Blue Mountains - Katoomba Airfield, NOW Friday Jan 11
Hi all,
Been a busy time this new year, and as things would have it, this coming new Moon the forecast is, well, crap. Peter and I are looking now at heading up to the Airfield this Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Short notice, sorry, but nothing that could be done.
Access to the Airfield is via Medlow Bath. Head into Station Street and hang a left onto Rutland (also called Grand Canyon Rd). The Airfield is 4km from this intersection, with the last 3km being unsealed, and can have errosion damage. On entering the Airfield, turn left at the entrance and head past the "No Entry" sign, and turn right at the buildings to the main runway. We use the concrete slab on the left just before the runway proper. The picture below will help with the route through to the set up slab.
We are welcome to stay overnight as there is plenty of space in the office building.
The Airfield is a total BYO situation: your own power, food, water, etc. There are loos for the ladies and kids.
I am looking to get there before sunset, and maybe head for dinner at The Grand Olive pizza shop in Wentworth Falls before hitting the runway.
NOTICE: If you are considering coming up, please keep in tune with the current bush fire warnings. The situation up in the Blue Mountains is grave with the coming forecast of high temperatures. The final word of yea or ney depends on this.
Last edited by mental4astro; 09-01-2013 at 01:15 PM.
I'll be there, depending on weather and fires
I'll decide go/no go before 5pm, depending on how the sly looks on the webcam at Katoomba Scenic railway...
I just had a look at the RFS website and it shows a bushfire is in progress tonight at the airstrip on Bells Line of Rd east of Lithgow, which is to the northwest of the Katoomba airstrip across the Grose Valley, so expect some smoke from this.
I'm getting sick of this. Very bloody sick of it. Spoke with Rod, and it is fine now. Bloody easterly wind change due for when we are due up there. Freaking hell, really!
I hate to change things, especially after forcing the issue for tonight, but I have to change it for Friday now. Last night it still looked good. I'm sorry, but I'm not up for a gamble on 50/50 for tonight. I'm not doing this any more.
If you've made plans for tonight, my sincer apologies. I'm sick to the eyeballs of this crap too. Hopefully you can make it on Friday instead.
Mental.
Last edited by mental4astro; 09-01-2013 at 02:09 PM.
No problems Alex - we're all suffering the same ! The synoptic map suggests Friday night (for sure) and probably Saturday night should be good - there's a nice big fat high coming.
Alex, there's a total fireban and access to the national parks will be closed Friday - Monday.
Can Rod confirm the airstrip is still accessible ? I'm guessing the police will put a roadblock somewhere - this was the case last week when I was in Victoria.
In addition there will be back burning so I guess we must expect some smoke haze.
I've spoken with Rod. He says if National Parks closes the park around him, the road block is set up 50m past the entrance to the Airfield, so we'll be able to get there without any problem.
I'm hoping to get there around sunset, hopefully before 8pm.
