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r o Bushwalking C it Club newsletter Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc GPO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601 Volume: 49 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Number: 10 November 2013 GENERAL MEETING 8 pm Wednesday 20 November 2013 In this issue 2 Canberra Bushwalking Flinders Ranges Club Committee Presenters: Cynthia Breheny and Di Thompson 2 President’s prattle 3 Walks Waffle Cynthia Breheny & Di Thompson will give a presentation on the Club’s trip to the Flinders Ranges in May this year led by Janet Edstein. This geologi- 3 Training Trifles cally interesting, historically surprising, botanically fascinating bushwalk- 3 Worn Boot Bash ers’ paradise will be shown in glorious technicolour accompanied by an on 3 Membership matters the spot commentary. You too will want to plan your journey of exploration 3 Canberra Centenary Trail to the Flinders Ranges. preview 4 Review: The magic of Auditorium (not the usual hall), Kakadu (or the maze of Hughes Baptist Church, stony country) 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes 5 The Superb Lyrebird 6 Flinders Ranges (Note change of venue: Please ONLY use the front main 7 Sharing experiences entrance) 8 Murray River: Tom Groggin – Damms Bridge 10 A very English outing Also some leaders of walks in the current and next 10 Date scones month will be on hand with maps to answer your 11 Activity program questions and show you walk routes etc 13 CBC Xmas Party 15 2014 KHA Calendar 15 Bulletin Board 16 Feeling literary? 16 Wednesday walks

Important dates 20 November General meeting 27 November Committee meeting 27 November Submissions close for December it Committee reports

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee President’s President: Linda Groom prattle [email protected] 6281 4917 Treasurer: Julie Anne Clegg t is with regret that I have accepted the resignation Iof Nathan Holt as the Club’s Conservation officer. [email protected] Nathan, has, however, resigned for the happiest of rea- 0402 118 359 sons – he is fully occupied with plans for his wedding. Nathan has done a great job as Conservation Officer, Walks Secretary: Lorraine Tomlins and made something of a speciality of keeping the Com- [email protected] mittee up to date with the latest in conservation news 6248 0456 or 0434 078 496 on the web. Nathan has kindly undertaken to continue to manage the Club’s FaceBook page. His cheerful and General Secretary: Gabrielle Wright knowledgeable contribution to the Club Committee will [email protected] be very much missed. 6281 2275 When a casual vacancy occurs on the Committee, the Constitution allows a new committee member to be Membership Secretary: Roger Edwards appointed by the Committee. Cynthia Burton has kindly [email protected] agreed to step into the conservation role. Cynthia brings 6288 7863 or 0406 378 217 with her a wealth of experience with non-government organisations, as well as a keen appreciation of the Training and Safety Officer: John Evans beauty of the environment that surrounds Club members [email protected] on our every walk.

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o C Conservation Officer: Cynthia Burton President [email protected] 0488 071 203 Web Manager: David Briese [email protected] Christmas party 6286 3479 Editor: Alison Milton Sunday 1 December 2013, 6 pm [email protected] at the home of Janet & Paul Edstein 6254 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w) 19 Gamor Street, Waramanga Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas we provide: barbeques [email protected] you provide: food, drinks, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 plates, utensils, fold-up chairs Social Secretary: Quentin Moran Dress: smart casual or even party [email protected] clothes. 6288 9840 Publisher: Tim Wright [email protected] 6281 2275 All members of the Committee can be contacted Notice of motion in one email to The Committee hereby gives notice that at [email protected] the November General Meeting the following motion will be put to members: CHECK IN: Ring Keith Thomas on 6230 1081 That the Club purchase two Garmin eTrex 20 WEB SITE: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org GPS receivers for use by members on a loan basis. Non-budgeted expenditure of $400.

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Committee reports to scratch with heat stress and snake bite first aid procedures? Membership Walks A repeat of last month’s request: Committee members are often away. For safety reasons, it is criti- matters Waffle cally important that walk leaders direct their pre- and post-trip Please ensure that you keep the details to check.in@canberrabush- Membership Secretary informed walkingclub.org rather than to the his is a quick reminder to walks of any changes to your email Check-In Officer’s personal email address. Tleaders that the next CBC Activ- address. A number of committee ity Program will be for two months members monitor the generic check. New members: Penny Lockwood, – December and January. So please in@... email address. Rivera Morton, Natalia Shushkevich think ahead and plan some wonder- The Club has been invited to facili- g o r

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o C days ahead. tate events in next April’s 2014 Membership Secretary Canberra and Region Heritage And for something a little different, Festival, which celebrates the why not try Street Orienteering. It region’s Aboriginal, natural and is not exactly bushwalking and not built heritage. Please contact me if exactly ordinary orienteering but you’d like to be involved. CBC has Canberra Centenary it is a way of honing navigational contributed some lovely walks in skill. It takes place on Monday past years. Trail preview nights at various suburbs around the place, cost $5 and has a mass CBC “Stretch Your Legs” events or those who did not participate start at 6.15 pm. From my personal are closing in on all 88 ACT trigs. Fin the Canberra Centenary Trail experience it is a good way to keep To date, 207 different members Worn boot bash, Club member fit and see Canberra locations you have walked with 44 different lead- David Briese recently walked the may never have visited before. ers. Two members have walked with track and has written up a descrip- at least 20 different leaders. 80 trigs tion with his photos on his walking http://act.orienteering.asn.au/ have been ‘bagged’. Five members web site ‘Photodiary of a Nomad’. events/ have visited at least 40 different This is presented in 3 linked pages, trigs. a prologue (www.gang-gang.net/

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o C Training and Safety Officer cct01.html) and a page on the south- ern section (www.gang-gang.net/ Training nomad/urbanfringes/cct02.html). The pages also include links to download track files for GPS and Trifles track files that can be viewed on Worn Boot Bash Google Earth. ot weather is on the way. Walks he Club’s 11th annual Worn David has done all the hard work for Hincluding water for a swim, TBoot Bash was recently con- you so why not take a look. or the hills where it can be cooler, ducted on the newly opened Can- should be considered. Hat, sun- berra Centenary Trail. Cynthia Cop- screen, collared shirt with sleeves pock, Nathan Holt, Jenny Horsfield, and more water should be part of Rob Horsfield, Barb Vaschina, Ian every walker’s gear. Walk leaders Wright, Edwina Yee and John Evans should think about programming all bashed their boots by complet- less strenuous walks, starting and ing at least 30 km and ascending a National Day of Climate finishing earlier, and scheduling few hills. Several of the WBB-ers action plenty of drink breaks. Be careful of walked the 150 km of the CCT on V-walks (down in the morning and three non-consecutive days. Hand- There will be a rally in climbing up in the hotter afternoon). somely illuminated commemorative at 11 am on Sunday 17 November to Night walking is always something awards will be presented at the CBC push for stronger action on climate different. All members should re- Christmas party on 1 December. change. It is organised by GetUp. view the advice on the Club web Where should we go in 2014? For those interested in learning site covering Managing Risks in more about this event, further Fire-Prone Conditions and Very information is at Hot Weather and Recommended Practices Day Walking in High www.getup.org.au/get_togethers/ Country / Coping with Challenging climate-catchup Conditions, as well as the wealth of other advice available. Are you up

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2013 – page 3 Review of general meeting talk Review: The magic of Kakadu (or the maze of stony country)

here are many hazards to walk- green tree ants Ting in the ‘top end’ including down your neck, the long and tedious application doing donuts process, which for this CBC trip in a rather spanned nine months. But all paper- navigationally work aside (thank goodness), Linda challenging Groom led an amazing set of three landscape and walks in Kakadu in June and July wallowing in of this year, with many rewards and water buffalo highlights. wallows. Cynthia Burton and Linda Groom Walk No 1 was presented their account of the trip Dinner Creek to CBC members at the October to Motor Car meeting, along with a fabulous song Creek with written by the GPS personified (it sarongs the was really Linda who wrote it) to preferred mode An early morning swim the tune of Que sera sera. of attire around the pool. Cynthia joy of discovering new landscapes received a rather unique birthday every day. The intrepid group did three walks, present when Peter broke his wrist rising and packing diligently before and had to be choppered out from Linda wrote a song to allow her dawn each morning, presumably to upper Kurrundie Creek on the GPS, which she admitted she spoke take advantage of the cool of the day second to last day of the first walk. impatiently to many times on the and maximise walking time. Loved walk, to ‘talk back’. Cynthia sang by some and hated by others, the Walk 2 was 6 days and went the first and third verses in true ‘Stony Country’ featured strongly from Koolpin to Gunlom. Special Doris Day style, and Linda took the on the trip, as did, swimming with features included passing through part of the GPS. freshies, ‘nutty bathing’(lots of it), Freezing Gorge, (which included an unexpected compulsory When I was lost in Kakadu Walking past dramatic cliffs near the head of swim), and some astounding I asked my Etrex, ‘Where can I be? Waterfall Creek towering stone blocks. Am I in Jim Jim Am I in Twin?” Walk 3 was the longest trip Here’s what it said to me (10 days), from Jim Jim Falls to Twin Falls, visiting the far Que sera, sera flung boundaries of the permit Wherever you are, you are area and therefore no other In future don’t walk so far people were to be seen. When Que sera sera they finally did see tourists they were scared off with the I said ‘You’re just a GPS promise of ‘nutty bathing’. I don’t want wisecracks Or comments like that All walks also offered stunning Don’t be insubordinate Aboriginal sites, often best Just give me a co-ordinate viewed on your back looking And don’t tell me your battery’s flat’ up to the overhang wall. Some of the party thought Que sera, sera the art was the highlight of You’re pushing me way too far the trip, but there were so And your compass is in the car many highlights – an amazing Hah-de-ha, ha ha range of vegetation, brilliant Que sera, sera! wildflowers, swims in clear Lois Padgham pools surrounded by red rocks

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Member’s report The Superb Lyrebird

he word ‘superb’ is frequently with deep leaf litter and rotting logs. Tused to describe pleasing per- The forest floor needs to be crossed formances of music, dance and by gullies, vegetated with tree ferns, theatre. Our bird earns this illus- shrubs and rushes. We are fortunate trious title by virtue of the male’s that lyrebirds are fairly common in mating activities, which reach their many of our popular walking areas. peak in June and July. While excel- lent audio/visual presentations are Lyrebirds, due to their large tails, available on the Internet, as with have poor flying ability. This is all great performances, there is compensated by powerful legs, nothing like being there. The high long toes and sharp claws. These facilitate good speed across the males. Throughout summer each point is at the end of its display on mature female is a devoted single a dancing mound. The tail is spread forest floor and an ability to leap up and disappear quickly into parent to its chick. They are both and thrown forward over its entire fierce and canny in defending the body. The sudden reversal of 12 lacy vegetation. They are also effective weapons against territorial rivals chick from predators, using their tail feathers from their dark upper powerful legs and claws, together to their white under sides, gives a and predators. I addition, they are effective in tearing open rotting with shrill alarm calls. They are vivid impression of a silvery lace known to use the fake injured wing curtain, shimmering in the soft, logs and turning leaf litter in their quest of food – mainly a variety of ploy – a tumbling and wing flapping dappled light of the forest floor. flight and alarm calls, to attract the The prospect of experiencing this insects and other invertebra. They are the largest of our passerines predator away from where the chick is a good reason to visit our moist is hiding. forest areas in the depth of winter. (perching song birds), but in size and habit appear to have more in I led two CBC programmed walks Lyrebirds are found in the wetter common with the non-passerine called Listening to Lyrebirds on areas along the Great Dividing brush turkey and mallee fowl, than Sunday 7 July and Wednesday Range and its coastal slopes from a with their closer relatives, such as 10 July, on the eastern slopes of bit south of Brisbane to the eastern robins and wrens. Tidbinbilla Range. They were well outskirts of Melbourne. There is attended – 16 on the Sunday and 21 a small population that has been The male lyrebird is the Lothario of the avian world. Its single objective on the Wednesday. We heard plenty introduced to central Tasmania. of the sounds of the birds, but had Another species called,’Albert’s is to mate with as many females as it can; while playing no part in only a few, fleeting sightings, and Lyrebird’, occupies a small part of saw no active dancing mounds. the range on the NSW/Qld border. nest building, incubation of eggs, or the rearing and protection of While this area remains a hot spot It is similar in all regards to the for lyrebirds, the steep terrain and dominant species, except that its its offspring. The reproductive cycle is timed for the chicks to the dense regrowth, after the 2003 tail feathers don’t make it to the bushfire, make it very difficult to standard of ‘superb’. The preferred start to forage in late spring when food is becoming plentiful. To walk off track and get close to the habitat of both species is a complete birds’ activities. I will be consider- tree canopy, and an open forest floor achieve this, mating occurs mainly in July. In early winter there is much ing areas where there is better activity with females building, or access to the forest for a repeat of The Superb Lyrebird, male, at the climax renovating nests. The nests are large Listening to Lyrebirds walks next of its mating display untidy masses of foliage, about 3 to July. 4 metres above the ground level and My sources of information are: placed in rock crevices, tree forks a book entitled The Lyrebird: a or hollows. Each female lays one Natural History by Pauline Reilly: egg and, with luck and diligence, and discussion with a member of raises one chick per season. In late the Canberra Ornithological Group autumn the males are busy building (COG), who provided me with the up numerous dancing mounds and following link for a report on COG’s engaging in vocal rivalry around the latest annual survey of Lyrebirds in boundaries of their territories. This the Tidbinbilla area. is in preparation for the mating song and dance routines that are in full http://canberrabirds.org.au/

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r o play during July. The performances gg12jul_files/Gang%20 C are aimed at attracting females both gang%20July%202012.pdf from within the male’s territories and from across the boundaries Mike Morriss of the territories of neighbouring

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2013 – page 5 Trip report Much of it is quite thickly timbered, including its summit, so there were no good views from the top. The track crosses several wide scree slopes, which enables clear view- ing out on the eastern side. Here a patch-work of paddocks, some cultivated for the sowing of crops, ders Ranges extended into the hazy distance. On lin our descent we met an exuberant F group of school children and their 2 courageous teachers. We finished the day with a meal at a local hotel. Friday 10 May was a rest day. For 0 May 2013 some it was an early start to catch –2 the morning light on stands of 6 stately red gum trees along Melrose Creek. Some have their massive lower trunks hollowed out by fire. This is believed to have been done by Aboriginals to make snug shel- ters. These trees were the subjects Group walking over the huge scree slope of Mt Remarkable of photography for Reg and Janet with Cynthia and myself choosing Walkers: Janet Edstein (leader), Jeff from near the top of Spencers Gulf to sketch them. The rest of the day Bennetts, Cynthia Breheny, Ray Franzi, in 1802. It was a pleasant walk on was taken up with walking around Reg Gibson, Mary Hoffmann, Mark a well graded track. Volunteer track Melrose, a historic town with many Hopkins, Barry Keeley, Quentin Moran, workers, met on our way up, were fine old stone buildings, dating back Mike Morriss, Eric & Pat Pickering, greeted with cheers. The summit to the 1860s. Linda Stone, Gabrielle Wright, Di and gave views of the Flinders Ranges Gary Thompson, Ping Xing Zeng with ridge after ridge extending anet planned a series of day walks to the north and north-east. Out Jfrom 2 base camps, the first at to the north-west were vast plains Melrose Caravan Park at the east- and salt lakes. Looking down to ern base of Mt Remarkable, in the south-west, in the near distance, on southern Flinders Ranges and the the narrowing waters of the gulf, second at Rawnsley Park Station, was Port Augusta. The chimney of on the southern edge of Wilpena its coal fired power station its main Pound, in the central part of the land mark. ranges. The next walk was in Alligator The Flinders Ranges are a very Gorge, (640 m, 11 km.) A short Huge gnarled gum tree, Moralana Track special place for Janet, as she had drive to the north and up into the explored much of the area with her ranges to a parking area, brought For our last day at Melrose we drove first walking club, the Adelaide us to the start at the top of a long south to Murray Town and over the Bushwalking Club. More recently stairway. It descended steeply into range to the historic Port Germein. she walked the northern section Alligator Gorge, which runs out on After a long walk through the rug- of the Heysen Track, through the the wetter, western side of the range. ged Hidden Gorge, where at times ranges with Rob and Jenny Hors- It is deeply cut into glowing red and the two cliff’s sides seem almost field. The walks she selected were brown rock strata. On reaching its to touch, and back along a scenic to show us the wonderful beauty lower end we made a long climb ridge, we drove into Port Germein. of the region, with its complex up a gravelly road to a ridge top. We started walking out onto its mile geology, ancient and colourful We then followed a steep track into long jetty, where sailing ships used rock formations; and its diverse a side gorge. Eventually we were to be loaded with grain. We were natural vegetation and fauna. In back to the stairway leading up to driven back to the vehicles by a cold addition, we were shown much our vehicles. That evening we had westerly wind and the start of rain. human cultural material relating the use of the kitchen and dining hall On Sunday 12 May the overnight Aboriginal people of the region and of a youth hostel for a congenial rain had cleared and it was the usual its early farming and mining. group BBQ. It was evident that sunny morning as we left Melrose the group were all having fun and Our first walk on 7 May started for Rawnsley Park Station. This enjoying the trip; and this was just took us across the Goyder Line, with a drive north to a bit past the second day. Quorn. It was a circuit taking in near Wilmington. It was proclaimed the summit of The Dutchmans On 9 May it was Big Climb No. 1, and mapped by the surveyor general Stern (400 m, 11 km), so named Mt Remarkable, from just above (George Goyder) in 1865 to mark by Matthew Flinders, who saw it our campsite (533 m, 13 km). the northern limits for crop farming.

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Trip report We were now in a semi-arid zone mob of feral goats strolling near a his base for painting. In Sacred with sparser vegetation featuring sign proclaiming how goats were Canyon we saw many Aboriginal mallee, grasses, salt bush and spin- being eliminated from the area. petroglyphs (rock engravings) featuring abstract designs and ifex. River red gums still persisted • Climbing St Mary Peak (654 m, along regular water courses and the animal tracks. At Arkaroo Rock 15 km) Big Climb No. 2 It took we saw a gallery of paintings of hardy native cypress flourish on a considerable effort, but the water retaining soils. human and animal figures in red views from the top were truly and yellow ochre, charcoal and At Quorn we took a short ride on amazing. A memorable feature white pipe clay. the Pichi Richi Railway. Quentin, was the large number of other who remembers travelling through people doing the climb. The • Blinman Pools was the furthest Quorn on the old Ghan Railway, majority were school girls and north we went. Here we walked as a child, suggested it. Janet, had at the summit there was a large along a stream bed flanked by arranged for us to board the train at crowd, with much joyful chatter giant red gums; with a chain of Quorn Station for a 10 am depar- and photographing. sparkling pools, some of which were swimmable. Only a couple ture. It was enjoyable to experience • Walking and driving through deep something of travel in the age of of hardy show-offs ventured gorges cut into incredibly ancient in, however, and reported that steam with happy tourists and rocks and revealing secrets of the volunteer railway buffs. the water was “ a b b bit c c early history of life on earth. One cold”. Coffee and quandong Rawnsley Park Station is very dif- example is the ancient limestone tart at the Wild Lime Cafe and ferent to Melrose. It was a sheep outcrops in Brachina Gorge, Gallery, Blinman, ensured a station and is in open range country, being millions of years older than sound recovery from this ordeal. with wide views of mountain ranges the more common, coral derived, Again the CBC walkers were in all directions. Rawnsley Bluff limestone. They are derived taking numerous photos of the is on the outer, southern wall of from, now extinct, sponge like huge gum trees, but not of the Wilpena Pound, and is the most animals called Archaeocyatha. swimmers, hopefully. dominant feature. So much was This limestone is aged around seen and done over the next 7 days 540 million years and contains • We had three joint dinners at that I can only outline the following fossils that are the earliest Rawnsley – two BBQs, one at highlights: known evidence of animals with the cabins and one at the camp skeletons and shells. ground. On 18 May, we all sat • Climbing Rawnsley Bluff (513 m, down to an enjoyable farewell 11 km). Seeing soaring wedge- • Also in Brachina Gorge we meal at the Woolshed Restaurant. tailed eagles and later humans in encountered a yellow footed rock gliders out-doing them. wallaby. This species is becoming The Great Flinders Ranges Trip rare and possibly endangered, so came to an end on 20 May. Our • Walking across Wilpena Pound we were surprised to see one at thanks go to Janet for her hard work, and seeing the well built settlers very close range and showing good planning, and her diligent and home and reading of the decades little concern at us taking lots of consultative leadership, making it of struggle, trying to make photos. an enjoyable experience for its par- a living from farming there. ticipants. Also much thanks to the Admiring the mighty red gums • We were made aware of the people who provided their vehicles along the permanent creek, which attractions of the region to artists. and did most of the driving. flows from the Pound. Seeing a We viewed the Aroona Valley

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Sharing experiences ave you had a great Hexperience on a Club walk or been on an interesting trip or trek in past years. Why not share your experience with a presentation at a Club general meeting. Please email the Club Social Secretary: socsec@ canberrabushwalkingclub.org who can help if you need equipment

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2013 – page 7 Trip report Murray River: Tom Groggin – Damms Bridge 4–6 October 2013 Mike Bremers

Descending to the Upper Murray ast March I was part of a group Groggin and Khancoban to Damms Lof three walkers on a CBC trip Bridge, leaving a car there and from the Murray source to Tom then driving 90 minutes back to originally estimated and that the Groggin. The report of that trip Tom Groggin to start the walk at section of the track that follows was published in the July 2013 2:45 pm. We crossed the Murray on the river closely actually contained edition of it. After that trip, upon the suspension bridge and walked a number of climbs. Downstream close scrutiny of the Rooftop’s Cor- through Tom Groggin Station (prior of Stony Creek the Murray flows ryong–Omeo–Thredbo Adventure permission sought and granted, through the ‘Murray Gates’ as it Map, we found that the Harrington which is just as well because Wayne passes between two large mountains Track follows the Murray River for gave us directions on how to get – Hermit Mountain on the Victorian about 20 km downstream of Tom through the electric fences) to the side and Granuaille Mountain on Groggin and then fire trails gener- start of the Harrington Track at the the NSW side. These mountains ally follow the river for most of the Stony Creek campsite by the river. tower 900 m above the river mak- way to Damms Bridge. Damms This section took us 2 hours to cover ing the Murray Gates some of the Bridge is where the Murray flows the 8.5 km of easy walking on fire best continuous rapids in southern out of Kosciuszko National Park. trails. Stony Creek campsite has Australia. From this point downstream the a fireplace and a picnic table and Murray River flows through a broad is accessible by 4WD vehicles on From Stony Creek the track climbs fertile valley used for dairy farming. tracks that are seasonally closed. steeply over Hermit Mountain giv- Damms Bridge is called ‘Maguires We had the campsite to ourselves ing us good views of the snow-clad Bridge’ on the topographic maps but for the night. Main Range and then descends even other maps and road signs refer to more steeply down to the Murray it as Damms Bridge. We knew that day 2 was going to be River at Hermit Creek. We had The Harrington Track is not well a very long day. The sign at Stony morning tea here but it would make publicised but the information Creek made us realise that we would a great spot for camping as it is just boards at each end of the track give be walking about 5 km further than some interesting information. The Crossing the Murray at Tom Groggin original Harrington Track was con- structed by hand over an 8 month period, by the Victorian Mines Department in 1895. It extended 61 km from Towong to Tom Grog- gin. The track fell into disrepair but was reopened during the First World War and then again during the 1930’s depression. In 1975, and again after the 2003 bushfires, work was undertaken to ensure that the present day 20 km track remained open for recreation purposes. The walk was set for 4–6 October 2013. After several withdrawals we were left with only three walkers: Stephen Marchant, new member Jamie Smith and myself.

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Trip report below a grade 4 rapid. We quickly continued on the ‘flat’ section of the Harrington Track passing Surveyor Creek campsite, which is beside a memorial to Jack Riley who died there in 1914. We had lunch beside the river at Clover Flat. There are many spectacular views of the river from this section of track but often it is from quite a height looking down to the river below.

About an hour after lunch we reached the Bunroy Station end Crossing the Murray at Tom Groggin of the Harrington Track. We now quite swiftly and none of us wanted needed to go cross-country to reach o to enter the 10 C water to see how for an early lunch. This section took the Indi River Track but instead deep it was on the far side. Also of the steep direct route originally us 4 hours to cover 14 km with a the scrub on the NSW bank looked 600 m climb. proposed we decided to walk about to be quite thick so the scrub-bash 1 km along Bunroy Rd then cross to Hoggs Hut could be slow. The For the sake of completion and a paddock and creek to reach the alternative was to head for Bunroy lower end of an overgrown fire because we had permission, after Mountain and follow the fire trail lunch we walked the 4 km partly trail that goes up the hill for about down to the Upper Murray Rd just 700 m to join the Indi River Track. over private property to Hoggs north of Damms Bridge. Rather Hut. Hoggs Hut is in the national There is a well worn path on this than taking the most direct off- overgrown fire trail but we believe park but it is a locked private hut. track route to Bunroy Mountain we It appears that during autumn, when that it is deer, whose calls we heard decided to stay on fire trails. To do numerous times, that use it more the river level is lower and the this from Bunroy Creek campsite water warmer, it would be possible than humans. Once on the Indi we followed Bunroy Creek Track River Track it was an easy 4–5 km to walk the one kilometre from to Bunroy Rd. We then followed Bunroy Creek campsite, in or along to reach the Bunroy Creek campsite Bunroy Rd to Bunroy Gap and beside the Murray River. It took the river. After returning to the car then followed Bunroy Gap Track we retrieved the other car from Tom us 9 hours to cover 26 km with a past the intersection with Bunroy total climb of 1050 m and we were Groggin and were back in Canberra Ridge Track to Bunroy Mountain. by 8:30 pm. pleased to see that new member We were beginning to think that Jamie was handling it well. ‘Bunroy’ seems to be a popular My recommendation to anyone name in these parts. From Bunroy repeating this trip would be to do it The original plan for day 3 was to Mountain we descended the over- cross the Murray River, scrub-bash over 4 days rather three. That would grown Whitseds Track down to mean that our second day could be for less than a kilometre to Hoggs the Upper Murray Road, crossing Hut and then follow the fire trail for split over two days allowing for private property on the way (prior more time to appreciate the river. 4 km to the car at Damms Bridge. permission sought and granted). We However, the river was flowing Also, by doing the walk in autumn reached the car at Damms Bridge when the river can be crossed safely the final day would be much easier. View of the Murray from the Harrington Track If a one night walk was desired a very good option would be to walk the Harrington Track from Bunroy Station to Hermit Creek (13 km) camping overnight before returning to Bunroy Station. This would allow for views of the river without any excessive climbing. Day walks are also possible in other parks in the Corryong region.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2013 – page 9 Trip report A very English outing

ith the early onset of warm The present Wweather, Rene Davies decided attraction of to advertise a springtime walk in the site is the Short Notices. Seventeen walk- its wonder- ers took up the invitation to spend ful English a morning visiting the Sherwood landscape. historic site in the Brindabellas. A grove of oak trees The walk is an easy 8 km return shades the from a parking site near Blue Range area near Hut to the north of the Brindabella the creek as Road. On a bright spring morning well as elms in late August, we walked along and thickets fire trails and through a mix of pine of orchard and regenerating native woodland regrowth. to a pleasant valley (once cleared An earlier for grazing) through which Uriarra visitor to Creek flows. The original settler the site was Henry Phillips. In 1863 Henry wrote of a married Eliza, (a young servant at ‘delight- the Church of England rectory in ful flower Acton). They set up home in the val- garden and fruit trees laden with ley, in a house built of timber slabs cherries, apples and walnuts…’ The and with a bark roof, later replaced real glory of the site in spring are Date scones by galvanized iron. No trace of the the thousands of daffodils, jonquils house remains but we did come 2 cups white self-raising flour and snowdrops that carpet the area 2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour across half-buried sheets of iron around the creek and under the that may have been part of the roof. trees. The daffodils are probably 1 teaspoon ginger Henry and Eliza had four children; what would now be regarded as an ½ teaspoon cinnamon an infant son Henry, died in 1878 heirloom variety, larger and more 1 teaspoon baking powder and is buried with his parents on a showy than our garden varieties. hill above the homestead site, under Sift all the above ingredients a massive oak tree. Rene had anticipated our pleasure together. at visiting this place (most for the first time) and had prepared a 2 cups chopped dates Devonshire Tea as ‘icing on the 1 cup water cake’. Spreading a check tablecloth Small piece butter on the ground, she produced from ⅓ cup treacle her pack a large container of date Put into saucepan and bring to boil. scones, two jars of whipped cream and a variety of jams! Her recipe for Boil for a few seconds then cool. date scones is included on this page. Add another cup cold water to dates. Thanks Rene for a delightful spring Stir well and add to flour, etc. outing and introducing us to one of Roll out, cut into squares and bake the Canberra region’s many hidden in preheated oven at 220°C for treasures. 10 minutes.

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

Information for participants Distance and difficulty Transport Distance: Costs are 37¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This (S) Short - under 12km/day amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given (M) Medium - 12-20km/day are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, (L) Long - over 20km/day an estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 m fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. climbed. Duty of care Terrain: Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that (E) Easy - fire trail, tracks, beaches etc he/she does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to (M) Medium - bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or (R) Rough - much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles damage to property. Each person is required to sign the Club’s (W) Wet - compulsory swims, many river crossings ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form. Visitors are welcome to join (X) Exploratory trips. However, walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips. Booking Contact the leader early rather than late. Book by Thursday For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org 2.00 pm for the following weekend (both one-day and multi-day walks) so the leader has time to arrange transport. Check-in after walks Before a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names Check with the leader about: of their party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report XXthe need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc X their safe return or trip cancellation, to the Check-in Officer, Xappropriate clothing, footwear Keith Thomas ([email protected], X Xany precautions you might need to take for severe weather 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667 leave message if no answer). The changes. Check-in Officer or the Walks Secretary not the Police or other Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to bodies, should be the first point of contact for worried relatives if our Club. you are late in returning.

Equipment hire Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your own equip- Book by Thursday 2:00 pm for the ment. The Equipment Officer is Rob Horsfield, who can following weekend so the leader has time be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside to arrange transport PLB, Keith Thomas, 6230 1081 or 0421 607 667. The equipment available and current rates per weekend/ Saturday 16 November: Tidbinbilla Peak trig week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- bag – L/R lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge From the Mountain Creek car park in TNR, stroll up the (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘first time’ weekend walkers. Camel Back FT to Camels Hump. A possible extension to Pierce trig. Return along the crest of the Range and A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be in via the old radio transmitter. Climb via Johns Peak (a refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon little exposure) and SH1491 to Tidbinbilla Peak. Exit via return and whether they are returned late. SH1556 and thick regrowth down a handy spur to re-join the fire trail. Around 13 km+ 3 km and 760 m+ some Item w.e./week climb. Map: Tidbinbilla. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 877, [email protected] Transport: ~$6 per person. Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 Limit: 8. Further details at www.johnevans.id.au Snow tent $15 / $40 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 Saturday 16 November: Rocky Waterholes Assorted packs $5 / $15 and Ahearn Lookouts – M/E Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 A two-hour highway drive to Mittagong then about 25 minutes on back roads. This 15 km walk is all on tracks Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25 to some grand clifftop lookouts over the Nattai Gorge Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 in the southernmost part of the Greater Blue Mountains. Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions) There are undulations but no major climbs. Map: Hilltop. GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) Leader: Jeff Bennetts 0418 662 870, jcmbenn@ozemail. Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need com.au. Transport: ~450 km return, $160 per car, at least when collecting and returning gear. $40 per person. Limit: 12.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2013 – page 11 Activity program Sunday 17 November: Walk to Waterfall on them somewhere on Bushfold Flats. After walking back Snowy Flats Creek – M/R with them to the Namadgi Visitor Centre we will provide The approach is via Stockyard Spur from Corin Dam. transport to the YHA Hostel in Akuna Street in the city. Map: Corin Dam Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 If you are interested in assisting with transport for the 4535(h) Transport: 90 km return, $36 per vehicle. Albury bushwalkers please let me know ASAP. Map: Williamsdale. Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 Monday night 18 November: Oak Hill – S/E 281 096(m), [email protected] Transport: A ramble around the boundary of the Mulligans Flat Drive yourself but let me know if you need a lift. Nature Reserve along the ACT/NSW border and up to Oak Hill trig (798 m). Distance: 6 km. May also walk Monday evening 25 November: Mt Majura – up Old Joe afterwards if it is a good night, extra 4 kms. S/E Map: Hall also see cbrwalks.blogspot.com.au/search/ Meet at 6:30 pm at the entrance to the park beside label/Oak%20Hill Leader: Roger Edwards 0406 378 39 Mackenzie St, Hackett, just north of the Grayson St 217, [email protected] Transport: drive intersection for a walk up Mt Majura. No need to book. yourself Limit: 8. Map: www.tams.act.gov.au/__dahttp://www.tams.act. gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/390578/cnpmapma- Tuesday 19 November: Coronet Peak – L/R jura.pdfta/assets/pdf_file/0005/390578/cnpmapmajura. Another of the more difficult trigs to bag, this granite pdf Leader: Phillip Starr 6161835(h), 0419 281 096 (m), cap provides uninterrupted 360° views. Well worth the [email protected] Transport: Drive yourself long day’s huff and puff. The trip involves ~10 km on the Cotter Hut Road, ~13 km on the Australian Alps Walking Tuesday 26 November: Kosciuszko NP – Track footpad and ~4 km through the bush and a short Burrungubugge Hut Ruin – M/M–R scramble to the huge granite dome. Around 27km and From Locked gate on the Island Bend FT, follow IBFT 1200m climb. Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Corin Dam. to Burrungubugge River. Follow direction of the track Limit: 8. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877, john@ marked on the Kalkite Mountain map to Hut – from a johnevans.id.au Transport: ~$12 per person. Further recent report the track is overgrown. About 11 km and details at www.johnevans.id.au 300 m, a mixture of FT and off track. If time allows, visit the weir on the Gungarlin River – add 4 km and Wednesday 20 November: Wednesday Walk 100 m. Leader: Max Smith [email protected] Medium/hard walk for fit and experienced walkers; Maps: Kalkite Mountain and Geehi Transport: ~$140 may include off-track walking and rock scrambling. per car Limit: 8. BBC Wednesday Walk Coordinator: Peter Wellman [email protected] Wednesday 27 November: Wednesday Walk Medium/hard walk for fit and experienced walkers; may Wednesday 20 November 2013, 8 pm include off-track walking and rock scrambling. NPA MONTHLY MEETING Wednesday Walk Coordinator: Mike Smith msmith@ Flinders Ranges netspeed.com.au Presenters: Cynthia Breheny and Di Thompson COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday 27 November 2013, 8 pm Auditorium: Hughes Baptist Church at the home of Roger Edwards 32–34 Groom Street, Hughes 101 McInnes Street, Weston

Thursday evening, 21 November: Bullen Submissions close for Range – S/E December it Meet at 6.30 pm at the Cotter Reserve, in the car park on the left after crossing the Cotter River Bridge. We will 27 November 2013 walk along the Bullen Range Fire Trail with views to the Murrumbidgee River, Canberra and the Brindabellas. Thursday 28 November: Search for Mouse- No need to book. Map: Cotter. Leader: Jeff Bennetts ear Hawkweed at Nursery Swamp – S/M 0418 662 870, [email protected] Transport: Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) is looking drive yourself. for 6–10 people to assist in the search for Mouse-ear Hawkweed at Nursery Swamp, Namadgi NP. A single (22)23–24 November: Blue Waterholes – S/R plant was recorded from Nursery Swamp in 1992. PCS Car camp with day trips: Murrays Cave, Clark Gorge, has received advice to undertake on-going annual checks Cave Creek waterfall (bring swimmers), mine workings, for this environmental weed due to the very high weed Coolamine Homestead. Maps: Rules Point, Peppercorn. risk it poses to the high country. The walk to Nursery Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 4535. Transport: Swamp is 8.5 km return (plus walking in and around the ~$200 per vehicle. swamp so add another 3–4 km). If any of these plants Saturday 23 November: Rendezvous with are found, they will be documented, GPS’d, tagged and members of the Border Bushwalking Club eradicated later. We will meet at 8 am at a rendezvous – M/M point TBA and expect to finish at 1 pm. You will need We will meet at 8 am at Namadgi Visitor Centre and lunch, sunscreen, water, a GPS if you have one and walk along the Australian Alps Walking Track until we need to wear a hat, long pants, gaiters and boots. Map: meet the Albury group that is walking the AAWT from Rendezvous Creek. Contact: Quentin Moran on 0432 Dead Horse Gap to Tharwa. I anticipate that we will meet

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Activity program 557 410, [email protected] by 21 November if mountain for 360° views of Canberra. No need to book. you wish to help. Transport: TBA. Map: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0004/390595/cnpmapblackmountain.pdf Leader: Thursday evening, 28 November: Aranda Diana Kirby 0421 851 212, diana_j_hammond@hotmail. Bushland and Frost Hollow – S/E com Transport: drive yourself. Meet at 6.30 pm in the car park accessed via the lane beside 57 MacKellar Circuit, Cook (go through the 7–8 December: Bimberi Peak – M/E–M gate). We will walk through the Aranda Bushland This is a good introductory trip for day walkers who and Black Mt Reserve and return to the cars via the would like to try out overnight camping. It also provides Aranda frost hollow. No bookings. Maps: http://www. an opportunity to climb Bimberi Peak (1913 metres), the tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/390605/ highest peak in the ACT. We’ll depart Canberra at 1.00 pm MTPAINTER.pdf http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/ on Saturday and drive, via Cooma and Adaminaby, to the assets/pdf_file/0006/390588/cnpmaparanda.pdf Leader: locked gate at the northern end of Pockets Saddle Road. Diana Kirby 0421 851 212, diana_j_hammond@hotmail. With overnight packs we’ll walk to Oldfields Hut where com Transport: drive yourself. we will camp overnight (2.5 km). The next morning, with daypacks only, we’ll take the trail to Murrays Gap Sunday 1 December: Booroomba Rocks – S/E (6.5 km and 200 metres climb). We will ascend Bimberi Park cars at the Honeysuckle Creek Campgrounds at Peak from Murrays Gap following an indistinct footpad 1100 m and from there walk along the attractive and to the summit (3.0 km and 390 metres climb). Following well-defined track to the foot track leading to Booroomba lunch with fabulous 360° views we’ll return along the Rocks 1372 m. From here a steady climb to the top where same route back to Oldfields Hut and then back to the the views will be spectacular. Enjoy lunch and return to cars. Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Rules Point or Rooftop’s the cars about mid-afternoon. Around 10 kms + 370 m Kosciuszko Northern Activities Map. Leader: Gerald climb. This is a joint activity walk with the Brindabella Dodgson 0438 119 803(m), [email protected] Bushwalking Club. Please book ahead, and meet at Transport: ~400 km, $150 per car, $35–$50 per person. Kambah Shops by 8.30 am, parking opposite the petrol station and from there transport will be arranged. Map: Monday evening, 9 December: Goorooyarroo Corin Dam. Leader: Janet Edstein janet.edstein@gmail. Nature Reserve – S/E com Transport: $10 per person. Meet at the parking area on the northeastern side of about 1.5 km toward Gungahlin from the Federal Highway junction (Gungahlin CBC Xmas Party exit) at 6:30 pm for a walk to Sammy’s Hill. No need to book. Map: www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/ Sunday, 1 December 2013 assets/pdf_file/0007/390580/cnpmapgoorooyaroo. 6.00 pm pdf Leader: Phillip Starr 6161835(h), 0419 281 096, [email protected] Transport: Drive yourself at the home of Janet and Paul Edstein Tuesday 10 December: Uriarra Hill, Mt Dowling 19 Gamor Street, Waramanga & Blundell Trig – M/E A walk mainly along fire trails to Uriarra Hill and then BYO everything (BBQ provided) Mt Dowling. Start is from near Blue Range Hut. About 600 m of climbing, expect a few blackberry bushes to get Tuesday 3 December: Stockyard Spur through. Afterwards drive another 6 kilometres to near Forests, Namadgi National Park – M/R the Reid Pinch arboretum and bag Blundell Trig, which Part X is not on Mt Blundell Hill. Map: Cotter Dam. Leader: From Corin Dam we will follow the Stockyard Spur Roger Edwards 6288 7863 [email protected]. track for about 45 minutes to the 1300 metres altitude, au Transport: $36.00 per car. Limit: 8. then head off-track to the southwest. We will spend a few hours traversing across the flank of Stockyard Spur for a Wednesday 11 December: Wednesday The annual Xmas walk for all those who have enjoyed few kilometres. The off-track section is exploratory, but and participated in this year’s Wed walks. Often at this hopefully there will be some nice stands of Alpine Ash walk the tough Tuesday walkers join us. Destination to be and ferny gullies. I expect it to be slow going with thick decided later – just comes prepared with Xmas goodies scrub in places. We then head back up to the crest of the to share. Leader: Janet Edstein 6288 1398. spur and follow the foot track back to the start. Map: Corin Dam Leader: Ian Wright 6286 1473, iwri5712@ Thursday evening, 12 December: Mt Painter bigpond.net.au Limit: 8 Transport: ~80 km return. – S/E Wednesday 4 December: Wednesday Walk Meet at 6.30 pm in the car park accessed via the lane Medium/hard walk for fit and experienced walkers; beside 57 MacKellar Circuit, Cook. We will walk may include off-track walking and rock scrambling. on track up Mt Painter for great views from the top. BBC Wednesday Walk Coordinator: Peter Wellman Returning via the horse paddocks and Wybalena Ridge, [email protected] mostly on tracks. No need to book. Map: http://www. tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/390605/ Thursday evening, 5 December: Black Mt Hat MTPAINTER.pdf Leader: Diana Kirby 0421 851 212, Band – S/E [email protected] Transport: drive Meet 6.30, park at end of Frith St near electricity yourself. sub‑station. We will walk to the top of Black Mountain and on the way down take the track around the

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2013 – page 13 Activity program Saturday 14 December: Last 6 of the Top 16 places you will need to lift your knee to chin level and Peaks – L/M–R haul yourself up a rock. 7 to 8 km, ~200 metres down and A year ago we were washed off the Main Range before up, ~ 4.5 hours actual walking plus maybe 1.5 hours of bagging the top 16 peaks around Mt Kosciuszko. To stops/optional swims. Map: Bundanoon. Leader: Linda complete unfinished business, drive to Thredbo, chairlift Groom [email protected] 6281 4917. Transport: up and do the Kosciuszko Walk towards Rawson Pass. $120 per car. Limit: 8. Off-track up the spur to Unnamed peak on Etheridge Saturday 21 December: Mt. Gingera – M/M Ridge (2180 m) and back down to Rawson Pass. Continue An excuse to escape the last minute Canberra Christmas the track to Mt Kosciuszko (2229 m). Return along the shopping frenzy. Great alpine views. Mainly on track iron walk to near Kosciuszko Lookout, then off-track to except for descent of Mt Gingera which will be off Rams Head North (2177 m), Knoll WSW of Rams Head northern end. Afterwards visit Mt Franklin and Bulls North (2160+ m), Knoll NNE of Rams Head (2180+ m) Head trigs. Maps: Corin Dam, Tidbinbilla. Leader: and Rams Head (2190 m). Pick up a W-E footpad back Roger Edwards 62887863, [email protected]. to the iron walk and so home. Opportunities for further au Please no bookings till after 1 November. Transport: rambling if weather and desire so incline. Santa suits ~$60 per car. Limit: 8. may be worn. Around 17 km and 600 m climb. Map: Perisher Valley. Leader: John Evans 0417 436 877, Wednesday 25 December: Christmas Day [email protected] Transport: ~$40 + park entry + lunch chairlift per person. Further details at www.johnevans. A slight variation to this year’s Christmas Lunch! We id.au are not planning to visit Springbank Island but instead we hope you will enjoy the family atmosphere to be 14–15 December: Budawangs/Morton found at the end of Black Mountain Peninsular and National Park – Wog Wog, Corang Peak, hope you will join us there instead. Barbecues and Toilet Canowie Brook, Corang River, Goodsell facilities are available. Do bring your canoe if you have Creek and return – M/M one. Contact the leaders if you hope to join us or want This walk is about 25 km over two days with about more information Leaders: Doug Wright 62814148 and half of it off track. The route takes in some Budawangs Margaret Roseby 6166 0118. icons and there will be enough time for swimming. The walk is a good introduction to both overnight walking 27–29 December: Mount Jagungal – M/M and the Budawangs. While we could camp at the base A three-day pack walk in the northern-central part of the Conglomerate Slope, the guidebook – Ron of Kosciuszko National Park, to the isolated 2061 m Doughton’s Bushwalking in the Budawangs – talks Jagungal, which has extensive views to the Kosciuszko about a ‘tremendous campsite’ on the Corang River that area in one direction and Namadgi in the other. About I would like to investigate. Maps: Corang and CMW 80% on track; most of the rest is alpine or sub-alpine Budawangs sketch map. Leader: Lorraine Tomlins 6248 walking. Some major ascents but the pace will be 0456(h), [email protected] Transport: ~$35 moderate. We go in via Toolong Range and out via Farm per person Ridge and the Tumut River. Map: Khancoban 1:50,000 or Toolong Range, Jagungal. Leader: Jeff Bennetts 0418 Monday evening, 16 December: Kama Nature 662 870(m), [email protected], please book Reserve – S/E by 22 December. Transport: ~380 km, $140 per car, Meet at 6:30 pm. Kama Nature Reserve is located off $35–$50 per person. Limit: 8. William Hovell Drive opposite the suburb of Hawker; about 2.5 km from Coppins Crossing turnoff if travelling Sat–Sun 4–12 January: Northern Kosciuszko towards Belconnen and about 2.5 km from Belconnen National Park car camp – M/M (overall) Way if travelling towards Glenloch Interchange. You From a camp by the cars at Three Mile Dam, we will can park on either side of the road. My white Land do a number of day walks over the next week. Options Cruiser YEP03Y will be parked at the entrance to the include: Manjar and Black Jack Mountains; Fifteen Mile car park on the Eastern side. We will walk through an Ridge; Buddong Falls; Blue Waterholes and Cave Creek; underpass then to the . Map: www.tams. Ravine; Yarrangobilly Caves area; Landers Falls and Big act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/386108/Kama- Talbingo Mountain; and Tabletop and/or Four Mile Hut. Nature-Reserve-Self12.pdf Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 Maps: TBA. Leader: Jeff Bennetts 0418 662 870(m), 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected] [email protected], please book by 31 December. Transport: drive yourself. Transport: TBA. Limit: 12.

Tuesday 17 December: Sandy Creek – COMMITTEE MEETING M/R/W/Part X Wednesday 22 January 2014 2013 This walk has a waterfall, hanging gardens, rainforest, great boulder-hopping, and swimming options with mini waterslides. 2 hours 10 minutes drive from Northbourne Ave. From the car park near Meryla Pass at 599E 586 N 25–27 January – Snowy Mts weekend: (GDA94), NW through moderate to thick scrub to Sandy (various) Creek, then a fairly straightforward route down past the Drive down Saturday morning to our accommodation waterfall through rainforest. If time permits we’ll go a at the Southern Alps Ski Club Lodge at Charlotte Pass. few hundred metres further down the creek in search of The Saturday afternoon walks will be Mt Stilwell and a good swimming hole. Return to the top of the falls, Spencers Creek, 2 hours and 1¼ hours respectively, then up Sandy Creek, often walking in the creek on rock led by Ross Andrews and myself. We will do the Main

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Bulletin board Range on Sunday, 22 km and 6½ hours, all on track, with Michael Sutton and Ross Andrews leading. There will also be a shorter option led by me, details not yet decided. Bulletin Board We will do Rainbow Lake, a short but attractive walk, on The Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no Monday morning before we go home. Shared meals on cost) goods for sale, private trips or other personal both Saturday and Sunday nights. Map: Perisher Valley bushwalking-related matters. The Club is not involved Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), stan. in, takes no responsibility for, and does not endorse, [email protected] Transport: ~$50–$60 incl the activities or goods advertised here. Hence, if peo- park entry. Accommodation: single room – $125 for the ple participate in any activities advertised here, they weekend, double/twin – $85 per person for the weekend. 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 2014 Kosciuszko Hut Association to the Walks Secretary: walksec@canberrabushwalk- Calendar ingclub.org The Kosciuszko and Namadgi National Parks are New Zealand meccas for photographers. Many stunning photos of There are still some vacancies for a series of 2–5 day the high country huts are captured by KHA members tramps on the South Island in February–March next as they visit each of the parks. See a number of these year. Food, utensils, clothing and sleeping bag must photos eloquently displayed throughout the calendar be carried but we will not need tents as we will stay along with a brief description of the huts. in huts. Walks will be of medium standard, on tracks or poled routes. Tramps going ahead are Rees–Dart, Calendars can be purchased in the following ways: western Copland (as far as Douglas Rock), and Lake • Through the KHA website: www.khuts.org Angelus, but other options can be added afterwards. You can find descriptions on the NZ Department of • Contact KHA Secretary at [email protected] Conservation website or I can send you links. Contact • Available at the NPWS Visitors Centres at: Tumut, Jeff Bennetts 0418 662 870,or jcmbenn@ozemail. Jindabyne, Khancoban and Namadgi Information com.au ASAP. Centre (no mail orders through Parks) Walking in Southern Patagonia • At the Namadgi Information Day on 3/11/2013 This trip now has sufficient expressions of interest and will be going ahead in February 2014. Leader: • At the Geehi event on 23/11/2013 Gerald Dodgson 0438 119 803 (m), 6249 6690 (h) or Cost: [email protected] Mail orders: KHA members - $20.00 29 December 2013 – 1 January 2014: Walking Non-members - $20.00 + $5.00 postage in the Snowy Mountains from a lodge at RRP at outlets - $20.00 Charlottes Pass Direct sales to members - $20.00 At this time of the year you will be walking through a superb carpet of wild flowers. If this appeals to you contact me ASAP for further information and to book your accommodation at a self-catering lodge for the three nights. Accommodation Cost: non-members of the lodge – $61 per person a night; a couple $84 a night. Transport and park entry costs will depend on the numbers wishing to walk. It will be up to those CBC members at the lodge to get together each day to plan, lead and participate in one or more of the many fine walks in this area. Contact: Doug Wright 6281 4148, [email protected] Free food hydrator Past CBC member has a seldom used Harvest Made (New Zealand manufacture) 5 tier food dehydrator available free to a good home. First in best dressed, all you need to do is ring and make a time to collect it from Kambah. Phone Frank Bergersen 6231 7753. Gear for sale?– place an ad! If you have any old equipment you no longer want, why not place an ad here to either sell or give it away. Please include personal contact details and asking price.

Canberra Bushwalking Club it November 2013 – page 15 Feeling literary? Membership fees 2012/13 Item Single Household Have you had a great experience on a Club walk? Been Hard copy it $46 $73 moved to write about it, either in prose or verse? Felt the urge Electronic it $27 $54 to see your name in print? Or even just taken some great photo shots that you would like to share. The Club welcomes contributions from members so why not write about an interesting experience on a walk or just an enjoyable walk. Alternatively, send in a photo or two with a Wednesday walks short paragraph about it/them. Medium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted The closing date for each issue of it is the date of the 4th every Wednesday. Walks are conducted in turn by Wednesday of every month. Handwritten and posted mate- leaders from the CBC, Brindabella Bushwalking rial is acceptable, but email is preferred. We also welcome Club and National Parks Association (ACT). Details photographs, preferably as separately scanned items or about destination and meeting place are emailed to digital images. We can scan original photographs. Contact: those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Contact Ph 6254 0578, [email protected] Janet Edstein [email protected] to get your Post: 20 O’Sullivan Street, HIGGINS, ACT 2615 name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s Alison Milton, Editor contribution to these walks.

If undeliverable return to PRINT POSTAGE GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601 POST PAID PP 100018088 AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved PP100018088 it

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CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB

November 2013

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