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193506 [2014/10/19 15:17] – [Exploring Unclimbed Mountains] emmanuelle_c | 193506 [2015/03/28 17:01] (current) – [THE KOWMUNG-WITH VARIATIONS.] emmanuelle_c | ||
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As we sat beside our brand new cairn on the top of our first peak there loomed through the mist on our left a rocky aiguille which looked suspiciously higher than the summit we were on. Frank declared it was not, and Frank would probably be the better judge, but Marjorie and I had our suspicions, and still have. Anyhow, higher or not, we thought we might as well climb it. | As we sat beside our brand new cairn on the top of our first peak there loomed through the mist on our left a rocky aiguille which looked suspiciously higher than the summit we were on. Frank declared it was not, and Frank would probably be the better judge, but Marjorie and I had our suspicions, and still have. Anyhow, higher or not, we thought we might as well climb it. | ||
- | So off we set along the snow ridge and dumped our rucksacks and ice-axes at the foot of the rocks. We soon found that the arrete | + | So off we set along the snow ridge and dumped our rucksacks and ice-axes at the foot of the rocks. We soon found that the arrête |
Marjorie, we can't get any further this way!" All my struggles in the middle of airy space, gone for nothing! But when I looked at the thin tilted edge of mica schist that led upwards, I had not the slightest desire to renew my desperate contortions. It looked no thicker than cardboard on the top, and there were no hand - or foot-holds below the top. I am confident that it would not have stood Marjorie' | Marjorie, we can't get any further this way!" All my struggles in the middle of airy space, gone for nothing! But when I looked at the thin tilted edge of mica schist that led upwards, I had not the slightest desire to renew my desperate contortions. It looked no thicker than cardboard on the top, and there were no hand - or foot-holds below the top. I am confident that it would not have stood Marjorie' | ||
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Frank set the alarm for 1-45 the following morning and we were off by lantern light before 3 a.m. It was a starlit, dewy night, and we were soon wet above the knees in the long grass lying between our camp, about 3500feet and the Mueller Pass, 4500 feet. From the Pass we descended down a slope, of mixed scree and grass, most unpleasant going. A steep slope of good scree is just fun, for you can put your faith in the Lord, and run, but when it is mixed up with grass and plants, you cannot run and are always sitting down unintentionally on the most pointed of the stones. For some reason the schist does not seem to make good scree; it appears to powder into soil without first turning into stones, with the result that what ought to be a scree slope supports a partial vegetation between fair-sized loose rocks. | Frank set the alarm for 1-45 the following morning and we were off by lantern light before 3 a.m. It was a starlit, dewy night, and we were soon wet above the knees in the long grass lying between our camp, about 3500feet and the Mueller Pass, 4500 feet. From the Pass we descended down a slope, of mixed scree and grass, most unpleasant going. A steep slope of good scree is just fun, for you can put your faith in the Lord, and run, but when it is mixed up with grass and plants, you cannot run and are always sitting down unintentionally on the most pointed of the stones. For some reason the schist does not seem to make good scree; it appears to powder into soil without first turning into stones, with the result that what ought to be a scree slope supports a partial vegetation between fair-sized loose rocks. | ||
- | We were glad to reach the Zora Glacier, about a thousand feet below. Our | + | We were glad to reach the Zora Glacier, about a thousand feet below. Our objective was Mount Fettes on the other side, the mountain Frank and I had discussed the day before. We crossed the glacier, hearing on the way a splendid glacier-stream, |
- | objective was Mount Fettes on the other side, the mountain Frank and I had | + | |
- | discussed the day before. We crossed the glacier, hearing on the way a splendid glacier-stream, | + | The day had dawned with a lovely alpine glow on our first peaks, but it now belied its promise; a bitter wind sprung |
- | directly opposite the Mueller Pass with what we had called Te Keo, or the pointed | + | |
- | peak, on our right, and the peak intermediate between it and Fettes | + | "Fine view, that!" said Frank ironically, waving his arm over the white nothingness. "I ask you, have you ever seen anything finer?" |
- | . ridge. | + | |
- | The day had dawned with a lovely alpine glow on our first peaks, but it now | + | It was true that we had not seen anything finer, but it was a view that was: getting a little too familiar! |
- | belied its promise; a bitter wind spring | + | |
- | "Fine view, thatt" said Frank ironically, waving his arm over the white nothingness. " | + | But, apart from the cold and the mist, the climb continued to be easy. The snow-slopes led upward at a gentle grade. And Frank tried to persuade us to take off our crampons. But Marjorie and I, being lightweights, |
- | It was true that we had not seen anything finer, but it was a view that was: getting a little too familiars | + | |
- | But, apart from the cold and the mist, the climb continued to be easy. The | + | Once over the snow-ridge beyond the intermediate peak we saw a thing that made my heart sink into my crampons - foot-steps in the snow! That was the sequel to the proud boast of the day before. And who was it who had sullied the maiden purity of the snow? Who had for stalled us at our chosen peak two days before at most? We followed the foot-steps up to the little rock arrête |
- | snow-slopes led upward at a gentle grade. And Frank tried to persuade us to take off our crampons. But Marjorie and I, being lightweights, | + | |
- | with the kind of strap Marjorie and I had, were a bother to take on and off, and Frank did not consider it worth while our taking them off to climb over the rocks | + | Clouds swirled round the mountain and occasionally between them we would get a fleeting glimpse of Cook's River or Mount Cook. We tried to get a photo of the latter, but though I lay on my tummy for twenty minutes with my finger on the camera while Marjorie posed uncomfortably on a suitable rock, it was all in vain, the clouds never once lifted to give us a chance. |
- | of the intermediate peak. Now crampons on rock, anyhow on my feet, always remind me of a cat on tiles, or keas' claws sliding down the iron roof of an alpine hut, | + | |
- | and lacking the bravery of a cat or a kea, I generally end by getting stuck. | + | It was bitterly cold, except, curiously enough, on the very summit, and as we had left our rucksacks as well as our ice-axes at the foot of the rocks, we were by now feeling hungry as well as chilly. To sit on the exposed snow-slopes below was impossible, so eventually |
- | Frank waited patiently while I took an infinity of time trying to get round a corner where there simply wasn't room for my feet and my crampons also. Of course Marjorie being a superb rock-climber does not mind what she wears, and would, I believe, cheerfully scale the most difficult rock-peak in high-heeled dancing shoes. | + | |
- | Ones over the snow-ridge beyond the intermediate peak we saw a thing that made my heart sink into my crampons - foot-steps in the maws That was the sequel to the proud boast of the day before. And who was it who had sullied the maiden purity of the snow? Who had for stalled us at our chosen peak two days before at most? We followed the foot-steps up to the little rock arA, | + | On our return we climbed the summit of the intermediate peak, but alas there were scratches on the rocks. I tried to believe they might be the work of ancient |
- | the South Pole to find Amundsen had got there fi7st, only this time it was Scott who got in first. However, as Mr Johnson was an old boy of Fettes College, Edinburgh, we could not very well grudge them the victory, more especially as he had reverently laid his college hatband on the summit as an offering from the patron god of his college to the patron god of his peak. | + | |
- | Clouds swirled round the mountain and occasionally between them we would get | + | Then we climbed To Keo, not a very high peak, probably only a little over 7000 feet, but it at any rate was virgin, and from the Mahitahi side the most conspicuous peak of the lot, so we built our cairn and put it in the rucksack along with the other virgins. We sauntered down the easy glacier-rounded slopes of To Keo, stopping often to admire the alpine flowers, daisies of almost countless varieties, the largest being the size of small plates, the most striking growing with eight or a dozen blooms on one stalk. Golden rhununculi with black eyes, white gentians in pin-cushion clusters, but loveliest of all were the little rock-gardens of dark-green, mossy plants, starred with golden gems and crystal flowers. What would not the city-dweller give to transport such a rockery to his garden! |
- | a fleeting glimpse of Cook's River or Mount Cook. We tried to get a photo of the latter, but though I lay on my tummy for twenty minutes with my finger on the camera while Marjorie posed uncomfortably on a suitable rock, it was all in vain, the clouds never once lifted to give us a chance. | + | |
- | It was bitterly cold, except, curiously enough, on the very summit, and as we had left our rucksacks as well as our ice-axes at the foot of the rocks, we were by now feeling hungry as well as chilly. To sit on the exposed snow-slopes below Was impossible, so eventially | + | We had tea on the Muller side of the Zora, watching avalanches thundering |
- | On our return we climbed the summit of the intermediate peak, but alasI there were scratches on the rocks. I tried to believe they might be the work of ancieni | + | |
- | Then we climbed To Keo, not a very high peak, probably only a little over | + | We reached the bivvy at 5 p.m., fourteen hours, having traversed the whole of Fettes Range and climbed about 6000 feet in all. Now we had to turn to on the far more Herculean task of removing the results of the blow-flies' |
- | 7000 feet, but it at any rate was virgin, and from the Mahitahi side the most | + | |
- | conspicuous peak of the lot, so we built our cairn and put it in the rucksack along with the other virgins, We sauntered down the easy glacier-rounded slopes of To Keo, stopping often to admire the alpine flowers, daisies of almost countless varieties, the largest being the size of small plates, the most striking | + | Even after we turned-in to sleep we heard Frank indignantly |
- | growing with eight or a dozen blooms on one stalk. Golden rhununculi with black | + | |
- | eyes, white gentians in pin-cushion clusters, but loveliest of all were the little rock-gardens of dark-green, mossy plants, starred with golden gems and crystal flowers. What would not the city-dweller give to transport such a rockery to his gardenI | + | And now you know why Marjorie |
- | We had tea on the Muller side of the Zora, watching avalanches thundering | + | |
- | dawn from the hanging glaciers opposite, such a booming thunder for such a tiny | + | We slept the sleep of the just that night, and heard nothing until the alarm woke us to the sound of a howling tempest. When it grew light we saw the rain sheeting up the Talley at the rate of an express train and the fury of a host of demons. We were well underneath |
- | puff of white smokel | + | |
- | of our mountains we saw nothing. | + | |
- | We reached the bivvy at 5 p.m., fourteen hours, having traversed the whole of Fettes Range and climbed about 6000 feet in all. Now we had to turn to on the far more Herculean task of removing the results of the blow-flies' | + | |
- | Even after we turned-in to sleep we heard Frank indignantly | + | |
- | And now you kniir why Marjc.rie | + | |
- | We slept tio lee o cf thc just that night, and heard nothing until the alarm woke us to the sound of a howling tempest. When it grew light we saw the rain sheeting up the Talley at the rate of an express train and the fury of a host of demons. We were wel:. uraderneath | + | |
"What do you do if you find yourself in a tent in rain like this?" I asked Frank. | "What do you do if you find yourself in a tent in rain like this?" I asked Frank. | ||
+ | |||
"You just pack up and go home", he replied laconically. | "You just pack up and go home", he replied laconically. | ||
- | It rained like that for two days, and on the third day I woke to hear the rain still streaming off our rock, and Frank calling out$ | + | |
- | "Someonets | + | It rained like that for two days, and on the third day I woke to hear the rain still streaming off our rock, and Frank calling out. |
- | We lay damn to doze again. It was while trying to doze during the day that I cot dreadful nightmares - or daymares - as to what was happening in my office during my absence. Time and again I found myself struck off the roll of s4licitors | + | |
- | On the third day there were occasionally breaks between the rain clouds; Marjorie and Frank woke up sufficiently to continue the argument about traverses while Harry joined in a discussion on politics. I learned that Australia is a well-governed country; the first time I ever heard such a thing suggested and I was very surprised. One lives to learnt | + | "Someone' |
- | The fourth day was even better. On the strength of a few lucid intervals everyone indulged in a wash, and Frank considered that a shave would nnt be out of place. It was then that the fate of the safety razor was realized. After lunch it had actually cleared and we decided to stretch our legs by going up the Matariki Glacier and traversing the range from the Matariki | + | |
- | the slate and phyllite which served to support Marjorie and MB. In the veins of the rock were perfectly formed quartz crystals growing like plants. We had found much quattz | + | We lay down to doze again. It was while trying to doze during the day that I got dreadful nightmares - or daymares - as to what was happening in my office during my absence. Time and again I found myself struck off the roll of solicitors |
- | Everybody felt more cheerful that evening; Marjorie " | + | |
- | The mists dropped | + | On the third day there were occasionally breaks between the rain clouds; Marjorie and Frank woke up sufficiently to continue the argument about traverses while Harry joined in a discussion on politics. I learned that Australia is a well-governed country; the first time I ever heard such a thing suggested and I was very surprised. One lives to learnt! |
+ | |||
+ | The fourth day was even better. On the strength of a few lucid intervals everyone indulged in a wash, and Frank considered that a shave would not be out of place. It was then that the fate of the safety razor was realized. After lunch it had actually cleared and we decided to stretch our legs by going up the Matariki Glacier and traversing the range from the Matariki | ||
+ | the slate and phyllite which served to support Marjorie and MB. In the veins of the rock were perfectly formed quartz crystals growing like plants. We had found much quartz | ||
+ | |||
+ | Everybody felt more cheerful that evening; Marjorie " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The mists dropped | ||
"Bet, it's going to be a perfect day", said Frank and no one contradicted him. | "Bet, it's going to be a perfect day", said Frank and no one contradicted him. | ||
- | By the time we reached the glacier the mists had disappeared and the deeplytrevassed | + | |
- | All the way up I had been looking fearfully for signs of footsteps in the snow. But there were none. The snows were uncontaminated by man, and the summit rocks (6359 ft.) which we reached at 9.15 a.m., were innocent of any cairn. And to match a first-class climb, a peerless view stretched out around us. Sheltered from the wind we lay in the sun and looked across the Zora Glacier to range upon range of black rook alternating with white ice, rising up tier above tier till they culminated in the crowned head of Mount Cook. Never before did we realize | + | By the time we reached the glacier the mists had disappeared and the deeply crevassed |
- | Clouds floated in the valleys like unsubstantial ranges above which towered the sharp peaks of reality, or like billawstof | + | |
- | Mount Dechan lay further along the range, but separated from us by a yawning gulf, It was this gulf that made us decide to tackle it from the Otoko valley further south. | + | All the way up I had been looking fearfully for signs of footsteps in the snow. But there were none. The snows were uncontaminated by man, and the summit rocks (6359 ft.) which we reached at 9.15 a.m., were innocent of any cairn. And to match a first-class climb, a peerless view stretched out around us. Sheltered from the wind we lay in the sun and looked across the Zora Glacier to range upon range of black rock alternating with white ice, rising up tier above tier till they culminated in the crowned head of Mount Cook. Never before did we realize |
- | After lunch we started back down the glacier, a glacier that will remain in my memory as a foretaste of the white heat of hell. The mocking clouds lay below us instead of above, and nothing broke the fierce rays of the Hun that stre.ani | + | |
- | The wind, too, mocked us like the clouds. At eight thousand feet it was blowing the white, powdered | + | Clouds floated in the valleys like unsubstantial ranges above which towered the sharp peaks of reality, or like billows of silent seas below which on the west we could dimly discern the white breakers of the real ocean breaking on the shoreline whence we had come, ages past, it seemed. The soft murmuring of the mountain winds communing with the sea alone broke the stillness and seemed to make manifest the spirit of beauty floating among the high places. |
+ | |||
+ | Mount Dechan lay further along the range, but separated from us by a yawning gulf. It was this gulf that made us decide to tackle it from the Otoko valley further south. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After lunch we started back down the glacier, a glacier that will remain in my memory as a foretaste of the white heat of hell. The mocking clouds lay below us instead of above, and nothing broke the fierce rays of the sun that streamed | ||
+ | |||
+ | The wind, too, mocked us like the clouds. At eight thousand feet it was blowing the white, powdered | ||
Altogether it was a glacier such as Geoffrey Windthrop Young described in that poem about the plunge into the glacier pool afterwards. Here there was no glacier pool, but we did gradually descend into the shadow of those gentle clouds and reach the relief of soft, green, grassy slopes where a peaty rill sang sweet, mellow songs, luring us to drink its waters nearly dry. | Altogether it was a glacier such as Geoffrey Windthrop Young described in that poem about the plunge into the glacier pool afterwards. Here there was no glacier pool, but we did gradually descend into the shadow of those gentle clouds and reach the relief of soft, green, grassy slopes where a peaty rill sang sweet, mellow songs, luring us to drink its waters nearly dry. | ||
- | Arrived back at camp we had a late lunch, packed up and proceeded | + | |
- | in. I record this as a warning to others, but I know no one will Ile warned. | + | Arrived back at camp we had a late lunch, packed up and proceeded |
- | I never am myself, so I cannot expect others to be. | + | |
- | Next day I felt ghastly, and perhaps it was as well that rain drove us hack from our climb when we had ascended only a couple of thousand feet or so up the dry gully behind our camp onto the grass slopes above the tree-line. The bell birds sang to us from the crimson rata trees as we ate breakfast the following | + | Next day I felt ghastly, and perhaps it was as well that rain drove us back from our climb when we had ascended only a couple of thousand feet or so up the dry gully behind our camp onto the grass slopes above the tree-line. The bell birds sang to us from the crimson rata trees as we ate breakfast the following morning, which shows we were decidedly late in getting up, I heard Frank calling out earlier, but I thought, or pretended to think, for I was still feeling most unwell, that he was calling keas, and Marjorie nothing loath agreed with me; we both snuggled down again until the rising smoke made the previous explanation impossible. It was 4.20 a.m. before we left, too late when you realize that though our peak would not be as much as 7500 feet, yet as our camp was only about 2500 feet, we had a 3000 foot climb before us, and unless we were at the summit by 9 a.m,, it would be too late, for the inevitable clouds that grow to life in the valleys as the day advances, would already have risen up and shut out the view. |
- | morning, which shows we were decidedly late in getting up, I heard Frank calling out earlier, but I thought, or pretended to think, for I was still feeling most unwell, that he was calling keas, and Marjorie nothing loath agreed with me; we 1, | + | |
- | though our peak would not e as muoh as 7500 feet, yet as our camp was only about 2500 feet, we had a 3000 foot climb before us, and unless we were at the summit by 9 arm" | + | |
This time we chose the baby glacier, the source of the stream beside our camp, instead of the dry gully. It proved an excellent route until the rising sun, loosening the rocks, changed it from a mountaineers highway to a shoot for stones, which we watched in safety from the grass-slopes, | This time we chose the baby glacier, the source of the stream beside our camp, instead of the dry gully. It proved an excellent route until the rising sun, loosening the rocks, changed it from a mountaineers highway to a shoot for stones, which we watched in safety from the grass-slopes, | ||
- | From the baby glacier we went up the shingle | + | |
+ | From the baby glacier we went up the shingle | ||
The view from the summit not only solved the nature of the head of the Makawhio valley, but cleared up many other problems relating to the geography of the district. For after all it was only the second time we had obtained any view worth mentioning. We discovered that it must be Mount Butzbach we were on, and that the peaks of our first climb must be the Mount Query and Doubtful of the map, placed somewhat out of their true position in relation to the Zora Glacier. It also removed the last doubt that the source of the Mahitahi river is at the Mueller Pass and not as shown on the map. | The view from the summit not only solved the nature of the head of the Makawhio valley, but cleared up many other problems relating to the geography of the district. For after all it was only the second time we had obtained any view worth mentioning. We discovered that it must be Mount Butzbach we were on, and that the peaks of our first climb must be the Mount Query and Doubtful of the map, placed somewhat out of their true position in relation to the Zora Glacier. It also removed the last doubt that the source of the Mahitahi river is at the Mueller Pass and not as shown on the map. | ||
+ | |||
Once again serried ridges of the Alps rose up one above the other to the crown of Cook, but this time on the west we could see the whole horizon of the ocean above two small peaks that lay between us and it. | Once again serried ridges of the Alps rose up one above the other to the crown of Cook, but this time on the west we could see the whole horizon of the ocean above two small peaks that lay between us and it. | ||
- | We traversed the peak and, descending by the rock arrete, arrived back in camp with plenty of time to wash clothes and remove biddy-biddies from them. riddybiddies | + | |
- | The climb had been as good as a tonic to Mia, but bush-walking for eleven and | + | We traversed the peak and, descending by the rock arrête, arrived back in camp with plenty of time to wash clothes and remove biddy-biddies from them. Biddy-biddies |
- | a half hours with a pack, albeit a light one, undid all the good of the climb. We left camp at 6 a.m. for Condonis farm. Each time we rested I collapsed, and had eventually to submit to being dosed with brandy, vile stuff which made me wonder | + | |
+ | The climb had been as good as a tonic to Mia, but bush-walking for eleven and a half hours with a pack, albeit a light one, undid all the good of the climb. We left camp at 6 a.m. for Condonis farm. Each time we rested I collapsed, and had eventually to submit to being dosed with brandy, vile stuff which made me wonder | ||
At weary last we emerged from the forest, the valley widened out and we reached the cache where we had parted from the horses coming out. Here we parked most of our stuff, and tramped on leisurely with wider views around and | At weary last we emerged from the forest, the valley widened out and we reached the cache where we had parted from the horses coming out. Here we parked most of our stuff, and tramped on leisurely with wider views around and | ||
better able to enjoy the lovely scenery. They say a sick body makes the mind especially sensitive to beauty. Anyhow I shall never forget the loveliness of that rushing, blue-grey river where paradise ducks flopped over the boulders | better able to enjoy the lovely scenery. They say a sick body makes the mind especially sensitive to beauty. Anyhow I shall never forget the loveliness of that rushing, blue-grey river where paradise ducks flopped over the boulders | ||
- | pretending to be lame so as to distract our attention from their babies near by. Crystal-clear rills rippled out from the silvan glades of the forest to join the blue-grey river, Rata flamed against the blue sky, and scarlet lichen painted the grey shingles at the river side. Then the mountains flattened out, grassy | + | pretending to be lame so as to distract our attention from their babies near by. Crystal-clear rills rippled out from the silvan glades of the forest to join the blue-grey river, Rata flamed against the blue sky, and scarlet lichen painted the grey shingles at the river side. Then the mountains flattened out, grassy flats edged the river, a telephone line wandered out, and lastly a house, and we were back in civilization |
- | flats edged the river, a telephone line wandered out, and lastly a house, and | + | |
- | we were back in civinzation | + | |
(To be continued in our next). | (To be continued in our next). | ||
===== Jack Debert Interview' | ===== Jack Debert Interview' | ||
" | " | ||
- | " | + | |
- | "Oh, this is serious, Tom. The editor of "The Sydney Bushwalker" | + | " |
- | "Oh,goodl Well put down the usual opening phrase - "After waiting three hours ir the ante-room I was conducted by a uniformed attendant through miles of corridors and Iffs.A | + | |
+ | "Oh, this is serious, Tom. The editor of "The Sydney Bushwalker" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Oh,good! Well put down the usual opening phrase - "After waiting three hours in the ante-room I was conducted by a uniformed attendant through miles of corridors and was at length ushered into the chamber of the Presence". | ||
"Look, Herbert, cut out the hooey and try to be presidential" | "Look, Herbert, cut out the hooey and try to be presidential" | ||
- | " | + | |
- | How could I? I wish the tlub mould find some other title for its chief | + | " |
- | executive officer; something more in keeping with the ' | + | |
- | "Ahl - /happy-go-lucky spirit' | + | "Ah! - 'happy-go-lucky spirit' |
"Well, Jack, that's the Club's greatest attraction to me. It' | "Well, Jack, that's the Club's greatest attraction to me. It' | ||
+ | |||
"And how does the S.B.W. attract you more than any other recreational club?" | "And how does the S.B.W. attract you more than any other recreational club?" | ||
- | "Our Club offers a refreshing haven from jaded work-a-day reality. At the Club you meet and chat with your fellow members. You may talk of airy nothings and you laugh as much as you talk - and what a tonic that isi One big family of happy kids glad to drop the formality and seriousness of things commercial and just bubble over with glee. When wandering in the bushland and mountains the | + | |
- | same merry chaffing | + | "Our Club offers a refreshing haven from jaded work-a-day reality. At the Club you meet and chat with your fellow members. You may talk of airy nothings and you laugh as much as you talk - and what a tonic that is! One big family of happy kids glad to drop the formality and seriousness of things commercial and just bubble over with glee. When wandering in the bushland and mountains the |
- | real name" | + | same merry chaffing |
- | UYou seem to have lived dawn your old nickname of 'Mandelberg. | + | |
- | 71Well, I suppose I deserved the name when it was first applied. To save packing space in my sack I used to hang on the outside of it billy can, mug and anything else with a handle. In addition there might hang sundry items of wet | + | “You |
- | clothing that I wanted to dry and my resemblance to a second-hand shop was greeted with the cry of "MandelbergC | + | |
+ | “Well, I suppose I deserved the name when it was first applied. To save packing space in my sack I used to hang on the outside of it billy can, mug and anything else with a handle. In addition there might hang sundry items of wet clothing that I wanted to dry and my resemblance to a second-hand shop was greeted with the cry of "Mandelberg” | ||
"And what of Club friendships? | "And what of Club friendships? | ||
+ | |||
"Well of course some of them have developed into marriage but they speak for themselves. My experience is that when you make friends out on the track you do so without any illusions. There' | "Well of course some of them have developed into marriage but they speak for themselves. My experience is that when you make friends out on the track you do so without any illusions. There' | ||
+ | |||
"Do the Club's outdoor activities appeal to you more strongly than any one of your other sporting pastimes?" | "Do the Club's outdoor activities appeal to you more strongly than any one of your other sporting pastimes?" | ||
- | "I think the appeal is more lasting. By mountains, rivers and t, | + | |
- | exult in your freedom from restraint and revel in the fresh air, sunshine and scenery and in that priceless companionship of good fellows who are sharing the delights and difficulties of a trip with you. And then there is the camp fire at the end of the day's activity. Having fed well you feel at peace with all the world as you recline before a blazing log fire and yarn and sing and smoke and yarn again. It's at times like these that you can open your heart and talk with freedom to pals who will give sympathetic response. Around a camp fire you listen to and discuss the varying opinions of life and all its complexities with a frankness that another environment would discourage" | + | "I think the appeal is more lasting. By mountains, rivers and bushland |
- | "Well if you have no further questions, that is all I have to say. These are | + | |
- | my personal views on what you might call "The Club and Myself" | + | "Well if you have no further questions, that is all I have to say. These are my personal views on what you might call "The Club and Myself" |
- | to see the views of other members | + | |
"I intend to seek the views of other members, Tom, and I will also invite them to make comments on any of your views" | "I intend to seek the views of other members, Tom, and I will also invite them to make comments on any of your views" | ||
+ | |||
"Go right ahead, Jack. Now will I ring for the uniformed attendant to conduct you out". | "Go right ahead, Jack. Now will I ring for the uniformed attendant to conduct you out". | ||
- | "Goodbyet I'm going before you get frivolous again" | + | |
+ | "Goodbye! | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Cheerio! | ||
===== Why Wear Winter Woolies When Weather Wax Wery Wintry? A Personal Parley With Paddy Pallin. ===== | ===== Why Wear Winter Woolies When Weather Wax Wery Wintry? A Personal Parley With Paddy Pallin. ===== | ||
- | When I arrived at Paddy' | + | When I arrived at Paddy' |
- | mean" | + | |
+ | If I am rubbing my hands because __it' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "What are your views on sleeping bags?" was my neat question. "Well there are two views of sleeping bags", replied Paddy, "the inside and the outside. I prefer the inside" | ||
- | IfI ea rubbing my hands because it's cold, not because I'M cold" said Paddy enigmatically, | ||
- | "What are your views an sleeping bags?" was my neat question. 'Veil there are two views of sleeping bags", replied Paddy, "the inside and the outside. I | ||
- | prefer the inside" | ||
- | and smiled reassuringly at me. Thus encouraged, I took the bull by the horns, "Are yomr sleeping bags warm enough for the coldest wcather?" | ||
- | promptly, "if they were they'd be much too warm for the majority of nights. One | ||
- | of my regular sleeping bags is right for 75% of camping conditions but on very hot nights they' | ||
"What is the remedy?" | "What is the remedy?" | ||
- | *Most people can put up with the warm nights and on a cold night a couple of | + | |
- | extra sweaters and a pair of long woolly underpants will generally do the trick. By the way I heard of a good stunt a little while ago. Get a p:' | + | *Most people can put up with the warm nights and on a cold night a couple of extra sweaters and a pair of long woolly underpants will generally do the trick. By the way I heard of a good stunt a little while ago. Get a piece of flannel about 12" wide and 4 or 5 feet long and after putting on all your extra clothing, wrap it round the waist - it should go about 1 1/2 times round. Have the extra half turn at the back so that you get a double thickness at the back. I have tried out the idea and it works well. The idea came from South Africa. They call it a "Veldt Blanket" |
- | wrap it round the waist - it should go about liF times round. Have the extra half turn at the back so that you get a double thickness at the back. I have tried out the idea and it works well. The idea came from South Africa. They call it a "Veldt Blanket" | + | |
" | " | ||
+ | |||
" | " | ||
+ | |||
"What about a person who is a cold sleeper?" | "What about a person who is a cold sleeper?" | ||
+ | |||
"If a person knows he is a cold sleeper he should have a bag made with a few ounces extra of down in it. It doesn' | "If a person knows he is a cold sleeper he should have a bag made with a few ounces extra of down in it. It doesn' | ||
- | "What do you think " | ||
- | Just then a few customers arrived and so have another try later. | ||
- | P.S. Paddy tells me that those 8 foot Zipps cost 12/-, Elastic in the top 0 ( extra and additional dawn 31- per ounce. | ||
- | PADDY PALLIN, 312 George St. over Hallam' | ||
- | our interview terminated, but we'll | ||
- | THE KOWMUNG-WITH VARIATIONS. | + | "What do you think of this?" said Paddy as he produced a few yards of Zipp, " |
+ | |||
+ | Just then a few customers arrived and so our interview terminated, but we'll have another try later. | ||
+ | |||
+ | P.S. Paddy tells me that those 8 foot Zipps cost 12/-, Elastic in the top 1/6 extra and additional dawn 1/- per ounce. | ||
+ | |||
+ | PADDY PALLIN, 312 George St. over Hallam' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== THE KOWMUNG-WITH VARIATIONS. | ||
(concluded) | (concluded) | ||
- | SATURDAY | + | |
- | We awoke about 7 a.m, and found that we had certainly camped in a rough locality. Rocks large and small surrounded us on all sides and the river roared through the canyon nearby. By the map our position seemed to be about one and a | + | __SATURDAY |
- | half miles above Hanrahants | + | |
- | slipped when crossing logs: in fact for the next couple of days my balance was all astray. This was probably | + | We awoke about 7 a.m. and found that we had certainly camped in a rough locality. Rocks large and small surrounded us on all sides and the river roared through the canyon nearby. By the map our position seemed to be about one and a half miles above Hanrahan' |
- | had been a hard day all through with the last couple of hours most trying. I should not like to compute the thousands of foot-pounds of energy used up in lumping a 45 lb. pack 500 feet up a rock face at an angle of 70 degrees. What was needed was a dayls rest, but alas: We were short of food. | + | |
- | After Werong there was an improvement. Grassy flats and rough patches | + | After Werong there was an improvement. Grassy flats and rough patches alternated, but, praise be to Allah, no granite canyons. The day had been warm early and the sky was now overcast. As we commenced to pick our way through the beginnings of Rudder' |
- | alternated, but, praise be to Allah, no granite canyons. The day had been warm | + | |
- | early and the sky was now overcast. As we commenced to pick our way through the beginnings of Rudder' | + | Made a late start in the afternoon (5 p.m.) and until dark walked as hard as the conditions and our conditions allowed. We camped in a rather good cave - one of the few on the Kowmung |
- | in a few seconds a heavy rain and thunderstorm was in action. We took shelter under trees - more or less dry - and taking | + | |
- | Made a late start in the afternoon (5 p.m.) and until dark walked as hard as the conditions and our conditions allowed. We camped in a rather good cave - one of the few on the Kung - and after some cooking and eating crawled into our | + | __SUNDAY |
- | sleeping bags at about 9 p.m. (11 miles). | + | |
- | SUNDAY | + | |
I found that the eel line which I had set the night before had not been | I found that the eel line which I had set the night before had not been | ||
- | disturbed. There were eels in that part of the river because I had seen one about four feet long swimming downstream the day before, | + | disturbed. There were eels in that part of the river because I had seen one about four feet long swimming downstream the day before, |
Breaking camp at about 9.30 and crossing the river, we found fairly good going for about two miles. Then suddenly, turning a corner, another impassable canyon confronted us. There was nothing for it but to climb, and scaling the jagged granite walls, we had another taste of the Morong Deep. For about an hour we struggled up and down to the tune of shocking profanity. Gordon had attempted a higher stratum than I and I can remember at one time relaxing in the heart of a prickly thicket and chuckling as I listened to his blistering flow of language. He was making a very fair attempt to scorch his way through. It took an hour to cover fifty yards back to the river. | Breaking camp at about 9.30 and crossing the river, we found fairly good going for about two miles. Then suddenly, turning a corner, another impassable canyon confronted us. There was nothing for it but to climb, and scaling the jagged granite walls, we had another taste of the Morong Deep. For about an hour we struggled up and down to the tune of shocking profanity. Gordon had attempted a higher stratum than I and I can remember at one time relaxing in the heart of a prickly thicket and chuckling as I listened to his blistering flow of language. He was making a very fair attempt to scorch his way through. It took an hour to cover fifty yards back to the river. | ||
- | While Gordon forded the river (falling in en route) to try the other side for variety, I tried to climb around the base of the rock walls but was soon pulled up by a deep pool. The only thing to do was to push my pack up to a ledge, strip omcl swim around, which was duly done. Gordon and I met again about half a mile | + | |
+ | While Gordon forded the river (falling in en route) to try the other side for variety, I tried to climb around the base of the rock walls but was soon pulled up by a deep pool. The only thing to do was to push my pack up to a ledge, strip and swim around, which was duly done. Gordon and I met again about half a mile | ||
downstream. | downstream. | ||
+ | |||
This bit of rough stuff gave me a strained leg muscle for the rest of the day and slowed our pace to a mere crawl, but fortunately things improved underfoot and we lunched just before Waterfalls Creek. | This bit of rough stuff gave me a strained leg muscle for the rest of the day and slowed our pace to a mere crawl, but fortunately things improved underfoot and we lunched just before Waterfalls Creek. | ||
+ | |||
Lannigan' | Lannigan' | ||
- | The creek-bed for the firft two hundred yards was bone dry and the rest of it just a series of sporadic pools. | + | The creek-bed for the first two hundred yards was bone dry and the rest of it just a series of sporadic pools. |
- | At 5 block we had not found the Caves and not neing quite certain of our position, I dropped my pack and went ahead to reconnoitre. After half an hour's walk I came upon the limestone belt and returned to Gordon. Carrying water with us, for Caves Creek was dry for several hundred yards on either side of the caves, we found a lean-to and camped just before dark. | + | |
+ | At 5 o' | ||
Once again the tent was not needed and we slept beneath the stars. So far we hadn't had one wet night and only one thunderstorm during the day. (14 miles). | Once again the tent was not needed and we slept beneath the stars. So far we hadn't had one wet night and only one thunderstorm during the day. (14 miles). | ||
- | MONDAY | + | |
- | The weather was fine, and haw, but there was nowhere to swim. We had breakfast late after which there was practically no food left. We decided to hack off 10 days supply of " | + | __MONDAY |
- | At 11 a.m. the troops set forth for Yerranderie with an empty commissariat. Once or twice in the Colong Swamp the track faded but the compass soon adjusted matters. Nearing Yerranderie we put on our shirts and Jock went so far as to clean his nails with the bowie knife. Hot and very huntry | + | |
- | Jock shot a' | + | The weather was fine, and how, but there was nowhere to swim. We had breakfast late after which there was practically no food left. We decided to hack off 10 days supply of " |
- | TUESDAY | + | |
- | After breakfast, we started to inspect the caves. The Arch cave, being a daylight cave and the most obvious was entered first. It was about two hundred feet long and eighty wide, with its eastern entrance about eighty feet above the creek. The reflected sunshine made it very beautiful. The roof giving a | + | At 11 a.m. the troops set forth for Yerranderie with an empty commissariat. Once or twice in the Colong Swamp the track faded but the compass soon adjusted matters. Nearing Yerranderie we put on our shirts and Jock went so far as to clean his nails with the bowie knife. Hot and very hungry |
- | glorious range of greens, pinks and greys. The floor has sunken at the southern end and four pillars, once joined, are now separated by about three feet from the roof. At the northern end there were several smaller stalagmites somewhat resembling crowned heads. The cave ' | + | |
- | - | + | Jock shot a ' |
- | Leaving the Arch Cave we hunted around and found the entrance to Lannigan' | + | |
- | small opening led dawn into the cave and through a narrow squeeze hole we came to | + | __TUESDAY |
- | King Solomon' | + | |
- | feet high. Beneath one group of columns was a crystalline amber tinted | + | After breakfast, we started to inspect the caves. The Arch cave, being a daylight cave and the most obvious was entered first. It was about two hundred feet long and eighty wide, with its eastern entrance about eighty feet above the creek. The reflected sunshine made it very beautiful. The roof giving a glorious range of greens, pinks and greys. The floor has sunken at the southern end and four pillars, once joined, are now separated by about three feet from the roof. At the northern end there were several smaller stalagmites somewhat resembling crowned heads. The cave bore ample evidence of having been occupied by untidy campers and a collection of bottles on the floor seemed to indicate a some-time jamboree. |
- | stalagmite and overhead was a white stalactitic group, making the whole scene impressive and inspiring. At the end of this chamber a small opening to the | + | |
- | right led to the Water Cave. This cave positively beggars description. | + | Leaving the Arch Cave we hunted around and found the entrance to Lannigan' |
- | Numerous stalagmites were observed in the bed of the underground river, the water of which appeared to be of the faintest green. | + | |
- | Retracing our steps we climbed over a wall of rock and approached a series of crystalline basins which became progressively larger as they approached the bottom. Looked at from below they had the appearance of marble steps. The | + | Retracing our steps we climbed over a wall of rock and approached a series of crystalline basins which became progressively larger as they approached the bottom. Looked at from below they had the appearance of marble steps. The column and stalactites on the left were very beautiful and gave us the impression of a curtain held back to show the stage beyond. The basins |
- | column and stalactites on the left were very beautiful and gave us the impression | + | |
- | of a curtain held back to show the stage beyond. The basins | + | |
- | distance of seventy or eighty feet and were about eight feet wide at the bottom. | + | |
- | A law passage to the right led to the underground river channel with some more delicate formations. One grotto resembled a jewel show, with the shawls on the edges sparkling like diamonds. Opposite these shawls were pillars of a delicate pink shade while another little grotto had a group of pure white stalactites like so many icicles. | + | |
A climb of about twelve feet brought us to a narrow passage decorated with tinted stalactites, | A climb of about twelve feet brought us to a narrow passage decorated with tinted stalactites, | ||
- | A third passage from the end of King Solomon' | + | |
- | In my weakness for exploring caves I would have liked to have spent the rest of the day and perhaps part of the next day in investigating the wonders of these caves, but we were scheduled to be back on the Kowmung that night and decided to leave the exploration of the Onslaw | + | A third passage from the end of King Solomon' |
- | It would Ile quite easy to lose one's self in the Colong Caves if precautions | + | |
- | were not taken to leave a trail of some description. The | + | In my weakness for exploring caves I would have liked to have spent the rest of the day and perhaps part of the next day in investigating the wonders of these caves, but we were scheduled to be back on the Kowmung that night and decided to leave the exploration of the Onslow |
- | be that of unwinding a ball of coloured wool as you go along, for many coloured threads have been left in the caves by past explorers. Someone has even been | + | |
- | good enough to indicate the exit with a series of black arrows on the walls and it would indeed be unfortunate if with the old threads etc. one could not eventually | + | It would be quite easy to lose one's self in the Colong Caves if precautions were not taken to leave a trail of some description. The popular method |
- | reach daylight again. | + | |
- | On our next visit to the caves we intend taking a visitors book and a pencil | + | On our next visit to the caves we intend taking a visitors book and a pencil with us to leave at the entrance. It seems an inexorable law of nature |
- | with us to leave at the entrance. It seems an inexorable law of natul7e | + | |
- | people in visiting places of interest must inscribe their names on prominent parts of said places and already the beautiful walls of these caves are 1-lackened | + | We emerged from the cold air of the caves into the heat of the midday sun and prepared to depart. At 3.55. we started for the Kowmung, once more heavily laden. On the way down I again came close to stepping on a black snake but this time hadn't the energy to smite him. |
- | We emerged from the cold air of the caves into the heat of the midday sun and | + | |
- | prepared to depart. At 3.55. we started for the Kowmung, once more heavily laden. On the way down I again came close to stepping on a black snake tut this time hadn't the energy to smite him. | + | |
Lannigan' | Lannigan' | ||
- | In exactly two hours we reached the Kawmung | + | |
- | WEDNESDAY | + | In exactly two hours we reached the Kowmung |
- | We had a dip before breakfast and made a late start at 10.15 a.m.. It was a relief to be walking along the easy cowpads again. After an hour a halt was called for lunch opposite Church Creek. There we met a prospector.- whom we had already seen in Yerranderie. While searching for gold he had used many means of transport - canoe, launch, bicycle, and of course Shanks' | + | |
- | he had paddled a long way up the Colo. This made a common ground for discussion and on comparing notes, it was found that our canoe had reached approximately the | + | __WEDNESDAY |
+ | |||
+ | We had a dip before breakfast and made a late start at 10.15 a.m.. It was a relief to be walking along the easy cowpads again. After an hour a halt was called for lunch opposite Church Creek. There we met a prospector whom we had already seen in Yerranderie. While searching for gold he had used many means of transport - canoe, launch, bicycle, and of course Shanks' | ||
same spot. News was given us concerning a party who had embarked at Putty and followed the river to the mouth. | same spot. News was given us concerning a party who had embarked at Putty and followed the river to the mouth. | ||
- | About two hours was spent at this spot, swimming, sunbaking and of course eating. Easy river flats stayed with us during the rest of the afternoon until we camped after a big day of about i miles half a mile below Christie' | + | |
- | suffering from a delusion. We were both very mystified until the cicadas burst into song. | + | About two hours was spent at this spot, swimming, sunbaking and of course eating. Easy river flats stayed with us during the rest of the afternoon until we camped after a big day of about 1 miles half a mile below Christie' |
- | After tea we stayed awake longer than usual talking about various topics and | + | |
- | it must have been after 11 p.m. when I left Jock in the tent and lay down under | + | After tea we stayed awake longer than usual talking about various topics and it must have been after 11 p.m. when I left Jock in the tent and lay down under the stars. |
- | the stars. | + | |
- | THURSDAY | + | __THURSDAY |
Rising at 8, I inspected the eel line and found a three pounder attached. We foolishly beheaded him before skinning and having nothing firm to grasp, had the devil' | Rising at 8, I inspected the eel line and found a three pounder attached. We foolishly beheaded him before skinning and having nothing firm to grasp, had the devil' | ||
- | Broke camp at about 11 o' | + | |
- | Canyc.n. By 12 o' | + | Broke camp at about 11 o' |
- | 12.15 we atopped | + | |
the manner of Atlas of old. | the manner of Atlas of old. | ||
- | Wading recommenced at 3.40 and we began to see a bit of bird life. About | + | |
- | half way through the Canyon we flushed a duck from the reeds near the bank and it alternately flew and hydroplaned down stream at a great rate. While Gordon was | + | Wading recommenced at 3.40 and we began to see a bit of bird life. About half way through the Canyon we flushed a duck from the reeds near the bank and it alternately flew and hydroplaned down stream at a great rate. While Gordon was busy trying to get it over his sights long enough to pull the trigger, another duck took off from the reeds on my left and skimmed across the water in the direction of the opposite bank. Observing that our official duck slayer was facing in the wrong direction, I yanked out the Colt, said "In your eye" and fired. It missed his eye but removed half his head with equally fatal results and I nearly fell into the water in surprise. By the time Gordon arrived on the scene of the slaughter, I had assumed a poker face and so far as I know, he still |
- | - | + | |
- | busy trying to get it over his sights long enough to pull the trigger, another duck took off from the reeds on my left and skimmed across the water in the direction of the opposite bank. Observing that our official duck slayer was | + | |
- | facing in the wrong direction, I yanked out the Colt, said "In your eye" and fired. It missed his eye but removed half his head with equally fatal results | + | |
- | and I nearly fell into the water in surprise. By the time Gordon arrived on the | + | |
- | scene of the slaughter, I had assumed a poker face and so far as I know, he still | + | |
believes that I meant it. | believes that I meant it. | ||
- | We stopped at the Orange Bluffs for a few minutes to admire and photograph | + | |
- | them and then pushed on to shortly emerge from the Canyon. On the way to Hughest | + | We stopped at the Orange Bluffs for a few minutes to admire and photograph them and then pushed on to shortly emerge from the Canyon. On the way to Hughes' |
- | Hut, four miles distant, we passed a succession of bush fires, some of them | + | |
- | stretching right to the water' | + | Those four miles were about the longest we ever did and we walked flat out for two hours before the hut appeared just as dusk was falling.\\ |
- | Those four miles were about the longest we ever did and we walked flat out for | + | We were both very tired although only ten miles had been covered, |
- | two hours before the hut appeared just as dusk was falling. | + | |
- | We were both very tired although only ten miles had teen covered, | + | A slight diversion was created when, bending over the candle the better to see what I was writing, my hair caught fire and flared up and was only saved from complete destruction by the quickness of my compatriot, who crowned me very effectively. Retired at midnight. |
- | fires making spectacular patterns up the ridges on the opposite side of the river | + | |
- | and then set about the manufacturing of a damper and the writing of the diary, the former by Gordon and latter myself. | + | __FRIDAY |
- | A slight diversion was created when, bending over the candle the better to | + | |
- | see what I was writing, my hair caught fire and flared up and was only saved from complete destruction by the quickness of my compatriot, who crowned me very | + | I had felt rather tired last night but after a dip in the excellent swimming hole opposite Hughes' |
- | effectively. Retired at midnight. | + | |
- | FRIDAY | + | At 12.45. a spot a mile below the Cedar Track was reached where the sun and a deep dark pool invited us to linger. We had several dips and Jock did some unsuccessful eeling before lunch. |
- | I had felt rather tired last night but after a dip in the excellent swimming hole opposite Hughes! was quite recovered. The sky was overcast and a few drops | + | |
- | of rain fell while we were finishing breakfast and caused us to delay our | + | Heavy clouds began to gather in the sky and on resuming at 3.15. it was felt that a big shower was on the way. Soon it came - and how! Rain fell in torrents and more or less drowned us, wetting our clothes (shorts) as well. |
- | departure till 9.10 a.m. We followed the right b-nk rather stealthily in the hope of picking off a duck but the ducks were too quick or I too slow. When | + | The ground |
- | approaching Gingra something made me look to one side and there sunning himself | + | |
- | a couple of feet from my boot was a large black snake. Raising my rifle to ny shoulder I took careful aim and fired. Mr. black snake was in the water in a flash and under a log. Jock and I spent quite a while attempting to dislodge | + | |
- | him and when his head quite intact darted out I realised my shot had missed. I didn't do much shooting on this trip but what attempts I made were rotten. | + | |
- | Fortunately Jock was in e=cellent | + | |
- | with the rifle, while the shot with which he hit in the head a duck on the wing - drawing quickly and firing from the hip - would have done credit to a wild west gunman. So thanks to him our meat larder was plentiful in the latter | + | |
- | stages of the trip. | + | |
- | At 12.45. a spot a mile below the Cedar Track WAS reached where the sun and a deep dark pool invited us to linger. We had several dips and Jock did some | + | |
- | unsuccessful eeling before lunch. | + | |
- | Heavy clouds began to gather in the sky and on resuming at 3.15. it was felt | + | |
- | that a M.g shower was on the way. Soon it came - and how! Rain fell in | + | |
- | torrents and more or less drowned us, wetting our clothes (shorts) as well. | + | |
- | The groun4 | + | |
- | use inverted commas. | + | |
At 4.45. it was decided to camp and taking advantage of a lull the tent was erected. Jock did some excellent work lighting a fire and in time warmth and food restored our shivering bodies to something like normal. For the first time I didn't sleep well. Thought of a rising river cutting us off from our destination filled my mind but the night passed without our having to make a break for higher ground. (10 miles). | At 4.45. it was decided to camp and taking advantage of a lull the tent was erected. Jock did some excellent work lighting a fire and in time warmth and food restored our shivering bodies to something like normal. For the first time I didn't sleep well. Thought of a rising river cutting us off from our destination filled my mind but the night passed without our having to make a break for higher ground. (10 miles). | ||
- | SATURDAY Gth. FEBRUARY: | + | |
+ | __SATURDAY 6th. FEBRUARY:__ | ||
We rose at 6 after a fitful night' | We rose at 6 after a fitful night' | ||
- | The rain started again and we broke camp in a deluge at 10 o' | + | |
+ | The rain started again and we broke camp in a deluge at 10 o' | ||
super-fine at 1/- proved to be worth their weight in pound notes in the pouring rain. | super-fine at 1/- proved to be worth their weight in pound notes in the pouring rain. | ||
- | In the Devil' | + | |
- | dangerously | + | In the Devil' |
- | through without mishap and finished the Kawmung | + | |
- | chocolate was brought forth and devoured in honour of the occasion. | + | With the rain still descending in large quantities we decided that it mightn' |
- | With the rain still descending in large quantities we decided that it mightn' | + | hunted around for a camping place. Eureka! a bark hut with half the roof gone but still better than nothing. The tent was pitched in the form of an annexe at one end and we made ourselves reasonably comfortable. A fire was built at the open end and dense volumes of smoke filled the interior, but the proverbial wild horses couldn' |
- | so we wasted no more time in getting downstream. At Cedar Creek with the last crossing behind us we breathed freely again, thumbed our noses at the river and | + | |
- | hunted around for a camping place. Eureka a bark hut with half the roof gone but still better than nothing. The tent was pitched in the form of an annexe at one end and we made ourselves reasonably comfortable. A fire was built at | + | At 11 I woke suddenly to the sound of an extra heavy downpour to find myself lying in an inch or two of water. I swore disgustedly and got up to spend the next hour lighting a fire and trying to dry my blanket and clothes. After losing about a square foot of blanket in the flames I gave it up, spread myself out on the bark table and slept there. Gordon refused to budge from his little island in the middle of the floor and luckily kept above water level all night. (11 miles). |
- | the open end and dense volumes of smoke filled the interior, but the proverbial | + | |
- | wild horses couldn' | + | __SUNDAY |
- | At 11 I woke suddenly to the sound of an extra heavy downpour to find myself lying in an inch or two of water. I swore disgustedly and got up to spend the next hour lighting a fire and trying to dry my blanket and clothes. After losing about a square foot of blanket in the flames I gave it up, spread myself | + | |
- | out on the bark table and slept there. Gordon refused to budge from his little | + | We rose at 7.40. and after eating spent considerable time drying our clothes and shaving etc. At 10.45. on our departure the sun was shining through the clouds and giving promise of a fine day. Our track was the one up the ridge below Cedar Creek. This proved to be clearly defined and followed the ridge, which would be the Korrowall Buttress, for some distance, then gradually winding |
- | island in the middle of the floor and luckily kept above water level all night. (11 miles). | + | |
- | SUNDAY | + | Lunch was taken at the foot of the pass and the ascent was commenced at 3.5 p.m. Jock's watch was fast and actually indicated 3:35 p.m. Thinking ourselves late we made for the top at a steady rate and reached there in 50 minutes. Compared to old "March Fly" ridge and a couple of little hillside scrambles in the past fortnight Kedumba was a babe in arms. After a halt at the Falls to don our shirts the station came in view just before 6 p.m. After some high speed eating the 5.17 train rattled in and carried us off towards the "Big Smoke" (16 miles) |
- | We rose at 7.40. and after eating spent considerable time drying our clothes and shaving etc. At 10.45. on our departure the sun was shining through the | + | |
- | clouds and giving promise of a fine day. Our track was the one up the ridge below Cedar Creek. This proved to be clearly defined and followed the ridge, which would be the Korrowall Buttress, for some distance, then gradually winding | + | The mileage for the whole trip was approximately 194 miles in 15 1/2 days. Our packs counting clothes, books, etc. varied from 59 to 33 pounds. Our progress during the second week was very leisurely, the lunch period being sometimes three or four hours. The food consumption over the whole period slightly exceeded three pounds per day each and we needed it. |
- | dawn to Kedumba Creek. Against | + | |
- | up-stream. Nasty remarks were hurled at me as I led him through occasional ferns and undergrowth. Near Maxwell' | + | The country passed through was full of variety, rough creeks, granite canyons, steep ridges, grassy river flats and a little road. The river roared through rapids, trickled over stones and at times flowed |
- | Lunch was taken at the foot of the pass and the ascent was commenced at 3.5 p.m. Jock's watch was fast and actually indicated 3;35 p.m. Thinking ourselves late | + | |
- | we made for the top at a steady rate and reached there in 50 minutes. Compared to old "March Fly" ridge and a couple of little hillside scrambles in the past fortnight Kedumba was a babe in arms. After a halt at the Falls to don our | + | ===== PAGES FROM THE PAST. A RETROSPECTION. |
- | shirts the station came in view just before 6 p.m. After some high speed eating the 5.17 train rattled in and carried us off towards the "Big Smoke" (16 miles) | + | |
- | The mileage for the whole trip was approximately 194 miles in 15i- days. | + | "Say Wall how about something for the ' |
- | Our packs counting clothes, books, etc. varied from 59 to 33 pounds. Our | + | |
- | progress during the second week was very leisurely, the lunch period being sometimes three or four hours. The food consumption over the whole period slightly exceeded three pounds per day each and we needed it. | + | |
- | The country passed through was full of variety, rough creeks, granite | + | |
- | canyons, steep ridges, grassy river flats and a little road. The river roared through rapids, trickled over stones and at times flawed | + | |
- | PAGES FROM THE PAST. | + | |
- | A RETROSPECTION. | + | |
- | "Say Wall how about something for the / | + | |
- | came to join the Club - good trips of the past - humourous | + | |
I promised, and let my mind wander back over the years, reading what is written on the pages of the past, and here is what I found. | I promised, and let my mind wander back over the years, reading what is written on the pages of the past, and here is what I found. | ||
- | The first scene is set at Pondi; the old No. 7 patrol is on duty. All is quiet | + | |
- | for the Waves god has been kind and but for one small hole to the right of the crowd, there is little danger. Harold and Tom are yarning, whilst the rest of us are amusing ourselves | + | The first scene is set at Bondi; the old No. 7 patrol is on duty. All is quiet for the Waves god has been kind and but for one small hole to the right of the crowd, there is little danger. Harold and Tom are yarning, whilst the rest of us are amusing ourselves |
- | Tiring of our strenuous activities, we joined our more sedate confreres and | + | |
- | heard tell of places new and strange - Nattai, Little River, Goat Track, Burning Palms and Era were some of these, and what visions they conjured up: Tales of camp fires, ranges to be conquered, beautiful rivers, and rare comradeship, | + | Tiring of our strenuous activities, we joined our more sedate confreres and heard tell of places new and strange - Nattai, Little River, Goat Track, Burning Palms and Era were some of these, and what visions they conjured up! Tales of camp fires, ranges to be conquered, beautiful rivers, and rare comradeship, |
- | 19 | + | |
- | The next page tells of the first walk with the Club. Harold was the leader and there was ITiddyl | + | The next page tells of the first walk with the Club. Harold was the leader and there was " |
- | Turning once more the pages, I read of many delightful days and week ends with the brotherhood, | + | |
- | the Surf Club - helped to no small extent by the fact that Phil could enjoy with me the wonderful | + | Turning once more the pages, I read of many delightful days and weekends |
My attention is arrested by what next appears, for it tells of the first big trip - Kanangra, Kowmung, Cedar Road, the Cox - are inscribed in indelible capitals across this page, and reminiscences come flooding back at that most | My attention is arrested by what next appears, for it tells of the first big trip - Kanangra, Kowmung, Cedar Road, the Cox - are inscribed in indelible capitals across this page, and reminiscences come flooding back at that most | ||
famous trip, the ' | famous trip, the ' | ||
- | Do you who were there remember the uproars train trip? the freezing night at the sawmill? the champagne air as we strode out for Kanangra, keen for the sight of our Mecca? and will you ever gorget | + | |
- | The next few leaves bring memories of places far and wide, of Hawkesbury, | + | Do you who were there remember the uproars train trip? the freezing night at the sawmill? the champagne air as we strode out for Kanangra, keen for the sight of our Mecca? and will you ever forget |
- | Nepean and MarragaMba, Minerva pool and rocky, rugged, beautiful O' | + | |
- | Visions of camp and campfires in many remote and lovely spots pass before me like Omar's ' | + | The next few leaves bring memories of places far and wide, of Hawkesbury, Nepean and Warragamba, Minerva pool and rocky, rugged, beautiful O' |
- | lNattail | + | |
- | heading out from Mittagong. Poor old Jim Liddy finds it hard to make the pace | + | ' |
- | it is his first big trip - and we pause on Gap Creek to await his coming. Big hearted Herbert consoles him, lifts off his pack and forthwith commences thinking (strange, you'll say, but its true). Tom had been busy and Jim has brought 6 lbs. of the Herbert food - and still has it. Shame! A rare trip (though Tom did | + | |
- | lose his pipe), finishing with two days at that Heaven upon earth - MaoArthurts | + | I read now of a ten days' trip with Marj Hill and Phil Chamberlain, |
- | I read now of a ten days' trip with Marj Hill and Phil Chamberlain, | + | |
sweat, and lovely, cool Kowmung. Perhaps folk wonder how we could enjoy a trip wherein were so many seemingly unpleasant things, yet this stands out as one of the most enjoyable, the aesthetic compensations far outweighed the few physical discomforts. | sweat, and lovely, cool Kowmung. Perhaps folk wonder how we could enjoy a trip wherein were so many seemingly unpleasant things, yet this stands out as one of the most enjoyable, the aesthetic compensations far outweighed the few physical discomforts. | ||
- | Succeeding pages tell of the first reunion, of boat race parties, Rowing Parties on the Nepean, the Barrisonsl | + | |
- | corstion, ploy, mystery hiking and many other things; days in whiok tal* nub grew v000m me until it became a living vital thing, essential to my very beim, | + | Succeeding pages tell of the first reunion, of boat race parties, Rowing Parties on the Nepean, the Harrisons' |
- | F=t7,-_or o-1. I find many pages filled with stories of the Wild Dogs, 191aok, white, blue, yellow and brindle, and mixed with these are tales of fog, of rata; and wind and cold, of pleasant camps, wonderful panoramas, and of course, the comradeship of friends, Never will I forget the Wild Dogs nor the happy times they have brought to me. | + | constitution, policy, mystery hiking and many other things; days in which the club grew upon me until it became a living vital thing, essential to my very being. |
+ | |||
+ | Further on I find many pages filled with stories of the Wild Dogs, black, white, blue, yellow and brindle, and mixed with these are tales of fog, of rata; and wind and cold, of pleasant camps, wonderful panoramas, and of course, the comradeship of friends, Never will I forget the Wild Dogs nor the happy times they have brought to me. | ||
Books could I fill from my pages of the past for there are tales of lazy gra days and of uproarious 'Bucks weekends. of meanderings with Phil and Imps, of Federatiom, Garawarra, meetings humourous and meetings otherwise and of cursed ' | Books could I fill from my pages of the past for there are tales of lazy gra days and of uproarious 'Bucks weekends. of meanderings with Phil and Imps, of Federatiom, Garawarra, meetings humourous and meetings otherwise and of cursed ' | ||
Marie has often said to me that the Club must never degenerate and geself admiration', | Marie has often said to me that the Club must never degenerate and geself admiration', | ||
Line 351: | Line 367: | ||
When the ' | When the ' | ||
So in closing this my retrospection, | So in closing this my retrospection, | ||
- | WAITER ROOTS | + | |
- | SOCIAL | + | __WALTER ROOTS__ |
- | 16th February, the 'th. Annual swimming Carnival was held at Mosquito | + | ===== SOCIAL |
- | Camp on the Woronora River, Weather and other conditions were ideal. There | + | |
- | was a record attendance approximately 100 being there. | + | 16th February, the 7th. Annual swimming Carnival was held at Mosquito Camp on the Woronora River. Weather and other conditions were ideal. There was a record attendance approximately 100 being there. |
The events were keenly contested and a very fine day was spent by all, and the carnival generally was a very successful function. | The events were keenly contested and a very fine day was spent by all, and the carnival generally was a very successful function. | ||
- | 22nd. February: Our old friend " | + | |
- | recent Barrier Reef trip entitled "A cruise through | + | 22nd. February: Our old friend " |
- | was very interesting as there were some very fine slides and to most of us the Barrier Reef has decided attractions and we are always glad to hear more about it. | + | |
- | On the week-end of March 9th. and 10th. the 4th. Annual Re-union Camp was | + | On the week-end of March 9th. and 10th. the 4th. Annual Re-union Camp was held at Emu Plains. There was a very efficient committee of organisers |
- | held at Emu Plains. There was a very efficient committee of Organisers | + | |
- | Camp-fire and entertainment were excellent. The attendance was the largest we | + | 22nd. March: Harold Chardon gave a lecture an the Tuglow |
- | hare had and the damper competition brought | + | |
- | 22nd. March: Harold Chardon gave a lecture an the Tuglaw | + | This was followed, on March 29th., by a very fine lecture by Marie Byles on " |
- | This was followed, on March 29th., by a very fine lecture by Marie Byles on " | + | |
- | perhaps the finest slides we have yet had in the S.B.M. Club Rooms and were thoroughly interesting and enjoyable. | + | On 16th. April the first dance of the season was held at the Arts Club, the attendance was very fair and the evening one of the best. There were as usual, very high spirits in evidence, and the evening went with a swing. There was also a slight profit. |
- | On 16th. April the first dance of the season was held at the Arts Club, the | + | |
- | attendance was very fair and the evening one of the best. There were as usual, very high spirits in evidence, and the evening went with a swing. There was also a slight profit. | + | |
26th. April: Bob Savage gave us some inside information on the recent Barrier Reef trip, which was undertaken by a party of Bushwalkers with others. This was highly entertaining and most enjoyable. | 26th. April: Bob Savage gave us some inside information on the recent Barrier Reef trip, which was undertaken by a party of Bushwalkers with others. This was highly entertaining and most enjoyable. | ||
- | 17th0 May: some of the Bushwalkers presented a very amusing One Act Farce entitled " | + | |
- | 24th. May: Mr. Charlie Savage entertained members considerably with an account of the recent Jamboree held at Frankston and also of the Jamboree hikes. This was accompanied by excellent slides and was exceptionally interesting, | + | 17th0 May: some of the Bushwalkers presented a very amusing One Act Farce entitled " |
- | All who know Peggy Docksy will be sorry to hear that she has recently | + | |
- | sustained a great loss in the death of her father. | + | 24th. May: Mr. Charlie Savage entertained members considerably with an account of the recent Jamboree held at Frankston and also of the Jamboree hikes. This was accompanied by excellent slides and was exceptionally interesting, |
+ | |||
+ | All who know Peggy Docksy will be sorry to hear that she has recently sustained a great loss in the death of her father. | ||
FOR THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE | FOR THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE | ||
- | R.D. BROWNE, | + | |
+ | R.D. BROWNE, |
193506.txt · Last modified: 2015/03/28 17:01 by emmanuelle_c