-
President: Mel Frost
- Mel joined the ANUMC in 1998
as an outdoor beginner. Since then, she has become involved in
just about everything the Club offers. She's learnt to lead bushwalks
& canyonning trips and lead climb. She's also tried her hand
at kayaking and skiing - all in just two years! To keep her in
digs, Mel works full-time, is partway through an Arts Degree
and deciding if she'll re-enroll in 2000. Mel became President
in the middle of 1999 and will continue through 2000. If you
have any queries about trips, helping out the Club or any suggestions,
Mel would love to hear from you. mfrost@isr.gov.au,
0418 643 809.
 Vice-president:
Lex Morey
Lex first became involved in the Club in 1993 when she started
rock climbing. Since then, she's continued to climb and has become
heavily involved in kayaking. Lex has been mountaineering in
New Zealand and this year hopes to do even more of the ANUMC's
activities. She completed two degrees at the ANU and now works
for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. As
Vice-president, Lex can help you get to know the Club and listen
to your ideas on how to make it better. Lex.morey@affa.gov.au,
62307358h 62725110w.
 Treasurer:
Duncan McIntyre
- Duncan loves walking in the
coastal ranges, admiring majestic clifflines, winding through
lush fern forests and diving into cool mountain streams. He has
been with the Club since 1993, including as President, Vice-president,
Bushwalking Officer and Editor. Duncan is a keen rogainer and
bushwalker, but also enjoys climbing, canyoning and liloing.
He has studied and lectured at the ANU and now works in the Public
Service. He pays the ANUMC's bills but would love to talk to
you about any aspect of the Club's activities. Duncan.mcintyre@dewrsb.gov.au,
62473909h.
 Secretary: Dione Smith
Dione joined the ANUMC in 1997, keen to do the tamer-style bushwalks.
Whilst bushwalking is still her main focus, recently Dione has
been spotted abseiling and paddling one of our smooth-looking
sea kayaks. She maintained the membership database in 1999. This
year as Secretary, Dione is involved in non-outdoor activities
including taking and distributing minutes of committee meetings
and dealing with correspondence. If you're unsure who to talk
to about something, she'll be able to point you in the right
direction. Dione.Smith@act.cmis.csiro.au,
62861720h.
 Social
Officer: John McGrath
John lives for the outdoors. Most weekends he is walking in the
nearby mountain ranges, canyoning the dark surreal gorges of
the Blue Mountains or making first tracks in the snowies under
a winter sun. John loves spending time in the bush - it gives
him an opportunity to relax, to simplify life to the essentials,
to discover beautiful spots and gaze across mountain ranges.
Back in Canberra, John works as a microbiologist / immunologist.
As Social Officer, he digs
up people who have had wild adventures and gets them to show
us slides. johnmcgrath@start.com.au,
62012397w.
 General Executive: Katherine Lilly
Katherine moved to Canberra last year for uni and didn't know
anyone. She joined the Club in O-week met some awesome like-minded
people, and discovered that the Club is a great excuse to not
study on the weekends. To further avoid studying, she nominated
for the ANUMC Executive and here she is, managing to not study
AND be useful at the same time! Katherine would love to talk
to you about getting into the Club and the outdoors. klilly@hotmail.com.
 General
Executive: Chris Ernst
Chris has been an ANUMC member since 1995 having come to Canberra
a diagnosed mountain-biker, skier, bushwalker and rogainer. Since
then he's been Mountain Biking Officer, Gear Store Nazi and General
Executive. He is always keen to discuss the delights of outdoor
activities including where to find the best downhill runs on
the main range and how to fall out of a kayak. Gourmet bushwalking,
landscape photography or the difficulties of precise navigation
while asleep are other interests. He is studying a BA majoring
in sociology and philosophy. s3020346@student.anu.edu.au,
62628283.
 Editor:
Emma Lewin
Emma became editor in chief of the The
Epic in mid 1999. She's a fourth year science student studying
botany, zoology and ecology. Emma comes from a small bush property
near Bega on the south coast. When she is not bushwalking or
canoedling she's adopting abandoned or orphaned animals and plants.
Emma also likes to draw dragons (frequently seen in The Epic!)
and bush scenes with chalk pastels. Emma is easily recognisable
by her flowing blonde tresses and her distinctive laugh. s3110083@bohm.anu.edu.au.
Editor: Bram Slagmolen
This is Bram's second year of editing The
Epic. He loves skiing, but sticks to the easy routes, enjoys
most outdoor activities and wants to try more. Bram is particularly
active in climbing, downhill cycling or overnight touring, and
multiple day bushwalks. If you're lucky you'll see Bram crashing
when he does one of these activities. Bram is in the second year
of his PhD. Bram.slagmolen@anu.edu.au,
62627523h 62799887w.
 Editor:
Ben Davies
Ben joined the ANUMC in 1997. He was an editor in '98, webmaster
in '99 and has signed up as an editor again this year. Ben's
degree has kept him busy over the last three years but he was
still able to sample almost everything the club had to offer.
This year he plans to run and participate in many more trips,
now that this silliness is over. You'll see Ben most often on
rock, though he's been spotted on a few bushwalks and occasionally
on skis. He's developing an interest in photography so watch
this space. 62888088h.
 Webmistress:
Tess McCarthy
After being left home-alone on one too many weekends by her partner
(the ice climbing officer), Tess joined the ANUMC in 1999 to
see what all the fuss was about. A complete convert, Tess has
discovered the joys of canyoning, rock-climbing, kayaking, liloing
and bushwalking. She is keen to get into mountain biking, snow
shoeing and ice-climbing this year. On the few days Tess is not
on Club trips, she can be found updating the web
site and working at the Research School of Pacific and Asian
Studies. tess@coombs.anu.edu.au,
62470009h 62493830w.
 Gear
Store and Database Dude: Sam Margerison
Sam joined the ANUMC in mid 1998 after relocating from NZ to
do a PhD in Chemistry at the ANU. He was a keen TRAMPER in NZ.
Now Sam is busy sampling the Australian outdoors and leading
bushwalks. He has also given XC-skiing a go and has been sighted
abseiling down slime covered waterfalls in a Blue Mtns canyon
at 2am. Sam's the man to contact about email
lists and mailing addresses for The
Epic. He'd be happy if you'd join him on one (or several)
of the walks he's planning to run this year! samm@rsc.anu.edu.au,
62493572w, 62570372h
Gear Store: Mike Dennis
Mike is known for attempts to bring new adventure activities
to the ANUMC including underwater kayaking, cross country hoovering
and bakery assault. Also rumoured to be handy with a wooden spoon,
Mike is always keen for a gentle early morning paddle or ride.
Give him a call for anything to do with bikes (purchasing, fit,
maintenance, riding) or come and chat at the gear store. mike@faceng.anu.edu.au,
62493976w.
 Trip
Convenor and Bushwalking: Mika Kontiainen
Since joining the Club in 1996 Mika has led about forty ANUMC
trips, mostly bushwalks
but also snowshoe and canoeing trips. He has walked extensively
in most of the areas frequented by the ANUMC, as well as further
afield in Finland, Thailand, France, Scotland, USA and Canada.
Mika is responsible for coordinating the overall Club program,
has specific responsibility for bushwalking and provides many
of the photos that appear in The Epic. Give him a call if you
want to talk about running
trips, or discuss favourite bushwalking haunts. Mika.kontiainen@ag.gov.au,
62867111h 62505344w.
 Climbing
Wall: Tim Butler
Tim joined the ANUMC in 1998 and has helped to run the SU
indoor wall for much of that time. In addition to climbing,
Tim also goes Mountain Biking and does a little caving. During
the year, he'll be looking for people to help maintain the wall
(it's a big job!). If you want to get involved, talk to Tim.
It's a rewarding job with a great team of people. s3129436@student.anu.edu.au,
62516195h 62542663w.
 Rockclimbing: Bernard Pfeil
Bernard's interest in rockclimbing
stemmed from his involvement in abseiling, caving and canyoning
with the Scout Association in Sydney in the early 90s. Bernard
climbed indoors and outdoors sporadically while studying at Sydney
Uni. He moved to Canberra in 1997 and became interested in furthering
his climbing skills. Bernard has been with the ANUMC since 1998,
when he learnt to lead climb. He is interested in climbing safely
and on exploring different techniques for different rock types.
After years mucking about with ropes, Bernard enjoys discussing
gear, anchors and all the rest. Bernard.Pfeil@pi.csiro.au,
62518292h.
 Ice Climbing and Gear Store: Alex Lee
Alex joined the ANUMC last year after years in outdoor clubs
at the University of Auckland. An experienced mountaineer,
having climbed many technical mountains including Mt Cook, Alex
also enjoys climbing, bushwalking, kayaking, mountain-biking,
canyoning... you get the idea. After exploring NZ, Australia,
Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal and Europe, Alex is back to explore
more of Australia's wilder areas, expand his skills and help
others do the same. In addition to running the Club's gear
store, Alex leads winter trips to Blue Lake when the ice
is right. Alex.lee@brs.gov.au,
62470009h 62724510w.
 Kayaking:
Mike Double
Mike started kayaking about 20 years ago in England. He was an
enthusiastic slalom paddler until uni when he discovered there
were more to life than plunging into icey water. His kayaking
career resumed when his social life plummeted at the start of
his PhD. He is now with the Division of Botany & Zoology
where he is paid to chase fairy-wrens and albatross. Mike only
recently discovered the kayaking enthusiasts within the club
and now, as kayaking
officer, is keen to promote flat-water, whitewater and surf kayaking.
Mike.Double@anu.edu.au,
62579192h 62798483w.
 Sea
Kayaking: Annino Vaccarella
Annino came to Canberra in 1996 and has been with the Club since,
including as Vice-President & Secretary, and now heads our
newest activity. He runs numerous trips, mostly kayaking and climbing, along with the occasional
bushwalk and XC skiing trip, is a keen mountaineer, has become
horribly lost on a few rogaines and has even been known to be
dragged, kicking and screaming, down the odd canyon. Also one
of the masochists who enjoy dawn paddling in Lake Burley Griffin.
annino@xpsoftware.com.au,
62307358h, 62531844w.
Mountain Biking: Luke
Clayton
Luke is completing his first year as an active ANUMC member.
He is an enthusiastic mountain
biker and participates in cross-country skiing and rock-climbing.
Luke is renowned for trying to logically explain his latest MTB
accidents. It is his firm opinion that a Mountain Bike is the
most versatile, and at times neglected, pieces of outdoor equipment
one can own. Luke's objective as MTB officer is to see a lot
more dirty mountain bikes this year. Last year's outdoor highlights
included a MTB tour of Tasmania. Luke.Clayton@faceng.anu.edu.au.
 Orienteering
and Rogaining: Rochelle O'Hagan
A friend introduced Rochelle to the Club in 1996, to share the
delights of XC-skiing. Now she's hooked. Traipsing around the
bush with the ANUMC all day and night kick-started her interest
in rogaining. She now regularly enjoys exploring the outdoors
through the physical and mental challenge of rogaining and orienteering.
During the day, Rochelle is a computer science PhD student. She'd
be happy to talk to anyone interested in orienteering or rogaining
at any level - from a pleasant stroll in the bush to those wanting
National or World titles. Rochelle.OHagan@syseng.anu.edu.au,
62479877h 62167092w.
 Gear
Store (and mostly likely XC-ski ): Matthew Montgomery
Matthew joined in the late 80s, beginning with bushwalking and
moving on to climbing and XC-skiing. For five years he built
up his experience on numerous trips, until he decided to put
more back into the Club. He became a gear officer in 1994 and
XC-skiing officer in 1997. Winter and spring weekends he's out
in Kosciuszko NP, looking for fresh snow and long ski-runs, while
summers and autumns are spent bushwalking and paddling with occasional
climbs and bike rides for variety. He tries to get overseas at
least once a year - last year it was NZ twice and this year it's
Nepal. Visit the gear store
and ask him anything about gear. 62540413h 62526487w.
 Canyoning:
Jeff Brown
This is Jeff's second year as Canyoning Officer. On weekends,
Jeff can be found bouncing off rocks in a kayak, untangling himself
from skis, frantically swearing as his fingertips slide off a
climb or freezing bits off in a canyon. Most of these activities
involve adding dents in his station wagon. He is easy to recognize
by his strong NQ twang, or as the one eating some kind of snail
that he dug out of the mud (which he'll happily share with you).
jeff@faceng.anu.edu.au,
62957152h 62798872w.
 Safety
Officer: Hannah Rechter
Hannah fills a new position that aims to coordinate and highlight
safety for all Club activities.
She organises first aid courses, coordinates safety guidelines
and keeps an eye on the ANUMC's safety record. She hopes she'll
never need to be involved in any rescue operations for the Club.
She encourages everyone in the Club to do a first aid course
and hopes to meet you on Club trips! Hannah.Rechter@greenhouse.gov.au,
62304807h 62741857w.
|
Back
issues of the EPIC are available 
This year the
first EPIC (ie this one) is in a format designed to use as a
mini-guidebook for the year. If you’re a new member you’ll
find useful info like how to go on a trip and hire gear. There
is a handy section this year with our mug shots, contact details
and a bit of info about each committee member so that you can
decide who to aim your questions at. Feel free to contact anyone
on the executive regarding any ideas or general queries you have
about the club. For specific questions on activities contact
the appropriate activity officer or for any advertised trip listed
contact the trip leader.
The
two big events at the start of the year in the ANUMC calendar
are Huge Days Out, a weekend trip on 4-5 March which is held
in Namadgi National Park. There will be climbing, bushwalking,
rogaining and mountain biking so no excuses not to get into the
swing of a new year. The weekend focuses on beginners for all
activities, as well as offering trips run by women for women
in association with the Sports Union’s Women in Sport program.
There’ll also be intermediate climbing & bushwalking
trips. Namadgi, for those who don’t know, is the National
Park that makes up most of southern ACT and is a playground for
many of our activities during the year. At the pre-trip you will
find out what you need to bring, work out who to share a tent
with and who will provide transport. If you don’t have any
gear don’t worry - we will sort out gear hire at the pre
trip too. If you have any queries about the weekend please call
Chris Ernst, and I’ll see you on Saturday night for the
BBQ and a beer.