Set this weekend aside in your calendars. Dust off that cocktail dress or suit. The pinnacle event of the ANUMC year is coming....

.... Cocktails on the Castle!

Cocktails on the Castle is an annual tradition for the ANUMC. For those who don't know, the Castle is an iconic peak in the Budawangs National Park. From its summit you gaze out over the flat Byangee Mountain with the distinctive peak of Pigeon House Mountain beyond. Given the spectacular beauty of the area, the ANUMC feels that it is only fitting that we do our bit to enhance the natural beauty by shedding our dirty, sweaty bushwalking clothes for more elegant attire and having a little cocktail party on the summit each year.

The walk begins on Saturday morning from the Yadboro River campsite (we may drive down and camp there on Friday evening). It is a steep 6km climb up Kalianna Ridge to the Castle saddle - you will need a fairly good level of fitness for this walk - especially as we will be carrying heavy packs laden with cocktail ingredients. Once at the saddle, the final climb to the Castle summit is just that - an easy grade rock climb. It can be done without a rope, but for safety we will be setting up a rope. If you are not good with heights, you might want to have a chat to the trip leader, because parts of the climb are quite exposed. Nevertheless, you don't need previous rock climbing experience to come on this trip.

Note: The ascent of the Castle summit is weather dependent as it is unsafe to climb in wet and hazardous conditions. If the weather is unsuitable, we will camp near the Castle saddle.

If we are graced with good weather, we will set up tents or bivy bags on the summit of the Castle, and spend an evening enjoying cocktails, gourmet delights and the good company of fellow ANUMCers. The following day we will make the descent back to Yadboro and return to Canberra - probably with a stop at the Braidwood bakery or pizzeria along the way.