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by **Mr Darcy** on Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:10 pm

Hi all,
Coming from one of the ideas in this thread
I propose a visit to the Valley of the Waters in Wentworth Falls

Date: 15 January
Time: 08:00
Starting place: Conseravtion Hut at the end of Fletcher St in Wentworth Falls. It is just down form the corner of Valley Rd
Duration: As long as it takes, but probably the morning, then move to a local venue (TBA) for lunch

There is a train from Central that arrives at 07:40. Let me know & I will meet you if you will be on it. It departs at 05:48 but I am sure that is no problem for all you sunrise junkies.

Colin and I checked it out today, and yes Suren, there is water there.

20110101-GJK_7221.jpg by gregdarcy, on Flickr

There are also interesting plants. Even Colin didn't know this one:

20110101-GJK_7255.jpg by gregdarcy, on Flickr

by **biggerry** on Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:13 pm

Mr Darcy wrote:Colin and I checked it out today, and yes Suren, there is water there.

bring ya togs... that water is looking good!

by **colin_12** on Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:48 pm

Top morning out.

Prasophyllum flavum

apparently not that common. :up:

A cascade of water,

Emperess falls?

We saw a couple of sets of people who had abseiled down these falls. So that is also a likely subject for us.

I'm in.

by **aim54x** on Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:26 pm

Its been put into Sunbird! So unless I have to work I will be there

by **Mr Darcy** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 6:22 am

biggerry wrote:bring ya togs... that water is looking good!

You mean like this? Better bring your Nikonos!

by **Jenno** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 1:03 pm

Greg
Whats the optimum time of the day to photograph the falls given their positioning?
The shots you have posted suggest the sun is not in it's best location for these falls when these were taken....bit bright
Guess you could always hope for an overcast day

by **colin_12** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 2:49 pm

Probably early morning and around lunchish is what we saw as best timing. We went through around 10:30 and when we came back after lunch it was in shade, but the lower ones were not, they would be better early.

by **Remorhaz** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:05 pm

I'm keen to get there if I can - my eldest daughter (11) is also showing some interest (will that be OK?).

by **Mr Darcy** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:48 pm

Remorhaz wrote:I'm keen to get there if I can - my eldest daughter (11) is also showing some interest (will that be OK?).

Of course she's welcome.
Just be aware that there are a LOT of steps, some quite steep, down and then back up again.

We went down about 150 metres (vertical distance), but depending on the day and the group, it is quite feasible to go down about 400 metres. I doubt we will be going that far though. Photographers tend to take longer than the seriously unfit to go any distance. Of course, if you are seriously unfit AND a photographer... Just ask Colin how long I took.

Also, while most are fenced, there are unfenced cliffs around.

by **gstark** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:01 pm

Mr Darcy wrote:Of course, if you are seriously unfit AND a photographer...

Hello ????

:surrender:

by **biggerry** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:15 pm

Mr Darcy wrote:You mean like this? Better bring your Nikonos!

man stuff the photography... i would go there just for the swim :rotfl2:

gstark wrote: Mr Darcy wrote:Of course, if you are seriously unfit AND a photographer...

Hello ????

from memory there is very nice Cafe on the Valley of the waters end of that walk? maybe we can all meetup there at the end?

Mr Darcy wrote:There is a train from Central that arrives at 07:40. Let me know & I will meet you if you will be on it. It departs at 05:48 but I am sure that is no problem for all you sunrise junkies.

lol, no problem, the earlier the better in my opinion

by **Mr Darcy** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 5:21 pm

biggerry wrote:from memory there is very nice Cafe on the Valley of the waters end of that walk? maybe we can all meetup there at the end?

There is. It is called the Conservation Hut, which I specified as the meeting point, but it tends to get VERY crowded at and after lunch on weekends. So I was thinking of going into town either to the Pie Shop if it cool, or the Blue Mist Cafe.
Of course, being a local I tend not to go to any of them, so I am open to suggestions from visitors.

Fearless Leader wrote:Hello ????

You really ought to read the fine print

by **Mr Darcy** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 5:33 pm

colin_12 wrote:Probably early morning and around lunchish is what we saw as best timing. We went through around 10:30 and when we came back after lunch it was in shade, but the lower ones were not, they would be better early.

Actually, I would say very late afternoon for the falls, but that means you will end up walking back up in the dark. Never a good idea around here. Have I mentioned the unfenced cliffs? You will also miss all the great flowers & other cool stuff.
As Colin says, at this time of year, the cascades should be in shade in the early morning. AND you will get a park.

by **biggerry** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:22 pm

Mr Darcy wrote:There is. It is called the Conservation Hut, which I specified as the meeting point, but it tends to get VERY crowded at and after lunch on weekends. So I was thinking of going into town either to the Pie Shop if it cool, or the Blue Mist Cafe.
P

Definitely open to the other suggestions Greg, I would take the yocals choice over my own :up:

by **surenj** on Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:06 pm

Sorry boys, I am out. Will be moving boxes from Newcastle to Sydney.

by **Mr Darcy** on Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:40 pm

The long term forecast is for possible showers, so it is likely to be overcast, but it probably won't actually rain.
Still make sure you bring water and some energy food. While it is not far to the nearest cafe, it will be a loong way up!

by **aim54x** on Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:24 pm

That means Gore-Tex boots and E-Vent jacket will be brought along.

Anyone else planning to train it up there?

by **colin_12** on Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:18 pm

aim54x wrote:Anyone else planning to train it up there?

If you want a lift from Hazo then I will have a free seat Cameron. :cheers:

by **Remorhaz** on Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:27 am

I'll be driving up (from the lower north shore) if anyone wants a lift...

by **biggerry** on Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:44 pm

I will be there, not sure as to what time as of yet, however will suss out details soon.

by **aim54x** on Mon Jan 10, 2011 2:32 pm

colin_12 wrote:
aim54x wrote:Anyone else planning to train it up there?

If you want a lift from Hazo then I will have a free seat Cameron.

I could nab a lift off you....I havnt worked out a way to get to Conservation Hut from the Station anyway.

by **Mr Darcy** on Mon Jan 10, 2011 2:53 pm

aim54x wrote:I havnt worked out a way to get to Conservation Hut from the Station anyway.

Mr Darcy wrote:There is a train from Central that arrives at 07:40. Let me know & I will meet you if you will be on it.

colin_12 wrote:If you want a lift from Hazo then I will have a free seat Cameron.

But if you don't like us ...fine :cry:

by **aim54x** on Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:27 pm

Mr Darcy wrote:
aim54x wrote:I havnt worked out a way to get to Conservation Hut from the Station anyway.

Mr Darcy wrote:There is a train from Central that arrives at 07:40. Let me know & I will meet you if you will be on it.

colin_12 wrote:If you want a lift from Hazo then I will have a free seat Cameron.

But if you don't like us ...fine

I meant that I had not worked out the details, so a lift from Colin or yourself, Greg, would be much appreciated....I have to re-read this thread to work out what is happening, when we are meeting....

*off to re-read thread*

alright...8am....thats early!

by **Matt. K** on Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:16 pm

Regret I can't make this one. :cry:

by **surenj** on Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:08 pm

Hope you guys get a cloudy day! Don't forget your ND and polariser filters. :cheers:

by **Remorhaz** on Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:00 pm

surenj wrote:Hope you guys get a cloudy day! Don't forget your ND and polariser filters.

Well my new Tamron 17-50/2.8 arrived yesterday so I'll give that a spin.

I also ordered one of the LightCraft Workshop variable ND (ND2 to ND400 - Fader ND) filters in 77mm size yesterday which I'm hoping will arrive before the weekend so we can try that out and see if they are any use at all (fingers crossed - it looks like it was sent today). Apparently these things can have weird effects at high ND levels with wide angle lenses however I'm hoping it will be usable for up to 5 stops @ 17mm.

I also ordered some step up rings last week (including 67 to 72 and 67 to 77mm) which I also hope arrives before the weekend - otherwise I might have to rush out and buy something so I can use my 72 and 77mm filters. Just in case - does anyone who's going have either or both those step up rings and could bring them if mine dont arrive by friday

by **Elver** on Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:10 pm

I'll be there. Looking forward to it. Thanks for organising it.

by **ATJ** on Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:47 pm

I'd love to come but it will be a bit close to my trip away so I think I'll be doing stuff at home. Next time.

by **Mr Darcy** on Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:15 pm

Confirmed starters
Own transport:
Mr Darcy
colin 12
BigGerry
Remorhaz (and daughter?)
Elver

Pick up at station (and visit to pie shop for brekkie!)
Aim54x

Did I miss anyone?
Any other takers?

by **Mr Darcy** on Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:06 pm

BOM wrote:Forecast for Saturday
Cloudy. Areas of rain, more frequent in the south. The chance of thunderstorms until afternoon, mainly in the south. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 31.
Katoomba: A little rain. Min 17;Max 25
Springwood: A little rain. Min 20; Max 29

by **Jenno** on Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:58 pm

Any other takers?

Yep

Intending to come
Cloudy weather should make for some nice soft light

Provided it doesn't precipitate

by **biggerry** on Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:14 pm

I will be there - i giving cameron a ride up, I have to swing by the plane station before leaving but should hopefully be on time.

by **aim54x** on Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:33 pm

I will be passing Colin a box of goodies...so maybe he will have something interesting for us to play with...

by **biggerry** on Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:22 pm

This was an awesome day, for those who did not make - too bad, y'all missed out! A early start at the valley of the waters walk which took us down into the valley thru a magical set of waterfalls then back up for all those shots we missed, followed by an introduction to fungi macro. A spot of lunch at a very nice pie shop (which had good coffee) then off to Blackheath for some serious fungi fun and macro madness.

The conditions today were perfect for waterfalls, fungi/mossy/strange/toadstools and macro stuff.

A big thank you to the locals up there, Greg and Colin, I don't think I would have had soo much fun rolling in the leaf litter trying to get that perfect macro shot if it wasn't for you guys!

I am definitely keen for another event like this one :up:

by **biggerry** on Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:11 pm

Ray, workign the angles and the water!

The start of the valley of the waters track, well the start of the downhill bit anyway...

yep, your guess is as good as mine

by **aim54x** on Sat Jan 15, 2011 8:26 pm

Huge thanks to our guides Colin and Greg...it was a great day out and I have plenty of pics to sort through now

by **Remorhaz** on Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:39 pm

Fantastic day - thoroughly enjoyed it - a big thankyou for organising this

I'll post up some of my pics soon...

by **colin_12** on Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:07 pm

Thankyou all for coming on up. You are what made this day as good as it was. :cheers:

by **Jenno** on Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:15 pm

Short Summary
Weather: Great
Location: Great
Company: Great
Organisation: Great
Pie Shop Great
Overall: um Great

Thanks to Colin and Greg
Nice to meet the new Greg as well (sole Canon shooter)

by **aim54x** on Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:48 pm

Jenno wrote:Nice to meet the new Greg as well (sole Canon shooter)

I think you mean new Gary

by **Elver** on Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:45 am

I agree with all already said about the photo trek, great company, brilliant day.

Thanks to Greg and Colin for organising it.

PS. I get 'Greg' a lot and don't mind. I've never met a bad Greg yet. :wink:

Gary

by **Mr Darcy** on Sun Jan 16, 2011 6:51 am

Elver wrote:PS. I get 'Greg' a lot and don't mind. I've never met a bad Greg yet.

Oddly enough I get Craig a lot. Recently I told someone I was Greg not Craig. For the rest of the time I was called "Glen"
Must be the beard.

Sorry I missed the Blackheath extra. I was supposed to be installing things in the kitchen in the afternoon. I slept instead.

Glad you all enjoyed the day. I had heaps of fun too. Company was, to use an undervalued expression, umm great.

thanks for coming, and a special thanks to Colin for being the fun guy he was.

by **Jenno** on Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:46 am

I think you mean new Gary

Whoops.

Sorry Greg. I mean Gary

Should have given me an uppercut on the day. Think I called you Greg all day
Might be best if you creat a separate post for your pics as they will get missed here.
Great job on those by the way They are excellent. Still reckon you got the best lizzard shot :up:

by **biggerry** on Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:00 am

Elver wrote:I agree with all already said about the photo trek, great company, brilliant day.

Gary

Great set of images Gary, that first one is really nice, probably the best controlled in terms of the waterfall whites! The composition is what does it for me though - just shows you do not need a wide angle to get a good composition! :up:

by **Remorhaz** on Mon Jan 17, 2011 10:04 am

biggerry wrote:Great set of images Gary, that first one is really nice, probably the best controlled in terms of the waterfall whites! The composition is what does it for me though - just shows you do not need a wide angle to get a good composition!

I agree - #1 is very nice - was that the bottom-most falls we went to (with the half circle of rectangular blocks)?

by **Elver** on Mon Jan 17, 2011 10:14 am

Yes, the bottom most falls.

I will create a new page for these, thanks. (Gotta get used to forums)

I think I better start saving for a macro lens too.

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