In search of the Bogey Hole

Posted on December 28, 2025 by marilyn

MOUNT WILSON – 28 December 2025
I was supposed to go on Nicole’s Wollangambe 4 trip but when she told me that the last time she did it, it took 9hrs – I figured with me on the trip it might take them 11hrs (I am very cautious and am slower than most, and it’s a big climb out at the end of the day).  Also, there’s a 500m swim in this section of the river, and that wasn’t appealing, so, I pulled out.  I’m not sure that’s ever happened before, sorry Nicole!  So, what to do with my day? Continue reading →

Posted in Bushwalking, MSS | 4 Comments

October Creek – don’t trust weather forecasts

Posted on December 26, 2025 by marilyn

MOUNT WILSON – 26 December 2025
Originally a Wollangambe 1 lilo trip was scheduled for Boxing Day, but 4 days out, it looked like being just David (the leader) and me.  Both David and I had already done enough Wol 1 trips so I suggested to David that he could cancel and do something more productive with his day … like spend time with Winny! So, what to do?  Think of something better to do or stay at home – doh! a no brainer! Continue reading →

Posted in Bushwalking, Canyoning, MSS | 2 Comments

It might be that ½ day canyons are all I can do now!

Posted on December 21, 2025 by marilyn

BLUE MOUNTAINS – 21 December 2025
It used to be that I wouldn’t get out of bed for a day walk – well gone are those days, I can’t believe I just travelled 3 hours to the upper Blue Mountains to do Grand Canyon, and then travelled another 3 hours back home.  And as nice as Grand can be, still cannot believe I did 6 hours travelling for a 1/2 day canyon.  WTF is this my life now?(Apologies for my crap photos, didn’t want to risk getting my phone wet!) Continue reading →

Posted in Abseiling, Bushwalking, Canyoning, MSS | 8 Comments

No, no, don’t put that knife near the rope!!!

Posted on December 14, 2025 by marilyn

LOWER BLUE MOUNTAINS – 14 December 2025
When watching the 2011 movie Sanctum and seeing (actor) caver take out a knife to cut her hair free of her descender, almost everyone I know who watched the movie joined the behind the scene actor yelling out “no, no don’t do it”.  And then when she fell to her death I thought, “yep you should have done what you were told to do – don’t put a knife near a rope”.  So, when I facilitated a workshop on “cutting the rope”, it was a little nerve-wracking. Continue reading →

Posted in Caving, MSS | 2 Comments

Finally the Borenore trip is behind me

Posted on November 23, 2025 by marilyn

BORENORE RESERVE, NSW – 22-23 November 2025
Organising this trip was challenging as the goals were varied.  Initially the trip was conceived to repair some broken stalactites in Cathedral Cave.  Then, around the virtual campfire at Ning Bings, a case of scope creep took over and the trip ended up as an opportunity for three different cave clubs to network over the weekend. Sounds good? But trying to manage so many people and the permits was a nightmare. Continue reading →

Posted in Bushwalking, Caving, MSS | 10 Comments