195710
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195710 [2016/02/04 16:52] – [SPECIAL WALK FOR NEW MEMBERS AND PROSPECTIVES.] kennettj | 195710 [2016/03/29 13:04] – [Seven Weeks in New Zealand -- Part VIII] kennettj | ||
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- | ====== | + | **THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER** |
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, c/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 ,Crown Street, Sydney. Box No, 4476, G.P.O., Sydney. | + | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, c/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 ,Crown Street, Sydney. Box No, 4476, G.P.O., Sydney. Phone: JW 1462. |
**274 OCTOBER, 1957 Price 9d.** | **274 OCTOBER, 1957 Price 9d.** | ||
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In the absence of Bill Cosgrove the agenda motion for taking out 50 memberships of the National Parks Association was not debated, but Tom Moppett said that in the revised constitution, | In the absence of Bill Cosgrove the agenda motion for taking out 50 memberships of the National Parks Association was not debated, but Tom Moppett said that in the revised constitution, | ||
- | the next meeting of the Association, | + | the next meeting of the Association, |
- | corporate members. Members of organisations which became corporate members could become group members. Every 25 group members of any given organisation entitled their representative to an additional vote. Tom moved, and it was resolved, that we become corporate members at a fee of ₤1 a year. | + | |
- | Tom Moppett also told us that Malcolm McGregor had, by some secret | + | Tom Moppett also told us that Malcolm McGregor had, by some secret manoeuvre, lined up a valuable publicity medium, and asked anyone who could supply coloured slides of wild flowers to get in touch with him (Tom). |
- | manoeuvre, lined up a valuable publicity medium, and asked anyone who could supply coloured slides of wild flowers to get in touch with him (Tom). | + | |
+ | The ski-hut committee had nothing to add to their previous month' | ||
- | The ski-hut committee had nothing to add to their previous month' | + | Peter Stitt said that the hut we would have to build in Perisher Valley was not the hut we had set out to have, being far more elaborate than we needed. Colin Putt said that when we talked of ski huts we stopped being bushwalkers and resembled the skiers displayed in Farmers and Mark Foys. He said it was possible to walk on snow; this he had proved by a series of experiments. Snow Brown said that the Newcastle Bushwalkers had overcome much greater obstacles to build their hut on Barrington, having to carry everything up 4,000 feet. John Scott said he had made an estimate of the projected Perisher hut, designed by Laurie Rayner, and made the cost about ₤700 for material only. The ski hut committee was requested to make further inquiries about White' |
- | position was sheltered and the snow excellent and lasting for some | + | |
- | five months. The fire place smoked. Accommodation was for 8 or 10. It would be accessible by jeep or Land Rover in summer. It was a very good centre for ski touring, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Peter Stitt said that the hut we would have to build in Perisher Valley was not the hut we had set out to have, being far more elaborate than we needed. Colin Putt said that when we talked of ski huts we stopped being bushwalkers and resembled the skiers displayed in Farmers and Mark Foys. He said it was possible to walk on snow; this he had proved by a series of experiments. Snow Brown said that the Newcastle Bushwalkers had overcome much greater obstacles to build their hut on Barrington; having to carry everything up 4,000 feet. John Scott said he had made an estimate of the projected Perisher hut, designed by Laurie Rayner, and made the cost about ₤700 for material only. The ski hut committee was requested to make further inquiries about White' | + | |
On a motion by Allan Hardie, it was decided to support the Caloola Club's efforts to stop the granting of snow leases in the Kosciusko area, He quoted the disastrous effect of a fire on Mt. Twynam in 1940 and the effect of sheep "still munching grass 24 hours a day, seven days a week." Most speakers were in favour, but Betty Sisley supported the policy of the Lands Department, which she said, worked in very closely with the Soil Conservation Commission, in the granting of leases. | On a motion by Allan Hardie, it was decided to support the Caloola Club's efforts to stop the granting of snow leases in the Kosciusko area, He quoted the disastrous effect of a fire on Mt. Twynam in 1940 and the effect of sheep "still munching grass 24 hours a day, seven days a week." Most speakers were in favour, but Betty Sisley supported the policy of the Lands Department, which she said, worked in very closely with the Soil Conservation Commission, in the granting of leases. | ||
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Tom Moppett then moved that the initiation ceremony be dropped from future re-unions. Nearly everybody had something to say on this. Some thought initiation was " | Tom Moppett then moved that the initiation ceremony be dropped from future re-unions. Nearly everybody had something to say on this. Some thought initiation was " | ||
- | Georgia Antoinaides said that she hadn't minded being initiated a bit -- it was quite all right. Don Matthews and Brian Anderson referred to the difficulties of the reunion committee and the lack of any suggestions for an appropriate ceremony. | + | Georgia Antoinaides said that she hadn't minded being initiated a bit -- it was quite all right. Don Matthews and Brian Anderson referred to the difficulties of the reunion committee and the lack of any suggestions for an appropriate ceremony. |
The meeting closed with a dissertation by Allan Hardie on the virtues of the Wilkinson Valley as a site for a ski hut (or lodge) and on the mispronunciation of the word " | The meeting closed with a dissertation by Allan Hardie on the virtues of the Wilkinson Valley as a site for a ski hut (or lodge) and on the mispronunciation of the word " | ||
- | Overheard in the Church at Geof and Grace' | + | Overheard in the Church at Geof and Grace' |
===== Back of the Castle ===== | ===== Back of the Castle ===== | ||
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by Alex Colley | by Alex Colley | ||
- | Between the Upper Clyde River and the Nowra-Braidwood road there lies some of the wierdest | + | Between the Upper Clyde River and the Nowra-Braidwood road there lies some of the weirdest |
This latter is, I believe, traced from an aerial survey but it includes only a small corner of the Castle country. | This latter is, I believe, traced from an aerial survey but it includes only a small corner of the Castle country. | ||
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I have done my best in the accompanying sketch (traced by Betty Sisley) to piece together some of these fragments and add my own un-measured observations. The result is inaccurate but may help readers to follow the narrative. | I have done my best in the accompanying sketch (traced by Betty Sisley) to piece together some of these fragments and add my own un-measured observations. The result is inaccurate but may help readers to follow the narrative. | ||
- | To the difficulty of being virtually unmapped is added the unusual geology of the country. Though unable to give a scientific description I can at least tell what I could see. Towards the Clyde there is a hard conglomerate sandstone cap some 500 feet deep (the top of the Castle) rising to nearly 3000 feet above sea level. About 500 feet below this is another band of conglomerate, | + | To the difficulty of being virtually unmapped is added the unusual geology of the country. Though unable to give a scientific description I can at least tell what I could see. Towards the Clyde there is a hard conglomerate sandstone cap some 500 feet deep (the top of the Castle) rising to nearly 3000 feet above sea level. About 500 feet below this is another band of conglomerate, |
Towards the West they have cut into the second layer, which rises slightly and weathers to a rounded shape. The hard rock to the West has prevented deep erosion, leaving shallow wide valleys in the sandstone country. If you are a grazier and know the country, it is easy to ride a horse between the convex rock surfaces and the tabletops. But for a walker without a map it becomes a kind of maze. Following. the ridges, as we do in the Blue Mountains, isn't possible because you can't pick them, and if you could they are often nothihg more than a series of rock platforms. Add to this the thick mists born of the sea breezes, and navigation is not easy. | Towards the West they have cut into the second layer, which rises slightly and weathers to a rounded shape. The hard rock to the West has prevented deep erosion, leaving shallow wide valleys in the sandstone country. If you are a grazier and know the country, it is easy to ride a horse between the convex rock surfaces and the tabletops. But for a walker without a map it becomes a kind of maze. Following. the ridges, as we do in the Blue Mountains, isn't possible because you can't pick them, and if you could they are often nothihg more than a series of rock platforms. Add to this the thick mists born of the sea breezes, and navigation is not easy. | ||
- | I have been on three previous trips in this country, on two of which we tried to reach the Castle from the back. We never got more than two or three miles beyond the timber track to "The Vines" and could only guess where the Castle was. On one memorable King's Birthday weekend twenty S.D.W.'s, including some of our best map-readers, | + | I have been on three previous trips in this country, on two of which we tried to reach the Castle from the back. We never got more than two or three miles beyond the timber track to "The Vines" and could only guess where the Castle was. On one memorable King's Birthday weekend twenty S.B.W.'s, including some of our best map-readers, |
Our Easter party - Frank Leyden, Bill Cosgrove, John Scott, Frank Barlow and I, got off almost according to plan on Thursday night, our schedule delayed only by the chronic failure of the Railways Commissioner to run Easter trains to the South Coast on time. By 11.30 we were camping amongst the inevitable broken glass, tins and papers at Tianjara Creek. Next morning we drove on to a point just beyond the Jerricknorra River, Here we hid the Land Rover in the bush on top of a slope out of sight of the road, cleared a small fire-break round it, and by 10.30 were on our way. | Our Easter party - Frank Leyden, Bill Cosgrove, John Scott, Frank Barlow and I, got off almost according to plan on Thursday night, our schedule delayed only by the chronic failure of the Railways Commissioner to run Easter trains to the South Coast on time. By 11.30 we were camping amongst the inevitable broken glass, tins and papers at Tianjara Creek. Next morning we drove on to a point just beyond the Jerricknorra River, Here we hid the Land Rover in the bush on top of a slope out of sight of the road, cleared a small fire-break round it, and by 10.30 were on our way. | ||
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Our attention soon focussed on our route to the East. Some six miles along the edge of the Yadboro escarpment, just beyond, and possibly joined by high ground to a treeless hill, rose a long slab of the conglomerate layer. To the North of the escarpment was a wide shallow valley - the upper Corang or a tributary. Rather than risk a night on the dry, stony, treeless escarpment, we decided to make for it. Though less than 500 feet below us, there was a rock face to negotiate, and in these parts the rock-faces have a way of curving round and down to the vertical. It is easy to pick a way up from below, but only trial and error will find a way down from the top. On the second try we found a way down the rocks easy enough for the sneaker wearers, but requiring caution by the hobnailers. Our wide valley gave us some shelter from the cold westerly. Its southern slopes were treeless and the upper portion convex surfaces of bare rock. Lower down parallel bands of vegation followed the strata, and near the bottom parallel bands of shrubs looked like hedges. | Our attention soon focussed on our route to the East. Some six miles along the edge of the Yadboro escarpment, just beyond, and possibly joined by high ground to a treeless hill, rose a long slab of the conglomerate layer. To the North of the escarpment was a wide shallow valley - the upper Corang or a tributary. Rather than risk a night on the dry, stony, treeless escarpment, we decided to make for it. Though less than 500 feet below us, there was a rock face to negotiate, and in these parts the rock-faces have a way of curving round and down to the vertical. It is easy to pick a way up from below, but only trial and error will find a way down from the top. On the second try we found a way down the rocks easy enough for the sneaker wearers, but requiring caution by the hobnailers. Our wide valley gave us some shelter from the cold westerly. Its southern slopes were treeless and the upper portion convex surfaces of bare rock. Lower down parallel bands of vegation followed the strata, and near the bottom parallel bands of shrubs looked like hedges. | ||
- | Next morning we struck a happy compromise between the bee-liners, the-ridge-walkers and the valley-followers, | + | Next morning we struck a happy compromise between the bee-liners, the-ridge-walkers and the valley-followers, |
- | that rounded conglomerate - but were turned back by a vertical slab. So we followed the fissure, which runs right across the table-top, to its highest point, where we had lunch, and afterwards climbed to the top without much difficulty. But for all we knew this was the only | + | |
- | way up and we had to be sure we could find it again from above. Compasses were out, formations aligned, arrows | + | |
- | food packets affixed to sticks. | + | |
- | From the top we saw the most fantastic rock formation it has been my lot to look upon. I have seen photographs of the valley in the Barklay Tablelands called the " | + | From the top we saw the most fantastic rock formation it has been my lot to look upon. I have seen photographs of the valley in the Barklay Tablelands called the " |
- | multi-floored buildings along streets. But others are crevassed and buttressed and taper towards the top like steep, flat-topped pyramids, | + | |
- | Once on top we set off with light hearts to walk to the southern | + | Once on top we set off with light hearts to walk to the southern face where the view would be magnificent. But in 10 minutes the ground fell away before us into a great rock-girt fissure invisible from our previous viewpoints. We followed the fissure to its shallowest point, where it was about 40 feet deep, but the convex rock face became vertical a good 20 feet from the bottom, holds were precarious, and belay points for our short length of sash cord non-existent. There was a crack, but one could look down through it vertically to the bottom, The rubber-shod ones tried here and there. The wall might be descended but not by five non-rock climbers. So we shouldered our packs, said "Oh well, its been good to get this far" and started back. But wait - the crack was impossible, but I must at least wriggle down a few feet. |
- | face where the view would be magnificent. But in 10 minutes the ground | + | It was just possible to worm through, using a wedged-in rock as a foothold, drop to a ledge, then down a steep little bank to another ledge and to the bottom, But what about the other side? It scarcely took a minute to get up there and wave to the others not fifty yards away who didn't believe it till they saw me. |
- | fell away before us into a great rock-girt fissure invisible from our previous viewpoints. We followed the fissure to its shallowest point, | + | |
- | where it was about 40 feet deep, but the convex rock face became | + | |
- | vertical a good 20 feet from the bottom, holds were precarious, and belay points for our short length of sash cord non-existent. There was a crack, but one could look down through it vertically to the bottom, | + | |
- | The rubber-shod ones tried here and there. The wall might be descended but not by five non-rock climbers. So we shouldered our packs, said | + | |
- | "Oh well, its been good to get this far" and started back. But wait - | + | |
- | the crack was impossible, but I must at least wriggle down a few feet. | + | |
- | It was just possible to worm through, using a wedged-in rock as a | + | |
- | foothold, drop to a ledge, then down a steep little bank to another ledge and to the bottom, But what about the other side? It scarcely took a minute to get up there and wave to the others not fifty yards away who didn't believe it till they saw me. | + | |
- | In a few minutes we were all down, standing in scrub thick enough to stop a bandicoot. This, suggested was the spot to camp and to my surprise everyone agreed. But first, water. So we divided into two parties each to go in opposite directions for five minutes. One party came to the cliff-edge, the other found water; and so we left our packs and set out for the southern edge. | + | In a few minutes we were all down, standing in scrub thick enough to stop a bandicoot. This suggested was the spot to camp and to my surprise everyone agreed. But first, water. So we divided into two parties each to go in opposite directions for five minutes. One party came to the cliff-edge, the other found water, and so we left our packs and set out for the southern edge. |
- | It was all we hoped and more. A mile to the East was the Castle and between our platform and it two others - huge buttressed slabs. The Castle from here is a great block, half a mile long and some 500.ft. high, set on top of a treeless mountain which rises above the lower cliff face. In fact it is only a remnant of the upper strata. In a million years it will be another Pigeon House. In two million years another " | + | It was all we hoped and more. A mile to the East was the Castle and between our platform and it two others - huge buttressed slabs. The Castle from here is a great block, half a mile long and some 500.ft. high, set on top of a treeless mountain which rises above the lower cliff face. In fact it is only a remnant of the upper strata. In a million years it will be another Pigeon House. In two million years another " |
For perhaps an hour we drank in the scene, then back to our fissure to clear, without benefit of axe or bulldozer, enough space to lie down in. In fact we had a most comfortable night, protected by scrub and rock faces from the cold wind that blew above. | For perhaps an hour we drank in the scene, then back to our fissure to clear, without benefit of axe or bulldozer, enough space to lie down in. In fact we had a most comfortable night, protected by scrub and rock faces from the cold wind that blew above. | ||
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On the way back we decided to follow the southern escarpment instead of the upper Corang in the hope of getting out to Some spectacular looking vantage points. But our enemy with the matches was too busy. Even then fire crept up the Peak, and as we neared it flames roared up the valley below us, forcing us to return to our old route. Pastorally, this country is worthless. Little grass grows on it - mainly reeds, sedges and hardy shrubs. The few cattle pastured on it probably lose condition. But a fire is followed by edible green shoots, a few cattle may survive, a few pounds may be made; and so beauty is destroyed and the scant soil bared to erosion. In this winter of hard cold and drought the fire lighter will get what he deserves - a bare, charred waste - but the poor cattle and native animals will starve. | On the way back we decided to follow the southern escarpment instead of the upper Corang in the hope of getting out to Some spectacular looking vantage points. But our enemy with the matches was too busy. Even then fire crept up the Peak, and as we neared it flames roared up the valley below us, forcing us to return to our old route. Pastorally, this country is worthless. Little grass grows on it - mainly reeds, sedges and hardy shrubs. The few cattle pastured on it probably lose condition. But a fire is followed by edible green shoots, a few cattle may survive, a few pounds may be made; and so beauty is destroyed and the scant soil bared to erosion. In this winter of hard cold and drought the fire lighter will get what he deserves - a bare, charred waste - but the poor cattle and native animals will starve. | ||
- | That evening at 4.30 p.m. we found ourselves again on Everest with | + | That evening at 4.30 p.m. we found ourselves again on Everest with no camp site in view. Bad planning this. We should have started earlier or picked it before we set off. Talking fast and risking my reputation as a water-diviner, |
- | no camp site in view. Bad planning this. We should have started earlier or picked it before we set off. Talking fast and risking my reputation as a water-diviner, | + | |
- | " | + | " |
Next morning we got on to our line again - the two Franks, each with compass in hand, sometimes diverging, but always in debating range, the rest of us pursuing a middle course. Over the rocky scree gullies, through the slip rails, along the fence, down a hill, across the Jerricknorra, | Next morning we got on to our line again - the two Franks, each with compass in hand, sometimes diverging, but always in debating range, the rest of us pursuing a middle course. Over the rocky scree gullies, through the slip rails, along the fence, down a hill, across the Jerricknorra, | ||
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---- | ---- | ||
- | Now about the latest Mara --- (sorry, long walk) fiasco. The | + | Now about the latest Mara --- (sorry, long walk) fiasco. The four " |
- | four " | + | |
- | on the Saturday afternoon - come, come Snow, better spill the beans or people will be saying you didn't know which way the Cox was flowing! | + | |
===== Confessions of an Admiral ===== | ===== Confessions of an Admiral ===== | ||
- | Sydney | + | Sydney |
Dear Mr. Peter Stitt, | Dear Mr. Peter Stitt, | ||
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No doubt you will remember me, with Miss Price and Messrs Abbott and Round accompanied you on your official Boat Race to Wiseman' | No doubt you will remember me, with Miss Price and Messrs Abbott and Round accompanied you on your official Boat Race to Wiseman' | ||
- | As leader of the trip you naturally asked, in a somewhat gloating manner, may I add, what caused our delay? Well, due to the circumstances that prevailed at the time, we felt it would be better to fabricate a story, rather than tell the truth. However, now we've decided the truth should be told, mainly to stop your continued questioning and thus end your frantic search for the facts that led to the " | + | As leader of the trip you naturally asked, in a somewhat gloating manner, may I add, what caused our delay? Well, due to the circumstances that prevailed at the time, we felt it would be better to fabricate a story, rather than tell the truth. However, now we've decided the truth should be told, mainly to stop your continued questioning and thus end your frantic search for the facts that led to the " |
Of course, Peter, you realise that seven of those nine hours were spent assisting Mr. Hooper and his crew from the Barr Estate Wharf to Wisemans Ferry. Nevertheless it is the other two hours (which spelt doom for us as far as winning the race was concerned), I think you will be vitally interested in. So here is our story, a strange sea story, of four courageous clots who, if put in the Archibald Fountain, in a boat, would still manage to get themselves lost. | Of course, Peter, you realise that seven of those nine hours were spent assisting Mr. Hooper and his crew from the Barr Estate Wharf to Wisemans Ferry. Nevertheless it is the other two hours (which spelt doom for us as far as winning the race was concerned), I think you will be vitally interested in. So here is our story, a strange sea story, of four courageous clots who, if put in the Archibald Fountain, in a boat, would still manage to get themselves lost. | ||
- | Both Alans had their eyes and ears glued to the running engine, waiting to correct any of its peculiar eccentricities. Nothing was to go wrong. It was vital we try and take the lead up Cowan Creek if we wished to build up a workable lead. So as we waited for your call to start we gathered together our maps, torches, tide charts and all other information that would help us win this important race, | + | Both Alans had their eyes and ears glued to the running engine, waiting to correct any of its peculiar eccentricities. Nothing was to go wrong. It was vital we try and take the lead up Cowan Creek if we wished to build up a workable lead. So as we waited for your call to start we gathered together our maps, torches, tide charts and all other information that would help us win this important race. |
- | However, your call didn't come as Mr. Hooper surreptitiously crept into midstream causing a mass panic to get away amongst the other four boats, In this mad rat race start, we managed to wangle into third | + | However, your call didn't come as Mr. Hooper surreptitiously crept into midstream causing a mass panic to get away amongst the other four boats. In this mad rat race start, we managed to wangle into third |
place which wasn't too bad considering the reigning confusion. But our advantage was nearly lost when right across our bow appeared a 40 ft, cruiser, With a wild saving action we steered towards the stern | place which wasn't too bad considering the reigning confusion. But our advantage was nearly lost when right across our bow appeared a 40 ft, cruiser, With a wild saving action we steered towards the stern | ||
of the cruiser hoping he would accelerate, thus avoiding a collision. Then to our horror as we swung around we found ourselves on top of Jim Hooper' | of the cruiser hoping he would accelerate, thus avoiding a collision. Then to our horror as we swung around we found ourselves on top of Jim Hooper' | ||
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Alas, here appeared the sadistic side of our natures, as we rubbed our hands with glee because now we were in second position. | Alas, here appeared the sadistic side of our natures, as we rubbed our hands with glee because now we were in second position. | ||
- | Up front, about 100 yards away could be seen the phosphorus trail of Colin' | + | Up front, about 100 yards away could be seen the phosphorus trail of Colin' |
It was about half an hour later when things began to happen. Previously we had agreed to keep all torches off. At all cost, we weren' | It was about half an hour later when things began to happen. Previously we had agreed to keep all torches off. At all cost, we weren' | ||
- | Soon on our port side appeared three lights. These, we thought, were the lights above Rhode' | + | Soon on our port side appeared three lights. These, we thought were the lights above Rhode' |
our hearts suddenly leapt into our mouths and a sickly feeling developed in our stomachs. An expensive torch which John Thornwaite had lent us slipped into the water. | our hearts suddenly leapt into our mouths and a sickly feeling developed in our stomachs. An expensive torch which John Thornwaite had lent us slipped into the water. | ||
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With mad haste I began orientating the map with my useless compass. One look over my shoulder was enough to tell me where we were - Patonga. | With mad haste I began orientating the map with my useless compass. One look over my shoulder was enough to tell me where we were - Patonga. | ||
- | Yours, for more daylight boating, | ||
+ | Yours, for more daylight boating,\\ | ||
Admiral Anderson. | Admiral Anderson. | ||
P.S. For those who don't know or are too dull to guess - we came last. | P.S. For those who don't know or are too dull to guess - we came last. | ||
+ | |||
(Is this the full story, Admiral, or are you still holding out? There is a strong rumour that you all went ashore at this unknown place with full intent to enquire from the residents just what town they lived in -- Ed.) | (Is this the full story, Admiral, or are you still holding out? There is a strong rumour that you all went ashore at this unknown place with full intent to enquire from the residents just what town they lived in -- Ed.) | ||
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then press along the Black Dog Track to Glenalan Crossing for the night. The way will then be via Taro's Ladder and Clear Hill on Sunday morning an early lunch at Glenraphael Swamp, thence along Narrow Neck Plateau to Katoomba. Excellent scenery all day Sunday. Total trip is about 25 miles, all track walking - descent and ascent of about 1300 feet, otherwise fairly level going - 5 meals to be carried - tea at Katoomba on Sunday night. Fares about 24/-, | then press along the Black Dog Track to Glenalan Crossing for the night. The way will then be via Taro's Ladder and Clear Hill on Sunday morning an early lunch at Glenraphael Swamp, thence along Narrow Neck Plateau to Katoomba. Excellent scenery all day Sunday. Total trip is about 25 miles, all track walking - descent and ascent of about 1300 feet, otherwise fairly level going - 5 meals to be carried - tea at Katoomba on Sunday night. Fares about 24/-, | ||
- | ===== CLIMBING EXPEDITION | + | ===== Climbing Expedition |
JUNE 14-15-16-17 | JUNE 14-15-16-17 | ||
- | PART 11 | + | Part II |
-- By Malcolm, Digby, Geof and Dot. | -- By Malcolm, Digby, Geof and Dot. | ||
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Some trips are forgotten before the scratches on our legs are healed. Some live for a time until overlying events blot them out, But there are times when a trip, or more probably a day, will impress you with such a wealth of feeling that you know its richness has become part of you and will be so for the rest of your life. For me it was such a day that we climbed Tallatarang. But to have a day there must be a dawn, and to have a dawn there must be a night, and that's what it was when Putto woke me. It was night, dimly lit by the reluctant light of a waning moon that showed in silhouette the bulk of Putt made monstrous with sweaters and horse rugs. | Some trips are forgotten before the scratches on our legs are healed. Some live for a time until overlying events blot them out, But there are times when a trip, or more probably a day, will impress you with such a wealth of feeling that you know its richness has become part of you and will be so for the rest of your life. For me it was such a day that we climbed Tallatarang. But to have a day there must be a dawn, and to have a dawn there must be a night, and that's what it was when Putto woke me. It was night, dimly lit by the reluctant light of a waning moon that showed in silhouette the bulk of Putt made monstrous with sweaters and horse rugs. | ||
- | " | + | " |
As I dragged myself from the superdown the cold hit me like an icy wave and washed some of the sleep out of my head. I remembered where I'd put my boots and took them from under the pillow and pulled | As I dragged myself from the superdown the cold hit me like an icy wave and washed some of the sleep out of my head. I remembered where I'd put my boots and took them from under the pillow and pulled | ||
them on with shaking fingers. Oh, the cold! The cold! After three icy minutes scratching in the pack Ltd the ingredients of a breakfast and thankfully headed for Putt's fire. Ah! that's better! | them on with shaking fingers. Oh, the cold! The cold! After three icy minutes scratching in the pack Ltd the ingredients of a breakfast and thankfully headed for Putt's fire. Ah! that's better! | ||
- | With the breakfast beginning to sizzle and a deliciously warm | + | With the breakfast beginning to sizzle and a deliciously warm feeling on the side of me nearest the fire I began to take an interest in the world around. The trees and the sky above were all so still that you could hear a star fall. But beneath the trees things were beginning to move. In the nearest tent, cunningly pitched so as to gain the maximum warmth from the fire, Malcolm was reclining in his fleabag directing Colin in the production of his breakfast. His main concern seemed to be that it would be cooked before he was ready to arise. Beside me Manning John, bless him, was warming his little petrol primus in the flames. All was quiet in the Matthews' |
- | feeling on the side of me nearest the fire I began to take an interest | + | great outdoors. We hear him trying to rationalise his reluctance to leave his sleeping bag. His voice comes emphatically through the chill pre-dawn gloom: " |
- | in the world around. The trees and the sky above were all so still that you could hear a star fall. But beneath the trees things were | + | |
- | beginning to move. In the nearest tent, cunningly pitched so as to | + | |
- | gain the maximum warmth from the fire, Malcolm was reclining in his fleabag directing Colin in the production of his breakfast. His main | + | |
- | concern seemed to be that it would be cooked before he was ready to | + | |
- | arise. Beside me Manning John, bless him, was warming his little petrol primus in the flames. All was quiet in the Matthews' | + | |
- | starting time. Nor is the Dalai Lama showing much enthusiasm about the | + | |
- | great outdoors. We hear him trying to rationalise his reluctance to leave his sleeping bag. His voice comes emphatically through the chill | + | |
- | pre-dawn gloom: " | + | |
+ | Silently the darkness dissolves and the faint light in the sky becomes the subject of arguments. Is it sidereal twilight? Is it astronomical twilight? Is it nautical twilight? Is it civil twilight? Is it twilight? | ||
- | Silently the darkness dissolves | + | "Just be quiet for a minute |
- | "Just be quiet for a minute and learn something from an experienced twilight observer:" | + | "It's the sun!" crows Snow, |
- | + | ||
- | "It s the sun!" crows Snow, | + | |
" | " | ||
- | At this stage the patient Putt could wait no longer but shouldered his pack and made for the icy Clyde. At last things'began to happen. Malcolm climbed leisurely | + | At this stage the patient Putt could wait no longer but shouldered his pack and made for the icy Clyde. At last things began to happen. Malcolm climbed leisurely |
- | We ran through a world on the very brink of day with the ice white bracken brushing our legs, and our breath streaming out behind | + | We ran through a world on the very brink of day with the ice white bracken brushing our legs, and our breath streaming out behind us. Across the river flats we went and through the dry stream beds, Manning John leading with his great long legs taking great long strides and never seeming quite under control. Dot went skipping like a little girl out of school, and Mick moved with that muscular economy that |
- | us. Across the river flats we went and through the dry stream beds, Manning John leading with his great long legs taking great long strides | + | |
- | and never seeming quite under control. Dot went skipping like a little | + | |
- | girl out of school, and Mick moved with that muscular economy that | + | |
makes him seem to glide up hills. Grace and the Dalai and I, who don't get quite so much exercise, were quite satisfied to keep up. | makes him seem to glide up hills. Grace and the Dalai and I, who don't get quite so much exercise, were quite satisfied to keep up. | ||
- | The well-worn cowpads led us along the Clyde and up Byangee spur within coo-ee of the rocks that had rebuffed us in an attempt we had | + | The well-worn cowpads led us along the Clyde and up Byangee spur within coo-ee of the rocks that had rebuffed us in an attempt we had made on Byangee the previous evening. They looked more friendly in the morning light and for a moment almost snared our fancy, but just one glance at Tallatarang' |
- | made on Byangee the previous evening. They looked more friendly in the morning light and for a moment almost snared our fancy, but just one glance at Tallatarang' | + | the Clyde with the frost about our feet and gazed at the forbidding wall; like the wall of some ancient castle, chipped and battered by the centuries but nowhere broken. Johnnie said he knew a way up the first cliff line, though as we looked it seemed not possible. Possible or not, Johnnie said he knew a way, and all we had to do was follow, So we followed up the steep and shaley ridge. |
- | a wizard we found ourselves in his power. We stood in his shadow by | + | |
- | the Clyde with the frost about our feet and gazed at the forbidding wall; like the wall of some ancient castle, chipped and battered by the centuries but nowhere broken. Johnnie said he knew a way up the first cliff line, though as we looked it seemed not possible. Possible or | + | |
- | not, Johnnie said he knew a way, and all we had to do was follow, So | + | |
- | we followed up the steep and shaley ridge. | + | |
- | "Not a plant thet prickles or scratches," | + | "Not a plant that prickles or scratches," |
- | From the base of the cliff where the ridge ended we could look across the vallej | + | From the base of the cliff where the ridge ended we could look across the valley |
(At this juncture Geof runs out of breath and hands the narrative over to Dot to continue) ..... | (At this juncture Geof runs out of breath and hands the narrative over to Dot to continue) ..... | ||
- | Up the first precipice we go without stopping, following in | + | Up the first precipice we go without stopping, following in John's eager wake, and gain the first shelf. From then on it is unknown country, but everyone now has his ears back and almost without breaking |
- | John's eager wake, and gain the first shelf. From then on it is unknown country, but everyone now has his ears back and almost without breaking | + | our pace we shoot up the second cliff wall. Then we can see we have just a steep slope to climb to the top of the mountain. We sweep round in a wide circle to the right to get on high ground and avoid a heavy |
- | our pace we shoot up the second cliff wall. Then we can see we have just a steep slope to climb to the top of the mountain. We sweep round | + | tangle of swampy growth, but eventually we find we are into it despite our precautions. Here we find that Johnnie' |
- | in a wide circle to the right to get on high ground and avoid a heavy | + | through the beaten down swathe. (The report that circulated round the Club, that he would fall forward on the obstacles and his party would then use his prostrate form as a bridge, is not quite correct however.) |
- | tangle of swampy growth, but eventually we find we are into it despite our precautions. Here we find that Johnnie' | + | |
- | effectively flattens them, and the rest of his party follow in comfort | + | |
- | through the beaten down swathe. (The report that circulated round the | + | |
- | Club, that he would fall forward on the obstacles and his party would | + | |
- | then use his prostrate form as a bridge, is not quite correct however.) | + | |
Out of this tangle at last, and we got into a queer tall growth almost resembling bamboo, and through its dry rustling stems we moved easily, looking round every now and then to see if there were pandas about, for this could easily be a bamboo forest in the foothills of the Himalayas. A final rock-climb, which we carefully marked with a cairn to show us the way down again, and then it was just a scrub walk | Out of this tangle at last, and we got into a queer tall growth almost resembling bamboo, and through its dry rustling stems we moved easily, looking round every now and then to see if there were pandas about, for this could easily be a bamboo forest in the foothills of the Himalayas. A final rock-climb, which we carefully marked with a cairn to show us the way down again, and then it was just a scrub walk | ||
- | up to the summit.. Here we had lunch and made a cairn and lit a fire | + | up to the summit. Here we had lunch and made a cairn and lit a fire for the benefit of our friends on the Castle, but they didn't see it. |
- | for the benefit of our friends on the Castle, but they didn't see it. | + | |
Then, as it was still quite early we thought we would shoot down and climb Byangee on the way back to camp, but this heroic decision gradually seeped away as we descended. A side trip around the top of the second plateau to see the view, of the Clyde country took up some time, and as it turned out we had to scoot somewhat to get back,to camp in the last fading gleam of light. Pete Stitt had a big pot of soup on and welcomed back our triumphant party, and some time later the Castle crowd returned by torchlight and we all swapped experiences. | Then, as it was still quite early we thought we would shoot down and climb Byangee on the way back to camp, but this heroic decision gradually seeped away as we descended. A side trip around the top of the second plateau to see the view, of the Clyde country took up some time, and as it turned out we had to scoot somewhat to get back,to camp in the last fading gleam of light. Pete Stitt had a big pot of soup on and welcomed back our triumphant party, and some time later the Castle crowd returned by torchlight and we all swapped experiences. | ||
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"Oh I say Putto - Rather an unfortunate choice of sentiment don't you think?" | "Oh I say Putto - Rather an unfortunate choice of sentiment don't you think?" | ||
- | And then back to the waiting cars, The Dalai Lama is cajoled into taking Snow in his car as passenger, and we watch them drive off in their forlorn search for Snow's lost buggy. The rest of us cram ourselves into the Puttmobile) then heigh-ho for home after a most damfine | + | And then back to the waiting cars, The Dalai Lama is cajoled into taking Snow in his car as passenger, and we watch them drive off in their forlorn search for Snow's lost buggy. The rest of us cram ourselves into the Puttmobile) then heigh-ho for home after a most dam fine splendiferous |
- | ===== HELP! HELP! ===== | + | ===== Help! Help! ===== |
- | Only you Mr. Leader. (or Miss Leader) can help me. All you have to do is spare the poor miserable elongated Walks Secretary ten minutes of your precious time. Yes, ten minutes, that's all! | + | Only you Mr. Leader (or Miss Leader) can help me. All you have to do is spare the poor miserable elongated Walks Secretary ten minutes of your precious time. Yes, ten minutes, that's all! |
Just enough time to write down who went on your walk and what happened on your walk. Anything that you think will be of interest to the members, for example points, on transport, availability of water, bushfires, tracks, rock carvings, wildflowers, | Just enough time to write down who went on your walk and what happened on your walk. Anything that you think will be of interest to the members, for example points, on transport, availability of water, bushfires, tracks, rock carvings, wildflowers, | ||
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Brian Anderson (Walks Secretary) | Brian Anderson (Walks Secretary) | ||
- | ===== YOUR WALKING GUIDE.===== | + | |
- | |October 18-19-20|Narrow Neck - Megalong Area| See Page for. Leaders own comments.| | + | ===== Your Walking Guide===== |
- | |19-20|Yellow Rock-GroseR.-Vale Lookout| A balanced mixture of easy, medium, rough, creek, river, ridge walking. An approximate three mile dirt road walk involved from Yellow | + | |
+ | |October 18-19-20|Narrow Neck - Megalong Area| See Page for Leaders own comments.| | ||
+ | |19-20|Yellow Rock-Grose R.-Vale Lookout| A balanced mixture of easy, medium, rough, creek, river, ridge walking. An approximate three mile dirt road walk involved from Yellow | ||
|20|Marley Pool-Winfred Falls area|Walking is very easy to medium along bush tracks and roads. The falls and pool along this walk present a very pleasing pibture of the Royal National Park. Wildflowers should still be in bloom. The 8.59 a.m. electric train from Central catches the 10.5 a.m. ferry to Bundeena. Combined train and ferry fare 6/6.| | |20|Marley Pool-Winfred Falls area|Walking is very easy to medium along bush tracks and roads. The falls and pool along this walk present a very pleasing pibture of the Royal National Park. Wildflowers should still be in bloom. The 8.59 a.m. electric train from Central catches the 10.5 a.m. ferry to Bundeena. Combined train and ferry fare 6/6.| | ||
- | |25-26-27|Mini Mini Range - Six Foot Track area|This is a very | + | |25-26-27|Mini Mini Range - Six Foot Track area|This is a very pleasant medium test walk, From Jenolan Caves Road to Gibraltar |
- | pleasant medium test walk, From Jenolan Caves Road to Gibralter | + | |October 26-27|Carrington and Minnamurra Falls area| Don't forget your camera on this trip as both falls and coastal views give the photographer some decent subject matter. Walking is easy to medium. No major climbs - only one descent. The route intended is a mixture of tracks and bush roads over flat upland swamps common to this area. Permission to use Robertson tickets from Kiama will be arranged by leader. Return fare 26/3| |
- | |October 26-27|Carrington and Minnamurra Falls area| Don't forget your | + | |November 1-2-3|Fraser Park|An easy two mile stroll - swimming, fishing (with spears of course), sunbathing etc. In other words a first class spine-bash. Train fare 20/5. Bus from approx 5/-.| |
- | camera on this trip as both falls and coastal views give the photographer some decent subject matter. Walking is easy to | + | |2-3| Era - Instructional Weekend| Whether walking in from the lookout or Garie Beach, the way is an easy 1/2 to 1 mile walk. Ideal camp spots. Good swimming in surf and also small rock pool. For those who like to potter around rocks, this is an ideal location. From Waterfall bus or taxi transport is available. Check with leader re bus times on Saturday |
- | medium. No major climbs - only one descent. The route intended is a mixture of tracks and bush roads over flat upland swamps common to this area. Permission to use Robertson| | + | |8-9-10| Camberwarra Dugong Ck. area| From Camberwarra Lookout and Upper Eugong Ck. views of this part of the South Coat are extensive. Good area for colour photography. The going is mainly medium with a few rough spots. The rough areas are mostly belts of rain forest you have to pass through. Good chance of a feed of fruit from the few deserted farms along the track. Return fare 31/6 plus car to Camberwarra 6/- to 10/-.| |
- | tickets from Kiama will be arranged by leader. Return fare 26/3 | + | |9-10 | Mt. Solitary| Best described as easy-medium, |
- | |November 1-2-3|Fraser Park|An easy two mile stroll - swimming, fishing (with spears of course), sunbathing etc. In other words a first class spine-bash. Train fare 20/5. Bus fro approx 5/-.| | + | |
- | |2-3| Era - Instructional Weekend| Whether walking in from the lookout or Garie Beach, the way is an easy 1/2 to 1 mile walk. Ideal camp spots. Good swimming in surf aod also small rock pool. For those who like to potter around rocks, this is an ideal location. From Waterfall bus or taxi transport is available. Check with leader re bus times on Sf.vitrday | + | |
- | |8-9-10| Camberwarra-Dugong Ck. area| From Camberwarra Lookout and Upper Eugong Ck. views of this part of the South Coat are extensive. Good area for colour photography. The going is mainly medium with a few rough spots. The rough areas are mostly belts of rain forest you have to pass through. Good chance of a feed of fruit from the few deserted farms along the track. Return fare 31/6 plus car to Camberwarra 6/- to 10/-.| | + | |
- | |9-10 | Mt. Solitary| Best described as easy-medium, | + | |
|10| Heathcote Ck| Easy Sunday walk. Walking is of a medium nature. Many pools in this creek make it ideal for a swimming crawl. Return fare 5/-| | |10| Heathcote Ck| Easy Sunday walk. Walking is of a medium nature. Many pools in this creek make it ideal for a swimming crawl. Return fare 5/-| | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | About 120 bushwalkers gathered at the Harvey' | + | About 120 bushwalkers gathered at the Harvey' |
- | or censorship. That with all the Highland brogue floating around | + | |
- | and the rakish kilts worn by the " | + | |
+ | ===== Letter from George Swenson ===== | ||
- | ---- | ||
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | ||
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The Sydney Bushwalkers. Dear Friends, | The Sydney Bushwalkers. Dear Friends, | ||
- | I promised Malcolm McGregor in March that I'd write a piece for your newsletter, giving a Yank's impression of Australian bushwalking. | + | I promised Malcolm McGregor in March that I'd write a piece for your newsletter, giving a Yank's impression of Australian bushwalking. The press of duty and a tight itinerary, combined with the debilitating effects of one or another of your more virulent Australian " |
- | The press of duty and a tight itinerary, combined with the debilitating | + | |
- | effects of one or another of your more virulent Australian " | + | When I heard that I was to be travelling around the world I was spending the summer in Alaska. One of my mountaineering friends advised me that " |
- | led to this unforgivable delay, Please forgive me, anyway. | + | Bushwalkers are among its foremost exponents. I believe he'd been talking to Leon Blumer; even so, he gave me the best of advise and made possible the highlight of the entire round-the-world trip. As for the |
+ | bushwalkers themselves, I expected to meet a group of warms friendly, hospitable people. People who love the wide, open spaces are invariably like that, with a feeling of kinship for anyone who shares this love. Naturally then, I wasn't surprised, just delighted when these expectations were realized. One of the characteristics of the typical bushwalker is his pride in his own Blue Mountains. This is proper and fully justified; the Blue Mountains are worth flying around the world to see. Another characteristic is his lively curiosity about other places, and this, in particular, helps the stranger to feel at home. | ||
- | When I heard that I was to be travelling around the world I was | ||
- | spending the summer in Alaska. One of my mountaineering friends advised me that " | ||
- | Bushwalkers are among its foremost. exponents. I believe he'd been talking to Leon Blumer; even so, he gave me the best of advise and made | ||
- | possible the highlight of the entire round-the-world trip. As for the | ||
- | bushwalkers themselves, I expected to meet a group of warms friendly, hospitable people. People who love the wide, open spaces are invariably like that, with a feeling of kinship for anyone who shares this love. Naturally, then, I wasn't surprised, just delighted.when these expectations were realized. One of the characteristics of the typical bushwalker is his pride in his own Blue Mountains. This is proper and fully justified; the Blue Mountains are worth flying around the world | ||
- | to see. Another characteristic is his lively curiosity about other places, and this, in particular, helps the stranger to feel at home. | ||
As some of you will remember, I was able to participate in two | As some of you will remember, I was able to participate in two | ||
- | outings while visiting in Sydney, the first to Pearl Beach and Warrahl the second through some of the rough country along the Cox Drainage, near Katoomba. I remember particularly, | + | outings while visiting in Sydney, the first to Pearl Beach and Warrahl the second through some of the rough country along the Cox Drainage, near Katoomba. I remember particularly, |
- | About the second trip, perhaps the less said the better. At least that's what I might have thought as I left the Matthewses that night | + | About the second trip, perhaps the less said the better. At least that's what I might have thought as I left the Matthewses that night at Railway Square. But time heals all wounds, and the disappointment at having to take the short way home gives way to vivid recollection of the spectacular scenery along Narrow Neck and Breakfast Creek, and gratitude to the conscientious Leaders who patiently led the rubber-legged straggler up the last, interminable pitch before the blessed haven of a frontier farm. Lest any suspicion arise that collusion between a Leader and a visiting stranger could result in a white-ant type of play, let it be known that a virus can be as effective an obstacle as a bergschrund or a grizzly bear. Anyway, it nearly broke the leader' |
- | at Railway Square. But time heals all wounds, and the disappointment at having to take the short way home gives way to vivid recollection of the spectacular scenery along Narrow Neck and Breakfast' | + | |
- | haven of a frontier farm. Lest any suspicion arise that collusion between a Leader and a visiting stranger could result in a white-ant | + | |
- | type of play, let it be known that a virus can be as effective an obstacle as a bergschrund or a grizzly bear. Anyway, it nearly broke | + | |
- | the leader' | + | |
- | Other impressions: | + | Other impressions: |
- | smell of burning gum leaves, Disappointment when the plump, wild melons turn out to be green. A wallaby, at last: A kookaburra chorus | + | |
- | at the head of Breakfast Creek -- no sound like it elsewhere in the world. A friendly farm couple with an interest in world affairs and plenty of fresh milk in the cooler. On the train, a covey of young girls with box lunches -- how they can eat! | + | |
- | The visit to Australia was too soon over. I was able to fly to | + | The visit to Australia was too soon over. I was able to fly to Hobart to visit a colleague and to explore for a weekend. The flu was still nagging, so I had to take a bus up Mt. Wellington, Alas for a |
- | Hobart to visit a colleague and to explore for a weekend. The flu was still nagging, so I had to take a bus up Mt. Wellington, Alas for a | + | mountaineer' |
- | mountaineer' | + | They were loading apples into ships from England and Germany. A Devonshire tea is delicious, but fattening. Hobart would be a wonderful place in which to live. |
- | are red, and the hillsides are golden. The parakeets are bright green, and there' | + | |
- | They were loading apples into ships from England and Germany. A | + | |
- | Devonshire tea is delicious, but fattening. Hobart would be a wonderful place in which to live. | + | |
- | I hope I can walk in the Blue Mountains again.. Take care of them | + | I hope I can walk in the Blue Mountains again. Take care of them until I can return. Australians are entirely too casual about bush fires. Years ago in America it was thought that burning was good for forests and grazing lands. Now too much of our inherited wealth is gone, and others should profit by the example. |
- | until I can return. Australians are entirely too casual about bush | + | |
- | fires. Years ago in America it was thought that burning was good for forests and grazing lands. Now too much of our inherited wealth is gone, and others should profit by the example. | + | |
- | I hope, too, that some of you will visit North America. You'd | + | I hope, too, that some of you will visit North America. You'd like our mountains and forests and rivers and lakes. You'd like our people, too, and find many kindred spirits. |
- | like our mountains and forests and rivers and lakes. You'd like our people, too, and find many kindred spirits. | + | |
I send my thanks and best wishes to all of you, and especially to Malcolm McGregor, Keith Renwick, Don and Tine Matthews. | I send my thanks and best wishes to all of you, and especially to Malcolm McGregor, Keith Renwick, Don and Tine Matthews. | ||
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(G.W. Swenson, Jr.) | (G.W. Swenson, Jr.) | ||
- | ===== NOTES OF FEDERATION MEETING | + | ===== Notes of Federation Meeting |
- | Eighteen delegates, representing ten Clubs, constituted almost a record attendance for recent months. Among the more mundane | + | Eighteen delegates, representing ten Clubs, constituted almost a record attendance for recent months. Among the more mundane items on the agenda, the following pearls emerged. |
- | 1. THE ANNUAL BALL at the University Refectory was reported as "an outstanding social success" | + | 1. THE ANNUAL BALL at the University Refectory was reported as "an outstanding social success" |
- | by about E,20. | + | |
2. S. & R. Over the weekend of September 7th and 8th, some Boy Scouts became lost while on a hike in connection with their " | 2. S. & R. Over the weekend of September 7th and 8th, some Boy Scouts became lost while on a hike in connection with their " | ||
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Among correspondence tabled during the evening was a letter from the Boy Scouts Association offering to defray expenses incurred by searchers. | Among correspondence tabled during the evening was a letter from the Boy Scouts Association offering to defray expenses incurred by searchers. | ||
- | 3. PEPPING-UP of FEDERATION: Re the S.B.W. inspired motion, "that " | + | 3. PEPPING-UP of FEDERATION: Re the S.B.W. inspired motion, "that " |
- | As an upshot, Federation officers will soon begin personal lecture tours of Clubs other than their own, | + | As an upshot, Federation officers will soon begin personal lecture tours of Clubs other than their own. |
---- | ---- | ||
- | ===== SEVEN WEEKS IN NEW ZEALAND | + | ===== Seven Weeks in New Zealand |
by Dot Butler. | by Dot Butler. | ||
- | The Almer hut is situated at the head of the Almer Glacier which makes a steep drop to join the Franz Josef Glacier about a thousand feet below. From a rocky platform a short way in front of the hut one gets an enormous sense of spaciousness. Away to the west extends a long horizon bounding the mist blue sea. In the fading twilight the slopes | + | The Almer hut is situated at the head of the Almer Glacier which makes a steep drop to join the Franz Josef Glacier about a thousand feet below. From a rocky platform a short way in front of the hut one gets an enormous sense of spaciousness. Away to the west extends a long horizon bounding the mist blue sea. In the fading twilight the slopes of the low hills are steeped in colours rich as a satin bower bird's wing. Back towards the east rises the snowy Main Range swathed in the lacy mist of a summer evening, and the wide snow basin of the Franz Josef neve through which we had come that afternoon. But our eyes looked |
- | of the low hills are steeped in colours rich as a satin bower bird's wing. Back towards the east rises the snowy Main Range swathed in the lacy mist q of a summer evening, and the wide snow basin of the Franz Josef neve through which we had come that afternoon. But our eyes lookod | + | down to where tomorrow' |
- | down to where tomorrow' | + | heard it calling. "Come down, you four little crawling creatures and see what happens." |
- | scales, we saw the Franz Josef glacier, waiting. "Come on down," we | + | |
- | heard it calling. "Come down, you four little crawling creatures and see what happens:" | + | |
- | The morning of 24th January dawned fine and calm. We weren' | + | The morning of 24th January dawned fine and calm. We weren' |
- | We got through the lateral broken ice and on to the glacier very' | + | We got through the lateral broken ice and on to the glacier very successfully, |
- | and held a conference and decided that as we had two or three days up | + | |
- | our sleeve anyway we might as well go back to Almer hut and try a different route in the morning. So about 5 o' | + | |
- | return run, expecting to be off the glacier and back to the hut before dark at 9 o' | + | |
- | to the hut. At 10 o' | + | |
- | trying to climb up the couple of thousand feet to the hut, reaching it by midnight, just to have to get up by 4 a.m. and start coming down again. Our packs were heavy so we decided to stay where we were, dig some sort of cave shelter, and start moving again in the daylight. We scouted round and found a great overhanging wall of ice and hacked away in relays with our ice axes till midnight hollowing out a shelter sufficient for the four of us to crouch in. It wasn't a very effective hole, but at least the work kept us warm. But by midnight we were alL tired of chopping, and it had begun to snow and the wind blew cold and George and Snow were beginning to wonder apprehensively what they were in for. (Whaka and I had on past occasions spent nights out in blizzards so we knew.) | + | |
George and Snow took off their boots and got into their sleeping bags and put their feet in their packs and their parkas over the top, and sitting on their boots tried to sleep. George sat partly sheltered by our excavation - it wasn't worth sitting right inside, as we found, because the water dripped in through the ceiling too much - and he says he slept well. He was the only one next morning with anything dry in his possession. Snow sat out on the ice, and the snow built up on his head and shoulders till he looked like a relic from Scott' | George and Snow took off their boots and got into their sleeping bags and put their feet in their packs and their parkas over the top, and sitting on their boots tried to sleep. George sat partly sheltered by our excavation - it wasn't worth sitting right inside, as we found, because the water dripped in through the ceiling too much - and he says he slept well. He was the only one next morning with anything dry in his possession. Snow sat out on the ice, and the snow built up on his head and shoulders till he looked like a relic from Scott' | ||
- | Now that our own voices were silent we became creepily aware of | + | Now that our own voices were silent we became creepily aware of the noises around us. The glacier seemed alive and evil and monstrous shaken by inner growling |
- | the noises around us. The glacier seemed alive and evil and monstrous shaken by inner growlings | + | |
- | to have been alone. Once Snow woke up with a start hearing a hollow | + | "Go back to sleep Snow. It's boulders rumbling down the watercourses under the glacier ice, |
- | booming, soft and muffled and remote - curiously disturbing. " | + | |
- | "Go back to sleep Snow. It's boulders rumbling down the watercourses under the glacier ice,.."... Doom! Boom-de-Bolm: | + | About 4 a.m. a sickly pallor crept into the snow fog. Thank God we can get moving; We prodded George and Snow awake and they unwillingly got out of the comparative dryness |
+ | dragged on their boots and we got going. My legs were solid ice up to the knees, and I guess Whaka was as badly off, and I could barely totter along the ice ridges as we made our way off the glacier. | ||
- | About 4 a.m. a sickly pallor crept into the snow fog. Thank God | + | As we ascended the rocky ridge the snowing changed to raining, and by the time we had struggled up the snow grass slopes to the hut, which we reached at 7 a.m, we were running with water and as wet as if we had gone swimming in all our clothes, packs included. At the doorway of the hut we struggled painfully |
- | we can get moving; We prodded George and Snow awake and they unwillingly got out of the comparative dryness | + | |
- | dragged | + | |
- | along the ice ridges as we made our way off the glacier. | + | |
- | As we ascended | + | And the next day it blizzarded .. and the next .. and the next. The hut, lashed down by steel cables wrapped round huge boulders, lifted and rocked and shook in the fury of the storm. If it had taken off it would have gone a long way down to the glacier below and us with it. During one lull in the proceedings, |
- | by the time we had struggled up the snowgrass slopes | + | |
- | we reached at 7 a.m, we were running with water and as wet as if we had gone swimming in all our apthss, packs included. At the doorway of | + | |
- | the hut we struggled painfully out of our boots, dropped off our wet | + | |
- | clothes, then wrapped ourselves in hut blankets (luckily there were dozens), and fell into our bunks. The ocean of sleep washed | + | |
- | what a sleep we slept! It wasn't till evening that anyone stirred, and then it was only to eat some food, then back to sleep again till next | + | |
- | day. | + | |
- | And the next day it blizzarded | + | By now we were getting perilously short of foods and starvation was staring Snow and George in the face. We found a few bashed and battered and blown tins of herrings in a cupboard, obviously damaged during an air drop. We tried one out and as no one died of ptomaine poisoning we ate the others. A further search brought to light a tin of concentrated tomato soup. Things were looking up. George ratted |
- | During | + | |
- | By now we were getting perilously short of foods-and starvation was staring Snow and George in the face. We found a few bashed and battered and blown tins of herrings in a cupboard, obviously damaged during an air drop. We tried one out, and as no one died of ptomaine poisoning we ate the others. A further search brought to light a tin of concentrated tomato soup. Things were looking up. George ratted round in the tool cupboard and found a couple of calido bags of what might have been flour. He examined them cautiously - this one felt a bit coarser than that - that one was greyer than this. This was no time for super-subtleties; | + | George thinks the flour-like stuff was size. Whaka suggested it might have been flour intended for paste to glue down the paper lining of the hut and doped with arsenic to deter silverfish. I thought it was perhaps just ancient flour eaten in large amounts too quickly. Snow held no opinion except that he wished he hadn't eaten it. |
- | George thinks the flour-like stuff was size. Whaka suggested it might | + | |
- | have been flour intended for paste to glue down the paper lining of the hut and doped with arsenic to deter silverfish. I thought it was perhaps | + | |
- | just ancient flour eaten in large amounts too quickly. Snow held no opinion except that he wished he hadn't eaten it. | + | |
- | On the night of the 28th, when by rights we should have been in the plane approaching Sydney, the barometer showed a favourable rise. The | + | On the night of the 28th, when by rights we should have been in the plane approaching Sydney, the barometer showed a favourable rise. The wind had dropped, so by 3 a.m. we were up and soon on our way on the long trip back to the Tasman. This was the first fine day anywhere in the Cook area and for the first time a plane could come out. We saw the tourist plane, on its way over to the Fox, circle round the Almer hut several times, but we had left the hut several hours earlier and by now were way up in the neve near the pass so the pilot didn't see us. |
- | wind had dropped, so by 3 a.m. we were up and soon on our way on the | + | |
- | long trip back to the Tasman. This was the first fine day anywhere in the Cook area and for the first time a plane could come out. We saw the tourist plane, on its way over to the Fox, circle round the Alner hut several times, but we had left the hut several hours earlier and by now were way up in the neve near the pass so the pilot didn't see us. | + | |
- | The weather was incredibly still. The sky, softly blue, seemed | + | The weather was incredibly still. The sky, softly blue, seemed chastened and contrite after its stormy excess. The Minarets were breath takingly lovely with diaphanous swathed of white mist floating round their lower slopes. The whole of the western side of the Main Range, under its mantle of new snow, radiated |
- | chastened and contrite after its stormy excess. The Minarets were breath | + | |
- | takingly lovely with diaphanous swathed of white mist floating round their lower slopes. The whole of the western side of the Main Range, under its mantle of new snow, radiated | + | |
- | Eventually we got down to the Tasman, then, as Whaka had unfortunately sprained his ankle, we sent George and Snow on ahead to tell the Mt. Cook bus driver at Ball hut that we might be about an hour late for the bus back to the Hermitage, and slowly came on our way. George went back with the bus, while Snow and a young Australian guide came back to meet us, and a special bus was sent back for us later (at our expense). We got down to the Hermitage and sent off telegrams and cablegrams to announce the fact that we were overdue and had been weatherbound | + | Eventually we got down to the Tasman, then, as Whaka had unfortunately sprained his ankle, we sent George and Snow on ahead to tell the Mt. Cook bus driver at Ball hut that we might be about an hour late for the bus back to the Hermitage, and slowly came on our way. George went back with the bus, while Snow and a young Australian guide came back to meet us, and a special bus was sent back for us later (at our expense). We got down to the Hermitage and sent off telegrams and cablegrams to announce the fact that we were overdue and had been weather bound in a hut for several days, then we went down to the Unwin hut for the night and caught the next day's bus to Christchurch, |
- | (And so ends what must be one of the most remarkable literary efforts | + | (And so ends what must be one of the most remarkable literary efforts ever to be associated with the " |
- | ever to be associated with the " | + | |
- | had length, but Dot's series of articles on the N.Z. adventures had much more than this. From beginning to end she has sustained the | + | |
- | highest level of entertainment value with that inimitable style that | + | |
- | only Dot could produce. The nicely balanced mixture of scenery, personalities, | + | |
- | has earned a wealth of admiration, not only from Club members, but | + | |
- | from many right outside the field of bushwalking who have read our Magazine. Our heartiest thanks to you, Dot, for a really outstanding series of contributions. -- Editor.) | + | |
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195710.txt · Last modified: 2018/11/12 14:05 by tyreless