Blue Mountains Conservation Society Bushwalking Group

Come out and enjoy the bush - have a look at Andy Gardiner's Bushwalk Photos Phil Turnedge's Bushwalk Photos Membership of the bushwalking group is available to members of the Society.    You can join the Society here For further general information, please contact the Bushwalking Convenor, Maurice Kerkham on 4739 4942 or write to: Maurice Kerkham, 6 Mt. Sion Place, Glenbrook, NSW 2773 For further information on particular walks, please contact the Activity Leader or Group Coordinator (listed below) Insurance and Affiliation levy for bushwalkers is $20.00 per member. Please pay with your membership renewal. Walks are graded as follows - from the BMCS Bushwalkers Guide Grade 1. Fairly flat walk on roads, fire trails and walking tracks. Grade 2. Fairly flat, but with some rough and/or steep sections, possibly some natural obstacles and some steps. Grade 3. May include rough/steep sections, many steps, a steep climb and descent, natural obstacles, some off-track walking. Grade 4. May include more of the above, with a greater degree of difficulty. Grade 5. We occasionally arrange a walk considered most suited to experienced and very fit walkers. It is likely to include some or all of the following: rough/steep sections, steep climbs and descents, many steps, natural obstacles, off-track walking. If this is your first walk or you are in any doubt, discuss firstly with the Activity Leader or Coordinator. All walkers should read the BMCS Bushwalkers Guide HERE

Wombat seen during a BMCS walk to Mt Airlie Photo - Phil Turnedge

The National Parks and Wildlife 'Tread Softly Code' has 10 points, which we as Conservationists should note and lead by example. stay on the track. avoid walking on sensitive vegetation by staying on hard ground wherever possible and avoid easily eroded soils - delicate vegetation is easily damaged by tramping. don't walk around wet areas on the track - this just widens the bog area. keep group size small so that you won't have a significant impact on the environment. use fuel or gas stoves rather than wood fires, and always comply with firebans. where there are no toilet facilities, bury human waste at least 100m away from watercourses at a depth of 15cm or take it with you if possible. leave the bush as you found it - don't pick flowers, or break tree limbs (even if you think the wood is dead, it provides an important habitat for many insects and other animals). take a look around before you leave lunch spots and camping areas to check that you haven't left any signs of your use. take all your rubbish with you, including organic waste such as apple cores and citrus peel.  Do the right thing and collect any other rubbish you see on the way. at the end of each trip, take a moment to think about ways you could lessen your 'footprint', even more on your next walk. Read the Bushwalkers Winter News Letter Walks Program

Make this lightweight Eco-stove, seen boiling a billy - for day and overnight walking. Instructions HERE