FOOTPRINTS November 2017 Newsletter of the Border Bushwalking Club Inc. affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria

Transcription

1 FOOTPRINTS November 2017 Newsletter of the Border Club Inc. affiliated with Victoria President Vice President Treasurer & Website Secretary COMMITTEE Ian Trevaskis Paul David Sue S president@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au vicepres@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au treasurer@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au secretary@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au General Committee: Bernadette: Activities Coordinator, Sandy: Committee Support, Liz: Newsletter Editor, Ira: Meeting Suppers & Social Convener, Chris: Equipment Officer, Marie: Membership & Data Base Manager, Ralph: Member CLUB NIGHT 7:30 Tuesday November 7th Oh, The Places We've Been & Buy, Swap or Sell. Our next club night is a "Show and Tell" of favourite hikes or other outdoor activities our members have participated in this year. We ask you to 3 or 4 photos to Ralph and give a tiny explanation of why/how these photos mean something special to you. Please find a few photos to contribute to the evening. It's always inspiring and interesting to see where others have been and what took their fancy. As well as this we will have a buy, swap or sell stall set up so clean out the cupboards and bring along equipment you no longer use. Please send any photos you wish to show to our new committee member Ralph so he can prepare them on a USB stick for the evening. to: ralphsimpfendorfer@me.com Where : Senior Citizens, Meeting Room, Civic Centre Complex, Hovell Street, Wodonga Visitors are always welcome at meetings and supper is served afterwards. Club Nights are regularly held on the first Tuesday of the month (except December and January) at 7:30pm. The room is opened half an hour before the start so that members may socialise. WELCOME We extend a warm welcome to the following new member: Kerry Lucas We trust that you will enjoy all that the Club and its members have to offer. CONTRIBUTIONS TO FOOTPRINTS. Your contributions are keenly sought. If you have been on a club trip please send a short, or indeed long, reports to the editor. Photos of outings are also greatly appreciated. Please try to send photos as small files. Send to: newsletter@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au Deadline for next Footprints is 22/11/17 FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 1

2 FROM THE PRESIDENT S STUMP. While lunching with some American and Canadians recently we got to talking about the dangers facing hikers who venture into the Australian bush. Our companions remarked on how brave us Aussies must be to risk our lives when the bush is fairly teeming with deadly snakes and venomous spiders, not to mention the crocs and dingoes. We nodded wisely while sipping our chardonnays and assured them that we take such potentially dangerous perils in our stride before I pointed out that the least known and most fearsome predator of all that lurks in the Australian bush is the infamous Thylarctos plummetus, otherwise known as the Drop Bear, a creature described on the Australian Museum website as being around the size of a leopard or very large dog with coarse orange fur... who...hunts ground dwelling animals from above, waiting for hours to make a surprise kill. The initial impact often stuns the prey, allowing it to be bitten on the neck and quickly subdued. An in-depth expose in a 2013 Australian Geographic article sheds more light on this furry predator, claiming that While Drop Bears do not specifically target human beings, there have been several cases where bushwalkers have fallen victim to Drop Bear attacks, resulting in serious lacerations and even death. Our companions appeared decidedly anxious when I informed them that according to experts at the University of Tasmania, Drop Bears are less likely to attack people with Australian accents and that recent research indicates they appear to deliberately target people with foreign accents more often than those who are Australian born. Dr Volker Janssen, a university research associate, states It has been confirmed that foreigners are much more likely to be dropped on than Australians and attributes this selective behaviour to a number of factors, the most significant of which relates to Australian people s taste for Vegemite. He suggests that bushwalkers can defend themselves from these nasty unprovoked attacks by wearing forks in their hair and by smearing Vegemite behind their ears or under their armpits. Our friends abruptly and rather rudely excused themselves and sprinted off down the street before I had time to regale them with tales of surfers being bitten in half by Great White sharks. It was some time later, as we drove past the local supermarket that we spied them wheeling a trolley full of jars of Vegemite that we understood their sudden and unexpected departure. So please dear members, when next you are out in the bush, remember Look Up And Live. (More detailed information about Drop Bears can be found at and POSTSCRIPT: In light of the above, I have negotiated a bulk purchase of Vegemite at a heavily discounted price. Members may collect a jar or two at the next Club Night. POST SCRIPT 2: Talking of the dangers in the bush prompts me to remind all members that with the warmer weather and summer fast approaching it is recommended that hikers carry a suitable Snake Bite bandage in their pack - just in case. (The bandage might also be useful in the case of a Drop Bear attack to help stem the flow of blood). Ian. FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 2

3 TRIP REPORTS. Hume and Hovell Track, Albury to Thurgoona We met at 9 am on a sunny, blustery day with a slight chance of rain. The combination of school holidays, long weekends and Grand Finals meant there were not many walkers, but we had a good time regardless. Being spring we were on the lookout for slithering snakes and swooping magpies but luckily saw neither. What we did see was the spread of suburbia through Thurgoona, with new houses being built in nearly every direction. The walk starts on the Riverina Highway near Elizabeth Mitchell Drive. We headed up towards Thurgoona and wound our way through the old part of the suburb to Thurgoona Drive, and then through the St Hilaire estate and around the Charles Sturt University campus. The route is generally easy to find and is marked by white posts with the Hume and Hovell logo. We stopped briefly to inspect the magnificent community vegetable gardens at the Kerr Sustainability Centre ( and then entered a lightly wooded area where there were still wattles in bloom. As we came to Table Top Road we were greeted by a parade of sports cars, very loud, very fast and very expensive looking! Once they had all passed we crossed over and continued along the obvious track. We could hear loud machinery and very soon we came to the site of the massive subdivision going into that part of Thurgoona. The land has been cleared and the graders were hard at work. The Hume and Hovell track runs along the boundary of this for quite a distance and it will be quite a different walk in a year s time. The walk continued through woodland beside the Eight Mile Creek. There s been a lot of work done on this part of the track recently, and most of the high stiles have been replaced by swing gates which are much easier to use. There were regular white marker posts to reassure us we were headed in the right direction and we kept going until this part of the track reached the junction of Table Top Road and Kywanna Road. From here, the Hume and Hovell is a bitumen bash for quite a distance, so we turned around and found a comfortable tree trunk to sit on for lunch before retracing our steps to Table Top Road. The marker posts were not so visible heading in this direction and we had an unintended detour but soon we were back on the track. At Table Top Road we headed down past Kinross into Thurgoona Drive and back to the car. We walked about 20 km all up, although it was generally flat and on good tracks so it wasn t too exhausting. Although it lacked the spectacular views and challenges of many Club walks, it was interesting nevertheless, especially to anyone who has lived in Albury a long time and can remember when Thurgoona was just farmland. Eileen. Howman s Gap not quite to Roper s Lookout. The planned route for this walk was adjusted several times as the day progressed, mainly because of the amount of snow still around after an exceptional winter. Six of us started from Howman s Gap and headed up the Packhorse Track, noting the large amount of fallen timber around but not over the track. It wasn t long before there were patches of snow beside the track, and everywhere there was the sight and sound of water gushing from the snow melt. About 3 km from Howmans there was a mini waterfall right over the track, with a metal beam placed over it to allow us to cross with some wobbles, literal and metaphorical. We continued to Falls Creek Falls which were spectacular especially as the re-routed track meant we could walk right beside them. We followed the new bit of the track as it curved up towards the Gully car park, but as we reached the road our way was barred by a large snowberg, with rocks and fallen trees. With considerable difficulty we all managed to scramble up the 5m bank onto the road, and we headed for the Gully Café, toilets and coffee. We were disappointed. It was shut. At this point, the first change of plan occurred. The need for toilets was urgent (all that gushing water had an effect) so instead of winding our way up through the village we continued along the main road to the day shelter, which thankfully was open and allowed great relief. We stayed on the main road past Windy Corner (no traffic allowed beyond this point) to the Nordic Bowl. This was covered in snow, with snow lying about 6 cm deep on the aqueduct track, but as it was flat and with a firm base we decided to walk on the snow to the dam wall. I had planned to walk down under the dam wall and up the other side, but the snow and steepness deterred me and we walked across the dam wall on the road and set off along the Ropers Lookout track. This was snow covered and the snow was uneven, meaning that from time to time we sank in quite deep, or hit a slippery patch and skidded. Progress was slow and it was getting towards lunchtime. We could see that the track was snow covered all the way to the summit of the Lookout, and that the final ascent/descent would be steep and difficult and potentially dangerous. At FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 3

4 this point I consulted the group and we decided to stop and turn back. We had lunch in the sun, admiring the view towards Mt Buffalo. After lunch we returned to Falls Creek, following the main road all the way. We didn t want to tackle the snowberg again so we headed down the road to where the Packhorse Track used to start. This was still visible but at one point our way was blocked by snow and we had to work around it, hanging on to trees to avoid slipping. Soon we were on the boardwalk and heading back to Howmans. It was a good day despite not reaching our intended destination. The weather was warm with no wind and the snow made for interesting views. Eileen. Bike ride from Myrtleford to Bright. Taken on the sunrise walk up Eastern Hill. MYRTLEFORD TO BRIGHT BIKE RIDE 22/10/17 Despite only five of us on the rail trail to Bright the day was perfect for cycling with an overcast sky and no wind. Vanessa and I started out from Myrtleford and met up with Sue, Steve and Pauline at the old Eurobin railway station where it was obvious Pauline wasn t about to take any nonsense from swooping magpies! Steve s cycling was over after only about five minutes due to a loose crankshaft and it was decided he would return to the car, drive to Porepunkah and get it repaired before rejoining us. That plan came unstuck when the bike rack malfunctioned and Steve s bike also became unstuck and ended up on the highway! Steve was waiting for us when we rode into Bright and we adjourned to the pleasant rear courtyard at the Rose Lee Cafe for a lazy lunch before the ride back to Eurobin and Myrtleford. More rides are planned for the coming months so keep an eye on the Club s website. Ian FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 4

5 Two Walks: The Twins and Spargos Hut One Day: 21 st October By mid October the snow has normally gone so walking up high isn t too much of an issue. But this years snow dumps were still hanging around in places. After a call to the Park Vic Rangers at Bright we knew The Twins walk would be fine but they couldn t give us any information about the track to Spargos hut. We had an early start from Albury/Harrietville and drove the 4X4 s to the closed gate on The Twins Road. This had us walking to The Twins on the AAWT by 8:30am. The start of the track is a little hard to find and overgrown but eventually we emerged from the trees and started the 420m climb (over 1.5km) to the top. It s steep and loose but very open and with the weather absolutely perfect we made good time and with amazing 360 degree views that stretched to Buller, The Cross Cut Saw, Mt Cobbler, Buffalo, Bogong and Feathertop. We had smoko at the trig point on Twin #2. Back at the cars we had a quick snack and headed for Loch Car Park and walk #2 for the day - to Spargos Hut. We could see that snow covered parts of the track to Orchid Chairlift and figured that there would be more once we got onto the track to Spargos. Even with the snow it was good walking and views to snow covered Mt Feathertop and the Razorback were pretty impressive. The track to take us to Spargos hut has a southerly aspect and the patches of snow just kept getting bigger and deeper, making walking a bit harder, and the track almost non-existent. After quite a big downhill section we could see the hut in a clearing, with no snow around it. But the track was totally under snow and the steep downhill through snow would mean a steep uphill slog so the group decided to have lunch overlooking the hut. The walk back up to the chair lift was actually easier than we thought it would be as we had our tracks to walk in and follow and we got back to the cars pretty quickly, but just as it was getting cold. As has become a bit of a tradition we debriefed at Happy Valley Pub, Ovens. All up we walked about 18km with a 750m-elevation gain. Thanks to Ralph, Sue, Karla and Julia for making it a great day and Mick for organising. Deb. FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 5

6 NOTICES. The Border Club will celebrate its 40th birthday in To mark this momentous occasion a weekend in Beechworth has been planned for March 16th to 18th and we want as many members past and present to attend. Come for the weekend, a day or a few hours and share memories and tales. See activities below for further details. Making Did you know the BBC now has an instagram account? Instagram is a photo-sharing application (google it, ask a teenager or David for a demo). We re hoping that by posting some photos of our activities, and tagging them with place-names/locations, we might be able to make some connections with other people who also walk where we do. So if you participate on a club activity and have a great photo, send it to the treasurer@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au Date for your diary: Christmas Breakup Tuesday, December 5th, 6pm at Brown's Lagoon. Meat and vegie burgers, bread and onions provided. Victoria membership cards are now available at club nights for members to pick up. These cards entitle you to a number of discounts. Recently Radio National aired a very interesting report on how sniffer dogs are being used to fight the battle against hawkweed. The program is available for listening to at ack/past-programs On behalf of Parks Victoria, I would like to invite you, your friends, family and colleagues to join our amazing Hawkweed Team again and the dates for the upcoming season are provided below. Session 1: Monday 11 th Friday 15 th December 2017 Session 2: Monday 18 th Friday 22 nd December 2017 Session 3: Tuesday 2 nd Friday 5 th January 2018 Session 4: Monday 8 th Friday 12 th January 2018 Session 5: Monday 15 th Friday 19 th January 2018 Session 6: Monday 22 nd Thursday 25 th January 2018 FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 6

7 13 NEW way of joining the program through Park Connect: Parks Victoria is now using a NEW online system called Park Connect to register people on volunteer programs (see attachments on how to register). If you are interested in helping to eradicate this alpine invader and would like to apply, you will first need to: 1. Register as a volunteer at 2. Once you're registered, login to apply for upcoming programs listed here or copy and paste this link into your web browser de2e-e f0921c124e44 and select the Hawkweed Eradication Program you would like to join. 3. Once you have signed up to a Hawkweed Session on Park Connect, this ensures you are covered under the Parks Victoria Insurance Policy for this activity and you will receive an automated Park Connect I will be in contact with you following your signup on Park Connect and will send out further information about the program before your Session starts. Many apologies for any delays in response to your signup on Park Connect as we are still in training mode. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me via yohanna.aurisch@parks.vic.gov.au. Yohanna Aurisch E yohanna.aurisch@parks.vic.gov.au Parks Victoria Hawkweed Eradication Program Website: New snakebite advice from RFDS SE The Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern (RFDS SE) Section has updated its snakebite advice and procedures following the publication of a new snakebite study: The Australian Snakebite Project. The publication of this study is very timely as the warm, dry winter and sudden rise in temperatures has brought snakes out early this year, said Tracey King, Senior Flight Nurse at RFDS SE, who has attended snakebites during her career. The Australian Snakebite Project gave some surprising statistics, challenging many long-held perceptions about where snake attacks occur and how to treat them. Most snake attacks occur near houses, not in the bush. Half of all bites occurred while people were out walking; the other most common scenarios were gardening and trying to catch a snake. It s important to act as quickly as possible after a snakebite while only out of 835 cases they studied resulted in death, the effects of a snakebite can be debilitating and far-reaching. Surprisingly, they re often painless and may go unnoticed as tissue damage is mostly light lacerations, scratches or light bruising along with some bleeding or swelling. As over 90% of snakebites we found to occur on the upper and lower limbs, these are the places to check first. FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 7

8 There are many important do s and don ts for treating snakebites, including Do NOT wash the area of the bite or try to suck out the venom; Do NOT incise or cut the bite, or apply a high tourniquet; and Do bandage firmly, splint and immobilise to stop the spread of venom. For more do s and don ts and other snakebite information and advice click here. This article is from Great Walks magazine. Do you have something you wish to contribute to Footprints? Perhaps you know of and use some great bushwalking apps or have some equipment that never fails to please you. We invite members to contribute tips or reviews to Footprints and spread the word about great gear or apps. FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 8

9 Photo credits this issue: Eileen Deb Sue EVER WONDER WHERE TO GO WALKING? Victoria has this fabulous walk directory with detailed information on about 200 walks in Victoria. Check it out by clicking on the link below. ADVENTURE GEAR ALBURY For all your hiking needs whether it be buy or to hire our club gear. 479 DEAN ST ALBURY ACTIVITIES PROGRAM LEADERS reserve the right to change the activity route on the day depending on prevailing conditions and altered circumstances. A walk leader can refuse permission for any person to take part in his/her activity. A list of trip participants must be prepared and the non-member fee (currently $5) should be collected before the start of the trip. This is a requirement of our insurance policy. Without this list participants may not be covered by insurance. EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSONS (ECPS): Leaders must leave trip details, including a list of participants and their contact numbers with a family member, or if none available, with an ECP. In the event of a delay, the ECP will contact families and decide on the next course of action. PARTICIPANTS (members and visitors) must check with the leader that their fitness and experience suit the walk. Follow the leader s instructions at all times. Pay own ambulance costs insurance is recommended (but accidents are rare). BOOKINGS: If you intend participating in any of the activities listed below you are required to personally speak to the Leader no later than the Wednesday prior to a day activity or 7 days prior to an overnight activity or unless otherwise indicated. SMS bookings are not appropriate. Please be aware that leaders have the right to decide the size of the group they will accept for their activities. Activities may become fully subscribed before the general cut-off date. By contacting the leader early you may avoid missing out. FIRST AID KITS: are to be taken by leaders on each walk. BIVY BAGS: The club has bivy bags available for activities where extreme cold may be an issue. GRADING Grade 1 (Easy) Opportunity for large number of participates, including those with reduced ability to walk/cycle on wellmarked and even formed tracks. Formed tracks may have a few steps. Should not be steep. Suitable for beginners. Distance should not exceed about 10km. Grade 2 (Easy-Medium) Easy activity, mostly on tracks of low gradient. Opportunity to walk/cycle easily in natural environments on well-marked tracks. Tracks should not be steep. Distance should not exceed about 15km. Grade 3 (Medium) Medium activity with some hilly sections and/or rougher terrain. Opportunity to walk/cycle on defined and distinct tracks with some steep sections requiring a moderate level of fitness. Suitable for fit beginners. Distance should not exceed about 20km. Grade 4 (Medium-Hard) Steeper, rougher terrain and may have off-track sections (no more than one quarter of the walk) or a longer distance track walk. Opportunity to explore and discover relatively undisturbed natural environments mostly along defined and distinct tracks. Tracks can be steep. There may be short sections of rock scrambling involved. Leaders should have map reading abilities and/or ability to use a compass. Distance FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 9

10 depending on circumstances. Not suitable for most beginners. Grade 5 (Hard) Off-track or difficult terrain. Opportunity for walkers with advanced outdoor knowledge and skills to find their own way along often indistinct tracks or off track in remote locations. May include steep sections of unmodified surfaces. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and crossing involved. Distance should not exceed 30km, but may be short and difficult. Not suitable for beginners. Grade 6 (Very Hard) Strenuous off-track walk or very long distance. Opportunity for highly experienced walkers to exploratory remote and challenging natural areas without reliance on managed tracks. Terrain may be steep, uneven and no track. There may be rock scrambling, creek walking and crossing involved. Distance covered is unlimited, but may be short and difficult. Only for experienced walkers and not suitable for beginners. Exploratory Is unknown to leader and while every effort has been made to grade the activity appropriately, there may be some unexpected aspects which may increase the difficulty of the walk. ACTIVITIES CALENDAR Cascades Hut Leader: Warwick McLachlan Phone: (02) Participant numbers: any number subject to cars Final booking date: 1/11/2017 Saturday, November 4th - Sunday, November 5th Grade 2 The Alpine walking track crew need a lift from Dead Horse Gap at the finish of their multi-day walk. John Kaitler and I are bringing cars to Dead Horse Gap for that purpose. They are camping at Cascades Hut on the Saturday night and I propose to walk the 10 km from the Alpine Way to the Hut and and bring them back to civilisation on the Sunday, after camping overnight with them. I am hoping they have bathed daily.the walk-in is very easy on a fire trail and we would start around 1 PM.. The catch is we would need a third car to carry the weekenders as all available spots in my and John s car will be taken by the multi-day people. After work paddling Leader: Sasho Phone: Every Wednesday through daylight saving Ungraded The after work canoeing starts from 5:30 and finishes at The cost $12 and everything is supplied: life jackets, transport and canoes. Cindy will be organising the first 3 sessions and then Sasho will take over. Mt. Wills Leader: Deb Phone: before 8pm Bookings by: Wednesday, November 1st Saturday, November 4th Grade 3 Mt Wills is past Mitta Mitta on the Omeo Highway. Mount Wills is an extension of the Long Ridge that comes off the eastern side of Mount Bogong. The summit is a broad ridge that drops away into gullies, covered in open snow gum woodland, with big old trees, grasses, granite boulders and outcrops. We will take the shortest way in, via a 2WD track off the Omeo highway to the Tallangatta ski club for our walk to the, summit. This area is ringed by a broken cliff-line and steep slopes on the east, with fantastic views in all directions, back up to the High Plains and as far as the Main Range of the Snowies. This is an easy/medium day walk to the top of Mt Wills and a car shuffle will be needed so that we can walk through to Sunnyside on the Omeo Highway. Distance about 10km, 500m climb, 600m descent. FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 10

11 Falls Creek Mt. Nelse and Edmonsons Hut Leader: Eileen Phone: Bookings by: Wednesday, November 8th Saturday, November 11th Grade 3 14 km approx. This walk is a classic introduction to the Bogong High Plains. We ll follow Heathy Spur and then head to the summit of Mt Nelse, before dropping down into the snow gums for lunch at Edmonson s Hut. Mostly up in the morning and down in the afternoon, about 14 km. Budginigi Hill Leader: Deb Phone: before 8pm Bookings by: Wednesday, November 13th Tuesday, November 14th Grade2 I haven't been to Big and Little Budginigi Hills. They are between Tabletop and Ettamogah on the Hume and Hovell Track, but they look good. From the top there will be 360 degree views. Its only short but I believe its steep in places and rocky. Falls Creek Hidden Waterfall Leader: Eileen Phone: Bookings by: Wednesday, November 15th Saturday, November 18th Exploratory This is an exploratory walk to find a hidden waterfall south of Pretty Valley. I have track notes and would like to investigate. Much of the walk will be off track. Length is about 15 km, no major hills but be prepared for anything. Not suitable for beginners. Overnight on Mt. McLeod and Overnight camping Leader: Mick Phone: Leader: Deb Phone: before 8pm Bookings by: Wednesday, November 15th Saturday, November 18th - Sunday, November 19th Grade 4 This a walk out to the remote Mount McLeod for an overnight camp. We will leave the cars at Reservoir Picnic Area then follow the Mt McLeod walking track for approximately 8kms to our campsite. On arrival at the camp we can pitch our tents and either have a look around or sit back and relax. Sunday morning can be a sleep in or be up early for sunrise before we walk back out on the return trip. There s a small fee for the sites which will be split between the group. The Huts Walk Leader: Bernadette Phone: Bookings by: Wednesday, November 22nd Saturday, November 25th Grade 4 21 kms This 21km circuit is on Mt Hotham and takes in Silver Brumby Hut (2006/7), Spargo Hut (1927/28) and Derrick Hut (1967) There is a small amount of road walking but the majority is on well formed tracks including parts of The Cobungra Ditch Track, Golden Point Spur, Australian Alps Track and Machinery Spur Track. Eastern Hill/Mungabareena Leader: Bernadette Phone: Bookings by: Monday, November 27th Wednesday, November 29th Grade 2 FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 11

12 This Wednesday wander will wander up Eastern Hill, along the ridge and then amble around Mungabareena Reserve. McNamara Hut (Dinner Plain Hut) to Youngs Hut and Overnight camping Leader: Mick Phone: Leader: Deb Phone: before 8pm Bookings by: Friday, December 1st Friday, December 8th - Sunday, December 10th Grade 4 24 kms This walk will involve two overnight stays. We will leave Friday for an overnight car camp at McNamara s Hut. On Saturday morning we will be heading off for Youngs Hut which will be approximately 12kms one way for our second overnight stay. Sunday morning we will be making the return trip back McNamara s Hut where we will returning to the cars for the trip home. All up the walk is around 24kms. From McNamara s to Youngs the track is faint and may require off track walking and requires a 4wd to get to McNamara s hut. Numbers for the walk will depend how many 4wds are available. I will have four free seats in mine. Falls Creek Westons Hut Leader: Eileen Phone: Bookings by: Thursday, December 28th Saturday, December 30th Grade 3 This 10 km walk is all on track. It is a circuit from Langfords Gap and visits some of the historic huts nearby. Interpretation boards along the way explain the history of the area. There are also great views. New Year's Eve on the Razorback and Overnight camping Leader: David Phone: Bookings by: Wednesday, December 27th Sunday, December 31st - Monday, January 1st Grade 4 22 kms The plan is to wander out along the Razorback from Diamantina Hut, at a leisurely pace and set up camp at Federation Hut. We ll nearly have a full moon, so my plan is to head up to the summit for the sunset and return in the moonlight (remember your torch, a jacket, and maybe some nibbles to share); others may prefer to remain at the camp. In the morning we ll retrace our steps back along the Razorback back to our cars, and hopefully get down to Harrietville in time for an ice-cream at Morries. The walk is about 11kms each way. It isn t overly steep, but it is undulating and pretty rocky in sections, and it could get cool overnight. Falls Creek Huts and Heritage Leader: Eileen Phone: Bookings by: Thursday, December 22nd Sunday, December 31st Grade 2 This 10 km walk is all on track. It is a circuit from Langfords Gap and visits some of the historic huts nearby. Interpretation boards along the way explain the history of the area. There are also great views. Hotham to Pretty Valley Cross Over Leader: Deb Phone: before 8pm Bookings by: Wednesday, January 10th Saturday, January 13th 2018 Grade 4 19 km approx FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 12

13 The only decision you need to make about this walk is which direction to do it in. Both groups cover the same route, both groups will puff as they ascend and move swiftly as they descend and both groups will have amazing views and great company. I will be leading the group from Hotham to Pretty Valley Pondage and Bernadette will co-lead, taking the group in the other direction. This walk is approximately 19 km and all on well worn tracks. Mt. Timbertop Saddle and The Paps. Leader: Deb Phone: before 8pm Bookings by: Wednesday, January 17th Saturday, January 20th 2018 Exploratory I have never done these two short but steepish walks so the day will be totally exploratory and in a new area. The first is Timbertop Saddle and Summit. This pretty but steep climb begins at Timbertop Saddle located on Howqua Track. At the top we will sit under snowgums and enjoy the extensive views over the Mansfield Valley before returning to cars. The second walk will be The Paps; twin hills about 10 kilometres out of Mansfield (on the Benalla side) but they make up the landmark that is most notable from Mansfield as they dominate the nearby landscape. There should be good views of Lake Eildon from the top. Overnight at Cleve Cole Hut Overnight camping Leader: Mick Sheedy Phone: Bookings by: Friday, February 9th Saturday, February 17th - Sunday, February 18th 2018 Grade 4 This walk is both hard and easy. Any climb up Mt Bogong with an overnight pack is hard but given we are taking the easiest and shortest way to the summit 3km maximum we will be taking things very easy. The walk does, however involve a 500m climb. On reaching the summit we might drop packs and wander up to the Mt Bogong cairn then retrace our steps, pick up packs and do the short 3 km along almost flat terrain to Cleve Cole Hut. The hut is in a flat, open, grassy area with available water and is an ideal campsite. We will set up tents and then people might like to do a 4km return almost flat, pack off, stroll to Howman Falls. On Sunday morning we will do the return journey this time dropping 500m back to the vehicle/s. Access is via Trappers Gap Track/ Camp Creek Rd, both 4WD access only. Places will depend on the availability of other 4WD vehicles. There are a few seats left in my ute. Bon Accord Crossover Leaders: Mick Sheedy Phone: Deb: before 8pm Bookings by: Wednesday, February 28th Saturday, March 3rd 2018 Grade 3 The Bon Accord Spur was the route taken by walkers, horseriders and pack horses to Mt Hotham before the Great Alpine Road was built. The track follows the Ovens River East Branch for 5 km. The steep climb up the spur starts at Washington Creek (we may get wet if the bridge is still out). The Bon Accord Hut ruin is 9.5 km from the start of the track. From here it is 2 km up to the Razorback, then 0.5 km to the Great Alpine Road. As this is a cross over you have the option to decide whether you walk up or down the track. A leader for the downhill group will be needed. 40th Anniversary Weekend A choice of, cycling, paddling and socialising. Bookings by: Wednesday, February 28th Friday, March 16th - Sunday, March 18th or part thereof. Ungraded Our club is turning 40 and we are planning a weekend of celebrations for all. Our celebrations will be centered around Beechworth and we encourage you to get involved as a variety of activities both social and active will be on offer. Watch this space for more information. Of course you can also opt to sit and chat or do your own thing. Beechworth Lake Sambell Caravan Park has a variety of accommodation options from non-powered sites to powered sites and a variety of cabins. Mention that you are booking in for BBC s celebrations and you ll receive a FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 13

14 10% discount. We suggest you book soon as it s a popular time. Call or check out the options at If you would like to share a cabin but are not sure who else is looking to do the same please contact us at activities@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au*protected * before the end of November and we ll help to group people together. Mt. Speculation, The Cross Cut Saw, Mt. Howitt and Overnight Camping Leaders: Mick Sheedy Phone: Deb: before 8pm Bookings by: Monday, March 19th Friday, March 23rd - Sunday, March 25th 2018 Grade 4 This two night trip consists of camping at Lake Cobbler on Friday night. On Saturday morning we will drive up to the base of Mt Speculation where we will start our walk up to the summit of Mt Speculation. We ll then walk across the Cross Cut Saw to Vallejo Gantner Hut. We will return the same way but with a detour up to Mt Howitt before heading back across Mt Buggery along the Cross Cut Saw to Mt Speculation and the car/s and back to Lake Cobbler for our second night. On Sunday morning the plan is to do a short 8k return walk up to Mt Cobbler before heading home. It s approximately 20 kms return walk up to Mt Speculation across to Vallejo Gantner Hut/Mt Howitt when returning to the cars. A 4WD is required to get to the base of Mt Speculation so numbers for the walk will depend on how many 4wds are available. I will have spare seats in mine. Youngs Hut on Wednesday. Leader: Bernadette Phone: Bookings by: Sunday, March 25th Wednesday, March 28th Grade 2 We will walk from Pretty Valley to Youngs Hut (The hut we in BBC maintain) for a pleasant lunch and the return. Simple! Depending on weather we will head cross country for part of the walk or walk a little further via track if visibility isn t good. A little more than a Wednesday wander but on a Wednesday, nevertheless. The Fainters Overnight Camping Leader: Pauline Phone: Bookings by: Sunday, April 1st Friday, April 6th - Sunday, April 8th 2018 Grade 3 Although this is an overnight walk, we only have to carry our heavy packs approximately 5 kms from Pretty Valley to the Tawonga Huts on the Friday, and back again on the Sunday. We will be leaving Wodonga early Friday afternoon, giving us ample time to walk to the huts and set up camp. Saturday we head to both North and South Fainter, where we will have lunch with magnificent views before heading back to camp. Sunday we pack up and plan to be in Mt Beauty for lunch before heading home. Disclaimer All statements and opinions expressed in articles published in Footprints are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Editor, the Committee or members of the Border Club. FOOTPRINTS NOVEMBER 2017 Page 14