A recent search and rescue effort in the Nattai Valley underlines the need to plan your bushwalk beforehand. The leader of a small group planning a day walk purchased a bushwalking guide for the Nattai Valley which the salesperson indicated was the best available, but as a back up they purchased a L.I.C. MAP 1;25000. Having read through the various tracks they decided on the Wanganderry Creek Circuit for a day walk even though the guide states 10 hours’ walking time over 2 days. They arrived at the track head at the end of Wattle Ridge Road, Hilltop at 9am and decided that they would walk it in an anticlockwise direction because the first half was an easy going fire trail, then to follow the route back up the Nattai River to Starlights Track and return to their car.
The first problem encountered was the jelly leg syndrome inflicted on the uninitiated to the severe steep 400m drop down the steep mountain side. At the Nattai river they found a well worn track heading off upstream and so off they went. Some 3 km upstream the worn track ended at a river crossing and they became disorientated and apprehensive. Then the third problem happened; a walker fell heavily on their hip and slowed up the walk. Problem number 4; the sun sets early in the Nattai Valley which forced them to stop. Problem 5; no camping gear, no food, and no one back home knew where they were walking or the expected time back.
The next day they became more distressed and bypassed or ignored the marked Starlights Track and spent several hours scrambling up the adjacent steep mountain to phone for assistance, then gave a map reference for a mountain top 5 km away. The search involved a helicopter, police and the Volunteer Rescue Squad for most of whole day. The moral is why bother going to so much trouble planning a disaster when there are many bushwalking clubs who welcome new members?
Don’t get lost, join a bushwalking club. Local residents can contact the Confederation of Bushwalkers. Send a stamped addressed envelope to Bushwalkers NSW GPO Box 2090 Sydney 1043 and ask for a clubs list or go to www.bushwalking.org.au/nswpage.html