Upcoming Outings
Feels like: 4.8°C
Dew point: 4.1°C
Relative humidity: 95%
Wind: N at 0 km/h, gusting to 0 km/h
Rain: 0.0mm since 9am
Pressure: 1025.2 hPa
Sunny
2°C - 18°C Sunday
Mostly sunny
2°C - 18°C Monday
Late shower
4°C - 17°C Tuesday
Possible thunderstorm
5°C - 16°C
The program for the 2011-12 Season as of 6 September is HERE
May Outing – Mt Sturt
The outing planned for Sunday 20 May will be to Mt Sturt. This isolated peak sits at the end of a ridge that separates the Freestone Valley from the Swanfels Valley. Located above Yangan, the distinctiv
e flat topped mountain can be seen from most elevated areas in Warwick.
The walk is at least a grade 8. The route initially follows a steep blazed trail through vine scrub to reach the summit ridge of the mountain. Once on this ridge, there is a relatively level walk through eucalypt forest that has a significant amount of ground cover. Soak protectors and cobbler’s peg resistant clothing would be recommended! The walk ends at a viewpoint with a 180 panorama of the rich farming land of the Southern Downs. The Granite Belt, topped by Bald Rock, can be seen on the distant horizon. Though no scrub ticks were encountered on the pre-outing, the location is on the fringe of an area that is traditionally scrub tick heaven. Insect repellent is therefore recommended.
The ascent should take around one & a half hours to complete. Lunch will be enjoyed at the viewpoint. We will return by the same route. After completing the walk, there should be time for a short drive to Yangan. From there, we can follow a road through a saddle that separates Mt Sturt from the ridge that leads back to the Main Range. The route will lead through Freestone and back to Warwick. Some of the road is unsealed but a 4WD or high clearance vehicle would not be needed. There will be ample opportunity to view Mt Sturt from a variety of vantage points. Late afternoon winter sun on Mt Sturt from the Freestone Valley makes for some great photos.
Stanthorpe members attending will need to assemble at Weroona Park for an 8:00am departure. The final assembly point will be at Jackie Howe Park on the north side of Warwick for a 9:00am departure. The access point for the walk will be from the property of Bruce and Anne Hempel who live at the base of Mt Sturt. The drive from Warwick should take around 25 minutes.
David Wilson
Contact: 4661 2839
Mobile: 0427 612839
The June short walk will be on the 8th, NOT the 1st.; to 7 acre rock in the Passchendaele SF, grade 3, led by Michael Mueller.
More detail is always in the latest newsletter on the Documents page.
SCALE OF DIFFICULTY FOR WALKS ON NATS OUTINGS
1. Flat walking, road or track
2. Road or track, gentle hills
3. Track, some hilly sections
4. Track, some steep sections
5. Cross country, easy open forest, gentle slopes
6. Track, steep sections common, with steps
7. Cross country, some hills, some thick undergrowth
8. Cross country, steep sections with scrambles over rocks, etc., and some thick undergrowth
9. Cross country, steep, hilly, rough, thick undergrowth
10. Mountain climbing, hard going, higher level of fitness or plenty of time required
