What business does a bunch of dentistry students, a microbiologist and a librarian have in the Blue Mountains?
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A trip down icy Empress Canyon of course.
Charles Sturt University Bushwalking and Outdoor Club (CSU-BOC) met at first light on Sunday to tackle its first technical abseiling trip of the season.
Husband and wife, Ian and Rosalie Coelho lead the ever-expanding club, which includes students from non dentistry disciplines as well as a few university outsiders.
The expedition party of 18 trekked through the canyon, jumping in and out of the cold water cave pools to abseil down a 30 metre waterfall.
CSU’s Bushwalking and Outdoor Club President Ashesh Dutta said he has too much faith in the leadership of the Coelho’s and CSU Lecturer Peter Anderson to feel frightened.
“We have training sessions before trips and follow procedures to mitigate potential risk,” said Mr Dutta.
The club came about through the persistent efforts of Mr Dutta, whose drive for adventure wasn’t catered to through the university’s other clubs.
“I wanted a club which challenged people to face their fears through abseiling and canyoning, but also something to give people with different backgrounds the chance to meet,” he said.
“I did a few weekend trips with Dr Anderson and I thought it’d be great to get others involved – so we pitched it to the university.”
Dr Anderson said social clubs can provide enrichment beyond studying.
“It’s a great way to see our beautiful outdoors, to build friendships, skills and confidence,” he said.
“Learning new skills can also help members ‘think outside the box’ which, as it’s a university club, is something we really like to see in our students.”
Dr Anderson said he hopes to take the club on some more technical hiking trips in the future, such as the Larapinta trail in Central Australia.
“Many members have not had a chance to visit these locations, nor even to go camping, for even a single night, anywhere.
“I’d like to see a diverse group of CSU-BOC members become confident, safe, independent hikers and canyoners, over the years to come,” he said.
“Embedding those types of skills makes a stronger club, university and community.”
This journalist joined CSU-BOC and you can too: www.csuboc.shop.csu.edu.au