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 return and whether they are returned late. 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected]. au Transport: drive yourself Item w.e./week Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 12–13 November: Ahearn Lookout, Starlights Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 Track, , Troys Creek Track – 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 M/M Assorted packs $5 / $15 A relatively easy pack walk in the Nattai National Park Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 not far from Mittagong, in the southern part of the Greater Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 Blue Mountains. Features views of sandstone cliffs from a grand lookout and a lovely campsite at McArthurs Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) Flat. 26 km. Elevation gain: 200 m Sat and 550 m Sun GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) including steep bits and undulations. Mostly if not all Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need on tracks and fi re trail; there is supposedly a track to the when collecting and returning gear. lookout but I have not done that section before. Map: Hilltop. Leader: Jeff Bennetts 6231 5899(h) Transport: ~450km return, ~$45–$60 per person. Limit: 12

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2011 – page 7 Activity program Monday evening, 14 November: Cooleman 20–21 November: Woila Creek – S/R/X Ridge – S/E Day 1 from Currambene Creek Road descend to Woila Meet at the car park on Namatjira Drive just on the Creek to explore and camp. Day 2 return via alternative Kambah side of Fisher near the speed limit sign. Great ridges. Maps: Snowball & Badja Leader: Mike Banyard, views along the ridge. No bookings, just turn up at [email protected] 0414 959 967 Transport: 6.30 pm. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 $120 per car Limit: 4 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected]. au Transport: drive yourself Monday evening, 21 November: Mt Ainslie – S/E Tuesday 15 November: Nyes Creek – M/R/X Meet at 6:30 pm in car park atop Mt Ainslie on the airport Area unknown by leader. The idea is to drop into the side then walk to the west, north and east of the mountain. upper reaches of Nyes Creek and follow it downstream No need to book. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan Marks for a few hours, hopefully we will get to the gorge area. 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan.marks@infrastructure. Map: Wingello Leader: Roger Edwards 6288 7863(h) gov.au Transport: drive yourself [email protected] Transport: ~$120 per car. Limit: 8. COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday 23 November 2011, 8 pm Wednesday 16 November 2011, at the home of Phillip Starr 8 pm 30 Sullivan Crescent, Wanniassa MONTHLY MEETING Walking the Camino Presenter: Tony Kevin Submissions close for December it Main hall: Hughes Baptist Church 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes 23 November 2011

Thursday evening, 17 November: Red Hill – S/E Meet at 6:30 pm in the car park on Red Hill, near the Thursday evening, 24 November: Mulligans restaurant. We will walk along the ridge to Hindmarsh Flat – S/E Drive and back again. No need to book. Map: Canberra Meet at 6:30 pm in the main Mulligans Flat car park in Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan. the suburb of Forde. Go down Horse Park Drive, turn [email protected] Transport: drive yourself into Francis Forde Boulevard, then left into Amy Ackman 19–20 November: Bungonia 50 years later – Street which will take you to the car park. Nice open bush. M/M No need to book. Map: Hall Leader: Stan Marks 6254 Fifty years ago a group of budding bushwalkers went 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected]. through Bungonia Gorge and downstream along the au Transport: drive yourself Shoalhaven to what was called Cedar Flats for camping Saturday 26 November: Sentry Box Mountain and swimming. A couple of months after this precursor – M/R walk they formed the Canberra Bushwalking Club. Naas Car Park, Lutons Crutching Shed, Sentry Box Every 5 years we celebrate by following the same route Mountain and return. Some good bush with great views or the easier route via Mount Ayre. Even people who from the top. Map:Yaouk Leaders: Paul Bowen 0412 have joined later are welcome. Map: Caoura Leaders: 603940 (m), [email protected], Rob Horsfi eld Gösta Lyngå replaced by Alan Vidler ph 6290 0490 (h+w) 6231 4535(h). Transport: ~$12.50 per person. [email protected] Transport $30–$35 per person. Saturday 26 November: Mt Clear – M/M Sunday 20 November: 3 walks on the AAWT From the Mt Clear campground in southern Namadgi, to Namadgi Visitors Centre – M–L/E walk 3 km along the Naas Valley fi re trail then head Namadgi National Park invites CBC members to assist off-track towards the summit 1603 m for 3.5 km. A 500 in the public 25th celebration of the formation of the m climb and ~14 km in length. Very steep towards the National Parks MOU. Each of three top. Maps: Collinton and Bredbo Leader: Lois Padgham Ranger led walks needs 2 CBC members to accompany 6231 3060, 0402 962 638(m), [email protected] them, to provide general bushwalking patter and, if pos- Transport: ~ $15–$18. Limit: 8. sible, tales of walking parts of the AAWT. Maximum 10 members of the public in each group. 1 – Honeysuckle Sunday 27 November: Two Sticks Hill and Mt Creek camp ground to NCV; 2 – Booroomba Rocks car Dowling – M/E park to NVC (buses take walkers to start); 3 – NVC A shortish walk mainly along fi re trails to Two Sticks to Cypress Pine Lookout and return. A typical AAWT Hill and then Mt Dowling. Start is from Blue Range camp site also needs to be set up to demonstrate gear. Hut. About 350 metres of climbing. Map: Cotter Dam Facilitator: John Evans – [email protected], (h) 6288 1:25,000. Leader: Roger Edwards 6288 7863 rosemarie@ 7235. Please let me know by 14 November if you would grapevine.com.au Transport: $36 per car. Limit: 8 like to be involved. A great opportunity to showcase CBC! Transport: ~$5 per person. Further details at (25) 26–27 November: The lost cairns of the http://jevans.pcug.org.au Black Alan Line – East of Monument Track (KNP) – S/R, X Depart Friday night, leaving Civic at 4:00 pm This trip

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Activity program out Friday night along the way, then travel via 4WD 3–6 December: Rams Head Range and along the Byadbo and Monument Track, stopping to see Kosciuszko circumnavigation – S/M Cairn No 6, which is in original condition as described A pack walk beginning at Dead Horse Gap and climbing by Alexander Black in his diary. Saturday involves to a camp spot near the Rams Head with an optional side a 12 km return trip with 400 m ascent to fi nd Cairns trip to South Rams Head. Day two we head north, join 6.2 and 6.3, while Sunday involves a 4 km return trip the track from Thredbo chairlift and have optional climbs with 100m ascent to locate Cairn 6.1 Map: Tombong to the summits of Kosciuszko and Townsend before set- 8624-S 1:50,000 Leader: Karen Cody 0447 268 628(m), ting up camp below Mt Townsend. Day three involves [email protected] Transport: ~$200 per car. a walk to the south and west of Kosciuszko, where we Limit: 8 cross the Swampy Plain River and climb back onto the Monday evening, 28 November: Coppins Rams Heads to reach camp at North Rams Head. The last day is shorter. We drop down to the Australian Alps Ridge – S/E Walking Track, which will take us back to Dead Horse Meet 6:30 pm, park at the junction of Coppins Crossing Gap. Map: Thredbo and Kosciuszko 1:50000. Leader: Road and Uriarra Road with your car pointing west. We Mark Hopkins 6282 8481, [email protected]. will drive to the start point of the walk in the area between Transport: ~$180 per car, ~$60 per person. these roads and the . No need to book. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 4–7 December: Mother Woila, Tabletop, 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: Woila Creek – M/R/X drive yourself Day 1 from Currambene Creek Road via Mt Dampier to Thursday evening, 1 December: Aranda vicinity of Mother Woila. Day 2 Table Top Mountain to Woila Creek. Day 3 Woila Creek to Currambene Road. Bushland and Frost Hollow – S/E This walk is in part exploratory. Maps: Snowball & Meet at 6:30 pm in the car park accessed via the lane Badja Leader: Mike Banyard, mbanyard@netspeed. beside 57 MacKellar Crescent, Cook (go through the com.au 0414 959 967 Transport: $120 per car. Limit: 4 gate) and we will walk through the Aranda Bushland and Black Mt Reserve and return to the cars via the Aranda Monday evening, 5 December: Goorooyaroo Frost Hollow. No bookings. Map: Canberra Leader: Nature Park–Sammys Hill – S/E Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan.marks@ Be at the parking area on the northern side of Horse Park infrastructure.gov.au Transport: drive yourself Drive about 1.5 km toward Gungahlin from the Federal Saturday 4 December: Unnamed rocky Highway junction (Gungahlin exit) at 6.30 pm for a walk around the park. No need to book. Map: Canberra tributary of – M/R – X/W Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan. A trip to explore an interesting creek in the Badja State [email protected] Transport: drive yourself Forest. After a two and a quarter hour drive, we will leave the cars about 1.5 kilometres along Burkes Road (a little Tuesday evening 6 December: ‘Preparing for used but well-made fi re trail which is off Peters Road) an overnight bushwalk’ at a spot where a fallen tree has blocked it. Then walk This evening activity seeks to provide prospective over- a further 3 km east along the fi re trail through pleasant night campers with information on the important aspects forest and descend north down a ridge, dropping from of bushwalking/camping. The evening will start with a around 950 m to meet the unnamed creek where it crosses quick demonstration of backpack weight/volume and the 380 m contour line. From there up the creek to the 700 will be followed by a discussion on backpack contents, or maybe 800 m contour, exit up a ridge and about 3 km and balancing needs vs wants and capability vs capacity. back along a fi re trail which rejoins Burkes Road. This Seating is limited so please book a place. The venue will creek has a large catchment, shows tantalising fl ashes of be advised when you book. Contact: Paul Bowen 6292 white on Google Earth and may traverse similar geology 1679, [email protected] to that of Tuross Gorge, so should be interesting. Rough and rocky terrain a certainty; compulsory swims a pos- Thursday evening, 8 December: West Side sibility. I have recce’d only a little way past the fallen tree. Story Mt Ainslie Reserve – S/E Map: Belowra Leader: Linda Groom conroygroom@ Meet in the car park at the back of the War Memorial, on gmail.com 6281 4917 Transport: $120 per car. the eastern side. We will walk along the western side of the reserve. No bookings, just turn up at 6:30 pm. Map: (2), 3–4 December: Kosciuszko weekend – Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 M/M 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: Drive there Friday night and stay at the Southern drive yourself Alps Ski Club Lodge at Charlottes Pass. The Saturday walk is the Charlottes Pass–Blue Lake junction–Main 9–11 December: Depot Beach – M/E Range–Kosciuszko loop. Those interested can climb Leave Friday night. Camp at Depot Beach camping area, the unnamed peak behind the toilets at Rawsons Pass, in Murramarang National Park. Day 1 Durras Lake via which is the 4th highest peak in the country. Shared Rock Platform (low tide) or through forest to North meal Sat night. Another shorter walk on Sunday, route Durras beach then Discovery Trail and Lake Walk to to be decided. Map: Perisher Valley Leader: Stan Mount Agony Rd then return along lake to car shuffl e at Marks(h) 6254 9568(w) 6274 7350 stan.marks@infra- Lake Road. 13 kms/5 hrs, over 16 km if we add a return structure.gov.au Transport: ~$50–$60 incl park entry. via fi re trails. Day 2 Drive to North Head camping area Accommodation: single room – $110 for the weekend, south of South Durras, then explore the coastline going double/twin – $71 for the weekend based on current rates. to Three Island Point and to Honeysuckle Beach/Oakey/ Richmond Beaches then return. Maps: Tianjara/Milton

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2011 – page 9 Activity program and Durras/Milton Leader: Lois Padgham, Bookings Meg McKone 6254 5902(h), frankmckone@optusnet. Joslyn van der Moolen [email protected] com.au Transport: 500 kms, ~$50–$67. Limit: 8 0439472 921 Transport: $45, Camping $10pn +NP fee. Amenities block, wood fi replace (BYO wood if you 27–28 (29) December: Snowy Mountains – want a fi re), covered picnic table. M/M Drive to Perisher Tuesday 27 December. Walk (easy) in the Perisher – Guthega area where we will have BYO CCBCBC XmasXmas PartyParty lunch. Then check in to Lake Jindabyne Hotel where

Sunday, 11 December 2011 we shall spend the next two nights, time for a swim in the indoor pool before evening BBQ overlooking Lake 6.00 pm Jindabyne. Breakfast is included in the hotel tariff. BYO at the home of Alison Milton lunch for walk from Thredbo to Mount Crackenback (not using the chairlift) to Dead Horse Gap on the 20 O’Sullivan Street, Higgins Wednesday. Catered evening group meal at the hotel. Ph: 6254 0578 Check out by 10 am on Thursday for return to Canberra. Optional pub lunch at Bredbo. Map: Perisher Valley Leader: Tim Wright 6281 2275(h), 0409 847 534(m), BYO everything (BBQ provided) [email protected] Transport: ~$50–$60 incl park entry. Accommodation (approximate rates per person per night): single $95, double $47.50, twin $55/$40, Monday evening, 12 December: Mt Stromlo triple $50/$40/$40 (configuration double and bunk – S/E beds, ensuite). Booking ASAP recommended to secure Meet 6:30 pm, park at the junction of Coppins Crossing accommodation peak tourist season. Road and Uriarra Road. We will walk on some of the (27), 28–29 January: Snowy Mts weekend – old trails on the side of Mt Stromlo with some views. No need to book. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 M/M Drive down Friday night and stay at the Southern Alps 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected]. Ski Club Lodge at Charlottes Pass. The Saturday walk is au Transport: drive yourself Charlottes Pass to Dead Horse Gap via the Ramsheads 15–18 December: Endrick, Sturgiss, Haughton with two options, one mostly on track and the other – M / R / partly X mostly off. The two groups will meet for lunch at the Leaving the cars at the Alum Fire Trail car park, in from Kosci Lookout and go on together from there. A further Nerriga, we will wade the Endrick to Tea Tree Creek and walk, a loop from Thredbo to Dead Horse Gap via the then walk to Camping Rock Creek (this is mostly on fi re Ramsheads will be undertaken by drivers and anyone trail). Day 2: a scramble up Sturgiss and then across to else who wants to do it. Shared meal Sat night. Another camp near Hoddle and Haughton. Day 3 round to the west shorter walk on Sunday, route to be decided. Map: of Hoddle and along the base of the interesting cliff line Perisher Valley Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 of Foster Mountain to a camp in tall forest. On the last 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: day across country with a short scramble to the top of ~$50–$60 incl park entry. Accommodation: single Flat Top Mountain and then out by the Alum Fire Trail. room – $110 for the weekend, double/twin – $71 for the Map: CMW The Northern Budawang Range. Leaders: weekend at last advice. Peter Conroy & Linda Groom 62814917, conroygroom@ 27 December 2011–2 January 2012: Ettrema gmail.com Transport:$120 percar – M/R Sunday 19 December: Mt Eliza – S/M This 7 day trip will visit some of the lesser travelled One of the few ACT named peaks I have not been up regions of the northern Ettrema area. Distances travelled (because it is a short walk). Propose to hike to top and each day will not be great and most time will be spent then visit Gibralter Peak and return to cars via Mushroom in Ettrema and nearby creeks. Although the proposed Rock. Two ascents of 200 and 100 metres, maybe 1 or route will be provided in the December Activity Program 2 kilometres of scrub bashing. Probably home early the actual route will depend on the weather and also on afternoon. Map: Tidbinbilla Leader: Roger Edwards party inclinations. If the weather forecast for this week 6288 7863. rosemarie@grapevine .com.au Transport: is for extremely hot conditions the trip will be relocated $28 per car. Limit: 8. to . Maps: Nerriga, Touga, Caoura, Sassafras, Yalwal and Burrier Leaders: Keith Thomas 26–29 January: Long weekend, Kowmung and Irene Davies 6230 1081(h) or [email protected]. River – M/M–R au Transport: ~$40 Limit: 8 A four day walk taking it easy on the beautiful . Drive to Kanangra Walls Thursday 28–31 December: Upper Brogo Gorge – morning and descend to the river via Cambage Spire M/M–R, W, E (some rock-scrambling on the spire). Fri and Sat walk I’m told the Club’s ‘tiger walkers’ of old did this as a a total of about 9 kms along a very scenic stretch of the standard 2-day trip, but to avoid any hurry along its 40 km Kowmung through Bulga Dennis Canyon (a gorge, not let’s give it four. The spurs in and out of the gorge are at a narrow canyon) with plenty of time for swimming. On times steep (but spectacular) and the gorge might require Sunday, climb out via Roots Ridge. Descent and ascent a swim, but at the top we’ll cross the Tuross with just of ~800 m. Wear sandshoes or runners suitable for river one step. If rain makes the gorge inadvisable we’ll go crossings. Maps: Yerranderie and Kanangra Leader: elsewhere. Maps: Puen Buen, Yowrie 1:100,000 Leader:

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Bulletin board Rupert Barnett 6242 5241, [email protected] Transport: $150/car. Limit: 6. Bulletin Board The Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no Wednesday 18 January 2012, 6 pm cost) goods for sale, private trips or other personal MONTHLY ‘MEETING’ bushwalking-related matters. The Club is not involved in, takes no responsibility for, and does not endorse, BYO Barbecue the activities or goods advertised here. Hence, if peo- If barbecues are disabled ple participate in any activities advertised here, they bbecause of fi re danger, bring do so as private individuals, not as members of the a picnic tea and still enjoy Club, and will not be covered by the Club’s insurance. the company of friends. Notices for the Bulletin board should be emailed Black Mountain Peninsula to the Walks Secretary: walksec@canberra- (Follow the CBC signs on bushwalkingclub.org Garryowen Drive) Gear for sale?– place an ad! If you have any old equipment you no longer want, why not place an ad here to either sell or give it away. Please include personal contact details and ask- 11–17 February 2012: Du Cane Range and ing price. Mt Olympus, Tasmania – M /R, W, X Two connected walks: from the Overland Track a 4-day circuit along the lofty Du Cane Range and Mt Gould, then restock and continue south to Mt Olympus. The walk Wednesday walks ranges from the intricate beauty of the tarns and pines Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted of The Labyrinth, the spires of the knife-edged Geryon every Wednesday. Walks are conducted in turn by and Acropolis, to panoramas over half of Tasmania. leaders from the CBC, Family Bushwalkers and Much off track but (mostly) okay; a joint CBC/NPA trip. National Parks Association (ACT). Details about des- Leader: Rupert Barnett 6242 5241, rupertb@cyberone. tination and meeting place are emailed to those on com.au Limit: 6. the Wednesday Walkers emailing list. Contact Janet 21–26 February 2012: South Coast Track – Edstein [email protected] to get your name Precipitous Bluff, Tasmania – M/R, W, X on the emailing list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s con- tribution to these walks. (CBC led walks ARE covered From the end of the road south of Hobart walk around by the Club’s insurance.) the southern coast to New River Lagoon, then return over Precipitous Bluff and Pinders Peak to Lune River. A rewarding mix of coast and mountain; a joint CBC/ NPA trip. Leader: Rupert Barnett 6242 5241, rupertb@ cyberone.com.au Limit: 6.

Continued from page 6 Beyond it the long view was hazy, but a couple of days later would show a long skyline of gleaming white - the Main Range under extensive snow. Lunch over, the Trail steered between steep valleys then stopped at the top of the steep descent to the Creek; on a previous trip the water here had been brown from the backup after a big release; now it was clear, and near the confl uence the only level spot for camping was intact and dry. The Water releases to the Snowy River, gigalitres water was about 30 cms deep at the Creek’s usually dry exit, and debris indicated it had been another foot Year Jindabyne – % of ANF higher in recent days. Mowamba 02/03 11 1.7 But the Snowy was fl owing strongly, rapidly, loudly, right across its 200 m bed. Usually one would walk 03/04 30 3.3 with dry feet across a half km of rock bars and sandy 04/05 24 2.8 pools to the Falls, but today we could only clamber 05/06 30 4.3 around a small bluff and up the spur that divided the streams. There the trees opened up, we could see the 06/07 37 3.9 swirling river. A little farther, there, those crashing 07/08 32 3.5 waters, clouds of spray. The Falls are alive! 08/09 38 4.0

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Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2011 – page 11 CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB COMMITTEE* Position Name Home Work E-mail PRESIDENT Phillip Starr 0419 281 096 – [email protected] TREASURER George Carter 6251 2130 – [email protected] GENERAL SECRETARY Stan Marks 6254 9568 6274 7350 [email protected] WALKS SECRETARY Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535 – [email protected] EDITOR Alison Milton 6254 0578 6289 2717 [email protected] MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Roger Edwards 6288 7863 0406 378 217 [email protected] TRAINING & SAFETY OFFICER John Evans 6288 7235 0417 436 877 [email protected] CONSERVATION OFFICER Nathan Holt 0414 628 429 [email protected] PUBLISHER Tom George 6257 0613 – [email protected] ASSISTANT WALKS SEC Keith Thomas 6230 1081 0421 607 667 [email protected] SOCIAL SECRETARY Lois Padgham 6231 3060 0402 962 638 [email protected] WEBMANAGER David Briese 6286 3479 [email protected]

*All members of the Committee can be contacted in one email to [email protected] MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: Roger Edwards, [email protected] 6288 7863 (h) CHECK IN: Ring Keith Thomas on 6230 1081 WEBSITE: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

If undeliverable return to PRINT POSTAGE GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601 POST PAID PP 248831/0047 AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved PP248831/00047 it

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CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB

Nov 11

Have your contact details changed recently? Have you notifi ed the Membership Secretary? Email: [email protected]