Bookings Enquiries Yuri Bolotin, Michael Keats,

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1 Wollemi National Park: Cliffs, Pagodas and Ravines NW of Koopartoo via Koopartoo Ravine, Koopartoo Pass, Koopartoo Point and Koopartoo Gully Friday 1 st April Track Notes Short title Cliffs, Pagodas and Ravines NW of Koopartoo Part 1 Date Friday 1 st April 2016 Leader Yuri Bolotin Maps, etc. Department of Lands Ben Bullen topographic map, S, 1:25000, second edition, WGS 84. Walk Park at GR on Wolgan Rd and climb NW into a tributary of the description Wolgan River. Find a way up to the tops at around GR Spend some and route time exploring in that area, perhaps going south to the cliff cline and the views. Then return via GR or via Minotaur Lair. About 6km. Exploratory. Rating 6, M, LTW, S333E 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 left Meeting point Pymble 0545, McDonalds carpark Richmond 0640, Lithgow Salud Coffee 0800, Wolgan Road 0820 Transport Club cars. Comments Scrambling, exposure. 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, Jafar Calley, Ian Starkey, Daryl Watson, Harold Thompson, Berenice Torstensson, Marion Davies and Emanuel Conomos, Members and Linda Eggington and Chris Brown, guests, 12. The Weather A glorious sunny, still autumn day with light variable cloud. Occasional puffs of cool breeze at some high spots. Temperature range, 14 to 27 degrees. Background Notes Brian Fox has undertaken some research about the euphonious name Koopartoo, should it be Koompartoo? Burnum Burnum (Harry) Indigenous leader, sportsman, public servant and educator refers to Koompartoo, as a fresh start." Or new beginnings I wonder if Koopartoo was misspelt and the m missed out. Hubert Alfred Tweedie moved from Cullen Bullen where he was born to Koopartoo in 1953 The outdoors was in his blood so, in 1953, Grandpa, his mother and "brood" relocated to "Koopartoo" near Newnes Ref: Eulogy as read by his grand-daughter, Jean Ticehurst,

2 Taylor, G.J, Newnes- History of a Blue Mountains Oil Shale Town p.31 The first butcher shop was opened in 1906 by H.E. Tweedie This is too much of a coincidence. The connection of the Tweedie family with Newnes is a long one. Track Notes Plot of the walk overlaid on an aerial photograph. Recorded and prepared by Marion Davies. Plot of the walk overlaid on a topographic map. Recorded and prepared by Marion Davies 2

3 An Earth Star, Geastrum triplex. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. The walk today is a continuation of a planned high density exploration of the dissected plateaux surrounding Newnes. The walks documented in The Gardens of Stone National Park and beyond, Book 2, provide a taste of the area and are indicative of the potential for challenging off track walking. What we did and experienced today was euphoric. At 0904 the vehicles were parked on the Wolgan Road, just south of the Wolgan River crossing and access track to the Old Coach Road. On 17 th March 2016 we headed north west on a very steep gradient to reach the base of the lower cliff line. Today, with knowledge of the micro topography, our way of route was more WNW, an easier grade and a more direct route into the Koopartoo Ravine. 1 Since our last visit there has been little rain however the Earth Star fungus, a dramatic puff ball species was thriving. It was one of few of any species to relieve the dry and drab forest floor. The only activity of note on the talus slope was widespread construction by ants busy building defences against potential heavy rain. I wonder when as the prolonged dry is making survival desperate for many heavily water dependant species, particularly in the deep canyons. By 0946, GR we had entered the constriction of the ravine, the animal pad we were following was now hard against the base of the cliffs. Minutes later we cross the dry watercourse and began scrambling up the rock filled creek bed. As recently as our last visit these rocks were damp and slippery. Today they were dry and I had no problem maintaining a good grip. 1 Koopartoo Ravine is a short tree fern filled canyon which allows access through the cliff line from the Wolgan Road to the mesa of high ground above. Located 1.3km north, north west of the Koopartoo homestead. Named by Michael Keats on a Bush Club walk 17 th March Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR to

4 In Koopartoo Ravine. Photo: Brian Fox. At 1010, GR , we were above the glorious lower section of the ravine and at a creek junction. It was here on the last walk that after morning tea we headed up the main ravine to the north. Today after morning tea we headed NNE climbing rapidly to the base of the cliff line. In researching for the walk, Yuri had identified a potential access slot that if it was negotiable would provide a short cut to explore the cliff edge. It is an extremely colourful area, the orange cliffs rise from an exposure of the Chocolate Shales (The Mount York Claystone). In the sunshine this was a truly beautiful place. Checking with the aerial photo we needed to 4

5 Yuri and Michael below the top cliff line. Photo: Brian Fox. explore about 100m further south, GR This was no hardship. The cliff base walking was generally easy and at 1024 we stood at the bottom of the slot. While it may have been possible for Brian to negotiate the first 3m (he did try), it would have been a real challenge for the rest of the party. Frustratingly we could see that beyond this initial point the slot probably went all the way. There was nothing else for it but to retrace our steps and try our luck at another spot about 100m further north. It was now 1058, GR As if preordained we found ourselves walking up and easy graded pass. It was only the last few metres where there was a small scramble required. The top of the pass is at GR This easy walking pass we have named Koopartoo Pass. 5

6 By 1104 we were gazing at a view of the dual cliff lines of a point, (retrospectively named Corn Paddock Point) we had climbed before from the Corn Paddock 2. When we were exploring that area we had mused on the proposition that perhaps we could have walked across the plateau top and descended Koopartoo Ravine. Well we now know that such a walk is possible and we also know that the exposed rocky areas are worthy of exploration. A loop walk climbing up Corn Paddock Point and descending Koopartoo Ravine (or vice versa is now on the to do list. This was just the beginning. Our plan was to reach the cliff edge and Brian, Yuri and Michael below the top cliff line, western side of Koopartoo Point. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. 2 The Corn Paddock property derives its name from the river flats adjacent to the homestead. The flats were used to raise corn to feed the pit ponies employed by the Newnes Industrial Complex operation from about 1905 to Correspondence Doug Coats, owner of the Corn Paddock 29 th August

7 Brian Fox on a plinth on the eastern side of Corn Paddock Point. Immediately above Brian s head is Koopartoo Point. Koopartoo Ravine is hidden in between. This picture was taken by Michael Keats, 29 th August the southern- most extension of Koopartoo Point. By 1138 we were there, right on the edge. On the way there we had enjoyed glimpses of the western section of the Wolgan Valley, of Donkey Mountain, and from time to time views of the cliff lines towards Newnes. The alignment of the former Wolgan Valley Railway, including its recession into Penrose Gully could be traced all the way across the talus slopes. Once at Koopartoo Point, GR , it was time to put down the packs and explore the area thoroughly. A deep cleft that threatens to breakaway the nose of the point was explored for some distance. If you examine the trace you can see where we went. There was no way it would lead safely to the base of the cliffs. Isolated pagodas had to be climbed and of course those who did had to be photographed. Five of us stood along the edge for an amazing picture taken by Harold. The vegetation on the exposed point area is essentially a Casuarina forest. It is different in so far as the individual plants have grown up single stemmed and very close together. The dead needle carpet is special as well. The real challenge of the walk was about to begin. We were to test a theory that we could descend the western arm of Koopartoo Gully. 3 Yuri had done a lot of homework including a study of the track notes from Walk 2.21, 15 th December I have named the gully immediately north of Koopartoo Ravine and immediately south of Minotaur Lair as Koopartoo Gully. It is a trident headed waterway with the western most extension reaching west to GR and it joins the Wolgan River at GR

8 The remarkably easy Koopartoo Pass. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. we now set out walking the plateau top in a northerly direction. The terrain alternated between rocky shelves and pagodas and a mixed heath of Casuarina nana and a Leptospermum Species. The top end of a slot that is the western branch of Koopartoo Gully was reached at 1226, GR Peering down it looked awesome and nonnegotiable. The northern cliff line is much higher than the southern one and heightens the impression that Koopartoo Gully is very deep and because it is short, also very steep. Forward scouting took place and after about ten minutes the slot was pronounced accessible and it appeared to go all the way. In any event we committed to it. 8

9 By 1244, GR we had all successfully descended into the ravine like, parallel sided entry. Even at this high level the sides were over 5m high giving the effect of being in a box like canyon. Huge multi stemmed eucalypts filled the area. Lunch time was proclaimed. The edge off hunger some began exploring the upper reaches that had defied earlier entry. It was not like the Chimera Passageway, being rather open and just a bit plain. By 1306 we had At Koopartoo Point. Donkey Mountain can be seen on the LHS. Photo: Brian Fox. Right on the edge of Koopartoo Point. L to R, Daryl, Marion, Michael Emanuel and Brian. Photo: Harold Thompson. 9

10 packed away lunch and started exploring downstream. The features of the box like canyon became more exaggerated as the watercourse was followed. Boulders appeared in the stream bed, the cliffs grew taller and the trees taller still. The gradient of the stream began to Yuri on Koopartoo Point. Photo: Brian Fox. accelerate. The boulders became larger and larger. Great drifts of debris mixed in with the rocks. Route negotiation became complex and progress slowed. Finally at 1326, GR we were confronted by a vertical drop of about 15m. Exploration to the sides yielded no options. Brian assessed the situation and said it was a goer. It took time but two lots of tapes were set. Brian co- ordinated the descent from the bottom, Yuri from the top and Daryl positioned himself about half way down on a ledge and the point of tape change over. 10

11 I was first to go down. Now 15m is not all that far and the location of many foot holds made it all safe. Once down I took on the role of pack transfer operator taking the separately lowered packs from Brian and stashing them for later retrieval. By 1400 the operation was complete. Brian and Michael on the western cliff edge, Koopartoo Point. The profile of Corn Paddock Point can be seen on the upper left hand side. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. Looking at the northern rim of Koopartoo Gully. The shadow area on the right hand side is above the exit point from the gully proper. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. Now it was time to assess our position and also test the validity of the notes written in Resisting the temptation to go low, we stayed high until we had rounded the enclosing hook formed by the southern branch of the Koopartoo Gully. A course was then plotted down the talus slope. The slope is very steep and a lot of movement was easier done by sliding. At 1435, GR a creek fed by a spring was crossed. The ground was wet and boggy. There was no free flowing water. 11

12 Descending into the top end of the ravine that is the southern arm of Koopartoo Gully. Clockwise from the top, Marion Linda, Brian and Harold. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. Lunch in the high level ravine that is the southern arm of Koopartoo Gully. Photo: Brian Fox. The last section of the walk from the bottom of the talus slope to the vehicles felt unreal. The ground was almost level, you could walk upright. Somehow it just did not seem right. The vehicles were reached at The various GPS units (6) all disagreed violently with each other. I have taken a sort of average and said the walk was 7.7km and the ascents 524m. 12

13 Marion descending the rough creek bed of the southern arm of Koopartoo Gully. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. Ian Starkey descending. Photo: Emanuel Conomos. Next picture On the tapes. Yuri (hidden by the vines, Linda, Daryl, Berenice, Jafar, and Brian the lower belay. Photo: Emanuel Conomos 13

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15 ON the E Berenice on rope while Linda waits her turn. Photo: Brian Fox. For Emanuel s pictures click on the following For Linda s pictures click on the following I5-6Kaa?dl=0 15

16 Table of Times, Locations and Grid References Time Location Grid Reference 0904 Park vehicles on Wolgan Road GR Climbing the talus slope GR Base of cliffs GR Cross watercourse and enter ravine GR Morning tea and creek junction, 12 minutes GR Exploring slot GR At base of high cliffs GR Ledge walk GR Koopartoo Ravine base GR Koopartoo Ravine top GR Views west GR At Koopartoo Point, 20 minutes GR Head north and at top of big slot (Koopartoo Gully) GR On open rock platform GR Checking a big slot (Koopartoo Gully) GR Lunch in Koopartoo Gully, 18 minutes GR Exploring downstream in Koopartoo Gully GR m drop (2 tapes 35 minutes) GR Circling under cliffs GR Cross creek GR At vehicles GR Michael Keats for The bush Club Inc., 25 th March 2016 BCPW Cliffs pagodas around NW of Koopartoo returning via Koopartoo Gully Track Notes 16