Some years ago, the publication of the Abels - the list of Tasmania’s peaks with at least 1100m elevation and 150m or more of prominence - prompted me to make a similar listing for the Flinders Ranges. The first task was to decide on the lower limits for elevation and prominence and I set these at 700m and 150m. Despite the 400m difference in elevation limit between the two lists, the same minimum value for prominence was used and this reflects the fact that, with few exceptions, the peaks in both regions rise a similar height above their surroundings.

For me, it's South Australia. While I'll be sharing my experiences here in SA with you, really I'm hoping to encourage you all to appreciate what you have on your doorstep, wherever it is you live.

There can be few things more disruptive on a bushwalk than the rallying cries of an apparently anxious leader at some ungodly hour of the morning. Why some of them persist with this morning ritual is a mystery because, aside from being just plain irritating, it rarely seems to achieve the desired outcome. And let’s face it, if the countdown stated at 60 minutes, some of us still wouldn’t be ready to leave on time! The worse example that comes to mind happened on a club walk a few years ago.

Weetootla Gorge is located on the Eastern side of the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park (V-GRNP). It is one of very few places, perhaps the only place, in the ranges where water flows more or less permanently and over some distance.

With lengthening nights the autumn skies will be on display before the weary walker hits the sleeping bags. This year a lot of the planetary action moves to the mornings, but Jupiter and Saturn will be on display for good evening viewing. The Moon covers the bright star Regulus in the early evening.

A how-to guide to use the NatureMaps website to make your own topographic maps, including marking your own routes, trails and campsites. Martin discusses how to optimise the map to print with contour lines and grids, a valuable walk planning tool.

Our annual photograph competition and Christmas social meeting was held this week, and we had a great selection of photos from members.

I have just returned from my first trip to South America where I did three walks: The Inca Trail in Peru, the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in Chile and the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Argentina.

‘The Powderpuff!’ That was the name I gave to Mt Andre a few years ago after a club member advised me to avoid camping near its summit because of the all-invasive powdery soil that he apparently experienced there. Not long after, I first got to see the peak while looking east across Narrina Pound from Mt Tilley and its gentle skyline profile seemed to support the rebranding. Unfortunately, I overlooked the cliff along its northern side and this was to later make me pay for my insolence.

As part of the Club’s 50th Anniversary, I published The Bushwalker’s Cookbook, and in the Spring 2002 edition of Tandanya, a substantial amount of the book was re-published. Now, 14 years later, and so many new members in the Club, it is worth publishing parts of it again, so following are some extracts from the book, plus a few personal comments thrown in for good measure.