Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- 194311 [2016/11/03 10:55] – tyreless
+++ 194311 [2016/11/03 15:55] – tyreless
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 ----
+=====Winter In Kanangra.=====
+Bert Whillier.
+We had been toying with the idea of doing a winter trip out Kanangra way, so when the firm requested I take my holidays earlier, we found ourselves in next to no time aboard the Jenolan Caves bus on Saturday afternoon lst August. We arvived at the Caves House about 2.45 where we were closely questioned by numerous people and last but not least the Manager, none of whom seemed to grasp the fact that a male, woman and a small child of 2 years 4 months, were going to camp out in winter weather for a week in the rough country that lies between Jenolan Caves and Katoomba via Kanangra. Anyway although the Manager was sympathetic he couldn't let us light a fire on the reserve, which extended 5 miles on the Mt. Victoria side and 2 miles towards Oberon. There being no point in camping without a fire we pushed on up the mile hill, which as everyone knows, rises 1,800 ft. in the 2 miles.
+Eve had the baby in my "patent not applied for" carrier, which had gunny sacks attached. These contained 2 tins of full cream milk in each sack. The baby weighs about 36 lbs so my wife had all together about 45 lbs. I had 2 1/2 sleeping bags, tent and other gear as well as food for 2 3/4 persons, the whole weight being 75 lbs.
+We battled on over the brow of the hill, myself a few hundred yards in the lead, having gone on to look for a camp spot. I passed a house but by the time Eve got there the occupants, the Payne Brothers, had come out and offered us the use of the empty house next door, for which we were very grateful, as it was nearly dark.
+Next morning, leaving my pack, we walked back down down the hill, in the light snow, to the caves, where we inspected the Orient Cave. Lynette insisted on walking through herself, and in places where the cave was about 5ft. high, most people had to duck, and to see our hopeful who is no taller than 34" ducking too, had to be seen to be appreciated. The inspection over, we again climbed the mountain to find snow covering almost everything around.
+After lunch we said good-bye to the Payne Brothers and their little grandson, who made us promise to let them know when we got to safety. We had heard that the men working on the Kanangra Road, had left or 3 huts behind them but we had no idea where or how far out these were. However we found the first one about 1 1/2 miles from the turn off and as the time was about 3.45 we decided to stay the night. We busied ourselves getting wood in, Lynnette of course carrying in her little bits of firewood.
+Next morning putting our heads out of the door, what a sight, everything was covered under about 9" snow.
+"Sand" said Lynnette and out she rushed to play, only to discover that the "sand" hurt her hands.
+We were ready to move off at 8 a.m. the road ahead of us a beautiful white carpet and snow still falling. I thought longingly of my skis lying at home, as I trudged heavily along. About every three or four steps I had to give a gigantic kick to knock a ball of snow 3 or 4 inches thick off my heel. My wife at least didn't have that worry but she must have felt very uncomfortable because all Eve wore on the trip was a pair of leather shoes with rubber soles.
+The baby presented a queer sight sitting in the pack with the double headed groundsheet covering both her and the wife. We rugged Lynnette up well on these occasions; finding it a good plan to put her in her sleeping bag, up to the armpits and letting her wear two thick sweaters. As we hadn't reckoned on snow, we couldn't let Lynnette walk as much as we intended, as she only had a pair of sandals.
+As we trudged on we often surprised a herd of wallabies and saw a few wombat tracks. We came abreast of a hill and looking to the South West along the Hollander's River Valley we could see miles of beautiful snow covered tops. Passing through Cunningham's about 11 a.m. it was too bleak to stop at the old bark hut so we kept on and about 600 yds further on we found another road maker's hut in a nice sheltered position. "This will do" we said, so gladly I dropped my pack and lifted Lynette out of her seat. Lunch over I looked around for a piece of tin to make a sledge but I couldn't find a suitable piece. We pushed on and after hours of hard walking and feeling about all in, we were relieved to see a hut at Morong Creek. This hut is the best on the road, having a wooden floor, four bunks, table and stools.
+Next morning with snow still falling I looked for a piece of tin and finding a good piece, I set to work with a will and wired a wooden box to the tin and made a sledge. We put the babe in with just her head showing and she showed her approval by demanding to be dragged all around the hut. I put some of my gear out of the pack in with Lynnette and we set off both pulling the sledge, which slid very easily over the snow. However after about four miles the snow petered out on the road, having been blown off by the terrific wind.
+Soon we arrived at Kanangra Walls where icicles 3 to 5ft. long wore hanging from ledges over the cave. We found it too cold and windy on the dancing platform side, so we retreated to the Western side of the small gully where we found quite a comfortable little cave. The baby was very interested in the small birds that constantly flittered into the cave.
+Next morning we set off down to the Kowmung and on the narrow neck leading to Scrubby Top we had a severe struggle to keep on our feet and found that we had to hold on to each other. I found myself muttering into my five day old beard an saying some hard things about winds, narrow necks, heavy packs etc."Anyhow it will be better on Scrubby Top and then we'll soon be down on the Kowmung" I said, "Man proposes and God disposes". True works as we were to find out, for on getting a footing on Scrubby Top, we found the wind and snow just as bad if not worse. This was the time the baby picked to ask plaintively for Coc-Coc (chocolate) which we carry for her good conduct. I think Lynnette thought I was a cross between Mandrake and a Himalayan porter and that my pack had elastic sides, for the amount of chocolate she asked for even till the seventh day was amazing.
+The Kowmung presented a very welcome sight and after walking a few miles downstream we camped near a big pile of driftwood. These piles of driftwood were numerous all the way down the Kowung making it hard going, the Cox was not nearly so bad.
+Lynette was now in her glory with the multi-coloured stones that lined the river banks. "Look there is a blue one Daddy, I want that one". She got a great deal of pleasure out of throwing them into the water to hear the plonking sound. The babe walked and climbed quite a few miles down the Kowmung and up the Cox and Breakfast Creek, always making for the hardest places and climbing like a mountain goat. We arrived at Carlons about 3 in the afternoon, and were fed and cared for in the usual Carlon manner. Carlon's was something quite new to Lynette, who had never seen so many turkeys, fowls and ducks. She crawled under a cow that Mrs. Carion was milking to see where the milk was coming from and why. On Sunday morning about 11 a.m. we regretfully said goodbye to the Carlons and pushed on up Megalong valley and up Devil's Hole arriving in Katoomba to catch the 4-5 train all well and happy, Lynette with apple cheeks and brimming over with good health.
+We could see snow clouds still rolling over the mountains out Kanangra way as we left (Kook-a-tooma) (baby talk for Katoomba).
+We have since had a letter from the Payne Brothers telling us that never in history has the snow been so heavy. In their own backyard it was 8 ft. deep and on the road down to the caves 2 and 3ft deep.
+----
+====="Sadly Mist"=====
+By "Mumbedah".
+Sproggo and I lurched across the road to Harrington's Corner from Katomba Station, and depositing our groaning rucksacks on the weighing-machine to be found there, for the expenditure of the sum of 2d. that our respective loads were 59 and 60 pounds. Not deiging to walk out upon the road to the Explorer's Tree, we were comfortably and speedily conveyed thereto by a taxi, and then commenced the long descent to Old Man Cox via Nellie's Glen and the Six Foot. It was growing dark when we reached the old hotel site, and although we understood Harold Chardon's party had come up on that morning's "Caves", we could see no sign of them nor any fresh footprints, so camped forthwith on the firewood on the "far" side of the creek. Next day, with 43 meals still in our Paddymades, we wended our way slowly downstream resting at frequent intervals as we had tons of time on our hands (and feet). Late in the afternoon, just below the big bend where Gibraltar Creek comes in we were overtaken by the worthy Harold, with whom we naturally joined forces, and camped that night at the junction of Little River. It was upon this occasion that I heard Dorothy Lawry first recite her now-famous "hippopotomus" poem for the first time. Early on the following forenoon, we all climbed the steep hills which rise up from Jack Kirby's homestead, and were rewarded with a new and magnificent view of the Dogs. I afterwards learned that this was Bald Hill and that wild goats abound on top thereof, which undoubtedly accounted for our irresistible urge to climb the particular hill. Sproggo and I said goodbye to Harold and his caravan and proceeded once more down the Cox, only to find, that due to an amazing burst of energy we were again overtaken whilst enjoying a late lunch. They waited for us to finish, and shortly afterwards, we came upon a large eagle sitting on the grasey bank for no apparent purpose. Investigation revealed it was caught in a rabbit-trap, and throwing a ground-sheet over its head, released it, whereupon it just stood and looked at us. Apparently it had been there some time and was about all-in from pain and hunger. Some weeks afterwards I was derided for not having killed the bird, and had a difficult task to convince my friend of the principles of the walkers. Once more we had the pleasure of the congenial company of the previous night on the triangular flat at Harry's River. We had arrived there early and attempted to find a camp site up through the Canyon, but the winter sun left likely spots damp and chilly. For late May, it was a beautiful night, and the flat resounded to the harmony of our voices in choir. Here our trails parted, Harold going on down to return to Katoomba via the White Dog, whilst Snroggo and I were going up the Jenolan, so on breaking camp the following day we said goodbye and said we'd see them in the Club the following Friday fortnight.
+It was the first occasion either of us had been up the Jenolan and we enjoyed breaking country then new to us. We turned up what we rightly judged to be Mumbedah Creek, taking our cue from the blaze on the big casuarina at the junction of that watercourse. We had been following a very large footprint left on the soft parts of the creek-bed, and just as we topped the jumble of boulders which bar the way a few miles up, we received a rude shock to see a great bovine head glaring at us a few yards distant. Rucksacks were slipped off in record time, and jumping aside, we directed a few small rocks at the huge steer, who made off up the mountain side. Desite his thick neck, buffalo horns and bulk, he was extremely nimble of foot and we were not at all displeased he was a bit shy of our company, and didn't stay for lunch. Norbert Carlon afterwards related to me that this same steer had strayed away from his mob years ago, and had not been seen for a long time. He creatd a nuisance by attracting tame cattle away from the Cox.
+There was quite a flow in the stream, and we kept going until the sides closed in and the way lay over and round moss-covered rocks, very slippery underfoot, particularly with our 37 meals still loaded up. Into the bargain, light rain began to fall, the mist obliterating the upper parts of the ridges, so we back-tracked to a beautiful oval-shaped flat which opened up on the creek, bracken-covered, with towering blue gums on the lower slopes, and a tranquil peacefulness about it. I consider it is in such spots as the one described, deep in the mountains, that we can really appreciate the peace and quietness which can only obtain in so wild country far from the main tracks, and where we seldom tread, except at odd intervals. These are the places which we are fighting to preserve for all time, and our knowledge of them should make us work harder to have the Greater Blue Mountains National Park a reality.
+Originally we intended to make a direct assault on Gouougang, and in the club room Myles had talked us out of doing so on the grounds of the going being too steep, so we had decided to make the ascent on the opposite side of Mumbedah Creek, to reach the tableland. Rolling up the wet tent next a.m. we took a long draught of water, and reckoned on our next drink at Cunningham's at tea-time. Up we went, up and up, the very short, steep and not so sweet ridge leading up to Moorara Heights, which are nothing less than a ridge-capped mountain, nearly as high as Gouougang, enclosed by the triangle formed by Jenolan River, Mumbedah Creek, and backed by the main plateau. We came upon a couple of shallow sadddles apparently winter cattle-camps from the ornamentation, and as we rested thereon, obtained grand views of the lower Jenolan, with the Gouougang Range on the right. High up Mumbedah Creek we could make out several waterfalls, which we mentally noted to visit - some day. The going had been extremely steep in parts, although open timber, and to record the grade, I took a photo of Sproggo coming up towards me on all fours. The printed result afterwards made it appear he was about to take off on a hundred yards sprint at an S.B.W. sports carnival, and I had to discard the photo in my attempts to impress my walking friends of our feat. Rain again set in, and with it crept down a mist weaving in and out the gullies and valleys, and soon we were enveleped in its soft mantle which deprived us of further scenery, and dulled our sense of height. We halted for "lunch" and although we had no water, lit a fire for company and enjoyed the celery Sproggo produced from his capacious pack. Celery is to be recommended for "dry" meals as it contains a fair amount of moisture and may be soaked before leaving camp. Then up again, and in fifteen minutes we were standing on a stony top and gave vent to a hearty cheer to signify our conquest of the mount. The mist was now in the pea-soup category and visibility was limited to about 30 feet. According to the map, the ridge ran a few points west of south-west, about 230°, and was connected with the tableland by, apparently a saddle-back. There was abundant rocky-outcrop, all on the fault, and where it wasn't stoney, saplings grew in profusion following a recent bush-fire, so that when we pushed through them our rucksacks bacame caught, and we were showered with drips off the leaves. After going a while, we found ourselves losing height without sign of a saddle, so we stopped and cogitated, peering this way and that into the solid white deathly silence. Even the rush of the water in Cams Creek had died away and the whole world seemed to stand still. There were several likely leads-off which might take us across the elusive saddle so we tried them in turn, each time losing height rapidly and ending up in the beginnings of groves of tree-ferns, so we back-tracked time and again only to find it was the same everywhere. We halted on a little flat with the firewood laid on, and decided to call it a day, and made camp where, I am certain, no one had camped before, nor since. As the reader is aware, we had no water, nar was there any possibility of drawing any from the nearest creek, about 1000' below, so in true bush-walking manner arranged the "Abdul" to drain into the bucket. The trees only dripped occasionally with condensed mist, but by half past four we had a bucket a yellowish fluid with a variety of objects floating therein, mainly from our camp-site of the previous night. However, nothing loth, we soon knocked up a pemmican stew (yes, it was obtainable then) and a brew of golden tea and were as happy as sand-boys. After a short debate, unanimous agreement was reached that this would not be a likely popular camping spot, and therefore did not hesitate to have a man-sized after-tea fire without thought of leaving a few logs for the fellow to follow us, which of course is part of our code (1). We were forced to the most remote corners of the tent to escape the heat, and had a most comfortable night despite the altitude and time of the year. We went to sleep wondering what the morrow would bring forth.
+Peering out in the grey dawn, I beheld a sight which did credit to our navigation of the previous day, insofar that we were actually camped ON the saddle. I drew Sproggo's yawning attention to the matter, and we up and doing forthwith.
+Well, we were on the UPPER end of the saddle, and observed that it DID dip quite a bit in the centre and therefore it COULD have been mistaken for the beginnings of a ridge leading down to the Jenolan, particularly as we had been unable to SEE the further end. We consoled ourselves with the argument and recorded that we had only been delayed by the inclmency of the weather. There was evidence that this was an old cattle route by the weathered blazes on the trees which continued almost to Cuntlingham's, where we stopped for lunch. After passing men engaged in pulling down trees to "improve" access to the Walls, we spent the night at Morong Creek, and was it cold? We expected to wake up to see snow-covered earth in the morn but were only rewarded with rain. We hit the big cave for a late lunch, very wet and miserable, and after eating, as the rain had set in good and proper, scoured the neighbourhood for that scarce commodity known as firewood.
-LL
-WIPT.. AT KANANGRA
-Bert Whinier.
-We had been toNing with the idea of doing a winter trip out Kanangra way, so when the firm requested I take my holidays earlier, we found oureelves in next 1,G no time aboard the Jenolan Caves bus on Saturday afternoon let August. We arvived at th.2 Caves House about 2.45 where we were closely questioned by numexeue 'pea-21e and last but not least the Manager, none of whom seemed to grasp the feet that a male, woman and a small child of 2 years 4 months; were going to camp out in winter weather for a week in the rough country that lies between Jenolan Caves and Katoomba via Kanangra. Anyway although the lianager was sym-eathetic he couDdn't let us light a fire on the reserve, which extended 5 miles on the ri't vic:;eria side and 2 miles towards Oberon. There being no point in camping without a fire we pushed on up the mile hill, which as everyone knows, isises 1,800 ft. in the 2 miles.
-Eve had the baby in my "patent not a7plied for" carrier, which had gunny sacks attached. These contained 2 tins of full cream milk in each s ck. The baby weighs about 3O. lbs so my wife had all together. about 45 lbs. I had 21- sleelAug bags, tent and other gear as well as food for persons, the whole weight beiJg 75 lbs.
-We battled on over the brow of the hilli myself e. few hundred yards the lead, having zone on to look for a caze spot. I pas:eed a house but by the time Eve rot there the occtreants, the Payne Brothers, had come out and Offered us the use of the e-ent:-. house next door, for which we were very grateful, as it was nearly dark.
-Next morning, leavi e.g my pack, we walked back down domn the hill, in the light snow, to the caves, where we inspected the Orient Cave. Lynette insisted on walking through hercelf, and in places ,where the cave was about 5ft. high, most peciele had to duck, and to-see our hopeful who is no taller than 34" ducking too, had to be seen to be ap-ereciated. The inspection over, we again
-climbed the mountain to find snow covering almost everything around.
-After lunch wes jc1. good-bye to the Payne Brothers and their little grand-
-son, who made us -oroaise to lot theei_ know when we got to safety, We had heard that the men working on the KananFa Road, had left or 3 huts behind them
-but we had no idea whJre or how far out these were. However we found the first one about 1.:.15- miles from The turn off and as the time was about 3.45 we decided to steer the night. We busied ourselves ,:etting wood in, Lynnette of course carrying in her little bite of firewood.
-Next morning puttinft our heads out of the door, what a sight, everything was covered under about 9" snow.
-"Sand" said Lynnette and out she rushed to play, only to discover that the "sand" hurt her hands. -
-We were ree dy to aeve off at 8 a m, the road ahead of us a beautiful white
-carpet and snow still felling. I thought longingly of my skis lyin at home, as I :,;rudeed heavily along. About every three or four steps I had to give a gigantic kick to knock a ball of snow 3 or 4 inches thick off my heel. My wife at least didnit have that worry but she must have felt very uncomfortable because all Eve wore on the trip was a pair of leather shoes with rubber soled.
-The baby presented a queer sight sitting in the Pack with the double
-headed groundsheet covering both her and the wife. We tuggea Lynnette up well
-' 7 '
-on these occasions; finding it a good plan to put her in her sloel ping bag, up to the armpits and lotting her wear two thick sweaters. As we hadn't reckoned or. Enew, we couldn't let Lynnette walk as much as we intended, as she only had
-lair of sandals.
-As we trudged on wo often surprised a herd of wallabies ana saw a few wcmbat tracks. We came abreast of a bill and looking to the South Vlost along tge Hollander's River Valley we could so. miles of beautiful snow covered tops. RAseing through Cunningham's about 11 a m. it was too bleak to stop at the old bark hut so we kept on and about 600 yds further on we found another road makwr's hut in a nice sheltered 7)osition. This will do" we said, so gladly
-I are7eed my pack and lifted Lynotte out of her seat. Lunch over I looked around for a piece of tin to make a sledge but I couldn't find a suitable piece We pushed on and after hours of hard walking and foling about all in, we were relieved to see a hut at 1.:orong Creek. This hut is the best on the road, having a wooden floor four bunks, table and stools.
-Next morning wit h snow still far ing I lo.)ked for a piece of tin and finding a good piece; I set to work with a -will and wired a wooden box to the tin and made a sledge. We put the babe in with just her head showing and she showed her approval by demanding to be dragged all around the hut. I put some of my gear out of the pack in with Lynnette and we Set off both pulling the sledge, which slid very easily over the snow. However after about four miles tho snow petered out on the road, having been blown off by the terrific wind.
-Soon we arfived at Kanangra Walls where icicles 3 to 5ft. long wore hang- in T from lodges over the cave. We found it too cold and windy on the dancing Platform side, so we retreated to the Western side of the small sully where we fe-emd. qUite a comfortable little cave. The baby was very interested in the small birds that constantly flitterad into the cave.
-Next morning we sot off down to the Kowmung and on the nareow neck leading to Scrubby To-D we had a severe strugole to keep on our feet and found that we had to hold on to each other. I found myoelf muttering into my five day old beard an raying some hard things about winds, narrow necks, heavy p,.cks etc."Anyhow it will be better on Scrubby Top and then we'll soon be down on the Kowmung" I said, '1,.1,1.11 pronoses and God Disposes, True works as we wore to find out, for
-on getting a footing on Scrubby Top, we found the wind and snow just as bad if net worse, This was the time the baby picked to ask plaintively for Coc-Coc (chocolate) which we carry for her good conduct. I think Lynnette thought I Was a crosr. betwe n Eandrake and a Himalayan porter and that my pack had elastic sides, for the amount of chocolate she asked for oven till the seventh day was amazing.
-The Kowmung presented a very welcome sight and after walking a few miles downstream we camped near a big pile of driftwood. These piles of driftwood wore numerous all the way down the Kowung making it hard going, the Cox was not nearly so bad.
-Lynette was now in her glory with the multi-coloured stones that lined the river banks. 7;Look there 4.e a blue one Daddy, I wan that one". She got a great deal of pleasure out of throwing the:1 ilto the water to hear the plonking sound.
-The babe walked and climbed quite a few miles down the Kowmung and 11., the Cox
-a/id Breakfast Creek, always making for the hardest places and climbing like a mountain goat, We arrived at Canons about 3 in the afternoonland were fed and cared for in the usual Gorl n manner. C-rlon's was something quite new to
-en a
-L:nenotte, who had never seen so many turkeys, fowls and ducks. She crawled un,ae... a cow that Mre,Carion was milking to see where the milk was coming from and why On Sunday morning about 11 a m. we regrotfilly said goodbye to the Canons and pushed on up Meg ,long vnlley and un Devil's Hole arriving in Katoomba to catch the 4-5 train all well -nd heony, Lyanette with annlo cheeks and brimming over with -.Jood health.
-We could 80_ E ow clouds still rolling over the mountains out 1<anangra way as we left (Kook-a-tooma) (baby talk for Katoomba).
-We h-e,e 1nc h d a letter from the Payne Brothers telling us th.:t novor history has nie snow been so heavy. In their own back :ard it was aft. deep and on th road (lewe to the caves 2 and 3ft deep.
-By uMumbedah".
-SnroL3go and I lurched ncrose the road to Harrington's Corner from Katomba Station, and deositilg our groaning rucksacks on the weighing-machine to be found there, fon the e:e)enditure of the sum of 2d. that our respective loads wore 59 and 60 oands. ot deigen to walk out un ,n the road to the Exiorer'c Tree, we w,re comfortably and speedily conveyed thereto by a taxi, and then commenced the lonz. descent to Old Lian Cox via Nellie's Glen and the Six Foot. It ves growing dark when we reached the old hotel cite, and although we understood Harold Chardon's :.e rt: had cone tti on that morning's "Caves", we could see no sign of them nor any fresh footr-;_nts, so camped forthwith on the firewood on the "far" side of: the creek. Ne:t day, with 43 meals still in our Paddymades,
-we wended our way slowly downstream resting at frequent intervals as we had tons of time on our h nds (and feet). Late in the afternoon, just below be big bend whore Gibraltar Creek comas in we were overtaken by the worthy Harold, with whom we naturally joined forces, and camned that night at the junction of Little River. It was upon this occasion that I heard Dorothy Lawry first recite her now-famous "hipnonotomus" poem for the first time. Early on the following forenoon, we all climbed the step hills which rise up from Jack Kirby's homestead, and were rewarded with a new and magnificent view of the Dogs. I afterwards learned that this was Bald Hill and that wild goats abound on top thereof, which undoubtedly accounted for our irresistible urge to climb the particular hill. Sproggo and I said goodbye to Harold and his caravan and proceeded once more down the Cox i onle to find, that due to an amaming burst offlergy we-were again overtaken whilst enjoying a late lunch. They waited for Us to finish, and shortly afterwlrds, we came upon a large eagle sit+ing on the grasey bank for no aennent purose. Investigation revealed it was taught in a rabbit-trap, and throwing a ground-sheet over its head, released it, whereupon it just stood and looked at us. A7;,. arently it had been there some time and was about all-in from pain and hunger, Some weeks afterwards I was derided for not having ldaled the bird, and had e, difficult task to convince my friend of the princln3les of the walkers, Once more we had the pleasure of the congenial com-eany of the previous night on the triengelar flat at Harry's River. We had arrived there early and attemnted to find a canp site up through the Canyon, but the winter sun left likely spots damp and chilly. For late May, it was a beautiful night, and the- flat resounded to the harmony of our voices in choir. Here our trails parted, Harold going on down to return to T.;atoomba via the White Dog, whilst Snroggo and I were going up the Jenolan, so on breaking camp the following day we said 4 goodbye and s id we'd sea them in the Club the following Friday fortnight.
-"S.A.DLY MIST"
-aaaa  a ..a."
-It was the first occacion eihr of us had been up the Jenolan and weL e-n/.&d. breakin country thell new to us. We turned up what we rightly judged to
--!_ro'heh Creek, taking our cue from the blaze on the big casure-le. e.17
-e' -w-rion of that watercourse. 7Te he,d been following a very L--o7e
-t parts of the creek-bed, and just as we topped the 171pil-):1 of beullwes
-le e the way a few miles up, we received a rude shock to sec a 7iee t beine hu, t.::_aring at us a few yards distant. 7luc1-sac1:s were s1i212cd .eeeera tl,Ite: and jumping aside, we directed a few small rocks at the Le,,:e e: ee r3 rede off u the mountc.:n $1Cl3. Desite his thick neck, buffalo ilern an 11c- ,g%es e-!:trereely nimble -of foot and we were not at e.11 diseleased he 7as a b*t
-Ir oC.(yer company,,an d t stay foI4 lunch. 14)xbert Ce rlen Lerterw_rds related t(.) IT,') that this szme steer '_ved strayed awzey from hir mob years a:;.os and hed not
-en ;een Zor a lons time. He creatd a mu:isance by attracting tarea cattle away from,the Cox.'
-There Was, quite a flow in the stl-eaell and ie kept going until tho rides cloced'in and the. way lay over e nd round moss-covered rocks, very sli,eeeery underfoot, particularly with our7 reeals still loeded up. Into the bargain l light rra iu basan to fall, the m st ol)literatiro-the unl:er parts of tho ridges, so we bLek-treci,:ed to a be-ut-%ful oval-sha-eed flat which opened uee on the crook, bracken-covered, with toerin-g blue gums on the lower slcepes, and a tranquil peacefulness about it. I consf,_der it iF 7(1 suc'l sots as the one described, deer in the mountains, that We ce-el really aj.:-,r,ciate the peace and quietnecs which can only obtain in so child country far from the main trucks, and vihere we seldom tread, except at odd intervals. These are vho --)laces which we ara fiL:htins to preserve for all time, and our keowledge of nam should make u8 we rk harder to have the Greater 7:1u5 Mounta-Ins 1,Tatiol Park a reality,
-, Originally we intended to make e. dir..,ct assault on Gouougang,. cnd in the club room Myles had talked us. out of doilig so on the grounds of the going being too steep, so we had decided tC make the ascent en the oleosite side of 1-umbedah Ce'4.-c:i to reach the table-laid. - Rolling up the wet tent next a m, we toek a :.long draught of ;,iaterf and reci,oned on our next drink at CunninghLt mis at tea-
-. tirile, Up, we went, 'LID and t, the very short, steep and not so sweet ride
-le ,.ding up to oorara Heigl:ts,,whieh axe nothins los- than e. ride-caIwuntain, mearly 'as high as C.keuouge ng, enclos d by the triangle famed by
-Jenolan River, Lumbedah Creel:, and hacked by the /.flan plateau. We.. came upon a couple of sh=ow sad-Iles a parently winter cattle-camps from the orna.,,.entation, and ;..L.5 we rested th,reon, obtained srand views of the lower Jee:olan, wit:, the Gollougang,Range on the riht.. High up ilumbedah Creek w, coUid make out several Irvtu=Ealls, which we mentally noted to visit - FOM day. The :.;-oieig had boon extremel:ci'steep pert, although Don til l.ber, and to r6cord the 4e de, I took
-a 1,:hoto'of Sproe;,30 coming u- towards me on all fours. The printed result afterwards made it appear he Was aloeu to tan off on a hundred yards o:)rint at an
-eelpoTts carnive.11 eeLld I had -co discard the photo in my atemots to iml)ress :z1:1 walking friends of' our e6t. Rain again set in and Yith it crept down a
-mist weaving-in and out 'the gullies and valleys, nd soon we were envelepo d in its soft LtlC whieh deprived us of furt:eer scenery, and dulled our se2e se of heiht, We haDted for "lun'en'i and lthough we had no we,ter,, lit a fire f(ex. ,company andeenjoyeci c ir S c o preduced from his ca-ece cioUs pack. C,Lery Is to be reco'le,n,Ifef: for "dry" incalc as it contains a feir af,lount of molFture and may be soa c.,..dbefore' lco vine-'6, Then up agein, .'.nd in fifteen minutes. we were ,Ft-ndin's oe. a stony top aad gave vent to a hearty cheer to signify our cOnouust of the M.ount. The mist was now in the pea-souia category
-.A.. .
-and visibility was limited to about 30.fet. According to the map, the ridge ran a few points west of seuth-west, about 230, and was connected with the tableland by, aPParently a se ddle-back. There was abundant rocky-outcrcep, r111 on the fault, and ,./h :r it w.- sn't stoney, saplings grew in profusion a recent bush-fire, so that when we PncYLed through them our rucks c]es
-co_u;ht, end we were sinew red with dri-,ps of the leaves. ;j-ter going a vieLle, we found ourselves losing height without sign of a saddle, so we steyoed and cogitated, peerin eay. and t'.at into the smlid white deathly silonoei 72,7en
-the rush of the w-ter in Cams Creak had died away and the whole world.6.ee2 to stand ntill, Th re were several likely leads-off which might take us across the elixeiee saddle so we tried them in turn, each time losing height rieeidly and ending ue in the be,dne_ings of groves of tree-ferns, SO WO back-tracked thee and aain only to find it was the seme everywhere. We halted on a little flat with the firewood laid oe, and decided to call it a day, and made camp where, I am certain, no one had coped before, nor since. As the reader is aware, we had no weter, n,r was there any ,possibility of drawing any from the nearest creek, about 10001 below, so in true bush-walking maneer arrane:.ed the Abdul'T" to drain into the bucket. The trees on17 dripped occasionally pith condensed mist, but by half past four we had a bucket a yellowish fluid with a variety of objects floatin:3 therein; mainly from our cam,e-site df the previous ni,:fht, However, nothing loth, we soon knocked tr.) a ne=ican stew (yes, it was obtainable then) and a brew of golden tea and were as happy as sand-boys, After a short debate, unanimous agreement was reached that this would not be a likely popular camping spot, and therefore did not hesitate to have a man-sized after- tea fire without thought of leaving a few logs for the fellow to folloW us, which of course is -art of our code (1). Te w)re forced to the most remote corners of the tent to escape the heat, and had a most comfortable night despite the altitude and time of the year. :le went to sleep wondering what the morrow would bring forth.
-Peering out in the grey dawn, I beheld a sight which did credit to our navigation of the Previoud day$ insofar that we were ac%ually vazned ON the saddle. I drew Slproggots yawning attention to the matter, and we LID and doing forthwith.
-Well, we were on the IT= end of the saddle, and observed that it DD dip quite a bit in the centre and therefore it COULD have been mistaken for the beginnings of a ridge leading down to the Jenolan, particularly as we had been unable to SET the further end. We consoled ourselves with the uesument and
-recorded that we had only been delayed by the inclmency of the weather. There was evidence that this was an old ea le route by the weathered blazes on the trees which continuea almost to Cuntlinghamts; where we stopeed for Tunch. After paSeing men engaged in pulling down trees to "improve" access to the 78_14, we
-sent the night at T.-.erong Creek, and was it cold'? We expected to wake up to
-see snow--covered e,..rth in the morn but were only rewarded with rain, We hit the big caTe for a late lunch, very wet and miserable, and after eating, as
-the rain had sot in good and proper; scoured the neighbourhood for that scarce 0 commodity known as firewood
 (To be continued)
-/ L1
-L. --------i..,-,------ \\,
+----
-(
-.1'
-: - 7_ r ef.
-la
 AT UUR CITE 1.1EZZI77_17
 Three new members were welcomed - Peter Jones, who was admitted last month, Hazel Firth and lob Iouner. It was announced that David McGoffin had ben admitted, but wa.: away in DriOeane.