by | Dec 31, 2008
Chris and Peter drove from Mt Wilson with Greg and Tom driving up from Canberra, to meet at the Boyd River camping area on the Monday morning. We did a car shuffle, leaving one car at the Kanangra Walls carpark, and the other at our starting point at the King Pin Fire Trail. A quick walk brought us to Mount Thurat, and from there we moved quickly across the Thurat Tops to pick up the Burra Gunama Ridge. We walked east to Burra Gunama Hill, then descended the northern spur into Carrabeanga Brook. The creek was small here but was flowing nicely. A short walk brough us to the first waterfall which we descended on the left hand side. Spectacular views were afforded of Mount Stormbreaker and the Gangerang Plateau. We continued down a number of lengthy abseils before reaching Carrabeanga Falls itself, which we descened in three pitches on the left hand side. This involved setting belay points on trees which were growing on only narrow platforms which limited the amount of comfort and demanded an increased level of vigilance in terms of safety. Many other parties apparently choose to head aorund to the right and make two or three pitches from the cliff faces which may be easier with a bigger group. At the base of Carrabeanga Falls we made camp on the rock platforms below the falls next to a nice pool. We collected wood for a fire and enjoyed a nice platter before some dinner and some sleep.
by | Dec 7, 2008
We met up at North Richmond outside the bakery and then the convoy of cars travelled to near Bell where we met up again and got gear ready for a shot daytrip down the canyon. The start of the track was hard to find. It was a little overgrown and vague after recent bushfires. But is was not too bad and the big party made fast progress to the creek and soon got into the canyon section. This starts with a short abseil into a pool. With a large party – and not enough harnesses – we had to pass gear back up the rope a few times. A few of the party became impatient and decided to jump down the drop. Thanks to Albert (Al-Bear) for helping everyone with clipping on the rope and Rob and Lana for some bottom belaying.
by | Nov 23, 2008
We climbed up the Pipeline Track and visited Newnes Canyon. This involved one abseil to get into the creek valley and then one abseil into the canyon. To facilitate this we set up two ropes and had concurrent abseiling. Then followed a walk through the Amazing Wallaby Tunnel. Lots of glow worms were observed and Albert was rained on by a “golden shower” (see photos). After the tunnel – the creek was more of a conventional canyon until it opened up at a nice cave -a good place for lunch (jaffles)
by | Oct 6, 2008
As usual, most people made the drive out to Kanangra Walls on the friday evening to set up camp a short way down the Uni Rover Trail. Unfortunately the weather was not looking particularly promising and some quite heavy rain at one stage during the night which saw a few people (myself included) running from under flies to the less comfortable but more secure shelter offered by the interior of a car.
by | Sep 7, 2008
It was raining steadily as we left Sydney on Friday night. Arriving at the campsite just off the Boyd Range fire trail, Hughie didnt let up in the slightest. In fact it poured continuously the entire night and well into the next morning. For almost three hours we sat in the car before the rain eased slightly and so we set off walking down the Uni rover trail. After a late start we didnt end up making it to the Kowmung and so set up camp along the ridgline midway between Mt Lannigan and Murdochs Spur. A morning reconnaissance mission down to the Kowmung was made by Tom, Dan and Myself in order to collect water and inspect for campsites around Church Ck. Unfortunately we were running short on time and slowed down by the fact that the Kowmung was massively swollen (and thus somewhat difficult to cross) due to the recent rain. This left insufficient time to make an adequate assessment of the area around Church Ck; my brief impression was that it was not as promising as i had hoped from looking at the map. After refilling water bottles and eating a quick breakfast we retraced our steps back up Murdochs Spur to where Denis was waiting at our campsite. The walk back to the car took a little under five hours from where we set course to the Gardeners Inn for dinner.
by | Sep 7, 2008
Walking through part of the Sydney Catchment protected area, we were glad to see logical decisions had been made, with earthmoving equipment in use on a road where bicycles were prohibited. After descending on the road through the cliffline, we soon turned off onto the track to Mt Solitary, noting an early blooming Waratah. The track continued to the crossing of the Kedumba River, then the steep climb up to Mt Solitary. We stopped for lunch with fantastic views at the logbook (which has mostly disintegrated), noting only one other SUBW entry. The water levels in the dam also looked encouragingly high.
by | Sep 7, 2008
It started, as all good ski trips do, with Jimi Hendrix. That helped keep us awake for the long drive down to the snow, and we pulled into the Island Bend rest area as the clock struck midnight. The stars were vivid and it was still, perhaps we had picked the right weekend for this big ski trip.
by | Jun 29, 2008
On a frosty Saturday morning we warmed ourselves by the fire clutching cups of hot tea until the first rays of the winter sun reached our camp. Then we headed up a leafy creek, following a faint track whilst trying to avoid the cold damp fronds of the verdant understorey. Where the creek forked we climbed a ridge which took us into warm sunshine and thence onto a lookout rock from which splendid views back down the valley to Newnes were seen.
by | May 1, 2008
We were a bit worried about the weather as we passed through a downpour on the bus on the way to the start. The forecast wasn’t the best, but at least it was dry as Vannessa and I started our trek in the colourful moor lands. We soon reached the pretty Crater lake, that was surrounded by beautiful orange deciduous beech trees (Fagus) at this time of year.
by | Apr 27, 2008
It started with a traffic jam late on Thursday night which delayed our arrival at a damp and drizzly Kanangra walls. Leaving one car at the Uni Rover Trail and another at Kanangra Walls we walked in the thick damp cloud to the Dance Floor Cave and found passable spots to bed down for the remainder of the night.
