200605 Newsletter

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

QUEENSLAND BUSHWALKERS CLUB Inc. Newsletter

May 2006

Back Creek

Club News Abseiling Handbook

50th Birthday Party

At the April committee meeting it was agreed to purchase 10 Abseiling Handbooks produced by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Inc. It is a booklet of 37 pages and details safe abseil practices for beginners. Contents include, risk management, equipment, anchor systems, abseil site set-up and instruction and emergency procedures. Once the Club receives these booklets, they will be available to members interested in furthering their knowledge of abseiling. To find out more about the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Inc, go to their web site at http://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/index.asp

Over 30 club members celebrated Barbara Makepeace’s and Trevor Davern’s 50th birthday at the Grey Gum Picnic Area at Mt Coot-tha on Anzac Day. The picnic area had sheltered tables and seats plus toilet amenities in a natural setting. Even a large goanna wanted to join in the festivities! Linda had to get to the picnic area early in the day to ensure our group had a table, as the spot was very popular.

Mecca Bah Dinner Eighteen Club members attended this dinner in the Fortitude Valley on The 21st of April. The Mecca Bah is one of several restaurants in a large complex on a site which was once a tram and bus depot. The dishes served were of a Middle Eastern theme inspired by the traditional fare of Turkey and Morocco. The restaurant was very popular with the area bustling with people. Our group had a long table to ourselves and we had a choice of entrees and main courses to pick from. As we enjoyed the meal the conversation was mostly of past and future walks. However it was good to see that beside Club members, there were also relatives of members who seemed to enjoy the night too.

Many thanks to Linda for her time and effort.

Wanted - Assistant Editor/s Anyone interested in being an assistant editor for the Club Newsletter is welcome to contact Richard Kolarski at the Club email address or by phoning 3341 7509. The editor is planning several overseas trips and will be unable to put out the Newsletter every month as at present. Anyone interested should own a computer and have internet access. They should also be able to use MS Word. Some knowledge of MS Front Page or any other web editor would be helpful. The editor would be very pleased to teach any skills necessary and the Club laptop computer might even be available.

New Members Jens Ruschmeyer No of financial Ordinary Members

Many thanks to Barbara for organising this dinner. Page 1 of 6

130

General Information

The Management Committee

Meeting Place

President

Trevor Davern

0411 512 202

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. No meetings in January. 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.

Vice President

Helen McAllister

3844 8464

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

Editor

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Social Secretary

Barbara Makepeace

3245 2186 (H)

Training Officer

Frank Garland

3341 5207 (H)

Membership 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. 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.

Probationary Membership A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member on his/her first walk after signing the waiver form. There is no fee payable to become a Probationary Member. However a Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on his/her 2nd walk by filling out a membership form and paying the membership fee.

Secretary

Lynn Nicol

3219 6228 (H)

Treasurer

Gary Woodward

3245 2695 (H)

Outings Secretary

David Haliczer

0419 676 893

Membership Officer

Lynne Cavanagh

3376 5053 (H)

Other Voluntary Positions Equipment Officer

Trevor Davern

0411 512 202

Supper Convenor

Patricia Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Federation Rep

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Federation Rep

Trevor Cox

3273 3484 (H)

FMR Rep

Frank Bowling

0419 715 719

FMR Rep

Position Available

Campsite Monitors

Ordinary Membership 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 the $20.00 membership fee. 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.

Members of Another Bushwalking Club

Ratatat Hut

Barbara Makepeace

Running Creek Falls

Richard Kolarski

Throakban

Kerry de Clauzel

Mt Superbus

Christine & Cliff Harrison

Spicers Peak

Ann Kemp

Mt May

John Brunott

Members of another bushwalking club affiliated with the Queensland Federation of Bushwalking Clubs or another State Federation are covered by the same Insurance as QBW. It is not necessary for them to become a member of our Club to go on our walks.

Editors Pic

Equipment for Use by Members ITEM

No

Contact

Ph No

Compasses

29

Dave Kenrick

EPIRBs

5

Frank Garland

3341 5207

GPS

4

Trevor Davern

0411 512 202

UHF Radios

12

Abseil Gear

3349 8238

Trevor Davern

0411 512 202

Trevor Davern

0411 512 202

Back Pack

1

Trevor Davern

0411 512 202

Emergency Lights

6

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509

First Aid Kits

3

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509

Topo Maps

34

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509

Sunmap CD’s

1

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509

Equipment for Sale Bivy Bags $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00 These bivy bags are 2 metres by 0.9 metres and are bright orange in colour. They can be used as a pack liner and can double as an emergency bivy bag. Club Polo Shirts $20.00 each L, M and S size left only Space Blankets $2.50 each. Light weight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers! Ring Patricia Kolarski on 3341 7509 to purchaser any of the above.

Many Happy Returns

Trevor and Barbara cutting the cake at their 50th birthday party.

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Wishing them to be still walking in another 50 years!

Special Coming Events

Training Quiz This Month’s Questions:

Winter Wonderland Walk

June/July 2006

For all those walkers who need to cool down after the long hot humid summer we have had in Queensland, there will be a winter walk along Tasmania's Overland Track in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in June/July 2006. This is a great opportunity to see one of the most popular wilderness walks in the world without the crowds. In winter buses service the start and end of the walk 3 times a week. There is coal available for the stoves in each hut and some huts have gas available.

The questions for this month to consider are: 1. What items should a QBW bushwalker carry as part of a First Aid Kit? 2. In daytime, it is possible to identify north direction by using the sun and an analogue watch and how would you do this? Previous Month’s Questions with the Answers: 1. What are the QBW Principles of Minimum Impact Bushwalking?

Snow Shoes are not necessary but warm waterproof gear is.

Answer

If interested contact David Rae 33951838

Refer QBW 'Minimum Impact Bushwalking' notes on the web site at http://www.geocities.com/qldbwc/articles/minimpac.html.

Pilgrimage 2006

Main points covered in this statement include:

18 - 20 August 2006

The Pilgrimage is the name of the annual gathering of the Bushwalking Clubs of Queensland, who are affiliated to the Queensland Federation of Bushwalking Clubs. Venue: Rocky Creek Scout Camp, Old Gympie Road, Landsborough.

Carry all rubbish back with you.

More information about the pilgrimage will be in the next Newsletter. Also the Pilgrimage now has its own website at http://au.geocities.com/qldpilgrimage/index.html

Washing and toilet must not pollute waterways, campsites etc.

Don't disturb or damage campsites, flora & fauna. Use a fuel stove. Use existing tracks. Be self reliant and Be considerate of all other walkers & campers.

FMR

2. When reading a Grid Map, what do you call the vertical grid lines which run from the bottom to the top of the map and what do they do?

As mentioned at the February 2006 FMR meeting, FMR has changed its objects so that they better convey what FMR actually does at present. The new objectives of FMR are to:

Answer

•

Promote and encourage a professional approach to bushwalking safety through practical training, adoption of sound and credible methods, and by demonstration to other clubs.

•

Promote, encourage and conduct advanced bushwalking and related activities.

•

Promote and encourage safe bushwalking practice internally, in other clubs and to the general public.

•

Assist other bushwalking club members and their club safety and training officers with training at club level.

•

Maintain skills in search and rescue techniques. These skills are above those which would usually be required in normal bushwalking activities.

•

Enable members of other bushwalking clubs to become proficient in search & rescue organisation by training, by leading bushwalking club walks, and by demonstration of walking safety and related techniques to enable members of other bushwalking clubs to become proficient in these activities.

•

Obtain equipment to enable the search and rescue function to be carried out, and train members in the correct use and maintenance of the equipment.

•

Where possible maintain liaison with police, SES, communications media, property owners and other bushwalking clubs.

•

Carry out research and analysis of any aspect associated with bushwalking, search and rescue, and the techniques and equipment used.

FMR meetings are usually held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at Little Kings Movement, 33 O'Keefe St, Buranda. Meetings begin at 7.30PM. More information and their events calendar can be obtained from their web site at http://www.geocities.com/fmrqld At present QBW has only one representative. Each club is allowed 2 representatives. If you would like to represent QBW at the meetings please see one of the committee members.

EASTINGS. The vertical grid lines running from bottom to top (or south to north) and divide the map from east to west are known as EASTINGS. Their value increases towards the EAST. Exercise Spread out a grid map and identify the EASTINGS. Now look for the NORTHINGS. A grid map will be available at the next club meeting for any member wishing to go through this.

Mackay Great Walk The Mackay Great Walk has now been officially opened. The Mackay walk, which totals 56km, starts in the Eungella township, 85km west of Mackay. It traverses Eungella National Park, Crediton State Forest and Homevale National Park. It passes through a variety of natural landscapes including subtropical rainforests, bluegum forests, ironbark woodland, riverbanks and open plains punctuated by cliffs and spires. The trail offers easy short walks of 1-2km up to more challenging overnight and multi-day options. The entire track takes four to six days to complete. Construction of the $1.6 million Mackay Highlands Great Walk commenced in June 2002. The project included construction of new track, upgrades to existing tracks and adapting for use as a walking track some forestry and local roads. Three new campsites were built, tripling the number of people who can camp from 32 to 96. There was also a major redevelopment at the Broken River recreation area. This is part of the Great Walks of Queensland program, a $10 million initiative to create a series of world-class walking tracks through some of the state’s most beautiful natural areas. The Great Walks at Fraser Island, Whitsundays, Wet Tropics and Sunshine Coast hinterland have already opened, with the last of the walks due to open on the Gold Coast later in the year. More information at http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/great_walks

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Back Creek

Past Walks Black Canyon

18 February 2006

Arriving at O'Reillys at 8:00am or there-abouts we began the long track walk along the Albert River Circuit. The closed track which is the old Border Track up to the Lightning Falls turnoff was still in remarkably good condition given it has been closed for 3 years. The taped trail from the graded track down to the Albert River was hard to follow at times due to the walking stick palm berries which can look remarkably like red tape. The real challenge was the slippery descent from the cairn above the cliff line until we reached the Albert River itself. We had to hold onto anything we could to stop a lengthy slide whilst at the same time attempt not to disturb any rocks that could harm people below us. When the Albert River was reached at 10:45am we had morning tea beside a little waterfall. A few of us went under to get refreshed by the therapeutic force of the waterfall on back and heads. Mid February is always a great time for this walk because the water is warm enough to enter yet cool enough to be refreshing.

19 February 2006

The Back Creek walk involves abseiling down a number of waterfalls. Some of us had never done this walk before but had heard a lot about it. Ten of us met up in Canungra and drove up to the entrance to back Creek which is on the way to Binna Burra. We had all done some abseiling before but for a few of us, they had had only training days. This was the real thing. At the start point we donned our harnesses and the abseil gear was shared around. After a safety talk by John, we walked along a small track to Back Creek. The first waterfall was reached quickly and the anchor points were checked. We then lined up and before each person abseiled down there was a check of gear and a double check. I must admit that I was a bit nervous on the first abseil and at the bottom my legs felt like jelly. The second waterfall though was exhilarating as there was a free fall drop down into the pool at the bottom of the falls. I enjoyed a short swim to cool down and began to enjoy the beauty of the day.

Lamington Blue Cray

A Lamington Blue Cray was the star of the day. Over the day we collectively saw about 50 of these - more than I have ever seen in the park. Most of the crays were out of the water and eager to be handled. The one pictured is called Kevin. Kevin would have come with a $5000 fine if we ate him so we put him back to enjoy the rest of his short life. Assume that every part of this walk write up included encounters with Kevin and his mates, so punctuate every sentence with another Lamington Land Cray encounter. The rock hop up the river was painfully slow perhaps because the water level was higher than usual and the rocks were often slippery. Normally the rock hop upstream takes 45 minutes but this day it was more like an hour and a half. We reached Thunder and Lightning Falls at about 1:00pm where we had a swim and lunch. The water was too cold for most of us to last any more than about 3 minutes but the sun that was around allowed us to warm up a bit afterwards. The return trip was a little longer than the approach and it took us until 5:30 pm before the cars were reached. We all had a great long day - another classic South East Queensland walk that should be an annual February event. Thanks to all who met the task. Another great day.

David

Back Creek Abseil

The third and fourth abseils also involved short free fall drops and everyone was enjoying the abseils and scenery. The fourth abseil involved a compulsory descent into the pool and disengaging from the rope. We all managed well and had lunch on some rocks next to the pool. There was one more abseil to do and after a short bush bash we arrived at a very picturesque spot. Here there was a tumbling waterfall in a narrow gorge which then widened out to another high waterfall. We explored the area which would make a great day walk without any abseiling necessary. After the fifth and final abseil it was time to take off our harnesses and stow away the gear. There was a steep walk up to a cliff line which we then contoured around. We then walked up a narrow ridge up to a walking track which led us directly to the cars. Finally we could get into some dry clothes on this hot and humid day. The obligatory afternoon tea at Canungra was filled with talk of possible future abseil days. Many thanks to Steve for the use of his equipment, John Brunott for his leadership, Trevor and Kieren D, and Trevor S for their assistance and all the others who joined in to make this a memorable day. Richard

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Lepidozamia Track

23 February 2006

Initially this was going to be a walk on Laheys Tabletop but after difficulties getting permission crossing private property the walk was changed to this equivalent grade walk. Lepidozamia Track is in Brisbane Forest Park and is mostly a forestry road. Eight of us met up at Maiala National Park on an overcast day and then drove to the start of the walk. The forestry road was wet and occasionally slippery but we made good time walking through rainforest which was infiltrated with cloud. Light rain fell intermittently during the day and after trying on our raincoats, we found it made no difference to how wet we got. By the end of the day most of us walked without raincoats even when it drizzled. We had morning tea on a rocky outcrop with a view during a break in the rain, but it had to be cut short as another rain cloud came over. During the walk there was some discussion on what the Thursday walkers should be called. There is already the “Golden Oldies” from another club who mostly walk on Wednesdays. Suggestions ranged from the Thursday Thrillseekers to Thursday Trudgers.

On The Way To Neglected Mt.

We all watched as Steve erected a beaut hot water shower system with enough buckets to fill a dam…well almost. Thanks Steve for the creature comforts. After tea we all retired around the campfire and reflected on the day. The next day we packed up and planned the day ahead. John and Steve returned on their survey of Buchanans Fort while a few others decided to venture further down Kerry Rd to the Lost World. Traci and I decided to drive up Duck Creek Rd and explored O’Reillys before heading back home. It was a great weekend with great company. Thanks to all who came along for what was a good relaxing and laid-back weekend camping down at Darlington Park. Stuart

Lake Manchester

2 March 2006

The skies were dark and gloomy as seven bushwalkers met near Ipswich for this walk round part of Lake Manchester. The forecast was for heavy rain that day.

The Mouldy Oldies?

There are forestry roads throughout the park and we did a circuit which went past a waterfall. Here there was a new campsite and we did a small detour to look at the top of the falls. From the campsite it was all uphill and we slowly trudged our way up in the rain. Luckily it stopped raining for a short while to have lunch. Finally back at the cars, we put on some dry clothes and then drove to Samford to have afternoon tea at the bakery there. Many thanks to those who came along.

Darlington Park Base Camp

We drove out to the Lake Manchester day area and after perusing the map we set off to walk as far as a log cabin on the western side of the lake. It would only be a short walk in case it began to rain.

Richard

25-26 February 2006

Over the weekend 25-26 Feb about 10 intrepid members trekked down to Darlington Park for a weekend of camping, socializing, campfires and bushwalking. Darlington Park is a campsite about 27 km south of Beaudesert along the Kerry Rd to Lost World. It straddles a beautiful country road and we were lucky enough to secure the very shady sites under the shade of the only very large tree within hand-reach distance of the babbling brook. Some arrived on Friday, others on Saturday morning. Two trips were planned. John Brunott and Steve Moyle carried our a survey of Buchanans Fort whilst the rest of us: John Rosendale Lynn Nicol, Linda Hellmuth, Richard Kolarski, Fran Murdoch, Traci Nudl and Stuart Mackay walked the trail leading up to Neglected Mt. The trek proved a little too much for some and our pace, a little slow, to make it all the way to Neglected Mt itself. Nonetheless, we found a beautiful spot for lunch before making our way back down the mountain. We missed the rains, fortunately and retired back to the campsite and caught up on John and Steve’s vertical adventures on Buchan’s Fort.

Log Cabin on Lake Manchester

We walked to the dam and checked out the spillway and the now abandoned and derelict suspension bridge. There was a lone pelican on the water. The dirt road going round the lake ascended and descended a few small hills. It was pleasant walking under the overcast sky as it was not too hot. The lake was fringed with water lilies and there was a cool breeze blowing. We stopped on top of a small rise and had morning tea. About an hour of walking later we reached the log cabin which is over 60 years old. Here we explored the surrounding area and walked on further to an old fence line. Back at the cabin we had lunch, ready to go inside the cabin in case it rained. It did not take us long to get back to the cars and as we changed clothes it finally began to rain. Many thanks to those who came on this easy walk.

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Richard

Patrick Logan Explorer of the Brisbane Region

The First Ascent of Mt Barney

Patrick Logan was born in 1791 in Scotland to a local landholder. He joined the 57th Foot Regiment in December 1810 and saw active service in Spain, France and Canada. Logan was promoted to lieutenant in 1813 and to Captain in 1823. On 5th September 1823 he married and he and his wife had two children, a son and a daughter. Shortly after the birth of his second child his regiment was ordered to New South Wales. They arrived in Sydney on 22 April 1825 and after spending a year there, he was appointed the new Commandant of Moreton Bay which he took over on March 1826. Moreton Bay began its penal history with the arrival of the first load of convicts aboard the “Amity” on 11 September 1824. When Logan arrived in 1826 Moreton Bay still had only temporary and flimsy shelters. He immediately began construction work and built a reputation as a harsh and cruel administrator with floggings being a common occurrence for disobedience. However he was also an avid explorer of the surrounding districts for the important task of finding land for agriculture. During his first year in Brisbane Town, Logan set off in a rowboat with a convict crew and discovered the Logan River, the entrance of the Nerang River and proved that Stradbroke was actually an island, rather than part of the mainland. In 1827 he explored the upper reaches of the Brisbane and the Bremer River and established a limestone quarry at Limestone Hills (Ipswich). He also explored down towards the present day Mt Barney and failed in an attempt at climbing it. In 1828 he led an expedition along with Cunningham and Fraser with the objective to explore a new route along the Logan River and explore the area around Mt Barney. The journey began on 23rd of July 1828 and this time Logan successfully climbed Mt Barney on the 3rd of August. He also discovered the route now followed by the Mt Lindesay Highway through Collin’s Gap. In July 1830 he explored the Richmond River and in October he led his last expedition to the west of Brisbane Town to map the areas of Pine Mountain, Lockyer Creek and Mt Brisbane and to visit the Glass House Mountains. Six men accompanied Logan on his last trip. Five were convicts and the sixth was a soldier, Private Collison. They set out on 9 October 1830. On 11 October the party saw some 200 Aborigines in the distance who followed them for a short while. On 17 October Logan ordered the men to return to Brisbane and for Collison to make camp further along the river while he rode off to follow the tracks of a lost horse. This was the last day that his men saw him alive. His men assumed he had carried on but by the 20th October a search party was organized. Logan’s naked body was found in a shallow grave on the bank of a creek with the back of his head beaten about and the appearance of a spear wound in his body. Some people claim that aspects of Logan’s death were not typical of an Aboriginal attack and that he may have been killed by escaped convicts. His murder is still unresolved. Unfortunately for Logan, his reputation as a brutal tyrant has overshadowed his work as an explorer in the Moreton Bay area.

It was a cold and frosty morning on the 3rd August 1828 when Logan, Cunningham and Fraser began the ascent of Mt Barney. Following is a description by Charles Fraser of the climb as written in his journal…….. we scrambled, with considerable difficulty and some risk, over masses of detached rock, lightly studded with trees and shrub, by which our progress was much aided for about 1,000 feet farther, till we reached the summit of one of the defiles, where, all farther advance seemed to be forbidden. Hence we saw Mount Warning bearing east by south, and about twenty-five miles distant. On a careful scrutiny of the fearful precipices which overhung us, Capt. Logan detected a path by which it appeared possible, and barely possible, to ascend, so, putting off our shoes and stockings, and leaving the rest of the party behind, he and I began scrambling on hands and knees to the first peak, a height of about 300 feet, with great difficulty, but having once attained a certain elevation, we had no alternative but to proceed, any attempt at a downwards was most perilous, for a dreadful chasm, 1,600 feet deep, yawned below us; while to the right extended a trackless labyrinth of detached rocks: to look forward was enough to quell the firmest courage, by displaying the dangers and difficulties that beset our path; so that all we could do was, by clinging fast with our great toes, to trust ourselves to small nodules on the surface of the crags, and thus to effect an advance by suspending our weight on slender twigs of Casuarina and Metrosideros, whose appearance scarcely warranted them strong enough to support a goat. When the summit of this peak was gained, my nerves were so agitated that I was forced to lie down on a rock, resting myself against a bush till I recovered. Capt. Logan now proceeded towards the next peak, and, as soon as I possibly could, I followed him, leaving my shoes and collecting bags behind. From the size of the detached portions of rock, and the stunted nature of the shrubs of Casuarina, Eucalyptus, and, Banksia, which start up here and there between the fissures, our progress was both difficult and dangerous; and finding it hopeless to climb far on such ground without shoes, I returned for them, and thus thrown considerably to the rear. I hallooed continually to Capt. Logan, who always answered me while within hearing, but the number of echoes, at least five, which repeated backwards and forwards the different sounds, had such an effect in confusing me, that I knew not whence the voice came; and it would have required the speed and agility of an antelope to overtake him. I continued onwards till half-past eleven, when I perceived Capt. Logan near the summit, and then relinquished all hope of joining him……. I advanced about 500 feet higher still, when my strength became so much exhausted, and the day so far advanced, that after waiting an hour in expectation of seeing Capt. Logan, I commenced my descent, the summit of the mountain rearing its gigantic head full 800 feet above me. The descent proved a more difficult task than the climbing had been from the narrowness of the ridges, in many places not exceeding six feet, with huge precipices on each side, and the danger of slipping between these masses when leaping from one to the other, many of them being as slippery as a piece of ice, in which case an instantaneous death must have been my portion. After prodigious exertions, I succeeded in regaining the point where I had left my collecting bag and shoes before me from one point to another, I at length got within site of Mr. Cunningham and the rest of the party, by whose assistance I was lowered down the rocks, having almost all my clothes torn off my back…….At four o’clock we were joined by Capt. Logan, who encountered much risk and difficulty, and we regained our encampment, passing through the forest land, at six o’clock. Captain Patrick Logan simply wrote in his journal …….started the ascent of the mountain at seven minutes past 7 o’clock, and, after considerable difficulty, I succeeded in reaching the summit at 12 o’clock: The rest of the party failed in the attempt.

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