June 2015 Next Meeting
Tuesday 14 th July Community Centre Wharf Street Logan Village 7pm
Mt Feathertop, Alpine National Park - taken by Jan 2nd-highest mountain in Victoria - 1,922 metres (6,306 ft)
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 3398 8528 mark@filius.cc Equipment Officer David Nickson 3287 3312 Editor
Lesley Shaddock 0417 704 145 lesleyshaddock@hotmail.com General Enquiries loganbbw@gmail.com www.bushwalkers.com www.facebook.com/loganbeaudesertb ushwalkers
Minutes of General Meeting Logan & Beaudesert Bushwalkers 9th June 2015 Meeting opened at 7.15pm Visitors: Dieter Lacko Members: Heather O'Keeffe, Sue Simpson, Brian Watson, Bruce Ludlow, Karen Roache, Regina Harvey, Peter Rice, Kit Cullen, Bev Scholfield and Gary Logan Apologies: Dave Nickson, Malcolm Hill, Lynne Lucas, Mark Filius, Paulette Watson, Jenny Kemp, Sue & Andrew McLeod, Alice Bennet-Adler, Di Howlin and Ross Vlahos & Karen Shaw Minutes of previous meeting: As per May newsletter. Peter Rice accepted the minutes as being accurate. Seconded by Regina Harvey Business arising from the minutes: Nil Treasurer's Report: Closing balance of $3,143.49. (no incoming or outgoing transactions) Heather O’Keeffe moved that the report be received be received. Seconded by Brian Watson Incoming correspondence • • •
June newsletter from Brisbane Bushwalkers May newsletter from Catholic Bushwalkers – emailed to everyone Email from Beaudesert Historical Society re this year’s Shepherd’s Walk
Outgoing correspondence • •
Our newsletter Paperwork emailed to GC Marathon Org
Heather moved that the correspondence be approved. Seconded by Bruce Ludlow General Business • • •
Sue thanked Peter, Brian and Regina for conducting the May meeting The July meeting to be held on the 14th of July will be the AGM. Membership will be due on the 1st July The Gold Coast Marathon water station will be held on Sunday 5th July. Heather will send out an email with the details (same location as previous years). We have 21 people. The bulk of the runners come thru between 6:30 and 8am 2
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There is a walk scheduled for Saturday 4th July. If anyone is interested the Aratula Winter Harvest Festival is also on, on the 4th July September 13th is the Sausage Sizzle at Browns Plains Bunnings. Sue will coordinate. 5 people are needed for the first morning group The Kokoda Challenge event will be held over the weekend of 25 th & 26th July. Sue asked if anyone was interested in manning a check point for the event. The $515.00 raised with the water station will be donated to the event Saturday 20th June will be a guided walk through Plunkett Reserve. Glen Leiper (who cowrote Mangroves to Mountains) will be the guide Sue talked about the Emu Creek camp which was held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. It was very cold but a good weekend. On Saturday the walk was up to the Lincoln Wreck, in misty rain. John took the others to a walk on one of the other ridges. It was a lovely protected camp. Good fires and no other campers The club dinner for Friday 19th June will be a restaurant at Browns Plains. Bev is the coordinator – text her if you are going. Peter will send out an email with the details Saturday 13th – there are two walks at Wyaralong Dam. The long walk is around 25km and the short walk is about 14km. Both groups to meet on top of Mt Joyce around lunchtime The Shepherd’s walk will be held on Saturday 18th July. Please let Heather know by 30th June if you are going Kit and Mary went to the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival. This event is on the last Sunday in May. They camped at Kinbonbi Falls just out of Goomeri. The camp ground had toilets, picnic tables and fires. There are a number of walks to the gorge and lookouts. This would be a good weekend to consider for the club Green Gully, near Walcha, was also mentioned for the club for October 2016. It’s a through walk with a house at the start and end. Maximum 6 walkers each day The walk on the 8th August has been changed the Upper Portals to Illinbah Caves (from the Canungra end) Christmas Creek, Christmas in July (Aug) – this event has been cancelled due to lack of numbers
Meeting closed at 8.05pm
Happy birthday and best wishes to our club members celebrating their birthday in June: Marie Roberts, Doug Roberts, Regina Harvey, Jan Sammons, Bill Dryburgh and Mindy Bernhagen
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Notes for Saturday walkers
Future Walks
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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
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Alternatively, please phone the walk coordinator between the hours of 6pm to 8pm on the Thursday before the walk
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Please check the walks list to see when you have been nominated to coordinate a walk
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The weekly walks will also be on the Facebook page which is updated every Wednesday night www.facebook.com/loganbeaudesertbushwalkers
June 2015 When Friday 19th Saturday 20th Sunday 21st Saturday 27
Typ e
Outing
th
Sunday 28th
Club Dinner Browns Plains Plunkett Reserve Guided walk – 8am Maroon Cave from below/above Westray’s Grave & Larapinta Falls meet at Beaudesert - 7am Thru walk - Wyaralong Dam Short walk - Wyaralong Dam
Grad e
Social D.W.
S-2-2
D.W.
M-5-5
D.W.
S-3-3
B.C. D.W.
Spicer’s Gap
Coordinator
Phone
Bev
0448 151 910
Heather
0432 197 577
John
0415 996 266
Heather
0432 197 577
Andrew Heather
0404 480 214 0432 197 577
D.W.
M-7-7
John
0415 996 266
Typ e
Grad e
Coordinator
Phone
D.W.
S-3-3
Sue
5546 8781 0414 575 509
July 2015 When Saturday 4th
Outing Venman’s Reserve - Cornubia or Aratula Winter Harvest Festival
Sunday 5th
Gold Coast Marathon water station
Saturday 11th
Daves Creek Circuit Binna Burra meet at Canungra - 7am
D.W.
M-3-3
Sue
5546 8781 0414 575 509
Shepherds Walk
D.W.
M-3-3
Heather
0432 197 577
Saturday 25th
Mt Cordeaux and Bare Rock meet at Beaudesert - 7am
D.W.
M-4-4
Peter
5543 2108 0400 260 639
Saturday 25th
Kokoda Challenge
Grad e
Coordinator
Phone
Heather
0432 197577
Sunday 12th Saturday 18th Sunday 19th
August 2015 When Saturday 1st
Typ e
Outing TBA
Sunday 2nd
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Saturday 8th
Illinbah Caves from Canungra end meet at Beaudesert - 7am
D.W.
Sue
5546 8781 0414 575 509
Pilgrimage The Queensland Bushwalkers Club Inc is host Venue - Kalbar Showgrounds
B.C.
Heather
0432 197 577
Cainbable Falls - O’Reillys meet at Canungra - 7am
D.W.
L-4-4
Heather
0432 197 577
Mt May meet at Beaudesert - 7am
D.W.
L-4-4
Dave
3287 3312
Typ e
Grad e
Coordinator
Phone
D.W.
L-5-5
Sue
L-6-6
Sunday 9th Friday 14th Saturday 15th Sunday 16th Sunday 16th Saturday 22nd Sunday 23rd Saturday 29th Sunday 30th
September 2015 When
Outing
Saturday 5th
TBA
Sunday 6th Saturday 12th Sunday 13th Saturday 19th
Albert River Circuit - O’Reillys meet at Canungra - 7am Sausage Sizzle – Bunnings Browns Plains
Sue
Pizza Walk
D.W.
Springbrook Maintenance Weekend
B.C.
M-3-3
Brian
5546 8781 0414 575 509 5546 8781 0414 575 509 5543 1261 0409 010 436
Sunday 20th Saturday 26th
Heather
0432 197 577
Sunday 27th 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
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 5
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 Fitness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Terrain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Short - Under 10km Medium - 10 – 15 km Long - 15 – 20 km Extra Long - 20+ km 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 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
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Walk Reports Falls Creek to Mt Hotham 3 Day walk by Rob Sammons 10th - 12th April 2015
Having driven down to Tullamarine, Jan and I picked up Sue and Regina and met Carrin and Lesley just outside the airport and headed up the Hume highway. We stopped for lunch at Glenrowan (Ned Kelly country) before reaching beautiful Bright at 3.30pm. Peter and Kit were already there having travelled down from Queensland separately by car. After settling in at the Bright Backpackers we enjoyed a meal at the Alpine Hotel under what passed for “heated umbrellas” over our table out in the terrace dining area. We spent the evening sorting and weighing our gear. The following morning we set out at 7.15am to drop off 2 cars at Mt Hotham then took the other 2 cars to Bella’s Café for a delicious bacon and egg “toastie” for breakfast and then proceeded on to Heathy Spur through Falls Creek. View from near Mt Hotham when leaving cars for car shuttle
The walk started at the base of the Spur at the wall of the Rocky Valley water storage facility at 12.20pm in warm and sunny conditions. We walked 4kms up Heathy Spur where we met the Alpine Walking Track. Vegetation was sparse with a number of patches of yellow daisy-like wild flowers among a heath and what appeared to be dead greyish white gums (snow gums and snow ash) a feature which we were to see a lot throughout the walk. I use the word “appeared” because while most of these were dead I did examine the base of some of them and these had green leaves and were sprouting new growth at the base. They did make a magnificent visual effect. Lesley on the trail
Lunch was late as we had a late start. We eventually arrived at an aqueduct and walked along a well-tended 4wd track enjoying stunning views. The day’s walk with heavy backpacks was beginning to take its toll on the group. Further along we passed a scout building, named so because it was more elaborate than a hut. It was at this stage that the track became indistinct resulting in our following the gravel track round to pick up the track again just before the turnoff to Cope Hut camping area perched high up on the hill with magnificent views of some of the surrounding area. We arrived at the campsites at 6.00pm. We hastened to erect our tents because it was rapidly growing cold and dark. Some of us opted for an early bed down without dinner while some of us prepared something as quickly as we could before seeking the warmth of our beds. Snow gum at Cope Hut campsite
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We awoke to a cold morning and stunning views. About 300 metres up the track we arrived at the intersection with the main road where Peter and Kit decided to hitch a lift back to the cars what with a deteriorating chest infection, heavy backpacks and possible effects of the higher altitude. The rest of us headed across the plains at a brisk pace in chilly winds to arrive at an old hut where we had morning tea. Further along the track on the high plains we met a group of about 20 bushwalkers from the Wangaratta Bushwalking Club. We discovered one of the members was from Deniliquin on the NSW border and who actually knew the Hogans (Jan’s family) from Deniliquin where we heading for a family 100 year anniversary reunion after the walk. It‘s true “It is indeed a small world” We then headed pass a group of brumbies. There was one which eyed us somewhat warily just as a sentinel would. We stopped for lunch at Pole 333 which was our turnoff. We found these snow poles an extremely effective aid with navigation. After a long descent we arrived at Dibbins hut in daylight and it was so much easier getting tents up and preparing dinner. Lesley, Regina and Sue having breakfast at Cope Hut campsite
We left camp the following morning at 9.30 and it was up, up, and more up which changed to a more gradual up before we arrived at Derrick Hut. We lunched behind a ski lift and could see the Mt Loch car park in the distance which we reached at 2.30pm. We packed the six of us (plus packs) into the Prado and headed for Harrietville where we met Peter and Kit for coffee at Bella’s Café. Regina Day 3
The Victorian Alps, while it can be treacherous and unforgiving at times has stunning scenery and diverse plant life. I have found walking along just a few of the trails both interesting, awe inspiring and testing but I plan to return for more. Looking to Mt Feathertop-to be climbed another day!
Derrick Hut
Cope Hut
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Mt Feathertop by Jan Sammons 14 April 2015
First, let me go back to April 2014, when Rob and I, on our annual trip south to visit family and friends, took a day out of our hectic schedule and drove to Harrietville intending to ascend Mt Feathertop, Victoria’s second highest mountain at 1922m. We booked into the comfortable Snowline Motel, enjoyed a good dinner near a log fire and retreated to our room to prepare for the ascent the next day, only to hear the sounds of pelting rain! It rained heavily all night and was still raining the next morning, so the Feathertop day was spent having a look at the trailhead then relaxing in the delightful Bella’s coffee shop just down the road from our motel. As we had other commitments, we headed back to Melbourne the next day with the rain still coming down! Fast forward to a 3 day walk this April in the Victorian Alps just near Mt Feathertop, and we seized the opportunity for another attempt after we had completed the delightful Falls Creek to Mt Hotham walk. The previous day we had given our aching muscles a rest by exploring beautiful Bright, and of course checking out some more coffee shops. However given that we needed to complete a 22k walk and a 1300m ascent, it was an early start for myself, Rob, Regina, Carrin and Lesley. Peter, Kit and Sue opted for less strenuous pursuits, so the five of us travelled from Bright to Harrietville and commenced our trek up the Bungalow Spur. At first the track wound its way along a creek at a gentle incline, but soon began to ascend more steeply as we passed Picture Point and views to Harrietville below us. We were walking amongst the trees, so the cool temperatures and overcast conditions meant we weren’t inclined to linger. After about a 45 mins we heard the sound of running feet, and were passed by two very fit young blokes RUNNING up Mt Feathertop! They didn’t pause to talk but a third man running slightly behind managed to tell us it was an Army group and there were about 20 of them. So much for a quiet stroll up Feathertop! Over the next hour or so we were gradually overtaken by the rest of the group which included some young ladies and a few older souls who were travelling at a slower pace and would rather we hadn’t stepped aside to let them overtake! We found out the group came from Bendigo, was a combination of Army and Naval personnel made up of people such as clerks and mechanics, and that they were ascending via the Bungalow Spur and coming down the Razorback ridge-all part of a “bonding” experience between our armed forces! The description for Bungalow Spur is “relentless” up, and that was pretty accurate. The track was mostly good, and is obviously well-used and we paused for a break near the site of the old Federation Hut (destroyed by fire in 1939, but some relics remain) then it was onwards and upwards another 1 km to the current Federation hut, which is about 2 kms from the summit.
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We had a brief stop in the hut where we were joined by a young Buddhist monk who was having some quiet time in the mountains. Fortunately the 20 members of the defence forces had by now gotten up to the summit and were probably on their way down, so we left the monk to his solitude and headed up yet another incline. By now we were getting above the tree line, and there were some beautiful views BUT the clouds were starting to gather around us. It had gotten very cold and we were well rugged up but it was getting colder by the minute and as Rob said “closing in”. We managed to ascend to around 1800m and estimated we had about another 750m in distance, at least 100m up and a few downs (there were still 3 summits to ascend after we had done a couple of little bumps) so after reaching a spot we later found out to be “Little Mt Feathertop”, we decided it was safer not to continue in the fog but to start the journey back after a “summit” photo. We paused at Federation Hut for a late lunch, and it was still very cold even inside the hut. Another two young men arrived to spend the night and attempt Mt Feathertop in the morning, and they were stocking up on firewood ready for an even colder night. The monk seemed to have taken himself into the woods for some quiet time, so we headed down the hill at a pretty good pace. We arrived at the carpark around 5.30pm and just ahead of the dark so we were glad we had not taken the risk of going right to the top as we would have been coming down in the dark. However we were pretty pleased with the 19k and 1300m ascent we had managed, and it is a beautiful mountain with views over the Bogong High Plains which we had walked a couple of days ago. We decided we would have to have another attempt to summit another time, perhaps by the Razorback Ridge which although it is also a 22k walk, starts at a higher altitude near Mt Hotham so much less ascent involved. This ridge is very open and can only be done in good weather, so hopefully sometime in 2016 “we’ll be back”!!! Thanks to everyone for another great walk!
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Machu Picchu by Robyn Smith Another tick off the Bucket List for me. "MACHU PICCHU" Peru, South America lived up to its magical and sensational views it is just like the postcard pictures. The most stunning mountains and rock buildings or what’s left of them. It’s just a marvel how they have carried up every rock and the handmade implements they used to carve out this Inca City, just extraordinary. It’s not easy walking around here as it’s all up & up great big rock steps and in some small sections squeeze through walls. Although I didn't do the trek up I saw some of the openings of the Trek when travelling up on the bus and they were not for the faint hearted, they looked very steep, so I take my hat off to anyone who has trekked it for 4 days, I know for one my daughter and her new husband did it last February 2014 on their honeymoon including 3 months backpacking all around Sth America, starting in Rio for the 'Carnival'. I did the train up, it takes 1.5 hrs. plus a bus ride for 25 mins. on dirt roads and rocks so it’s very bumpy and right on the edge of cliffs, and one way only, so if another bus comes you have to pull over and try and let them squeeze past. Lake Titicaca is so astonishing with its man made islands they float around and live on. Usually about six houses on each mostly all their family members, but if they have a disagreement with old Uncle Edgar they can cut his section off with house and let him float away down the lake, a great way to get rid of the Rellies!! To sum up Peru, its like no other place on earth, most villages are very dirty and old, but some nice parts in the big Cities they have developed town squares with gardens and monuments, they also have beautiful flowers everywhere. But 10 million people crammed into Peru alone its very behind the times, they are so poor I cant see it ever changing, I guess that's the experience you get visiting different cultures it sure is a world of their own. When I joined LBBWC - my first walk was with Marie Mc and Peter Rice was our guide for the day, he gave us some advice and said stay away from mountains that begin with the letter "M" well I managed to stay away from "Mt. Maroon" etc but Mt. Mitchell was ok but "Machu Picchu" is quite challenging too!!
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ANZAC Weekend 100th Anniversary by Robyn Smith 25/4/15
A few of us stayed at Currumbin in apartments for the weekend and went to the dawn service on the beach. We walked down from our accommodation on the hill at 4.30am it was a buzz with 30,000 other people although done in a very orderly and quiet fashion. It turned out a great sunrise up over the ocean and to see the Surf Boats out on the water as the Life Savers were tipping the ashes into the sea of past Service men it was very moving. There was lots of speeches from the RSL president Ron___________ but he mumbled and we couldn't hear anything. I did get a surprise visit that walked passed me and I said hello to Pauline Hanson and she replied back. A walk up to RSL later for a cold beer with a big crowd of people and lots of ceremonies going on. Sunday was a relaxing day on the beach, we had two swims, it was a very pleasant weekend with Bev, Marie Mc and me (Betty had to cancel out). "CONGRATULATIONS" APRIL 2015 MARIE McGAHAN & ROBYN SMITH 10 YEARS MEMBERS of "LBBWC" C U SOMEWHERE IN THE GR8 OUTDOORS – Robyn Smith
Photos taken at Mt Barney submitted by Dieter Lacko 24 May 15
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BlogSpot by Regina Rosin Some of my friends at the club might like to read my blog that I have started I update it regularly I hope all is well in the club http://greatcanaryiland.blogspot.com.es/2015/03/las-palmas-city-full-of-diversity.html
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Events 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 Hampton Food Festival – May 17th Goomeri Pumpkin Festival – May 24th Boonah Clydesdale Spectacular – 1st June Eat Local Week tasting tables – 28th June Jazz on the Mountain, Bestbrook & Opera in the Bush, Jimbour and Darlington Markets - 19 th July Gourmet in Gundy and Malany Food Festival – 13th September Labour Day weekend – Australian Camp Oven Festival, Millmerran – 4th 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
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