Newsletter of the Manning River Canoe and Bushwalking Club Web :- manningcanoebushwalk.wordpress.com email :- [email protected] Facebook :- Manning Canoe Bushwalk ISSUE: November 2016 Mt Killabarkh - Aug 2016 - Stuart Ireland th General Meeting: 6:00pm on 3 November 2016 President: Greg Stewart (0457402191) Treasurer: Geoff Songberg (6557 0052 - 0427 569 050) Secretary: Mick O’Brien (0400 475 835) Publicity: Stuart Ireland (6552 6574 – 0427526575) Minutes from General Meeting 3 /11/2016 Present: Greg S, Mick O, Geoff S, Chris D, Jenny I, Stuart I, Geoff M, Stephanie T, Pam F, Bob F, Annelie J, Apologies: Grahame E, Louise E, Mick D, Chris S, Dennis M, Lenore R, Glenda B, Geoff B, Murray B, President Report. Everyone welcomed and thanked for commitment and hopes that the club can continue. Secretary Report * Decided that having no set calendar did not work as there were few activities during the period. * No correspondence. * Insurance paid. General Business * Discussed the future of the club. Proposal of like-minded walkers/paddlers from Forster and Port Macquarie joining the club. *Name change suggested to MID COAST OUTDOOR CLUB with a change of incorporation name. * Mick O to investigate the cost of incorporation name change. * Special meeting called for 3rd December before Xmas BBQ to change name. *Membership to be kept at $5 with a need to increase next year, possibly $10, if the club gains new membership due to higher insurance. * Facebook page (“Manning Canoe Bushwalk”) has been set up. * Need for a calendar discussed and new one organised. * Next General Meeting set for 2 March 2017. (venue to be decided) TRIP REPORTS Mt Killabakh - 7 August Six of us met at Chrissy Gollan Park in Wingham to drive to the start of the Mt Killabakh walk. Stuart led this walk with us following a four wheel drive track before branching off onto a disused logging track. It was a bit of a climb up to the first outcrop. We stopped for a morning tea break and pulled out the thermos. There were great views from the rocky outcrop which looked up to the top of the mountain and back across the valley towards Lansdowne. From there to the top of the mountain is not well defined and care must be taken to find a path. We came out onto an open rock face which we followed for a short time before having to make our way through tall grass and bush to reach the rocks just below the summit. We made it to the trig cairn and took in the views of the district as this is the highest point in the Manning Valley the views are spectacular. We added our names to the visitors’ book and read through the comments made by previous hikers. We even found a comment by the Manning Valley Canoe Club who supposedly paddled their canoes to the bottom of the mountain before ascending!!!!! It must have been during a very big flood. We had lunch at the top and made our way back down contouring around the outcrop where we had morning tea. It was a bit of a bush bash but was very interesting and enjoyable, especially seeing how it eliminated a climb up and a steep descent. We all made it back safely and said our farewells and headed home after another climb up a favourite mountain. Stuart WEST KUNDERANG - December 2015 Another Mick O trip Well another year was coming to an end and it had become a sort of tradition now for Pam and myself to head away for a few days before Christmas to get away from crowds and the relentless bombardment of the festive season. This year we had booked into West Kunderang over four days and decided to take the camper trailer on its first four wheel drive 2 trip into the boondocks. West Kunderang is a privately owned campground on the upper Macleay River not far downstream from the junction of the Apsley River. To get there one takes the Pacific Highway as far as Kempsey then turn left and head up the river valley to George's Junction then up the Big Hill to the forests of the Styx River. Once on the plateau you take a left onto Raspberry Road (a popular r oute for canoe trips in the past) then eventually a right onto West Kunderang Trail. This trail is for vehicles with good ground clearance and low range and can take a good forty minutes to cover the 10 kilometres if you get traffic coming up the hill. We left home about midday on the 22 December thinking the total trip would take about 4 hours but alas, another Mick stuff up saw us getting there around dark totally miscalculating the time taken to travel along the gravel roads. The next day saw hot and fine conditions so once the campsite was established we toured up and down the river bed checking out the scenery. The campsites are well set up with a fire pit, table, dunny and wood provided. The layout of the property places groups of campers well away from each other and this adds to the ambience of feeling like you have the whole place to yourself. The following day was spent paddling up and down the river in a double Arcadia, admiring the old slab buildings and being entertained by the many horses grazing around the campsite. The river was low due to a severe dry spell but that made it easier for the Suzuki to cross and follow the Kunderang Trail to the south and view the valley from a ridge high above. A lot of people check in here to bass fish and they hold regular fishing competitions as well. Christmas Day was spent completely relaxed eating and partaking in the occasional 'sherbert' while watching the storm clouds develop. We had a visit from a large diamond python that made its way right through the middle of camp heading for the dunnies. Not wanting to have a fright during the night we decided to track the snake and found it down by the river's edge in a nice patch of rainforest. The owners later informed us that the python was pretty much a pet and lives there all the time. Later in the day the skies grew dark and dropped a deluge including some small hail putting out the campfire but not causing any damage. Boxing Day was pack up early to try to beat the traffic coming down the hill then a trip home via Armidale, Walcha and Gloucester. Pam & Mick Calendar 03/011/2016 If you have any ideas for trips or want to add events to the calendar please let me know and I will include them. The plan is to do some mid-week exploratory walks to use for future walks on weekends. These may be arranged at short notice and notified by email. NOTE: Buoyancy jackets are now compulsory to be worn at all time when paddling. Maritime regulation require them to be worn when more than 50 metres from shore. When car pooling please consider the cost to the owner of the vehicle in fuel, wear and tear Nov 2016 Date Activity Details Contact Thur 3rd Meeting General meeting Stuart and Jenny’s home Stuart/ Jenny 0427 526 575 6552 6574 Sat 5 Sun 6 Sat 12 Sun 13 Evening An early evening moonlight paddle at Dunbogan. Meeting at 6pm for a Annelie Paddle BBQ in the park on the corner of The Boulevarde and Camden Head Road 0416338244 in Dunbogan. ( BYO food and drink) A planned paddle of one to one and a 3 half hours commencing at 7.30pm. Lifejacket and white lights for your boat. Costs: $5 pp for non-members. Sat 19 Sun 20 Day Coolongolook River -Day Paddle. Flat water kayak/canoe day trip. Meet at Mick O Paddle 8.30 am behind Caltex servo Midge St Coolongolook. Costs: $5 pp for non 6553 5401 members. 0400 475 835 Sat 26 Sun 27 Dec 2016 Date Activity Details Contact Sat 3 Car camp Camping at Manning River Campground, Pheasant Creek Rd, Barrington Mick O and walks Tops. Day walks up to 15km duration. Meet at Barrington General Store 6553 5401 Grade: 8.30am Sat or find your way to campsite. Costs: $5 pp for non-members. 0400 475 835 Three Sun 4 Walk A day walk to meet up with members camped at Manning River Mick D Campground. Meet: 7am Nabiac Hotel car park. 0408885245 Sat 10 Sun 11 Fri 16 Xmas Come and join a weekend Xmas camp at Croki Caravan Park. Staying Geoff M camp Friday and Saturday nights or just one night or come just for a Xmas BBQ 0408 862 292 on Friday night. (bring food and drinks) $25 per night for unpowered site (Must book). $30 per night for powered site (Must book). Sat 17 Sun 18 Sat 24 Sun 25 Sat 31 Jan 2017 Date Activity Details Contact Sun 1 Sat 7 Sun 8 Sat 14 Sun 15 Day Walk The Glen Nature Reserve is south of Gloucester between Craven on the Mick O Bucketts Way and the Waukivory-Markwell Rd. A day walk to explore an 6553 5401 Grade: area not visited by the club previously. Meet: Nabiac Hotel car park. Costs: 0400 475 835 Three to $ 5 pp for non members Four Mon 16 Murray The start date is Monday 16 January 2017. Commencing at Yarrawonga Geoff / Chris River the trip goes mostly through National parks on either side of the river and 6557 0052 paddle finishes at Echuca 273km downstream.