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--- 194907 [2016/02/24 08:51] – [Last Trip] kennettj
+++ 194907 [2016/02/24 13:08] – [Last Trip] kennettj
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-Several times in these pages it has been pointed out that lost hikers have taken their place along with murders, nudity and the morals of film stars as one of the popular selling lines in the stock-in-trade of the journalist. One person lost in the bush is news, whereas the thousands seriously ill in hospital or the hundreds injured in car accidents are taken for granted. After each thrilling ephisode the general public, gathering the impression that hikers are always wandering round befogged, starving, and threatened by ravenous dingos, send their quota of indignant letters to the papers.
+Several times in these pages it has been pointed out that lost hikers have taken their place along with murders, nudity and the morals of film stars as one of the popular selling lines in the stock-in-trade of the journalist. One person lost in the bush is news, whereas the thousands seriously ill in hospital or the hundreds injured in car accidents are taken for granted. After each thrilling episode the general public, gathering the impression that hikers are always wandering round befogged, starving, and threatened by ravenous dingos, send their quota of indignant letters to the papers.
 A few of these letters are written by responsible people and are amply justified by the hardships of the searchers. Thus the Mayor of Katoomba. Alderman Frank Walford, described the "Hyde Park bush-men" who "plunge blithely into the treacherous maze of Blue Mountains ridges and gorges. After describing the privations of the police and searchers he concludes "A motorist who endangers human life by reckless driving is subject to a penalty. Why should not the principle embrace those whose folly forces others to risk life and limb?" Mr. C.E. Coakes expressed very similar views and pointed out that "the number of lost hikers is increasing each year." Many suggestions have been made for the blazing of trails, while one of the newspaper columnists suggested equipping hiking parties with walkie-talkies.
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 Marie Byles wrote to say that she had heard from the Parks and Playgrounds Movement that the Lands Department had decided, subject to the concurrence of the Water Board being obtained, that the Valuer General be instructed to arrange the purchase of the two freehold portions on the Narrow Necks for L400 with a view to public recreation. The land was to be placed under the control of the Blue Mountains City Council.
-News contained in a letter from the Blue Mountains City Council was not so good. The Council wE,s not prepared to give an undertaking that the area should be left in its primitive condition. It was thought that the time might arrive when it would be desirable to have a drive-way constructed.
+News contained in a letter from the Blue Mountains City Council was not so good. The Council was not prepared to give an undertaking that the area should be left in its primitive condition. It was thought that the time might arrive when it would be desirable to have a drive-way constructed.
-A letter was received from Mr. F.E. Peters, an S.U.B.W. delegate, objecting to the article entitled The Black Sheep of the Federation'', appearing in the Nay issue of the Magazine. It protested that the S.U.B.W. delegates were not ''the stonewall tacticians of the Federationh because they had only given three notices of recission of motions, one of which was given and withdrawn at the meeting of 19th April. Mr, Brian Harvey, the wrimr of the article, said that there was no mention in the Federation minutes of the withdrawal of this motion. It had not been withdrawn until after the meeting had concluded. At the time he wrote the article the SoU.B.W. had initfated three recission motions, two of them at the meeting of April 19th0
-Th President then read the letters written to the Minister for Lands ard the Director of the National Fitness Council about the Era land'. Following this he made a report on an interview he had had with Mr. Gordon Young, the Director of the National Fitness Movementdr Most of the information he obtained was already known to Club members, except,it appeared, that the Federation had written to the National Fitness Council in July 1947 agreeing to the resumption of the land by National Fitness. About 4,000 was available for the resumption of all the blocks. The lard would be vested in the National Fitness Trust which had been formed under the Lands Act. There would also be a local advisory committee of interested bodies. A meeting of interested bodies would be held on June 24th to diamss the resumption. Mr. Young said that some of the sub-standard shacks would have to go. The remainder would probably have to be leased from National Fitness and would probably disappear in time, as no transfers would be permitted. The National FitneSs Council would in due cou-se erect a hostel and superintendant's residence together. These could also be combined with a surf boat shed. The position of these buildings had not yet been considered, but Little Garie had been discarded as a possible site. Mr, Young said that National Fitness was against a road into the area and that the hostel etc. would be built without a road (he did not say how). Cost was against building a road.
+A letter was received from Mr. F.E. Peters, an S.U.B.W. delegate, objecting to the article entitled The Black Sheep of the Federation appearing in the May issue of the Magazine. It protested that the S.U.B.W. delegates were not the stonewall tacticians of the Federation because they had only given three notices of recision of motions, one of which was given and withdrawn at the meeting of 19th April. Mr, Brian Harvey, the writer of the article, said that there was no mention in the Federation minutes of the withdrawal of this motion. It had not been withdrawn until after the meeting had concluded. At the time he wrote the article the S.U.B.W. had initiated three recision motions, two of them at the meeting of April 19th
-.
-owever he was not in favour of the Trust eurimittinp itself for all time to no roads and it would be up to the Local Committee to
+The President then read the letters written to the Minister for Lands and the Director of the National Fitness Council about the Era land. Following this he made a report on an interview he had had with Mr. Gordon Young, the Director of the National Fitness Movement. Most of the information he obtained was already known to Club members, except it appeared that the Federation had written to the National Fitness Council in July 1947 agreeing to the resumption of the land by National Fitness. About 4,000 was available for the resumption of all the blocks. The land would be vested in the National Fitness Trust which had been formed under the Lands Act. There would also be a local advisory committee of interested bodies. A meeting of interested bodies would be held on June 24th to discuss the resumption. Mr. Young said that some of the sub-standard shacks would have to go. The remainder would probably have to be leased from National Fitness and would probably disappear in time, as no transfers would be permitted. The National Fitness Council would in due course erect a hostel and superintendant's residence together. These could also be combined with a surf boat shed. The position of these buildings had not yet been considered, but Little Garie had been discarded as a possible site. Mr, Young said that National Fitness was against a road into the area and that the hostel etc. would be built without a road (he did not say how). Cost was against building a road. However he was not in favour of the Trust committing itself for all time to no roads and it would be up to the Local Committee to recommend any change. It would not be possib1e to transfer the area to Garrawarra, though perhaps the portion North of the Burgh Ridge might be transferred. It would be best to allow National Fitness to resume it all (including Lot 7) and then perhaps transfer a portion to Garawarra.
-rex mmend any change. It would not be poS6ib1e to transfer the area to Garrawarra, though perhaps the portion North of the Burgh Ridge might be transferred. It would be best to allow National FitneS tp resume it all (including Lot 7) and then nerhaps transfer a nortion to Garawarra.
-After this report Marie 1371es said shk, was unable to represent the Club on the special committee and AI x Colley was elected in her, place. Later in the meeting Marie Byles moved that If Lands Department doesn't rPsume'the land we support National F.5,Atmegb?'0 She pointed out that the question had been thoroughly thrasted out in the Recreational Areas sub-committee of the National Fitness Movement and that if she had not pushed it at every single meeting it would not have been taken up. A most enthusiastic letter had
+After this report Marie Byles said she was unable to represent the Club on the special committee and AIex Colley was elected in her place. Later in the meeting Marie Byles moved that If Lands Department doesn't resume the land we support National Fitness. She pointed out that the question had been thoroughly thrashed out in the Recreational Areas sub-committee of the National Fitness Movement and that if she had not pushed it at every single meeting it would not have been taken up. A most enthusiastic letter had
-been received from the Federation heartily endorsing National Fitness. The discussion followed the same lines as previously and there was no disagre'en'ent with the motion.
+been received from the Federation heartily endorsing National Fitness. The discussion followed the same lines as previously and there was no disagreement with the motion.
-The next subject for discussion was whether members should
-follow the Federation's lead and contribute to Life and Fishing". Allen Hardie thought that we should not try to restrain the impulses of members to write anything they liked. Jack Wren thought it reached a section of the public that we were against. Herb. Morris said that the one aim of such publications was to reap in a profit. It catered only for hunting and fishing interests. These people would not buy the magazine if articles anneared against their way of thinking. Gil Webb said we might rut articles in on shooting with a cainera. Dorothy Lawry pointed out that articles on shooting with a camera would merely indicate where the best shooting was to be had with a gun. Kevin Ardill said that if we really nublicised the sort of places we went to nobody would ever want to follow. It was decided that the S.B.W. were in favour of contributing articles to "Outdoors and Fishing".
+The next subject for discussion was whether members should follow the Federation's lead and contribute to "Life and Fishing". Allen Hardie thought that we should not try to restrain the impulses of members to write anything they liked. Jack Wren thought it reached a section of the public that we were against. Herb Morris said that the one aim of such publications was to reap in a profit. It catered only for hunting and fishing interests. These people would not buy the magazine if articles appeared against their way of thinking. Gil Webb said we might run articles in on shooting with a camera. Dorothy Lawry pointed out that articles on shooting with a camera would merely indicate where the best shooting was to be had with a gun. Kevin Ardill said that if we really publicised the sort of places we went to nobody would ever want to follow. It was decided that the S.B.W. were in favour of contributing articles to "Outdoors and Fishing".
-The President then called for volunteers for Room Stewards for the ensuing month. All except one of the eighty were quite happy te leave this work to the President and the Secretary, or other Committee members. The one who volunteered was, as usual, one of those who already carries out several tasks for the Club.
-It was decided to book a long table at the AOC.' Cafe (Wingello House, Angel Place) on Friday nights so that Club members could dine together.
+The President then called for volunteers for Room Stewards for the ensuing month. All except one of the eighty were quite happy to leave this work to the President and the Secretary or other Committee members. The one who volunteered was as usual, one of those who already carries out several tasks for the Club.
+It was decided to book a long table at the A.C. Cafe (Wingello House, Angel Place) on Friday nights so that Club members could dine together.
 The meeting closed at 8.45 p m.
-THE FORESTRY ADVISORY COUNCIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE will be held on July 20th 21st., and 22nd0 On the first day it will open at 10 a. m. and on the other days at 0 a m. It will take place on the 10th floor of the Rural Bank Building. Most of the current matters of. conservation which have been discussed by the S,B.W. are on the agenda.
+**THE FORESTRY ADVISORY COUNCIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE** will be held on July 20th 21st and 22nd. On the first day it will open at 10 a.m. and on the other days at 9 a m. It will take place on the 10th floor of the Rural Bank Building. Most of the current matters of conservation which have been discussed by the S.B.W. are on the agenda.
-.
 ====== The Outer Man ======
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 Once on a trip we went for four days without sufficient water to do anything but sponge and on the fifth day I cajoled the party along by the promise of a swim (at midday, too, in the warmth of the northern sun) in the Teviot. Over the last rise we could see the line of casuarinas which indicated the river's course but what did we find? Only dry bed and water-worn stones. Though the country was experiencing a bad drought it did not seem possible that the Teviot would dry up, but it is one of those streams which is likely to disappear for some distance and then re-appear. We obtained some water for lunch from a neighbouring house the owner of which said that the river flowed quite well a few miles upstream.
-When looking at the volume of water running a few miles higher up we found it hard to believe that it was the same stream by which we had lunched. We eagerly sought the deepest pool where trees on the edge of the tropical forest provided a mottled screen. The little pools made of water-smoothed rocks were clean and, between the rocks, strained the pink rootlets which bound the soil and kept the water clear. Quickly we had soaped and scrubbed ourselves and, while we immersed to wash ourselves quite clean, the soap was slipped into a natural container in the gnarled trunk of a tree tenaciously clinging to the bank. A quick look around and you espy a convenient bath-mat - a smooth, dry stone on which you can stand to dry yourself and put on your boots. The stone must be close to the water and close to the bank so that each foot can be washed on the sole before being dried and put straight into your soak. Then you must be ill jumicl pf, distance of the bank. You balance on one foot as you dry the other, then reverse, and only when you are back into warm clothing can you find time to smile an expressive smile of satisfaction.
+When looking at the volume of water running a few miles higher up we found it hard to believe that it was the same stream by which we had lunched. We eagerly sought the deepest pool where trees on the edge of the tropical forest provided a mottled screen. The little pools made of water-smoothed rocks were clean and, between the rocks, strained the pink rootlets which bound the soil and kept the water clear. Quickly we had soaped and scrubbed ourselves and, while we immersed to wash ourselves quite clean, the soap was slipped into a natural container in the gnarled trunk of a tree tenaciously clinging to the bank. A quick look around and you espy a convenient bath-mat - a smooth, dry stone on which you can stand to dry yourself and put on your boots. The stone must be close to the water and close to the bank so that each foot can be washed on the sole before being dried and put straight into your soak. Then you must be in jumping distance of the bank. You balance on one foot as you dry the other, then reverse, and only when you are back into warm clothing can you find time to smile an expressive smile of satisfaction.
 A fantastic picture comes to mind. In the centre is a hut and around tower snow-clad mountains. In front of the hut a youth is standing, in a kerosene tin, from which steam is rising like a fog. For a moment I cannot remember the reason for this open air bathing then it comes to me. It is still very cold weather and we know that there is nobody in this part of the country but ourselves. Ted's system was to heat numerous billies of water, pour them into the kerosene tin in which he stood to scrub himself clean. Then he employed me to throw the tin of water over him. One cannot, naturally, convert a hut into a shower recess.
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 Quite an uneventful afternoon, with majestic views of mountain ranges and glimpses of sandstone cliffs enclosing Wollangambe Creek and the Colo River. A halt was called at 4 pm and scouts descended to seek water and a camp site for the night. Plenty of water but, having objections to sleeping in a standing position, we decided to push on. Five o'clock, and with the shadows creeping on, we were fortunate enough to find an ideal spot, the only drawback appeared to be lack of water. One party returned with eight buckets of the necessary and after hearing of the location of the water we decided to make the supply do breakfast too. We crawled into our cots in quite a happy mood.
-With the promise of a perfect day we moved off next morn. Ten minutes walking disclosed a trifling error. We were on a spur of the main ridge but twenty minutes later found us again on the straight and narrow. Imagine beetling along the Mt. Solitary knife edge for a couple of hours and you have a fairly accurate description of our progress. However it was excellent training for what was to come. At 11 a m. we gazed down at the junction of Blacksmith Creek and the Colo. I'll admit, as ridges go, our selection wouldn't have won a prize, but why the darn thing just stopped in mid air - I mean there should be a law agin it. A spot of sidling was indicated and, believe you me, I am not the best of sidlers. Len Fall picked what he regarded as a likely route and started the descent. The only reason I follow is because I don't know how to return to Tootie and, when I glance behind and see Cottor with his hair standing on end, I am not encouraged. About two weeks later (my watch said thirty minutes) sixteen nerve cases were lapping the cool waters of the creek. I blush to admit the fact but this was the spot where most of us had our one and only bath.
+With the promise of a perfect day we moved off next morn. Ten minutes walking disclosed a trifling error. We were on a spur of the main ridge but twenty minutes later found us again on the straight and narrow. Imagine beetling along the Mt. Solitary knife edge for a couple of hours and you have a fairly accurate description of our progress. However it was excellent training for what was to come. At 11 a m. we gazed down at the junction of Blacksmith Creek and the Colo. I'll admit, as ridges go, our selection wouldn't have won a prize, but why the darn thing just stopped in mid air - I mean there should be a law agin it. A spot of sidling was indicated and, believe you me, I am not the best of sidlers. Len Fall picked what he regarded as a likely route and started the descent. The only reason I follow is because I don't know how to return to Tootie and, when I glance behind and see Cotter with his hair standing on end, I am not encouraged. About two weeks later (my watch said thirty minutes) sixteen nerve cases were lapping the cool waters of the creek. I blush to admit the fact but this was the spot where most of us had our one and only bath.
 Our original plan was to climb the ridge ahead and come down on Tootie Creek, but somehow or other we had had ridges and decided to bash cut the four miles along the Col. Max remembered a surveyor's track that was in use in 1885 and the remnants of this track preyed most helpful. If anyone is crazy enough to follow our route, the track is located about 30 feet above the south bank of the Colo and continues at varying heights till it fades away opposite Hungryway Creek, The track wasn't the only thing that faded. Gladys had hurt her knee and I wasn't walking toe well, and suddenly I was aware I was no longer with a party. The leading bunch swore that it would have been impossible to miss their trail but Gladys and myself found ourselves bashing through what is best described as typical Celo going. Head high bracken, lawyer vine, sword grass, holes, rocks, vines and creepers make up the Colo cocktail and its only my indomitable spirit that keeps me going. Much to my surprise we camped at Tootie Creek and our promised camp fire was noticeable by its absence. Claude did his best to stir up a chorus, but the first song was the last and the few diehards went to bed.