QUEENSLAND BUSHWALKERS CLUB Inc.

Newsletter

PO Box 2199 Sunnybank Hills QLD 4109 Email qldbwc@yahoo.com Phone No (07) 3345 9543 http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

February 2013

Bushwalkers in Pyjamas

Club News
Christmas Party
Just on 30 members attended the Christmas Party held at Camp Laurence overlooking Moogerah Dam. Members began arriving Friday afternoon and with a house and 3 bunkhouses as accommodation there was room to spare. The large hall with the spacious verandah made it a great meeting place to socialise. On Saturday two short walks went out round Lake Moogerah. It was a hot day and we all met up at the cafe at Lake Moogerah for a cold drink and an extended lunch stop. Saturday night though was the highlight as the theme for the weekend was a Pyjama Party. There were many and varied costumes though one member seemed confused whether he was entering the male or the female competition! Winners of the Pyjama Party were Male Jim Woodyatt and Female Noelene Mackay and Helen McAllister During the evening there was a quiz and the winners of the photo competition were named. Also leaders who had led 5 walks or more received a gift and appreciation for their efforts. Many thanks to Lynn for organising the event and for all the members who chipped in with food and then cleaning up on the Sunday morning.

Leaders for 2012

Members who led 5 walks or more in the period December 2011 to December 2012 were given a small gift in appreciation. They were Helen McAllister, Margie Rae, Aileen Elliott, Patricia Kolarski, John Brunott, David Haliczer, David Kenrick and Richard Kolarski.

Buy, Swap Sell at March Club Meeting

Bring along your pre-loved gear to the March Club meeting to swap or sell.

Walks Planning Day and BBQ

When Where Time Saturday 9th February 2013 16 Ramita St Holland Park 2.30pm

All leaders and any members who are thinking of leading a walk are invited to come along for a great social afternoon and to help fill up the Calendar for the coming months. Please contact David on 3349 8238 for more details.

GPS Training

9 February 2013

Winners Photo Competition

The Categories Nature and Pictorial were decided by an outside person. Best Nature Best Pictorial Golden Spot (Bunya Mts), Richard Kolarski Morning Glory (Larapinta) Aileen Elliott

For anyone interested in using a GPS there will be a training session starting at 12 midday at 16 Ramita St., Holland Park. There will be a talk and exercises on how to use a GPS unit. Beside a short walk to demonstrate the use there will also be an explanation about gps files and how to use the GPS with a computer. Contact Richard on 0422 429 717 for more details.

The Club Character was decided by a small group of Club members. It ended up with a tie for two winners The Ultimate Navigator by Marion Laban Having Fun by Patricia Kolarski The People's Favourite was voted on by all the members present at the Christmas Party. Dingo Reflection by Aileen Elliott.

Editor Required
I have been editor for the QBW Newsletter since 1999 and find that I now need a well earned break and am looking for someone to take over after June 2013. If any member is interested in being the editor please contact Richard on 0422 429 717.

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Meeting Place

General Information

President Secretary Treasurer

The Management Committee

Helen McAllister Robin Laban Marion Laban Patricia Kolarski John Hinton David Kenrick Geraldine Burton Richard Kolarski vacant vacant

0419 684 319 0408 753 052 0405 536 718 3341 7509 (H) 3343 3724(H) 3349 8238 (H) 3376 9454(H) 3345 9543(H)

Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at 7.30pm. There is no Club meeting in January. Meeting are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. Tea/Coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. A coin donation would be appreciated.

Vice President

Outings Officer Membership Officer Editor Social Secretary Training Officer

Membership
Probationary Membership A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on his/her second walk by filling out a Membership Form and paying the membership fee. Ordinary Membership A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and signing a Membership Form, having a proposer sign the form and handing the form with the membership fee to a committee member or walk leader. The proposer may be a friend who is a member of the Club, a QBW walk leader, the Membership Officer or one of the committee members. Only an Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be elected to a committee position. Members of Another Bushwalking Club Members of another bushwalking club which is affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland Inc. (or an interstate Federation) and who are covered by the same Insurance do not need to become a member of our Club to go on our walks. However Club members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.

Other Voluntary Positions

Equipment Officer Supper Convenor Librarian BWQ Rep BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski Noelene McCay Mary Sherlock Anne Kemp Richard Kolarski 3345 9543(H) 3889 0264(H) 3209 8514 3371 2707 3345 9543(H)

Compasses Steripen

Club Equipment

Topo Maps Emergency Lights First Aid Kits

UHF Radios

The above are for free use by members. Garmin GPS. QBW has 4 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole of Australia included. Some of these are on permanent loan to members. PLBs with inbuilt GPS The Club has 5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at each Club meeting and will need to be returned at the following Club meeting. Back Pack for Hire Bivy Bags For Sale $5.00 charge $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs

Redlands Bushwalking Club
Only stipulation is that Redlands club members have priority over visitors. Calendar is available at: http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html

These bivy bags are 2 metres by 0.9 metres and are bright orange in colour. Use as a pack liner or emergency bivy bag. Space Blankets For Sale $2.50 each. Lightweight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers! Contact Richard on 3345 9543 for any of the above.

Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)

BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader. Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations. Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/

Editors Pic

YHA Bushwalkers
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at: http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings

Family Bushwalkers
There is a $5 temporary membership fee per adult. Phone: (07) 3878 3293

Gold Coast Bushwalkers

Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members financial members of bushwalking clubs which are affiliated with BWQ. This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management Committee.
Peoples Choice Winner

Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc

Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers. Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au Page 2 of 6 John Daly

New Members
Lynette Daly Noelia South Edna O'Callaghan

As at we have 81 financial members

Coming Walks
Any person wishing to come along on a walk must contact the leader of the walk first. The leader will organise the meeting place and the car pooling. The leader has full discretion on who can come on the walk. Nominations close 9:00 pm on the Wednesday prior to a weekend trip. For Wednesday walks, nominations close 9.00 pm on the Monday before. February 2013 6 D/W Leader Wed M T4 F4 Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717 Parklands Survey (Yandina)

March 2013 2-3 Leader Sat-Sun M T6 F5 Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717 Kenilworth Base Camp Base camp

On the Saturday there will be a walk to explore Summer Falls. We will descend via a ridge down to Summer Creek and then walk upstream and explore the falls from below. There may be some swimming so waterproof your packs. On the Sunday the walk will be from the Booloumba Falls car park to Artists Cascades and then going upstream to Booloumba Falls and the Breadknife. Again there may be some swim throughs so waterproof your packs. Kenilworth Showgrounds camping bookings, ring Clem and Olive Hassall 07 54460131 Price: $14 /ight powered site - $12/night unpowered site

An exploratory walk to check out this area of parkland near Yandina. Leaving from Sunnybank 6.00am 10 D/W Leader Sun M T5 F4 Marion Laban 3805 3300 Upper Portals Circuit (Boonah)

Past Walks
Lizard Point
5 September 2012 This walk is one of the better day walks in S.E. Queensland and culminates in what I consider to be the second best view on the Scenic Rim, so it was a bit disappointing to only get three other walkers on this walk. After our usual rendezvous at Boonah we all climbed into my car and headed off towards the start of the walk at Teviot Gap. My plan for this walk was to climb Mt. Roberts via the Mt. Bell saddle ridge, go to Lizard Point and return via what I call the middle ridge, which is between the Mt Bell-Mt. Roberts ridge and the usual way up via the old rabbit fence. After parking on the old Teviot gap logging road we followed this to where it crosses Teviot brook. Earlier this year Richard and me had surveyed this road and tracked to where it is shown to terminate on an old forestry map, a couple hundred or so metres below the summit of Mt. Bell. From there it becomes a snig track which contoured around to just below the bottom of the Mt. Bell Mt. Roberts saddle. My plan was to follow the road to Teviot brook and then climb straight up the ridge from here, hit the snig track, and follow it to the saddle thus cutting out a bit of climbing. I had been up this ridge a number of times before and never noticed the snig track but it is one of those things that if you are not looking for it you dont notice it but if you are looking out for it, it is not hard to pick up. Even though I had it marked on the GPS. we easily pick up the track and followed it out to the saddle and from here started our climb to Mt. Roberts. The forest in this area is quite magnificent as it has never been logged which is why I think this is one of the better walks in this area.

A walk along Cleared Ridge to the Upper Portals. Chance for a swim and return is via Yamahra Creek Road. 13 D/W Leader Wed S T5 F4 Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717 Gheerulla Creek Survey (Mapleton)

A walk involving some off track to check the possibility of walking to the top of Gheerulla Falls. May be some scunge so wear protective clothing. Leaving from Sunnybank 6.00am 16 D/W Leader Sat S T5 F4 Anne Kemp 3371 2707 Northbrook Gorge (Mt Glorious)

A walk down Northbrook Gorge. Expect a swim through so may need to waterproof your pack. 20 D/W Leader Wed S T5 F4 Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717 Mt Thillinmam Survey (Springbrook)

This walk will be off track to check out the area round Mt Thillinmam. Wear protective clothing as there may be some scunge. Leaving from Sunnybank 6.00am 23 SOC Leader 24 D/W Leader Sun M T5 F5 Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717 David Kenrick 3349 8238 Canungra Creek Junction (O'Reilly's) Sat Bellbird Grove BBQ 4.30pm

I will be staying the weekend up at O'Reilly's so we will meet up at Duck Creek Road at 8.00am. We will go down Bull Ant Spur and then climb up to the ridge on the other side of West Canungra Creek. From there we will head down the ridge to the junction of East and West Canungra. The return will be via Stairway Falls and back up Bull Ant Spur. 27 D/W Leader Wed M T5 F5 Richard Kolarski 0422 429 717
Lizard Point View

Mt Archer Survey (D'Aguilar National Park)

We will do an exploratory walk up Mt Archer in the northernmost section of D'Aguilar National Park. There is also a meteorite crater I have heard about that we will attempt to locate. Expect some scunge so wear protective clothing. Meeting at Samford 7.00am.

After a steady climb up with a very steep final pinch we finally reached the shoulder below the summit of Mt. Roberts where we stopped for morning tea break. From here we followed the well worn track out to Lizard Point for lunch and to enjoy the always fantastic views. After lunch we returned along the track taking in a view of the Steamers as we walked down towards the Mt. Roberts-Mt. Superbus saddle.

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The turn off down the middle ridge is a bit above the bottom of this saddle so I had to estimate the turn off point by the altimeter on my watch as I was trying to do this walk with minimum reference to the G.P.S.. There was a rock cairn on the main track at about the correct altitude as indicated by my watch so we turned off on a compass bearing from here. The ridge here is broad and not obvious but after descending a way it starts to narrow and become more obvious and it just a matter of following this ridge down. A faint track and pink markers also help with the navigating. On checking the G.P.S I found I had turned off the main track about 50 -100 metre before the middle ridge was tracked on the G.P.S. but if you follow the terrain it will eventually all come together. Eventually you hit an old logging track which is followed for a while until markers are reached indicating a turn off down to a creek where we pick up the logging road we walked in on. From here it was an easy walk back to the car. This middle ridge track, by the way, cuts a substantial amount of distance and climbing as compared to the usual way of going to Lizard Point via the old rabbit fence & I consider this along with the Mt. Bell saddle route as the only way in future to tackle the Lizard Point walk. I thank Bert, Chris and Dave Sullivan for coming along and making this a top walk. David Kenrick

Dave did some great navigation with map and compass and got us on to a road that took us to Lemon Tree. We had afternoon tea at the Yangan Pub and then drove back home. Many thanks to Dave and Marion for an enjoyable day out. Richard

Bally Mt

18 Nov 2012

It was an overcast day with the chance of rain when 5 intrepid walkers met up to climb this mountain near Mudgeeraba. As we started the walk I had one eye on the overcast skies above. The first section of the walk was along a dirt road and so we made a fairly good pace. The road eventually just become an overgrown disused track which then began to climb up to Little Bally Mountain. Near the top we came to a dilapidated house with some shelter.

Huntley Saddle

10 October 2012

This walk was suggested by Marion who had a Wednesday free (it was her birthday and her employer allowed a day off). At the walks planning day Dave K was interested in doing the walk so it was quickly organised. Wednesday was a fine sunny day and we had an early start to do the almost three hour drive to Swan Creek on the other side of the Main Range. We were able to drive up to Lemon Tree as it was fairly dry. I even managed to drive a few more hundred metres to a locked gate. We set off on a recently cleared dirt road up Swan Creek. After a couple of false turns we found the correct ridge to walk up to Huntley Saddle. Marion was able to tell us that a few years previously it had been possible to drive up this ridge, However now it was overgrown with no chance of a vehicle getting through. We ascended gradually till we came to a small cliff line. A short scramble got us to the top of the cliff line and we contoured round to the east and eventually got to Huntley Saddle. We sat down for a well earned rest and to enjoy the views.

Home Sweet Home

From Little Bally Mt we had to cross over a saddle to Bally Mt proper. After descending to the saddle we came to a razorback. We had to scramble up and over some rocky ledges and on the razorback we had great views all round, including rain clouds in the distance. After the razorback there was a steep grassy slope. We scrambled our way up till we came to a rock overhang forming a small cave. We rested and just then it began to rain slightly. We sheltered in the cave and the rain cloud passed over us in a few minutes. The last scramble to the top was quite steep but finally we made it to a grand view. The descent was down another ridge. This one tended to be loose and rocky but then we came upon a disused road which led us back to the car. It was only a short walk and we made it back to Mudgeeraba for lunch at one of the cafes. Many thank to my fellow walkers for a great day out. Richard

Trekking the Larapinta 2012

On the Road To Alice
After leaving home on 09/06/2012 we travelled to Morevan where we camped overnight. The camp grounds were clean with lovely hot showers. The sunset was rich with pink hues turning the water in the lagoon near our tents to silver as evening crept in. It rained briefly overnight and the town geese were very vocal which interrupted my sleep. We were up early and travelled on to Longreach where we decided to pay for a cabin in the caravan park - $90 between the 3 of us per night. It had a shower and toilet and one double bed. After much indecisiveness as no-one wanted to take the bed it was resolved for Mary to sleep on her mat on the floor, Anne on the couch and I enjoyed the comfy bed. That evening we went for a walk along the town nature strip and enjoyed the spectacular array of native trees and shrubs on a background to a golden sunset.

Resting in the Saddle

From the saddle we headed north along the escarpment. The vegetation varied from open forest to patches of rainforest and bracken. In the rainforest section we had to scramble round some rocky sections and it made a cool change to be in the shade. We arrived at Swan Knoll where again we had a well earned rest and admired the views. After having our lunch we took a bearing to go southwesterly down a ridge. There were signs that the ridge had been used logging and the way was relatively easy until we came to lantana in the lower sections. It was difficult to work out if we were heading in the right direction as we were continuously trying to avoid the lantana.

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The next morning Mary went for a run and I went for a walk through the town centre. It was very cold and my ears nearly froze. At about 8.45 am we walked the short distance to the Stockmans Hall of Fame and spent about 6 hours exploring the various exhibits and learning about our history. We went to an outdoor show which included 3 horses, 3 dogs, a camel and a number of cows all trained and directed by an entertaining fellow reciting bush poetry. Being in information overload we left at about 2.30 pm and walked over to the QANTAS museum for a brief look but didnt go in. We left Longreach the next morning and travelled via Winton to Boulia and our next camp in the Georgina River. As we travelled towards Boulia we witnessed a helicopter muster and large numbers of cattle moving at various paces along a fence line to somewhere they obviously knew in the distance but we couldnt see. We had a lunch break at a place called Middleton which had a run down pub, a working telephone booth, a hall and a thatched roof shelter with a sign indicating it was the Hilton Hotel. There was a man at the bar of the pub and he was one of the drunkest men I have ever seen still sitting on a stool.

in the surrounding trees and the changing light and colour of the tree foliage as the sun rose was stunning. We packed up and left camp early. Before leaving we carried a large log from our fire the night before to the door of fellow campers who were staying on for another night. They had been unsuccessful in there search for suitable firewood. This turned out to be a very exciting day as we travelled into the Northern Territory via the Tobermory Crossing. There was dust and more dust but the scenery was spectacular. We had been told that the roads in the NT would be better that those in Queensland however this wasnt in fact so. The roads werent as bad as we anticipated and while there was a lot of bull dust and some rough sections there wasnt a lot of corrugation. As we travelled along we came across a man with a camel and cart and on stopping to chat he informed us he was travelling from Alice to Queensland to pick up another camel. He looked tanned and fit with not a worry in the world. We also passed a mob of about 1,000 yearlings being driven by horses and motorbikes along the highway. We stopped for fuel at a property called Jervis and then continued on towards Gemtree.

We stopped briefly at Lawnpore Lookout which has stunning views over the Lillydale Range. There was a young couple at the look out who were also heading towards Alice and after a brief chat we hoped to meet up at the Georgina River that evening. We caught up with them at the service station in Boulia where they had inadvertently put unleaded petrol in their diesel vehicle. Luckily for them the service station attendant noticed their mistake and they hadnt started their vehicle. We travelled onto the Georgina River which was initially difficult to locate. While we were looking for a suitable camp site we saw bustards and brolgas in the surrounding grasslands. There was very little water in the river but we managed to find a suitable campsite and once we had set up our tents we set about finding wood so that we could have a log fire. Then it was a quick wash in the creek and dinner. The total peace and tranquillity of the environment was amazingly revitalising after the stress of work.

It was getting late and we all agreed to call into Atitjere to camp for the night. The information sheet we had picked up at Boulia listed Atitjere as having a camping area and showers. In fact it was a dry aboriginal community. We meet a fellow whose name was John who advised us we could camp in the newly constructed day stop area. He drove with us to the area which we had passed on the way into town. There was a covered shelter with cement floor, two large picnic tables and setting and two fresh water tanks. John informed us he would organise the night patrol to call by and check that we were all right during the night. There were no problems and the next morning we went to thank John and give a donation for the use of the facilities. John informed us that he and his wife were from Melbourne. He was retired but had become bored with retired life and had answered an advertisement by the Central Land Council. He and his wife provide classes to community members who receive Centre-link payments. John teaches classes in woodwork and upholstery making coat hangers, wooded trays and re upholstering old chairs and other furniture. Sylvia his wife - teaches cooking and arts and craft. I purchased a painting and was please to see that the money went directly to the artist. Sylvia showed us the work the women have been doing and informed us they were planning to exhibit in the Alice Springs show in July. This was a very educational and informative morning. We left Atitjere and travelled on, stopping at Gemtree for a coffee and arriving in Alice Springs just after lunch. We booked into the YHA which was very clean and close to Town. After settling in we went for a walk down the Todd Mall and meet up with David and Gil who had flown in that day and then had dinner together. The next day we moved to the Stuart Caravan Park for the night to sort out our food and packs ready to leave the next morning. A major priority was to clean the back of Marys ute which was full of bull dust. (To be continued)

The next morning Mary and I had breakfast beside a waterhole in the river bed. There were flocks of galahs and native budgies

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Navigation Using a Map and Compass

Parts of a Compass

The ridge had only little shade and it was quite steep. At about 9.00am the leader was called to a member who had collapsed. The group had been walking for only an hour and had ascended about 170 metres. The affected member was pale and sweaty and complaining of severe nausea and dizziness. The member was in his 60's and had a past history of a heart condition. He was not complaining of any chest pain. The member was lying on a steep slope but was unable to sit up or move as any movement made him feel worse. He was treated with wet cloths put on his neck, given shade and an ice cold waterbottle was put against his skin. He was unable to drink anything. After 15 minutes there was only a slight improvement in that his colour improved but he was still complaining of severe nausea and was still unable to sit up, let alone stand. The present position of the group was on a steep slope in rugged terrain about 2 km from the cars. There was no mobile phone coverage where the member was. The PLB was activated and put up on a prominent spot nearby.

A typical compass used in bushwalking.

Baseplate: The hard, flat surface on which the rest of the compass is mounted. Its edge is straight and useful for laying lines on a map. Housing: The main part of the compass. It is a round plastic container filled with liquid and has the compass needle inside. Rotating Dial: The ring that has the degree markings. You hold the dial and rotate it to rotate the entire housing. Declination Scale: Used to orient the compass in an area with known declination. N: Stands for North on the rotating dial. Index Line: The bottom end of the Direction-Of-Travel Arrow. It ends right at the edge of the dial and is where you take degree readings. Direction-of-Travel Arrow: An arrow marked on the base plate. You point this the way you will be travelling. Scales: Each edge of a compass may have different rulers for use with different map scales. Magnifyer: For seeing small map features better. Needle: Magnetized piece of metal that has one end painted red to indicate North. It sits on a fine point that is nearly frictionless so it rotates freely when the compass is held fairly level and steady. Orienting Lines: Series of parallel lines marked on the floor of the housing and on the base plate. Orienting Arrow: Marked on the floor of the housing. It rotates with the housing when the dial is turned. You use it to orient a compass to a map.

One of the other members walked up to a knoll about 100 metres away and was able to get phone reception. He was able to give details of the members condition, the co-ordinates in latitude and longitude from the GPS and that the PLB had been activated. While waiting for help other members gave shade to the member and tried to make him as comfortable as possible. He was able to tell the group that he suffered occasionally from an inner ear problem which gave him severe nausea. A small group waited on the knoll watching for the helicopter. They had a space blanket to attract its attention. The rescue helicopter arrived just before 11.00am and a paramedic and emergency officer winched down and assessed the member.

Member Being Winched Out

Member Needed Rescuing

On a recent walk one of our members collapsed and required evacuation by rescue helicopter. The following report is so that all members may learn from it. To maintain privacy, names are not used. There were eight member on the walk, including the leader. The walk was in D'Aguilar National Park and involved a 5-6 km walk up and down a ridge with an ascent of 350 metres to get to a waterhole. The return route was a much easier one with no ascent required and only 1-2 km. The recent days had been hot with temperatures in the mid to high 30's. On that day it was forecast to go up to 38 degrees in Brisbane. The walk started at 8.00am and initially was along a dirt road and then a creek bed before starting the ascent up a ridge line.

The member was carried a few metres to a better location and he was winched up with the emergency officer. However the paramedic was not airlifted out and had to walk out with the group. The paramedic said this happened occasionally if the pilot judged it was too dangerous to attempt a second winch out, putting the lives of the crew and patient in jeopardy when the paramedic could walk out. When the group arrived back at the cars at 12.30pm the temperature given by the car thermometer was 40 degrees. The member was flown to Royal Brisbane Hospital where he was treated for the nausea and rehydrated. He was discharged later the same day to rest at home. He had made a full recovery by the next day. The underlying condition of the inner ear problem prevented the member from walking out. However the high temperatures that day and the ascent up the ridge did not help and may have been a contributing factor. The leader,and in particular, the rescued member would like to thank all the members on that walk for their help and assistance.

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