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Anyone keen to walk part of the Great North Walk from Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai? It is part of the walk I did for the Oxfam trailwalker.

http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/sydney/trail/docs/CP2-CP3.pdf

The part of the walk I suggest is from the start of the bush track at Berowra to the start of the firetrail at Mt Kuring-gai. I estimate this is about 8 kms one way, so a return walk would be 16. I would expect this would take about 7 hours so effectively a full day. We would meet at Berowra at about 8 am for immediate departure.

The alternative is Apple Tree Bay to Berowra (14 km) but then you have the logistics of arranging transport from finish to start to pick up cars.

The walk is sensational with bushland, river side track, savannah, etc. It is a grade 4 walk (5 being the most difficult apparently) with the climb back to Berowra being literally breathtaking.

Excellent photo opportunities.

EsOI for a Sunday walk in late October/early November before it gets too hot?

Patrick,

I would be keen for the first 8km or so. I am not so keen on the return trip as it wouldn't be fun anymore.

Personally I would favour leaving a car at in Glenview road and start walk at Berowra (As you suggested) and walk just one way.

I am assuming this would be a held on a Saturday...

Suren

Fair point. The other option is to park at Glenview Rd, catch the train to Berowra station and then essentially walk back to the car. We did a similar thing on our training walk to save the 2 car shuffle. Trust me, you want to get the train bit out of the way and not worry about it after the walk [granted this is only a short walk - try doing it after about 30 kms ] This would make it a c9.5km walk. I don't mind. The only thing is the walk up to Glenview Rd is a real pain in the proverbial - it is about 500m of about 30-45' concrete fire trail. It really is aweful, but not that unbearable.

Whilst you have blatantly disregarded my comment about Sundays a Saturday would be just as good.

Reschsmooth wrote:Whilst you have blatantly disregarded my comment about Sundays a Saturday would be just as good.

Oops sorry Patrick!
Whilst I will be keen to attend on a Saturday, I definitely can't on a Sunday. Some of us need our legs to function normally at work and that's not going to happen one day after this escapade.

Does Glenview road have a cafe or something that would be open at the proposed arrival time? I am guessing that one would be keen for some refreshments...

I will watch this thread with interest.

Sounds like a good idea, 7 hours is a bit too much for me - not from a fitness point of view more from a time management point of view, I kinda need to fit it into half a day or close too. Also I hate doing any kinda of walk that requires walking back over the original walk - its gotta be a loop walk or a one way number.

Some of us need our legs to function normally at work and that's not going to happen one day after this escapade.

and all my fitness activities occur on the first few days of the week, so it could be a world of pain if its a 16km walk!

Does Glenview road have a cafe or something that would be open at the proposed arrival time? I am guessing that one would be keen for some refreshments...

I will watch this thread with interest.

me too, put me down as interested but not fully commited

biggerry wrote:me too, put me down as interested but not fully commited

and me!

Okey dokey

Concede that most people are soft so shall suggest 1 way at about 9km. Meet at Glenview Rd and catch train to Berowra. There are hot and cold refreshment dispensaries at Berowra. Coffee is decent.

9km will take about 4 hours of slow pace with plenty of photo stops. Allow an extra half an hour for the sake of time allowance. [Seriously, 16km of grade 4 is nothing ]

Happy to do Saturday if that suits everyone. I will post up suggested dates soon.

Reschsmooth wrote:Concede that most people are soft so shall suggest 1 way at about 9km. Meet at Glenview Rd and catch train to Berowra. There are hot and cold refreshment dispensaries at Berowra. Coffee is decent.

9km will take about 4 hours of slow pace with plenty of photo stops. Allow an extra half an hour for the sake of time allowance. [Seriously, 16km of grade 4 is nothing ]

Happy to do Saturday if that suits everyone. I will post up suggested dates soon.

hahahaha yeah I am willing to say that I am soft! I havent been training for the Oxfam trailwalk!

Reschsmooth wrote:Concede that most people are soft

aww c'mon....i reckon i am pretty hard - 24 km ride (each way) to work on monday and 40 laps in the pool on tuesday night I think i can be excused from the 16km walk

9km will take about 4 hours of slow pace with plenty of photo stops.

I can live with that

here are hot and cold refreshment dispensaries at Berowra. Coffee is decent.

thats making it more attractive

Reschsmooth wrote:Concede that most people are soft

I'd better start training....!

hi all,

I haven't been around the forum for a while but I would be keen (given that the saturday didnt collide with an impending assignment).

Mohita

My 'training' is complete. I have bought a 4 pack of V energy drinks....

mozzie wrote:(given that the saturday didnt collide with an impending assignment)

I think it's the other way around. Assignment will collide with Saturday... Make sure you stay out of the collision and attend the walk. Indoors can be an exceedingly dangerous place....

surenj wrote: Make sure you stay out of the collision and attend the walk. Indoors can be an exceedingly dangerous place....

How about 30th October?

I am not available 9th or 16th Oct.

The Sculpture at Bondi will also come into play around the same time....

surenj wrote:How about 30th October?

No, no, no. Don't you know I have my nephew's 18th birthday party that day?

I think the first Saturday of November, which would be the 67th of September?

6th November?

surenj wrote:6th November?

Using your vernacular, yes.

I'm somewhat interested although the 8am start is a bit daunting as I'd have to leave home at 6:30am. I have to get up before 6am most mornings so my weekends are my only times to sleep in.

What do you propose Andrew?

surenj wrote:What do you propose Andrew?

I'd prefer 9am which should still give us plenty of time to walk 9 km and still get back to the cars at a reasonable time.

I think you're all soft too. I'd do the longer walk for sure but am happy with whatever the general consensus is.
I'm ok with the 6th of November but doesn't that coincide with the Sculptures By the Sea meet? (of which I was also going to get along to).

Geoff wrote:coincide with the Sculptures By the Sea meet?

That is a problem... For the sculptures, I was keen to go on the 6th as the crowds may be more managable. 13th is the last day so crowds may be more of an issue. [not sure though]

I have tentatively suggested that we do the Sculpture meet at a different date. (Seeing that the bushwalk meet will require more organisation etc)

All else considered, I need to shift the bushwalk to the 13th November - obviously, I don't control my diary.

Checking the train timetable for the 31st October (doesn't extend to 13/11), there are trains from Mt KG at 8:03; 8:33 and 9:02 am. It takes 4 mins to get to Cowan.

Whilst I prefer the earlier start as the light will be nicer, I am happy to go with majority.

Reschsmooth wrote:Whilst I prefer the earlier start as the light will be nicer

The sunrise would be 0544 so light would $hite whether it be 0800 or 0900. It would be a different story if we were at the set location (not start the walk but actually be there at a lookout etc) at around 0530 ready for the first rays to come out..

I am happy to go with the majority as well.

Reschsmooth wrote:I don't control my diary.

Welcome to the club.

I will be away on a motorbike 3 day trip on the 13th .
Oh well - maybe next time for the walk! Enjoy.

Geoff wrote:I will be away on a motorbike 3 day trip on the 13th .
Oh well - maybe next time for the walk! Enjoy.

20th? Can't do 20th, as I have been told.

Reschsmooth wrote:

Geoff wrote:I will be away on a motorbike 3 day trip on the 13th .
Oh well - maybe next time for the walk! Enjoy.

20th?

Not sure as yet Pat, and I won't know for a few weeks yet. Go on the 13th, there's always a next time for me.

Geoff wrote:

Reschsmooth wrote:

Geoff wrote:I will be away on a motorbike 3 day trip on the 13th .
Oh well - maybe next time for the walk! Enjoy.

20th?

Not sure as yet Pat, and I won't know for a few weeks yet. Go on the 13th, there's always a next time for me.

There is no next time - after the 13th, Merrytone will develop the whole area into a lovely slum of apartments.

Ok, confirmed for Saturday 13 November.

Below are currently scheduled train times from Mt KG to Berowra:

Option Depart Arrive Travel time
1 7:32am 7:36am 4mins
2 8:03am 8:07am 4mins
3 8:07am 8:19am 12mins
4 8:33am 8:37am 4mins
5 9:02am 9:06am 4mins

Let's agree on a time to meet at the station and lock it in.

Reschsmooth wrote:Let's agree on a time to meet at the station and lock it in.

I vote for option 5 and meet at 8:45am.

13th is ok with me. I am happy to go with majority for timing.

If I am feeling super energetic, I may squeeze in a sunrise...

Are we going to need permits?

http://www.artsfreedomaustralia.com/blog/?page_id=173
http://www.artsfreedomaustralia.com/blog/?page_id=16

ATJ wrote:Are we going to need permits?

http://www.artsfreedomaustralia.com/blog/?page_id=173
http://www.artsfreedomaustralia.com/blog/?page_id=16

I don't think so, as long as you are not selling the photographs:
From the second site above:

Exemptions
NP&WS ‘Filming & Photography Policy’ exempts amateurs/hobbyists, news of the day and current affairs, and special events.

Mr Darcy wrote:I don't think so, as long as you are not selling the photographs:

But that's the problem. If I take a good shot I may want to make it available for sale on RedBubble or my own site.

Specifically:

Filming & Photography Policy 2010 wrote:Amateur filming
13. Approval under the FA Act or Part 2 of the NPW Regulation is not
required for the taking of amateur photographs, film and videos
in a park, other than a marine park, where the principal intent of
the activity is the pursuit of personal or hobby interests and not
commercial gain.

So, go ahead and sell any photos you take, just don't make that your principal intent.

ATJ wrote:I vote for option 5 and meet at 8:45am.

Ok, we will meet at MKG station at 8:45am for the 9:02am train. Note that, when I recently caught the train from Hornsby to Brooklyn in August, the train was about 5 minutes early.

Regarding weather, BOM says:

Forecast for Saturday
Partly cloudy. Winds north to northeasterly averaging up to 20 km/h.
City Centre Partly cloudy. Min 20 Max 29

This looks like a nice day for a walk. However, if the forecast deteriorates and it looks like rain, we will defer - the walk involves creek crossings and a steep descent. With billions of US dollars (thousands of Australian dollars) of camera gear at stake, it isn't worth the risk.

And can I get a show of hands of those who intend to participate?

I'm 90% certain I'll be there.

I'm guessing we'll finish between 1 and 2pm. Does that sound right?

ATJ wrote:I'm 90% certain I'll be there.

I'm guessing we'll finish between 1 and 2pm. Does that sound right?

For 10km or so at about 2-3kph (giving time for photos), we are looking at 1-2pm finish.

Bear in mind it will be warm and you need to allow for a decent calory intake.

Reschsmooth wrote:For 10km or so at about 2-3kph (giving time for photos), we are looking at 1-2pm finish.

Shikes I was hoping to finish sooner... I may have to pull out as this will cramp my weekend too much coming back home at 4pm then driving to NC on Sunday. 70% chance I will attend.

Reschsmooth wrote:With billions of US dollars (thousands of Australian dollars)

surenj wrote:Shikes I was hoping to finish sooner... I may have to pull out as this will cramp my weekend too much coming back home at 4pm then driving to NC on Sunday. 70% chance I will attend.

This will depend on the time spent taking photographs. The walk itself can be done at about 4kph without too much effort, but this is a point-to-point walking speed rather than a sightseeing speed. I have taken 2-3kph assuming people will want to photograph different things. Also, the smaller the group, the faster the speed, I would imagine.

Patrick,

Can you let us know whether any special equipment is required? Ie waterproof shoes etc. Would usual sports shoes (not waterproof) with a reasonable grip be enough?

ta.

Times like this I wish I were living near sydney!

Have a great time, can't wait to see the pics you all take!

surenj wrote:Patrick,

Can you let us know whether any special equipment is required? Ie waterproof shoes etc. Would usual sports shoes (not waterproof) with a reasonable grip be enough?

ta.

Ok, 3 of us so far: Andrew, Suren & I.

Suren, no need for waterproof shoes, but make sure they have some grip. There are some creek crossings but the crossings are over rocks which may be slippery.

Don't forget to take sufficient water and energy for the walk.

Suren & Andrew, I have come down with a debilitating case of manflu and will not be able to make it tomorrow.

If it suits, I would like to reschedule for Saturday week (20th). Beyond this, it is getting too festive and difficult to arrange. Otherwise, you two can obviously go tomorrow.

Apologies for the inconwenience (to quote Prince Ludwig).

Reschsmooth wrote:debilitating case of manflu and will not be able to make it tomorrow.

I hope you get better asap.

This probably works out better for me - things were getting very tight for this weekend.

Reschsmooth wrote:I have come down with a debilitating case of manflu and will not be able to make it tomorrow.

Bummer... I can understand how these things happen - although you picked a very hot day to be sick.

Reschsmooth wrote:IIf it suits, I would like to reschedule for Saturday week (20th). Beyond this, it is getting too festive and difficult to arrange. Otherwise, you two can obviously go tomorrow.

Next week sort of works better for me - at least I won't have to run away in the afternoon - although as I'm probably diving on Friday night, I'll get less sleep.

biggerry wrote:This probably works out better for me - things were getting very tight for this weekend.

Yep same here. The time commitment is far too much as it stands at the moment. I doubt I will be able to make it in the next few weeks.

Reschsmooth wrote:I have come down with a debilitating case of manflu...

When I first saw this yesterday, I thought it was odd to come down with the flu at this time of the year. Last evening I felt a sore throat coming on and today it is very painful - so, you are not the only one to become inflicted.

What is odd is this is the first cold/flu symptoms I've had since I had a very bad case of flu in August 2008 (which ruined a dive holiday). What is annoying is that I most likely caught whatever I have now while in the city on Thursday night for a show that was canceled but the organisers didn't bother to inform us, so we went in for nothing.

I hope for your sake, that both of you have had the flu vaccinations this year. In any case, it's a great excuse for chicken soup etc...