200507 Newsletter

QUEENSLAND BUSHWALKERS CLUB Inc. Newsletter

74 Kallista Rd. Rochedale South QLD 4123 Email [email protected] Phone No (07) 3341 7509 www.geocities.com/qldbwc

July 2005

On the Way to South Bald Rock

Club News Membership Fees

Club Applying for a Grant

Membership Fees are now due. Membership is $20.00 and if you wish to have the Newsletter delivered by postal mail it will be an additional $15.00.

The Club is applying for a grant via the Gambling Community Benefit Fund to buy equipment for use by members.

All members will be given or mailed a Membership Renewal Form. If membership fees are not paid by the end of August then the member is no longer financial and membership may be terminated.

Trevor Davern has put together a funding submission to




Insurance The Club’s Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance Policies have been renewed via Bushwalking Australia Inc. and there have some positive gains. Skiing and Abseiling are now insured while still maintaining almost the same premium cost per member as applied for the 2004-2005 year. However It is important that members understand that cover for Skiing and/or Abseiling associated in any way with a club activity is subject to the member/s participating in that activity having signed a Waiver in relation to that activity. The Club has an abseiling Waiver and is available on the Club website or at Club meetings. More information on Insurance is available inside the Newsletter.

buy equipment provide training to club members about safety while bushwalking better equip club members for outings and reduce risks and need for rescue type operations by emergency services

Grants are allocated on a quarterly basis each year and we will have to wait a few months to see whether we will be successful. Many thanks to Trevor for doing the work.

Coffee Night

Friday 24 June 2005

Thirteen people attended this coffee night to talk about past and future walks and to socialize in general. We had a table all to ourselves inside the coffee shop on this chilly night. While some just enjoyed a hot drink, others made the most of it and had huge bowls of pasta of various sorts. It all looked scrumptious. Many thanks to Evelyn for another great night out.

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General Information

The Management Committee

Meeting Place Club Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the East Brisbane State School, corner of Stanley Street and Wellington Road, starting at 7:30pm. There is parking within the school grounds off Wellington Road. Consult a street directory, as there are a number of one-way streets in the area. There is also parking in Wellington Road.

President

Trevor Cox

3273 3484 (H)

Vice President

Trevor Davern

0411 512 202

Secretary

Bob Gur

3345 3971 (H)

Tea/Coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. A coin donation would be appreciated

Membership Officer

Ken Walters

3344 1927 (H)

Editor

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Treasurer

Gary Woodward

3245 2695 (H)

Outings Secretary

David Kenrick

3349 8238 (H)

Membership

Social Secretary

Evelyn Campbell

3809 2354 (H)

Before a visitor can go on a walk, he/she must be a Member (Probationary or Ordinary) or be a member of an affiliated club.

Training Officer

Frank Garland

3341 5207 (H)

Membership of QBW is only $20 and lasts till the end of the Club’s financial year which is on the 30th of June each year.

Other Voluntary Positions Equipment Officer

Steve Moyle

3800 3963 (H)

Supper Convenor

Danuta Gur

3345 3971 (H)

A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member on his/her first walk after signing the waiver form. There is no prescribed fee for a Probationary Member.

Federation Rep

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Federation Rep

Trevor Cox

3273 3484 (H)

However a Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on his/her 2nd walk by filling out a membership form and paying the prescribed fee.

FMR Rep

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

FMR Rep

Frank Garland

3341 5207 (H)

Ordinary Membership

Campsite Monitors

A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out a membership form and handing the form to a committee member or walk leader and paying $20.00.

Ratatat Hut Running Creek Falls

An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be elected to a committee position. A Probationary Member has neither of these rights.

Throakban

Probationary Membership

Members of Another Bushwalking Club Members of another bushwalking club affiliated with the Queensland Federation of Bushwalking Clubs or another State Federation are covered by the same Insurance. Thus they do not need to become a member of our Club for insurance purposes.

Mt Superbus Spicers Peak Mt May

Barbara Makepeace Richard Kolarski Gary Woodward Kerry de Clauzel Trevor Smith Christine & Cliff Harrison Ann Kemp John Brunott

Editors Pic

Equipment for Hire The Club has a backpack (suitable for use as a day or through pack) for hire at $5.00 per week. QBW is also looking at purchasing further equipment in the near future. Any suggestions for equipment to buy would be appreciated. Also any person who has surplus equipment and would like to donate or sell to the Club, please contact one of the Committee members or Steve Moyle on 3800 3963.

Bivy Bag/Pack Liners for Sale The Club has purchased a quantity of pack liners from VicWalk suitable for through packs. They are 2 metres by 0.9 metres in a bright orange colour. The packliners can double as an emergency bivvy bag and have helpful information printed on them. They are available from the Club for $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Grey Beard or Green Beard?

Club Shirts The club still has a number of Club polo shirts for sale. They are available in XL, L, M and S size. $20.00 each

EPIRB Available for Members The Club has purchased an EPIRB. It will be available to any member of the Club at no charge for use on weekend or weekday walks. If you would like to take the EPIRB on a walk, ring 3341 7509 on where to pick up and return the EPIRB.

Emergency Space Blankets The Club has a supply of these for sale at $2.50 each.

Emailing Photos Any person wishing to send a photo by email for inclusion in the Newsletter is asked to follow these guidelines. Photos to be sent to [email protected]. Do not send photos more than 2000 pixels wide. Crop or resize them first. Minimum size is 600 pixels wide. Do not send photos which are more than 500 KB in size. Photos in a jpg format preferred with quality set at 95% with a minimum of 60%. If unsure email for more information.

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Editor

Special Coming Events Pilgrimage 2005

Renewed Insurance Policy Details

19-21 August 2005

Every year Queensland bushwalkers make the Pilgrimage to a favourite meeting place to camp, walk, socialise, catch-up, and have FUN! Redland Bushwalking Club, the organisers for the 2005 Pilgrimage, wants to make this the biggest and best Pilgrimage ever! When

August, Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21

Where:

Bigriggen camping grounds

Cost

Only $30 per person.

Cost includes

supper Friday night

Activities Covered

light breakfast Sunday morning camping fees for two nights There will be entertainment throughout the weekend, a Coffee Shop will be running all weekend (with entertainment), (bring extra coins to purchase beverages and eats), a trip down memory lane display and a big campfire plus bushdance, storytelling and entertainment on Saturday night Other fun activities planned throughout the weekend. 5-9 September 2005

Mt Diamantina There is still one vacancy! 5 people booked to climb Mt Diamantina on Hinchinbrook. Contact Richard on 3341 7509 for more information.

Great Australian Bushwalk

16 October 2005

The National Parks Association Qld will again be organising The Great Australian Bushwalk in liaison with other states. This event is intended to encourage new and old walkers to venture outside to enjoy natural landscapes and values. It is expected that each bushwalking club will organise its own daywalks, leaders etc similar to usual arrangements. Each club will be expected to have adequate insurance cover for themselves and any guests. Any queries to Cathie Duffy Masters ph 07 3394 1030 or Warren Martens 07 3288 8508

QBW Christmas Party

More Information in next Newsletter.


Track Construction


Canyoning


Liloing


Canoeing


Boating


Rafting


Swimming


Cycling


Orienteering


Rock Scurrying


use of hand held ropes


Alpine Walking (summer & winter)
Leader Training and other related instructions where no fee is charged other than to recoup expenses (Errors & Omissions)
Voluntary Work for various Charities and not for profit organisations
As from 30 June 2005 the activities covered also include Abseiling and Snow Skiing subject to the member club complying with the Special Endorsement relating to these risks. “Exclusion for claims arising out of skiing or abseiling if the club has failed to receive a signed waiver from the member undertaking the activity” NOTE: QBW now has an Abseiling Waiver Form available on the Club web site. Activities NOT Covered The activities which are NOT covered under the Liability Policy are:

 Rock Climbing  Water Skiing

 Mountaineering  Caving and Animal Riding

Limit of Liability General Liability Product Liability Errors & Omissions

$10,000,000 any one Occurrence $10,000,000 any one Occurrence and in the aggregate $250,000 Each & Every claim and in the aggregate

The Policy also includes sub- limits of liability in some cases. Deductibles General & Product Liability

$2000 any one Occurrence

Errors & Omissions

$2500 Each & Every claim

Personal Accident Insurance 7-22 January 2006

Namadgi National Park in the ACT and is the most northern of the Australian Alps national parks. There are a number of bushwalks available and this trip will mainly offer day walks and assistance for any through walkers. It will be summer with the wildflowers in bloom. I will need to know numbers by the end of November so that bookings in campgrounds can be made. Contact Richard on 3341 7509 for more information.

The Policy provides cover for members of Insured Clubs who sustain injury whilst on or travelling to or from an authorised activity of the club. Schedule of Benefits Capital Benefits (Death & Permanent Total Disablement) Weekly Benefits – Injury Weekly Benefits Period –

$50,000 $500 52 weeks

Sub-Limits of Liability apply under the Policy and include Non Medicare Medical Expenses Reimbursement $2,000 (Non-Medicare medical expenses reimbursement is subject to 80% of expenses incurred and an Excess of $100 per claim)

New Members Ann-Maree Elliott No of financial Ordinary Members


Bushwalking

2-4 December 2005

Location: Crystal Waters Permaculture Village at Conondale, situated in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, approx. 100km north of Brisbane. Accommodation: Bunkhouse (Sleeps 24, there are 4 rooms with 6 beds in each) $18 per person per night Camping / Van Site $10 per person per night,

Namadgi National Park

There were no claims reported under the Liability policy.

Liability Insurance

supper Saturday night

Hinchinbrook Island

Claims Experience Australia wide there were a number of claims as a result of falls slips etc. reported under the Personal Accident Policy during the past year. While the number of claims reported is low, the cost of claims shows a loss ratio of 25%. This indicates that if we are to continue to receive a minimum premium per member there is a need to ensure risk management procedures are enforced at club level.

129

Age Limit - 80 years

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Past Walks A Night Out in Canungra Creek

2-3 April 2005

I am writing this article in the hope that lessons learnt can be passed on. Our plan was to scramble down a dry creek from Kamarun Lookout in Lamington NP to Canungra Creek. Here our plan was open; either laze around in a beautiful natural setting or go investigating. Having done this walk previously I knew that the return trip should take 4-5hrs.

Lessons learnt that long, cold night hopefully will be heeded by every walker who reads this article. Our levels of preparedness were extreme: from 1 person equipped with a full set of thermals, good rain jacket and pants, 2 space blankets and 1 orange survival bag to 1 person with a light spray jacket only. Most were dressed in T-shirt and shorts only. We estimated that the temperature dropped to 5° tha t night; later confirmed as fairly accurate. The rock shelf that we camped on ensured a long sleepless night. From the moment that we were unsure of our exact location we were confident of being able to walk out. We knew that 1 or 2 ridges to the east was Binna Burra, 1 or 2 ridges to the west lay O’Reilly’s, south lay the Border Track (heaven forbid we go that way), and farms to the north. We decided to retrace our steps which meant many more hours of rock hopping; a potentially dangerous situation considering that we were weary from 8 1/2hrs rock hopping the previous day, no sleep and only a few mouthfuls of food each since lunch the previous day. Very slowly and steadily we made our way back until a member of the group spotted the taped tree signaling our well-concealed junction. From my point of view the experience after we walked out was far worse than the unplanned adventure itself. Please, MAKE SURE THAT RELATIVES AND FRIENDS KNOW THE CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR DELAYED WALKS. These are clearly written on the reverse of every walks calendar published. To summarise:


Initially 4 helicopters were called out to search for us 5 parties of 4 SES personal were dispatched searching SES cordoned off ¼ of the O'Reillys carpark and installed a operations base consisting of a 7 metre caravan and approximately 4x4 wheel drive vehicles and another 6 personnel SES set up 6 repeater stations across Lamington NP to enable communication Police searching the sides of the road for signs that we may have driven off the edge. (They located our car at the Lookout) My family was harassed by an absurd amount of phone calls from relatives and their friends of 1 party member on Sunday morning

Descending into Canungra Creek




Our party consisted of 3 experienced long-term walkers, 1 newish walker and 1 who was returning after a prolonged absence. Upon reaching the junction of Canungra Creek we decided to head downstream to find the junction of Pyramid Creek. Our going was hindered greatly by the prolific growth of Mist Weed and the raised water level due to the rain on the previous 3 days. We therefore had to pick our way in and out of the creek and onto the bank.




Because of this, on our return trip we missed the junction. Within a short while we realized that something was amiss and after consultation we decided to continue up the creek in the hope of reaching the junction of East and West Canungra Creeks. From here we could pick up the old track and exit via Bull Ant Spur or walk up to O’Reilly’s. As time ticked away and the junction did not appear, we were getting tired after rockhopping most of the day. Not having reached the junction in the time allotted caused us to have doubts about our exact location. At this stage we decided that the safest option was to find a bed for the night; to continue in the dusk and dark would surely have resulted in an accident.











2 sets of media with helicopters running around trying to take credit for “rescuing us”. (Thank goodness there was an important world event on that day.)

To put it mildly I was furious at this misuse of resources. I appreciate in these situations that not knowing is very difficult and that it takes time to organize a search, but I feel that we were not given a chance to walk out. We emerged from the forest at our starting point at 12.10pm on Sunday. If someone had been injured there were sufficient numbers in the party for some to raise the alarm. For the safety and comfort of everyone in your party be prepared. If you know that you feel the cold, or drink a lot of water or need certain foods then cater for this. When you are prepared these items just become part of your pack; you get used to carrying 12kg extra on every walk. Your lack of preparedness can put the whole group at risk. The club sells space blankets for $2.50, these only weigh approx. 150g. I cannot praise highly enough everyone in our party for their positive attitude and their ability to work together in a trying situation. Not once were there any recriminations or negative discussion. Thank you. Not once were we in danger; we just needed a little more time to complete our walk. Kerry de Clauzel

Pyramid Rock

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Bald Rock T/W

9-10 April 2005 Showers in Brisbane did not deter five hardy souls from journeying down to the Bald Rock camping area on Friday afternoon. We managed to get our tents up and dine before a light drizzle sent us into our tents for the night. Bright and early the next morning Michael arrived and we set off for a walk to South Bald Rock. The map is showing its age, as we headed off up a post-map track and had to backtrack to find the overgrown firetrail that leads to the way up the rock.

Lincoln Wreck

South Bald Rock

It seems that we actually found the start of the cave I was looking for but I didn’t recognize it at the time (another visit is on the cards). The 360-degree views across to Mt Norman and other points of interest were the high point of the walk. After lunch on top we headed down to the right along a gully that eventually returned us to the track and shortened our walk-out by a couple of kilometres. Some of us also went up Mid Bald Rock on the return trip. Great views from both high points. Sunday began with light rain so climbing up Bald Rock was cancelled as the granite becomes too slippery to be guaranteed safe. We all drove down to Boonoo Boonoo for a look-see. Plans were set in place for a base camp here at a later date. Four of the group then set off for home while Richard and I decided to investigate Basket Swamp National Park. And so began another adventure!!! Thanks to Neville, Noelene, June, Michael and Richard for sharing an interesting and, for some, extended weekend. Patricia

Lincoln Wreck B/C

8–10 April 2005

This Year being the 50th anniversary of the crash of the R.A.A.F. Lincoln bomber into Mt. Superbus Ken Walters and I decided to have a base camp at Emu Creek. Saturday was the actual anniversary and we would lead a walk up to the site of the crash. As we thought there might be a number of people at the wreck it was decided to book the campsite early. However most of the commemorative activities occurred during the Easter break as the crash happened during Easter 1955. Easter this year was a couple of weeks before the actual anniversary. After a few late minute withdrawals, six of us made our way to Emu Creek on Friday afternoon relieved that the rain in Brisbane when we left had not extended much past Ipswich so we had an uneventful drive in. Saturday Early next morning we headed up to the wreck but instead of going the usual way we decided to cross a saddle about 1km. short of where the track crosses one of the upper branches of the Condamine River and walked up the creek to the bottom of a 70 metre high falls which are about 100 metres below where the track crosses the creek. Myself, Ken and Chris Breitenbach had surveyed this route late last year and found the trip up the creek to be very picturesque and a lot more interesting than the usual route to the wreck. We had morning tea at the foot of the falls. A quick climb around the cliffs at the falls brought us back to the track and we continued up to the wreck for lunch.

We enjoyed our lunch with about 25 other walkers from National Parks Assn. and Brisbane Catholic Bushwalkers who had come up for the anniversary and were camped on private property on the road in. After lunch we explored the wreck and took some photographs and made our way slowly back, as rain during Friday night had made the going on the steep slopes below the wreck very slippery. We made it back for a well-deserved drink, dinner and a bottle of wine to wash it down. Dave Kenrick Sunday Sunday morning after breaky, no decision had been made for the day’s outing, so I jumped in quickly and conned our group to go exploring a nearby mountain. I had wanted to explore this mountain for some time, so by 8.30 we were away. The walk was straight up. The first half was easy, and the last steep, before we hit a cliff line. We had to contour for some time before we found a’ not so suitable way up’. This climb gave me butterflies in my stomach and some nervous remarks all round. When we got to the top we decided we weren’t going back that way. A gut feeling told me to mark our ascent spot just in case. The top of the mountain was fabulous and the views fantastic from Mt. Superbus to as far north as one could see. Half an hour’s walk later put us on top of the very steep cliff where we perched ourselves and enjoyed morning tea. This was very relaxing. Our plan was to cross over to the other side, go down a ridge and contour back to where we started. The walk across was amazing, beautiful short grass through splendid eucalypt forest and one of the biggest carpet pythons we have ever seen. The flora and fauna was truly beautiful. When we hit the other side, our descent was blocked by impenetrable jungle. No way could we get through this. Plan B. Go east and endeavour to find an easy way down the cliff. For the first time ever, I was very concerned. I got our group up and couldn’t get them back down. What the map showed and what was reality, could not have been more incorrect. Where the map showed a gentle ridge, was in fact sheer cliffs. We were left with no choice but to return the way we had come, and a decision was made earlier that morning, not to bring my rope (never again). Only one person was to descend at a time. Surprisingly, we all got down without any mishaps (easy actually). I perched myself against a tree to take a photo of Kerry for her keeping; I was quickly told where to go (I was making her nervous). Another hour was spent rambling around the rocks where the diversity of the flora was amazing. As soon as I can find a suitable entry/exit point, I will put this walk on the calendar, as it is too good a walk to miss out on. Thanks to the brave souls that came along with me and made this walk just that little bit more enjoyable. Ken Walters Ken and I would like to thank all those who came on this base camp and contributed to a very enjoyable weekend.

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Walking In Europe Via Ferrata is the name commonly used to describe the high level footpaths found in the Alps that use fixed cables for protection and steel ladders to surmount difficult sections. Although they break just about every rule of aesthetic mountaineering ("Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints etc"), Via Ferrata are a very enjoyable and highly popular way to walk through spectacular and often extremely exposed alpine scenery with a minimum of equipment. Peter’s Travels (contd.) On my last day in Zermatt did a long walk (after a chair lift up some 1000m) to a glacier. I was able to walk across it as no vertical climbing; there were lots of small crevices. Wonderful stuff! At the other end I did the climbers route to the refuge via ladders and a minor climb. Hired a car the next day and drove to Italy through a 15 km tunnel under Mt Blanc. Reached Madonna Di Campiglio where we camped for 2 nights. Did a Via Ferrata after a chair lift from 1524m to a pass at 2102m. Then walked for 6 hours up to about 2800m through lots of snow and ice. It was very slippery but there was no technical climbing. The geology was very, very different as the rock was limestone. It was an easy Via Ferrata (grade D) but with great views. Had an energy absorbing safety harness but did not use it.

Mountain Daze

Spent the rest of the day driving through passes, mountains, valleys (lots of up and downs) zig zags, tunnels, interesting bridges, glacier fed streams and waterfalls, massive stone walls, great road engineering and again great views. Did another Via Ferrata which involved a vertical ladder and lots of technical climbing (400-500m in about 6 pitches). Nearly aborted due to light sleet and advice that it was dangerous but we decided to try. Only problem was the cold and high winds. Some of it was scary, vertical climbing and you could fall up to 6m before the harness broke your fall and smashed you into the rock face. This is supposed to be fun??? Enjoyed every bit of it (but it was good to reach the top).

Iron Man on the Via Ferrata

We drove to Cortina, Dampezzo, through lots of tunnels. Beautiful apple, grape and olives orchards through cute hills and valleys and villages with lots of churches. This part of Europe is apparently a very religious country judging from the many and varied churches and chapels which are all well maintained with beautiful altars etc. It was not uncommon to find small chapels in a backyard. Did a scary Via Ferrata (grade E-G being for real mountain men), through a 800m WWI ascending tunnel – very steep, no lights, steps cut into rock, slippery in most places and limited head height, but better than spending the time in the pub. Lots of technical climbing up 300 to 400m in 4 or 5 pitches. Cheated in places by using the safety cable as a climbing aid, otherwise it took too long to find hand and foot holds - most people used the cable all the time. Really great stuff but hard work as the walk involved 1000m of up and down and reached a height of 2700m. We did not get to the summit at 3027m –due to time – in hindsight we could have done it. Over 2500m we found that the altitude started to affect our stamina in steep trekking and climbing carrying backpacks over 10 kg. We spent some time in exploring WWI tunnels and gun emplacements at the top of Cinque Torri. They must have been very tough then as more men were lost from avalanches than bullets. All the tunnels are in solid rock built with the concept that the soldiers could control movements in the valley and the opposite mountain. Artillery had a range of 6.5 kms.

Walked out down a rock scree slope which must have dropped 500m in 500m- not much good for your boots-but good fun if you did not fall. Absolutely great views of Cortina during the climb. Spent last 4 days driving through Austria and a little more of Switzerland-loved it –snow covered mountains, streams, waterfalls tumbling off the sides of mountains just a few 100m from the road. Had a great steep Alpine drive (up some 1500m-toll $60) to opposite the base of Groblockner (3798m) highest mountain in Austria. Barb and Paul did a walk through a few small tunnels to a lovely snow field. I ate chocolate, drank wine, and wrote post cards and learnt about the local animals-Hey somebody has to do it! We then had lunch, made a snowwoman and found where we could slide down an ice and snow slope. Lots of fun. We stayed in a modern refuge at 2571m surrounded by snow-covered mountains. It was all initially covered by mist but later cleared to a bright moon lit night -magic. Last day drove to Geneva after visiting an underground series of cascading waterfalls caved out of solid rock in a mountain beside the road. Viewed it from an underground man made tunnel (went part way up in a 45 degree lift). Wonderful engineering to view the beautiful water passages, chambers, ponds, deep narrow chasms. The colours-very very difficult to capture on film Flew Geneva to Heathrow and now in Chesham and buggered after typing this mail (yes all by my little self).

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Cheers Peter.