Sunday 23/06/2019 Laguna Churup
Huascarán National Park, PERU
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)
Laguna Churup is a popular but relatively uncrowded walk which is reasonably close to Huraraz. It is not necessary to have a guide for this walk but a private car needs to be organised for drop off and pick up. National park entry fees of 30 soles (about $13) per person needs to be paid at the car park. The toilet costs 1 sole (about 40c).
Saturday 22/06/2019 Quilcayhuanca Valley
Huascarán National Park, PERU
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This walk was recommended as an initial acclimatisation walk after arriving in Huaraz at 3,092m as it reaches an altitude of just under 4,000m and is relatively flat. As there is no public transport available into the area we organised a private car to transport us each way from Huaraz.
2/07/2019 – 9/07/2019 Baltra – Santa Cruz – Floreana – Espanola – San Cristobal – Santa Fe – Sombrero Chino – Bartolome – James (Santiago) – Rabida – Seymour Island – Baltra
Galapagos Islands, ECUADOR
Participants: Alfredo Banguera (Chef), Cifredo Banguera (Bartender), Enrique Briones (Engineer), Jose Caicedo (Captain), Anavi Chitnis, Jay Chitnis, Maritza Chitnis, Chitnis, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Morris Garcia (Guide & Naturalist), Greg Kato, Jeremy Kato, Ryan Kato, Janet Lindsley, Melissa Mccarthy, Arnaldo Muñoz (First Mate), Roberto Pazmiño (Dingy Pilot), Charlie Vandel, Ellie Vandel, Stuart Vandel
The Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for many people, us included. These volcanic islands which are part of the Republic of Ecuador straddle the equator nearly 1,000km west of continental Ecuador. The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to these islands. The islands are estimated to be between 3 to 10 million years old.
Access is by air from Quito via Guayaquil. The islands are known for their large number of endemic species that were studied by Charles Darwin and which led him to formulate his theory of evolution through natural selection, published in 1859.
The Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve are carefully managed by the Ecuadorian Government, visitor numbers are limited and a $US100 entry fee applies. The only islands that can be visited without a guide are Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana.
More than 25,000 people live on the islands. In 1959 the Government of Ecuador declared all uninhabited areas of Galapagos a national park. In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos the first World Heritage site and the Galapagos Marine Reserve received the same status in 1998.
23/08/2019 – 1/09/2019 Guthega Power Station – Horse Camp Hut – Schlink Hut – Grey Mare Hut -Grey Mare Mountain – The Granites – Pretty Plain Hut – Grey Mare Bogong – Rocky Bogong Hill – Valentine Falls – Jagungal – Strawberry Hill – Mawsons Hut – Tin Hut – Gungartan Pass – Guthega Power Station
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Distance: 148km Total Ascent: 6,510m Total Descent: 6,510m Time: 57 hour
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)
An overlapping commitment and repeatedly delayed start due to poor weather prevented me from joining fellow NSW Nordic Ski Club skiers at Grey Mare Hut from their starting date last Friday. Undeterred, I ended up completing a very enjoyable slow, meandering, ten day solo tour in ideal weather conditions. This was highlighted by exploratory day trips on the Grey Mare Range seeking out the best photographic vantage points, a close-to bush bash down to Pretty Plain Hut and multi-night star trail shooting opportunities.
29/09/2019 – 4/10/2019 Guthega – Pounds Creek – Watsons Crags – Twynam West Ridge – Mount Anderson – Verandah Creek – Watsons Creek – Mount Anton – Tate East Ridge – Gills Knobs – Guthega Pondage – Mount Tate – Mann Bluff
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Distance: 55km Total Ascent: 3,880m Total Descent: 3,900m
Time: 26 hours Track Info
Participants: Damien Aggio (Leader), Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Paul Davis, Murray Gibbs
Originally I had planned to arrive at the Pounds Creek campsite Damien had organised before anyone else, as I was going to connect my Charlotte Pass trip with his and avoid a trip home. I had 11 days of food and the rest of my gear packed and ready to go. However, my Mount Townsend day had consequences in the form of blisters on both heals from being clueless on how to adjust my new boots, I also ended up with a throat infection and lower back problem from consecutive long days. My better half also had suffered a bad cold for the last two weeks and had broken her fifth metacarpal (hand) so it was certainly best I drove home. Once everything settled enough I was heading back much later than first planned to connect with Damien’s now also finished trip. As it turned out I was still somewhat before par and had a low activity trip.
Thursday 19/09/2019 Charlotte Pass – Little Austria – Lake Albina – Abbott Ridge – Mount Townsend – Mount Northcote – Mount Clarke
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Participants: Helen Cromb, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Trish Elmore, Kenn Clacher (Leader), Ian Houghton, Ken Moylan, Gordon Newell, Stephen Poole, Bill
Opting for company today I joined up with Kenn’s group who were aiming for Little Austria. With snow bridges still strongly present we were quickly across the Snowy River and climbing towards the pass between Mount Lee and Carruthers Peak. The short steep ascent up and over the lip of the ridge proved challenging to those with lighter boots and skis.
Wednesday 18/09/2019 Charlotte Pass – Carruthers Peak
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Participant: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)
After limiting weather the last two days we awoke to calm conditions and a clear blue sky. The mixed bag of destinations on offer included Watsons Crags, Mount Kosciuszko and Lake Albina. Planning to do more skiing next week in those areas I opted out, aiming instead to ski in the area of Mount Lee.
Tuesday 17/09/2019 Charlotte Pass – Seamans Hut
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Participants: Angela Barton, Helen Cromb, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Tim Hager (Leader), Kathy Husselbee, Ken Moylan, Gordon Newell, Jean
After sitting out a day of wind and rain yesterday we were pleased to see a dusting of fresh snow this morning. Tim suggested a day trip to Lake Albina which attracted a group of nine. We headed out under a low cloud cover shortly after 9:00am.
Sunday 15/9/2019 Charlotte Pass – Spencers Creek – Snowy River – Tate East Ridge – Mount Tate – Pounds Creek
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Ngarigo country
Participants: Helen Cromb, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Trish Elmore, Celesta Fong, Kenn Clacher (Leader), Ian Houghton, Ken Moylan, Gordon Newell, Stephen Poole, Robert Webber, Jean, Jacque, Susie, Damien
Day one of the annual NSW Nordic Ski Club’s Southern Alps Ski Lodge week for 2019. With excellent snow cover and observing how well covered Betts and Spencer Creeks were on the trip up from Perisher Valley Kenn Clacher suggested a day trip to Mount Tate via Spencers Creek. A party of fifteen headed out at 9:00am.
Saturday 23/03/2019 Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Whitehorse, Yukon, CANADA
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos and report), Sue Davies
As we were not having much luck with wildlife sightings since our arrival in Canada we took the opportunity for some guaranteed sightings at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve just out of Whitehorse.
Friday 22/03/2019 Whitehorse to Haines Junction Sightseeing
Yukon, CANADA
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Another driving day trip from Whitehorse, this time we were heading due west towards Haines Junction.
The mountains again seemed endless, punctuated by lakes and rivers. It is truely impressive country!
Thursday 21/3/2019 Whitehorse to Alaskan Border Sightseeing
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This was a driving tour from Whitehorse heading south towards the Alaskan border. Our first stop was Emerald Lake which was a stunning emerald colour, even though it was still partially frozen.