 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
 Bec enjoying some of the delights of NZ... Photo: John McGrath |
May 1999
|
|
|
Photo: John McGrath |
In recent months there has been an increased awareness of safety issues amongst (already very aware) trip leaders within the Club. Following the death of an English tourist while canyoning in the Blue Mountains with an under-prepared group (unrelated to the Club), trip leaders have been re-evaluating the preparation of their own trips to minimise the risk of Club activities. Many trip leaders recently attended a wilderness first aid and rescue course and this has helped them to develop more effective strategies for dealing with emergency situations.
Activities in the outdoors invariably carry a degree of risk. Rocks and anchors can give way, weather conditions can change, terrain can be more challenging than anticipated. Although no trip and no leader is ever completely risk free, there are many things that can be done to reduce these risks. The Club has safety equipment for the use of Club trips, we subsidise our leader's participation in first aid courses, provide training in trip planning, leadership and other outdoor skills, and provide leaders with a safety framework to ensure that overdue trips are monitored.
Despite all these measures, participants should always evaluate the risks associated with a trip for themselves and ensure that they are comfortable with the level of planning and preparation that has gone into a particular trip. Trip participants can reduce their personal risk - and the pressure on the trip leader - by having the appropriate equipment and knowledge for the trip. If you are ever unsure, trip leaders and activity officers will be happy to assist. So, get out there and enjoy the outdoors.
...Duncan McIntyre, Acting President
Finally months of dreaming and anticipation were over, replaced instead with reality - one seriously heavy pack and the fear of falling down a crevasse. We'd been going for a couple of hours now. The heat, reflected from the white landscape made the late afternoon sun nearly unbearable. Behind us our tracks zigzagged their way through a maze of crevasses, the small mound where Roger and Marc had buried a food stash now barely visible.
Ahead lay a snow slope with foot tracks leading to Kelman Hut, gloriously perched upon a rocky outcrop and basking in the late afternoon sun. So close yet so far- It was time to dig in, to use the mind to conquer the burning calves and that aching back (thanks to a pack which included approximately 2 weeks of food as well as mountaineering gear) and ascend the last few hundred metres. In days to come, we would gaze out of the hut windows and empathise at the slow progress of similarly-laden groups whilst sipping at a hot cuppa. A few crevasse hops later and unroped, we disturbed the peace in the hut and grabbed a mattress which would bear our imprints for the next 10 days.
|
Our first full day in the mountains dawned perfect for everyone but Marc who was coming down with a particularly severe flu. Before attempting any climbs we had to perfect our French technique (walking on crampons flatfooted on icy slopes) and our ice axe arresting. The latter is particularly important as on exposed climbs reacting with the proper technique MUST be done immediately to halt a fall! Next we practised snow climbing, pitching a simple slope. We attempted to climb the rocky pinnacle at the end of the slope but when Roger climbing ahead sent a cascade of rocks around Matt and I, we decided against it. This was the first of several occasions when I learnt the true value of wearing a helmet. It was also our first lesson in NZ rock- loose crap and to be avoided as much as possible!! Thankfully, we all subconsciously decided not to test our luck on rock routes for the remainder of the trip.
The following days started poorly for our group. Marc and Roger became zombie-like figures with a flu they must have caught on the plane and ended up bed-ridden for around 5 days. Other hut users, already paying so much to be up here, would look on in fear. Fortunately they didn't get it but Bec did! In the midst of this viral war zone, I was reading the "Hot Zone", a non-fictional account of the outbreak of Ebola virus and how it kills up to 90% of infected victims! Uummmm....
So it was left to Matt, Petr and I (with cameo appearances from the others) to do the initial climbs and take advantage of the cloudless skies. On climbing days we would get up at 5.30am to take advantage of the firm snow conditions and lessen the chance of being hit by avalanche and rockfall as the snow melted during the day. We climbed Aylmer (8550ft), Abel (8750ft), Hochstedder Dome (9258ft) and scouted the base of the ridge leading up to Mts Green and Walter. Climbing was awesome! First you had the sunrise, then the pure majesty of wind-carved icy slopes leading up to deep blue skies beyond. However, walking in pairs or threes became an annoying succession of tugs as you would walk faster or slower than the other(s) roped up with you. Eventually though the glacier walking would finish and then the ascent would begin in earnest. Snow/ice anchors would be placed and someone would be belayed up the first pitch.
Hochstedder Dome was the most enjoyable climb, so much so I climbed it twice. The first (steep) ridge was a mental battle. It's often said on any sort of exposed terrain (eg. climbing or abseiling a cliff) "Do not look down!". Well the first ridge of Hochstedder was exposure plus! It was very narrow, nearly knife edge but looking straight down wasn't the problem - a foot to the left was a 20+ metre drop down a crevasse and on the right was a 1500m drop into a valley semi-obscured by cloud!!! Talk about mentally toughening! I must add that the conditions - an inch of loose snow covering solid ice - didn't install that much confidence, especially in the presence of such exposure. Then on the first ascent of Hochstedder the inevitable happened and an icy slab gave way and I started falling down to the right, wondering if my belayer and the anchors would survive the ensuing shockloading....
To be continued...
...John McGrath
For one Paul Rustomji, Shoalhaven Gorge Reprise must have been a piece of cake, if his occasional backflip into the Shoalhaven whilst waiting for yours truly to bring up the rear was any indication!
For me, the S/M experience felt like L/H(ard) even though the total distance covered was apparently not much more than 10km, if that?! Despite finding the walk personally challenging, the route rewarded us with great variety of terrain and scenic appeal. The weather could not have been better. Although quite warm, significant stints in the shade made the going pleasant and any stint in the sun usually involved a refreshing river crossing.
The walk started out from Badgery's Lookout a few kilometres down the road from the Tallong General Store. The descent into the gorge was steep. By the time we reached the river bed I was jelly-legged. But a relaxing wallow in the Shoalhaven accompanied by lunch and a siesta gave my walking limbs a welcome reprieve.
Between lunch on Saturday and lunch on Sunday, some of us must have changed out of and back into our hiking boots at least a dozen times! Although "Dunlop Volleys" were tailor-made to help tender feet negotiate river crossings, I found each successive shoe operation more tiring. Could this have been the reason why Paul had time and energy to perform his aquatic acrobatics? He never changed out of his boots when traversing the river.
|
|
Dinner for me was pretty ordinary but Chris and Kieran flaunted gourmet cuisine. Chris even produced a bottle of wine for all to enjoy with dinner! The evening was very mild. The clear blue sky that had been with us all day gave way to a twilight sky garnished with a sliver of the waxing Moon. Having graced us with its presence for a while, it dipped behind the gorge. Gradually, the clear night sky became peppered with countless stars, including the well-recognised constellations of Orion and the Southern Cross. It was a real feast for the eyes.
Eventually we retired from conversation around the glowing coals of a campfire as sleep worked its spell over us. I certainly felt caught up in its powers as I lay by the campfire but once I hit the sack it was a different story! Like a rotisserie chicken, I turned from my back to my side to my stomach to my other side and to my back again. Resigned to insomnia, I contentedly gazed on the heavens, rewarded every now and then by the vision of a shooting star making a fleeting appearance on the celestial stage.
Sunday dawned gently and with the promise of a warmer day. Although I managed to pass Trangia 1-0-1 on Saturday evening by mastering the pronunciation of "spondonicles", neither my companions nor I had any idea that I would be overcome by an ambition to get into the Guinness Book of Records for taking the longest time to pack the following morning! After that mammoth effort I was ready for a siesta but a change in scenery before lunch was in order.
We had to scramble along for a while before we came across the more negotiable terrain of sand and Casurinas once more. Like Saturday, there was a fair quota of rock-hopping to do and a couple of swims (wallowing sessions) involved.
After a leisurely lunch we commenced the long climb out. Having delighted in the majestic beauty of the gorge's steep and rugged slopes as we picked our way along the river bed, it was now time to appreciate the view into the gorge when we paused on our ascent up Kingpin Mountain (I think) to Longpoint Lookout.
Slower than a semi-trailer, I made it to the top. But the sense of freedom gained the moment I shed my pack shifted my energy levels up a couple of gears. I went to join the others at the lookout for a superbly rewarding view. It was really satisfying to look back over the terrain we had covered the past two days - and humbling for me to realise what a challenge it had been. It makes me stand in awe of Australian pioneers.
...Dione Smith (Database Dudette)
I would like to point out that (a) I am not a keen canyoner, but I have been known to be dragged down the odd canyon (kicking and screaming); and (b) I was forced to write this article against my wishes, by the canyon loving, ruthless editor of this newsletter.
This is a good page to find information on canyoning in the Blue Mtns with some really speccy photos. This page is maintained by David Noble, the bare foot hardman, famous for discovering the Wollemi Pine. So if you're a sad troglodyte wanna be, with a penchant for freezing off various appendages of your anatomy, then this is the page for you. There are a variety of topics covered by this web page, the best section being "Canyon Names and History" which is primarily information on first descents with a few anecdotes on the naming of some canyons. There are also brief sections on canyoning ethics, where you can catch a glimpse of Noble's strong opinions, canyoning safety, which doesn't go much beyond the bleeding obvious, but he does mention that becoming benighted is not too rare, which should please some people!
...Annino
The Blue Mountains is an awesome place for climbing, and I was able to experience some of the best on offer back in December with 3 other ANUMC'ers. At Mt York we met up with some Melbourne uni climbers who suggested we do the West Wall of the Three Sisters, a popular and easy climb. The route wanders up the western wall and then circles around the eastern side to finish on the summit of the first sister.
We left camp early the next day and drove to Katoomba where we had to pay $12.80 for the days parking! (Hint: park 1km away and walk back). Shouldering our gear, we passed several gawking tourists as we headed to the tourist staircase. On our way down the steep stairs, we passed an American lady complaining loudly about her mismatching shoes. "Wow! Real Climbers!" she exclaimed as we passed. Then she noticed Tarik's ragged sandals (made from a butchered pair of runners), "and here I am complaining about not having matching shoes!" she continued.
Leaving her behind, we found the start and scrambled up a worn track to a chossy block. Here I began to
|
Since there were four of us, we had split into two pairs: Pete and Tarik, Darren and myself. Pete would lead first, placing protection as he went up. Tarik would second him, leaving the gear behind for Darren and I to alternate leads/collect the gear (we were just beginning to lead at the time). It would enable the four of us to make rapid progress and easily complete the route in a day.
Pete and Tarik raced up the block and Darren disappeared soon after them, leaving me alone with the mosquitoes. Fear of the unknown really began to build as I had no idea of what to expect. It was soon time to begin, and preparing for the worst, I popped over the top to find... nothing but a well worn path through some trees to a bolt belay. What? No massive cliffs? Immediately my fear evaporated as I realised that the whole climb was going to be easy climbing intermingled with paths.
A short track (pitch 2) led to vertical rock, a 10m undercut corner. It was 20-30 years since the climb had first been graded, and since then, several centimetres of soil had washed away from the base of the pitch each year. This increases the difficulty of the pitch as each year passes! A wobbly cairn provided aid for the first move and from there on it was an easy lead to the top.
From then on the climb comprised of pitches of walking intermingled with climbing. One 50m vertical pitch was almost a wall of dirt sporting a few embedded blocks. It was when nearing the top of this pitch that I noticed Pete fiddling around with a natural gear belay he'd set up close to two bolts! Lesson: keep your eyes open! Soon afterwards, two climbers overtook us, the leader climbing unroped, dragging a line up for his partner. He told us that he'd done the climb many times before, including one midnight ascent during a full moon, naked except for his climbing boots!
After a quick lunch we climbed two almost vertical pitches which led to the gap between the 2nd and 3rd sisters. The exposure on these two pitches was awesome - the ground falling away below and stretching for miles beneath us. From the gap, a long path led to the bridge on the first sister. Nearby tourists dropped everything and stared as we popped round a corner and clambered over the fence. From here, the final pitch separated us from the top and the end of the climb. Pete began up the corner, the tourists baffled and obviously highly dubious of the gear he was placing in the crack.
Eventually Darren and I followed, and I began to lead the pitch. Halfway up and it was awesome to look down and savour the exposure, I was so high that the distance was almost unfathomable (for an exhilarating adrenalin buzz, you know what to do!). After topping out, a short scramble led to the summit, a spectacular view and the climax of our combined efforts. After a few peaceful minutes on summit it was time to rap down, and though the adventure was over, the memories would always remain. Anyhow, climb with the ANUMC and maybe one day you will get to do the West Wall!
...Ben Davies
The fog was thick, the mud sticky, it had rained all night - naturally it was the Easter weekend in the Bluies. So fortified after a night of chocolate, a curry cook off between Andrew and John and a bottle of red we decided to shake off the soggy moods and find ourselves a canyon to do. And this was the hardest thing about doing Dione Dell, finding it. Sound familiar? After humiliating ourselves by missing the path and being redirected to its start by a professional guide, we wandered through the gorgeous undergrowth of the Kanangra region to the start of the canyon.
 Photo: Will Keogh or Steve Barry |
John and Andrew had to stop and show off to the new girl, Karen, by throwing their brave and foolish selves into the freezing creek before we had even reached the first abseil point. In the meantime the commercial group had passed us by and we were to soon discover that the canyon was to be a veritable rush hour with assorted canyoners yelling, whistling and taking turns to pass each other all day. We found the first abseil, a gorgeous but freezing place with a waterfall on each side and we decided it was time to show Karen what the harness and ropes were for. Being only a half day trip with five easy abseils, Andrew, John, Emma and I figured showing a novice how to abseil wouldn't be too difficult. Poor thing - the first abseil was a little slipperier and trickier than the canyoning guide had led us to believe, so after slipping and sliding all over the rock (not to mention scared to death) my little sister eventually made her way to the bottom of waterfall. As a piece of advice it may be wiser for family relations that you do not attempt to teach abseiling to your own sister! Still, she finally forgave me when she realised that, style aside, abseiling is pretty easy if you are with people who know what they are doing and she progressively executed each abseil more confidently and quickly.
Meanwhile Andrew was being Mr Bossy Britches urging us to move faster along the creek as we scrambled, waded and swam along the creek to each abseil. Some might say he is paranoid about being stuck out in a canyon after dark! Needless to say Emma, Karen and I decided to slow proceedings down by continually slipping on rocks and sitting down up to our waists in water. (Sitting in icy cold water though does provide an incentive to move quickly after these incidents, as you get so cold that you fear your reproductive organs may freeze solid forfeiting your ability to bore future children to tears with tales of canyoning courage in your old age!)
The canyon itself is very pretty and has a spectacular finish on top of Mt Margaret? falls. By crawling up to the edge of the cliff you can look down the 100 metres into the lush green valley below. Alas this canyon like others is at the bottom of a valley and requires a steep trudge out. After first slipping off the path in a dainty impression of a turtle I then got whipped the whole way up by Tight Pants who decided that I wasn't trudging fast enough. Naturally John was out in front (does this guy never tire?) and in thick mist we wandered along the base of the dripping rock looking for the way out. The improbably looking pass is quite narrow and after climbing up the muddy rocks we found ourselves on the sodden trail back to the road, taunting ourselves and each other with recipes for dinner.
...Mel Frost
You've spent two hours slaving over a hot stove, wooden spoon in one hand and 'phone in the other with your Ma shouting instructions on how to cook the roast. You've splashed out on a bottle of wine (as opposed to Chateau Cardboard) and goddamn it, you've put on a clean t-shirt. The girlie posters have been stashed under the mattress, the housemates kicked out and you've borrowed your sisters' Kenny G CD. The scene is set for a night of gourmet food, culture and, if you're lucky, a shag in the wee hours. What could possibly go wrong…? That's right, the apple of your eye, your piece of totty, is a vege-bloody-tarian. Well meateaters, here's a story to warm your little cholesterol-clogged hearts and make every pale-faced, emaciated vego wince in pain.
Bernard, Tarik and I had turned down Cuan's offer of home brand tinned Irish Stew (Carolyn, your fella needs cooking lessons) deciding instead to try our luck at one of Nowra's pubs. After all, Nowra's on the coast, it's a surfie town, bound to be overran by dreadlocked, lettuce nibbling hippie types who scream blue murder at the sight of an egg cracked into a fry pan let alone a little woolly lamb on the business end of a steak knife. Surely then, we three fish-eating, psuedo-vegos would have no problem hunkering down to a plate of Nowra's finest?
Judging by the abundance of pubs, Nowra is a town that enjoys a pint or fifteen. In the end we opted for the North Nowra Tavern; lured by the promise of a cover band and the assurance of a couple of local lads that "that's where all the pretty birds are on a Sat-dy night." Of course, these were the same fellas that belayed in one hand whilst sucking on a Winnie blue or scratching their boys in the other, so perhaps we ought to have better.
At first glance, North Nowra Tavern was no different from any other country pub: the carpet was sticky as a result of many beers and few guts being spilt, the barmaids had hands bigger than Mal Meniniga's and all eyes were glued to the Sky Sports telecast of the last race from the Tamworth barkers.
We strolled over to the food bar and were served by a vision in stretch polyester and a Pauline Hanson perm named Doreen. "G'day boys, what can I do for ya?" the luscious Doreen asked of us. Fleeting thoughts of lust and elopement to Terrigal were soon overcome by hunger and so, swallowing back a mouthful of drool, I asked Doreen to detail the contents of the lasagne.
"Y'know love, it's got the usual, cheese, tomadas and mince" was the reply.
"Oh OK", I replied wondering whether the same cow that had produced the lasagne mince was also responsible for the $1 steak that Cuan had ordered.
Rebuffed by the lasagne, we herbivores decided instead to go for the nachos; a sure bet to contain beans and not any body parts of the aforementioned cut-price cow. Wrong again. And when we asked if the salad could possibly, maybe, if it wasn't too much trouble Your Grace, come minus the bacon, ham and other pig parts Doreen shot us a look that would have frozen a column of gun-toting Yugoslav soldiers let alone three scrawny climbers about to faint from hunger.
Things were getting desperate and we had but one card left up our sleeve. Clutching at the bar, mainly so I would fall over, I begged Doreen to find us her finest wedges: an always-reliable vegetarian stand-by. Her reply however brought tears to our eyes.
"You do realise, don't you, that the wedges come with mincemeat."
What??? And did the menfolk of Nowra still wear animal skins and club their women on the head before dragging them back to the cave for a bit of noogy? Hadn't the Heart Foundation's message about cholesterol and obesity registered at all in the heads of the good people of Nowra? I mean, there didn't seem to be any more fat arses in Nowra than in other white trash country towns despite their appalling lack of greens in their diet.
Although sorely tempted to get myself arrested and so scam a good feed from the cops, in the end we ordered a few bowls of scabby chips and a helluva lot of beer to get through the evening. Irish Stew man Cuan meanwhile, gloated the whole night about his superb mean, how filling it was and how crisp and succulent the steak had been.
Yeah well, the next day Cuan did his hammy after doing the same overhung route five times so I guess the vegos and the cut-price cow got some revenge in the end.
...Andrew Taylor
If you've been wanting to help out around the club, then these couple of midyear vacancies may be just what you've been waiting for!!
Created by Ben Davies, Mar 99
s3095027@student.anu.edu.au
Rolling Sessions
Kayaking rolling sessions will be held in the pool from 7:30pm
every Thursday in May at the Canberra Boys Grammar on the corner
of Alexander St and Golden Cr Red Hill. The sessions are free
to club members, but will cost $5 for non members. Thursday May
6th, will be dedicated to intermediate kayakers (who have attended
at least one rolling session). From Thursday May 13th through
to Thursday June 3rd, rolling sessions will be open everyone.
If you need transport to the Grammar School, contact Annino Vaccarella
by email at annino@xpsoftware.com.au
or phone 62428191(h) or 62531844(w), and a car will be organised
to pick up people from the ANU Sports Union at 7:15pm. If no
one contacts Annino, no car will be sent to the Sports Union!
Climbing Wall - Mondays and Wednesdays
Monday and Wednesday nights from 5.30pm to 8pm. Club ropes are
set up and harnesses are available. Note: to use the wall you
need to have a belay pass, sports union membership and either
pay at the front desk or show your ANUMC membership card. You
must sign in at the front desk before climbing on the wall. Contact
Bernard Pfeil on 62465507(w) or email Bernard.Pfeil@pi.csiro.au
Womens Climbing Nights - Tuesdays
Tuesday nights from 8pm to 10pm. Open to all women in the ANUMC
to develop and improve your skills in a supportive atmosphere
with lots of laughs as we work together on our climbing. Ropes
and harnesses provided but you will need your own climbing shoes.
(Don't forget your belay pass!) We also now need to pay to use
the wall ($4 students) however with such a good atmosphere this
sum is worth it. See you there. Contact Mel Frost on 62579696(h),
62137728(w) or email mfrost@isr.gov.au,
or Carolyn Roberts on 62992508(h),62992509(w) or email cazroberts@yahoo.com.
Sat 8 May - Intermediate rockclimbing - Gibraltar
Come and have a fun day out at Gibraltar: my favourite place
to climb because it doesn't have that awful walk in that Booroomba
has. Lots of good varied climbs, so you can go hard and do lots
in one day, or just enjoy the view. Numbers will depend on car
spaces, so if you can ferry people around, that would be great.
Some climbing experience is necessary (you should have been on
the ropes skills weekend or have equivalent skills) as there
won't be any beginner instruction on the day. But we should manage
plenty of top-roping and leading of course. Transport: about
$4.00. Pretrip meeting: 5:45pm Thursday 6 May outside the gear
store. Contact Lex Morey on 62725491(w), 62312357(h) or email
Lex.Morey@isr.gov.au
8-9 May - 13 Highest Peaks of Australia L/M-R.
A hard but breathtaking and moody overnight walk on the wild
Main Range essentially following the Lakes Walk (with its huge
western drop off!), but attempting to incorporate ascents of
the 13 highest peaks in Australia! No single climb is large but
doing them collectively should provide a challenge [He aint kidding
folks: Bushwalking Officer]. Driving up Friday night, we will
car camp for an early morning start from Charlotte's Pass. After
taking in the splendour of Blue Lake we will climb Mt Twynam,
Watson's Crag's Dome, followed by Carruthers, Northcote, Mt Etheridge
and Mt Kosciusko, camping near Mueller's Pass. Then it would
be Townsend, Alice Rawson Peak, Abbots Peak and nearby peak,
followed by Ramshead, North and Central Ramshead on the return
journey to Charlotte's. It could well snow during the walk so
warm and waterproof gear is essential. Map: Kosciuscko 1:50,000.
Transport: about $35. Pretrip: 6pm Tuesday, 4 May outside the
gearstore. Contact: John McGrath on 62493710(w), 62498632(h)
or email john.mcgrath@anu.edu.au.
Sun 9 May - Looking for Limestone - Big Hole and Marble
Arch
A casual day walk in the northern annexe of Deua National Park,
taking in the impressive Big Hole (it's really big!) and the
cool and secluded Marble Arch. This is an easy trip for people
who want a relaxing day in the bush. Prepare to get your feet
wet crossing the Shoalhaven River - paddling in the River and
`stacking stones' at the end of the day is also an option. Map:
Kain 1:25000. Transport: $10-$15. Pretrip meeting 6:30pm Thurs
6 May at the gearstore. Contact Jane Pulford on 62428191(h),
62465247(w) or email jpulford@earthling.net
Sat 15 or Sun 16 May - Mountain Bike ride
Either Saturday or Sunday (depending on the weather and who’s
interested) I’ll be heading out on the trails for a day
of magnificent mountain biking in a location not too far from
Canberra. Bring your bike and come along. Pretrip meeting: 6pm
Wednesday, 12 May outside the gear store. Contact: Chris Ernst
on 62485837(h) or email s3020346@student.anu.edu.au
15-16 May - Intermediate/advanced rockclimbing trip - Mt
Keira
Mt Keira offers a combination of sport climbing and natural pro
routes with a range of grades. It is ideal for those leading
in the low/mid teens as well as offering harder routes as well.
As a minimum, participants should have been on one of the climbing
workshop trips or have equivalent skills. You will need to bring
or hire your own gear, however I will be bringing the top roping
rack for people of intermediate standard to use (ie you will
need to be capable of setting up your own anchors). Transport:
about $25. There will be a charge for camping (probably at the
Mt Keira Scout Camp but I have yet to confirm availability and
costs). Pretrip: 6pm Thursday 13 May outside the gear store.
Contact Mel Frost on 62579696(h), 62137728(w) or email mfrost@isr.gov.au
15-16 May - Royal National Park - M/E
Established in 1879 the Royal National Park just south of Sydney
is the second oldest national park in the world. The premier
bushwalking attraction is the 30km coast track which we’ll
follow from Otford in the south to Bundeena in the north. Along
the way we’ll pass sandy beaches, rocky headlands and sheer
ocean cliffs up to 100m high. This is an easy walk so there’s
no need to survive on two minute noodles and all participants
must, therefore, bring good food. Numbers are limited so call
early. Transport: $30-$35. Pretrip: 6pm Thursday, 13 May at the
gearstore. Contact Hannah Rechter on 62304807(h), 62153776(w)
or email on Hannah.Rechter@dofa.gov.au.
22-23 May - Leadership weekend
Have you ever been interested in developing outdoor leadership
skills? Here is your opportunity to find out what is involved,
or brush up on the skills you already have. The weekend will
provide an introduction to leadership including coverage of navigation,
group management, emergency campcraft, crisis management, rescue
and much more. The weekend is designed for both new and aspiring
trip leaders with limited outdoor experience as well as old hands
looking for something different. The weekend will be preceded
by a long pretrip meeting outside the gear store at 6pm on Thursday,
20 May to discuss planning. If you attended the trip planning
and Pretrip training session in April you’ll be able to
leave early. Contact Duncan McIntyre on 62473909(h) or email
mcintyre@email.net.au
or Mika Kontiainen on 62505344(w) or email mika.kontiainen@ag.gov.au.
22-23 May - Advanced Climbing at Point Perpendicular
Some very impressive and airy climbing on steel grey sandstone
(right above the ocean!). The climbs range from the mid teens
to mid twenties. Access is by abseil only, so you climb out,
or prussik up the abseil rope. Transport: about $20-$25. Pretrip
meeting: 6pm Thursday, 20 May at the gearstore. Contact Annino
Vaccarella on 62428191(h) 62531844(w) or email annino@xpsoftware.com.au
(28) 29-30 May - Mt Jagungal - L/M
A last chance to visit this exciting mountain in the Snowies
before the winter snows (hopefully!) cover the place. In and
out from Round Mountain, mostly on trails. Nice scenery, but
nights should be cool. Transport: $30. No Pretrip meeting. Contact:
Paul Rustomji on 62575132(h), 62465708(w) or email paul.rustomji@cbr.clw.csiro.au.
29-30 May Intermediate/Advanced Climbing at Nowra
The climbs around Nowra have more bolts than a Fyshwick hardware
store and names that sound like they were thought up after a
night's window browsing in that fine suburb's knock shops. So
come and enjoy a weekend of sports climbing, swimming nuddy in
the Shoalhaven and dancing the night away with some of the South
Coast's best specimens of trailer park trash. WARNING: vegetarians
should bring truckloads of couscous and leafy greens because
Nowra is one carnivorous town, where non-meat eaters are treated
with dismay and wonderment. Transport: who knows? I don't have
a car. Pretrip meeting: 6pm Thursday 27 May at the Gearstore.
Contact: Andrew Taylor on 62799042(h) or email s9406134@student.anu.edu.au
Sat 5 June Warogong Sugarloaf M/M
This is an 11km day walk near Tumut in an area usually above
the snowline in winter. A reasonable climb up good tracks will
reward us with awesome views of Blowering Reservoir and the Tumut
valley as it leaves the Snowies behind. There's a chance of spotting
lyrebirds and even the odd wombat. When we can tear ourselves
away from the view, we'll head back down the track to fish and
chips in Tumut. Need to be moderately fit, but no bushwalking
experience required. Transport: cars. I don't have one, so I'll
need some punters with wheels! Pretrip: 6pm Thursday 3 June outside
the gearstore. Contact: Sam Margerison on 62570372(h), 62493572(w)
or email samm@rsc.anu.edu.au
5-6 June - Nice Night in Nippy Namadgi M/M
This 25km walk through the central region of Namadgi is straight
out of Wild No 54. Its a great trip from Orroral Valley through
Cotter Gap to Cotter Rocks then down to the pristine snow and
mountain gums forests around Rocks Flats. The return will be
via the upper reaches of Rendezvous Creek and Nursery Swamp.
It’ll be the first weekend of winter and the night is likely
to be nippy so bring your down sleeping bag and thermals. Properly
equipped we’ll be toasty warm and able to enjoy the magnificent
views that a crisp, cool day will offer. Transport: about $5.00.
Pretrip meeting: 6pm Thursday, 3 June outside the gearstore.
Contact Mika Kontiainen on 62505344 or email mika.kontiainen@ag.gov.au.
Sun 6 June - Advanced ropeskills and rescue techniques
This trip is for lead climbers, climbing trip leaders and possibly
canyoners and cavers who do a lot of vertical stuff. The trip
will be to a local crag and will be primarily to practice hauling
techniques (C Pulley, Z pulley and assisted hoists), abseiling
with an injured or unconscious casualty and multipitch abseiling
retreats under epic conditions. It maybe particularly relevant
for climbers planning to go to places such as Frenchmans Cap
(Tasmania), New Zealand or the South-Face-Of-The-Big-Black-Overhanging-Chossy-Sausage
in the near future. Transport: about $5.00. Pretrip meeting:
5.30pm Thursday 3 June at the gearstore. The pretrip will include
about an hours discussion of techniques and special knots etc.
Limit of about 12. Contact Tim Chappell on 62489393 or email
very_waddy@hotmail.com.
25-27 June - The Three Peaks L/R
The Three Peaks traverse is a bushwalking challenge (see Wild,
No.69). Tradition decrees that the successful three peaker starts
and finishes at Katoomba, climbs Mts Cloudmaker (1164m), Paralyser
(1155m) and Guouogang (1291m) - all in the Kanangra-Boyd Wilderness-
and completes the trip within 48hrs. The walk is nothing short
of plain hard- 80km and 5000 vertical metres (several 1km-deep
and very steep gorges must be crossed) in 48 hours! The idea
is to travel light (no sleeping bags or stoves) despite bivvying
for two nights. Success is by no means guaranteed (most people
end up bailing) but if you like the idea of a personal challenge,
either way it will be a trip you will never forget. Contact:
John McGrath on 62493710(w), 62498632(h) or email john.mcgrath@anu.edu.au
by 14 May.
(25) 26-27 June - Snow Camping - Blue Lake and Watsons
Crags - M/R
Trundle out to Blue Lake to have a look at the spectacular ice
formations, with a side trip to Watsons Crags. Should be able
to ski competently with a pack on. Transport: $30. No Pretrip
meeting. Contact: Paul Rustomji on 62575132(h), 62465708(w) or
email paul.rustomji@cbr.clw.csiro.au
26-27 June and 3-4 July - Mid-Winter Feasts
The traditional ANUMC mid-winter feast at Pryors Hut in the shadow
of Mt Gingera has been amended following advise for Namadgi National
Park authorities that a strict limit of 15 people applies to
overnight groups in the area. Consequently the ANUMC is exploring
the possibility of having two separate feasts on consecutive
weekends. Hannah Rechter has volunteered to organise the first
feast. The second, timed to coincide with the end of exams, will
only be held if a second volunteer comes forth to help organise
it. If you can help contact Hannah Rechter on 62304807(h), 62153776(w)
or by email on Hannah.Rechter@dofa.gov.au or Mika Kontiainen
on 62505344 or email mika.kontiainen@ag.gov.au.
3-11 July (mid-year holidays) - Frog Buttress Crack Climbing
Epic - Advanced Trip
Improve your crack climbing skills on the premier crack crag
in the country. Frog Buttress is close to Brisbane and warm weather,
making a welcome break from the chilly Canberra winter. There
are a variety of grades and routes on a cliff about 30 to 50m
(?) in height. You need to be completely self-sufficient to go
on this trip (talk to me if you are in doubt about this). A pretrip
will probably be held in late May, with more info and transport
arrangements to be decided then. If you are even remotely interested
then you must email or phone me by Sunday 16 May (no commitment
is necessary, but an indication of your interest in the trip
would be very useful). Contact Bernard Pfeil 62465507(w) or email
Bernard.Pfeil@pi.csiro.au
12-18(?) July - Nowra Climbing Trip - Int/Adv
Nowra is arguably the premier sport climbing area in Australia,
so if you're sick of the gym, hate jamming bodyparts in painful
cracks and are dreading long, bloody granite slab falls, come
along! Female climbers welcome. There are excellent face/slab
routes there as well as overhung ones for those seeking a greater
challenge. You should be able to second grade 18 climbs (or at
least climb regularly in the gym), and MUST have your own climbing
shoes. I plan to spend a week of the midyear holidays down there
in case the weather is dodgy, but you may only want to come along
for a few days. This trip will be timed so that it won't clash
with the Frog Buttress Trip. Contact Ben Davies BEFORE 4pm Thursday
8th July on 62888088(h) or email s3095027@bohm.anu.edu.au.
(16) 17-18 July - Depths of Winter Snow Camping - M/R
Go snow camping in the coldest part of Australia at the coldest
time of year. From Dead Horse Gap up to Swampy Plains River or
Wilkinsons Creek. Should be able to ski competently with a pack
on. Transport: $30. No Pretrip meeting. Contact: Paul Rustomj
6257 5132 h 6246 5708 w, or email paul.rustomji@cbr.clw.csiro.au
Transport: $30.
September - Advanced rockclimbing at Arapiles
Details TBA
Early December - Advanced Rockclimbing at Arapiles
Details TBA
December/January - Tasmania rockclimbing and bushwalking
The largest cliffs in Australia are located in the southwest
of Tasmania. Places like Frenchmans Cap, Federation Peak and
Mt Geryon have some of the best adventure routes in the country.
They all require a 1-3 day approach walk so the packs will be
pretty heavy. You'll need to be pretty solid on lead and move
fast as the weather can change quickly. A group of 6-8 people
would be ideal so we climb as 3 groups. Contact Matt Wells on
62479877(h), 62492072(w) or email mwells@rses.anu.edu.au.
Jan/Feb 2000 - Sport climbing in Thailand
The ultimate climbing adventure will be run next Jan/Feb to the
tropical beaches and cliffs of Thailand. This one you won't want
to miss! So if your the sort of person interested in spending
4-8 weeks lying around on a beautiful tropical beaches and enjoying
some of the best limestone climbing in the world without having
to worry about wriggly bits of gear, contact Darren Croton on
62675118(h) or email cyberdarren@excite.com
and get your name on the list! Costs etc will be worked out in
a few months but allow a bit over a $1000 for the airfare and
say $15/day living expenses and you' should live like a king.
