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197001 [2016/02/07 17:01] lucym197001 [2016/02/21 16:57] lucym
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-CONTENTS. 
  
-A Walk to Wallabadah Pat Harrison. Z +====  CONTENTS ==== 
-Target for 12 Years Jim Brown 6 + 
-Mt. Equipment Ad 10 +
-Hope Observed Observer 11 +
-Joy ReMembered II 12 +
-Paddy's Ad 14 +
-The December General Mooring J. Brown 15+
  
-monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bushwalkers, Northooto Building, Roiby Place,Circular Quay, Sydney. POSTAL ADDRESS: Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney 2001.+^                        ^               ^ Page ^ 
 +|Walk to Wallabadah |Pat Harrison   |2     | 
 +|Target for 12 Years |Jim Brown |6     | 
 +|Hope Observed          |Observer |11    | 
 +|Joy Remembered |Observer       |12    | 
 +|December General Meeting|JBrown |15    |
  
-Editor: Bill Gillam, 19 Old Bush Road, Engadine 2233 +A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bushwalkers, Northcote Building, Reiby Place, Circular Quay, Sydney. **Postal address:** Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney 2001. 
-Business ManagerBill Burke, Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford2118  + 
-Typist: Christa Younger, 71 Yarran Road, Oatley2223 +^                                                             ^ 
-IllustratorsHelen Gray, 209 Malton Road, Epping 2121+|**Editor         ** |Bill Gillam, 19 Old Bush Road, Engadine 2233  | 
 +|**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford 2118 
 +|**Typist         ** |Christa Younger, 71 Yarran Road, Oatley 2223  | 
 +|**Illustrators**    |Helen Gray, 209 Malton Road, Epping 2121      |
  
-MIMINI10 O.NOMINNI  
   
  
-The Sydney Bushwalkers+===== The Sydney Bushwalkers ===== 
 +  
 + 
  
 January, 1970. January, 1970.
  
  
-A Walk to Wailibadah +==== A Walk to Wallabadah ==== 
 +  
  
 Pat Harrison Pat Harrison
  
 We all have our share of nostalgic yearnings. I think perhaps I have more than my share of the commodity. The hunger for well remembered places was strong upon me as I conceived the idea of traversing the Liverpool Range, a part of the Great Dividing Range, from Murrurundi to Crawney Mountain and then dropping down into the head- We all have our share of nostalgic yearnings. I think perhaps I have more than my share of the commodity. The hunger for well remembered places was strong upon me as I conceived the idea of traversing the Liverpool Range, a part of the Great Dividing Range, from Murrurundi to Crawney Mountain and then dropping down into the head-
-waters of Quirindi Creek and thereafter following that creek to Tallabadah and the road to Quirindi. The distance along the range to Quirindi would be about twenty miles then about eleven to Wallabadah and another ten to Quirindi. The general altitude of this section of the Liverpool Range is around 4,000'and the course of the imak would involve climbing 8,000'.+waters of Quirindi Creek and thereafter following that creek to Wallabadah and the road to Quirindi. The distance along the range to Quirindi would be about twenty miles then about eleven to Wallabadah and another ten to Quirindi. The general altitude of this section of the Liverpool Range is around 4,000' and the course of the walk would involve climbing 8,000'.
  
 Being neither a complete misanthrope nor yet wholly gregarious I asked Bruce Vote at the coffee shop after a club meeting whether he would come. He didn't say yes nor yet a definite no so that I thought he would not be able to come. It was a very pleasant surprise when I received a telegram at Quirindi on Wednesday May 15, 1963, which read: "Arriving Thursday p.m." He really arrived Wednesday night and slept under the bridge across the Jacob and Joseph Creek because he was reluctant to disturb us late at night. He was duly rebuked. Being neither a complete misanthrope nor yet wholly gregarious I asked Bruce Vote at the coffee shop after a club meeting whether he would come. He didn't say yes nor yet a definite no so that I thought he would not be able to come. It was a very pleasant surprise when I received a telegram at Quirindi on Wednesday May 15, 1963, which read: "Arriving Thursday p.m." He really arrived Wednesday night and slept under the bridge across the Jacob and Joseph Creek because he was reluctant to disturb us late at night. He was duly rebuked.
  
-We left Quirindi at noon on Thursday 16th and had no trouble finding a lift to where the New England Highway crosses the Liverpool Range about three miles north of Murrurundi. Our altitude here was 2200' and the weather wasn't at all promising as we went through a locked gate and along a jeep track to Mt. Helen, distant to the east about four miles and involving a climb of 1800' to its crest at 40021.+We left Quirindi at noon on Thursday 16th and had no trouble finding a lift to where the New England Highway crosses the Liverpool Range about three miles north of Murrurundi. Our altitude here was 2200' and the weather wasn't at all promising as we went through a locked gate and along a jeep track to Mt. Helen, distant to the east about four miles and involving a climb of 1800' to its crest at 4002'.
  
  
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-Camp was made immediately in the long grass nearby and by great good fortune we found enough wood for our needs. The mist swirled and boiled around the crest of the range and always seemed about to descend and close in on us. It never did. From our tent during the night we could see the winking lights of cars on the highway near Blandford. Our camp was on one of the headwaters of Neelahans Creek.+Camp was made immediately in the long grass nearby and by great good fortune we found enough wood for our needs. The mist swirled and boiled around the crest of the range and always seemed about to descend and close in on us. It never did. From our tent during the night we could see the winking lights of cars on the highway near Blandford. Our camp was on one of the headwaters of Wheelahans Creek.
  
  
-We started at 8.45 on Friday and sidled round the unnamed feature (3894') to the saddle connecting it to Mt. Temi (41119'). Mt. Temi is shaped like a great flathead fish of which our saddle was the start of the tail. The 550' climb from the saddle was simple enough, a narrow rock ridge of basalt chunks with thorn bushes and nettle for stimulation. The crest of Temi is flat and clear. +We started at 8.45 on Friday and sidled round the unnamed feature (3894') to the saddle connecting it to Mt. Temi (4111'). Mt. Temi is shaped like a great flathead fish of which our saddle was the start of the tail. The 550' climb from the saddle was simple enough, a narrow rock ridge of basalt chunks with thorn bushes and nettle for stimulation. The crest of Temi is flat and clear. 
  
  
-In addition to the far ranging views of the previous day we could now see a very interesting formation, to the north-east, in the valley of Warlands Creek. This formation, Wallabadah Rocks, rises straight up from the floor of the valley for 1000' and more than half of this height is sheer. Wallabadah Rocks in appearance is a split rock very similar in appearance to Belougery Split Rock in the 'Bungles. It has the same reddish colour as Belougery. +In addition to the far ranging views of the previous day we could now see a very interesting formation, to the north-east, in the valley of Warlands Creek. This formation, Wallabadah Rocks, rises straight up from the floor of the valley for 1000' and more than half of this height is sheer. Wallabadah Rocks in appearance is a split rock very similar in appearance to Belougery Split Rock in the 'Bungles. It has the same reddish colour as Belougery. It remained with us as an impressive sight for the rest of the day as we made a half circle around it along the range. There are trees at the base and there appear to be bushes on top.
-It remained with us as an impressive sight for the rest of the day as we made a half circle around it along the range. There are trees at the base and there appear to be bushes on top.+
  
  
-There was a steep 850' descent off the northern end of Temi to a broad clear saddle and from the saddle a climb up to another unnamed feature (36909'), the southern side of which was dotted with several small tarns. In the swampy ground they appeared as pools among the reeds. We now knew that our main worry, water, had been unnecessary and this was further confirmed at lunchtime on Lagoon Mountain (3432') where there is another of these natural tarns. Directly west of Lagoon Mountain through another 450' saddle was another scenic formation Loder'Peak (34509') which dropped away very steeply on its southern side.+There was a steep 850' descent off the northern end of Temi to a broad clear saddle and from the saddle a climb up to another unnamed feature (3690'), the southern side of which was dotted with several small tarns. In the swampy ground they appeared as pools among the reeds. We now knew that our main worry, water, had been unnecessary and this was further confirmed at lunchtime on Lagoon Mountain (3432') where there is another of these natural tarns. Directly west of Lagoon Mountain through another 450' saddle was another scenic formation, Loders Peak (34509') which dropped away very steeply on its southern side.
  
  
-The continuous ups and down along this range were soon to end, for after making an abrupt change of direction to the east at Lagoon Mountain we dropped down 900', climbed up the same height to another unnamed peak, took our last look at 7aLabadell Flecks which were now directly south of us at their closest point to our walk, and then headed due north down a beautiful long ridge to make camp at 4.20 near the headwaters of Uiririli Creek and just below its junction with Splitters Creek. Here nna there on the hillside as we came down this ridge could le sour' ring-barko,trees vvhose brow-J1 dead leaves gave an attractive autueinal appearance as they shone golden in the afternoon sun.+The continuous ups and down along this range were soon to end, for after making an abrupt change of direction to the east at Lagoon Mountain we dropped down 900', climbed up the same height to another unnamed peak, took our last look at Wallabadah Rocks which were now directly south of us at their closest point to our walk, and then headed due north down a beautiful long ridge to make camp at 4.20 near the headwaters of Quirindi Creek and just below its junction with Splitters Creek. Here and there on the hillside as we came down this ridge we could see  ring-barked trees whose brown dead leaves gave an attractive autumnal appearance as they shone golden in the afternoon sun.
  
  
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-On Saturday morning we set out at 820 with one pack between us and took the long ridge on the western side of SPlittO2S C-2,_;0:(Ref, 96090 Land l Map Quirieldi :3 1 31680) and completed the 2600' climb to Crawney Mountain (4736) at 1015 arriving there with Bruce's hat filled with mushrooms he had gathered on the way.  It was unfortunate that above the 4000' level the range was covered in a thick mist, blocking the splendid panorama of more than twenty miles to Yunale and Quirinal. From Cravrney Mount an there are three water-sheds one to the north-east and the beautiful Pool River which in turn finds its way to the Naulei one to the southeast to the ocually beautiful Isis River which feeds the Hunter and the thLra westwards down the valley of Quirindi Creek which winds its way past casuarinas, green flats and pleasant farms and fruitful roil and on through Tallabadah and Quirindi, around 71'1pda:thought it Hill and across the Breeza Plain to lose itself in the Mock! Rivo.+On Saturday morning we set out at 8.20 with one pack between us and took the long ridge on the western side of Splitters Creek (Ref. 960890 Lands Map Quirindi B 1:31680) and completed the 2600' climb to Crawney Mountain (4736') at 10.15, arriving there with Bruce's hat filled with mushrooms he had gathered on the way.  It was unfortunate that above the 4000' level the range was covered in a thick mist, blocking the splendid panorama of more than twenty miles to Nundle and Quirindi. From Crawney Mountain there are three water-shedsone to the north-east and the beautiful Pool River which in turn finds its way to the Namoi, one to the southeast to the equally beautiful Isis River which feeds the Hunterand the third westwards down the valley of Quirindi Creek which winds its way past casurinas, green flats and pleasant farms and fruitful soil and on through Wallabadah and Quirindi, around Whoda'thought it Hill and across the Breeza Plain to lose itself in the Mooki River.
  
  
-We followed the range southwards from Craveaey down a 5003 saddle and across a peak, very reeky end, narrow, and descended by the reference 994894 which brought us back to tine blue tent by a complete circle. This is a splendid walkthe narrow spine of Peak 4686 it was fascinating to see the reLst swf,21ing on the Isis River side while the other side was clear.+We followed the range southwards from Crawney down a 5003saddle and across a peak, very rocky and narrow, and descended by the reference 994894 which brought us back to the blue tent by a complete circle. This is a splendid walk. Coming down the narrow spine of Peak 4686 it was fascinating to see the mist swirling on the Isis River side while the other side was clear.
  
  
-Rain had begun to fall as we reached camp, but by Bruce's effort we were soon eating mushrooms fried in butter. There are three or four settlers along this =eel: boteen our eemp and Wallabadah and consequently there is a road of sortsa true bush road which did nothing to spoil our day.  And what better way to prepare for the ten mile road bash from Wallabadah to Quirindi than downing a couple of glasses in an old country pub while the rain drummed devil outside.+Rain had begun to fall as we reached camp, but by Bruce's effort we were soon eating mushrooms fried in butter. There are three or four settlers along this creek between our camp and Wallabadah and consequently there is a road of sortsa true bush road which did nothing to spoil our day.  And what better way to prepare for the ten mile road bash from Wallabadah to Quirindi than downing a couple of glasses in an old country pub while the rain drummed down outside.
  
-Bruce and I are both purists - at opposite ends of the spectrum. He doesn't like to walk on roadsI like to walk anywhere and everywhere. A mile from Wallabadah tea overdue, a truck came along and to Bruce's obvious delight would not move unless we were on board.+Bruce and I are both purists - at opposite ends of the spectrum. He doesn't like to walk on roadsI like to walk anywhere and everywhere. A mile from Wallabadahtea overdue, a truck came along and to Bruce's obvious delight would not move unless we were on board.
  
-Maps? There are excellent ones of the area by the Lands Dept in a scale of two inches to the mile. We used the Quirinal "B" and "D" sheets and one of the joys of the walk was the use of these maps to find our way. A last word. The winter is the best time to walk in these ranges. Snow falls on the high ground and there are hard frosts through mid winter.+Maps? There are excellent ones of the area by the Lands Dept in a scale of two inches to the mile. We used the Quirinal "B" and "D" sheets and one of the joys of the walk was the use of these maps to find our way. A last word. The winter is the best time to walk in these ranges. Snow falls on the high ground and there are hard frosts through mid-winter.
  
  
-The Autumn Walks Program March to May is in the making.+**The Autumn Walks Program March to May is in the Making**
  
  
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 Jim Brow Jim Brow
  
-I suppose you could say it_Fas Pba Harrisonyfno. startedit. ails.. .well, at-least he revived an old flame that had boon dormant for about ten years. +I suppose you could say it was Pat Harrison who started it all, well, at least he revived an old flame that had been dormant for about ten years. 
-Originally it was back in 1957 that I developed a yearning to visit Broken Rock, that elongated Mount 'Solitary formation which is the northern -end of the ridge dividing Green Wattle Creek 'and Butchers Creek. The trouble was that I considered it should be practicable to do the trip comfortably in an ordinary twoday weekend, and it didn't turn out that may, - + 
-Over the next two years I made three abortive attempts to reach Broken Rock Trig. The first started from Yerranderie you could stbill 4eive there via Burragorang at that time Jack Gentle anct,l'An. Mite joined me in the jaunt, and the plot was to follow + 
-Main Range to Branfan, droP into Butchers Creek, and tackle ange from the saddle immediately south of Shoebridge Mountain, isty weather and lack of time thwarted.us, and we wont back via the Kowmung. +Originally it was back in 1957 that I developed a yearning to visit Broken Rock, that elongated Mount Solitary formation which is the northern end of the ridge dividing Green Wattle Creek and Butchers Creek. The trouble was that I considered it should be practicable to do the trip comfortably in an ordinary two day weekend, and it didn't turn out that way. 
-A few months later I was at it again; this time from Bimlow, the lower Cox River and Green riattle CreekIt was a solo trip in high summer, and I couldn't find any break in the cliff overlooking:, Fritz'Creek. I decided I was too young to die of heatstroke and retreated again. + 
-The third bid  once again from Yerranderie, and in company with Heather Joyce (Mite), Alex Colley and Don Matthews  came nearest to success. We went over Bull Island Gap and down the top of Green Wattle Greek, then climbed out into one of the deep saddles in the divide to the west. However, between that point and Broken Rock Trig was another high section with three roughly conical tops, than another deep saddle and finally the knife edge up to Broken Rock. By 4.30 p.m. on the Saturday we were on the third  the most northerly  of the three pimples on the centre part of the range, and it was obviously too far to the northern outlier of the divide. We gave it best, camped on Butcher's Creek and returned on a cold, squally Sunday via Scott'Main and Byrnes Gap. +  
-At that stage I threw up my.hands in disgust, declared +Over the next two years I made three abortive attempts to reach Broken Rock Trig. The first started from Yerranderie you could still get  there via Burragorang at that time Jack Gentle anct,l'An. Mite [Heather Joyce] joined me in the jaunt, and the plot was to follow the Main Range to Branfan, drop into Butchers Creek, and tackle ange from the saddle immediately south of Shoebridge Mountain. Misty weather and lack of time thwarted us, and we went back via the Kowmung. 
-that Broken Rock grapes were sour, and wrote it off. Except that, over the years I occasionally found myself locking at it on maps  especially after new and detailed sheets were finally published some four or five years back. + 
-7. The Sydney Bushwa,lker. Ja,nuary-,19:1-0 + 
-Thou Pat Harrison took a party over it on the Anzac Holiday week-end, coming in from ,Katangra by the .Gingra-Range and Cedar, - Road. It was reported 'Cuite .fully in the magacT.ine a few months agoand the storymentioned. .a bit of rudimentai"rock climbing on the southern end of the rango.s -there was a reference tothe which gives the range its nameand :is the only way off except for the onde: -and *there was 46 miWT10/1of any rock werk on the northern ridge. I -verified this information from  Pat and brooded over it. It would be good for morale to got the best of Broken Rock. All right, we'd do it 3 but we'd throw in a third 7y,__and--; tackle it from a new quarter. +A few months later I was at it again; this time from Bimlow, the lower Cox River and Green Wattle CreekIt was a solo trip in high summer, and I couldn't find any break in the cliff overlooking Fritzs Creek. I decided I was too young to die of heatstroke and retreated again. 
-Putting the plan into execution I left the car at 'vlecllo*-Gap about 7 a.m. on the last Friday in September. Havinc concluded dt was not going to rain in the next 48 hours (and it didn't) I left the tent behind and made fairly brisk time down the aite _Dog 'iro road to the junction of Cos and_ Kowinung 'Rivers. 2,-fter recent rains Warragamba was up to full storage level, and there was-still wator only two hundred yards below the junctionc r+ 
 + 
 +The third bid  once again from Yerranderie, and in company with Heather Joyce (Mite), Alex Colley and Don Matthews came nearest to success. We went over Bull Island Gap and down the top of Green Wattle Greek, then climbed out into one of the deep saddles in the divide to the west. However, between that point and Broken Rock Trig was another high section with three roughly conical tops, than another deep saddle and finally the knife edge up to Broken Rock. By 4.30 p.m. on the Saturday we were on the third  the most northerly  of the three pimples on the centre part of the range, and it was obviously too far to the northern outlier of the divide. We gave it our best, camped on Butcher's Creek and returned on a cold, squally Sunday via Scotts Main and Byrnes Gap. 
 + 
 + 
 +At that stage I threw up my hands in disgust, declared that Broken Rock grapes were sour, and wrote it off. Except that, over the years I occasionally found myself looking at it on maps especially after new and detailed sheets were finally published some four or five years back. 
 + 
 + 
 +Then Pat Harrison took a party over it on the Anzac Holiday week-end, coming in from Katangra by the Gingra Range and Cedar Road. It was reported 'Cuite fully in the magazine a few months ago and the story mentioned a bit of rudimentary rock climbing on the southern end of the ranges There was a reference to the which gives the range its name and is the only way off except for the onde: and *there was 46 miWT10/1 of any rock werk on the northern ridge. I verified this information from  Pat and brooded over it. It would be good for morale to get the best of Broken Rock. All right, we'd do it 3 but we'd throw in a third 7y,__and--; tackle it from a new quarter. 
 + 
 + 
 +Putting the plan into execution I left the car at 'vlecllo*-Gap about 7 a.m. on the last Friday in September. Having concluded it was not going to rain in the next 48 hours (and it didn't) I left the tent behind and made fairly brisk time down the aite _Dog 'iro road to the junction of Cos and Kowmung Rivers. After recent rains Warragamba was up to full storage level, and there was still water only two hundred yards below the junction. 
 + 
 +
 There followed about three hours up the KOy.t1.42.11g; one of my There followed about three hours up the KOy.t1.42.11g; one of my
-crossings coinciding with a black snake who was syrimming. towards the west bank as I waded to the east. -132-ter early lunch I  labored out at New Yards CT G CiC and fairly early in the .afternoon +crossings coinciding with a black snake who was swimming towards the west bank as I waded to the east. After an early lunch I  labored out at New Yards CT G CiC and fairly early in the afternoon passed the Catholic '.,'Talkers t Chapel 04 Scotts Main Range
-passed the Catholic '.,'Talkers t Chapel 04 Scott s Main Rang.e.+ 
-. . + 
-fet hundred yards further south and I was striking off along a ridge to the east. Judging from the map, the northern side of this spur could bring me down into Butchers Greek below the 400 ftcontour, where I could be marooned by Warragamlla water on the western banks so I tended to veer south, and found myself heading straight for the middle of Broken Rock Range. However, it was a nice open spur, and let me down into Butchers Creek in time for afternoon tea, and consideration of the next move +few hundred yards further south and I was striking off along a ridge to the east. Judging from the map, the northern side of this spur could bring me down into Butchers Greek below the 400 ft contour, where I could be marooned by Warragamba water on the western banks so I tended to veer south, and found myself heading straight for the middle of Broken Rock Range. However, it was a nice open spur, and let me down into Butchers Creek in time for afternoon tea, and consideration of the next move
-It seemed sensible to go downstream-until I was opposite the northern limit of the cliff line, passing on the way quite a few evidences of farming activity in the days before the flooding of the valley - bits of old fencing wire, short lengths of rough  road, even a small herd of half wild cattle. FinallyI camped just above the slack water on a wide flat with open forest. . + 
-The next day was to be Broken Lock Day, of cburse9 so I was boiling my eggs by torchlight at 5.0 a.m. with the first glimmers of dawn behind the cliffy range, and moved oft 5.409 For maybe lir miles it was a gentle aScent on open ridges, with the northern shoulder of the -range lifting_sharPly abead, and by 7 o'clock I was on the crumbling shalY stuff of the buttress. It was simply very steep, with no real Obstacles, and 7.30 brought me to the first + 
-8. The Sydney Bushwalker. January, 1970. +It seemed sensible to go downstream until I was opposite the northern limit of the cliff line, passing on the way quite a few evidences of farming activity in the days before the flooding of the valley - bits of old fencing wire, short lengths of rough road, even a small herd of half wild cattle. Finally I camped just above the slack water on a wide flat with open forest.  
-crest, at map reference Bimlow 352062. + 
-The way ahead now dropped slightly, and followed the rim of a kind of causeway leading to the end of the cliff line. The morning was brilliant, the eastern slopes vanishing into a hazy golden film of light, with ghostly timbered slopes rising beyond. I was ,surprised how little of the Cox Valley I could descry on that side. Far westw4rd, over beyond the Wild Dog Mountains and in Negalong, smoke was rising and maldng the distant hills - last minute burning off before the 1st October, I assume. + 
-The causeway section, and a further climb of about 500 feet brought 'no by about 8.15 to the first true top of the Range (map ref. 347042). From that point it became a succession of ups and downs along the saw-toothed western rim. Pat's party reported the same. The scrub is moderate, the wild flowers at the end of September were very fine, the westerly outlook impressive, with the humps of the Gangerangs west and south. The going was rather tedious, however, and slow - so slow. +The next day was to be Broken Lock Day, of course so I was boiling my eggs by torchlight at 5.0 a.m. with the first glimmers of dawn behind the cliffy range, and moved off at 5.40. For maybe five miles it was a gentle ascent on open ridges, with the northern shoulder of the range lifting sharply ahead, and by 7 o'clock I was on the crumbling shalY stuff of the buttress. It was simply very steep, with no real Obstacles, and 7.30 brought me to the first crest, at map reference Bimlow 352062. 
-Somewhere about 11.0 a.m. I came to a place whEre the cliff appeared to break down. I examined it carefully, as this was the proposed route off the range and came to the conclusion that it would "go" unless any lower line of cliff, invisible from the top, was in the way. Just beyond I took an early lunch, conserving my carried flask of water, as there had not been any obvious supply on the tops so far. + 
-The pack was loft at the lunch spot, and with just a camera I went on to the highest point, Broken Rock Trig 2506', twenty minutes or so to the south. Once on it, it was obviously the top of the range, with a nice outlook south to the blue breaks around Yerranderie, and the three coned top next south along the ridge. It TZS eiLetly noon, the light erong but hazy, and thate wera-no shadows in the gorges, so I took only a couple of "record" shots. The trip point is a stout pole mounted in a pile of rocks, some of which have tumbled away, so that the whole affair has a drunken lean. A queer target to be one's objective so long, but none the less satisfying to make it.+The way ahead now dropped slightly, and followed the rim of a kind of causeway leading to the end of the cliff line. The morning was brilliant, the eastern slopes vanishing into a hazy golden film of light, with ghostly timbered slopes rising beyond. I was surprised how little of the Cox Valley I could describe on that side. Far westward, over beyond the Wild Dog Mountains and in Megalong, smoke was rising and maldng the distant hills - last minute burning off before the 1st October, I assume. 
 + 
 + 
 +The causeway section, and a further climb of about 500 feet brought me by about 8.15 to the first true top of the Range (map ref. 347042). From that point it became a succession of ups and downs along the saw-toothed western rim. Pat's party reported the same. The scrub is moderate, the wild flowers at the end of September were very fine, the westerly outlook impressive, with the humps of the Gangerangs west and south. The going was rather tedious, however, and slow - so slow. 
 + 
 + 
 +Somewhere about 11.0 a.m. I came to a place where the cliff appeared to break down. I examined it carefully, as this was the proposed route off the range and came to the conclusion that it would "go" unless any lower line of cliff, invisible from the top, was in the way. Just beyond I took an early lunch, conserving my carried flask of water, as there had not been any obvious supply on the tops so far. 
 + 
 + 
 +The pack was left at the lunch spot, and with just a camera I went on to the highest point, Broken Rock Trig 2506', twenty minutes or so to the south. Once on it, it was obviously the top of the range, with a nice outlook south to the blue breaks around Yerranderie, and the three coned top next south along the ridge. It TZS eiLetly noon, the light erong but hazy, and thate wera-no shadows in the gorges, so I took only a couple of "record" shots. The trip point is a stout pole mounted in a pile of rocks, some of which have tumbled away, so that the whole affair has a drunken lean. A queer target to be one's objective so long, but none the less satisfying to make it.
 That follows is always anti-climax: the return to the pack took only 15 minutes and the descent via the "Teak" into the warmth of the westering sun was slow and thirsty over loose crumbly surface well litteted with slippery leaves and twigs. But it was also uneventful, and I made afternoon tea by Butcher's areek, before going downstream to the foot of the ridge which had deposited me on the stream about 24 hours earlier. Then up to Scott's Main Range to sleep under brilliant stars at the Catholic Walkers' clearing. That follows is always anti-climax: the return to the pack took only 15 minutes and the descent via the "Teak" into the warmth of the westering sun was slow and thirsty over loose crumbly surface well litteted with slippery leaves and twigs. But it was also uneventful, and I made afternoon tea by Butcher's areek, before going downstream to the foot of the ridge which had deposited me on the stream about 24 hours earlier. Then up to Scott's Main Range to sleep under brilliant stars at the Catholic Walkers' clearing.
 The final morning had a dreamlike. quality. There were several steam-hauled tour trains abroad tha I was keen to sight. To fit in with their schedules, I moved off at 3.30 a.m. and saw:- The final morning had a dreamlike. quality. There were several steam-hauled tour trains abroad tha I was keen to sight. To fit in with their schedules, I moved off at 3.30 a.m. and saw:-
Line 253: Line 280:
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197001.txt · Last modified: 2016/02/21 19:41 by lucym

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