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CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB

NEWSLETTER

it Bushwalking Club Inc. GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume 53 Number 11 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org December 2017 2017 – What a year! 2017 has been an eventful year for the CBC. We’ve had such a wide variety of walks – international, interstate and local walks, long distance multi week walks, multi day walks, weekend walks, sub 24 hour walks, day walks, half day walks, evening walks, toddler and family walks, interclub walks, geocaching walks, peak bagging walks, snow trips, paddling trips, canyoning trips, car camping trips, bike trips...and sometimes to the most amazing wild places. To keep things interesting, John Evans, our previous Walks Secretary, actively encouraged new leaders, while Jenny and Rob Horsfield provide a steady trickle of new walk leaders through their yearly White’s Hut, KNP Photo: Rowan Peck navigation training.

Our website went live in November. Linda Groom has slogged for years to bring us a quality website to make procedures easier for walkers and leaders. Continued practice at it, as with anything, will make it increasingly easy to use. The Club deserves its gold star for participation in a range of conservation activities. We will read about this year’s broom clearing at Cotter Hut elsewhere in this newsletter. Participation in the Alpine Weeds Project was a great success and is ongoing thanks to Bungonia Gorge the efforts of previous Conservation Officer Cynthia Photo: Meredith Hatherly Burton. There have been many more special events and people throughout this year, with enthusiastic walkers and leaders all contributing to our healthy, diverse and active Club. Next year promises to be just as good. Have a happy and safe Christmas season, enjoy the bliss of summer walking and Toddler’s Toddle, Cotter Bend the joys of another packed Activity Program for the New Year. Photo: Meredith Hatherly

Contents Presidential selfie Broom Clearing at Cotter Hut National Parks of the Granite Belt Membership Review of Nov meeting - The Tidbinbilla Traverse – an ACT icon Editorial Reflections on exploring CBC Committee information Walks Secretary items A new walks leader – Jonathan Miller Newsletter contributions Training and Safety January 2018 Club Barbecue Activity Program New Conservation Officer Book review – Seeing through Snow Bulletin Board

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 1 A Presidential Selfie

This last month has been eventful. The new Club website has been launched, the Club earned attention for our contribution to environmental endeavours and daylight saving walks have begun among a packed program. Well done to all.

I had the privilege of catching up with the presidents of the BBC and NPA. Peter, Esther and I shared a chat over drinks, discussing matters of relevance and building already strong inter-club relations.

I am delighted to let you know that our new friend, the real Nigerian Prince, is now a member and will soon lead walks, as long as we can pass on each member’s bank account details.

We’re drawing to the end of the year. As things wind down, there are still enjoyable things to do. By the time this is published, we'll have had our annual Christmas party and more walks as well.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas time, for you and your family, and I look forward to walking with you all next year.

Michael de Raadt President

Welcome - two new Club members

The Club would like to welcome the two new members who joined the Club during Membership fees the month of November. Welcome Robyn Hall and Janevieve Sims. 2017/2018 $33 per person Roger Edwards Membership Secretary

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 2 What’s going to happen to the IT?

What do you do with your IT when you get it? Does it sit in your laptop unloved and unread Do you flick through the pages and then go to bed Or do you devour it and hunger for more Is it too frequent Is it too small Is it too long Do you want it at all? The IT needs your help for better or worse And it’s not a condition for any submission That it has to be written in verse

We’re having a serious look at what is to become of IT with the advent of the new website. Send in your ideas. What do our readers want? Let’s have a discussion. All comments will be gratefully received. You might notice a slight change in the Activity Program this month. The minor walk details and the leader contact details are missing. This is to save duplicating what is already on the website. If the walk description interests you, click on the link at the top of the page and you will be taken directly to the list of walks on the website, with full descriptions. Scroll down the page till you find the walk you want. If you want to book on the walk you will need to log in. This may be a change you might or might not like – let me know. ……………………………………………………………………………………. In this edition we continue to look into the philosophical mind-set of walks leaders – this time we have Jonathan Miller, new to leading, as well as a long standing leader, Linda Groom. Thanks to you both for disclosing a little of what drives you, and for Linda taking us to another fabulous and remote place. And we have a trip report about a classic walk unique to Canberra – the Tidbinbilla skyline. This Canberra icon intrigues and beckons every day as we go about our lives in Canberra – and in October Trevor Lewis responded to that call. Meg McKone describes some of the beautiful National Parks around the NSW/Queensland border during a recent trip – places which are little known here. They aren’t too hard to get to and would be well worth considering as a new destination. Thanks also to the other contributors who have helped to fill out this edition – Mike Morriss with a review of a new book by Club member Matthew Higgins; and Quentin Moran with a description of this year’s 25th anniversary of the Cotter Hut broom clearing, as well as his review of the November meeting’s guest speaker talk. There are some important issues brought to you by Committee members which you should attend to, and you will also meet our new Conservation Officer and talented artist, Cynthia Breheny. There will be no further IT published until February 2018. In the interim, I wish everyone safe holidays and a happy Christmas and New Year season – and please have a good think about the questions I have put to you.

Meredith Hatherly Editor

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 3 Important items you need to read

Could you help organize a CBC display stand in March? The Club will be running a stand at the next CAP (Connect and Participate) Expo on Saturday 24 March 2018 at the Old Bus Depot, Kingston. CAP Expos are organized by the ACT government and are a good opportunity for us to promote the Club’s activities and gain new members. We already have a number of volunteers to staff the stand on the day, but need someone willing to do the clerical co-ordination work – filling in the application to have the stand, drawing up a roster, ensuring we have enough handout material etc. Please contact Linda Groom if you would be willing to take this on: 6281 4917 [email protected]

A commonly asked question about the new Club software Q. I used to be able to send the leader a short email to make a booking. Now I have to login and fill out a form - doesn’t this mean the new software is creating more work for members? A. The former system involved at least as much work – but the work was not visible to you. For safety reasons, the Club requires leaders of need-to-book walks to compile a trip list containing your address, phone numbers, and emergency contact details. Leaders also often need to know whether you have a suitable car available. To compile the trip list, the leader had to search through old trip lists or search the online member list for your details, and often had to ask you about transport. Multiply that by several participants and it adds up. The new system aims to spread this workload more evenly. And once you have checked that your ‘My Profile’ is up to date, it should only take you a few clicks to request a booking.

A new award coming up at the next AGM Do you like the images that accompany many walk descriptions online now? They serve more than one purpose. They can give you an idea of the scenery you might encounter on a walk, or show the difficulty of the terrain. To encourage leaders to include images, the Committee has agreed to establish a new award at each AGM, for the best image submitted with a walk description that year. The prize will be wine or chocolates or something similar of the winner’s choice. So, leaders, start trawling your photo libraries. And members, if you see an image in a walk description that you found especially attractive or useful, let me know [email protected] Near Billy Billy Rocks Photo: Linda Groom

Linda Groom Walks Secretary

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 4 Ticks and what you can do about them

An ABC TV Catalyst story on dangerous tick reactions and diseases reminded me of the perils presented to bushwalkers by these tiny creatures. While I have written of them before, with the arrival of summer 17-18, it is timely to revisit the subject.

We are fortunate in Canberra in that our local bushland does not have a lot of ticks (or leeches) – though it does have some. Ticks increase in number as we head towards the coast, and anywhere to the east of, and including, the Coastal Ranges is likely to have plenty of ticks, especially in summer. I periodically get ticks at the coast, as do members of my family.

My approach to ticks is one where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While we should still feel able to bushwalk at the coast in summer, we need to minimise the number of ticks that get onto us – hopefully to zero.

Firstly, one should wear clothing that has been treated with a Permethrin solution. An excellent product to do this with is Equip Debugger Treatment – available at local camping stores.

Secondly, one should regularly apply an insect repellent containing DEET to exposed parts of the body.

Thirdly, one should wear clothing that covers arms and legs (if it is not too hot), and a hat.

Fourthly, one should walk along tracks where possible, and minimise off-track scrub bashing.

Finally, one should check over the body at the end of a walk to ascertain whether any ticks have made it through, despite all the previous steps.

Should one get a tick or multiple ticks and you are concerned or feeling unwell – the best policy is to get professional medical treatment. If this is not possible, or convenient, the best do-it-yourself approach is ‘freeze, not squeeze’. That is, one can apply an ether-containing freezing spray (eg Wart Off) to kill the tick in-situ, rather than trying to remove the living tick with tweezers while it is alive. The danger with disturbing a living tick is that it can inject toxins into the patient’s body. On the Catalyst program, Dr Andy Ratchford recommended applying up to five sprays of freezing agent to make sure that the tick is dead. Ten minutes later, when one is sure that the tick is dead, it can be brushed off. If one is covered with multiple small tick nymphs, these can be killed by using a Permethrin cream, and subsequently rubbed off.

May you have some happy tick-free coastal walks this summer.

David Dedenczuk Training and Safety Officer

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 5 Meet our new Conservation Officer – Cynthia Breheny

Non-public servant becomes Conservation Officer I became a member of CBC before I lived in Canberra – accepted because I was a member of the illustrious Hobart Walking Club. That was a while ago! Since then I have walked Namadgi, Snowy Mountains, Budawangs, Ettrema and more, and learnt a little about plants, animals and ecology. I’ve spotted weeds and planted endemics for KNP…… and painted too.

Now I look forward to contributing to the Club through my new role as Conservation Officer – keeping you up to date on possible damage to the areas where we like to walk and what we can do to help protect them – for ever.

Snow Gums at Perisher Cynthia Breheny Painted by Cynthia Conservation Officer

CBC 25th Anniversary Broom clearing 2017

On Thursday 23rd November, 11 CBC members took part in the annual Broom clearing event at Cotter Hut in the Bimberi Wilderness area of . Broom is an invasive weed species prevalent in that area.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the CBC's involvement in this environmental work. Some 250 plants were removed, mostly seedlings. We would have extracted more but thunderstorms and hail in the early afternoon prevented further work. After lunch candles were lit on an anniversary cake. Photo: Quentin

The CBC would like to thank ACT Parks for letting us make this important contribution to the preservation of the natural environment of Namadgi and for letting us camp overnight near the hut on this historic occasion.

Quentin Moran

ACTParks Ranger Mark Elford giving a briefing to CBC volunteers Photo: Lois Padgham Photo: :Lois Padgham

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 6 Antarctica and Patagonia – Review of November meeting Guest Speaker: Barbara Slotemaker de Bruine

Barbara is a long standing member of the CBC having joined in 1968. At the November meeting she gave us a fascinating talk about a boat trip to the Antarctic and a trek in Patagonia in January - February this year. The trip started in Santiago where the group gathered for the flight to Punta Arenas and Stanley in the Falklands. From there they boarded the Polar Pioneer, an ice-strengthened 71 metre passenger ship operated by Aurora Expeditions. The crew and cuisine were excellent. In summary, they sailed first to Georgia and then on to the returning via Cape Horn with 65 degrees the southernmost point. The trip included 22 landings using zodiacs. It also took in various places where 's 1915 expedition had visited. The scenery was spectacular with plenty of penguins and other wildlife, icebergs and glaciers.

After a tour of the Falklands the ship left Stanley Harbour and Antarctic ice straight away they saw a variety of birds including sooty shearwaters, blue-eyed shags, rock shags, giant petrels, Magellanic penguins and black-browed albatrosses. The first view of land was Shag Rocks near where there were sightings of minke whales, more albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters. The first landfall was Peggotty Bluff in King Hakoon Bay, South Georgia where there were fur seals, snoozing elephant seals and sightings of the odd gentoo penguin as well as king penguins. The group also saw Camp Cove where Shackleton and his men overnighted before seeking help on the other side of the island. Next stop was at the eastern end of South Georgia with a giant colony of 60,000 king penguins. Then on to and the remnants of a whaling station, a shipwreck in the harbour (the Bayard) now home to nesting blue-eyed cormorants, fur seals and more penguins. Moving northwards to 60,000 king penguins Harbour they discovered 18 king penguins incubating eggs whilst fending off marauding skuas. Next stop was Prior Island to see wandering albatrosses and their courtship dances. At Fortuna Bay, 37 members of the group went on a rocky, steep, 3 hour walk to - the last section of Shackleton's famous South Georgia crossing. Back on board, the Pioneer sailed on to , a former whaling station where Shackleton recuperated after his crossing. (He is actually buried there having died there on a subsequent trip.) To complete the South Georgia visit the ship sailed back to Cooper Bay just south of Gold Harbour. There they saw some macaroni penguins and had a wonderful cruise up the Drygalski Fiord, entertainment provided by some sheathbills landing on a few passengers' heads. Looking down on Stromness on Shackleton’s walk

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 7 Travels in Antarctica and Patagonia

The next three days were spent sailing across the Scotia Sea to the Antarctic while the passengers spent the time preparing their clothes to meet biosecurity standards for their landings there. They sailed past where most of Shackleton's crew had remained while he sailed north in a lifeboat, the James Caird, to get help at South Georgia. The modern day group landed at Brown Bluff, Graham Land in deep fog to do some exploring - thank goodness for GPS. The ship then headed down the western side of Graham Land and they saw sculptured icebergs which looked variously like the Sphinx, London Bridge, a dragon and the Opera House. They also saw 40 humpback whales gorging on krill. Entering the Lemaire Channel and negotiating a maze of icebergs they reached Port Charcot and the southernmost point of the trip, 65° 7' S. Some in the party climbed an observation tower, and on board a few hardy souls braved the polar plunge at zero degrees C. Reversing course to the northeast, Port Lockroy was the Weddell Seal next destination where the southernmost post office in the world is located. It only cost US$1 to post a letter anywhere! was next - more evidence of whaling plus more ice scenery, close-ups of Weddell, leopard and crab eater seals and minke whales. Returning to South America via the Drake Passage the weather was kind and so the ship was able to land at Cape Horn which is in fact a small island. Many of the group climbed the 200 steps to a memorial in the shape of an albatross. Sailing up the Beagle Channel to Port William completed the Antarctic expedition. Barbara went on an additional trip to Patagonia with some passengers from the Antarctic trip plus other people from various countries making a total of 14. They part trekked, part toured the Torres del Paine National Park, the Puerto Moreno Glacier and Los Glaceros National Park. The trip started by bus to Puerto Natales, then by catamaran up the Ultimo Ezperanza Fiord to view the Monte Balmaceda Glacier, sighting condors and cormorants en route. The next day they travelled by bus to view Lake Toro and on to the very windy Pehoe Lookout. Whilst on a walk Barbara sighted over 100 guanacos grazing, some Torres del Paine rheas (similar to emus) condors and a harrier. There were many carcasses in the area - evidence of pumas hunting. The next day others in the group set off on a walk in the Torres del Paine National Park. Then the group travelled eastwards across the Argentinian Steppes which are a bit like the outback except the soil is grey, arriving at Los Glaceros in marvellous weather. It rained heavily the next day but trekkers still set off to reach a viewpoint of Cerro Torre - a needle like pinnacle, and Fitzroy Base Camp. It is part of a chain of massive glaciers that follow the Chilean/Argentinean border. It was then on to the superb Puerto Moreno glacier which is 4km across and then to El Calafate - their final destination. Some condors feasting on a kill and flamingos feeding topped off a wonderful adventure.

Reviewer: Quentin Moran Photos: supplied by Barbara

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 8 Reflections from a walks leader – Linda Groom

Exploring Sandy Creek Some people love returning to a familiar bushwalking haunt. While I also enjoy returning to favourite places, I enjoy exploring new places even more. I have to admit, it’s a bit of an obsession.

It usually starts with a map, or Google Earth. When Geoscience closed their map shop a few years ago, I bought dozens of paper maps at the closing sale. I am still working my way through them, looking for places where creeks twist or drop suddenly, where ridges become narrow enough to form a razorback, or south facing gullies might support rainforest. Other times I just fly around in Google Earth, looking for the green and lumpy bits. Then I list an exploratory walk on the Club program, and hope that some similarly- obsessed people will come exploring with me. Sandy Creek is one of my favourite places to explore. On the Bundanoon 1:25,000 map, it looks so tempting – it has a good-sized catchment, crosses two cliff lines, and is in a national park. On Google Earth, it is lined with forest of the deep-green colour that usually indicates rainforest. Naturally, with such attractions, it had to have been walked previously; I found that Jeff Bennetts had recently visited the falls (590E, 595N GDA94) on a day trip. He reported that the circuit he had walked had finished very late – the creek was slow and the scrub even slower. So for my first two trips to the falls I attempted only short routes in to the falls and out again, through Sandy Creek enough ‘quality’ scrub to understand what Jeff Photo: Linda Groom had encountered.

The falls worked their magic on me. Above the falls is an amphitheatre of sandstone steps – you can sit on the dry bits, listening to the creek running beside you, and gaze down the gorge. Though it is hard to stay still – the microenvironment seems to favour unusual plants, and I can never resist clambering around the ledges to look at them more closely.

On my first trip to the falls, I found a straightforward route from the top to the foot of the falls, on the true right. It takes just a few minutes and involves little scrub. It includes only one short scramble, where if you fell, you would simply skid down on to soil and ferns. It was a short-cut which Jeff had not found, which suggested that I might be able to do his circuit route but finish earlier. With this knowledge, I planned to re-visit Sandy Creek. As soon as the Club’s software project was completed, I listed it on the Club program, for 14th November.

View towards Mount Carrialoo from Wombat Hill Photo: Linda

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 9 Reflections from a walks leader - Exploring Sandy Creek

The 14th November turned out to be a perfect spring day. We left North Canberra at 6.45am and started walking from the locked gate on Wombat Hill Lookout Trail at 9am. After a short break at Rebecca’s View, we headed north to investigate whether a side creek which crossed the cliff line at 588E 585N would provide a route into the gorge below the falls. On Google Earth, the tree cover looked welcomingly continuous. On the ground, it was a different story. The first drop would have been negotiable with our short rope, but the second drop had that tell-tale sudden change of perspective between its lip and the treetops below.

So we headed back to Rebecca’s View and followed Jeff’s route down the side creek a few hundred metres to its south. Old forestry machinery and remnants of a benched track bore witness to the use of this route to drag timber out of Sandy Creek, decades ago.

We descended from approximately 576E 565N on a steep slope which turned into a soil slippery slide in places. It was a case of slide or hold on to lawyer vine, so we slid, descending though beautiful forest with the huge mossy boulders of the side creek on our right. We had lunch when we reached Sandy Creek.

To our surprise, the first kilometre up Sandy Creek, from 577E 577N, was fairly easy going. Rainforest benches and a gentle gradient allowed us to move at more than 2km per hour. Then the gradient steepened and we picked our way around huge boulders and up sandstone ledges. One perfect piece of scenery followed another. A set of cascades looked set to block our way but we got past them on the true left, with much grunting and hauling ourselves up on roots.

We reached the base of the falls around 3pm and spent a while absorbing the scenery. And then another stop in the amphitheatre at the top of the falls. The creek changes character above the falls – flattish sandstone slabs with intriguing potholes The main Sandy Creek Falls – and it was tempting to continue, but time was running out. Photo: Ian Hickson

We headed back to our parking spot on a wriggly route that aimed to avoid scrub but in the end just wriggled, finishing around 5pm.

I’ll be heading back there for a 3 day walk on the New Year’s long weekend, with more time to appreciate the scenery. All fellow explorers welcome!

Linda Groom

Sandy Creek above the falls, a typical shallow wade Photo: Ian Hickson

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 10 Reflections on bushwalking leadership (or ‘How I became a CBC walks leader’)

How did I become a CBC walks leader? Well, the simple answer is that I (eventually) gave in to the very reasonable, polite and definitely persistent pressure of a former CBC walks secretary. But, of course, there is a backstory to all this.

My first overnight bushwalk was at the age of 12 around the classic Wilsons Promontory circuit. A school music teacher would organise for up to 30 of us to visit Victoria’s bush areas. The notion of leadership was never mentioned, and was not a concept in my awareness. The teacher would let us loose with little navigational or other guidance, and each night we always miraculously ended up at the right campsite. These were the innocent days preceding formalised risk assessments and hyper-awareness of personal liability. The author succumbs to taking a selfie on his first CBC walk as Then it was off to university, where I became a leader – Booths Hill proud stalwart of the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club. The Club provided some skills training, but irrespective of your actual skills, if you felt you were up to organising a walk, you were generally encouraged to do so. I saw myself as an organiser and facilitator of walks, rather than a ‘leader’, as I considered my companions were peers who brought comparable skills to the conduct of these walks. On walks to south-west Tasmania, for example, we would all confer on navigating through low cloud, and deciding when to abandon a trip due to persistent bad weather.

As a conservation activist in my twenties, I was also deeply influenced by the movement’s non-hierarchical, consensus- based approaches. Leadership in these circumstances was not formal, positional or imposed, but flowed from individual initiative, courage, intellect and savvy (and, yes, strength of personality). For the next few decades, I continued bushwalking with similarly-skilled friends. Leadership, as such, still did not register in my consciousness.

Working in the public service, I had to engage for the first time with what leadership meant to me. This was confronting for someone with a strong preference for non- hierarchical structures. At the same time, I was not going to duck the responsibilities that came with being a manager. Leadership certainly included being very open to The author leads by example in shifting tent sites at the wisdom of my staff. Blue Waterholes Photo: Stephen Goggs Over time, friends became less available to join me on walks, and it was the simple desire for walking companions that drew me to the CBC. Over the years, I have done many solo walks, including extended walks such as the Western Arthurs, and these have been rich and intense experiences, but I now strongly prefer to share bushwalking’s delights and challenges with others. I have now established strong friendships in the Club. I have also greatly valued the extraordinary knowledge of walking areas, particularly Namadgi, residing in the heads of our club elders.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 11 Reflections on bushwalking leadership

Voluntary organisations depend on contribution, and by leading walks I want in some measure to return to the Club what it has given to me. The CBC has done an excellent job in setting out a framework for leading walks, giving guidance as to how to manage a range of situations. Strong leadership in the field also depends on a mix of experience, personal character and clear-headedness.

In taking a walk, a leader takes on significant responsibilities, and the Club ethos is to invest authority singly in that leader. In my own role as a CBC walks leader, I willingly take on those responsibilities, but I will also draw strongly on my companions’ skills and experience, which Club members have in spades.

Jonathan Miller The author and friends setting off from Kiandra for Tharwa along the AAWT. Photo: Barry Reville

January 2018 Club Barbecue Wednesday 17 January 2018 6.00pm Don’t forget – the traditional Club barbecue in January will be at Black Mountain Peninsula. Come and enjoy, mingle and chat. If there are fire restrictions and the barbecues are disabled bring a picnic tea To find us, follow the CBC signs on Garryowen Drive

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 12 “Seeing Through Snow”: a book review

On our walks we frequently come across traces of human occupation where communities have lived and used the natural resources of the land. The area around Kiandra is particularly rich in these traces, particularly from the era of gold mining from the 1860s to the 1890s.

Kiandra is the focal point of Matthew Higgins' novel, Seeing Through Snow. It is essentially the life story told by a fictional man, Les Leong, who relates his experiences, looking back over a life span of some 80 years. Les begins life in 1891, abandoned during a blizzard outside the Kiandra general store. He is taken in to the loving care of the Chinese/Australian store keepers, Tom Leong and his wife Edie. He relates an active, happy and secure childhood, including using skis for mobility and fun.

His transition to adulthood sees him experiencing adventures in the wider world. These include travelling to the south coast and befriending Aboriginal people, who are seasonal visitors to the high country. He works as a stockman for graziers, taking livestock to and from the high country grazing leases. As a mill worker, he experiences the catastrophic destruction of the mill and the surrounding alpine ash forest by wildfire.

With time his thinking takes on a sombre tone, as he observes that the bush is changing and not for the better. His greatest culture shock comes when he goes from Cooma by steam train to to do his stepfather's business with merchants in Chinatown. He learns the hard way of the traps of gambling and other temptations in the big city.

While Les grows to maturity the community at Kiandra declines. The store closes and his step-parents go to a retirement home in Tumut.

The character of Les is built through his lifelong reminiscences, and in 1982 he is seen as a kindly old man with a deep knowledge and love of the high country that has taken on a mystical quality. This he holds in common with his Aboriginal friends, who are perhaps also his kin. I suspect that the character of Les is a composite of a number of bush people whom the author has encountered and interviewed in the course of his research on the history of our region.

Matthew has drawn on his impressive knowledge and deep thinking about human interactions with the environment of our region to produce a delightful story, which is both entertaining and thought provoking. The book is enhanced by his clear and relevant drawings at the start of each section.

Review by Mike Morriss

Sketches of Kiandra by Matthew Higgins from “Seeing through Snow”

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 13 National Parks of the Granite Belt

A combined CBC/CMW trip 14-30 October 2017 Party: Meg and Frank McKone, Gay and Graham McLean, Sharon Fulcher and Perrie Marks

At the northern end of the New England Highway are several small National Parks, largely in the Granite Belt, where erosion has laid bare the solidified magma of previous geological ages. Though I had previously visited Bald Rock and Girraween NPs, I was keen to check out as many of the others as possible in a little over two weeks. After a very dry winter, Frank was concerned about bushfires, but good rainfall just before (and some during) our trip ensured the were brimful and the countryside green and blooming. What we saw surprised and delighted us – big rivers, rugged gorges, lovely campsites and plentiful flora and fauna, with bushwalking opportunities ranging from easy track walks to more strenuous overnight and off- track explorations, or just relaxing beside the car with a good book and binoculars. All were accessible with 2WD vehicles and small caravans. So here is a brief run-down of what we found:

Kings Plains NP: 50km northwest of Glen Innes, with two attractive campsites by the river. We had the place to ourselves, possibly because the weather forecast for the weekend was (erroneously) poor. Though it is largely flat woodland, it is well worth while rock hopping down the broad granite gorge of Kings Plain Creek. Swim in still pools, check out the numerous birds.

Kwiambal NP (pron. Ky-am-bul): 90km north of , it has two beautiful grassy campsites on the Severn River which was lined with red flowering Callistemons when we The open granite gorge of Kings Plains Creek visited, though the water flow after recent heavy rain was too strong for safe swimming. The Macintyre and Severn Rivers drop respectively over the spectacular Macintyre Falls and through the granite gorge of The Dungeon to meet at their calmer junction, a place of considerable economic importance for the local Aboriginal tribes in the past. Well- constructed tracks visit several interesting locations.

Sundown NP: A Qld NP, 70km west northwest of Tenterfield. Unlike the other parks, it is mainly composed of “traprock”, consisting of layers of metamorphosed marine sediments. Its rugged landforms have been deeply eroded by the Severn River (a separate river from its namesake in NSW) and its tributaries. There are two entry points, from the north east and the south west. Pleasant car camping is available at the latter, with the beautiful Permanent Pool one km upstream and ideal for swimming. As in most of the other parks, platypus are often seen here (though not by us). We did a short circuit walk for views into NSW, and rock- hopped up Ooline Creek past the rare ooline trees, then returned to the junction and followed flat banks Beside the Severn River in Sundown NP a few kilometres up the Severn River to where it starts to narrow. There are many more walks, including rugged overnight trips up Mt Donaldson and down the gorges.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 14 National Parks of the GraniteNational Belt Parks of the Granite Belt

Girraween NP: Also in Qld, this gem of a park is only 50 kilometres north of Tenterfield. There are two large camping areas, both with hot showers and flushing toilets. If you love the granite tors and tall forests of Namadgi, you will adore Girraween with its huge granite domes, numerous jumbles of immense boulders, lush forests, attractive woodlands, flowering heaths and frog-filled swamps. It’s justly popular with families, so try to avoid the school holidays! There are enough walking tracks to the main attractions to keep you busy for over a week. Sharon, Perrie and I tackled the three day Eastern Peaks Circuit while the others enjoyed some of the day walks. Climbing Billy Goat Hill in Girraween NP

Camped at the base of South Bald Rock, the three of us were caught in a lengthy thunderstorm which forced me to move my fly when it was inundated by a stream of water flooding off the Rock; meanwhile, those at the main camp 10 kilometres away were dealing with a heavy fall of hail. If you want a change of activity, there are quality wineries (try The Pyramids) and a chocolate/coffee shop close handy.

Boonoo Boonoo NP (pron. Bunna Bunoo): Back in NSW and 25km north of Tenterfield, we were hoping for a relaxing stay at the bushy campsite by the after our three day epic in Girraween. 17 kilometres of walking tracks start from the campsite and include a lovely walk 7 kilometre down the granite gorge to the falls where the river leaps hundreds of metres into a deep gorge on its way to the coast (all the other rivers mentioned so far flow west to join the Darling), or wander through forests full of birds. It would be a great base for visiting the nearby parks of Bald Rock and Basket Swamp, but we reluctantly decided to leave after a forecast of more The Boonoo Boonoo River below the campsite storms with damaging winds and hail.

While the others left for family commitments, Frank and I spent a few days in Gibraltar Range NP where we had our annual fix of waratahs. It had been a most enjoyable fortnight with great company in national parks which offer a wide variety of walks, lots of wildlife. They are well worth revisiting - possibly next September before the storm season, with our additional store of background knowledge.

Meg McKone Photos supplied by Meg

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 15 The Tidbinbilla Traverse

The American poet Robert Frost wrote a couplet which captures well enough the mood of our Tidbinbilla traverse on October 17th: “I have promises to keep/ And miles to go before I sleep”.

Indeed! That was how we felt as we slogged up the Camelback Fire Trail in the cool of the early morning. That was the prospect facing us as we lunched atop Tidbinbilla Mountain in the blaze of mid-day warmth, and that remained our reality as we rested near Mt Domain’s summit in the afternoon, with the shadows lengthening and the hardest yards behind us but still distance to cover before we could kick off our boots and relax.

But, to go back to the beginning……before the 2003 bushfires, the Tidbinbilla Range had a walkers’ pad following its crest all the way from Camelback Mountain to Fishing Gap, and an early edition of Lonely Planet’s Bushwalking in Australia featured that traverse amongst its “best of the best”. Then came the firestorm, during which the whole Range, and the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, burned at high intensity, leaving a desert- like landscape which filled in, over following years, with a vigorous and hard-to-penetrate secondary growth.

In 2008 John Evans and Mike Bremers led a party which succeeded in traversing the whole Range in a day, including its unremarkable Northern end, starting at Black Spring Mountain and taking in Pierces Trig and the Pimple, as well as the major peaks: Camelback, Johns Peak, Tidbinbilla Peak, Tidbinbilla Mountain and Mt Domain. To enable this, they positioned a car at the Fishing Gap Track Head the day before. According to John’s blog, someone had told him that it “couldn’t be done”, and as the years rolled on and the regrowth scrub burgeoned, it seemed likely to remain a one-off achievement.

But last year work began on re-establishing a track along the Range’s skyline, and as well, some of us have observed that in places the under-storey has become easier to get through, particularly where wattles predominate. Talking to John a couple of months ago, I raised the possibility that the “full Tidbinbilla” might again be a goer, once daylight saving had ushered in extended opening times in the Nature Reserve. Next thing I knew, John was asking me to nominate a date, and since I’d floated the idea, I offered to lead the walk. Now I truly had a “promise to keep”.

Of course, there are those who would say: “Why? Why drive yourself to exhaustion, and beyond?” The best answer is that provided by George Mallory to the question “Why climb Everest?”- “Because it’s there”, he famously replied. Some bushwalking trips take us to exotic locales far from home, but the Tidbinbilla Range is always there, spanning the western horizon just beyond the suburban periphery, a constant companion as we go about our everyday lives in the bush capital. Not only that but, despite the devastation wrought by the 2003 bushfire, it ranks among the most beautiful and dramatic ridge walks in south-east Australia.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 16 The Tidbinbilla Traverse TheThe TidbinbillaTidbinbilla TraverseTraverse

Half-a-dozen signed up for this epic: Stephen Marchant, Meredith Hatherly, Mark Batey, Peter May, John and myself. After a very early start, we arrived at the Mountain Creek car park, completed the short car shuffle, and strode out along the Camelback Fire Trail by 7:50am, relishing the chill that lingered in the shade, since a warm day was in prospect, with Canberra’s temperature tipped to reach the high 20s.

In his blog, John accused me of pushing the pace in this sector, but I just wanted to cover distance while the going was good! At the back of my mind lurked the awareness that we needed to reach Tidbinbilla Mountain by midday, or not long after, if our venture was to succeed.

We arrived at the crest of the range and left the fire trail to make the ascent, over ledges and small crags, to Camelback Mountain’s summit. It was only 9am; we were doing well, as we looked out at the toy city spread out below, and Legoland office towers where, at this moment, bureaucrats would be signing on and contemplating a full in-tray. A glimpse of the distant Mt Domain, jutting beyond Tidbinbilla Mountain, reminded us that we, too had our work cut out for us, so we didn’t linger long, but made a quick descent to the fire trail, upon which we retraced our steps for a short distance before diverging onto the side-track which led to the beginning of the newly-created Skyline Track.

Rangers had posted a sign here which warned that the track was incomplete, and only experienced bushwalkers should follow it. John told us of a recent incident which had prompted this warning: a walker had sprained her ankle while up on the range, had tried to get down by following the gully of Mountain Creek, and had suffered even worse injury in the process, requiring a rescue. But we knew well enough that the only exits from the Range worth taking were the spurs from Tidbinbilla Peak or from Snowy Corner, and with plenty of spring still in our stride it seemed unlikely that we’d resort to either of them. Indeed, we found the new track easy and enjoyable to follow as it led us over a couple of knolls, then up past imposing bluffs to the summit of Johns Peak, where we took a morning tea break at 10:30am.

The cut track continued, providing welcome assistance as we laboured on up to Tidbinbilla Peak. From here on, occasional tapes and cairns helped us stay on course as we navigated a crest which alternated jagged outcrops, belts of scrub, and occasional natural clearings. The Pimple’s impressive crag loomed prominently to the west, but that side-trip would have to wait for another day. A grassy stretch of snow gum forest gave us a pleasant ascent to the outcrops crowning the Tidbinbilla Range’s highest summit, where we arrived not long after midday, as I had hoped.

We enjoyed a lunch break here, and the all-round views, in a blaze of sunshine and a swarm of insects, not, fortunately, of the biting, Lunch on Tidbinbilla Mountain stinging or annoying variety. A bit of shade, or a breeze, would have been nice, but with “miles to go” we didn’t linger that long. John alerted me to a cairn marking the beginning of the descent from the mountain, and we followed a sketchy pad which took us in a counter-intuitive direction before doubling back and leading us down to a delightful natural clearing, one of several which punctuate the Range’s crest. The pad continued, burrowing into dense regrowth.

At about 1:30pm, we arrived at the prominent cairns marking Snowy Corner. Here we could choose – either to press on or to short-circuit the trip, but success seemed within reach and no one was suffering cold feet (or over-heated feet). I mentioned that we couldn’t expect a track or pad between here and Mt Domain, and this turned out to be an under-statement as we forged ahead through unrelenting thickets.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 17 The Tidbinbilla Traverse

We found short-lived relief in the form of a pair of exquisite talus-covered knolls. A multitude of tiny, flowering shrubs speckled the scree in this zen garden of a place where every step seemed to threaten damage, in contrast to our heavy-handed and leaden-footed progress so far. We allowed ourselves a short break, then launched ourselves into more scrub. We found a few tapes, placed by a party led by Rob Horsfield in 2016; they assured us that we were on the right ridge, but did nothing to alleviate the struggle.

Grassy leads became more frequent as the ground dropped away into a saddle which seemed to get deeper and deeper. At last we reached its low point, where we skirted an infestation of blackberry before tackling the 300 metre climb to Mt Domain. More scrub faced us, and Mark kindly took over “bulldozing” duties as we made that arduous ascent in the warmest part of what had become an unseasonably warm day. I’d led a walk in September Relief from the scrub on a grassy 2016 which traversed the Range between Snowy Corner and Fishing Gap, stretch and I didn’t remember this much difficulty. John agreed the scrub had become denser. It seems that the wet and mild winter of 2016 had fuelled a dramatic surge in growth.

But eventually we found pleasanter walking on a shapely crest, with a hint of cliffs dropping to the east. At the outcrop just below Mt Domain’s summit, we took a rest, basking in the sun while wishing for more of a breeze. John made a phone call to the TNR rangers to assure them that we were making good progress. It seemed premature to say that we’d made it, although it was all downhill and relatively plain sailing from here.

In spite of that, I managed to lead the party astray on the initial descent from the peak, trending too far to the east. I figured that I could blame late- in-the-day fatigue. We were soon back on course, and reached the beginning of a long, flat section of ridge, marked by another of those natural meadows which are a specialty of the Tidbinbilla Range. Again the track eluded us as it tunnelled into stands of tall wattle, but we found it and managed to stay with it through various twists and turns, until the ground Resting before the final ascent to started dropping away and we were on a new cut track which made easy Mount Domain work of the descent into Fishing Gap.

At Fishing Gap, we removed gaiters and indulged in another “we’ve almost made it” moment. The mindless trudge of the final slog along the fire trail felt strangely enjoyable after the better part of a day spent on sketchy tracks and pads, and amongst variable scrub, always needing to maintain focus on the next footstep.

We arrived at the track head with plenty of time to make our exit from the Nature Reserve before the closing of the gates. We’d done it, and the warm inner glow of accomplishment, a promise kept, outshone the aches and abrasions that we’d collected in the course of our long march. It had been a splendid day, and one that we will remember whenever we look out at the undulations of that familiar skyline which forms such a prominent part of the bush capital’s backdrop.

Trevor Lewis Photos: Meredith Hatherly

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 18 Who is on the CBC Committee 2017-18?

President: Michael de Raadt Editor: Meredith Hatherly [email protected] [email protected] 0410 233 090 Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas Treasurer: Julie Anne Clegg [email protected] [email protected] +64 27 535 6176 0402 118 359 Social Secretary: Terrylea Reynolds Walks Secretary: Linda Groom [email protected] [email protected] 0408 715 218. 6281 4917 Publisher: David Williams General Secretary: Jenny Stewart [email protected] [email protected] ————————————————————— Membership Secretary: Roger Edwards [email protected] All members of the Committee can be contacted 6288 7863 in one email to: [email protected] Training and Safety Officer: David Dedenczuk [email protected] Check in: [email protected] 0417 222 154 Web site: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Conservation Officer: Cynthia Breheny [email protected]

Web Manager: Andrew Meers [email protected]

For those who are thinking of contributing to this newsletter

 Your contributions are very welcome. Please limit your articles to a maximum of two to three pages of text or about 1000 words.   When you send a photo, and it is not your own, make sure you have permission to use it. Include the name of the photographer.

 Any article you send in is generally not accepted if it has been published or submitted for publication elsewhere.

 Be aware that your article may be edited.

 If you would like to discuss your proposed contribution then contact me - I am more than happy to help.

 The closing date for each issue of it is the fourth Wednesday of every month. Send contributions to [email protected]

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 19

ACTIVITY PROGRAM

Information for Participants Distance and difficulty Distance: Transport (S) Short – under 12 km/day Costs are 39¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This (M) Medium – 12–20 km/day amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on (L) Long – over 20 km/day the condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given are Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, an climbed. estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. Terrain: Duty of care (E) Easy – fire trail, tracks, beaches etc. Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that he/she (M) Medium – bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or damage to (R) Rough – much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles property. Each person acknowledges risk when they book on line (W) Wet – compulsory swims, many river crossings for walks, and sign the Club’s ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form at (X) Exploratory the start of a walk. Visitors are welcome to join trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips. Booking Please book online using the 'Request a booking' button on the page For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org for each walk. Many walks have a booking deadline, and all leaders appreciate Check-in after walks receiving bookings several days ahead of the walk, rather than just a Before a trip leaders should use the 'Submit Trip List' function within day or two ahead. 'Manage Bookings' to inform the Club's check-in officer of the If the type of walk is new for you, check with the leader about: names of their party. After the walk, leaders should use the 'Check- * the need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc. In' function, also within 'Manage Bookings', by 10 am the day after * appropriate clothing, footwear their trip to report their safe return or any incidents, and also email * any precautions you might need to take for severe weather a scanned copy of the Acknowledgment of Risks form to the Check-

in Officer, David Dedenczuk [email protected] In the event of a late return, worried relatives should contact the Equipment hire Check-in Officer, 0417 222 154,or the Walks Secretary, 6281 4917 or Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for 0474 507 259 in the first instance, not the Police or other bodies hire before lashing out on your own equipment. The Equipment Officer is Rob Horsfield, who can be contacted on 6231 4535(h). To Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated borrow the PLB, contact David Dedenczuk, Training and Safety

Officer: [email protected]

The equipment available and current rates per weekend/week are Wednesday walks set out below. Hirers are responsible for collecting and returning Two walks one Medium/Easy and one Medium/Hard, are conducted the equipment. The hiring charge (but not the deposit) is waived for most Wednesdays. Walks are conducted in turn by leaders from the members who are ‘first time’ weekend walkers. Canberra Bushwalking Club (CBC), Brindabella Bushwalking Club (BBC – Peter [email protected] and Kathy A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be refunded, [email protected]) and National Parks Association ACT (NPA depending on the condition of the items upon return and whether - Mike S, 0412 179 907). Destination and meeting place details are they are returned late. emailed a few days before each walk. (BBC and NPA leaders as listed in the activity program). Item w.e./week Control your receipt of Wednesday Walk emails via your Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 membership profile. Contact John, co-ordinator of Wednesday Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 Walks, via [email protected] for Snow tent $15 / $40 general enquiries. If you are not a member of CBC, BBC or NPA you 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 must contact the leader before the walk to discuss the level of Assorted packs $5 / $15 difficulty and must be accompanied on the walk by a sponsoring Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 member. Please note that leaders retain the right to not accept any Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25 walker. Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use)

Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need when collecting and returning gear.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 20 Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

Saturday 16th December: Bulls Head Range, Brindabellas - M/M This walk is located on the eastern flanks of the Brindabellas, on the lower part of the Bulls Head Range. It is nearly all on management trails, so makes an easy paced introduction to this area. We visit 3 weirs, climb to 1100m and walk on Pago Break. 2 geocaches. Around 14km and 550m climb. Book prior to 2 Dec or after 10 Dec. Leader: John Evans

Saturday 16th December: Dawn sortie: Billy Billy Rocks - S/R part X Depart Kambah Village at 5.30am for Rd to avoid the heat of the day. Climb Billy Billy Rocks via the track adjacent to Billy Billy Creek, then visit the Aboriginal Shelter before descending through scrub to rejoin the track. Distance ~5km, climb ~300m Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Saturday 16th December - Sunday 17th December: Southern Murramarang NP - M/M/W A chance to experience this delightful south coast national park before the Christmas crowds arrive. Relaxed day walks from a cottage in South Durras with stops for swimming along the way. A trip aimed at those who love the feeling of salt on the skin and sand between the toes. Leader: Terence Uren

Sunday 17th December: Honeysuckle Campground to Orroral Campground - M/M We will follow fire trails and the Orroral Valley loop track. There is a steep ascent and descent to start with and the rest of the walk is gently undulating. We'll need a car shuffle. Grading: M-E/M Leader: Lisa Quilter

Monday 18th December: Mulligans Flat East - S/E Evening walk. Meet at 6.30pm in the main Mulligans Flat car park in the suburb of Forde. Go down Horse Park Drive, turn into Francis Forde Boulevard, then left into Amy Ackman St which will take you to the car park. Nice open bush. Leader: Michael de Raadt

Wednesday 20th December: Wednesday Walks Easy/medium and medium/hard walks. BBC coordinator contact Kathy Handel Details to be provided by e-mail prior to walk

Sunday 24th December: Mt Tennent via the Scar - M/R A rugged scramble just before the comforts of Christmas. We will walk from the Namadgi Visitor Centre up to Cypress Pine Lookout and then it is off-track from there. Through the scrub and then to the rocky terrain of the Scar itself. We will climb up the Scar, perhaps as far as the summit area. Joint walk with NPA ACT. Leader: David Dedenczuk

Monday 25th December: Traditional Christmas Day lunch at Black Mountain Peninsula We hope you will be able to join us at the far end of the Black Mountain Peninsula at any time after midday on Christmas Day. Barbecues and toilet facilities are available where we will set up a table close to where you can park. Bring your lunch,nibbles to share, a chair and a canoe if you feel like launching it to enjoy the peace of the lake. For further information please contact either of the leaders. Leaders: Doug Wright and Margaret Roseby.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 21

Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

Monday 25th December: Walk and luncheon at the Cotter - S/E Wonder what to do on Christmas Day? Please join me in walking around the attractive area at the Cotter Reserve and then enjoy a Christmas luncheon about 1pm. Please bring food for yourselves and maybe something to share. Meet at Cooleman Court by 9.30am or at the Cotter Bend Picnic area by 10am. From the Cotter I plan to walk along to the Dam area, up the hill to the Lookout then across to the Viewing Platform. From there walking along near the River to the camping area and then return to our lunch area. Or if you prefer you are most welcome to meet at about 12.30 pm at the Cotter Bend Picnic grounds where we plan to have Chrissy Lunch. Bring swimwear as there are plenty of lovely swimming spots. Leader: Janet Duncan.

Wednesday 27th December - Friday 29th December: Tabletop - M/E Tabletop is the highest point in the Kiandra region. It has superb views to Mt Jagungal, and in the other direction to the peaks around Mt Bimberi. We will camp both nights near Four Mile Hut, 8km from the Kiandra trackhead, and do the 18km return walk from there to Tabletop on Thursday with day packs. Altitude ranges between 1500 and almost 1800 metres so much cooler than Canberra. Leader: Jeff Bennetts

Friday 29th December - Wednesday 3rd January: Gunuma Lodge at Smiggins Join our group staying at Gunuma Ski Lodge at Smiggins for a week. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the mountains and do a variety of activities: walks, fishing, coffee at Charlottes Pass or simply enjoy being in the mountains. Walks may include Rainbow Lake, Porcupine Rocks, around Guthega, Smiggins, Mt Twynam via Blue Lake. Self-cater for breakfasts and lunches. People are organised into catering groups so you only need to cook for one evening meal, depending on numbers. Previously this has worked out extremely well, is fun and the meals superb! The kitchen is well equipped with storage space for food. There are TVs, lounges and a deck to enjoy life. After I receive your Booking Request I will email out info about the lodge and a walks itinerary. Various gradings. Leader: Janet Duncan

Saturday 30th December: Dawn Sortie: White Horse Rocks - S/R Depart Kambah 0530 hrs to avoid the heat of the day. Distance ~4km each way and climb ~ 100m each way. The Rocks are a spectacular outcrop above Smokers Gap amid some thick scrub and some nice open forest. Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Saturday 30th December - Monday 1st January: Sandy Creek - M/R part X W A circuit that follows beautiful Sandy Creek from above the falls to Tallowa Dam and returns via sandstone tops. Camp on rainforest benches. Day 1: A 2 hour drive to Meryla pass carpark. Walk north 2km on fire trail, then west through ~1km of scrub to join Sandy Creek in its gentle section, with sandstone slabs, small cascades, cute potholes, heath vegetation and some ankle-deep wading. After a break at the spectacular falls, bypass the falls by a straightforward route and possibly stop for a swim at their foot. Below the falls the creek changes character – huge boulders, larger cascades and rainforest. Day 2: Continue down the creek, more rainforest, cascades and dramatic rocks, swimming stops. Day 3: an early start if hot, climb 500 metres in 3 to 4km through scrub, then along the mostly-level Wombat Hill FT with clifftop views for 7km. The W grading is due to some shallow wading, no compulsory swims are expected. Leader: Linda Groom

Sunday 31st December: Evening ramble: Wanniassa Hills - S/E A ramble over one of Tuggeranong's attractive nature reserves, with great sunset views Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 22

Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

Sunday 31st December: Mt Townsend - L/R A beautiful walk to Australia's second highest mountain. The walk will include a visit to Australia's highest tarn. Depending on the preferences and availability of participants, we might travel down and camp the previous evening. Joint walk with NPA ACT. Leader: David Dedenczuk

Saturday 6th January: Dawn Sorties: The Spinnaker - S/R Depart Kambah 530 hrs to avoid the heat of the day. Distance to the spectacular rock outcrop the Spinnaker ~2km each way, climb ~250m Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Monday 8th January: Mt Taylor - S/M An evening walk. Meet 6.30pm on Sulwood Drive Kambah directly opposite the Mannheim St intersection, away from the crowds ascending the main summit track. We will go up via the cascades, the western cliffs and the herbfields, and descend the zig zag track overlooking Woden. Good views. Rougher than most evening walks, but not fast. You will see parts of the mountain most people are unaware of. Expect to finish before dark but bring a torch just in case. Leader: Jeff Bennetts

Wednesday 10th January: Wednesday walks Easy/medium and Medium/hard walks. CBC coordinator John Danaro Details to be provided by e-mail prior to walk

Saturday 13th January - Sunday 14th January: Corang Circuit - M/M Wog Wog - Corang Peak - Corang Lagoon - Wog Wog. Camp and swim at the lagoon. Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Saturday 13th January - Sunday 14th January: Upper Walk - S/R part X W Leave cars at Cockerills Lookout and go north along the road for about a kilometre and then down a ridge about 600 metres to the Kowmung River. Along the river to Moola Point and climb around 600 metres back to the cars. There's a lovely campsite opposite Hanrahans Creek and if we have time we can visit Rudders Rift which is downstream from Moola Point. Waterproof packs will be needed as there are likely to be some swims. This part of the river is downstream from Morong Deep. Leader: Lorraine Tomlins

Sunday 14th January: Family walk and swim on a farm - S/E A walk designed for families on the property of a Club member about 10 minutes drive from . From the farm homestead we will feed the farm sheep and then walk down a gently sloping, mown path, about 800 metres, to a dam suitable for swimming. No farm animals have access to the dam area so the water is pretty clear. The dam is deep and great for kids who are competent swimmers but not really suitable for toddlers. There is a large shaded area nearby. Return the same route. Meet at the farm, exact time and directions will be given when you book, but probably around 10.30 am, finishing by 2pm. Bring lunch. Leaders: Linda Groom and Roslyn Woodward

Sunday 14th January: Mt Gingera - M/E Mt Gingera is the flat topped, often snow covered, mountain you see to the south west from Canberra. It offers views back over Canberra, as well as into northern Kosciuszko NP. We will walk there the easier way, from Mt Ginini, but this requires a longer drive on rougher roads than the access via Corin Dam. About 14km with 400m climbing (half that climb for the steep summit ascent, the rest spread over the day). Altitude ranges between 1550 and 1850 metres so much cooler than Canberra. Leader: Jeff Bennetts

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 23

Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

Tuesday 16th January: Wallaces Creek Trail - Mountain bike From Three Mile Dam near Kiandra we ride along Wallaces Creek Trail for about 17km in a generally northerly direction, along the crest of the , to where it meets the Snowy Mountains Hwy. We will then return to the cars either the way we came or along the Snowy Mountains Hwy. The trail is generally undulating with some views into the Yarrangobilly Valley and Talbingo Reservoir. Participants should have some cycling fitness, bicycle and helmet. I plan to use a trailer to minimize transportation costs with bikes so we can travel in 2 or 3 cars. Leader: Mike Bremers

Wednesday 17th January: January Monthly BBQ Meeting 6pm till whenever! Come join us for the traditional January meeting held as a BYO BBQ. Simply turn up and have fun with friends. If barbecues are disabled because of fire danger, bring a picnic tea and still enjoy the company of friends. Black Mountain Peninsula (follow the CBC signs on Garryowen Drive). Leader: Terrylea Reynolds

Wednesday 17th January: Wednesday walks Easy/medium and Medium/hard walks. Leaders Kathy Handel and Peter Wellman Details to be provided by e-mail prior to walk

Saturday 20th January: Dawn Sortie: Mt Orroral - M/R Depart Kambah 530 hrs to avoid the heat of the day. Distance ~ 9km return, climb ~500 m, initially on track and then 1km through scrub. Great views of Namadgi NP from the top Leaders: Rob and Jeny Horsfield,

Saturday 20th January - Sunday 21st January: Upper Cotter River - M/R part X A long drive to Yaouk and the end of Kennedys Road. Walk Yaouk Trail to Yaouk Gap, then off-track along the ACT border. Walk generally east to cross Porcupine Creek, then up over a crest near SH1518 and down to the Cotter River at the upper falls. Follow the river down to the lower falls and through Rolleys Flats to near SH1108. Turn west and gain Yaouk Trail to return to Yaouk Gap. A side trip NW along the border to the headwaters of Jacks Creek. Around 25km (7km on fire trail) and 800m climb. 6 geocaches. Leader: John Evans

Sunday 21st January: Casuarina Sands to Kambah Pool - M/M We follow the Murrumbidgee Discovery Track along the river from Casuarina Sands to Kambah Pool with great views of the river. We'll need a car shuffle. Leader: Lisa Quilter

Monday 22nd January: Mt Mugga Nature Reserve - S/E Evening walk. Meet 6.30pm in the car park near the shops in Farr Place, Isaacs. We walk north beneath Isaacs Ridge, then follow a circular route below the Mt Mugga quarry. Expect to finish before dark but bring a torch just in case. Leader: Jeff Bennetts

Tuesday 23rd January: White Sands Creek - M/R X W A circuit from the Corin Dam Road, climbing to granite outcrops for views and then following White Sands Creek down to its junction with the Cotter. Back up a ridge. This area has lots of scrub, but on a recce I found that some of it could be avoided by wading the shallow parts of the creek, so this is a good walk for hot weather. Leader: Linda Groom

Wednesday 24th January: Wednesday walks E/M and M/H Details to be provided by e-mail prior to walk Leaders: Andrew Struik and Philip Gatenby

Canberra Bushwalking Club it December 2017 page 24

Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

(Wed 24) Thursday 25th January - Sunday 28th January: Caves and Canyons of the Blue Mountains M/R W Day 1: Ikara, Thor and Asgard Heads, BMNP - breathtaking views of the upper . Plus a side trip to Girraween Cave and the remnants of Mackenzie’s Mine and kiln. Day 2: Bell Creek Canyon BMNP. This is an outstanding, dark and narrow canyon. We will do the lower section, entering via DuFaur Creek and Little Bell Canyon, with a tricky descent or a log with a rope. We'll exit near the Wollangambee River junction, walking up to the Mt Wilson Fire Shed. Day 3: Fortress Canyon and Darks Cave BMNP. We will travel to the end of the Fortress ridge track, descending off track to the Fortress Canyon exit which has a large waterfall and spectacular views of Govetts valley. Then upstream to the lower reaches of the canyon, no abseil required and a short side trip to Darks Cave, named after Dr Dark who lived there with his wife, the writer Eleanor Dark during WWII. Day 4: Devils Throat & Camp Creek, Newnes Plateau. We’ll walk around and under this unique formation which forms the base of Alcatraz Canyon, then a short detour to capture views of the pagodas along Carne Creek. Further info on each walk is available here Leaders: Karen Cody and Bob Salijevic

Thursday 25th January: Frost Hollow, Cork Plantation and Arboretum - S/E Evening walk. Meet at 6.00pm (note earlier start to allow time for a slightly longer walk) in the car park accessed via the road beside 61 Mackellar Circuit, Cook. We will walk on track to the Arboretum via the Cork Plantation and the Aranda Frost Hollow. Returning to the cars on different tracks. Leader: Diana Kirby

Friday 26th January - Sunday 28th January: - S/M W From near Hopping Joe Creek, walk approx 6km down the beautiful Genoa River, with two campsites beside lovely pools. Fairly easy river walking, with some rock-hopping and wading (wet feet, waterproof your pack). On Day 3 return via fairly open ridges with approx 300 metres ascent. Bring a book. Also on the Coast and Mountain Walkers program. Limit of 8. Leader: Meg McKone

Friday 26th January - Sunday 28th January: Kosciusko Weekend Drive down Friday morning to the Southern Alps Ski Club Lodge at Charlotte Pass where we stay. The Friday afternoon walks will both be to Mt Stillwell, one direct from the lodge about 3hrs, led by Ross Andrews and the other from the locked gate, about 2 hrs led by me or Tom Gosling. There will be two walks on Saturday, the Main Range, 22km and 5-6hrs, all on track, led by Di Kirby and another, shorter walk, or series of walks, 4hrs all on track, led by Tom and/or me. They may include part of Rennix Gap, Porcupine or Rainbow Lake. The Sunday walk will be Sawpit Creek, around 1 ½ hrs. There will be shared meals on both nights. Leader: Stan Marks

Friday 26th January - Sunday 28th January: SE Forest NP - Bemboka Section. Desert Creek and Bemboka Walls - M/R X W We will leave Canberra early on Friday morning and drive to Walls Flat Road near Bemboka Walls. We will then walk through some forest and use some old fire trails to gain access to the NP. We then climb to the ridge west of Bemboka Walls and then down to Desert Creek and start our descent of the creek. On Saturday we will follow the creek as it goes down through some cliff lines with some spectacular formations in the creek and some swims. On Sunday we will walk up a pass on the eastern end of the Bemboka cliffs, enjoy the view from Bemboka Walls and return to the cars and then a well deserved stop at the Bemboka pie shop. Leader: Ian Hickson

Saturday 27th January: Dawn Sortie: Booromba Rocks - S/E Depart Kambah 530am to avoid the heat of the day. Walk on AAWT track through forest from Honeysuckle campground to Booromba Rocks and return.~9km return, climb ~250m Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

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Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

Sunday 28th January: Evening ramble: Kambah Pool, Forster Hill Circuit - S/E A pleasant evening stroll along the river corridor and over a small nature reserve on Forster Hill Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Sunday 28th January: Evening ramble: Urambi Hills - S/E Another stroll up and around one of Tuggeranong's great hillside reserves Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Wednesday 31st January: Wednesday walks E/M and M/H – M/R Details to be provided by e-mail prior to walk Leaders: Robin Cayzer and Mike Smith

Thursday 1st February: - S/E Evening walk. Meet at 6.30pm and park at the lake end of Townsend Place, John Knight Memorial Park. This is a pleasant, easy walk around the Lake. All on track. Leader: Diana Kirby

Friday 2nd February - Sunday 4th February: Bundanoon Creek - walk and kayak - M/R X W Explore beautiful rainforested creeks and cascades from a base camp reached by kayaks (your own or hired). On Friday, paddle across Tallowa Dam and into Bundanoon Creek to a pleasant camp site under shady trees, with a side trip on foot into lower Sandy Creek. On Saturday, leaving the kayaks at camp, walk and rock-hop upstream on Bundanoon Creek and explore the very steep and rocky Nyes Creek. Sunday, paddle back to the cars. All the walks are there-and-back routes so you can pull out part way and wait if you wish. Or spend Saturday lazing at the camp site. Kayak hire: kayaks or canoes can be hired from a Kangaroo Valley company who will deliver them to and from the start point at Tallowa Dam, with lifejackets and waterproof bags. Hire costs approx. $210 to $225 per person for the 3 days. Contact the leader before booking your kayak. Leader: Linda Groom

Saturday 3rd February - Sunday 4th February: Bungonia - Louise Reach - M/E Caves car park - track down to , swimming and fishing. Return same way Leaders: Rob and Jenny Horsfield

Saturday 3rd February - Sunday 4th February: The Shoalhaven River - Canoe Flat, Shoalhaven Gorge and Billy Bulloos Canyon - M/R part X W Start at Badgerys Lookout, descend to the Shoalhaven, walk downstream to a camp at Canoe Flat to camp here after 3 or 4 hours walking. Do some exploration of the Shoalhaven Gorge on Saturday. On Sunday explore Billy Bulloos Canyon and then return to upstream and ascend to Badgerys Lookout. Should be plenty of time for swimming if the weather is good. Leader: Lorraine Tomlins

Thursday 8th February: Mt Painter - S/E Evening walk. Meet at 6.30pm in the car park accessed via the road beside 61 Mackellar Circuit, Cook. We will walk on track up Mt Painter for great views from the top. Returning via the horse paddocks and Wybalena Ridge, mostly on tracks. Leader: Diana Kirby

Thursday 15th February: Ginninderra Creekline, Macgregor and Latham - S/E Evening walk. Meet at 6.30pm at the end of Swift Place, Macgregor. This is a fairly short walk with varied scenery. We follow the from a small bridge in Macgregor to another in Latham, returning on the other side of the creek. All on walking/cycle paths. Leader: Diana Kirby

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Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

Monday 19th February - Thursday 22nd February: Depot Beach four day Camp - S/E An opportunity to enjoy 4 days camping at the Depot Beach Campground. Activities include walking around to Pt Upright along a spectacular wave-cut platform, walking along to Pebbly Beach for snorkelling, short walk in the rainforest, a day spent at North Head, as well as gazing at the stars and doing nothing. Campers need to bring own tent or van. Joint activity with BBC. Please book asap so I can arrange tent sites Leader: Janet Duncan

Wednesday 21st February – CBC monthly meeting 7.00pm Weston Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson Street, Weston Japan and Taiwan: Asian hiking gems presented by Stewart Jones and Jonathan Miller

Saturday 24th February - Sunday 25th February: Burrinjuck Bridge to Bridge - L / Paddling two arms of Burrinjuck Dam covering the Murrumbidgee and Goodradigbee Rivers. We will split into two groups, travelling in opposite directions from Wee Jasper and Taemas Bridge. From Taemas Bridge, we will also explore up the . We will meet to camp together on Narrangullen Island (about half way). On Day 2 continue to the other end of the trip before meeting back in Canberra to return cars to their owners. Leaders: Rowan Peck and Mike Bremers

(Fri 9) Saturday 10th - Monday 12th March: KNP 2100+m Hills - L/R Joint CBC/CWBC trip. Leave Canberra Friday evening, stay in Jindabyne overnight. On Saturday depart from Charlottes Pass and top as many 2100 m+ peaks as the group can manage, and weather allows. Camp at Wilkinsons Creek 1st night, and at Cootapatamba Hut 2nd night. Traverse Ramshead Range and Etheridge ranges before returning to cars Monday pm for drive home. Route will vary based on weather and group. In 2017, we topped them all - let's see if we can do it again! Leader: Rowan Peck

Saturday 17th March - Sunday 18th March: Bimberi Peak - M/E This is a good introductory trip for day walkers who would like to try out overnight camping. It also provides an opportunity to climb Bimberi Peak (1913 metres), the highest peak in the ACT. We’ll depart Canberra at 1:00 pm on Saturday and drive via Adaminaby to the locked gate at the northern end of Pockets Saddle Road. With overnight packs we’ll walk to Oldfields Hut where we'll camp overnight (3.5km). The next morning, with day packs only, we’ll take the trail to Murrays Gap (4.5km and 200 metres climb). We will ascend Bimberi Peak from Murrays Gap following a footpad to the summit (3.0km and 390 metres climb). Following morning tea with fabulous 360 degree views we’ll return along the same route back to Oldfields Hut for lunch and then back to the cars. Leader: Gerald Dodgson

Tuesday 15th May - Monday 28th May: Janet’s Final Fourth Flinders Ranges Foray Enjoy walking and driving in the beautiful Flinders Ranges and Heysen Trail within the Mt Remarkable and the Wilpena National Parks in SA. Tuesday 15th May arrive at Melrose for 6 nights. Day walks include Dutchmans Stern, Alligator Gorge, Hidden Gorge, and Mt Remarkable. On the rest day, explore Melrose or drive to the Port Augusta Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. Monday 21st May drive north to Rawnsley Park campground for 7 nights. Day walks include climbing steep and rough Rawnsley Bluff for stunning views of the Wilpena Pound, sightseeing and walking in Aroona Valley, Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, Blinman Pools, Wilpena Pound lookouts, along Blacks Gap to Wilpena Pound. Plus a rest day, which you will need after climbing a steep rocky track 700m to St Mary Peak! On Monday 28th, return to Canberra, full of the colours of the Flinders Ranges - its gorges, valleys and hills. There will be an information evening late in March 2018. Please email your expression of interest by 1st November. A joint CBC/BBC activity. Grading: M/M to L/R Leader: Janet Duncan

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Activity Program Go to canberrabushwalkingclub.org/ci/activity to see details or book on any of these walks

Wednesday 13th June: M/H Wednesday Walk - Devils Peak - M/R X Walk along fire trails and through forest to knoll SE of Devils Peak and to Devils Peak itself. Return through forest and fire trails. Leader: Tim Wright

Wednesday 1st August - Sunday 30th September: 12-16 Days Walking Trip in Slovenia and Croatia in August/Sept 2018 - L/M We are aware that walkers of the Canberra and Brindabella Bushwalking Clubs are a fit bunch and like to plan ahead so Terrylea R and another leader are planning an overseas walking trip in Slovenia and Croatia next year 2018 for your consideration. We intend staying at the towns of Ribcev Laz and Kransky Gora in Slovenia and from these towns do 10-12 day walks using public transport, where necessary. From here we plan to travel to the Plitivice Lakes National Park, Croatia for 3 days of walks. Interested members should be fit (ie Medium- Hard Wednesday walks fitness level), know basic first aid and be willing to possibly lead some of the walks. Further details will be posted out in 2018 including dates and early costings. Leaders: Terrylea Reynolds and?

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ActivityBulletinBulletin Program BBoardoard

The Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no cost) goods for sale, private trips or other personal bushwalking-related matters. The Club is not involved in, takes no responsibility for, and does not endorse, the activities or goods advertised here. Hence, if people participate in any activities advertised here, they do so as private individuals, not as members of the Club, and will not be covered by the Club’s insurance. Notices for the Bulletin Board should be emailed to the Walks Secretary [email protected]

Gossamer Gear Mariposa Ultralight Backpack 60 Used twice only, this wonderful ultralight backpack is good for multi-day hikes. It’s a medium size. I’m selling it because it’s a little big for me. It has a removable internal frame, load lifters, 7 built-in pockets and weighs less than a kilo. It’ll hold your tent, clothing, sleeping pad and food easily and has seven extra pockets – one made of mesh for wet stuff. It’s made of 100 and 200 denier nylon fabric making it very tough yet light. Carries 60kg on a medium-framed person. RRP is $215 but I’m seeking $100. Please contact [email protected]

Garmin Carrying Case Hard carry case with carabiner clip to suit the Garmin Oregon series of handheld GPS (all models 750t, 700, 650, 600, 200, 300, 400 & 400t). This is a drop down opening style of case with an internal catch to secure your GPS. Never used. RRP is $45. For sale at $25. Please contact [email protected]

Boots For Sale $100 ono each pair. Proceeds will be donated to Fred Hollows Eyes Fund. The brown boots (at left) are of a European Brand, with a printed sign Foundation Fit inside and size 7 ½ i.e. 37 –38. On the sole is printed Vibram. They are of a really top quality leather and waterproof (providing they are cared for as leather boots should be) The grey boots (at right) are an American brand, with two signs Raichle and Gortex on the exterior. On the bottom of the soles is another sign Vibram. They are made of gortex and waterproof. Both sets of boots measure internally 26cm and are size 37 or 38 or 7½. They both have excellent grippy soles and are very comfortable to wear. I have offered to try to sell them for a friend. I wore them for a day inside my house and found them very comfy. If interested please contact Janet [email protected] or text 0423 213 679

New Zealand – Travers-Sabine Circuit – February 2018 I'm planning to walk the Travers-Sabine Circuit in New Zealand in mid-February 2018. The Travers-Sabine Circuit is a popular walk in Nelson Lakes National Park in the northern part of the South Island. It is planned to walk the circuit as a six day trip staying in huts. The trip is ideal for those new to walking in New Zealand's alpine areas. For further details contact, Gerald Dodgson 0438 119 803 (m) [email protected]

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Bulletin Board

Kayak For Sale Great flatwater fibreglass kayak for smaller adult, say to 75kg, plus allows up to another 15kg for your camp gear for overnight trips. Length 440cm, width 60cm across the seat (kayak new price $2300). Also the accessories - Werner carbon fibre two-piece straight paddle (new price $430 approx), Thule kayak roof racks (new price about $450), kayak trolley, and a PFD if you want it. German manufacturer. A current model very similar is Prijon Alborea. Total price $1,600 ono Contact: Cynthia 0408266501

Save Lindeman Island The National Parks Association of Queensland has asked for donations to help fund its campaign to prevent inappropriate development on Lindeman Island in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Developers have applied to the Queensland Government for approval to expand and rebuild the existing resort (which is currently closed) to include a tourism village and multiple additional business activities. The proposal will require the permanent revocation of 36 hectares of the Lindeman Islands National Park. NPAQ believes a more compact development model, which will enhance rather than detract from the integrity and accessibility of the National Park, is required for the island. For more information and to donate go to www.npaq.org.au Dr Jenny Stewart

Indian Himalaya – 2018 – request for expressions of interest I am in the process of planning a trekking trip to the Garhwal region of the Indian Himalaya for 2018 (~August). I am in communication about the trip with a trekking company I have used before and would value early expressions of potential interest. The treks would be in the area of the headwaters of the Ganges River, and would likely involve two of the following treks: Kalindi Khal; Dhumdar Khandi; and/or Audens Col. These are all physically demanding treks and include crossing high passes and crevassed glaciers (although mountaineering experience is not specifically required). Some sense of the treks can be gained from the following websites (although the itineraries will not necessarily correlate exactly with the program we would follow): http://www.gio.in/trips/region/uttarakhand-garhwal/audens-col-trek; http://www.gio.in/trips/region/uttarakhand-garhwal/dhumdhar-kandi-bali-pass; http://www.gio.in/trips/region/uttarakhand-garhwal/kalindikhal-trek. Cost would be in the order of AUD2500 ex-Delhi, or AUD4000 ex-Delhi if the trip includes the Kalindi Khal trek. An alternative (or addition) I am considering is trekking in the Ladakh/Zanskar/Spiti region of the Indian Himalaya, also using a local trekking company. This is also a spectacular region; the trekking would be less demanding than the treks referred to above but still require a good degree of fitness. If you might be interested in either or both of the above, contact Ian Turland - email [email protected] mobile 0452 110 212. (Note that I will be travelling until 7 December but expect to have intermittent access to my emails.)

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