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A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, The N.S.W. NITses? Association Rooms, “Northcote Building” , Reiby Place, Sydney Box No.4476 G.P.O., Sydney. 'Phone j1N1462. 320 AUGUST 1961. Price 1/- Editor: Don Matthews, 33 Pomona Street, Reproduction: Denise Hull Pennant Hills. W3514. Sales ex Subs.: Eileen Taylor Business Manager: Brian Harvey Typed by Jean Harvey. Illustrations by Helen Barrett. COLITE11-TS Editorial Social Notes Are You Above Average - Jack Gentle Some People Can Be Lucky - Jim Brown Hatswell's Tourist 62 Taxi Service Advortiselnent The lild-:fear Dance - by “Our Social Reporter' George) and Beyond - A Trilogy Windy Day for a Baulker - Don Matthews 9 Nt. King George aal Beyond - 21;nrie B. Byles (Reprint from 1939) 12 . Two Grose Valley curs ions - Edna Garrad 117-print from 1940) 15 Day Walks 17 There is a mountain gully briMmed with trees So old, so grandly tall, that there ITB giant tree-ferns clusterinz at their feet Seem frail as maidenhair, The sea-green moss is velvet underfoot, I look through sea-green air Upward to lace of leaves, and onwards still To see a sheer stream drop In silver curtains from the mountain top. I'll stay and watch the flying rainbows swoop About -bleat waterfall ath a friend who answers thought – Or nobody at all. Dorothea 111e,c1cellar. Page 2 4 5 0 Mt. Banks (King Part I. Part II. Part III 2. SOCIAL, EVEITTS. TO COME AUG-UST 16TH: Bill Beatty. 'Believe It or Not, in Austrelia:' AUGUST 23RD: Change of Programme. See Notice Board for detail 3. AUGUST 30T.H: Mr. Dunne will speak on The S.11.11.. Hydro Electric Scheme (film and lecture.) . PAST: JUNE 30TH: JULY 19Th: JUDY 26TH: Only 45 members attended the lad Year Dance, but had a wow of a tins. Regrettably the small numbers mean a financial loss. Mr. Chaffer showed films of bird life from National Park, the Atherton Tableland and the Macquarie marshes. The colour photography was first class, with exciting close ups of bird life. Medoers slide night was a lively. mixture. ,-ture. Of particular interest were Frank Leyden's Colo and Bungleboori gorges, and Alan Round's Ettrema and Danjera Creeks. New members John McCaffrey and John Colbran were welcomed at the July General_ Meeting. Stuart Brooks can no longer be contacted at 02000. Try JVv.4343. Don't miss your cony of THE 1961 BUSTTYVAL-OR now on sale. Price 3 shillins. (Published by the N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalidng Clubs.) This is the first of its kind since 1948 and, we hope, the first of a long line of successes We dips our lid to Editor Geof. Wagg (and to Federation and to the n-sr contributors) for this fine production. 48 pages of anecdote, information, maps, photographs and line drawings. OUT OF CHARACTER ! Alex Theakston, so the dailies would have it, staggered back to Thredbo after a snowbound night spent in a 'bush shelter' on the Main Range. The description might suit a Snow Raw, but it 's ha-dly possible of our man of steel. 3 This year's BUSH WALKERS' BALL will be BIGGER than ever biz-Fore!! B1GGEft RALLY No more witi Tu. 6e +Limed away ai the door ! _is tiear a FIVE piece!! BIGGER BAN)! FRIDAY 15Th SEPTEM ER '61 8-30-1-30 crt- PADDINGTON TOWN HPLL 211- [2/21— doi,thte AND TO TOP ALL A GLORIOUS TROPI-IY WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE BEST DECOITED TABLE 1 ? , t Ar q' 1”10\'“) i tfLej i( 'Y 'T ri il ,A..1 .. -lee.– - —-t,A it– —— - ,,,,v,,-…k, \r -7,-44r4r r . $ / S:.,s', A4,,4,,i,'-,1-Ar”.— &T/ \_: \\71ik…,2HV 1, , L' ,.,,,.,… L ) ce“:.$, ')Nr - r ';'. . -\-'- \.,.,..'A Li.. ARE YOU ABOVE AVERIDE? - Jack Gentle. lt 'a recent general meeting, one of our members of long standing and short stature bitterly_co lained that having passed_the age of three and twenty years, most people We' 1, :en off a ,Classxfle a di S,A1 - dY -,,,i -, ' 'r' nd , . , –, age, recent events have provided one or two pointers to the evolution of a new era of thought. On a day walk led by an “Ernest” gentleman, said to be of French axtrp ction, a particular ridge has to be climbed at its end. Of the party of 10 the average age of the only three who climbed the ridge Was 50. Taro was :=t great help to our cause and Robert Pallin lar-As keen tc help the younE! At a morhing bee at Era the average age was said to be 40 with little Robin Godfrey of 5 years doing her part in furthering the cause of the youngsters. Even the writer, on leading a recent trip to Splendour Rock - a jab that was rightly described by the Walks Secretary as easy - foumd that al though a base camp was made, a particular group remained at camp, and the “old hands”, who numbered seven but whose average age was 40 sallied fourth, in spite of the heavy rain and spent a most enjoyable day. May I conclude with a snippet from recent instructional first aid lecture: Prospective (young lady): I believe that a suitable potion may be made by boiling -wild cabbage leaves etc. etc. .. cturer se n: : I wouldn't knaw, Via supposed to be a First Aid man, not a ruddy witch doctor. Now test yotir ski 1: lins-wer-bne ',question only a-nd I aba belOW, aver'age 5C5-mnrh-.S. I am above average 50 merke. The winner receives free, one year's experience, 12 months from now. TM PRICE OF ADVENTURE. A character who recently went over Niagarn Falls in a steel and rubber barrel has been fined for not having a permit. 11… . _, .., _.,..,, - - - 4 Nevertheless; Cay Whi-ch. is ,Said' tb”:E.t.'et n sifter , ME PEOPLE C.:LLT TIE LUCnr. - Jim Brown. A many years ago when my beard was sandy (and not sprinkled with grey), I was told of a newly affianced couple who were alleged to have -walked hand in hand right down the Wingecarribee River from Joadja Creek:to the Wbllondilly. As I had not then been on the Wingecarribee I was not greatly impressed, and I can't understand why I remembered the rumour all these years. I now believe it to be apocryphal - at least vastly exaggerated - unless well, unless they found it easier to keep upright by holding hands. They are not the lucky people of the title of this tale: nor am I. Apart from a mild venture on the Upper Mingecarribee (hereafter abbreviated to Trbee) in the winter of 1947 I knew as little about it as 95% of current Club mebbers until August 1959, -when I was recovering from a bout of 'flu, _and the whole Wollondilly catchment was just getting over a minor flooding. Actually, I didn't plan to do mud hrbee that weekend, but Whein I came up the Mbllondilly I found I couldn't cross the flooding outlet of the Trbee, so started tentatively to follow it upstream along its northern bank. Nhen I finally scrambled out, six hours and four miles up, I ascribed the slow going to (a) weakness follow- ry influenza (b) the height of the river -which forbade crossing to easier going. In fact, while I acknowledged that the Vrbee can be rough, I didn't step up the classification beyond rough. During the following year I set down an official programme walk which read “Car to Joadja area, Mbee River, ffollendilly River, the Batteries, Irbee River” and claimed it to be 26 miles and rough. About a week before the scheduled date the junior part of our family was stricken down with mumps: having heard alarming tales of the disabling effect on adult victims, I reluctently cancelled the triP: the half dozen or so potential starters, people like myself of moderate physical capacity, are the lucky people of the story, even though they don't appear any further. Somewhere at the back of my mind was a lingering suspicion that the river really was Slow, hard going and to put it to the test, I went down again last March, on a weekend that was fine and cool and following a spell of pleasant, reasonably dry weather; I also curtailed the trip by about six miles, by driving the car on to the dead-end road which follows out along the spur between Mbee and Wollondilly and finally ends at “ugalong House. For better access to the Wollondilly I parked about 2 mfles Short of Tugalong, close to the point I expected to emerge from the Irbee valley opposite Joadja Creek(you will find all this on the Mittagong military map if you wart to tra3k it down). It was shortly after 8 a m. on the Saturday when I upped pack and set out down the flank of Ttiestone Creek: intc the iffollondilly. 147- selection of ridges was a bum ones and I found myself dropiAng into amestobe Creek instead of tracing out one of the good spurs that goes direct to the river. However, in spite of rather slow going, I was on the Wollondialy E-tr 9,45 a,m, This was 11-11-t4 ftc5i;'enrpree., Kraciwirk. the Wollondilly below the IV 'bee Junction to be lovely easy going, mostly cirer grasEy flats, it wns a mild shock to find this 6. bit of river a fair facsimile of parts of the Shoalhaven below Tallong. The river is fast, fairly turbulent, and the banks largely sand and rock - not what you would call hard walking but not the reposeful meadows of a few miles below. The two miles dawn to the junction of the Nibee took about an hour of steady going. The W'bee showed its teeth almost immediately. I set off upstream on the south bank at 11 a m. and in ten minutes was being pushed high up by a shelf of smooth, fissured rock dropping into an eddying pool. quarter mile took half an hour. Then it eased far a while, and though the going alternated from fair to infernal, I had progressed perhaps 21 or 3 miles by 2.30, with a brief lunch halt included. This part of the river is fairly spectacular, a granite gorge with walls that are never sheer, but always steep and rough, While progress is a variation between rock hopping and rock scrambling. The water (at this time stainee faintly yellow from the cleared country higher up) flows quickly over bars and cascades, and I foard no easy fords. Indeed, there was little to gain by fording for I knew, and could see, the opposite side, where I had floundered along almost two years before, was rougher and steeper. I had a recollection of an intriguing place where the river is forced through a defile of granite only a few yards wide, plunging in two yellow-green cascades into a deep, quiet pool. The other time, the going improved above the falls, and the rock became, I think, quartzite, with possibly some volcanic intrusions I couldn't identify. This point was reached and admired at 2.30 p m. and with lifting of spirits I set out to find the “better going”. For a while it did improve and once for a hundred yards or so there was deep grass under a dense canopy of casuarina forest. Then, at the next bend, I ran into the worst stage of all - steep slopes ending in smooth rocky promontories, that plunged straight into fairly deep water. The trouble was, there was just enough selvidge immediately above water level to lure one on - then would come the blind corner where a deep yellow pool eddied below a small sheerdown, so that one either went back and climbed around - or sometimes stood in the uncertain water and groped around for unseen rocks at reasonable depth. At one of these places I was caught fairly. Two fcotholds at water level, one of them on a rather rotten looking stump of wood, then smooth quartzite, with perhaps 20 feet of yellow water. I tested the depth tentatively, and couldn't bottom to the legs of my Shorts. I went to turn back, and my pack caught against the rock - couldn't lean out far enough to free it. The stump of wood resolved it by breaking. Then I was standing on firm bottom in five feet of water, with the pack floating around my shoulders and holding my watch hand high I waded through, -wrung myself out and went on. Twice I tried to cross, but my sounding stick bottomed in unseen holes at ten feet or more. By 4.0 p m., when I reached the limit of Previous travel on the far side, the going had improved to extremely slow and rough, the estimated pace about mile an hour. Thinking to be out of the gorge that night, I by-paSsed two places where a tent might be pitched decently on good ground, and at last, only a mile or so downstream from Deep Creek, was obliged to stop on sand shortly after six o'clock. Camping was not going to be easy, there was a menace of rain in the air, and I couldn't afford to use up all the daylight before stopping. It was tantalizing to think that, if my estimate vas correct, a little over half a mile more rough going 7. FOR ALL YOUR TRANSPORT FROM BLACEBEATH CONTACT HATSWELL'S TAXI &TOURIST SERVICE. RIM, lata, WIRE OR CALL AM HOUR - DAY OR NIGHT 'PHONE: Blackheath W4.59 or 1N151 BOOKING OFFICE: L. doors from Gardner s Inn Hotel ,(LCOK FOR THE NEON SIGN) SPEEDY 5 or 8 PASSEITIM. CARS AVAILABLE LARGE OR MALL PARTIES CATERED FOR FARES: KAMM-RA WALLS 30/- per head (minim 5 passengers) PERRY 'S LOOKDORTN ” “ n n ELAN STATE FOREST IT !I II CARLON'S FARM 10/- ” “ it II NEW= BE PLEASED TO QME TRIPS OR SPECIAL PARTIES ON APPLICATION. would take me to the Elysian pastures of the middle W'bee. I don't know when I've been quite so weary. When my meal was cooked, I felt too tired to be bothered eating, pushed some domn, and crept thankfully into my sagging tent at 7.30. I daresay for toughened tigers the 7 hours ofrbee going mould not be too strenuous: for me it was quite enough - almost too much. In March it is light enough to get going won after five o'clock. I've done so several times. It is the measure of my tiredness that I slept till 6 a m., and didn't start until 7.0 a m. that Sunday. The going remained slow and heavy - rock:hopping with only a few hundred yards of sand: at least: however, the sides of the valley were falling back, and about 7.30 I passed the remains of a fence coming down a very steep spur to the river. Then - murder he cried: On past Deep Creek and still claming up and down over rocks! This is where I had surmised that the gorge ended and the gracious open paddocks began. Came another corner, and I looked along yet another reach of rock and shadowy waters hurrying over a broken bed. Worse still, immediately ahead was one of the Mbee specials - a sheerdown about 80 or 100 feet high with no highway along the base. So I must go up:. and having made the first 100 feet, and taken a good look at the next half miles I decided to let the Vbee have its victory, and continue on 8. up the spur. The fact that all spurs on this big bend of the river lead to Tugalong House made it an easy decision to reach. ah, the bliss to be able to put one foot in front of another - to stride along instead of having to judge each step! Halfway up the hill I could 1,-)ok over to my left and see the wide fields higher up the river: it couldn't have been much more than that half mile more rough gorge before the ground breaks into smiling pasture. Tugalong House, astride the ridge top, came up at ten thirty, and it was a road bash to reach the car at 11.15._ I had only been away 27 hours in total, but had walked as well as I could for l5 of them. Fifteen and a half hours is, I would say, quite as much as an average arty puts in at real fair dinkum walking in full weekend. My recnnmissrInce was a curtailed version of the projected official trip - there's no doubt, some people can be lucky. IMMINI.EMIINIalre-. TIE MID-Y.E.La DANCE. by “Cur Social Reporter”. At last January's Monthly IbetinE an encouraging number of members voted in favour of holding a Mid.-Year Dance in June. If course me know that June's temperature is quite different from January's, but the Mid-Year Dance, when it was held on Friday 30th June, didn't really deserve the cold shoulder it received from the majority of members. The theme of the evening was “Come representing a sang” and some really ingenious representations of song titles turned up. The first prize ment to Helen Barrett and George Gray in their bear shins, complete with picnic basket, portrayinE “The Teddy Bears' Picnic”. Substantial Teddy Bears, but a very fine effort! Alex Theakston's representation of The Riff Song” and Jan Goodyear's “Baubles, Bangles and Beads” also secured the judge's apwoval. The evening was, as usual, a social success, but financially it was one of the worst flops we've had. Into the “red” to the tune of f27, and that's a lot or “dough” to a club operating on a tight budget as this one does. The final count of heads was 45, although 49 tickets were sold (a couple of conscincus nust have pricked) .. and the active (?) uember3hip stands at 217! as far as could be seen, 2 or 3 prospective members out of the present total of 50 bothered to turn out. What do they expect to get out of the Club if they don't attend it functions? While on the subject it is noteworthy that about 50% of the new members admitted since January have been conspicuous by their absence from most functions since becomiw, full members. The net result is .. no more Mid-Year Dances for a long time to come, and perhaps, a longer wait for our new duplicator, which is becoming an urgent necessity. It is to be regretted that the Social Secretary is not getting the support she deserves, especially in view of the large amclunt of work, organisation and -worry (whether the thing will be a success) -which are inspearable from the running of this type of function under the prevailing c(mclitiens of very little support or enthusiasm. On, the brighter side, there is still time to rrzke amends by attending thei Federation's ilrinu al Ball at the Paddington Town He:11 on Friday 15th September, 1961 Order your tickets now, because last year the Ball was booked out. ET. BANKS LEILIGE_)CRGE AND B. A TRILOGY. George Caley was sent out by Sir Joseph Banks as his private collector of plants and settled in Parramatta in IWO. In November 1804, he travelled from Kurrajor3g, over Mt. Tomah, but instead of heading North West through the relatively easy country to what is now Bell, he turned South to Mt. Banks and reached the sheer cliffs of the Grose. His men refused -to go further, and a possible crossing of the Mountains came to nothing. Today a highway follows 'Bell's line of road.' (after Archibald Bell in 1823). From it you can enjoy scenery of rugged grandeur vitheut effort, but anyone with a spark of adventure in them should get off the bitumen and explore the fascinating country around Mt. 3anks. There are several ways into (or out from) the Grose Valley described in the following pages. PART I. valor DAY FOR A BAULLTR. Don Matthews. “Well, George”, I said, “I think the best round trip -muld be down Pages Pass, camp just above Blue Gum, go down the arose a mile if we go up Col Creek, or 4 miles if we go up Coal Mine Creek, and back along the rim ridge to Mt. Banks. Coal Mine Creek is O.K., we had another look at, it a few weeks ago, but it 'S a long time since I've been up -the other one I ranenber coming to a blank wall, arrl you climb a sort of rocky knob in the middle of the gully art i then shin up a snail tree growing at about 45 to get onto a steeply sloping rib of rocks, a bit of a scramble you're up…” George wasn't listening. “How about the scenery” he said, “Will I bring Lvry camera”. “Sure”, I replied thinkLng of the wonderful rocky views. I could see -Est George was dreaming of a relazd_ng weekend in the sunshine, taking things easy. So wac I if it came to that. I parked the car just off the Bell road. at midday, ar. got out. No one else did. “'ghat's up”, I yelled “don't you want to go walking”. “Yes”, admitted Heather from the warmth, but we're just waiting to see how long you can stay out G. there“. Just then the wind blew my balracaava off end by the time I'd retrieved it 10. they'd taken heart and were crawling out into the windy sleet It was reasonably sheltered in the Page's Pass gully but we could hear the wind roaring overhead, and through the noise, the sound of white ants at work. There was, however, no suitably comfortable cave, so we pressed on around the corner into the gale. As we did, a tree branch hurtled westwards a hundred feet over our heads. Rugged, huh? The track down to the Grose is shoWn on the Katoomba Military Map We managed to follow it approximately through vines and prickles as it cut across the ridge and down to the Grose, and then followed the track on the South side for a few miles. The canzespot on the upstream fringe of Bluegum was comfortable and sheltered. We looked up at the stars and with more hope then faith predicted a fine calm Sunday. Sure enough, the morning sun gloved golden on the cliffs. of Locklcy's. We stopped a mile or so downstream to review the position. ”'There“ I pointed “is the first easily accessible gully. At least, I think it's accessible but nu memory could be a bit vague. I remember coming to a blank wall The party also looked blank and appeared not to be listening. 1,Alo could be bothered, sitting in this delightful sunshine. This one imuld be a Shorter route than Coal Mine Creek, wouldn't it” asked Helen, e_ad the matter wns settled. The slopes on the East side ridge were the usual mixture of vines but not particularly difficult. Then, near the cliff line, we struck a thick patch of deed sally scrub. Possibly the West side ridge would be easier. At last the creek bed and a rest, - time for the leader to ponder on the mssibility of a retreat if need be. Then there was a crunch of hobnails from above, and Roger Rigby appeared with two mates. Yes, he confirmed nonchantly, there's only one awkward place, and it'd be easier going up than coming down. Thus heartened we plodded on and up the creek bed. And then ne came to a:blank:wail, turned right, climbed a sort of rocky knob in the middle of the gal2y, and there was a small tree But the re)st did not 4. follow easily. 11. Geore could be persuc tded that this wS the uv- and whizzed up without his pack in fine style. Meanwhile, Helen was tackling a vertical chimney to the left and was three- wafters of the my up. Then suddenly She was only half way up, sitting on the dirt slope eagerly embracing a frail looking palm tree which was the only thing between her and a 15 foot drop. George crossed to the top of the chimney with our slight rope and eventually Helen got up. The rest of the party meanwhile sat and Shivered from cold. Then, tired of waiting, Tine Shinned up the tree, hung over space for a while exploring the situation, and scrambled to the comparative comfort of the rock:until George let down the rope for the srlRe of safety. The rest of the party followed. (It appears, from hobnail evidence, that Helen's chimney is the accepted way to rope down. However, the route described'above is probably the easiest way up.) The going was then straightforward; plod, plod, upwards into the deep saddle, turn West,. and on to open heathland overlooking the Grose. The view, as from anywhere on these tops, was striking and extensive but the wind was still strong and cold, so we dropped Northwards to the creek for a quick lunch. Then following the ridge Which runs towards the saddle of Mt. Banks we skirted the law cliff- line Northwards and climbed through a convenient gap into the saddle and on to the Trig. A quick survey of the old familiar landmarks, and then down the track into the freezing twilight. 'MT. KING GEORGE AND BEYCM,'. (From The Sydney Bushwalker, December 1939.) - Marie B. Byles. 'The valleys radiating from Mt. King George on the East provide many charmi'ng camping spots most of them having flat green swamps in their upper parts, and good water and even, caves below them. At present (1939) a cattle track runs across the Eastern ridges of Mount King George. It is faint and often non-existent, but it mdy be followed with breaks over Et. Catey, mhich, like King George, is basalt capped and therefore well wooded and well grassed. Beyond this the spur tee one over a bare grassy knob. Then the spur splits, the right hand branch culminating in a little conical treeless hill sheer above the Grose. The hill is also the culmination of a series of splendid views of the Grose Valley unsurpassed in grandeur and rivalled only by the view from Butterbox Point mar Mount Hay. There are two very deep cols on the sotzr, one before Mount Catey and one before what some maps call Mount Caley, and other maps do not name at all. Anyhow, it is the hump nearly opposite Mount Hay. From the opposite side of the Grose, that is, the Yount Hay side, both these cols appear to drop down into the Grose by gentle, green, sloping valleys. Our party (Peter Page, Ray Birt, Dorothy Hasluck, Edna Garrad, Ken Iredale and myself) tried both from the top but small, umpleasant sheer drops turned us back. However, a week later Peter Page and Ken Iredale approached the col before Mount Caley from below and sacceeded in getting up. This was possibly the route taken by Harry Whitehouse twenty or thirty years ago when he gat off Mount King George into the Grose, but Iften Gordon Smith and party left the Blue Gum for an afternoon's ramble and by their nonreturn that afternoon made everyone think they were either lost or injured, they took the crack up the cliffs nearer to Blue Gum. The Mount Caley col is not an easy route, but if Peter carries out his threat of knocking in a few pitons it mould then be possible for an average party and provide a good round trip from Blackheath via Blue Gum to Bell. The possibilities of the Coal Mine col before Mount Catey are not so promising, but doubtless Dot English and the rock climbing section would get up somehow. This is a challenge I am throwing out to them but to no one else. (Note: provided you can find the right place, the ascent is fairly straightforward. See “Two Grose Valley Excursions” - Ed.) The first time we went out to Mount CP,tey from our camp on the eastern slopes of Mont King George, we went out via the summit of Mount King George, and after some searching found that about the only easy wey off its nose w,-).s right above the Grose Valley. By this route it to us ell day to get to Mount Cetey and back. When we discovered the cattleman's track over the eastern slopes of Mount King George, the time was very much less and another party using this track, even if new to the district, should hardly take more than three and a half hours right out to the little knob at the very furthest end of the spur. Our own times were as follows:-. Bell road to camp, i hour, camp to col before Caley, 1 hour, this col to col before Catey or Coal Nine col, 50 minutes, Coal Eine col to end of spur, 1 hour 10 minutes. a II NJ* 1440k Oadi 13. V Pt STILL FOUR MILKS OF WINTER …. and you still have the chance to add a warm rugged ram-wool Norwegian jumper to your walking wardrobe. Just the thing for freezing frosts in the mountains and a great comfort when the westerlies thwart your passage home across Narrow Deck with the thermometer pushing 32: VERY GOOD TIM la Z3.18. 68c 4.16. O. so don't miss out on these. Something has arrived that we have chased for years although we chased as far as Wales - the lightest can-opener ever - 2i”X 3/41 and weighs less than t oz. - and the price is lightweight too - just 1/2d. each. Just to top things off before we go, some more of those imported balaclavas which roll up into a beret have just arrived - yours for 21/-. Good walking folks. SKIING NEWS AT OUR COOMA SHOP. ShaElmji2ars: Mondays Wednesday, Thursday 9 a m. - 5.30 p m. Tuesday closed all day. Saturday - 6 a m. to 7 p m. Sunday - 8 a m. to 7 p m. Just to suit the folk who want to pick up and return hired gear. 1. PADDY PAWN Lightweight Camp Gear 201 CASTLEREAGH St SYDNEY BM2685 . The chief place where, you may mals mistakes because the track gets lost, is when it crosses the long, green treeless ridge runnini. out east from 'fount King George. You cannot mistake the. ridge, ait whether going or coming ynu should straight up and over it trusting to nick u o the traci: on the other side. If coming from the Bell side, you cross the long, green twarT..) (onthE.-., f.:1.r side of the s-our) at its upper end, ard pick up the track running down the ri[ht hand side of the swamp. Do not be misled into following any of the tracks which le%d down or up the spurs, the latter on to Mount, Kinj George. 40' r>e.LL r v-4, …, …….- ., ere-, A. 1 1 LA ' a 1 S / ' Kr / ' .f i,. ta4p…..e y.) … e , ..- .,— – ,…., ……..,,…….“4 er ,” 6. 11; t Nr. 4 (Kr. oto 1,tvrktr4'5, )44 kk%i -6E7J'ke-tPc:5 aC4O$L1 US e t? gb. )c4 cR:A4 4 Al 15. PART III. TNO C2OSE VALLEY E7CUR8101-3. Edne. Garred. Slowly and somewhat reluctantly I wakened, and then gracTually became aware of the beauty around Me. The early morning light was filtering through the tall slender gums, lending them a mystic and placid loveliness. It was an atmosphere to inspire reverence and awe, and the only sound was the faint stirring of the leaves in the breeze and the twitterings of the birds. I was supremely content. Suddenly I remembered. This was the day we were to climb Iburt King George. I aroused my companions and we prepared and ate our breakfast with one eye on the changing light reflected from the sunrise. Finally at about 6 a m. we set forth armed with a length of rope, cameras, and a supply of oranges. There were several parties camped in the Forest and they eyed our early start with assumed horror. Ken and Colin, of course, are experienced climbers but - like most bashwalkers, I have done little climbing with ropes, and I was seething with excitement - and perhaps a little apprehension. We took:the first ridge on the left rising from the Grose below Blue Gum, and worked our way up. Well below the rock faces we entered the creek:bed, are from then on were continually in and out of the creek. We found lots of friendly branches, tree trunks and roots to assist us in ascending to the different levels. The first time we used the rope was rather interesting. It was possible to reach the ledge above, but there were no holds. Subsequently we lassoed two trees and formed a kind of ladder in the middle. It was impossible to use either tree singly, as they were on each side. of the portion we needed to climb, end to have used one or the other would have necessitated swinging over space. Once Ken was up, it was quite simple. There was one delightful spot where the rocks form a natural balcony with balustrade, from which you can look down to the river and realise the height you have made. The most difficult portion is near the top. T1.1 creek bed divides into two chimneys, the one on the right being quite impossible, and the one on the left for some time did not look very hopeful. The rock forms a shallow te,me of chimney with practically no walls and flat at the back. However Ken ,,-1,nt up, and having arrived, spent a considerable time studying the balance of Lhe d1172 e lowering the rope for Colin and me. It was dreadful. The thought of not making the tee -.2Z,- havin, CDme so far was tragic. However, having stdied the position carefully, Ken lowerei', the rope and I wont up the chimney. I was a bit staggered when I saw the small rock - and more particularly the angle of the rock - to which the rope had been belayed. In these circumstances it is well to be aware of your aim ignorance and have lots of faith in your leader; I decided cheerfully that 'Ten knew best“. We found that the difficulty Which had been concerning him was a nasty corner with a drop of sixty or seventy feet beneath. There was no danger while' the rock held, but it was the kind of thin ledged rock:that crumbles away. However this was successfully negotiated and then it was no distance to the top. We had talked of this climb since Eight Hour-'Reekend when with Marie, Peter and Ray; we had made a set camp at the back of Mount King George and explored the tops. Now, having made our objective, we were more contented than triumphant, and all walkers know the satisfaction of a feat accomplished. 16. It was a glorious morning - blue sky, fleecy clouds and a gentle breeze. There were mild flowers in abundance, and the perfume of the boronia floribunda was a continual delight. We continued along the cliff edge until we reached the col between King George e, and Et. Cayley. We have previously tried to climb this creek and easo the next, but without ropes and with the possibility of finding ourselves in a position where we could neither get down or ascend, and had given up the attempt. Later, however, RET, Ken and Pete had made their way up from the bottom, so that ve knew this gully vs negotiable. Although this creek is interesting it is not as exciting as the first one I preferred to use the rope on several occasions and would not care to go down without it. I have a horrible memory of Ken shinning up a tree with a drop of hundreds of feet beneath him. Half way down we came across a most extraordinary plant. It was like a giant chriatmas bell - abeut six times the size of a god sized bell, and with lots of flowers on the stem. Below the cliff fPces we worked across to the right, down the ridge and back to Blue Gum for lunch - well satisfied with our morning's work. Anniversary weekend we returned to the Grose, but cam7,-;ed about four miles below Blue Gum. Our objective this time was what we call the Coal Mine Gully, and no doubt you have all noticed the mine on the map and the zig zag track marked leading to it. I had tried to pick out the mine from below, above and across the valley, but without success. This was not remarkable as the mine entrance we found to be facing the creek:bed and entering straight into the cliff side. The shaft only goes in about twenty odd feet. We held a council of war here, and decided that Ken and Dorothy would take the right hand side of the creek, Fred Svenson and Colin the left, and I would continue up the creek:bed. 111-y way proved simple and there were evidences of wallaby trachis and, we thought, signs that this route had been used by the prospectors. From the top we had previously decirf.,ed that this gully would undoubtedly prove impossible, but were anxious to “give it a go”. It proved remarkably easy. Following up the creek:bed there is an obvious way but to the right, and this gully can be recommended to anyone interested in a new way out of the Grose. There are well defined tracks leading to the Bell Road, but it would be best to discuss this portion with someone who has been there - unless you have plenty of time to spare. The going on the tracks is e,ezy, and presumably they are used by cattle. Leaving the creek bed, we climbed over Mt. Catey, across another knob fInd then reached a very green gully which we h.,-;.d observed from the other side of the Grose and had considered looked very promising. It proved to be the eost bec,,utiful of the four gullies we had climbed, being full of tree ferns and lower down we came to a delightful running stream which, after the niurky Grose anr1 other streams we have come to regard as Usual this summer, was a real joy. Are had lunch in a pleasnnt spot half way down, beside a pool and surrounded by tree ferns. The-only sn vs in tbiaidescent were the lawyer vines and the thorns of the tree ferns: They were most unfriendly. There was no difficulty in climbing down to the river, and the rope was not required in either of these gullies. They are easily accessible to any walker. The last creek is roughly opposite the creek which forms the only way me know - yet - on to Mount Hay from the Grose. Both these trips proved extremely interesting, and undoubtedly to explore new country, not 'mowing -whether you will make it or have to turn back and retrace all the ground gained, is indeed the very spice of 17. TO SUUMARISE :- There are four negotiable ways on to the plate7u. 1. The gully directly behind Blue Gum, shown on the map as Gordon Smith's route which is the most difficult. (See PART III.) 2. The gully about one mile below Blue Gum, described in PART I. (Col Creek on the map.) 3. The gully of Coal lane Creek, about 4:miles below Blue Gum (see PART III). 4. The gully beyond the flat top now known as Mt. Caley (PART III). WAITED Can any reader give us up-to-date detail of Route One above, or of any other features of this area? DZY WALLS. AUGUST 20TH Waterfall - bus to 3,.)la Creek - Uloolr, Falls - 9 This will be a bit of a scramble with some thick going. Gaiters or slacks recommended. Traverses some unsjnilt coastal brush in the Royal National Park. The leakier doesn't often get irro the Clubroom, but ring him at LB6495 (most evenings). 8.20 a m. train Central Electric Station to Sutherland CHAIM AT SUTHERLAND for rail motor to Waterfall. Tickets: Waterfall Return 5/9d. plus 2/- bus fare. Laps: Port Hacking Military or Tourist. Leader: Clem Hallstr=, AUGUST 27TH Parramatta - bus to Kellyville (Showgrrund Road) - Cattai Creek - Mason Trig. - Rouse Hill. 11 miles. This district is noted for the -various species of Acacia -which are usually in full bloom at this time of the 7ear. Recommended for new members. 8.9 a m. train Central Electric Station to Parramatta. 9.0 a m. Rouse Hill bus from North side of Parramatta Station. Tickets: Parramatta Return @ 4)3d. plus about 3/ed. Return bus fares. Maps: Windsor Military or Hawkesbury River Tourist. Leader: David Ingram. SEPTEMBER 10 Hornsby - bus to Koala Bear Sanctuary (inspection) - Cowan Creek- The Sphinx - Turramurra North. 6 miles. An opportUrity to inspect the Koala Boar Sanctuary in hUrinzgai Chase and, perhaps, photograph some of the animals in a natural setting lg. followed by a ramble through the surrounding area where the early mildflowers will be at their best. 8.10 a m. train Central Electric Station - Hornsby via Bridge. 8.24 a m. train Central Electric Station - Hornsby via Strathfield. 9.20 a m. Bobbin Head Bus from Herneby to the Sanctuary. Tickets: Hornsby Return@ about 5/- plus 3/- bus fares and inspection fee at Sanctuary. Map: Broken Bay Military. Leader: Brian Hervey. FROM TIE N.P.A. BULLETIN: AUGUST 2112 THE ANNUAL MEETING OF CENTRAL REGION: Come and hear the Annual Report and help diroTc—-yfar1.9Zectp17-62. Election of Committee apd Officers. We need your help. Perhaps yeu can accept a place on the Committee or an office. NOTE THE MAT RENDEZVOUS. Agriculture House, Ground Floor, 195 Macquarie Street. Opposite Parliament House. Featu2e for the 14.4122LI Members' Slides around the Reserves. AUGUST 20TH WILDFICWER RAMBLE NO.1. Members to assemble East side of Pymble Station at 9.45 a m. Those with cars will be asked to take train travellers from Pymble to the “Ramble Area”. Len Fall for details. AUGUST 25TH to SEPTEMBER _lipq SCHOOL HOLIDJ:ZS TO THE LA.MINGTON NATIONAL PARK, just over the Queensland Border. Len Fall is Irganising this camping trip. Please contact hien. without delay. Phone JA5959. FROM THE 3:ULLETIN OF THE N.S.W. FEDtdTIOlv OF BUSHP,CALIMZ.- CLUIL. WARRAGAMBA CATCHMENT - IUTKTNG RESTRICTIONS. The following is an extract from the Water Board Staff BulletfE-7757;IT-77775eci1 erranLements have been macq e to protect stored water from pollution by hikers. The hoard will allow hikinE through the catchment area OUTSIDE the two-mile zone from the too limit of stored matr, provided permission is sought and 7:-.?..nted…Blanket oereission will be riven to affiliated Bushwalking clubs and parties ef Boy Scouts… No permissien will be needed to hike on PRCCLIIIMED ROADS within the catchment nrea or within 2i miles of the Wentworth Falls-Eatoomba Railway, or the plateau of t7r,e Narrow Neck Peninsula. In a few sections such as… Burragorang Lookout…the two mile limit will be reduced a little…” Detail -would in due course be shown on tourist maps, notices erected at appropriate points, etc. S. & R. FIELD ORGABISER. Killian Melville of the MTN has been appointed Field Organiser of the S 84:R Section. He would like all clubs to notify up-to-date contact men and club members who are able to participate in weekday and weekend searches. The section intends to hold a demonstration meekerd later this year. VOLUNTEER BUSHFIRE FIGHTERS. The Group Captain of the Sutherland Shire Bushfire Brigades, Mr. gatchorn, has asked Federation for the names, telephones and addresses of persons who could be called on in case of bushfires in the Royal National Park. Bushmalkers who are pfepared to help if available when called on can give their names to their Federation Delegates or to the Honorary Secretary.

196108.1338176035.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/02/24 12:31 (external edit)

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