196002
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionLast revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
196002 [2016/01/02 20:58] – kennettj | 196002 [2016/01/21 08:56] – kennettj | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | **THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER** |
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, The N.S.W. Nurses' | + | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, The N.S.W. Nurses' |
Phone J1IV1462. | Phone J1IV1462. | ||
- | 302 FEBRUARY, 1960 Price 1/- | + | **302 FEBRUARY 1960 Price 1/-** |
- | Editor: Don Matthews, 33 Pomona Street, | + | |**Editor** | Don Matthews, 33 Pomona Street, Pennant Hills. WJ3514| |
- | Reproduction: Eileen Taylor | + | |**Reproduction**| Eileen Taylor |
- | Sales and Subs. Audrey Kenway | + | |**Sales & Subs.**| Audrey Kenway |
- | Business Manager: Brian Harvey | + | |**Business Manager**| Brian Harvey |
- | Typed by Jean Harvey | + | |**Typed** | Jean Harvey |
- | CONTENTS 2 | + | ===== Contents ===== |
- | Social Jottings - Ed. Garrad | + | |
- | At Our January Meeting - Alex. Colley 3 | + | |
- | Dunk's Birthday Party - Kath McKay 4 | + | |Social Jottings - Ed. Garrad |
- | Davern' | + | |At Our January Meeting - Alex. Colley |
- | Sanitarium Health Food Advertisement 7 | + | |Dunk's Birthday Party - Kath McKay |4| |
- | Hatswell' | + | |Davern' |
- | The Goodradigbee - Jess Martin 8 | + | |Sanitarium Health Food Advertisement| 7| |
- | Walking Guide 12 | + | |Hatswell' |
- | Paddy' | + | |The Goodradigbee - Jess Martin| 8| |
- | Car Camping Around the Country - Ray Kirkby 14 | + | |Walking Guide| 12| |
- | More News from N.Z. - Dot Butler 15 | + | |Paddy' |
+ | |Car Camping Around the Country - Ray Kirkby | ||
+ | |More News from N.Z. - Dot Butler | ||
| | ||
| | ||
Line 39: | Line 41: | ||
- | SOCIAL JOTTINGS. | + | ====== Social Jottings ====== |
Ed. Garrad | Ed. Garrad | ||
- | FEBRUARY 17TH. | + | **FEBRUARY 17TH** |
- | Colour film of Crossing the Antarctic supplied by the British Petroleum Australia Ltd., together with one or two " | + | Colour film of Crossing the Antarctic supplied by the British Petroleum Australia Ltd, together with one or two " |
- | FEBRUARY | + | **FEBRUARY |
Bob Savage will be showing us his colour slides of India and Kashmir and we suggest that you do not fail to come along on this night. We know that these slides are " | Bob Savage will be showing us his colour slides of India and Kashmir and we suggest that you do not fail to come along on this night. We know that these slides are " | ||
Line 52: | Line 55: | ||
- | THE ANNUAL REUNION. | + | ====== The Annual Reunion ====== |
+ | |||
DATE: 12-13TH MARCH | DATE: 12-13TH MARCH | ||
Line 65: | Line 70: | ||
- | AT OUR JANUARY MEETING | + | ====== At Our January Meeting ====== |
- | Alex Colley. | + | |
+ | Alex Colley | ||
Business was disposed of with almost indecent despatch at our first meeting of the new year. The President informed us that Mr. Drury, of Mimosa Park, Milton, had been invited to become an Honorary member. A copy of Paddy Pallin' | Business was disposed of with almost indecent despatch at our first meeting of the new year. The President informed us that Mr. Drury, of Mimosa Park, Milton, had been invited to become an Honorary member. A copy of Paddy Pallin' | ||
Line 75: | Line 81: | ||
- | DON'T MISS IT!!! | + | **DON'T MISS IT!!!** |
The Annual Swimming Carnival, on February 13-14th, at Lake Eckersley. Good Camping. Campfire on Saturday night. Easy two and a half mile walk from Heathcote Station. Trains: 12.50 P.M. Saturday or 8.50 a m. Sunday. | The Annual Swimming Carnival, on February 13-14th, at Lake Eckersley. Good Camping. Campfire on Saturday night. Easy two and a half mile walk from Heathcote Station. Trains: 12.50 P.M. Saturday or 8.50 a m. Sunday. | ||
- | Events will start as soon as the Sunday morning party arrives. | + | Events will start as soon as the Sunday morning party arrives. For further details contact the Leader: Brian Harvey - JA11462. BU1611. |
- | For further details contact the Leader: Brian Harvey - JA11462. BU1611. | + | |
- | ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING | + | **ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING** |
- | Taosed | + | (Closed |
- | Please note the starting time | + | Please note the starting time 7.30 P.M. |
- | 7.30 P.M. | + | |
- | DUNK BIRTHDAY PART. | + | ====== Dunk Birthday Party ====== |
- | Eath McKay. | + | |
+ | Kath McKay. | ||
It started in a small way, but acceptances poured in, and the party rapidly grew so big that it was transferred to the Pallins' | It started in a small way, but acceptances poured in, and the party rapidly grew so big that it was transferred to the Pallins' | ||
- | And what a gathering it was: It took:place on December 12th, and many of the younger walkers, who did not know the glory that was Dunk, were content with the Christmas revels at the S.B.W. party on December 10th, and did not come. | + | And what a gathering it was. It took place on December 12th, and many of the younger walkers, who did not know the glory that was Dunk, were content with the Christmas revels at the S.B.W. party on December 10th, and did not come. |
It was not really Dunk's birthday: that was on December 19th: but this meeting of her friends and their offspring was a wonderful reunion, especially for those those bones were beginning to creak a little. | It was not really Dunk's birthday: that was on December 19th: but this meeting of her friends and their offspring was a wonderful reunion, especially for those those bones were beginning to creak a little. | ||
Line 107: | Line 112: | ||
- | DAVERN'S CAVERN | + | ====== Davern's Cavern or Side Trip from Frenchman ====== |
- | OR SIDE TRIP FROM FRENCHMAN. | + | |
- | - Paddy Pallin. | + | |
+ | Paddy Pallin | ||
Ken (One of the Old Buffers) was impressed (as he was intended to be) by my stories of Pedder to Fedder, and so, when I mentioned a projected trip to Frenchman' | Ken (One of the Old Buffers) was impressed (as he was intended to be) by my stories of Pedder to Fedder, and so, when I mentioned a projected trip to Frenchman' | ||
- | W | ||
- | e arrived at Vic's place and were each presented with a huge pile of food which we were told was our share of a week's food. It looked an awful lot to me, and sure enough we found we had nearly 30 lbs. I like my tucker but don't like it that much (30 lbs. for a week), so Vic, Ken and I did a little revising of the food list and cut the weight down to reasonable proportions. We didn't like to upset Jock as he had drawn up the list, so we didn't tell him. I must admit he was frequently puzzled during the next week because the food didn't work out as planned. However, we didn't starve by any means. | ||
- | At the Hobart Walking Club meeting that night someone said "Jock says you are going to Davern' | + | We arrived at Vic's place and were each presented with a huge pile of food which we were told was our share of a week's food. It looked an awful lot to me, and sure enough we found we had nearly 30 lbs. I like my tucker but don't like it that much (30 lbs. for a week), so Vic, Ken and I did a little revising of the food list and cut the weight down to reasonable proportions. We didn't like to upset Jock as he had drawn up the list, so we didn't tell him. I must admit he was frequently puzzled during the next week because the food didn't work out as planned. However, we didn't starve by any means. |
+ | |||
+ | At the Hobart Walking Club meeting that night someone said "Jock says you are going to Davern' | ||
Next day the four of us caught the bus and were duly deposited at the side of the road where a signpost says "To Frenchman' | Next day the four of us caught the bus and were duly deposited at the side of the road where a signpost says "To Frenchman' | ||
Line 122: | Line 128: | ||
20 minutes, perhaps half an hour" said Jock. It was too wet to look at the map but from memory I thought it couldn' | 20 minutes, perhaps half an hour" said Jock. It was too wet to look at the map but from memory I thought it couldn' | ||
- | " | + | " |
Next morning we found inches of snow round the hut with the mountain veiled in mist. It rained steadily all day, and we whiled away the time by reading the log. It was depressing reading. It appeared to rain 95% of the time, or maybe when it's fine folks are much too busy to write up the log. We made a sort of statistical analysis of the stories and decided that on average it rained for three days and then cleared up. That cheered us up a little and we didn't even winge when it rained the next day. The following day just had to be fine and sure enough it was. Mist still hung around but we climbed to the cap. I have a bit of a weakness for saddles. On our Blue Mountain ridges there' | Next morning we found inches of snow round the hut with the mountain veiled in mist. It rained steadily all day, and we whiled away the time by reading the log. It was depressing reading. It appeared to rain 95% of the time, or maybe when it's fine folks are much too busy to write up the log. We made a sort of statistical analysis of the stories and decided that on average it rained for three days and then cleared up. That cheered us up a little and we didn't even winge when it rained the next day. The following day just had to be fine and sure enough it was. Mist still hung around but we climbed to the cap. I have a bit of a weakness for saddles. On our Blue Mountain ridges there' | ||
Line 148: | Line 154: | ||
- | **THE GOODRADIGBEE** | + | ====== The Goodradigbee ====== |
- | - Jess Martin. | + | |
- | "What about ayminc, for an easy trip up the Goodradigbee River? Lovely green grassy banks for camping!" | + | Jess Martin |
- | An " | + | |
- | A very pale and watery pre-dawn sky greeted us as our taxi left ?6ucanbcyan for | + | |
- | a pleasant run through the countryside down into Brindabella Valley. The driver had brought his trout rod and tried his luck (nil) whilst we cooked breakfast and sorted | + | |
- | out our food for the week. - | + | |
- | When Bill had taken some pictures of the beautiful trees at our breakfast site, we set off up the valley along the track and, after one false move where we found | + | |
- | (busily talking) we were walking up CoolaMon Creek, decided to keep to the grassy river bank. | + | |
- | Whilst having a short mid-morning rest amidst a profusion of wildflowers, | + | |
- | there was an unnerving crash above us and the men raced off to see if they could be of any help, but although the blitz waggon we had seen taking machinery, etc. up the road had crashed over the side of the track and somersaulted down the hill, the driver had leapt clear. | + | |
- | Whilst having lunch on a beautiful portion of river bank just below " | + | |
- | He is conservation minded and had planted many willows and trees along the river bank | + | |
- | and made the fireplaces at the end of the motor road. When he heard our plans for following the river up to Caves Creek he was quite agitated at the thought of two ladies being taken on such a rough trip, and kept emphasising that there was-quite | + | |
- | a good made road through to Rules Point. Of course, ev,-,-ry time thereafter we struck a difficult patch the ladies gently reminded the men about the "good road through to Rules Point" | + | |
+ | "What about coming for an easy trip up the Goodradigbee River? Lovely green grassy banks for camping!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | An " | ||
+ | |||
+ | A very pale and watery pre-dawn sky greeted us as our taxi left Queanbeyan for a pleasant run through the countryside down into Brindabella Valley. The driver had brought his trout rod and tried his luck (nil) whilst we cooked breakfast and sorted out our food for the week. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When Bill had taken some pictures of the beautiful trees at our breakfast site, we set off up the valley along the track and, after one false move where we found (busily talking) we were walking up Coolamon Creek, decided to keep to the grassy river bank. Whilst having a short mid-morning rest amidst a profusion of wildflowers, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Whilst having lunch on a beautiful portion of river bank just below " | ||
A monument erected over a grave to "Tony - Aged 24 - Good Hunting had intrigued us and, on questioning Mr. Bluett, he informed us "Tony had been a stockman' | A monument erected over a grave to "Tony - Aged 24 - Good Hunting had intrigued us and, on questioning Mr. Bluett, he informed us "Tony had been a stockman' | ||
- | Er. Bluett offered - to avoid a particularly rough stretch - to put us on a track and gave us a lift in his landrover for a couple of miles. After walking a short distance, we pitched the tents just before a thunderstorm broke. | + | Mr. Bluett offered - to avoid a particularly rough stretch - to put us on a track and gave us a lift in his landrover for a couple of miles. After walking a short distance, we pitched the tents just before a thunderstorm broke. |
- | . The track cut off quite a big bend in the river and then it was a matter of taking to the water and wading. The banks of the river from " | + | |
+ | The track cut off quite a big bend in the river and then it was a matter of taking to the water and wading. The banks of the river from " | ||
We spent two more nights on the river, sleeping in places only bushwalkers mould consider practicable. The first was just a small patch of sand, from which we had to remove rocks and pebbles and the second, Which we reached late in the afternoon, a shallow rocky trough, where it was impossible to erect tents. This was beside a deep pool, fed by an oblique sloping funnel from a waterfall above. We saw our first fish here: they were very small, and we were told earlier that the fish had disappeared almost entirely from the river. | We spent two more nights on the river, sleeping in places only bushwalkers mould consider practicable. The first was just a small patch of sand, from which we had to remove rocks and pebbles and the second, Which we reached late in the afternoon, a shallow rocky trough, where it was impossible to erect tents. This was beside a deep pool, fed by an oblique sloping funnel from a waterfall above. We saw our first fish here: they were very small, and we were told earlier that the fish had disappeared almost entirely from the river. | ||
- | Next day we plodded, waded and splashed until lunch time, below another roaring waterfall, and then decided, rather than climb around this obstacle, to climb out of | ||
- | the river. We climbed steadily and then when we came to a grassy saddle, resolved to camp. The men found water, the tents were pitched and we started to cook our evening meal. Then the mosquitoes, which had attac' | + | Next day we plodded, waded and splashed until lunch time, below another roaring waterfall, and then decided rather than climb around this obstacle, to climb out of the river. We climbed steadily and then when we came to a grassy saddle, resolved to camp. The men found water, the tents were pitched and we started to cook our evening meal. Then the mosquitoes, which had attacked |
- | By this time our food supplies were getting low (a factor Which influenced us in leaving the river) so to Yarrangobilly Caves as quickly as possible: on the way calling at " | + | |
- | The rain stopped but the wind was blowing strongly across the Plains. We could see Jagungal in the distance covered with fresh snow and we heard later that 8 inches had fallen the previous night at Kiandra. | + | |
- | We then decided to make haste for Yarrangobilly Caves; which was to be our base for the rest of the holiday. Furtunately for us, we had posted parcels of food to the Caves for no provisions were available and the mail car was not calling every day. | + | |
- | We saw the Chief, Guide/ | + | |
- | Our plans were to swim in the thermal pool, walk through the Harrie Wood Gorge, climb this and climb that; but aoth set in and our most strenuous activities were ambling the short distance to the Pool, one guided cave inspection, and the men keeping the boiler stoked to prbvide hot showers. We were early to bed and late to rise, a leisurely breakfast and then a doze in the sun on our sleeping bags. The Ranger was vary generous with the quantity of fresh milk he sold us after each milking - John had made friends with his small son - and we were intrigued with the baby wombat they were rearing. | + | |
- | Adelightful trip was rounded off by mail car to Tumut and the night train home to Sydney. | + | |
+ | By this time our food supplies were getting low (a factor Which influenced us in leaving the river) so to Yarrangobilly Caves as quickly as possible: on the way calling at " | ||
- | NEW ARRIVAL! | + | The rain stopped but the wind was blowing strongly across the Plains. We could see Jagungal in the distance covered with fresh snow and we heard later that 8 inches had fallen the previous night at Kiandra. We then decided to make haste for Yarrangobilly Caves; which was to be our base for the rest of the holiday. Fortunately for us, we had posted parcels of food to the Caves for no provisions were available and the mail car was not calling every day. |
+ | |||
+ | We saw the Chief, Guide/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our plans were to swim in the thermal pool, walk through the Harrie Wood Gorge, climb this and climb that; but both set in and our most strenuous activities were ambling the short distance to the Pool, one guided cave inspection, and the men keeping the boiler stoked to provide hot showers. We were early to bed and late to rise, a leisurely breakfast and then a doze in the sun on our sleeping bags. The Ranger was very generous with the quantity of fresh milk he sold us after each milking - John had made friends with his small son - and we were intrigued with the baby wombat they were rearing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A delightful trip was rounded off by mail car to Tumut and the night train home to Sydney. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **NEW ARRIVAL!** | ||
Congratulations to Margaret and Garth Coulter - a daughter - (Lorna). | Congratulations to Margaret and Garth Coulter - a daughter - (Lorna). | ||
- | S. & R. FTELD IDENONSTRATION) =END: 20-'21st February. | + | ** |
+ | S. & R. FIELD DEMONSTRATION | ||
- | To be held on the Colo River about throe miles upstream from Lower Portland, | + | To be held on the Colo River about three miles upstream from Lower Portland, |
Map: St. Albans Military Reference: 860690 (approx.) | Map: St. Albans Military Reference: 860690 (approx.) | ||
Preferred route: From Windsor, take the road to Wilberforce, | Preferred route: From Windsor, take the road to Wilberforce, | ||
Good camping and swimming. Sandy river bank on camp side, high sandstone cliffs on the other side. | Good camping and swimming. Sandy river bank on camp side, high sandstone cliffs on the other side. | ||
- | For 'further information, | + | For further information, |
- | Heather Joyce. | + | |
The Linnean Society has asked for a brief history of Federation - aims, achievements, | The Linnean Society has asked for a brief history of Federation - aims, achievements, | ||
- | Cheers for Snow! | + | |
- | David Brown has been elected Junior Vice President | + | Cheers for Snow! David Brown has been elected Junior Vice President |
- | 12. | + | |
- | FEBRUARY 28TH | + | |
- | W | + | ====== Walking Guide ====== |
- | ALKING GUIDE. | + | |
+ | |||
+ | **FEBRUARY 28TH** | ||
Waterfall - bus to Governor Game Lookout - Burning Palms - Lilyvale. | Waterfall - bus to Governor Game Lookout - Burning Palms - Lilyvale. | ||
- | Mans: Port Hacking Military or Tourist | + | Maps: Port Hacking Military or Tourist |
Train: 8.20 from Central, tickets to Lilyvale | Train: 8.20 from Central, tickets to Lilyvale | ||
Easy walk - long lunch halt by the surf - a final dip in the Hacking River before boarding the train. | Easy walk - long lunch halt by the surf - a final dip in the Hacking River before boarding the train. | ||
- | Leader: | + | Leader: |
C/- J. Brown B0543, Ext.299 | C/- J. Brown B0543, Ext.299 | ||
- | D.MCH L. - 5 - 6 Sassafras Road - Upper Ettrema Creek - Sassafras Road Naps: Yalwal and Tianjara Military | + | |
+ | **MARCH | ||
+ | Sassafras Road - Upper Ettrema Creek - Sassafras Road | ||
+ | Maps: Yalwal and Tianjara Military | ||
Transport: See Leader - Evelyn Esgate | Transport: See Leader - Evelyn Esgate | ||
- | Some track and road walking. The main part of the trip is rock hopping. | + | Some track and road walking. The main part of the trip is rock hopping. Scenic river gorge, pools and cascades. |
- | Scenic river gorge, pools and cascades | + | |
- | MARCH 5 - 6 Waterfall - Kangaroo Creek - : | + | **MARCH 5 - 6** |
+ | Waterfall - Kangaroo Creek Heathcote | ||
+ | Map: Port Hacking | ||
Train: 12.50 from Central. TicLets to aterfall Easy walk, swimming. | Train: 12.50 from Central. TicLets to aterfall Easy walk, swimming. | ||
Leader: Len young | Leader: Len young | ||
- | MARCH 6 Waterfall - Heathcote Creek - Heathcnte | + | ** |
- | Train 8.50 from Central. | + | MARCH 6** |
- | Easy creek -walking, swimming. Good walk for prospectives. | + | Waterfall - Heathcote Creek - Heathcote |
+ | Train 8.50 from Central. | ||
+ | Easy creek walking, swimming. Good walk for prospectives. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **MARCH 12 - 13** | ||
S.B.W. Annual Reunion. See details Page 2. | S.B.W. Annual Reunion. See details Page 2. | ||
- | Blackheath - car to Jenolan - Harry' | + | |
- | Breakfast Creek - Glen Alan Canyon - Clear Hill - KatooMba. | + | **MARCH 18 - 19 - 20** |
+ | Blackheath - car to Jenolan - Harry' | ||
Solid 2 day trip. Rock hopping and river walking on Harry' | Solid 2 day trip. Rock hopping and river walking on Harry' | ||
- | Naps: Jenolan Military | + | Maps: Jenolan Military |
- | Burragorang Tourist | + | Burragorang Tourist,Myles Dunphy' |
- | Myles Dunphy' | + | Train: 6.25 p m. Tickets to Blackheath. Leader: Lyndsey Gray |
- | MARCH 12 - 13 MARCH 18 - 19 - 20 | + | |
Mountaineers believe that theirs is the finest of sports because almost alone amongst sports it combines the three essential qualities: it takes one into surroundings of great beauty and grandeur: it makes one supremely fit, and adds to the zest of mastery over calculating danger." | Mountaineers believe that theirs is the finest of sports because almost alone amongst sports it combines the three essential qualities: it takes one into surroundings of great beauty and grandeur: it makes one supremely fit, and adds to the zest of mastery over calculating danger." | ||
+ | |||
The same may be said of bush walkers, for they are kin to the mountaineer. | The same may be said of bush walkers, for they are kin to the mountaineer. | ||
- | Because of the growing interest in rock climbing there will be an exhibition of equipment and all questions will be answered by experienced members of Sydney Rock Climbing Club on the third week of February. - so make it a date - and abseil | ||
- | down to Paddy' | ||
- | 14- | ||
+ | Because of the growing interest in rock climbing there will be an exhibition of equipment and all questions will be answered by experienced members of Sydney Rock Climbing Club on the third week of February. - so make it a date - and abseil down to Paddy' | ||
- | **CAR CAMPING AROUND THE COUNTRY** | + | |
- | - Ray Kirkby. | + | ====== Car Camping Around The Country ====== |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Ray Kirkby | ||
I feel I must agree with those critics of Australia who pay there is a monotony in the green of its trees. And there is not here that extreme contrast between the bare and the leaf-laden branches where deciduous trees predominate. | I feel I must agree with those critics of Australia who pay there is a monotony in the green of its trees. And there is not here that extreme contrast between the bare and the leaf-laden branches where deciduous trees predominate. | ||
- | But I did experience some very un-Australian | + | But I did experience some very unAustralian |
The road goes up only part of the way and one must foot the rest through lightly wooded country. But the timber is a mixture of dark green cypress pines, eucalypts and wattles ranging from a very silvery grey through many shades of green, but still not the lush green of exotic trees. After good rains, the normally dry hillsides had a sprinkling of tender grasses and the wattles, the wattles were the most brilliant...in my experience. Even the lichens on trees and rocks were vivid and vital from recent dampness and the wongas were thick with flower clusters. | The road goes up only part of the way and one must foot the rest through lightly wooded country. But the timber is a mixture of dark green cypress pines, eucalypts and wattles ranging from a very silvery grey through many shades of green, but still not the lush green of exotic trees. After good rains, the normally dry hillsides had a sprinkling of tender grasses and the wattles, the wattles were the most brilliant...in my experience. Even the lichens on trees and rocks were vivid and vital from recent dampness and the wongas were thick with flower clusters. | ||
It was a little sad to come down from the mountain bursting with Spring and pass the humpies of Aboriginals on the outskirts of the town. | It was a little sad to come down from the mountain bursting with Spring and pass the humpies of Aboriginals on the outskirts of the town. | ||
- | |||
It must have been Saturday, because that's pay day! | It must have been Saturday, because that's pay day! | ||
Line 250: | Line 272: | ||
The camping at the Gap is on a pretty bare ridge, so we were rushing about looking, for as sheltered a spot as possible - it was 3,850 ft. up and August. Gear seemed to be spread over half a square mile, it was threatening to rain, dark was coming on. I did not know where the water was and was preparing to rush down an unknown number (hundreds? thousands?) of feet to look for it. Should I put the tent up before the rain and then look for the water or look for the water now in case it got dark before I had finished? Were we reasonably sheltered on this bleak looking ridge? Were we .. | The camping at the Gap is on a pretty bare ridge, so we were rushing about looking, for as sheltered a spot as possible - it was 3,850 ft. up and August. Gear seemed to be spread over half a square mile, it was threatening to rain, dark was coming on. I did not know where the water was and was preparing to rush down an unknown number (hundreds? thousands?) of feet to look for it. Should I put the tent up before the rain and then look for the water or look for the water now in case it got dark before I had finished? Were we reasonably sheltered on this bleak looking ridge? Were we .. | ||
- | coming over to me "may I have my pocket money, now? "Dad | + | Daughter |
Dash it,. why was climbing Mt. Grattai the most satisfying part of the whole holiday? Simply because it entailed the hardest effort and there was very little track. | Dash it,. why was climbing Mt. Grattai the most satisfying part of the whole holiday? Simply because it entailed the hardest effort and there was very little track. | ||
- | Killarney Gap between Narrabri and Barraba, where you camp, is an attractive spot even if it is a little public and a little stoney. Grattai is the very northern end of the Nandewars and the ridge to it passes the rugged spectacular ridge and rocks s. of the Ginns. To climb Grattai you are forced, if you do not already know the way, to pause and work out a way up the cliffs - it t s not the _plain | + | Killarney Gap between Narrabri and Barraba, where you camp, is an attractive spot even if it is a little public and a little stoney. Grattai is the very northern end of the Nandewars and the ridge to it passes the rugged spectacular ridge and rocks of the Ginns. To climb Grattai you are forced, if you do not already know the way, to pause and work out a way up the cliffs - it is not the plain sailing of most of our mountains. The view from it is a delightful contrast of near rugged |
- | side running immediately to interminable, | + | |
- | ` | + | |
- | The worst difficulty with car-camping, | + | The worst difficulty with car-camping, |
- | Don't think that we polluted the Baths, the rules insisted on a shower with soap before entering the water. The rules also forbade one from making a public nuisance, from entering with an infectious disease, etc. | + | Don't think that we polluted the Baths, the rules insisted on a shower with soap before entering the water. The rules also forbade one from making a public nuisance, from entering with an infectious disease, etc. Now, you car-campers, |
- | Now, you car-campers, | + | If you are up Taree way, don't fail to take a trip up to the Bulga Plateau and Ellenborough Falls. The road from Ningham is delightful through lush, dairy country, running up Dingo Creek - a swift flowing |
- | in every case, may you have to shed your infectious diseases before entering, nor restrain yourself from a public nuisance if you find the baths to be too dull. | + | |
- | If you are up Taree way, don't fail to take a trip up to the Bulga Plateau and Ellenborough Falls. The road from Ningham is delightful through lush, dairy country, running up Dingo Creek - a swift flawing | + | |
- | view, are a little giddy. | + | |
I intended having at least one night at a motel - just for the experience - but the weather was so irritatingly beautiful that it seemed a dreadful waste to go to one. However, the very last, we were late on the road, it was raining, so naturally I thought 'This is the time", especially as the moment I made the decision, we had a puncture. | I intended having at least one night at a motel - just for the experience - but the weather was so irritatingly beautiful that it seemed a dreadful waste to go to one. However, the very last, we were late on the road, it was raining, so naturally I thought 'This is the time", especially as the moment I made the decision, we had a puncture. | ||
Line 274: | Line 290: | ||
Christine was set upon sleeping in the bed but this was not convenient and she had to sleep on one of the lilos which are of course more comfortable than most beds. In the morning she continued to gristle that she had been done out of the full enjoyment of the motel and finally declared "Next time we stay at a motel, I'm going to sleep in the bed". | Christine was set upon sleeping in the bed but this was not convenient and she had to sleep on one of the lilos which are of course more comfortable than most beds. In the morning she continued to gristle that she had been done out of the full enjoyment of the motel and finally declared "Next time we stay at a motel, I'm going to sleep in the bed". | ||
- | ** | ||
- | MORE NEWS FROM N.Z.** | ||
- | Mon 21st. A hot day. Climbed the pumice and lava slope of Ngauruhoe, slipping and stumbling in the loose scoria.. We were as dry as limeburner' | + | ====== More News from NZ ====== |
- | fumes of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide. (Stink and choke ad lib). We attempted to circumnavigate the brim but found it impossible for the fumes, so we made a fast scree run to the base again, and so back to the hut. | + | |
+ | |||
+ | Mon 21st. | ||
+ | A hot day. Climbed the pumice and lava slope of Ngauruhoe, slipping and stumbling in the loose scoria. We were as dry as limeburner' | ||
After lunch we departed for the Chateau, some going via the 6-mile track and those of a more frivolous nature going by the 9-mile track. We picked up our gear we had sent ahead with the bus and got the key from the Ranger for Salt Hut where we spent the first night and the Alpine Club Hut where we were to spend the second night. | After lunch we departed for the Chateau, some going via the 6-mile track and those of a more frivolous nature going by the 9-mile track. We picked up our gear we had sent ahead with the bus and got the key from the Ranger for Salt Hut where we spent the first night and the Alpine Club Hut where we were to spend the second night. | ||
- | Tuesday. Left the Salt Hut early, dropped our packs at the Alpine Club Hut, which | + | Tuesday. |
- | _ | + | Left the Salt Hut early, dropped our packs at the Alpine Club Hut, which is the highest in the region, at about 7,000 feet. Met three girl skiers there, one being an ex-mountaineering friend of Dot's, Nan Scotney. We plugged up the snow to the crater lake, dirty and grey and bubbling in places, but that did not deter Duncan and Col Ferguson from having a swim in it and then throwing snow over each other to complete the torture. At this point poor old Johnny Loganberry sank down on the snow unable or unwilling to move, complaining of a pain which we diagnosed as a torn diaphragm, a ruptured liver, or a strangulated bowel caused by his mighty straining efforts to break the long-jump record the previous day. We covered him up with parkas and jumpers and left him asleep on the snow while we proceeded to the summit. |
- | is the highest in the region, at about 7,000 feet. Met three girl skiers there, | + | |
- | one being an ex-mountaineering friend of Dot's, Nan Scotney. We plugged up the snow to the crater lake, dirty and grey and bubbling in places, but that did not | + | Wednesday. |
- | deter Duncan and Col Ferguson from having a swim in it and then throwing snow over | + | We dug a mighty snow-cave-cum-igloo on the slope outside |
- | each other to complete the torture. At this point poor old Johnny Loganberry sank down on the snow unable or unwilling to move, complaining of a pain which we diagnosed as a torn diaphragm, a ruptured liver, or a strangulated bowel caused by his mighty straining efforts to break the long-jump record the previous day. We covered him up with parkas and jumpers and left him asleep on the snow while we proceeded to the summit. | + | |
- | Wednesday. We dug a mighty snow-cave-cum-igloo on the slopecutside | + | Had our evening meal at Salt Hut, collected our gear, and got down to the Chateau by 9 p m. to find John and catch the bus to National Park Station by 10. In the shelter hut at the camping ground we located our man, miraculously recovered, probably due to the presence of three young lasses from Brisbane, who were busy trying to make him eat. The treatment was successful and permanent. |
- | didn't come back to finish it as Nan invited us down for the aftemenn | + | |
- | In the shelter hut at the camping ground we located our man, miraculously recovered, probably due to the presence of three young lasses from Brisbane, who were busy-trying to make him eat. The treatment was successful and permanent. | + | Caught the bus to National Park Station |
- | Caught the bus to National Park Station | + | |
- | night train trip ever to Wellington. Just time to collect our luggage from the railway, buy ourselves some breakfast and board the interisland | + | At Lyttleton we were welcomed in to the wharf by the town band and clouds of wheeling seagulls. A train already waiting at the wharf took us up to Christchurch. The next leg of our trip was to be a week's instruction camp on mountaineering organised by Norm Hardie, of the N.Z.L.C., a noted Himalayan climber. He climbed Kangchenjunga with Evans' expedition and some of you will remember the talk he gave in Sydney |
- | Once aboard we found an alcove on the deck under the 5th starboard lifeboat, erected a barracade of suitcases and packs, got out our Sleeping | + | |
- | At Lyttleton we were welcomed in to the wharf by the town band and clouds of | + | We organised our camp at Addington Showground, 2 miles but of town. Spent Christmas |
- | wheeling seagulls. A train already waiting at the wharf took us up to Christchurch. | + | |
- | The next leg of our trip was to be a week's instruction camp on mountaineering organised by Norm Hardie, of the N.Z..L.C., a noted Himalayan climber. He climbed Kangchenjunga with Evans' expedition and some of you will remember the talk he | + | Left for Arthur' |
- | 17. | + | |
- | gave in Aydney | + | |
- | We organised our camp at Addington Showground, 2 miles but of town. Spent Christ- | + | |
- | mas in the gardens. No one in the gardens but ourselves and the ducks. Ate Christmas dinner on the lawn, then all fell asleep in the sun. Awoke to find the gardens | + | |
- | milling with people. | + | |
- | t. Left for Arthur' | + | |
- | welcomed by Putto and his team (who had flown over) and one of Colin' | + | |
- | stews. Spent a couple of hours haggling with Oscar Cob erger about equipment we | + | |
- | o needed to purchase from his expensive store. That night Norm Hardie gave us a lesson | + | |
- | on knot-tying, and a general talk on climbing technique, and Showed | + | |
- | N.Z. mountains. During the night, while all the camp was peacefully sleeping, there were a few noisy sorties (thump - thump - clump - clump in the stillness) which prompted Norm to remark next morning that he would like us to know there are no snakes in N.Z., so it is not necessary to put boots on every time you want to go | + | |
out for a drink of water. | out for a drink of water. | ||
- | Set out early next morning 15 miles to Crow Hut, our headqurters | + | |
- | Instruction Camp, A truck took our packs 6 miles down the road while we walked, | + | Set out early next morning 15 miles to Crow Hut, our headquarters |
- | then we met up with our gear and all loaded down to plimsol we straggled off on the hardest 9 mile bushwalk most of us had experienced - rocks and river beds, | + | and beech forest trails - and at last cast off our heavy loads at the snug little hut, about lunch time. |
- | and beech forest trails - and at last cast off our heavy loads at the snug little hut, about lunch time. Keith Renwick, who had accompanial | + | |
- | on with a Canadian friend of his, over Avalanche Peak and back to Arthur' | + | Keith Renwick, who had accompanied |
- | On the way up in the morning Norm had given us a demonstration in river crossing, all moving together in a line with linked arms and holding on to ice axes held horizontally at chest level. The heaviest man takes the upstream position and breaks the force of the water for the others sheltering in his lee. Nighty: | + | On the way up in the morning Norm had given us a demonstration in river crossing, all moving together in a line with linked arms and holding on to ice axes held horizontally at chest level. The heaviest man takes the upstream position and breaks the force of the water for the others sheltering in his lee. Mighty: |
- | No rest for the wicked! Our mobwere | + | No rest for the wicked! Our mob were expecting to rest after lunch but Norm had them up and away to a huge granite rock face opposite the hut for practice in rock climbing. |
- | The rest of the week as spent, in practicing all the tricks of the trade:- step- kicking up snow, step-cutting up icefalls, rescue work in crevasses, belaying and | + | |
- | saving, falling bods who would slip and scream " | + | The rest of the week was spent in practicing all the tricks of the trade: step kicking up snow, step-cutting up icefalls, rescue work in crevasses, belaying and saving falling bods who would slip and scream " |
- | ., curdling yells every time he launched himself into space that Norm finished up having to have a completely new nervous system installed at the end of the course. About the fourth day Heather and Ben staggered in having expected a 6-mile walk, not a l6-miler. | + | |
- | Only One wet day and as it occurred in the middle of a strenuous week it was very welcome as a rest day. | + | Only one wet day and as it occurred in the middle of a strenuous week it was very welcome as a rest day. |
We returned to Arthur' | We returned to Arthur' | ||
the walkers before they reached the hut - they were fooled by a road sign which read N.P. which they translated as No Parkas, so they sent off these necessary articles of apparel in their packs, alas: (All over N.Z. these signs N.P. tell you where you can't park.) | the walkers before they reached the hut - they were fooled by a road sign which read N.P. which they translated as No Parkas, so they sent off these necessary articles of apparel in their packs, alas: (All over N.Z. these signs N.P. tell you where you can't park.) | ||
Line 333: | Line 338: | ||
come through the holes in the roof. | come through the holes in the roof. | ||
- | Next morning as Queenstown didn't look too alluring under a grey sky, we headed off immediately for Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakitipu. The trip up the lake in the " | + | Next morning as Queenstown didn't look too alluring under a grey sky, we headed off immediately for Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakitapu. The trip up the lake in the " |
(To be continued). | (To be continued). |
196002.txt · Last modified: 2016/01/21 08:57 by kennettj