200808 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

August 2008

The Chilly Crew on the Castle Crag Walk

Club News Pilgrimage 2008

Membership Now Due

22-24 August 2008

The Gold Coast Bushwalkers are the hosts for Pilgrimage 2008 and they have put on a great program. Full details are inside the Newsletter.

Membership is now due and all members will have received a Membership Renewal Form by email or by postal mail.

The list of walks is very exciting as there are quite a few that our Club has not done before. There are activities even if you do not wish to walk.

Membership is $30.00 which lasts till 30/6/2009. If you wish to have the Newsletter posted to you, it will cost an additional $15.00. Otherwise the Newsletter can be downloaded for free at http://www.geocities.com/qldbwc/newsletr.html

The QBW committee urges as many members as possible to attend this annual gathering of bushwalkers.

Members have until the end of August to renew or risk having their membership cancelled.

QBW Xmas Party

Southbank Walk and Dinner

5-7 December 2008

11 July 2008

This year's Xmas party is at the "House of Happiness" on the ocean side of Bribie Island from Friday afternoon till midday Sunday.

Seven members met at 6.00PM and had a pleasant walk along the riverbank. They then enjoyed a meal at the Crepe Cafe.

The facility caters for 80 persons in dorm style accommodation, is set amongst spacious and fully landscaped gardens with a swimming pool and is just across the road from the surf beach.

Three Monkeys Coffee Night

Saturdays activities will include local walks and kayaking with a "beach party" themed BBQ in the evening and plenty of games and fun in the volleyball and basketball court on the Sunday.

23 July 2008

Again seven members attending this coffee night at West End including two new members.

First Aid Course

26 July 2008

Cost will be aprox $25-$30 (with extra for kayaking) for the weekend.

Six members did a refresher CPR course. Among them were members who had led 5 walks or more in 2007 and thus were entitled to full re-imbursement of costs.

Please note your social calendar, get your boardshorts out of mothballs and I'll advise you of more details closer to the date.

Any member who has led or is planning to lead a walk is entitled to 50% re-imbursement on a First Aid Course.

Please also advise if you would like to help with walks etc. Also the photo competition is on again this year and the final winners will be announced during the weekend. More information on the Photo Competition will be in the Newsletter soon. Linda Page 1 of 6

New Members Jon Beer Mark Myers

Lyla Cobiac Tonia Osborne

As at 30/07/2008 we have 114 financial members

General Information

The Management Committee

Meeting Place

President

Helen McAllister

3844 8464 (H)

Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at 7.30PM. There is no Club meeting in January.

Vice President

Gary Woodward

3245 2695 (H)

Secretary

Sandra Thomas

3711 4134 (H)

Meeting are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St.

Treasurer

Chris Breitenbach

3870 1948 (H)

Outings Officer

David Rae

3395 1838 (H)

Membership Officer

John Hinton

3343 3724 (H)

Editor

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Membership

Social Secretary

Linda Hellmuth

3899 5017 (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

John Brunott

3209 9598 (H)

Membership fee is $30.00 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

John Brunott

3209 9598 (H)

Probationary Membership

Supper Convenor

Mary Sherlock

3209 8514 (H)

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.

BWQ Rep

Ken Walters

3344 1927 (H)

BWQ Rep

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. Tea/Coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. A coin donation would be appreciated.

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.

Campsite Monitors Barbara Makepeace

Ratatat Hut Mt Barney, Rum Jungle, Old Hut Site (& satellites) and East Peak Spicer’s/Double Top saddle

Kerry de Clauzel

Throakban, Barney Gorge and Lower Portals

Richard Kolarski

Running Creek Falls

Ann Kemp

Spicers Peak

John Brunott

Ballows

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 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 Members of another bushwalking club which is affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland Inc or an interstate 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. However they have no rights of an Ordinary Member.

Editors Pic

Club Equipment Free Use By Members Compasses

EPIRBs

GPS's

Topo Maps

Emergency Lights

First Aid Kits

Sunmap CD’s

UHF Radios

Contact David at 3395 1838 or [email protected]

For Hire Abseil Gear There is a $5.00 charge for use of the Club rope and another $5.00 charge for use of harness and accessories.

Giant Earthworm

Back Pack

This earthworm was seen on a walk in Brisbane Forest Park.

There is a $5.00 charge for hire of the back pack.

Some Australian native earthworms can grow to an enormous size. The 'Gippsland Giant', (Megascolides australis), is cited in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest earthworm at 3 metres. Large worms also occur in Queensland through to Tasmania, and these are all different species.

Contact Trevor at 0411 512 202

Australia can also boast the biggest in other departments.

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. Use as a pack liner or emergency bivy bag. Club Polo Shirts S size left only.

$20.00 each

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.

The Tasmanian Giant Crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi) is the world's largest freshwater invertebrate. It is found in clear cold mountain streams in northwest Tasmania and reaches 5 kgs in weight. The Giant Wood Moth (Endoxyla cinerea), found throughout Queensland and NSW, is the world's heaviest moth reaching a weight up to 26 grams. The Giant Burrowing Cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), which is found in Queensland, weighs up to 30 grams. Sweet dreams while sleeping in the bush.

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How to Register

Pilgrimage 2008

Registration Forms can be downloaded from the Pilgrimage web site at http://au.geocities.com/qldpilgrimage/pilg2008.html

The Gold Coast Bushwalkers Club Inc are the hosts for this year's Pilgrimage. Date

22-24 August 2008

Venue:

Mt Nimmel Lodge,

Cost $30.00 for the whole weekend if paid before the event.

271 Austinville Road, Mudgeeraba

$35.00 if paid at the event.

Water: Please BYO drinking water to the Pilgrimage making sure you have an adequate supply for the weekend.

Pilgrimage Walks

UBD Reference: Gold Coast Map No.67:A6

Note that this is a draft list only, in no particular order, and is being regularly updated. A full list of walks descriptions and their gradings will be available at the Pilgrimage.

If travelling south via the Pacific Motorway, use exit 79

Off-Track Walks (all or in part)

How to Get There

1. Horseshoe Falls circumnavigation. Follow Waterfall Ck down off Springbrook; return via Great Walk. 2. Tallebudgera Cream Track to Mt Gannon Ridge. Ascend to Springbrook, then across to Mt Gannon. 3. Currumbin Valley to East Cougal and Boyds Butte. Prominent rocky features at the end of Currumbin Valley 4. Little Nerang Creek West Circuit. Down a ridge to Little Nerang Dam, then back up the creek. 5. Pages Pinnacle. Prominent rocky pinnacle overlooking Hinze Dam. 6. Bally Mountain. Centrally located mountain, overlooking two valleys. 7. Currumbin to Tweed Five Ridges. Follows a series of ridges close to suburbia. 8. Springbrook to West Cliffs. Follow the western clifflines of Springbrook Plateau. 9. Nerang State Forest. Follows Coombabah Ck into its rainforested upper reaches. 10. Mt Nimmel to Springbrook Pinnacle & return. Provides an unusual approach to the Springbrook Pinnacle.

Program Friday 22nd August 2008

On-Track Walks

12 noon onwards

Registration of arrivals

7pm - 10pm

Walks sign on sheets available.

11. Shipstern. Binna Burra walk which overlooks Numinbah Valley.

6pm until late

Supper of soup, coffee, tea etc (please BYO cups).

12. Coomera Circuit. Binna Burra walk following Coomera Creek (recently re-opened).

7pm onwards

LCD projector and big screen Bring your digital photos or videos

13. Mt Warning. Prominent mountain in northern NSW.

Saturday 23rd August 2008 6am onwards

Registration of arrivals.

7am onwards

Staggered walk departure times.

Throughout the day

Coffee and Tea available. Self-guided orienteering course Visiting the local scenic spots.

3.00pm

Damper Cooking Demonstration BYO ingredients and camp oven.

5pm onwards

Return of walkers. Arrange own evening meal.

6.30pm onwards 8.30pm

14. Springbrook to Numinbah Valley (via Great Walk). Follows the recently opened Great Walk. 15. Purlingbrook Falls to Apple Tree Park. Continues past Purlingbrook Falls onto part of the Great Walk. 16. Daves Creek. Binna Burra walk which includes many different vegetation types. 17. Moran’s Falls, Pat & Luke’s Bluff. An assortment of walks near O'Reilly’s. 18. Waterfall Creek. Following Waterfall Ck firetrail upstream in Numinbah Valley.

Bush Dance with "Band O Coots". Dress up in Bush Olympics theme. Light supper supplied (please BYO cups).

19. Mt Nimmel Lodge to Mudgeeraba. From the campground to Mudgeeraba via Wallaby Creek. 20. Mt Nimmel Lodge to “Flat Top Hill”. A short walk from the campground to a lookout. 21. Burleigh Headland and Currumbin Creek. Includes some beach, headland and creek-side walking.

Sunday 24th August 2008

22. Burleigh to Surfers Paradise Q1 (beach walk). A beach walk which ends at the Coast's tallest hi-rise.

7am - 9am

Breakfast available.

8am - 9am

Bush Poetry.

7am - 11am

Swap and Sell

9am - 11am

The Games (organised by GCBC).

11am -11.30am

Speeches, Presentations and Passing on of the BOOT.

Midday

Pilgrimage close.

Miscellaneous Kayaking. Paddling around the Hinze Dam. Bike Ride. Mountain bike riding in Austinville-Bonogin Valleys. Damper Making. On Saturday afternoon, for non-walkers and those back early.

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How we utilised the individual skills and knowledge of the eight good folk who attended made it an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

Past Walks Castle Crag

18 May 2008

Eleven people gathered at Canungra early on a chilly, windy Sunday. There had been a heavy storm the previous night but there were only a few clouds over Lamington. The rain had washed any haze away and we had clear views out to the Main Range and Mt Barney area as we drove up to O'Reillys. At the carpark we met a group of Gold Coast Bushwalkers who were doing the exact same walk. They left about twenty minutes before us but we met them several times during the day in passing. The chilly weather made us walk briskly down the Border Track and along the turnoff to the old abandoned loggers camp. There were only a few remnants left but we did find a rusty bucket next to a water source. We met the Gold Coast Bushies a little further on who had taken a wrong turn and we were able to steer them in the right direction. We had morning tea at Lyre Bird Lookout on the escarpment which gave us a view of the Lost World. We continued along the escarpment to the Orchid Bower but at this time of year there were no orchids in bloom. The Moonlight Crag Lookout gave us fantastic views to the south and we could see the ridge of Castle Crag, our destination. At Balancing Rock we gingerly made our way out to the ridge. It was almost the middle of the day and the sun gave us some warmth but there was still a cool breeze. We had lunch at Castle Crag enjoying the views out to the west. We returned to O'Reillys via Morans Falls and the Wishing Tree. Afternoon tea at the Alpaca coffee shop brought the day to a fine close. Many thanks to the crew, which included six relative new comers to the Club. Richard

Running Creek Falls

24 May 2008

What makes any outing special is not just the physical environment but also the combined company of the people who were involved with it.

I would describe some of the more entertaining moments as follows… On the way in through the rainforest Steve had a blow out. That is, the base of one of his boots completed separated from the top portion at the front creating a bit of a flap. The boots had come highly recommended and were only six months old. I won’t mention the brand or try and extol their virtues. It was lucky that we had a supply of tape to apply some added support every now and again so that we could proceed with our little adventure. We carefully navigated our way to the Falls and with a good hint of cool we absorbed the magnificent atmosphere about the area of the falls. After lunch we did some exploring to try and find an access route up the escarpment that could lead on to quick route to the top of the falls. We gingerly made our way up a wash out through dense pockets of lantana. Concerned about the crumbling surface and rock fall we kept good distances between the individuals in our conga line. At the lead Richard scouted around for routes past the rock and lantana obstacles. Due to limited time and the potential hidden risks we decided not to go any further with that project. Before we headed back down Steve (close to the lead) was calling for more tape to re-bandage his boot. Tape was thrown down to Steve but bounced off a rock and deflected down towards Frank. In his desperation Steve yelled to Frank to ‘watch out’. The rest of the message was inaudible from above. I looked down and saw a horrified look on Frank’s face as he tried to duck for cover. When the message became clear to Frank he yelled back something to the effect ‘I s**t myself…I thought a rock was coming down’. As we descended we watched out for any additional hazard (in the form of brown slippery patches). We made our way back out of the forest and through the farmland to the cars in day light. I was dragging the chain at the tail end on the way home as I was feeling a bit dozy. I was comforted by the thought that should I need a surge of energy to walk back to the cars, there was always the electric fence. Trevor D.

Mt Mitchell

25 May 2008

There were six of us who braved this walk. We parked at Bellbird Picnic Ground as this was where the walk was to end. We set off up the Bellbird track around 8.00am to the Cunningham Gap Car Park where across the road is the start of Mt Mitchell walk.

Mt Mitchell

Running Creek Falls

We headed up the Mt Mitchell track taking in some of the spectacular views back towards Brisbane and west towards Warwick. The track meanders around Mt Mitchell until you reach the top around 1170m. On reaching the summit we took a morning tea break. An unknown walker arrived and he kindly offered to take a photo of all of us. Page 4 of 6

On the way back down we took the track to the left that leads to West Peak where we had lunch. After lunch we took a bearing to try and get as close as possible to Bellbird Picnic Ground. We followed the ridge down the West Peak toward the picnic ground until we reached a high ridge, the picnic ground was on the other side of this ridge.

On the bright side there aren’t too many walks where you can forget about cars and car-shuffles. Patricia was graciously performing the part of limousine hostess, driving us to the start of the walk and picking us up at the finish. A cynic might suggest that by doing so she was ensuring that her husband could not invite her to endure (I mean enjoy) the rain (doh… I mean walk).

It was agreed to skirt around the ridge and we came out onto the Cunningham Highway 600m short of the picnic ground. It was just as well we went around the ridge as there is a sudden step drop off the ridge onto the highway. We walked up the highway to the picnic ground arriving around 2.00pm where all showed their gratitude for a great walk.

I had, as a participant in this promising expedition, visited the EPA website on Friday and been a little put off by a warning that the walk was closed because of storms. I rang the local office at Maleny and was told that no-one there was aware of a track closure, though there had been a lot of work going on the previous day due to storms the previous week.

I would like to thank John Morris, Margaret Smith, Noelene McKay, Suzanne Stevens and Muriel for accompanying me on this walk and making it a walk to remember. Gil. Gunthorpe

So, two hours after leaving fog shrouded Brisbane, our intrepid group was standing in a muddy lay-by on the Flaxton Mill Road, watching Patricia driving off, followed by a rooster tail of air borne mud. A gust of wind accompanied by the pitter-patter of leeches bouncing from leaf to leaf announced the first of many rain storms as we started off on the track. We were committed now; we were wet, and we were looking at a notice reiterating what the website had said, that the track was closed due to storms.

Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk

7-9 June 2008

I’d like to prelude this walk report with a wonderfully prophetic piece of wordsmanship from our intrepid leader: “The best thing about hitting your head against a wall is that it feels so good when you stop”. (Richard Kolarski, Sunshine Coast, 2008.) This just about sums up a three day walk in the rain, but as we quite enjoyed it I suppose some more details are in order. This was Richard’s walk, so some may ask why I’m writing this article? The answer is called Opening-Your-Mouth-At-The Wrong-Time. That and a desire to ensure that a full, factual, (rain and all) account be presented. Other than that, I wouldn’t dream of putting future patrons of this walk off by mentioning the couple of significant ups that the State Government’s great walk initiative has provided access to. For walkers used to extended wilderness trips the Great Walks provide a different dimension to getting away from it all. One that includes flexibility in route planning and unusually good campsites.

Having just said goodbye to our transport, and buoyed and indemnified by the assurances of the Maleny office the previous day, we decided to interpret the sign as superseded and set off. The first leg was a pleasant undulating walk to Flaxton Walker’s Camp. Like all the campsites we visited it was well set up, with pit toilets, tank water and cleared campsites with platforms for laying gear out and cooking on. The one boo-boo I think whoever designed the sites made is in the construction of these platforms. They need to be a foot longer, then they would be ideal for pitching a tent on in really bad weather when the ground is sodden and in some cases running with water. Flaxton camp adhered to the pattern that emerged during the course of the walk. As we approached the site the rain stopped, held off while we had 'smoko’ and started again when we left. From Flaxton the walking was pleasant with, at times, airy views towards Mapleton Falls National Park. The only reservation being that the airy view occupied what would otherwise be a level walk to Mapleton Falls, necessitating a steep descent of over 200 metres into Baxter Creek and a corresponding climb out the other side.

The Sunny Sunshine Coast Crew

This walk was, in part, a training weekend for my companions who’re heading to Central Australia for three weeks walking on the Larapinta Trail. I was a ring in, there because Richard had promised that we would finish up at the Mapleton Hotel for a Monday counter lunch. We all have our priorities. The weather bureau’s prognosis was not as bad as it could have been, but only because in southern Queensland it’s always possible to get the tail end of a cyclone. The forecast was for cool and wet with a promise of showers, and probably rain, as long as the storms held off. Sounded like ideal training for a three week desert trek. Nothing like a rainforest deluge to prepare you for a desert walk that traverses the Finke, one of the oldest and driest rivers in the world and which finishes on one of the oldest and most worn mountains in the world, Mount Sonder. Mind you, if you were on top of Mount Sonder (and your arms were 36 metres long) you’d still have the satisfaction of being able to reach down and pat Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, on the head. For now it was too late to back out; I had to be content with a double check that my galoshes and rain jacket were packed.

Baxter Falls

Baxter Creek is a brief hiatus between constant down and constant up, a beautiful place for a break. There is a waterfall that in the conditions was positively pumping water into the creek and a palm shrouded suspension bridge that would be at home over any tropical inlet.

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Unfortunately whichever direction you have arrived from the way out is up. The one consolation being that with steep tracks like this you know that each and every step you take is moving you that much closer to the torn and rugged battlements above. Eventually we reached Suses Pocket Road where a nice man offered us cool drinks all round. I’m not sure why we refused, but I think it had something to do with standing in heavy rain and knowing that a break in setting off for Mapleton Falls could sap our resolve. The nice man also regaled us with a jolly story of how a local woman had fallen and broken her leg only days before, requiring a full scale rescue on the section of track we had just traversed. From Suses Pocket to Mapleton Falls we splashed our way along Obi Obi Road. This is one of the interesting facets of Great Walks, at least those of my experience; they aren’t adverse to slotting in a bit of curb-side walking, hardly the thing for purist bushwalkers but in an area like this it adds a pleasant dimension with rustic houses and the distant hope (never realised) that a coffee shop might be selling fresh pastries around the next corner. Mapleton Falls offered a fully equipped picnic area with substantial shelters to provide respite from the rain while we lunched (oh and views, but on the day they consisted mainly of fog and clouds). The walk from here to Ubajee Walkers Camp, our home for the night, was more or less level; pleasantly undulating I think the correct term is. We crossed Gheerulla Creek in the Delicia Creek Conservation Park and headed on for the campsite.

The water was well and truly gone but I would give this area some respect during in and immediately after heavy storms. The track here followed Gheerulla Creek and had a nasty tendency to descend. Nasty because that ridge, the one way up there, and constantly getting further up there, was where we were camping tonight. When the track eventually took a turn and decided that it was time to reclaim our lost elevation there was nearly 400 metres of uninterrupted up to enjoy. On the positive side (did I say positive?) once we had finished with the up we were pretty much at Thilba Thilba, our camp for the night. Thilba was an improvement, even on the very pleasant Ubajee campsite, in that the other walkers heading there – a group of two, decided to camp well away from the cliff edge. This left us the pick of these very nice sites and two sets of picnic tables. Also our very own look out, complete with giant orb weaving spider, from which to enjoy the sunset and sunrise. Once again Richard had managed to secure a break in the weather morning and evening for us. Not so though for the bulk of the night of which there were numerous hours. It poured, in between pouring it bucketed down. And while it bucketed down I just hoped that I wouldn’t need to go to the loo during the night. But the expeditionary crew for Central Australia can be certain that their tents won’t leak, unless they decide to use them as boats. In the morning we woke to perfectly clear blue sky, a woolly fog filled the valleys and the sunrise was a sight to behold. This lasted until breakfast was more or less finished, at which time the clouds blew in and rain once more reclaimed the day.

The section of the walk after the Conservation Park is an active forestry area and it was disappointing to see the wide swaths of forest that had been cleared to give passage for the logging trucks. Covered in grass these byways would be quite magical, but ankle deep or better in mud the effect was somewhat diminished. It wasn’t too long though before we reached the camping area and were pleasantly surprised to find that it was if anything better set up than Flaxton. It had a more open feel being on top of the ridge and there was a wide selection of campsites, a clean toilet building and fresh tank water courtesy of the recent deluges. The other pleasant thing was that thanks to Richard’s mysterious agreement with the weather gods we had secured a break in the rain, both evening and morning, for us to eat, administer to our tents and discuss the day’s adventures. Ubajee Walkers Camp also offered a break in the clouds and a superb sunset as a pre-dinner entertainment.

Sunset

Monday was a short day. Fortunately so as it was the wettest day so far, but there wasn’t too much up and down, and the track ran along pleasant, rural, dirt roads and easy trails. There was also the delectable and tantalizing prospect of a pub lunch. Given the rain no-one wanted to keep Patricia waiting at the pick-up point and in truth we powered on to make sure we were there in plenty of time. The pick-up was where Delicia Road provides access to the track to Gheerulla Falls. Funnily enough though Richard couldn’t interest anyone in venturing down (and up) the 250 metres to the Falls. The nearest any of us were prepared to venture was speculating on the prospects of a well dressed young couple who asked for reassurance that this was in fact the track to the Falls, perhaps a little put off by how wet and muddy the path was. View of Gheerulla Creek Valley

The next day followed the same pattern of rain, airy views and steep descent, this time into the Gheerulla Creek valley. The modest creek we had crossed before the campsite the previous day had cut itself a serious slot in the hinterland somewhere past there. On this section of the walk we could see why the track closed signs had been up. In places the water must have been a couple of feet, not to mention calves, knees and perhaps waist, deep. There was plenty of evidence that the side tracks had themselves been swift running streams.

We were soon at Mapleton, wearing dry cloths and scurrying through the rain to the hotel to discover that the combination of a long weekend and chilly wet weather meant that the last of the steak and Guinness pie had been gobbled down two days previously. But holes in the menu aside, cold beer and warm food were a welcome culmination to the weekend. Congratulations must go to Richard, not least for the organisation that he put into the weather (and walk) but especially for including a lunch in a warm pub on the way out. Trevor (the Word)Smith

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