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r o Bushwalking C it Club newsletter Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 50 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 4 GENERAL MEETING May 2014 8 pm Wednesday 21 May 2014 In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking Walking in the Blue Breaks Club Committee Presenter: Meg McKone 2 President’s prattle The Blue Breaks is a remote southeast corner of the Blue Mountains with 3 Walks Waffle rugged cliffs and a magnificent display of spring wildflowers. This illustrated 3 Membership matters talk will show some attractive routes discovered over five decades of 3 Sharing experiences walking in the area, with a few photos from Meg’s recent Easter trip. 3 Training Trifles 3 Review: Clement The hall, Wragge’s Mt Kosciuszko Hughes Baptist Church, Weather Station 5 Thank goodness this is 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes not Namadgi (The Hall is accessed via the car park - left side of the building as 6 Conservation concerns you face the main entrance) 6 Thinking ahead to Xmas 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

21 May General meeting 28 May Committee meeting 28 May Submissions close for June it Committee reports

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee President’s President: Linda Groom prattle [email protected] 6281 4917 our Committee has been very busy in the last Treasurer: Julie Anne Clegg Ymonth. David Briese and John Evans have man- [email protected] aged to incorporate short notice walks into the Club’s online activity list, making these walks more accessible 0402 118 359 for prospective members. The online How to Join page Walks Secretary: Lorraine Tomlins has been redrafted. On the conservation front, the Club submitted comments on the draft ACT Conservation Bill [email protected] and several people have expressed interest to Cynthia 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496 Burton in commenting on the ACT’s draft bushfire man- agement plan. The Club is also forming a Weed Busters General Secretary: Gabrielle Wright Group (see page 6). All the walkers who achieved the [email protected] targets of the Stretch Your Legs program have received 6281 2275 their certificates and congratulatory letters. Membership Secretary: Roger Edwards You might think the Committee members never get time to walk, but most of them have been out walking [email protected] this month, enjoying the interestingly variable autumn 6288 7863 or 0406 378 217 weather. If you are on a walk with a Committee member, don’t hesitate to give them feedback on Club matters. Training and Safety Officer: John Evans Whether it’s your views on the ideal Club Christmas [email protected] party or the range of walks available, or any other mat- 6288 7235 or 0417 436 877 ter, as a Committee we are happy to listen.

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o Conservation Officer: Cynthia Burton C [email protected] President 0488 071 203 Web Manager: David Briese [email protected] From the IT Archives 6286 3479

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r o Editor: Alison Milton C The [email protected] In May 1965 the Club newsletter introduced 6254 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w) the Club’s new emblem, including the frog in Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas its letterhead for the first time. The following appeared in the newsletter for May 1965. [email protected] The Corroboree Frog is distinct from all other 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 Australian frogs because of the striking yellow Social Secretary: Quentin Moran and black stripes on the back. It lives in sphag- [email protected] num bogs and beside watercourses above 4500ft., and crawls, toad-like on tip-toe on all fours in 6288 9840 amongst the moss and undergrowth...... , Publisher: Tim Wright Come and hear more about our new Club emblem [email protected] – at the next meeting when Mr. Ross Pengolli (sic) of the Botany Department A.N.U. will give 6281 2275 a lecture. Mr. Pengelli is doing a special study All members of the Committee can be contacted of the Corroboree Frog and has slides and tape in one email to recordings to illustrate his talk. [email protected] Walk booking procedures were quite different in 1965 as shown by the following in the May IT. Check in: [email protected] Club members wishing to proceed on trips should Web site: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org make certain that their names are added to the list in the Garema Sports Store, Garema Arcade, Canberra by 4.00 p.m. on the Thursday before the trip.

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Committee reports Review: Clement Walks Training Wragge’s Waffle Trifles Mt Kosciusko

s the weather gets frostier and alk leaders plan and lead Weather Station Athe days shorter we are tempted Wwalks for your enjoyment. ew people who have strolled to to snuggle down in a warm place. In addition, they fulfil their duty Fthe top of Mt Kosciusko would Resist the temptation! Winter can be of care to you by sending walk be aware that for a few years from a great time for walking in Canberra participant details to check.in@can- 1897–1902 there was a weather and surrounds with clear, crisp and berrabushwalkingclub.org (only seen observatory on the summit. There usually sunny days. What better by selected committee members) is nothing there today to mark or way to clear the head and work up and also registering the completion commemorate its existence. Why an appetite for cake and coffee with of the walk. This is part of your was it there? Who initiated it and friends? And talking of food – walk- Club’s safety protocols, which are why was it removed? ers are prone to talk of food – I am in place such that, if ever there is an looking for members to contribute emergency, someone can be noti- Canberra historian, Matthew Hig- recipes for favourite bushwalking fied. But who? gins provided us with an intriguing account of this largely forgot- food. This has been done in the past You can help by registering your but there is probably a crop of new ten piece of our history of the emergency contact. Go to the CBC high country at the General meet- favourite food that you would like web site, click on Your Member- to share. Lightweight nutritious fare ing on 16 April. Following is a ship, login with your Username and report that summarises his talk. is always popular and tips for meals Password, click the Edit Profile tab that dehydrate well are welcome. Details of his paper on which and enter your Emergency contact. the talk was based can be found Please send contributions to me – Don’t forget to Save your Profile. walksec@canberrawalkingclub. at: http://www.australianalps. org. The aim is to have them acces- There are new articles on food and environment.gov.au/publications/ sible through our web page. gear on the Training and Safety page alps-program/pubs/iym-full.pdf of the CBC web site. (NB Scroll down to Page 339.)

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Lorraine Tomlins o C Clement Wragge established the Walks Secretary Keep an eye on the Training Pro- gram, accessed via the Training and weather station on the summit in Safety page of the CBC web site December 1897. Born in England, or through the monthly published Wragge dropped out of studying Activity program in it. The next law before commencing studies in Membership overnight pack walk for beginners is navigation and thence sailing the on 14–15 June. This is a short walk world. He worked as a surveyor in matters which provides an introductory South in 1876, where he opportunity to walk in the expected began his studies in meteorology. Returning to England, he became Please ensure that you keep the conditions. Contact Rob and Jenny Horsfield for enquiries. Their excel- involved in meteorological stations Membership Secretary informed in Staffordshire. of any changes to your email lent annual Navigation refresher address. begins on Tuesday 5 August. After the Scottish Meteorologi- Looking further afield, there is an cal Society decided to place an New members: David Poland, observatory on top of Ben Nevis Venugopal Thaduri introduction to snowshoeing run by Terence Uren on 14 August (1,343 m), Britain’s highest peak

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r o Roger Edwards C and a gear demonstration and Membership Secretary selection event on 6 September in a station nearby, Wragge volunteered public place coordinated by Cynthia to establish the summit observa- Burton. tory. Thereafter he ascended the peak every day for five months to Would you like to try kayaking? take recordings. His results were Sharing experiences We are thinking of arranging an welcomed by British scientists and hy not share your introductory paddle down the coast he was awarded a gold medal by with a commercial operator next the Society. Wwalking experience spring. Interested? Let me know. with a presentation at It was believed that important a Club general meeting. Cheers and happy feet. ‘upper’ atmosphere studies could Please email the Club be made and compared through

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r o John Evans C simultaneous readings with the Social Secretary: socsec@ Training and Safety Officer canberrabushwalkingclub. findings of the sea level station. org who can help if you The data from these comparative studies, it was believed, would need equipment significantly assist forecasting.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2014 – page 3 Review of general meeting talk applauded ridges in winter were inspirational. his plans his Much of the men’s winter leisure colleagues time, when not reading or cooking in the other on primus stoves, was spent on skis. Australian colonies were The men were also captivated by sceptical. the various natural phenomena they observed. For example refraction Wragge turned the sun into weird shapes at mounted an dawn and dusk. St Elmo’s fire was expedition to another intriguing phenomenon – the summit of these luminous electrical discharges Kosciuszko caused sparks to jump when metal with private objects were waved in the highly sponsorship. charged fogs. Another highly unu- The expedi- sual phenomenon was the “Spectre tion reached of the Brocken” or “Glories of the summit Light” – here observers would stand Last observatory: ‘Courtesy of Matthew Higgins and Klaus on 4 Decem- outside and watch their shadows Hueneke’ ber 1897 and grow more distinct on a distant readings com- cloudbank. The shadows would be The study of meteorology was still menced on 10 surrounded by a colourful aureole in its infancy and it was only later December 1897. Wragge left the similar to those seen in mediaeval that meteorologists had access to summit the next day to establish paintings of blessed saints. the Merimbula observatory. For the high altitude balloons, aircraft and Wragge senior was constantly wor- satellites. next five years he rarely returned to the summit, instead directing ried about continued Government Returning to Australia in 1887 the stations from Queensland. assistance and installed a donation Wragge was appointed Queens- The Kosciuszko station was run book at the observatory for summer land’s government meteorolo- generally by a series of young men, visitors. The lack of a telephone or gist. Higgins recounted that, “He including at times Wragge’s sons. telegraph link between Kosciuszko established an extensive network These men endured many priva- and Merimbula seriously impaired of weather stations in the colony tions and pursued their science in the station’s forecasting ability. and offshore, and soon started one of the toughest environments In June 1902 the NSW Government publishing Australia-wide fore- in Australia. announced that it would end its casts”. It was fascinating to learn support for Wragge’s observatory that it was Wragge who started the The initial tent observatory lasted only two months before a severe and demanded that instruments practice of naming cyclones. Not and stores be brought down from noted for his tact, he named some storm with winds up to 160 kms per hour shredded the tents. The the mountain. Soon after the cyclones after politicians he wanted Queensland Government found that to embarrass –some for failing to three initial observers, Captain Charles Iliff, Bernard Ingleby and it could no longer fund a weather support his projects. In a manner bureau and Wragge left his position which would endear him to many Basil de Burgh Newth were forced to abandon the summit in an epic in 1903. When the Commonwealth Queenslanders today, he upset many Government set up a federal bureau of his contemporaries in other states retreat. Higgins recounted how they, ‘Narrowly avoided drowning in 1906 Wragge, who had advocated by calling his Queensland office the for its establishment, was bitterly ‘Chief Weather Bureau’! in the flooding upper Snowy River and got to Jindabyne’. Finally the disappointed when he was beaten He was nicknamed ‘Inclement NSW Government came to the party for the top position by H.A. Hunt Wragge’ for his rainfall forecasts and funded a sturdy hut that was from NSW. Wragge settled in New and also possibly for his lack of tact. completed by April 1898. Zealand where he pursued long range forecasting. He died at his Soon after arriving in Australia The observers maintained the strict Birkenhead home on 10 December Wragge began pursuing his ambi- 24 hour schedule of instrument 1922, exactly 25 years after the first tion to establish high level/sea level readings that Wragge required. instrument readings were taken on weather stations here, firstly in Wragge’s son, C. Egerton Wragge a cold, blustery day on the summit South Australia (with stations on Mt wrote evocatively of what it was of Mt Kosciuszko. Lofty and near the Torrens River), like rising from a snug sleeping bag then in Tasmania (where stations at midnight and 4.00 am in winter Following his talk Matthew were erected on Mt Wellington and to go out into a “furious tempest” screened his short film “High in Hobart). At the 1896 Meteoro- to take readings. Undoubtedly these Stakes” depicting cross country logical Conference in Paris, where men were dedicated to the task. skiing in the Kosciuszko National he was congratulated for his Tas- Park. This film can be viewed manian work, Wragge announced However, there were great com- at http://www.youtube.com/ his plans for a station on top of Mt pensations for the privations and watch?v=blUXZmCtKu0. rigours of life at the summit. The Kosciuszko and a sea-level sta- Irene Davies tion at Merimbula. 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Conservation report Thank goodness this is not Namadgi ecently I attended a Landscapes ( Feral Horse walkers, mountain bike riders and Rand Policy Research Hub plan- Management Plan 2007). now horse riders cannot even get to ning workshop in Bright, Victoria, water without going through pugged convened through the Alps Liaison I believed I was in a position to mud in most parts of the region and Committee. The workshop exam- demonstrate what Namadgi could there is no such thing as uncontami- ined a set of potential hypothetical now otherwise be looking like, nated water. governance options around models when comparing its catchments with for strengthening the > 25 year those in Victoria and NSW alpine My party met many walkers, includ- collaboration between New South parks. The long term and consistent ing several large groups of Outdoor Wales, Victoria and the ACT alpine approach of the ACT Legislative Education students from La Trobe parks managers. Assembly to protecting Namadgi University Victoria, other bushwalk- NP, and the Assembly’s commitment ing groups, and people walking the All of the parks face a swathe of to keeping Namadgi free of feral Alpine Walking Track, including similar issues, but the Victorian and horses, has had some outstanding Simon House and his wife from NSW alpine parks face some of these results in the last decade. That Kojonup in the wheat belt of Western issues on a scale requiring significant protection has allowed Namadgi Australia. The walkers were very government intervention and cour- to recover, even during continuing concerned about water quality and age. Sometimes the issue is whether years of severe drought, since the health issues. Their water filters to proceed with significant resort and 2003 fires. constantly blocking. Simon House infrastructure development, or high has since commented to me: “After impact, high use recreational activi- In November/December 2013, I led a weeks of walking, we couldn’t ties in wilderness or other sensitive party of nine NPA walkers on a nine believe the state of Namadgi. It was areas. Sometimes the issue is the day pack walk over an extensive area clean, the recovery post fires was extent of control programs for feral of the northern part of the Victorian good, the water was easily avail- animals, namely horses. Alpine NP and the southern region able and clear, the waterways were of Kosciuszko NP – Native Dog beautiful and had abundant bank After that two day meeting and Flat, Cowombat Flat, the source of plant life, etc. We just loved it and associated opportunities to talk with the Murray River, Tin Mine precinct, it was a real highlight after walking participants, despite the bleakness Ingeegoodbee River and MacFarlane for weeks on the of much of what was discussed that Flat. The purpose of this walk was Walking Track.” These people are was putting natural areas at risk, I to show them the extreme and farmers and know well the value came away with a few high order escalating impact that feral horses of water to irrigators, farmers and positives. One, in particular involved are having in that area. downstream townspeople. Namadgi National Park. What was my revelation? I had walked in the region on three The effect of feral horses was obvi- occasions at exactly the same time ous: Tin Mine Creek, for instance, Back in 1987 the then Federal of the year in the mid-1980s. I was shows little evidence of post-fire Department of Territories ordered shocked at the change. Even in the recovery. The burnt remnants of the culling, by aerial and ground 1980s I thought (and recorded by shrubs protrude into the water, while shooting, of all feral horses in photos and in diaries) that the feral the creek banks recede further and Namadgi NP in order to protect the horse damage was bad. However, there are no banks for native water water resources for Canberra and the comparison with now is extreme. animals, such as the broad toothed rat Queanbeyan. The culling would also The Ingeegoodbee River that you Mastacomys fuscus, to burrow into. protect biodiversity and the inter- could step across then, is in places nationally significant Ginini Flats now clearly 4 metres wider, and is ACT Legislative Assembly mem- Ramsar Wetland, which includes bordered by a further metre or more bers, who finalised the draft Nama- the principal habitat for the endan- of extensively damaged and col- dgi Plan of Management in 2010, gered Northern Corroboree Frog. lapsed river banks. Native animals, should be proud of their efforts of that time. The plan has protected Namadgi from feral horses, and Ingeegoodbee River, KNP. Happy Jacks Plains, KNP: How prevented eco-tourism projects, Trampled by feral horses a normal creek should look. horse riding, mountain bike riding and other activities in the Bimberi Wilderness and the Cotter Catch- ment. Namadgi is a little jewel in the wider alpine parks system and a model of successful management of feral horses.

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Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2014 – page 5 Notices Conservation concerns Who ya gonna call? Weed busters! o you love the bush? Do you The Weed Busters will Dfeel passionate about protect- receive orientation, train- ing the places where we walk? ing and reference materials Then this is the group for you! to identify and report on The CBC is putting together a the worst noxious weeds group of members to carry out and grasses that threaten observation and reporting of the biodiversity of bush noxious weeds and grasses to land in the ACT and Kosi- the ACT Parks & Conservation uszko National Park. In Service and Greening Australia its turn, members of the (in collaboration with NPWS/ group will provide orienta- Landcare Australia). The Weed tion and training to other Busters group will be coordi- interested CBC members nated by the CBC Conservation and walks leaders. Officer, Cynthia Burton. Weed Busters members will carry out weed monitoring and reporting activities, Orange hawkweed along with other Club members, on an opportunistic basis – i.e. during regularly sched- uled Club walks. If you are interested in joining Weed Busters, or would African Lovegrass like to learn more about it, please contact Cynthia on cynthia.burton69@ bigpond.com

Thinking ahead to Tidbinbilla In tradition of the mountain thriller Xmas We lay this our scene on Tidbinbilla The Club is thinking of doing things a little differently for the Alas no Edith nor sweet Miranda Xmas Party this year. The loose plan thus far is ... The dogs bade well from the front veranda • The venue may be a private house or may be a more public Along with Rob and Jen add four more men venue. Pushing through forest of once ashen glen • There will be some sort of subsidy. This may consist of the Club paying for breads and salads and members bring BBQ Ascending quietly lacking any fuss meat and drinks, or the Club may supply all food and members buy tickets at a subsidised cost. Nor for the copperhead coiled in the grass • There will be some music and dancing but not too intrusive With first peak done, then another for lunch and will start later in the evening. Adept navigation nary a hunch • There will be some raffles and a prize for (e.g.) best dressed, On down through resurgent saplings still stark which will be optional. Fire trail home into that welcome car park The party to be held on SATURDAY 6th December We are now seeking your views. Please email the social secretary [email protected] by 27 May.

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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 37¢/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 figures 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 - 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 after a maximum of three trips. Booking Contact the leader early rather than late. Book by Thursday For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub. 2.00 pm for the following weekend (both one-day and multi-day 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 XXthe need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc names of their party, and by 10 am the day after their trip XXappropriate clothing, footwear X report their safe return or trip cancellation, to the Check-in Xany precautions you might need to take for severe weather Officer, Keith Thomas (check.in@canberrabushwalkingclub. changes. org, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 leave message if no Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to 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 available for hire before lashing out on your own equip- Book by Thursday 2:00 pm for the ment. The Equipment Officer is Rob Horsfield, who can so the leader has time be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside following weekend PLB, Keith Thomas, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667. to arrange transport The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- lecting 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 A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be conducted every Wednesday. Walks are 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. Snow tent $15 / $40 Contact Janet Edstein wednesday.walks@ 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 canberrabushwalkingclub.org to get your name 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 Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 the walk, via the Wednesday Walks email list. Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) Walkers who are not members of the BBC, NPA GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) or CBC must contact the walk leader before the 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 2014 – page 7 Activity program Wednesday 21 May 2014, 8 pm Wednesday 21 May: Wednesday Walk See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the MONTHLY MEETING Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC Walking in the Blue Breaks Contact: [email protected] Presenter: Meg McKone The hall: Hughes Baptist Church COMMITTEE MEETING 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes Wednesday 28 May 2014, 8 pm at the home of Lorraine Tomlins Saturday 17 May: Square Rock – M/E 17 Forbes Street, Turner From the Smokers Gap car park, a steady but mostly gentle climb towards the Orroral Valley. Short detour to Submissions close for Orroral Valley Lookout, then onwards to the magnificent June it boulders of Square Rock for lunch, taking in lovely views 28 May 2014 of the Brindabella ranges. Backtrack to Smokers Flat, and then follow Smokers Trail to Smokers Trail car park. All on-track ~13–14 km, ~270 m ascent. Map: . Saturday 24 May: Day trips in the Namadgi #3 Leader: Cynthia Burton: cynthia.burton69@bigpond. – The Spinnaker – S/R com, 0488 071 203. Transport: ~$23–$28 per car A morning ramble from the Honeysuckle Creek camp- (involves a short car shuffle). Limit: 12. ground. Map: Corin Dam. Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$24 per car. 17–18 May: Weekend in the southern Namadgi #3 – 1646 spot height above Saturday 24 May: Mount Gingera – L/M/X Little Creamy Flat – L/R Early start from Corin Dam and follow footpath up Day 1: Nursery then Rendezvous Creeks, roughly west Stockyard Spur to Mount Franklin Road then up via spot heights 1406 & 1571 to Little Creamy Flat. Gingera via a footpath. Return a slightly different Day 2: Early morning climb then return via Pond Creek route. Great 360° views from Gingera summit. This is and AAWT. Maps: Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek. a fairly hard walk of more than 20 kms and climbing of Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield. Transport: ~$32 around 1000 metres. Walk is graded X as the leader has per car. not walked it for some years but will reccie the route beforehand. Map: Corin Dam. Leader: Tim Wright Sunday 18 May: Nil Desperandum Cottage 0409 847 534(m), 6281 2275(h), lexicon2@bigpond. plus an optional walk up Hurdle Creek – com. Transport: ~$36 per car. S/M, or M/M This walk is a good one for beginners. It’s about a 3 km Saturday 24 May: A ridge with a view – S–M/ walk, each way, with hill climb. At the cottage people E–M can explore around the area and relax on the verandas. This walk will take participants to two points from which If people wish to do more walking they can follow a spectacular views are available. We will follow the track up Hurdle Creek and return for an additional 3 km. Beverley Hills fire trail then take the track to the ridge Map: Tidbinbilla Leader: Mike Morriss 6282 3382. with the view for morning tea. We will then go, partly on [email protected] Transport: $32 per car. and partly off track, to Harrisons Peak, with views from Lake George to the Tinderries, for lunch. The return to the (19) 20–31 May (1–2 June): Flinders Ranges: cars will be a mixture of on and easy off track, ending up walks – M/M at the Purple Eatery before returning home. About 4 hours My plan is to showcase the best of the Flinders Ranges actual walking. Map: Captains Flat Leader: Stan Marks by doing day walks and staying in cabins, tents or vans at 6254 9568(h), [email protected] Transport: ~ $15. two campgrounds. You will need to be fit. This is a joint activity with CBC and BBC. Maps: TBA. Leader: Janet 24–25 May: – Edstein [email protected] Transport: Petrol Mt Jagungal – M/M ~$600 per person for plus 3500 kms. Accommodation: Walk in from Round Mountain along the Round Mountain $30–$50 per person per night in 3–4 person (1 couple fire trail to camp by Tumut River, below Mt Jagungal. + 2 singles) cabins, half that for tents, 12 nights. Limit: We will ascend Mt Jagungal on Saturday afternoon. On 20. This trip is now full. Sunday our return will be east along the Grey Mare trail then Farm Ridge to wade the Tumut River and onto the Tuesday 20 May: Mt Mavis Summit – L/R Round Mountain car park. Fuel stoves only and winter Part X clothes and equipment. Map: Kosciuszko Alpine Area SV Starting at the Nursery Swamp car park we will follow maps 1:50,000 Leader: Lorraine Tomlins 6248 0456 lor- tracks to Rendezvous Creek. We then head off-track to [email protected] Transport: min. $160 per car the 1700 metre summit of Mt Mavis GR723493, before returning on a different route to Rendezvous Creek. Tuesday 27 May: Granite above Groggy The off-track section is exploratory for the leader but it Creek, Tinderries – M to L/R/partly X will be thick scrub in places with some rock scrambles. A circuit to explore some Tinderries granite. From the Minimum distance: 18 km with ~ 900 metres of ascent. Round Flat Fire Trail, up Roberts Creek and its north Maps: Rendezvous Creek Leader: Ian Wright 6286 branch to the large area of granite, both boulders and 1473, [email protected] Transport: ~ 90 km slabs, at ~066 E, 470 N (GDA 94). Should have good return. Limit: 8 views to the north. Then we’ll decide the rest of the route from a number of options. Mainly off track, thick scrub

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Activity program the range of 250–500 metres, plus minor ups and downs. 7–9 June: Jervis Bay – S–M/E Map: Tinderry. Leader: Linda Groom lbgroom@gmail. I have booked a large house at Vincentia for the weekend. com 6281 4917. Transport: $48 per car. Limit: 8. Leave Canberra Saturday morning, a 2-hour walk south along the coastline with spectacular views of cliffs and Wednesday 28 May: Wednesday Walk the sea. On Sunday, walk to Steamers Beach, St Georges See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of Head and Summerland Bay through coastal forest and the Activity program, for conditions on participating. heath with many sea views, and morning tea and lunch Leader: Philip Gatenby 6254 3094, Jandp.gatenby@ on beaches. About 4½ hours actual walking. The house optusnet.com.au is well-equipped so shared meals in house both nights. Saturday 31 May: Nursery Swamp from We will do the Abrahams Bosom track, about 2½ hours Orroral Valley to Boboyan Road – M/M at Callala Bay on the northern side of Jervis Bay with A car shuffle will be required. It is about 9 km, mainly Michael Sutton leading on the Monday morning before on tracks or open grassland. The final 3 km is steep returning home. Maps: Sussex Inlet and Huskisson and rocky in places. Map: Rendezvous Creek. Leader: Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), [email protected] Mike Morriss 6282 3382 [email protected] Transport: $60, Accommodation: ~$100 for weekend, Transport: $42 per car. assuming a full house. Saturday 31 May: Saturday 31 May: Square Saturday 7 June: Booroomba Rocks – M/M Rock – S/E We will walk along the AAWT from Honeysuckle Creek This is a popular walk and one suitable for beginners Camp Ground to Booroomba Rocks car park and then and slower walkers. A track through bush from the follow the footpad to Booroomba Rocks. From there we Smokers Gap car park marks the beginning of this will walk off track and across wonderful granite to spot walk to a monumental group of boulders. Hopefully we height 1396. This is an area not usually visited by tourists have a clear day so that we can enjoy the great views at as they usually stop at the end of the footpad. A short car morning tea. Expect to be back in Canberra in time for shuffle before we commence the walk will mean that lunch (about 1 pm). Map: Corin Dam Leader: Phillip our return journey will end at the Booroomba Rocks car Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), phillipstarr1945@ park. Distance around 12 km with climbs totalling about gmail.com Transport: ~ $8. 450 m. Map: Corin Dam Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected] Tuesday 3 June: Rocky Spurs, Head of Transport: $36 per car ($9 – $11 per person). Orroral Valley – L/R Part X Starting at the Orroral Tracking Station site we will Sunday 8 June: Brandy Flat Hut – S/E walk to the edge of the grasslands at the northern end An easy walk in Namadgi National Park along a fire trail of the valley. We follow Smokers Trail north for a few to a lovely hut. We will start the walk at the Brandy Flat kilometres then head off-track for a few hours to visit South car park and head north along the Brandy Flat fire rocky outcrops between Booroomba Creek and Emu trail stopping at Brandy Flat Hut for lunch (4.5 km). After Flats. We descend to the valley and then walk 7 km back lunch we will continue along the fire trail finishing up at to the cars. The off-track section is exploratory and likely the Glendale Depot car park (5.5 km). A car shuffle will to be slow going in scrub with some rock scrambles. be necessary. Map: Michelago Leader: Gerald Dodgson Minimum distance: 23 km with ~600 metres of ascent. 0438 119 803(m), [email protected] Transport: Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Corin Dam Leader: Ian ~$10 per person. Wright 6286 1473, [email protected] Transport: Tuesday 10 June: Tennent North Ridge and ~ 95 km return. Limit: 8 geocache GC1M2VE – L/R, ptX Tuesday 3 June (evening): Black Mt – S/E Mt Tennent has a northwest ridge system that extends out A walk by torchlight on Black Mt, Canberra. Map: through SH1101 and SH1035 to Booroomba trig. Let’s Canberra. Leader: David Dedenczuk, 0417 222 154, have a look. From the Namadgi Visitors Centre, AAWT [email protected] Transport: Drive yourself to to just past the T-intersection, then a bush-bash B-line meeting spot to be advised. to SH1101. There is a geocache there. Return south via the Dunns’ hut site to rejoin the AAWT at the northern Wednesday 4 June: Wednesday Walk end of Bushfold Flats and so home. Around 16 km and See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the 850 m climb. An optional additional few km would take Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC us to SH1035, then down across an arm of Blue Gum Contact: [email protected] Creek to the Georges Creek fire trail. Map: Williamsdale. Leader: John Evans, 0417 436 877, john@johnevans. 2–18 June: Larapinta Trail – M/R/X id.au Transport: ~$5 per person. Further details at www. From 2nd to 7th from Hugh Gorge via Birthday johnevans.id.au Limit: 8. Waterhole, Standley Chasm to Simpsons Gap. From 9th to 18th Redbank to Serpentine Gorge with a three-day Tuesday 10 June (evening): cycle around off-track detour. Maps: West Macdonnell National Park Lake Burleigh Griffin – M/E 1 & 2, 1:100,000. Leaders: Peter Conroy and Linda An evening cycle around the whole lake (~37 km). Pace Groom [email protected], 6281 4917. Contact Linda will be moderate, and take around two hours. You will for a detailed (illustrated!) ‘Brochure’. Land Transport: need a lamp. It’s fun! Map: Canberra Leader: David ~$300 per person if 8 in the party. Limit: 8. One place Dedenczuk, 0417 222 154, [email protected] left as at late April. Transport: byo bike to meeting spot to be advised.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2014 – page 9 Activity program Wednesday 11 June: Wednesday Walk Wednesday 18 June 2014, 8 pm See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. MONTHLY MEETING Leader: Tim Wright [email protected] TBA Presenter: TBA Saturday, 14 June – Black Mt and Aranda bushland – M/E The hall: Hughes Baptist Church Meet at 9.45 in the car park opposite 160 Dryandra St, 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes O’Connor. This walk traverses the Bruce Ridge then cross into the Black Mt Reserve. Traverse the reserve, Saturday 21 June: Day trips in the Namadgi following the Hat Band track part way up the mountain, #4 – Bushfold Flat – M/R then along the lake to Yarramundi Peninsula for lunch. Apollo Road, Bushfold Flat via convenient spur, Home via the cork plantation and the Aranda Bushland. AAWT to Visitors Centre. Car shuttle needed. Maps: We won’t do Gossan Hill this time. All on track, back at Williamsdale, Corin Dam. Leaders: Jenny and Rob the cars about 4 pm. Map: n/a Leader: Stan Marks 6254 Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$24 per car. 9568(h), [email protected] Transport: drive yourself but please book as usual; there may be someone from 21 June–11 July: Kimberleys – M/R/X/W your area who needs a lift. Three trips based around Kununurra: (a) 3 day relaxed canoe trip down the Ord River with a commercial Saturday 14 June: Yankee Hat Indigenous company, $185 per person, 21–23 June. (b) 9 day walk sites, with a geocaching twist – M/E–M exploring the two massifs of the Cockburn ranges Stroll to the Yankee Hat rock art then via old fire trails 24 Jun–2 July (c) 8-day walk in the Carr Boyd Ranges to the causeway SW up Bogong Creek. Walk through 4–11 July. Spectacular gorges, great views, waterfalls, the open campsite area where artefacts may still be and swimming, Indigenous art. All off track, very found (and left) on the ground. Only trouble is, we’ll rocky, compulsory swims; routes in gorges will prob- have an off-track 3 km detour with 300 m climb to a ably have some exposure. Maps: False Mt Cockburn, geocache near the summit of Yankee Hat North. Then Mt. Cockburn, Mt Erskine, Cooee Ck, Carlton Gorge, further easy walking on fire trails to Frank and Jacks Hut all 1:50,000. Leaders: Peter Conroy & Linda Groom and associated sheep dip. Return via the Old Boboyan 6281 4917 [email protected]; ask us for a detailed Road, with the opportunity to visit an Indigenous rock ‘brochure’. Land transport: ex Kununurra ~ $340 per shelter. Around 12 km and 550 m climb, very suitable for person if 8 in the party. Limit: 8.Two places left on Carr day-walkers who would like to try a little off-track in the Boyds as at late April. Namadgi. 5 geocaches. Maps: Yaouk, Rendezvous Creek. Leader: John Evans, 0417 436 877, john@johnevans. Wednesday 25 June: Wednesday Walk id.au Transport: ~$12 per person. Further details at See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the www.johnevans.id.au Limit: 12. Activity program, for conditions on participating. Leader: Barrie Ridgway 6287 3633, [email protected] (13) 14–15 June: Budawangs: Track maintenance COMMITTEE MEETING The CBC is supporting NPWS with vegetation main- Wednesday 25 June 2014 tenance on the walking track between Yurnga lookout and Mt Bibbenluke and the southern end of Mt Tarn in the Budawang Wilderness Area of Morton National 28–29 June: Two south coast hills – Park. Drive & walk out to site on the afternoon of Durras Mt and Gulaga – M/M Friday 13th. Work to take place over Saturday–Sunday Escape the Canberra winter with a visit to two iconic 14–15 returning to Canberra on Sunday afternoon. ~7 peaks on the NSW South Coast. Day 1 (Saturday) – Drive km walk out and back from vehicles and ~1–3 km day to Pretty Beach, Murramarang NP, set up camp, climb trips. Must carry overnight packs but tools, some food Durras Mt and return to camp. Day 2 (Sunday) – Drive (breakfast and evening meals) and cooking equipment to Tilba and climb Mt Dromedary (Gulaga). Hopefully will be provided. Contact: Cynthia Burton 0488 071 there will be time for a quick jump in the ocean. Thence, 203, [email protected] Transport: TBA return to Canberra. Maps: Kioloa, Central Tilba Leader: 14–15 June: Weekends in the southern David Dedenczuk, 0417 222 154, ddedentz@bigpond. net.au Transport: ~$45 per person, with four to a car Namadgi #4 – Nursery Hill, Rendezvous Creek circuit – S/R Sunday 29 June: Mt Palerang – M/M Nursery Swamp, saddle north of Nursery Hill, latter as a Palerang is a mountain near the side trip, descend to camp by Rendezvous Creek, track south of the Kings Highway (the pointy one on the right back via top end of Nursery Swamp. This would be as you approach Braidwood). Access is via Rossi and suitable as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Maps: Forbes Creek. On a clear day you can see Braidwood, Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek. Leaders: Jenny and Rob the Budawangs and the Brindabellas. Views, varied Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$32 per car. vegetation and terrain add to the enjoyment of this walk. The access ridges have moderate scrub and a few easy Wednesday 18 June: Wednesday Walk scrambles. Map: Bombay. Leaders: Phillip Starr and See the Wednesday Walks information at the head of the Edwina Yee. Bookings to Phillip, phillipstarr1945@ Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC gmail.com Transport: ~160 km return, ~$60 per car, Contact: [email protected] ~$15–$20 per person. Limit: 12

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Page 10 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2014 g ro F e re o b ro r o C

Bulletin board (28) 29–31 August: Cloudmaker and 100 Man Cave – L/M–R Drive to Kanangra Walls Thursday night for a three day Bulletin Board walk with time to appreciate the comforts of 100 Man The Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no Cave where we will camp for two nights. Mostly on cost) goods for sale, private trips or other personal track but with broken quartzite along the ridges and some bushwalking-related matters. The Club is not involved in, takes no responsibility for, and does not endorse, off-track walking. An easy day on Saturday, drinking the activities or goods advertised here. Hence, if peo- tea, searching for 1000 Man Cave on the eastern side ple participate in any activities advertised here, they of Ti Willa Plateau and, weather permitting, admiring do so as private individuals, not as members of the views of the Sydney skyline. Approx 700 m ascent Club, and will not be covered by the Club’s insurance. and descent on first and last days. Ridge walking with superb southern Blue Mountains views. This walk is in Notices for the Bulletin board should be emailed conjunction with the Coast and Mountain Walkers of to the Walks Secretary: walksec@canberrabush- NSW. Map: Kanangra. Leader: Meg McKone 6254 walkingclub.org 5902(h), [email protected] Transport: $200 per car. Limit: 8. Trek to Mt Victoria, Papua New Guinea At 4,038 metres, Mt Victoria is the highest peak in 12, 13–14 September: Merriangaah Nature PNG’s Owen Stanley ranges. Jonathan Miller is Reserve – M/R/part X working with an experienced Kokoda Trail trip leader Merriangaah NR is west of Bombala, at the junction of to organise a 12 day, small group, trek to this spec- the McLaughlin & Snowy Rivers. It contains Merriangaah tacular, but rarely visited peak in July 2014. If you are Peak with views to the , native pines, and interested, contact Jonathan soon on 6161 5131(h) or pools with platypus. Saturday: with day packs up 350 m at [email protected] to the peak. Sunday: a shorter walk, with daypacks, to explore a gorge downstream on the Snowy. The campsite Peru, June–July 2015 is on a pleasant grassy bench about 15 metres above Huayhuash and Alpamayo Circuits and at least one the Snowy, on unoccupied Crown Land just outside the other multi-day trek. Expressions of interest to Linda Nature Reserve; I have checked with NPWS and we are Groom [email protected], 6281 4917. allowed to camp there. Terrain includes some very steep, loose slopes on Saturday, rock hopping Sunday, mostly Gear for sale open forest and some scrubby patches. A 3-hour drive WE by Sea to Summit Mountain Expeditions pack from Canberra, departing around 1 pm. Maps: Tombong, 90 litre capacity! 7 years old but only used once for Bukalong. Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] a very strange purpose. A token $10. John Evans 6281 4917. Transport: $160 per car. Limit: 8. [email protected] 0417 436 877 (10) 11–13 October: Axeheads and Wanted T-shirts Vengeance Peninsula – Blue Mountains – If you have any T-shirts that you no longer want, and M/R preferably with logos on them, please can you give Drive to Yerranderie on Friday afternoon for a 3-day them to me, Janet Edstein? I am in a group of people walk. Day 1 from Yerranderie to Lacys Tableland via sending them overseas to Africa. People seem to give Tonalli Pass. Day 2 Green Wattle Creek & Bulls Island clothes to fit babies and young children and teenag- Creek. Day 3 Vengeance Peninsula Axehead Mountains ers are often left out. You may either bring them to to Yerranderie. Expect magnificent spring wild flowers. the next CBC meeting or drop them off at my home Mostly off-track with some rock scrambling. Maps: (contact me – [email protected] – for the Burragorang, Yerranderie. Leader: Lorraine Tomlins, address). This is a great chance to clean out your [email protected] 6248 0456. Transport: wardrobe and help others too. ~520 km return, ~$190 per car. 12–18 October: Binna Burra in the spring – S/E–L/R Simulacrum A week of day walks from Binna Burra Lodge, Lamington Simulacrum: a slight, unreal, or vague semblance of National Park, Qld, based in your choice of catered something. A new competition! Below is a simulacrum cabin accommodation or self-catering furnished tents. of a skull. Prize to anyone who can identify where this See full description in March newsletter. Map: Hema is located - to be collected a General meeting. Maps Lamington National Park. Leaders: Linda Groom Answer next and Peter Conroy. Contact Linda to get a detailed itiner- month. ary – [email protected] 6281 4917. Transport: Linda will put people who want to share car transport in contact with each other. Fly/bus option also available. Photo submitted Accommodation: many options e.g. ~$25 per person per night if four share a furnished ‘safari tent’, $158 per single by Meg McKone or $234 per couple per night in a log cabin with shared bathroom, includes dinner and breakfast. The log cabins, but not the camping or safari tents, are at discounted prices for the CBC. Limit: 32 for the full group; limited to CBC members and their partners. Some of the harder day walks will have limits in the 8 to 12 range.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2014 – page 11 Feeling literary? Membership fees 2013/14 Item Single Household Have you had a great experience on a Club walk? Been Hard copy it $50 $70 moved to write about it, either in prose or verse? Felt the Electronic it $20 $40 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 Who ya short paragraph about it/them. The closing date for each issue of it is the date of the 4th gonna call? Wednesday of every month. Handwritten and posted mate- rial 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 2014

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