Bob and myself headed up the mountains where we met up with Chris and Suzie and headed out to our canyon.
Early on the walk out to the canyon, we crossed an open rocky area and found a nice rock pool with lots of aboriginal sharpening grooves. A nice start. Continue reading
This was recently posted on the bushwalk.com forum by a representative of the Parks and Wildlife Service in Tasmania –
A copy of Parks’ new “OVERLAND TRACK USAGE POLICY” – August 2012.
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This policy provides rules designed to manage walker intentions during the booking season (1st October – 31st May each year) in respect of use of the Overland Track.
These rules ensure that the quality of the Overland Track (OLT) experience is maintained for all users. All walkers are required to respect and abide by these rules.
1. The OLT must be walked in a north-south direction from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Exceptions to this rule are the sections of the track from Cradle to Waterfall Valley, Cynthia Bay to Pine Valley turn-off, Pelion to Pelion Gap and Pelion to West Pelion.
2. Bushwalkers intending to use part of the OLT and who do not pay the Overland Track Fee must not walk more than one overnight segment. The exceptions are entry onto the Overland Track from the Never Never, Traveller Range and Ducane Range. If entry is made via these routes, walkers must complete their walk on the OLT in a north-south direction.
For the most part, the above rules clarify what constitutes acceptable use. However, in order to further clarify what is permissible regarding overnight bushwalks that intersect with the OLT, the following examples of acceptable walks are provided:
• Cradle => Rodway (O/N) => Cradle (day walk to Barn Bluff / Waterfall Valley)
• Arm River => Pelion (O/N) => Arm River (day walks to Ossa, Pelion East, Pelion West, Oakleigh)
• Lake St Clair => Pine Valley (O/N) => Lake St Clair (Lake Marion, Labyrinth, Acropolis)
• Cradle => Lake McCrae or Mt Inglis => Cradle
• Mersey Valley => Junction Lake => Never Never => Lees Paddocks => Lees
• Lake St Clair/Narcissus => Byron, Cuvier, Traveller Range, Olympus
Further information on the policy and advice is available by contacting the Ranger-in-Charge for the Overland Track on 03 64921133 or email:
overlandtrackadministrator@parks.tas.gov.au
Glenbrook Gorge was a place I often visited as a kid – on family bushwalks. I remember wandering around in bare feet on the slabs and some great swimming holes. Later I can remember visiting the gorge for some rock climbing. It seemed a good place for a return visit.
The 18th of January 2013 has gone down in history as (so far) the hottest day on record in Sydney which had a temperature maximum of 45.8°C. It was a good day to be down a canyon.
The party was Chuin Nee, John and heir young baby, Jasper, and visitors from Germany – Chris and Suzie. We wanted a canyon that was relatively easy and baby friendly – so chose Clatterteeth Canyon which is a section of Du Faurs Creek at Mt Wilson. Continue reading
Chris and Suzie had been camping at Mt York and they invited Chuin Nee, John (and their baby, Jasper) and me to join them for some climbing nearby at the Land of the Giants crag, which is located close to Bardens Lookout.
It was a hot sunny day – but the crag was shady in the morning. In a small alcove at the crag is a topo and route descriptions. It is a fully developed spots crag. Continue reading
This was a nice walk around the cliffs of Leura and Katoomba. My main purpose was to take photos of Leura Cascades.
I started from Leura Station and walked down the main street and then along a side street or two, to arrive at Lyrebird Dell and the track leading to Gordon Falls. A little down the creek lies the Pool Of Siloam. This was attractive but would be better in higher water.
Last week, myself and Digi Dave joined Chris and Suzie, who were on a visit from Germany, for some canyons in Wollemi National Park.
At first it looked like our plans could go awry, since Wollemi National Park, was marked as being closed on the Environment NSW website. Other nearby National Parks – Blue Mts and Gardens of Stone were marked as being open. However, it looked like this was a mistake. A NPWS worker had posted online that she had contacted the Blackheath NPWS office and been told it (Wollemi NP) was definitely open. However as it turned out, after we had headed off into the bush, we found on our return, that later, all National Parks in NSW were closed for walking due to extreme fire danger. Camping was still permitted and certain commercial canyoning.
This could explain why we met only two other parties – one in Rocky Creek (who assured us that Wollemi National Park was open) and one in Deep Pass Canyon. Continue reading
It had been a while since I had cycled around Iron Cove. Its a very nice bay with a lot to see. The main obstacle to cyclists are the huge number of pedestrians – walkers and joggers.
John and Chuin Nee (and their baby Jasper) invited me to join them and Sarah for a few days in the mountains.
Chuin Nee on Honey Dip
We started with some climbing at the Zig Zag crag at Mt Victoria. I had only climbed there once before, many years ago. We started off with one of the classic climbs – “Honey Dip”. This is a trad climb with the modest grade of 13. Chuin Nee led the way up it. It goes up a really nice crack and ends with an airy traverse. Continue reading
In recent years, a group of us have headed into the Northern Blue Mountains for an extended canyoning trip during the period between Boxing Day and New Year. It provides a good time to venture into some of the more remote parts of the Northern Blue Mountains for some canyoning.
