195008
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+ | =====The Forbidden Months.===== | ||
- | THE FORBIDDEN MONTHS | ||
By Ray Kirkby. | By Ray Kirkby. | ||
- | A receht writer in his "Guide to Tasmania" | + | |
- | ' | + | A receht writer in his "Guide to Tasmania" |
- | night war was declared which determines the month as September. I | + | |
- | am prepared, in this instance, to admit that we left a warm bed, that | + | There was one day which needs no diary to recall to my mind. We were ski-ing at Lake Fenton and late Saturday afternoon I had the misfortune to break a ski and there were no spares. Nothing daunted, I announced that on the morrow I would walk to Lake Belcher. I have three vivid memories of scenes and events of the day - three only. |
- | we would go back to one and that we had a few rums on the return | + | |
- | There was one day which needs no diary to recall to my mind. We | + | The first is of ploughing across Wombat Moor in the teeth of a biting Winter wind in snow up to my knees looking for the track to the lake. I hoped - and I think it proved so - that as soon as the track began to drop a little into the valley it would be distinguishable by the volume of water running on it and washing away the snow. |
- | were ski-ing at Lake Fenton and late Saturday afternoon I had the misfortune to break a ski and there were no spares. Nothing daunted, I announced that on-the morrow I would walk to Lake Belcher. I have three vi ld memories of scenes and events of the day - three only. | + | |
- | 4. | + | |
- | The first is of ploughing across Wombat Moor in the teeth of a biting Winter wind in snow up to my knees looking for the track | + | |
- | to the lake. I hoped - and I think it proved so - that as soon as the track began to drop a little into the valley it would be distinguishable by the volume of water running on it and washing away the snow. | + | |
The second picture is of a small patch of trees which must have been burnt just before the Winter. The trees were unharmed but leafless and on their blackened twiggy branches the snow was lightly lying. There were only two colours - black and white. | The second picture is of a small patch of trees which must have been burnt just before the Winter. The trees were unharmed but leafless and on their blackened twiggy branches the snow was lightly lying. There were only two colours - black and white. | ||
- | I have arrived, in the third Scene, at the outlet to the lake. There is nothing | + | |
- | Another chap and I decided to walk through the Reserve commencing early in October. We both had good excuses - he was just about to go into the Air Force and I was just about to return to Sydney. We spent the weekend at the beginning - October holiday weekend - ski-ing on Mt. Rufus with a party which took our skis back to Hobart and left Us at Lake St.Clair. The following day we set out to 01.12mb | + | I have arrived, in the third scene, at the outlet to the lake. There is nothing |
- | The following day we made the wearying trek around Lake St.Clair with very heavy packs, stopping half-way to make a little diversion up Mt. Olympus. Once again we did not get far on account of deep snow and storms as soon as we got any distance up. Torrential rain during the next day was our saviour though we did not realise it at the time. For it washed away most of the newly fallen snow and left only the hard snow of the Winter. We chose this delightful day to visit Lake Marion and reached our destination. I cannot now remember the miseries endured but I do remember the sullen, threatening waters of the lake and an occasional glimpse of the fierce, snow spattered, black rocks of the Guardians towering above. We were so wet that we just walked fully-clad through all streams encountered. | + | |
- | From that day onward, we reaped our rewards. Climbing Ossa was exhilarating. We picked a continuous snow slope on which walking was now easy as the snow was fairly hard. The slopes at times | + | Another chap and I decided to walk through the Reserve commencing early in October. We both had good excuses - he was just about to go into the Air Force and I was just about to return to Sydney. We spent the weekend at the beginning - October holiday weekend - ski-ing on Mt. Rufus with a party which took our skis back to Hobart and left us at Lake St. Clair. The following day we set out to climb Mt. Hugel, a quite ridiculous idea, for there was no track from Hugel Lakes up and at the Lakes, several thousand feet below the summit, the snow was knee deep. We plunged up the mountainside for quite a long way and anyone knowing the Tasmanian bush even without snow will know what that means. Finally snow storms broke over us and forced us to the belief that it was not worth the effort. (Only now do I realise how idiotic this attempt in newly fallen snow was.) |
- | 5. | + | |
- | were so steep that steps had to be kicked. One final hanging gulley led to a portal between large rocks to the top where gentle curves of snow covered the monoliths between which in Summer yawn groat gulfs. Visibility was perfect with heavy white cantles | + | The following day we made the wearying trek around Lake St. Clair with very heavy packs, stopping half-way to make a little diversion up Mt. Olympus. Once again we did not get far on account of deep snow and storms as soon as we got any distance up. Torrential rain during the next day was our saviour though we did not realise it at the time. For it washed away most of the newly fallen snow and left only the hard snow of the Winter. We chose this delightful day to visit Lake Marion and reached our destination. I cannot now remember the miseries endured but I do remember the sullen, threatening waters of the lake and an occasional glimpse of the fierce, snow spattered, black rocks of the Guardians towering above. We were so wet that we just walked fully-clad through all streams encountered. |
+ | |||
+ | From that day onward, we reaped our rewards. Climbing Ossa was exhilarating. We picked a continuous snow slope on which walking was now easy as the snow was fairly hard. The slopes at times were so steep that steps had to be kicked. One final hanging gulley led to a portal between large rocks to the top where gentle curves of snow covered the monoliths between which in Summer yawn great gulfs. Visibility was perfect with heavy white mantles | ||
The commanding Darn Bluff is known to all who have been in the Reserve or seen a Tasmanian tourist booklet. Up Barn Bluff we toiled after a night of sago snow and, on the way back, took to our usual method of descent - sitting on our ground sheets, we tobogganned down all the snow slopes. Ted started off but soon heard frantic cries from him telling me to desist. I gained his side, then Ted told me how the combination of precipitous slope and icy surface had almost landed him at the bottom too soon. His white face was sufficient confirmation for me so we took the top slopes very gingerly and on foot. | The commanding Darn Bluff is known to all who have been in the Reserve or seen a Tasmanian tourist booklet. Up Barn Bluff we toiled after a night of sago snow and, on the way back, took to our usual method of descent - sitting on our ground sheets, we tobogganned down all the snow slopes. Ted started off but soon heard frantic cries from him telling me to desist. I gained his side, then Ted told me how the combination of precipitous slope and icy surface had almost landed him at the bottom too soon. His white face was sufficient confirmation for me so we took the top slopes very gingerly and on foot. | ||
- | By a curious contrast, the very next day, we found the snow on Cradle Mountain in such a rotten state through melting that it would have been extremely | + | |
- | \ | + | By a curious contrast, the very next day, we found the snow on Cradle Mountain in such a rotten state through melting that it would have been extremely |
- | I do not advocate walking in Tasmania in the dead of Winter but for those who would like the possibility of greater adventure and beauty, I think a walk where huts are available is likely to offer more than walking in mid Summer when there might not be a skerrick of snow. However, as is well known, mid Summer walking | + | |
- | can be quite difficult, so walking in earlier months could be limited to a struggle from hut to hut. It depends an 7.our luck! If you are thinking of walking in the unauthorised months, first seek expert advice and an independent opinion of your walking ability and endurance, else do not al_ow your wraiths to haunt me | + | I do not advocate walking in Tasmania in the dead of Winter but for those who would like the possibility of greater adventure and beauty, I think a walk where huts are available is likely to offer more than walking in mid Summer when there might not be a skerrick of snow. However, as is well known, mid Summer walking can be quite difficult, so walking in earlier months could be limited to a struggle from hut to hut. It depends an your luck! If you are thinking of walking in the unauthorised months, first seek expert advice and an independent opinion of your walking ability and endurance, else do not allow your wraiths to haunt me. |
- | KOSCIUSKO SLIDES | + | |
- | Mr. Swinson. The trip was arranged to include views of most of the | + | ---- |
- | high lights of the Kosciusko-Khancoban-Geehi area. Some of us had | + | |
- | been there and enjoyed seeing favourite haunts, while those who had | + | ====Kosciusko Slides.==== |
- | not been will know something about it when planning their trips. | + | |
- | Probably nobody had seen all the unusual views presented. Maps of the route, and Mr. SwinsonTs | + | There was a big attendance at the Club Room to see the slides of Kosciusko taken by Professor Macdonald and Mr. Swinson. The trip was arranged to include views of most of the high lights of the Kosciusko-Khancoban-Geehi area. Some of us had been there and enjoyed seeing favourite haunts, while those who had not been will know something about it when planning their trips. Probably nobody had seen all the unusual views presented. Maps of the route, and Mr. Swinson' |
- | We hope that some of the inarticulate S.B.W. photographers will note and at least try to caopy. | + | |
- | 6. | + | We hope that some of the inarticulate S.B.W. photographers will note and at least try to copy. |
- | NORFOLK ISLAND AND BUSHWALKING. | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Norfolk Island And Bushwalking.===== | ||
By Marie B. Byles. | By Marie B. Byles. | ||
- | gust before I left for Norfolk Island I met another bushwalker also planning to go there. So in spite of the expense others will probably follow. It takes about the same time to reach this island as to reach Jamberoo. It costs about 14/- for Jamberoo and 40 for | + | |
- | - Norfolk. But it IS worth it. It has the same lovely grass and jungle as Jamberoo, but Jamberoo is the despair of the photog-rapher, while at Norfolk Island a picture awaits you whichever way you point the camera. Tall symmetrical Norfolk Island pines raise from the green grassy lawn short-cropped by the cows and horses; and cling precariously from the cliffs where a turquoise sea breaks in white waves on black rocks; little farms nestle among the trees and the jungle; eighty miles of dirt-roads bordered by the close-cropped grass offer delightful walking, but there is plenty of virgin jungle for those who like the rough stuff and patches of lantana for the really tough ones; the island does not breed mosquitoes (anyhow between April and October), sandflies, leeches or,ticks, and you lie in your tent on a balmy night, too warm for a sleeping bag, and no mosquitoes break your sluMber. It is like a lovely park land from another world, with none of the pests belonging to the world we know. | + | Just before I left for Norfolk Island I met another bushwalker also planning to go there. So in spite of the expense others will probably follow. It takes about the same time to reach this island as to reach Jamberoo. It costs about 14/- for Jamberoo and £40 for Norfolk. But it is worth it. It has the same lovely grass and jungle as Jamberoo, but Jamberoo is the despair of the photographer, while at Norfolk Island a picture awaits you whichever way you point the camera. Tall symmetrical Norfolk Island pines raise from the green grassy lawn short-cropped by the cows and horses; and cling precariously from the cliffs where a turquoise sea breaks in white waves on black rocks; little farms nestle among the trees and the jungle; eighty miles of dirt-roads bordered by the close-cropped grass offer delightful walking, but there is plenty of virgin jungle for those who like the rough stuff and patches of lantana for the really tough ones; the island does not breed mosquitoes (anyhow between April and October), sandflies, leeches or ticks, and you lie in your tent on a balmy night, too warm for a sleeping bag, and no mosquitoes break your slumber. It is like a lovely park land from another world, with none of the pests belonging to the world we know. |
There are delightful camping spots everywhere, but few streams, and water - as well as permission to camp - should be got from a neighbouring farmhouse. There is none of the agony of firelighting in the similarly beautiful bush of New Zealand; the wild tobacco-wood lights up as easily as cigarettes in a non-smoker! The people are gentle, and kind, and the wild birds remarkably tame. | There are delightful camping spots everywhere, but few streams, and water - as well as permission to camp - should be got from a neighbouring farmhouse. There is none of the agony of firelighting in the similarly beautiful bush of New Zealand; the wild tobacco-wood lights up as easily as cigarettes in a non-smoker! The people are gentle, and kind, and the wild birds remarkably tame. | ||
- | It is difficult to avoid hitch-hiking because everyone offers you a lift. We were*picked up by the Administrator in his car on the way down to Kingston, the civic centre, where the ruins of the former convict settlement are happily passing into decay and oblivion. The ghosts of those days of horror have long since been laid to rest by the happiness of the Islanders, who are descended, not from the - convicts, but from the Mutineers of the 6Bountyh, and their do facto Tahitian wives. They speak a language of their own, but also English. | + | |
- | The only defect of Norfolk Island is that their inhabitants are no better farmers than most, and in a land Which ought to be flowing with milk and honey (but which cannot import as easily as other countries | + | It is difficult to avoid hitch-hiking because everyone offers you a lift. We were picked up by the Administrator in his car on the way down to Kingston, the civic centre, where the ruins of the former convict settlement are happily passing into decay and oblivion. The ghosts of those days of horror have long since been laid to rest by the happiness of the Islanders, who are descended, not from the convicts, but from the Mutineers of the " |
- | But there are always sweet potatoes, kumeras, and what does7. | + | |
- | HOW DRY VE ARE. | + | The only defect of Norfolk Island is that their inhabitants are no better farmers than most, and in a land which ought to be flowing with milk and honey (but which cannot import as easily as other countries |
- | By Jim Drown. WRKE UP TO YOURSELVES,' | + | |
- | Sydney' | + | But there are always sweet potatoes, kumeras, and what does food matter when you have the fascination of a tropic isle, without the disadvantages of the tropics, a lovely park-land to roam in with your camera and an historical |
- | So, WAKE UP TO YOURSELVES1 M-iat was good onouga | + | |
- | Take the old, passe, outmoded groundsheet. You are supposed to sleep on it - with or without an underbody of bracken laboriously hewed with a puny knife, or strips of bark painstakingly and individually collected in the forest. "What comfort does it give you? None; That protection from the flooding ground did it afford at your last Reunion? | + | ---- |
- | Of course, special tents would be needed. After all, if the water (and your raft-bed) continued to rise, you would presently come into contact with the roof and as everyone knows, this induces leakages. Your tent must rise too, and tmis opens two possibilities: | + | |
- | (1) Have your dinghy-groundsheet fitted with sockets so that the tent is erected on the raft, or | + | =====How Dry We Are.===== |
- | , , nt-1, | + | |
- | / // i I | + | By Jim Brown. |
- | i 1/4, /e. 1 / / / | + | |
- | , | + | ===Wake up to yourselves!=== |
- | i / i | + | |
- | i / f ' iktic 4 ,e e''' | + | Sydney' |
- | or // / (7 I 7 f / / | + | |
- | ! / t-..' IC- , ,. Z , / | + | So, **wake up to yourselves!** What was good enough |
- | / / ,./ I | + | |
- | I / / ' if I / 7 | + | Take the old, passe, outmoded groundsheet. You are supposed to sleep on it - with or without an underbody of bracken laboriously hewed with a puny knife, or strips of bark painstakingly and individually collected in the forest. "What comfort does it give you? None! What protection from the flooding ground did it afford at your last Reunion? |
- | ........ | + | |
- | 1 /,- // | + | Of course, special tents would be needed. After all, if the water (and your raft-bed) continued to rise, you would presently come into contact with the roof and as everyone knows, this induces leakages. Your tent must rise too, and this opens two possibilities: |
- | / | + | |
- | .,- / fli, / r 1 ' | + | - Have your dinghy-groundsheet fitted with sockets so that the tent is erected on the raft, or |
- | 1 7 ...e1;. 1/ i " ' 'I,/ 44N a, ,,\\ | + | - Have telescopic tent-poles (Dormie's will serve as a prototype), fitted with floats so that, at a predetermined level the poles will extend themselves. |
- | NA \ 7-..\\\ \ | + | |
- | 7.... | + | In the case of (1) an anchor will be necessary if you wish to remain with the party in accordance with the Code of Ethics. Era and similar recognised |
- | -.7=7 - 2.--- | + | |
- | ....,: | + | Of course, some sort of groundsheet will still be necessary |
- | 71: | + | |
- | / 47/ | + | The era of the hobnail |
- | i 1 ( | + | |
- | 'Z''''''' | + | Similarly our outlook on cooking fires must change; research was carried out as early as New Year week-end at Birdie Creek, on floating fires, and whilst only moderate success was encountered, |
- | 7,'/ .:7- | + | |
- | N | + | Cooking equipment will also undergo a sea-change in order to obviate the risk of foundering, flooding or drifting overnight. Two courses seem possible, either: |
- | 1 | + | |
- | 3 /0 | + | - the present type squat billies, fitted with screw tops, anchor cable and bilge keels. Frying pans to be counter-balanced |
- | / / / | + | |
- | 1 z.........: | + | |
- | \-2.....:_ _ | + | Some years ago Paddy promised |
- | 1. -,47,1k | + | |
- | 'N. ..., N4 '''' | + | I have also to evolve some method of carrying all this gear when the dinghy is not in use and it must be transported on back. Pack animals appear to be useless as there would not be room even for mules on the rafts. Apart from which, there are a few conventions which must remain. Perhaps one of the tent poles could be used as a kind of reinforcement for the walker' |
- | /---1 0 | + | |
- | \\:\ 0 /7 ea.* | + | |
- | .2119) | + | |
- | C-7 | + | |
- | | + | |
- | 2) Have telescopio t7.-poles kDoriulels | + | |
- | In t1-1 oiase of (1) an anchor will be necessary if you wish to remain with the party in accordance with the Code of Ethics. Era and similar recognised | + | |
- | Of course, some sort of groundsheet will still be necessi, | + | |
- | The era of the hobnil | + | |
- | Similarly our outlook on cooking fires must change; research was carried out as earlys | + | |
- | 9 | + | |
- | floating fires, and whilst only moderate success was encountered, | + | |
- | Cooking equipment will Labo undergo a sea-change in order to obviate the risk of foundering, flooding or-drifting overnight. Two courses seem possible, either: | + | |
- | (a) the present type s quat billies, fitted with screw tops, anchor cable and bilge keels. Frying pans to be counterbalanced | + | |
- | (b) A complete reversal of design to favour the stove-pipe | + | |
- | variety of billy, about 4" in diameter by 2T64 high, with a compartment (or blister) around the bottom to accommodate stones and other ballast for firm anchorage. | + | |
- | Some years ago Paddy promis ed to incorporate war time discoveries in his equipment. This is his opportunity. I have yet | + | |
- | to work out applications of FIDO and PLUTO for walkers1 | + | |
- | I have also to evolve some method of carrying all tbis gear when the dinghy is not in use and. it must be transported on back. Pack | + | |
- | animals appear to be useless as there would not be room even for mules on the rafts. Apart from which, there arc a few conventions | + | |
- | which must remain. Perhaps one of the tent poles could be used as a kind of reinforcement for the walkerTs | + | |
- | under his colossal load. The trailing end of the pole should have a boss to fit two or-three different attachments a small wheel for dry conditions, a miniature ski for snow work, and a variety of float or toboggan for water and mud. There is a flaw in this suggestion, for if the telescopic tent-polo cum paddle cum mast cum artificial backbone should suddenly fold up while being used as a spine brace, | + | |
Some arrangement will have to be reached with the Railways and hire car owners to enlarge carriage doorways and reinforce luggage racks and carriers, but then, if present conditions continue, there will be no trains and roads will be closed most of the time. | Some arrangement will have to be reached with the Railways and hire car owners to enlarge carriage doorways and reinforce luggage racks and carriers, but then, if present conditions continue, there will be no trains and roads will be closed most of the time. | ||
- | It is apparent from the foregoing that the Walking Movement has a battle ahead - first to convince the die-hards who would water down our conditions that such reforms are vitally necessary, | + | |
- | 10 | + | It is apparent from the foregoing that the Walking Movement has a battle ahead - first to convince the die-hards who would water down our conditions that such reforms are vitally necessary, then to design and produce the up-to-date gear outlined above. I am aware that I am raising the standard of revolt, that I may place myself |
- | then to design and produce the up-to-date gear outlined above. I am aware that I am raising the standard of revolt, that I may place mys elf outside the pale with those wet types, the conservatives. They shall be liquidated. | + | |
- | Vialkers! Now is the hour. Strike for your welfare and comfort in the stormy days ahead. Your emblem the water lily - your slogan - "How dry we arer | + | Walkers! Now is the hour. Strike for your welfare and comfort in the stormy days ahead. Your emblem the water lily - your slogan - "How dry we are!" |
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
SIGNS .AND PORTENTS. | SIGNS .AND PORTENTS. | ||
By ilMeerschaumn. There was a large whitewash mark right round the Hall. | By ilMeerschaumn. There was a large whitewash mark right round the Hall. |
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