FOOTPRINTS

Newsletter of the Border Bushwalking Club Inc. May 2012

President

Vice President

Secretary Treasurer

The next Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 8th,

2012 at the home of Warwick McLachlan. If you have any matters

you would like discussed please contact a Committee member.

Deadlines for next Footprints :

Activities for the next Footprints to the Activities Coordinator, Deb Kahn at activities@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au by Friday, May

4th, 2012

Footprints Contributions including Trip Reports to Ian Trevaskis

at iantre@hotmail.com by Friday, May 11th, 2012

Club Night : Tuesday May 1st at 7:30pm

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and

ELECTION of OFFICE BEARERS

The Annual General Meeting includes the election of members to form the new Committee

and the presentation of Reports. This will be followed by an introduction to the Club’s new

website by Warwick McLachlan (SEE PAGE 6 FOR DETAILS)

Club Nights are regularly held on the first Tuesday of the month (except

December and January) at 7:30pm. The room is opened half an hour before the start so that members may socialise.

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.

Border Bushwalking Club Inc PO Box 857 WODONGA 3689

Association No. A5665B www.borderbushwalkingclub.com.au

General Committee :

Tracey Barkley, Jan Douglas, Charles Dunn, John Jamison, Debbie Kahn, Sandy Kaitler, Ian Trevaskis,

Cindy Marsh

Pauline McLaughlin

Connie Constas Dick Wellard

0410425335

0260213767

0260271622

president@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au

mcpaulin@bigpond.com

secretary@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au treasurer@borderbushwalkingclub.com.au

COMMITTEE

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 1

affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria

We extend a warm welcome to the following new members :

Amanda Fisher

Colin and Marjorie Underwood Margaret McClure

Andrea Gunton Kerryn Ritchie Sarah Maxted

We trust that you will enjoy all that the Club and its members

have to offer.

GOOD TRY PETE!

PRESIDENT’S PONDERINGS

As I take some time out to think of a few points to share with you in President’s Pondering, I do so from a new desk. During March, I took 5 weeks leave from work and Border Bushwalking Club tasks, to travel and attend a family wedding (not my wedding) and move house. Suffice to say March was a very busy month for me. I must say a huge thank you to Pauline McLaughlin for her support whilst I was away and for doing my BBC role with her usual efficient and organised manner; Thank you Pauline.

I have moved to a property surrounded by National Parks. As I look out the window, I am distracted from my task by rolling green hills and the spectacular colours in the Pin Oaks as they start to change and take on vibrant shades of reds, oranges and yellow; all this is surrounded by natural bushland. Wow! I plan to introduce you to my part of the world in the coming months by putting on some easy walks, so keep an eye on our fantastic activities program. Deb Kahn, along with our BBC Leaders, does a great job organising activities for your enjoyment. I encourage you to think about organising an activity to show us your favourite spots. At times, I have felt I am too busy to go on walks as each weekend seems to fly past; the only solution is to put an activity on the program. I am very pleased to say; no I’m excited and thrilled to say, after months of promising the new Border Bushwalking Website has been launched. Hurray! This was due to the hard work and dedication of Ed Burke and Warwick McLachlan. I just don’t have the words to express the committee’s appreciation of their combined efforts. Ed has built us a site that is easy for us to manage, where we can respond promptly to any changes, simplistic enough for us to understand the backdoor working of the site and most importantly those visiting our site, as members or visitors, can find easily find what they need.

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 2

If you have not taken the time to view your new site then I encourage you to do so. If you did not get your membership email on April 1st (possibly not the best day to send it out) from WordPress, then I suggest you check your spam emails. This email was titled “Your registration for Border BWC has been approved”, in the body of the email you were issued with a new user name and password, plus a link to the new site. The month of May is when the Border Bushwalking Club AGM is held. This is the only meeting during the year where committee matters are discussed at the Club Night. The 2011/2012 committee vacate their positions and a new committee is elected. I am pleased to say we have received the nominations for the 2012/2013 year and we have a Committee, without the need for an election. This is in line with BBC Rules; Sub clause 16.3 If the number of nominations received is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled, the persons nominated shall be deemed to be elected.” I encourage you to come to the Annual General Meeting (AGM), to meet your new Committee and hear from the previous Committee about what we have been doing throughout the past year. Once the business of the AGM is concluded we proceed with our regular Club Night. Warwick will be giving us an overview of our new website.

In closing, I always welcome your thoughts. If you’d like to contact me to discuss any issues, please feel free to call me on 0410425335, or email at president’s email address or cindy.bushwalking@gmail.com.

Bye for now and happy are those who are out in the great outdoors,

Cindy Marsh, BBC President

Loop from Mt Loch Despite the very early start and the so-so weather forecast, seven adventurous souls took the Loop from Mt Loch challenge. For one new recruit, Brian, this would be his first adventure with

the club and I am happy to report he passed with flying colours. We couldn’t have ordered a better day. The big blue cloudless sky and perfect walking temperatures made it a brilliant day to be out and enjoying life. Derricks Hut set amongst magnificent snow gums was our first morning tea break. It was all downhill from there with the new track work stepping down Swindlers Spur being much admired and appreciated making the descent a dream run.

Dibbens Hut in its picture perfect setting as usual was an ideal spot for morning tea #2. As we chatted with other groups about their intentions for the day time passed and all too soon we were checking the map and making our way up Cobungra Gap Track to our turn off. More flattish track made some of us start to think about what lay ahead. Only Charles, Clayton and Sandy had been up Machinery Spur before. The use of phrases such as “the long grunt” and “the shorter steeper grunt” had us wondering. A brief stop at Red Robin Battery allowed us to steel ourselves for “the long grunt” up to Red Robin Mine, passing through stands of amazingly tall and straight mountain ash trees. And long it was. So to the chorus of “are we there yet” we continued onward and upward, reaching the mine just as our energy was on the wane. Suitably replenished we tackled “the shorter steeper grunt” with a new found bravado, reaching Red Robin Gap and its cooling breeze. Following the track we summited Mt Loch and then ambled back to the car park for afternoon tea. Thanks to Sarah, Katia, Sandy, Brian, Charles and Clayton for making the day one to remember.

Deb Kahn – Choir master

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 3

TRIP REPORTS

EDMONDSONS HUT Bogong High Plains

Nine of us ventured up on to the High Plains for a pleasant day’s walking

starting on the Heathy Spur Track. We visited the summit of Mt Nelse before dropping down to the picturesque

Edmondsons Hut for lunch. Despite the cold weather this was a most

enjoyable walk in good company.

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 4

JAMIESON’S RIDGE TRAVERSE This walk started a little earlier than expected (see photo front page) and proved to be a two and half hour slog in the dark up a very steep 4WD track to our first overnight camp below The Nobs which we reached at around 8:00pm. The jagged and striking summits of the ranges in this area are in stark contrast to the generally rounded peaks of the Bogong High Plains and the scenery is quite breathtaking with its deep valleys and mountains stretching into the distance like sleeping giants.

Day Two saw us heading off with full packs to climb The Nobs (1495m) and High Cone (1488m) before traversing the north east slope of Square Top and climbing Mt Clear (1695m). After a

very steep descent we made camp near Rocky Point for the night. Day Three was a long day walk of 8 hours which saw us travelling through some spectacular wilderness country as we climbed Mt Magdala (1725m), descended into Hells Window and climbed King Billy Number 1 (1716m) and King Billy Number 2 (1696m) before returning to camp. Day Four was a long walk out back to the cars via the Mount Clear Track. Thanks Pete for organising another memorable extended hike.

(A detailed account of this hike will appear in the August/September edition of Great Walks magazine)

MORE TRIP REPORTS

GRAND STRZELECKI TRACK The Grand Strzelecki Track is a new Walking

Track covering over 100 kms through two National Parks in the Strzelecki Ranges in

Gippsland. There is a new Video out for the Grand Strzelecki track which you might be

interested in looking at : The link is http://vimeo.com/38899069 The track is due to be opened May 5th

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 5

Using Gas with less Guessing

Lightweight gas-stoves of the “Pocket Rocket” and similar styles have become the most popular type for overnight bushwalking. The weight of fuel needed to produce a given amount of heat using gas is less than half that of methylated spirits. The weight advantage isn’t always realised – gas canisters come in a limited range of sizes, with a full one containing much more than is needed for a one or two night walk, thereby resulting in surplus weight being carried. As a canister is consumed, another dilemma arises – is there enough fuel remaining for another trip or is it safer to take a full one instead (or as well)? Near-empty canisters can be used up on base-camps or while still next to a vehicle, however erring too much on the side of caution can soon result in a collection of “Saturday morning” canisters and frequent purchases of new ones. Kitchen scales, preferably digital, and the chart below take the guesswork out of deciding how much longer a canister will last.

minute.

Other factors affect gas consumption; using a lid on a billy and shielding the stove (allow some ventilation space around the canister) should achieve at or better than these rates. Moderate usage (1 cup each of a hot drink, soup and porridge, and 1 meal simmered for 5 minutes) equates to 30g of gas/person/day. Some frugal walkers get by on half that (eg rehydrating a freeze dried meal and one cup of soup), whilst anyone who enjoys a few more hot drinks or likes to heat water for a wash needs to allow more using the two rules of thumb above. The diagram is based on the most popular 230g size canister. Obtain the weight then see how many remaining days; eg 250g = 48% full or 3 full days remaining. A 20g safety margin is included in the allowance. For the large sized canisters (C460), a similar chart can be created using an empty-full weight range of 200-660g. (from YETI - the newsletter of YHA Bushwalking Summer 2011-12)

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 6

MONTHLY QUIZ Just for a bit of fun the Editor has decided to include a monthly quiz for members to attempt. Negotiations are in hand to secure some great prizes for the winners. To become a winner you

need to email your answers to iantre@hotmail.com before Tuesday May 1st First nearest correct entry wins and no correspondence will be entered into.

THIS MONTH’S QUIZ ... WHERE ARE WE? The photos below have all been taken on Club activities at locations within Victoria. Can you figure out

where each photograph was taken ?

Number 1 Number 2 Number 3

Number 4 Number 5 Number 6

Number 7 Number 8 Number 9 Number 10

CLUB WEBSITE PRESENTATION The new website is up and running and members with a current e-mail address received their new username

and passwords in early April. On club night , Warwick McLachlan will have the website running on the big

screen to demonstrate its "bells and whistles". Members will have an opportunity to complain bitterly about

progress, praise the innovation, shoot the messenger or wait patiently for supper. Members may make

suggestions for improvements or changes to the site during the talk. Baskets labelled "too hard", "so easy",

"can't afford it", "maybe, maybe not" and "you have got to be kidding" will be available on the night for the

suggestions.”

WEBSITE ASSISTANCE The Club is still urgently seeking an “understudy” to assist Warwick McLachlan with the

management of our new website. If you feel that you may be able to assist and have some IT experience please contact Warwick as soon as possible at mcla@bigpond.net.au

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 7

NOTICES

GEAR HIRE Members please note that the Club

equipment we have available for hire is located at

‘Adventure Gear Albury’

479 Dean Street, Albury phone : 02 6021 6200

website : www.adventuregearonline.com.au We thank Gino and Kelly for their

generous support of Border

Bushwalking Club. Members should be aware that when hiring gear from ‘Adventure Gear Albury’ that payment is

to be made when the gear is picked up. Payment is to be made according to the number of days of the activity as listed in Footprints (whether used or not) and there will be no refund given if the

gear is not used. If you have any further queries or problems with this arrangement please a

contact a Committee member.

Walkers are asked to email

Cindy Marsh, Field Officer, Bushwalking Victoria Alpine No 1

at : ccm1964@gmail.com or

Pauline McLaughlin, Field Officer, Mount Buffalo

at : mcpaulin@bigpond.com to

Report on the matters concerning the conservation of bush land and walking areas Report any damage to signage Report on track maintenance Report any weeds or blackberries

REMINDERS TO TRIP LEADERS Trip Leaders are reminded that it is your responsibility to organise an ECP (Emergency Contact Person) for the activity you are leading. Trip Leaders are also reminded that PLBs (Personal Location Beacons) should be carried on any remote, extended or out-of-range of mobile areas. These are an important and vital safety item and are available for hire at no cost from ‘Adventure Gear Albury’.

Walking Poles are now available for hire from ‘Adventure Gear Albury’

A GENTLE REMINDER

All new and “old” members of the Club are reminded of the importance of carrying the

correct clothing and equipment when

undertaking activities at altitude such as the High Plains.

Weather conditions that may appear benign

can quickly turn nasty. Leaders are also reminded that they are

obliged to check that ALL participants have the appropriate clothing and equipment in

their packs.

(Refer to the Club Handbook for details) Photo credits this issue : Ian Trevaskis,

Pauline Scott, Deb Kahn

THANK YOU The Committee wishes to acknowledge

and thank Frances Dryden at Java@Yack, Yackandandah, for the

printing of the monthly edition of

Footprints. We appreciate the ongoing support.

Notice of Motion for AGM I, Dick Wellard, intend to move “That the

membership fees for the year 2012/2013 remain unchanged at

the 2011/2012 level.”

ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

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. WALKS GRADING Easy walks are generally less than about 15 km per day, on easy terrain and following some form of track. Medium walks are from 15 to 20 km per day and may involve considerable climbs, on or off tracks. Could involve up to 6 hours of walking. Hard walks may involve long distances, long steep climbs, cross country travel, thick scrub, rock scrambling. Could be up to 8 hours of walking. 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.

WALK LEADERS reserve the right to change the walk route on the day depending on prevailing conditions and al-tered circumstances. Members and visitors must check with the leader that their fitness and experience suit the walk. A walk leader can refuse permission for any person to take part in his/her activity.

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.

MAY 2012 Saturday 5th May The Twins 15km/Medium/Exploratory Leader: Deb Kahn Phone: 02 6041 4202 before 8pm This walk will be an exploratory one retracing the steps I vaguely remember taking with Bruce Key as a leader a number of years ago. The walk starts just near the Dargo Road turn off below Hotham and follows a good track for most of the walk. When we get to Twin No 1 the track becomes less well defined in fact at times there is no track but we just keep ascending the Twin till we summit. Then it’s a gentle undulating stroll to Twin No 2 from where we head downhill till we meet the 4WD track and follow it back to the cars. If there is anyone who has knowledge of this walk I would love to hear from you. Better still come along and be my human GPS. Sunday 6th May Lake Sambell to Lake Kerford – Beechworth 11km/Easy Leader: Pauline McLaughlin

Phone: 02 6021 3767 We’ll start at Lake Sambell in Beechworth and walk along the well-marked track through bush land, passing several mine shafts that have been protected by wire until we reach Lake Kerford for morning tea. We’ll retrace our steps and finish with a picnic lunch overlooking Lake Sambell.

WALKERS (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)

LEADERS are reminded that:

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.

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 8

Saturday 12th May Blue Rag Range 16km/Medium Leader: Clayton Pollett

Co-Leader /Bookings: Deb Kahn Phone: 02 6041 4202 before 8pm There is a very limited window of opportunity to walk on Blue Rag Range due to its exposed location just below Hotham, you either fry or freeze. So take this opportunity to do a really spectacular walk before the snow closes the road and we can’t get in. We take the Dargo Plains Road and park cars at its junction with the Blue Rag Range 4WD track. The walk involves some good ups and downs all on track and all the way out to the trig point where if the weather is kind to us we will have beautiful views across the High Plains. This is an out and back walk, so we will return via the same route and I believe there may be a geocache at the trig point somewhere. Saturday 12th May Bungowannah Mine, Bread Loaf Rock Mt Corner Loop 10km/Easy Leader: David Ross

Phone: 03 5726 1919 An easy afternoon walk in the local area with good views, following wallaby tracks. Bring arvo snack and water. Be prepared for some getting over/under fences. Saturday 19th May Ross Lookout – Pine Mountain NP 12km/Medium Leader: Deb Kahn Phone: 02 6041 4202 before 8pm Although this walk is relatively short it involves a ladder and steep rough conditions in places so has been graded medium for this reason. This walk starts at Blue Gum Camp and follows a well defined track beside Bluff Creek through moist ferny gullies and tall stands of blue gum. After Bluff Creek Car Park the track initially climbs to the smaller Top Falls where Bluff Creek cascades into a narrow wet gully. The track then rises to Campbell’s Lookout a rocky escarpment that overlooks the steep scree covered slopes of Cudgewa Bluff. The track continues with the turnoff to Ross Lookout hard to find as whilst it may have been once sign posted, on my walk there in 2011 we could not locate it.

Saturday 19 May Scenic walks around Mt Lawson 6km/Easy Leader: Cindy Marsh Phone: 02 6072 7527 after 7pm Mobile: 0410425335 Join me for 3 easy day walks in one day all in the Mt Lawson area. We will meet at the Koetong pub and drive to the start of each walk. The first walk is from the car park to the Historic Trestle Bridge, a distance of about 300 metres. The second walk is the Conic Range Walking Track 1.5 km. the track rises quickly for the first 200metres and then becomes gentle and undulating to the Conic rocks. The views from the rocks at the edge of the ridges are worthwhile. On completion of this walk I will light a camp fire, at the camping grounds, where we can enjoy a picnic or BBQ lunch. Our last walk for the day will be the Mount Lawson Summit walking track, about 700 metres, there is a moderate climb to the Summit.

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 9

Everyone loves to read about your latest trip so how about submitting a report to the Editor about what it was like, where you went and what fun you had. We can’t all join

in so this is one way to share the experience and you don’t have to be the Leader to submit a report.

Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th May Maddisons Hut 20km/Hard Leader: Peter Smith-Allen Max 8 Walkers Phone: 02 6027 1980

This walk will start at the base of Eskdale Spur where we will leave the cars. We will then make our way up Mt Bogong passing Cleve Cole Hut on our way down to Maddisons Hut. There is a small campsite here next to a little creek where we will set up camp for the night. We can then spend the rest of the day exploring the nearby Howman Falls or just relaxing. Return back the same way on Sunday. Sunday 20th May Livingston State Park/ The Rock 20km/Medium Leader: Bernadette Cromarty Phone: 0419241687 (after 5pm) This is a combination of 2 walks. The first walk is in Livingston State Park, near Mangoplah. It will be about 13kms on undulating formed tracks. Then we will drive 20kms to The Rock for lunch at the reserve followed the sharp climb up The Rock. Saturday 26th May Mt Beauty: Moncrieff Fire Trail 12km/Medium Leader: Eileen Clark Exploratory Phone: 02 6025 3292 or 0412 0421 95 This walk is a rerun of one I did many years ago. The Moncrieff’s Gap Fire Trail starts near the Mountain Creek Picnic Area in Tawonga and winds round the base of Mt Little Bogong into Mt Beauty, with quite a few ups and downs on the way. There are some views up to the (snow covered?) peaks. The walk finishes with a paddle across the East branch of the Kiewa River. I will check this out before the walk and if it is too deep to cross safely we will turn around at lunchtime and head back the way we came.

FORWARD PLANNING

Saturday 2nd June 3 Bright Hills 17km/Medium

Leader: Bernadette Cromarty Phone: 0419241687 (after 5pm)

This walk incorporates three short walks up and down hills that give different views of Bright: Apex Lookout, Valley View Walk and Huggins lookout. The first two can be done as circuits by grunting up the fire trail and descending down the track. The last is out and return. These steep hills are linked by the canyon walk, rail trail (flat), a bit of road and Bakers Gully Reservoirs (slightly hilly). In all it’s about 17 km and a good way to keep fit.

Saturday 2nd June Woolshed Falls to Beechworth and return 12km/Easy Leader: Cindy Marsh Phone: 02 6072 7527 (after 7pm) Mobile: 0410425335 I hope I have not left this walk too late in the year, if the weather is nice it will be a great walk. Whilst it is only 6 km each way, the walk does involve some climbing on well-formed track. Stairs have been cut into the path to make the walk even more enjoyable. This walk is a personal favourite of mine.

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 10

NEW AND EXISTING MEMBERS Are you aware you are eligible for discounts at some local outdoor stores such Adventure Gear Albury, Snowgum and Mountain Designs? Discounts are also available at a number of Melbourne stores ( check

the Bushwalking Victoria website for details). Just show your BBC Membership Card and ask nicely.

Saturday 2nd- Sunday 3rd June Tawonga Huts Overnighter 16km/Medium Leader: Deb Kahn Phone: 02 6041 4202 before 8pm As Billy Connelly says “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing” neither of which will be on this straightforward overnighter. Hopefully we will get two good days (even though a dodgy track record has seen my last few overnighters’ start in brilliant sunshine and end in less than desirable conditions) before the fluffy white stuff settles on the ground for a few months. We will follow the Fainters Fire Track to the huts in their magical setting and set up our camp for the night. Feel free to explore the surrounding Nigger Heads and Fainter areas before enjoying dinner under the stars. On Sunday we will retrace our steps and get back to the cars in time to drive down the hill and have a coffee before heading home. Saturday 9th June Flagstaff Range 20km/Medium Leader: Deb Kahn Phone: 02 6041 4202 before 8pm This walk requires a short car shuffle and starts just off the Wangaratta/Myrtleford Road. It’s all on well defined 4WD forestry trails up and down a number of hills, through areas of regrowth that take us back to the days of re-cent bushfires and through remnant pine plantations all the way to Buckland Gap. The first 8km is all uphill and when we get to the ridge the views are pretty amazing. Lunch will be shared picnic style on a wide grassy area and participants will be asked what they would like to bring to share when booking in. Please bring own plate, eating utensils and a mug for tea/coffee/cake at the end Saturday 16th June From the Bush to Bollywood 12km/Easy and delicious Leader: Deb Kahn Co-Leader: Sarah Maxted Phone: 02 6041 4202 before 8pm Some of the best views of the Murray River and surrounding valley are right on our doorstep. Couple this with some of the most delicious Indian food around and you have the best of both worlds. This afternoon walk will take in these views as we wind through Mungabareena, up Eastern Hill, down into Doctors Point via Gunbower Court and then back up Eastern Hill via Murray View Road along the ridge to gaze over towards Huon Hill and then back down Eastern Hill into Mungabareena around into Eastern View Estate. Through the estate and back up towards Eastern Hill along the track that joins East Street and the Hospital and back to the cars. Then when all the huffing and puffing has subsided and fresh clothes donned we will gather at Little India on Borella for a social get together over some of the tastiest Indian you'll try outside of the subcontinent. Out-of-towners will be more than welcome to freshen up at either residence and an overnight stay can be arranged if you would like to enjoy some liquid refreshments. Join us for the walk and/or dinner; just join us. Active and non-active partners welcome. Bookings no later than Friday 8th June so a reservation can be made.

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 11

REGARDING FORWARD PLANNING

Deb Kahn, the Club’s Activities

Coordinator would very much appreciate early notification of any planned trips. Such information helps her in the overall

planning of Club activities and allows for Leaders of other activities to adjust their planning.

Please notify Deb if you have something “in the pipeline” even if it’s a few month’s

away.

LEADERS WANTED

As pointed out at the March Club Night

and reiterated in ‘President’s Ponderings’ we encourage all members to have a go at leading an activity. It is not difficult if you

choose something you are comfortable and familiar with and we have many “old hands” in the club who are only too willing

to act as co-leaders or to assist you. Please contact Deb and give our regular

Leaders a bit of a break.

Saturday 23rd June Mt Emu 16km/Medium Leader: Brian Franklin Phone: 0427221446 You don’t come on this walk because you’d like to see emus. You come on this walk to get the most amazing view over Mount Beauty and the surrounding area while still keeping your feet on the ground. The walk follows Mountain Creek Road uphill and turns onto the Eskdale Spur 4WDTrack. From here it follows the undulations of Eskdale Spur all the way to Mt Emu and our lunchtime view. After retracing a small section of the track, we will take a different route downhill along exposed ridges and through ferny valleys to the cars. Saturday 30th June Bates Dam/Dingle Range 12km/Easy Leader: Pauline McLaughlin Phone: 02 6021 3767

A circuit of about 12kms along undulating fire trails in the forest between Beechworth and Stanley. Visit the inter-esting relics at Bate's Dam and admire the view from Murmungee Lookout. Saturday 7th July Lockhart’s Gap to Tallangatta Crossover 20km/Medium Leaders: Ian Trevaskis/Bernadette Cromarty Phone: 02 6071 2361 One group led by Bernadette will start from Lockhart’s Gap while the other group led by Ian will start from Tallangatta Lookout. After meeting somewhere on the track, keys and pleasantries will be exchanged before walking on. Following the walk members and guests are invited to enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea at Cafe Trevaski

Saturday 28th - First Aid Course Valuable Sunday 29th July Organiser: Pauline McLaughlin Phone: 02 60213767 Keep this weekend free and learn some of the most valuable skills you could have as a walker. More information to follow in future Footprints. August 19 - 25 (negotiable) Falls Creek Snowy/Medium Leader: Michael Lowe Phone: 03 6334 0001

Email: mj.lowe@bigpond.net.au A week skiing around the Bogong High Plains and snow camping by huts. The itinerary is variable, but it might be good to stay at Pretty Valley for two nights and check out that area. Then move towards Mount Nelse and spend a few days in that area. It would be a chance to have a good look around the High Plains in winter. By way of introduction, I was a club member until moving to Launceston in 2002 and would like to get back into cross-country skiing. The following items have been included as items which may interest members of the BBC while they are included

in the BBC Footprints they are not covered by the clubs insurances. January 1st – 17th 2013 China from North to South Adventurous Leader: Deb Kahn Phone: 02 6041 4202 before 8pm China is more than big cities, large numbers of people and long walls. This trip to the world’s most populous country will reinforce this. We will be travelling to China during their winter as this is when the world’s greatest annual Ice and Lantern Festival in Haerbin (Manchuria) takes place. Other places on the trip include Beijing where we will visit Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and a whole day walking the Great Wall. From Beijing we will head south west visiting the pandas in Chengdu, Leishan and the giant carved Buddha. Leaving the colder weather behind we head south east to Fujian Province, home to a minority group, the Hakka who still live in their traditional round mud brick communities. Our final stop will be Yangshou where amongst other things we will have a cooking lesson, ride through the beautiful Karst countryside to Moon Hill and drink decent coffee. Waiting List

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 12

FOOTPRINTS MAY 2012 PAGE 13