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- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | ======The Sydney Bushwalker.====== |
- | A monthly | + | |
- | No. 18(,), jAnTARY, 1950 Price 6d. | + | A monthly |
- | Editor: Alex Colley, 55 Firribilli Reporter: Ji3, Brown | + | |
- | Av., nison's Point. Production Asst t Gillam | + | ---- |
- | Production and Rusiness I.:onager Typed by 141-x.-Colley | + | |
- | CONTENTS | + | ===No. 182 January, 1950 Price 6d.=== |
- | Page | + | |
- | Editorial - Conservation Publicity 1 | + | |**Editor**| Alex Colley, 55 Kirribilli Ave., Milson's Point| |
- | At Our December | + | |**Production Asst**| Bill Gillam |
- | Bivouac, by K.F. 5 | + | |**Sales and Subs**| Helen Brook| |
- | Newnes, Glen Davis, | + | |**Production and Business Manager**| |
- | and Glen Alio, by "Cerberusu | + | |**Typed** | Jean Harvey | |
- | Now What Are You Really Looking For? by A.L. Wyborn 10 | + | |
- | Ode to the Corvissioner | + | =====In This Issue:===== |
- | EDITORIAL | + | |
- | . Conservation Publicity | + | | | |Page| |
- | Two publications on bushland conservation have been printed lately. One of these, the 1949 issue of the Journal of the Wild Life Preservation Society,is, in effect, a summary of the Society' | + | |Editorial - Conservation Publicity| | 1| |
- | The National Park has always been in the forefront of the Society' | + | |At Our December |
- | 4 | + | |Bivouac|K.F.| 5| |
- | ion in March last year "to discuss the administration of the National Park," a subcommittee was set up to prepare a draft Bill | + | |Newnes, Glen Davis, |
- | for submission to the Minister for Lands. The draft Bill was | + | |Now What Are You Really Looking For?|A.L. Wyborn|10| |
- | to set out the powers and type of personnel of the Trust thought | + | |Ode to the Commissioner |
- | desirable for the proper administration of a National Park. Hewever,li the Journal comments, "the Federation has not to date called | + | |
- | this committee together and we are beginning to wonder whether it | + | ---- |
- | can effectively do so while it refuses to disassociate itself from the Bushcraft Association." | + | |
- | ial organ of the Federation - "The Bushwalker" | + | ===== Editorial - Conservation Publicity |
- | published an article by the Bushcraft Association. | + | |
- | An interesting comment is made on Mr. Lindsay' | + | Two publications on bushland conservation have been printed lately. One of these, the 1949 issue of the Journal of the Wild Life Preservation Society, is, in effect, a summary of the Society' |
- | of Council were agreed," | + | |
- | took the matter up with the publishers, and offered them the outline of a work dealing with Bushcraft to be prepared by members of our society. This has been received favourably by the publishers. It is anticipated that the book will be published during 1950." | + | The National Park has always been in the forefront of the Society' |
- | The Society is working for Commonwealth control of conservation and allied affairs. The main advantage which is expected to be gained is co-ordination and unification of conservation legislation. An enormous effort will be necessary to bring about the necessary interstate conference or referendum. After this there would be reorganisation of state departments followed by control from Canberra. | + | |
- | This would impose the usual disadvantages of inflexibility and delay, | + | An interesting comment is made on Mr. Lindsay' |
- | but, what is more important, it would be very difficult for interested bodies, such as the Wild Life Preservation | + | |
- | Life Preservation of Australia, devotes most of its space to N.S.W. Coming even nearer to home, about five pages are devoted to the 38,000 acres of the National Park, which is at the backdoor, and less than half a page to the 19250,000 acre Kosciusko State Park, which is 300 miles away. The first objective should be action, | + | The Society is working for Commonwealth control of conservation and allied affairs. The main advantage which is expected to be gained is co-ordination and unification of conservation legislation. An enormous effort will be necessary to bring about the necessary interstate conference or referendum. After this there would be reorganisation of state departments followed by control from Canberra. This would impose the usual disadvantages of inflexibility and delay, but, what is more important, it would be very difficult for interested bodies, such as the Wild Life Preservation |
- | This is most likely to result from the pressure of interested | + | |
- | ies in the capital cities. Uniformity, where necessary, is of secondary importance. | + | The other publication referred to above is Mr. H.A. Lindsay' |
- | The other publication referred to above is Mr. H.A. Lindsay' | + | |
- | monwealth | + | In Chapter 2 Mr. Lindsay sets out to describe "one of the greatest tasks of the conservationist |
- | with the views expressed we are identified with them in the minds of the readers of the booklet. | + | |
- | It | + | Mr. Lindsay' |
- | 7-) | + | |
- | FL | + | In the chapter |
- | 3d | + | |
- | In Chapter 2 Mr. Lindsay sets out to describe "one of the | + | In the public mind bushwalkers will be linked with all Mr. Lindsay' |
- | greatest tasks of the conserMtionist | + | |
- | and we hope that members of the S.B.W. will never help the " | + | ---- |
- | Mr. Lindsay' | + | |
- | In the ohApter | + | ===== At Our December Meeting ===== |
- | of non-inflammable, | + | |
- | watersheds. This would require more labour and equipment that are ever likely to be available for such a purpose. Nor could it be | + | The three new members, Mary McGregor, Jim Hooper and Ray Corbett, admitted to the Club at the December meeting, must have felt that the meeting had been convened for their especial benefit. The meeting, reasonable well-attended, |
- | expected that such a stupendous task would be undertaken unless it was known that it would be effective. This is a question that | + | |
- | the Forestry Advisory Council and other interested bodies might well take up with the Forestry Department. If the experts think it | + | Apart from a news item by Gil Webb to the effect that the Scouts Association would welcome us as a hiring body for their new premises |
- | feasible, experiments might be conducted to prove whether or not it was successfal. | + | |
- | In the public mind bushwalkers will be linked with all Mr. Lindsay' | + | Even the call for " |
- | sider whOther | + | |
- | dont. But though they may resent being dragged into the Lindsay | + | Someone, however, raised the respective merits of O'Hares Creek vs. Sandy Bend for the swimming |
- | orbit they must admit that he has done something that buE' | + | |
- | large number of thoughtful people. | + | At 8.33 p.m. the meeting folded up, and members retreated to corners to discuss their Christmas and New Year arrangements. |
- | AT OUR DECETTBER MEETING | + | |
- | The three new members, Mary McGregor, Jim Hooper and Ray | + | ---- |
- | Corbett, admitted to the Club at the December meeting, must have felt that the meeting had been convened for their especial benefit. The meeting, reasonable well-attended, | + | |
- | and correspondence: | + | That news void that follows long week-ends used to be a heck of a worry to pressmen. Sometimes somebody important dies, and that's good for a few columns, but murderers do not stalk, nor do atomic bombs explode on holiday week-ends. There are always a crop of car accidents and drownings to fall back on, still, they' |
- | Apart from a news item by Gil Webb to the effect that the | + | |
- | 4. | + | ---- |
- | Scouts Association would welcome us as a hiring body for the ir new prremisas | + | |
- | Someone, however, raised the respective merits of 0/Hares Creek vs. Sandy Bend for the swimDing 'carnival in February. Having heard opinions from the audience - mostly concerned with 'bus fares ex Campbelltown and the brevity of the walking distance for O' | + | Mr. E. Caines Phillips advises that the first official canoe map of the Cruising Canoe Club has now been completed and is available for inspection to those interested. The map (No. 1) is of Bowra River (Bowraville to junction with Nambucca River at Macksville). Map no 49 of the River Canoe Club is also completed. It is of the Nambucca River (South or Taylor' |
- | . At 8.33 p m. the meeting folded up, and members retreated to corners to discuss their Christmas and New Year arrangements. | + | |
- | That news void that follows long week-ends used to be a heck | + | ---- |
- | of a worry to presamen. Sometimes somebody important dies, and that's good for a few columns, but murderers do not stalk, nor do atomic,. bombs explodeot | + | |
- | Mr. E. Caines Phillips advises that the first official canoe map of the Cruising Canoe Club has noibeen | + | ===== Bivouac ===== |
- | PTVOUAC | + | |
- | Here for a span of three short days was home, those few square yards of canvas, and some cord ta-t-)ned | + | Here for a span of three short days was home,\\ |
- | Now, we doprt; and on the springing turf scarce lingers yet the ty., | + | these few square yards of canvas, and some cord\\ |
- | There have been conquerors who swept the earth, and men acclaimed them t but the er' | + | tautened |
- | Paltry ambition this, and negative, | + | the earth itself our anchor. |
- | but fame enough when we pack up at last our bivouao | + | tramped |
- | earthls | + | pursued our pleasant |
- | may there be sunlight, and such sense of peace that ihanderers | + | ate, drank, were merry; and when evening came\\ |
- | _ | + | stretched |
- | NEWNES GLEN DAVIS MT. !WATERER TO CAPERTEE MT. AND GLEN ALICE | + | and warmed our hearts in kindly |
+ | |||
+ | Now, we depart; and on the springing turf\\ | ||
+ | scarce lingers yet the imprint | ||
+ | Only a wisp of fern, some blackened stones\\ | ||
+ | remain, | ||
+ | and in the sunlit silence blue wren flits,\\ | ||
+ | prospecting with his little | ||
+ | for morsels | ||
+ | |||
+ | There have been conquerors who swept the earth,\\ | ||
+ | and men acclaimed them: but the embittered | ||
+ | brought forth no harvest | ||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | sufficient if we leave no hurt to mar\\ | ||
+ | earth' | ||
+ | may there be sunlight, and such sense of peace\\ | ||
+ | that wanderers | ||
+ | pause and say: "Someone | ||
+ | |||
+ | K.M. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Newnes, Glen Davis, Mt Uraterer to Capertee Mt. and Glen Alice ===== | ||
by " | by " | ||
- | Note. Photographs illustrating this tip-appeared in the ,December issue of the Sydney Bushwalker, | + | |
- | Old Newnes shale works were being pulled down, the bricks | + | __Note__. Photographs illustrating this trip appeared in the December issue of the Sydney Bushwalker. |
- | 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 | + | 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 of Glen Davis, which glitter astride the Capertee Valley. Wattle |
- | 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 black evil smelling swill from the retorts dumped by the roadside on the way to the coal mine in Running Stream Creek. |
- | wap in full bloom among the ruins which will soon be no more than a rubble of mortar. | + | |
- | We followed the pipeline across to Glen Davis. We passed the tin shacks of the coal and shale miners (the man at the vvorks | + | A few miles down from Running Stream Creek, crossing |
- | evil smelling swill from the retorts dumped by the roadside on the | + | |
- | 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 some water in it. We eventually |
- | A few miles down from Running Stream Creek, crossing | + | |
- | stantial | + | 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. |
- | in the cliffs on the north side of the Capertee - Grassy | + | |
- | river. The basalt holds most of the way up, but at the top there is some easily passed sandstone. | + | 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' |
- | 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 | + | |
- | some water in it. We eventually | + | It' |
- | 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. | + | North of Mt. Uraterer there are a number of ridges, |
- | 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' | + | A mile or two before Davis' |
- | all round us. One of the best views I have seen, a view of moun- | + | |
- | tains, not of valleys. Mt. Coricudgy stood to the north like a | + | The Cranky One made the first damper in his life at about this stage and it was quite surprising how good it was - at least the strictly rationed party devoured it at a gulp, carbon and all. |
- | great crocodile' | + | |
- | than anything else, but Dunn's Mt. and Mt. Capertee | + | As might be expected with a party of such violent characters on a long walk some fundamental disagreements |
- | Its- no use trying to pronounce Mt. Uraterer from just reading the name, but 'something like Ura torra might get you by. | + | |
- | of 77. North of Mt. Uraterer there are a number of ridges, | + | |
- | 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' | + | |
- | 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 | + | |
- | The Cranky One made the first damper in his life at abol:, | + | 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 |
- | As might be expected with a party of such violent characters on a long walk some fundamental disagreements | + | |
- | S47andard | + | The gathering of bracken for those who wouldn' |
- | 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 | + | |
- | piles, when it is published, may Provide | + | |
- | 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 3tandard | + | |
- | and with precisely defined scourers. | + | |
- | The gathering of bracken for those who wouldn' | + | |
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. | + | |
(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 | + | |
- | a Until these theses have been written and the conclusions | + | (2) Why co-operation in camp arrangements necessarily doubles the work of each co-operator |
- | ived from them duly incorporated | + | |
- | unit. | + | Until these theses have been written and the conclusions |
- | Davis' | + | |
- | formations visible at the bottom of it and an outle': | + | Davis' |
- | narrow canyon; a high range of hills almost completely | + | |
- | We would have liked to go down to the bottom of it but we hc,;,-i ]cs time on the approaching ridges and had '3o ny. | + | About this time the Cranky One was mislaid. He paused to enjoy the scenery and the rest of the party rushed |
- | About this time the Cranky One was mislaj0 pau ijoy | + | |
- | the scenery and the rest of the party rushed | + | On past Davis' |
- | was not sufficiently defined to follow a delicae reeicii on e;:eee, | + | |
- | The C.O. feeling secure in the knowledge that he ,;ws- caxEryin | + | On the top of Boonbourwa we found that our compasses varied depending on the height above the rocks, suggesting that some caution |
- | major portion of the food supply applied the well-known | + | |
- | staying | + | At the Ovens the Trackfinder, |
- | 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 | + | 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 foot of Native Dog Hill with Mt. Bin Ben well back on the left. From here we headed straight for Capertee |
- | carried the smoke away behind the hill and the Lo s' | + | |
- | On past Davists | + | |
- | 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, | + | |
- | ending in a series of beehive shaped rocks. Such experience as we had suggested that most of them would be negotiable up or down the spaces between the beehives. | + | |
- | On the top of Boonbourwa we found that our compasses varied depending on the height above the rocks, suggesting that some caut- ion 'might be necessary in taking bearings around here. | + | |
- | At tho Ovens the Trackfinder, | + | |
- | 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 | + | |
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 | + | |
- | There are magnificent trees on the basalt country right up to the | + | Capertee |
- | very highest point. Boronia was growing on the dry sandstone | + | |
- | edges, | + | We spent a whole day looking for the track down to the Capertee |
- | We spent a whole day looking for the track down to the Cay, | + | |
- | leading around the mountain and up on to it, but none of them led | + | Perhaps the next section should not be written; it certainly cannot be written adequately. |
- | away from it. We know where the track is now, but try as we could we couldn' | + | |
- | Perhaps the next section should not be written; it certainly | + | We headed down into a gully. Unfortunately, |
- | cannot be written adequately'. | + | |
- | We headed down into a gully. Unfortunately, | + | The leader |
- | thought ourselves lucky at the time, the final drop was fairly | + | |
- | the worst varieties (except blackberries) that I have ever met, | + | 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 would have to come out by a helicopter. |
- | 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 | + | |
- | 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. | + | |
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..0, With restless vigour he decided | + | The next day nobody wanted to do anything except the C.O. With restless vigour he decided |
- | at least that was his story and I have no reaon to | + | |
- | NOW WHAT ARE YOU REALLY LOCKING TlICR? | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Now What Are You Really Looking For ? ===== | ||
by A.L. Wyborn | by A.L. Wyborn | ||
- | Have you ever noticed how a few small names on a map can be the start of a new adventure in walking? Ofen buobwaleP.,; | ||
- | 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 '.;() | ||
- | quito surprising disooveries, | ||
- | We could get very little " | ||
- | so decided to take a risk and go and see for 31, | ||
- | and Glen Innes could not be so spectacillar, | ||
- | MN rOtrfELD | ||
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- | 140 | ||
- | However the uncertainty only served to ar'.G as a spr, so En,;tr Thursday found us on the Brisbane Exprs, bonc. ;:e-o | ||
- | two stations bePore Tenterfiold, | ||
- | was to have been our starir, | ||
- | Bluff-Rock changed our plan, rf e.actoI Ro-2z lc 31e50 to i;:,?P- rail- | ||
- | way line with the usual t145 of bluff face, and to easily | ||
- | from the back. Many years' | ||
- | Another interesting rk is Th1).nderbolt Rock, jixt alongside the railway track abol_pl cac quarter of a mile past Bluff Rock station. Although only aout 30 it by 20 feet in s1.2.e the celebrated bushranger used it to dodge back from the pursuing troopers. | ||
- | While making a few phone calls to recommended " | ||
- | 'With his huge hairy arms, unshaven face, small eyes and red hair, he was coun:; | ||
- | filled with m' | ||
- | literally thrust upon us by olTr friend we started or tough | ||
- | trip - on RegAs motor tricle down the line for several m4.1es0 The rucsacs and I were on the outrigger board *Jim in front of Reg (the driver), and Laurie behind hiii making an unusual load for A railway trike. It was tough going, there 'Doing no windshield! | ||
- | More nebulous advice from a fai,mer friend fRegis and we wero off, under our own power this time, ror the main range about six miles to the east. The range is not; parulaly to | ||
- | approach, as mentioned before, and the tc--)s covered with | ||
- | heavy timber which shields many good panoraE,as :nor,: the walker. On the way across we skirted an isolated hill and were impeded to some extent by many six foot dingo fonces made in two heights of wire netting. The top height was flimsily secured by battens to the sturdy ground posts, and caused some amusement as we swayea back and forth to get over. | ||
- | Jondol was our first mountain, a granite out,crop with views back along the Cottesbrook Creek to Bluff Rock. We camped in | ||
- | a small saddle with clear water at about 4,500 feet, one mile south along the range from Jondol. | ||
- | , The walking next morning was very much up and down ridges, but quite pleasant among open forest lands and grassy tops. Such a top was Coolamangera, | ||
- | usual disc. It was a fitting spot for lunL; | ||
- | One of the best glimpt 9 was our nert o '3tive - 12-;.g pirabo | ||
- | 1441 | ||
- | framed through a gap in tall-ceb calyptJ ; that had_obviouTJly been cut by surveyors to take s sight on the peak. | ||
- | Going down from Bajimba on hO easteT,n de ef t".,19 we | ||
- | passed through thick !jungle flora, a..cd one,. pc yf | ||
- | another nice view of Big Spi:c,abo tfitst1in !:h:,h 1-pilcac; also, | ||
- | about one mile to the north of | ||
- | At the bottom, amid cool f.:_lrn2 we fron :he | ||
- | clear Five Bull Creek, and =-;:-) | ||
- | road, which e later learned. led a f=r7 -pileo | ||
- | east. We did not follow the road for lcr4s | ||
- | Spirabo early next morning, so we clibe,7, an (JJ!1 | ||
- | gully about 500. ferA tc-) | ||
- | between Big and Littb in a trtkF-t_ | ||
- | ensured a comfortable OEJ-0) | ||
- | We had to wait ;()Illa nT' | ||
- | thus making the ollmt, of BIg ,.r:rlil-), orao | ||
- | the most spectacular pa.:,A of th.=. a, ifC16 I tO cc,02.:y on | ||
- | top ensured panoramic view9 Bi l' | ||
- | plainly visible 60 miles to the while to he ea sG Ecoky | ||
- | River and Clarence River valley:: 3p-aved as a 3C,C.:-; :13 ragged | ||
- | gorges stretching to the coast n,-; m!lse dJ.s tant ' | ||
- | we proposed to climb was Capoompei7a, | ||
- | the form of perfectly preserved sea shells, both loo-,;e and :libed--led in rocks. The range is remarkable for its hypes of rocks. Jondol was granite, Bajimba volcanic ,and now limestone. | ||
- | Down from the peak we broke camp and descended a ridge to the op-en Morven Creek. We surprised a black-brushed red fox which went streaking away across the swamp land. Large red-son anftills dotted the flat until we stopped for lunch near a little farmhouse nestling on the hillside. Here much to our disgust, a young flamer was just completing the ringbarking of a huge peppermint eucalypt because - "the roots are stopping the grass from growing" | ||
- | Clem got hold of the axe while still embeoled in the tree, and, quick as a flash, I had his photo for future propaganda purposes. We learned from the farmer that 'Big Speriby" | ||
- | Taking a rough road from here we crossed back over to the western side of the Great Divide toward Deepwater River. Tvi, miles from the river, as evening was drawing in o shopped a car r=ing | ||
- | towards Its, and who should it be but Mr. A. Cox, an old | ||
- | I had been referred to as an expert on the eistii He nad just | ||
- | returned from the Royal Show, and not having heard of us:, looked a little scared at being stopped on such a lonely road by three tranp-like specimens, as I 3 er thought we must have appeared. | ||
- | He was definitely an author. on the surrounding co=tz,y, and did be' | ||
- | let us know it! He ridicul ur tale about llmestone and pliocee. | ||
- | _ | ||
- | 13 | ||
- | to give us a treatise about 26 different species of ira;ILhe. To Laurie/s demurrers he replied, 'lLad, you know nothinr, obollt geology," | ||
- | Much other land he owned in the distrie ared on it ran | ||
- | Black Poll cattle. Amongst them was the hbes.Ela-AA: | ||
- | world, a sister to a champion bull in Chicag, Times wei'e now good, but tax was so bad he had out down prer len by f:fty cent. He left us happily9 quite convinDed | ||
- | about everything," | ||
- | That night we camped cn Deeowate- flivc.. | ||
- | a few miles along the unin1; | ||
- | 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. | ||
- | ODE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR RAILWAYS | ||
- | Dear Mr. Railway Commissioner, | ||
- | I see by this morning' | ||
- | That the start of my doom is approaching, | ||
- | For you in your wrath have decreed | ||
- | That " | ||
- | No thought for the weary and ovenaue mite, His hopes of a "ride youYe d_erlhed. | ||
- | If in the fdte f.' | ||
- | It wont be for a l' | ||
+ | Have you ever noticed how a few small names on a map can be the start of a new adventure in walking? Often busbwalkers pore over maps and then take a chance on a certain area not known to other walkers. The fossicking round for information sometimes leads to quite surprising discoveries, | ||
+ | |||
+ | We could get very little " | ||
+ | |||
+ | However the uncertainty only served to act as a spur, so Easter Thursday found us on the Brisbane Express, bound for Bluff Rock, two stations before Tenterfield. The station before, Sandy Flat, was to have been our starting point, but the historic interest of Bluff Rock changed our plans. The actual Rock is close to the railway line with the usual type of bluff face, and is easily climbed from the back. Many years ago some recalcitrant blacks were driven off the granite Bluff to deaths. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Another interesting rock is Thunderbolt Rock, just alongside the railway track about one quarter of a mile past Bluff Rock station. Although only about 30 feet by 20 feet in size, the celebrated bushranger used it to dodge back from the pursuing troopers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | While making a few phone calls to recommended " | ||
+ | |||
+ | More nebulous advice from a farmer friend of Reg's and we were off, under our own power this time, for the main range about six miles to the east. The range is not particularly to approach, as mentioned before, and the tops are mostly covered with heavy timber which shields many good panoramas from the walker. On the way across we skirted an isolated hill and were impeded to some extent by many six foot dingo fences made in two heights of wire netting. The top height was flimsily secured by battens to the sturdy ground posts, and caused some amusement as we swayed back and forth to get over. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Jondol was our first mountain, a granite out,crop with views back along the Cottesbrook Creek to Bluff Rock. We camped in a small saddle with clear water at about 4,500 feet, one mile south along the range from Jondol. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The walking next morning was very much up and down ridges, but quite pleasant among open forest lands and grassy tops. Such a top was Coolamangera, | ||
+ | |||
+ | One of the best glimpses was our next objective, Big Spirabo, framed through a gap in tall eucalypts, that had obviously been cut by surveyors to take s sight on the peak. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Going down from Bajimba on the eastern side of the Divide we passed through thick jungle flora, and at one vantage point had another nice view of Big Spirabo, this time with Little Spirabo also, about one mile to the north of it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | At the bottom, amid cool ferns, we slaked out thirst from the clear Five Bull Creek, and then, surprisingly, | ||
+ | |||
+ | We had to wait some time next morning for a heavy mist to lift, thus making the climbing of Big Spirabo worth while. It was easily the most spectacular part of the trip, as the huge rocky outcrop on top ensured panoramic views. Bulblair Sugarloaf near Guyra was plainly visible 60 miles to the south, while to the east the Rocky River and Clarence River valleys appeared as a series of wild rugged gorges stretching to the coast 80 miles distant. The next mountain we proposed to climb was Capoompeta, but it did not look so spectacular from Big Spirabo, so we decided very little would be lost if we did not have time for it. Up here too, we found traces of limestone in the form of perfectly preserved sea shells, both loose and embedded in rocks. The range is remarkable for its types of rocks. Jondol was granite, Bajimba volcanic, and now limestone. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Down from the peak we broke camp and descended a ridge to the open Morven Creek. We surprised a black-brushed red fox which went streaking away across the swamp land. Large red-soil anthills dotted the flat until we stopped for lunch near a little farmhouse nestling on the hillside. Here, much to our disgust, a young flamer was just completing the ringbarking of a huge peppermint eucalypt because - "the roots are stopping the grass from growing" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Taking a rough road from here we crossed back over to the western side of the Great Divide toward Deepwater River. Two miles from the river, as evening was drawing in, we stopped a car coming towards us, and who should it be but Mr. A. Cox, an old gentleman I had been referred to as an expert on the district. He had just returned from the Royal Show, and not having heard of us, looked a little scared at being stopped on such a lonely road by three tramp-like specimens, as I later thought we must have appeared. He was definitely an authority on the surrounding country, and did he let us know it! He ridiculed our tale about limestone and proceeded to give us a treatise about 26 different species of granite. To Laurie' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Much other land he owned in the district, and on it ran his Black Poll cattle. Amongst them was the "best Black Poll in the world, a sister to a champion bull in Chicago." | ||
+ | |||
+ | That night we camped on Deepwater River, and next morning after a few miles along the uninteresting road we caught a lorry into Deepwater, which was in the midst of barren flat country. 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 relatively unspectacular. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Ode to the Commissioner of Railways ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Dear Mr. Railway Commissioner, | ||
+ | I see by this morning' | ||
+ | That the start of my doom is approaching, | ||
+ | I'll soon be one with the dead. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For you in your wrath have decreed\\ | ||
+ | That " | ||
+ | No thought for the weary and overdue mite,\\ | ||
+ | His hopes of a " | ||
+ | |||
+ | If in the future for a ticket I ask\\ | ||
+ | It wont be for a " | ||
+ | "A fare and a third" will be the password\\ | ||
+ | To ride on the first class landing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | W.G. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- |
195001.1348882392.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/04/28 07:36 (external edit)