Dear Packrafters,
Following on from an initial community meeting last October and our packraft training weekend with Jim Gonski on the Lower Snowy in December, I would just like to gauge potential interest and participant numbers for a weekend of volunteer adventure paddling and weed control on the Lower Snowy River (Jacobs River Junction to Willis section) from Friday evening 15th through until Sunday afternoon 17th March. These dates were chosen to coincide with a small water release from Jindabyne Dam to provide an appropriate river level to undertake this paddle through, to do minor follow up weed control works and mapping. Participant can arrive Friday night or early Saturday morning, but all participants must attend the Saturday morning 8.30am Safety Briefing at the Pinch River Camping Area on the Barry Way
Action Learning Initiative (ALI) outdoor education providers in Jindabyne have indicated that their staff and resources are available to help run the weekend on those dates including providing River Guides/ Instructors, equipment including canoes, river sleds, PFD’s, helmets and other safety equipment etc, basic camping equipment (tent and sleeping mat if required – need to supply your own sleeping bag), and that they can fully cater for participants for the weekend (Friday night dinner through until Sunday lunch inclusive) as well. NPWS will provide coordination, supervision and logistical support along the river section for the weekend. Obviously if you want to paddle your own Packraft you are more than welcome to.
So essentially all you would need to do is turn up with an adventurous spirit and your own appropriate personal clothing and camping gear to undertake 2 days of low key paddling and weed work on the river. No cost to participants other than getting themselves to and from the Pinch River Camping Area
Participants need to be 18 yrs old unaccompanied, or 14 yrs and over with accompanying responsible adult. Whilst participants need to be reasonably fit and healthy, and confident swimmers, no previous experience is necessary. River Safety briefings, basic paddling instruction and supervision and weed control instruction will all be given to participants as part of the weekend. The weekend is meant to be a low key introduction to the ‘Willow Warriors’ and ‘Adventurous Volunteers’ concept with plenty of time to socialise, relax and experience the wonderful and unique surrounds of the Lower Snowy River area in the Kosciuszko National Park.
If you could disseminate this invite throughout your networks and to people who you think may be interested in participating that would be appreciated.
If you are available and keen to participate on that weekend, if you could please respond with likely numbers to myself ASAP so I can continue logistical arrangements with ALI. If we do not get sufficient numbers we will postpone the introductory weekend to later in the year.
If you need further information or would like to discuss please don’t hesitate to flick me an email or to give me a call on the numbers below.
Draft Itinerary for Weekend:
Friday 15/3/13
5.00pm – Participants arrive Pinch River Camping Area – Lower Snowy River.
Dinner and settle into camp
Saturday 16/3/13
7.30am – Breakfast
8.30am – Participant Safety Briefing and basic paddling instruction
10.30am – Supervised Groups allocated a section of River to paddle treating weeds and mapping (Lunch)
4.00pm – Return Camp
6.00pm – Dinner – Post dinner campfire and socialising
Sunday 17/3/13
7.30am – Breakfast
8.30am – Briefing and river section allocation. Supervised Groups allocated a section of River to paddle treating weeds and mapping (Lunch)
4.00pm – Pack up camp and travel home.
Participants should be self sufficient with transport to and from the Pinch River Camping Area, approx 60kms south of Jindabyne on the Barry Way.
In further news a tougher grade ‘Willow Warriors’ trip for experienced paddlers only is planned for the period 19th April through until 25th April, 2013. This trip is aligned with a larger water release from the dam. The group will be tackling a much more committing and remote section of the river between Warm Corner and the Jacobs River confluence over that period, with NPWS providing logistical support for the paddling group. If you are an experienced paddler and would like the opportunity to be part of this trip please contact myself to register your interest and for further details.
Regards
Rob Gibbs
Ranger - Pilot Area
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Office of Environment and Heritage
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Ph. 02 6450 5577
Mob. 0427 703 494
Fax. 02 6456 2291
email . rob.gibbs@environment.nsw.gov.au
PO Box 2228
JINDABYNE NSW 2627