FOOTPRINTS Newsletter of the Border Bushwalking Club Inc. August 2016

Transcription

1 FOOTPRINTS Newsletter of the Border Bushwalking Club Inc. August 2016 affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Ian Trevaskis Paul Schirmer Marie McGuire David Graf General Committee : Sandy Kaitler, Bernadette Cromarty, Ira Robinson, Rosemary McConnell, Warwick McLachlan, Liz Nilbett Club Night : Tuesday August 2nd at 7:30pm (the room will be open from 7:00pm) HIGH COUNTRY HUTS Lachie Gales first experience in High Country Hut rebuilds was assisting in the reconstruction of Ropers Hut in Since then Lachie and a regular crew of Volunteers from all over the North East have rebuilt or repaired Westons, Edmonson's, Youngs, McNamara's and Wallace's Huts as well as Stapleton Hut at Mittagundi. Working under the umbrella of the Victorian High Country Association, their work has been recognised with the Parks Victoria Kookaburra award for Conserving Special Places. Lachie will share insights into the work of these hardy high country builders, the stories of these Huts and the challenges of conserving heritage buildings above the snow line. Where : Senior Citizens, Meeting Room, Civic Centre Complex, Hovell Street, Wodonga (Havelock Street end of car park) Visitors are always welcome at meetings and supper is served afterwards. FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 1

2 PRESIDENT S PRATTLE... My first encounter with a High Plains hut was over forty years ago when I was with two other hikers as we undertook a three day hike. It was my first extended hike and one that was memorable, not for the awesome scenery but for the lack of appropriate gear I was both wearing and carrying. Being young and foolish it didn t matter that much, except that we were plagued with heavy rain for the entire trip which meant I seemed to be wading through a perpetual river for the entire trip. The hut we sought refuge in that first night was at Tawonga Huts and ever since the huts of the High Plains have held a special place in my heart. While I have no regrets about the removal of the cattle from the mountains, I m glad we have been left with the legacy of the cattlemen s huts. Scattered far and wide across the High Plains, they remain a testament to the tough cattlemen and women who roamed these magnificent, if at times hostile environments, eking out a living and building some quite remarkable structures that still serve an important function today as a place of refuge. As well as the cattlemen s huts there are also a number of former SEC worker s huts, including our very own and beloved Youngs Hut, a hut which I would urge all members to include on their bucket list of places to visit. When I recently visited my photo collection of High Plains hikes there were a remarkable number of huts featured. Not too long ago I enjoyed the company of club members at the Tawonga Huts. This time we weren t sheltering from pouring rain. Instead we all carried in our overnight packs a gourmet treat to share that night and what a memorable night we had, made all the more memorable by the fact that everyone was asked to dress up for the occasion. Now that the ski season is in full swing I was reminded of a horrendous day skiing out towards Wallace s Hut in a howling gale and being driven across the ice by a tail wind until aborting the day s mission and seeking shelter at the tiny SEC hut at Langfords Gap. It seemed every other skier had the same idea and after we d squeezed through the door we found there was standing room only for the thirty or so skiers jammed into the place like sardines. At least it was toasty warm! I m sure a lot of members have fond memories of the huts on the High Plains and I invite you to pen a few lines and share with us a memorable experience, a special occasion or an anecdote related to one of the huts. Which leads me to the purpose of this ramble down memory lane if you want to learn more about the huts and how they re maintained make sure you get along to our next Club Night when Lachie Gales will give us some fascinating insights into the work he and his fellow volunteers do to make sure these heritage huts aren t lost to the ravages of time. Ian FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 2

3 Have your say on the future of the hills As a key stakeholder involved in the development of our draft hilltops strategy, we now invite you to have your say on the draft documents and associated master plans. The strategy, Nature on your Doorstep, as well as master plans for Huon Hill, Federation Hill and the Hunchback Hill complex, have been produced and provide a situation analysis of the hilltops as well as propose strategies to help realise the vision of activating the hilltops and improving environmental protection, recreation, tourism and leisure opportunities. Following the July 18 council meeting, the documents are now on public exhibition for comment and feedback. The consultation period runs to August 9. As an identified stakeholder, we encourage you to look through the plans either online, at council offices, or attend one of the drop-in sessions and provide feedback. At our drop-in sessions Ways to have your say Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 10am to 11am: Wattle Park, McCullough Crescent, West Wodonga (see map) Saturday, July 30, 2016 from 10am to 11am: Hunchback Mountain Bike Park, Felltimber Creek Rd Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 10am to 11am: Huon Hill Picnic Area, Kenneth Watson Dve Online oursay.org/wodongacouncil/hilltops makewodongayours.com.au Other ways to have your say Phoning the council on (02) ing recreation@wodonga.vic.gov.au Writing to Sport and Recreation Team, Wodonga Council, PO Box 923, Wodonga, Victoria FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 3

4 HOW TO MAKE A WALK Step 1. Decide on the walk/activity you want to put on and the date you will do it. Step 2. Put together a description of the event and the walks co-ordinator, (Warwick) Step 3. If needed borrow the club's first aid kit, bivvy bag, PLB or GPS from Adventure Camping & Apparel at 479 Dean Street, Albury. Maps are available from the Maps Librarian on club nights. Step 4. Print out the three forms needed from the web site. They are on the website under Information and Forms. When people ring, take their details down on the Booking Record form. Check their fitness to do the activity and tell them where and when to meet. Step 5. On the day, arrive at the meeting point 10 to 15 minutes early and have people sign the Acknowledgement of Risk form. Allocate transport if not already done. Collect visitors fee, currently $5.00 per day, and the transport costs calculated at 30c per kilometre. (See formula below). Step 6. During the walk make sure everyone enjoys themselves in a safe manner. Appoint a whip (someone to bring up the rear) if some people are slipping behind. Stop and wait for people to catch up at every fork in the track and where the track becomes indistinct. Step 7. After the walk fill in a Trip Report form and or post to the secretary along with the completed Acknowledgement of Risk form. Return any borrowed items to Adventure Camping & Apparel. Give the visitors fees to the treasurer and maps to the Maps Librarian at the next club night. Resources: Old Footprints, BBC website (under Events and Links), other leaders, Bushwalking Victoria's website, (there is a link to this next to "Photo Credits" in Footprints), places you've visited in the past and want to share with others, places you've heard about on the radio or read about in magazines/newspapers. It is customary to stop on the way home, if time permits, for a coffee and cake and to talk about the day's activity. FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 4

5 First Aid Training - HLTAID003 Certificate The course is HLTAID003, equivalent to the old Level 2 first aid certificate. Six to eight hours of prior private study is required (course book provided) with a pre-class test sheet to be completed. During the 7+ hours of class work participants must: All bushwalkers, and particularly leaders, are encouraged to undertake training in First Aid. Melbourne Bushwalkers has organised a first aid course for to be held on Saturday 15 October. Applications to attend are open to all Melbourne Bushwalkers members and members of other clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. demonstrate competent CPR performance on an infant and adult manikin (1 manikin per student) participate in three first aid scenarios complete a written knowledge assessment apply first aid procedures for a variety of first aid conditions Satisfactory completion of the course requirements leads to a nationally-recognised certificate valid for three years. The instructor is an experienced trauma paramedic with a strong bushwalking background. The course will be tailored towards bushwalkers. The provider, Premium Health, have 29 years experience and currently deliver first aid training to 45,000 participants per year. The venue is Premium Health, Gardenvale Road, Gardenvale, on Saturday 15 October 9am - 5pm. Cost: The course cost is $100 per person discounted (for 20 starters) from the usual $180. Members of Bushwalking Victoria affiliated bushwalking clubs are eligible for a Bushwalking Victoria subsidy of $25 which can be arranged through their own club. Registered volunteers of Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) are eligible for a further subsidy from BSAR. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. We must have at least 20 starters so let us know your intentions as soon as possible. Enquiries and bookings can be directed tofirstaid@mbw.org.au USI requirements: All students undertaking formal courses of instruction which have national accreditation are now required to register with the Federal Government and obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI) code which must be given to the training organisation providing the course. If you need to apply for a USI or need more information please visithttps://portal.usi.gov.au/student All bushwalkers, and particularly leaders, are encouraged to undertake training in First Aid. Melbourne Bushwalkers has organised a first aid course for to be held on Saturday, 15 October. Applications to attend are open to all Melbourne Bushwalkers members and members of other clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 5

6 LET IT SNOW! On Saturday 9 July Ian, Sue, Olga, Nola, Marijke, Eileen, Helen met up at Windy Corner at Falls Creek. A cloudy, very calm day with sun at times especially for our lunch stop. Enough snow to get across the dam wall, but mostly gone when we came back, so a bit of a walk. Rocky Valley Dam was very low. Really quite warm for this time of year - we were soon stripping off our layers. We had some great panoramic views and good company. A couple went up the groomed road to Watchbed Creek for a more gentle workout while the rest of us went up Heathy Spur. The snow was rain affected at lower levels but much firmer further up - good enough to practise our turns with some fancy telemarks seen. With increasing cloud it got a bit hard to see the dips etc in the snow so a few of us ended up doing various forms of face and bum plants or crashing through bushes - all soft landings though. One member was literally caught with her pants down and ended up doing a real live bare bum plant in the snow - bit tricky trying that on skis!! Hopefully lots more snow is coming this week - we await a bluebird day soon. Sue Cardwell Sue Cardwell A bluebird day for 7 BBC members up on Heathy Spur 16 July. Not a cloud in the sky, quite warm so some stripping off of the layers was in order. The longer harder climb on Heathy Spur was rewarded with a stunning panorama of the Main Range at the top. Not as much snow as we would have liked. The blizzards had scoured the soft stuff away leaving some extensive ice sheets and wind sculpted snow. The trails hadn't been groomed so we couldn't cheat for a better downhill run. However a leisurely lunch was enjoyed. A great day out. FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 6

7 A Message for Walks Leaders I ve taken over the job of maintaining a list of club activities so we can see where we ve been and get ideas for where to go in future. It s useful to know whether advertised events actually happened, especially when the weather does not cooperate. To do this, I ll be ing leaders a day or so after an activity and asking two questions: did the activity happen and how many took part. All I need is a reply with yes or no, and a number. Thanks for your help. Eileen Clark BBC Walks Recorder MT GRANYA WALK The Border Bushwalking Club Fees are now OVERDUE. Club membership is valid to May 31st. Refer to the BBC Website: or pay by EFT. Please note the new fee schedule: Single member: $40 or $35 concession Family: $70 or $65 concession Each additional family member: $10 Newsletter mailed in post: $23 ( ed is free). Direct Bank Deposit Account Holder Hume Building Society Account Name Border Bushwalking Club Inc. BSB Account No Description: your full name, or first 3 letters of first and last names, e.g. John Brown becomes johbro CONTRIBUTIONS TO FOOTPRINTS. Your contributions are keenly sought. If you have been on a club trip please send a short, or indeed long, report to the editor. Photos of outings are also greatly appreciated. Please try to send photos as small files. Send to: newsletter@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au A huge thank you to all those who submit material. PHOTO CREDITS Sue Cardwell Ian Trevaskis Marijke Korting Pauline Scott FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 7

8 INTERNATIONAL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL COMING TO Oxley Shire Hall, Oxley Victoria. What: The Reel Paddling Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world s best paddling films of the year whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle in more than 120 cities and towns across Canada, United States and around the world. Where: Oxley Shire Hall, 1157 Snow Road, Oxley (North East Victoria) When: Saturday 8th October at 7.30pm. Why: If you re a paddler or outdoor enthusiast, it will be great fun. Fantastic films, social fun with other like minded people, enjoy some wine, local produce and paddle our beautiful local rivers. All ticket holders are are eligible to a free annual digital subscription to all Rapid Media's Magazines including Adventure Kayak, Kayak Angler, Rapid and Canoeroots. Who: North East Canoe Club - Booking: Tickets $16 for adults $10.50 for chilren: A taste of the action on YouTube: What else: North East Canoe Club in partnership with other Victorian paddling clubs are planning to run paddles over the course of the weekend. We hope to paddle the Ovens River at Bright on Saturday 8th of October and the King River on Sunday 9th of October. We hope to have more paddles planned closer to the date, water levels permitting. We will also be holding a swap-meet before the film for those wanting offload second hand gear. We will be serving food and local wine on the night and having trade displays from key paddling suppliers, so it should be a great night out for the paddling community. More Information: With 21 inspiring paddling films shortlisted for the World Tour, including the ten festival category winners, audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, gruelling kayak fishing battles and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life. FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 8

9 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 well- marked 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 wellmarked 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 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. FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 9

10 Cross Country Skiing Most Weekends while there s Snow Grade 3 Leader: Sue Cardwell Phone: Trips are planned with a few days notice snow & weather permitting on the borderskiers Yahoo site. Most trips Grade 3 medium with some hard at times. Can be flexible if beginners. If you wish to join this group please contact the co-ordinator Warwick McLachlan or Lower Big Walk Highlights Saturday 30th July Grade 3 Leader: Bernadette Cromarty Phone: Bookings by Wednesday July 27th We will commence at the start of the Big Walk and walk up as far as Marriotts Lookout. At this point we will re trace out steps until we come to Rollasons Junction where we will make a side trip down to Rollasons Falls on our way back. All of this walk is on well formed tracks although there may be some fallen trees or recent erosion to contend with. Much of the walk is steep (equally up and down, not surprisingly) Lake Nillahcootie West Track Walk Saturday 6th August Grade 3 Leader: Mick Sheedy Phone: Co-Leader: Deb Kahn Bookings by 3rd August This is a new area. The walk is a combination of management tracks and open farmland with a few ups and downs with the biggest climb of about 300 metres. Total distance approximately 18 kms. Howmans Gap Snow Weekend Friday 19th August to Sunday 21st August Ungraded Leader: Sue Cardwell Phone: Bookings by: 8th July As easy or as hard as you please. Come and have a great 3 day weekend in the snow- skiing downhill or cross country, snow shoeing, walking or just lazing around the fire with a good book. Staying at Howman s Gap Alpine Centre just near the entry gate to Falls Creek. Accommodation 2-5 bunk bed rooms, single & communal bathrooms & disabled facilities. Large efficient drying rooms & guest fridges avail able. All meals included from Friday dinner to Sunday packed lunch. BYO bedlinen/sleeping bag, towel, wine & nibbles for around the fire predinner. Gluhwein could be on the menu. Blankets & pillows provided. Cost $247 for 2 nights & 6 meals. CHECK WITH SUE SHE MAY BE ABLE TO SQUEEZE YOU IN EVEN THOUGH BOOKINGS HAVE CLOSED! FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 10

11 Myrtleford Tracks Saturday 20th August 2016 Grade 2 Leader: Pauline McLaughlin Phone: Bookings by Thursday 18th August Starting at the J A Jones Memorial at Myrtleford, we ll walk up Reform Hill where we ll pass the Hume and Hovell memorial on our way to morning tea at the Lookout where we ll be able to take in the views over the Ovens Valley and Mt Buffalo. A leisurely walk down the circuit track will have us back where we started and from there we ll walk along a track through part of Myrtleford to Rotary Park for lunch. From there, we ll cross the bridge over Happy Valley Creek and take the track along the banks of the Ovens River and finally end up back in town for a coffee. About 9kms Shelley Station Bushwalk Saturday 27th August Grade 2 Leader: Leader - Jo Cook Phone: Co-leader: Warwick McLachlan Phone: Participant numbers -15 Bookings by Wednesday 24th August Meet at Wodonga Bunnings at 7am. Car pool to Koetong Pub. Walk will begin at Edgars Road going up varied gradients to Shelley Station which was the highest train station in Victoria at 781 meters. Along the way we will cross a couple of old trestle bridges. Lunch at Shelley Station then back down the way we came followed by afternoon tea at Koetong Pub. This walk is approx. 20 kilometres return. The Big Walk Saturday 10th September Grade 3 Leader: Deb Kahn Phone: before 8pm Bookings by September 7th This is my favourite walk in our area. Mt Buffalo dominates the Ovens Valley skyline and the Big Walk gives access to views from a variety of angles. The walk starts at the carpark near the Rangers station and climbs steadily to the Gorge, is approx. 22km return and all on well formed walking tracks. If there is enough interest those of you who would prefer a shorter option may be able to do The Not So Big Walk (approx 14km return), which will start just up the road from Rollasons Falls car park. Grampians Wildflowers and Walks Sunday 2nd October to Sunday 9th October Ungraded Leader: Liz Nilbett Phone: Bookings by: Ask Liz! Liz is offering a trip to Halls Gap commencing Sunday October 2. This coincides with the annual Halls Gap Wildflower Walkabout. See BBC website Events for full details about this trip. FOOTPRINTS AUGUST 2016 PAGE 11