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Federation representatives informed us that Mr. Lang of Bindook, althouEh he might have good reasons for not wanting the road on the stock route through his property used, since he maintained it himself, had no right to deny access. He was to call on the local Pastures Protection Board and discuss the matter. | Federation representatives informed us that Mr. Lang of Bindook, althouEh he might have good reasons for not wanting the road on the stock route through his property used, since he maintained it himself, had no right to deny access. He was to call on the local Pastures Protection Board and discuss the matter. | ||
- | A letter from the State Youth Policy Advisory Committee (Chairman, Judge Adrian Curlewis) was discussed by the meeting. The Committee wanted one or more represertatives | + | A letter from the State Youth Policy Advisory Committee (Chairman, Judge Adrian Curlewis) was discussed by the meeting. The Committee wanted one or more representatives |
Brian Harvey informed us that he had find a buyer prepared to give £10 for our old 3 1/4" slide projector, and sought the meeting' | Brian Harvey informed us that he had find a buyer prepared to give £10 for our old 3 1/4" slide projector, and sought the meeting' | ||
Line 91: | Line 91: | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | 5. | + | =====Ben Ricketts Revisited.===== |
- | BIT,fliEiTS | + | |
- | ..... | + | - Kath McKay. |
- | Five years since I had been there, and whnt e' | + | |
- | Our party of seven arrived late on a Friday night, but Peter was up to welcome us, though. Ray had gone to bed. We drove thr, | + | Five years since I had been there, and what changes |
- | The bigger | + | |
- | party bunked in the smaller cabin, but foregathered with us for meals, and we all srt | + | Our party of seven arrived late on a Friday night, but Peter was up to welcome us, though Ray had gone to bed. We drove through |
- | dawn for a cuppa before turning in. There was a slight hitch because someone had | + | |
- | forgotten to press down the button on the electric jug and the poor thing could not boil, but the matter was soon adjusted. | + | The bigger |
- | There was also an alarm in the midst of supper, caused by swallows roosting on | + | |
- | the verandah. Being self-respecting birds, they had been in bed some hours and natura, | + | There was also an alarm in the midst of supper, caused by swallows roosting on the verandah. Being self-respecting birds, they had been in bed some hours and naturally |
- | off the verandah light- One swallow promptly darted through a two-inch aperture | + | |
- | at the top of the window and swooped wildly about the room. "Etch man cover his tea:" was the command, and by a masterstroke of strntegy | + | After a pleasantly warm night, how luxurious it was to lie abed while John White, bounding with energy, brought us a cup of tea and started |
- | After a pleasantly warm night, how luxurious it was to lie abed while John White, bounding with energy, brought us a cup of tea and stnrted | + | |
- | There was an early contretemps with the refrigerator, | + | There was an early contretemps with the refrigerator, |
- | How could it? It was plugged in to a plaque that had two power. points, and the vacant one had been switched on. However, the meat sarvived ftzl no ' | + | |
- | The men of the party were most willing | + | The men of the party were most willing |
- | of cutlery and the grey mouse (steel wool) lay star-scattered on the grass; but these were mere details. | + | |
- | Saturday was a trifle hazy but fine. Mellifluous tinklings filled the air as the goats walked in procession | + | Saturday was a trifle hazy but fine. Mellifluous tinklings filled the air as the goats walked in procession |
- | The trees had grown amazingly in Alex Colley' | + | |
- | 6. | + | The trees had grown amazingly in Alex Colley' |
- | Ilpy and Paddy Pallin were at their Shack and they and Ray accompanied our party on a picnic to Carrington Falls. We visited the Barren Grounds and saw the aOmirable | + | |
- | On to Carrington Falls, and prowled out looking at the rue hint -water there and in a natural swimming pool hidden away in the trees. After lunch (yes: it was Paddy who saw that the fire was put out) we drove to the Belmore Falls, seeing them firt from the west and then from a lookout a mile or so away on the east. They are most spectacular, | + | May and Paddy Pallin were at their shack and they and Ray accompanied our party on a picnic to Carrington Falls. We visited the Barren Grounds and saw the admirable |
- | One of the cars needed some petrol, so we all drove to Robertson, | + | |
- | We were in'time to see Ray's evening ritual of Milking | + | On to Carrington Falls, and prowled out looking at the rushing |
- | At night, armed with cups (to save washing up supper things, as Ray said) a couple staying at the biggest cabin and all of us assembled at the ages', and Paddy Pallin showed his Slides | + | |
- | On Sunday the rain held off well, although clouds walked the mountains. The rest of our party, with Paddy and Trigger, | + | One of the cars needed some petrol, so we all drove to Robertson, |
- | The wanderers returned at lunch time and we ate and packed up leisurely. | + | |
- | The homeward journey of Vince Aitken?'s BlueGum - Granrf. C117.7on | + | We were in time to see Ray's evening ritual of milking |
- | Ron Kennealy must have found the Blackheath cold unbearable - stopped too long for a warmer, and missed the train. Rum shows | + | |
- | Overheard in the " | + | At night, armed with cups (to save washing up supper things, as Ray said) a couple staying at the biggest cabin and all of us assembled at the Pages', and Paddy Pallin showed his slides |
- | on a cattle track . well, I haVen't often been given a wrong steer | + | |
- | 7 | + | On Sunday the rain held off well, although clouds walked the mountains. The rest of our party, with Paddy and Trigger, went off to view the Gerringong Falls, but as this involved a walk of three miles I stayed at home and had a good gossip with Ray and May. The others told me that there was no railing at Gerringong Falls, and Trigger was much upset when Eric Adcock |
- | RflEFdTTA. | + | |
+ | The wanderers returned at lunch time and we ate and packed up leisurely. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | The homeward journey of Vince Aitken' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ron Kennealy must have found the Blackheath cold unbearable - stopped too long for a warmer, and missed the train. Rum show! | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Overheard in the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Rare Fauna.===== | ||
The Fauna Protection Panel' | The Fauna Protection Panel' | ||
- | Section 20 of the Fauna Protection ACt provides that any protected fauna may from time to time be proclaimed as "Rare Fauna" | ||
- | If any person takes or kills or attempts to take or 7d.11 any proclaimed Rare | ||
- | Fauna he is guilty of an offence whidh carries a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds or to imprisonment for a term net exceeding six months, or to both such penalty and imprisonnent. | ||
- | The Fauna Protection Panel considers that any animal proclaimed Rare Fauna requires special efforts for its conservation and in consecluence hns selected the birds r f.nd mammals listed below.- | ||
- | BIRDS. | ||
- | Red-crowned Pigeon (Ptilinopas | ||
- | Plains Wanderer (Pedionomus tornuatas) _Gould Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptcra) Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchellus) Bourke Parrot (NeopheMa bourkii). | ||
- | Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans) | ||
- | Scarlet-chested Parrot (NeophemA splendid a) Blue-winged Parrot (Neophema ch/ | ||
- | Topknot Pigeon (Iopholaimus antarticus) Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca) Australian Dotterel (Peltohyas australis) Painted-Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) Pied Goose (Lnseranas semipaimata) Plum-headed Finch (Aidemosyne modesta) Squatter Peon (Phaps scripta) | ||
- | Brolga (Grus rubicundus) | ||
- | Spotted Bower-bird (Chlamydera maculata) Paradise Rifle-bird (Ptiloris paradiseus) Harlequin (Flocli) Pigeon (Phaps histrionica) Superb Lyrebird (Menura superba) | ||
- | Prince Albert Lyrebird (Hamra alberti) Loman or Malice Fowl (Leipoa ocellata) Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) | ||
- | ustard or Plain Turkey (Eupodotis australis) Nbmpoo Pigeon (Megaloprepia magnifica) Purple-crowned Pigeon (Ptilinopus regina) ' | ||
- | Paradise Parrot (Psephotut pulcherrimus) | ||
- | 8. | ||
- | RARE FAUNA _(Cont' | ||
- | 112118L' | ||
- | Native- Cat (Dasyuras gaol') | ||
- | Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis) Long-nosed Rat-kangaroo (Potorous tridactylus) Rufous Pot-kangaroo (Lepyprymnus rufescen.$) Bridled Nail-tail liVallaby (Ork-rchogales fraensta) Brush-tailed Rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale zanthopus) Parma. Wallaby (Protemnodun parma) | ||
- | Black-striped Wallaby (Protemnodon dorsalis) Pigmy Marsupial Mouse (ntechinus maculatus) Southern Planigale (Planigale tenuirostris) Eastern Jerboa-marsupial (iintechinorx, | ||
- | Short-nosed Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) | ||
- | Pigmy Possum (Cercaertus nanas) | ||
- | Koala (Fhascolarctus cinereus) | ||
- | 114Thiptail or Pretty-face 7Tallaby (: | ||
- | Monotremes: | ||
- | Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) | ||
- | Spiny :irt-eater (Tachyglossus aculeatus). | ||
- | 'NEL IT COME TO THIS ? ? | ||
- | a | ||
- | 13:* | ||
- | J't :11 . | + | Section 20 of the Fauna Protection Act provides that any protected fauna may from time to time be proclaimed as "Rare Fauna". |
- | HEALTH FOOD SHOP GiviVEGETARIAN Ct\F | + | |
- | FROSTY MORNINGS CA L FOR | + | If any person takes or kills or attempts to take or kill any proclaimed Rare Fauna he is guilty of an offence which carries a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds or to imprisonment for a term net exceeding six months, or to both such penalty and imprisonment. |
- | HOT CEREAL S | + | |
- | NUGRIST GRANOLA WEETBIX TERRY' | + | The Fauna Protection Panel considers that any animal proclaimed Rare Fauna requires special efforts for its conservation and in consequence has selected the birds and mammals listed below.- |
- | MILK ECONOMILK | + | |
- | 13 HUNTER ST SYDNEY. BYs11725. | + | __Brids.__ |
- | 'CROSS THE COLO. | + | |
+ | Red-crowned Pigeon (Ptilinopas regina), Plains Wanderer (Pedionomus tornuatas), Gould Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptcra), | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Mammals.__ | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Marsupials: | ||
+ | Native Cat (Dasyuras quoll), Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis), Long-nosed Rat-kangaroo (Potorous tridactylus), | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Monotremes: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), Spiny Ant-eater (Tachyglossus aculeatus). | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====='Cross The Colo.===== | ||
- Jim Brown. | - Jim Brown. | ||
- | (The first part of this walk can be followed on the St. Alban' | ||
- | One overcast Sunday in November 1958 a party led by Alex Colley stood at the top of a ridge rising from the Colo, just north of Boorai Creek, and about six miles downstream from the point where the Capertee River and Wollerie Creek blend their waters to give birth to the Colo. Loobt ng across to the west, beyond the Colo Valley, one could see several fairly prominent tops, and away beyond some mountains, obviously higher still. We conjectured whether the shaggy skyline was the tall wooded basalt crown of Mount Cameron, on the long ridge running north from Bell to a point above Newnes. We also discussed whether several of the steep creeks draining in from the west side of the Colo immediately opposite would " | ||
- | I thought ore of them certainly would play: and immediately the germ of an idea which I had harboured for several years before began to take possession of me. I wanted to go west from the Colo, over the' | ||
- | the basalt crests of Tambo Limb and Cameron, and then out - to Newnes -to Lithgow. | ||
- | 10. | ||
- | It didn't really matter. Or did it? Once one breuEht a ce,r up the Putty-Singleton Road and parked near Culoul Range, it would be sonsisble to c6me back to it. Well, then, on from Cameron to the Pine Forest rea,d; down to Newnes, over the ep to | ||
- | Glen Davis, down the Capertee, up Grassy Hill, north to Uraterer Mountain, and back out to the Putty Road somewhere north from Culoul. Make it a round trip. Wait, though: That was getting up around 120 miles - some of it, perhaps 30%, in slow, roighish scrub pushing country. Take a week - six days if all vent well. | ||
- | Nhich was why 2i years and many gallons of Colo water flowed past before parked on a side track off the Putty Road one April morning, took a cup of thermos tea, locked the car and hoped it would remain undamaged far a week, and pushed off along the timber road on Culoul in weather 80% unfavourable. | ||
- | It was misty- and drizzling: visibility perhaps 100 yards, and in a matter of four miles I had to take to the scrub, but one could always hope it would take up. When I came to the point of adieu to the deteriorating trail it was only 8.0 a. in., and still pretty bad, and in the saturated vegetation I was soaked to the hips in five minutes. There are vestiges of a trail for arother 3 ar 4 miles out to a | ||
- | richly grassed basalt hill, and the l hours over that stage was just enough to work the oracle. The rain stopped, the mind rose to a mild breeze, and watery streaks of blue broke through the clouds. There was visibility, and I was still on the ridge followed by Alex. | ||
- | Feeling that my...valour in starting in such wretched conditions bad earned a reward, I plodded on, catching a first glimpse of the Colo at 11.0 a m., but not reaching the top above Boorai Creek for another hour. Then the still wet scrub, richly laced with clinging vines, so hampered the descent that I didn't reach the river until 1.0 p m. However, I was on schedule - lunch at the Colo. There a snap shower, blowing out of an almost clear sky, caught me (literally and | ||
- | metaphorically) with my pants down, | ||
- | as I was wringing out the legs, With | ||
- | my gear Strewn all over a sand bar. | ||
- | Target for the afternoon was the western tops of the valley and maybe a mile or so towards Barrakee. I resumed at 2.0 p m, and tried the first creek - upstream. Some time later I was -Wring the second (and very trying it was), and at about 5.30 (my watch stopped after a sudden immersion) I was camping in an overhang same 90 ft. above the river: very dirty and sweaty despite several showers; quite saturated myself from pools and waterfalls, and with several precious bits of shin rubbed off elbows and hands and legs - my gear all Slightly moistened from being hauled up a small waterfall - before I discovered the impossible one higher up. I daresay any competent rock climber mould make short work of either creek, but a solo walker who | ||
- | U. | ||
- | FOR ALL YOUR TRAMPOR.T FROM BLACKTEATI1 | ||
- | CONTACT | ||
- | HATSINELL' | ||
- | RIIG, MITE, VIRE CE?, Ci:eLL | ||
- | ARC HOUR - DA OR NIGHT | ||
- | ' | ||
- | SP 5 or 8 PASSENClai. Cia:ZS IIV:ATTAttE | ||
- | LARGE OR STL:LLI aRTIES CZ;TEP,,ED FOR | ||
- | . FLIRES: KALLTZRel liVALLS 30/- per had (minimum 5 3.YAssengers) | ||
- | PERRY' 3 Loon= 3/_. IT n 71 t! IT | ||
- | JEN01.21.14 ST.414,TE FOREST 20/- " TI IT !I !I | ||
- | C.i.A3LON' | ||
- | 1 | ||
+ | (The first part of this walk can be followed on the St. Alban' | ||
+ | One overcast Sunday in November 1958 a party led by Alex Colley stood at the top of a ridge rising from the Colo, just north of Boorai Creek, and about six miles downstream from the point where the Capertee River and Wollerie Creek blend their waters to give birth to the Colo. Looking across to the west, beyond the Colo Valley, one could see several fairly prominent tops, and away beyond some mountains, obviously higher still. We conjectured whether the shaggy skyline was the tall wooded basalt crown of Mount Cameron, on the long ridge running north from Bell to a point above Newnes. We also discussed whether several of the steep creeks draining in from the west side of the Colo immediately opposite would " | ||
+ | |||
+ | I thought ore of them certainly would play: and immediately the germ of an idea which I had harboured for several years before began to take possession of me. I wanted to go west from the Colo, over the near hump of Mount Barrakee, west to the basalt crests of Tambo Limb and Cameron, and then out - to Newnes - to Lithgow. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It didn't really matter. Or did it? Once one brought a car up the Putty-Singleton Road and parked near Culoul Range, it would be sensible to come back to it. Well, then, on from Cameron to the Pine Forest road; down to Newnes, over the gap to Glen Davis, down the Capertee, up Grassy Hill, north to Uraterer Mountain, and back out to the Putty Road somewhere north from Culoul. Make it a round trip. Wait, though! That was getting up around 120 miles - some of it, perhaps 30%, in slow, roughish scrub pushing country. Take a week - six days if all vent well. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Which was why 2 1/2 years and many gallons of Colo water flowed past before I parked on a side track off the Putty Road one April morning, took a cup of thermos tea, locked the car and hoped it would remain undamaged for a week, and pushed off along the timber road on Culoul in weather 80% unfavourable. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was misty and drizzling: visibility perhaps 100 yards, and in a matter of four miles I had to take to the scrub, but one could always hope it would take up. When I came to the point of adieu to the deteriorating trail it was only 8.0 a.m., and still pretty bad, and in the saturated vegetation I was soaked to the hips in five minutes. There are vestiges of a trail for another 3 or 4 miles out to a richly grassed basalt hill, and the l 1/2 hours over that stage was just enough to work the oracle. The rain stopped, the wind rose to a mild breeze, and watery streaks of blue broke through the clouds. There was visibility, and I was still on the ridge followed by Alex. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Feeling that my valour in starting in such wretched conditions had earned a reward, I plodded on, catching a first glimpse of the Colo at 11.0 a.m., but not reaching the top above Boorai Creek for another hour. Then the still wet scrub, richly laced with clinging vines, so hampered the descent that I didn't reach the river until 1.0 p.m. However, I was on schedule - lunch at the Colo. There a snap shower, blowing out of an almost clear sky, caught me (literally and metaphorically) with my pants down, as I was wringing out the legs, with my gear strewn all over a sand bar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Target for the afternoon was the western tops of the valley and maybe a mile or so towards Barrakee. I resumed at 2.0 p.m, and tried the first creek upstream. Some time later I was trying the second (and very trying it was), and at about 5.30 (my watch stopped after a sudden immersion) I was camping in an overhang same 50 ft. above the river: very dirty and sweaty despite several showers; quite saturated myself from pools and waterfalls, and with several precious bits of skin rubbed off elbows and hands and legs - my gear all slightly moistened from being hauled up a small waterfall - before I discovered the impossible one higher up. I daresay any competent rock climber mould make short work of either creek, but a solo walker who doesn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | I think the thing that stiffened my resolve to try other avenues was the discovery during the night that my watch had dried out and was plugging on again. In the misty dawn of the second day I set the time by guesswork (and found later I was out by 7 minutes). Over breakfast I looked at the situation with refreshed eyes. It seemed to me that the ridge between the second and third creeks " | ||
+ | |||
+ | At 6.50 I set out to try it. An obliging series of zig-zag shelves carried me high over the river, and 8.l5 finally saw me right on top, perhaps 1500' above the yellow ribbon of river - practically a "walk up". | ||
+ | |||
+ | The going became normal ridge top stuff - some cloying vegetation about feet and legs (long pants vital). It was thicker in some spots - usually the sheltered side of knolls and the south side of saddles, but it allowed the fairly standard rate of 1 1/2 m.p.h. in Labyrinthine going, and brought me to a little rocky knob just north west of Barrakee at 11.0 a.m. I expected a basalt top, but Barrakee is pure sandstone: not so Tambo Limb, almost 1000' higher and some 7 or 8 miles west, the next target. Even from Barrakee I could pick the classic basalt crown formation. | ||
+ | |||
+ | West from Barrakee for several miles the ridge was wider and the vegetation fairly open. I took a dry lunch, and worked on steadily, purely on map and compass and "dead reckoning" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then I found "the track" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Somewhere upon the ridge top my will o' the wisp track rejoined me, so I followed it again, and once again came to a valley flowing north - a steep rocky one this time. Not so good! There was higher ground on my left, and from that I should be able to view Tambo, so, with some imprecation about misleading tracks, I clawed my way uphill. Still no view of Tambo. There was a big wooded hill west of me - but not the characteristic hump I had looked at half an hour earlier. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Higher again. Now the ridges were falling away below, gold and blue in the afternoon. But agitation - now I could see west and south - I was practically at the top of the hill and I couldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | That night, Saturday, was fine and dewy, the only really fine night during the whole trip, but in the hour it took me to top Mount Cameron next morning my longs were again well soaked with damp scrub and it was a relief to get into shorts for the first time at the grassy top of Cameron. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This is, I believe, the loveliest of mountains, not because of the view from it, though that is extensive in some directions. It is a high park-like expanse, covered with short, improbably-greengrass under tall straight forest. In the brilliant morning sunlight I dawdled over this verdant summit, thinking pleasantly satisfying thoughts about the almost untouched country I had traversed to get there, and I was almost sorry to start down the north west ridge to the hut and the beginning of the trail. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The one-time stockmen' | ||
+ | |||
+ | After the bush bash of the two previous days Sunday was almost a rest day as I track-walked towards Newnes, first along the old railway formation and later on a bush fire trail which uses the old line, complete with cuttings, embankments and the upper tunnel. The road ended just above the Glow Worm Tunnel, and as the brilliant day had clouded over and there was a threat of rain, I stopped at 5.10 p.m. just beyond the Glow Worm Tunnel, where there is a generous overhang surrounded by tree ferns, and resounding with running water. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Despite the lush greenery and the running creek outside, I found the overhang surprisingly dry ,and comfortable, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Towards dawn I was aroused by a loud crash, and fancied at first I was dreaming; when I went on at 6.40, pushing through wet tree ferns along the old railway in a gentle rainfall, I found a tree had been undermined by the night' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Down at the point where one leaves the old railway to join the Newnes Road I paused, and in a low tide of spirit, found an overhang, stopped and brewed some tea. In fact I holed up there for a couple of hours, weighing the possibilities and the wisdom of going on. I had already done the first and more venturesome part of the trip; the part which to my knowledge had not been covered by walkers. The rest of the way would include some new ground for me, but it was not so vital in my scheme of things. Here I could retreat easily up the road to Lithgow and - well, then I could work out how to recover the car. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Of course the rain eased at ten o' | ||
+ | |||
+ | High up there on the divide, which most offer some fine views if there' | ||
+ | |||
+ | I had been warned that the track down the Capertee side is rather grown over. It assuredly is when you tackle it in searching rain. At times it was not easy to say which is the trail, and which the bed of the gully, and dripping, scrub was overhanging it or them. So it took longer than it should to take the descent, and it was almost 4.0 p.m. when I came to the clear fields above the remains of the shale mining town of Glen Davis. | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Day Walks.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | [Page 15 missing] | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Off The Record.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Says Taro. | ||
+ | |||
+ | [Page 15 missing] | ||
+ | |||
+ | the light chap for 2 years, and coaxed him back to the health to do this walk AND - he had both feet and hands in the grave. And the charge - NIXIE. Tell this to your posh friends in Macquarie Street. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is a great and moving story with four foundation stones to remind us - Comm. Bank - East West Railway. Canberra - Aust. House in London, and in not one any great building or monument or tiny suburban street is the name of O' | ||
+ | |||
+ | How wise was the mind that coined this "Happy is the man who expects nothing - for he shall not be disappointed!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here is a little side scrap that blows a chill wind on the he-manity of the bush game. I was admiring a certain amber tent with alumin poles - and noticed the half-dozen cords were minus adjusting cleats, which allow pegs to be placed in most favourable spots. I scoffed at this omission, and then war broke out. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The owners - a M.C. (Imp.) tore into me - ROT! unnecessary weight to carry round - you must watch the ounces. When I recovered - tattered and bleeding - I swore I would weigh mine when I got home. Shade of Hercules - your attention please - I wish to announce these cleats are 10 to the oz! | ||
- | 10 WILL BE PLEASED TO IZJOT 7 TRIPS OR SPECL' | ||
- | doesn' | ||
- | I think the thing that stiffened my resolve to try other avenues was the discovery during t,.12e night that my watch had dried out and. was plugging on again. In the misty dawn of the econd day I set the time by guesswork (and found later I was out by 7 minutes). Over brealdast I looked at, the situation with refreshed eyes. It seed to me that the ridge between the second. and third creeks " | ||
- | At 6.50 I set out to try it. An obliging series of zig-zag shelves carried me high aver the river, and 8 l5 finally saw me riE,hb on top, perhaps 1500' above the yellow ribbon of river - practically a "walk up" | ||
- | The going became normal ridge top stuff - some cloying vegetation about feet arri legs (long -oanbs vital). It was thicker in some spots - usually the sheltered side of ', | ||
- | West from Barrakee for seveial miles the ridge was iiTider and the vegetation fairly open. I took a cbcy lunch, and worked on steadily, purely on map and compass and "dead reckoning" | ||
- | 12. | ||
- | Then I faanduthe track" | ||
- | Somewhere upon the ridge top my will o' the wisp track rejoined me, so I T. followed it again, and once again came to a valley flowing north- - rt steep rocky one this time. Not so good: There was higher ground on my left, and from thrAt.I should be able to view Tambo, so, with some imprecation about misleading tracks, I clawed my way uphill. Still no view of TaMbo. There was a big wooded hill west of me - but not the characteristic hump I had looked at half an hour earlier. | ||
- | Higher again. Now the ridges were falling away below, gold and blue in the afternoon. But agitation - now I could see west and south - I was practically at the top of the hill and I couldn' | ||
- | That night, Saturday, was fine and dvwy, the only really fine night during the *hole trip, but in the hair it took me to top Mount Cameron next morning my longs were again well soaked with damp scrub and it was a relief to get into shorts for the first time at the grassy top of Oameron. | ||
- | This is, I believe, the loveliest of mountains, not because of the view from it, though that is extensive in some directions. It is a high park-like expanse, covered with short, improbably-greengrass under tall straight forest. In the | ||
- | brilliant morning sunlight I dawdled over this verdant summit, thinking pleasantly satisfying thoughts about the almost untouched country I had traversed to get there, andlI was almost sorry to start dawn the north west ridge to the hut and the beginn, of the trail. | ||
- | The one-time stockmen' | ||
- | Forest Road. Thereabouts I noted that the carefully pletnte pines seemed to have | ||
- | been thoroughly killed off by the fires of 1957-8, and P fine crop of eucalypts is growing. | ||
- | After the bush bash of the two previous days Sunday was almost a rest day as | ||
- | I track-walked towards Newnes, first along the old railway forTntion and later on a bush fire trail which uses the old line, complete with cuttings, embankments and the upper tunnel. The road ended just above the Glow Worm Tunnel, and as the brilliant day had clouded over and there was a threat of rain, I stopped at 5.10 p m. just beyond the Glow Worm Tunnel, where there is a generous overhang surrounded by tree ferns, and resounding with running water. | ||
- | Despite the lush greenery and the running creek outside, I found the overhang | ||
- | 0017, | ||
- | Wt | ||
- | ON FINDINC YOUR WAY. | ||
- | PA*" | ||
- | The early walkers had no maps and felt their way with compass, chronometer and axe. As a result of their endeavours maps were gradually produced in the following years. As every bushwalker knows maps are of varying degrees of helpfulness and in brand new country where no detailed map exists the intrepid alker uses much the same system as the pioneers. | ||
- | Paddy has alwayS kept on the ball with the developncert of new maps and it may be helpful to bushwalkers to know what is available. | ||
- | lit ar7 Maps: All produced maps in the following scales :- | ||
- | 1" to 1 mile; 4. miles to 1", 1 in 250,000, in 50,000. Priced at 5/- each. | ||
- | nterstate Military Maps available to order. | ||
- | ands De artment Tourist, Maps: | ||
- | art Hacking, The New Blue Maintains Map, HI., | ||
- | iver, North East, South East, Central Northern and entral Southern Tourist Maps. 4/- each. | ||
- | iketch Ma s produced by Bushwallmrs for Bushwalkers: | ||
- | dd a " | ||
- | f any of you find your way as far south as Oooma you 11 find a new Paddy Pallin Camp Gear and Ski Shop | ||
- | n the main street. Call in and meet the Manager - avid Lorimer - and his wife, Molly. Hot coffoe on e house during the ski season. | ||
- | PADDY PAWN [3: | ||
- | Lightweight Camp Gear | ||
- | 201 CASTLE REACH St SYDN EY | ||
- | BM2685 | ||
- | " | ||
- | 14. | ||
- | surprisingly' | ||
- | Nhen it was thoroughly dark I found there were glowworms on parts of the overhang as well as inside the Tunnel. | ||
- | Towards dawn I was aroused by a loud crash, and fancied at first I was dreamin; when I went on at 6.40, pushing through wet tree ferns along the old railway in a gentle rainfall, I found a tree had been undermined 1y the night' | ||
- | past the cliffs, the sliy was completely closed in. | ||
- | Down at: the point where one leaves | ||
- | the old railway to join the Newnes Road | ||
- | I paused., and in a low tide of spirit, | ||
- | found an overhang, stopped and brewed some tea. In fact I holed up there for a couple of hours, weighing the possibilities and the -wisdom of going on. I had already done the first and more venturesome part of the trip; the part which to my knowledge had not been covered by walkers. The rest of the way would include some new ground for me, but it was not so vital in my scheme of things. Here I could retreat easily up the road to Lithgow and - well, then I could work out how to recover the car. | ||
- | Of course the rain eased at ten o' | ||
- | High up there on the divide, which most offer some fine views if there' | ||
- | I had been warned that the track down the Capertee side is rather grown over. It assuredly is When you tackle it in searching rain. At times it was not easy to say which is the trail, and which the bed of the gully, and dripping, scrub was overhanging it or them, So it took longer than it should to take the descent, and it was almost 4.0 P.m. when I came to the clear fields above the remains of the shale mining town of Glen Davis. | ||
- | TIE BIWILliai WALKS | ||
- | Don Matthews. | ||
- | " | ||
- | then", said he. "No, NY, I quavered. "I mean that 8.30's too early" | ||
- | said Snow, " | ||
- | By $.30 we were just finishing breakfast and thinking abcut -Dacking. By | ||
- | 9 o' | ||
- | " | ||
- | Dot had visions of this being a walk but was ]-2, | ||
- | The Glow Wormtunnel | ||
- | it had a horribly sloping floor quite unexcavatable, | ||
- | At Breakfast time there was same disturbing talk about "Mat will we do today" which meant Climbing onto the plateau again and finding our way back to the tunnel. With visions of Annie Rowan' | ||
- | looked the most promising, and to my great relief Snow declared that that was the one he'd had in. mind. So we clambered into the gully and what did we find but the remain) of a pipeline and a graded track -which headed in the right direction. A mile or so later the track rose to a rocky eminence and we could look Westwards into a wide dee-o gully filled with fantastic shapes of rock. | ||
- | It looked horribly rugged and the rocky 7Darria3s were quite frightening. "Vil bet you a milkshake" | ||
- | ducked in and out of little valleys until it r.,achee the level plateau again, and aft about 7 miles reached Deane' s siding and the main (railway) track. So we turned North and followed the fascinating succession of cuttings and enabuniments bac to the | ||
- | Glow Worm Tunnel.. | ||
- | Er On the way we tried to pick cit the route of our morning 's walk and it now srees | ||
- | pretty clear that we had followed up the old road built by the Commenweplth Oil | ||
- | Corporation in 1906. This road (also known as the Old Coach Road) " | ||
- | 16. | ||
- | the light chap for 2 years, and coaxed him back to the health to do this walk AND - he had both feet and hands in the grave. And the charge - NEM. Tell this to your posh friends in Macquarie Street. | ||
- | It is a great and moving stor,y- with four fourriatim stones to remind us - Comm. Bank - East West Railway. Canberra - Lust. House in London, and in not one any great building or monument or tiny suburban street is t.!: name of WI/Talley to be found. | ||
- | How wise was the mind that coined -birds " | ||
- | . .......... | ||
- | Here is a little side scrap that blows a chill wincl on the ho-manity of the bush game. I was admiring a certain amber tent with alunain poles - and noticed the half-dozen cords were minus adjusting cleats, wiich allow pegs to be placed in most favourable spots. I scoffed at omission, and then war broke rut. | ||
- | The owners - a M.C. (Imp.) tore into me - ROT! unnc.-, | ||
To quote from " | To quote from " | ||
- | All the ussios | + | |
- | Maybe O.K. when old age pounces, | + | All the ussies |
- | But the only way to keep that at bay | + | Maybe O.K. when old age pounces,\\ |
+ | But the only way to keep __that__ | ||
Is to take all you want - smile - and away! | Is to take all you want - smile - and away! | ||
- | JUW 30 - JULY 1 - 2 | ||
- | JULY 7-8-9 | ||
- | Junction of' Lett River and &axis River - along Cox's to the Six- foot track - Devil' | ||
- | A fairly long and solid walk covering all types of Cox River walki_nE and scenery (good flat walking, scrambling, rock hopping, wading). Varied river scenery includes the rugged granite boulders rand troughs of the Billy Healy- Gibraltar Creek section. | ||
- | Maps: K..atoomba Military. | ||
- | Leader: Alan Round. | ||
- | Katoomba. - Narrow Neck - Splendour Rock - alortr- - | ||
- | In 1948, a plaque was placed at S1-)lenur 1Z-)cic on the southern tip of Mount, Dingo "In memory of 3ushwalkerth Who fell in World War II. Their Splendour shall never fade.:" | ||
- | Splendour Rock is in the heart of the Blue Mountains and the views of the Gangerang and Kanangra D.47.,es are rinErnificent. Medium walld nE, largely on tracks. | ||
- | Map: Myles Du nphy's ?Gangerangl Map. | ||
- | Leader: Roy Craggs. | ||
- | lg. | ||
- | miles from liewnes Junction, -whence it f --,,scended to the | ||
- | crossed. the future rrd1,1:7- location at the 26i mile | ||
- | 4 River to join the Wolurn G road at a 7point P fey | ||
- | seems likely that thi a roa was reopene.:' | ||
- | Therefore, I think Snow won the milkshake, but unless he rae s this he 7)robab1-:7 won't. wake up. | ||
- | JULY 14,15-16 Kanangra Dione' | ||
- | An area not often visited but deserving more attention. The rugged gorge scenery is aptly described by Myles Dunphy' | ||
- | This trip atplores the heart of the area. | ||
- | (Note that Day Walks along the tops of the area are possible from the Kanancra Road - Myles Chasm can be viewed from Mt. Pindari and the top of Diane Falls is fairly easily reached.) | ||
- | Maps: Myles Dumhy' | ||
- | Leader: Hilder. | ||
- | .=1..../... | ||
- | PADDY TALES TO THE SNONf MOUNTAINS ! | ||
- | We are pleased to report that Paddy Pallin has opened a shop at 57 Sharp Street, Cooma, in the ?Lower Snowy Mountains. Look far the sign "Paddy Pallin Lorimer Pty. Limited" | ||
- | The Club congratulates Paddy and his staff in this expansion and wishes them, and the Coama Manager, every success. | ||
- | ridge to a point abut 20 valley by a natural pass, post and forded the Wolgar above the townShip" | ||
- | CORRIGE1.0011. | ||
- | In the tense atmosphere of the Magazine, somehow the M..y copy Fot stapled idea to correct the date on 7foul:' | ||
- | . production of the Ma issue cf the | ||
- | into the JpiE covers. -JVIlht be a sood to ,rvoir. conf:usion. Sorry folks: | ||
- | COMILATULATIONS to oar ex-member Charlie Pryde, who attained his 80th birthday on Tuesday, 6th June. Good work: Charlie, keep those birthdays coming: | ||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |June 30 - July 1-2|Junction of Lett River and Cox's River - along Cox's to the Six- foot track - Devil' | ||
+ | |July 7-8-9|Katoomba - Narrow Neck - Splendour Rock - Megalong - Katoomba. In 1948, a plaque was placed at Splendour Rock on the southern tip of Mount Dingo "In memory of Bushwalkers who fell in World War II. Their Splendour shall never fade". Splendour Rock is in the heart of the Blue Mountains and the views of the Gangerang and Kanangra Ranges are magnificent. Medium walking, largely on tracks. Map: Myles Dunphy' | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Paddy Made==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====On Finding Your Way.==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The early walkers had no maps and felt their way with compass, chronometer and axe. As a result of their endeavours maps were gradually produced in the following years. As every bushwalker knows maps are of varying degrees of helpfulness and in brand new country where no detailed map exists the intrepid walker uses much the same system as the pioneers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paddy has always kept on the ball with the development of new maps and it may be helpful to bushwalkers to know what is available. | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Military Maps:__ All produced maps in the following scales :- 1" to 1 mile; 4 miles to 1", 1 in 250,000, 1 in 50,000. Priced at 5/- each. Interstate Military Maps available to order. | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Lands Department Tourist Maps:__ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Port Hacking, The New Blue Mountains Map, Hawkesbury River, North East, South East, Central Northern and Central Southern Tourist Maps. 4/- each. | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Sketch Maps__ produced by Bushwalkers for Bushwalkers: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Add a " | ||
+ | |||
+ | If any of you find your way as far south as Cooma you will find a new Paddy Pallin Camp Gear and Ski Shop in the main street. Call in and meet the Manager - David Lorimer - and his wife, Molly. Hot coffee on the house during the ski season. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paddy Pallin Pty. Ltd. Lightweight Camp Gear. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 201 Castlereagh St Sydney. BM2685 | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====The Baulker Walks.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Don Matthews. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | then", said he. "No, No", I quavered. "I mean that 8.30's too early" | ||
+ | said Snow, " | ||
+ | |||
+ | By 8.30 we were just finishing breakfast and thinking about packing. By 9 o' | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Dot had visions of this being a __walk__ but was persuaded that the Grose between Faulconbridge and Blue Gum wasn't much chop especially when going upstream, and settled for proposed picturesque lunch at Mt. Wilson and an exploration of the Glow Worm Tunnel area on the old Newnes railway route ... | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Glow Worm tunnel - 4 o' | ||
+ | |||
+ | At Breakfast time there was some disturbing talk about "What will we do today" which meant climbing onto the plateau again and finding our way back to the tunnel. With visions of Annie Rowan' | ||
+ | |||
+ | It looked horribly rugged and the rocky barriers were quite frightening. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | On the way we tried to pick out the route of our morning' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Therefore, I think Snow won the milkshake, but unless he reads this he probably won't wake up. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |July 14-15-16|Kanangra - Dione Dell - Middle Christy' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Paddy Takes To The Snowy Mountains!===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | We are pleased to report that Paddy Pallin has opened a shop at 57 Sharp Street, Cooma, in the Lower Snowy Mountains. Look far the sign "Paddy Pallin Lorimer Pty. Limited" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Club congratulates Paddy and his staff in this expansion and wishes them, and the Cooma Manager, every success. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Corrigendum.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the tense atmosphere of the production of the May issue of the Magazine, somehow the May copy got stapled in the June covers. Might be a good idea to correct the date on your last Mag. to avoid later confusion. Sorry folks! | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Congratulations to our ex-member Charlie Pryde, who attained his 80th birthday on Tuesday, 6th June. Good work, Charlie, keep those birthdays coming! |
196106.txt · Last modified: 2023/09/03 11:04 by sbw