NUMCies, time for an adventure! This trip is to the distant but coldly beautiful Warrumbungle National Park, way out west near Coonabarabran. If you can't pronounce either of these names or have no idea where they are, hit Google up for some more details.  This trip will depart Newcastle as early as possible on Friday afternoon, and commence the ~5 hour drive to Camp Blackman, a camping ground in the National Park. We will camp there the Friday night, then commence our major day hike on the Saturday, completing the Grand High Tops Trail with all the optional extras. Weather and energy levels permitting, we may spend the evening on Saturday on top of either Belougery split rock or the Grand High Tops, which have virtually unrivalled views of the night sky. The sky is so clear in these mountains that they built a space observatory at one edge of the park. So star watching will be a thing. We will the return to Camp Blackman for the night. Sunday morning will be the start of a half day hike on one of the other trails in the park, and in the mid to late afternoon we will depart and make our way back to Newcastle.  Equipment: - Camping equipment (inc. tent, sleeping bag and mat, torches, stove etc.) - Hiking bag and appropriate footwear and clothing (i.e. hat, hiking boots) - Food and Water (2 days hiking and camping, there is no available food or water in the camp grounds) -  Warm clothes Facilities Camp ground includes: - Showers and toilets - Fire pits - Picnic tables and communal bbqs - Kangaroos Things to be aware of: - It is the middle of winter, very close to the desert, so it will be very very very cold overnight. Expect between 0 and -10 degrees Celsius (~14-30 degrees Farenheigheigh). Assuming the weather is fine, expect a maximum daytime temperature of 10-15 degrees.  Weather forecasts will be updated closer to the date.  Your ticket includes: - $6 camping fees per person per night - Fuel Any questions, as always, email me at cooperwalters217@gmail.com, or contact me on Facebook.  Cheers, Prez out.

Alright ladies and gents, hold on to your glasses and have a sip of coffee because I’ve got some major pent-up info to throw at your eyeballs.  So, LET’S GO CAVING!!!!! This trip has places for 18 peeps to come to Timor caves, not far from Mururruruurrurundi (Funny name for a place, ikr?).  When: 12-13/5, leaving about 3pm on Saturday, camping Saturday night and driving back to Newcastle Sunday evening. There are no toilets, showers or other facilities at the camp site. The nearest toilet is an hour drive away. Just so you know.. Who: You, duh. And six leaders: Myself, Cooper, Max, Ezzie, Pok and Morgan What: Now this is the fun part. First, we find the damn things, which is much easier said than done. This requires a reasonable level of fitness, we will be carrying light packs through light bushland up and down hills, though it is only about 10 minutes walk between each cave. Second, we put on our helmets, switch on our torches and dive (almost literally, in cases like Cooper) into the underground world of rock, darkness and awesomeness. Once inside we walk, crawl, slide, and swear our way through the tunnels, trying to see what we can find and where we can get. It’s the ultimate in terms of exploration, the only thing stopping you finding out what’s around the corner or in that tunnel is you. If you are claustrophobic, this is not the trip for you.  Skills: No skills required, just bring clothes you never want to see again. They will never be the same colour again. What to bring: - Food for one day including breakfast, lunch and snacks. A McDinner (dinner on the road, potentially from McDonalds or Hungry Jacks) will be had on both Saturday and Sunday nights. If you'd prefer to bring your own dinners you are welcome to do so. You must bring your own lunch and snacks. - Water for one day (at least one litre in a sturdy or plastic bottle, each car will have a 10 or 20 liter water container for refills, but you NEED a bottle) - Clean clothes for the trip home - Camping gear (can be hired from the store or BYO) - Torches (can be hired or BYO) - Overalls (optional, limited number and sizes for hire, otherwise old clothes will do) - Spare batteries (Club torches take 4 AAA batteries, you MUST have a complete spare set.) - Backup torch (phones are not allowed in the cave, a $5 hand torch is fine) - Helmets (Store) - Sturdy and/or cheap shoes. Following the “they gon’ get dirty” theme. (You get the point by now, there is dirt. Everywhere. Like, EVERYWHERE. And also water. Water and dirt make mud. You get the picture.) - Wet wipes/baby wipes SERIOUSLY recommended.  - Cheap gardening gloves (Also highly recommended) For additional information, send me an email or Facebook message. You do have to be a club member to come, so if you've been holding out waiting for a trip, make sure you sign up at numc.org.au first. Additionally, you'll be required to sign a waiver before we leave Newcastle. That's all from me, get keen, sign up, you know the drill. Cheers, Felix (VP)

Alright guys, take 2!  This is beginner climbing at morna point, and the weather is totally going to be on our side this time.. It's an early start to beat the tide, but the morning climbing is so worth it. Anna Bay and One Mile Beach are some really nice spots up near Nelson Bay, so the trip is worth it even before the climbing! We'll be climbing in a spot that overlooks the water, with a beautiful beach on our walk back from the crag to the cars, so pack your swimmers! There was some talk of getting the surfboards out as well.. There is about a kilometre (~0.6mi) walk between the car park and the crag, plus some scrambling around the headland, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. There is also a small downclimb to enter the crag, we'll have people on hand to assist, but you must have a reasonable level of confidence navigating short rock scrambles. To join this trip you have to A) be a member of the club, and B) have purchased a ticket for the event, which pays for fuel and some gear maintainence.  This trip caters to all skill levels, we supply all the technical equipment and the training you need! What To Bring: - Food and Water for a day, a hat and sunscreen, sturdy shoes, hair ties for anyone with long hair. Swimmers and a towel if you want to swim.  Our trip leaders will provide transportation, which is included in your ticket price. Please be at the gear store, located near the cul-de-sac around the back of the Forum gym ("Newcastle University Mountaineering Club" on Google maps) at 6:15 to make sure everyone has the correct gear. I know it's early, I promise it's worth it. We can get a McBreakfast (McDonald's) on the way there. There will be ample opportunity for a coffee (or two) from there.  Follow this link for a video from a previous beginner trip to Morna Point, if this doesn't convince you that the early start is worth it, I don't know what will... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oqExv0i6vo Get keen, I'll see you all there! Any questions, hit me up with an email at cooperwalters217@gmail.com Cheers my dudes and dudettes! Cooper NUMC President  

Alright my dudes and dudettes, time for some adventures! This trip is to the treetop adventure park in Minmi. Entry will be subsidized by the club (normally $50), so all you need is to be free on Saturday 24/3, and to want to have fun! This trip is aimed at new members to the club, and so will be opened in two stages to allow those less practiced at the signup process to get in before the quicker, more experienced people steal all the spots. This park is a high-ropes adventure park, so if heights aren't your thing, hold off for the next trip.  Make sure to wear fully enclosed shoes and to bring a water bottle and a small pack to hold your phone/wallet etc. while you climb. We'll meet at the NUMC gear store at 10:30 am and car pool our way there or you can organise your own travel and meet us there if you'd rather. There are only so many spots, so get in quick! More information about the park can be found here. Any questions, send me an email or a Facebook message. Cheers, Cooper Walters  cooperwalters217@gmail.com

This is probably the only canyoning trip that will run before December, so first in best dressed because there are only 6 spots available! It'll take place from Friday afternoon to Sunday night, 16-18 of March.  This trip will be a weekend long trip to the Blue Mountains to see some of the most spectacular canyons in the region (cherry picked to avoid the atrocious hikes and bush bashes often associated with canyoning in the Bluies). That said, there will be several kilometres of hiking and long, floatation-assissted swims, so a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability are both essential. We'll be Camping at Cathedral Reserve campground near Mt Wilson on Friday and Saturday night, and returning to Newcastle by Sunday night. There are no fees, and only portaloos. We'll aim to leave Newcastle around 5pm on Friday afternoon, which will put us at our camp site by 8:30. Earlier would be better, but this time is subject to uni and work commitments, these will be sorted out in greater detail closer to the day. On Saturday we'll be swimming our way down the Wollangambe canyon, with a cheeky side trip up Water Dragon canyon to see one of the coolest (literally, it's cold) slot canyons that you can get into without having to bush bash your way up a hill for a couple of hours. There is about 6km of hiking, some of it up and down steep terrain.  On Sunday, we head for Grand Canyon, one of the highest rated (9/10) canyons in the bluies! It's a short bush walk in and out, and an amazing short canyon, with only one short swim. After that it's home time, back to Newcastle. All the camping gear you need can be hired from the gear store, as well as wetsuits, backpacks and dry sacks. You'll be in charge of bringing your own food, though there is the option for a pub dinner on the Saturday night.  An email will be sent out with further details regarding what to bring closer to the date. Remember, first in best dressed! Any questions, send me an email at cooperwalters217@gmail.com Cooper NUMC President  

Hi NUMCies! ***EDIT this event will now be held at pulse climbing gym, see facebook for more information *** Welcome to the Newcastle University Mountaineering Club! To start the year off we have our first Beginner Climbing trip, which will take place on Sunday 4th of March. We'll be climbing at Point Clare, down towards Central Coast. This crag has a good mix of grades, from relatively easy to fiendishly difficult, and is less than an hour down the coast. On this trip you will learn how to tie in to a top rope system, and how to safely belay your climbing partner while they have a crack at climbing some sandstone! The best views are at the top, so it's well worth the climb! To join this trip you have to A) be a member of the club, and B) have purchased a ticket for the event, which pays for fuel and some gear maintainence.  This trip caters to all skill levels, we supply all the technical equipment and the training you need! What To Bring: - Food and Water for a day, a hat and sunscreen, sturdy shoes, hair ties for anyone with long hair. Our trip leaders will provide transportation, which is included in your ticket price. Please be at the gear store, located near the cul-de-sac around the back of the Forum gym ("Newcastle University Mountaineering Club" on Google maps) at 8:45 to make sure everyone has the correct gear. Follow this link for a video from a previous beginner trip to Morna Point, where we hope to run a second trip when the conditions are on our side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oqExv0i6vo Get keen, I'll see you all there! Cooper NUMC President

Alright ladies and gents, hold on to your glasses and have a sip of coffee because I’ve got some major pent-up info to throw at your eyeballs. So,LET’S GO CAVING!!!!!This trip has places for 10 peeps to come with Chris Starkey and I to Timor caves, not far from Mururruruurrurundi (Funny name for a place, ikr?). When: 2-3/9, camping Saturday night and drive back to Newcastle Sunday evening. There are no toilets, showers or other facilities at the camp site. The nearest toilet is an hour drive away. Just so you know..Who: You, duh. And me I guess.What: Now this is the fun part. First, we find the damn things, which is much easier said than done. This requires a reasonable level of fitness, we will be carrying light packs through light bushland up and down hills, though it is only about 10 minutes walk between each cave. Second, we put on our helmets, switch on our torches and dive (almost literally in my case, I am a bit crazy in that sense) into the underground world of rock, darkness and awesomeness. Once inside we walk, crawl, slide, and swear our way through the tunnels, trying to see what we can find and where we can get. It’s the ultimate in terms of exploration, the only thing stopping you finding out what’s around the corner or in that tunnel is you. If you are claustrophobic, this is not the trip for you. Skills: No skills required, just bring clothes you never want to see again. They will never be the same colour again.What to bring:- Food for one day including breakfast, lunch and snacks. A McDinner (dinner on the road, potentially from McDonalds or Hungry Jacks) will be had on both Saturday and Sunday nights. If you'd prefer to bring your own dinners you are welcome to do so. You must bring your own lunch and snacks.- Water for one day (at least one litre in a sturdy or plastic bottle)- Clean clothes for the trip home- Camping gear (can be hired from the store)- Torches (can be hired)- Overalls (optional, some for hire, otherwise old clothes will do)- Spare batteries (Club torches take 4 AA batteries, you MUST have a complete spare set.)- Backup torch (phones are not allowed in the cave, a $5 hand torch is fine)- Helmets (Store)- Sturdy and/or cheap shoes. Following the “they gon’ get dirty” theme. (You get the point by now, there is dirt. Everywhere. Like, EVERYWHERE. And also water. Water and dirt make mud. You get the picture.)- Wet wipes SERIOUSLY recommended. For additional information, or for confidential medical information, send me an email or Facebook message.You do have to be a club member to come, so if you've been holding out waiting for a trip, make sure you sign up at numc.org.au first. Additionally, you'll be required to sign a waiver before we leave Newcastle.There is a short medical form available at https://goo.gl/forms/y0Rlx3boNVmkmi2s1 , this must be filled out before the trip.That's all from me, get keen, sign up, you know the drill.Cheers, Coopercooperwalters217@gmail.com 

This afternoon trip is to the Ninja Parc, an indoor obstacle course using a mixture of ropes, boards, nets, swings and climbing holds in a challenging and fun version of "The Floor is Lava". All expenses paid, this trip is aimed at people new to Newcastle or the club who are looking have a bit of fun, meet some new people and see some of Darby st. There is a good to high likelihood that I'll drag us all down Darby street for a Newy famous "Freak Shake", or a three monkey's milkshake afterwards, assuming I haven't exhausted myself too much.   We'll meet at the NUMC gear store at 12:15 - check the homepage if you're not sure where it is - and car pool our way there. Alternatively, you can meet us there. Bring water, some spare $$$ for the shakes (they're a little expensive but oh so worth it), and pretty much the outfit you'd wear to a gym. If you're like me and that description means nothing to you, that means running shoes, shorts and shirt.   Any questions, send me an email. Cheers, Cooper Walters cooperwalters217@gmail.com

Alright my dudes and dudettes, time for some adventures! This trip is to the treetop adventure park in Minmi. Entry will be payed by the club, so all you need is to be free on Saturday afternoon (26/8), and to want to have fun! This park is a high-ropes adventure park, so if heights aren't your thing, hold off for the next trip.  Make sure to wear fully enclosed shoes and to bring a water bottle, a spare jumper and a small pack to hold your phone/wallet etc. while you climb. We'll meet at the NUMC gear store at 11:30am and car pool our way there or you can organise your own travel and meet us there if you'd rather. There are only so many spots, so get in quick! More information about the park can be found here. Any questions, send me an email or a Facebook message. Cheers, Cooper Walters  cooperwalters217@gmail.com

This trip is for people new to outdoor climbing who want to get outside and give it a go. Your $12 ticket covers transport from the gearstore, all climbing equipment, and instruction. No previous climbing experience necessary. The walk in is about 15 minutes of sand track and ocean rock. There is a downclimb to enter and crag and some rock hopping, you have to be reasonable sure footed. Here is a video from last year's trip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oqExv0i6voPictures of the walk in have been sent out in an email and posted on the facebook group. The downclimb into the climbing area is quite exposed, if you are not comfortable with this we will give you a full refund, alternatively contact me to discuss.Please fill out the medical info form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZUHFqHA1XaWd_ersSDtovPvj0LZGtbh8fTZ-TBv10woCx4A/viewformYou need to bring normal going outside stuff...Enclosed shoes |Lunch (Sandwiches, musli bars etc) | Water (2L) | Layered clothing, exercise wear for climbing, something warm for sitting | Raincoat | Sunscreen | Hat | Camera (bring a strap) | Hairband if you have long hair Leave jewellery / watches / nice things at home or in your bag.I'll have sent out an email asking for relevant medical information. That is any conditions that might impact your ability to participate. If you have questions about that, or anything else you can contact me on the facebook post where you saw this, or my email is wilson.corey@hotmail.com and my phone is 0422233203Only current financial members of NUMC can attend. All participants will be required to sign a waiver before the trip. If you are an experienced climber keep in mind this is a beginner's trip so you will be in line to learn how to belay like everyone else and all the climbs set will be relatively easy.Apart from climbing, it's a beautiful spot to sit and socialise, enjoy the view, and try to spot passing dolphins and whales. Pic above is exactly where we are going.Corey

This trip is for people new to outdoor climbing who want to get outside and give it a go. Your $12 ticket covers transport from the gearstore, all climbing equipment, and instruction. No previous climbing experience necessary. The walk in is about 10 minutes of dirt track up a hill.Please fill out the medical info form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdraVU-yb9OOv9LARfytb6hSwtO66_mqLtdzOXQZhQ2zoga2Q/viewformYou need to bring normal going outside stuff...Lunch (Sandwiches, musli bars etc) | Water (2L) | Layered clothing, exercise wear for climbing, something warm for sitting | Raincoat | Sunscreen | Hat | Camera (bring a strap) | Hairband if you have long hair Leave jewellery / watches / nice things at home or in your bag.I'll send out an email on Wednesday asking for relevant medical information. That is any conditions that might impact your ability to participate. If you have questions about that, or anything else you can contact me on the facebook post where you saw this, or my email is wilson.corey@hotmail.com and my phone is 0422233203Only current financial members of NUMC can attend. All participants will be required to sign a waiver before the trip. If you are an experienced climber keep in mind this is a beginner's trip so you will be in line to learn how to belay like everyone else and all the climbs set will be relatively easy.Apart from climbing, it's a nice spot to sit and socialise, and enjoy the bush. Pic above is exactly where we are going.Corey