The Bush Club Inc
Spring Walks Schedule - September 2010 to November 2010
Here is another excellent program of walking for the forthcoming season. Thanks very much to all the leaders for making it possible. In this program, there are six members who have joined the ranks of leader, and we welcome them sincerely. Look for their walks listed throughout the program (in bold italics) and summarised below.
o Andrew S has a couple of walks – the first on Saturday 11 September from Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai through the Berowra Valley Regional Park, and the second on Saturday 27 November from Mt Colah to Berowra in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
o Laurie T is leading a walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park from Mt Kuring-gai to Wahroonga on Sunday 5 September.
o Yuri B is offering a wide variety of experiences on his walks. On Wednesday 8 September and Wednesday 22 September, look for his walks in the Gardens of Stone. He has walks in Wollemi National Park on Friday 8 October and Monday 1 November. On Tuesday 2 November, he has arranged a unique experience at Sculpture by the Sea, and on Saturday 20 November a walk to Wheeny Gap in Wollemi National Park - an excellent Spring time walk.
o Bob W has a walk in the Royal National Park from Waterfall to Bundeena on Thursday 16 September.
o Steve D has planned a great three day walk in Morton National Park from Saturday 18 to Monday 20 September.
o Di B is leading a couple of popular walks – on Thursday 7 October from Sutherland to Woronora, and on Wednesday 3 November from Spit to Manly.
Over this year, there has been a steady and sustained increase in the number of short notice walks that are being listed. These are sent out by email, so don’t miss out. Ensure you are registered to receive short notice walks by email by sending your request to
John Cooper
Walks Secretary
Every person participating in any activity organised by or with the involvement of The Bush Club Inc. does so at his or her own risk and by participating, acknowledges that neither The Bush Club Inc. nor its office-bearers or its activity leaders have accepted any responsibility or liability for any damage to property or for any death or injury suffered and that he or she will take all responsibility for any person under 18 years of age invited by him or her to participate in any activity organised by or with the involvement of The Bush Club Inc.
President:
Walks Secretary:Membership Secretary: /
Bob Taffel
John CooperKevin Yeats
/Secretary:
Treasurer:Web Site: /
Carol Henderson
Barbara Mitchellwww.bushclub.org.au /
GENERAL:
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:ENQUIRIES: / Walkers should carry a small first aid kit, matches and torch, and come suitably equipped with strong walking shoes, a rucksack, hat, rain gear, and water. Members are also encouraged to carry map and compass and become proficient in their use. With experience gained in club walks it is expected that members will become walks leaders and/or office-bearers.
Phone 131 500 to check train, bus and ferry times. Timetables are sometimes altered at short notice. If the train is not running to timetable or if there is any doubt, contact the leader. Traditionally, Bush Club members travel in the second railway carriage from front, upper level, unless otherwise advised.
Enquiries about a walk should be directed to the leader. In times of bush fires, check news services and/or NPWS re closures of parks or access roads. Do phone the leader if you are unsure.
GUIDE TO GRADING OF WALKSM Qualifying All walks grade 3 and higher are membership qualifying walks, unless noted otherwise. Look for the ‘M’ label. However, prospective members may attend any walk with the leader’s consent.
LTW Leadership Training Walk The leader is available to instruct aspiring leaders in techniques of walks leadership.
SEA Support, Encourage, Achieve The leader promotes an encouraging and supportive environment - a team effort.
Grade 1 (Easy) Opportunity for large number of walkers, including those with reduced walking ability to walk on well marked and even tracks. Tracks are man made and may have a few steps. Should not be steep. Suitable for beginners. Distance should not exceed about 10km.
Grade 2 (Easy-Medium) Easy walk, mostly on tracks of low gradient. Opportunity to walk easily in natural environments on well marked tracks. Tracks should not be steep. Distance should not exceed about 15km.
Grade 3 (Medium) Medium walk with some hilly sections and/or rougher terrain. Opportunity to walk on defined and distinct tracks with some steep sections requiring a moderate level of fitness. Suitable for fit beginners. Distance should not exceed about 20km.
Grade 4 (Medium-Hard) Steeper, rougher terrain and may have off-track sections (no more than one quarter of the walk) or a longer distance track walk. Opportunity to explore and discover relatively undisturbed natural environments mostly along defined and distinct tracks. Tracks can be steep. There may be short sections of rock scrambling involved. Leaders should have map reading abilities and/or ability to use a compass. Distance depending on circumstances. Not suitable for most beginners.
Grade 5 (Hard) Off-track or difficult terrain. Opportunity for walkers with advanced outdoor knowledge and skills to find their own way along often indistinct tracks or off track in remote locations. May include steep sections of unmodified surfaces. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and crossing involved. Distance should not exceed 30km, but may be short and difficult. Not suitable for beginners.
Grade 6 (Very Hard) Strenuous off-track walk or very long distance. Opportunity for highly experienced walkers to explore remote and challenging natural areas without reliance on managed tracks. Terrain may be steep, uneven and no track. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and crossing involved. Distance covered is unlimited, but may be short and difficult. Only for experienced walkers and not suitable for beginners.
CAR COST SHARE:
LEADERS:PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS:
VISITORS:
SEARCH AND RESCUE: / The rate is 25c per km divided by the number of car occupants, including the driver.
All day walks must be held unless conditions are unsafe. A minimum of four (4), including leader, is required for a Club walk. If there are fewer than four, including leader, a walk, if continued, is not an official Club activity and is not covered by insurance. If a leader is unable to lead his/her walk, he/she should arrange for a substitute leader and inform the Walks Secretary accordingly. The leader (or substitute) must travel to the starting point of the walk. See list of volunteer substitute leaders on last page of the walks program.
Prospective members are required to phone the leader before attending any walk; they are advised to commence with Medium Grade 3 walks.
Visitors including children are welcome to take part in walks only if invited by a full member (who must be present on the walk) and subject to the leader’s prior approval. Approval should be requested by the member, not the visitor. A leader has the right to refuse to take visitors on walks. Visitors will be granted temporary club membership to enable them to take part in the activity.
Contact the police or other emergency agency only if life or limb is endangered. In the event of a party being overdue, or some other incident, please ‘phone the following Bush Club contacts – Graham Conden 0418 647 951, Kaye Birch 0407 115 560 or Dick Weston 4753 1003. Contact may also be made with the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue by phoning 132 222. Ask the operator to page 627 7321, leave your message and a return telephone number. If there is no reply within fifteen (15) minutes please call again and repeat the message.
COPIES OF THIS SCHEDULE MAY BE GIVEN OUT ONLY BY OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE BUSH CLUB INC.
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SEPTEMBER
Sep
2010 / 6 / High Passes Trek Everest Region, Nepal This is a challenging trek in the Everest region over approx. 20 days providing an unforgettable experience and superb breathtaking views. Trek commences from the mystical Kathmandu Valley, and then traverses some high passes and valleys in the Everest region. The inclusion of a section of a historic trade route makes this a very adventurous trek with Everest Base Camp as its focus. A good fitness level required, and a sense of adventure and strong cultural sensitivity required. Max. altitude 5545m; max. 12. Note that this walk is being organisedand led by a commercial organisation and is not a Bush Club programmed walk. Therefore insurance arrangements of The Bush Club do not apply.
Sep
2010 / 6 / Island Peak (6,189m), Nepal Two week trek involving Tea House trekking and camping expedition. Experience at high altitude and mountaineering an advantage but not essential. Training with ropes and ice axes, eg self arresting techniques, will be taught on the ascent to base camp. This trek can be done in conjunction with Helena Smith's High Passes trip (branching off on the descent to Lukla), or as a stand alone trek. Note that this walk is being organisedand led by a commercial organisation and is not a Bush Club programmed walk. Therefore insurance arrangements of The Bush Club do not apply.
Tue
31 Aug to Thu 2 Sep / 5
M / Blue Mountains NP: Korrowall Buttress (Mt Solitary) Day 1: Walk to Singajingawell Cave and set up base camp. Day 2: Walk to Point Repulse, than down pass to Korrowall Ridge, returning via Waterboard road to cave. Day 3: Return to Golden Stairs. Views; scrambling; some off track; total 25km.
Thu
2 Sep / Bush Club Committee Meeting 4.30pm, McManus Room, Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli
Fri
3 Sep / Social / Lunch with Ramblers and Friends Lunch from 12 noon onwards – no need to book. Venue is Bardwell Park RSL next to Bardwell Park Railway Station (about 20 minutes from Central on East Hills Line).
Sat
4 Sep / 3
M / Olney SF The Basin – Walkers Ridge Forest Road – Pig and Sow Ridge Road – Wild Boar Road – Piglet Point Road – Wollombi Brook – Lyrebird atrack – Rock Lily Track – The Basin. Wonderful forests, beautiful brook, hopefully rock lilies in bloom. Tracks; firetrails; climbs; 15km; 250m total ascent. Maps: Morisset , Murrays Run /
Sat
4 Sep / 4
M / Blue Mountains NPNeates Glen – Grand Canyon – Evans Lookout – Govetts Leap – Junction Rock – Blue Gum Forest – Perrys Lookdown. Great scenery; all on tracks, with creek crossings. A chance to see the re-opened Grand Canyon whilst having a good stretch. Car shuffle; 17km; ascent and descent800m each, including the steep, hard 600m climb up Perrys at the end. Maps: Katoomba, Mt Wilson. /
Sat 4 and Sun 5
Sept / 6
M / Kanangra Boyd NP Nooroo Buttress – Mt Guouogang – Kanangra Road – Mt Krungle Bungle – Whalania Creek – Nooroo Buttress – Mt Guouogang – Mt Krungle Bungle – Kanangra Road. Nooroo Buttress is arguably the steepest negotiable ridge in this area and climbs 990 metres to Mt Guouogang, the highest point on the Kanangra map. Spectacular scenery with views back to the Sydney CBD on a clear day. Only for the very fit and experienced walker; 24km, half on track;990m steep, scrambly descent/ascent. Map: Kanangra /
Sun
5 Sep / 3
M / Ku-ring-gai Chase NP: Mt Kuring-gai to Wahroonga Mt Kuring-gai Station – Bobbin Head – Gibberagong Track – Wahroonga Station. A wonderfully diverse mix of gum trees, mangroves and rainforest, hillside, creeks and waterside walking, rock overhangs and aboriginal carvings; 14km only for this treasure!
Sun 5 to Wed 8
Sep / 1-2-3
LTW / Walkabout around Wagga Wagga: A series of walks based in Wagga and surrounds All at moderate pace.
Walk1: Adelong Falls and Gold Mill Ruins: A 1 to 2 hour guided walk by Louise Halsey (Conservation Co-ordinator). Tracked fairly steep descent to river and ascent. Gold mining history, ruins, river and waterfall views. Level 1-2.
Walk 2: The Wiradjuri Walking Track: Two Lagoons and a River: A 15km flat circuit walk along the Murrumbidgee and the two lagoons of Wagga. On track; river and pastoral views. Level 2.
Walk3: The Rock and Return: A 6km tracked walk with 250 metre ascent at The Rock Nature Reserve. On a clear day, views to Kosciuszko and Bogong. Level 2-3.
Walk 4: Lake Albert Circuit: A 6km flat walk on pathways around Lake Albert. Level 1.
Walk 5: The Wirajuri Walking Track: Wagga Beach to Botanical Gardens: One river, and a garden.
Tue
7 Sep / 2 / Epping Epping Station – Terrys Creek – Lane Cove River – City View Lookout – Pennant Hills Park – Devlins Creek – Epping; about 12km.
Tue
7 Sep / 4
M / Blue Mountains NP: Blackheath Blackheath Station – Popes Glen – Govetts Leap – Rodriguez Pass – Horsetrack – Evans Lookout – Cliff Track – Braeside – Blackheath Station; 18km; 650m. Map: Katoomba.
Wed
8 Sep / 5-6
M / Gardens of Stone: Pagoda Maze Park vehicles on the Moffits Trail at approx GR 268 182. Walk down Moffits Trail and head north at approx GR 275 193. Continue on the ridge towards the Tarpeian Rock View. From here, traverse the Pagoda Maze in the N to S direction. When back at the Moffits Trail, continue E, cross Jews Creek and climb the ridge where there are more pagoda formations. Explore to the S end of this ridge, then turn N traversing the ridge up to where it meets Moffits Trail. Return to cars; about 8km; exploratory. Map: Ben Bullen