THE NEWSLETTER OF CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB itit Volume 42, Number 7 August 2006 Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc PO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601
AUGUST GENERAL MEETING 8pm Wednesday 16 Photo : Murray Evans
Corroboree frogs: an uncertain future Presenter: Dr Murray Evans, Environment ACT Corroboree frogs are arguably Australia’s most distinctive and easily recognisable frog. Both the northern corroboree frog and the southern corroboree frog have undergone dramatic population declines over the past two decades and now face an uncertain future. Dr Evans, a Senior Wildlife Ecologist with Environment ACT, will be talking about the ACT’s monitoring program for the northern corroboree frog, reasons for its decline and current efforts to help prevent its extinction in the ACT, including the establishment of a captive population at Tidbinbilla to raise frogs for release back to the wild. Main meeting room, St. John’s Church Hall Constitution Avenue, Reid
Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 page 1 objective of the meeting is to climate and rugged beauty of the President’sPresident’s determine how wilderness can area were all readily apparent in his make an even bigger contribution presentation. PrattlePrattle to a more environmentally This month the walks program conscious society. continues to offer an interesting ith spring fast approaching it The Conservation Council of variety of walks including some Wis time to scramble and fit in Canberra and the South East Region good overnight trips. I notice that a a few more walks, and possibly organised a Climate Crisis meeting number of people are getting on their even some snow shoeing trips, on 26 July to create a network snow shoes, so the opportunities are before winter is over and the snow focusing on climate change issues. there for those who might be has melted. Three snow shoe trips For details of future meetings interested. My apologies for not within a month, in August/ contact Adrian Whitehead at circulating a draft program for September might be a record for the [email protected] August. My email allowed me to receive, via the internet, but not send Club. Snow shoes are a great The Conservation Council has messages. Mutter mutter. alternative for people like me who recently received a grant from the struggle on cross country skis. ACT government to deliver a I hope that our readers are looking Committee Matters project that facilitates community at the “Ten best walks”, both day The Committee met on 26 July and engagement in the process of and weekend. We thought that following is a list of key points nominating the ACT as a Biosphere newer members of the club may not discussed: Reserve. have been aware of the existence Rene Davies of some of those walks. Perhaps the The Club’s frog trademark has President articles might lead to trips to some been re-registered for ten years. of the places mentioned, especially A budget for the coming year WalksWalks for the people who haven’t been to and a notice of motion WaffleWaffle them yet. regarding a proposed increase Please note that Ian Smith is putting in transport costs due to rising on two evenings for potential ast Sunday we were on the fuel prices will be published in walks-leaders. His aim is to look at northern end of the Mt Clear the September issue of it. L the basics of leading walks: day, Range. Most of it is bare or grassy weekend and longer. People who The publisher has investigated with occasional kangaroos and are new leaders or perhaps just alternatives to the format and numerous panick-stricken mobs of thinking about it should profit posting of IT in an effort to cut sheep. It reminded me of the English greatly by attending the two nights. costs. It was decided to retain Lakes District. We were high, the the format but limit the number ground fell away steeply to either Rob Horsfield of 16 page Its to one bi- side and we watched a dark rain- Walks Secretary monthly to keep the production laden front move in from the west. and postal costs down. Whoever was on the other side of The Conservation Officer the Boboyan Road was getting very MembershipMembership reported that the Kosciuszko wet. Surprisingly the rain moved National Park Plan of south around our end of the range mattersmatters Management was published in then saturated the Tinderries, leaving June. He noted that the Plan is us literally high and dry. ew members: Robyn Singleton, Adelina Tan encouraging horse riding Thank-you to Phil Quinton for your N activities and resort expansion very interesting presentation on Please check the right top of the in the Park. Little attention Kokoda. It obviously took time and label on your it. If it says “LAST appears to have been paid to effort to prepare, and the com- IT” please renew before the end of the invasion of weed species bination of Powerpoint with audio the month if you do not want to miss and the problem of feral excerpts worked well. “Pilgrimage” next month’s. If it says “RENEW horses. was the right word. Phil was able NOW” this is your second last it, Environmental Matters to show that it was more than a walk while “RENEW SOON” will The Fifth National Wilderness – the local culture, the history, the appear on your third last it. Conference will be held in Sydney stories of the personal sacrifices Allan Mikkelsen from 8-10 September. The principal made in the campaign and the Membership Secretary
Page 2 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 Photos: Phil Quinton KokodaKokoda –– aa piligrimagepiligrimage JulyJuly meetingmeeting
large gathering of the A bushwalking faithful turned our for Phil Quinton’s presentation about his recent conquest of the Kokoda Trail (yes, it is a Trail and not Track – as the large and imposing signage to the Trail testifies). This however was no mere bush bash with three of his mates. As Under date palms Phil advised, his intent in undertaking the walk was to revisit commentary of the walk, supported and no shovels, and hence there was the events of 1942, to understand superbly by photographs and a high rate of illness. Bill’s son was those events and to appreciate the interspersed and supported by tape there for the talk, and his presence conditions, trials, tribulations and recorded segments of an Australian imparted poignancy and signif- achievements of our service digger who served in that campaign, icance to the presentation. personnel who fought and died for Mr Bill Hedges. (Note : although Phil advised that the walking group the freedoms that, in part through British by birth, Bill proved himself was a commercially run gathering their bravery, we continue to enjoy a true blue Aussie). Bill Hedges of 30 trekers with 37 local support today. passed away a few years ago, staff. The group was flown in three however Rob Horsfield had been Phil had read fairly extensively plane loads out over the Owen given the privilege prior to his Stanley Ranges to Kokoda. The about the events of 1942 (the fall passing of tape recording Bill of Singapore, the dispute between organisation of the group was recounting a number of his wartime efficient but relaxed, with the tents Curtin and Churchill, the battles of experiences on the Kokoda trail. and food being carried by the Midway and the Coral Sea). In the Bill advises at one point of his support staff. The side elevation of midst of all of that turbulence, the dialogue that they had no mozzie the Trail looked like a recurrent Japanese had occupied parts of New nets, no anti-malarial medication, over Guinea (which at that time was an Australian Protectorate) and were hell bent on taking Port Moresby by advancing from the northern shoreline of New Guinea. The well trained and provisioned Japanese forces first engaged the poorly trained and provisioned Australian militia at Kokoda, with the Australian forces fighting a rearguard action back along the Kokoda trail through Isurava, Brigade Hill and Loribaiwa before they finally halted and drove back the Japanese advance at Owen’ Corner to the north east of Port Moresby. Having effectively set the scene, Phil then commenced his River crossing Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 page 3 boom and bust stock market graph, and this was clearly no walk in the park. The highest point on the trail is Kokoda Gap at 2190 metres. Phil mentioned that the typical weather conditions saw them starting the day by donning wet clothing, which later dried, later still was wet with sweat, then dried when they had lunch, only to become saturated again with the regular afternoon downpour, and so on day after day after day. Phil, a notorious glutton for this kind of punishment, enjoyed the whole experience. Phil’s presentation was an effective visual and auditory montage : cedar trees, oil palms, weapons pits, butterflies, fungi, troop losses, ground covers, fog shrouded valleys, kunai grass, pitched battles, ravines, suspension bridges, torrential downpours, rushing streams, thatched huts, memorials, rhythmic cicada calls, native songs, gravestones. One of the last fuzzy wuzzy angels So vivid was this imagery that Stan Marks was at one point of the presentation found writhing through the legs of the chairs with a wild look in his eye, a grip on one of his mates legs (in the mistaken belief that it was a 303 rifle) and muttering “you’ll never take me alive you little bastards”. OK, OK I made that bit up, but what is true is that this was a very good presentation – it demonstrated very clearly to us all how desperately difficult it must have Above: Kokoda valley in cloud; Below: Isurava memorial been for our troops to engage such a canny enemy in service this beautiful but difficult terrain, and gave appropriate cause for us to reflect more deeply on the events of 1942 and the important part they played as a part of the history of this still young nation of ours. Thank God for the diggers, and thank you Phil for sharing your pilgrimage to the Kokoda Trail with us. Frank Bergersen
Don’t miss Celebrating Wilderness – September, Sydney founding member of Canberra Bushwalking Club Technology, at Broadway in Sydney. It will have as its A and one of Australia’s best-known environmental theme “the contribution of wilderness to a sustainable activists, Geoff Mosley, is the Director of the Fifth society”. Its principal objectives will be to celebrate what National Wilderness Conference being to be held in has been achieved in preserving wilderness areas in Sydney from 8-10 September. Australia, and to determine how wilderness can make an even bigger contribution as part of a move towards a more The conference will be opened by NSW Premier Morris environmentally conscious society. Iemma at a public meeting at 8pm on Friday 8 September, after which the keynote address will be Other speakers will include Bob Brown, John Sinclair, given by Tasmanian writer and wilderness activist Helen Keith Muir, Alec Marr, Virginia Young, Haydn Gee, who has coordinated many wilderness and old Washington, Peter Prineas and Geoff Mosley. The Colong growth forest campaigns, and currently convenes the website describes wilderness as “the antithesis of the Lake Pedder Restoration Committee. approach that sees the land and its wildlife primarily as sources of commerce (...) one of the best proofs we The Conference, Celebrating Wilderness, is organised have that a major change in outlook towards the by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness and will be environment is possible. The conference brochure can held at the main campus of the University of be downloaded from www.colongwilderness.org.au
Page 4 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 birds that make the heath their home. pulled down and the deer shot; the CBCCBC TopTop TenTen Barry runs this walk in August or heritage people want them all September when the flowers are at retained. their peak. A series bringing you every Then on to the Palm Jungle, dramatic month a selection of day and After about 5 ½ hours walking, the in its own way, interesting and weekend walks worth doing over group arrives at the Gairies Beach different. I expect it occurs often the next year. Members are invited wilderness YHA. This is more an enough along the coastline – I have to submit articles and walks under environmentally friendly shed than a also seen it at Fraser Park, near this heading for our it. normal YHA but you do get a roof Newcastle – but few go through it over your head, a bed and some and fail to be impressed by it. Weekend walk # 3 comforts. Its location, up an isolated From there, it is the climb out, with valley, gives a sense of wildness Royal National Park the vegetation changing to eucalypt while at night you can hear the forest with a sprinkling of spectacular arry Keeley’s Royal National crashing of the sea. BPark weekend runs from primeval Gymea Lilies as you climb, Bundeena at the north of the Park to The walk changes on the Sunday and a lookout from which you get Otford in the south, 26km over two morning. You walk along a series of dramatic views south, thence back to days. He has sometimes had three beaches and through some small the cars via the Apple Pie Shop. villages of huts built before and times as many people book as he can Trains, ferries, vistas of beaches, during the depression by people who take. cliffs, rocky coves, head-high bushes lived a largely self supporting of wildflowers and the occasional sea This walk is a good example of the existence. This is also where deer, eagle – what more could you ask for fact that a walk is an event not just a introduced into the area decades ago, in a weekend of bushwalking? walk. It is not enough to have a good are most often seen. The walk and navigate well. You also environmentalists want the huts Stan Marks need to get the supporting logistics right and to time it well. Get all this right and the walk becomes a Day Walk #4, Boxvale Tramway symphony. here is nothing to suggest, as you walk down the handle, around the rim Departure from Canberra is early Tzap down the freeway past the of the saucepan and back along the Friday evening and overnight is at the south Mittagong exit, that there is handle. From the cars, you cross a Wollongong YHA. On Saturday anything special about the bush on few hundred yards of heath to reach morning, we drive to Otford, on the the left of the road. From the old a small dam which once provided the southern edge of the Park, to catch highway, though, and you will see a town’s water. Then you hit the the train to Cronulla. The leader has sign to the Boxvale Walking Track. tramway alignment and follow it for to battle to get people out of bed – a while until the track branches (the You can see the reason for the track miss the train, which comes only end of the handle). You go right as you enter Mittagong from the every two hours, and the whole day through light forest to the 40 foot falls south. You cross Ironworks Creek is out of whack. We then cross Port (not yet the 12.2m falls) on a tributary and on your left and there is a vacant Hacking by ferry to Bundeena where of the Nattai River, where you have block, the site of Australia’s first the walk begins at about 11 am. morning tea, about an hour after ironworks, which operated from leaving the cars. After about 30 minutes across heath, 1847 to the late 1880s. I believe that you come to the coastline. The cliffs the iron ore was sourced from near The creek flows over an extended are high and for most of the rest of where the RSL Club now stands but rock slab and visitors can go in under day 1, the sea froths and foams and the coal came from small mines in it and behind the falls. I have been roars below you. No wonder people the Nattai Gorge and the valleys of there when the water was only a sheet get poetic about the sea – ‘roll on, its tributaries. of fine droplets sparkling in the sun thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll and when there was the thunder of a The coal from Boxvale Creek was …’. The grandeur of the sea hits you creek in flood. You have to drag hauled up an incline and transferred from the cliffs in a way it does not people away for the short walk down to a tramway, which took it to the when you walk along the beach. And the creek bed to the Nattai River ironworks and elsewhere. The the cliffs themselves are magnificent itself. too. incline, the tramway alignment, with its embankments, cuttings and tunnel, The track initially follows the left side The other thing that hits you is the forms the Boxvale Walking Track. of the Nattai gorge, through rain abundance and variety of flowers in forest with sandstone cliffs on the The walk I do here is on the the heath, which dominates the right and huge moss covered northern coastline of the park and the ‘squashed saucepan’ model. You Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 page 5 boulders beside the track. Once, a the Nattai to the lunch spot, where long but dramatic nevertheless. You few years ago, I was astonished to the bodies lie in the sun, their walk on through a rich forest find a rock about the size of a ten foot enjoyment invariably augmented by brightened with banksias or wattles cube that had no moss on it. I looked the songs of birds. It is 1hr 40 mins according to the season. You enjoy up and there was a trail of devastation since morning tea. views from the embankments and from the top of the very steep hill, marvel in the cuttings at what our with trees snapped off ten or fifteen Then briefly along Boxvale Creek and the climb out. The incline is ancestors achieved without power feets from the ground as if they were tools or explosives. The return to match sticks. Perhaps it has been some 500m linear, with a climb of 200m. The record is 14 minutes, set Canberra is via a new eatery, the dislodged the night before during Meridian at Marulan, not quite the heavy rain but given nature’s capacity by Storm Foulkes (who else) who purple eatery but not bad to repair itself, there is little sign of said it is nothing like what they do in nevertheless. this today. Tasmania. But last July, James Ashburner matched that with John This was the first walk I led for the After a small natural arch, the track Kelly not far behind. club, in 1996. I have done it a dozen turns sharply to the left and the leader times and always look forward to it. can tell his party that it is only half On the walk back, which takes 1 hr an hour to lunch. More spectacular 20 mins, you shortly encounter the sandstone cliffs to the left then across one tunnel on the track, not 100m Stan Marks
email address. This can be useful if includes notices of non-club TheThe ClubClub andand you (or your employer) do not want events and even club discount a work email address publicized. nights at outdoor stores; thethe InternetInternet cbc – for messages from any I would like to expand the content of club member (who is on the list). the site, with more trip reports and Could be used to ask for photos (see “wanted” notice below). he Club has a website on the information on gear or routes, let TInternet at http://www.canberra The Club now also makes use of the others know of things like the bushwalkingclub.org.au which Internet to communicate with recent closure of the Boboyan contains both public and ‘members members via a series of mailing lists. Road, or to solicit companions only’ sections. The ‘members only’ If you have an email address, you for a walk; section contains restricted should be on at least the first of these. leaders – are sent a draft of the information such as full copies of it Full details are on the website, but walks program and any other (with colour photos!) and a password briefly the lists are: information deemed relevant by is required for access. Contact the announce – used for official club officials, particularly the Membership Secretary (6278 3164) announcements of club business Walks Secretary. for details of how to access this part by club officials – should be There are also links to other sites of of the site. only a very limited number of interest – feel free to suggest A modified version of the program is messages; inclusions. available in the public area of the site notices – any announcements with leaders names and phone deemed by club officials to be Allan Mikkelsen numbers replaced by their first name of interest to club members – Membership Secretary and initial of their surname. For example, John Doe is replaced by Wanted – bushwalking photos JohnD. This is so that the public will not know that John is leading a walk am attempting to put together a I can also scan original prints if you and will be away, and also prevents Iselection of good photos on the do not have the images in digital indexing of his name in search club website illustrating the format.The images will be re-sized engines. If you are happy to have bushwalking we do. If you would to a user friendly size before being your full details included in the public like your photos included, please displayed on the web, and can be program, please let the Walks contact me on 6278 3164, at put in either the public or members Secretary know. membsec@canberrabushwalking only part of the web site. A walk club.org.au, or at a Club meeting report can also be included with the Also, if you are happy to accept or it collation. photographs. contact by email, we can provide an email address like I can accept almost any format If you already have your photos on johnd@canberrabushwalking digital photos, by email, on CD, or the web, I can include a link to them club.org.au which will be on a thumb drive. in our site. automatically forwarded to your real Page 6 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 ACTIVITYACTIVITYACTIVITY PROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAM
Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program with Rob Horsfield (Walks Secretary) Ph: 6231 4535 (h), E-mail: [email protected], Post: 11 Studley St Kambah ACT 2902
DISTANCE AND DIFFFICULTY BOOKINGS S/E = Short/Easy; under 12km/day, on fire trails, tracks, beaches etc Ring the leader early rather than late. M/M = Medium/Medium, 12-20km/day on bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub Please ring by Thursday 2.00pm for the following weekend (both one-day L/R = Long/Rough, over 20km/day, much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles and two-day walks) so the leader has L/W = over 20km/day, compulsory swims, some river crossings time to arrange transport. X = exploratory 16 is the maximum, unless a smaller number is advertised in the program. TRANSPORT Check with the leader about: · need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc Costs are 33.3¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This amount · appropriate clothing, footwear may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on: the condition of · any precautions you might need to the roads, the number of passengers per car and other factors. The figures take for severe weather changes. given for individual trips are estimates only, based on four people per car and Ask about anything you’re unsure of, other factors – costs may rise if cars are only partly filled. Park admission and especially if you’re new to our Club. camping fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately. CHECK-IN AFTER WALKS Every person taking part in a CBC activity does so as a volunteer and The Check-in Officer, Keith Thomas accepts responsibility for any personal injury or loss incurred and is required (6230 1081), or the President, not the to sign the Club “Acknowledgment of Risks and Obligations” form. Visitors Police or other bodies, should be the first are welcome to join trips. However eligible walkers are expected to join the point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning from a trip. Leaders Club after a maximum of three trips. must report the safe return OR cancella- For further information see www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org.au tion of their trip to the Check-in Officer.
Saturday 12 August: Bundanoon - Johnstones Picture Canyon. Maps: CMW Budawang Sketch Map; Creek from Teudts Lookout – M/R Nerriga and Endrick 1:25000 Leaders: Rene Davies and This is an exploratory walk through the Johnstone Creek Keith Thomas 6230 1081(h) or [email protected] canyon. Map: Wingello, Bundanoon 1:25000 Leader: Transport: ~$28 Limit: 8 Chris Leslie Contact: Ph 62516123(h), 62465713(w), [email protected] Transport: about $20 Wednesday 16 August, 8pm MONTHLY MEETING Saturday 12 August: Big Badja – M/R Corroboree frogs: an uncertain future From Pikes Saddle we first follow the Minuma Range fire trail, then walk up along that beautiful ridge to have lunch Presenter: Dr Murray Evans with view over Mother Woila; in the afternoon we go west St John’s Church Hall, Reid to Big Badja Hill for afternoon tea and return along the Badja fire trail. Maps: Snowball and Badja 1:25,000. Leader: Gösta Lyngå 6288 7009, [email protected] Saturday 19 August: Booth Hill and Brandy Transport: ~$30. Flat Hut M-L/R (X for me) Ever since seeing the list of ACT High Peaks published Sunday 13 August: Nursery Swamp and in the Nov04 it, I’ve been striving to ‘bag’ them all! Let’s th beyond – S/M reach the top of Booth Hill, the 17 highest ‘named peak’ in the ACT. At 1585m, it sits east of the Boboyan Road. On track from Orroral Valley to Nursery Swamp, then off The walk starts from a car park off the road and a foot track up the hill behind it (1373m) for views to the high track leads to the Brandy Flat Fire Trail, which we will rocky summits of Mts Mavis and Herlt. Map: Rendezvous follow for a while. A tough climb through rough scrub Ck 1:25,000. Leader: Jeff Bennetts 6231 5899h, follows. After reaching our objective, we’ll descend, par- 6240 9704w, 0418 662 870m. Transport:~$12. alleling the Gudgenby Creek, to Brandy Flat Hut for a well-deserved break. A slog back along the fire trail to 12-13 August: Picture Canyon – M/R the cars. Around 13km and 700m climb. Limit of 8. Map: This trip to the rarely visited area in the NW corner of the Michelago 1:25 000. Leader: John Evans – (h) 6288 Budawangs sketch map will traverse the Bainbrig Creek 7235. [email protected] Transport:~ $10. Further and Bulee Brook catchments, including an exploration of details at http://www.pcug.org.au/~jevans.
Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 page 7 Sunday 20 August: Yankee Hats 1 and 2 – S/R Saturday 2 September: Mulligan’s Flat – S/E This will be a round from the Boboyan car park. This little known gem on the northern fringe of Gungahlin Maps:Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk 1:25,000 Leader:Rob is perfect for a spring afternoon. Light forest, low hills Horsfield 6231 4535(h) Transport:~$11. and some open grassland. Meet 2pm in the main Mulligan’s Flat carpark. Go down Old Gundaroo Road 12-20 August: Mts Feathertop and Bogong (toward the western end of Horse Park Rd) until you see snowshoe trips – M-L/M-R the car park on your right. Map: n/a Leader: Stan Marks The aim will be to spend a few days climbing Mt 6254 9568 (h), 6274 7350 (w) or Feathertop from Harrietville and then drive over to Mt [email protected] Transport: drive yourself but Beauty to tackle Mt Bogong. Plans will need to be flexible tell me when you book if you want a ride. to allow for weather and snow conditions but expect to carry tents and stoves and to spend two or three nights Sunday 3 September: Wild Cattle Ridge – M/M out on each trip in alpine country. Glorious scenery. Map: A walk near Captains Flat in the Tallaganda National Park. Bogong Alpine Area 1:50 000. Leader: John I’Ons 6231 From Wild Cattle Flats Road, follow an open ridge south 6326 (h) or email [email protected] Transport to toward Mt Tumanang. The mountain is too far to access be negotiated. this way in a day and we will lunch on an unnamed peak of 1335m. We then go west and south to the cars. COMMITTEE MEETING Vegetation is varied, mostly open forest with some views. Wednesday 23 August, 8pm About 5 ½ hrs actual walking, mostly off track, not hard. at the home of Home via the purple eatery. Car shuffle. Map: Tinderry George Polubinski 1:25,000. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568 (h), 6274 7350 7/8 Checchi Place, Monash (w), email: [email protected] Transport: ~$20 Sunday 3 September: Guthega - Gungartin Saturday 26 August: Namadgi N.P. – M/R on snowshoes – E/M Route: From Rendezvous Creek car park we’ll ascend Explore some classic snow country in the Main Range the ridge above its true left bank, climb through the without the need for skiing skills - we’ll head up the boulders to .1342 and beyond to a point somewhere along Munyang valley with snowshoes, with the aim of achieving the ridgeline from whence we’ll descend to return along big views both ways along of Range from Gungartin. Rendezvous Creek. Maps: Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000 Maps: 1:50k Kosciusko. Leader: Rupert Barnett ph 6242 Leader: Ian Smith Contacts: 6282 1226 (h) Transport: 5241, [email protected]. Transport: $30, plus ~$10.00 Park entrance; limit 8. Sunday 27 August: Cotter Gap - Cotter Rocks (1) 2-3 September: Royal National Park – M/E - Rock Flats – L/M This is a walk over 2 days that traverses the length of From Orroral along the Australian Alps Walking Track RNP and covers about 27 km. We head off Fri evening to Cotter Gap, off track south to Cotter Rocks and Rock and stay overnight at the Wollongong YHA. On Saturday Flats, then north-east across upper Rendezvous Ck and we drive to Otford, where we leave our cars before through a saddle to rejoin the track and return. Granite catching the train to Cronulla to board the Cronulla- rock formations and good views. Map: ACT 1:100,000 Bundenna ferry. From Bundeena we walk to Garie’s Beach or Rendezvous Ck and Corin Dam 1:25,000. Leader: and stay overnight at Garie’s Beach YHA. Have booked Jeff Bennetts 6231 5899(h) 6240 9704(w) 0418 662 entire YHA for the evening. Sunday we walk out to Otford 870(m). Transport: ~$15. Limit 12. to our cars, and then head home to Canberra. Maps: Port 26-27 August: Perisher area, snow shoes – M/M Hacking and Otford. Leader: Barry Keeley 6252 7469 An overnight trip on snow shoes into the back-country up (w) email: [email protected] Transport: $40-$50. from Blue Cow, camping out on the snow. We will travel Accommodation: Fri – $25 , Sat $15. Limit of 12. up by snow tube and leave cars at Bullocks Flat. Maps: Saturday 9 September: Worn Boot Bash – L/M Kosciuszko 1:50000. Leader: Steve Galliford, 62865744 (H), email: [email protected] Bookings after July This year the route is Kambah, Mts Taylor, Wanniassa 9. Transport: $35 plus snow tube fare. and Rob Roy, Murrumbidgee River, Tuggeranong Creek, Kambah. ~35 km + some hills. Map:ACT 1:100,000 26-27 August: Namadgi NP - Sentry Box – M/R Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfield 6231 4535(h) Saturday: A scenic walk along the Naas Valley from the Transport:N/A Naas Car Park to Sheep Station Creek, to set-up camp. After lunch by the picturesque shearing shed, a bush-bash Saturday 9 September - Ridge with a view and long climb to Sentry Box Hill and return. Sunday: A near Captain’s Flat-M/E-M walk along and through/over Grassy Creek, via Lone Pine Walk from the Spring Creek car park along a series of Homestead (ruins), Pheasant Hill, and eventual return to ridges through open forest to an unnamed grassy peak for Naas Car Park, by mid-afternoon. Some off-track walking lunch with spectacular views from Lake George to the but shouldn’t be too challenging. Plan to have campfire Tinderries then loop back to the cars. Mostly easy off but it may be wise to bring fuel stoves - just in case. track, about 4 ¾ hrs actual walking. Map: Captains Flat Map:Yaouk 1:25,000. Leader:John Kelly 6241 3814(h) 1:25,000. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568 (h), 6274 7350 Transport:~$16 (w), email: [email protected] Transport: ~$15 Page 8 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 Wednesday 13 September: Wednesday Walk Sunday 24 September: Mt Gingera – L/R The regular mid-week walk series continues, close to Early start from Corin Dam up the steep and lengthy Canberra with a destination to be decided. Contact the Stockyard Spur to the main Mt Franlin fire trail. Along to leader before 8pm Tuesday to find out destination and Pryor’s hut and then the final ascent on Mt Gingera. We’ll meeting place. Leader: Allan Mikkelsen 6278 3164(h) lunch there and take in the spectacular views. Return via the same route. It will be a reasonably long and strenuous IT COLLATION day. Mainly on track. Map: Corin Dam 1:25000 Leader: Wednesday 13 September, 8pm John Kelly 6241 3814(h) Transport: ~$12 the home of Ted Fleming (22) 23-24 September: Little Forest Plateau – 14 Bulwarra Close O’Malley M/E I am planning a weekend of new walks in this area, on Saturday 16 September: Moonlight Hollow – track to Florance and Rusden Heads with spectacular M/E views to the coast and the Budawangs respectively on the This walk runs on good tracks through lush forest and a Saturday. On the Sunday we will probably check out the few ferny creeks mostly unaffected by the fires, from Bulls Conjola National Park near Ulladulla, leaving for home Head on Mt Franklin Road to Bendora Arboretum (lunch) straight after lunch. We will stay at cabins at Ulladulla. then looping back via other tracks to the start. Some good Eat out Sat evening in Ulladulla. Drive down Friday night. views. About 5 ¼ hrs actual walking. Map: Tidbinbilla Map: Tianjara/Milton Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568 Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), (h), 6274 7350 (w) or [email protected] [email protected] Transport: ~$15 Transport: $50 29 September - 18 October: Great Eastern Sunday 17 September: Tinderries – L/M Centenary Track, Illawarra and Two Rivers Follow the Mt Allen fire trail to the top of the Tinderry Range. Short scrub-bash to a large prominent rock sighted sections (20 days including transport and from a previous trip. Whilst mainly on track there is a ~280 km) – M/R long steep rise of ~700m. Map: Tinderry, Michelago This walk starts at The Royal National Park, follows the 1:25,000 Leader: Roger Edwards 6288 7863(h), 6250 Illawarra escarpment to the Shoalhaven, The Two Rivers 6911(w) Transport:~$14. Track to Yadboro, Monolith Valley, Corang plateau and finishes at Wog Wog. Members are invited to join part A 9-16 September: Washpool/Gibralter NP, (RNP to Shoalh.), part B (Shoalh. to Wog Wog) or both. Northern NSW – M/M-R Expressions of interest are requested in the near future Spend 5 days in a superb part of Northern NSW with but no later than the middle of August. Leader: Rob contrasting giant granite tors and heritage rainforests. The Horsfield 6231 4535(h). route will be flexible but will include some off-track/creek 30 Sept- 2 October- Budawangs: Hidden walking. Leader: Chris Leslie Contact: 62516123(h), Valley, The Vines from Nerriga- M/M-X 62465713(w), [email protected] Map: Tenterfield I plan to start this walk from the Alum F-T entrance to the 1:100000 Transport: tba park and head immediately for Round Mountain; this section of the walk will be exploratory and will definitely Tuesday 19 and Tuesday 26 September: include some scrub. If we survive this exploratory section Planning and Leading a Walk – the basics. then I plan to do a loop around Quiltys Mountain visiting An opportunity to learn and discuss the ins-and-outs of Hidden Valley and The Vines; this section is largely on planning and leading a walk. This would be ideal for tracks. Map:Endrick 1:25,000.Leader: Peter Conroy those who haven’t yet led walks, as well as for new 6281 4917(h), 6125 8022(w), [email protected] leaders. It’s a good follow-on for those who did Jenny Transport:~$30. and Rob’s navigation course earlier this year. We’ll cover day, weekend and multi-day walks. Time: 7.30pm 30 Sept - 2 October: Budawang Weekend Venue:15 Cockburn Street, Curtin Contact: Ian Smith I have booked basic accommodation near Nerriga on the 6282 1226(h), 6243 4248(w) edge of the park for the long weekend, driving down Sat- urday morning. There is room for six under shelter and room for others to camp. There are basic cooking facili- MONTHLY MEETING ties, toilets and you can wash in a creek or have a Wednesday 20 September shower.We will do three day walks each led by Jeff Bennetts, who knows the area, possibly Fosters, Quilty’s Saturday 23 September: Nursery Swamp and Round Mt. The flowers should be good on the heaths. Track and Rendezvous Creek – M/M If another Budawangs expert books, we may offer other N. Sw. car park in the Orroral, Nursery Swamp Track, options. Walks will be a mix of on and off track (some Rendezvous Creek- Boboyan Road. This is usually a scrub). Bookings to Stan please. If you want to discuss popular walk that we put on each year and requires a car- the walks, contact Jeff. Map: Endrick 1:25,000 or CMW shuttle. Map:Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000 Leader: Jenny Budawangs Leaders: Stan Marks and Jeff Bennetts. Stan Horsfield 6231 4535(h) Transport: ~$11 (h) 6254 9568 (w) 6274 7350 email:stan. Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 page 9 [email protected] and Jeff (h) 6231 5899 (w) 6240 fairly open ridge to the track along the ridge which forms 9704 [email protected] Transport: ~$30, Ac- the Great Divide at this point, and follow it south to Mt commodation: depends on numbers ~$20 Tumutbulla (1321m) for lunch. From there, we drop to Wild Cattle Creek along another fairly open ridge, then Sunday 8 October: Wild Cattle Creek – M/M back to the cars. Vegetation is varied, some interesting This walk is south of Captains Flat in the Tallaganda views, mostly off track. About 5 1/4 hrs actual walking. National Park. It is a wander, on and off track, along Home via the purple eatery. Map: Tinderry 1:25,000. ridges through light, open forest and along the wide open Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568 (h), 6274 7350 (w), valley of Wild Cattle Creek and other watercourses. About email: [email protected] Transport: ~$20 4 hrs actual walking. Return via the purple eatery. Map: Tinderry 1:25,000. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568 Saturday 7 November: Mt Aggie and Bendora (h),6274 7350 (w), email: [email protected] Arboretum – M/E Transport: ~$15 Walk from the Aggie car park on track to Mt Aggie, then a mixture of on and off track back to the arboretum and Saturday 14 October: Googong and the cars. The area is a mixture of vegetation types with Cumbean Reserves – M/E some views. Car shuffle required. About 4 hrs actual The Cumbean Nature Reserve lies between Captains Flat walking. Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25,000 Leader: Stan Rd and the northern end of Googong Dam. This walk Marks 6254 9568 (h),6274 7350 (w), email: begins at the Cascades Car Park [email protected]
Page 10 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 Bulletin Board
The Bulletin Board is for members to advertise (at no cost) TREKKING IN THE PATAGONIAN ANDES goods for sale, private trips or other personal bushwalking- From 26 December 2006 to 3 February 2007, enjoy six related matters. The Club is not involved in, takes no weeks of guided touring and back-country trekking (i.e. responsibility for, and does not endorse, the activities or with tent, sleeping bag, food, & clothing) through the goods advertised here. Hence, if people participate in Patagonian Andes with Janet & Paul Edstein. The trip any activities advertised here, they do so as private includes: individuals, not as members of the Club, and will not be covered by the Club’s insurance. · 7 days in the Villarrica and Huerquehue National Parks, near Pucón, Chile, with an ascent of the 2847m WEDNESDAY WALK high active Volcán Villarrica; The regular mid-week walk series continues, close to Canberra with a destination to be decided. Contact the · 6 days in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, near leader before 8pm Tuesday to find out destination and Bariloche, Argentina; meeting place. Leader: Allan Mikkelsen 6278 3164(h). · 4 days in the Glaciers National Park, near El This walk is every Wednesday and the clubs, CBC, FBI and NPA take turns to host it. Details for each Wednesday Calafate, Argentina, plus an excursion to the Perito are now available by email and interested members Moreno Glacier; and should contact Allan Mikkelsen. · 10 days in the Torres del Paine National Park, near Puerto Natales, Chile ‘GEAR FOR SALE’ TABLE In place of our one-night auction, as in previous years, For more details of the treks, see the following entries we shall put out a table at General Meetings, for a while. in Lonely Planet’s Trekking in the Patagonian Andes’: Hopefully it will be of benefit to those wanting to get rid Ascent of Volcán Villarrica; Around Volcán Villarrica; of equipment and those wishing to buy some. Please Central Huerquehue; Paso de las Nubes (for the climb label gear for sale with adequate personal details and to Refugio Otto Meiling on Mt Tronador and side-trip to asking price. Glaciar Castaño Overo); Nahuel Huapi Traverse; CHINA TIP OCTOBER 2007 Parque Nacional Los Glaciars (Around Monte FitzRoy); I have intentions of touring China with a travel company Parque Nacional Torres del Paine (for the Paine Circuit in October 2007. Nothing has been booked as yet but and Paine Lookout). Estimated cost per person, places to visit include: Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Yangtze including fares, food & hostel accommodation when in River (as must before the gorges are totally flooded), town, is $6,000-$6,500, ex Sydney, depending on the Guilin, Kunming, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge. This number of participants. Party Limits: Min 8, Max 12. particular trip is for 22 days and is priced at approx $7000. Notes: People who can’t take 6 weeks off can join/leave There would be some minor additional costs such as for the trip for shorter periods, but the cost isn’t likely to be visas. Most of the transport is by plane, rail, bus and of significantly less. For those interested in coming, a course boat and these costs are included in this package. briefing session will be held on Friday 27 October at For those interested in planning well ahead let me know 7:30pm. Leader: Janet Edstein. Bookings by e-mail only, if you too are interested in this trip. Rene Lays 6241 7862. please ([email protected]).
Invasive Species Council – an organisation to be supported he Club has received correspondence from the discovery of red imported fire ants in Brisbane in 2001 TInvasive Species Council (ISC) which is an shows that major pests continue to invade”. independent, non-government organization formed to Our Club is acutely aware of the huge impact of just campaign to stop further invasions of exotic pests and one species through our ongoing efforts to remove animals in Australia. the invasive Broom species from the Upper Cotter According to the ISC, “incredible harm has been done area of Namadgi National Park over the past 13 years. by such pests as foxes, rabbits, toads, carp, prickly It is for this reason that an independent organization pear, blackberries rubber vine and the tree killing with the objectives of the ISC should be supported. disease phytopthora. At last count Australia has 2,700 Further information about the impact of invasive weed species and more than 200 marine invaders. species can be obtained from the ISC website “Weeds alone cost the economy $3.3 billion each year. www.invasives.org.au Foxes are blamed for the extinction of several marsupials, and a new disease has been blamed for John Thwaite the disappearance of several frog species. The Conservation Officer
Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006 page 11 CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB COMMITTEE* Position Name Home Work E-mail
PRESIDENT Rene Davies 6230 1081 62064253 [email protected] VICE PRES/TREASURER Michael Sutton 6262 3394 - [email protected] GENERAL SECRETARY Cynthia Breheny 62476857 - [email protected] WALKS SECRETARY Rob Horsfield 6231 4535 - [email protected] EDITOR Tom Gosling 62902874 6213 7106 [email protected] MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Allan Mikkelsen 6278 3164 - [email protected] TRAINING & SAFETY OFFICER Ian Smith 6282 1226 6243 4248 training @canberrabushwalkingclub.org.au CONSERVATION OFFICER John Thwaite 62543193 0418626703 [email protected] PUBLISHER George Polubinski 0408628691 - [email protected] ASSISTANT WALKS SEC Keith Thomas 62301081 0421607667 [email protected] SOCIAL SECRETARY Jenny Horsfield 6231 4535 - [email protected]
*All 11 members of the Committee can be contacted in one email to [email protected] MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES: Allan MIKKELSEN, [email protected] 6278 3164 (h) CHECK IN: Ring KEITH THOMAS on 6230 1081(h), 0421607667 WEBSITE: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org.au
If undeliverable return to PRINT POSTAGE GPO Box 160, POST Canberra ACT 2601 PAID PP 248831/0047 AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved PP248831/00047 it
CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB
AUG 06
Page 12 – Canberra Bushwalking Club it August 2006