200810 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

October 2008

Mt Tibberoowuccum

Club News QBW Xmas Party

5-7 December 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. 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. 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. Cost will be approximately $25-$30 (with extra for kayaking) for the weekend. Please note your social calendar, get your boardshorts out of mothballs and I'll advise you of more details closer to the date. 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 is in the Newsletter. Linda

PLB's QBW has put in an application for a grant to purchase 4 new Personal Locator Beacons. At present QBW has 4 EPIRB's but these will become obsolete in February 2009 as satellites will no longer respond to them.

Bushwalking Queensland Inc The Queensland body representing bushwalkers, Bushwalking Queensland Inc. will be hosting the annual Face to Face Meeting of Bushwalking Australia Inc. (BAI) delegates in Brisbane over the weekend of 21 to 23 November 2008.

The committee of Bushwalking Australia has agreed to throw open the proceedings of the weekend to any local (Qld.) club bushwalkers who may wish to attend as observers, to see first hand how the national body operates, and to have the opportunity to network and share ideas with delegates. Active participation by all attendees will be encouraged. The collective wealth of bushwalking experience and administrative expertise present at this event will offer a most educational and rewarding weekend for all who attend.

Insurance Cover for Children The group insurance cover as arranged with Bushwalking Australia does provide cover for children participating in club walks and other authorised club events such as socials and meetings, when under the control of a responsible adult. The provisos are: 1. Children are persons under 18 years of age, with no minimum age. 2. Children's names have to be entered onto to the Event Nomination Form, together with their Date of Birth. 3. Children cannot sign themselves on as they are not a legal entity. They must be signed on by the parent or guardian who should also indicate that they accept full responsibility for the child. The connection between parent and child should be indicated on the form. The children must at all times be under the complete control of the parent or guardian and both child and parent must comply with the wishes of the Leader of the activity. If the Leader is of the opinion that a child may not be able to complete the activity, then the Leader should say so and the Parent must accept the Leader's view.

The format of the Face to Face will be a series of workshops to discuss national bushwalking issues, and to conduct the AGM of BAI. Each state can be represented by two delegates with voting rights. Page 1 of 6

New Members George Boldeman As at 1/10/2008 we have 74 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

John Hinton

3343 3724 (H)

Outings Officer

David Rae

3395 1838 (H)

Membership Officer

Vacant

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.

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)

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. Back Pack There is a $5.00 charge for hire of the back pack. Golden Orb Spider

Contact Trevor at 0411 512 202

For Sale

This Golden Orb Spider was seen on a walk recently in Brisbane Forest Park. The name comes from the colour of the web the spider weaves which can be quite large.

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.

The females are much larger than the males. Females can have bodies up to 50mm long and leg spans reaching 200mm. Males are only about 6 mm long.

Space Blankets $2.50 each. Light weight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers!

The venom of the golden silk orb-weaver is potent, but not lethal to humans. Its bite causes local pain and redness with blisters forming. This bite usually resolves within 24 hours except for the bite mark.

Ring Patricia Kolarski on 3341 7509.

Page 2 of 6

LEADER GUIDELINES

Photo Competition

Before the Walk

It's time again for the QBW Photographic Competition.

Choose areas and walk levels that are within your capabilities as a leader.

Any photo taken by a member on a QBW bushwalk can be entered under the following categories:

Pre-walk the route if possible, taking note of any potential risks.

Categories

Obtain any permissions or permits from land owners or National Park staff.

Nature

Any picture of nature, including landscape, flora and fauna.

Provide details, including the walk grading to the Outings Officer.

Pictorial

Any general picture, including those with people in it

At the Club Meeting give a short description of the walk and mention any potential hazards or special gear to be taken. Give a time and meeting point for the walk.

Club Character

An image of a member of the Club.

Exclude any participant who may have difficulty completing the planned activity. Accept suitable participants by phone until the cut-off point eg walker numbers or three days prior to the walk. Arrange transport details and car pooling with the drivers. A few days prior to the walk check expected weather conditions and park/track closures etc. Have an alternate plan in case of injury, weather conditions, fire danger etc. Leave a copy of the Nomination Form with the Emergency Officer including anticipated return time. Alternatively email a copy of the Nomination Form to the Club email address.

Conditions This competition is open to QBW members only. Each member can enter in all three categories. There is a limit of three entries per category per entrant. All images must have been taken since November 2007 on a Club bushwalk. Photos from both film and digital methods are acceptable. Entries may be handed in at Club meetings or to a committee member. Entries close Tuesday 4th November 2008. Winners will be announced at the Christmas Party.

Entry Size and Presentation Entries must be as prints 6x4 inches (15x10cm) in size and be mounted on white cardboard 7x5 inches (18x12.5cm) in size.

At the Start of the Walk Ensure all participants sign the Event Nomination Form.

Title, Location, Photographer's Name and Category are to be written under the image on the white cardboard as follows:

Ensure you have the appropriate equipment for the walk, eg map, compass, GPS, PLB, mobile phone etc. Check if other walkers have additional equipment, eg rope. Hold an introductory circle where everyone introduces himself or herself. Advise details of the walk including expected terrain, distance and possible hazards. Show route on map if available. Ensure everyone has adequate food and at least two litres of water. Ensure everyone has adequate protection from the weather, eg warm jumper, raincoat, broad brim hat etc. Do a head count and let everyone know the number. If eight or more participants appoint a "Tail End Charlie" and explain to new members. Explain details of how to keep together, to keep person in front and behind in view, and what to do if separated ie each walker keeps person behind in sight and use of “HEYBOB” call and whistle. Before leaving, every driver to check car is secured, lights off and keys safely put away.

All entries will be displayed at the Christmas Party and at the December Club Meeting. There will also be a Member's Choice Prize, which will be the most popular entry as voted by Club members. For any further information contact: Evelyn Campbell on 3395 8086 or 0434 985 371.

Leeches are Good for You

During the Walk Have regular drink and rest breaks and allow walkers to regroup.

Actress Demi Moore, who once spent £220,000 on a head-totoe surgical makeover, admitted she has been covered in leeches in an attempt to “detoxify” her blood.

Carry out regular head counts to ensure you have everyone. Manage the group and monitor any unexpected hazards. Ensure everyone is comfortable with the pace and conditions. Remember it is easier for fast walkers to slow down rather than slow walkers to speed up.

“It detoxifies your blood - I’m feeling very detoxified right now. I did it in some woman’s house lying on her bed. We did a little sampler first, which is in the belly button.

At the End of the Walk

“You watch it swell up on your blood, watching it get fatter and fatter - then when it’s super drunk on your blood it just kind of rolls over like it is stumbling out of the bar.”

Ensure that all participants have arrived at the finishing point and that all vehicles start before leaving.

Leeches have been used in medicine for centuries and were first employed in Egypt about 2,500 years ago.

Advise the Emergency Officer of your return.

They are often used today in plastic and reconstructive surgery, because the anticoagulant they secrete fights blood clots and restores blood flow to inflamed body parts.

Forward the completed Nomination Form including reports of any incidents/accidents to the Outings Officer. Arrange a trip report for the next Club Meeting and do a write-up for the Newsletter.

So next time you get bitten by a leech remember you could have paid thousands of dollars for it but you get it for free on a bushwalk.

Page 3 of 6

straight fence line that the crocs could have easily walked around. Still, it made a good clothes line!

Past Walks Hinchinbrook Island T/W

20-24 July 2008-07-29

For my fourth trip to Hinchinbrook I decided to walk the Thorsborne Trail South to North for a change. There were seven of us, four doing the walk for the first time. Unfortunate for us, it turned out to be the wettest July in the north for 80 years.

Day three was our longest walk, made difficult by the innumerable creek crossings. Plus, the leader (me!) added an extra Km to the walk trying to find the way off the beach at the start of our day. We had a few creek crossings where we just paddled through boots and all (wet boots for five days is not enjoyable!). The first creek, Cypress Pine Creek, had black mud, black mangrove roots, and an air of mystery about it – great for photos. On previous trips, the edge of a dry swamp usually provided an open sandy yet shaded spot for lunch. This time it was far from dry with pools of water everywhere and sloshy mud with nowhere to sit. Just as well we had lunched at a spot in the vine forest with rocks to sit on. We needed to ascend to cross a saddle and the trail followed a rocky creek – very slow progress in the wet. Heading back down the other side was equally tedious. Some of the more-agile group members strode ahead and visited the campsite at Banksia Bay. Next we reached Boulder Bay crossing it quickly as the rocks were surprisingly not slippery. Up and over the headland we went before finally arriving at Little Ramsay Beach and our home for the night.

Hinchinbrook Island

We were dropped off at Georges Point for the walk along the beach and up to the Mulligans Falls campsite. For us, the rain began as we were cooking dinner and Margaret was playing with her friendly rat. In the tent by 8pm to listen to the rain all night.

There were a few people there, most with tarps over their tents and dry places to sit and cook, lucky them! Still we managed OK as the rain mostly held off while we made camp and collected water from the creek.

Packing up in the rain the next morning was far from fun. Packs weighed at least 2Kg extra from the water accumulated both inside and outside our packs. Gail and I had breakfast in the old closed toilet building. At least it was dry!! One positive thing with all the rain was the huge volume of water gushing over the falls. With the rain still falling we headed off to our first major drama: crossing Diamantina Creek. David, Gil and Muriel crossed first while the rest of us waited to see if the level would fall as the rain had stopped by the time we reached the creek. Forty minutes later the level had dropped by only 2cm. David and Gil volunteered to re-cross and carry some packs so we very carefully made the cross. With pack straps undone for safety, it was quite a challenge to negotiate the slippery rocks, flowing current and water up to our waist at times but we all managed it in the end. Noelene at one time decided to sit forever on a rock in the middle of the creek but was soon encouraged by David to change her mind!

Nina Peak

Day Four involved just a short 2.5Km to Nina Bay with plenty of time to dry wet sleeping bags and tents. Margaret and I stayed in camp while the rest climbed up Nina Peak to enjoy the great views despite the grey, cloudy weather. Rain again in the evening but with just a pause to give us time to cook dinner. The last day began with a few patches of blue sky. We were anxious to be off the island so we set off towards Ramsay Bay and the ferry quite early in the morning and then spent a couple of hours sitting on the jetty in the mangroves with the midges, in bright sunlight!! Crossing the Diamantina

Muriel, Gil and David made the side trip to Sunken Reef Bay while the rest of us trudged on finally reaching South Zoe Creek and some more excitement as we crossed and re-crossed this fast-flowing creek with water well above our knees most of the time. Another little adventure as we slid down the wet rope below Zoe Falls on our way to camp. No rain had fallen all afternoon so we spread out our wet stuff around the campsite. There had been a crocodile sighting in the creek beside the campground so Parks had closed off a few campsites beside the creek and build a bit of a fence; just a

An uneventful boat ride back to Cardwell completed our adventure. All we needed now was hot showers and dry footwear. The caravan park looked like a second-hand flee market by the time we had spread out all of our wet stuff. We had an enjoyable celebratory dinner at the Sports Club, had a good night’s sleep, and were on the bus heading for Townsville in no time. I would like to thank my fellow travelers Margaret, Noelene, Gail, Muriel, Gil and David for sharing this damp adventure. I’m almost ready to do it again! How about you, Margaret? Next time I will order fine weather. Patricia

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Mt Tibberoowuccum

3 August 2008

Mt Tibberoowuccum is close to Mt Tibrogargan in the Glasshouse Mountains area. Our walk incorporated most of the Trachyte circuit and the Tibrogargan base circuit, with a deviation around the western side of Tibberoowuccum so we could climb to the top. Fourteen of us (including a visitor from Geelong Bushwalkers in Victoria) set off along the Trachyte Track from the Tibrogargan picnic ground. After a half a kilometre we veered off to follow some rather rugged forest roads that skirt the base of Tibberoowuccum. The guy who surveyed these roads believed that the most economical approach to road building involved a straight line between two points, so we went straight up and over every ridge and down to the bottom of every gully, with no attempt to follow a level contour. This type of road obviously attracted the Caloundra Four Wheel Drive Club, because we soon met about a dozen of their vehicles coming in the opposite direction. The ascent of Tibberoowuccum follows a rough but clear track up a ridge on the western side and is not too onerous. The summit is at the top of a 4 to 5 metre high rock slab which was a challenge for some, but with a little encouragement, most made it up. Great views of the other Glasshouse Mountains and of Bribie and Moreton Islands in the distance rewarded the effort.

We reached Barney Ck in the late afternoon and even though I make the same mistake time after time I never learn. There is a narrow pinch of land bordered each side by Barney Ck that map skills suggest traversing it will save about 1 km of creek hopping. Unfortunately the scunge is awful and this time it was the worst I had ever seen it. Worst for me personally was the experience of a vine I was pushing through had ensnared a young stinging tree and each push resulted in a new dose of Gympie Gympie. Please remind me to stick to the creek if I am tempted by this short cut again. Further along the creek we found it is best to contour up high along the flanges of Montserrat than negotiate the creek floor and reckoned that we saved half an hour by this route. It was a long day in the end and we didn't get back to Brisbane until 8pm. Many thanks to Gil and Sandy for taking their vehicles up the deteriorating road to Cleared Ridge. Dave H

Mt Tunbubudla

13 August 2008

Mt Tunbubudla or The Twins is one of the minor Glasshouse Mountains peaks and has no definite route to either of the two summits. The two peaks have only been climbed once by the Club before and it was chosen as an “easy” short walk for the Exhibition Wednesday.

Earlier as the vehicles were going past on the forest road, it occurred to me that, if we all had 4WD's, we could get out in the bush without having to walk! But at the top of Tibberoowuccum I realised that, if we had been confined to the vehicles, we would have missed the best part of the trip. After morning tea, we descended and followed the forest road south and east around Tibberoowuccum's base to rejoin the Trachyte Track which took us south to Jack Ferris's Lookout, where we could look back toward the Tibberoowuccum summit. From there we looped back toward Tibrogargan where we joined the base circuit that takes you below Tibrogargan's eastern face. We had lunch at the "table and chairs" below Tibrogargan's spectacular cliffs before walking back to the picnic ground. Regards,

Nev

Ballow Creek Exploratory

10 August 2008

A very cold morning start gave us a new experience of finding Yamahara Ck frozen. The climb up to Montserrat Lookout was quite overgrown but then again in the pursuit of finding a new way up sometimes the experience is unlucky and in this case we had to push through Lantana and armpit high cobblers pegs.

Mt Tunbubudla Summit

As there was only five of us we all traveled in the one car up past Beerburrum township and parked the car at the eastern side of The Twins on the Old Gympie Highway. At the entrance to an old forestry road we began walking along the sandy road surrounded by banksia. After 15 minutes we turned off onto a walking track which took us to the saddle between the two peaks. Here from a rock we had views of Beerwah and Coonoowrin to the north. After a short rest it was time to ascend the higher east peak from the western side. There was long grass hiding many loose rocks plus fallen trees and steep terrain to slow us down. We stopped a few times to catch our breath, regroup and admire the views. After about an hour of slips and trips, we reached the summit which consisted of a small cleared area and a rock cairn. It was good to sit down, relax and enjoy our morning tea. We descended down the east side. The east ridge initially was too jumbled with fallen trees for easy progress so we moved to a small gully and a dry creek bed for the descent. It was still difficult to keep your balance on the steep slope and all of us had minor spills and thrills.

The Cold was a Pane.

At Montserrat we had morning tea but regretted that we couldn't spend half a day here with the magnificent view. Cedar Pass was the next challenge and finding it saw us strike a little lower and further East than I would have liked. From Cedar Pass we followed Ballow Ck. This magnificent creek has spectacular large boulders and further down awesome slabs but it is a long creek to follow and the rock hopping requires delicate balancing skills to stay dry. I feel the best strategy is to give in early and prepare for a wet experience which wasn't easy on a hypothermic day.

The only evidence of native wildlife was when passing by a small cliff face we disturbed two tawny frogmouths from a small cave. Reaching the base of the mountain we headed across the grassy plain and reached the car. We went to the Glasshouse Lookout for lunch which is well set up with tables, toilets and interpretive signs. Afternoon tea at a cafe along the Steve Irwin Way finished the day well. Many thanks to Greg, a new member plus Helen, Patricia and Gil for their company. Richard

Page 5 of 6

Monument Valley

Grand Canyon

Monument Valley is one of the most easily recognized and most majestic areas of the American West. It has appeared in scores of movies since 1939 when the first movie, “Stagecoach”, starring John Wayne and directed by John Ford, was filmed there.

The Grand Canyon is 446 km long, ranges in width from 6.4 to 29 km and attains a depth of more than 1.6 km. Nearly two billion years of the Earth's history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted.

It is located on the border of Utah and Arizona and its most scenic sections are within Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a Navajo Nation equivalent to a national park. The Navajo people call this place the Valley of the Rocks, the playground of rivers long past, a place where Mother Nature left some of her greatest works on earth.

However mere statistics cannot convey the sense of awe and wonder as one first sees it. The Grand Canyon was by far the highlight of the trip to the USA. On first seeing it, its massive size just took my breath away.

The Grand Canyon Monument Valley

Millions of years ago the area was once a vast lowland basin. Material from the Rocky Mountains deposited layer upon layer of sediment. Deep internal forces then elevated the horizontal strata quite uniformly one to three miles above sea level. What was once a basin became a plateau. Wind and water then began peeling away at the surface of the plateau and the simple wearing down of altering layers of soft and hard rock revealed the natural wonders of Monument Valley to us today. The valley's vivid red color comes from iron oxide exposed in the weathered siltstone. Hiking in Monument Valley is quite restricted, especially within the Navajo Tribal Park. The only path in the park that can be walked without a guide is the Wildcat Trail, an easy, 3.2 mile loop around West Mitten Butte. All other routes, or any hiking away from the Valley Drive, must be in the company of a Navajo guide.

Prior to European emigration, the area was inhabited by Native Americans who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon a holy site and made pilgrimages to it. Millions of people flock to the Park every year and the present National Parks Service have done a wonderful job in managing it. No private cars are allowed along the Rim Road but there is a system of free shuttle buses which run a regular service. Thus it is quite easy to get on or off the bus at any of the many lookouts. There are multiple walks available, from easy flat strolls along the rim to multiple day hikes going down into the Canyon. We chose to do the South Kaibab Trail, a ridge walk which allows great views as you descend down. After catching the free shuttle bus to Yaki Point, we descended via a well graded track which zig zagged its way down the initial cliff line. It then followed the ridgeline and we stopped several times as each new turn brought new vistas. One lookout was aptly called Ooo-ahh Point. We descended about 600 metres to Skeleton Point which had a view of the Colorado River below. Here we sat and had lunch in the grandest place of all. All too soon we had to turn back and our trip to the USA was soon over but the memories will last forever.

The Totem Pole

Visitors can drive themselves through the park on a 17-mile dirt road but to see the most that this Park had to offer, Patricia and I took a open jeep tour led by a Navajo guide. He took us on a several hour drive round the mesas, buttes and spires. At every turn there was a photographers delight in trying to capture those awesome views. We visited several natural arches such as the “Ear of the Wind” and the “Eye of the Sun” and also visited a small Navajo village where traditional arts and craft is still being carried out. The End

A quite unforgettable experience. Page 6 of 6