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196204 [2019/06/11 12:55] tyreless196204 [2019/06/12 13:16] tyreless
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 +=== Paddy Made. ===
 +
 +Who'g going walking this Easter?? __You__ are!!!
 +
 +Then here is a handy reminder list to help you put the right gear in your rucksack and really __enjoy the weekend__.
 +
 +Batteries, Bootlaces, Tent Cord, First Aid, Dried Vegetables, Lemon & Lime Powder, Windjacket, Torch & Spare Globes, Heat Tablets, Primus Stove, Water Bucket, Food Containers, Shoulder Pads, Maps & Compass, Tin Opener, Leather Dressing, Socks, Sleeping Bag Cover, Waterproof Rucksack-lining, A Rugged Rough-wool Norwegian Jumper.
 +
 +__No__!!!
 +
 +You're taking the car on a camping trip with the kids. Perhaps an air-bed or stretcher will ease the ageing bones. We have pletity of handy items just for car campers. Come in.
 +
 +We'll be busy at Easter - so see us soon!!!
 +
 +P.S. Ask to see our latest super lightweight nylon-groundsheet-capes - weight 9 ozs!!!
 +
 +Paddy Palling Pty. Ltd. Lightweight Camp Gear.
 +
 +201 Castlereagh St., Sydney. BM 2683.
 +
 +----
 +
 +===== The Rescue In Kanangra Gorge. =====
  
-1. 
--WPWAMMWM1,4040WWWIMMMWMPOimmimmialimpswOmmmilim 
-it44 
-,11,11H0 S GOING 74AL.160G ?? - you J.I.FLE I t. 
-Then here is hn..n dy reminder list -t,c5 help you put the right gear in your rucksP.ck and really 
-ENJOY THE WEEKEND  
-Batteries Boot3 aces Tent Cord First Aid. 
-Dried Vegetables Lemon & Lime Powder Windja cket Torch & Spare Globes Heat Tablets Primus Stove Water, Bucket Food Containers Shoulder. Pads Maps & Compass Tin Opener Leather Dressing 
-Socks Sleeping Bag Cover Waterproof Rucksack-- lining ,A Rugged Rough-wool -Norwegia n Jumper,. 
-  - 
-NO !!! , 
- You're taking the &Ix; on a camping trip with 
-the' kids.- PerhQ.ps. an air-bed or stretcher will ease the ageing bones. ne have pletity cif 41z incly - items just for car campers. Come in. 
-'LL BE BUSY AT ESTER - so see us soon ;!! 
-P.S. 
-Ask to see our latest super  lightweight rrylon-groundsheetcapes weight- ,9 ozs , 
-APDV PAWN r:ct 
-Lighiweight Camp Gear. 
-201 CASTLE REACH $4 SYDNEY 
-BM 2683 
-14. Th'e -pril2. 
- . 
-THE 7.:SCUE IN IMIANGR,"1. GORGE. , 
 Dot Butler. Dot Butler.
-_Tice steep country south-east from 'Tendlan is gashed by a series of na-se thousand foot deep chasms down _whose precipitous sides waterfalls roarr-then tumble as swift flowing creeks down dark narrow boulderzfilled gorges. They are savage, lorply places, visible only to the tourist on ,Kanangra Plateau as near-vertical cliffs hung with close vegetation ,and dripping ferns, inthe early morning sea of mist out of which isolated black peaks peep like islands in an eerie polar sea. To the eager young climber or bush-viralker this is the country of his dreams, where his call to adventUre is fulfilled aura of excitment hangs round the place names - Murdering Gully, Kanangra GorgeDanai Brook, Thurat Rift, the Pooken Deep. + 
-Fired by enthusiasm a party of young people, members of the 8ydne-y University Climbing 'Club, set out for the big adventure, a descent of Kanangra. Gotgeretur*ing to the Plateau byway of Murdering Gully. They Carefully_ practiced their ,newlf learnt art of abseiling, being careful to select adecuate belays to tie the +The steep country south-east from Jenolan is gashed by a series of three thousand foot deep chasms down whose precipitous sides waterfalls roar, then tumble as swift flowing creeks down dark narrow boulder-filled gorges. They are savage, lonely places, visible only to the tourist on Kanangra Plateau as near-vertical cliffs hung with close vegetation and dripping ferns, in the early morning sea of mist out of which isolated black peaks peep like islands in an eerie polar sea. To the eager young climber or bushwalker this is the country of his dreams, where his call to adventure is fulfilled. An aura of excitment hangs round the place names - Murdering Gully, Kanangra GorgeDanai Brook, Thurat Rift, the Pooken Deep. 
--approved 'knots and handle the ropes correctly. The accident happened so suddenly+ 
-Some -of the boys had successfully descended the cliff by the w.71-berfal1, but a long time elapsed before the rest of the party showed up. It was nearing dusk. Young Dick Donaghey had climbed to a ledge beside the waterfall to t'iire ,assistance to one of the girls as he came down. He grimed encouragement - "It',nearly over, he said and stepped forward impulsively to help ,her. His foot slipped on the wet slimey rock and his horrified friends saw him slide -down a +Fired by enthusiasm a party of young people, members of the Sydney University Climbing Club, set out for the big adventure, a descent of Kanangra Gorgereturning to the Plateau by way of Murdering Gully. They carefully practiced their newly learnt art of abseiling, being careful to select adequate belaysto tie the approved knots and handle the ropes correctly. The accident happened so suddenlySome of the boys had successfully descended the cliff by the waterfal1, but a long time elapsed before the rest of the party showed up. It was nearing dusk. Young Dick Donaghey had climbed to a ledge beside the waterfall to give assistance to one of the girls as he came down. He grinned encouragement - "It's nearly over,he said and stepped forward impulsively to help her. His foot slipped on the wet slimey rock and his horrified friends saw him slide down a waterfall chute to lie, an inert heap, in the creek some 30 feet below. He was in great pain as they picked him up and carefully carried him to the only bit of level ground they could find, a few square yards at the side of the gorge sheltered by a small clump of trees. Here they spent an anxious night, sleeping fitfully, and at first light on Sunday morning the fastest members of the group set out for help. They drove back to Caves House and got the loan of ropes, axes and a stretcher, and as luck would have it they also got Bob Binks who was just returning from a fishing trip with a couple of friends. Bob had decided that instead of heading straight for home he would make a side trip to show them Kanangra Walls, when he was accosted by this group of worried boys. "Are you a medical practitioner?" asked their spokesman deferentially. "Yes," said Bob, "I am a medical practitioner." "Are you a practicing qualified medical practioner?" "Look," said Bob who didn't think he could get his tongue around a sentence like that, "Let's cut the formalities, I can see you're in trouble. I'm a doctor; what can I do to help you?" So the relieved boys poured out the whole story and Bob went straight back with them. 
-waterfall chute to lie, an inert her-T, in the creek some 30 feet beloi He was in great pain as they picked him up andcarefully carried him to the only bit of + 
-level ground they could find, a few sTruare yards F.t the side 'of the gorge sheltered by a small clump of trees. Here they spent an an.,-TiouS nirtt, 'sleeping fitfully, and at first light:on rskinday morning the fastest "members of the group set out for help. They drove back to Caves House and 'got the loan of ropes, axes and a stretcher, end as luck would have it they also got Bob Binks who was just returning from a fishing trip with a cou-ole of friends. Bob had decided that instead Of heading +Back in the gorge a silent group sat with their injured friend. There was little they could do to ease his pain. When Bob arrived he diagnosed the trouble, gave pain-killing drugs, strapped up the broken feet with adhesive bandages bandaged up the sprained wrist and cut chin, and stayed with the patient till late afternoonIt soon became evident that the party was not strong enough to try rescue operations. When they tried out the borrowed stretcher its shafts broke and it is still lying down in Kanangra Gorge, unused. Leaving five of the boys with Dick, Bob and the rest of the party climbed out of the Gorge, drove down to Caves House, and sent an S.O.S. through to Sydney that this was a Search and Rescue job, and all available manpower, especially rock-climers, would be needed. Swiftly Paddy Pallin, Ninin Melville and the various Clubs' S. & R. contact officers went into action, and the telephone wires ran hot. 
-straight for home he would make a side trip to show them Kanangra Walls, when he was accosted by this group of worried boys. "'Are you a medical practitioner?" + 
-asked their spokesman deferentially. "Yes," said-Bob, "I am a medical practitioner." +Meanwhile, how are the potential rescuers spending their time, unaware of what is in store for them? Speaking for the Bushwalkers, it so happened that this week-end was their annual Reunion. Round the merry campfire Paddy had pranced all Saturday night, leading the community in song, and as one of the re-uners I didn't get any sleep either, but who cares, we can fall into bed and sleep like logs when we get home on Sunday night. That sounds very nice in theory, but what actually happens? I have just hit the pillow at 9 p m. when the phone rings. Can I set out immediately for a rescue down Kanangra Gorge? Yes, of course I'available. Very well then, David Roots will collect Rus Kippax and Les Tattersall of the Rock Climbing Club and then will pick up me. Be ready to leave in half an hourSo I put on my shorts and shirt again, get out the pack and put in nylon rope, sling and Karabiner, 8 bananas and a tin of herrings which seems to be the only food left in the house, and a sleeping bag, hoping there may a chance for an hour's sleep when we get to Kanangra. Then the Rootsie's waggon arrives and we are away. 
-"Are you a practicing nua lified medical practioner?" "Look," said Bob who didn't think he could get his tonguearound a sentence like that, Let's cut'-the formalities, I can see you're in trouble. I'm a doctor; whatcan I do to helpyou?" + 
-So the relieved boyspoured out the whole story and Bob went straight 'back with them. +Crammed in the front seat we made the long journey through the night, and just as dawn was streaking the sky saw the half dozen cars pulled up by the roadside near the mud hut site. A sleeping-bagged figure sat up in one of the cars and a torch showed up Paddy's face. "Try to get half an hour's sleep till the others arrive," he said. So we rolled into our bags and tried to sleep, but not very successfully, and then Nin was getting the party up and organised. He put Dave Roots in charge of the cliff rescue operations, so he and Rus and Les and I, together with Colin Oloman who had brouent up the news of the accident, dodging the newspaper reporters and photographers, took off about 6 a.m. to go down into the gorge and reconnoitre the best way to bring Dick out. Colin led us down the way his party had gone, but instead of following their route down by the side of the waterfall we did a couple of long abseils which got us down more quickly, and by about 9 o'clock we were down having our first look at the patient. He was a quiet, dark, good-looking lad. It was a pity his chivalry had put him in this predicament. 
-Back in the gorge a silent group sat with their injured friend. There was little they could do to ease his pain. vben Bob arrived he diagnosed the trouble, gave pain-Idlling drugs, strapped up the broken feet with adhesive bandages + 
-bandaged up the sprained wrist and 'Cut' chin, and Stayed with the patient till late +We now had a close inspection of the three possible ways out, chose the one we liked best and sent up a pre-arranged signal to Col Oloman who had waited up above the waterfallHe went back to the waiting cars to bring the men and equipment to the top of our rescue route, and for two or three hours while awaiting their arrival with the ropes and stretcher we reconnoitred up and down the rock faces, cleared away some of the debris and vegetable growth on our selected route, and then had a brief snooze in the sun. Dave Roots and Rus got their heads together and worked out the mechanics of the flying-fox ropeways they would need, Dave lugging around a small pack heavy with his beloved pitons, expansion bolts, escaliers, piton hammer and all the rest of the ironmongery. Is it U or non-U to climb mountains with all these mechanical aids? I had rather inclined to the latter belief, but have now completely reversed my opinion; without David and his ironmongery they would never have got the boy out. David worked with all the ardour of an artist at his work, and enjoyed every minute of it. 
-afternoonIt soon became evident that the party was not strong enough to try + 
-rescue operations. l 'qhen they tried out tie borrowed stretcher its sh'aft'broke +Ndw here is a pleasant little entre-act which may entertain the audience. Rus asked me to do a bit of scouting around up the precipice to see if I could find an alternative way out for the camp-followers, i.e. those who weren't directly engaged in ferrying the stretcher across, so that they wouldn't clutter up the route. Accordingly I went up a wall and up a craggy bit of rock outcrop and then found myself in a high hanging gulley with a 30 ft. mudslide which led to the tree line above. Thinking, it would be safer if I had an ice axe to dig steps up the mud, I cast around for a likely piece of stick to use and found something about 15 inches long that looked like a useful tool. When I finally surmounted the climb and was about to throw away my trusty tool I took look at it and discovered it was a human leg boneNow here was an enthralling mystery for the police to solveBut how was I to take the bone back? I couldn't climb with it in my hand, and if I threw it down I might lose itShould I climb down with it clenched between my teeth? I eyed it speculatively, but it looked too grisly for that, so I finally shoved it down my shirtfront and descended. By the time I got back to the boys the rest of the party was arriving, and the stretcher was on its way down. I showed my trophy to one of the lads who was a vet student, but he said it wasn't any animal bone that he knew. I could have told him that. They urged me to throw it away as it was bad luck, but noI wanted to keep it to show to Dr. Binks. I put it on top of my pack with my jumpers but later on when retrieved my pack the bone had vanished. Without an Exhibit the police would have nothing to go onso there the story will have to close the mystery remain unsolved. 
-and ,it is still lying down in Kan-ng;ra Gorge, 'unused. Leaving five of the ,boys + 
-with Dick, Bob and the rest of the -party 4itabed out of the Gorge, drove down to ,Caves House, and sent an r.O.S. -bhrough to Sydney th it thi s was a search and Rescue job, and all available manpower, especially'rock-,climbxs, would be needed. bwiftly Paddy Pallin, Ninin Melville and the va,rious'Clubs' S. & R. contact officers went into action,,and the tele-o hone wires ran hot. +The boys down in the gully had now strapped Dick into the canvas and bamboo stretcher loaned by the Police, and could be seen as tiny ant-like figures bringing him up the rocky moraine to the base of the cliffHere the full difficulty of the situation burst upon them. How were the bearers going to be able to help with the stretcher when the cliff was nearly vertical, slightly bulgingand had nothing in the way of handholds and footholds except for a narrow line suitable for only one person at a time? A rope was taken up the cliff to a small tree about a hundred feet above, but it was clearly impossible to drag up the stretcher by brute force over the bulge. I had been telling Rus Kippax how, at an S & Demonstration a couple of years back, I had been the victim and Col Putt had "rescued" me by pick-a-backing me like a sack of coals slung over his shoulder by my arms and lying down his backLooking down from my high perch where I was helping the boys peg out a ropeway along the cliff face I saw that Rus had decided to try this methodDick was unstrapped from the stretcher, tied to Rus back by means of a bos'un'chair, with his poor bandaged feet dangling, and Rus started his Herculean climb. He was belayed from the tree up top hand had a thin nylon handline to pull on when necessary, but he took the whole of Dick's weight as he climbed. Yarmak (Graham Nelson) followed behind, to give a shove if and when possible, the boys up top heaved on the belay rope, and inch by inch up they came. The rope tying Dick round Rus's chest slipped up and nearly throttled him. There were frantic shouts of "Ease off!" "Ease off!" Rus collected his breath for a few seconds, then it was on again. By the time he surmounted the climb the boys were hauling in the last of the 120 ft of rope, and Rus collapsed on the ledge just about done inGod what an effortand what a man! 
-,April 1962 The Sydney Bushwalker 15 + 
-Meanwhile, how are the potential rescuers spending their time, u/aware +Now the stretcher was pulled up, Dick was strapped in againand the interesting business of launching him on the first of Rootsie'flying foxes begen. Dave had hammered into the rock an expansion bolt, to which a link was attached. The rope which was to bear the stretcher was threaded though this, then carried across the cliff face for about a hundred feet and threaded through another expansion bolt link. Half a dozen slings were tied round Dick in the stretcher, karabiners were hooked through the loops, and by much careful manoevring he was hooked on to the bearing ropeBy means of a rope attached to the foot end of the stretcher he was then pulled across to the extreme end of the rope, lifted off onto the small ledge hardly big enough to take the stretcher, let alone the helpers, ferried along another bit of ledge and launched on the next aerial ropeway. This one had no landing platform, as the only belay available was a tree growing out from the side of the cliff, with only enough room for Rus to stand and pull the stretcher across. However, if we could lassoo the bearing rope from a little side waterfall chute we could pull him across the necessary five or six feet and land him there. This called for some very precise judgement, because the far end of the rope had to be slackened as the near end of the rope was pulled in to the chute, and both sets of operators were out of sight and call of each otherHowever, by sending a messenger back and forth across the face, bringing and relaying messages the job was done, and it was with more than mere relief that we got him safely pulled in and landed. 
-of what is in store for them? Speaking for the Bushwalkers, it so happened that this week-end was their annual Reunion. Round the merry campfire Paddy had pranced all Saturday night, leading the community in solg, and as one of the re- + 
-uners I didn't get any sleep either, but who cares, we can fall into bed and +Now it was necessary to manhandle the stretcher up tricky bit of rock to a knife-edge ridge which lies like a partition between the two parts of the gulley. The track clearers had done good work here with the axes and the sweating bearers did the rest. On the ridge top they took a well earned rest, while the camp followers came up behind, untying and coiling up the ropes, and bringing along the packs. Yarmak with half a thousand feet of rope coiled around him, looked like an advertisement for Michigan tyres as he crept around the ledges. 
-sleep like logs when we get home on Sunday night. That sounds very nice in theory, + 
-but What actually happens? I have just hit the pillow at 9 p m. when the phone +Now it was necessary to slide the stretcher down from this ridge into the creek in the next gully. Downhill was obviously much easier than uphill, and the bearers slid down with great gusto and surprised even themselves when they arrived so quickly at the creekHere another well earned rest, and while we were resting who should come clambering down but good old Paddy, and a little later Bob Binks. They had a little reassuring chat with Dick, who had borne all this juggling about of his defenceless body with uncomplaining fortitude. He had supreme confidence in his rescuers. That's a good way to be, when you have no choice. 
-rings. Can I set out immediately for a rescue down Kanangra Gorge? Yes, of course + 
-Itm available. Very well then, David Roots will collect Rus Kippax and Les Tattersall of the Rock Climbing Club and then will pick up me. Be ready to leave in half an hourSo I put on my shorts and shirt again, get out the pack:and put in nylon rope, sling and Karabiner, 8 bananas and a tin of herrings which seems to be the only food left in the house, and a sleeping bag, hoping there may a chance for an hour's sleep when we get to Kanangra. Then the Rootsie's waggon arrives and we are away. +"I was in your shop on Friday," said Dick. "Do you remember me? I bought a sling from you." "Oh my goodness," cried Paddy, "Don't say it was my sling that let you down!
-Crammed in the front seat we made the long journey through the night, and just as dawn was streaking the sky saw the half dozen cars pulled up by the roadside near the nud hut site. A sleeping-bagged figure sat up in one of the cars and a torch Showed up Paddy's face. "Try to get half an hour's sleep till the others arrive," he said. So we rolled into our bags and tried to sleep, but not very successfully, and then Nin was getting the party up and organised. He put Dave Roots in charge of the cliff rescue operations, so he and Rus and Les and + 
-I, together with Colin Oloman who had brouent up the news of the accident, dodging the newspaper reporters and photographers, took off about 6 a m. to go down into the gorge and reconnoitre the best way to bring Dick out. Colin led usdown the way his party had gone, but instead of following their route down by the side of the waterfall we did a couple of long abseils which got us down more quickly, and by abOut 9 o'clock we were down having our first look at-the natient. He was a Quiet, dark, good-looking Ind, It was a pity his chivalry had pot him in this predicament. +Down at the creek bed a pleasant surprise awaited us. While we had been entirely engrossed in the goings in the first gully, Ron Wardrop and his helpers had been hard at it in this gully and a whole set of ropes had been erected up the steep mountain side, so it was only a matter of hooking on our burden and hauling away. It was now about 3 p.m. "We'll have him out by dark,we told Paddy as he and Bob started back up the creek the way they had come. I don't think Paddy quite believed this, or else he didn't want to raise the hopes of Dick's mother waiting back at Caves House in case she should be disappointed. Anyhow the news got back to the Press and the A.B.C. that the patient was not likely to be brought out that night. While an avid public was being regaled with this bit of news the rescuers worked on relentlessly. By now they had properly got the feel of things, and they came up like a rocket - the stretcher and six bearers; a set of relieving bearers at the side, several bods behind to push if required, all the camp followers with the spare ropes and packs, while up at the hauling end six or eight boys hauled on the rope to such good effect that the karebiner (tied to a tree and used as a pulley) ran hot and the rope began to charIt was then a case of "Ease off! Erase off"! While the karabiner cooled down and a fresh sling was used to tie it to the tree. 
-We now had a close inspection of the three possible mays out, chose the one we-liked best and sent up a pre-arranged signal to Col Oloman who had waited up + 
-above the waterfallHe went back to the waiting cars to bring the men and equipment to the top of our rescue route, and for two or three hours while awaiting their arrival with the ropes and stretcher we reconnoitred up and down the rock faces, cleared away some of the debris and vegetable growth on our selected route, and then had a brief snooze in the sun. Dave Roots and Rus got their heads together and worked out the mechanics of the flying-fox ropeways they would need, Dave lugging around a small pack heavy with his beloved pitons, expansion bolts, escaliers, piton hammer and all the rest of the ironmongery. Is it U or non-U to climb mountains with all these mechanical aids? I had rather inclined to the latter belief, but have now completely reversed my opinion; without David and his irontongery they would never have got the boy out. David worked with all the ardour of an artist at his mok, and enjoyed every minute of it. +By about 5 o'c1ock fine rain started to spit, but we all ignored it and it soon gave up. Finally the route led up a slope where a number of loose rocks were dislodged and went hurtling down towards the stretcher. The bearers scattered with loud shouts and curses, and Dick's guardian angel safeguarded his defenceless head as the great blocks burst and exploded all around him. Finally up to the plateau top by 6.30 p.mjust as dark came on and a thick mist enveloped the whole sceneHere Nin Melville was waiting with a number of torches, so all who had spare hands took one and an eerie walk began with torches ahead flashing through the swirling gloom, and shouts of "Don't go too far to the left or you'll go over the precipice. We don't want another accident on our hands!" "Don't go too far to the right or you'll finish up in the swamp!" "Don't go so fast, you in front; you're leaving the stretcher party behind!" 
-Ndw here is a pleasant little entre-act which may entertain the audience. + 
-Rus asked me to do a bit of scouting around up the precipice to see if I could find an alternative way out for the camp-followers, i e. those who weren't directly engaged in ferrying the stretcher across, 50 that they wouldn't clutter up the route. Accordingly I went up a wall and up a craggy bit of rock outcrop and then found myself in a high hanging gulley with a 30 ft. mudslide which led to the +We walked across the Plateau by instinct, came to the correct creek-crossing in the darkand when about a mile from the cars Nin let out piercing whistles which were answered by honking of car horns, and we came in by radar as it were. 
-16 The 3.vdne-7 Bushwalker pril 1962 + 
-+Dick was transferred to Bob Binks Station waggon with a nice soft mattress in it, taken down to Caves House to a waiting mother who ran to him and kissed him through the windowand then Bob drove them down to Sydney and the North Shore Hospital for Dick 
-tree line above. Thinking, it would he infer if I had an ice axe to dig steps + 
-up the mud, I cast around for a likely piece-of stick to use and f(lund something 'about 15 inches long that looked like a useful tool, 1/Then I finally surmounted the climb and was about to throw away my trusty tool I tool: lodk at it '-Ind -discovered it was a human leg boneNow here was an enthralling mystery for the police to solve:. But how was I to take the bone bock? I couldn't climb with it in my hand, and if I threw it down I might lose it Should I climb down with it clenched between my teeth? I eyed it speculatively, but it looked too (2.risiy for 'that, so I finally shoved it down my shirtfront and descended. By the time I got back to the boys the rest of the party Was arriving, smd the stretcher vas on its way down. I showed my trophy to one of the lads who was a vet atudent, but he said it wasn't any animal bone that he lmsw3. I.could have told him thet.They urged me to throw it away as it was bed luck, but no I wanted tO keep it to show to Dr. Binks. I put it on top of my peck with my jumpers but later on when: i retrieved my peck the 'bone had vanished, 'it'-out an Exhibit te police would have nothing to go on so there thc,story will have to close the mystery remain unsolved. +The rescuers sorted out their gear as best they could be means of someone's arc light, then Rus and Rootsie and Les and I drove off through the dark, a glance back showing the edifying scene of press reporters taking down somebody's statements in little notebooks, and those somebodies weren't us. 
-The boys don in the gully had now strapped Dick intO the canvas and bamboo stretcher loaned by the Police, and could be seen as tiny ant-like figures + 
-bringing him up the rocky moraint to the base of the cliff,' Here the full difficulty of the situation burst upon theme How were the bearers going to be able to help with the stretcher when the cliff was nearly verticalf-slightly bulging and had nothing in the way of handholds and-footholds except for a narrow line suitable for only one person'at a time? A rope was taken 'up the cliff to a small tree about a hundred feet above, but it was clearly impossible to=drag up the stretcherby brute force over the bulge. 'I had been telling Rus Kippax how, at an S & P. Demonstration a coupleeof years back, I had been the victim and Col Putt had " rescued" me by picka-backing me like a sack of coals slung over 'his shoulder by my arms and lying down his backLooking down from my high perch where I was helping the boys peg-out a ropeway along the cliff face I saw that Rue had decided to try this methodDick was unstrapped from the stretcher, tied to Rues back by means of a bos'un'chair7 with his poor bandaged feet dangling, &nd Rue startedhis Herculean'clim; He was belayed from the tree up top hand had a thin nylonbendline to pull on When necessary, but he took the whole of Dick's weight as he dlimbed, Yarmak (Graham Nelson) followed behindgive a shove if and when-possible, the boy e up top -heaved on the belay rope, and inch by ineh up they cetme. The rope tying Dick round us'' slipped ,up and nearly throttled him. There were frantic shouts -of 'Es e off:'Ease offRus collected his,breath for a few seonds,then it wis7oh again. BY the time lie, ,surmounted, thG climb the boys were hauling in the last of the 12b ft of rope, and Rus collapsed on the ledgejust about done in God whet 'an-effortand whnt a man! +Down to Caves House, where Dick's brother was manfully delving into his pocket every time another car arrived, and shouting the occupants to drinks. We finished up thirty-five of us in the lounge, where rough walking types are not usually welcomed, drinking beer and answering roll call. One boy who was still a bit shakey knocked over his glass of beer. We mopped it up with a small handkerchief and wrung it back into his glass, leaving it for the drinks waiter. It would be a pity if the Caves House proprietor thought we were rough uncouth types, who go around making messes. And here, too I was re-united with my pack. Some kind person had picked it up down in the second gully and brought it all this way for meHe didn't know my shoes were in ithad been doing all the rock-face climbing bare-footed but when we got into the scree gullie I could have used them. With a feeling of thankfulness I clothed myself in my shoes and gave Rootsie back his nylon socks
-Now the stretcher was pulled un, Dick was stranned in atain'end the interesting business of launching him on the first of '?.00tsie'fling foxes begen. Dave had hammered into the rouk an expansion bolt5 to which a link was attached. The itpewhichatz to bear the stretcher was threaded though this, theh carried across the _cliff face for about a hundred feet and threaded through another expansion boat"Half a dozen slings were tied round Dick in the stretcher, karabiners were hooked through the loops, and bY much careful manoeulileing he was hooked on to the bearing rQ1DeBY means of a rope attached to the foot end of the stretcher he was then pulled across + 
-.pril 1962 The Sydney Bushwelkor 17. +Then Heigh-ho for home and bed by 2 a.m. TuesdayNo sleep since the previous Friday night. It will take wild hones to get me up during the next twelve hours. The family got their own breakfast and got themselves off to school, while deep unconsciousness washed over my sleeping body. Suddenly the telephone rang piercingly. I leapt out of bedSaid a sweet voice on the other end of the line, "Is that Mrs Butler?"I think so," said I, not being quite sure. "Could I interest you in a raffle ticket for the Spastic Centre?" "Go on!" prompted a malevolent voice inside me, "Say itTell her where to put her ticket!But years of training in politeness came to my aid and I said sweetly, "No thank you, not today," and hung up and went back to bedOther people suffered worse than that thoughRus, for instance, was woken up at 6 a.mwith reporters and photographers from six different papers pounding on the front door. He is thinking of retiring to a monastery. 
-to the extreme end of the rope, lifted off onto the small ledge hardly big enough to take the stretcher, let alone the helpers, ferried along another bit of ledge and launched on the next aerial ropeway. This one had no landing platform, as the only belay available was a tree growing out from the side of the cliff, with only enough room for Rus to stand and pull the stretcher across. However, if + 
-we could lassoo the bearing rope from a little side waterfall chute we could pull him across the necessary five or six feet and land him there. This called for some very precise judgement, because the for end of the rope had to be slackened as the near end of the rope was pulled in to the chute, and both sets of operators were out of sight and call of each otherHowever, by sending a messenger back and forth across the face, bringing :nd relaying messages the job was done, and it was with more than mare relief that we got him safely pulled in and lr nded+---- 
-Now it was necessary to manhandle the stretcher up tricky bit of rock to +
-a knife-edge ridge which lies like a partition between the two parts of the gulley. The track clearers had done good work here with the-axes and the sweating bearers did the rest. On the ride top they took a well earndd reat, while the Ca= followers came up behind, untying and coiling up the ropes, and bringing along the packs. Yarmak with half a thousand feet of rope coiled around him, looked like an advertisement for Michigan tyres as he crept around the ledges. +
-Now it was necessary to slide the stretcher down from this ridge into the creek in the next gully. Downhill was obviously much easier than uphill, and the bearers slid down with great gusto and surprised even themselves when they arrived so quickly at the creekHere another well earned rest, and while we were resting Who should comp clambering dawn but good old Paddy, and a little later Bob Binks. They had a little reassuring chat with Dick, Who had borne all this juggling about of his defenceless body with uncomplaining fortitude. He had supreme confidence in his rescrare That's a good may to be, when you have no choice. +
-- -"I was in your shop on Friday," said Dick. "Do you remember me? I bought +
-ding from you." "Oh py goodness," cried Paddy, "Don't say it was my sling that let you down!' +
-Down at the creek bed a pleasant surprise awaited us. :fhile we had been entirely engrossed in the goings in the first gully, Ron etridrop and his helpers had been hard at it in this gully and a whole set of ropes had been erected up the steep mountain side, so it was only a matter of hooking on our burden and hauling away. It was now about 3 p m. have him out by dark, we told Paddy as he and Bob started back up the creek the way they had come. I don't think Paddy quite believed this, or else he didn't want to raise the hopes of Dick's mother waiting beck atCaves House incase she should be disappointed. ,.inyhow the news got beck to the Press and the ,.B.that the patient was not likely to be brouEht out that night. While an avid public was being regaled with this bit of news the rescuers worked on relentlessly. By now they had properly pot the fool of things, and they ceme up like a rocket - the stretcher and six bearers;  a set of relieving beaters at the side, several bods behind to push if reeuired, all thb camp followers with the spare ropes and packs, While up at the hauling end-six or eight boys hauled on the rope to such good effect that the karebimr (tied to a tree and uSed as a pulley) ran hot and the rope began to charIt was then a case of Ease off! Erase off"! While the karabiner cooled down and a fresh sling was used to tie it to the tree. +
-The Sydney MueLwalkar ,nril 1962 +
-By about 5o'c1ock fine rain startc,to spit, but we all ignored it and +
-it soon gave up, Final4 the route led up a slope where a number of loose rocks were dislodged and went hurtling down towards the stretcher. The bearers scatteredwith loud shouts and curses, and Dick's guardian angel safeguarded his defenceless head as the great blocks 1. 11-st and exploded all around him. Finally up to the plateau top by 6,30 p m just as dark came on and a thick mist enveloped the whole sceneHere Nin Melville was waiting with a number of torches, so all 'who had spare hands took one and an eerie walk began with torches ahead flashing through the swirling gloom, and shouts of "Don't go too far to the left or you'll go over the precipice. We don't want another accident on our hands l,' 'Dan't go too far to the right or you'll finish up in the swamp:" "Don't go so fast, you in front; you're leaving the stretcher partybehind!" +
-We walked across the Plateau by instanct, came to the correct creek-crossing in the dark and when about a mile from the cars Nin let out piercing whistles which were answered by honkf ng of car horns, and we came in by radar as it were. +
-Dick was transferred to Bob Bthks Station waggon with a nice soft mattress +
-in it, taken down to Caves House to a waiting mother who ran to him and kissed him through the windowand then Bob drove them down to Sydney and the North Shore Hospital for Dick, +
-The rescuerssorted out their gear as best they could be means of someone's +
-arc light, then Rus and Rootsie and Les and I drove off through the dark, a.- glance +
-back showing the edifying scene of press reporters taking down somebody's statements +
-in little notebooks, and those somebodies weren't us.  +
-Down to Caves House, there Dick's brother was manfully delvinginto his  pocket every time another car arrived, and shouting the occupants to drinks.. 72Ve finished up thirty-five of us inthe louhc-e, where rough walking types are not -- +
-usually welcomed, drinking beer and answering roll call. One boy who was +
-still a bit shakey le:nocked over his glass of beer. We mopped it up with asmall handkerchief and wrung it back into his glass, leaving it for the drinks waiter. It would be a pity if the Caves House proprietor thought we were rough uncoUth types, Who go around making messes, ,nd here, too I was re-united with my pack. Some kind person had picked it up down in the second gully and brought it all this way for meHe didn't know my shoes were in itHad been doing-all the rock- face climbing bare-footed but when we got into the scree gullie I could have Used :them. With a feeling of thankfulness I clothed myself in my Shoes and gave Rootsie teak his nylon socks +
-Then Heigh-ho for home and bed by 2 am, Tuesday No sleep since the nrevious Friday night. It will take wild hones to get me up dliring the next twelve hours. The'family got their own by'eakfast and got themselves off to school, while deep uncOnsciousness washed over my sleeping body. Suddenly the telephone rang piercingly. I leapt out of bedSaid a sweet voice on the other end of the line, "Is that Mrs Butler? "I think so," said I, not being nuite sure. "Cou]d I interest you in a raffle ticket for the gpastio Centre?' oni" prompted a malevolentvoice inside me, "Say  it Tell her where to rut her ticket! But years of training in politeness came to my aid and I said sweetly, "No thank you., not today,"-and hung up and went back to bed Other people suffered worse than that thoughRus, fOr. instance, was woken up at 6 a mwith reporters and photographers from six different papers pounding on the front door. He is thinking of retiring to a monastery.+
 :._nother working bee was held at Lovett Bay, Pittw ater, on 24-25th March under thu guidance of John hhite. The object was to clear the tracks from :._nother working bee was held at Lovett Bay, Pittw ater, on 24-25th March under thu guidance of John hhite. The object was to clear the tracks from
 the Kuringai Trust's 4harf at...Lor-Vett_Bay:_to.:The Flagstaff and to -;iest, Head Road via Pockley's Glen. _bout 3 turned up during the 3aturday and the track to The Flagstaff Lor'skout, -was _076ancid up completely ;Ind is now negotiable withodt, the need to search amongst the scrub 7.nc3. bracken in Rn" effort:to locate a rate the Kuringai Trust's 4harf at...Lor-Vett_Bay:_to.:The Flagstaff and to -;iest, Head Road via Pockley's Glen. _bout 3 turned up during the 3aturday and the track to The Flagstaff Lor'skout, -was _076ancid up completely ;Ind is now negotiable withodt, the need to search amongst the scrub 7.nc3. bracken in Rn" effort:to locate a rate
196204.txt · Last modified: 2019/06/13 10:09 by tyreless

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