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r o Bushwalking C it Club newsletter Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 51 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 1 February 2015 GENERAL MEETING 8 pm Wednesday 18 February 2015 In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking KNP Wild Horse Management Plan Club Committee Presenter: Rob Gibbs, Senior Project Officer, Kosciuszko 2 President’s prattle National Park, Wild Horse Management Plan Review Project 2 Membership matters Wild horse management is one of the most challenging issues for NPWS 3 Walks Waffle to address with a wide range of strong but differing opinions within the 3 A poke in the eye with a community as to the impact of wild horses on the environment, whether or sharp trekking pole not horses should be managed and how they should be managed. Hear 3 Training Trifles about the process so far leading to a draft plan due for release and public 3 Notices of motion comment in mid 2015. 3 For March general The hall, meeting 4 Tonalli Tableland and Hughes Baptist Church, the Axeheads, with a 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes Vengeance 8 Blue Mountains bonanza Also some leaders of walks in the current and next 10 Activity program month will be on hand with maps to answer your 10 Wednesday walks questions and show you walk routes etc 15 Bulletin Board 16 Feeling literary?

Important dates

18 February General meeting 25 February Committee meeting 25 February Submissions close for March it Committee reports

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee President’s President: Linda Groom prattle [email protected] 6281 4917 lot has happened in the two month summer break Treasurer: Julie Anne Clegg Asince the last it. The software investigation ap- [email protected] proved at the AGM is progressing steadily. We have completed an initial statement of requirements and 0402 118 359 discussions are under way with several interested com- Walks Secretary: Lorraine Tomlins panies. And the great news is that two Club members have generously offered to donate $5000 towards the [email protected] purchase if the Club decides to go ahead with new 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496 software. They wish to remain anonymous, but we are immensely grateful to them. I will report on the software General Secretary: Gabrielle Wright project at the March meeting. [email protected] There has also been a lot happening with conservation 6281 2275 activities. I have just come from a third training day Membership Secretary: John Evans for Club members who have expressed interested in becoming ‘weed busters’. It’s great to see the group’s [email protected] knowledge growing steadily. The weed work party 6288 7235 or 0417 436 877 in KNP on 21–22 February is booked out and plans for a collaborative working party with NPA are well Training and Safety Officer: David Dedenczuk advanced. [email protected] On 29 January, Haydn Burgess from Greening 0417 222 154 phoned me with the bad news that the invasive weed Mouse-Ear Hawkweed had been discovered for the first Conservation Officer: Cynthia Burton time in KNP. It was found in an area already 10 metres [email protected] by 10 metres at Strzelecki Creek, the common camp 0488 071 203 site for parties walking to the Sentinel. The fact that it was found only there, and not along the walking tracks, Web Manager: David Briese suggests it came in on a tent or tent pegs, possibly by [email protected] someone who had last camped in New Zealand, where it is causing damage to both native vegetation and 6286 3479 agriculture. It is a sobering reinforcement of the need Editor: Alison Milton to clean camping gear. With the help of several Club [email protected] leaders who camp in KNP, I was able to answer a request from NPWS to provide a list of commonly-used bush 6254 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w) camp sites in KNP. Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas And on a happier note, there were some great walks in [email protected] the Christmas–New Year period and a strong evening walk program, and the upcoming program is looking 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 great. Happy walking! Social Secretary: Cynthia Coppock

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o C [email protected] President 0408 266 501 or 6270 9010(w) Publisher: Tim Wright [email protected] Membership 6281 2275 matters All members of the Committee can be contacted in one email to Please keep your email address up to date via your [email protected] membership page on the website. Contact the Mem- bership Secretary if you need help. Check in: [email protected] New members: Roger Bilney, Dien Mayes, Kylie Web site: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Marks, Susan Moran John Evans

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Committee reports Notices of motion hat an indoor/outdoor banner Walks Training Tadvertising the Canberra Bush- walking Club be purchased at a total cost of no more than $300. Waffle Trifles Background – the Club currently advertises members’ meetings and elcome to a new year of walking Gear lists at public events using laminated Wand other adventurous activities. aving all the right gear is es- A5-sized posters. Such occasions I have just finished preparing the next sential for safe and enjoyable include general meetings, the Christ- activity program and it has a wonderful H mas party and January barbeque array of walks. Of particular interest walking. All walkers should devel- op their own gear lists based upon and, for members of the public, is what’s on offer for the March long events such as the Multicultural esti- weekend, which is the first weekend in personal experience and needs, val, last year’s gear demonstration March. And it is not too early to start published lists and advice from in Lennox Gardens, the Connect and planning your Easter. This year it is other walkers. Good published lists Participate Expo in March, and Herit- early in April—on that month’s first can be found at: age Week walks in April. A larger, weekend—so it should provide perfect more professional indoor/outdoor walking weather. As always, if you are http://www.canberrabushwalking- banner would be more appropriate thinking of joining a walk don’t delay club.org/documents to aid the Club’s exposure and thus in expressing your interest. http://bushwalk.com/forum attract new members. Also relevant to many members is Gear lists should be expanded to Proposal – a number of quotes have a trial of a new proposal as part of been obtained. A suitable banner the Wednesday Walks arrangement. include food and sundry items such would be a 3.4 metre teardrop flag, Our colleagues in the Brindabella as money, house keys, phone and a printed double-sided on outdoor Bushwalking Club (BBC) are offering clean change of clothes/shoes for quality fabric with poles, star-cross it on the days when it is their turn to the car trip. base and zipper carry bag. Flag Size lead walks. Until July they are going 1200 x 2400 mm. $235 + GST. A to provide an additional Wednesday It is a good idea to have a hard copy design service may be required – walk. It is to be called the Intermediate gear list to hand when preparing basic artwork $30 + GST. Wednesday Walk. This will be in addi- for a walk and to tick items off as tion to the existing Medium Wednesday you prepare. If you forget to pack Walk. The BBC is responsible for the an item, say lunch or water, this For March general meeting first and third Wednesdays in each can be a significant inconvenience hat the Club make a submission month. The CBC, which organises the or even a risk to one’s safety when second Wednesday, will assess the trial Tto the current NPWS Inquiry on and may follow the BBC’s example the unhappy discovery is made Wild Horse Management in KNP, in the second half of the year. People at a remote bush location. Many including the following points a walker’s lunch has been left at on the Wednesday Walks emailing list • That Club members have observed should get notice of both walks if two home on the kitchen table in the wild horses in KNP, appreciate are being run. If you are not on the early light of day, only to be missed their grace and beauty and are Wednesday emailing list and would like hours later! aware of their place in Australian to be, please contact our coordinator The items of gear that one should history and culture from the time at - wednesday.walks@canberrabush- of colonisation onwards walking.org take will vary by the length of the walk, season and other factors. • That some Club members have noted that wild horse tracks in g o r

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r o Walks Secretary C a tent on a local day walk. In the areas of thick scrub make walking lowlands in summer, one can safely easier walk without winter equipment • But that, despite these factors, A poke in the eye with such as balaclava and mittens. In the Club is of the view that NPWS a sharp trekking pole the highlands in winter, one can should be permitted to control manage without insect repellent. wild horse numbers in KNP using hile bushwalking, use of trek- whatever control methods the king poles is undoubtedly One can still acquit these items as W not required, when ticking items off NPWS regards as efficient and helpful in decreasing pressure on effective, including humanely- the knees while increasing upper from the main list. managed aerial culling, because body exercise. Some walkers use Remember that safety is paramount. of the documented detrimental them to help their balance. How- Though weight is a consideration, effects of the horses on native ever, sharp pole tips erode tracks one should never compromise animals and plants, some of which and a person walking behind a safety for the sake of saving weight. are only found in KNP and similar trekking pole user is in danger of Australian alpine environments, There should be a core to the list, and because of the pollution of being poked in the eye or worse. In including a first aid kit and navi- drinking water sources by the consideration of other walkers, and gational equipment, which should horses. of our fragile bush tracks, I believe never be left behind. poles should be used only when Moved: Cynthia Burton

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Canberra Bushwalking Club it February 2015 – page 3 Trip report Tonalli Tableland and the Axeheads, with a Vengeance

he Australian mainland doesn’t it had appeared a true ghost town; had told Lorraine that we’d find not Thave that many ‘skyline trav- but the tag no longer seems quite so only reliable water and a campsite, erses’ worthy of the term; but appropriate. The road narrowed to a but a waterfall. Lorraine expertly the Axehead Range, in the Blue fire trail, and took us on a steep and navigated us through featureless Breaks area of the Southern Blue stony descent towards the Tonalli bush, which varied between open Mountains, comes close enough. River. I was nursing the dregs of a and almost park-like, to areas of It’s a narrow chain of mesas, buttes, nasty virus, and Alan kept remind- denser understorey, enlivened by peaks and pinnacles, linked by spin- ing us that he wasn’t as fit as he many species in flower, including dly ridges and layered with cliff- used to be; but as the trip unfolded, massed displays of boronia. lines, great and small. To follow its neither of us found it too difficult to spine all the way from Green Wattle maintain the pace. We intercepted the creek to find it Creek to Byrnes Gap entails a day perfectly dry. However, an abun- filled with climbs, descents, three- The Tonalli River, where we inter- dance of ferns suggested moisture, point scrambles and route-finding cepted it, presented a stretch of even if a waterfall seemed like a tall conundrums. bone-dry cobbles, interrupted by order in this undulating expanse. isolated pools. In one of these, We forged ahead, passed through With this inspiring goal in our we filled our water containers in a patch of tea tree and cutting sights, preceded by a crossing of the anticipation of the climb ahead. grass, and duly found the campsite, Tonalli Tableland, our party of six, Already the sun packed a punch, complete with pre-used fireplace. consisting of Alan Vidler, Leanne and the weather felt more like sum- A few steps away, we discovered Aust, Jenny Horsfield, Jonathan mer than spring. The ‘ting, ting’ of that the stream bed now held water, Miller, and myself, and led by the bellbirds rang in our ears—it’s which oozed over slabs and through Lorraine Tomlins, left Canberra a sound that I regard as the theme a series of small scalloped pools, to in the early afternoon in two cars. tune of the Blue Mountains valleys. trickle from the lip of an overhang The final 50 kilometres of the road in a miniature cliff-line that formed trip took long enough—it’s a slow Prickly shrubs brushed our shoul- a perfect horseshoe. meander with glimpses, for those ders as we started the ascent to fortunate to occupy passenger Tonalli Pass, but on higher slopes We gratefully dropped our packs seats—of distant cliffs and deep we encountered pleasanter under- and set up camp, and passed the valleys draining into the Kowmung storeys populated by brightly flow- hot afternoon in siesta mode, while catchment. ering members of the pea family. some of us braved the surpris- The well-defined spur that we fol- ingly chilly waters for a wash. The We arrived at the free campground lowed carried traces of an old track campfire that we gathered around in Yerranderie East with ample or fire trail but these faded as we that evening served mainly to boil daylight in which to pitch our tents. tackled the final steep pinch to the billies and keep the insects at bay, The facilities comprise tank water base of a cliff-line. We then sidled, while Alan regaled us with stories drawn from the roofs of the old through caves and beneath colourful from his many active years in the court house and police station, and overhangs, to the foot of the pass, club, most of them featuring misad- a couple of composting toilets in which presented an obvious series ventures, injuries and evacuations, an undulating paddock grazed to of step-ups to the top of the plateau. in an age before PLBs. stubble by kangaroos. Abundant shade persuaded us to After a clear night, somewhat chill- After a mild, clear night, we woke take our lunch break here before ier than the one before, we woke in perfectly dry tents; a sure sign of making the final ascent. Having again in perfectly dry tents. We set low humidity. We kicked off with a reached the top, we paused briefly in out on more undulating tableland, stroll along Yerranderie Street, pass- the hot sun to take in the views to the crossed another tributary of Lacey ing a number of well-maintained south before heading out onto the Creek, also holding water and fea- weekenders. When I first visited this Tonalli Tableland. Our destination turing another miniature cliff-line, former mining settlement in the 70s, lay on one of Lacey Creek’s head- and soon encountered waratahs in on a Mittagong to Katoomba walk, water streams, where Meg McKone flower. Lorraine achieved a navi-

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Trip report that obstacle, a very steep slope took We’d received a visit from a goanna us on a seemingly never-ending during the afternoon, and some slither of a descent, while the heat party members claimed to have of another unseasonally warm day heard dingoes wailing during the ramped up. night. Lorraine issued a wake-up call at 5:00 am, and soon our At last, the steepness relented in campsite became busy with torch favour of a well-defined spur that beams bobbing and weaving, as led us on down to Green Wattle we packed up and organised our Creek. A swimming hole would breakfasts. Daylight arrived as the have been nice, but we had to make last pack-straps were buckled, and do with what we found—a string we shouldered our loads and started of shallow pools, holding water of the climb. varying clarity, in an otherwise dry stream bed sandwiched by banks It soon became evident that today’s gational bulls-eye by bringing us packed with bracken, wild raspberry weather wouldn’t present a carbon to a salient on the main cliff edging and a lawyer vine or two. We hud- copy of the previous two days. Light the plateau. Against a foreground dled in whatever shade we could showers brushed us as we laboured of rock platforms ridged, rippled find while we took our lunch break, up that big hill, and cloud muted the and fretted, and holes-in the-wall then set out on a very short after- sun’s emergence from behind the framing treetops far below, we noon’s stage. Within 15 minutes rim of the Tonalli Tableland. But looked across at Vengeance Penin- we’d reached the inconspicuous the lack of strong sunbeams seemed sula—an unofficial name applied junction of Bull Island and Green a bonus as we slogged on. A cliff, by bushwalkers to the long, narrow Wattle Creeks, and a very pleasant, or something like it, loomed ahead, mesa that bulwarks the eastern end grassy campsite shaded by sheoaks and Jonathan gave us a new word of the Axeheads, and the spur that and tall bluegums. for our mountaineering lexicon: we’d climb to reach it. We also ‘chossy’, to describe an incline We had debated whether to shorten steep enough to feel cliff-like, but surveyed the distant hump-backed the big day ahead by stocking up on skyline of Mt Cloudmaker, and the composed not of solid rock, but of water here, and carrying on to a high fragments loosely embedded in a Ti-Willa Plateau’s double cliff-line. camp somewhere on Vengeance It was a moment to marvel at the matrix of sand and fine gravel. After Peninsula; but enthusiasm for that a nerve-wracking clamber, in the extent of the Southern Blue Moun- option had by now well and truly tains’ wilderness area, all the more course of which we placed more evaporated, so we resolved instead trust than we would have liked in remarkable because it lies so close to make a crack-of-dawn start on the to ’s urban sprawl. spindly shrubs and tufts of grass, we morrow. For now, we set up camp, reached safer ground, and a steady We continued north, with the cliff let the call of the bellbirds lull us rise lifted us to the peninsula’s edge never far away, to an incon- as we took a siesta and later, we pleasant heights. spicuous gully that marked the enjoyed another campfire, and more beginning of our descent. We of Alan’s stories; we suggested that A sheoak-dominated understorey scrambled through that gulch, only he might have enough material to provided a soft carpet underfoot to find that another sheer drop-off pen a memoir. as we passed cliff edges yielding dictated a long sidle. Having cleared views that extended beyond the sprawling mesa that crowns the Broken Rock Range, to the Wild Dog Mountains, Narrow Neck, Mt Solitary and the Katoomba area; while distant showers drew veils across Mt Cloudmaker and High Gangerang. Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and a pitter-patter of light drops prompted a stop to put on rain jackets. Alan remarked that going to the trouble of layering-up would guarantee that the rain didn’t last; for now, his reasoning seemed to hold, although one doubted that it would maintain its validity in New Zealand or South-West Tasmania. Like most of the Blue Mountains’ plateaus, the Vengeance Peninsula turns out to be far from perfectly flat on top, and we passed over several rises and saddles before a dramatic narrowing brought Bull Island Peak into view, with

Canberra Bushwalking Club it February 2015 – page 5 Trip report its many-layered cliff-bands and north. The rain stopped, the sky was knife-blade ridge extending towards brightening, and Lorraine called Tonalli Tableland. Moments later, a lunch break. We put on jumpers we found ourselves overlooking the and beanies. A bit of dampness and peninsula’s own ‘thin bit’. An airy chill seemed a small price to pay; three-point scramble took us to the we would’ve faced a harder slog, beginning of what amounts to no in yesterday’s heat. more than a wall of sandstone, with From here we could see the culmi- sheer drops to either side. I’d seen nation of the traverse, at Gander pictures of bushwalkers walking the Head, and the afternoon seemed tightrope here, but a ledge beneath to promise plain sailing. But after the crest saved us from going to some distance on a pleasant ridge such extremes. top, a sheer drop sent us back- A scrubby gully took us onto the tracking in search of an elusive mini-mesa marking the peninsula’s cliffline pass. More ridge walking final high point, beyond which we brought us to the foot of another descended into a deep saddle, with unnamed feature: a half kilometre the range’s next major peak looming long sliver of sandstone straddling ahead. Steady rain had now set in, the crest. This remarkable landform rain jackets went on and stayed on, gave us neither the opportunity but we enjoyed a respite beneath nor the obligation to do ‘the full It seemed typical of the Axeheads an overhang in the peak’s guardian skyline’, so we sidled its western that, just when it appeared that we’d cliffline, before another scramble fall. A hazy afternoon sun had cleared the last cliff-line, another got us past that barrier. Most of emerged, and warmed us as we sheer drop should yawn ahead. the route that we followed remains wombat-crawled between boulders We scurried back up the hill, duly untracked and unmarked, but signs and beneath overhangs. found that bend in the track, and of wear-and-tear gave us enough of We emerged from beneath that crag the cairn marking it, and followed a clue whenever we sought a pass to a view of the Scotts Main Range the track into a gully that provided through a cliffline. We reached a fire road down below. The end was a passage through the cliff. The summit, crowned by a tiny patch in sight. We also found ourselves, descent continued, and at last of flower-spangled heathland, for the first time since leaving we emerged into the clearing at descended, found another cliffline the Tonalli River three days ago, Byrnes Gap. We’d done it! All pass, and continued downhill into treading a well-beaten bushwalkers’ that remained was the road bash to Green Wattle Gap. track. As we launched into the final Yerranderie. We put our minds into Feeling somewhat bedraggled by descent, we heard voices below. neutral as we trudged on, while now, we slogged on in the rain, Soon we met a party of four from dark clouds accumulated, thunder turned another cliffline and reached the Coast and Mountain Walkers, rumbled, and light rain fell. We the unnamed high point that marks who warned us of a sharp bend in staggered into the campground at a major bifurcation of the ridges, the track up ahead, but we sleep- around 6:30 pm, over 12 hours since with the beginning of the Broken walked right past it, and arrived we’d broken camp; and we hadn’t Rock Range peeling away to the on the brink of yet another cliff. taken much time out for lunch or other rest breaks. Windscreen wipers stayed busy throughout the journey home, and the radio brought news of wild weather and damaging storms in the Sydney region. Most of us wouldn’t see our beds on the right side of midnight, and our heads would hit the pillow full of images… of wildflower displays, pea shrubs, boronia and waratah, of tall timber ringing to the call of bellbirds, or perhaps the sudden arrival at yet another impassable cut-off, with the thought looming: which way now? It had been a momentous trip.

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Club challenge 2015 Examples: 6. In case of dispute, the Assistant Totally Topo! Walks Secretary has the final say. • If an area is covered by a 1:100,000 his incentive program is intended to map, a 1:50,000 map and a 1:25,000 ACT maps Tpromote activities in areas that Club map, only the 1:25,000 map will be members do not normally visit. eligible. All of the following 17 maps contain part of the ACT. The idea is to travel on foot (walk, ski, • If an area is covered by a 1:100,000 canyon, etc) on routes over as many map and a 1:50,000 map and no maps as possible over the course of 1:25,000 map, only the 1:50,000 map Bedulluck Rendezvous 12 months. The program will commence will be eligible. Creek with walks that start on or after 1 March Bredbo Shannons Flat 2015 and finish on or before 29 Febru- • If an area of Canberra is covered by a ary 2016. TAMS 1:15,000 map and a 1:25,000 Bungendore Sutton (see map, only the 1:25,000 map will be note below) Day and overnight categories are pro- eligible. Canberra Tidbinbilla vided in an attempt to improve the 2. To be eligible, an activity must Colinton Tuggeranong program’s fairness. Note that the defini- Umburra tion of a day activity for this program is • be on foot and either day or overnight, a little different from that which normally so bushwalking, canyoning and Williamsdale applies. For Totally Topo!, if an activity is skiing will be counted, but not cycling Hall Yaouk or canoeing. to be considered a day activity, travel to Michelago and from the activity as well as the activity • be listed on the Club program, as itself must be completed between 5 am a regular or a short-notice activity; Note: 18,000 m² and 1,200 m² of ACT and midnight on the one day. activities listed only on the it Bulletin land are on the Bedulluck and Sutton Board are not eligible. maps respectively. For the Bedulluck A target number of maps is provided for map the 4 km/1 hour requirements will be relaxed to 200 m/3 minute for the each category. The ACT is covered by • cover a minimum of 4 kilometres or one hour of active travel. ACT map count. The land on the Sutton 17 maps (but one area is inaccessible) map is in the Firing Range and so 16 is the target for this category. 3. To be eligible, a participant’s therefore inaccessible and will not be Some inventive routes may be required completion of an activity must counted. for a couple of the ACT maps to meet be reported by the leader on an Other local maps the distance or time requirements. As ‘Acknowledgement of Risks and usual, all activities must respect require- Obligations’ sheet in the usual way. There are approximately 32 maps that ments for entering private land or land Names must be printed legibly. meet the eligibility criteria within 50 km with other entry restrictions. of Civic (as the crow flies) and approxi- 4. If an activity occurs on multiple mately 101 maps within 100 km. These eligible maps, each of the maps will The Club statistician (currently the are a mix of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 be counted, provided the activity Assistant Walks Secretary) will generate maps. the statistics from the Club’s Activity covered a minimum of 4 kilometres Map sources Database. A record of the number of or one hour of travel on each map. maps walked on by each person will be 5. Participants’ achievements will be Maps can be obtained from a number published periodically on the Club’s web- recorded in three categories: of the bushwalking and camping shops site and a summary will be provided in it. around Canberra, although they all • Day activity: (defined as starting from carry only a limited selection of maps. Canberra and returning to Canberra Rules Paper maps can be purchased on-line between 5 am and midnight on the and NSW digital maps downloaded from 1. To be eligible, a map must: same day, including travel). Target = the SIX Maps website (https://maps.six. 40 different maps. • be published by Land and Property nsw.gov.au). Some other states have Information NSW or the equivalent • Overnight activity: (defined as any similar arrangements for downloading government authority in other activity that is not a day activity). maps. Topoview Raster 2006, published Australian states and territories. Target = 40 different maps. by the NSW Department of Lands (now LPI), is another source although the • not be a Specialty map or a ‘print your • ACT activity: (defined as travelling map quality is not particularly good. own’ map such as those available for a minimum of 4 km or one hour In most cases map boundaries are on from Vicmap. in the ACT section of a map, with two particular latitudes and longitudes, so • meet the following map scale criteria: exceptions noted below). Jervis Bay map boundaries are reasonably simple is not considered as being in the ACT. to determine. For example, on 1:25,000 • the largest (i.e. most detailed) scale Target = all 16 allowable maps. scale maps the east/west boundaries maps to be eligible are 1:25,000, • Where an activity and map fit into are spaced at 15 minute intervals and • where a 1:25,000 map is not more than one category the activity the north/south boundaries at 7.5 min- published for an area, the eligible will be counted in each category ute intervals. map will be the largest scale currently (e.g. a day walk in the ACT on the

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Canberra Bushwalking Club it February 2015 – page 7 Trip report Blue Mountains bonanza Participants: Karen Cody, Bob On our way up the ridge we looked of last year’s disastrous fires with Salijevic, leaders, David Briese, back and could see the Clarence burnt machinery and work sheds. Christine Francis, Lorna Cuneo Colliery Works clearly visible. It is disturbing to know that huge In one special place it is possible to and Janet Edstein amounts of coal waste water are see three tiers of railway lines as they being discharged so near to this wild zigzag up the hillside. Karen’s photo or 4 days in late November, shows the massive and yet graceful Karen Cody and Bob Salijevic area, into the nearby headwaters of F the Upper . sandstone arches on one level and programmed a series of walks in the another series of five even larger western part of the Blue Mountains. Saturday late afternoon: to and arches, on another level higher up. It Morning and afternoon walks were around Zigzag Railway Distance 7 km was a fantastic view as we clambered chosen to showcase a variety of climb about 200 m up the hillside. Eventually we were landscapes and their human im- at the top level and walked along the pacts. It was a wonderful, exhilarat- After lunch and resting for a few hours as it was so hot, we set off on rail line before returning to the cars. ing, fun and happy experience to be Another great walk. part of this group. A great part of another walk to look at the historic the total enjoyment of this trip was Zigzag Railway. First we ambled During the evening we had a series the warm hospitality we had from across the Lithgow Valley Reserve of thunderstorms, with rain and hail. Karen and Bob. While Chris and down to a huge rocky pagoda and from there we could sight part of Sunday 23 November am Birrabang David chose to camp on the lawn, Canyon Distance 7 km Climb 320 m Lorna and I shared the spare bed- the railway. room. After each walk it was lovely In the early days of Australia, With Sunday’s temperature pre- to rest on the front verandah with a railways provided a catalyst for dicted to be 37°C Karen’s choice of breeze…and a cold beer. development and the opening up walking in Birrabang Canyon in the the huge tracts of land. The Zigzag Upper was just right. Saturday 22 November am Goochs Karen explained that this canyon is Crater Distance 6 km climb about 200 m Railway was no different and in the early 1860s it provided a link a great introductory walk with no On Saturday morning the walk was between Sydney and the western abseils or swims required. Instead to the Goochs Crater area, which is side of the Great Divide mountains. we continually walked, slid, scram- situated in wild and rugged terrain The engineers had a choice of bled or waded through this thank- within the Newnes State Forest constructing a horrendously long fully cool canyon for several hours and Blue Mts National Park. We and expensive tunnel or a series as well as clambering over huge followed the Old Bells Line of of zigzags and smaller tunnels to rocks, tree trunks, broken branches road down a ridge where there was enable the trains to get over the and nervously sliding down slippery an abundance of flowers although mountains. During this walk we moss covered rocks. At one stage there was also sadly evidence of the strolled through two such tunnels, we needed to slide down a very bushfire that had burnt much of this and crossed over the rail line a large sloping moss covered slab into area a year ago. number of times. We saw evidence deeper water. Here Bob nobly stood in the water to help break our fall. The ferns growing from inside In the beginning of this picturesque burnt trunks and tiny new shoots reminded us of how Canberra and looked after the 2003 fire. Led by Karen and Bob we clambered all over the rough rocks, spied tiny rock clefts filled with a myriad of mosses and ferns, explored narrow gorges, slid down rather steep rocky slopes, wound through intricate rocky towers like pagodas, were led along narrow ledges and chimneyed along a very narrow rocky cleft. We ate morning tea sitting in a shady overhang look- ing down at a large swampy area. Here we could see tree ferns that had burnt to the ground and were now re-sprouting. We were taken to different viewpoints from where the wilderness of this area could be showcased and if we had sighted dinosaurs in this area we wouldn’t have been surprised!

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Trip report walk the canyon walls were so close Monday 24 November Descend via Peter and Linda. Keeping an eye on that the rock walls were almost Lockleys Pylon to , the weather we had a quick lunch touching. Progress was slow as we explore and ascend and then from 1.30 to 3.30 pm we just had to take photos of each bend via Perrys Track Distance 12 kms ascended in the shade via Perrys where the light shimmered and there Descent /Ascent 800 m Track—about an 800 m climb. we saw stunning reflections in the The forecast weather was 29°C with It was a journey I won’t forget for a pools of water. The water was clear long time. We had scarcely gone up and we saw a number of bright red afternoon/evening showers, and the possibility of a thunderstorm, so we very far before the storm began. For yabbies. I was in awe at the beauty the next hour we endured its tem- of this canyon. left by 7:00 am, leaving one car at Perrys Lookout and driving another pest. I found it scary. I felt we were After exiting from the canyon we to the start of this mighty walk, like midgets exposed in the might ate lunch beside the creek before near Lockleys Track. As we walked of thunder, rain and approaching having to climb up the almost along the top of the gorge we could lightning. As we ascended there 200 m scrubby hillside to return to feel the heat beginning to well up. was the uncertainty and consterna- the cars 1½ kms away. It was very We walked across to a small cave tion as to whether we would be hot and I was glad that I had soaked or overhanging rocky area. Here permanently deafened by the loud my T-shirt and hat before we set there was ample room for a small thunder, drown in the torrent of off. It was so much fun and just a party to enjoy having a meal and rain, slip off the very dripping wet privilege to be shown this canyon. camp. From here we climbed up track, succumb to hypothermia, or Thank you Karen and Bob, I want to a hill, named Lockleys Pylon; at one point, be hit by the far too to do it all again! a heap of rocks to which walkers close lightning. At one stage after contribute. We continued gently a particularly loud thunderous Late Sunday afternoon looking at clap that seemed just above us I Aboriginal art work Distance 3 kms descending and then from a rounded Climb 100 m hill we started very steeply weaving wondered what CBC would do if our way down to the bottom of the there was a report of 6 bodies left This time we set off in very hot and Grose River Valley. I found the track on a hillside! With great relief we humid conditions, even though it quite challenging at times. In one watched the storm lighten and travel was about 6:00 pm, and walked place you step facing outwards, then from us and onto another part of the down a scrubby hillside for about shimmer yourself around so you go gorge. When we finally made it to 150 m to view aboriginal art works over the ledge backwards hoping the top I think the others were as along the underside of cliffs. We your feet can touch the rather tiny relieved as was I. could see hands and maybe an ledge, somewhere below you. That Across the valley we could see the outline of an animal all stencilled done you continue down a series in reddish sandstone like ochre, all ominous black sky….where the of very steep stone steps, rocky storm was still raging. We all opted very interesting, but all I could think ledges and sometimes (bliss) almost of was the extreme heat and humid- for a coffee at a café after this walk, a metre wide of dirt track, with the and back at Bob’s place I cheerfully ity and vaguely wondered if I would exposure shielded by trees. have the energy to a walk up the watched more rain and storm from hill or could they just leave me for It took us about two hours to reach the safety of his home! another day! It was sooooooo hot the welcoming river. After a much The next day three of us decided clambering up the hillside that we needed relaxing time soaking in we wouldn’t do the next walk – The sat like dead logs recovering before the river we walked in the beautiful Engineers Track 6 km 270 m, as it we had energy for the evening meal. Blue Gum forest and were joined by was still warm and so rather wearily we returned to Canberra. A real heartfelt thank you to Karen and Bob for the fantastic few days, for their detailed planning of which walks to take us on, for their excellent care and advice when we needed it and for their high standard of competent leadership. You would be a mug not to go when it’s offered again! Janet Edstein

Canberra Bushwalking Club it February 2015 – page 9 Activity program Activity program Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with Lorraine Tomlins (Walks Secretary) Ph: 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496, Email: [email protected], Post: 17 Forbes Street, Turner

Information for participants Distance and difficulty Transport Distance: Costs are 38¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This (S) Short – under 12km/day amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given (M) Medium – 12–20km/day are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, (L) Long – over 20km/day an estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. climbed. Duty of care Terrain: Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that (E) Easy – fire trail, tracks, beaches etc he/she does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to (M) Medium – bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or (R) Rough – much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles damage to property. Each person is required to sign the Club’s (W) Wet – compulsory swims, many river crossings ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form. Visitors are welcome to join (X) Exploratory trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips. Booking Contact the leader early rather than late so the leader has time to For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub. arrange transport. See walk description for booking deadline. org Check with the leader about: Check-in after walks XXthe need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc X Before a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names of their Xappropriate clothing, footwear party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their safe return or X Xany precautions you might need to take for severe weather trip cancellation, to the Check-in Officer, Keith Thomas (check.in@ changes. canberrabushwalkingclub.org, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 leave Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to message if no answer). The Check-in Officer or the Walks Secretary our Club. (6248 0456 or 0434 078 496), not the Police or other bodies, should be the first point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning.

Equipment hire Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your own equip- Due to space, walks scheduled more ment. The Equipment Officer is Rob Horsfield, who can than three months in advance may appear be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside only on the Club’s web site. PLB, Keith Thomas, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667. The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘first Wednesday walks time’ weekend walkers. Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be conducted every Wednesday. Walks are refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon conducted in turn by leaders from the Canberra return and whether they are returned late. Bushwalking Club (CBC), Brindabella Bushwalking Club (BBC) and National Parks Item w.e./week Association (ACT) (NPA). Details about Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 destination and meeting place are emailed to Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Snow tent $15 / $40 Contact Janet Edstein wednesday.walks@ 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 canberrabushwalkingclub.org to get your name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s Assorted packs $5 / $15 contribution to these walks. Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25 Walk details will be advised a few days before Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 the walk, via the Wednesday Walks email list. Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) Walkers who are not members of the BBC, NPA GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) or CBC must contact the walk leader before the walk to discuss the level of difficulty of the walk. Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need (Please note that walk leaders retain the right when collecting and returning gear. not to accept any walker.) Non-members must be accompanied by a sponsoring member.

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Activity program Saturday 14 February: Snowy Flat Falls – M/M Wednesday 18 February 2015, 8 pm Corin Dam – Stockyard Spur – Snowy Flats and return. Map: Corin Dam Leader: Jenny Horsfield 6231 4535. MONTHLY MEETING Transport: ~$40 per car. KNP Wild Horse Management Plan Presenter: Rob Gibbs Saturday 14 February: Cbr100Challenge Training – – L/E The hall: Hughes Baptist Church Join me for a lap or two of Lake Burley Griffin. Feet 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes hardening for the Cbr100Challenge. As much or as little as you like. We’ll start at 6.30 am. Ring me to find Thursday evening 19 February: Burley out where I am if you want to join later. Around 50 km. Griffin – S/E Map: Canberra Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877 Meet at 6.30 pm in the car park on the right of the road [email protected] Transport: Drive yourself. Late outside the Governor General’s residence on Dunrossil bookings welcome. Drive for a wander along the lake to Weston Park and back. No need to book. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan 14–15 February: Sub 24 hour camping #1 Marks 6254 9568, [email protected] Transport: (S24C#1) – Brandy Flat – S/E Drive yourself. Day 1: An afternoon wander from Glendale Crossing up track and fire Trail to Brandy Flat. Camping by Brandy Saturday 21 February: – Flat Hut with views down Gudgenby Creek. Day 2: S/M/W A morning return by the same route. Ideal bush break Access Gibraltar Creek through old pine forest a for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for crowlometer or so above the Falls. Wend our way down beginners. In the event of hot weather we will postpone. to , then in underneath for a good look. Map: Michelago. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 Continue down through Woods Reserve, then rock-hop or [email protected]. Transport: ~$40 per car. splash a few more crowlometers. Visit Mushroom Rock if Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 8. we feel like it. Some geocaches – GC2J5Q1 Weird Weir I – Gibraltar; GC10ZN6 Gibraltar’s Glory; GC3HMW4 Sunday 15 February: Red Hill circuit – M/E–M Waterfall Wonder II; GC2GRRZ Wild Woods. Map: Starting from Deakin, walking to the summit of Red Tidbinbilla. Leader: John Evans 0417436877 john@ Hill, taking in the great views along the ridgeline to johnevans.id.au Transport: ~$10 per person, car shuttle Hindmarsh Drive. Follow the eastern and northern edges required. Late bookings considered. of the reserve back to the cars. About 10 km in all, finish by lunchtime. Bookings: by 2 pm Thursday, 12 February 21–22 February: Alpine weed control: please Map: Canberra. Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 628 Kosciuszko National Park – S/E to L/M 429 or [email protected] Transport: Drive yourself Weed rehabilitation, weed spotting and some hands-on but tell me when you book if you need a ride. weed identification training, advertised by short-notice email before Christmas, now fully booked. Further details Monday evening 16 February: Flat Black on the CBC Special Events page. Leader: Cynthia Mountain – S/E Burton [email protected] Meet at 6.30 pm. Park at the end of Frith St near the Map: Perisher Valley Transport and accommodation: electricity substation for a wander over and around the provided by Greening Australia. little known, low mountain to the north of the main peak for some different views. No need to book. Map: Sunday 22 February: CBR100 Challenge Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568 smarks@live. training – , Centenary com.au Transport: Drive yourself. Trail to Black Mountain, Mount Painter, Lake Ginninderra – L/E Tuesday 17 February: Black Range section This walk will start from John Knight Park on Lake of Tallaganda National Park – L/R/X Ginninderra, doing a circuit of the lake before following As there are road works from Mt Ginini to Cotter hut the Centenary Trail to Black Mountain. After visiting the walk on Tues 17 Feb has a new location. The walk the Black Mountain summit, the walk will go through starts at the junction of the Forbes Creek road and North the Aranda Bushland and visit the summit of Mount Black Range fire trail. The walk is mainly off-track, with Painter, before returning to Lake Ginninderra. About moderate scrub. This is an exploratory trip and includes 25–30 km all up. You’re welcome to join me for as long a steep and rocky descent of a tributary of Mulloon or as short as you like – phone me to check where I am. Creek. Minimum distance: 18 km with 500 metres of Bookings: By 2 pm Thursday 19 February please. Map: ascent Map: Bombay Leader: Ian Wright 6286 1473, Canberra, Hall Leader: Nathan Holt nholt_98@yahoo. [email protected] Transport: 1062 km return com Transport: drive yourself but let me know if you Limit: 8 need a lift. Wednesday 18 February: Wednesday walk Monday evening 23 February: Ainslie/Majura See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Reserve – S/E Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC Be at the entrance to the park beside 39 Mackenzie Street, Contact: [email protected] Hackett, just north of the Grayson Street intersection at 6.30 pm for a walk in the saddle between Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura. No need to book. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), [email protected]. au Transport: Drive yourself.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it February 2015 – page 11 Activity program Monday 23 February: Shanahans Mountain Sunday 1 March: Gibraltar Peak – M/E – M/M Starting from the Tidbinbilla Visitors Centre, we will Walk from Shanahans Mt south and then east across follow a walking trail up to the summit of Gibraltar headwater of Shanahans Falls Creek to Naas River. Peak, with its fabulous views over Tidbinbilla and the Return via Naas Valley FT then long ridge north to cars. Murrumbidgee valley, making the climb well worth the Map: Colinton Leader: Mike Banyard mbanyard@ effort. From there, we’ll complete the circuit back to the netspeed.com.au 0414 959 967 Transport: ~$60 per cars. About 13 km all up. Should be finished by lunchtime. car. Limit: 5 Bookings by 19 Feb please. Bookings: by 2 pm Thursday, 26 February please. Map: Tidbinbilla Leader: Nathan Holt [email protected] or Tuesday 24 February: Cbr100Challenge 0414628429. Transport: around ~$10 per person. training – Cotter Hut – L/E,W Walk in along Cotter Hut Rd to Cotter Hut, splash through Sunday 1 March: Monga Rainforest the and return via the AAWT. 5 geocaches adventure – S/R along the way. Around 38 km and 1050 m total climb. (Rescheduled from 8 February.) A walk designed for Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Corin Dam Leader: John active kids aged 7 to 12 and their parents or grandparents. Evans 0417436877 [email protected] Transport: A circuit of 4 km from the River Forest Road with the ~$12. Late bookings welcome. highlight being magical Eucryphia forest, with a few monkey vines and a small clear creek. Mostly open Wednesday 25 February: Wednesday walk under storey, but we will also have to get through See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the 200–300 metres of scrub, which guards the rainforest. Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA Good shade. Meet in Braidwood, after which there will Contact: Mike Smith [email protected] be a 10–15 minute drive. Map: Monga Leader: Linda Groom [email protected], 02 6281 4917 Transport: COMMITTEE MEETING drive yourself or let Linda know if you need or can offer Wednesday 25 February 2015, 8 pm a lift. Bookings welcome up to 8 pm the night before. at the home of Cynthia Coppock 12 Barnet Close, Swinger Hill Tuesday 3 March: Nadgigomar Nature Reserve Western Section – L/M The walk is in the Sunset Mountain section of Nadgigomar Submissions close for Nature Reserve 35 km north of Braidwood. The terrain March it is hilly or slightly undulating and there are extensive 25 February 2015 mature, dry sclerophyll woodlands. A fire has recently burned through some of the reserve and our route will take us in and out of burnt areas. The route is mostly Thursday 26 February: Gowrie to Fadden off-track. Minimum distance: 17 km with approx. PRAMbulation – S/E 500 metres of ascent Map: Oallen Leader: Ian Wright A walk designed for parents or grandparents with kids in 62861473 [email protected] Transport: 192 strollers, through suburban Gowrie to the scenic Fadden km return Limit: 8 Pines Park. All on bike path, fairly flat, with about ⅓ of the walk in good shade. The park has public toilets. About Wednesday 4 March: Wednesday walk 1 hour walking. Optional coffee at the Common Grounds See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Café afterwards. Meet at 1 pm in the Gowrie Shops car Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC park, Jeffries Street, outside the café. No need to book. Contact: [email protected] Map: Google Maps. Leader: Linda Groom lbgroom@ gmail.com 6281 4917. Transport: drive yourself. (6) 7–9 March (Canberra LWE): Blue Mountains – L/M Thursday evening 26 February: Mt Painter – Leave Canberra Friday night and stay in a comfortable S/E guest house in Katoomba. Saturday: Mt Solitary from Meet at 6.30 pm in the car park accessed via the lane via Furber Steps, return same way. beside 57 MacKellar Circuit, Cook and visit this nearby Sunday: Rodriguez Pass via Govetts Leap and Junction peak with great views. No need to book. Map: Canberra Rock to . Monday: Porters Pass and Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), [email protected]. Centennial Glen (half day). Each walk is on track and au Transport: Drive yourself. has great valley views but involves lots of stairs. Map: Katoomba Leaders: Edwina Yee and Quentin Moran. Saturday 28 February: Cbr100Challenge Bookings to Edwina 0418 651 421, edwina.yee@ training – Westside@ActonPark to Duffy defence.gov.au Transport: ~$78 per person with 3 per via the northern Canberra Centenary Trail car. Accommodation: singles $28 per night (dorm rooms – L/E only). Accommodation includes light breakfast. Limit: 8. Join me for as much or as little as you like. Start at 6.30 am. Ring me to find out where I am. Around 70 km Saturday 7 March: CBR100 Challenge and 1400 m. Maps: Canberra, Hall Leader: John Evans training – Lake Burley Griffin circuit inc 0417 436 877, [email protected] Transport: Drive Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie – L/E yourself. Please book by 2 pm Thursday. Last training walk before the CBR100 Challenge. A complete lap of Lake Burley Griffin, including visiting 28 February–1 March: Corang Lagoon – M/M Black Mountain and Mount Ainslie. You’re welcome to Out and back from Wog Wog. Always a great spot. Maps: join me for as long or as short as you like – phone me to Corang and Enderick Leaders: Jenny and Rob Horsfield check where I am. Bookings: By 2 pm Thursday 5 March

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Activity program please. Map: Canberra Leader: Nathan Holt nholt_98@ overlooking the lower Kangaroo Valley with dramatic yahoo.com or 0414 628 429. Transport: drive yourself views. On Monday, we will probably do the short but but let me know if you need a lift. beautiful Erith Coal Mine loop. We will dine out at the local pub on Saturday evening and have ‘an everyone 7–9 March: Royal National Park Coastal bring something’ meal on Sunday night at the house. Track – L/M Map: Bundanoon Leader: Stan Marks 62549568 email This walk on the Canberra Day long weekend traverses [email protected] Transport: $35–$40. the length of Royal National Park (RNP) following the Coastal Track. We will walk along cliffs, beaches and Wednesday 11 March: Wednesday walk escarpments, taking in magnificent ocean views and the See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the rugged beauty of RNP’s coastline as we go. On Day 1 Activity program, for conditions on participating. CBC most of the track is exposed with no shade making the Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 6281 4917 walk long and arduous. There are many climbs and ascents along the way on stony surfaces with some rock Saturday 14 March: Yaouk Gap – Porcupine hopping and climbing around headlands, so a good level Creek – M/R/X of fitness and experience carrying an overnight pack is This is a reconnaissance along this section of the ACT essential. Saturday: we drive to Otford and park the border involving scrub and steep terrain. Map: Yaouk cars. We then catch the train to Cronulla; board a ferry Leader: Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: ~$80 to Bundeena and camp at Bonnie Vale campground per car. overnight. In the afternoon we will do a short walk Saturday 14 March: Cbr100Challenge around the headland. Sunday: from Bundeena we walk Training – night walking from Duffy to 21 km to North Era campground and camp overnight, Westside@ActonPark – L/E surrounded by stunning coastal scenery. Swims possible The 100 km next weekend will see us walking through along the way. Monday: walk out to Otford (300 m the night. Here’s an opportunity to get used to the condi- steep climb), about 10 km. Maps: Port Hacking and tions. Leave from my home in Duffy at 8 pm; pick up the Otford Leader: Barry Keeley, 6154 6391, 0415 152 389 route on the Cotter Road and walk via Red Hill. Around [email protected] Transport: ~$60 per 25 km and 300 m. Should finish around 2 am . Map: person. Camping fees: ~$25. Limit: 8. Canberra Leader: John Evans 0417436877 john@ 7–9 March: Jillicambra Mountain – M/M–R johnevans.id.au Transport: ~$4, car shuttle required. An off-track walk in the rugged Wadbilliga NP for the Late bookings welcome. Canberra Day long weekend. From the Woila Ck–Tuross 14–15 March: Sub 24 hour camping #2 River junction, walk downstream ~3 kms. Ascend a side creek to camp on a forested plateau on the eastern side of (S24C#2) – Hospital Creek – S/E Day 1: An afternoon saunter along Yankee Hat Track Jillicambra Mtn. Climb the mountain (1026 m), descend then Bogong Creek. Camping at Frank & Jacks Hut. Day an eastern ridge and camp at a beautiful pool on the 2: A morning return by Old Boboyan Road via Hospital . Return 5 kms upstream to our cars. AWD Creek Hut. Ideal bush break for busy people. Suitable vehicles required. Map: Belowra Leader: Meg McKone as an overnight pack trip for beginners. Map: Yaouk. 6254 5902, [email protected] Transport: Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 seansunley64@ ~340 kms return, $125 per car, $31+ per person. Limit: 8. gmail.com. Transport: ≈ $50 per car. Book: Preferably 7–9 March: Stone Bridge and Merriangaah by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 8. Peak – M/R/part X Wednesday 18 March: Wednesday walk From a camp on a high, grassy, semi-island in the See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the , we explore a granite gorge downstream Activity program, for conditions on participating. BBC on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, we head upstream Contact: [email protected] to the Stone Bridge, where the Snowy River disappears into a stone tunnel. On Monday, we climb up 350 m to Wednesday 18 March 2015, 8 pm Merriangaah Peak. Feel free to skip a day and stay at the camp, and watch for platypus in the Snowy’s clear MONTHLY MEETING pools. The campsite is an easy 3 km walk from the cars, A week of walks around Binna Burra and is on crown land just outside the Merriangaah Nature Lodge, Lamington National Park Reserve boundary; we are permitted to camp there. The Presenters: Cynthia Burton & David Williams walks are off track, with some rock hopping and scrub. The hall: Hughes Baptist Church A 3-hour drive from Canberra via Nimmitabel. Maps: Tombong 1:50,000, Bukalong Leader: Linda Groom 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes [email protected] 6281 4917. Transport: $160 per car. Limit: 12. Late bookings considered. Thursday 19 March: Point Hut Pond PRAMBulation – S/E 7–9 March: Bundanoon gourmet weekend – An afternoon walk designed for parents and grandparents M/E with kids in strollers, around Point Hut Pond and along Drive down on Saturday morning. We will stay at the adjacent corridors of green. Nesting islands in the pond home of club member Tom Gosling, at Bundanoon. The support a great variety of water birds. About 1 hour’s very Saturday afternoon walk will be around the cliff line at pleasant walking all on bike path, fairly level. No need Bundanoon, about 3 hrs taking in the spectacular Fairy to book. Meet at 1 pm at the Gordon shops, cnr of Lewis Bower Falls. The Sunday walk will probably be the Luxton Avenue and Woodcock Drive, outside the IGA. Wombat Hill walk, about five hours just off Meryla Pass

Canberra Bushwalking Club it February 2015 – page 13 Activity program Map: Google Maps Leader: Linda Groom lbgroom@ Wednesday 25 March: Wednesday walk gmail.com 6281 4917. Transport: Drive yourself. See the Wednesday walks information at the head of the Activity program, for conditions on participating. NPA (20) 21–22 March: Tantawangalo Creek – Contact: Mike Smith [email protected] M/R/X/W In the South East Forest National Park, beautiful forest, granite cascades, and clear pools with sandy bottoms COMMITTEE MEETING grace Tantawangalo Creek and its tributaries. We will Wednesday 25 March 2015 leave Canberra no later than 3.30 pm on the Friday and camp in a glade off the Tantawangalo Mountain Road. After a car shuffle we’ll start from ~ 210E 270N (GDA 94 Cathcart map) and descend a ridge to the creek junction at 28–29 March: Gudgenby Circuit – M/R The route is over Mt Gudgenby to a dry camp in the 211E 290 N. Downstream to meet Tantawangalo Creek, northern saddle, then a descent to the Sams Creek fire then upstream as far as time permits, at least through a trail and returning via the saddle on the south side of section of wonderful granite slabs and cascades, then Gudgenby. A steep climb and some scrub. Map: Yaouk further down Tantawangalo Creek to the shuffled car at Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: Postmans Camp. We know of two pleasant campsites on ~ $40 per vehicle. this route but may find others. Slow going, some thick scrub, some knee-deep wading, no known compulsory Sunday 29 March: Ballinafad Creek swims. A total of 16 to 30 kilometres, depending on how adventure – S/M far we go up Tantawangalo Creek. Maps: Cathcart, A short walk in Tallaganda National Park, designed for Candelo and Bemboka Leader: Linda Groom 6281 families with kids in backpacks or self-propelled kids up 4917, [email protected] Transport: $160 per car. to around 12 years old. From the Wild Cattle Flat Road at Late bookings considered. Limit: 8. 234E 494N (GDA94), south 1.5 km through semi-open 21–22 March: Two contenders for the forest to Ballinafad Creek. Relax on the creek’s grassy banks, build dams, float bark boats etc. Older kids can CBR100Challenge – L/E: explore further up the creek. Return the same way. A John Evans pretty area, the only disadvantage is scattered poo from Walks of 25, 50 and 100 km are being organised by the cattle that wander from the nearby property into the Cbr100Challenge on the Canberra Centenary Trail. I have Park. A 9.30 am departure from Queanbeyan then a 1 hour a team of 3 to do the 100 km in 36 hours. I’m looking for drive via Captains Flat. Map: Tinderry Leader: Linda support crews for the event – can you help me? Contact Groom 6281 4917, [email protected] Transport: me to discuss details. We’d also appreciate some moral Drive yourself or $40 per car. Limit: 16. Late bookings support. Come and walk a bit with us and cheer us on welcome. – check the Twitter feed at http://www.johnevans.id.au/ wp/21-22-march-2015-cbr100challenge/ ‘Follow me on 30–31 March: Shanahans Mt Reedy Creek – the walk’ tab, to find out where we are Maps: Canberra, M/R Tuggeranong Leader: John Evans 0417436877 john@ Day 1. Booths Range north to join the long ridge south johnevans.id.au of Reedy Creek to camp. Distance 8 km all off track 654 m descent. Day 2. Return via Naas Fire Trail to Nathan Holt Mt Clear camp ground (lunch) then 350 m climb to cars. I’m part of a team of three CBC members doing the Distance: 16 km 550 m climb all but 3 km on fire trail. 50 km in 14 hours. I’ll be putting on quite a few training Map: Colinton Leader: Mike Banyard 0414 959 967, walks between now and the Challenge, either in the walks [email protected] Transport: ~$60 per car. programme or as short notice walks. Maps: Canberra, Limit: 5 Bookings by 26 March please. Tuggeranong. Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 628 429, [email protected] Cost: $150–$190 per person! (2) 3–6 April: Mt Colong and Mootik Plateau 21–22 March: – M/R/W – M/M–R/partX Second leader needed. Traverse picturesque Shoalhaven Drive to Batsh Camp Thurs night. Take the Mt Armour River. Canoe/paddle 15 km and 14 km walk with FT to the , camp by a big pool at descent or ascent of 600 m. Two parties head in oppo- Broken Point. Ascend Mt Colong via Donnellys Ridge site directions meeting, camping and exchanging car and camp near a permanent spring among terrestrial keys at Fossickers Flat. Canoes hired at Tallowa Dam. orchids. Descend Colong Point to Tonalli Gap, ascend Party 1: Walking Badgerys Lookout – Badgerys Spur – Mootik Plateau, descend to the Tonalli River via Colong Shoalhaven River – Canoe Flat – Fossickers Flat (camp) Gap and camp. Take fire trails back to the cars. Great – paddle on Lake Yarrunga to Tallowa Dam. Party 2: mountain and river scenery and comfortable campsites Paddling Tallowa Dam on Lake Yarrunga to Fossickers in the Southern Blue Mountains. A 900 m climb on Flat (camp) – walk up Shoalhaven River – Canoe Flat – Day 2. A mix of on- and off-track walking. Run jointly Badgerys Spur – Badgerys Lookout. Please book early, with the Coast and Mountain Walkers of NSW. Maps: as canoes need to be booked & paid. Date could be flex- Yerranderie, Bindook Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902, ible to ensure we find participants. Car shuffle needed. [email protected] Transport: ~$180 per Waterproof your pack. Map: Caoura, Burrier Leader: car, $45+ per person. Limit: 8. Trevor Carr 0421 788 554, [email protected] (2) 3–6 April: Brogo – M/R/W?/X Cost: TBA + canoe hire The Brogo Wilderness lies to the east of Nimmitabell and has a pristine catchment. On Friday we will descend into the headwaters of Greens Creek and thence to the

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Activity program . On Saturday we will cross a ridge into 25–27 April: Sentry Box – M/R Galoon Ck. We will then descend part of Galoon Creek From Brayshaws hut the route follows the ACT border before re-crossing to the Brogo River and then climbing over Sentry Box Mountain (dry camp), along to Sams westward up to the plateau. Maps: Nimmitabell, Kydra, Creek then down the Naas, with an early exit on the last Puen Buen & Yankees Gap Leader: Ian Hickson 6251 day. Map: Yaouk Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 6858 [email protected] Transport: ~$140 4535. Transport: ~$48 per vehicle. per car. Limit: 8 (15), 16, 17 May: Durras weekend – Sat M/E, 4–5 April: Overnight Pack walk to Bimberi Sun M/M Peak from the West – L/E–M Leave Canberra Friday night, stay in comfortable For those not wanting to be away for the whole Easter cabins at Depot Beach Caravan Park. Saturday will be weekend. Saturday: a 3-hour drive via Cooma and the spectacular Little Forest Plateau with views to the Adaminaby to Pockets Saddle Road and then link up Budawangs, Pigeon House and beyond with lunch at with the AAWT to walk up to a suitable camp site on Gadara Point. On Sunday, Ross Andrews will lead a Dunns Flat with a creek nearby. Early Sunday morning walk along the coast south of Murramarang, from Emily start (with lighter packs) to Murray’s Gap and thence Miller Beach to Richmond Beach, thence the Garden of through the bush for Sunday morning tea atop Bimberi Unearthly Gums, Oaky Beach, North Head and the cars. and hopefully great views. Return by same route. About Two superb walks, about 4½ hours Sat, 5 hours Sunday. 22 km walking with up to 800 metres climbing. Mostly Maps: Kioloa, Tianjara, Milton Leader: Stan Marks on fire trail but some off track in none-too-difficult bush. 6254 9568, [email protected] Transport: ~$50 Maps: Rules Point, Rendezvous Creek Transport: cost Accommodation: ~$60 depending on numbers. $40 per person. Leader: Tim Wright 0409 847 534, 1–16 August: East and West MacDonnells – 6281 2275 [email protected]. Bookings: by 6 pm M/R/W/ Exploratory Thursday 2 April. East MacDonnells: Bus to Trephina Gorge, then six Saturday 11 April: Orroral Valley Heritage days exploring the slot canyons, gorges and ridges of Walk – S/E Mordor Pound (permission has been gained from the CBC is organising this walk in conjunction with leaseholder). This is exploratory, with probable swims Minders of Tuggeranong Homestead. Meet at 1.30 pm and possibly climbs in the canyons (Jennings Gorges). at the campground, just inside the entry West MacDonnells: A nine day walk with the highlight to Namadgi National Park. The walk of ~4 kms goes of camping (and clearing lots of rocks) on top of the from there into the Orroral Valley and along to Orroral Chewings Range between Mt Giles and Giles Yard Spring. Homestead, former home of decorated Light Horseman Ellery Ck Big Hole, Fish Hole, Portals Canyon, Canyon and intrepid pilot Anny Cunningham. Afternoon tea will of Defiance, top of Chewings Range, Giles Yard Spring, be served after a talk about Cunningham and his colour- Ochre Pits. Compulsory swims and climbs involved. Take ful career. Return the same way. Gold coin donation. advantage of the rain! Expressions of interest: asap, Bookings required, contact Jenny Horsfield 6231 4535, please. Run jointly with Coast and Mountain Walkers [email protected] of NSW. Maps: Alice Springs, Hermannsburg Leader: Meg McKone 6254 5902(h), frankmckone@optusnet. 15–21 (22) April: Mittagong to Katoomba – com.au Transport: $$$. Limit: 8 L/R/X This is classic long distance walk. From Mittagong the route will go via Starlight’s track, McArthurs Flat, Beloon Pass and the bushwalkers allowed corridor through the Wollondilly to Yerranderie. From here there are a number of routes and the one to be used is yet to be decided. Public transport will be used – train to Mittagong and then taxi to the start of Starlights Track – with train and Bulletin Board bus for the return. Much of the walk will be off track The Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no and we will be looking to avoid road walking as far as cost) goods for sale, private trips or other personal possible. Maps: TBA Leader: Lorraine Tomlins 0434 bushwalking-related matters. The Club is not involved 078 496, [email protected] Expressions of in, takes no responsibility for, and does not endorse, Interest: ASAP Transport: TBA Limit: 6 the activities or goods advertised here. Hence, if peo- ple participate in any activities advertised here, they 18–19 April: Sub 24 hour camping #3 do so as private individuals, not as members of the (S24C#3) – Lutons – Day 1 M/E Day 2 S/E Club, and will not be covered by the Club’s insurance. Day 1: An afternoon stroll along Settlers Track via Brayshaws Hut, Westermans Hut, and Waterhole Hut. Notices for the Bulletin board should be emailed Camping by Lutons Shed. Day 2: A morning return to the Walks Secretary: walksec@canberrabush- by Boboyan Road via Lone Pine Homestead Ruin and walkingclub.org Boboyan Homestead Ruin. Ideal bush break for busy people. Suitable as an overnight pack trip for begin- For Sale – Bench Top Single Burner Gas ners. Map: Yaouk. Leader: Sean Sunley 0433 073 959 Cooker [email protected]. Transport: ≈ $60 per car. Good condition and would suit weekender, or as Book: Preferably by email before 1800 Thu. Limit: 8. a wok-friendly gas cooker for those with an elec- tric cook-top. Free to a good home. Jenny Stewart [email protected]

Canberra Bushwalking Club it February 2015 – page 15 Feeling literary? Membership fees 2014/15 Item Single Household Have you had a great experience on a Club walk? Been Hard copy it $67 $94 moved to write about it, either in prose or verse? Felt the urge to see your name in print? Or even just taken some great Electronic it $27 $54 photo shots that you would like to share. The Club welcomes contributions from members so why not write about an interesting experience on a walk or just an enjoyable walk. Alternatively, send in a photo or two with a short paragraph about it/them. The closing date for each issue of it is the date of the 4th Wednesday of every month. Handwritten and posted mate- rial is acceptable, but email is preferred. We also welcome photographs, preferably as separately scanned items or digital images. We can scan original photographs. Contact: Ph 6254 0578, [email protected] Post: 20 O’Sullivan Street, HIGGINS, ACT 2615 Alison Milton, Editor

If undeliverable return to POSTAGE GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601 PAID it AUSTRALIA

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CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB

February 2015

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