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...
by Chris Webber | Sep 15, 2025 | Uncategorized
On Sunday 8 May 1988, about I. 15 pm, a hang glider was launched from the fixed ramp at Mt Blackheath. After flying for about 10 minutes, it was struck by a violent thermal lift, causing it to lose control and altitude. The glider was smashed sideways against the...
by Chris Webber | Sep 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
Pages 148-151 of “Mountains Mishaps” describes the storm and Coxs River flood that drowned two people in August 1967. In 1967 The river peaked at 5.745m but in 2021 it peaked at 7.593m. It’s currently only slightly flooded at 1.1m but normally it`s...
by Chris Webber | Sep 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
On Wednesday, April 6, 1988, a hot air balloon made an emergency landing in Blue Mountains National Park. Blown off course by a thermal near Warragamba Dam, the balloon headed west, finally landing near Lake Burragorang as it ran out of gas. The six people aboard...
