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-THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKE:R
+======The Sydney Bushwalker.======
 A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney.
-No.208 MARCH, 1952 Price 6d.
-Editor: Ken Meadows, 103 Cooper Sales and Subs.: Shirley Evans
+====No.208 March, 1952 Price 6d.====
-Street, Maroubra. Typed by Jean Harvey
-Production and Business Manager: Brian Harvey (JW1462)
+|**Editor**|Ken Meadows, 103 Cooper Street, Maroubra|
-CONTENTS.
+|**Production and Business Manager**|Brian Harvey (JW1462)|
-Editorial - Planning Any Big Trips? Page
+|**Sales and Subs.**|Shirley Evans|
-At the February General Meeting - Jim Brown 1
+|**Typed by**|Jean Harvey|
-A Bushwalker Visits the Sierra Nevada - 2
-Suzanne Reichard 5
+=====Contents.=====
-Night on Pal Blue Creek - Jim Brown 8
-Era for the Bushwalkers T.W. Moppett 10
+| | |Page|
-"One Ear to the Ground" 13
+|Editorial - Planning Any Big Trips?| | 1|
-And Why Don't We Meet More Success in our
+|At the February General Meeting|Jim Brown| 2|
-Conservation Work? - Allen A. Stram 14
+|A Bushwalker Visits the Sierra Nevada|Suzanne Reichard| 5|
-Regeneration at Broken Hill 15
+|Night on Pol Blue Creek|Jim Brown| 8|
-Federation Notes - Brian G. Harvey 18
+|Era for the Bushwalkers|T.W. Moppett|10|
-Paddy Pallints Points for Particular People (Ad.) 19
+|"One Ear to the Ground"| |13|
-EDITORIAL,
+|And Why Don't We Meet More Success in our Conservation Work?|Allen A. Strom|14|
-Planning Anz2ig Trips?
+|Regeneration at Broken Hill| |15|
+|Federation Notes|Brian G. Harvey|18|
+|Paddy Pallints Points for Particular People (Ad.)| |19|
+----
+======Editorial.=====
+====Planning Any Big Trips?====
 It is very pleasant to know, going to a strange place, that you are among friends. Walkers who visit interstate and overseas have only to call into a local club to be made welcome. Frequently, the well worn pack and air that only walkers can cultivate will lead to the wearer being stopped and invited to dinner.
-One of the advantages of a walking holiday is the ease in making minor changes to the itinery. An invitation to dine and to perhaps stay the night does not mean cancelled hotel bookings beoause it was intended to stay "behind the Cascade Brewery" or name such place anyway. Pity the tourist who does thin s the hard way. The bus captain says t7stay at this hotel tonight", eat at this cafe", "admire this view".
+One of the advantages of a walking holiday is the ease in making minor changes to the itinery. An invitation to dine and to perhaps stay the night does not mean cancelled hotel bookings because it was intended to stay "behind the Cascade Brewery" or some such place anyway. Pity the tourist who does things the hard way. The bus captain says "stay at this hotel tonight", "eat at this cafe", "admire this view".
-Despite the apparent casualness of a walking holiday there must
-be some organisation. Perhaps the greatest worry in arranGing a
+Despite the apparent casualness of a walking holiday there must be some organisation. Perhaps the greatest worry in arranging a trip interstate is transport to unusual places. Trains just don't run where we want to go and if a Tourist Bureau is approached nobody there has even heard of the proposed starting point, let alone know of any truck owners or hire car proprietors. The person who has been there before is called on for information. How can this position be improved?
-interstate is transport to unusual places. Trains just donft ri.nvvhere we want to go and if a Trmx.ist Bureau is approached nobody there has even heard of the proposed starting point, let alone know of any truck
-owners or hire car proprietors. The person who has Leen there before
+Trying to do something through the Tourist Bureau is a waste of time. What is required is a list of the available transport to the areas in which the walker is interested. It is also useful to have a summary of the features of the area, any special equipment needed, local food supplies and so on.
-is called on for information. How can this position be improved?
-Trying to do something through the Tourist Bureau is a waste of
+It is proposed to run a series of articles in "The Sydney Bushwalker" doing just that. Reference will be made to articles in magazines describing the area. Transport required, as far as is possible, will be in detail, giving the names of people who have in the past run trucks or cars for the convenience of walkers.
-. time. That is required is a list of the available transport to the areas in which the walker is interested. It is also useful to have a summary of the features of the area, any special equipment needed, local food supplies and so on.
-It is proposed to run a series of articles in The Sydney Bushwalker'' doing just that. Reference will be made to articles in magazines describing the area. Transport required, as far as is possible, will
+This information will not duplicate information that Paddy might have. It will collate and add to it. It will also be of use to other clubs and to interstate visitors.
-be in detail, giving the names of people who have in the past run trucks or cars for the convenience of walkers.
-This information will not duplicate information that Paddy might
-have. It will collate and add to it. It will also be of use to other clubs and to interstate visitors.
 If this scheme meets with approval write and let the Editor know. Areas that most people are interested in will be written up first, so write in and your magazine will do the rest.
-Madman alamINMIPIIMM
-AT THE 0,BRUARY GENERAL MEETING.
+----
+=====At The February General Meeting.=====
 Jim Brown.
-The February meeting commenced with ebb-tide figures of 35 members present, but surprisingly expanded to a maximum of about 55, with much coming and going throughout the evening. The first member of the new Club year was not pres ent for welcoming, so we began with minutes, and Social Secretary Edna Stretton questioned the wisdom of our January decision to hold both r'Quarter of the Centur? Party in October, and Christmas Party in December. She moved cancellation of the latter, and was supported by Kevin Ardill who spoke of the strain on Club finances since admission seldom covered the cost. After the old suggestion of polishing up Ingersoll Hall and holding a Christmas binge there, Gwen Frost successfully gained adjournment of discussion to the Annual General Meeting when more interested people may be present.
-While on the subject Brian Harvey suggested a special edition of the magazine'to mark the 25th anniversary, and met with a daub+. from Allan Hardie, who wondered if old members would find it diffi:cult to say something fresh only four years after our hcoming of age h edition. Phil Hall suggested some people may be able to write two articles, and we carried the motion.
+The February meeting commenced with ebb-tide figures of 35 members present, but surprisingly expanded to a maximum of about 55, with much coming and going throughout the evening. The first member of the new Club year was not present for welcoming, so we began with minutes, and Social Secretary Edna Stretton questioned the wisdom of our January decision to hold both "Quarter of the Century" Party in October, and Christmas Party in December. She moved cancellation of the latter, and was supported by Kevin Ardill who spoke of the strain on Club finances since admission seldom covered the cost. After the old suggestion of polishing up Ingersoll Hall and holding a Christmas binge there, Gwen Frost successfully gained adjournment of discussion to the Annual General Meeting when more interested people may be present.
-Betty Hall read a report on a meeting of the sub-committee seeking Federal aid in bush fire control, indicating that letters were being drafted to the aathorities and interested bodies. Dormie was disappointed
-.
+While on the subject Brian Harvey suggested a special edition of the magazine to mark the 25th anniversary, and met with a doubt from Allan Hardie, who wondered if old members would find it difficult to say something fresh only four years after our "coming of age" edition. Phil Hall suggested some people may be able to write two articles, and we carried the motion.
-to learn recent comment in Canberra could not have been inspired by our action.
-After correspondence, which contained a letter to the Chief
+Betty Hall read a report on a meeting of the sub-committee seeking Federal aid in bush fire control, indicating that letters were being drafted to the authorities and interested bodies. Dormie was disappointed to learn recent comment in Canberra could not have been inspired by our action.
-Secretary's Department, suggesting more concentrated publicity on the fire-lighting ban, Allan Hardie asked why we didn't seek a definition of "fire in the open" from the same Department. Haw about smoker's discarded matches and butts, what of railway engines? Weren't they also fires in the open? Why pick on a bushwalker's innocent little fire, as
- he brewed his invigorating cup of tea? The ban, he said, was a sop to
+After correspondence, which contained a letter to the Chief Secretary's Department, suggesting more concentrated publicity on the fire-lighting ban, Allan Hardie asked why we didn't seek a definition of "fire in the open" from the same Department. How about smoker's discarded matches and butts, what of railway engines? Weren't they also fires in the open? Why pick on a bushwalker's innocent little fire, as he brewed his invigorating cup of tea? The ban, he said, was a sop to the Chief Secretary's self-importance, derived from no particular power. Here others intervened to quote the Bush Fires Act as it applied to careless smokers, and to refer to spark arresters on locomotives. We decided NOT to write for a definition.
-the Chief Secretary's self-importance, derived from no particular power. Here others intervened to quote the Bush Fires Act as it applied to
-u careless smokers, and to refer to spark arresters on locomotives. We decided NOT to write for a definition.
+A letter from Marie Byles referred to our insanitary way of life. After discussion it appeared we should be unwise to pursue the matter too diligently: we might end up in Crown Street, said Eric Rowen, moving purchase of a couple of atomisers and provision of stewards to fumigate on nights we were in occupation. Atomisers it was.
-A letter from Marie Byles referred to our insanitary way of life. After discussion it appeared we should be unwise to pursue the matter too diligently: we might end up in Crown Street, said Eric Rowen, moving purchase of a couple of atomisers and provision of stewards to
-fumigate on nights we were in occupation. Atomisers it was.
+Phil Hall outlined the conditions governing a Photographic Competition being conducted by the Youth Carnival for Peace and Friendship in March, and we heard the monthly Social Report for the last time, it being moved that the Social Secretary be no longer required to give account of her stewardship. Treasurer's Report was evidently beyond reproach for no one had any comment, and the Federation Report was read. Paul Barnes added to this that successful discussions had been held with the Manager of the National Park, and parties of bushwalkers were now patrolling the park during bush fire danger periods, cautioning motorists, picnickers, etc. on careless use of fire. More patrols were needed, and walkers (particularly those with a ranger's warrant) were sought.
-Phil Hall outlined the conditions governing a Photographic
-Competition being conducted by the Youth Carnival for Peace and Friendship in March, and we heard the monthly Social Report for the last time, it
+At first Brian Harvey was grieved at the thought of reducing the Quorum for Federation Councils, but Paul Barnes explained the difficulty of securing the numbers, the problem of some virtually dormant Clubs, and Brian withdrew a motion to oppose the change. At this stage, too, the Treasurer produced, as a conjurer whisks a rabbit from a top hat, the evidence that we really had paid our affiliation fee to Federation this year. We can still look Federation in the face. It appeared, however, that the Bush Fire and Flood Rescue Section being organised under Federation auspices had suffered a reverse as the Club responsible for the suggestion had withdrawn its support.
-being moved that the Social Secretary be no longer required to give account of her stewardship. Treasurer's Report was evidently beyond reproach for no one had any comment, and the Federation Report was read. Paul Barnes added to this that successful discussions had been held with the Manager of the National Park, and parties of bushwalkers were now patrolling the park during bush. fire danger periods, cautioning motorists, picnickers, etc. on careless use of fire. More patrols were needed, and walkers (particularly those with a ranger's warrant) were saught,
-AL first Brian Harvey was grieved at the thought of reducing the
+Federation's "stop press" reported that a Mr. Kirby, owner of property on Cox's River near Little River and Galong Creek, was taking action to prevent walkers crossing his land. No further news, but we would be kept advised.
-Quorum for Federation Councils, but Paul Barnes explained the eiffiaulty of securing the numbers, the problem of some virtually dormant Clubs, and
-Brian withdrew a motion to oppose the change. At this stage, too, the the Treasurer produced, as a conjurer whisks a rabbit from a top hat, the evidence that we really had paid our affiliation fee to Federation
+The President announced the usual limitation on attendance at the Annual Re-union - members, past and present: non-member husbands and wives of members: members' children under 16 years: permission of Committee to be sought for any other visitor. A further announcement was to the effect that the retiring Secretary and Treasurer would not seek re-election.
-this year. We can still look Federation in the face. It appeared, however, that the Bush Fire and Flood Rescue Section being organised
-ur4der Federation auspices had suffered a reverse as the Club responsible
+The Re-Union Organiser, Gil Webb, had something to say on that matter. What was our will if the ban an fire lighting was still applied in March? Someone suggested a battery of pressure lamps in lieu of the campfire, and Gil agreed, saying it may even be possible to bring a couple of motor cycles right to the camp, but he was more concerned about cooking fires. Bill Gillam quoted the precedent of the postponed re-union of 1949, and moved that the decision be left to the night of the Annual General Meeting. Objection - this left no opportunity to arrange transport from Richmond, was too great a headache to the organisers. "Mouldy" Harrison objected too: his foster child, the re-union was designed as investiture of the incoming President. He felt that anyone who would not suffer a minor inconvenience to be at the re-union "never would be missed". So the motion of postponement was lost, and "Mouldy" substituted a positive one to hold it on the weekend immediately after the Annual General Meeting, come hell or high water, or no fire. Carried.
-'fdr the suggestion had withdrawn its support.
--Federation's"stop press " reported that a Mr. Kirby, owner of
+All this talk of the ban on fire-lighting then prompted Jack Wren to propose that the Club support the ban to the full and expel any member disregarding it. This was felt to be rather strong medicine, and it was argued that it was a matter for individual consciences, that punishment was properly the province of Fire Control authorities and Police, and that such a motion would make spies and pimps of members. Debate was prolonged, and Fred Kennedy moved the gag, which was supported. The motion itself was lost.
-property on Cox's River near Little River and Galong Creek, was taking action to prevent walkers crossing his land. iTo further news, but we would-be kept advised.
-The President announced the usual limitation on attendance at the Annual Re-union - members, past and present: non-member husbands and wives of members: members' children under 16 years: permission of Committee to be sought for any other visitor. A further announcement
+Going then to the other extreme, perhaps, was a motion by Betty Holdsworth that bushwalkers be asked to refrain from fire-lighting when on official trips. This was attacked on the score that it appeared to condone fire lighting on private walks, and was redundant. Kevin Ardill said the "honour system" was used in all the best penitentiaries, but the meeting evidently considered it inadequate, and that motion too was lost. Since apparently we could not find a formula to please all, the matter lapsed.
-was to the effect that the retiring Secretary and Treasurer would not
-seek re-election.
+After Bill Cosgrove told us how lucky we were to be getting out of Era with our funds intact (the N.R.M.A. had stated 'there wasn't a road to Era YET') the evening wound up none too soon at 10.20 p.m.
-.
-The Re-Union Organiser, Gil Webb, had something to say on that matter. ?hat was our will if the ban an fire lighting was still applied in March? Someone suggested a battery of pressure lamps in lieu of the campfire, and Gil agreed, saying it may even be possible to bring a couple of motor cycles right to the camp, but he was more concerned about cooking fires. Bill Gillam quoted the precedent of the postponed re-union of 1949, and moved that the decision be lefc to the night of the Annual General Meeting. Objection - this left no opportunity to arrang transport from Richmond, was too great a headache to the organisers. "Mouldy" Harrison objected too: his foster child, the re-union was designed as investiture of the incoming President. He felt that anyone who would not suffer a minor inconvenience to be at the re-union anever would be missod". So the motion of postponement was lost, and "Mouldy" substituted a positive one to hold it on the weekend immediately after the Annual General Meeting, come hell or high water, or no fire. Carried.
+----
-All this talk of the ban on fire-lighting then prompted Jack Wren to propose that the Club support the ban to the full and expel any member disregarding it. This was felt to be rather strong medicine, * and it was argued that it was a matter for individual consciences, that punishment was properly the province of Fire Control authorities and Police, and that such a motion would make spies and pimps of members.
-Debate was prolonged, and Fred Kennedy moved the gag, which was supported.
+Don't be left in the lurch! Make sure you have your copy of the new song book for the re-union! A limited number available, and those are only for members.
-The motion itself was lost.
-Going then to the other extreme, perhaps, was a motion by Betty Holdsworth that bushwalkers be asked to refrain from fire-lighting when on official trips. This was attacked on the score that it appeared to condone fire lighting on private walks, and was redundant. Kevih Ardill said the "honour system" was used in all the best penitentiaries, but the meeting evidently considered it inadequate, and that motion too was lost. Since apparently we could not find a formula to please all, the matter lapsed.
+----
-After Bill Cosgrove told us haw lucky we were to be getting out of Era with our funds intact (the N.R.M.A. had stated /there wasn/t a road to Era YETI) the evening wound up none too soon at 10.20 p.m.
-mmarniOwItaelmwmadwaa...E.Mommommem
+=====A Bushwalker Visits the Sierra Nevada.=====
-DON IT BE LEFT IN THE LURCH! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR COPY OF THE NEW SONG BOOK FOR THE RE-UNION! A LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE, AND THOSE ARE ONLY FOR MEMBERS.
-. A BUSHWALKER VISITS THE SIERRA NEVADA.
 By Suzanne Reichard.
-Like music and science, a love of the outdoors knows no national
-barriers. In every American city that I have visited since leaving Australia 16 years ago, I have sought out the local hiking clubs and have never failed to find kindred spirits and to make good friends. One of the finest and certainly the most unique of these organisations is the Sierra Club of California.
+Like music and science, a love of the outdoors knows no national barriers. In every American city that I have visited since leaving Australia 16 years ago, I have sought out the local hiking clubs and have never failed to find kindred spirits and to make good friends. One of the finest and certainly the most unique of these organisations is the Sierra Club of California.
-California is blessed by a magnificent chain of mountains, the
-Sierra Nevada, running north and south about 120 miles inland from the
+California is blessed by a magnificent chain of mountains, the Sierra Nevada, running north and south about 120 miles inland from the coast. They rose as the result of subterranean volcanic activity, which tilted the plateau so that its western slope rises gently, while its eastern slope falls away in sheer cliffs. The highest peak is Mt. Whitney, 14,600 feet, but there are many other peaks almost as high. The lower slopes of the range are covered with pine forests, timberline being at 11,000 feet, at which altitude one finds stunted hemlocks and fascinatingly gnarled junipers. One small, hardy flower, Polemonium, grows at altitudes of 12,000 feet or higher, where its clusters of mauve flowers cling to the rock crannies. Small glaciers are still found on some of the northern slopes. The high Sierra country, as Californians know it and love it, consists of towering granite cliffs, at whose feet lie sapphire-blue lakes fed by sparkling mountain streams or the run off from gleaming snowbanks.
-coast. They rose as the result of subterranean volcanic activity, which tilted the plateau so that its western slope rises gently, while its eastern slope falls away in sheer cliffs. The highest peak is
-Mt. Whitney, 14,600 feet, but there are many other peaks almost as high. The lower slopes of the range are covered with pine forests, timberline
+The Yosemite Valley, the best-known valley in the Sierras, was discovered in the middle of the last century by John Muir, who decided that it should be taken over by the federal government to be preserved for the people in perpetuity. To this end he and Joseph Le Conte founded the Sierra Club, and, through their efforts, Yosemite was dedicated as a national park in 1890. It soon occurred to the founders of the Club that, in order to get people enthused about working for the conservation of our mountain wildernesses, they should be taken to see them. So, about 1900, they organised and carried out the first high trip. This was a rugged affair in which the participants, after being taken to the railhead by special train, had to hike for several days through broiling, shadeless desert before even beginning their ascent of the mountains. Nevertheless, the trip was such a success that an annual high trip has been conducted ever since, except for a brief lapse during the war years.
-being at 11,000 feet, at which altitude one finds stunted hemlocks and
-fascinatingly gnarled juhipers. One small, hardy flower, Polemonium,
+Every summer, about 150 people go on these trips: 125 paying guests and 25 commissary crew and packers. The crew consists, in addition to a director and assistant director, of young high school and college students who get a free vacation in beautiful mountain country in return for their work. A pack train of abut 70 mules carries all the dunnage(weight limit per person: 30 lbs.) plus all the cooking equipment and food. Excellent meals are served by the kitchen crew. The super-effieient chef on my last outing was a second year medical student. With such a large crowd of people in the mountains, arrangements cannot be left to chance, and here one sees the American genius for organisation at work. Women's camp is always located down stream - because they wash more: - men's upstream and married couples' in the middle - presumably to keep the two apart! Even the toilet arrangements are carefully planned. Diggers go ahead of the main party, dig holes in appropriate places and surround them with burlap, then place over the holes little wooden thrones that have been proudly carried up on muleback. Such a convenience is commonly referred to as "the burlap". Because there is so little rain in the Sierra in summer, people do not bother to pitch tents unless there is a thunderstorm brewing, and many do not even carry them, relying on a simple nylon tarpaulin for any needed protection. On the other hand, most people have air mattresses - do I hear cries of "sissy"? For several years I refused with Bushwalker fortitude to succumb to such softness, but broke down recently after finding that in stony high-altitude camps the few soft spots are soon taken over by the first arrivals, and one is likely to have to spend the night on granite slabs. With an air mattress, one is independent of terrain.
-grows at altitudes of 12,000 feet or higher, where its clusters of
-mauve flowers cling to the rock crannies. Small glaciers are still found
+The high trip lasts for six weeks, and one may go out for any one of the three two-week periods, or for the whole six weeks. Camp moves every day or so, but as much as three days may be spent in an especially beautiful spot, such as Bench Lake with its mirrored view, of Arrow Peak. Daily moves average about 12 miles, usually with several thousand feet of climbing, but range from 10 to 20 miles. On long moves, a crack-of-dawn start (occasionally as early as 2 a.m.) is made so that even the oldsters will have plenty of time to get into camp before dark. The day's activities always conclude with an enjoyable gathering around the evening campfire where members present a programme of plays and skits, limerick competitions, musical numbers and folksongs with guitar accompaniment. Ollo Baldauf charms the company with her German folksongs, while Tommy Jefferson, an Indian packer, wows the adolescents with __Don Juan from Mexico__. Bushwalkers are probably horrified at the thought of 150 people tramping through the mountains, but actually one is never aware of the crowd except at mealtimes and around the campfire. During the day, some walk fast and others walk slow; some strike across country and others' climb a peak on the way. So one usually finds one's self on the trail with just one or two friends, or alone if one wishes. Below 8,000 feet the trails are hot and dusty; Sierra Club members are happiest when they are camping above 10,000 feet amidst the awesome beauty of the high peaks.
-on some of the northern slopes. The high Sierra country, as Californians know it and love it, consists of towering granite cliffs, at whose feet lie sapphire-blue lakes fed by sparkling mountain streams or the run off from gleaming snowbanks.
-The Yosemite Valley, the best-known valley in the Sierras, was discovered in the middle of the last century by John Muir, who decided
+Who goes on these trips? People from wall walks of life: accountants, artists, doctors, farmers, plumbers, university professors, secretaries, etc. The age range is from 10 to 70. A few years ago, a seventy-year-old judge decided to see the mountains for the first time in his life. We used to pass him on the trail, walking with little, short steps, and wonder how he would ever make it, but he always arrived safely in camp by nightfall. At the other extreme was little Davy Armstrong, youngest scion of the rugged Armstrong family. When there was tough cross-country going to be done, he was right up there with the best of the rockclimbers. One day, I found him trudging independently along the trail and asked him where his mother was, to which he responded "Over there", with a nonchalant wave of the hand.
-that it should be taken over by the federal government to be preserved
-for the people in perpetuity'. To this end he and Joseph Le Conte founded the Sierra Club, and, through their efforts, Yosemite wait
+Who may join the Sierra Club? As we have seen from the brief bit of history given earlier, the Sierra Club started out primarily as a conservation organisation, and this it has remained ever since. Anyone who truly loves the mountains and is willing to work for their preservation is welcome to join. Prospective members are invited to participate in club activities so that the members may get to know them, but no test of endurance is required. The Club now has over 7,000 members, and it caters to all tastes. There are backpacking, rock-climbing and mountaineering trips for the rugged. Many outstanding first ascents have been made by club members. The high trips are for those of fair stamina. A basecamp, which remains in one location, is conducted for the benefit of the oldsters and for families with young children. In fact, basecamp is where the next generation of Sierra Clubbers get their initiation into the high Sierra. There are nature walks for nature-lovers and a ski-lodge for ski enthusiasts. A nice feature of Club life is that a member never becomes superannuated. When he is too old to do the tough stuff, he finds some gentler activity awaiting him, whereby he can still get up to his beloved mountains. Even from an invalid chair, he can continue to work for conservation. Thus the Sierra Club member never loses his sense of belongingness, and the Club retains its vitality and flexibility and continues to be a real force in the community.
-dedicated as a national park in 1890. It soon occurred to the founders
-of the Club that, in order to get people enthused about working for the
-conservation of car mountain wildernesses, they should be taken to see
-them. So, about 1900, they organised and carried out the first high
-trip. This was a rugged affair in which the participants, after being taken to the railhead by special train, had to hike for several days through broiling, shadeless desert before even beginning their ascent of the mountains. Nevertheless, the trip was such a suggess that an annual high trip has been conducted ever since, except for a brief lapse during the war years.
-Every summer, about 150 people go on these trips: 125 paying guests and 25 commissary crew and packers. The crew consists, in addition to a
-director and assistant director, of young high school and college students
-who get a free vacation in beautiful mountain country in return for their work. A pack train of abut 70 mtles carries all the dunnage(weight limit per person: 30 lbs.) plus all the cooking equipment and food. Excellent meals are served by the kitchen crew. The super-effieient chef on my last outing was a second year medical student. With such a large crowd of people in the mountains, arrangements cannot be left to chance, and here one sees the American genius for organisation at work. Womenrs camp is always located down stream - because they wash more: - men's upstream and married couples' in the middle - presumably to keep the
-.
-two apart! Even the toilet arrangements are carefully planned. Diggers go ahead of the main party, dig holes in appropriate places and surround them with burlap, then place over the holes little wooden thrones that have been proudly carried up on muleback. Such a convenience is commonly referred to as "the burlap". Because there is so little rain in the
-Sierra in summer, people do not bothertopitch tents Lnless there is a
-thunderstorm brewing, and many do not even carry them, relying on a simple nylon tarpaulin for any needed protection. On the other hand, most people have air mattresses - do I hear cries of "sissy"? For several years I refused with Bushwalker fortitude to succumb to such softness, but broke down recently after finding that in stony high-altitude camps the few soft spcta are soon taken over by the first arrivals, and one is likely o have to spencl the night on graniteslabs. With an air mattress, one is independent of terrain.
-The high trip lasts for six weeks, and one may go out for any one of
-the three two-week periods, or for the whole six weeks. Camp moves
-every day or so, but as much as three days may be spent in an especially- beautiful spot, such as Bench Lake withits mirrored view, of Arrow Peak. Daily moves average about 12 miles, usually with several thousand feet of climbing, but range from 10 to 20 miles. On long moves, a cra6k-Of= dawn start (occasionally as early as 2 a.m.) is made so that even-the oldsters will have plenty of time to get into camp before dark. The day's
-activities always conclude with an enjoyable gathering around the evening
-campfire where members present a programme of plays and skits, limerick competitions, musical numbers and folksongs with guitar accompaniment. 011o Baldauf charms the company with her German folksongs, while Tommy Jefferson, an Indian packer, wows the adolescents with Don Juan from
-Mexico. Bushwalkers are probably horrified at the thought of=--p-gople tramping through the mountains, but actually one is never aware of the
-crowd except at mealtimes and around the campfire. During the day, some walk fast and others walk slow; some strike across country and others'- climb a peak on the way. So one usually finds one's self on the trail
-with just one or two friends, or alone if one wishes. Below 8,000 feet the trails are hot and dusty; Sierra Club members are happiest when they are camping above 10,000 feet amidst the awesome beauty of the high peaks,
-Who goes on these trips? People from wall walks of life: account--
-ants, artists, doctors, farmers, plumbers, university professors, secretaries, etc. The age range is from 10 to 70. A few years ago, a seventy-year-old judge decided to see the mountains for the first time in his life. We used to pass him on the trail, walking with little, short steps, and wonder how he would ever make it, but he always arrived safely in camp by nightfall. At the other extreme was little Davy Armstrong, youngest scion of the rugged Armstrong family. When there was tough cross-country going to be done, i]Le was right up there with the best of the rockclimbers. One day, I found- him trudging independently
-along the trail and asked him where his :mother was, to which he responded "Over there", with a nonchalant wave of the hand.
-Who may join the Sierra Club? As we have seen from the brief bit of history given earlier, the Sierra. Club started out primarily as a conservation organisation, and this it has remained ever since.
-Anyone who truly loves the mountains and is willing to work for their
-preservation is welcome to join. Prospective members are invited to participate in club activities so that the members may get to know them,
-.
-but no test of endurance is required. The ilub now has over 7,000 members, and it caters to all tastes. There are backpacking, rock- climbing and mountaineering trips for the rugged. Many outstanding first ascents have been made by club members. The high trips are for those of fair stamina. A basecamp, which remains in one location, is conducted for the benefit of the oldsters and for families with young children. In fact, basecamp is where the next generation of Sierra Clubbers get their initiation into the high Sierra. There are nature walks for nature-lovers and a ski-lodge for ski enthusiasts. A nice feature of Club life is that a member never becomes superannuated. When he is too old to do the tough stuff, he finds some gentler activity awaiting him, whereby he can still get up to his beloved mountains.
-Even from an invalid chair, he can continue to work for conservation. Thus the Sierra Club member never loses his sense of belongingness, and the Club retains its vitality and flexibility and continues to be a real
-force in the community.
 Words cannot convey the beauty of the high Sierra country, and I hope that some of you will come over and see it for yourselves. If you do, I can assure you of a very warm welcome from the Sierra Club.
-Extract from letter from Frank Leyden, 10/2/52
-I am planning another trip to the eastern Austrian Tyrol for 3 weeks ski mountaineering up in the glaciers in April with Leon Blumer and four other Sydney chaps ex Sydney Technical College Bush Walkers. We had a very enjoyable Christmas up in the English Lake District Mountains amongst the Yorks and Lanes types, the real "Choomsn.    lain forwarding by ship mail t15.6- articles on the ascent of 16,000 feet Mt. Blanc by S.B.W7s, one a summer ascent by Leon Blumer, the other in winter by myself. A sketch map will also be
-enclosed.   Leon is quite famous in the mountaineering fraternity here, having climbed Jungfrau, Wetterhorn, Zinal Rothorn from Zermatt and others to a total of 20 major peaks ..."
-wirlamoraimm..14114 mama lalimmosiMM
-ANNUAL RE-UNION - MARCH 15TEL16TH.
-The Annual Re-Union will be held at-Woods Creek, near the junction of the Grose River with the Nepean River, about 4-12:: miles from Richmond.
-Trains ex-Central to Richmond _Saturday.
-.30 a.m. (Electric. - change Granville) 9.15 a.m. (Through steam service)
+----
-.26 a.m.(Electric - change Granville)
-.52 p.m. (Through steam service)
+Extract from letter from Frank Leyden, 10/2/52:-
-.38 p.m. (Through Steam service 2.44 p.m. (Electric - change
-.earramatta & Blacktown 4.29 p.m. (Electric - change
+"I am planning another trip to the eastern Austrian Tyrol for 3 weeks ski mountaineering up in the glaciers in April with Leon Blumer and four other Sydney chaps ex Sydney Technical College Bush Walkers. We had a very enjoyable Christmas up in the English Lake District Mountains amongst the Yorks and Lancs types, the real "Chooms".... I am forwarding by ship mail two articles on the ascent of 16,000 feet Mt. Blanc by S.B.W's, one a summer ascent by Leon Blumer, the other in winter by myself. A sketch map will also be enclosed... Leon is quite famous in the mountaineering fraternity here, having climbed Jungfrau, Wetterhorn, Zinal Rothorn from Zermatt and others to a total of 20 major peaks ..."
-Granville)
-.5 p.m. (Through steam servic
+----
-Arrangements are being made to provide Ibuses to meet the 12.52 p.m.
-train and 'convey passengers to a point i mile from the campsite. It is expected to arrange Tbuses to connect with the 5.17 p.m. train ex Richmond on Sunday.
+=====Annual Re-Union - March 15th/16th.=====
-.
-NIGHT ON POL BLUE CREEK
+The Annual Re-Union will be held at Woods Creek, near the junction of the Grose River with the Nepean River, about 4 1/2 miles from Richmond.
+__Trains ex-Central to Richmond - Saturday.__
+  * 8.30 a.m. (Electric. - change Granville)
+  * 9.15 a.m. (Through steam service)
+  * 11.26 a.m.(Electric - change Granville)
+  * 12.52 p.m. (Through steam service)
+  * 1.38 p.m. (Through Steam service)
+  * 2.44 p.m. (Electric - change Parramatta & Blacktown)
+  * 4.29 p.m. (Electric - change Granville)
+  * 6.5 p.m. (Through steam service)
+Arrangements are being made to provide 'buses to meet the 12.52 p.m. train and convey passengers to a point 1/2 mile from the campsite. It is expected to arrange 'buses to connect with the 5.17 p.m. train ex Richmond on Sunday.
+----
+=====Night On The Pol Blue Creek.=====
 By Jim Brown.
-I suppose almost all walkers have shared this experience - to cone suddenly on a vista so satisfying that one pauses in a mood of exhilaration, exultation, exaltation (one of those humours, or perhaps a blend of the three). Eventually you drag yourself away reluctantly
-from the vision splendid, but you can't banish the recollection from
+I suppose almost all walkers have shared this experience - to come suddenly on a vista so satisfying that one pauses in a mood of exhilaration, exultation, exaltation (one of those humours, or perhaps a blend of the three). Eventually you drag yourself away reluctantly from the vision splendid, but you can't banish the recollection from your mind, and you promise to return and drink in all the richness again. When you come back, a tree has been cut down, or it is overcast, or the blackberries have grown up: perhaps you simply canft seem to find the exact spot, and you begin to wonder whether it was all as superb as you've persuaded yourself for so long.
-your mind, and you promise to return and drink in all the richness again.. When you come back, a tree has been cut down, or it is overcast, or the blackberries have grown up: perhaps you simply canft seem to find the
-exact spot, and you begin to wonder whether it was all as superb as youfvcz persuaded yourself for so long.
+On a couple of my earliest walking trips I found something that seemed sublime. One was a distant view of the coastal plain and the sea one bright wintry morning near Robertson. The other was an approach to Kanangra Walls at dawn when the valley was brimming with hummocky clouds of steely blue-grey and the sun rose to trace a path of rosy light across the bleak, fantastic cloud mountains. On both occasions I was quite entranced and went on feeling that this sort of thing quite compensated for any hardships of bushwalking (there were plenty of tough times on those inexperienced early trips). In later years I revisited the lookout near Robertson and found it was quite a lovely view, but no finer than a dozen others up and down the Illawarra ranges.
-On a couple of my earliest walking trips I found something that
-seemed sublime. One was a distant view of the coastal plain and the
+More recently I ceased to feel these intense enthusiasms, and began to wonder if I were growing blase, and had lost the capacity to sense atmosphere and feel wonderment. You knowl you don't want to feel that the whole world is slowing becoming a grey, featureless place - rather like growing old in mind, perhaps. So it was very re-assuring a few summers back to fall head over heels in love with our camp site in Cotter Gap - a quiet, cool-green clearing with a tiny silent creek, the whole hemmed in by great tumbled boulders of granite, a very garden within a Stonehenge.
-sea one bright wintry morning near Robertson. The other was an approach to Kanangra Walls at dawn when the valley was brimming with hummocky clouds of steely blue-grey and the sun rose to trace a path of rosy light across the bleak, fantastic cloud mountains. On both occasions I was quite entranced and went an feeling that this sort of thing quite compensated for any hardships of bushwalking (there wore plenty of tough
-times on those inexperienced early trips). In later years I revisited
+Confirmation of the capacity to "feel" for a place came with our annual holidays at the end of last summer. We (that is, Kath and I) approached Barrington Tops by the orthodox route up Stewart's Brook and over Meehan's Peak to Mount Barrington. We made a fixed camp at about 4,800 feet on the headwaters of Barrington River, and spent two days wandering the familiar parts of the Tops - the ruins of Crosbiefs old house, Carey's Peak, the jungled valleys which cleave the mountain sides right to the grassy tops. To my mind, the gums of Barrington are quite as lovely as those of the Southern Alps, and at that time of the year the display of Austral bluebells and daisies and small terrestial orchids on the snow meadows are a delight. We had the Tops to ourselves.
-the lookout near Robertson and found it was quite a lovely view, but no finer than a dozen others up and down the Illawarra ranges.
-More recently I ceased to feel these intense enthusiasms, and began
+We planned to go out by the road running north to Tomalla, about 15 miles from our camp, we estimated. It meant, however, that we would be walking right off the map. Apart from the South East Tourist Sheet (about 10 miles to the inch) and the quarter scale "Tamworth" military sheet (which I'd been unable to buy) there seems to be no map coverage once you reach the edge of the Woolooma survey. We had heard, though, that motors had once made it through to Crosbie's, and unless timber cutters had obscured the way with a network of side trails, considered we should be able to find the path. At about 1 p.m. on a Tuesday, we broke camp.
-to wonder if I were growing blase, and had lost the capacity to sense
-atmosphere and feel wonderment. You knowl'you don't want to feel that the whole world is slowing becoming a grey, featureless place - rather like growing old in mind, perhaps. So it was very re-assuring a few
+The old road wandered away to the north east through alternating patches of snow gum and across highland meadows. In places tree falls had obscured the way, but always there were faint treads flanking the wreckage. Once, at the outlet of a swamp we came to the broken down ruins of an old log bridge and glimpsed far blue distances down the valley, but mostly the horizon was limited to the pastel-tinted plateau, drowsy in the warm afternoon sun, and with the sleepy sound of summer insects as musical score. Great tumbling black and white clouds welled angrily in the south west sky.
-summers back to fall head over heels in love with our camp site in Cotter Gap - a quiet, cool-green clearing with a tiny Silent creek,
-the whole hemmed in by great tumbled boulders of granite, a very garden within a Stonehenge.
+During mid afternoon we came to the edge of a plain perhaps a mile across, and we knew were on the limit of our map. Perhaps half way across our faint pad debouched on to a clear road, which showed evidence of bull-dozing at an earlier date, and marched steadily to the north. There, too, in solitary state in the centre of the big plain was a metal standard, from which a wind sock fluttered in the light airs. Plainly we were on an emergency air strip, and we learned later that the track on which we had emerged leads to a river gauge on the Upper Barrington.
-Confirmation of the capacity to "feelu for a place oame with our
-annual holidays at the end of last summer. We (that is, Kath and I)
+There was some backing and filling to avoid isolating a large Hereford bull from his covey of cows before we completed the crossing of the plain and forded the swift, cold trout stream at its north edge. Then our way was again through open forest with lush grasses, sprinkled with blue and yellow flowers, and occasionally through swampy upland meadows, russet in the afternoon light.
-approached Barrington Tops by the orthodox route up Stewart's Brook
-and over Meehanfs Peak to Mount Barrington. We made a fixed camp at about 4,800 feet on the headwaters of Barrington River, and spent two days wandering the familiar parts of the Tops - the ruins of Crosbiefs old house, Carey's Peak, the jungled valleys which cleave the mountain sides right to the grassy tops. To my mind, the gums of Barrington are quite as lovely as those of the Southern Alps, and at that time of the year the display of Austral bluebells and daisies and small terrestial orchids an the snow meadows are a delight. We had the Tops to ourselves.
+An hour and a half later we began to descend gently and came to another plain with a fast clear creek flowing north west to join the Hunter. Hard by the ford was the frame of an old shanty, some old stockyards, and beyond the stream was a slope with deep grass and tall, straight timbers glowing in the stormy yellow light. There we camped. The threat of the clouds had not been realised, but there had been a light shower, enough to put a glitter on the leaves. From our camp, looking back through the fine straight trees to the meadow and the wooded hill beyond, it was a fairy tale place of gold and grey and green, with distant smoky lights in the valley and a livid sky of storm scud and sunset.
-We planned to go but by the road running north to Tomalla, about 15 miles from our camp, we estimated. It meant, however, that we would be walking right off the map. Apart from the TouthrEast Tourist Sheet (about 10 miles to the inch) and the quarter scale ITamworth" military sheet (which I'd been unable to buy) there seems to be no nap coverage once you reach the edge of the Woolooma survey. We had heard, though,
-.
+It felt strange and contradictory, somehow. The road, obviously used not long before, these calm, fertile valleys, with their placid cattle, seemed to argue habitation, yet we had not seen a human in three days, and there was an odd lost loneliness about the plateau. It was even more striking later in damp, chilly darkness, with our so tiny tent almost vanishing in tall grasses, the so tiny fire like a lone candle in a silent gloomy cathedral. The night was windless. I have camped alone in our Blue Mountains often enough, but never felt the night so oppressive - not in a fearsome way, but in a vast, lonely way. Perhaps it was because we were high, with only low black ridges as a vague skyline against a limitless darkness.
-that motors had once made it through to,Crosbiefs, and unless timber. cutters had obscured the way with a:network of side trails, considered we should be able to find the path. At about,' p.m. on a Tuesday, we broke camp.
-The old road wandered away to the north east through alternating patches of snow gum and across highland meadows. In places tree falls had obscured the way, huh always there were _Lfaint treads flanking the wreckage. Once, at the outlet of a swamp we came to the broken down
+We turned in early, and as we made ready for our sleeping bags, two aircraft passed swiftly above. We could see the spurting flame from the exhaust of the nearer. If anything, the silence that followed was all the more ponderous. I can't recall feeling before such an impression of immense space coupled with crowding darkness as that night by Pol Blue Creek. One was really "off the map" - yet at hand was a fair road!
-D ruins of an old log bridge and glimpsed far blue distqaces down the valley, but mostly the horizon was limited to the pasil-einbed plateau, drowsy in the warm afternoon sun, and with the sleep3 sound of su=e2 insects as musical score. Great tumbling black and white clouds welled angrily in the south west sky.
-During mid afternoon we care to the edge of a plain perhaps a mile across, and we knew were on the limit of our map Perhaps half way across our faint pad debouched on to a clear road, which showed evidence of bull-dozing at an earlier date, and marched steadily to the north. There, too, in solitary state in the centre of the big plain was a metal standard, from which a wind sock fluttered in the lig1-t airs,
+Morning was almost anti-climax. Some six or seven miles more along the road brought us to the first farm at Hunter Springs (Tubrabucca). Our expected big "drop down" from the plateau didn't occur, and we lost only a few hundred feet in elevation, walking our easy road through gracious flowery sub-alpine forest and field. The Meehan family at Hunter Springs greeted us in the open-handed fashion of country folk, and transported us the following morning to Moonan, the terminal of the 'bus from Scone. We went home on a hot, windy summer day which made it difficult to believe the small valley of Pol Blue Creek, coldly dark under brilliant stars and a black sky, had ever been.
-we were on an emergency air strip, and we learned later tha: the tliack on which we had emerged leads to a river gauge on the Upper Barrington.
-There was some backing and filling to avoid isolating a large Hereford bull from his covey of cows before we completed the crossing of the plain and forded the swift, cold trout stream at its north edge. Then our way was again through open forest with lush grasses, sprinkled
-with blue and yellow flowers, and occasionally through swampy upland meadows, russet in the afternoon light.
-An hour and a half later we began to descend gently and came to another plain with a fast clear creek flowing north west to join the Hunter. Hard by the ford was the frame of an old shanty, some old stockyards, and beyond the stream was a slope with deep grass and tall,
-straight timbers glowttg in the stormy yellow light. There we camped.
-The threat of the clouds had not been realised, but there had been a light shower, enough to put a glitter on the leaves. From our camp,
-looking back through the fine straight trees to the meadow and the wooded hill beyond, it was a fairy tale place of gold and grey and green, with distant smoky lights in the valley and a livid sky of storm scud and sunset.-
-It felt strange and contradictory, somehow. The road, obviously used
-* not long before, these calm, fertile valleys, with their placid cattle, seemed to argue habitation, yet we had not seen a human in three days, and there was an odd lost loneliness about the plateau. It was even more striking later in damp, chilly darkness, with our so tiny tent almost vanishing in tall grasses, the so tiny fire like a lone candle in a silent gloomy cathedral. The night was windless. I have camped alone in our Blue Mountains often enough, but never felt the night so oppressive - not
-in a fearsome way, but in a vaste, lonely wag. Perhaps it was because we were high, with only low black ridges as a vague skyline against
-a limitless darkness.
-.
-We turned in early, and as we made ready for our sleeping bags, two aircraft passed swiftly above. We could see the spurting flame from the exhaust of the nearer. If anything, the silence that followed was all the more ponderous. I can't recall feeling before such an impression of immense space coupled with crowding darkness as that night by Pol
-Blue Creek. One was really "off the map" - yet at hand was a fair roads
-Morning was almost anti-climax. Some six or seven miles more along the road brought us to the first farm at Hunter Springs (Tubrabucca). Our expected big "drop down" from the plateau didn't occur, and we lost only a few hundred feet in elevation, walking our easy road through gracious flowery sub-alpine forest and field. The Meehan family at Hunter Springs greeted us in the open-handed fashion of country folk, and transported us the following =riling to Moonan, the terminal of the 'bus from Scone. We went home on a hot, windy summer day which made it difficult to believe the small valley of Pol Blue Creek, coldly dark under brilliant stars and a black sky, had ever been.
 There was a dream-like quality about that spot, and I hope to find it when I go back.
-[=raml.m.lememninliiiM=MINNEP
+----
 ERA _FOR THE BUSHINALKERS.
 By T.W. Moppett.