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 * In coming magazines it is proposed to publish in instalments a slightly abridged version of the campfire presentation of "Background to Bushwalking."
-THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE COIN.
+=====The Reverse Side Of The Coin.=====
 by Jim Brown.
-Almost a year ago, having finally got around to visiting the northern end of Axe Heqd Mountain, near Yerranderie, I gave my blessing (for what that may be worth) to the often repeated claims of other Blue BreP.ks aficionados that it commands the most impressive views in the area. However,
-aS I sat on the Sentinel, the topmost point of Axe Head, that brilliant March afternoon, I looked north-east to the line of golden cliffs that farm the western edge of Lacy's Tableland and wondered whether the outlook from thorn would be almost as spectacular. Sure, to judge from the map, you
+Almost a year ago, having finally got around to visiting the northern end of Axe Head Mountain, near Yerranderie, I gave my blessing (for what that may be worth) to the often repeated claims of other Blue Breaks aficionados that it commands the most impressive views in the area. However, as I sat on the Sentinel, the topmost point of Axe Head, that brilliant March afternoon, I looked north-east to the line of golden cliffs that form the western edge of Lacy's Tableland and wondered whether the outlook from them would be almost as spectacular. Sure, to judge from the map, you wouldn't have a dramatic eastern skyline: instead you would be confined to a 180-degree panorama, from south through west to north, but including Axe Head itself, and those same impressive rocky islets of Bull Island, Mounts Relentless and Remorseless, and beyond them, blue and gold in afternoon sunlight, the depths of the Kowmung ravine and the humps around Kanangra. In a way it would be the reverse side of the coin.
-wouldn't have a dramatic eastern skyline: instead you would be confined to -
-a 180-degree panorama, from south through west to north, but including Axe Head itself, and those same impressive rocky islets of Bull Island, Mounts Relentless and Remorseless, and beyond them, blue and gold in afternoon sun-- light, the depths of the Kowmung ravine and the humps around Kanangra. In away it would be the reverse side of the coin.
+I had once before trodden a short section of Lacy's Tableland, but that was further north. What's more, the old enemy Time meant that I had walked it in the middle of a summer's day when there was very little shadow relief, and the whole landscape had been hazy olive-green. The cliff line towards the southern end of the Tableland should give a much more imposing view in late afternoon, especially if there were a few nice fluffy white clouds tinged with rosy westering light. There was only one way to find out how it compared with Axe Head - go there and see.
- I had once before trodden a short section of Lacy's Tableland, but that was further north. What's more, the old enemy Time meant that I had walked it in the middle of a summer's day when there was very little shadow relief,- and the whole landscape had been hazy olive-green. The cliff line towards the southern end of the Tableland should, give a much more imposing view in late afternoon, especially if there were a few nice fluffy white clouds tinged with rosy westering light. There was only one way to find out how it compared with Axe Head - go there arid see.
-Because of the draught it was a year before I felt game to put it to
+Because of the drought it was a year before I felt game to put it to the test, and even now I'm not sure that I chose the best approach route. This was done from Kanangra via Gingra Range and Hughes Ridge to the Kowmung River, and down the Kowmung to the Water Board road which follows the old Cedar Road formation. Leaving Kanangra shortly before noon, the first night camp was on the river just upstream of the Cedar Road, and quite late at 6.40 pm.
-the test, and even now I'm not sure that I chose the best approach route. This was done from Kanangra via Gingra Range and Hughes Ridge to the Kowmung River, and down the Kowmung to the Water Board road which follows the old Cedar Road formation. Leaving Kanangra shortly before noon, the first night camp was on the river just upstream of the Cedar Road, and quite late at
-,40
+In the morning my path continued up the Cedar Road to Scott's Main Range, and perhaps a kilometre south along that to the Big Stringybark Range, which took me down to Butcher's Creek. Or rather, it would have taken me down to Butcher's Creek if I had not got on to a stubby spur which deposited me in a side creek. It didn't make much odds - the side creek had a couple of small cascades, but they were easily negotiated, and by 9.30 am I was on Butcher's Creek.
-In the morning my path continued up the Cedar Road to Scott's Main Range, and perhaps a kilometre south along that to the Big Stringybark Range, which took re down to Butcher's Creek. Or rather, it would have taken me down to Butcher's Creek if I had not got on to a stubby spur which deposited me, in a side creek. It didn't make much odds - the side creek had a couple of small cascades, but they were easily, negotiated, and by 9.30 am I was on Butcher's Creek. -
-The next leg was over the low divide called Green Wattle Break between Butcher's Creek (which had a modest flow, by the way) and Green Wattle Creek, I'd dane this once before and even at my crawling pace it had taken only a shade over two hours: I promised myself lunch on Green Wattle Creek. Well, that's where my planned schedule went down the drain. The ridge up to Green Wattle Break went all right, but when I started down the quite short descent on the eastern side, I once again picked a stubby ridge which dumped m6 unceremoniously into an almost dry side creek. Thinking of Spiro and
+The next leg was over the low divide called Green Wattle Break between Butcher's Creek (which had a modest flow, by the way) and Green Wattle Creek. I'd done this once before and even at my crawling pace it had taken only a shade over two hours. I promised myself lunch on Green Wattle Creek. Well, that's where my planned schedule went down the drain. The ridge up to Green Wattle Break went all right, but when I started down the quite short descent on the eastern side, I once again picked a stubby ridge which dumped me unceremoniously into an almost dry side creek. Thinking of Spiro and his recent home-buying capers I said "gazumped twice in one day", and started down the creek.
-his recent home-buying capers I said "gazumped twice in one day", and started down the creek.
-Page 7	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	April, 1981.
+Presently I came to a waterfall, which plainly offered no way to a solo walker with no confidence in exposed places. At least there was a rock pool, so I lunched in a small overhang, then began the scramble up out of the gully on to that same ridge I had been on before. Very steep, grown with a lot of rubbish, and obviously burnt out a few years before to judge from the dry sticks bent over at various heights between ankle and thigh. I took a pasting in that scrub, and it was 3.30 pm before I was on Green Wattle Creek. On the way I remember recalling a former work-fellow who used to sigh at the end of a trying day, "There must be an easier way (to make a living)". And I remember answering myself sternly, "Walking in the Blue Breaks isn't meant to be easy".
-WEIMOI1191IM
-Presently I came to a waterfall, which plainly offered no way to a Solo walker with no confidence in exposed places. At least there was a #ck pool, so I lunched in a small overhang, then began the scramble up out Of the gully aa to that same ridge I had been on before. Very steep, grown with a lot of rubbish, and .obviously burnt out a few years before to judge from the dry sticks bent over at various heights between ankle and thigh. T took a pasting in that scrub, and it was 3.30 pm before I was on Green Wattle Creek. On the way I remember recalling a former work-fellow who 4sed to sigh at the end of a trying day, "There must be an easier way (to Make a living)". And I remember answering myself sternly, "Walking in the Blue Breaks isn't meant to be easy".
+A short spell on arrival at Green Wattle Creek, and my way then led downstream about an hour and a half. The pass I intended to use to get through the cliff line and on to Lacy's Tableland is situated at map reference Burragorang 1:31680 320980, and although I could see there was now no prospect of being up on the plateau for the night, at least I could camp on the creek immediately below the gap, ready for a dawn assault on the ridge.
-A short spell on arrival at Green tattle Creek, and my way then led downstream about an hour and a half. The pass I intended to use to get through: the cliff line and on to Lacy's Tableland is situated at map reference Burragorang-1:31680 3209809 and although I could see there was now no prospect of being up on the plateau for the night, at least i could camp on the creek immediately below the gap, ready for a :71awn assault On the ridge#
-As it turned out, the further I went down Green tattle Crcek the less
+As it turned out, the further I went down Green Wattle Creek the less water I found, and over the last kilometre I was reluctantly considering having to retreat upstream. I had actually passed the spot where intended to climb out when I found a single waterhole where a tree had been uprooted, and maybe thirty or forty litres of water with a brownish discolouration and an irridescent film over its surface. "I have drunk worse" I counselled and camped straightaway on a pleasant grassy flat just above it.
-water I found, and over the last kilometre I was reluctantly considering
-having to retreat upstream. I had actually passed the spot where
+Up before dawn and away in piccaninny daylight at 5.25 am, wearing long trousers as a concession to the scrub that I knew I'd have to get through on the ridge. Apart from that, it was not a bad ridge and took the right up to a projecting bluff which lies immediately west of the pass. Then it was simply a matter of skirting around just below the cliff and into the pass. It is a little beauty, this pass; the cliff breaks down altogether, and one walks up through a grassy, richly vegetated volcanic spill. It looks very pretty, too, but there's a lush growth of nettles amongst the grasses. Kangaroos were grazing on the verdure as I reached the plateau, at about 2200 ft, and nearly three hours from the creek. I was now almost half a day behind my timetable, but I was on Lacy's Tableland.
-intended to ,)limb out when I found a single waterhole where a tree had been Uprooted, and maybe thirty or forty litres of water with a brownish discolouration and an irridescent film over its surface. "I have drank worse" T caunselled and camped straightaway on a pleasant grassy flat just above it
-Up before dawn and away in piccaninny daylight at 5.25 am, wearing long trousers as a concession to the scrub that I knew I'd have to get through on the ridge. Apart from that, it was not a bad ridge and took the right up to a projecting bluff which lies immediately west of the pass. Then it was simply a matter of skirting around just below the cliff and into the pass. It is a little beauty, this pass; the cliff braks down altogether, and one walks up through a grassy, richly vegetated volcanic spill. It looks very pretty, too, but there's a lush growth of nettles amongst the grasses. Kangaroos were grazing on the verdure as I reached . the plateau, at about 2200 ft, and nearly three hours from the creek. I was now almost half a day behind my timetable, but I was on Lacy 's land.
+Once on top, I was back into typical sandstone country and vegetation. I fancy it must have been burned several years ago, perhaps in the savage 1977 fires, because there are places where there is hardly any small growth beneath the trees, and other sections where the way lies through a tangle of dead sticks. In one respect the plateau is easy going - there are only minor undulations, and the height above sea level varies only between 2200 and 2600 ft. Most of the way the navigation is not difficult, as one can see the blue gulf of Green Wattle Creek not far away to the right (north-west). A little care is needed in places where the true crown of the plateau bends southward around the top of side creeks draining off towards Green Wattle. In one of these places I found I had swung north-west and lost perhaps half an hour getting back on the dominantly south-west bearing. All told, the rate of progress was below 2 kilametres per hour.
-Once on top, I was back into typical sandstone country and vegetation, 1 fancy it must have been burned several years ago, perhaps in the savage - !:77 fires, because there are places where there is hardly any small growth, beneath the trees, and other sedtions where the way lies through a tangle
-of dead sticks. In one respect the plateau is easy going - there are only minor undulations, and the height above sea level varies only -between 2200 and 2600 ft. Most of the way the navigation is not difficult, as one can see the blue gulf of Green tattle Creek not far away to the right (north-west). A little care is needed in places where the true crown of the plateau bends southward around the top of side creeks draining off towards Green Wattle. In one of these places I found I had swung northwest and lost perhaps half an hour getting back on the dominantly south-
+And the scenery is good. There are two particular vantage points where the highest ground lies right beside the cliff line and there are bare rocky shelves with nothing to block the line of sight. One of these is about reference Burragorang 302953, with an excellent outlook up and down Green Wattle Creek: the other near the knoll with a height reading of 2570 ft at reference 263926. This one would have been a real competitor with Axe Head if the light had been brighter and the hour later. As it was, I had lunched (a dry lunch) a short while before, but I hung around for a while hoping photographic conditions would improve. Instead it became more overcast, and I gave away any notion of dwelling overnight on the plateau rim. Apart from the fact that my time (and tucker) were running out, the tableland was extremely dry and I suspected one would have to descend a long way into the top of side creeks to find water.
-west bearing. All told, the rate of progress was below 2 kilametres per hOur.
-Page 8	THE SYDNEY BUSHUALKER	April, 1981.
+Presently the ridge curved away to the south east, and its rim now overlooked Yerranderie and the Tonalli River. It this point I did another capital job of "gazumping" myself. About 2.30 pm I decided I must be almost due north of Lacy's Gap - my way of leaving the tableland. I eased over towards the cliff edge, but could see nothing of the very obvious semi-detached cliff which marks the Gap. However I could descry some cliffs to the west, jumped to the conclusion I'd overshot the pass, and doubled back. Half an hour later at the cliff edge I could see that I had been almost at Lacy's Gap when I turned back. During my third passage through that scrub I was becoming very aggravated about Lacy's Tableland, and it was after 4.0 pm when I started down the thread of eroded track which winds down steeply to the west of the projecting crag. I camped on the Tonalli about 5.30 pm, still 7 or 8 hours behind timetable.
-And the scenery is good. There are two particular vantage points where the highest ground lies right beside the cliff line and there are bare rocky shelves with nothing to block the line of sight. One of these is about reference Burragorang 302953, with an excellent outlook up and	., down Green Wattle Creek: the other near the knoll with ,a "height reading of, 2570 ft at reference 263926. This one would have been a real competitor with Axe Head if the light had been brighter and the hour later. As it was, I had lunched (a dry lunch) a short while before, but I hung around for a while hoping photographic conditions would improve. Instead_it became more Overcast, and I gave away any notion of dwelling overnight on the plateau
-rim. Apart from the fact that my time (and tucker) were running out, the tableland was extremely dry and I suspected one would have to descend a long way into the top of side creeks to find water.
+Originally I'd had some idea of looking at the eastern face of Axe Head, but time had run out, and in the morning I made my way up the ridge into Yerranderie and out along my "quick escape" route via Byrnes Gap and Scott's Main Range until I came to the ridge near Denis Range where I proposed to drop into the Kowmung. Even at this stage, when it seemed impossible, I managed to get off my intended route: oh, yes, the ridge took me down to the Kowmung all right, at a point which I believed to be just down river from Root's Ridge, so I turned upstream for about a kilometre. It was only 3.30 pm but I was weary, my rations were low, and large mushrooms were growing there, so I made an early camp promising a dawn start up Roots Ridge next day.
--	Presently the ridge curved away to the south east, and its rim now
-overlooked Yerranderie and the Tonalli River. It this point I did another, capital job of "gazumping" myself. About 2.30 pm I decided I must be almost due north of Lacy's Gap - my way of leaving the tableland. I eased over towards the cliff edge, but could see nothing of the viry.obvious semi-
+I was away at 5.25 am and gradually began to doubt I was on Root's Ridge. It didn't seem to rise in that steady grade I remembered. After almost two hours I was convinced when I came to a prominent hump with a decided saddle beyond it. I knew, too, where I was - on Brumby Mountain on the ridge of the same name, the next one upriver from Root's Ridge. Oh, well, Brumby Ridge was a new route out of the Kowmung for me, and in that area, all ridges lead on to Gingra Range. I made just one good resolution, however - NEVER, no NEVER to try to __descend__ Brumby Ridge. As someone once said, not altogether truthfully, about Compagnoni's Pass of Ti-Willa, "You're not supposed to come DOWN etc.".
-detached cliff which marks the Gap. However I could descry some cliffs to
-the west, jumped to the conclusion I'd overshot the pass, and doubled back.
+Well, there it is. I can't claim Lacy's Tableland to be as spectacular as Axe Head, but if ever you've got a few days with nothing much to do, keep it in mind as perhaps the second-best view in the Blue Breaks.
-Half an hour later at the cliff edge I could see that I had been almost at Lacy's Gap when I turned back. During my third passage through that scrub
-I was becoming very aggravated about Lacy's Tableland, and it was after 4.0 pm when I started down the thread of eroded track which winds down steeply to
-the west of the projecting crag. I camped on the Tonalli about 5.30 pm,
-or 8 hours behind timetable.
-Originally I'd had some idea of looking at the eastern face of Axe Head, but time had run out, and in the morning I made my way up the ridge
-into Yerranderie and out Along my "quick escape" route via Byrnes Gap and Scott's Main Range until I came to the ridge near Denis Range where I proposed to drop into the Kowmung. Even.at this stage, when it seemed impossible,
-I managed to get off my int'aded route: oh, yes, the ridge todk me'down to
-the Kowmung all right, at a point which I believed to-be just down river from Root's Ridge, so I turned upstream for about a kilometre. It was onli'
-.30 pm but I was weary, my rations were low, an: large mushrooms were grow#g there, so I made an early camp promising a dawn start up Roots Ridge next d4;
-I was away at 5.25 am and gradually began to doubt I was on Root's Ridge. It didn't seem to rise in that steady grade I remembered. After almost two hours I was convinced when I came to a prominent hump with a. decided saddle:lbeyond it. I knew, too, where I was - on Brumlyy Mountain Tithe ridge of the same name, the next one upriver from Root's Ridge. Oh, well, Brumby Ridge was a new route out of the Kowmung for me, and in that area, a4 ridges lead on to Gingra Range. I made just one good resolution, however -
-FEVER, no NEVER to try to descend Brumby Ridge. As someone once said, not
-altogether truthfully, about Compagnonils Pass of	"You're not
-supposed to come DOWN etc.".
-Well, there it is. I can't claim Lacy's Tableland to be as spectacular
-as Axe Head, but if ever you've got a few days with nothing much to do, keep it in mind AS perhaps the second-best view in the Blue Breaks.
-* * * * * * * * * *
-'
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-Page 10	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	April, 1981.
 WHERE TO WINMAIEE or HOW TO SPRINGWOGD:- J
 Patht 'the Sedon.d.