it May 2012

GENERAL MEETING8 pm Wednesday 16 May 2012

Helicopters in the Mist – A trek to Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base

CampPresenter: Leanne Aust

In October 2011 Club member Leanne Aust realised a dream to see the south side of the mighty Mt Everest. Her trip was spectacular, but not only in terms of magical mountain scenery. As they revelled in the rug-ged beauty and majesty of this awesome landscape, little did the group know that leaving this magical mountain location would be more than a

little thrilling!

Main hall, Hughes Baptist Church,

32–34 Groom Street, Hughes

In this issue1 Important dates2 Canberra Bushwalking

Club Committee2 President’s Prattle3 Walks Waffl e3 Training Trifl es3 Membership Matters4 Review: Bushwalking

after a broken leg 5 Canyoning in Bungonia5 Notice of Motion6 Mount Foxlow – more

wire6 PayPal payments

canberrabus7 Activity program7 Equipment hire7 Road closures11 Bulletin Board12 Feeling literary?

Important dates

16 MayGeneral meeting

23 MayCommittee meeting

23 MaySubmissions close for June it

11 JuneQueen’s Birthday

16 MayGeneral meetin

23 MayCommittee me

23 MaySubmissions cJune it

11 JuneQ ’ Bi hd

Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc PO Box 160 Canberra ACT 2601

www.canberrabushwalkingclub.orgVolume: 48Number: 4May 2012

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– Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2012

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Committee business

Canberra Bushwalking Club Committee

President: Phillip [email protected] 281 096

Treasurer: George [email protected] 2130

Walks Secretary: Rob Horsfi [email protected] 4535

General Secretary: Stan [email protected] 9568(h) or 6274 7350(w)

Membership Secretary: Roger [email protected] 7863 or 0406 378 217

Training and Safety Offi cer: John [email protected] 7235 or 0417 436 877

Conservation Offi cer: Nathan [email protected] 628 429

Web Manager: David [email protected] 3479

Editor: Alison [email protected] 0578(h) or 6289 2717(w)

Assistant Walks Secretary: Keith [email protected] 1081 or 0421 607 667

Social Secretary: Lois [email protected] 3060 or 0402 962 638

Publisher: Tom [email protected] 0613

All members of the Committee can be contacted in one email to

[email protected]

CHECK IN: Ring Keith Thomas on 6230 1081

WEB SITE: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

TThree Club walks were run as part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival program. On Sunday

15 April John Evans led a ramble in Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve for participants to see a border marker and hear something of the history of surveying the ACT border about 100 years ago. The following Saturday John led a walk in Gudgenby valley to see Indigenous rock art and the remains of European settlement. Then on Saturday 28 April, Jenny Horsfi eld led a ramble via the Heritage Trail to Orroral Homestead. Before the return journey Jenny gave a most interesting talk and they all enjoyed a cuppa and refreshments. In the process of contributing to the Canberra community John and Jenny gave wonderful exposure to our Club. Thanks to you both.As well as continuing to encourage multiple day walks we need at least two day walks each Saturday.There is also a need for more Sunday walks. We have had up to 30 people looking to book on Saturday walks, which has required leaders to either turn people away or enlist the help of another leader and split into two parties. Neither practice is satisfactory. We should not be turning people away and the logistics of planning a walk for more than 16 is unfair on that leader.Please consider becoming a leader… it is not as hard as you may think and you will experience great personal pleasure and satisfaction. Maybe you have led in the past or are currently leading and could lead just one extra walk every quarter. Any contribution would be most helpful and welcomed by our Walks Secretary, Rob Horsfi eld.Linda Stone has been leading walks but is moving back to Queensland. Thanks for your contributions to our Club Linda. We will miss you, please visit often.A long time Club stalwart and popular walks leader, Jeff Bennetts, has a strong following on his walks, which regularly explore new areas. Unfortunately for us, Jeff will be dividing his time between Canberra and Queensland and is unable to contribute to future walks programs except for an occasional short notice walk. Thanks for your contributions over many years Jeff and we are glad that you will still be joining us in Club activities from time to time.I recently joined some fellow Club members on an abseiling training course in the Bungonia National Park. Like a lemming I followed others in my fi rst (and last) attempt at going down face fi rst. I was warned that it would hurt my guts… warning confirmed. Backwards for me in the future and, I suspect, for others in the party.

Phillip StarrPresident

Canberra Bushwalking Club it May 2012 – page 3

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A A helicopter medical evacuation was required on a recent Club

trip. The experienced leader and party did a great job in getting the casualty out as soon as possible. A report has been written and it makes excellent reading to reinforce for us all the issues involved. To access the report, go to the Club’s web site, click the Training and Safety button and follow the link. If you do not have access to the web site and wish to read it, contact me on 0417 436 877.Your Committee takes its responsi-bility of maintaining our Club safety records seriously and we seek your help with the following:• if you have a current First

Aid qualification, or are a medica l doc tor o r nurse , p l e a s e e m a i l t r a i n i n g @canberrabushwalkingclub.org, or ring me on 0417 436 877, and let me know;

• similarly, if you own and carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) on trips, please email [email protected], or ring me on 0417 436 877, and let me know.

This information will be held by the Club committee and used in emergency situations.The documents Guidelines for Participants, Guidelines for Lead-ers and the Emergency Information sheet have been recently updated. They are available on the Club’s web site via the Club Documents button. If you have any comments on these updated documents, please email [email protected], or ring me on 0417 436 877.

holes in the ground. I personally could do with a lesser number; they can be a nuisance when one stops for morning tea or lunch.

In the meantime, good walking.

Rob Horsfi eldWalks Secretary

WWe wish Phil Gatenby a speedy recovery from his recent

accident—lower leg injury, walking in the Croajingalong. The tally for this kind of injury in the Club is steadily increasing. Please refer to John Evans’ ‘Training Trifles’ for the link concerning the associated use of PLB and consequential chopper extraction. The event was well-managed (post accident!) and written-up by Karen Cody to provide a record for training purposes.

CBC’s contributions, at the time of writing, to the ACT Heritage Festival’s program, have been quite successful, drawing good response from the public. John’s trip centred on the Gudgenby area, Jenny’s to the Orroral Homestead. Both were spoken of highly by partici-pants, some of whom talked of joining the Club.

In the past month, Assistant Walks Secretary, Keith, reports a good level of activity with only one trip cancelled. He noted that the number of overnight pack-trips diminishes with the onset of cooler weather. But, I hope we can keep a reasonable schedule of such going in the winter months. There are many great venues and for those new to overnight trips, they’re good opportunities for trialing gear and gaining experience for something more ambitious: less acces-sible local areas, the centre and far corners of Australia, including SW Tasmania and overseas. Trips like these are always on the program, e.g. Green Gully, MacDon-nell Range and NZ in the April issue of it. The Club has equipment for loan at cheap rates; better to try-out gear and view what others use before spending too much of one’s own hard-earned cash.

The overnight trips to Durras and Bundanoon in the next few months are becoming an annual institution. They have proven very popular; having splendid walking venues and enjoyable accommodation in hostels/cabins. I’m told one needs to book early to secure a place on these.

Several people have commented on the decrease in numbers of European Wasps sighted in the Namadgi over the last few months. Speculation has it that it has been too wet for them, particularly since their nests are often

A recent day trip on the Tidbinbilla Range west of Canberra in less than ideal weather conditions provided me with an opportunity to recon-sider certain walking guidelines:1. Tailor your entry in the Walks

Program in it to attract the appropriate party, by providing an objective and factual walk description. In addition, tailor the walk for those booked;

2. as well as planning the entire proposed route, have additional exits planned;

3. know the weather forecast for the area of the walk (I did for Canberra and was expecting it colder 1,000 m higher, but didn’t know snow was forecast down to 1,600 m!);

4. always carry the right gear for extreme conditions. Extremities get cold quickly – beanie for head and gloves for hands. A waterproof shell is a must;

5. always have a route card with you (a list of legs between bounds, with magnetic bearing, distance and expected going) – it sure helps when the weather turns bad;

6. sticks (especially across your line of travel) and rocks are dangerously slippery in the wet. Don’t step on timber, step over;

7. a familiar place in ideal conditions looks and feels different in poor weather;

8. always be willing to consider advice from party members;

9. never let the banter cease.

John EvansTraining and Safety Offi cer

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Please ensure that you update any changes to your email address or inform the Membership Secretary.New members: Graeme Ainsworth, Evelyn Chia, Walsa Fox, Yvonne Wisbey, Christine Whitty

Roger EdwardsMembership Secretary

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Please ensure hhththththth tttat you u ddddddpd tttate any

Committee reports


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Review of General meeting talk

MMany members are breaking bones these days and in fact,

within days of this presentation, another walker bit the dust with a broken leg. So it was with some trepidation mixed with relief that we, the members of the audience who hadn’t suffered the same fate, settled down to hear how Meg managed her recovery from a broken limb.Meg opened by describing the conditions and terrain where she suffered the break. We learned a little about the break itself and the difficulties of crutches. Meg then went on to describe, with the assistance of slides, the walks she has done in the 13 months since the accident.In February 2011, Meg sustained the break in New Zealand as she was walking down some steep, snow grass made slippery by mist.

She was rescued by a helicopter, summoned by the party’s PLB and Meg’s mobile phone, and delivered to hospital where she learned of the break. We saw an x-ray containing many screws in one ankle that were a testament to the seriousness of the mishap.Meg made the point that loss of muscle tone can be quite wide-spread, occurring not only in the affected leg, but in other regions of the body from the waist down. She also made the point that using crutches can damage hands.Before the accident, Meg had been planning to lead a combined CBC/CMW 10 day walk in the MacDon-nell Ranges. The question was would 6 months be long enough to recover and rebuild her strength for this trip?After 5 months Meg was able to do

some test pack walks – one in the Budawangs followed by a trip in the Kananga Boyd area including a descent down the rocky ridge on Mt Colong. With some assistance the slope was successfully negotiated and the MacDonnells trip looked doable.At 6 months the Mac-Donnells trip presented some further challenges – it would be a 10-day trip in the wilderness and Meg was to carry a 20 kg pack. However all went well with the format of the trip allowing some rest days when some of the more energetic participants could do some challenging side trips. Meg showed some wonderful views of the

Central Australian landscape along with some special images of wild-life, including dingo pups, spinifex pigeons and Spencer’s Burrowing Frog.Then Meg talked about a number of other walks.Gibraltar Range – Washpool National ParkThis area in Northern NSW sounded a wonderful area in which to walk. It has a variety of landscapes includ-ing heathland, granite tors, swamps and rainforests. Day walkers are well catered for and there is also a 100 km 5-day walk. A good base is the camping spot at Mulligans Flat.Tonalli TablelandThis 7-day trip took in wilderness bushland, which can be reached via Tonalli Pass from Yerraderie. It remains relatively untouched because the construction of the Lake Burragorang dam cut off easy access from Sydney. The tableland rewarded exploration with different fl ora in its different regions includ-ing colourful waratahs, wonderful campsites and interesting geological formations such as the catacombs on Bob Higgins Creek.JapanAfter 9 months, Meg and others par-ticipated in a 2-week day walking trip taking in the Kansai region of Japan. The images showed intensely coloured autumn leaves, temples and very attractive countryside.At the end of the presentation, it was clear that with a lot of grit, determination and hard work, plus some luck, walkers can be back walking 5 months after sustaining a broken leg.

Lorraine Tomlins


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Trip report

PParticipants on the Club’s fi rst canyoning trip in over a year

were treated to a spectacular experi-ence. Bungonia Creek is a beautiful place at any time – with lush green-ery, cascading waterfalls, interest-ing rock formations and inviting pools of water. On this occasion, the unusually wet summer had turned the waterfalls into magnifi cent cas-cades and the pools sparkled like jewels in the sunlight as the water thundered into them.Our group of seven (Anne Gibbs-Jordan, Adam Lilley, Chris Roper, Cynthia Burton, Ian Turland, Monika Binder and Dave Drohan) - which included two recent ‘gradu-ates’ of the beginner’s abseiling course held in February – got off to an early start. Anne, however, decided it wasn’t early enough and set her clock two hours back instead of one hour back for daylight sav-ings, arriving at the rendezvous point at 4.30 am. Well, something had to happen to somebody, given that it was April Fool’s Day!Doing the canyon involved four abseils past waterfalls, two of which were around 40 metres each, fol-lowed by swims across the pools at the bottom. Our leader Monika, and her co-leader Dave, made certain that we were all safely geared up and gave helpful tips on how to have a smooth and enjoyable descent down the ropes. It was a truly

exhilarating feeling to glide down the side of a waterfall and to see it and hear it so close up.As it was late summer/early autumn, the swims across the pool were very brrrrisk indeed, and Adam amazed us with his stamina as he sat in one for an extended period belaying group members on one abseil that dropped directly into the water. I am convinced he was once a polar bear in a past life!Our lunch was eaten beside one of these pools, looking up at the dif-ferent waterfalls gracefully fl owing over the cliffs and the lovely trees and vegetation around the area. I was reminded again of how lucky I was to be there – canyoning gives us access to such remote and special places in the wilderness that could not be reached any other way.We had one problematic rope snag on the most challenging abseil of the day—through part of a waterfall in nearly full fl ow—but luck was on our side. Nic Bendelli, a well known fi gure to older Club members, and another group of canyoners hap-pened to come through at just that time and saved Monika and Dave some time and hassle retrieving the rope.After a pleasant fi nal trudge down the fast-fl owing creek, and a long and sweaty haul up the steep—but again lush and emerald-green—exit

track, the day was done. Our group then proceeded to the iconic Paragon Cafe in Goulburn for a well-deserved meal before heading home.Thanks to Monika for organising such a terrifi c trip and to Dave for co-leading on the day.

Cynthia BurtonPhotos: Adam Lilley

Notice of MotionA trip is defined in the first paragraph of the Standing Resolutions as follows:

‘A ‘trip’ in this document means any excursion for bushwalk-ing, or allied outdoor activity, that has been notified in the Club newsletter, or at a General Meeting’.

Since the Club now also noti-fies trips via the Short notice email system it is proposed that a motion be put to the June General Meeting to amend the defi nition to read:

‘A ‘trip’ in this document means any excursion for bushwalking, or allied outdoor activity, that has been notifi ed in the Club newsletter, at a General meeting, or via the Short notice email system’.

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(our lunch spot) is apparently used to launch paragliders, one of the group noted they had not seen them in the walks they’d done here.Not today… the group watched (and photographed) with rapt atten-tion, the launch and fl ight of three paragliders. The staff from the Australian Paragliding Centre hap-pily answered the tonne of questions we had, though I’m not sure they convinced any of us to take the leap!

Nathan Holt

The rest of the journey to the sum-mit was a thoroughly pleasant stroll through open forest. We met up with Phillip’s group at the top, just as they were heading back down the moun-tain. We enjoyed a nice long lunch at the top of the mountain, enjoying the view to the north through the trees.The walk down the mountain and back to the cars, parked on Woolcara Lane, was also nice and thankfully mostly clear of old fences. In a fi rst for me, we crossed the path of a wombat that was scurrying for cover – I’ve never seen a wombat outside the zoo.Although an uneventful descent for Stan’s group, Phillip mentioned it was a little different for his group—they inadvertently strayed onto the wrong spur. There were a couple of people in his group with maps and compasses who assisted in the decision of the best route to take from there.The trip back into Canberra was time to ponder the big issues from the day. The big one for me was the impor-tance of carrying the relevant map, a compass, and a fi rst aid kit… just in case… whether it’s the fi rst or tenth time on the route, even when not leading the walk. Although recep-tion can’t be relied upon, a charged mobile phone can be very handy when there’s reception in unexpected places. And keeping current with the fi rst aid qualifi cations—I’ll be look-ing into the Club subsidy to refresh my fi rst aid qualifi cations.The other big thing from the walk;

the Yanununbeyan State Conservation Area is a hidden gem so close to Canberra. The walks in the area, such as Mount Foxlow, are well worth walking more than once.PS: A demonstration of the variety of things that can be seen on a bushwalk—the following Saturday’s bushwalk was to the sum-mit of Pig Hill , just east of the Brindabella National Park. Although the open clearing at the summit

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Trip report

MMount Foxlow seems to be one of the walks run each year by

the Club – looking at the old issues of it on the CBC web site, a variant of the walk was fi rst run back in May 2003. Despite being a ‘milk run’, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable walk and, on this occasion, an interesting and valuable learning experience.Twenty-four of us met at the usual Queanbeyan meeting spot, dividing into six cars for the journey out to the Yanununbeyan State Conservation Area. Given the size of the group, Phillip split the group into two, with Stan leading the other group.With Phillip’s group motoring on ahead through the picturesque forest of the conservation area, Stan led the group of 11 of us through the forest and up the ridge line towards Mount Foxlow (1270 metres high). The walk up to the summit was topped of by the loud calls of kookaburras.It was on the way to the summit where school was in for me. The path up the ridge line is littered with old fences, meaning infrequent warnings of ‘more wire!’ Unfortunately, one of these lengths of wire resulted in Stan falling and getting a nasty gash on his head.Three of the group had fi rst aid kits and were able to patch Stan up. Two of the group had 3G mobile phones that had reception (Telstra and Optus), enabling us to update Phillip on our progress. On the fl ip side, a straw-poll of the group found that only Stan had a map of the area.

Paraglider taking off from Pig Hill Photo: Sue Bullivant

Stan’s group walking down from the summit

PayPal paymentscanberrabus

Members using the PayPal option for Club payments should be aware of the following:PayPal automatically registers payments as being to Canberra Bushwalking Club, however, their system only recognises the fi rst 11 characters. Therefore your statement may have a payment to ‘canberrabus’.Some members have mistaken this as an unauthorised payment and had the transaction cancelled. Each time this happens it costs the Club $15.The Club is trying to change this with PayPal, but in the meantime, please be aware that canberrabus may appear on your bank statement.

Activity program


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Saturday 12 May: Gibraltar Rocks & Birrigai Time Trail – M/EEnjoy the opportunity to have a go at the new Tidbinbilla walking track to Gibralter Rocks, returning via the Birrigai Time Trail. A bit of a climb but a gentler gradient than the old fi re trail and rewards exist for the effort – there are expansive views from the huge granite rocks

Activity program

Equipment hireTake advantage of the excellent gear that the Club has available for hire before lashing out on your own equip-ment. The Equipment Offi cer is Rob Horsfi eld, who can be contacted on 6231 4535(h) or to borrow the northside PLB, George Carter, 6251 2130The equipment available and current rates per weekend/week are set out below. Hirers are responsible for col-lecting and returning the equipment. The hiring charge (but not the deposit) is waived for members who are ‘fi rst time’ weekend walkers.A deposit of $20 is required and part or all of this will be refunded, depending on the condition of the items upon return and whether they are returned late.

Item w.e./weekOlympus two person tent $15 / $40Macpac Microlight one person tent $15 / $403 season bag, mat and liner $10 / $25Assorted packs $5 / $15Trangia and fuel bottle $5 / $15Snow sleeping bag, mat and liner $15 / $40Personal locator beacon – nil (see website for conditions)GPS – nil (see website for conditions of use)

Check you have ALL the bits and pieces you need when collecting and returning gear.

Arrange for your Club-related activities to be included in the program withRob Horsfi eld (Walks Secretary)

Ph: 6231 4535 (h), Email: [email protected], Post: 11 Studley Place, Kambah, ACT 2903

Distance and diffi cultyDistance: (S) Short - under 12km/day(M) Medium - 12-20km/day(L) Long - over 20km/dayNote: In calculating distance, 1 km is added for every 100 metres climbed.

Terrain:(E) Easy - fi re trail, tracks, beaches etc(M) Medium - bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub(R) Rough - much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles(W) Wet - compulsory swims, many river crossings(X) Exploratory

BookingContact the leader early rather than late. Book by Thursday 2.00 pm for the following weekend (both one-day and multi-day walks) so the leader has time to arrange transport.Check with the leader about:

X the need to carry water, tents/fl y, maps, etc X appropriate clothing, footwear X any precautions you might need to take for severe weather changes.

Ask about anything you’re unsure of, especially if you are new to our Club.

TransportCosts are 40¢/km/car, divided equally among all participants. This amount may be varied at the discretion of the leader, depending on the condition of the roads and other factors. The fi gures given are for the car as a whole and then, at the discretion of the leader, an estimate or range per person. Park admission and camping fees are additional costs which leaders should list separately.

Duty of careEvery person taking part in a CBC activity acknowledges that he/she does so voluntarily and that he/she may be exposed to risks that could lead to injury, illness or death, or to loss of, or damage to property. Each person is required to sign the Club’s ‘Acknowledgement of Risks’ form. Visitors are welcome to join trips. However walkers are strongly encouraged to join the Club after a maximum of three trips.

For further information see: www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org

Check-in after walksBefore a trip leaders are to email or phone through the names of their party, and by 10 am the day after their trip report their safe return or trip cancellation, to the Check-in Offi cer, Keith Thomas ([email protected], 6230 1081 leave message if no answer). The Check-in Offi cer or the Walks Secretary (6231 4535), not the Police or other bodies, should be the fi rst point of contact for worried relatives if you are late in returning.

Information for participants

Map scale is 1:25,000 unless otherwise stated

Road closuresThe Cabramurra/Khancoban (KNP5) Road has been closed due to fl ood damage at Ogilvies Creek. Access by vehicle is not possible and the road is closed until further notice.The ACT Government wishes to advise motorists and other road users that Mt Franklin Road in Namadgi National Park, from Bulls Head picnic area, is temporarily closed to allow for the upgrade and repair of road culverts (which are used to divert water under roadways). The works will improve the road’s ability to manage heavy traffi c loads during a bushfi re emergency and is expected to take one month to complete.


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Activity programfi re trail. Possibly an optional climb of one of the hills for a view, which would add a 150 metre ascent and descent. The leader has not done this route before but has walked nearby. Expect scrub & tussocky grass, some rocky ground and maybe swampy ground. 19 kilometres if we fi nd the terrain fast, fewer if it’s slow and we skip the hill climb. Map: Snowball Leader: Linda Groom: [email protected], 02 6281 4917 Transport:TBA

Saturday 26 May: Orroral Hill – M/R/XBeginning at the Orroral Tracking Station picnic area, we will follow the Granite Tors walking trail to the Lunar Laser tower and then head off in a south westerly direction to a saddle between Orroral Hill and a knoll to its north west. From the saddle we need to gain about 100 m to reach the Orroral summit. Half the walk is on a very steep track with the other half steeply off track. It involves a total climb of about 600 m and a distance of about 12 km. The going will be fairly slow and scrubby, with some scrambling. Map: Rendezvous Creek Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 2814 096(m) [email protected] Transport: $10, Limit: 8.

Sunday 27 May: Orroral Valley up to Legoland and return – M/MPark cars at the Orroral Valley carpark and walk up the fi re trail, about 400 m and continue onto the Honeysuckle Collimation Tower– well it used to be there. Walk along the ridge to Legoland. Explore the caves underneath and eat lunch dangling legs along the rocks looking at truly spectacular views. After lunch walk on a kinda track to the mass of rocks, some call Elephant’s Nest. From here we descend the often slippery slope to the Orroral Valley fl oor. If lucky I’ll fi nd the track and we return along the shaded valley track to the cars by about 4 pm. About 13 km and climb about 400 m. Map: Corin Dam Leader: Janet Edstein 6288 1398, [email protected] Transport: $14

(25), 26–27 May: Durras weekend – Sat M/E, Sun S/MLeave Canberra Friday night, stay in comfortable cabins at Depot Beach Caravan Park. Saturday will be the spectacular Little Forest Plateau with views to the Budawangs, Pigeon House and beyond. Lunch at Gadara Point or Ngaityung Falls. On Sunday, we do the Pretty Beach–Pebbly Beach and return walk, with a mixture of coastline and rainforest. Two superb walks, about 4½ hours Sat, 5 hours Sunday. Maps: Kioloa/Tianjara/Milton Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: ~$50, Accommodation: about $50–$60

as well as from the path to and from the rocks. This track winds enticingly over small creeks, around cool gullies and through open grassland. If you are willing to drive please advise when booking especially if you have an annual pass to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Map: Tidbinbilla, Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected], Transport: ~ $9 per person, plus entry fees (if applicable).

12–13 May: Coronet Peak – S/M–RAn easy overnight trip, suitable to both beginners and those who would enjoy a pleasant overnight sojourn and the panoramic surrounds from the peak’s top. Base camp at Pond Creek. Maps: Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h) Transport: 112 km return, ~$45 per car.

Sunday morning, 13 May: Mount Ainslie – S/EA walk to the summit of Mount Ainslie, a walk around the base and climbing to the summit on the north side. Descent on the sealed southern track. About 7 km and a 200 metre climb - home by lunchtime. Map: Mud map on the ACT TAMS website. Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 628 429; [email protected] Transport: Drive yourself but let me know if you need a lift.

Saturday 19 May: Harrisons Peak – M/MA walk through open forest near Captains Flat, initially on a fi re trail to Harrisons Peak with views from Mt Coree to the Tinderries. We then walk largely off track along a series of open ridges. Linear distance 12 km, about 500 m aggregate climbing during the day but with spectacular views. About 5¼ hours actual walking. Back via Purple Eatery. Map: Captains Flat. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: ~$15

Sunday 20 May: Rendezvous Creek, Boboyan Road – M/M–RNursery Swamp car park, top end Nursery Creek, Rendezvous Creek, down to Boboyan Road. Always a popular trip; requires a car shuttle. Map: Rendezvous Creek Leaders: Jenny & Rob Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h) Transport: ~130 km return, ~$52 per car.

Tuesday 22 May: Exploring the upper Shoalhaven – M/R/XA gently undulating walk with varied vegetation and a river which is pretty and has a pristine catchment, but is not spectacular. Two hours drive, to Krawarree Road and then east on Currambene Road (note, not the same as Curranbene Creek Road) aiming to leave the cars at the swamp at approx 37 800E, 21 100S. A kilometre of fi re trail, then down a gently-sloping grassy valley to the Shoalhaven, then 3 to 5 km down the Shoalhaven and back up another side valley, returning to the cars by

Activity program


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Tuesday 29 May: Tuross Gorge below the falls – M/R/slightly XA walk to the spectacular Tuross Falls and Gorge, mostly off-track. Drive approx 2 ¼ hours to park at Tuross Cascades. Cross to the true right of the river and reach the top of the falls via 2 km of light to moderate scrub & 2.5 km of fi retrail. Descend 150 metres to reach the river about 250 metres downstream of the foot of the falls for lunch. This descent is steep, sometimes loose underfoot and in places takes you within a metre or two of sheer cliffs, so needs previous scrambling experience. Cross the river on boulders & scramble up 150 metres to exit the gorge. Then a couple of kms of scrub to the falls viewing platform. If time allows we will look for the rocky domes shown on Google Earth at 727827E, 5988517S. Back to the cars via about 3 km of foot track. The leader has done all of this walk recently, except the possible side trip to the rocky domes. Map: Belowra Leader: Linda Groom [email protected] 02 6281 4917 Transport: TBA

Tuesday 29 May: Walk and Talk: East Basin and National Gallery – S/ERendezvous on Menindee Drive, Grevillea Park (near the Boathouse Restaurant) at 9.45 am for a walk, mainly on bike paths, through the Jerrabomberra Wetlands to the National Gallery, arriving there around 11.45 am for a picnic lunch in the Sculpture Garden. Then journey to the Snowy Mountain (fi guratively!) by attending Prof. Tim Bonyhady’s 12.45 pm talk on Eugene von Guérard’s North-east view from the northern top of Mount Kosciuszko 1863 in the National Gallery’s Project Gallery. (The painting is of a view towards Jagungal from Mount Townsend.) The talk is free of charge and there is no need to register for it. After the talk, walk back across Kings Avenue Bridge to the cars. Around two and a half hours actual walking. Transport: Drive yourself. Map: The Canberra and Queanbeyan Walking and Cycling Map, follow link from http://www.tams.act.gov.au/move/cycling/cycling_and_walking_map Leader: Jenny Horsfi eld 6231 4535(h)

Saturday 2 June: Wild Cattle Flat – S/E–MClimb via a fi re trail east of Captains Flat to the trig sta-tion atop the Bollard Ridge from which there are views to the west. Then follow the ridge as it descends through open forest until you cross Ballinafad Creek. Lunch on a hill above the creek, then cross Wild Cattle Flats and back to the cars through open forest. All on trail or easy off track. 8 km, 300 m aggregate climb, about 4 hours actual walking. Return via the purple eatery. Map: Tinderry. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: ~$20

Sunday 3 June: Smokers Trail carpark to Orroral Valley carpark cross-over – L/EA chance to walk the whole scenic Orroral Valley. Either start from the Smokers Trail carpark and walk mainly downhill through alpine forest or start from the Orroral Valley carpark and walk uphill with about 400 m climb to Smokers Gap. About 20 km and 400 m climb. We meet at Sawpit Creek for lunch and exchange car keys. Drivers need to be aware that there is a car swap before the walk so that all walkers eventually walk back to the car they started with. Also I need another leader to help with this walk. Map: Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek Leader: Janet Edstein 6288 1398, [email protected] Transport: $14

Tuesday 5 June: Murrumbidgee River – M/MFrom the old quarry on the Cotter Road descend to the Murrumbidgee River and on to Casuarina Sands. Then follow the river to Uriarra Crossing. If there is ample time will continue to Shepherds Lookout and return. Short car shuffl e involved. In order to avoid the forests of blackberries it is likely that we will follow the ridges above the river for the 6 kilometres north of Casuarina. Map Umburra and Cotter Dam Leader Roger Edwards 6288 7863 [email protected] (Please no bookings between 22 April and 18 May as I will be away) Transport ~$20 per car. Limit: 8

Saturday 9 June: Gibraltar Rocks & Birrigai Time Trail – M/EEnjoy the opportunity to have a go at the new Tidbinbilla walking track to Gibralter Rocks, returning via the Birrigai Time Trail. A bit of a climb but a gentler gradient than the old fi re trail and rewards exist for the effort – there are expansive views from the huge granite rocks as well as from the path to and from the rocks. This track winds enticingly over small creeks, around cool gullies and through open grassland. If you are willing to drive please advise when booking especially if you have an annual pass to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Map: Tidbinbilla Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected] Transport: ~ $9 per person, plus entry fees (if applicable).

9–11 June: Budawangs – M/RWog Wog – Burrumbeet Brook – Mt Tarn – Mt Haughton – Mt Hoddle – Sallee Creek Wog Wog. Not much eleva-tion change but some scrub. Maps: Endrick and Corang Leader: Keith Thomas 6230 1081(h) or [email protected] Transport: ~$100 per car Limit: 8

Monday 11 June: Majura – Ainslie traverse – L/EStarting from the end of the houses in Antill Street, Hackett, walking to the summit of Mount Majura, before heading downhill to the valley between the two mountain. After morning tea by the old Ainslie Dams, we’ll walk to the top of Mount Ainslie via the Old Tip Track for lunch. The return to the cars will follow the track behind the houses in Ainslie and Hackett. About 16 km long, all on track, with 600 metres in climbing. Map: Hall / Canberra, Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 628 429 or [email protected] Transport: ~ Drive yourself but tell me when you book if you need a ride.

Wednesday 13 June: Wednesday Walk – CBC – MCoordinator: Janet Edstein ([email protected])

Saturday 16 June: Murrumbidgee River corridor – Casuarina Sands to Kambah Pool – M/MStarting from Casuarina Sands, a walk following the Murrumbidgee River corridor to Kambah Pool. About 14 km in all. Car shuffl e required. Map: Cotter Dam/ Canberra/ Tuggeranong, Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 628 429 or [email protected] Transport: ~ Drive yourself but tell me when you book if you need a ride.

Saturday 16 June 2012: Gorilla Rock, Booroomba Rocks – M/RWe walk along the AAT from Honeysuckle Creek Camp Ground before heading off into the bush to Gorilla Rock for morning tea and then through bush to Booroomba Rocks with a steep climb and rock scrambling along


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Activity programthe way. We will enjoy lunch, with great views, at Booroomba Rocks then return via walking track. Map: Corin Dam Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected], Transport: $10 per person.

Saturday 16 June: Black Mt and Aranda Bushland – M/EMeet at 9.30 am in the car park opposite 160 Dryandra Street, O’Connor. This walk traverses the Bruce Ridge then crosses into the Black Mt Reserve. Traverse the reserve, following the track part way up the mountain, then along the lake to Yarramundi Peninsula for lunch. Home via the cork plantation and the Aranda Bushland. All on track, about 5 hrs walking. Map: Canberra Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: drive yourself but please book as usual; there may be someone from your area who needs a lift.

Saturday 23 June: Faunce Hill – M/EFaunce Hill is on the eastern side of the Queanbeyan River gorge on the northern end of Googong Dam. The walk is a mixture of on and off track, starting at the end of Wanna Wanna Rd (off Captains Flat Road) thence through open forest to the Hill and south to lunch on an open ridge before wandering back to the cars. Plenty of variety and good views including Gingera and Bimberi. About 5½ hours walking. A mixture of on and off track. Map: Hoskinstown Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: ~$10

Sunday 24 June: The Perpendicular Slot, Camel Rock, Churinga Head, Myall Ridge (Ettrema) – S/M–RA fairly long drive (with early start) via Tarago and Nerriga. There will be some scrub and scrambling but the walk is only about 8 km long and has only short climbs. The views along the clifftops overlook-ing Ettrema Gorge are excel-lent and we will have time for plenty of stops to enjoy them and several interesting rock features along the way. The top of Myall Ridge is perched in the middle of the gorge. Maps: Nerriga and Touga. Leader: Jeff Bennetts 0418 662 870, [email protected] Transport: ~320 km return, ~$128 per car, ~$32–$40 per person Limit: 12

Saturday 7 July: The Peaks of Goorooyarroo – S/EThis walk on the northern fringe of the city traverses, partly on and partly off track, a series of hills with spectacular views over the city and to the Brindabellas. Be at the parking area on the northern side of Horse Park Drive about 1.5 km toward Gungahlin from the Federal Hwy junction (Gungahlin exit) at 8.30 for this walk – and be home for lunch. About 4hrs walking. Map: n/a Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: drive yourself but please book as usual; there may be someone from your area who needs a lift.

Sunday 8 July: Red Hill Nature Reserve – M/E–MStarting from Deakin, walking to the summit of Red Hill, taking in the great views along the ridgeline to Hindmarsh Drive. Follow the eastern and northern edges of the reserve back to the cars. About 10 km in all, fi nish by lunchtime. Map: Canberra. Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 628 429, [email protected] Transport: ~ Drive yourself but tell me when you book if you need a ride.

7–8 July: Mount Kelly–Mount Scabby – M/RBoboyan – Mount Kelly – Mount Scabby – Sams Creek. Expect a cold night. If weather or snow conditions are unsuitable, this walk will be relocated. Maps: Yaouk and Rendezvous Creek Leader: Keith Thomas 6230 1081(h) or [email protected] Transport: ~$70/car Limit: 8

Wednesday Walk 11 July: Mt Palerang – M/MPalerang is a mountain near the Great Dividing Range south of the Kings Highway (the pointy one on the right as you approach Braidwood). Access is via Captains Flat Road, Briars Sharrow Road, Plains Road, Hoskinstown Road, Forbes Creek Road and Mulloon fi re trail to the ford over Mulloon Creek. On a clear day you can see Braidwood, the Budawangs and the Brindabellas. The access ridges have moderate scrub, rock scrambles and a rock climb. There are also a few kilometres of fi re trail walking. Distance: 11.3 km, Climb: 500 m Map: Bombay Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected] Transport: ~ $10 per person. We will meet at Queanbeyan Swimming Pool, Campbell Street for an 8:30 am start.

Thursday 12 July: Walk & Talk: Botanic Gardens and Black Mountain – S/ESome exercise for both body and Brain. Rendezvous at the Botanic Gardens car park at 9.20 am. We will walk through the gardens and then, by a devious combination of tracks, around and over Black Mountain, returning to picnic on the Eucalypt lawns around 11.30 am. At 12.30 pm we will hear how our Club emblem is surviv-ing by attending a free talk in the Gardens Theatrette on ‘Saving the Northern Corroboree Frog in the ACT’. The speaker is ecologist Dr Murray Evans. Admission to the talk is by gold coin donation; no need to book for the talk. Transport: drive yourself, or catch Action bus route 3 from Woden or Belconnen, alighting in Daley Road, ANU. Map: Black Mountain Nature Reserve Leader: Linda Groom 6281 4917 [email protected] http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_fi le/0016/13246/cnpmapblackmountain.pdf

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Saturday 14 July: Winter snowscape – Painting and/or photography – S/E Why not create or capture your own Winter Wonderland Snowscape, either with brush or camera. We’re planning a short trip to the Brindabella National Park, possibly Top Crossing or the Sawmill ruin. Hopefully we’ll fi nd snow on fl owering wattle or other Winter marvels to paint or photograph. Clothing suitable for snow should be worn e.g. boots, jumper, parka, long trousers, gloves and beanie - if it is cold. Map: Umburra Leaders: Alison Milton & Gösta Lyngå. Bookings to Alison 6254 0578(h), 6289 2717(w), [email protected] Transport: ~$24 per car, $6–$8 per person.

Saturday 14 July: Mundoonen Nature Reserve – M/E–MThis reserve is just south of the Hume Highway between Gunning and Yass. We will explore the reserve, which is undulating with a cover of open forest. A mixture of track and easy off track. About 4½ hours actual walking. Map: Gunning 1:50,000. Leader: Stan Marks 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: ~$15

(20), 21, 22 July – Southern Highlands bushwalking bonanzaDrive down Friday night to the Bundanoon YHA, where we stay the weekend. Mt Carrialoo (to be led by Barry Keeley on Saturday) is brilliant and if you like spectacular views and a bit of a challenge, you will love it. On Sunday, we will walk the spectacular and beautiful Bargo Gorge, twice as deep and twice as wide as Boxvale, on track. The YHA is a renovated early 20th century home of delightful ambience. Shared meal on Saturday evening. About 5 hours walking each day. Maps: Bundanoon and Picton Leaders: Stan Marks and Barry Keeley. Bookings to Stan: 6254 9568(h), 6274 7350(w), [email protected] Transport: estimate per person ~$60, accommodation ~ $60 for the weekend.

(20)21– 22 July: Beginners cross country ski weekend – S/ETwo days of informal instruction and short ski tours in the Mount Selwyn/Three Mile Dam area, from accommoda-tion near Adaminaby. Suitable for complete beginners who are reasonably bushwalking-fi t, though people with several weekends cross-country skiing experience will also benefi t. We have booked a cottage for six (1 Queen bedroom and 2 x twin bedrooms) at Snowy Mountains Alpine Cabins, 8 km from Adaminaby. Accommodation cost will be around $100 per person for the 2 nights; BYO linen and food, including something to share for dinner. Full, non-refundable payment for the accommodation please within a week of your signing up for the trip. Alternatively you can book your own accommodation in Adaminaby, or snow camp. BYO skis, stocks and boots (rent in Cooma). If there is insuffi cient snow, we will do walks in the area with grades up to M/M. Map (for skiing) Cabramurra. Map if we end up bushwalking: Tantangara.. Leaders: Linda Groom & Peter Conroy, [email protected] 02 6281 4917 Transport: ~$70 per person

Saturday 28 July: Nursery Swamp & Nursery Hill – M/RWe will leave from the Nursery Swamp car park just off Orroral Road and follow the Nursery Swamp walk-

ing trail. From the end of the trail we walk off track to Nursery Hill where we will have lunch. We will then return, off track, roughly parallel to the walking track we came in on. We will turn back to meet the walking track at about its half-way point. From there we follow the track back to our vehicles. This walk is almost half on track while the rest will be off track. If the going is too diffi cult or we are pressed for time we can return to the walking track earlier. Distance around 15 km with climbs totalling about 450 m. Map: Rendezvous Creek, Leader: Phillip Starr 6161 3835(h), 0419 281 096(m), [email protected], Transport: ~ $11

Saturday 28 July: Square Rock and Smokers Trail – M/MSquare Rock is one of my favourite ACT walks. A track through bush from the Square Rock car park marks the beginning of this walk to a group of boulders that are a great place for lunch. Fantastic views on a clear day. On the way back we peel off to join the Smokers Trail until we come to Smokers Trail car park. Car shuffl e required. Map: Corin Dam, Leader: Nathan Holt 0414 628 429 or [email protected] Transport: ~ $10

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Wednesday walksMedium walks (M/M, M/M–R, L/E–M) are conducted every Wednesday. Walks are conducted in turn by leaders from the CBC, Brindabella Bushwalking Club and National Parks Association (ACT). Details about destination and meeting place are emailed to those on the Wednesday Walkers email list. Contact Janet Edstein [email protected] to get your name on the email list. Janet coordinates the CBC’s contribution to these walks.

Feeling literary?Have you had a great experience on a Club walk? Been moved to write about it, either in prose or verse? Felt the urge to see your name in print? Or even just taken some great photo shots that you would like to share.

The Club welcomes contributions from members so why not write about an interesting experience on a walk or just an enjoyable walk. Alternatively, send in a photo or two with a short paragraph about it/them.The closing date for each issue of it is the date of the 4th Wednesday of every month. Handwritten and posted mate-rial is acceptable, but email is preferred. We also welcome photographs, preferably as separately scanned items or digital images. We can scan original photographs. Contact: Ph 6254 0578, [email protected] Post: 20 O’Sullivan Street, HIGGINS, ACT 2615

Alison Milton, Editor

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Alison Milto

it May 2012

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