By David Maidment
WARRUMBUNGLE WANDERINGS
29 club members made their way approximately 750 klms to N/W NSW near Coonabarabran, most staying in a motel and others in the National Park campground.
Five days of walking had been planned, with some older members coming in 2013 refreshing their memories and others looking forward to experience this ancient volcanic landscape, that is much loved by outdoor enthusiasts.
The elevated location was quite cold at night but we "cracked it" for clear ,sunny and cool days making it good walking weather. All the classic walks were put together into the program by Steve Deck e.g. Belougery Split Rock, Breadknife, Grand High Tops, Bluff Mountain, and Mt Exmouth which involved some well paved and graded paths and premade steps but also some narrow winding paths in remote locations.
Shorter walks ( up to 3- klms) were catered for as well as the more challenging 17klm to 18klm day walks into steep mountain locations. This is quite a low rainfall area with completely different vegetation and geology to the coast. Volcanic dykes, plugs and rock extrusions abound, surrounded by near dry creeks, unique grass tree stands and rock scree slopes.
Walkers chose their own walks, tailored to their personal ability with some walks attracting up to 20 walkers and others down to 7 on more strenuous days. A wind up dinner was held on Friday night where Steve and Heather were thanked for putting the trip together. It was lovely to see over the week that good friends were made, acquaintances renewed ,challenges and problems solved on the tracks in calm, safe and thoughtful ways. I think everybody went home tired but mentally refreshed and grateful for a wonderful experience.
Meanwhile members who didn't go away did a couple of walks firstly in the Olsens Creek area of Narooma and in and around the township last Saturday.
