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Boree Branch Social Meet!

May 15-17

**Please ensure you read the ENTIRE post, there are questions below that you must answer in your comment when you request to join. You will not be accepted if you do not answer this questions – this is for safety reasons so that we know you are informed of all important information for the trip**

Hey Everyone!

We’re trying something new! Welcome to our very first Boree Branch! A mini Boree Log if you will. This event will see us head to Newnes for an epic weekend of camping, hiking, climbing, canyoning, general tomfoolery and whatever other shenanigans may tickle your fancy. This is a meet-up and there will be no organised club trips running in the traditional sense. Seize your perfect excuse to hang out with your mates and explore some cool new spots!

What’s this all About?

The Newnes Boree Branch is a social meet up. It is a chance for a whole bunch of us to get together, socialise and get outside. There will be carpooling organised and a plan for where attendees will be camping together, but day activities are up to you! In order to keep track of everyone, you will be required to fill out a spreadsheet with your details and where you will be headed. We will also be making a messenger group chat with all attendees to help people decide what they want to do, as well as inform you of any important info.

Who is this Event for?

All attendees must fit into one of two categories:

• Are self-sufficient in the activities you will be doing.
• Or, have self-sufficient friends happy to show you the ropes

This is for safety reasons as there will be no traditional trips running with Trip Leaders. This means that your personal trips may not be covered by insurance, as ordinarily, there would be two trip leaders running the trip within club safety standards, as well as someone with a remote or wilderness first aid qualification.

“Self-Sufficient” requires experience and independence. In sporting contexts, defined as:

• Climbing: Can lead climb, set up your own routes, and clean gear (note: Newnes is predominantly Trad).
• Canyoning: Can rig abseils and navigate canyon environments.
• Hiking: Chooses appropriate hike for abilities and can navigate the terrain safely without phone signal.

Anyone not meeting these requirements can only attend if a self-sufficient individual will assist them. This person must be declared in your comment. If incorrect information is given about experience or the assisting individual, you may be asked to leave the event or be required to stay at the campsite base. This is for safety reasons as these outdoor activities have inherent risk and this event is a meet up NOT a regular club trip.

The Gameplan

There is the option to camp at Lake Wallace near Lithgow with some other keen club members on Friday night. This is optional, but it is recommended to stay somewhere in the mountains (beware Victoria Pass traffic) since everyone will need to meet up bright and early on Saturday. The Lake Wallace group will travel in a convoy the next morning. Camping location TBD via the approved participant group chat.

On Saturday at 7:30am SHARP the group will be escorted to Newnes Hotel Campground. Those who are late WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ENTRY. Newnes Hotel Campground has restricted access, and we have organised entry which is a rare and special opportunity. Read more about the area here. If that is too early for you, camp at Lithgow the night before.

We will meet at [-33.31814, 150.11184] google maps link, the turnoff to Donkey Steps at Wolgan Road. The private road is only open to high clearance AWDs and 4WDs (no 2wd permitted, no matter how big and shiny). You can park your Commodore at the top.

Note: We will all leave together on Sunday evening – you cannot leave early because of the escort.

What to Bring:

Note that there are showers and toilets at the campground.

• Food and Water –There is limited drinking water at the campground so please bring all your own. Bring all your own food. There is no power so bring a camping cooker or food that doesn’t need to be cooked
• Camping gear
• Warm clothes – Newnes in winter gets very cold.
• All Technical Equipment (e.g. harnesses, rope, helmets). This can be borrowed from the gear cupboard, please making a booking as we have limited stock
• Personal items – suggested packing list

Keen? Here’s How You Can Come Along:

This event will require you to pay a fee. The amount is TBD but will not exceed $30. If you are approved to attend, a form with payment details will be sent to you via email. Bank transfer is preferred but there is an option to pay in cash. All funds go to campground and event fees.

In the comments you MUST include the following information or you will be rejected:

• If you have a car, where you will be leaving from, approximate time of departure if known (e.g. Friday evening, Saturday morning)
• Whether your car is a high clearance AWDs or 4WDs
• Your experience in your likely weekend activity. Please outline your general ability and past experience, as well as if you meet the previously stated definitions of “self-sufficient”
• If not self sufficient, please also include the name/s of who has agreed to take you on activities
• How much money Lithgow Council would have to pay you to write a business case into reopening the road. And how much more money for you to allegedly lie on that report.
• The following statement: “I acknowledge that this a social trip and am either self sufficient in my activities or have had approval from someone willing to take me”

Some Possible Trip Ideas:

Hikes

• Donkey Mountain (Sudarshan is running an offtrack explore trip, details posted shortly here)
• River Ruins Hike
• Glowworm Tunnel
• A load of other medium-hard hikes in this book, available at Haberfield or Windsor library.

Climbing

• Coke Ovens (Trad starting grade 14)
• Coal Miners (Trad starting grade 16)
• Old Baldy (Trad multis, starting grade 17)
• The Pagoda Environs
• Bung Crag

Canyoning

• Starlight
• Nightmare
• Firefly
• Pipeline
• Devil’s Pinch
• Hole-in-the-wall
• Timber Chute

Cycling

• Cycle Touring with a Map
• Like cycling? There’s a secret third option to cycle all the way into camp from Lithgow Station! Contact us below.

Get Excited!

Hope you’re hyped to explore Newnes! if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Amelia Vasiliou on messenger or email Sudarshan at webadmin@unswoc.org