newcastle ramblers bushwalking club newsletter - Confederation of ...

We found the favoured camp nicely shelteredbetween huge rock formations, arriving at 3.06pm.Camp was set up quickly while Bruce built us anotherlovely campfire. We explored some more and took afew pics then cooked and ate our dinner well beforedark with all intent on beating Big Dog to bed. Weagreed on an early departure and hit the hay earlyunder a near full moon.Thursday at 5.30am all wereup for spectacular sunrise breakfast at the cliff edge.We were packed and walking at 7am, quickly findingthe get down point at (GR 282236). We set aboutclimbing, crawling, sliding, passing & ropingourselves & our gear down a spectacular chimney onthe southern tip with a brisk westerly wind chilling ourbones. Adrenaline was pumping and fun was had aswe soon found ourselves at the base of the cliff line.We endured a steep and knee jarring walk down tothe saddle below with a clear view of our next target,Baal Bone Point.Morning tea was welcomed not farfrom Royce's favourite Kurrajong, before we set offfor the long slug uphill again. Tracks were found andlost, old fences tripped over and laughter was sharedas we made our way up to the base of the uniqueand imposing Baal Bone Point. We got thererelatively early and decided to push on after a quickbreather. At GR 271221 we had another steep climbup through a gulley, crawling under fallen boulders,clawing our way up wash outs, shinnying alongledges and passing packs as we helped each otherup to the plateau just behind Baal Bone Point.After lunch we stayed close to the cliff edge wherepossible to reduce the amount of bush bashing, oftenwalking on the open rock ledge just a metre or sofrom the edge. This was easier and the views were"to die for" and soon we could see our cars far aheadat Baal Bone Gap.We passed over the highest point at 1047m thenstayed close to the cliff edge again with 1k to go. Justabove the gap we had to negotiate our way through aseries of delightful pagodas trying to find a gulley todrop down into the gap. Luckily we chose the rightspot at GR 289187, to start dropping down a watercourse. Over mossy spooned out rock ledges weproceeded to slide on our backsides, then scrubbash, then slide again alternately several more timesbefore emerging into a eucalypt shaded, grassy areanot 100m from our cars arrivng there at 3.06pm.(SPOOKY)Congratulations were exchanged over an ice coldbeer at the picnic table where we had lunch andenjoyed the views with fresh legs, two days earlier.After a quick relax, contacts were notified of our safearrival then we adjourned to Capertee Pub. Wedemolished huge works burgers by the glowing coalfire at the cosy old pub. Every local was cheerful andfriendly, the publican hospitable and the localtakeaway's burgers are highly recommended.Congrats to Brucie for his virgin backpack, a toughiebut a goodie.- Col McCluskeyConservation HolidaysKevin and I have enjoyed two trips with a nationwideorganization called Conservation VolunteersAustralia. (www.conservationvolunteers.com.au)Mel, Bruce, Philippa & John at cairn atop PantoneysThey have flora and fauna and landcare conservationactivities happening across Australia, in cities andrural areas. Kevin first became involved in Newcastleand then found out about their Naturewise Holidayswhich you can explore through the above website.We took a short break for photos and mandarins witha mere 4.5k scrub bash along the NE facing cliff lineback to the cars at the gap. Walking through varyingscrub, we enjoyed the blossoms and smells,somewhat protected from the howling westerly wecould clearly hear battering the cliff edge not far toour right. We soaked in the views over lunch in a niceclearing close to the cliff edge. Here we noticed whathad earlier appeared to be a smallish fire in the valleybelow now seemed large and was filling the broadvalley with smoke before the westerly pushed ittoward the natural funnel of the valley, where itcompressed into a thick stream towards Glen Davis.Page 6