Bookings Enquiries Yuri Bolotin, Michael Keats,

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1 Greater Blue Mountains National Park Wollemi National Park: Point Nicholson to Gindantherie Pinnacle via Little Capertee Creek- Friday 4 th March Track Notes Short title Point Nicholson to Gindantherie Pinnacle Date Friday 4 th March 2016 Leader Yuri Bolotin Maps, etc. Department of Lands topographic map, Ben Bullen S, 1:25000, second edition, WGS 84. Walk From Newnes, take the Little Capertee Creek trail to GR , then make description our way to Point Nicholson. From there, follow the Capertee escarpment and route west to Gindatherie Pinnacle. Then descend into the headwaters of Little Capertee Creek and walk back to Newnes. About 12k. Partly exploratory. Rating 6, M, LTW, M333E Gear issues Have clothes to change into in the car for afterwards. 2 litres of water. GPS, PLB, appropriate head and footwear, electrolytes, maps, compass. Numbers 2 places available Meeting point Pymble 0550, McDonalds carpark Richmond 0640, Lithgow Salud Coffee 0800, Wolgan Road 0820 Transport Club cars. Comments Scrambling, exposure. This is a tough assignment Close of ASAP Bookings Enquiries Yuri Bolotin, yuribolotin@gmail.com; Michael Keats, mjmkeats@easy.com.u, The Party Yuri Bolotin, leader, Brian Fox, Michael Keats, Marion Davies, John Anderson, Berenice Torstensson, Daryl Watson, Penny Pang, members, Chris Brown, Linda Eggington and Bill Lawler, guests, 11. The Weather A very warm dry sunny day. Initially overcast but clearing to a cloudless sky. Very high humidity with occasional relief from light winds. Temperature range 11 to 29 degrees. Background Notes. Gindantherie Pinnacle is an imposing isolated sandstone pinnacle, about 70m high. Located on the escarpment 4km due west of Newnes and midway between Point Nicholson and Mount Dawson. Gindantherie Pinnacle was named by Michael Keats and submission sent to the GNB on 9 th October It is highly likely that the name is of Aboriginal origin. Lithgow Council Minutes, 6 th August 2007, raised no objections to this name. Other recorded names are Lost Sister (Tom Brennan, October 2010) and the Fourth Sister. Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR Gindantherie, Parish of is a land administrative district within the County of Cook. See Book 2, Walk 2.2, for detailed Track Notes. 1

2 Little Capertee Creek is a non- perennial stream rising on the north side of Mount Dawson. It flows generally north and east for about 6km into the Wolgan River north of Newnes. Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR , junction GR Note: Little Capertee Creek is the next named creek to the north of Capertee Creek and both creeks are about the same in length. Orchid Slot is located within the upper headwaters of Little Capertee Creek, Newnes. Named by Graham Conden on a Bush Club walk, 31 st August 2006, due to the profusion of three species of orchids encrusting the walls: Dendrobium speciosum, D. striolatum and Liparis reflexa. Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR See Book 2, Walk 2.2, for detailed Track Notes. Plot of the walk overlaid on an aerial photo image. Recorded and prepared by Daryl Watson. Point Nicholson located on the escarpment 4.2km west, north west of Newnes and roughly midway between Point Anderson and Gindantherie Pinnacle. Shown on the map Parish of Goollooinboin, Alexander ( ), Christina ( ) Nicholson and family at the instigation of the McLeans immigrated to Australia in 1857 and settled in the Glen Alice area. Ref: Staff, Bill. Rylstone Area History of Settlement, 1983, p. 68 and inscriptions, Glen Alice Cemetery. One of their sons, Samuel Donald Nicholson, ( ), purchased Portions 80 and 81 in the Parish of Goollooinboin, County of Cook on the 13 th and 20 th March Ref: Survey Plan Another son, John (b1855), held Conditional Purchase on Portions in Ref: Survey Plan Samuel Nicholson opened the Genowlan Mine near Capertee in Ref: Carne, Joseph. The Kerosene Shale Deposits of New South Wales, 1903, p. 38. Ben Bullen Topo Map GR Track Notes Just before 0930 the group assembled at the locked gate to Glen Day s property on the maintained road. I found a small dead Black Snake and put it on the gate post. Sometime was spent on the briefing session as Yuri explained the iconic nature of this walk. We were under way by

3 Plot of the walk overlaid on a topographic map, Recorded and prepared by Marion Davies. Walk profile data, recorded and prepared by Marion Davies. By 0948 the end of the maintained road was behind. We now pushed through waist high bracken and some very tired looking native fern, probably the Small Sickle Fern, Pellaea nana. Useful rain is desperately needed. The dryness of the forest floor was matched by equally dry streams. During the whole walk only two small pools were found, both in the canyon like section of Little Capertee Creek. At several locations, but particularly around GR , cut banks, evidence of a former road up the valley floor were noted. This road would have related to the time of the Newnes Industrial Complex. There were six surveyed portions between GR 240 and GR 241, 3 on the north side and 3 on the south side of Little Capertee Creek. The road extended as far as the major junction of the two branches of the creek at GR Morning tea was taken while sitting on several cut logs at this same location. After a nine minute break it was time to start the scramble upstream to the saddle at GR On the way there are several overhangs including one that features a hand stencil. It looks remarkably fresh and is very likely the work of a misguided prankster. There is no water nearby and the overhang does not measure up in terms of those used by Aboriginal people. 3

4 Walk plot showing the direction of walk. Recorded and prepared by Daryl Watson. The saddle at GR is a watershed between Little Capertee Creek, draining to the Wolgan River, and Canobla Creek, draining to the Capertee River. We had a short break here before descending into a very attractive dry canyon flowing due north. The canyon continued to drop down and then head east. And so at GR we said farewell to the canyon, turned west, and walked up another tributary of Canobla Creek having its source at the cliff line very near The Room. 1 As you climb the last 80m or so to The Room, the terrain assumes pagoda and slot like features. These are fully developed when The Room is reached. It is here that nature has used the forces of geomorphology to huge advantage. The rocks are shaped and crafted to great artistic form. Access slots vie with each other to be the best. Pagoda walls emphasise opportunities for creativity. The result is a combination of architectural and sculptural forms that are almost unbelievable. We spent a lot of time in this area, taking photos and filling of mental memory cards with unforgettable images. Leaving The Room, we headed to the cliff edge, GR The view from here is a visual panorama that extends a full 180 degrees from Point March in the south to Tayan Pic in the far north. The long ridge that features Mount Harvey provides a spectacular foreground filler for the mighty mesa of Pantoneys Crown; the profiles of Mount Airly and Genowlan Mountain are back dropped by Mount Marsden on the far horizon; closer the assemblage of 1 The Room refers to a small flat level area within a pagoda like 'room' near Point Nicholson. This 'room' has been used for camping as it is near the top of the Wolgan-Capertee Divide and is sheltered from the wind. Ref: Tom Brennan s photo gallery, 1-2 nd June Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR

5 plateau high points from the Chimney to Cottage Rock and Mount Iris are just spectacular as well. The foreground is filled with the ploughed but drought stricken paddocks of Goolooinboin Station, looking very poorly at the moment. A colourful fungus, possibly Fistulina hepatica. Photo: Brian Fox. After enjoying a prolonged time at the edge near Point Nicholson, it was time to continue our exploration of the cliff edge with its myriad spectacular pagodas, slots, pinnacles and voids. The terrain is very complex and it was not unexpected that some 30 minutes was spent exploring a delightful area, but following a false lead. What we needed to find was a ramp down that commences right on the cliff edge at GR At 1256 we found it and once discovered it is almost a highway. There is some exposure however, staying focussed on the path ahead, unless stopping for pictures makes for a safe progress. There are no hard and fast ways to go in much of this terrain, you test a slot or a pagoda and if it takes you in the direction you want to go, all is good. If not then you simply return and try another option. One of the most amazing aspects of this cliff line is that for nearly two kilometres the drainage network of dozens of small dry gullies is all leading into the Little Capertee Creek. Whilst on asides it is worth recording that there were almost no flowering plants in bloom. The only consistent performer was the blue flowering Isotoma axillaris. This perennial herb is capable of surviving the harshest of conditions. Lunch was most welcome at GR An extended, curved and protected overhang about fifty metres back from the cliff edge has been used as a campsite. For us it was a cool retreat where a luxurious 25 minutes passed very quickly. Conscious of how time was slipping by we lifted our game and moved along the cliff edge quite rapidly taking pictures on the run. Really this area merits a much slower progress and time to enjoy all the exquisite beauty on display. An area where I would have liked to spend a lot more time is exploring a slot that separates the Wall of Teeth, GR (named by Haydn Washington) from the main cliff line. 5

6 The three bushexplorer authors, Yuri, Michael and Brian at a slot entry to The Room. Photo: Marion Davies. Fortunately we did have a little bit of time to briefly enter the top end of the Orchid Slot, GR The picture of John Anderson s leap is picture of the walk. Time to resume fast walking and at 1404 we reached the viewing point for the Pagoda of Death 2. This pagoda located just back from the cliff edge above a yawning 100m drop appears to be impossible to climb in safety. 2 Pagoda of Death is located on the top of the Wolgan -Capertee Divide above the headwaters of Little Capertee Creek, 300m north of Gindantherie Pinnacle. When you approach it from the north, it does look like a death defying pagoda climb. However, when you actually get to it and start climbing, it is fairly easy, with many handy steps available. Named recorded by David Noble on a bushwalk, rd September Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR

7 At the top of the ramp down at GR Front to rear, Marion, Penny, Bill, Michael and Chris. Photo: Brian Fox. Four of the party made the ascent and subsequent descent as the pagoda is completely isolated. We moved on threading our way through a continuous wonderland of filigreed beauty. A great reward was enjoyed at GR as the wonder of Gindantherie Pinnacle came into view. Picture time for one of the most spectacular free standing sandstone needles in Australia. 7

8 At 1451 we entered a slot, GR This deep slot leads to a tree fern filled gully and then on to a cave system that is used for camping, GR On a ramp up to The Room. An entry slot to The Room can be seen. Left to right Penny, Yuri, Berenice, Michael and Brian. Photo: Linda Eggington. Stacks of firewood and organised flat rocks around the fireplace showed the use to be quite recent. This is not the cave complex that I camped in 30 th August Checking my notes, that is further south at GR Leaving the camping cave we headed counter intuitively south west circling under a rapidly descending ravine, GR Brian tried a very fast option; a log he was relying on failed and his descent was very rapid. Suddenly from walking in very difficult and challenging terrain we were in a dry sandy creek bed. This was truly unexpected. At the least I was mentally preparing for continuous rock hopping and possibly some rope assisted descents as well. This was just what the tired legs were craving, a short period of respite. In half an hour we went from GR to GR Around us the canyon walls rose up so not only was the walking easy, we were in shadow as well. At 1600, GR , for the first time on the whole walk we came across some pools of water. It was well filtered and a number of the party took the opportunity to top up their supplies. The next fifteen minutes was a reversion to normal walking in this terrain, the ferns grew thick and rank hiding leg traps and fallen trees. Some of these fallen trees were very big and assistance was needed for those with shorter lower limbs. It was a relief to arrive at the location where we had some hours ago stopped for morning tea, GR A truly iconic loop walk had been completed. A rest and refuel stop was declared for five minutes and then we set out on the final leg of the journey back to the vehicles. The made road section was reached at 1708, GR and the vehicles at The small dead black snake I had put on the gate post on the way out was still in position. Total distance walked 14.25km. Total ascents 800m. 8

9 John Anderson takes a leap across the Orchid Slot. Action photo by Brian Fox. 9

10 Gindantherie Pinnacle. Photo: Brian Fox. 10

11 Walking the slot passage to a camping cave at GR From the rear, Berenice, Penny, Bill, Daryl and Yuri. Photo Brian Fox. 11

12 Brian over the edge, the Wolgan Capertee Divide. The Mount Harvey Range and the valley of Red Rock Creek can be seen in the background. Photo: Daryl Watson. Table of Times, Locations and Grid References Time Location Grid Reference 0922 Locked gate on Little Capertee Creek road GR Briefing completed and walk commences GR End of made road GR In Little Capertee Creek valley GR Remnants of an old road GR Morning tea at creek junction, 9 minutes GR Climbing eastern branch of Little Capertee Creek GR Saddle- watershed Little Capertee Creek and Canobla Creek GR Exploring dry canyon in Canobla Creek tributary GR Climbing towards Point Nicholson GR In The Room GR On the cliff edge, Wolgan Capertee Divide GR Views and looking for the cliff edge ramp access GR Top of ramp around the cliff edge GR

13 1304 Crossing headwaters of Little Capertee Creek GR Lunch in overhang, 25 minutes GR At The Wall of Teeth GR In the Orchid Slot GR At the Pagoda of Death GR View Gindantherie Pinnacle GR Descending slot to a camping cave GR Camping Cave GR Circling south west GR In Little Capertee Creek (dry sand bed) GR Tributary creek enters on south side GR Water in Creek GR Return to morning tea site GR Shed on private land GR At vehicles GR Michael Keats For The Bush Club Inc., 5 th March 2016 BCPW Point Nicholson and Gindantherie Pinnacle Track Notes MK 13

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