Silver Adventurous Journey Blue Mountains NP

Hike your Silver Duke of Ed Adventurous Journey with Outward Bound Australia to achieve your goals! All dates are suitable for Practice or Qualifying participants.

SUPERVISORS:

Supervisors are qualified in Outdoor Recreation/Leadership, First-Aid, have Working have Children Check and carry first aid and emergency communication equipment.

MEETING PLACE:

Katoomba Station
Goldsmith Place, Katoomba, NSW 2780
GPS: -33.711864, 150.311328

On the Katoomba (south) side of the station, just after exiting the pedestrian tunnel, are some shops with a covered area. We will meet here.

MEETING TIME:

9:00am

END POINT:

Katoomba Station
Goldsmith Place, Katoomba, NSW 2780
GPS: -33.711864, 150.311328

END TIME:

Approx. 5 pm.

GETTING TO AND FROM YOUR JOURNEY:

We have designed this route to allow for easy train public transport access if required. Check https://transportnsw.info/ for train times.

If someone is driving you, please ask them to be punctual. You will be able to contact them if we are going to arrive a long way ahead or behind schedule.

DRINKING WATER:

We recommend drinking a minimum of 2-litres of water per day plus carrying an extra 1-litre to cook with at night. 1-litre of water weighs 1 kg. Please keep this in mind when packing. After the first day you should adjust this up or down depending on your water intake.

You should bring all your drinking water requirements for Day 1 and Day 2, as the creeks are not reliable. We recommend packing about 5-litres for this. Creek water is available on Day 2 and 3, and must be treated before drinking.

CREEK CROSSINGS:

Creek crossings occurs on the second and third days but the water level should be low enough to keep your feet dry. We do not anticipate high water on this hike but will keep you informed leading up to your journey and your Supervisor will make decisions on creek crossings in the field.

TOILETS:

A pit toilet is available at our campsite on the second night. At all other times toilet waste must be buried and you will need to bring a trowel for this purpose.

Detailed information about this route can be found here: Wild Walks: Mt Solitary and Kedumba Valley Circuit.

Day 1: Katoomba Station to Ruined Castle Campsite

Overall this is a short, yet moderate walk starting with a series of lookouts as you depart from Scenic World. Vera’s Grotto is a pleasant place to stop for morning tea. Once at the campsite, you have the option to take a side trip to the summit of Ruined Castle. There is no reliable water on this day, so you must bring enough to cover Day 1 and Day 2. There is no toilet at this site, and all waste must therefore be buried.

Day 2: Ruined Castle Campsite to Kedumba River Crossing Campground

Today is relatively short, covering about 10km, however the track is difficult, so be sure to take your time to manage the steep ascent and descent over Mount Solitary. Leaving early before the day becomes warm is recommended. The mountain-top views are breathtaking. The campsite has a simple toilet available, and you can replenish your water from the creek. All creek water must be treated before drinking.

Day 3: Kedumba River Crossing Campground to Katoomba Station

Today is your longest day, and again you will need to depart your campsite early to ensure you give yourself enough time. You will head uphill, passing Leura Falls Creek Crossing, which is a pleasant rest spot. Finally, make the commitment to climb the Giant Staircase reach Echo Point, one of the regions most popular lookouts. Keeping the valley on your left, follow the path back towards Scenic World.
If you are being picked up, then you can have your chauffeur meet you at the front of Scenic World’s main building entrance (ETA 4pm). Otherwise, we will continue as a group to Katoomba Train Station.

Please click the image below to see your recommended kit list. Outward Bound Australia does not provide food or equipment for Adventurous Journeys, so you will need to source all items. We have partnered with CampList, from whom you can hire and/or purchase many of the items on the list. To see what is available, go to www.camplist.com.au and in the central search bar, type “Outward Bound Australia”.

Outward Bound is the world leader in outdoor education. This global presence has enabled us to develop the most comprehensive  Safety and Risk Management Policies and Procedures. 

We balance risk, reward and responsibility as core tenets of our mission. Our programs are facilitated and supported by a network of qualified, highly trained and experienced instructors, with a clear understanding of this risk/reward balance.

Safety first, always.

We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have over the phone (1800 267 999). Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions.

Where can I obtain the items on the packing list?

Outdoor pursuits stores will have the majority of the items listed in the kit list. If you ask your family and friends, you may find that people you know already have these items that you can borrow. Outward Bound Australia have also partnered with CampList, which offers a hire/purchase service.

Where am I sleeping?

You will sleep in national park campsites. It is a Duke of Ed requirement that you carry your own gear. You will be sleeping in the tent or shelter you provide.

What food shall I bring?

Our Adventurous Journeys are hiking expeditions and require more fat and sugar than a normal diet.
Avoid heavy items such as canned food, glass bottles, and jars as they break. No nuts please.
Do bring: Light weight, highly nutritious and tasty food covering all meals, including snacks for your whole adventurous journey.

Check out the Food Safety Information Council for advice on appropriate foods. Scroll down to the section titled “Camping and bushwalking”.

https://foodsafety.asn.au/food-safety-on-the-move/

Can I bring technology on program?

An Outward Bound program is your opportunity to ‘disconnect to reconnect’. However we do not take your phone from your for a Duke of Ed program. You can use your phone to take photos (for your report) and we can not prevent you from looking at your phone in your tent at night. You will not be permitted to listen to music or talk on your phone during the journey.

Do I have to wear hiking boots?

We recommend hiking boots for all our programs. If you are unable to source these, you will need to find a suitable pair of lace-up, fully enclosed footwear, that has a rigid sole and provides ankle stability.

Do I have to bring the wet weather clothing?

We use the rain jacket and waterproof overpants as a heat-trapping layer in the evenings, just as much as a waterproof cover in the case of rain. For the majority of situations, we continue with the journey when it is raining, and so very strongly encourage participants to provide these items

Do I have to bring the thermals?

For journeys running May – September, yes you do need to bring the thermal top and bottom to program. For programs running at other times, you can choose if you want to bring these or not. Overall, we recommend bringing thermals for any time of year, as they can act as a lightweight jumper in the evenings, or as a pair of pyjamas (which are not a part of our packing list).

How fit do I need to be?

Your Outward Bound Duke of Ed Journey is an expedition in the natural environment. You need to feel confident enough to manage carrying an approx. 15kg hiking backpack, and walking on uneven ground for 10-20km every day of your journey in a variety of weather conditions. The more prepared you are, the more you will enjoy it!

Do participants come with friends, or as individuals?

Most participants arrive on their own, and depart with a set of new friends.

What are the toilet facilities?

This is dependent on the campsites available along your journey. Some locations have access to regular public toilets. At other times you will be required to dig a small personal hole, and you will need to provide a hand trowel for this purpose.

What happens if I need to depart my journey early?

If you need to leave your journey for an unforeseen reason, such as injury, we will arrange with your emergency contact to come and get you from an accessible location. You will need to inform your Award Leader that you have left your Adventurous Journey, and you will need to arrange to re-attempt your journey at another time.