Canberra Bushwalking Club Newsletter

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February 2020 Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc GPO Box 160 Volume 56, Issue 1 Canberra ACT 2601 www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

GENERAL MEETING INSIDE THIS ISSUE 7.30 pm Wednesday 19 February 2020 Presentation ...... 1 Weston Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson Street, President’s Report ...... 2 Weston Editorial ...... 2 Walk Secretary’s Report ...... 3-5 Murramurang South Coast Walk Membership Secretary’s Report Frank Gubler ’s love affair with the South Coast of NSW started in ...... 6 the early 70s when he travelled with his mates in a Kombi van Training and Safety Officer’s Report laden with surfboards down to the Bawley Pt area. They drove down from ...... 6-7 Sydney on Friday nights listening to ‘The Who’ on a portable cassette CBC Committee ...... 9 player. Free camping was easy in those days with a choice of a number of headlands near great surf breaks. Facebook admin ...... 9 Motion for February general During these trips he could not help noticing the many intriguing features meeting...... 9 inland which were part of the Budawangs. This led to a number of memorable walks in the Budawangs. Moving to Canberra in 1986 made it Club items for sale ...... 10 easier to further explore the coast from Batemans Bay down to Eden. For Bushfire Crisis condolence speech over 30 years they have been annual campers in Ben Boyd National Park, to the Senate ...... 11-12 enjoying its beaches and walks. His favourite wilderness coastal walk is Fire Debrief and Namadgi Recovery from Mallacoota to Merrica River. Since he joined the CBC with his wife ...... 13 Anna, in 2018, they have both gained an immense appreciation A Bushwalker Fights Fires ...14-15 of the local Namadgi National Kosciuszko Huts ...... 16 Park and other local areas. Bulletin Board ...... 17 His talk will report on the Link to Bushwalking NSW development of New Zealand publications ...... 17 inspired ‘Great Walks’ on the CBC Publication Policy link to NSW South Coast focusing on a website ...... 17 new walk being developed between Batemans Bay and Activity Program ...... 18-26 Bawley Point, the Murramarang Coast walk. In December last year, he led a CBC walk covering the Northern half of this IMPORTANT DATES proposed walk. • 19 February— General meeting

He will also mention proposed • 25 February—Committee developments in the Light to meeting Light Walk. Tragically, since then, the areas have been • 25 February—Articles for severely impacted by the inclusion in March 2020 It close bushfires and he will report on the extent and implications of this damage.

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 1 President’s Report

Welcome to a new year of bush walks and expression of interest form to collect other outdoor activities. What a summer it contact details of those who are interested has been, and is sure to be etched into our in volunteering for Namadgi bushfire collective memory banks for a very long recovery in the coming months. Please time. The enormity of the devastation of keep in mind they are still planning, our beautiful Namadgi is something we will organising and waiting for more all be coming to terms, yet as many of us information; and it will be some time who experienced the 2003 fires can attest, before we are allowed into the park, as this the sheer beauty of Nature expresses itself crisis is ongoing. If you would like to from a whole new perspective. That of register your interest for volunteering regrowth and regeneration. As the Parks opportunities, here is the link: https:// and Reserves are once again deemed safe forms.gle/F7BckaqmMe5AMjSX9 and are opened to the public, so too will our walk schedule provide many While our region was ravaged by fire and opportunities to experience the beauty and smoke, I managed to escape most of diversity within our region and January with a trip to Kenya and Tanzania. surrounding areas. For those members who The absolute pinnacle was trekking the really don’t like the bush bashing, fear not, Shira route of Mount Kilimanjaro over as you will now have a few years to enjoy eight days, through five climate zones, parts of the Parks that were previously culminating on summit day with nine inaccessible to you. The road to recovery hours up to the highest point - Uhuru Peak will be a long and yet familiar one for many at 5895m. It was a long and arduous 12 of us in the bushwalking community, and hour day, with a three hour scree slide back I’d encourage anyone that has the capacity down to base camp. Success = 90% to volunteer in any way, to reach out and mindset, and I can certainly attest to that. lend a helping hand in the recovery It was tough, but definitely worth it. I look process. The Southern ACT Catchment forward to seeing you out on the trails in Group is in the initial stages of gathering the coming weeks. volunteer support for biodiversity recovery: * potential working bees or other support actions for Namadgi once it’s safe to do so. Kind regards As a start, they have launched an Diana Terry

Editorial

You will notice that most of the articles in and region. I am sure many of you will want this issue of It relate to bushfires, influenced to help in some way when the call goes out by our summer of 2019-20 bushfire crisis. to join in work parties and similar which will This has been such a mammoth event in our be organised in the future. region that it is not surprising that our Some of the articles overlap in a minor way, residents need to take time to comprehend but I have decided to leave all articles as the implications of what we has been lost in they have been presented. these relentless fires.

I hope you can all draw comfort from the positive perspectives of others in our club Gabrielle Wright

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 2 Walk Secretary’s Report

Dear members. to recover. There will be opportunities for None of us could have failed to notice the us to show our appreciation to all the devastation wrought upon our beloved volunteers, parks officers, firies and country these last few months. Now, right countless others who have worked so hard in our own backyard, so much of our to protect heritage sites and keep us safe. beloved Namadgi National Park is also I want to thank you all for your patience being heavily impacted. and understanding at not being able to get Our fabulous Leaders have had to cancel or out and about. For those of you impacted postpone so many walks over this past by the fires, who may have lost property, summer but, I know, they're busily making friends, family and animals I want you to plans for some exciting adventures ahead know that our thoughts are with you. when this disaster is finally at an Our Club is strong and full of members end. Many areas previously so scrubby, with big hearts, broad shoulders and open and almost impenetrable after the 2003 ears should any of you feel the need for a bushfire regrowth, will be more accessible. friendly chat. There will be views many of us will not Looking forward to better times ahead. have seen before. There will be the heartening signs of new growth as fresh Your Walks Secretary, shoots emerge and our native animals start Terrylea."

someone who happens to be a member of Discussion Paper on Joint Trips with another Club, that does not make the trip a Other Clubs joint trip. CBC leaders who are members of more than one club occasionally list trips that are joint What about Wednesday Walks? with other clubs. CBC welcomes joint activities Wednesday walks are excluded from these as an opportunity for CBC members to meet guidelines – they have their own set of other bushwalkers and for leaders to find procedures. sufficient participants for more challenging or remote trips. What about collaborative programs? Collaborative programs are also excluded from these guidelines. Collaborative programs are DEFINITIONS programs specifically endorsed by the committees/management of each What is a ‘joint trip’? collaborating organization – for example the A joint trip CBC-Hobart Walking Club collaboration of • is advertised in two clubs’ programs, and 2016 or the CBC-Greening Australia weed • has a leader who is a member of both clubs surveys. These programs are so varied in (or, more rarely, has co-leaders, one from nature that it is not practical to set guidelines. each club) The Committee recommends that leaders in collaborative programs consider the What is not a joint trip? procedures listed below for joint trips, and If a trip is advertised only in the CBC program, adapt them to the circumstances. and the leader accepts a booking from

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 3

A’s check-in procedures and to Club B using PROCEDURES FOR JOINT TRIPS Club B’s procedures.

For joint trips, leaders should generally apply Transport on joint trips the procedures of Club A to participants from Whilst members on joint club trips are Club A and the procedures of Club B to generally subject to their own Club’s participants from Club B. The exceptions are guidelines and procedures, to avoid transport and emergency procedures, see confusion and ensure equity, the procedures below. for arranging transport and calculating transport costs on such trips should be jointly Specifically, the leader or co-leaders should agreed by the leader(s) using either one of follow each Club’s standard procedures for the Club’s methods of calculation. This will • advertising the trip, including grading usually be done in consultation with the information participants. • eligibility and vetting of participants • booking Emergency procedures on joint trips • check-in Prior to the trip, CBC leaders should consider • submission of any post-trip reports or ways to avoid duplicated communication in newsletter articles. an emergency i.e. ways to avoid both clubs contacting emergency services. The leader Advertising joint trips should also ensure that there is a mechanism To be a ‘joint trip’ it must be advertised in the in place, in an emergency, for contact with programs of each club. The advertising the families of participants in both clubs. details should include a statement that the trip is a joint trip and name the other Example: There is a joint Brindabella participating club. Bushwalking Club-CBC trip to Depot Beach. It has participants from BBC and CBC. Prior Bookings for joint trips to the trip, the leader has ensured they have The leader(s) should maintain two separate the contact details for the BBC’s ‘Emergency booking lists i.e. a list of the participants Officer’ and the CBC’s Check-In Officer. At from Club A maintained on Club A’s booking Depot Beach, a participant from BBC has an system and a list of participants from Club B urgent medical episode which looks like maintained on Club B’s booking resulting in the delayed return of the system. Maintaining two separate booking participants from the trip. The leader calls an lists may require more work for the leader; ambulance, and contacts the BBC Emergency however, it allows participants to use the Officer (since the episode involves a BBC booking system they are used to, and ensures member) to explain the situation, and asks that both the individual Club member’s the BBC Emergency Officer to pass that privacy and the integrity of the CBC booking information on to the CBC Check-In Officer. system are maintained. Note that there are many possible variations. Using each Club’s own separate booking In the above example, the leader, if they had procedures mean that participants from the time, could have also called the CBC Check- other Club are not required to join CBC or In Officer themselves. On a more remote trip, register as CBC guests. the leader may have no phone connectivity, may set off a PLB and may contact the CBC Check-in of joint trips Check-in Officer via a satellite text At the end of the trip, the leader or co- messenger. Or a group may be delayed in a leaders should check-in, i.e. report way that requires communication with completion of the trip, to Club A using Club families but not with emergency services. For

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 4

these reasons, these guidelines don’t come into effect after consultation with stipulate rules – just the principles of regular leaders of joint trips and upon the avoiding duplicated calls to emergency committee’s ratification. services (e.g. to avoid two ambulances arriving) and of ensuring that the relevant Prepared by Terrylea Reynolds and presented club officers and families are informed. to committee meeting of 5 February 2020.

It is recommended that these guidelines

Discussion Paper on Guests and the done a qualifying activity that a leader of ‘three trip’ limit any activity of 3 or more days will have vetted the guest in some fashion to confirm The purpose of this paper is to clarify the their suitability for the trip. The guest Club’s policy in relation to ‘Temporary should list the upcoming trip as their Members’ (aka guests). qualifying activity identifying the Leader as their Nominator and the Membership At 2 November, CBC had 176 current guests Secretary as Seconder. and 401 members which seems disproportionate and raises questions of Exceptions to this requirement would be: fairness to both members who pay their • a child, annual fee, and to our insurer. • a member of another Club participating in an activity which is being jointly run by The membership fee covers costs such as: CBC and the other Club, and/or • maintaining the web site which most where CBC has officially invited members of participants use to select their walks, another Club to join in a series of official • maintaining and enhancing the software CBC-led activities. which leaders use to manage walks, and Children are exempted from this policy other costs that keep the Club running so because our constitution does not allow that walks can occur eg insurance. members under the age of 18. In addition, this policy would not apply where trips are The Club currently has an expectation being jointly run with another club as it is requiring guests who have done 3 activities presumed that the other club is responsible to join. for applying its own policies in relation to their guests. This paper recommends that the Club policy be rewritten to clarify the nature and It is recommended that this policy come duration of these activities. Specifically, it into effect upon the Committee’s recommends that guests be required to join ratification. if they have done, or are registered to do, activities with the Club which total 3 or Prepared by Terrylea Reynolds and presented more days or part-days. to committee meeting of 5 February 2020.

It is presumed that where a guest has not

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 5 Membership Secretary’s Report

Occasional reflections #3: A significant minority of membership applicants have real trouble in making their online application via our web pages. If you are a leader of member who has encouraged a Guest to join, here's how to help them avoid the trouble ... A Guest applying for membership should do so via their Guest login, and look for the application item in the green menu bar on the left of the webpage that presents itself to them. This Guest will have no problem. (Note: to login, our Guest will use username = email address, password = whatever they used before or click Forgot Password.) Quite a few, however, apply via the more general application route, by clicking "How to Join" from the Cluib's home page, then clicking apply online. On the webpage that presents itself, our Guest fills in their email address - and is told that they can't use it! Why not? Because it's already used by the Guest membership. So, please tell anyone who is a Guest to apply via their Guest login.

Membership stands at 401 as at 3 February 2020.

450

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150 Number membersof

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0 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20

New members since the November report. Michelle Clement David Henshall Carys Jones Stephen Joske Jane Kahler Santo Lolicato Therese Ryan Mac Kirby 3 February 2020

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 6 Training and Safety Officer’s Report Bushfire Awareness With the current horrific bushfire season, it avoid the risk of being caught in a bushfire is to seems timely to review the issues and manage- avoid walking at high risk times and in high ment strategies for bushfire risk when bush- risk locations. walking. What to do: About bushfires The article below is reprinted from the Bush- Australia like several other countries in the walking NSW website as a refresher https:// world has a reputation for serious bushfires. A www.bushwalkingnsw.org.au/bushfires/ basic understanding of bushfires is useful if you are a bushwalker or spend time in the out- Before you go doors. · Check with the local fire authority that there are no bush fires or hazard reduction Bushfires are usually started accidentally – burns in the area you are planning to walk in. things like dry lightning strikes, flying embers from an existing fire, or the careless actions of · Check the Bureau of Meteorology weather humans can all ignite a fire. forecast prior to commencing any activity, particularly a multi-day activity. Cancel the activity Bushfire behaviour is influenced by three main if windy conditions and high temperatures are factors: predicted. Fuel · Do not go bushwalking on days that are The type of fuel, the amount of fuel, its mois- rated severe, extreme or catastrophic on the ture content and the arrangement of the fuel Fire Danger Index. determines the intensity and rate of spread of a fire. For example, in forest land the fire burns · Many NSW National Parks are closed on with high intensity but moves slowly, whereas Total Fire Ban Days. A Total Fire Ban will gen- in grassland the fire is less intense but moves erally not be declared until 5 pm the day before quickly. it takes effect. An activity must be cancelled if the park manager declares the park or any of Weather the tracks or trails closed. Fires will be more intense on hot dry days than on cool humid days. Fires move more quickly • Note features on your map where you when it is windy and wind changes can affect could shelter if caught in a bushfire, such as fire behaviour dramatically. rocks, hollows, embankments, streams or Note that a big fire can create its own micro- roads. climate and will ‘suck’ in oxygen to maintain a · Notify someone of your route, expected blaze – a wind that will appear to move toward time of return, and the participants. the fire even though the fire is heading in the opposite direction. Manage risk while bushwalking Topography • On multi day activities if a Total Fire Ban The lay of the land has considerable effect on is unexpectedly declared (or suspected) leave the way the fire travels. A “preheating” effect the park early. If this is impossible, find the saf- causes the fire to move more quickly uphill est place possible to spend the day. (roughly doubling in speed for each 10 degree increase in the slope) · On a multi-day activity use a mobile phone and/or a portable AM/FM radio to monitor The key to surviving a bushfire is to understand news bulletins for information on fire activity, these factors, predict how they will interact, fire danger ratings, total fire bans and park clo- and take appropriate actions. The best way to sures.

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 7 · Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) so that More information can be found on the Rural Fire emergency services can locate you if necessary. Service website including the brochure Bushfire · From November to April, bring some no-cook Safety for Bushwalkers meals and water purification solutions that will work without a stove, as naked flames of any kind Where can I find bushfire warnings? are forbidden on Total Fire Ban days, including; all NSW & ACT campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, NSW Rural Fire Service publish details of bushfires briquettes, hexamite) and liquid fuel (petroleum, and hazard reduction burns online. Download the oil, methylated spirits, kerosene) barbecues and NSW Rural Fire Service Fires near Me stoves. app on Apple App store or Google Play for An- · On Total Fire Ban days it is permitted to use gas droid for information on the go in New South Wales or electric BBQs installed by NPWS, but visitor- and the ACT. owned gas or electric BBQs are prohibited unless VIC they are in a caravan or 3-sided enclosed caravan Vic Emergency lists all Victorian emergency warn- annexe. Check for more details of the NPWS fire- ings. You can also download the FireReady ban rules on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife app from this site. FireReady is the official Victori- Service website. an Government app for access to timely, relevant · Extinguish all candles and camp fires before go- and tailored bushfire warnings and information in ing to bed, ensuring the ashes are cold. Victoria. · Smoking is not permitted in National Parks at QLD any time. Rural Fire Service Queensland lists bushfire warnings with an interactive map. What to do if caught in a bushfire SA • Call Triple Zero 000 The South Australian Country Fire Service lists inci- · Move to a cleared area. You can’t outrun a fire. dents and warnings on its website. Look for shelter in rocks, hollows, embankments, TAS streams or roads. Do not hide in water tanks. Re- Tasmania Fire Service lists bushfire warnings with member that radiant heat can be as deadly as an interactive map. flames. WA · Head to a lower area, not uphill, as a bushfire Western Australia Emergency WA features an inter- will rapidly ascend from valleys to ridges. active map with cyclone, flood and bush fire warn- · Drink plenty of water and cover your mouth ings. with a damp cloth. NT · Keep low and cover your skin. ABC Emergency is the official broadcaster for fire and emergency warnings. · Move to burnt ground once the fire has passed. NZ Fire and Emergency New Zealand National is the · As a last resort only you may need to run unified rural and urban fire service with fire safety through the flames to a burnt out area. Choose a information. Ring 111 in an emergency. Met Ser- relatively clear area where flames are less than a vice lists New Zealand official weather forecasts and metre high, take a deep breath, cover your face and weather warnings. run.

· Contact someone to let them know your situation as soon as possible.

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 8 CBC Committee 2019-20

President: Diana Terry [email protected] Do you have photos of a great trip that you'd like to share on our Facebook Page? Treasurer: Melinda Brouwer [email protected]

Walks Secretary: Terrylea Reynolds Some of you have been taking some [email protected] amazing photos of Club trips you've been 0408 715 218 on and have been asking what's the best General Secretary: Jenny Stewart way to share these. Well, you could take [email protected] advantage of our Facebook page to share Membership Secretary: Mac Kirby your exploits and show off your [email protected] photographic expertise! Simply send your photos (preferably already collated into an Training and Safety Officer: Pete Hegarty [email protected] album) with relevant text to Conservation Officer: Cynthia Breheny [email protected] [email protected] and hey, presto, just like magic you'll be Web Manager: Andrew Meers sharing with other like minded folk. [email protected] Editor: Gabrielle Wright [email protected] Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith Thomas [email protected] Cost of Transport to Work Parties +64 27 535 6176 Motion for February 2020 general Social Secretary: Marg Sharp and Alan Laird meeing [email protected] At the September 2019 CBC committee meeting it Publisher: David Williams was agreed that the Club would bear the cost of [email protected] transport of members to work parties approved by the committee,. ————————————————————— It is proposed that the following motion be put to All members of the Committeecan be contacted in the general meeting on Wednesday 19 February one email to 2020: [email protected] That the conservation budget be increased Check in: [email protected] from $200 to $700 to allow for reimbursement [email protected] of transport costs for committee approved work parties. Web site: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 9 CLUB ITEMS FOR SALE

Corroboree Frog Buffs Thanks to all who have bought corroboree frog buffs from Linda or Cynthia. We were able to forward $1,520 from the sales to Reclaim Kosci prior to Christmas.

The money raised will be spent entirely on activities for the Reclaim Kosci campaign that seeks to overturn legislation protecting feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park and to significantly reduce horse numbers in this park.

Campaign expenses include the costs of helicopter and ground-based trips for media and politicians to raise awareness about the impacts of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park, to have the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018 repealed and to cause Canberra Bushwalking Club Badges substantial reduction in the feral horse population They're back. Yes, that's right folks. We've just in Kosciuszko National park through humane and received an order of club cloth badges. Those of you effective means. who've walked with some of us who've already got a badge from a few years' ago may have admired them Corroboree frog buffs are available from Cynthia with envy. You may even have wondered how you Breheny and Linda Groom at general meetings of might lay your hands on one of these spiffy little the Club and on Club bushwalks in which they numbers. Well, now you can. Bound to be a participate. The $20 from each sale will help to Collector's Item (well, maybe ...) you can buy one for $12.50 (cost price). How? They'll be on sale at Reclaim Kosciuszko. our monthly meetings (next meeting February 2020) or through Terrylea, our Walks Secretary. Just give her a ring on 0408 715 218 or email her on walksec@ Canberrabushwalkingclub.org.

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 10 Bushfire Crisis condolence speech to the Senate Senator Katy Gallagher—4 February 2020 I thank the Senate for the opportunity to blanketed in smoke from fires to our north, speak on the condolence motion today. south and west. The summers of children Since the last time the Senate met, fires playing outside, of barbecues and of the have ravaged, devastated and destroyed normal relaxing and recovering from a large parts of our ancient continent. busy year all seem distant and impossible Amongst the horror of this summer, in the summer of 2019-20. Buying your affecting hundreds of thousands of child a mask to wear if they leave the house Australians, 33 Australians have lost their is a very confronting act, and checking the lives, and today we remember them all. We air quality apps just to see whether you can pay our respects to them, and we send our go outside becomes an hourly task. love to their families in their time of grief. For the past two weeks, the Orroral Valley Three thousand homes have been fire has menaced our local community— destroyed and millions of hectares of our unfortunately accidentally started by a beautiful bush lost to fires. Wildlife has Defence helicopter, but spread due to the been devastated. It’s almost impossible to tinder-dry bush from the protracted comprehend the extent of the loss and the drought. This fire has already burnt more ongoing impact of these fires on regional than 50 p0er cent of Namadgi National communities, on regional economies and Park, a figure which simply doesn’t capture on our ecology the magnitude of the loss of this amazing To all of those who have helped keep national park and all the animals that live communities safe: we thank you. Your there. We are heartbroken at the loss of bravery and dedication to protecting your this. Burnt out in the devastating fires of fellow Australians has been humbling to 2003, Namadgi was just returning to its full witness. Your work is a very powerful act of glory when this fire struck. The people of love and commitment to your families and Tharwa and south Tuggeranong have waited, and are still waiting, as this fire your communities. In you, we have seen the best of Australia, and we are in awe of your continues to threaten all round it. efforts. The Clear Range fire, which devastated In my own home town, this summer has Bumbalong on the weekend and threatened been like no other. Whilst we haven’t Bredbo, and the Calabash fire, which necessarily endured the crisis that those threatened Tinderry and Michelago—both over the border have, we have felt it. We fires which originated from fire behavior from the Orroral Valley fire—continue to have breathed it. These places are all part of our region. They are part of the fabric of burn. Canberra life. We know and love these To the many Canberrans who have reached beautiful places. We spend a lot of time in out to me throughout this time, I thank them, and we have witnessed in horror as you. Your contributions help me to be a the fires threatened and destroyed homes, better representative and I have heard you. lives and habitats without mercy. Canberrans have told me that they are frustrated with politics and want to see Since early Decrember, we’ve been greater leadership and more effort put into

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 11 reaching bipartisan agreement when it’s wildlife and look after and care for those clearly in the national interest. They want who have lost or are displaced due to the to see more action on climate change. They fires we are more grateful than you could are angry at what they see as government know. To the coastal communities and the inaction. They have ideas about support for beautiful Snowy Monaro: Canberrans will volunteers and managing the land, and be right by your side as you rebuild and they want to see the Labor Party stay strong welcome people back to your piece of on climate change and not abandon paradise. ambitious climate policies. People have So as we gather to p0ay our respects today, spoken to me on the street, in the let us commit to remembering what supermarket and out and about and they happened this summer and to doing have contacted me via email, desperate to everything within our power as senators in let me know that this is not business as this place to stop this from happening usual which will be resolved with a again. Let us remember the loss of life. Let business as usual response. I know we will us remember the loss of property, livestock, all have more to say about this once the national parks and native animals. Let us immediate crisis is over and so, for today, remember the mass evacuations. Let us tomorrow, and until these fires are put out, remember the air p0llution. Let us let me acknowledge in relation to the fires remember the anxiety, the stress and the near me, the professional response from anger felt by those affected and by those the ACT government and the ACT who could only stand by and watch. Let us Emergency Services Agency in terms of the join today and promise that, when the fires fires directly affecting my community. are put out, the air p0llution dissipates, the As the minister responsible for recovery crisp blue skies return and the rain comes, after the fires of 2003, I can see just how we will not forget the summer of 2019-20 much has changed since that time. With and let us commit to doing whatever we thelessons learnt from those fires, where can in the short, medium and long term to we lost four Canberrans and 500 homes on make sure we p0rotect our country and 18 January, we have been preparing for this communities from the very real and time for the last 17 years, and it shows. The present effects of a changing climate. preparedness, the resourcing, the communication and the advice to communities have been impressive and we have felt safe with the leadership of Andrew Barr, ACT ESA Commissioner Whelan and ACT Rural Fire Service Chief Officer, Joe Murphy. We thank them for their efforts. To all of the ACT and New South Wales emergency service workers and recovery staff who’ve been working so hard to keep people safe; protect property, livestock and

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 12 Fire Debrief and Namadgi Recovery

(forwarded by Jenny and Rob Horsfield who The form will also be up on our facebook are part of this network) page and website in the coming days. Hi all, Alternatively, if you have trouble with the form, you can email me Hoping you are staying safe and looking ([email protected]) with your after each other during these trying times. name and phone number and I can add to It’s been a devastating summer, and the list manually. particularly sad to see Namadgi burning- - a place where I’m sure many of us have As always, if you need assistance with spent a lot of our time connecting with and outreach for working bees and other looking after. events, please get in touch! I’m always in need of updates from groups: photos, If you have been affected by these fires - words etc are always a great addition to whether directly or indirectly - and need to building our big Southern landcare debrief, Martine is available and happy to community. Thanks for all that you do! talk. You are very welcome to come into the office for a cuppa during business hours (building C, Erindale Business Park, 2 All the best, Lansell Circuit Wanniassa) or give her a call on 0447223396. Correa For more information, support and resources regarding mental health and bushfires, I’ve found this website to be ------helpful: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Correa Driscoll the-facts/bushfires-and-mental-health/ Communications Officer Southern ACT Catchment Group Inc In terms of action, I’m writing to let you (Thurs) know that Southern ACT Catchment Group is in the initial stages of gathering Erindale Business Park volunteer support for biodiversity recovery: Building C, 2 Lansell Circuit Wanniassa, potential working bees or other support ACT 2903 actions for Namadgi once it’s safe to do so. Mob: 0468617726 As a start, we have launched an expression of interest form to collect contact details of Website: www.sactcg.org.au those who are interested in volunteering for Namadgi bushfire recovery in the coming months. Please keep in mind we are still planning, organising and waiting for more information; and it will be some time before we are allowed into the park, as this crisis is ongoing. In saying that, we would love to have a solid volunteer base who are ready when the time comes.

Please share this form with your volunteers, friends, and other groups as you see fit. Here is the link: https:// forms.gle/F7BckaqmMe5AMjSX9 .

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 13 A Bushwalker Fights Fires—Tim Wright

About 15 years ago I was coming up for I once had to do a hazard reduction burn beside retirement and I was looking for things to do. Parliament House. I was thinking about going Inspired by the 2003 fires I decided to join ACT up there and saying ‘Hello, my name’s Guy Rural Fire Service as a volunteer fire fighter. It Fawkes and I am doing a hazard reduction was a good fit for me as I do most of my burn here’. I don’t know what sort of reaction I bushwalking in autumn and winter leaving me may have got. time to save the forests in summer. I was once called out on Christmas Eve. I A lot of our work is hazard reduction burns reported to the shed in great haste and was told done in the off-season. The idea is to burn ‘There are 3 bushfires, which one do you want finer fuels, twigs, leaves and dead grass to to go to?’ In the event I went to one at Murray’s reduce the amount of available fuel. Hopefully corner where some hoons had set fire to a car this makes any subsequent summer fires easier in a gully which in turn had set fire to the to control. Often when I am on my way to a surrounding bushland. Luckily it was a cool, bushwalk with club members I pass the site of cloudy day with no wind and with the aid of a old burns and I am able to say to club members water bombing helicopter we were able to ‘Oh I burnt that forest a while ago’. When the extinguish this fire. Next day, Christmas day I gasps of horror die down I assure them it is all was called out again. This time it was a fire at legal and for the good. The burns we do are all the intersection of Hindmarsh and Yamba kept well under control and earn us plaudits of Drives. It was certainly a different kind of any landholders affected. Chistmas that year.

Above: On a hazard reduction burn beside Parliament House

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 14

On a back burn near Port Macquarie.

The present fire fighting season has been the what the fire would do but there was some hard work busiest I have had this season. My brigade back burning the Devil’s Gap fire trail and Naas Road. (Jerrabomberra) had its first fire call in August. I don’t think I have seen the last of that fire yet and In November we were sending strike teams to may go back there to make fire breaks armed only with a rakehoe. Port Macquarie for 3 days of fire fighting. I went later in the month. The whole town seemed to As well as fighting fires RFS responds to storm have mobilised to fight the fires. Everyone damage. I have spent many a night and sometimes seemed to want to help their neighbour in the day, pumping out floods and sawing up fallen trees and time of need – the real Australian way! As visiting clearing the branches from road ways and footpaths. Once I spent a night pumping out a flood at the firies we were made very welcome by the locals. National Zoo. At the end of it all, in the wee small On leaving the town I went to get coffee and was hours the zoo management gave us welcome cups of not allowed to pay. tea and free family passes to the zoo! I duly took mine This season has seen Jerrrabomberra go to areas along and now proudly boast a photograph of me with close to home and close to our hearts. I have been one of the zoo’s boa constricters coiled about me! to the North Black range near Braidwood and this We also do public relations activities. This usually fire has affected Mount Palerang, Serenity Rocks involves going to a school fete or similar event, and etc. This fire was a bit exciting. Twice I was letting kids climb over the tankers and play with the involved in a desperate battle to stop the fire hoses. Once we were asked to go to the Alexander spreading through grassland and ti-tree to Kings McConachie centre (aka the Canberra prison) as the prison was having an open day for families of prison Highway and doing untold property damage – we staff and their kids wanted to be able to climb over our succeeded both times, just. tankers. I put my hand up for this event and duly went Last Boxing Day, I was sent to the Currowan fire at along. The deal was we entertain the families and we Nerriga. The road was closed just outside Braidwood then got taken a tour of the prison – on the inside. I do and there was a lot of burnt forest and melted road not recommend prison for anyone and the tour I went signs – testament to the intense heat of the fires. More was the closest I ever want to be to serving a sentence! recently I have been at the Orroral Valley fire. This is a I must be the only paid up member of the bushwalking big blow to me as I particularly like walking in this club to have been in prison. I shall definitely stick to area. There was a lot of watching and waiting to see fighting fires rather than a life of crime.

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 15 KNP and NNP Bushfires 2020

From the Kosciuszko Huts Association website NNP: (khuts.org) • Brandy Flat • Frank & Jacks As at 6 February 2020, the NPWS and ACT • Hospital Creek PCS has confirmed that the following 16 huts • and buildings have been lost in the recent Orroral Homestead bushfires in the Kosciuszko National Park • Orroral Woolshed and the Namadgi National Park: • Bushfold No.6 Hut Members should be aware that this crisis has Ten (10) huts, KHA caretakers assist the NPWS a long way to go before it is under control. and ACT PCS with ongoing maintenance: Also, rebuilding and recovery will be a long • Horse Gully Hut (new) and difficult process that must be undertaken • Demandering Hut (new) in cooperation with the NPWS & ACTPCS. Until the fires are extinguished the NPWS & • Linesmans No3 (1950) - Fifteen Mile Spur ACT PCS will have many of their resources • Linesmans No3 (1980) - Fifteen Mile Spur committed to fire control and protection • Vickerys Hut efforts. • Delaneys Hut The KHA applauds the enormous • Happys Hut commitment that both the NPWS and ACT • Brooks Hut (still standing but badly PCS men and women are making to save the burnt) huts, homesteads and other assets within the • Bradley and O’Briens Hut national parks. • Four Mile Hut We will continue to keep you informed as

more news comes to hand. Six (6) structures, KHA does not caretake: • Sawyers Hill Rest House Best Regards, • Round Mountain Hut KHA Committee • Wolgal Lodge (Kiandra Precinct) • Kiandra Court House (Kiandra Precinct) • Pattersons Hut (Kiandra Precinct) • Matthews Cottage (Kiandra Precinct) Survived Nine (9) Huts with KHA caretakers have survived the fires (confirmed by NPWS & ACT PCS). KNP: • Boobee Hut • Broken Dam • Mackays Hut

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 16

BULLETIN BOARD

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

Link to Bushwalking NSW publications http://www.bushwalkingnsw.org.au/publications/

CBC PUBLICATION POLICY

CBC Publication Policy is outlined on the website at https://canberrabushwalkingclub.org/about-us/governance-and-policies/publication-guidelines/

In general, contributions to It can be anything associated with bushwalking and reflect the diversity of activities provided by the Club. If possible, try to limit your articles to a maximum of two to three pages of text or about 1000 -1500 words, but shorter or longer than this will most likely be accepted in the interests of reflecting diversity and likely interest to readers. If you send a photo which is not yours, make sure you have permission to use it. Include the name of the photographer. Word is the most acceptable text software and jpg files the most desirable image software. The closing date for contributions to each issue of It is the fourth Wednesday of every month. Send contributions to [email protected]

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 17 ACTIVITY PROGRAM Information for Participants

Distance amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on (S) Short – under 12 km/day the condition of the roads and other factors. The figures given are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, an esti- (M) Medium – 12–20 km/day mate or range per person. Park admission and camping fees are addi- (L) Long – over 20 km/day tional costs which leaders should list separately. Note: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres Duty of care climbed. Every person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that he/she Terrain does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to risks that could (E) Easy – fire trail, tracks, beaches etc. lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or damage to property. Each person acknowledges risk when they book on line for walks, and (M) Medium – bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub sign the Club’s ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form at the start of a walk. (R) Rough – much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles Visitors are welcome to join trips. However walkers are strongly en- (W) Wet – compulsory swims, many river crossings couraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips. (X) Exploratory For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org Booking Check-in after walks Please book online using the 'Request a booking' button on the page Before a trip, leaders should use the 'Submit Trip List' function within for each walk. Many walks have a booking deadline, and all leaders 'Manage Bookings' to inform the Club's check-in officer of the names appreciate receiving bookings several days ahead of the walk, rather of their party. After the walk, leaders should use the 'Check-In' func- than just a day or two ahead. If the type of walk is new for you, check tion, also within 'Manage Bookings', by 10 am the day after their trip with the leader about: to report their safe return or any incidents, and also email a scanned • the need to carry water, tents/fly, maps, etc. copy of the Acknowledgment of Risks form to the Check-in Officer, Pete Hegarty [email protected]. In the event of a • appropriate clothing, footwear late return, worried relatives should contact the Check-in Officer, 0428 • any precautions you might need to take for severe weather 555 191 or the Walks Secretary, 6281 4917 or 0474 507 259 in the first Transport instance, not the Police or other bodies. Costs are 40¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This

Equipment hire GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use) Take advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need when collecting and before lashing out on your own equipment. The Equipment Officer is Rob returning gear. Horsfield, who can be contacted on 6231 4535(h). To borrow the PLB contact Pete Hegarty, Training and Safety Officer: train- Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated [email protected]. The equipment available and current rates per weekend/week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col- Wednesday walks lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge (but not the depos- Two walks one Medium/Easy and one Medium/Hard, are conducted most it) is waived for members who are ‘first time’ weekend walkers. A deposit Wednesdays. Walks are conducted in turn by leaders from the Canberra of $20 is required and part or all of this will be refunded, depending on the Bushwalking Club (CBC), Brindabella Bushwalking Club (BBC – Peter well- condition of the items upon return and whether they are returned late. [email protected] and Kathy [email protected]) and National Item w.e./week Parks Association ACT (NPA- Mike S, 0412 179 907). Destination and Olympus two person tent $15 / $40 meeting place details are emailed a few days before each walk. (BBC and Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $40 NPA leaders as listed in the activity program). Snow tent $15 / $40 Control your receipt of Wednesday Walk emails via your membership pro- file. Contact John, co-ordinator of Wednesday Walks, via wednes- 3 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25 [email protected] for general enquiries. If you are Assorted packs $5 / $15 not a member of CBC, BBC or NPA you must contact the leader before the Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15 walk to discuss the level of difficulty and must be accompanied on the walk Snow shoes/poles $10 / $25 by a sponsoring member. Please note that leaders retain the right to not Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40 accept any walker. Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions)

Canberra Bushwalking Club It—February 2020—Page 18 ACTIVITY PROGRAM

Wed 12 Feb: Wednesday walk E/M - M/E Track conditions vary and depending on recent Details to be provided by e- weather, it can be very muddy. The ascent of mail Map: Nil Transport: Nil Leader: Andrew the Ironbound range is around 700 metres and Struik. No need to book. See online... the descent can take some time. We visit various beaches and may need to use rowing Wed 12 Feb: Wednesday walk M/H - M/M boats to cross an estuary. Walkers need to be Details to be provided by e- experienced in extended trips, coping with the mail Map: Nil Transport: Nil Leader: Quentin possibility of difficult conditions and used to Moran. No need to book. See online... contributing to the team effort. Anyone joining the trip without having done the South West Thu 13 Feb: Mt Taylor - S/M Cape trip should arrive at Melaleuca on 13 Postponed from 30 January because of yet February 2020. John Chapman's books are another total fire ban. No need to book. Meet useful guides. The Leader will be doing the 6.30pm near the Mt Taylor car park (off Three Capes track soon after the end of this Sulwood Dr opposite Mannheim St Kambah). trip and would be happy to have company. → 7 You must enter the car park left off Sulwood Dr ↗ 1700 ↘ 1700 Maps: TASMAP 1:100,00 coming from the Drakeford Dr direction as South Coast Track or TASMAP 1:25,000 there is no entry from the Athllon Dr or Melaleuca, Cox, Louisa, De Witt, Prion, Mannheim St directions. Go through the length Recherche or 1:50,000 Bathurst, South of the car park and park on the dirt just beyond Coast Transport: If joining the trip at the marked spaces (that is, at the Athllon Dr Melaleuca, a flight from Hobart will be needed. not Drakeford Dr end) so we can group At the end of the track, Cockle Creek, we will together away from the many other walkers need to have a shuttle bus back to Hobart (cost ascending in the evening. We will climb to the to be advised to participants). top not with the hordes on the main track, but Accommodation: Hut at Melaleuca, tent every via the cascades and the western cliffs, and other night. Limit: 7 participants descend via the Pearce zigzag track. There are Leader: Lorraine Tomlins. Book by: Fri 10 Jan, good views from the summit. Expect to finish 6:00pm. See online... before dark but bring a torch in case we don't. Also bring water. Because of the high risk of Tue 18 - Sat 22 Feb: Heaphy Track, New cancellation arising from the many total fire Zealand - M/E bans, smoke and extreme heat this summer, The Heaphy Track is one of New Zealand's please check that the walk is proceeding by 'Great Walks'. The walk is in Kahurangi texting "walk on?" to 0418662870 between National Park in the northwest portion of the 4.30 and 5.30pm and I will reply Y or N. → 2 South Island and offers one of the widest hours ↗ 200 ↘ 200 Map: Not ranges of scenery seen on any New Zealand required Transport: Drive yourself Leader: Jeff walk. I plan to tackle the Heaphy Track as a five Bennetts. No need to book. See online... day walk staying in huts. Further details about the Heaphy Track can be found on the New Fri 14 - Thu 20 Feb: South Coast Track South Zealand Department of Conservation website West Tasmania - M/M at https://www.doc.govt.nz/heaphytrack A This trip is now full and has a wait list. From reasonable degree of fitness and experience of Melaleuca we follow the South Coast Track. multi-day backpacking is required. → 78

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kms Maps: NZTopo50-BP22, NZTopo50- Zealand inspired “Great Walks” on the NSW BP23 Transport: Arrange own transport to South Coast focussing on a new walk being Nelson, New developed between Batemans Bay and Bawley Zealand Accommodation: Huts Limit: 10 Point, the Murramarang Coast walk. In participants Leader: Gerald Dodgson. Book December last year, I led a CBC walk covering by: Fri 1 Nov, 2:00pm. See online... the Northern half of this proposed walk. I will also mention proposed developments in the Wed 19 Feb: Wednesday walk, M/H, BBC Light to Light Walk. Tragically, since then, the Sponsored - M/R areas have been severely impacted by the Details to be provided by e- bushfires and I will report on the extent and mail Map: Nil Transport: Nil Leader: Kathy implications of this damage. Map: n/ Handel - BBC WedWalk. No need to book. See a Transport: n/a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need online... to book. See online...

Wed 19 Feb: Wednesday walk E/M BBC Thu 20 Feb: Mugga Circuit - S/E Sponsored - M/E No need to book. Meet in the car park in Farr Details to be provided by e- Place Isaacs at 6.30pm. We will head up to the mail Map: Nil Transport: Nil Leader: Kathy trails above Isaacs and walk beneath Mugga Handel - BBC WedWalk. No need to book. See quarry. Good views to the Brindabellas. Expect online... to finish before dark but bring a torch in case we don't. Please text “walk on?” to Wed 19 Feb: Monthly meeting 0418662870 between 4.30 and 5.30 and I will 7.30 pm, Wednesday 19 February 2020 reply Y or N. → 1 1/2 hours ↗ 120 ↘ Weston Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, 120 Map: Not required. Transport: Drive Weston. The meeting topic is "Murramurang yourself. Leader: Jeff Bennetts. No need to South Coast Walk" and is presented by Frank book. See online... Gubler. My love affair with the South Coast of NSW started in the early 70s when I travelled Sat 22 - Sun 23 Feb: Tuross River and ridges - with my mates in a Kombi van laden with S/R/W surfboards down to the Bawley Pt area from Saturday: From the Woila Ck-Tuross R junction, Sydney. During these trips I noticed the many walk downstream approx five kms and camp intriguing features inland which were part of beside a beautiful pool. Sunday: Climb approx the Budawangs. This led to a number of 550 metres to a ridge on the side of Mt memorable walks in the Budawangs. Moving to Jillicambra. Descend to a rainforest creek and Canberra in 1986 made it easier to further return to the cars via the Tuross. Swimming explore the coast from Batemans Bay down to and birdwatching on the Tuross, superb views Eden. For over 30 years we have been annual of the Woila Circuit and the Tuross Valley from campers in Ben Boyd National Park, enjoying the ridges. ↗ Approx 550 metres ↘ Approx its beaches and walks. Since I joined the CBC 550 metres Map: Belowra Transport: TBA. with my wife Anna, in 2018, we have both AWD or 4WD vehicles needed for gained an immense appreciation of the local access.360kms, $144 per vehicle, approx $36- Namadgi National Park and other local areas. $48 each. Limit: 8 participants Leader: Meg My talk will report on the development of New McKone. Book by: Thu 20 Feb, 2:00pm. See

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online... and I will reply Y or N. → 1 1/2 hours ↗ 100 ↘ 100 Map: Not required. Transport: Drive Mon 24 - Fri 28 Feb: Old Ghost Road, New yourself. Leader: Jeff Bennetts. No need to Zealand - M/E book. See online... This trip is fully booked. The Old Ghost Road is a long-forgotten gold miners’ road, in the (Sat 29) Sun 1 - Sun 8 Mar: Central Plateau northwest portion of the South Island, that has Walk - L/M been revived as a mountain biking and walking Tasmania: Walk across the lake-strewn trail. I plan to tackle the Old Ghost Road as a unburnt western edge of the Central Plateau, five day walk staying in huts. Further details part on-track, part off-track, passing through about the Old Ghost Road can be found at the Walls of Jerusalem and Traveller Range. https://oldghostroad.org.nz/ A reasonable See alpine country with native pencil pines and degree of fitness and experience of multi-day cushion plants. Undulating topography except backpacking is required. This walk could be for an initial climb of 600m onto the plateau. combined with the Heaphy Track which will be Start from Higgs track near Deloraine, finish on undertaken prior to this walk. → 85 the Overland Track at Narcissus hut. Camping kms Map: Old Ghost Road Trail in tents, sometimes near historic huts, cooking Map Transport: Arrange own transport to on fuel stoves. The Chapman "Cradle Mt Lake Karamea, New St Clair" book is the best source of info. 7 days Zealand Accommodation: Huts Limit: 7 of walking, return transport on day 8. → 65km participants Leader: Gerald Dodgson. Book ↗ 1000m ↘ 300m Maps: Jerusalem, Lake St by: Fri 1 Nov, 2:00pm. See online... Clair 1:50k, Walls of Jerusalem NP 1:25k, digital 1:25k Tasmap series. Transport: bus to Wed 26 Feb: Wednesday walk Medium/Hard Deloraine, taxi to Higgs track. ferry on Lake St NPA sponsored - M/R Clair. bus to Launceston or Details to be provided by e- Hobart Accommodation: camping in own mail Map: Nil Transport: nil Leader: Mike tent Limit: 6 participants Leader: DAVID Smith - NPA WedWalks. No need to book. See KELLY. Book by: Sun 23 Feb, 2:00pm. See online... online...

Wed 26 Feb: Wednesday walk E/M - M/E Wed 4 Mar: Wednesday walk E/M BBC Details to be provided by e- Sponsored - M/E mail Map: Nil Transport: nil Leader: Robert Details to be provided by e- Dewar. No need to book. See online... mail Map: Nil Transport: nil Leader: Kathy Handel - BBC WedWalk. No need to book. See Thu 27 Feb: Narrabundah Hill - S/E online... No need to book. Meet 6.30pm at the car park on Eucumbene Dr Duffy 100m north of Wed 4 Mar: Wednesday walk, M/H, BBC Hindmarsh Dr. (Note the hill is nowhere near Sponsored - M/R the suburb Narrabundah.) We climb the hill for Details to be provided by e- good views to the mountains then follow other mail Map: Nil Transport: nil Leader: Kathy tracks around the reserve. Expect to finish Handel - BBC WedWalk. No need to book. See before dark but bring a torch in case we don't. online... Please text “walk on?” between 4.30 and 5.30

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Sat 7 - Mon 9 Mar: Snowy Mts weekend - -/M amazing dawn chorus. Also on the program of Drive down Saturday morning at the Southern the Coast and Mountain Walkers of NSW. → Alps Ski Club Lodge at Charlotte Pass where we Approx 25-30 kms, depending on activity on stay. The Saturday afternoon walks will both be Day 2. ↗ Approx 500 metres on Day 3. ↘ to Mt Stillwell, one direct from the lodge about Approx 500 metres on Day 3hrs, to be led by Ross Andrews and the other 1. Maps: Yerranderie, Bindook Transport: 492 from the locked gate, about 2 hrs led by me or kms return, $197 per car, $50 or more Tom Gosling. There will be two or three walks pp. Limit: 8 participants Leader: Meg on Sunday, destinations not yet decided McKone. Booking required. See online... though the Main Range (22km on track) will be one. Steven Strach may lead Mt Townshend Wed 18 Mar: Monthly meeting (also 22km mostly on track), Watson’s Crags is 7.30 pm, Wednesday 18 March 2020 Weston another option, about 20km, partly on track. I Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, Weston. will organise a shorter walk for those who The meeting presentation is "Magical Madeira" want it. The Monday walk will probably be the and is presented by Cynthia Burton. Madeira, Porcupine around 1 ½ to 2hrs. There will be an autonomous island region of Portugal, is shared meals on both nights. → various ↗ famous for more than its wine. It boasts a various ↘ various Maps: Perisher Valley, UNESCO World Heritage listing for its rare Kalkite Mountain 1:25,000 Transport: We will laurel forest and a network of over 2150 kms car pool, around $60 including park of old canals (levadas), many of which have entry. Accommodation: Single room - $90 for been converted to easily accessible walking the weekend, double/twin - $70 per person for tracks. The flora and fauna on this rugged, the weekend. Limit: 25 approx picturesque island is lush and varied - a magical participants Leader: Stan Marks. Booking place to hike around, full of friendly people and required. See online... a rich history. Join Cynthia Burton as she shares photos and stories from her June 2019 visit to (Fri 6) Sat 7 - Mon 9 Mar: Kowmung River via this iconic place. Cynthia will also share her Mt Armour - M/M experiences of travelling around the ancient A three day walk for the Canberra Day Long disappearing mountain villages of northern Weekend. Drive to Mt Werong or Batsh Camp Portugal. Hope you can join us! Map: n/ Friday afternoon and camp. Saturday: from the a Transport: n/a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need Yerranderie Rd-Mt Armour Track junction, walk to book. See online... to Mt Armour and descend to the Kowmung River to camp for two nights near the Church Sun 22 - Thu 26 Mar: Day walks from Guthega Ck junction. Sunday: optional day walk up staying at Tiobunga Lodge - M/M ridges to view Chiddy Obelisk and surrounds This Trip has been rescheduled due to (add 500 metres to ascents and descents), or restricted walking in KNP in February. A explore the limestone outcrops in Church number of day walks from Guthega, including Creek and relax and swim in the Kowmung. Mt Tate returning Tate East Ridge, and/or the Monday: climb Armour Ridge and return to the Rolling Ground, Mt Twynam/Little Twynam, cars via the Mt Armour Track. A scenic walk in from Guthega, Mount Sentinel/Watsons Crags the southern Blue Mountains, attractive from Charlottes Pass. Other options possible campsite, lots of birdlife along the river with an including some easier half day walk on the first

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and last days. eg Blue Cow Mt and/or approx 2.5 kms back to where we left the car Porcupine Rocks. Tiobunga Lodge has recently on the Tooma Road. Boots off possibly to cross been rebuilt with all rooms having an ensuite, the Tooma River. → Approx 43 km ↗ Approx and a large commercial kitchen. People can opt 700 m ↘ Approx 700 m Maps: Greg Greg, for either shared meals (which worked out well Toolong Range and Jagungal 1:25,000 and last time) or do your own. Some pantry items Kosciuszko Alpine Area SV map 1:50,000 1st available in the lodge. Guthega is a quaint and Edition Transport: Drive: 500km, $200 per quite little village (with no through traffic) and car Accommodation: BYO Tent but we will be has remained relatively unchanged in over 50 camping beside huts every night. Water readily years, with good views over Guthega Pondage, available at each hut and along the walk each Guthega River and mountains Tate and day. Limit: 6 participants Leader: Terrylea Twynam. Joint activity with Brindabella Reynolds. Book by: Fri 3 Apr, 2:00pm. See Bushwalking Club. Limit 14 → Various short online... and medium walks ↗ Various Maps: Mount Kosciusko 1:50,000. Transport: Transport cost Wed 15 Apr: Monthly meeting around $160 per car, plus park entrance 7.30 pm, Wednesday 15 April 2020 Weston fees. Accommodation: Accommodation costs Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, Weston. $32-34 pp per night, with most, if not all The meeting presentation is "Mongolia treks: people having their own room with Kharhkiraa Turgen Peaks and the Altai ensuite. Limit: LIMIT 14 Mountains." and is presented by Alan Laird and participants Leader: John Danaro. Booking David Williams. Map: n/a Transport: n/ required. See online... a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need to book. See online... Fri 10 - Mon 13 Apr: Pretty Plain- L/M/Part X/ W Sat 18 Apr: Tuggeranong Creek to Old Cooma- Departing Canberra on Good Friday we will Goulburn Railway (Part of the 2020 ACT leave a car near the Tooma Dam trailhead then Heritage Festival) - M/E drive a second car 3.5 km west and park at the We start at 10 am at the entrance to the head of the Snakey Plain Firetrail from where Tuggeranong homestead (white gates) on we will walk to Wheeler's Hut visiting a trig Johnston Drive and follow Tuggeranong creek along the way. We spend our first night at to the Monaro Highway. Here we visit the Wheeler's Hut. Day 2 we will walk head E Aboriginal axe grinding grooves site in through some scrub and over Broadway Creek Theodore. We then cross the Monaro Highway to pick up Dargal's Fire Trail for a short and go off track through open woodland which distance then onto Hell Hole Creek Trail to pick is steep and rocky in places, until we meet the up a footpad south to Pretty Plain Hut. We will old Goulbourn to Cooma Railway. Here we visit the remains of Pugilistic Hut on the way stop at the old camp site for railway workers (or maybe on the way back the next day). After during its construction in the 1880’s. We will spending the night at Pretty Plain Hut we will have lunch at a historic memorial to the reverse our track back to pick up Dargal's Fire railway workers who died in the construction Trail again this time heading north to spend of the line. We then proceed north along the our last night at Paton's Hut (which has a good railway around the Melrose valley to the outdoor fireplace). Monday morning we walk railway siding. The return to the homestead is

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via the old Tuggeranong road past Melrose Wed 17 Jun: Monthly meeting farm house and on to the highway and then 7.30 pm, Wednesday 17 June 2020 Weston along a walking track on Johnston drive. Bring Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, Weston. ample water, sturdy footwear, sun protection The meeting presentation is to be and lunch. Park at Calwell shops and meet at advised. Map: n/a Transport: n/a Leader: Marg the white gates of the homestead at 9.50 am Sharp. No need to book. See online... for a 10 am departure – back about 2pm. Note: Members of the public are welcome on this Thu 18 Jun - Fri 10 Jul: Trekking in Mongolia - walk which is organised by Minders of M/M/X/W Tuggeranong Homestead in collaboration with This is a repeat of the very successful trip led in the Canberra Bushwalking Club. → 9 km ↗ 2019 by Linda Groom. Two walks with 250 Map: Tuggeranong Mongolia Expeditions (http://www.mongolia- 1:25000 Transport: Drive yourself to Calwell expeditions.com/). (a) Kharkhiraa Turgen Peaks shops and park there. Meet at the white gates area in NW Mongolia, 8 days actual walking of the homestead at 9.50 am for a 10 am beside lakes and rushing rivers and among departure – back about 2pm Leaders: Quentin snow-capped peaks. Maximum walking Moran, Michael Morriss. No need to book. See elevation 2900 metres, maximum camping online... elevation 2700 metres. (b) Altai Mountains, Western Mongolia, 8 days actual walking Sat 25 Apr: Cotter Dam and Mt McDonald - S/ mostly in the 2000 to 3000 metre range, with E an optional side trip to climb snow-covered Meet at 10am at the Cotter Camping area car Malchin Peak 4051 metres. The route is mostly park near the toilets. It is just past the on tracks but some sections are rocky. There Murrumbidgee River bridge on the left. We will are some interesting creek crossings where you consolidate the cars and drive the few km to may get wet and cold. Participants require the start point of the walk. We will walk to a some experience at CBC 'Rough' grade, good lookout over the dam and then climb Mt general fitness, ability to walk up to 25kms per McDonald, which provides views in all day, good balance for scree slopes and a track directions. → 2 to 2 1/2 hrs ↗ 200 Map: Cotter record of getting along well with others on Dam Transport: Drive yourself but I will extended trips. Costs approx USD$3100 to arrange transport if needed. Limit: 16 USD$3400 per person depending on number of participants Leader: Stan Marks. Booking participants. Cost includes flights within required. See online... Mongolia and other transfers, accommodation in hotels and tents, all meals while walking. We Wed 20 May: Monthly meeting only need to carry day packs. Itinerary includes 7.30 pm, Wednesday 20 May 2020 Weston rest days and some cultural visits. Please see Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, Weston. the attached file below for more The meeting presentation is "West details. Map: tba Transport: Return air fares MacDonnells exploration" and is presented by Sydney to Ulan Bataar start around AUD$1500, Meg McKone. Further details will be available thoush some of us will probably take the more closer to the time. Map: n/a Transport: n/ expensive option of overnighting in Hong Kong a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need to book. See or Seoul - or even visiting somewhere else for a online... week or so beforehand. Totally up to you. You

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will need to make your own air/travel booking East. The expedition led them along the arrangements to ensure you arrive in Ulan Annapurna Circuit trail through the beautiful Bataar in time to start the tour with the group high altitude desert of Mustang then up over on 18 June 2020. As domestic flight schedules high passes and valleys of the Annapurna aren't released until January 2020 there may Ranges. After the summit attempt at Chulu Far be some changes made accordingly. It's East, they went back around the mountains to recommended you don't book your flights until trek into the spectacular Annapurna Sanctuary. February 2020 onwards and only after you Christian will share his story about the trek receive a confirmation from the leader that through this amazing part of Nepal, including a your request to be on the trekking trip has first hand account of climbing a 6000m high been successful. Accommodation: All Himalayan peak. Map: n/a Transport: n/ accommodation will either be in hotels/hostels a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need to book. See whilst in town or in tents on the actual trek - online... refer itineraries for both treks at http:// www.mongolia-expeditions.com/trekking- Wed 19 Aug: Monthly meeting tours/4/kharkhiraa-turgen-peaks-trekking- 7.30 pm, Wednesday 19 August 2020 Weston tour/ AND http://www.mongolia- Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, Weston. expeditions.com/trekking-tours/30/ The meeting presentation is to be Altai+Mountain+Trek/ Limit: 12 announced. Map: n/a Transport: n/ participants Leader: Terrylea Reynolds. Book a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need to book. See by: Sat 30 Nov, 2:00pm. See online... online...

(Wed 24) Fri 26 Jun - Fri 3 Jul: Portals Canyon - Wed 16 Sep: Club AGM M/R/X/W 7.30 pm, Wednesday 16 September 2020 Mostly off-track walking in the Portals Canyon Weston Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, and Mt Giles area, Chewings Range, Central Weston. Further details will be available closer Australia. More detail to be posted later. This to the time. Map: n/a Transport: n/ walk will proceed if there is more rain in the a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need to book. See area by late March. Thanks to Meg M for the online... photo. Map: tba Transport: Air fare to Alice Springs, car rental or chauffered car to and Wed 21 Oct: Monthly meeting from walk Accommodation: One night in Alice 7.30 pm, 21 Oct 2020. Weston Creek Uniting Springs before and after walk, te rest is bush Church, 16 Parkinson St, Weston. The meeting camping Limit: 8 participants Leader: Linda presentation is Smartphone navigation using Groom. Booking required. See online... the Backcountry Navigator app and the presenter is Peter Conroy Most humans begin Wed 15 Jul: Chulu Far East and Beyond to navigate soon after they lean to crawl, and Christian Wilson has done a number of high become proficient navigators soon after they altitude climbs over 6000m in the Himalayas , learn to walk. As prehistoric people, we used in both India and Nepal. In 2019 he and a memory and simple memory-jogging devices. friend went to climb Chulu Far East (6058m) in Major improvements arrived with the use of a Nepal. Chulu Far East lies in a chain of compass. About 100 years ago our blue water mountains, Chulu West, Central, East and Far navies began using radio position finding

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systems. A major step forward came in 1968 to 1974 with the launch of the US-GPS satellite system which began a navigation revolution. From about 1975 computer-aided methods of mapping our geoid were developed by the Keyhole company and this joined Google in developing Google Spherical Projection and ultimately Google Maps, now the most used maps of our planet. By about 2005 cheap smartphones with inbuilt compass and GPS receivers and sufficient CPU power to handle spherical projection were available; this opened a world of bushwalking navigation carrying only a smartphone. In my talk we will run through a little of this history and then move to a demonstration of the "Backcountry Navigator" app. This app does what the name suggests, allows you the navigator to, create a file, download maps, enter waypoints and routes, then leave home, step out of reach of mobile phone towers, navigate on a stored map, collect bushwalking data, and ultimately return home safely. Map: n/a Transport: n/ a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need to book. See online...

Wed 18 Nov: Monthly meeting 7.30 pm, Wednesday 18 November 2020 Weston Creek Uniting Church, 16 Parkinson St, Weston. The meeting presentation is to be advised. Map: n/a Transport: n/a Leader: Marg Sharp. No need to book. See online...

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