by Chris Webber | Feb 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
The Australian Institute of Emergency Services has published a three page article I wrote about the Blue Mountains Community, which is always on the edge not just because it is perched on cliff tops but also because the sound of helicopters makes people nervous. You...
by Chris Webber | Dec 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
When you’re climbing that hill, it sometimes seems like you would like a ride out of the valley. When I last walked the Six Foot Track, I was wearing new boots, and the blisters were so bad the toenail on my left big toe came off, but I didn’t know how...
by Chris Webber | Dec 10, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Gazette of 6 March 1991 reports that on Sunday 4 March 1991, two men died while abseiling at Mt York. “The accident is said to have occurred when one man, who was descending, pulled the other man over the edge of the cliff after a supporting tie had become...
by Chris Webber | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
A Gazette article from 21 November 1990 is headed “Plea to Bushwalkers” and it’s not the only article like it from the summer of 1990-91. In this case, Mr Guy Flower, chief Rescue crew officer with NRMA CareFlight issued a plea for bushwalkers to...
by Chris Webber | Dec 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Jack Tolhurst was born in 1939 Katoomba, moved to Megalong Valley where he went to school, then in his teen: moved to Blackheath, where he was still living in 2006. He was interviewed for the oral history project by Diana Bratby in September 1984 and a tape of the...
by Chris Webber | Dec 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Blue Mountains Gazette 13 December 1989 reports that “the Minister for Environment Mr Tim Moore and local member Mr Barry Morris together launched a new bush safety program for the Mountains on Monday (11/12/1989). The new program aims to cut down on...
by Chris Webber | Nov 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
I have posted three new videos on Youtube that are based on the talk I did last Sunday at “Science at the Local” in Springwood. It was wonderful to be able to talk about science, and I am really thankful for the opportunity. The audience was impressed....
by Chris Webber | Oct 27, 2025 | Uncategorized
Next Sunday 2 November, at 2pm, I’ll be speaking at Science at the Local in the Springwood Sports Club. Entry is free. I’ll be talking about the science of Mountains Mishaps. Some of the topics covered will be: ▪Psychology : the psychology of lost person...
by Chris Webber | Oct 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
On Facebook, I sometimes see people saying that safety barriers are unnecessary, spoil the view, and are just an inconvenience to be bypassed. A case in point is the new barrier at Kanangra Walls. BMG 5 July,1989 On Thursday 29 June 1989, Peter Serras, 25, of...
by Chris Webber | Sep 18, 2025 | Uncategorized
Sunday 30 October 1988, at about 2pm, a fire started near the Jelly Bean Pool in Glenbrook National Park. It quickly spread, threatening the ranger station and the ranger`s home in Glenbrook. At the same time, a group of 31 Brownies was trapped in Glenbrook Gorge. A...
