Photo of the Month - April 1998

If you are planning your summer activities here is an idea from Paul Thistlethwaite, VSL 1st Frenchs Forest, Sydney, Australia.

G'day from Australia. Attached are 3 photos from my canyoning this season. I am a Venturer Scout Leader with 1st Frenchs Forest & abseiling & canyoning instructor.

	Canyoning is a sport where you follow a creek down its water course. It can involve bushwalking, navigation, abseiling/ rappelling, rock climbing, swimming, paddling lilos (air beds). Usually some if not all of these are required. Sydney is the capital for canyoning in Australia. We have the Blue Mountains on our door step & there are over 300 named canyons. See the web sites listed below. Why wet suits? The water is usually about 8-15C, and often doesn't see sunlight, even if the ambient temperature is 30C, as it can be during our summer. The canyoning season is generally the warmer months, late September to April, sometimes May.
Kate Brennan (Venturer 1st Forestville) abseiling down a drop in Serendipity Canyon.		Suzanne Bryce (Venturer 1st Frenchs Forest) in Rocky Creek canyon.
I have done this canyon about 20 times and have never see it this way. We had sunlight streaming in to light up the water and canyon walls. It was beautiful.
Kimbriki Zone Venturers lilo in Wollongambie canyon after abseiling down Serendipity canyon. L-R David Carmichael (Mona Vale venturer), Julie Parry (Platabeen), Kate Brennan & Jamie Boulton (Mona Vale).

Photos top left & bottom were taken on a Zone Venturer Canyon trip. We have about 100 venturers in our Zone, which comprises of 8 Venturer Units. There were 9 people on this trip, 2 Leaders & 7 venturers.

All 3 photos were taken in Jan 1998 by Paul Thistlethwaite.
(Paul Thistlethwaite Photographics. copyright © 1998)

More information about canyoning:

• Blue Mountains Canyoning
• Canyons of the Blue Mountains

More information about Scouting in Australia

• 1st Collaroy/ 2nd Narrabeen (Platabeen) Venturer Unit
• Scouts Australia