THE SCROLL

Newsletter of the Manning River Canoe and Bushwalking Club

Web:- manningcanoebushwalk.wordpress.com email:- manningrivercc@hotmail.com

P.O. Box, 243 Wingham 2429 ISSUE: July 2015

Curious Wedge Tail on the Lansdowne escarpment – Geoff Martin

General Meeting: 6:00pm 3 September 2015, Ireland’s home - Taree

President: Greg Stewart 0457402191

Treasurer: Geoff Songberg 6557 0052 - 0427 569 050

Secretary: Mick O’Brien 0400 475 835

Editor/ Publicity: Stuart Ireland 6552 6574 - 0427526575

Minutes from Annual General Meeting 2 /7/2015 Meeting opened at 6:05 Attendance: Greg Stewart, Mick O’Brien, Stuart Ireland, Jenny Ireland, Chris Dennis, Geoff Songberg, Pam Finlay, Bob Finlay, Murray Bourke, Vera Matsinos, Mick Doyle Apologies: Wendy Campbell, Geoff Buckley. Glenda Buckley, Dennis Mitchell, Mick Campbell, Chris Marriot, Chris Stewart President’s report given. Election of Office bearers. Greg Stewart- President, Mick O’Brien- Secretary, Geoff Songberg- Treasurer, Stuart Ireland- Publicity

Minutes from General Meeting 2 /7/2015 General Meeting Business: * Fees set at same price as last year, $5pp * Receipt book to be bought for membership receipts. * Letter to be written to thank Dennis for his term as Treasurer. * Activities calendar complied for the next 3 months. * The next General Meeting to be held on 3 September at Jenny and Stuart’s.

* Discussion of future trips in 2016 and 2017.

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TRIP REPORTS

STEWARTS RIVER PADDLE – 29 March On Sunday morning seven club members meet at Johns River for a paddle down Stewarts River and onto Watson Taylor Lake. Wendy, Janusz, Murray were in single kayaks, Glenda and Geoff in a double kayak and Jenny and Stuart

in the club Canadian canoe. It was a bit of a tricky launch. The bank dropped straight into the water with a muddy bottom. Luckily no one slipped or tipped in and we were soon on the water paddling downstream. The river started off narrow and very still, but one or two twist and turns and it soon widened out. We paddled along past some nice riverside properties set amongst the bush before the countryside opened out into farmland and the river widened as it joined into Watson Taylor Lake.

The banks although not steep were not the best for exiting from a kayak or canoe to get ashore. We managed to find a bit of an opening between some rocks where we could get ashore and stretch our legs and have a quick snack before the mosquitoes carried us away. We set out across the lake heading for the Camden Haven River entrance, which appeared to be a long way across. We were surprised at how shallow it was in spots. We

started paddling up the Camden Haven River but the mosquitoes were fierce and it was difficult to paddle and swat at the same time. The two canoes turned around and headed back to a sandy beach while the kayaks continued on around a small island before returning to the beach where we all had lunch. We set off for the return journey. Unfortunately the wind changed direction and we were paddling into a fair chop and spray blowing over us. Once back in the Stewart River it was a more pleasant paddle with the wind behind us some of the way as we returned back up the river to the cars. Wendy and Janusz paddled a bit further upstream exploring but were not

able to go very far before it narrowed in. Everyone managed to negotiate getting out of their boats and up the bank without falling in the mud. Jenny

HOLE IN THE WALL - 12 April 2015 On Sunday 12 April, Geoff, Chris, Jenny, Janusz, Mick, Mick, Veronica and Hamish met at the Taree Airport and travelled to Lansdowne and met up with Robyn, who was on her first walk with the club. From there we drove through the Lansdowne State Forest to start our walk to the Hole in the Rock. We began by following an old forestry track that brought us to the edge of the escarpment . Everyone was impressed with the view. The Manning Valley spread out below us, freshly washed from the recent rains, looking

lush and green, with brilliant blue skies and sunshine. Continuing along the track we came out at the trig marker, where we had a short drink and snack break while taking in more of the spectacular views into the valley and along the sheer rock walls of the escarpment. Between Geoff and Jenny many of the mountains and peaks in the valley and the distance were identified. From here we went off track, following up and down along the escarpment on a bit of

a trail. Skirting around several large rock faces and making our way through bracken fern we realised we had lost the trail a bit. It has been a while since some of us had done this walk and the vegetation had grown up. Geoff and

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Janusz scouted ahead and we eventually found a track and reached the Hole in the Rock in time for an early lunch. Unfortunately the mosquitoes were feasting on us as we feasted on lunch. Some of us then went off and explored along the base of the rocks and up onto the escarpment. We saw some incredible rocks which appeared to be balancing or suspended in mid air. Many of these rocks had a variety of orchids, ferns or elk horns growing on them. Hamish found a snake skin which his dad Mick said was from a red bellied black snake. Reaching the end of the escarpment we could look back across to Vincent’s Outlook and had views of the coast and ocean. We saw two eagles soaring around. We could pick out the lighthouse at Crowdy Head and the pine trees at Harrington. Returning to the hole we rejoined the others and began the walk back. Geoff scouted ahead and found the trail we needed to be on. We had an easier and quicker walk back to the main track. Back at the cars we drove back to Vincent’s Outlook for a final view and could look across to where we had just been. It was a nice finish to the walk and from here we said our goodbyes and headed for home. It was a good walk and we all enjoyed the day and views. Jenny

BARRINGTON HUTS MAINTENANCE The Club has developed a maintenance program for the two huts within the Barrington Tops Nat Pk following a

successful first trip to clean up and make a list of future repairs to Selby Alley Hut in October of 2014, a report of which can be found in the December Scroll. These will be held at six monthly intervals for each hut hence there will be something happening every three months to do with hut maintenance on the club's trip activities list. Each trip will entail a packwalk to and fro with one full day to do necessary work and will also be mid week to make sure we have unlimited access and bunks to use eliminating the need to carry excess gear. Selby is best visited during the times when the 4wd trail is open to Junction Pools so our next trip there will be October this year then April 2016. Munro can be accessed easily at any time of the year but ideally we would do this in January and July so as to split the intervals. Selby is an easy well

maintained trail requiring only a moderate level of fitness but allow a pack weight of minimum 16 kgs for maintenance gear. It will take 4 - 5 hours to walk each way over undulating alpine plateau (very pretty scenery I might add ). Munro is a short walk of no more than half a kilometre but still requires a pack or trolley/wheelbarrow to get the gear there otherwise one would spend most of their time walking back to the parking area for equipment. Both huts are still in dire need of meticulous care to keep them functional. Why do we need to do this you might ask? We, as a Club use them a lot, and we are close enough to do this work. Most people who visit or use these facilities don't have the time to spare except to cut a little firewood. Keeping in mind that mostly bushwalkers and the odd biker are the only users then we should not need to worry about whether this upkeep is appreciated or even taken for granted. These huts have already reached heritage stage both being older than 50 years and whilst they are still under the control of NPWS we all know that there is no funding available for this in government coffers so it's up to US! Kosciusko Huts Association have been doing this sort of thing for over 50 years so far and I might add very successfully with full assistance from the NPWS. (Look up KHA on the net) Mick OBrien

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MUNRO HUT - 21,22 & 23 April 2015

Arthur 'Darby' Munro Hut - Kerripit Rd, Gloucester Tops Plateau - Barrington Tops NP.

This hut was originally built by the Newcastle Bushwalkers Club. An East Coast Low had put an end to our plans of heading to Selby Alley in April and at the same time caused tragedy and devastation to the town of Dungog. With Michael and Hamish still keen to do something I suggested a trip to Munro to have a clean-up, inventory and maybe a bushwalk around the Gloucester Tops walking trails. We left Wingham about 3 pm on the Tuesday in the Hilux thankfully as the river was still flowing quite deep after all the rain. The trip up the mountain from the Gloucester River campground was eventful to say the least with numerous trees fallen across the road, requiring a great effort of cutting and dragging to get through arriving at Kerripit Rd parking area about 7pm in the dark. We grabbed our gear in the still drizzling rain and headed into the hut under torchlight, with 100mm of water flowing across the surface of the ground in places. The hut was

dry, secure and had a good supply of firewood which we made use of quickly as the temperature was beginning to plummeted to around 6 degrees where it would stay for the next 2 days. Meals were had, beds made and we settled in for the night with the wind roaring through the treetops outside.

The next day revealed a foggy dawn but the wind had abated so once breakfast was done we headed back to the Hilux for a trip to Gloucester Falls. As we started our circuit walk there was an inkling that the cloud might lift a little and it did so as we reached the first lookout revealing a foggy view all the way to the Bucketts at Gloucester. The falls and river were running fast as we traversed the north bank back to the car park where we then decided to do the Gloucester River walk which filled in the whole morning arriving back at the hut for a 1 pm lunch.

The afternoon was spent cleaning windows, reorganising and cutting firewood, cleaning and re supporting benchtop, some photography then preparing meals including a bread damper made with sultanas and yeast, YUM! An enjoyable evening was spent around the fire singing songs with guitar accompaniment and the unrelenting questions about everything from Hamish. Up early this morning and into the gathering of firewood with a repair done to the axe handle and the installation of nail hooks for coats, hats, packs and the like. The floor of the hut got a good sweep before the door was secured and we headed back to the car. The weather had resumed its glorious style with sunshine and warmth as we set our focus on the return trip arriving home by mid afternoon.

Mick

SELBY ALLEY HUT - 4, 5 & 6 May 2015 Selby Alley Hut - The Corker Trail, Williams River Headwaters - Barrington Tops NP. This hut was also originally built by the Newcastle Bushwalkers Club.

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Another downpour of rain threatened our second attempt at undertaking a trip to the hut but at the last minute everyone concerned decided that Tuesday was a goer with members arriving from as far away as Port. We slipped and slid our way into the Pools then realised we could not get across the river safely with the water levels so high so then backtracked to

Barrington Trail to leave the vehicles. A short walk revealed a still very high crossing above the Barrington/ Edwards Junction but we were determined or stupid. (one or the other) Imagine 5 retired adults stripped down to their underdaks attempting to cross 8

metre wide freeeezing cold metre deep water with packs on!.... All right don't imagine it (horrible thought). I had the trolley as well as the backpack and Chris needed a hand to cross so by the time I redressed, my legs felt like they were on fire. Blood circulation is pretty strange under those sorts of conditions. The traverse via Edwards Swamp is always one of my

favourites and it did not disappoint this time around with lush countryside and full flowing streams. As we had wasted much of our day travelling there was only just enough time to get to the hut and

establish ourselves for the night with a warm fire, food and a sing along with the trusty, well heeled, $50 buck guitar. Morning brought about renewed enthusiasm with Geoff finding a suitable well seasoned rafter to replace the non-existent one. Rafters are important as they tend to hold the roof together, but so are posts and footings as well which were all on the inspection list for this trip. The

makeshift bridge crossing had collapsed so a few hours were spent in the water locating stepping stones and constructing a handrail.

Some even found time for a walk upstream to check out the scenery and gather some more firewood. The stored timber was once again removed and this time some renovation was done to the floor, Geoff earning the reputation of cobblestone king as he threw instructions to and fro. "A bit flatter next one" or "too big wrong shape not the right colour!! What the!!" Then at some point in the afternoon a pair of prodigal RayBan prescription glasses belonging to Greg S were found after having been lost on a previous trip. Amazing? The evening was spent preparing a la

carte dried food with absolutely no use by date, with the label "something found in the freezer" and the now traditional sultana damper bread which just happened to turn out perfect even when the chef was placed under

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duress about his ability to prove and bake. What a great night we all had tucked away in this little cabin which has become such an integral part of the club. For the return trip a mandatory stop at Careys Peak to check out the view, a belated lunch stop on the trail and back to the vehicles by 3 pm for the trip home. What a brilliant way to spend spare time. Thanks guys for your company. Mick

Quick Calendar 2/7/2015 Note: You must phone the contact person to let them know you are coming as things may change at short notice.

Grading of Walks (Bushwalking NSW)

Each walk is graded into one of six grades based on the degree of difficulty of that particular walk.

Grade 1

Easy

Opportunity for large number of walkers, including those with reduced walking ability to walk on well marked and even tracks. Tracks are man-made and may have a few steps. Should not be steep. Suitable for beginners. Distance should not exceed about 10km.

Grade 2

Easy-Medium

Easy walk, mostly on tracks of low gradient. Opportunity to walk easily in natural environments on well marked tracks. Tracks should not be steep. Distance should not exceed about 15km.

Grade 3

Medium

Medium walk with some hilly sections and/or rougher terrain. Opportunity to walk 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 explore 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.

Quick Calendar 2/7/2015

July 2015 Date Activity Details Contact

Sat 4

Sun 5

Sat 11

Sun 12

Wed 15 Day Walk Grade: 3

A walk in the Lansdowne State Forest to the “Hole in the Wall”. Geoff / Chris 6557 0052 0427 569 050

Sat 18

Sun 19 Day Walk A day walk on Middle Brother Mountain. A rather strenuous walk for Stuart/ Jenny

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Grade: 3 those who are fit. All the walking is on 4wd and motor bike tracks but there is a lot of up and down.

0427 526 575 6552 6574

Mon 20 – Wed23

Pack walk Grade: 3

A short pack walk into Munro Hut at Gloucester Tops to undertake some maintenance work.

Mick O 0400 475 835

Sat 25

Sun 26 Bike Ride A morning ride in the Kiwarrak State Forest starting at the Tip at 9:00am and following bike trails.

Greg 0457402191

August 2015

Date Activity Details Contact

Sat 1

Sun 2

Sat 8 Overnight camp

An overnight camp at Korsmans Wharf on the Myall Lakes for an early start on the Sunday walk.

Mick D 0408885245

Sun 9 Day walk Grade: 3

A day walk starting at Buladelah to Korsmans Wharf on Myall Lakes. Approx 20km. Car shuffle is needed so some may stay the night at Korsmans Wharf the night before.

Mick D 0408885245

Sat 15

Sun 16 Day Bike Ride

A day ride starting at Coopernook Hotel and riding to Harrington, Crowdy Heads , and returning to Coopernook.

Murray 0419284394

Sat 22

Sun 23

Sat 29

Sun 30

Sept 2015

Date Activity Details Contact Thurs 3 General

Meeting The next General Meeting at Jenny and Stuart’s starting at 6:00pm. Stuart/ Jenny

0427 526 575 6552 6574

Sat 5 Pack Walk Grade: 3

A pack walk along the coast from Yagon to Bid Gibber, camping overnight there, and returning on Sunday via a different route.

Mick O 0400 475 835

Sun 6 Bike Ride A day ride starting at Seal Rocks and riding to Bombah Point on the Myall Lakes and return to Seal Rocks.

Murray 0419284394

Sat 12

Sun 13

Sat 19

Sun 20 Day walk Grade: 3

A day walk up Mt Goonook. Great views looking down on Lansdowne area and Killabakh.

Stuart/ Jenny 0427 526 575 6552 6574

Sat 26

Sun 27

Oct 2015

Date Activity Details Contact Sat 3 Fixed

Camp Paddle

A long weekend camp for three days at Violet Hill. Greg S 0457402191

Sun 4 Fixed Camp Paddle

Day paddles on the Myall Lakes.

Mon 5 Fixed Camp Paddle

Toilets are available but you will need to bring your own drinking water.

Sat 10

Sun 11

8

Sat 17

Sun 18

Mon19 – Wed 21

Pack Walk Grade: 3

A pack walk into Selby Alley Hut from Junction Pools and return. Mick O 0400 475 835

Sat 24

Sun 25

Sat 31

Sun 1

PROPOSED FUTURE ACTIVITIES.

Date Activity Details Contact Late Oct early Nov 2015

Pack Walk A 3 day pack walk along the 6 Foot Track in the Blue Mts. Murray 0419284394

Nov 9 -12 2015

Pack Walk Green Gully pack walk. 4 days plus travelling. The cost is approx $120 pp for hut fees.

Vera 65821800

Mon 23 Nov 2015

Overnight Paddle

3 or 4 day paddle on the Hawkesbury River above Berowa. Geoff / Chris 6557 0052 0427 569 050

Early Dec 2015

Paddle A day paddle from Limeburners Creek to Saltwater Lake and return. Vera 65821800

Early Dec or Feb 2016

Pack Walk A 5 day pack walk into the Jugungal area of the Kos Nat Park Geoff / Chris 6557 0052 0427 569 050

No date yet

Pack Walk A proposed 2 day coastal walk in the Royal Nat Park using public transport to travel there and back from Taree.

Murray 0419284394

15th May 2016

Pack walk Grade: 4

12 day car-supported walk along the Larapinta Trail in the NT. Have a look at the web site. larapintatrail.com.au Dates for Larapinta. They are from the 15th May 2016 to the end of May. The end date will depend on how the walk is progressing (the recommended duration is 15 to 16 days over the 12 sections). People who are going will need to meet in Alice Springs on the 15th of May. It is intended the walk will start from the 16th in a vehicle supported 1 and 2 day series of walks. If anyone is interested they need to contact Chris on 0429017489. Chris will need to know how people will be travelling to the Alice. Some may be driving and others flying. We can then sort out what vehicle requirement will be needed for transport out along the walk. Those flying will need to balance how long they want to spend on the walk when booking the return flight.

Geoff / Chris 6557 0052 0427 569 050

2017 Paddle A 270km, 10 day paddle on the Murray River from Yarrawonga to Echuca Geoff / Chris 6557 0052 0427 569 050

Feb 2017

Pack Walk A pack walk on the 3 Capes Trail in Tasmania in the Cape Solander area Geoff M 0408 862 292

When car pooling please consider the cost to the owner of the vehicle in fuel, wear and tear. NOTE: Buoyancy jackets are now compulsory to be worn at all time when paddling. Maritime regulation require them to be worn when more than 50 metres from shore.

Grading of Walks (Bushwalking NSW)

Each walk is graded into one of six grades based on the degree of difficulty of that particular walk.