Blue Mountains Bushwalk meet - 3rd June, 2006

[losfp]

DETAILS:

Date: Sat 3rd June (Sun 4th June as a reserve day)

Where: Meet at the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area at 8am for a morning of invigorating walking and photo-taking.

How to get there: Get onto the M4, heading westward. Keep driving for ages. You will pass Penrith, keep driving. When you get to Wentworth Falls, turn left onto Falls Road. Drive to the end, where you will find the picnic area.

Rough plan: Start at the picnic area (this is where the walk ends). Take the shortcut walking track across to the conservation hut. Descend into the valley of the waters (el mucho waterfall action here). Take a left onto the Wentworth Pass, and trudge through some greenery until we get to the lower Wentworth Falls. Ooh and Aah for a while, then up Slacks Stairs (really a series of steep ladders). Stop at Queens Cascades / Weeping Rock for a look, then back up to the carpark. Recover from all the climbing and then go for a much-needed feed.

What to bring: Comfortable walking clothes - nothing too new or flashy as there may be some mud, crawling over rocks and stamping through aggressive shrubbery. Good walking shoes. Water and some food. It's gonna be June, it's gonna be the Blue Mountains, so I'd suggest something warm and/or waterproof is not a bad idea. Maybe some photography gear if you are that way inclined.

Do: let someone know where you're going, and when

Don't: forget to let them know when you get back!!

To make it easier to figure out when everyone has turned up on the day, post on this thread if you are coming. If you have to pull out, post again

<hr>

ORIGINAL POST:

Well, seeing as I made the suggestion on rooboy (who I have noticed posts on OCAU as well!) and macka's thread...

Who is potentially interested in a day out bushwalking at Wenthworth Falls? We were silly enough to accidentally walk the whole Wentworth Pass, and I thought it would be hilarious to rope other members of dslrusers into it as well...

Proposal:

We meet somewhere, say in the Wentworth Falls picnic area, and start at about 7am. Walk across the shortcut track to the Conservation Hut. Descend into the valley of the waters (el mucho waterfall action here). Take a left onto the Wentworth Pass, and trudge through some greenery until we get to the lower Wentworth Falls. Ooh and Aah for a while, then up Slacks Stairs (really a series of steep ladders). Stop at Weeping Rock for a look, then back up to the carpark. Recover from all the climbing and then go for a much-needed feed.

It will take about 6.5 hours (that's how long it took us last time, with plenty of stops to take photos and catch one's breath), but it is not really that tough. Hell, if a couple of fit and borderline overweight computer geeks can do it, then so can you.

I'd suggest a weekend day in May, before it gets too wintery. I'm good for any of them except Sun 21st May, and the first weekend of May. So in summary, my good days are:

Sat 13th
Sun 14th (Mothers' Day)
Sat 20th
Sat 27th
Sun 28th

Anyone up for it?

EDIT: Availability dates

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[macka]

Saturday 20th could possibly happen for us, depending on Uni work. I'm going to have to be non-committal and say a big maybe at this stage, simply because May is already looking so busy for us.

Edit: Would prefer June. I know it's cold, but... May is so hectic! And so many essays to write around then.

[losfp]

I'm sure if there's enough demand for June, we could do it in June I didn't have my heart set on May, just thought that it would be much more comfortable than June.

[pippin88]

I'm discussing with my Parents the possibility of having a meet up here, and us providing cheap accommodation (check out Bunjaree cottages in my sig).

Would probably have to be around September sometime.

Idea being 1 or 2 nights, and a couple of days shooting and tromping around.

[losfp]

Might not be a bad idea, Nick. Maybe one day messing about the bushwalks and lookouts, and one day at the Jenolan Caves (We went there again yesterday, it really is one of my favourite places that I'm surprised I didn't discover earlier). I know the forum had a special "you can bring tripods" outing in the caves, maybe we can get that organised again?

Anyway, I still would like to do another Wentworth Falls walk earlier than that, preferably in May/June... Anyone who wants to come with is welcome

[Matt. K]

7 am? Are you mad?

[losfp]

7 am? Are you mad?

Only takes me about an hour to get up there

But of course, if necessary, we can push the start time back to 8am or something.

[birddog114]

How's about 4:30am? doing dawn & sunrise shoot?

[Matt. K]

4.30 am???? The milkman is still in bed then!

[losfp]

How's about 4:30am? doing dawn & sunrise shoot?

Birdy, it's getting towards winter. Sunrise is closer to 6:30 these days, so you shouldn't need to get there much before 5:45!!!

Though actually a sunrise shoot is not a bad idea.. hmmmm....

[birddog114]

How's about 4:30am? doing dawn & sunrise shoot?

Birdy, it's getting towards winter. Sunrise is closer to 6:30 these days, so you shouldn't need to get there much before 5:45!!!

Though actually a sunrise shoot is not a bad idea.. hmmmm....

I know 5:45 am is sunrise, and you required to be there at least 1/2 hour to choose the right spot same as capture the light at pre-dawn.

[LostDingo]

4.30 am???? The milkman is still in bed then!

the milkman is always in bed...somewhere

[losfp]

I know 5:45 am is sunrise, and you required to be there at least 1/2 hour to choose the right spot same as capture the light at pre-dawn.

Birdy, maybe it would be easier to go out on the drink somewhere the night before, and then stay up and wait for the sunrise

Of course, the blue mountains is full of excellent cliffs and holes from which a drunk person can fall to a noisy and thoroughly entertaining death.

[huynhie]

1Jun06-31Aug06 is Yulefest, a big banquet after a long days walk... YUM!

[Trieu]

Hi guys, I am pretty new to this forum, but I would like to join if ok with everyone.

I can meet anywhere, anytime

Is that ok?

[Alpha_7]

Events are usually open to all members Trieu so that shouldnt' be a problem. I'd definitely been keen to do more photography up in the Blue Mountains the biggest issue for me is transport, but once a date is set I can work on making the necessary arrangements.

[birddog114]

Events are usually open to all members Trieu so that shouldnt' be a problem. I'd definitely been keen to do more photography up in the Blue Mountains the biggest issue for me is transport, but once a date is set I can work on making the necessary arrangements.

Get the driver license and drive Katie's car.
What point for not having yourself a driver license?

[losfp]

Events are usually open to all members Trieu so that shouldnt' be a problem. I'd definitely been keen to do more photography up in the Blue Mountains the biggest issue for me is transport, but once a date is set I can work on making the necessary arrangements.

Yep, definitely everyone is welcome. And if you don't want to do the whole walk, you could simply just do the valley of the waters and then walk back up instead of tramping along the Wentworth Pass

Craig, if you're struggling for transport, if you can get to any of the train stations along our drive (ie: Blacktown-Wentworth Falls) then we'd be happy to give you a lift.

Driving IS much better though

[Trieu]

Awesome! thanks, I'll be looking forward to it. Yeah, I think I will be trekking the whole way.

Any confirmed dates as yet? Will need to submit and await approval from the better half

[johnd]

Hi all, if it's Saturday the 20th May, I could be very interested.
I'm in Sydney for work on 18/19 May (not 100% confirmed yet) and was planning to stay over for the weekend and do a bit of photography.
If this trip doesn't happen, I'll try to get to a mini meet to meet all these people that I've come to know over the past year.

Cheers
John

[Alpha_7]

20th May is when I'm meant to be in Fiji, but don't let that stop anyone if it's the better time. That said if we don't make Fiji then Blue Mountains could be just a photogenic

[birddog114]

20th May is when I'm meant to be in Fiji, but don't let that stop anyone if it's the better time. That said if we don't make Fiji then Blue Mountains could be just a photogenic

20th May is the "BIG COUP" over there!, you may not going anywhere or just confining into a small room with the Fijian Army personnels

[Alpha_7]

20th May is when I'm meant to be in Fiji, but don't let that stop anyone if it's the better time. That said if we don't make Fiji then Blue Mountains could be just a photogenic

20th May is the "BIG COUP" over there!, you may not going anywhere or just confining into a small room with the Fijian Army personnels

Lucky I am bring my camera, I might get some PJ shots like Poon's from earlier this year.

[losfp]

My feeling was that I'd get EOIs for a few days, then start asking for people to nominate dates that they can do. Then hopefully we can find a day where most (if not all) people can come. Hell, maybe we can start doing it now. In the format below, just indicate the ones you CAN'T do. Then I'll edit my original post and keep a tally, and we can decide on a date by next week some time.

May:
6 - No
7 - No
13
14
20
21 - No
27
28

June:
3
4
10
11
17
18
24
25

[birddog114]

20th May is when I'm meant to be in Fiji, but don't let that stop anyone if it's the better time. That said if we don't make Fiji then Blue Mountains could be just a photogenic

20th May is the "BIG COUP" over there!, you may not going anywhere or just confining into a small room with the Fijian Army personnels

Lucky I am bring my camera, I might get some PJ shots like Poon's from earlier this year.

As said, you may not going anywhere near, all the resort in Fiji are distance from SUVA and travelling by rental cars or buses won't take you out of all the resorts or hotels and Suva is boring!

[macka]

In the format below, just indicate the ones you CAN'T do. Then I'll edit my original post and keep a tally, and we can decide on a date by next week some time.

May:
6 - No
7 - No
13
14
20
21 - No
27
28

June:
3
4
10
11
17
18
24
25

Wouldn't it be easier to run a poll between possible dates in May/June? Don't know if you can set this up now...

[losfp]

The thing about polls is that you have to choose only one of the options, as opposed to being able to select multiple answers (someone correct me if I'm wrong). So one date might be the most popular, but another date may have more people available, if that makes sense.

[macka]

Point taken.

Here's mine:

May:
6 - No
7 - No
13-No
14-No
20-Probably No
21-Probably No
27-No
28-No

June:
3
4
10
11
17-Preferred
18-Preferred
24-Preferred
25-Preferred

[losfp]

Dont forget to put in your dates if you're interested By end of the weekend if possible, then we can work out which is the best date to do this....

I'm excited!

Or maybe it's just because it's almost the end of my workweek....

[suzanneg]

Are not photographing partners allowed to come as well?

[losfp]

Are not photographing partners allowed to come as well?

My fiancée will be coming.

Well, someone has to carry the bag with water and food in it.










She likes photography as well, but has little patience with the endless settings, lens lust, equipment reviews and suchlike. I think she takes photos just as well as I can, largely because she just sees a picture and snaps it, rather than worrying about apertures, shutter speeds and focal lengths.

[Trieu]

Well for now... life revolves around photography and every opportunity to learn

May:
6 - Yeap
7 - Yeap
13-Yeap
14-Yeap
20-Yeap
21-Yeap
27-Yeap
28-Yeap

June:
3 - Yeap
4 - Yeap
10-Yeap
11-Yeap
17-Yeap
18-Yeap
24-Yeap
25-Yeap

[johnd]

May 20th: Yes
All other dates: No, only in Sydney on business for a couple days.

Cheers
John

[losfp]

Updated dates

Don't forget to indicate your preferences!!! Should be a blast.

How about we make a decision on a date by about Wed night?

[losfp]

Bump! (sorry mods, I'm not sure how much bumping is allowed here)

Don't forget to throw your dates in, guys! Craig, I think you mentioned you were interested? How is your Fiji trip looking (hell with that, more importantly, how is katie doing?)

I'm thinking we should nominate a whole weekend - aim for the Saturday, but have the sunday as a "reserve day" in case of inclement weather etc.

we'll make an executive decision on dates by Wed night, and then we'll see....

[Katie G]

hi

Craig asked me to post his calendar availabilities - he doesnt plan ahead much

May

6 - no
7 - no
13 - maybe
14 - maybe
20 - no
21 - no
27 - yes
28 - yes
June
3 - yes
4 - yes
10 - no
11 - no
17 - yes
18 - yes

thanks
Katie

[losfp]

Thanks Katie!

Dates have been updated.

[Alpha_7]

Thanks Katie!

I'll try to direct Doug and Genista to this thread too, since they seemed keen for another blue mountains trip.

[Potatis]

I'll ask she-who-must-be obeyed...

Don't tell me we have to walk down all those steps again, we just did that! There's more walking tracks to do.

[losfp]

I'll ask she-who-must-be obeyed...

Don't tell me we have to walk down all those steps again, we just did that! There's more walking tracks to do.

Yeah, but you won't have to walk back up them.

You just have to tackle Slacks Stairs (or, to put it nicely, a series of narrow, steep ladders) at the other end

I won't rest until I show everyone the lower wentworth falls

Hehehe.. Last time we did it, I said "I want to walk it in the opposite direction. Then never do it again" So far, so good.

[losfp]

Well, how about we pencil in the weekend of 3/4 June? Apologies to johnd, sorry your only date here is bad for a lot of other people!! It's also a shame that you can't be here the weekend after that one, so you can come to the regular mini-meet at Birdy's.

So. How about we say Sat 3rd, with Sun 4th as a reserve day in case it is fair pissin' down on the Saturday.

Rough plan as detailed in my first post. Actually, I'll just edit it with a slightly less rough plan.

EDIT: Original post edited.

[Alpha_7]

Nice work Des.

[johnd]

Well, how about we pencil in the weekend of 3/4 June? Apologies to johnd, sorry your only date here is bad for a lot of other people!! It's also a shame that you can't be here the weekend after that one, so you can come to the regular mini-meet at Birdy's.

No probs Des. You never know my meeting in Sydney might get rescheduled. It has been known to happen. 1 week and I get to go to a mini meet, 2 weeks and get to go to the Blue Mts. I think I'll phone my boss in Sydney and push for a reschedule.

Cheers
John

[losfp]

Sounds good John! I'll be at both events, so hopefully you can come to one of them.

[losfp]

Don't forget to post in here if you're coming

Should be a great day.

[birddog114]

Well, how about we pencil in the weekend of 3/4 June? Apologies to johnd, sorry your only date here is bad for a lot of other people!! It's also a shame that you can't be here the weekend after that one, so you can come to the regular mini-meet at Birdy's.

No probs Des. You never know my meeting in Sydney might get rescheduled. It has been known to happen. 1 week and I get to go to a mini meet, 2 weeks and get to go to the Blue Mts. I think I'll phone my boss in Sydney and push for a reschedule.

Cheers
John

Johnd,
There's a Photoshop workshop on 3/6 and 1/7, thought you may interested.

[johnd]

Well, how about we pencil in the weekend of 3/4 June? Apologies to johnd, sorry your only date here is bad for a lot of other people!! It's also a shame that you can't be here the weekend after that one, so you can come to the regular mini-meet at Birdy's.

No probs Des. You never know my meeting in Sydney might get rescheduled. It has been known to happen. 1 week and I get to go to a mini meet, 2 weeks and get to go to the Blue Mts. I think I'll phone my boss in Sydney and push for a reschedule.

Cheers
John

Johnd,
There's a Photoshop workshop on 3/6 and 1/7, thought you may interested.

Thanks for the thought Birddog. I just spoke to my boss in Sydney and we can't move the meeting because he'll be overseas after 20th. So I'm coming up to Sydney on 18/19 May for work and Trieu has kindly offered to host me on 20th and find something in Sydney to photgraph. I hear you guys have got a big bridge and funny looking opera house.

Pity I can't catch up with anyone, but there'll be other times. And airfares are a lot cheaper than glass.

Cheers
John

[Alpha_7]

John if you are planning in advance what your doing (say bridge, OH, Mrs Mac's chair, or whatever post it up here) you may get a few members keen to come out and spend some time with you.

[johnd]

John if you are planning in advance what your doing (say bridge, OH, Mrs Mac's chair, or whatever post it up here) you may get a few members keen to come out and spend some time with you.

Good idea Craig.
Trieu's the host though so I'm in his hands. What are we doing mate?

Cheers
John

[losfp]

Definitely interested in the 20th John/Trieu, how about starting another thread to let everyone who is interested know?