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195001 [2016/04/28 14:41] – [Bivouac] kennettj195001 [2016/05/04 13:16] – [Newnes Glen Davis Mt Uraterer to Capertee Mt. and Glen Alice] kennettj
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 ====== Bivouac ====== ====== Bivouac ======
  
-Here for a span of three short days was home, those few square yards of canvas, and some cord ta-t-)ned by casual sticks and metal pins, the ,11,-th itself our an2bor0 Here we lived, tra-.)-ped the bush tracks, prepared prodigious meals, pursued our pleasant necessary tasks, ate, drank, were merry; and when evening came stretched limbs well-ipefiried to the friendly fire, and warmed our hearts in kindly comradeship.+Here for a span of three short days was home, those few square yards of canvas, and some cord ta-t-)ned by casual sticks and metal pins, the ,11,-th itself our an2bor0 Here we lived, tramped the bush tracks, prepared prodigious meals, pursued our pleasant necessary tasks, ate, drank, were merry; and when evening came stretched limbs well-ipefiried to the friendly fire, and warmed our hearts in kindly comradeship.
 Now, we doprt; and on the springing turf scarce lingers yet the ty.,print of our bed. Only a wisp of fern, so7o_e blackened stones remain, rute witness to our sojourn here, and in the sunlit silence blue wren flits, prospecting with his little broll-nie wife for 'coorsels hidden from the human glance. Now, we doprt; and on the springing turf scarce lingers yet the ty.,print of our bed. Only a wisp of fern, so7o_e blackened stones remain, rute witness to our sojourn here, and in the sunlit silence blue wren flits, prospecting with his little broll-nie wife for 'coorsels hidden from the human glance.
  
-There have been conquerors who swept the earth, and men acclaimed them but the er'bittered soil brought forth no harvest where their feet had passed, and the torn hills might wait two decades long before the deep woods clothed their flanks again.+There have been conquerors who swept the earth, and men acclaimed them but the embittered soil brought forth no harvest where their feet had passed, and the torn hills might wait two decades long before the deep woods clothed their flanks again.
  
-Paltry ambition this, and negative, but fame enough when we pack up at last our bivouac of threescore -years and ten, sufficient if we leave no hurt to mar +Paltry ambition this, and negative, but fame enough when we pack up at last our bivouac of threescore -years and ten, sufficient if we leave no hurt to mar earth'face or man'sbut only, where we lived may there be sunlight, and such sense of peace that wanderers who come upon the place, pause and say: "Someone was happy here."
-earthls face Or man'sbut only, where we lived may there be sunlight, and such sense of peace that ihanderers who come upon the place -,Tint pauseand say: "Someone was happy here."+
  
 ====== Newnes Glen Davis Mt Uraterer to Capertee Mt. and Glen Alice ====== ====== Newnes Glen Davis Mt Uraterer to Capertee Mt. and Glen Alice ======
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 by "Cerberus" by "Cerberus"
  
-Note. Photographs illustrating this tip-appeared in the ,December issue of the Sydney Bushwalker, +Note. Photographs illustrating this trip appeared in the December issue of the Sydney Bushwalker, 
-Old Newnes shale works were being pulled down, the bricks + 
-had been sold for 100 and were being cleaned and carted away. +Old Newnes shale works were being pulled down, the bricks had been sold for 100 and were being cleaned and carted away. Two big chimneys had been blasted down and the third was to go on Tuesday. The red bricks had weathered into the scenery of the valley, quite unlike the aluminium painted tanks, pipes and stacks 
-Two big chimneys had been blasted down and the third was to go on Tuesday. The red bricks had weathered into the scenery of the +of Glen Davis, which glitter astride the Capertee Valley. Wattle was in full bloom among the ruins which will soon be no more than a rubble of mortar. 
-valley, quite unlike the aluminium painted tanks, pipes and stacks + 
-of Glen Davis, which glitter astride the Capertee Valley. Wattle +We followed the pipeline across to Glen Davis. We passed the tin shacks of the coal and shale miners (the man at the works complained that miners did not stay long at Glen Davis), the blno 
-wap in full bloom among the ruins which will soon be no more than a rubble of mortar. +evil smelling swill from the retorts dumped by the roadside on the way to the coal mine in Running Stream Creek. 
-We followed the pipeline across to Glen Davis. We passed the tin shacks of the coal and shale miners (the man at the vvorks complained that miners did not stay long at Glen Davis), the blno + 
-evil smelling swill from the retorts dumped by the roadside on the +A few miles down from Running Stream Creek, crossing two substantial valleys coming in on the right, we came to the first in the cliffs on the north side of the Capertee - Grassy Mountain. It isn'grassy at all, unless you look very closely, but :LI; is good basalt soil and stones coming right down to the banks of the river. The basalt holds most of the way up, but at the top there is some easily passed sandstone. 
-way to the ooal mine in Running Stream Creek. +The course from the top is north by compass, and we only ran off our ridge into one valley on the left - fortunately it had
-A few miles down from Running Stream Creek, crossing i;wo sub- +
-stantial valleys coming in on the right, we came to the first +
-in the cliffs on the north side of the Capertee - Grassy Mo,Antaln. It isnft grassy at all, unless you look very closely, but :LI; is good basalt soil and stones coming right down to the banks of the +
-river. The basalt holds most of the way up, but at the top there is some easily passed sandstone. +
-The course from the top is north by compass,and weonly ran off'our ridge into one valley on the left - fortunately it had+
 some water in it. We eventually cane to a hill just west of Green Mt. and could see Mt. Uraterer and Gosper's Knob. Just below this we found a good track and followed it right to the mountain. some water in it. We eventually cane to a hill just west of Green Mt. and could see Mt. Uraterer and Gosper's Knob. Just below this we found a good track and followed it right to the mountain.
 Along here were more woody pear trees - we had seen the first along some most beautiful Callitris along the Capertee - indeed all the ridges seemed to have a plentiful sprinkling of them, some Along here were more woody pear trees - we had seen the first along some most beautiful Callitris along the Capertee - indeed all the ridges seemed to have a plentiful sprinkling of them, some
 of them very good specimens, and many of them with a liberal sprinkling of pears. The small woody pear bushes had vivid red glowing tips. of them very good specimens, and many of them with a liberal sprinkling of pears. The small woody pear bushes had vivid red glowing tips.
-Mt. Uraterer has been cleared of trees and is grassy. Cattle + 
-and horses were grazing and there were some stockyards between the mountain and Gosper's Knob-. We lunched right at the top with view +Mt. Uraterer has been cleared of trees and is grassy. Cattle and horses were grazing and there were some stockyards between the mountain and Gosper's Knob-. We lunched right at the top with view 
-all round us. One of the best views I have seen, a view of moun- +all round us. One of the best views I have seen, a view of mountains, not of valleys. Mt. Coricudgy stood to the north like a
-tains, not of valleys. Mt. Coricudgy stood to the north like a+
 great crocodile's head. The pyramid of Tyan Pic stood out better great crocodile's head. The pyramid of Tyan Pic stood out better
 than anything else, but Dunn's Mt. and Mt. Capertee y as well as a dozen others, were also prominent. One of OUP more immediate objectives, Mt. Boonbourwa, did not stand out at all since it was in front of other higher mountains. than anything else, but Dunn's Mt. and Mt. Capertee y as well as a dozen others, were also prominent. One of OUP more immediate objectives, Mt. Boonbourwa, did not stand out at all since it was in front of other higher mountains.
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 of 77. North of Mt. Uraterer there are a number of ridges, nom0 them of 77. North of Mt. Uraterer there are a number of ridges, nom0 them
 quite long. There is at least Prickly Ridge, Thorny Ridge and Mountain Holly Ridge. All of them except one leads into a deep gorge. We saw exactly the same woody pear on nearly all of them. The formula for getting on the right one can, only be applied after walking along wrong ones for at least a day. You come to a point, which the Leader can define for you in terms of compass bearings on Mt. Uraterer and Tyan Pic dimly glimpsed through the trees. From this most precisely defined point you cross a deep gully, find that the ridge is tending too far to the west and in any case comes to a steep saddle, become disgusted, cross back over the same gully, now much deeper, on to the missing ridge. It has a track on it, very faint but very reassuring. quite long. There is at least Prickly Ridge, Thorny Ridge and Mountain Holly Ridge. All of them except one leads into a deep gorge. We saw exactly the same woody pear on nearly all of them. The formula for getting on the right one can, only be applied after walking along wrong ones for at least a day. You come to a point, which the Leader can define for you in terms of compass bearings on Mt. Uraterer and Tyan Pic dimly glimpsed through the trees. From this most precisely defined point you cross a deep gully, find that the ridge is tending too far to the west and in any case comes to a steep saddle, become disgusted, cross back over the same gully, now much deeper, on to the missing ridge. It has a track on it, very faint but very reassuring.
 +
 A mile or two before Davis's Hole the track leads down a gently sloping creek bed on the right to an old ,tpring which must have A mile or two before Davis's Hole the track leads down a gently sloping creek bed on the right to an old ,tpring which must have
 been a regular watering point in the days when the track was reg111nri y used. It would probably be difficult to find coming in the oppoite direction, since the track leading on from it was not very distinct and was difficult to pick up again. Oar Trackfindey;, however, had a method which succeeded time and again, but I am not free to divulge the nature of her secret. been a regular watering point in the days when the track was reg111nri y used. It would probably be difficult to find coming in the oppoite direction, since the track leading on from it was not very distinct and was difficult to pick up again. Oar Trackfindey;, however, had a method which succeeded time and again, but I am not free to divulge the nature of her secret.
 The Cranky One made the first damper in his life at abol:,c;his stage and it was quite surprising how good it was - at least the strictly rationed party devoured it at a gulp, carbon and all. The Cranky One made the first damper in his life at abol:,c;his stage and it was quite surprising how good it was - at least the strictly rationed party devoured it at a gulp, carbon and all.
-As might be expected with a party of such violent characters on a long walk some fundamental disagreements arce about such basic topics as + 
-S47andard specifications of firewood for camps. The following is+As might be expected with a party of such violent characters on a long walk some fundamental disagreements arose about such basic topics as standard specifications of firewood for camps. The following is
 suggested - length exactly five feet, straight and sound throughout, no rotten wood to be tolerated. suggested - length exactly five feet, straight and sound throughout, no rotten wood to be tolerated.
-Standard specifications for a fire. Here there can be no doubt that it must be parallel and must be a roaring mass of flame throughout its entire length. Research into the working of atomic +Standard specifications for a fire. Here there can be no doubt that it must be parallel and must be a roaring mass of flame throughout its entire length. Research into the working of atomic piles, when it is published, may provide a guide to methods by which the complexion of cooks can be protected from radiation injury. 
-piles, when it is published, may Provide a guide to methods by which the complexion of cooks can be protected from radiation injury. + 
-The size and arrangements of stockpiles of fuel and water. +The size and arrangements of stockpiles of fuel and water. The number of times pots and utensils must be cleaned during each meal period with water of standard temperature and soapiness
-The number of times pots and utensils must be cleaned during +
-each meal period with water of 3tandard temperature and soapiness+
 and with precisely defined scourers. and with precisely defined scourers.
 +
 The gathering of bracken for those who wouldn't under any circUmstances gather it for themselves. The gathering of bracken for those who wouldn't under any circUmstances gather it for themselves.
 It must be clear, however, that issues with regard to none of these topics can be satisfactorily resolved until some outstanding philosopher is prepared to write theses on the following subjects. It must be clear, however, that issues with regard to none of these topics can be satisfactorily resolved until some outstanding philosopher is prepared to write theses on the following subjects.
 8. 8.
 (1) The nature and limitations of a food list, and (1) The nature and limitations of a food list, and
-(2) Why co-operation in camp arrangements necessarily doubles the work of each co-Operator and imposes a reginenJe tio,e which would not be tolerated during the ordinary working da4,+(2) Why co-operation in camp arrangements necessarily doubles the work of each co-operator and imposes a reginenJe tio,e which would not be tolerated during the ordinary working da4,
 a Until these theses have been written and the conclusions der- a Until these theses have been written and the conclusions der-
 ived from them duly incorporated Into the general rules of the Club there is only one safe procedure which might be followed, and that is to select a portion of the bush in which there is no chance of meeting anyone at all and walk alone as a compLe-oely self-contained ived from them duly incorporated Into the general rules of the Club there is only one safe procedure which might be followed, and that is to select a portion of the bush in which there is no chance of meeting anyone at all and walk alone as a compLe-oely self-contained
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 staying put3 retired to the highest piece of gPound nearby, atan staying put3 retired to the highest piece of gPound nearby, atan
 orange and made himself comfortable. The R.O,P. came to a halt about a mile or so around the crater and proceederi blvrn green orange and made himself comfortable. The R.O,P. came to a halt about a mile or so around the crater and proceederi blvrn green
-gumleaves at a great rate. Unfortunatel y a fairly 1-,f_zh wind+gum leaves at a great rate. Unfortunately a fairly 1-,f_zh wind
 carried the smoke away behind the hill and the Lo s'3 One never saw it. In the meantime the Leader retraced steps and eventually came idpon the L.O. Everything had worked according to the rules. carried the smoke away behind the hill and the Lo s'3 One never saw it. In the meantime the Leader retraced steps and eventually came idpon the L.O. Everything had worked according to the rules.
 +
 On past Davists the track was in use and was well-defined. On past Davists the track was in use and was well-defined.
 It was along the tops which were either bare or only sparsely covered with trees; the views were magnificent. In this area, and for that matter for most of the rest of the trip doon to Glen Alice,nearly all the valleys were of a characteristic formation, the ridges It was along the tops which were either bare or only sparsely covered with trees; the views were magnificent. In this area, and for that matter for most of the rest of the trip doon to Glen Alice,nearly all the valleys were of a characteristic formation, the ridges
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 At tho Ovens the Trackfinder, possible again using a_ secret weapon, saw two foxes, a wombat, six wallabies and sundry rabbits. The C.O. saw a dead horse, but did not employ any secret weapon in making the discovery. At tho Ovens the Trackfinder, possible again using a_ secret weapon, saw two foxes, a wombat, six wallabies and sundry rabbits. The C.O. saw a dead horse, but did not employ any secret weapon in making the discovery.
 Weariness or laziness prevented us from either following the tops along from here or from climbing Coricudgy. We followed the road along the Cudgegong River until we came to a house at the Weariness or laziness prevented us from either following the tops along from here or from climbing Coricudgy. We followed the road along the Cudgegong River until we came to a house at the
- e 
-9. 
 foot of Native Dog Hill with Mt. Bin Ben well back on the left. From here we headed straight for Capertee Mt0 along relatively flat country, part of the way through a beautiful forest of scribbly gums. We were supposed to find a track leading from Capertee Mt. down to what was shown on the Map as Umbiella Ck. foot of Native Dog Hill with Mt. Bin Ben well back on the left. From here we headed straight for Capertee Mt0 along relatively flat country, part of the way through a beautiful forest of scribbly gums. We were supposed to find a track leading from Capertee Mt. down to what was shown on the Map as Umbiella Ck.
 About Umbiella Ck. Forget it altogether or else you will be led into a lot of trouble as we nearly were since we had arranged for a car to meet us along it. The creek is Capertee Nile Right Arm, and if you call it anything else the local inhabitants won't know what you are talking about. About Umbiella Ck. Forget it altogether or else you will be led into a lot of trouble as we nearly were since we had arranged for a car to meet us along it. The creek is Capertee Nile Right Arm, and if you call it anything else the local inhabitants won't know what you are talking about.
 Capertee Mt0 is like most of the other mountains we climbed in the district - sandstone well up with a capping of basalt. Capertee Mt0 is like most of the other mountains we climbed in the district - sandstone well up with a capping of basalt.
 +
 There are magnificent trees on the basalt country right up to the There are magnificent trees on the basalt country right up to the
 very highest point. Boronia was growing on the dry sandstone very highest point. Boronia was growing on the dry sandstone
 edges,forming some delightfully colourful masses. It was surprising to find orchids so far west, but the sandstone edges of the mountain facing the north-east were covered with masses of rocklililes and liparis; dendrobium striolatum seemed to be everywhere, but was of a different form to that found around the Grose, having bigger and slightly different flowers. edges,forming some delightfully colourful masses. It was surprising to find orchids so far west, but the sandstone edges of the mountain facing the north-east were covered with masses of rocklililes and liparis; dendrobium striolatum seemed to be everywhere, but was of a different form to that found around the Grose, having bigger and slightly different flowers.
-We spent a whole day looking for the track down to the Cay,olae Nile. We found dozens of tracks, some of them very good 011GS irdeed,+We spent a whole day looking for the track down to the Cay,olae Nile. We found dozens of tracks, some of them very good 011GS indeed,
 leading around the mountain and up on to it, but none of them led leading around the mountain and up on to it, but none of them led
 away from it. We know where the track is now, but try as we could we couldn't find it then. away from it. We know where the track is now, but try as we could we couldn't find it then.
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 the worst varieties (except blackberries) that I have ever met, the worst varieties (except blackberries) that I have ever met,
 interspersed with giant nettles, all lacing together the fallen trees of the last generation. Have you ever seen the nettles which tower up over you and droop down and dangle in your face? The average height of the mess was from ten to fifteen feet. The language used was much as might be expected, but even with doubling and redoubling the emphasis was often felt to be inadequate, and there were many even more expressive silences. interspersed with giant nettles, all lacing together the fallen trees of the last generation. Have you ever seen the nettles which tower up over you and droop down and dangle in your face? The average height of the mess was from ten to fifteen feet. The language used was much as might be expected, but even with doubling and redoubling the emphasis was often felt to be inadequate, and there were many even more expressive silences.
-The leader oftasionally took to the wombat burrows, and in happier circumstances it would havo been amusing watching him disappear down a hole in the ground dragging his pack after him.+ 
 +The leader ocassionally took to the wombat burrows, and in happier circumstances it would have been amusing watching him disappear down a hole in the ground dragging his pack after him.
 Lower down there were some magnificent tree ferns and near the beginning was the biggest cedar I have ever seen - there?d probably Lower down there were some magnificent tree ferns and near the beginning was the biggest cedar I have ever seen - there?d probably
-be a fortune in it, but it wo ald have to come out by a helicopter.+be a fortune in it, but it would have to come out by a helicopter.
 We came out on to river fiats covered with wattles, all a blaze of colour. We came out on to river fiats covered with wattles, all a blaze of colour.
-10. + 
-The next day nobody wanted to do anything except the C..0With restless vigour he decided tO'explore the way cip Tyan Pic from the Capertee Nile Right Arm side. Although the exploraion was successful too much time was wasted to make +The next day nobody wanted to do anything except the C.0With restless vigour he decided to explore the way to Tyan Pic from the Capertee Nile Right Arm side. Although the exploration was successful too much time was wasted to make 
-at least that was his story and I have no reaon to+at least that was his story and I have no reason to
  
 ====== Now What Are You Really Looking For ? ====== ====== Now What Are You Really Looking For ? ======
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 over maps and then take a chance on a certain area n:f6 kr,c-wn cffrLe. , over maps and then take a chance on a certain area n:f6 kr,c-wn cffrLe. ,
 walkers. The fossicking round for information so-f-cimes '.;() walkers. The fossicking round for information so-f-cimes '.;()
-quito surprising disooveries, and sometimes 2a to a dead cnd.+quite surprising discoveries, and sometimes 2a to a dead end.
 We could get very little "gen" about Bajiol,a, S-oiranco, We could get very little "gen" about Bajiol,a, S-oiranco,
-so decided to take a risk and go and see for 31,1.1.:1-J.As LLiuri e pointed out before wa went, the nividing Range+so decided to take a risk and go and see for 31,1.1.:1-J.As LLiuri e pointed out before we went, the nividing Range
 and Glen Innes could not be so spectacillar, a oi each sLde cf country about.30000 feet, thus leaving only a Y.:C.5e of th:,.,12and feet to the tops of 5,000 feet. and Glen Innes could not be so spectacillar, a oi each sLde cf country about.30000 feet, thus leaving only a Y.:C.5e of th:,.,12and feet to the tops of 5,000 feet.
 MN rOtrfELD MN rOtrfELD
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 That night we camped cn Deeowate- flivc.. That night we camped cn Deeowate- flivc..
 a few miles along the unin1;erestin road we cEi e 1,)!,ry into Deepwater, which was in the midst of barren fiat oeunbry. With hours to wait for the bus to Glen innes, 26 miles away, we decided to go by private car, and it was only a few miles along the road before Laurie boarded a modern sedan, while Clem and I had to be content with the back of a utility. However this lift gave us nice time to look around Glen Innes in brilliant sunshine, and see the autumn tints of the many exotic trees. a few miles along the unin1;erestin road we cEi e 1,)!,ry into Deepwater, which was in the midst of barren fiat oeunbry. With hours to wait for the bus to Glen innes, 26 miles away, we decided to go by private car, and it was only a few miles along the road before Laurie boarded a modern sedan, while Clem and I had to be content with the back of a utility. However this lift gave us nice time to look around Glen Innes in brilliant sunshine, and see the autumn tints of the many exotic trees.
-The end of the trip had turned but very easy. We had found what we were looking for and added another area of New South Wales to our knowledge, even though it was relatiriely unspectacular.+ 
 +The end of the trip had turned but very easy. We had found what we were looking for and added another area of New South Wales to our knowledge, even though it was relatively unspectacular.
  
 ====== Ode to the Commisioner of Railways ====== ====== Ode to the Commisioner of Railways ======
195001.txt · Last modified: 2017/07/21 09:39 by tyreless

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