Blue Mountains meet - Sat 22/5

[stubbsy]

I'm in Sydney this weekend and Craig (Alpha_7) and I are planning a visit to the Blue Mountains (so we can prepare for our Antarctic trip later in the year ).

We've not set an itinerary yet, but if you're interested in joining us please indicate below.

For you Blue Mountains locals out there we'd also appreciate suggestions as to what we should be checking out while there.

[ATJ]

I'd be interested, depending on when and where.

I'm diving Friday night so I don't want too early a morning (why do these meets happen the Saturdays after my scheduled night dives?).

[aim54x]

I'm interested....I'll have to keep an eye out on this thread!

[biggerry]

I am out, sorry guys, would normally be keen but I am heading the other direction this weekend

[Mr Darcy]

Damn. Will have to get up early to attend this one.

I am very interested. Pam won't be coming though. She has an assessment task for her Uni work next week & she is already in panic mode. Not looking forward to living with her next week The week after should be fun though

If you are seriously intending to adapt to the cold, I would suggest further west. Blayney or Oberon are beginning to get a bit nippy. It's still shirtsleeves weather here in W/F. It's 7C at the moment. Probably won't even get a frost in the morning.

What sort of things are you looking for? Waterfalls? Cliffs? Sunrise? Sunset?

[stubbsy]

Damn. Will have to get up early to attend this one.

But it will be worth it

What sort of things are you looking for? Waterfalls? Cliffs? Sunrise? Sunset?

We can't get there until around midday so sunrise is out. Everything else is in. Waterfalls and sunrise are probably both good options and maybe we can grab a cheap bite to eat togther after that.

All we really want is good photo ops so we'd be guided by what you locals think is the best of the scenery given the late arrival.

[ATJ]

We can't get there until around midday so sunrise is out. Everything else is in. Waterfalls and sunrise are probably both good options and maybe we can grab a cheap bite to eat togther after that.

All we really want is good photo ops so we'd be guided by what you locals think is the best of the scenery given the late arrival.

Maybe the Wentworth Falls walk is as good an option as any. I haven't done it for a few years and so would be keen.

[Jenno]

Shame you didnt plan this 2 weeks ago.. ..The autumn colours at Mount Wilson were fantastic.
Would mostly be all gone by now.

[Mr Darcy]

Maybe the Wentworth Falls walk is as good an option as any. I haven't done it for a few years and so would be keen.

If you mean the Darwin Walk from the highway to the falls, it has been closed since February. A lot of damage was done in THAT downpour, including washing one bridge completely away. It is navigable though. We walk part of it fairly often. There is always the National/Wentworth Pass (You need to be fit - I'm not, but I can suffer quietly) and the Falls themselves. Also given the timing, the walk from WF out to QE Lookout via Rocket Point could be rewarding. The QE lookout can be very good at sunset (Do you agree Cam?) It is a one way walk. Either stumble back in the dark, or we can leave a car (or two depending on numbers) at the QE end for a car swap.

Another thought would be the walk to Horseshoe Falls down behind Colin's place. I believe there are several waterfalls and an "Amphitheatre". Another one way walk though. Never been there, but its a walk I have had on my list for some time. I think the Amphitheatre is a curved rock cliff, but I don't know it so can't be sure.

[ATJ]

If you mean the Darwin Walk from the highway to the falls, it has been closed since February.

I have no idea what it is called, but I don't think it is that one.

I'm talking about the one where you drive almost all the way to the falls, turn right and park near a "cottage", then you walk back along a "road" above the valley and then down a path (with steps) to across the top of the falls then down the rock face on the other side to under the falls. You can then either go back the way you came, or follow the long path around the northern side of the valley, back to the "cottage".

I haven't been there in years and don't know the proper names for all these things.

[stubbsy]

OK so how about the Wentworth Falls to QE walk and sunset shoot with a car swap for safety. Craig and I will be in one car. How long does the walk take? Sunset should be around 5 pm so I guess we'd need to be at QE by 4 pm or thereabouts. Is that doable?

[Mr Darcy]

How long does the walk take?

Not sure. It's been a while since we did that one, but my guess would be 2 hours tops. More likely 1. Will walk it tomorrow & report back. Of course it depends where you start the walk from. You can start at the falls proper or it's about an extra half an hour walk from the Conservation Hut (I think that's the "cottage" Andrew is talking about) to the Falls proper. Then for the fit, you can go down a LOT of steps to the base of the upper falls - the main falls are in two sections, or you can poke about above the main falls. There are a couple lovely little falls (one about 2m high the other about 4) above the main one. Most of the walk from Rocket Point to Queen Elizabeth lookout is along a broad track through heathland.

[stubbsy]

That sounds good Greg - the hut start sounds good- is there parking?

Maybe we set off around 12:30pm

[Mr Darcy]

That sounds good Greg - the hut start sounds good- is there parking?

Maybe we set off around 12:30pm

There is parking at the Conservation Hut (It is actually a cafe), but it is limited - only a dozen or two cars and can be very very tight on the weekend. Usually you end up down the road a ways.

[Reschsmooth]

- only a dozen or two cars

But not 3-11 cars.

[Mr Darcy]

- only a dozen or two cars

But not 3-11 cars.

Shall I rephrase for the slow city slickers?
one or two dozen. If you really want, I could count them and give you an exact number of legal parking spaces, but hey I have better things to do. Like peruse DSLRUsers

[Reschsmooth]

- only a dozen or two cars

But not 3-11 cars.

Shall I rephrase for the slow city slickers?
one or two dozen. If you really want, I could count them and give you an exact number of legal parking spaces, but hey I have better things to do. Like peruse DSLRUsers

This witty repartee has now provided complete clarity to other players. We have provided a great service.

[Mr Darcy]

OK I tried the walk today. It took me two hours, without side trips and with minimal photography - just a few happy snaps, mainly to try out my new Camera strap - Love it.

The route I took was Conservation Hut - Overcliff Walk - Undercliff Walk - Falls - Rocket Point - Flat Rock
I know Flat Rock as Queen Elizabeth Lookout, but there is a new sign there saying Flat Rock, so I will go with that.
The track was very wet in places (read boggy creek bed) but quite navigable. Also there was a sign at the Conservation Hut I noticed when I got back saying that the Undercliff track was closed for maintenance, but I saw no signs saying "Track Closed" on the track itself & while there was evidence of work being carried out, I had no problems navigating it.

There are plenty of side tracks that could be taken, even down to the bottom of the falls if you want, but there are a LOT of steps in that one & I am not sure my knees are up to it.

I recorded the journey using my Holux GPSr. Here is the track (zipped kml file)
http://www.swtd.com.au/images/GJK/DSLRUserWalkProposed.kml.zip
It seems to have done a reasonable job given the fact that at times I was walking hard up against a cliff and even under it in places. Though I note it has me abseiling off the cliff in a few places

Be prepared for any weather. It is hailing as I type this, but it got quite hot earlier while on the walk.

I will leave the truck at the end of the walk in the morning and meet you all at the beginning about 12:30 as proposed.
To get to the start of the walk, turn off the highway at Falls Rd (signposted to the Falls) then turn right into Fletcher St, and follow that to the end. Then backtrack until you find parking. There are only 25 official spaces in the carpark & even today they were all gone when I went down. I was lucky. One pulled out just as I arrived.

If you want to leave anything in the truck for the end, let me know. I am sure we can organise it.

[stubbsy]

Thanks for the great reccy Greg. Coming back in the truck at the end is great - how many people fit?
Once we're sunsetted out is there somewhere decent to go for a feed?

[Mr Darcy]

The truck is a Landrover Discovery. Three door. Andrew Knows it. It will take four passengers comfortably. If we need more space, I'll call Pam. The Peugeot will hold another 4 passengers, but not with quite so much room.

Do we have an estimate of numbers?

Been thinking about dinner.
There are a couple of good but pricey restaurants, Also a Chinese and a Thai place. I don't recommend the Chinese.
As well there are 2 or three pizza places. One good. One OK and one we haven't tried. - it is next door to one of the others. Not sure if it is a new one, or if the old one has expanded. There is also a very good "greasy joes" run by a chinese family. Could get takeaway then come back to our place to eat. Also the Conservation Hut used to be open for dinner. Not sure if it still is.

Forecast for tomorrow is overcast & cool (6 - 11C). No mention of rain though.

[biggerry]

Looks like a good day - have fun guys..

[stubbsy]

Greg

Thanks for the comprehensive details again. If we can get some of our gear (tripods for example) into your car at the start it would be good.

At this stage it looks like you, Craig and me. Food wise - given the range of choices I think we'll just wing it.

[aim54x]

Have fun guys!! I am going to give this one a miss. I cant wait to see the trip reports and the photos!

[ATJ]

At this stage it looks like you, Craig and me.

I'm planning to come - at least for the walk.

[Mr Darcy]

Thank you for suggesting this walk Peter, it was great.
Weather was better than expected


Track was worse

[stubbsy]

Greg

Who are those two girls in that second shot - looks like they're so terrified they'll step in dog poo they can't look straight ahead

Thanks for organising both a great day and great weather.

[radar]

Must be circus girls as they both have a beard!!

[biggerry]

Who are those two girls in that second shot

I was gonna say soemthing...but thought better of it...

Must be circus girls as they both have a beard!!

[dawesy]

Greg

Who are those two girls in that second shot - looks like they're so terrified they'll step in dog poo they can't look straight ahead

Thanks for organising both a great day and great weather.

I can't imagine the looks on their faces the first time they're up against penguin poo, I hope someone gets a shot of that!

[Alpha_7]

I can't imagine the looks on their faces the first time they're up against penguin poo, I hope someone gets a shot of that!

I'm sure with 20 odd photographers around that can't be arranged