PO Box 2199

QUEENSLAND Sunnybank Hills

QLD 4109
BUSHWALKERS Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
CLUB Inc. Phone No: 0401 527017
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/
Newsletter October 2018

QBW at Pilgrimage 2018, Jimna Photo: Special thanks to Trevor

Club News
From the editor
Welcome to the October newsletter.
Hot off the press, Pilgrimage 2018 is now over and we
hope all participants have returned home safely. This
newsletter contains some news of the weekend.
A more complete summary of the event will be in next
month's newsletter – or you could check social media
in the meantime.
In the last month QBW members have enjoyed
numerous walks, mostly in the Scenic Rim area. We
have a report from the Lower Portals walk. Aileen has
also provided a serialised account of her recent walks
in the Italian Dolomites. National Parks have issued
some alerts that may impact on bushwalks See inside
for more details.
Enjoy your reading and see you on the trail.
Michael H
Pilgrimage 2018
Six QBW members participated in the 2018 Pilgrimage
at Jimna over the October long weekend (see cover
photo above). Just to arrive at the venue was a
challenge for some as they had to battle long weekend
traffic jams and/or dodge a hail storm. But once we had
our tents up and were settled in, we thoroughly
enjoyed the natural surroundings and an opportunity to
mix with members from many other clubs.
All of us joined in walks on both Saturday and Sunday.
Aileen and I chose the 15km Saturday outing to Peters
Falls and set a possible club record for the number of
snake sightings on a day walk (10!!). Excited by this
prospect, Chris tried to do the walk next morning but
was stopped by a hail storm. Undeterred, he tried
again later in the day and succeeded. This time the
falls were flowing well but sadly there were no snakes.
Michael H

Page 1 of 6
2017 Photo Competition
It's time for club members with walk photos to prepare
to enter The Queensland Bushwalkers Club Photo
Competition. Photos will be exhibited at the annual
Christmas party where prizes will also be awarded.
There are four categories:
Pictorial: Photographs of any broad natural scene.
Pictorial photographs can include for example creeks,
seascapes, waterfalls, mountains, rocky outcrops, and
clouds.
Nature: Photographs depicting flora or fauna,
excluding domestic animals. This category should also
exclude evidence of man. Examples of nature
photographs are birds, animals, native flowers, forest,
fungi, reptiles, insects etc.
Club Character: Photographs showing one or more
people participating in a bushwalking type of activity
and can be humorous.
Non-Club Bushwalk: Photographs taken on private
walks that fit the Nature or Pictorial categories.
Limit of 5 entries per category per member (20 in total).
Entries must be digital images only. Images must have
been taken on a Queensland Bushwalkers Club event
since the November 2017 meeting. Photos must be
saved as a JPEG image file with no compression.
Images should not be enhanced in any way through
physical or technical adjustment, eg no photoshopping
is allowed. Very minor adjustment to straighten an
image is permissable. Panorama photos are allowed.
Photos must be submitted on a clearly labelled USB
Memory Stick, CD or DVD. It will be returned to you.
Please do not email your entries.
Each photo needs to be titled as follows:
Your Name_Title_Location_Category_Image Number
eg: TomJones_MtMay_Boonah_Nature _ 1.jpg
Photos must be titled this way to identify the entries.
Submit your entry to Patricia Kolarski by the
November 2018 club meeting or speak with her if you
you need to submit a late entry.
Winners for each of the four categories are decided by
independent judging and are announced at the Club
Xmas Party where there is also voting for a People's
Choice award.
Page 2 of 6
Christmas Party – initial info
Date: 2-4 December (Friday-Sunday)
Venue: Bigriggen – on Bigriggen Rd off Yellowpinch
Rd about 10km west of Rathdowney
Cost:
The overall cost is $50 per person for two nights or
$37.50 for one night. It is a requirement of the
Bigriggen park management that site bookings have to
made directly with them therefore this year the
payment needs to be made in two instalments.
Firstly you need to book with Bigriggen directly via their
website and pay for the number of nights you are
staying - $12.50 per person per night. Then you have
to pay QBW $25. This amount helps cover the cost of
hall hire, entertainment costs, etc. If anyone has
trouble complying with this arrangement please don't
hesitate to speak with a committee member for
assistance.
Saturday night will be a bbq meal - please bring your
own meat or substitute, drinks, and a dish to share -
either nibbles, salad or dessert.
Theme:
The dress up theme for the Saturday night party is -
'A book character'.
You will need to bring:
An outdoor chair Linen and pillow
Cutlery and crockery Food and drink
A wrapped gift to the value of $10 for Secret Santa
(it's not compulsory to participate but you need to bring
a gift if you do wish to participate)
Accommodation:
Bring your own tent, campervan, camper trailer or
caravan. A site will be cordoned off for club use.
Membership
The club currently has 53 members.
The membership fee for 2018/19 remains at $30.
Please send your payment to Helen McAllister or by
direct transfer into the club bank account. Payment
details are on page 6.
The same membership form is used whether you are a
new member signing up or a current member wishing
to renew – it is on the club website. Please complete
the form, sign it and either post, email a scanned copy,
or hand it to Helen (at a club meeting or on a walk).
The club email is qldbwc@yahoo.com.
General News
Qld National Parks alerts
The National Parks website is carrying a number of
alerts that may impact on people's bushwalking plans.
Roadworks just north of Binna Burra may affect access
by car. Roadworks on the Green Mountains road can
cause delays. Duck Road and the Mudgeeraba to
Springbrook road remain closed. Remote campsites on
the Lost World plateau are closed due to a bushfire.
Carparking at Noosa National Park is now limited to
four hours. The Mt Coolum summit track is closed.
For these and other alerts please see the website at
https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/park-alerts/ .
 Coming Walks
The dirt access road has just been resurfaced and
Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
graded so it is an easy drive, at least until the next
contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise
big downpour.
the meeting place and car pooling and has full
discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible
provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish
to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans.
Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to
a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before
Wednesday trips, at the leader's discretion.
More details are available in the club calendar. It's
recommended that you look at the on-line calendar to
ensure you obtain the latest walk information.
October 2018
1 Mon Pilgrimage (Jimna) B/C
2 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
6 Sat Love Creek Falls (Samford) D/W
Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
7 Sun Coomera Circuit (Binna Burra) D/W The Lower Portals Photo: Michael H
Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
9 Tues Bushrangers Cave (Numinbah Valley)D/W While there was still plenty of water in the creek, our
Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618 feet stayed dry and we were able to rock hop around
10 Wed Split Rock (Binna Burra) D/W instead of crawling up through the hole in the cave.
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785 Morning tea here before we trudged uphill and
13 Sat Wildlife Photo Exhibition (New Farm)SOC followed a fairly clear trail to the turnoff down into the
Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525 creek towards Barney Falls and the Gorge.
14 Sun Gap Creek Falls (Aratula) D/W
Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012 This was the turnaround point for this easy Tuesday
17 Wed Albert River from Foresters Camp Toddle so we wandered back and had lunch in the
(Green Mountains) D/W large campground at Lower Portals. Then it was the
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785 hot walk out to the cars.
19-21 Fri-Sun Sundown N.P. (Stanthorpe) B/C
Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
23 Tues Spring Mountain (Ipswich) D/W
Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
24-25 Wed-Thu Ballows Creek ascent & Monserrat
(Rathdowney) T/W
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
28 Sun Stradbroke Island walks D/W
Lynn Sawtell 0419 686 559

November 2018
3 Sat Byron Creek (Mt Mee) D/W
Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
6 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
7 Wed Wednesday Wanderer D/W
Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
View of Mt Barney Photo: Michael H

Past Walks There is a new toilet block (new to me, anyhow) at

Lower Portals and beyond D/W Tuesday
11 September 2018
Although there is a lovely swimming hole at the
Lower Portals, this is not a Summer place. The walk
in of about 3.5Km is OK but there is sparse shade
from the open forest and the walk back out to the car
is way, way too hot. Even today it was more than a
little warm by the time we finished.
the carpark as I remember the small toilet being
damaged when the big fire went through a couple of
years ago.
Afternoon coffee in the cool surrounds of McCafe,
Beaudesert. We then went our separate ways.
Thank you to all who came along on this walk. It was
a very pleasant way to spend a Spring Tuesday.
Patricia.

Page 3 of 6
 The Alta Via, Italy (Part 1)

After months of planning Noelene, Alison, Glenis and I met at Brisbane airport for our trip to Italy. We flew into
Venice where we spent 2 nights to recover from the flight. We next caught a train to Dobiacio. This is a beautiful
town nestled within towering mountains where we stayed overnight at Casa Alpina.

The Dolomite Mountains are an area in the Northeast of Italy. They are composed of calcium magnesium
carbonate and were formed approximately 65 million years ago when land moving tectonic events thrust the
earth’s surface upwards. Subsequent ice ages and glaciers shaped the mountains. Embedded dinosaur tracks
and fossilised shells in sedimentary rock can apparently still be found by observant walkers.

Day 1 The Alta Via 1 is an 11 day walk which starts at Lago di

Braies and finishes after 125 kms in La Pissa. Lago di Braies makes
for a stunning start as you walk around to the far side of the lake
and then start the 800m climb up a gravel track. Before you reach
the top of the first climb there is a scree slope to be negotiated with
a wire rope hand rail attached to a cliff face. Once up and over this
section there is a seat beside the track which provided an awesome
view of the lake below. The track then leads up another shorter
steep incline into a rock strewn amphitheatre where we needed to
scale a rock cliff face on a zigzag path with the aid of cables. A
valley opened up before us with the last of the winters snow melt
still visible. Wild flowers grew in abundance and we stopped for
lunch before tackling the final climb and descent to Refugio Biella -
our overnight accommodation.

Day 2 After a good sleep and buffet breakfast it was time to move
on. It had rained overnight and we started off in our wet weather
gear. It was one of those days when you need to keep your gortex
at the top of your pack ready to donn and doff multiple times as
showers came and went. Initially the walk took us along a gravel
road and then we branched off into farmland with cows grazing. A
short way past Refugio Sennes the road started to gradually
descend the mountain and then became very steep and the loose
gravel surface was challenging to walk on. We stopped for morning
tea at Refugio Pederϋ before starting the long climb up the side of
the valley and onto a gravel road which lead us to Refugio Fanes.
The hot shower and apple strudel were very welcome.

Day 3 The third day of the AV1 was to me the most spectacular. We woke to a fine over cast day and started
with a short sharp uphill climb onto a gravel road. We then followed the road for a couple of kilometres through a
picturesque valley with a fast flowing stream and cow bells tinkling.

After a while we left the road and started up a narrow track which led to Forcella del Lago a mountain pass
between Cima del Lago and Punte di Fanes. As you approach the pass there appears to be a large hole and I
was wondering how we were going to negotiate this seemingly impassable obstacle. When I walked further
towards the hole it became evident that there was a narrow well-structured path with timber reinforcements which

Page 4 of 6
twists its way madly down to the valley below. From this vantage point we could see the track leading out of the
valley and Refugio Lagazuoi (2752m) perched high on the horizon.

We negotiated the descent without difficulty but took time to enjoy the incredible landscape and be thankful that
we have the health and ability to enjoy these adventures. We stopped above the lake for lunch before starting
the next long climb. We reached the Refugio after climbing a zigzag path past tunnels which were constructed
during WW1. The views of the surrounding mountains were indescribably beautiful and the changing light as the
sun sank and rose added to the feeling of wonderment. The Refugio was very busy as a cable car provided
access for those who just want to go up for the view. The food was great and the plum cake delicious.

Day 4 Bright sunshine greeted us as we retraced our steps down

from the rifugio and followed a gravel path which took us below
avalanche barriers and on towards one of the most spectacular
rifugio’s on the walk. The track took us over grassy terrain as we
descended the side of mountain and in the distance we could see
the immense shape of Cinque Torri and our next rifugio perched
high on what seemed to be a pimple in the distance.

We walked through a picturesque forest which took us across a

main road before we started the climb to Cinque Torri where we
stopped for lunch. Rock climbers could be observed scaling the
various facets of this vertical column and they were fascinating to
watch. We then continued negotiating the uphill track and stopped
for an ice cream at Refugio Cinque Torri before the final push to our
accommodation. There was a ski lift to the lower rifugio and it was
obvious that people catch the lift up from the road, walk up to Rif
Nuvolau for lunch and then walk down again.

Rif Nulolau was apparently built in 1886 and the temperature can be
as low as -27C in winter during which time it closes. There was no
running hot water and the inside toilet is only open after 7pm when
all the tourists have left. That being said the 360 degree views were
amazing.The changing colours on the mountains as the sun set and
rose made for a very memorable stay.

Day 5 We woke to beautiful clear skies and retraced our steps to join the track at the saddle which took us past
Refugio Averau and after a steep downhill walk the track lead underneath the steep sides of Nuvolau to a coffee
shop at Rif Passo Giau. After a stop for morning tea we crossed a main road onto the track which led us to a
grassy knoll through a multitude of small wild flowers before continuing along the side of a valley with endless
views before climbing up to Forcella Giau. There were numerous people of all ages out for a day walk and we
were amazed at how young some of the children were with their hiking boots on scrambling up the steep slopes.

After a brief rest for morning tea it was off down another
valley where we found edelweiss growing low on a rock face
close to a trickling stream and low growing rhododendron
provided a stark contrast to the high cliffs and large boulders
which littered the landscape. The track then rose again before
descending to Refugio Città Di Fume. We managed to wash
our clothes and hang them on an outside line to dry while we
enjoyed the warmth of the sun.

Day 6 With clean clothes we started the days walk through a

larch wood forest below the spectacular Pelmo. The track
was a loose white scree which was hard underfoot but easy
to find. After crossing the scree the track continued through
low growing scrub land and eventual exited at a road
adjacent to Rif Passo Stanlanza. The track followed the road
for a short distance before exiting onto a minor road through farm land with the tinkling sound of cow bells and a
farmer herding his cows to new pastures.

We stopped at a farm house café for a cup of tea before starting the climb through grassy pastures to a long level
saddle. Pictures on the farm house wall showed it buried in snow in winters past. After descending the saddle it
was then a long zig zag climb up a narrow rocky path to Rif Coldai. We only just arrived and the rain came. We
were lucky. (to be continued...)
Aileen

Page 5 of 6
 General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps
Garmin GPS First Aid Kits
President Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
5 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole
Vice President Lynn Sawtell 0419 686 559
of Australia included.
Secretary Lynn Nicol 0400 705 041
PLBs with inbuilt GPS
Treasurer Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012
5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at
Outings Officer Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618 each club meeting and will need to be returned at the following
Membership Officer Helen McAllister 0419 684 319 club meeting.
Media Officer Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 Contact Gerry Burton on 0408 793 715 to book these items.
Training Officer Vacant
Social Secretary Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525 Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs
Other Voluntary Positions Redland Bushwalkers Club
Equipment Officer Gerry Burton 0408 793 715 The only stipulation is that Redland club members have priority
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 over visitors. Calendar is available at:
http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html
Librarian Noelene McCay 0407 658 023
BWQ Rep Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
walks per calendar year. This will be with the agreement of the
Insurance Hotline 1300 574 980 activity leader. Members of BOSQ have priority for nominations.
Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
Meeting Place
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at YHA Bushwalkers
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January. Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. Gold Coast Bushwalkers
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
A coin donation is appreciated. financial members of bushwalking clubs affiliated with BWQ.
Membership This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management
Committee. https://sites.google.com/site/goldcoastbushwalker/
Probationary Membership
Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc
A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member
on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying
the membership fee.
Ordinary Membership Feature Pic
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 any current member of the club.
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 QBW
members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.
Payments
Pay fees or other items direct to the QBW club account at:
BSB: 124-057 A sobering sight on Fraser Island and a
Account No: 20421276 reminder to take care on a beach road.
Account Name: Queensland Bushwalkers Club
Reference: Include your name and what the payment is for – In this case it ended happily...
eg “RSmith member fee”.
Photo: Michael H
Website
Additional information is available on the club website at URL: May 2018
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

Page 6 of 6