Page 22 - 80 Walks by 80 Leaders 2

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Date: 17 April 2019
Par�cipants: Graham Conden, Brian Piper, Ewa Jazwinski, Anne Corbe�, Euna Levinson, Tony Hickson, Jacqui
Hickson, Rogo Owens, Lyn Hungerford, Frances Hunt, Phillip Marsh

We could see right across to Centre of the Universe (route to
Wollongambe Crater) and through to MtWilson, Mt Banks, Mt
Irvine, Bell and of course due north to the World Heritage
listed Wollemi. This outcrop also sits above the birthplace of
the Wild Wollongambe River, a key artery of the southern
sec�on of the Wollemi Wilderness. This area is an explorer’s
paradise, complex ridge and sandstone country and sinuous
creeks which test one’s naviga�on, but delights one’s senses.
We then backtracked to Shay Ridge, took a compass bearing
which took us to a Pagoda outcrop for our first view into the
heavily incised complex of the Gooch’s Crater area. Our route
traversed area not previously visited which drew unkind
comments from one unnamed member as to the quality of the unkind comments regarding the leader’s knot tying capability)
leader’s naviga�on! Just a more scenic route really? Following and down to an overhang complete with a red mud stalac�te
recent rain, the old pads that previously existed are now (mite?). The journey then con�nued up and through the
Walk descrip�on:
star�ng to disappear and a wary eye was kept out for an area collapsed wall of the lower sec�on of the crater and across
Magnificent Pagodas, caves, a small canyon and a perfectly with a certain snake risk. Offers of Leader training upfront
formed crater.A hidden jewel. Mostly off track, gaiters/long'ns the edge of the crater, again no response to leader training,
went unresponded to. and through the highly
recommended. Rock scrambling and a minor rope assisted
We eventually came out onto the edge of suspicious long grass with a
desc. Map: Wollongambe
Gooch’s Crater and the fresh growth had it healthy frog popula�on, and up
looking very resplendent in its greenery. A�er out of the canyon.
Report:
photo sessions, we then commenced to walk A�er gaining the high ground, it
The group gathered at the Clarence Zig Zag Railway junc�on around the crater lip before turning off and
where introduc�ons were made and the day’s adventure was another compass bearing
nego�a�ng our way around and down into the out tothe oldfiretrail andback to
outlined. We then proceeded along the Old Bells Line of Road
Billabong canyon, complete with a resident the cars.
and turned onto the Wollongambe Trail for our final approach
Yabby. A�er regaining the high ridge, we then Good weather and a nice group
to the track towards the Crater. Everyone successfully
scrambled across a sandstone bridge above a made for a very enjoyable day. A
nego�ated sec�ons of the heavily eroded track before parking cave complex and out to our lunch spot where
in the bushes off Shay Ridge track. This was followed by a 2km stop for refreshment at the “Pie
there is a twin walled slot with a wonderful in the Sky” on the way home
walk along the trail, then off track to a prominent outcrop of
tapestry of sandstone weathering. brought our visit to the magical
sandstone where we scrambled to the top formorning tea and
Following lunch we returned to the canyon Crater and Pagoda country to a
a view around the magnificent Pagoda country.
wall, and with the aid of a rope descended a sa�sfying end.
slot ramp into the large cave area (again,
Report by: Graham Conden 12 Photos: Graham Conden, Brian Piper