November 2015 Next Meeting
Tuesday 8 th December Community Centre Wharf Street Logan Village 7pm
President Sue Simpson 5546 8781 0414 575 509 Vice President Brian Watson 5543 1261 watsonpab@bigpond.com Secretary & Publicity Officer Heather O’Keeffe 3208 6420 dizzycat1@hotmail.com
Committee Members
Treasurer Lynne Lucas 3287 4934 lmlucas@iprimus.com.au Website Manager Mark Filius 3848 6039 mark@filius.cc Equipment Officer David Nickson 3287 3312
Editor Denise Bouyer 0417 743 127
kdbouyer@bigpond.com General Enquiries loganbbw@gmail.com www.bushwalkers.com www.facebook.com/ loganbeaudesertbushwalkers
Minutes of General Meeting Logan & Beaudesert Bushwalkers 10th November, 2015 Meeting opened at 7.15pm Members: Heather O'Keeffe, Sue Simpson, Lynne Lucas, Peter Rice, Jenny Kemp, Regina Harvey, Dave Nickson, Ken & Denise Bouyer, Brian Watson, Bruce Ludlow and Karen Roache Apologies: Malcolm Hill, Mark Filius, Sue & Andrew McLeod, Paulette Watson, Alice BennetAdler and Anthony Milverton Minutes of previous meeting: As per October newsletter. Karen Roache accepted the minutes as being accurate. Seconded by Peter Rice Business arising from the minutes: Nil Treasurer's Report: Reconciled Balances for the period from 10/11/2015 - $5,563.27 ____________________________________________ Plus memberships received Grants Bunnings Net Sausage Sizzle Gold Coast Water Stall Hire refund Interest -------------
$ $ $ $ $
Less Outgoings Rent Sausages Stationery Heather Christmas Party Donations
35.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 $ 0.00
0.00
$
35.00
$ $ $ $ $
0.00 0.00 6.40 0.00 0.00
$
6.40
-------------Balance held at end of period
$5,591.87
------------
Plus $57.05 banked from Heather after the meeting sausage sizzle (not included in this total) Funds made up of Account Balance Cash on Hand Unreceipted Memberships
$5,239.42 $ 352.45 ------------$5,591.87 -------------
Reconciled Balances
Lynne moved that the report be received. Seconded by Regina Harvey
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Incoming correspondence • • • • • •
November newsletter Gold Coast and Brisbane and October newsletter from Catholic Bushwalkers Email re sausage sizzle at Bunnings – answer no Email re sausage sizzle at Bunnings to re-apply in April 2016 Letter from Jon Krause, Member for Beaudesert re gaming Bennefit Grants Email from Scenic Rim re a promotional photo shoot – email forward to everyone Email from Mark re Sunday’s 4WD social day
Outgoing correspondence • •
Our newsletter Application for a sausage sizzle at Bunnings
Heather moved that the correspondence be approved. Seconded by Ken Bouyer General Business •
The next Club dinner will be on the 20th November. Randhawa Indian, Holmview @
• •
The dinner for December will be on the 18th A discussion was held re the use of straps/ropes and that the club ones are available for both Saturday and Sunday walks. Ken has his own rope for use on a Saturday at the moment. It was discussed and agreed that another 6 carabiners and 6x30 metre straps be purchased and are to be carried for use when needed. Sue and Regina will make the purchase Dave has purchased the carabiners on behalf of the Club. This was approved at the October meeting It was agreed that tick removers are a good piece of equipment to carry CPR re-certification is up for renewal. Heather will sort out a date on a Friday night and advise the attendees Sue and Regina are doing the Sunshine Coast Great Walk in January 2016 around the 27th December – 1st January. Contact Sue if you are interested Sunday 15th there will be a tree planting day at Plunkett Reserve. Time is from 8am-1pm Karen Roache handed in an updated Sunday Walks list Dave is heading off for 2 months on the 20th November Kit is planning a trip to Cape York around the end of July or start of August 2016. Options are to drive to Bamaga and catch the barge back to Cairns OR drive both ways. Kathy will go as a passenger Andrew McLeod is planning a trip to Nepal in October 2016. So far Lynn & Malcom and Tina & Peter Wintour are also going. Contact Andrew if you are interested The Christmas Camp will be at Lake Cressbrooke over the weekend of 4 th-6th December. The Club will pay for the meat and some other items. Everything else will be provided by the people attending. If you haven’t already let Heather know you are coming, please do so ASAP. A list of the food allocation will be emailed out when ready
• • • • • • • • • •
6.30pm – contact Heather
Meeting closed at 8.05pm
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Notes for Saturday walkers
Future Walks
•
If possible, please email or sms your intention to walk to the walk coordinator instead of phoning. The walk coordinator will always reply to confirm that you are listed for the walk and provide you with any necessary details. Please sms at a respectful hour
•
Alternatively, please phone the walk coordinator between the hours of 6pm to 8pm on the Thursday before the walk
•
Please check the walks list to see when you have been nominated to coordinate a walk
•
The weekly walks will also be on the Facebook page which is updated every Wednesday night www.facebook.com/loganbeaudesertbushwalkers
November 2015 When Friday 20th Saturday 21st Sunday 22nd Saturday 28th Sunday 29th
Outing Club Dinner, Randhawa Indian, Holmview @ 6.30pm Daves Creek Circuit, Binna Burra meet at Canungra – 7am Aracauria Circuit, Binna Burra meet at Canungra - 7am Maroon
Type
Grade
SOCIAL
Coordinator
Phone
Heather
0432 197 577
D.W.
M-3-3
Heather
0432 197 577
D.W.
M-4-4
Sue
5546 8781 0414 575 509
D.W.
M-4-4
John
0415 996 266
December 2015 Saturday 5th Saturday 12th Sunday 13th Saturday 19th Sunday 20th
CHRISTMAS CAMP CRESSBROOKE Denham Scenic Reserve Beechmont & BBQ Mt Tibrogargan, Sunshine Coast
B.C.
M-3-3
Heather
0432 197 577
D.W.
S-2-2
Sue
5546 8781 0414 575 509
D.W.
M-5-5
Karen
0427 117 005
D.W.
M-4-4
John
0415 996 266
TBA Mt Greville
February 2016
Sunday 7th - 6am – Rope work Kangaroo Cliffs
Phone numbers for Park Rangers and the web address for park alerts Binna Burra - 5533 3996 Boonah - 5463 5041 Main Range - 4666 1133 O'Reillys - 5544 0634 Park alerts can be found on the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing web site http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/index.php
Emergency Numbers if you are unable to get through to 000 use 112 on your mobile phone
Please Note THURSDAY is the deadline to notify the Coordinator for through walks, base camps and Saturday walks FRIDAY is the deadline to notify the Coordinator for Sunday walks Some walks may be changed at the last minute due to weather or other conditions PLEASE ensure you contact the coordinator before your chosen walk or check the Facebook page
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When car pooling, passengers are to pay $7 petrol money to the driver Make sure these are in your pack Every Week & Every Walk
Hat Food Jumper Raincoat Sunscreen
First-aid Kit 1-2ltr Water Paper & Pencil Map & Compass Insect Repellent
Torch Watch Whistle Lighter / Matches
Walk Grading ’s Walkers Guide: Participants are required to read and understand the Grading System for activities as listed. They should ensure that they are able to complete the listed walk. New members will normally start with two shorter and easier walks with the Club, such as easy terrain, easy fitness, and or short to medium length and progress by one grading step per activity. Distance S M L XL
Short - Under 10km Medium - 10 – 15 km Long - 15 – 20 km Extra Long - 20+ km
Fitness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Basic - suitable for beginners, up to 4 hours walking, flat Basic - suitable for beginners, up to 4 hours walking, minor hills Easy - suitable for beginners, up to 5 hours walking, undulating terrain Reasonable level of fitness required -up to 5 hours walking Moderate - up to 6 hours walking, agility required Moderate - up to 6 hours walking, agility required High - up to 8 hours walking, high fitness, endurance and agility required High - up to 8 hours walking, high fitness, endurance and agility required Challenging - up to 12 hours walking, very high fitness, endurance and agility required
Terrain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Smooth, reasonably flat path Graded path / track with minor obstacles Graded track with obstacles such as rock, roots, fallen debris or creek crossings Rough unformed track or open terrain with obstacles such as rock, roots, fallen debris or creek crossings Rough or rocky terrain with small climbs using hands or rock hopping Steep, rough or rocky terrain with large climbs using hands or rock hopping Climb / descend step rock using hands or footholds, may be some exposure, good upper body strength Climb / descend near vertical rock with exposure, climbing skills may be required Sustained climbing or descending of vertical or near vertical rock with exposure, advanced climbing skills required, good upper body strength
Activity DW Day Walk BC Base Camp TW Through Walk SOC Social Activity S&T Safety and Training Bush Qld Bush Walking Qld FMR Federation Mountain Rescue
Walk
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Reports
Everyone has heard of the 3 Musketeers………… but when 3 Roberts (all from Australia) turn up in the Swiss Alps on a 10 day walk what do you call them? The 3Rs? This was no primary school syllabus (dare I say picnic?) Various suggestions were put forward; the 3 Stooges, the 3 Desperados, the 3 Amigos. Nothing definitive was decided (I think all the walkers were focusing on the walk ahead). Yes you guessed it -when one Robert was called the other 2 would turn to answer. I better get on with the task as set and start at the beginning. Regina, Jan and one of the said Roberts flew into Paris and after a few days’ sightseeing headed for Chamonix via 3 different train lines. The next day we caught a bus to meet the other walkers and our guide in Le Tour. We met Sarah and the next Robert (from Canberra) and Maryse (from Canada) who spoke English and French. Our French guide, Sebastian arrived. He spoke English but we had Maryse there to help with our communication. After some preliminary preparation we were off to Trient, our first night stop. Along the way we had views of the Mr Blanc range and the first of many lakes and glaciers. A highlight was watching the sheep, many with bells around their necks running down towards us; only to veer away across the paddock in front of us. We started at an altitude of 1400m going up 700m where we had lunch and then descended 900m with some ascent before reaching our accommodation. We spent just under 6hrs on the track. Day 2 was a big day. Very cold and a large range in altitude change, but the reward was sighting Ibex (wild goats) on the high slopes. Straight up 1300m and straight down 1000m. Result 2hrs behind the schedule of 7hrs, as we arrived at our hotel at 4.30pm. Evening meals are at set times so this could be a problem on the even bigger and harder days. I have omitted any linear measurement of distances covered over the High Route. At first I religiously jotted down distances, resetting the GPS after breaks in walking to accommodate overnight stays and bus trips out to the start of walks. Sebastian said that with such steep ascents and descents it would be difficult to get any accurate readings. This perhaps explained why the itinerary papers showed distances in terms of “hours”. What actually convinced me was when the trusty GPS showed we had covered a distance 28kms after only half hour into the walk. It must be “on its last legs”. (I mean the poor old GPS because I’m sure I reset it). The altitude readings did compare favourably with Sebastian’s. Day 3 Even colder. After 2 short bus trips we were out in the cold weather. As we headed up we were engulfed in heavy fog with very poor visibility of the track. The itinerary mentioned “panoramic trail with views over the whole Mont Blanc range”. What views? Mid afternoon and it was good to get to the Cabane des Mille, new and comfortable mountain hut at 2.00pm. Our reward was great: sitting in the dining room sipping hot chocolate and watching the light snow falling outside. Ascent in altitude was 900m Day 4 arrived very cold with a light snow on the ground. The break in the clouds revealed magnificent views. Walking was a lot easier. After a short bus ride we were joined by the new members of the group who were doing the shortened version of the walk: Mayda and Robert from Victoria, Scott (living in England, originally from Melbourne) and his sister Isabelle (from Melbourne), Jack and Wendy from USA and 3 Frenchmen (grey-haired and very fit) and Sebastian’s driver, Stefan. After re-organising our 6
gear we started walking again. We eventually arrive at Louvie our destination for that night. We arrive early enough to sit outside in the sun and enjoy a hot coffee or a drink and a chat with the group. Overall ascent of 800m with a descent of 800m. Day 5 started with a few grumbles; a restless night because of the snoring and somebody’s alarm went off at 5.40am. We crossed the “Grand Desert” which was a moraine-strewn area of a dry glacier. One of the Frenchmen suffered from cramps but was assisted to some extent by electrolytes from some of the members of the group. We walked over 2 passes before passing through the Col de Praz Fleuri, a pass at an altitude of 2965m and then descending to arrive at the refuge where we spent the night. Altitude gain of 1000m with a descent of 300m Picture dormitory style accommodation sleeping 16 people alongside each other or opposite one another or 8 down and 8 on bunks overhead. Some nights the group was accommodated in smaller hotel type rooms. Most of the accommodation I found to be quite comfortable. Day 6 started with an uphill climb out of the valley, a descent to the Dixence refuge, a walk along the Dixence lake where we saw a number of marmots (large alpine squirrels) before we went over the Riedmatten pass, down to Arolla where Jan, Regina and I saw a magnificent specimen of a stag deer. We were bussed to Les Hauderes where we spent the night. Altitude gain 1000m with a small descent of 300m. Day 7 is a shorter day. Pleasant walking through pasture land and over the Torrent Pass at 2919m. Some breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. We went on to Grimmentz, an historical and homely village where we had enough time to indulge in an ice cream and a drink before heading to our accommodation. Altitude gain of 600m Descent of 600m. Day 8 starts with a bus ride and several school kids on their way to school. After a change of buses and a funicular trip we eventually begin our walking. We stop for lunch beside a freezing cold lake where Scott jumps in for a swim to celebrate his 40 th birthday the following day. Brrrrrrr. As he left the water it began to snow. A snowflake is a snowflake whether its snowing lightly or heavily. ie very cold!! I was pretty well rugged up at this stage. The snowing did not last long. We were on our way by a long descent to Grubën a pretty German style village with hot chocolate drinks and a bed for the night. The food overall was delicious and hot. Whilst there was some accommodating when it came to “gluten free” requirements it was difficult to obtain “gluten free”meals On Day 9 Jan, Regina, Wendy and I left the group and headed for Zermat. This was to be the longest and hardest day, with wind, snow and frosts expected. This was on top of the obligatory 1100m up and a 2000m very steep descent. This resulted in Stefan driving the 4 of us to Tasch where we took a taxi to the outskirts of Zermat (vehicles are not allowed in most streets of the tiny town) and walked to our hotel. The day was spent shopping for souvenirs, eating (yes they do have the iconic Maccas) and generally wandering the streets. A lot of time was devoted to the Lindt Chocolate shop. That night we met the rest of the group for a farewell dinner. The restaurant had views of the Matterhorn which was lit up showing the path of the first ascent in preparation for the 150th anniversary. Day 10 our last day we did a short walk on the outskirt of Zermat. Perhaps the most spectacular views of the Matterhorn. After lunch we made our way back to the hotel to say goodbyes. The following day Jan, Regina and I were off to Interlaken, for a bit of time out before visiting Berne and then heading on to Italy. Rob Sammons
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Happy birthday and best wishes to our club members celebrating their birthday in November:
Paulette Watson & Mark Filius
ESK
Christmas Camp Lake Cressbrooke On the Esk to Hampton Road
th- th Weekend of 5th6 th December Camp Oven Christmas Meal on Saturday 5thth
A food list to be sent out to all who will be attending. The Club will pay for the meat and some other items.
Please let Heather know if you are intending to come along.
Events 8
Ginger Food and Flower Festival, Yandina – 18th – 20th January Felton Food Fest (Toowoomba) – 15th February Kenilworth Cheese Festival – 29th March Jazz in the Courtyard, Harrisville – April 12th A World Apart, Mt Barney area – 26th April Yarraman Oktoberfest – May 17th Goomeri Pumpkin Festival – May 24th Boonah Clydesdale Spectacular – 1st June Eat Local Week tasting tables – 28th June Jazz on the Mountain, Bestbrook and Opera in the Bush, Jimbour and Darlington Markets - 19th July Gourmet in Gundy and Maleny Food Festival – 13th September Labour Day weekend – Australian Camp Oven Festival, Millmerran – 4 th October Dingo Creek Jazz Festival (Gympie) - 25th October
Markets Darlington Markets – Sunday 16th November Fernvale – Every Sunday – 6am-1pm Laidley Village Markets – Every Friday Mt Mee – 1st Sunday – 8am-1pm Mulgowie Farmers Markets – 1st Saturday of the month – 8am-11am North Pine – Every Sunday – 8am-1pm Plainland Markets – Every Sunday Stanthorpe – 2nd and 4th Sunday Withcott Community Markets – 3rd Sunday of the month – 9am-2pm Murphy’s Creek Markets – 21st June – 7am – 12:30pm Murphy’s Creek Markets – 21st June – 7am – 12:30pm
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