Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #86 Jan 26 2014
Well we survived that heat wave in the second week of January - and what a week it was hopefully not one to be repeated any time soon. You wont be surprised to hear that canoeing on the Murray Jan 16 was a very popular activity - we had 16 paddlers doing their best to chill out.
You probably also guessed we had to cancel an event in line with our risk management policies.
We hope Tracey will be able to reschedule the wonderful huts walk on the Bogong High Plains in more amenable weather conditions.
And unfortunately Peter's long weekend Falls Creek to Hotham and return walk had to also be postponed due to injury - we trust Peter is back firing on all cylinders again soon.
Welcome to New and Renewing Members
Welcome to our newest member - Pauline Banfield - I erroneously messaged Pauline gleefully telling her she was the 100th member - in fact she is the 99th! sorry Pauline I will make it up to you somehow! So who will be the 100th? Hopefully I can report on this in the next bulletin. All of our members have joined using the new system which gives a full 12 months financial status regardless of the date people join. Also the new system will remind you when your subscriptions are due again.
Committee Meeting
The next meeting will be held on the evening of Feb 5th at our favorite location - the Thurgoona Community Centre. Nothing to do? Feel free to join us to see how the club functions as a well oiled machine despite the fact that we have only 4 committee meetings a year!
What We've Been Up To Since Last Bulletin!
Thurs Jan 16th After Work Paddle
Yes as promised it was hot - very hot in fact - perfect conditions for an evening paddle and definitely not too hot for a paddle with dad!
Thurs Jan 23rd After Work Paddle
Platypus or to be more accurate platypi were spotted on this event which as usual was another delightful evening paddle and BBQ - some people have all the luck! The photo shows Dave sending us off on yet another Murray River Canoe Hire sponsored event. It does look like Cheryl is still recovering her balance from a massive push off doesn't it!
Wed Jan 22nd Howmans Gap Circuit
Neil and Tony completed this exploratory or "recce" walk - in case you are wondering what this strange term is it has nothing to do what some people get up to on a Sat night (thats a wreckie) and everything to do with the delightful French word reconnoiter or reconnaissance. That is - checking out an event in advance for degree of difficulty, distance, hazards etc before the actual event is scheduled. And scheduled it will be as its one of the best kept secrets of the Bogong High Plains.
Sunday Jan 26 The Huts Circuit Mt Hotham
As you read Neil and three others are completing this fantastic 21km walk in what should be great conditions - we look forward to his photos and report in the next bulletin.
Whats On!
Tues Jan 28th Murray River Victorian Side
Join Hans for a delightful easy stroll along the seldom walked south side of the Murray in the cool of a summer morning - click here for more details and to book in for this event.
Thurs Jan 30 After Work Paddle #11
Jan is leading this event and follows on from paddle on the 23rd where we saw two possibly three platypus - maybe this week we see four!
Click here for more details and to book in
Sun Feb 2 Mt Tabletop near Hotham Heights day walk
Mick Webster is leading another relatively easy but compelling day walk in the Victorian Alps to Mt Tabletop near Mt Hotham - this is a mountain that not many people visit but you can bet this walk has got a lot going for it and Mick has something up his sleeve! - click here for more details and to join
Tues Feb 4 Hume Weir Half Day Walk Grade 2
Join Hans for a half day stroll along the shores of Hume Weir - this is a "recce" walk - he hasnt walked it but reckons it can be done! click here for more details and to join this event
Thurs Feb 6 Canoeing After Work #12
The Farmers Market will be back this week so you've got two good reasons to join this event - firstly to have a great paddle and secondly to enjoy a scrumptious meal at the market afterwards.
Click here for more details and to join this event
Feb 8-9 Overnight paddle with a camp on the river
Experienced paddlers can join Jan and I on this overnight paddle from Noreuil Park to Howlong. You will need to BYO everything including food and camping gear and all gear will need to be carried in canoes. Cost will be $60 per person. Suitable for singles and doubles however if you are planning on being in a single canoe you must be able to carry your own gear. This trip will be dependent on the weather and is a grade 3 paddle with a distance of approx 64Km. Click here for more details
Thurs Feb 13 Canoeing After Work #13
If you haven't paddled all summer time is running out fast! This is our most popular activity by a long shot and it is for lots of good reasons - its comfortable exercise great for the upper body strength, helps you appreciate Albury Wodonga's greatest natural asset, you get to enjoy a sumptuous meal and when its all set and done its just damn fine fun!
Click here for more details and to join this event
Feb 15th Montane Walking Track Dinner Plain Grade 3 Day Walk
Neil has researched and planned this walk which should be a great follow up to the Mt Tabletop walk on Feb 2 - this walk features the Slippery Pitch and Carmichael Falls hopefully not one after the other! Total distance 15km - click here to explore full details of this exciting event and join Neil
Down the Track
Feb 22 - Mar 2 Snowy Mountains Extended Backpack
Late Feb is an awesome time for an extended backpack trip in the Snowy Mountains - the March flies have packed up and gone home, the weather is reliably good and the mountains are alluring as ever - click here for more details
March 8-9 Mt Bogong Conquestathon
This is a great opportunity to support an annual event and get to climb the highest mountain in Victoria at the same time. The club is volunteering its services to support this event and hoping to secure transport to Granite Flat Spur which at 1500metres gives much easier walking access to the Mt Bogong summit area.
Click here for more details and to join this event
March 27-31 Blue Waterholes, Kosciuszko NP
Another wonderful adventure with Mick Webster featuring caves, sinkholes, canyons, waterfalls, beautifully preserved former grazing homesteads, much wildlife in the northern part of the Snowy Mountains click here for more details
Easter 2014 (extended) Eyre Peninsula Car Camp
Leader Trevor Potts - Lincoln National Park boasts some of the most scenic coastline in South Australia, and features the vast Sleaford-Wanna sand dune system, islands, and the beautiful Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area.
Click here for more details and to register for this event
Where are the photos?
Having trouble viewing photos in this bulletin?
Your email program will have a setting you can alter to view the photos or you can view the bulletin on the club's website here.
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
Tony Marsh
Events Coordinator Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #85 Jan 12 2014
MVB are back in business in 2014 bigger and brighter than ever with an astonishing program of events. With founding president Hans Kaspers back in full swing and founding treasurer Peter Presutti straining at the leash, our mid week specialists are adding richness and diversity to the events program. Its no surprise that canoeing is very popular and once again bringing in new members to the club. There truly is something for everyone in this program.
With the extreme heat that we will be experiencing this week be aware that on days of total fire ban the club policy is that there be "no day walks in forest areas on a total fire ban day" - you can view more details of the club's risk management policies here
Welcome to New and Renewing Members
Pirasannan Ramunananthan, Jean Kelabora, Shannon Anderson - we are looking forward to meeting or re-acquainting with them on a a club event soon - a handful of new members and we will have over 100 finally catching up to where we were this time last year.
Successful Funding Submission
We have received notification of a grant of $490 from the Albury City's 2013/14 Sport and Recreation grant program. The funding will be used to help purchase equipment such as GPS, snowshoes and poles and a compass.
What We've Been Up To Since Last Bulletin!
Thurs Dec 19 Canoeing after work
As promised it was a hot one perfect for a cooling soothing evening paddle and we enjoyed the diversity of food offerings at the farmers market after the paddle
Dec 20 Xmas BBQ Social
This year's event was held at the home of Hans Kaspers in Albury and although it was too hot for a walk we were cooled by a short thunderstorm that did not detract from the shared dinner and social get together
Sat Dec 21 Christmas Paddle
This was a well attended and exhilarating half day paddle from the Weir Wall to Noreuil Park led by Sasho Dillow
Sat Dec 28 Langford Gap - Fitzgerald Hut Loop Day Walk
Another of Neil Brown's adventures this time to one of the iconic huts in the Victorian Alps - we enjoyed the cool of the mountains in summer and the incredible wildflower displays on this 17km walk.
Thurs Jan 2 First New Years After Work Paddle
This was a great way to see in the new year
Frid Jan 3 Picnic Tea and Film Night Chiltern
Half a dozen members enjoyed famed Australian film director Bruce Beresford oration, a picnic tea and a showing of a film of his called "The Getting of Wisdom"
Sun Jan 5th Ropers Hut and Beyond
This event was a ripper with 8 participants enjoying the superb day walk to the northern extremity of the Bogong High Plains and 2 participants continuing on over Mt Bogong and down to Mulhauser campsite
Wed Jan 8th Wonga Wetlands Sunset walk
Hans led this delightful walk to this special place rapidly becoming one of the best known birding locations in Australia
Thurs Jan 9th After Work Paddle
Another delightful 1.5 hour paddle from Mungabareena to Noreuil Park in beautiful weather conditions
Jan 11th Kayak - Killara to Wonga Wetlands
What an amazing event this was! 12 MVB paddlers were treated to a fabulous canoeing adventure led by Tony Crawford. Thanks for organising this Tony and also to Stephan Luty for the use of his property on the Wodonga Creek for a sumptuous bbq. 
You can read a description of this event here
Jan 10th Wonga Wetlands Walk
Jan 12th Roof Top Run
Peter Presutti and Neil Brown provided radio and other support for this one day event while based at Derrick Hut near Mt Hotham
Whats On!
Tues Jan 14 Gateway Circuit Morning Walk Grade 1
Join Hans Kaspers for an early morning walk before it gets too hot - click here for more details and to join this event
Thurs Jan 16th After Work Paddle
Yes its going to be hot this week - perfect conditions for an evening paddle - book in early or you may miss out! After paddle dinner will be at the Farmers Market in the Hovell Tree reserve next to Noreuil Park click here for more details and to book in
Sat Jan 18th Heathy Spur huts circuit
Too hot to trot? Join Tracey for a leisurely day walk in the cool in the Alpine National Park via Falls Creek - click here for full details and to join this event
Thurs Jan 23rd After Work Paddle
Join us for another delightful evening paddle and BBQ click here for more details and to book in
Jan 24-28 Mt Hotham to Falls Creek and return
Join Peter for an exciting 4 days backpack walking from Falls Creek Pretty Valley Pondage to Mt Hotham and back.
If you are thinking of joining the long weekend walk but can't afford the time for the full 4 nights or perhaps not sure if 4 nights is too much, another option would be to drive to Mt Loch carpark at Mt Hotham on the Saturday afternoon, and hike the easy 4km to join us at Derrick Hut.
The Friday team should arrive at Derrick Hut for dinner on the Saturday about 5pm.
You could spend 1 or 2 nights at Derrick Hut and return to Mt Hotham via the easy 4km.
The plan is to hike to Spargo Hut and beyond, ending up in Mt Hotham village early afternoon for a coffee etc and meander back to Derrick Hut Monday morning we head off back up the track to the Machinery spur track, some will turn left and back to their cars and the rest of us turn right past Red Robin Mine and the Battery, Blair's hut and end up for the night at Weston's Hut - click here for full detail and to book in
Thurs Jan 30 After Work Paddle
Another enjoyable evening paddle and Farmers Market after paddle dinner
Click here for more details and to book in
Sun Feb 2 Mt Tabletop near Hotham Heights day walk
Mick Webster is leading another relatively easy but compelling day walk in the Victorian Alps to Mt Tabletop near Mt Hotham - this is a mountain that not many people visit - click here for more details
Feb 8-9 Overnight paddle with a camp on the river
Inspired by Tony Crawford's adventure paddle Tracey and Jan are organising this great opportunity to canoe from Albury to Howlong with an overnight camp en route - click here for more details
Down the Track
Feb 10-24 Two weeks in Tasmania
Join Hans for car camping in three locations in Tassie - Freycinet NP, Tasman Peninsula and Mt Field NP
Feb 22 - Mar 2 Snowy Mountains Extended Backpack
Tony has postponed the NZ trip to next year and replaced it with an extended backpack trip in the snowy mountains - click here for more details
March 8-9 Mt Bogong Conquestathon
This is a great opportunity to support an annual event and get to climb the highest mountain in Victoria at the same time. The club is volunteering its services to support this event and hoping to secure transport to Granite Flat Spur which at 1500metres gives much easier walking access to the Mt Bogong massif.
Click here for more details and to join this event
March 27-31 Blue Waterholes, Kosciuszko NP
Another wonderful adventure with Mick Webster featuring caves, sinkholes, canyons, waterfalls, beautifully preserved former grazing homesteads, much wildlife in the northern part of the Snowy Mountains click here for more details
Easter 2014 (extended) Eyre Peninsula Car Camp
Leader Trevor Potts - Lincoln National Park boasts some of the most scenic coastline in South Australia, and features the vast Sleaford-Wanna sand dune system, islands, and the beautiful Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area.
Click here for more details and to register for this event
Where are the photos?
Having trouble viewing photos in this bulletin?
Your email program will have a setting you can alter to view the photos or you can view the bulletin on the club's website here.
Catch you on a club event hopefully the Christmas party on Friday!
regards
Lin Starke
Secretary Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #84 Dec 17 2013
This is the final MVB Inc Bulletin for 2013 - on behalf of the committee I would like to wish our members and guests a fantastic Christmas and New Year. As you will see in the program there is a host of new events in late December and all of January. Keep an eye on the calendar of events on the website as often new events are posted at short notice. And if you have an idea of an event you would like to see on the program let us know and we can arrange it.
Christmas Special on Membership
We are offering $10 off any membership purchased this month which will be valid until December 2014. Look at some of the benefits members enjoyed in 2013
- Beginner canoe training opportunities
- Regular very affordable after work canoeing on Thursdays
- Subsidised trips to the snow to learn snowshoeing
- Free leadership training weekend of activities
- Fully paid for first aid training courses
- Navigation training event in the Warbies
- A wonderfully diverse range of activities
Welcome to New and Renewing Members
Rosalind Devirieux, Sean Parker, Elizabeth Parish and Dianne Ryan - we are looking forward to meeting them on a a club event
The mystery of the half built bridge over Wodonga Creek as seen in the last week's bulletin has been solved as its now almost complete. Neil Brown has taken some photos of it (see above) on his Facebook site. The old stock route bridge was positively dangerous on a bicycle in the rain (Tony says he hit the deck more than once) so this is a very welcome development. But the question still has to be asked - why did we not get a bike lane on the freeway when it was being built? The existing bike track between Albury and Wodonga is great - especially now with the new bridge - but its really only suited to relaxed recreational riding not commuting to work and back in a hurry! You can bet your bottom dollar they will have to retro fit a bike lane between South Albury and Wodonga one day.
What We've Been Up To!
Dec 11 Ridge Lane Baranduda
Seven MVB people enjoyed a short evening walk and a bbq at a gorgeous location at Baranduda
Dec 12 After Work Paddle #5
10 people enjoyed a longer paddle than usual in ideal conditions followed by another of our legendary BBQs
Whats On!
Thurs Dec 19 Canoeing after work
Its going to be a hot hot day perfect for a cooling soothing evening paddle - we will be attending the farmers market for dinner after the paddle - please book in early
Dec 20 Xmas BBQ
This year's event will be held at the home of Hans Kaspers in Albury and may start with a short walk if its not too hot followed by dinner and a social get together and we hope you can make it - click here for more details
Sat Dec 21 Christmas Paddle
A delightful half day paddle from the Weir Wall to Noreuil Park led by Sasho Dillow is on offer Start time now 7.30am click here for full details
Sat Dec 28 Langford Gap - Fitzgerald Hut Loop
Another of Neil Brown and Sasho Dillow's adventures this time to one of the iconic huts in the Victorian Alps - enjoy the cool of the mountains in summer - click here for more details and to join this event
Thurs Jan 2 First New Years After Work Paddle
A great way to see in the new year - after paddle dinner at the Farmers Market again click here for more details
Frid Jan 3 Picnic Tea and Film Night Chiltern
Here is a great opportunity to hear famed Australian film director Bruce Beresford oration, enjoy a picnic tea and a showing of a film of his called "The Getting of Wisdom?
More details here and join option
Sun Jan 5th Ropers Hut and Beyond
There are a range of options available for this event from a delightful day stroll out and back to Ropers Hut through to a 35km mountain bike ride from Falls Creek to Mountain Creek Leader Mick Webster - click here for more details of this event
Thurs Jan 9th After Work Paddle
click here for more details and to book in
Jan 11th Kayak - Killara to Wonga Wetlands
Leader Tony Crawford - kayak experience required click here for more details of this event
Jan 12th Roof Top Run
Peter Presutti provides radio and other support for this one day event and is inviting others to join him - click here for more details
Thurs Jan 16th After Work Paddle
click here for more details and to book in
Thurs Jan 23rd After Work Paddle
click here for more details and to book in
Jan 24-28 Mt Hotham to Falls Creek and return
Join Peter for an exciting 4 days backpack walking from Falls Creek Pretty Valley Pondage to Mt Hotham and back - click here for full details
Thurs Jan 30 After Work Paddle
Click here for more details and to book in
Down the Track
Feb 10-24 Two weeks in Tasmania
Join Hans for car camping in three locations in Tassie - Freycinet NP, Tasman Peninsula and Mt Field NP
Heaphy Track New Zealand Feb 22 2014 - 7 day backpack
The Heaphy Track is one of the Great Walks of NZ and is located in the north west corner of the south island
Click here for full details of this event
Mt Bogong Conquestathon March 8
This is a great opportunity to support an annual event and get to climb the highest mountain in victoria at the same time. The club is volunteering its services to support this event.
Blue Waterholes, Kosciuszko NP March 27-31
Another wonderful adventure with Mick Webster featuring caves, sinkholes, canyons, waterfalls, beautifully preserved former grazing homesteads, much wildlife click here for more details
Eyre Peninsula South Australia Easter 2014 (extended) Car Camp
Leader Trevor Potts - if interested you can email Trevor at bushtrev@hotmail.com
Lincoln National Park boasts some of the most scenic coastline in South Australia, and features the vast Sleaford-Wanna sand dune system, islands, and the beautiful Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area.
MVB Facebook Site
Neil has just added a fabulous series of photos taken with a Kodak box brownie camera in the 1960s of bushwalking in the Mt Howitt - McAliser Springs area with the scouts - check them out add to our number of Like hits while you are there - click the icon below to go there
First Aid Training
There are still funds available to subsidise members who would like to obtain or renew a First Aid certificate. Contact Tony for more info at greencomputing@gmail.com
Where are the photos?
Having trouble viewing photos in this bulletin?
Your email program will have a setting you can alter to view the photos or you can view the bulletin on the club's website here.
Catch you on a club event hopefully the Christmas party on Friday!
regards
Lin Starke
Secretary Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #83 Dec 10 2013
Activities Update
The canoeing season is good for business as its our most popular activity - seems like our members and guests enjoy the leisurely pace of an evening paddle more than raising a sweat walking up hills! Its not hard to work out why as the weather warms up. Unfortunately two events were cancelled last week due to unseasonal cold windy weather but both are there for the taking again this week. In recent months our club has been more active during mid week than on weekends which is probably unusual for outdoors clubs. The club tries to offer activities that are inclusive of people of all ages, gender and levels of fitness. Yes there are events held that are designed for those with advanced skills or fitness levels but the vast majority of our events are able to undertaken by the vast majority of our members. And thats the way we like it!
Event Bookings Fast Tracked
The event booking in procedure should now be a much smoother experience. You no longer have to type in the event name and date and if you login to the website first and then proceed to book in for an event you will be pleasantly surprised to find your name and email auto completed as well. Go straight to the message section and start a discussion with the leader. In most cases where leader and member are known to each other (not necessarily when you are booking into your own event as I am in the example below) this process is entirely adequate as all the essential info is already captured via your membership. Guests are required to enter more info. The leader may of course need to discuss equipment, safety, skills and experience in more detail in which case further email or phone conversation may be required.
After Paddle Farmers Market Food Stalls
Thanks to those who made it to the food market last week despite the cancellation of paddling due to wet windy and cold conditions. This will make it easier for us to book in for the food market in the future as we didnt let the caterers down. And this will add another element of interest to our wonderful canoeing program.
What We've Been Up To!
Dec 7 Tawonga Huts, Mt Jaithmathang day walk
Neil and Sasho completed a lengthy circuit out and back from Pretty Valley last saturday to this fascinating part of the Bogong High Plains
Dec 8 The Big Walk Crossover Mt Buffalo
5 walkers joined Hans our chauffeur for the day - a group of 3 went up the mountain and 2 down - this is without doubt one of the great walks in the North East and to experience it in the height of the sub alpine spring is an unforgettable experience.
Whats On!
Dec 11 Baranduda Evening Walk and BBQ
Rescheduled from last week its bound to be a delightful event - click here for more details and to book in
Dec 12 Canoeing after work
Hopefully the weather will be kinder this week - please book in early
Dec 20 Xmas BBQ
This year's event will be held at the home of Hans Kaspers in Albury and will start with a short walk followed by dinner and a social get together. click here for more details
Sat Dec 21 Christmas Paddle
A delightful half day paddle from the Weir Wall to Noreuil Park led by Sasho Dillow is on offer Start time now 7.30am click here for full details
Jan 3 Picnic Tea and Film Night Chiltern
Jan 5th Ropers Hut and Beyond
Leader Mick Webster - click here for more details of this event
Jan 11th Kayak - Killara to Wonga Wetlands
Leader Tony Crawford click here for more details of this event
Jan 12th Roof Top Run
Peter Presutti provides radio and other support for this event and is inviting others to join him - click here for more details
Jan 24-28 Mt Hotham to Falls Creek and return
Join Peter for an exciting 4 days backpack walking from Falls Creek Pretty Valley Pondage to Mt Hotham and back - click here for full details
Down the Track
Two weeks in Tasmania
Join Hans for car camping in three locations in Tassie - Freycinet NP, Tasman Peninsula and Mt Field NP
Heaphy Track New Zealand Feb 22 2014 - 7 day backpack
The Heaphy Track is one of the Great Walks of NZ and is located in the north west corner of the south island
Click here for full details of this event
Mt Bogong Conquestathon March 8
This is a great opportunity to support an annual event and get to climb the highest mountain in victoria at the same time
Blue Waterholes, Kosciuszko NP March 27-31
Another wonderful adventure with Mick Webster featuring caves, sinkholes, canyons, waterfalls, beautifully preserved former grazing homesteads, much wildlife click here for more details
Eyre Peninsula South Australia Easter 2014 (extended) Car Camp
Leader Trevor Potts - if interested you can email Trevor at bushtrev@hotmail.com
Lincoln National Park boasts some of the most scenic coastline in South Australia, and features the vast Sleaford-Wanna sand dune system, islands, and the beautiful Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area.
MVB Facebook Site
If you havent visited for a while check us out and add to our number of Like hits - click the icon
First Aid Training
There are still funds available to subsidise members who would like to obtain or renew a First Aid certificate. Contact Tony for more info at greencomputing@gmail.com
Where are the photos?
Having trouble viewing photos in this bulletin?
Your email program will have a setting you can alter to view the photos or you can view the bulletin on the club's website here.
Need to see more?
To see more of the fabulous photos taken by our club members on events we run you can visit the club's Flickr website. We can’t fit all the photos in the bulletin so we just showcase some. We are rapidly approaching the amazing number of almost 5000 photos taken over the last 2 and half years. Go to the MVB Flickr site to view all our event photos.
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
Lin Starke
Secretary Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
