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Home , Bournda National Park, Geehi Hut, North Canberra

BUSH WALKING CLUB INC NEWSLETTER

V. ¼ GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601

VOLUME 31 JULY 1995 NUMBER 7

• More recently, I urged The idea of accreditation being • ,, people to adopt a park fostered by NORLD, we think and near to their and to hope, is aimed at the commercial eareforit. Myarea,Mt traders and to ensure that they are - Taylor, is still pretty competent in leading outdoor • • -, - cleanafterl'dcleanedthe pursuits. Certificates for lifter months ago. proficency in scuba-diving,

's - •.- What's your area like? parachuting, rafting etc. are already necessary. . I. think it pertinent for our Club to be Imagine: if every one in our Club PRIESI[]DIENTtS involved, along with the donated a day, it would add up Confederation.of NSW. We don't 1111 tiiTtfl[ to over 300 days' work. want to find next year that we all The Rangers would welcome have to have a certificate to lead walks! I WAS INTERESTED to more work parties - they have lots read an article by Andy of projects for us, if we want. So Thirty people enjoyed the Winter MacQueen, President of if there is anyone who would Solstice. Pates, cheeses, tuna the Confederation of like to volunteer and help organize mornay, potatoes with sour cream, NSW Bushwalkers, on the activities, please contact me. spicy sausages, cheese fondue, use of our National Parks. goulash, herbed egg fritters, lamingtons, wine and apple strudel In The Bushwalker he suggests that I commend members to read Clive were all consumed, with Vance 'all bushwalkers need to do their Hamilton's article Listen to the welcoming the sun's return. bit for the bush, whether pulling Trees in this IT. It may help in out weeds, helping to map rare clarif'ing people's concerns over Read carefully Rob Horsfleld's carnivore seats .... or educating the woodchipping debate. Notice of Intention on page 2. We're interested in your comments. other bushwalkers on the minimum The NORLD (National Outdoor impact code', a view I share. The Recreation Leadership Develop- Happy walking and skiing. Park Rangers can only do so much. ment) Project is continuing. Janet Edstein P In the past, the Club has set aside a weekend in October to clear the Spanish Broom around the Cotter in Namadgi NP. We have also asked members to report any sightings of the Corroboree Frog (refer IT April 95). There have been work parties at Bolton's Hill Hut and track making up from the Corin Dam. The biggest project by the Club was the Monolith Valley track, in the Budawangs. - -I -i

1-1 -1

'Issue of the Moment', of course, is the threatened resumption of French nuclear testing in the Pacific.

Letters to the French Embassy, and probably your local politician, are the best means of expressing your concerns. If you plan on boycothng French goods, or taking other such action, let the French Government know about it!

The Sustainable Times carries details of key issues in the ACT and region that are likely to be of significance over the next twelve months, including MEMBERSHIP MATTERS transport, contaminated sites, local area planning, and forests and - bushfires. More details from the

In September a large number of memberships are due Environment Centre or Conservation Council. - for renewal. Please look at the top right hand corner of the label on your iT where the month and year your The Dalgety and District Community Association, subscription finishes is indicated. Please send in formed in 1991, is pressing to have the Snowy River renewals early: the Membership Secretary is not flowing again, and seeks to have itrestored to 25 per prepared to stay up till 3 am to process a large number cent of its original flow, from the present one per cent of renewals submitted at the last moment! since the river was dammed at Jindabyne in 1967. Wouldn't the platypuses be happy! Please note that renewals received after the Monthly John Webster Committee Meeting / IT Closing date will not be processed until the next month. (In estimating our receival time, allow for time in Post.) II your subscription finishes in July and your renewal VOLUNTEERS WANTED arrives after the 26 July Committee meetiné, you The Canberra and South East Region Environment will not get your August IT. Centre needs volunteers to help in the library and shop. Roger Edwards General library work as well as projects need * * * enthusiastic helpers to achieve great results. If you have time to spare and enjoy working in a friendly NEW MEMBERS: Dave Hooper, Sandy Bay (TAS), environment come into the Centre or call Michael or Simon Munslow, Kaleen; Ron & Carol Hosking, Tamsin on 248 0885. Watson;• Apzyl & Geoff Hurling, Flomy; Gerry Santosuosso, Murrumbateman; Sarah Kedge, Duft'; Mike Bremers, Richardson. SKIING IN THE ACT

PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS: Peter Henderson, - KIM SOCIAL Cook; David Edwards, Banks; Rod Morriss & Carol Wood, Curtin; Oliver White, Farrer; John Dean, Koseiusko Association Gowrie; Cliff Williams, Bruce; Viki Fox, Hawker. will be holding a winter slide cQmmcntary on the history ~dalv & of skiing in the ACT (around Mt Franklin Chalet), with other slides being shown on Krgyzstan by Di Thompson. Wednesday 30 August, 7.30 pm at the V Griffin Centre. Supper and gluhwein provided for entry of $5. Contact: Graham Scully 230 3352 (Ii).

CBCITJuIyI99S page2

NATIONAL PARKS OF SOUTH COAST OF NSW AND VICTORIA

As a result of a friendly encounter with a Park Ranger on our Easter trip near Mallacoota, I have attempted to put together a summary of conditions-of-entry requirements to the following areas. Arrangements for booking are at the bottom of the article.

BoUrnda National Park Managed by National Parks and Wildli?e Service (NPWS) Eden. Car camping, hot showers, hence fees are relatively high. A park use fee of $7.50 applies and is included in these fees: 1 & 2 persons/ I night stay $17.50 2 nights - $27.50 3 persons/i night stay $19.50 2 nights $31.50 4 persons / 1 night stay $21.50 2 nights $43.50 6 persons / 1 night stay $25.50 2 nights $43.50 You get a reimbursement of $7.50 if you have a NPWS car sticker. Croajingolong National Park Bookings for Christmas open 1 August and for Easter Managed from Eden NPWS (yes, NSW). Group on 1 January, and are on a ballot system. Apart from numbers will be limited to 10 - the number arrived at by these holiday seasons, bookings are accepted up to 3 NPWS being two teachers and four students each. In months in advance. the near future camping will only be allowed in designated campsites and fires will be limited to stoves. There is no permit system in place (yet) and there are no Managed by Eden NPWS. A limit of multiples of six park fees. to 1 campsite - a site being room for one medium and one small tent! Car campsite at Saltwater creek For bookings contact the NPWS, P0 Box 186, Eden holds 14 sites. Bittangabee holds 30 sites. Expensive NSW 2551. No bookings taken by phone or fax - I if there is only one person to a tent. checked. Include self-addressed envelope indicating: Same fees as above, same conditions for Christmas and • the particular campground of interest within the Easter. Bring your own water. particular national park, • the number of adults and children in your group, Nadgee Nature Reserve Managed by Eden NPWS. Camping fees are as above • your preferred dates. at Newtons Beach. However you can get a walker's permit for S at a cost of $2 per person per day. Don't Fees are payable in advance. forget the Rid! Inquiries: 8:304:30 Mon-Fri tel (064) 96 1434. Rene Lays P EQUIPMENT HIRE Take advantage of the excellent gear the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your 6* 61 own equipment. Equipment Officer is Mike Pedvin - 288 5751 (h), 277 5409 (w). Ei 41 The equipment available and current rates per weekend are as follows. Please note that a leg refundable deposit of $20 is also required. Olympus two person tent $15 Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 + Assorted packs $5 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 + Long bed compass no charge - just a deposit of $5 + Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 + Trangia and fuel bottle $5

CBC IT July1995 page 3 THE BUNGLE BUNGLES AND CARR BOYD RANGES - MAY 1995 by Pat Miethke

Canberra organizer: Helen Stevens; Darwin organizer: Willis's Walkabouts Maps: Turkey Creek 1:100000 for Bungles; Deception Range 1:50 000 for Can Boyds

We had been travelling by plane, bus, and 4WD except for our headlights, through a cavern 2 metres vehicles for three days by the time the Bungles hove into wide and immensely high. At the end were huge view, but we were in really high spirits, chattering and boulders and ehockstones and we spent an exciting time joking, and chiacking (7 - &i) whoever was trying to find a route up them, round this side and that unfortunate enough to be driving. A wide area of in the darkness. Voices saying: Tm up here.' '1 can't Purnululu National Park had been set on fire by the go any fhrther this way.' Some quite tricky moves. I Ranger (tourists aren't allowed to), and we actually shone my headlight down between two rocks and there drove through flames licking along the roadside in was just space below for as far as I could see. Murray several places, which added to the excitement. When finally found a way up into the light, and we came out we finally saw the rank on rank of beehive domes lit up into the top valley, which was choked with even bigger by the setting sun, we stopped the vehicles and climbed boulders. It was then I noticed Gail and Ron had onto their roofs to take photos. It was great to be there. climbed the whole thing in their socks without shoes. We had Murray Williams as our Willis's guide, and he I'd been out-climbed by a pair of grandparents wearing was beaut. socks! We stood in the sunlight for a bit, then turned back into the darkness and climbed back down. I saw The beehive domes that one sees on tourist promotions, the spot later from a helicopter. It was obviously once although extensive, are only the eroded outliers and a hanging valley and waterfall, but there has been a edges of the Bungle Bungle massif. The central Bungle collapse back from the edge and the water now falls is a flat-topped plateau covered in green spinifex and underground behind the original face. dissected by huge gorges with 150 metre high vertical walls. These have side gorges in a wonderful variety of After a leisurely afternoon around the pool, we dressed forms, from palm-filled valleys to water-filled chasms. for dinner and strolled along to Murray's pre-dinner Livistonia palms cling to the gorge' walls, pockets of nibblies, followed by chilli con came, with freshly-made rainforest occur in the upper gorge regions, there are cheesecake with raspberry topping for dessert. Our abundant pools of water (in May), and the pre-dawn after-dinner speaker was Mr. Ron Burns on the topic of bird chorus is deafening. We walked for half a day Removal of deadly snakes from your outdoor dunny through the scenic beehive domes, then turned up (you leap On to the seat and flail wildly with a spade). Piccaninny Gorge, exploring palm-filled side valleys Maybe it was all the laughter, or maybe it was the and spectacular plunge pools along the way, and finally beans, but there was a sense of urgency in the footsteps put in a base camp high up as people headed out to the Piccaninny Gorge late on burial ground next morning, the second thy. clutching trowel and bog roll.

Then the great fun began. We had a wonderful long day Next morning we trip to the tops. We left clambered up a side gully camp at 6.30 am as the red which was really a large light was creeping down the boulder chute. At its gorge walls. We smartened headwall was a huge hole up with a swim through a in the ground, 10 metres dark cave at the start of the deep and across. At the side gorge, clambered bottom of the hole is a cave through narrow chasms in mouth, and into this we and out of the water, and swam and waded and came to the dreaded spot crunched on gravel for 100 where many groups turn metres in total darkness back. But it was nothing

CBC IT July1995 page 4 that a determined group of CBC women couldn't After seven days exploring the Bungles on foot, some of conquer in a Blue Mountains canyon, especially if there us went up in little toy helicopters with no sides on was some heftyemale to give them a shove up. them. I was hanging out over the drop, with only a flimsy lift-buckle waist strap to hold me in. It was a This was where my comment about how 'I respond well superb flight. We could easily recognize the places to encouraging sounds' got sadly misinterpreted. It was we'd visited in Piccaninny Gorge, and we got a an awkward rock climb pivoted around a knee jam, but marvellous overview of the whole area, and buzzed over we got everybody up, and past the 'sidle over bottomless extensive regions of beehive domes as well. I clutched depths', and up a side wall into a palm-filled arena. my camera in sweaty, slippery hands, determined not to Great, I thought, must be nearly there. We climbed up drop it. The chopper ride is a real highlight. to a high point, then down the other side, and then back to the water for a long and wonderful swim through a Back in Kununurra, we were joined by Russell Willis dog-leg chasm filled with deep green water. This was for the Can Boyd trip. This turned out a more only the beginning of the thy's work! We boulder- traditional bushwalking trip, travelling from wonderful hopped up a side gorge of the side gorge, past the death pools to magnificent pools via rocky ridges with adder Mark chummed up to while he waited for us, and spinifex and head-high speargrass. Waterlilies, rock up steep scrambling hang-on-to-the-roots-of-the- slab4s, aboriginal rock art, pandanus swamp, savage vegetation gullies. Finally we emerged from the shade paper wasps. Flower gardens in deep pink, orange, of the gorges into the full blast of the sun for the final yellow, mauve, and white; even underwater gardens in scramble to the top. Eleven a.m. and some 200 metres emerald and blue. A campsite with a rocky vertically above our camp. The tops were quite amphitheatre where we sang, a campsite on a sandy different to what we expected. Rocky outcrops on a bank under paperbark trees with a 150 metre long pool. flat green spinifex plateau, lines where gorges cut down A campsite where it rained heavily one night; some into the surface, not a beehive in sight. But it was people sat with their thermarest mats over their heads, lovely and airy up there. Nice to wander around in the some people just got wet, some smarty-pants pitched open for a change, and enjoy that eagle feeling. We their , some people wrapped themselves in sheets of reversed it all, with sterling help from Murray and Mike plastic or rolled up in groundsheets. A video recording on the awkward climb-down, and were back in camp by of the event would have been most instructional, in the 4 pm, to loll on our beds and wait for Murray to cook John Cleese vein. our dinner. The people on the trip were wonderful; it was a pleasure to travel in their company. There were some Next thy, on our way back down the main gorge, we notable characters amongst them: diverted into the 'swimming gorge'. A canyon 1-2 metres wide, fill of water, length unknown to us. Kind, gentle Den Robin, who unpacked her Trangia and Fortunately, every so often there are gravel banks above made me a cup of tea one afternoon when the Voltaren the water to rest on. After a boulder section the gorge I'd taken made me crook. Den chose to just swim and narrows, the walls almost meet, form sculptured swirl explore the scenery in the main gorge of the Bungles, to patterns and curved hollows, and become .green with enjoy just being there. The canyons and climbing that I algae. Tiny frogs leap everywhere. Progress is part really like are purely optional. swimming, part wading or bridging, part squeezing between the walls. Mike and Gary stopped at the Jimmy the gentleman: 'I'd better let Helen take this section where their ribcages were wider than the gap photo. When I make a better job of it than she does, I between the two wails, no matter which way they tried. get into trouble.' (This one puts the previous robust I got my hips jammed well and truly in an awkward spot interchange in IT over sexist language into the shade! - with no purchase for my feet and only slippery walls for Ed.) my hands to clutch at. The more sylph-like, or soft and squishy, of us went on into an almost dark circular And then there was that Di Thompson woman with her chamber. There was a slit at its back, through which insomnia. I was woken by Crunch) Crunch! Murray went into the final plunge pool, 2 metres across, Crunch! Someone walking over the stones. I don't vertical sides, no way out. So now we knew where it believe this. 16 1 am and she's moving her campsite! ended, and it had been great fin. It was an hour by the Crunch! Crunch! - Now she's coming back for her time I got out of the water, and my hands were numb pack Crunch! Crunch)...... with cold, despite the thermals I'd worn in the water. In contrast, we marched down the main gorge all afternoon We watched with amazement as Ron and Gail selected a in 33 °C heat, overcast and muggy. site for their tent, then Ron laid the groundsheet at

CBC IT July 1995 page 5 Gail's feet and rolled along it from end to end and back The way to go is for a group of like-minded people to again. We never ascertained whether this is a novel ask Willis's Walkabouts to organize their trip, as Helen marital ritual or whether Ron has fantasies about the did, to suit the group's objectives. Wrpicked the eyes Council roller. out of the Bungles and no time was wasted. Murray Big Mike Smith whose strength we relied on to push us was an easy-going guide, just like a club leader, but up to the next hold, haul our packs up, carry the excess without his knowledge we would never have found the food, and we even gave him the rubbish to carry out. way to the top in a thy. We let Russell sort out the And what did we do when, beeause of his size, he got transport and access to properties; both can be a jammed in the watery chasm? Laughed and left him hassle in that part of Australia, and we came within an there. Mark Hopkins, the great finder of alternative ace of tipping over one of his vehicles when we bogged. routes. The best one being around the spot where it in an innocuous looking creek crossing. And we Russell was waiting for us. We took off like a lived like kings on three-course meals each night, runaway train, got back to the cars an hour ahead of cooked by Murray or Russell, and they scrubbed the Russell, and drove off up the road without him. It was billies afterwards! all Mark's fault, Russell. Thank you, everybody. Some unnamed person who said to me as I sat raking Pat Miethke P my fingers through my straggly hair, 'Don't worry, Pat, it doesn't look nearly as bad as it did in the Bungles!'

CAPE BARREN ISLAND by Warwick Blayden

There are some sixty islands at the north-eastern tip of Tasmania making up the Furneaux Group. The guide book indicates that it would take 10-14 days to walk the drought conditions and a thy's journey was governed by entire coast of Cape Barren, which is the second largest the availability of water. Fortunately 40mm of rain island and measures roughly 42 x 22 kilometres. had fallen a couple of thys before and a Tasmanian couple, travelling in the opposite direction, continued Last Christmas Chris Sinkora led Pamela Mathie, Geoff where water could be obtained. Robin, George (a friend of Geoff s), the author and Kim Hello from Tasmania to this island. Christmas dinner was spent at a delightfbl spot beneath trees on a low sandy area between the arm of a salty Peninsular Airlines flew us to Flinders Jsland where Bishops Creek and the beach. In the early 1800s, storekeeper and thrmer, Leedham Walker, flew us to following reports of large colonies of seals, Captain Cape Barren Island. There we were handed over to a Bishop sailed the Nautilus into Kent Bay where he grazier who drove us along a rough, then almost established his camp. overgrown, track to Battery Creek on the south coast. This bypassed the rocky south-west corner of the island, At the far end of the . beach is Rices River with high which is supposed to be interesting. Occasionally the vegetated dunes on both sides and a small exposed(?) Tasmanian mainland could just be glimpsed through the campsite on the western bank. The flat sandy mouth is haze. easy to cross even at high tide though, due to the low The vegetation on Cape Barren was 80% destroyed by nature of the country, fresh water could be someway fires about 1990 and now comprises mainly low heath, off. From there on it's an easy beach walk southwards tussock grasslands and grass trees. In the past these to Passage Point. xanthorrhoeas were harvested for shellac (for use in A series of small bays lead round to Sea Lions varnish making). Narrows, and rather than follow the foreshore, we This being an easy trip, walking commenced at 9am and headed slightly inland for views. Across the Narrows generally finished about 3pm. A low morning tide is the grassy topped Passage Island whilst the shallow made for easy walking round the coastline. Granite channel in between churned as the tide rushed in. This outcrops, covered with bright orange lichen, separated reputedly becomes a maelstrom when strong winds are the beaches and were easy to cross. blowing. Lest the reader think that we were particularly slack it Passing round the Point we came a delightful panorama should be pointed out that the island was experiencing of light-blue waters pounding upon the white sands of cBclr July1995 page 6

Crows Beach. This was deceiving as the beach is On thy 5 we bypassed the southern end of Jamiesons loose-grained, making it a slog to walk. It is also Point and rounded the rocks to Jamiesons Bay. The steeply banked at the water's edge, possibly indicating a coast along here is very pretty and the beach is quite deep channel and swimming may be dangerous. pleasant, especially as a pirate ship (a two masted fishing vessel) was at anchor. About half way along we entered the coastal vegetation and quickly found a dry lagoon. Fortunately an old red Headed inland to the large lagoon which was salty and fishing buoy was spied in a far distant tree, and by partially empty. A sheltered but primitive campsite travelling to the eastern end of the lagoon found the was located about half way along the coastal side under track to Crystal Lagoon, looking like a smaller version casuarinas. Fresh water was eventually obtained from of Lake Pedder. Despite its romantic name the water seepage at the eastern end of Jamiesons Bay. Rain was slightly saline though usable for cooking and water was also obtained from rocky pools at the drinking. Mount Kerford can be climbed from here but southern end of the bay. the route is quite, scrubby and slow. Whilst Chris and Kim climbed Hill, fairly Two partially filled lagoons were found further along scrubby despite the many granite flees, the rest of the Crows Beach - the latter had a broad feeder stream with party walked out to Cape Barren visiting Tinkers Gut, a a large catchment area (possibly a source of fresh pleasant little bay, along the way. Grass tussocks water). A goodly supply of water was obtained from covered the dunes leading out to the point. The strong seepage at the eastern end of the beach. wind whipped up white-capped waves as a distant racing yacht battled Hobart bound. Petticoat Bay is quite picturesque with the two coves of The 'route then passed through knee high scrub over to very fine sand fenced in by huge granite slabs. Cone the Thirsty Point granite outcrop where a bath size Point consisted of huge granite slabs and boulders with depression provided fresh water. To the north a strong one particular long rib leading towards the long and knee-deep current drained Thirsty Lagoon via a twenty broad Christmas Beach. An established campsite was metre wide channel. Reputedly could be crossed at located beneath tea trees about half way along a large high tide but is open to doubt. kidney-shaped lagoon partially filled with brackish water. Though providing little shade this was After some five hours of sand blowing in our faces we reasonably sheltered from the westerly wind that blew reached the first of three lagoons along the east coast. all day. After pushing through thick coastal vegetation we

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CBC page 7 emerged on a dune overlooking a saline lake - the refuge Other campsites were noted at the eastern side of (possibly only due to the dry conditions) for black Sloping Point and water was gathered further along the swans, Cape Barren geese, black winged Pacific gulls, coast probably where two creeks are shown on the map. cormorants plus many others. A partially constructed (of recent design) and campsite beneath eucalypts was located on the eastern With regret little time was spent appreciating this for side of the rocky point at Nautilus Cove. the need was water and a reputed campsite at the northern end of the lake The only things found were The best time to visit is reputedly February-March for shotgun cartridges, vehicle tracks and two smaller dry fine; settled weather, though it is also a period of high lakes. Luck was with us, for a good supply of fresh fire danger. Despite a couple days of threatening water was located upstream on nearby Little Creek. clouds we had fine weather. Tents were handy as we experienced strong winds on most days. Slightly north of the Little Creek mouth a vehicle track lead onto the beach. This was followed westerly across In hindsight we could have done a bit more exploration. fairly flat country till it ran beside a fence. Then began Previous trip reports, plus water resources, meant that the long haul back to civilization, with the first water we started as far along the road as possible. (Future located at a tidal Ransom Creek. Fresh water was trip reporters take note: including good, hard information found at East Creek, then Rooks River. On the next in your reports is of real use to other people later - Ed.) rise a track lead to a pleasant campsite where Rooks cascaded down granite and formed a shallow pool. Just The weight restrictions on the flight out from above the stream is an old water race - evidence of tin Melbourne could be resolved at Leedham Walker's store mining conducted during the Depression. The resultant which is well stocked and reasonably priced. (P0 Box siltation had filled the deep cove and the now sandy 6, Whitemark 7255 - fax [003] 59 2026) delta is used by the locals as a picnic area with stumps FInders Island is relatively flat and ideal to ride (and of grass trees used to fuel their fires. hire) a bicycle, though the number of places to visit is Our camps were at: Battery Creek - water about 10 limited. Strong winds should however be factored in. minutes upstream; Bishops Creek - water 15 minutes There are a number of granite hills which offered good east along Nautilus Cove; views, especially Walkers Crystal Lagoon - a sheltered Lookout (in the middle of the campsite was found beneath island) and Mt Strzelecki casuarinas at the eastern end of (national park). There are a the Lagoon; Christmas Beach - number of activities, such as a large stream of fresh water at visiting seal colonies, that could the eastern end of the beach; fill in the time. We saw no Hill - a large lagoon near seals - it was whelping time - the base of the hill; Little Creek - though we did find two dead bed of a small dry pond; and pups washed up on the shore. Deep Bay (Rooks River) - beside the mouth of the river. Warwick Blayden P

CONFEDERATION OF NSW BUSH WALKING CLUBS REUNION AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Sat / Sun 19/20 August

All members of affiliated clubs (including Canberra Bushwalking Club!) are invited to a pleasant weekend at Mitchell Park, part of Cattal National Park (near Windsor). Turn off Cattai Road, 5 km from Pitt Town. Camp in delightful surroundings. Night possum prowl and frogging. Daytime nature walks. Barbecue and campfire. Hear what Confederation has been up.to, and what is planned. FACILITIES: Camping, kitchen, barbecue, toilets, hot showers. COST: A small park entry fee. Saturday: 2pm - Presentation and discussion of draft strategic plan. apm - Afternoon tea (provided). 4pm - ACM: official reports and elections.

Inquiries: Andy Macqueen - (047)512556

CBC IT July 1995 page 8 ACTIVITY PROGRAM

GRADING OF WALKS: (5) Short - under 12km1day; (M) Medium - 12-20km1day; (L) Long - over 20km/day. (E) Easy - flretrail, tracks, beaches etc; (M) Medium - bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub; (R) Rough - much scrub, steep dllmbs, rock scrambles; (149 Wet - compulsory swims, many river crossings NOTE: In calculating distance 1 km is added for every 100 m. climbed.

TRANSPORT: Costs are presently 25 cents a kilometre per car, divided equally among ALL participants. This amount is a guide only and can be varied at the discretion of the leader depending on the condition of the roads, the number of passengers per car and other factors. The figures given for individual trips are rough estimates only, based on four people per car, and other factors - costs may rise if cars are only partly filled. Park admission and camping fees are additional costs which leaders should fist separately. Members are reminded that bookings normally close at 2 pm on Thursday.

NOTICE TO ALL WALKERS: Every person taking part In a Club activity does so as a volunteer in all respects and accepts responsibility for any injury or loss personally incurred. The leader should check with you that you are capable of completing the proposed trip - by assessing this from observation on previous walks or by asking where, when and with whom you have walked previously. Your leader should also check that you are aware of what the trip entails and of any special equipment or skills needed. Leaders may reject any applicants they think are not suitable for the trip.

SEARCH & RESCUE ORGANIZATION S&R Contacts: David Campbell 2722025(w) 2541511(h), or the President or the Walks Secretary. Area Coordinators: - Pat Miethke 2493085(w) 2412798(h), • Woden - Doug Wright 2814 148(h).

CHECK-IN / CONTACT OFFICER The Check-in / Contact Officer for the dub is Michael Pedvin 288 5751(h), 277 5177(w). He (not the Police or other bodies) should be the first point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning from a trip. Leaders must also report the safe return OR cancellation of their trip to the Check-in officer.

Saturday 15 July - Tinderries - SIR Start at GR 050421, walk across the top of the range until lunch, before returning to cars. Excellent views, plenty of rock and short sections of thick scrub. (A chance to renew acquaintance with the Phantom, who is coming from Cainis just to lead this trip, as it was so popular last year.) Map: Tinderry 1:25000. Leader: Nick Clarke, but bookings to Michael Pedvin 288 5751(11) 277 5409(w). Transport cost about $10. Limit 8.

Saturday 15 July - Ski Tour - Mystery destination - MIM See preview on page 6 of the June IT. You must be able to do crosseountry skiing basics such as the traverse 180 degree turn, snowplough and steep turn. Leader: Monika Binder 247 6866 19. Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fee.

(14)15-16 July - - MIE This sandstone cOuntry is full of flowers in winter, and not cold. On day 1 we'll walk the coastal track (recently reopened after the January 1994 fires) from Otford to Wattamolla. Bring 2L of water and swimmers (it might just be wami). We can either camp in the park or stay overnight in . Day 2 will be either a shortish ramble in (Kingfisher Pool, part of Bullawarring Track) or a 15 km E-M walk from Waterfall via Uloola Falls and Tuckowa Rill to Engadine. Map: Royal National Park. Lender: David Truman 247 6744 (h, 272 4632 (w). Transport cost about $40.

Sunday 16 July - Nursery Hill & Rendezvous Creek From Gudgenby Homestead - M/M I have found an interesting route to Nursery Hill from the SE with spectacular views and rock fonnations Early in the descent we pass through an area of giant sranite boulders, then branch down a ridge to Rendezvous Creek 400m below. The return is a stroll down the open lower valley with views of the surrounding mountains, while being watched by a thousand curious kangaroos. Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25000. Leader: George Caner 251 2130(h) 263 3549(w). Transport cost about $8. Limit 12.

Wednesday 19 July - MONTHLY MEETING, 8pm at Dickson Library meeting room. Andina Faragher on Walking in Pakistan; preceded by short talk by David Truman on the Hume and Hovell Track

22-23 July - Reedy Creek - MIE-M From Mt Clear campsite, climb Shanahans Mountain for good views of the Clear Range, then descend to Reedy Creek for a football field size campsite. Return to the cars via Naas Fire frail or sections of Naas Creek. Map: Colinton 1:25 000. Leader: Richard Bain 265 5222(w) 2574816(h. Transport cost about $10.

CBCIT July1995 page 9 22-23 July - Ski Tour: north from the Snowy Mountains Highway - MIM Depending on snow cover the objective could be Nungar Plain, Wild Horse Plain or further north. The trip is suitable for less experienced tourers but a weekend pack must be carried and snow camping will be required. Limit 2 cars. Maps: Tantangara 1:50000 or 1:25000. Leader: Rod Peters 251 2580 (h only). Transport about $25 plus park entiy fee.

22-23 July - Ski Tour: Mt Tate - for Gourmet would-be Telemarkers, No.1 - M/M This is a trip for skiers who have mastered the fundamentals of skiing with a pack, but would like to practise their XC downhill ski technique and have fun. We will base camp at the upper Guthega River within sight of Consett Stephen Pass and below Mt Tate. I would like to climb up Mt Tate and explore the slopes and gullies off the Tate Ridge. You don't need to be a telemarker, but an ability to do stern christies would be an advantage. Leader: Monika Binder .2476866 (ii,). Map: Mount Kosciusko 1: 50 000. Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fee.

Sunday 23 July - Ski Tour: Dingo Loop - Paddy's Link - Porcupine - MIE A gently undulating tour on formed trails with friendly slopes, aimed at relative (but not absolute) beginners. Starting from the Perisher Nordic Centre, well meander up towards Duncan Trig for lunch, returning via Betts Camp and Perisher Gap. Maps: Perisher Ski Touring Map 1:25000 or Mt Kosciusko 1:50000. Leader: Terence Uren 269 5422(w) 282 2403(h). Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fees.

Sunday. 23 July - Blue Range Hut and Mt Blundell - SIM Start mid-morning when the sun has got a bit of warmth into the day Follow tracks (although some are a bit rough) to the summit of Mount Blundell where there is a modest view. We should be back at the hut in time for a billy with afternoon tea - bring a stove if you can as it is quicker than lighting a fire. Children welcome. Leader: Keith Sayers 2583268(h). Transport cost about $10.

Wednesday 26 July - COMMIflEE MEETING and IT CLOSING At the home of David Truman, Unit 79 The Pines', 9 Murdoch Street Lyneham - 247 6744.

Saturday 29 July - Ski Trip to mystery destination - M/M See preview on page 6 of the June IT You must be able to do crosscountxy skiing basics such as the traverse ISO degree turn, snowplough and steep turn. Leader: Monika Binder 247 6866 (II,). Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fee.

29-30 July - Carkeneller Ridge and Colong Caves - M/M From Bats Camp, down Carkeneller Ridge to the Kowmung to camp at the junction with the TJni Rover Trail. On Sunday we will walk up Lamiigan Creek to Colong Caves and thence Bats Camp. A spectacular area that does not seem to have been visited much lately. Maps: Yerranderie and Bindook 1:25000. Leader: Richard Bain 265 5222(w), 257 4816(h). Transport cost about $35.

Saturday 29 July - Mt to Mt Ainslie - M/E Commence from Antill St entrance carpark (Mt Mura) near Australian Heritage Village. Climb Mt Majura for splendid views of North Canberra, then traverse varied vegetation along ridge and saddle leading to Mt Ainslie with fme panoramas of the Brindabellas. Descend by a track to the War Memorial. Car shuffle required. Map: ACT 1:100 000. Leader: Rob Forster 249 8546(h).

29-30 July - Ski Touring and Snow Camping - Kiandra Area - E/E See Preview in May IT. A very short tour over very easy tenain, setting up camp at lunch time. Activities: introductory ski techniques (touring, traversing, kick turns), setting up camp, etc. Designed for beginners. CBC members only. Map: Cabratnurra 1:25000. Leader: Grahame Muller 2545430(h). Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fees. 29-30 July - Ski Tour: Valentine's Hut - MIM The easiest route to Valentine's Hut is from the power station along the road through Schlink Pass. Whether this route or an alternative - the Kenies for example - is followed either way will depend on weather and the party. Valentine's is a very small and popular hut, so tents and stoves are essential. Map: Mt. Kosciusko 1:50000. Leader: David Campbell 254 1511(h). Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fees. Sunday 30 July -.Bulee Gap - M/M-R Park near the transmission line. Walk to Bainbrig Creek, then into and the cliffs near Bulee Brook. Follow the cliff via spectacularly shaped rock ribs, then cross moss covered clearing to.higb(91m) cliffs. Descend back to the cars following the base of the cliffs. Map: Nerriga 1:25000. Leader: Phil Williams 251 6347(h), 2526060(w). Transport cost about $20. Saturday 5 August - Over the Tidbinbillas: Bendora Dam to Mt Domain & Fishing Gap - MIR A car swap,with two parties starting from opposite endpoints. We'll follow a long but not difficult ridge from near Bendora Dam to the top of the Tidbinbilla Range, detour northwards to the top of Tidbinbilla Mountain (time permitting), then exit by Mt Domain and Fishing Gap. Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000. Leaden: David Truman and Phil Williams. Bookings to David - 247 6744 (h) 2724632(w). Transport cost about $11.

5-6 August - Ski Tour: Snow Camping for Beginners - M/M The trip will start from Guthega and camp in the vicinity of Consett Stephen Pass. It is intended for people who can ski but have not snow-camped before. This trip will be a combined Act XC Ski Club / CBC trip. Map: Mount Kosciusko 1:50000. Leader: Ken Moylan 243 1014(w), 251 4173(h). Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fees.

CBCITJutyI995 pige to 5-6 August - Ski Tour: Tabletop and beyond - M/M We'll start from Mt Selwyn and take the well known and scenic route, gently undulating, to camp at far end of Tabletop. Side trips up Tabletop and perhaps towards Brooks Hut. There'll be snow camping, and significant skiing with a pack, the trip is suitable for inexperienced but not novice skiers - you should have skied and carried a pack before, but not necessarily together. Note: Subject to re-routing if snow conditions require. Maps: Various. Leader: Alan Vidler 2545373(h) - but not between 6-30 July while I'm away. Some bookings already received! Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fees. Sunday 6 August - Naas Creek- M-L/E Start from Boboyan Pine Forest and walk to Naas Creek via Gudgenby Saddle. Walk down Naas creek, returning by the Old Boboyan Road. Map: ACT 1:100 000. Leader; Richard Bain 265 5222(w) 2574816(h). Transport cost about $10.

Tuesday 8 August - IT COLLATION - David Campbell's home, 15 Laycock Place, Bolt- 254 1511.. Park in the Holt Oval parking area, otherwise park in Laycock Place or down the battleaxe driveway. Saturday 12 August - Ski Tour - Thompsons Plain - M/M A tour along the northeastern end of the Ramshead Range from Dain&s Gap to Prussian Flat via Thompsons Plain. Skiing will mostly be on open gently undulating slopes but some manoeuvring through treed areas will be needed. More uphill than downhill. For intermediate standard skiers. Maps: Perisher Ski Touring Map 1:25000 or Mt Kosciusko 1:50000. Leader: Terence Uren 269 5422(w) 282 2403(h). Traasport cost about $25 plus park entry fees. Limit of 8. 12-13 August - Ski Tour: Chimneys, Paradise, Purgatory - M/M We will start from Dead Horse Gap, ski about 4km to an idyllic campsite, then undertake a side trip to the Chimneys. On Sunday there will be a side trip to Purgatory and perhaps the slightly harder one to reach Paradise. Suitable for inexperienced skiers - you should have skied and carried a pack before, though not necessarily together. Note: Like all ski tours, this is subject to re-routing if snow conditions indicate. Map: Thredbo 1:50000. Leader: Alan Vidler 254 5373(h). Transport about $25 plus park entry fees. 12-13 August - Mt Solitary - M/E-M From the carpark on Narrowneck descend the Golden Stairs to the Mt Solitary track. Walk to Mt Solitary to a campsite with breathtaking views. Return by the same route. Maps: Katoo,nba & Jamison 1:25000. Leader: Richard Rain 265 5333(w), 2574816(h). Transport cost about $30. 12-13 August - Ski Tour - Jagungal from Munyang - M/M We'll make a leisurely start from Munyang, camp towards Jagungal and return to Munyang. Leader Chris Sinkora 2815087 (I), 250 6902 (w). Maps: Mount Kosciusko & Khancoban 1:50000. This will be a combined ACT XC Ski Club / CBC trip. Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fee. Sunday 13 August - The Pimple - M/M This is one of my favourite winter trips. It has interesting ridges, an invigorating climb and good views. We climb a ridge from the Cascade trail to the top of the Tidbinbilla Range (up 700m) then stroll out to the Pimple for views of Cotter Valley and Camels Hump. After lunch we return over nearby Tidbinbilla Mountain (200m) for more views, then down a steep ridge to the Lyrebird trail. Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000. Leader: George Caner 251 2130(h) 263 3549(w). Transport cost about $5.

Wednesday 16 August - MONTHLY MEETING - Dickson Library meeting Room at 8pm. Tim Shepherd (Operations Manager, NSW NPWS - Southern Region) on National Parks in South Eastern NSW. Saturday 19 August - Nil Desperandum Homestead - SIE This is an historic heritage-listed 19th century homestead nestled in a remote and picturesque area of the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. A ranger will provide a guided tour of the site, and it will be combined with an optional easy walk in the reserve. Further details may be included in next IT. Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25000. Leader: Rob Forster 2498546(h). Transport cost about $5. 19-20 August - Ski Tour: The Rolling Grounds - M/M We'll start from Guthega Power Station (Munyang), ski up the road to the saddle and keep going up. Camp about lunchtime then make a side trip to Consett Stephen Pass and Tate West Ridge, with a spin along the Rolling Ground on Sunday. Suitable for limited experience-intennediate skiers, but beginners would fmd the steepish tree covered slopes daunting. Map: Mt Kosciu.sko 1:50000. Leader: Alan Vidler 254 53 73(h). Transport cost about $25 plus park fees. Wednesday 23 August - COMMITTEE MEETING and IT CLOSING 8pm at the home of Mike Pedvin, 25 Burrinjuck Street, Dufljf -2885751. Saturday 26 August - Hospital Hill and Mt Boboyan - M/M Start from the locked gate at Boboyan Pine Forest and head southeast across Hospital Creek and over Hospital Hill along the ridgetop to Mt Boboyan (1459m) for lunch. Continue southwest to the highest point on the Old Boboyan Road, then follow it north back to the cars. Leader: David Truman 247 6744 (Ii) 272 4632 (w). Transport cost about $12. (26) 27 August - Mt Dromedary (Tuba Tuba) - WE On Saturday - an early afternoon start, a 'pot luck' dinner by a log fife in a cosy farm cabin (accomm. cost approx $10 per person). On Sunday - a stunning rainforest walk up the famous South Coast landmark of Mt Dromedary, with side trips to relics of the gold mining days. Lunch - in an awesome, secret location on the mountain. Bookings must be received by Friday 4 August (to secure cabins). Leaders: Sylvia Flarmon 274 0206 (w) 236 3125 (Ii,), Lynn Atkinson 274 0232 (w) 2411039 (h). Transport cost about $25. Limit 12. 26-27 August - Ski Tour: Mt Twynam - for Gourmet would-be Telemarkers, No.2 - S/M This is another trip for skiers interested in XC downhill skiing. We will ski easily along the Snowy River to a base camp at Pounds Creek. If the weather is good, I would like to go up to Mt Twynam or even further (Blue Lake?) and then enjoy the downhill run back to camp. There will also be opportunities for those not so energetically inclined to practise their XC downhill skills on nearby slopes. Leader. Monik.a Binder 247 6866 0'). Map: Mount Kosciusko 1:50 000. Transport costabout $25 plus park entry fee. Sunday 27 August - Rendezvous Creek - M/E-M Proceed from Nursery Swamp Car Park to Nursery Swamp, then down Rendezvous Creek to the Boboyan Road. Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25000. Leader: Richard Bain 265 5222(w), 257 4816(h). Transport cost about $8. Saturday 2 September - Ski Trip to mystery destination - MIM See preview on page 6 of the June IT. You must be able to do crosscountry skiing basics such as the traverse 180 degree turn, snowplough and steep turn. Leader: Monika Binder 247 6866 0'). Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fee. (1)2-3 September - Green Cape to Red Point (Ben Boyd NP) - M/ME A scenic coastal walk, mostly on tracks , although there will be some scrub to negotiate. From Green Cape Lighthouse at the southern end of Ben Boyd NP walk to Red Point, just across to the south of Eden. There will be a Friday night or very early Saturday start. Leader: Richard Bain 265 5222(w) 2574816(h). Maps: Kiah and Eden 1:25 000, Eden State Forests. Transport cost about $35. (1)2-3 September - Ski Tour - Grey Mare Range - MUM Friday night we'll drive to camp at Geehi Hut (beyond Dead Horse Gap), and on Saturday morning we'll head up the Pinnacle road onto Grey Mare Range, then ski along the range to camp on the far side of Grey Mare Mountain. Sunday we'll do a day trip to the end of the range (Rocky Bogong) before the long return down to the cars. Leader: Chris Sinkora 2815087 (ii), 2350 6902 (w). Maps: Mount Kosciusko & Khancoban 1:50000. This will be a combined ACT XC Ski Club I CBC trip. Transport cost about $35 plus park entry fees. 9-10 September - Mt Talaterang photography trip - M/M We will camp on the cliff top overlooking Clyde Gorge and the Central North Budawangs to photograph the sunset and sunrise from a range of vantage points. The walk in will be via Ngaitung Falls and the return via the superb climine around Mt Bushwalker (also with photographic potential). If there is Grey Mare Hut enough light we could capture the rainforest setting of 'Jailhouse Pass' Maps: Tianjara and Milton 1:25000. Leader: George Caner 251 2130(h) 263 3549(w). Transport cost about $25. 9-10 September - Mt Hoddle - M/M There is a cave on the eastern side of Mt Hoddle. It's not on the standard walking routes of the Budawangs but a photograph of it has appearred in Wild Magazine. We will camp there. The mute is no secret, but if you come you will at least fmd out where the camping cave is (and enjoy some spectacular scenery on the way - AV). Of course, there is also a pub somewhere around. Map: CAIW Budawangs. Leader: Richard Bain 265 5222(w), 2574816(h). Transport cost about $20, plus say $10 for a not so upmarket food place in Braidwood.

Tuesday 12 September - IT COLLATION - Julie Cronin's home, 31 MeCormack St Curtin - 281 0002.

Saturday 16 September - Ski Trip to mystery destination - M/M See preview on page 6 of the June IT. You must be able to do crosscountry skiing basics such as the traverse 180 degree turn, snowplough and steep turn. Leader: Monika Binder 247 6866 (I). Transport cost about $25 plus park entry fee. 15-17 September - Yadboro to Wog Wog M/M A day off work to allow time for side trips to explore Mts Tarn, Owen and Cole, Monolith Valley etc, traversing the southern part of the Budawangs. One group to enter at Wog Wog, the other Yadboro. Camping will be in overhangs or in tents nearby. Pack walking. is on tracks. Optional side trips are over rock and light scrub. Leader will organize contribution disbursement to suit car distances ($15 & $25). Joint walk (crossover) with FBC. Maps: Corang 1:25000 CMW Budawangs. Leader: Kevin Gill 2861946(h). Bookings by Tuesday 12 Sept., early start). Transport cost: about $20.

16-17 September - Flat Top Mountain, Castle Hill, Fosters Mountain, Round Mountain - MIM Note change of dates. Access via Neniga. A circuit in the north-western Budawangs, mainly on trails but with some scrub and easy rock scrambles up a variety of small peaks. There should be a good display of spring wildflowers I plan to camp on Saturday night in a cave on the western side of Fosters Mountain, and to walk on the tops to the south-eastern end without packs on Sunday morning. Maps: CMWBudawangs orEndrick 1:25000. Leader: JeffBennctts 231 5899(h). Transport cost about $20. Wednesday 20 September - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and elections - Dickson Library Meeting Room, 8pm. 23-24 September - Sentinel Hill (Holland's Gorge) - MIR Leader: Richard Bain 265 5222(w), 2574816(h). Transport cost about $20. 30 Sept -2 October (Long Weekend) - Wild Dog Mountains - M/M Leader: Richard Bait, 265 5222(w), 2574816(h). Transport cost about $40. CBC IT July1995 page 01 A weekend trip, eventually! -Bendethera Caves, Deua M' .. M/R - Ron Waugh Spring - Tin Hut via Disappointment Spur & Finns River - MIM - Marg & John Cooper 7-8 October - fbi/ends Gorge - M/M-R - Richard Bain 14-15 October - The Long Flat and Mt Clear - M/M - David Truman 14-15 October - Mts Scabby, Kelly and Burbidge - M/R - George Carter

21-22 October - Mount Eagle - M/M I propose to explore the Tarlo River upstream towards Myrtle Creek, with a short side trip to the top of Mount Eagle. Maps: Taralga and Chatsbuty 1:25000. Leader: Roger Edwanis 288 7863(h) 295 4598(w). Transport cost about $22. 21-22 October - Rams Head Range - M/ll - Richard Bain 28-2 9 October - Murntim Creek - M/MR - Richard Bain Saturday 4 November - Mt Yaouk - M/M - David Truman SundayS November - Starlights Trail - M/M - Richard Bath 11-12 Nov. - Mitchell Lookout, Clyde River, Hollands Creek - LIRr George Carter

Sunday 12 November - Half Moon Peak, Mt Morgan - M/M Drive via Shannons Flat, Adaminaby and Tantangara Dam. A walk to two summits exceeding I 800m in the northern Kosciusko National Park. Granite fonnations, good views. Maps: Rules Point, Rendezvous Creek 1:25000, orACT 1:100 000. Leaden JeffBenneits 231 5899(h), 1930-2130 Mon-Wed. Transport cost about$25.

18-19 November - Deua NP: Wyanbene Caves Mountain, Big Hole and Marble Arch - M/M We'll walk from the Krawanee Road, across the Shoalhaven to the Minuma Range and follow it north to Wyanbene Caves Mountain before descending to the beautiful car camping site among tall trees at the caves area. Bring decadent goodies and plenty of water to lake advantage of the car camp. Next day we'll inspect some of the interesting highlights of the northern section of Deua NP. Trip is suitable for novice campers. Leader: David Truman 247 6744 (Ii) 272 4632 (w). Transport cost about $20. 24-26 November - Bullfrog, Ettrema, Myall M/R/W Enter Ettrema by a relatively easy route dowa Bullfrog Creek. Much rockhopping as we make our way downstream, passing through magnificent scenery, with opportunities to test out the many rock pools on the way. Optional side trip Saturday to Thomsons Cliff and Jones Creek or Hamlet Crown. Way out on Sunday is via spectacular and scenic Myall Creek. Maps: Nerriga & Touga 1:25,000. LeadS: Kevin Gill 2861946(h). Bookings by Wednesday 22 November. Transport cost: about $25.

25-26 November - Valentine's Falls from Guthega - LJM This is a chance to see the falls at their peak during snow melt. Bring stoves and good cold/wet weather gear, just in case! Maps: Mount Kosciusko & Khancoban 1:50000. Leader: Roger Beddis 230 3348(h). Transport cost about $30 including park entry fee. 8-9-10 December - Yadboro, Hollands Gorge, Monolith Valley M/R1W Walk in from Yadboro to the junction of Hollands Creek and the Clyde, sampling the many pools on the way, and enjoying some of the best scenery in the region. Second day make our way up Hollands Gorge, up a ridge near Crooked Falls, along Angel Creek, to a camping cave at the base of Mtns Donjon or Cole. Time on Sunday to investigate Mt Cole and Monolith Valley. Maps: Coning 1:25 000 CMWBudawangs. Leader: Kevin Gill 2861946(h) Bookings by Wednesday 6 December, early start Friday. Transport cost about $22.

9-10 December - Main Range from Charlottes Pass - M/M See the Main Range with snow and wildflowers. The trip will take in Lakes Cootapatamba and Club, Mounts Clarke, Northcote, Rams Head and North Rains Head. Bring stoves and good cold/wet weather gear, just in case!. Map: Mount Kosciusko 1:50000 or Kosciusko 1:100000. Leader: Roger Beddis 2303348(h). Transport cost about $30 including park entry fee.

9-11 December - Upper and Queens Pound River - M/R Three days in thr Wadbilliga Wilderness area, taking in two of the most picturesque rivers in our area and crossing over via Wadbilliga trig (the trip that was washed out last January). One night will be spent at a pleasant campsite on the ridge to the trig and the other will be by a pool in the upper Queens Pound River. Map: Yowrie 1:25000. Leader: George Caner 251 2130(h), 263 3549(w). Transport cost about $25. LimitS. December - Peppercorn Hill/Creek Tabletop Mt car camp - M/E-M - David Truman December - Micalong Swamp Nature Reserve and Micalong Creek - David Truman

Saturday 13 January - Rams Head Range - S/M An alpine walk in the area south of Charlottes Pass. It is away from the main tourist tracks, but the map suggests interesting rock formations. The route follows Wrights creek, climbs to 2077m, then returns to Mt Stilwell. For those wishing to do the Mt Townsend walk next day, there will be a Saturday night car camp at Island Bend. Map: Mt Kosciusko 1:50000. Leader: Jeff Bennetis 231 58999), 1930-2130M-W Transport cost about $25.

Sunday 14 January - Mt Townsend - L/M Townsend is only 19 metres lower than Kosciusko, and has better views. Starting from Charlottes Pass, we will walk there via Mt Clarke and return via Mt Alice Rawson and Club Lake Creek. Outstanding scenery. Not suitable for beginners unless fit.. Map: Mount Kosciusko 1:50000. Leaden JeffBennetts 231 5899(h), 1930-213OMon- Wed. Transport cost about $25. January - Consett Stephen Pass and Mt Tate - M/M - David Truman January - (3 days) Upper Tuross and Brogo Rivers - M/R - George Carter February - Eurema Day Trip - S/R - Alan Vidler, or someone February - Shoalhaven Sludge Trip - M/R - George Carter (Yes, he graded a bludge trip M/R) CBC IT Ju!y 1995 page is GPS AND THE BUSHWALKER by Frank Rigby

Remember the debates about electronic gadgets on bushwalks in recent times? Well, I am starting another one - although this is unlikely to be so controversial.

What is GPS (Global Positioning System)? the US Defense Department (USDD) operates a system of 24 satellites in precise polar orbits and GPS receivers (miniature computers) anywhere in the world receive signals from several satellites simultaneously from which the receiver can compute its position. The system is widely used by aircraft, ships at sea and now increasingly on land. Obviously, the GPS is invaluable ---;fl in situations devoid of landmarks, such as deserts and c,;• whiteouts in the mountains.

The receiver is capable of providing lots of information Where in the world but position fixing is of primary interest to bushwalkers. The system is extremely accurate, so plot position onto a topographical map. The time accurate that the USDD deliberately downgrades the required for a fix is variable, depending on signals for civilian users to put enemies at a configuration of the satellites, and is commonly from 2 disadvantage (??). The USDD can obtain fixes within - 5 minutes for a cold start. There is one limitation, ten metres of true position but will, under current however: heavy foliage will block the signals. Just policy, only guarantee within 100 metres for others. In what is 'heavy foliage' cannot be defined. You have to practice, the accuracy is generally better than that. try it and be prepared to move around to obtain a more With my own receiver I obtained the following results open sky. Nevertheless, I have obtained readings with about a hundred observations at different times: under moderate tree cover; in thick bush there may be 46% within 25 metres; 75% within 50 metres; 90% a problem. within 75 metres and 100% within 100 metres. When you plot your position on a map it may be the map Small hand-held receivers suitable for bushwalkers which is inaccurate! maps, of course, have limits of now cost about $900 -$1000, and that will no doubt be accuracy. a deterrent for many. There are many makes. Mine, a Magellan Meridian, weighs 0.42 kg and measures 15 x GPS can be used thy or night, in any weather, 8 x 3 ems and so is easily carried. It uses three size anywhere in the world, and will provide a fix either in AA batteries, which will give about five hours of latitude/ longitude or UTM (grid system) as selected. operation, and in use it is completely silent. I have The grid mode means that land users can conveniently now used it in many places all over the country with excellent I results.

Essential? No, of course not. Some bushwalkers might say the gadget takes the fin and skills out of navigating. On the other hand, try navigating without landmarks or in the Snowy Mountains in a whiteout! It's up to you. P

csc IT July1995 page a WALKS SECRETARY'S WAFFLE • Organize transport for the trip and contact drivers, on Thursday evening if possible, so passengers can Firstly, thanks to Paul Rustomji for the suggestion of be contacted on Friday. Arrange a meeting place 'advertising' CBC on the Internet - which I 'rewarded' and time. by accidently omitting one of his walks from the • At the start of the walk, make sure everyone program! The idea appears widely supported by 'knows' everyone, explain, usually with reference members, even if the Committee's initial to a map, what the trip entails. Make sure you implementation was not. We are still learning. know how many people there are(!), and that everyone is suitably equipped. Note the distance Lately I've been told (by others) that several people driven, so you have the whole trip to calculate think we need more easy day walks and several people transport costs. think we need more harder weekend. walks. Unfortunately none of them read the last paragraph of • During the walk, ensure that everyone is accounted the last waffle. Based on underwhelming feedback, I for at all times, and no one is excessively stressed. assume that either: no one read last month's waffle, Arrange appropriate rest and regrouping stops, (and thus won 't be reading this one) or; everyone is ensure that the desired route is followed. Explain happy with the.job leaders are doing, are eager to rush what is happening during the trip, particularly out and join their trips, and to emulate them by leading navigation aspects. trips themselves... Hang on a minute, there seems to be • After the walk, announce the transport cost and a slight reality gap somewhere! ensure the drivers are paid. In theory you collect the money then pay the drivers, but in practice you In accordance with undertakings over the last two can normally have passengers pay drivers then months, herein are some oft repeated words regarding make adjustments between drivers if loads are the duties of leaders. I do not propose to publish the uneven. fill blurb I have on hand: • Don't forget to report your safe return to the • Put walks on the program. This is the one Check-in Officer. inescapable duty as all other jobs can be delegated, • Arrange a trip report for IT. I try to get a keen but a Club walk, by definition, cannot occur unless newcomer to write one, sometimes successfully! it is on the program. • Advise the Walks Sec of any access or other • Plan your walk beforehand, to suit your abilities problems or changes. and needs, preferably fitting perceived needs of the program. I suggest that StE day trips are not the • Ensure that any interested newcomers are either easiest to start with, unless you are confident at given Membership forms, or are put in contact with managing a larger group of possibly inexperienced the Membership Sec. people. • Plan your next trip! • Send details to the Walks Sec, preferably allowing time to be in at least two issues of IT. Some people may be surprised at the rather brief discussion of the actual walk. However, most • Take bookings, checking that everyone understands experienced leaders agree that most of the work is done what the trip entails, and that newcomers before before the trip starts. I emphasize that help is understand transport and other arrangements. available on all aspects of the process - experienced leaders always help 4: new leaders as it TW: EnE . . M&e Pedvin, • ...-: . . . .: preferably as early as possible.

• . . . . . . .. . . .•. At.. tflAh...

CBCIT July1995 page 4 Speech to an anti-woodclzipping public meeting LISTEN TO THE TREES - by Clive Hamilton, The Australia Institute

For many of us, when we see much less - perhaps 140 coupes saved. working people demonstrating to preserve their jobs as we did The first point is that reservation of at Parliament House recently, the 509 coupes would result in no our natural instinct is to join immediate job losses in the timber them. Many of us, including industry. State forest management environmentalists of long agencies will simply reschedule their standing, have made sacrifices operations in 1995 so that different to support ordinary Australians areas would be logged. Rescheduling in the face of injustice and is often carried out in response to exploitation. bushfires or bad weather. The 509 coupes represent around 5-8 per cent So what are we to think when of the remaining stands of timber we are accused of trying to available for woodchip operations. In deprive ordinary Australians of the longer term this 5-8 per cent their jobs? How should we react decline in the resource would result in when we are attacked with such job losses in the industry. However, vitriol and finy? None of us this needs to be seen in the context of wants to see people lose their the rapid decline in employment in jobs. Along with many other the industry over the last 20 years groups, The Australia Institute from around 55 000 in the early 1970s has been active in tryinj to to under 32 000 now. persuade the Federal Government to break the spell of It is repeatedly claimed by the economic raiionalisth and adopt industry that this loss of jobs has been sensible, compassionate policies due to loss of access to forests due to that will tackle this country's the campaigning of conservationists. appalling unemployment The head of the NSW Forest Products problem. Association said that 'almost every job lost has been because of closure of We appear to be caught in a thousands of hectares of productive moral dilemma. On the one forests'. This is absolutely false; it is a hand, we are strongly committed statement aimed at directing the wrath to social justice and do not want of timber workers away from their to see anyone lose their job; on employers and towards the other, we feel passionately conservationists. committed to preserving the old-growth native forests of our The decline in employment in the land. It is a case of social industry has been due to massive justice versus conservation. labour shedding. Big companies have been swallowing up small But when we start to look companies, and new technologies in closely at the situation of the logging and the sawmills have left forests, our moral dilemma is thousands of workers redundant. In much less severe than we have fact, the output of the forest and wood been lcd to believe. The products industry has been falling. employment conse quences of This is a very important fact that reserving more forests are should be noted at every opportunity. much less serious than the The volume of output of the industry timber industry has been has been increasing over the years. claiming. Lets take a closer So the decline in employment in the look at the impact on forest and timber industry over the employment in the forest and last 20 years has overwhelmingly wood products industries of the been due to the commercial latest proposal to reserve 509 decisions of timber companies coupes, although the actual rather than the environmental outcome seems likely to be decisions of governments.

CBC IT July1995 page 16 The fall in employment is going to continue with fluther time when nearly all of the old-growth will be gone, and restructuring in the industry. It is also increasingly the more pressure there will be to log high conservation acknowledged that the original forest management plans areas. But because of the utter failure by govermnent we drawn up over 20 years ago by the state forest agencies were are now in a situation where each year there is a political seriously flawed. The assumption that the whole area of baffle over the renewal of woodchip licences, all hanging on the woodchip concessions could be cut over a 40-year period the Conunonwealth's discretion over export licences. has turned out to be way off the mark. Regrowth of forests Everybody loses, except big investors who will simply take after logging has been well below expectations. A rotation their capital elsewhere when the forests are finally depleted of 120-160 years would be closer to the mark to obtain a beyond any economic value. sustainable yield. So our moral dilemma - the apparent conflict between social Thus while decisions such as those to reserve 509 coupes justice and conservation - is not as evident as it first will affect employment in the longer term, the impact on appears. There is a way through the morass that will allow jobs of industry restructuring and changes to forest both the jobs and the trees to be preserved. Unfortunately, management plans will be substantially greater. So we successive govenunents have been in the thrall of the timber must ask ourselves about the alliance we saw on the hill of industry which has woven the spell of economics. Parliament last week between the timber workers and the industry. It has been a great public relations victory for the There are good scientific and economic reasons to be industry to have the timber workers thrust to the forefront. concerned about the state of our natural environment. Environmentalists have forced us to confront the question of When we take a closer look at the likely impact of the whether our standards of living can be maintained in a decision to reserve 509 coupes on timber towns, claims that world of finite resources, and to see the damage we are they are about to turn into ghost towns are shown to be wild doing to our well-being by pollution of the elements. exaggerations. Many timber towns now rely more on plantation softwood than on native forests. This But there is a deeper reason for being an includes the four main timber towns of NSW - Oberon, environmentalist - something that goes to our very core Tumut, Tumbarumba and Bombala. as humans. The American environmental economist Herman Daly has recently pointed out that humans Bombala, which provided a large proportion of the people currently use 40 per cent of the earth's plant growth, mainly who blockaded Parliament House, is more dependent on from land devoted to crops, grazing and forestry. Seventy plantation timber than native hardwood. Plantation timber years ago we used up only 10 per cent and, if current rates would, of course, be unaffected by any decision. Indeed, of conversion of land continue, in 35 years we will consume the town will soon experience a boom in employment in the 80 per cent. This represents a transition from a world that wood products industry as a result of the decision by CSR to was relatively empty of human activity to one that is fill, locate its big softwood sawmill there. The new mill will indeed overfull. provide alternative employment in the region as the Harris-Daishowa chipmill winds back with the depletion of Today almost the entire area of the eartlfs crust is managed the hardwood resource. by humans; very few areas remain that are wild and impenetrable. Wilderness must now be 'managed' in an So what is desperately needed is an industry plan for the attempt to prevent these last areas from being overrun by timber and wood products industry, one that will manige human activity. Expeditions now venture to Mount Everest the restructuring process and promote segments of the to clean up the empty cans left by climbers. Park rangers industry that are sustainable and which are not going to in the wilderness of south-west Tasmania complain of the cause environmental havoc. We can have jobs and litter left by east European tourists. preserve most of our remaining old-growth native forests. We can We hail the great European have these by a plan that: exploiers --Columbus, Captain • encourages the growth of Cook, Edmund Hilary, Neil plantations for softwood and Armstrong - but at the same time hardwood we cling to the bits of the world that have escaped our physical • stimulates value-adding control or domination by activities in the wood knowledge. We keep alive the processing industry stories of the Loch Ness monster • increases utilization of timber, and the yeti. We are captivated reducing waste. by the lure of the dolphin, by the image of the untamable stallion, All of this is entirely feasible and by the wild woods of economically. The longer the Tolkien. So there is a great government delays the transitional conflict inside of us: on the one strategy, the bigger the crunch is hand we are driven to explore the going to be in six to eight years CBC IT July1995 page 17 world, to know it, to turn it to our own seffish ends, on the to listen to the trees, the trees will tell us things of great other we honour and admire it for refusing to succumb. wisdom, things deep in ourselves that we have forgotten. We know that as we conquer nature we are both increased and diminished. Each wilderness tamed, each They will tell us that in times past humans asked permission species extinguished, each forest cut down means a loss before taking from the forests. without and a grief within. They will tell us that because of our arrogance and our The roots of the battle over the forests go back a long way. greed, we have blinded ourselves to our essential In the middle of the last century, a great debate over the connectedness to the natural world. philosophy of forest management raged among European foresters. On one side were the economists who saw forest They will tell us that the earth is being strangled, that there management in purely commercial terms. On the other are natural rhythms that we ignore at our peril. side were a group of foresters known as the sylvan fundamentalists. Perhaps the foremost among the sylvan They will tell us that nature provides us not just with fundamentalists was a German forester named Professor material goods but with spiritual nourishment. Phil. Professor Phil's answer to the mechanical calculations of the economists was to proclaim: Listen to So let us say to our political leaders that we do not want to the trees. sacrifice these things - our coñnectedness, our spirit, our future - that we want to win back some of nature's respect It seems in all of the bitterness of this debate over woodchipping, we have forgotten this profound truth. for us. So join with us and listen to the trees. P When we go to a forest we must be very quiet in order to [reprintedfroni NPA Bulletin, June1995, with the author's penn issionj hear the trees. But if we still our minds and allowourselves

BOOK DISCOUNTS

Brinclabella Heritage - $5 The CANBERRA AND SOUTH-EAST REGION ENVIRONMENT CENTRE has .produced a new publication, Brindabella Heritage, on aspects of the cultural and natural heritage of the Brindabella Ranges. It contains line drawings and photographs accompanying chapters titled: Watershed in history: some themes in the European history - and heritage of the Brinda be/las Skis on the Brindabellas Life at the top: ecology of the northern alps Night in the Bri ndabella forests: nocturnal animals of the ranges Butterflies and moths of the Brindabellas. Copies are available at a low price of $5 from the Environment Centre Library and Bogong Environment Shop in Kingsley Street, Acton - tel. 247 3064.

NPA Publicñtions at 40% off RRP The Club has been offered copies of the following books from the NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF NSW: Bushwalks in the Sydney Region Vol 1 $9.00 [RRP $14.95] mass 220 g Bushwalks in the Sydney Region Vo12 $10.20 [RRP $16.95] mass 320 g National Parks of Northern NSW $21.00 [RRP $34.951 mass 750 g National Parks of Southern NSW $21.00 [RRP $34.95] due July 1995 Up to 3 kg mass can be mailed for a postage charge of $5. A bulk purchase is therefore most cost-effective. If you are interested in placing an order, please tell Janet Edstein by no later than the time of the July Committee Meeting (Wednesday 26 July) and be prepared to pay forthwith. The Committee may then consider making a bulk order.

cac IT July 1995 page 19 THE BEGINNING OF IT

IT was born in December 1965. Club membership had been growing, together with interest in having a newsletter to carry walk reports and the latest gossip. The club was lucky to have as Walks Secretary Meip Molijn, who through her work at the Dutch Embassy had access to a modem duplicator - that is, one that did not have to be hand-turned.

Before running off the first issue, Miep rang the then Chairman, Doug Wright, and said that the newsletter really should have a name before going to print The committee had given no thought to the matter, so agreed that it should carry a banner headline along the line This is IT By the time of the second issue, the committee still had not given thought to a title. Humorous and unprintable suggestions were made and the succeeding issues appeared under various headings incorporating the word IT.

The third issue opened with the statement: 'We have to find a respectable name - at least this seems to be the feeling among some members of the Club ... Doug (Wright) had warned us not to choose a name for some time in case we were stuck with one that wasn't suitable ..' The name Corroboree was suggested but then, at the May 1966 general meeting, the committee put before the meeting four other aboriginal words: kungala to shout yabba talk talk yandiah camp of lively talk yowie place of echoes These received 3,1.2 and 11 votes respectively with 22 voting to retain IT. So it seemed the matter was decided.

Debate surfaced again in November 1967 witha call for suggestions for a new name. John Wanless argued for Corroboree: "A truly national name for an ACT club". A notice of motion was given in February 1968 to give effect to this suggestion, but the motion was lost.

The first editors, sometimes referred to as editrices in those unliberated days, were Jennifer Brierley and Alice Eccles. The typing and drawing were done by Alice Brander, Margaret Brown and Jody Fisher. The attractive masthead with the Corroboree fro9 and the Brindabella skyline as seen from Canberra was the work of Eleanor Stodart. -

A Monthly circular ran in parallel with IT from December 1966 until October 1967. During this period the circular contained the formal notices - walk programs and list of new members. ITwas reserved for trip reports, illustrations, the occasional poem and articles on bushwalking topics. -

Doug Wright and Anton Cook (1911189) (reprinted from the Thtvaq 19fl 117 ft

THE CLUB LIBRARY HAS BOUGHT COPIES OF The Life and .Journeys of Barrallier, 1773-1853 by Andy Macqueen, published by Springwood Printing Company, 1993; and Biology and Management of the Corroboree Frog in New Soul/a Wales, by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1995. Both are available for loan at the Club's monthly meetings - the latter book after the President has finished reading it! The Corroborec Frog is, of course, the emblem of the Canberra Bushwalking Club.

cscir July1995 pagel F

Pdnt Post Approved Postage If undeliverable return to SURFACE Paid CA N BE R RA MAIL ACT 2601 - AUSTRALIA

I (Renew Soon) 9/95 Reet VALLAK 5 Fuliwood St CANBERRA WESTON ACT 2611 USHWALIC CLUB

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COMMITTEE 1994-95 Home Work Fax PRESIDENT Janet Edstein 2881398 2058033 2058026 VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER Rob Horstield 2314535 2056739 WALKS SECRETARY Alan VIdler 2545373 EDITOR David Truman 2476744 2724632 2724890 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Roger Edwards 2887863 2954598 CONSERVATION OFFICER John Webster 2414646 PUBLISHER Bill Brown 2489948 2764704 2764791 ASSISTANT WALKS SECRETARY Michael Pedvin 2885751 2775409 2775586 SOCIAL SECRETARY MINUTE SECRETARY James Ashburner 2541666 2527934 2527934 CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY Sylvia Sheffield 2992430 MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: RING ROGER EDWARDS ON 288 7863 (h)