198208
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Next revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
198208 [2012/05/17 23:22] – external edit 127.0.0.1 | 198208 [2019/02/06 12:02] – tyreless | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * ** * *.** *.*-*.* * * * .* *.* * *.*_* * * * * * | + | ====== The Sydney Bushwalker. ====== |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | Established June 1931. |
- | Established June 1931 | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * *.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest |
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney 2001. Club meetings from 7.30 pm at the Cahill Community Centre Crow's Nest. Enquiries concerning the Club telephone 798-8607. | + | |
- | to The Sydney Bush Walkers, | + | ---- |
- | are held every Wednesday evening (Upper Hall), 34 Falcon Stredt, | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |**Editor**|Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039. Telephone 827-3695.| |
- | EDITOR: Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Telephone 827-3695. | + | |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, |
- | BUSINESS MANAGER: Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Telephone 871-1207. | + | |**Production Manager**|Helen Gray.| |
- | PRODUCTION MANAGER: Helen Gray. | + | |**Typist**|Kath Brown.| |
- | TYPIST: Kath Brown. | + | |**Duplicator Operator**|Phil Butt.| |
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | Street, Rozdlle, 2039. | + | === August, 1982 === |
- | Drive, Carlingford, | + | |
- | AUGUST, 1982. | + | ===== In This Issue: ===== |
- | Our Second Honorary Active Member - | + | |
- | Alex Colley | + | | | |Page| |
- | Back on the Banks of Wilderness Abound | + | |Our Second Honorary Active Member - Alex Colley|Jim Brown| 2| |
- | 4 New Zealand Ramble with Gamble Bushwalker Recipe No.4 | + | |Back on the Banks of Wilderness Abound|Peter Harris| 3| |
- | Advertisement - Eastwood Camping Centre | + | |A Thirsty Business|Don Cornell| |
- | - Social | + | |A New Zealand Ramble with Gamble|Keith Docherty| 5| |
- | Page | + | |Bushwalker Recipe No.4|Judith Rostron| 9| |
- | by Jim Brown | + | |Eleanor Bluffs Revisited|Jim Brown|11| |
- | Peter Harris | + | |Skiing - Australia and U.S.A.|Dorothy Stitt|13| |
- | Don Cornell Keith Docherty | + | |Lecture by Sir Edmund Hilary (notice) - Social Notes for September| |16| |
- | Judith Rostron | + | |The July General Meeting Notice|Barry Wallace|17| |
- | Jim Brown | + | |Notice - Bushwalkers Ball 1982| |18| |
- | Dorothy Stitt | + | |
- | Notes for September 16 | + | ===== Advertisements: |
- | Barry Wallace 17 | + | |
- | 18 | + | | |Page| |
- | 2 | + | |Eastwood Camping Centre|10| |
- | 3 | + | |
- | 4 | + | ---- |
- | 5 | + | |
- | 9 | + | ===== Our Second Honorary Active Member - Alex Colley ===== |
- | 11 | + | |
- | 13 | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ;.* * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | Page 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, | + | |
- | modmoymnminmoommlonsporymysinwparmlowlmmunno | + | |
- | OUR SECOND HONORARY ACTIVEMEKBER - ALEX COLLEY. | + | |
by Jim Brown. | by Jim Brown. | ||
+ | |||
During 1981 the Club adopted a Constitutional Amendment creating a new category of membership - Honorary Active Member, and the Committee promptly elected Dot Butler to that status. The decision was applauded universally because Dot, in her fiftieth year of membership, and actively engaged in a range of Club activities, really seemed to represent the " | During 1981 the Club adopted a Constitutional Amendment creating a new category of membership - Honorary Active Member, and the Committee promptly elected Dot Butler to that status. The decision was applauded universally because Dot, in her fiftieth year of membership, and actively engaged in a range of Club activities, really seemed to represent the " | ||
+ | |||
Of course, some other long-standing members had already been invited to become " | Of course, some other long-standing members had already been invited to become " | ||
+ | |||
At the July meeting the Committee elected as Honorary Active Member Alex Colley - another of those people who have given long and supportive service to the Club, and one who is still enthusiastically filling a vital position in achieving the Club's objectives. | At the July meeting the Committee elected as Honorary Active Member Alex Colley - another of those people who have given long and supportive service to the Club, and one who is still enthusiastically filling a vital position in achieving the Club's objectives. | ||
- | Alex first came to the Club in 1936, | ||
- | same year. By 1937 he was filling a position on the Committee and four years later was elected President for 1941-42. During a later tenure.of the office of Magazine Editor he introduced the practice of publishing a report of the monthly General Meeting - a system followed to this day. Many of us who came later to the Club will gladly acknowledge that our thinking an Club affairs and the many conservation proposals put before our meetings was influenced by Alex's lucid and reasoned comment. | ||
- | , For about twenty years he has been the Caub's Conservation Secretary, | ||
- | taking on that job at a time when S.B.W. was one of the few voices crying in the wilderness (because we believed some wilderness should be left unspoiled) and carrying through to the present when the conservation lobby iS almost influential enough to make-or break Governments. | ||
- | In the Committee - deposits at major force Plateau | + | Alex first came to the Club in 1936, gaining full membership in the same year. By 1937 he was filling a position on the Committee |
- | in other projects, notably the preservation of the Kanangra/ | + | |
- | in more recent representations leading to the proclamation of second-largest National Park....Wollemi - the Colo catchment. | + | For about twenty years he has been the Club's Conservation Secretary, taking on that job at a time when S.B.W. was one of the few voices crying in the wilderness (because we believed some wilderness should be left unspoiled) and carrying through to the present when the conservation lobby is almost influential enough to make or break governments. |
- | Yet with all these other activities he has always remained a true | + | |
- | walker. In a recent issue of the National Parks Association' | + | In the conservation |
- | It was perhaps typical of Alex that, at the July General Meeting when his election as our second Honorary Active Member was announced, he told us that, while appreciating the honour, he felt the Club owed him nothing rather that he owed the Club for the many good years it had given him. | + | |
- | **XXXXXXXX | + | Yet with all these other activities he has always remained a true walker. In a recent issue of the National Parks Association' |
- | Page 3 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, | + | |
- | BACK ON THE BANKS OF WILDERNESS ABOUND | + | It was perhaps typical of Alex that, at the July General Meeting when his election as our second Honorary Active Member was announced, he told us that, while appreciating the honour, he felt the Club owed him nothing... rather that he owed the Club for the many good years it had given him. |
- | (Of Pencil.Pine-Tarn,-Central,Platea4/ | + | |
- | by Peter Harris. | + | ---- |
- | The air blew crisp and dewy at the early morning dawn, On a freshly-fallen snow in winter guise; | + | |
- | With the mountains dark and awesome, | + | ===== Back On The Banks Of Wilderness Abound. ===== |
- | And their peaks all split and torn | + | |
+ | (Of Pencil Pine Tarn, Central | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Peter Harris. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Enter the Tarn === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The air blew crisp and dewy at the early morning dawn,\\ | ||
+ | On a freshly-fallen snow in winter guise;\\ | ||
+ | With the mountains dark and awesome,\\ | ||
+ | And their peaks all split and torn\\ | ||
From the lightning-hits of stormy grey-black skies. | From the lightning-hits of stormy grey-black skies. | ||
- | There is a sheltered, stunted grove of small and twisted pine, Where dead boughs quake and bend at every blow; | + | |
- | And frozen lake meets frozen land, | + | There is a sheltered, stunted grove of small and twisted pine,\\ |
- | In steep and pained incline | + | Where dead boughs quake and bend at every blow;\\ |
+ | And frozen lake meets frozen land,\\ | ||
+ | In steep and pained incline\\ | ||
Where wrens abound in snowy trees near verdant waters flow. | Where wrens abound in snowy trees near verdant waters flow. | ||
- | I Am A Rush of Life | + | |
+ | === I Am A Rush of Life === | ||
I am the life of the lakeland. | I am the life of the lakeland. | ||
+ | |||
I am the rush of rapid water churning and frothing in deep, narrow channels from lake to lake; a relentless ever-onward, | I am the rush of rapid water churning and frothing in deep, narrow channels from lake to lake; a relentless ever-onward, | ||
- | I am a strip of grey-black sand, shingle and driftwood weathered - by time where wilderness of water ceaselessly attacks wilderness of land. Where the Red_ Mountain Berry hangs 'suspended above white frost and frozen snows, a flash of colour-in a monochrome postcard. | + | |
- | When alpine gardens are deep in snow the Pencil Pine surrounds tower on high, competing with orange autumn leaves of the deciduous beech, Fagus | + | I am a strip of grey-black sand, shingle and driftwood weathered - by time where wilderness of water ceaselessly attacks wilderness of land. Where the Red Mountain Berry hangs suspended above white frost and frozen snows, a flash of colour in a monochrome postcard. |
- | Show-laden branches of Honey Richea buckle beneath their own weight, lower | + | |
- | branches forced into ground-covering snow, beating white holes in a white sheet. | + | When alpine gardens are deep in snow the Pencil Pine surrounds tower on high, competing with orange autumn leaves of the deciduous beech, Fagus. Snow-laden branches of Honey Richea buckle beneath their own weight, lower branches forced into ground-covering snow, beating white holes in a white sheet. |
Wrens run along the spindrift. Over rocky crags an eagle soars on swift, cold air currents. Aerobatics on high. | Wrens run along the spindrift. Over rocky crags an eagle soars on swift, cold air currents. Aerobatics on high. | ||
- | Epilogue | + | |
+ | === Epilogue | ||
My passion grows with a unity of lake, forest, heath, Meadow, mountain and snow. A special glory is the equanimity of my life. | My passion grows with a unity of lake, forest, heath, Meadow, mountain and snow. A special glory is the equanimity of my life. | ||
- | How sweet to tent in the sheltered lee of a grove of twisted- Pencil Pines whilst dead sinuous branches of a burnt King Billy grope towards nearby frozen meadows. To hear the rush of frantic water, cold above the high.-pitched whistle of gale-force winds. | + | |
- | At dawn I.look out from the rim of my tent to the rim of my lake. | + | How sweet to tent in the sheltered lee of a grove of twisted Pencil Pines whilst dead sinuous branches of a burnt King Billy grope towards nearby frozen meadows. To hear the rush of frantic water, cold above the high-pitched whistle of gale-force winds. |
- | dislodge snow which lands, without diplomacy, onto my scarved neck. A frozen, white panorama. There is no sun. There is no heat. There is no hope for movement today. | + | |
- | But there is always my lake. A unified wilderness. The core of a larger wilderness | + | At dawn I look out from the rim of my tent to the rim of my lake. I dislodge snow which lands, without diplomacy, onto my scarved neck. A frozen, white panorama. There is no sun. There is no heat. There is no hope for movement today. |
- | It is as it always was in the beginning | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | But there is always my lake. A unified wilderness. The core of a larger wilderness... |
- | Page' 4 THE SYDNEY BUSIDIALKER.. August 1982, | + | |
- | ...... | + | It is as it always was in the beginning... |
- | THIRSTY BUSINESS, by Don Cornell. | + | |
- | There is little doubt Ian can plan a walk to suit the weather and his | + | ---- |
- | January 22nd to 24th walk from " | + | |
- | We set out on Saturday about 9 am at a leisurely pace along a dirt | + | ===== A Thirsty Business. ===== |
- | track through a typical sandstone environment with ironbark, angophora, stringy- bark, a good selection of wattle, persoonia and banksia plus numerous other | + | |
- | plants all looking fresh from rain which fell during the previous week. . The | + | by Don Cornell. |
- | track narrowed beyond the turnoff and gradually descended to the valley | + | |
- | side an unnamed creek. We had several good views of nearby cliffs along the way and reached the Nattai River by 11.30 am. | + | There is little doubt Ian can plan a walk to suit the weather and his January 22nd to 24th walk from " |
- | While the rest of the group proceeded to search for a suitable campsite, Jenny and I dipped into water half a metre deep, soon followed by Ian, Joy, Sandy and Lorraine. Meanwhile Keith had discovered a beaut pool.downriveralongside | + | |
- | ities - Ken, Debbie, Jutta, Bob, Margaret and Bill erected their tents; Ian, Sandy and Joy inflated their lilos and were soon floating; Stan, Jenny, Frank and I collected firewood and got the lunch fire going. In no time we had the water bags filled and the billy on the fire. This gave us time to duck in for another swim and set the pattern for the rest of our stay. | + | We set out on Saturday about 9 am at a leisurely pace along a dirt track through a typical sandstone environment with ironbark, angophora, stringy-bark, |
+ | |||
+ | While the rest of the group proceeded to search for a suitable campsite, Jenny and I dipped into water half a metre deep, soon followed by Ian, Joy, Sandy and Lorraine. Meanwhile Keith had discovered a beaut pool downriver alongside | ||
With the temperature hovering around 38 degrees celsius it was a pleasure to pad down to the water' | With the temperature hovering around 38 degrees celsius it was a pleasure to pad down to the water' | ||
- | Eventually it came time to take down tents and pack guar, finally leaving the site about 5 pm. | + | |
- | Somehow despite the heat I seemed to get ahead and reached the vehicles at 7 pm. I had this large bottle of orange juice. I switched on the radio for the news broadcast and pdured | + | Eventually it came time to take down tents and pack gear, finally leaving the site about 5 pm. |
- | I. drank my drink as the newsman said, "It was the hottest day for | + | |
- | Jenny wasn't in sight so I drank her drink and poured two more. Meantime I had decided that it was such a lovely evening, why not have dinner before leaving? So I drank my drink while collecting sticks, Jenny wasn't in sight | + | Somehow despite the heat I seemed to get ahead and reached the vehicles at 7 pm. I had this large bottle of orange juice. I switched on the radio for the news broadcast and poured |
- | so I drank her drink and poured two more By this time I had a good fire | + | |
- | going while I drank my drink and I soon had the soup on and the potatoes:: peeled. Jenny wasn't in sight as I drank her drink, so I poured two more. | + | |
You know, a fellow can get quite thirsty on a hot weekend. | You know, a fellow can get quite thirsty on a hot weekend. | ||
- | Page 5 THE SYDNEY BUSHUALKER August, | + | |
- | A NEW ZEALAND RAMBLE WITH GAMBLE | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== A New Zealand Ramble With Gamble | ||
by Keith Docherty. | by Keith Docherty. | ||
- | Having left Lorraine Bloomfield in Queenstown to receive treatment | + | |
- | for badly blistered heels, there were only six of us on this ramble in th'e | + | Having left Lorraine Bloomfield in Queenstown to receive treatment for badly blistered heels, there were only six of us on this ramble in the Route Burn area:- Bill Gamble (Leader), Ian Debert, Joy Hynes, John Newman, Stan Madden and Keith Docherty (prospective). |
- | Route Burn area:- Bill Gamble (Leader), Ian Debert, Joy Hynes, John Newman, Stan Madden and Keith Docherty (prospective). | + | |
- | It was a fine, hazy morning when we crossed the suspension bridge over | + | It was a fine, hazy morning when we crossed the suspension bridge over the Route Burn at the start of our walk along the famous Routeburn Track. We had been told that it was a well-maintained and clearly marked track ("a manicured track" as one American walker described it), but it was a suprise |
- | the Route Burn at the start of our walk along the famous Routeburn Track. We had been told that it was a well-maintained and clearly marked track ("a manicured track" as one American walker described it), but it was a | + | |
- | uprise | + | The Hut Warden advised Bill about the best route to the North Branch and at 1245 hours we were on our way. I don't think that Warden liked Australians. Following his insructions we were soon bashing our shins against |
- | 0 problems walking the track in such footwear but we were not going to remain | + | |
- | forest brought us to the Routeburn Flats Hut where we filled in the Inten' | + | After setting up camp on the true right of the stream Bill, Stan and John decided to cross over and try to climb to a hanging valley above a spectacular |
- | Book and made a brew of tea on the gas rings. | + | |
- | The Hut Warden advised Bill about the best route to the North Branch | + | There was plenty of wood for our campfire but it was difficult to light, |
- | and at 1245 hours we were on our way. I don't think that Warden liked | + | |
- | Australians. Following his insructions we were soon bashing our shins | + | Next morning there was ice on the water buckets but the rising |
- | , . | + | |
- | ggainst | + | The scramble up the final slopes to North Col was exciting and the view back down the North Branch improved as we climbed higher. There were large patches of snow in the couloir and fantastic caves and pillars had been formed underneath them by the thaw and the action of streams. We didn't investigate too closely for fear of the snow collapsing. Instead we scrambled across the steep scree slopes. Occasionally a rock would be dislodged and go bounding down the slope to disappear beneath the snow. |
- | stream it would have been an easy walk across grassy flats. We determined | + | |
- | to use an easier route when we returned. Fortunately the bad patch was goon negotiated and for a while the walking became easier. We traversed | + | We reached the Col at 1230 hrs and ate lunch while we acimired the view and watched pipits and dark brown butterflies flitting among the alpine flowers. Bill, Stan and I ventured down the other side of the Col and climbed a hill to the west to be rewarded with views of Bidden Falls Creek and the Hollyford Valley. Our Olympus cameras were very busy. |
- | Efcrub | + | |
- | tetween | + | On the return journey we met a well strung out party of high school students walking across the snow in the couloir. The fact that the snow was hollowed out beneath and a fall would have dropped them four or five metres onto rocks didn't seem to worry them. Later in the evening this school party straggled past our camp on their way to the Routeburn |
- | Occasion | + | |
- | 44sappear | + | Millions of sandflies were waiting for us back at camp and those of us who wanted to wash in the stream did so very hurriedly. The sandflies were so troublesome that I wore a balaclava, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt and mittens for protection while I wrote a letter. Darkness brought relief from the pests and we sat around the fire drinking Stan's hot toddy and watching satellites moving across the cloudless, star-studded sky. |
- | After setting up camp on the true right of the stream Bill, Stan and | + | |
- | qohn decided to cross over and try to climb to a hanging valley above a spect- | + | The weather was fine and frosty |
- | acular | + | |
- | There was plenty of wood for our campfire but it was difficult to light, | + | We set out at 0835 hrs and soon had wet feet from the dew-soaked grass. As long as the water didn't come over the tops of our gaiters we could, if we stepped quickly |
- | Oldn't burn well and gave off very little heat. How we longed for some good Australian | + | |
- | Next morning there was ice on the water buckets but the rising | + | After a brief stop to fill in the Intentions Book at the Routeburn Flats Hut we continued on up the steep track through beech forest to the Routeburn Falls Hut. The view from this hut is magnificent and, as we were going no further that day, we had plenty of time to admire it. |
- | The scramble up the final slopes to North Col was exciting and the view back down the North Branch improved as we climbed higher. There were large patches of snow in the couloir and fantastic caves and pillars had been formed underneath them by the thaw and the action of streams. We didn't investigate too closely for fear of the snow collapsing. Instead we scrambled | + | |
- | across the steep scree slopes. Occasionally a rock would be dislodged and | + | Soon the tents were spread out on the grass to thaw and dry out and socks and underwear were washed and hung on lines strung between the verandah posts. Bill and Stan made an exploratory trip to the Harris Saddle while the rest of us sunbathed and talked to the Canadian, American, Japanese, English, Australian and New Zealand walkers staying at the hut. There are 20 bunks in the Routeburn |
- | go bounding down the slope to disappear beneath the snow. | + | |
- | We reached the Col at 1230 hrs and ate lunch while we acimired the view ane watched pipits and dark brown butterflies flitting among the alpine | + | We left Routeburn |
- | Page .6 THE SYDNEY BUSEWALKER August, | + | |
- | t, | + | While the others explored around the emergency shelter on the Harris Saddle, Bill, Stan and I climbed Conical Hill. It was rather hazardous climbing the very steep snow grass slopes high above Lake Harris but we reached the top without incident. What magnificent views we had when we reached the top. We looked down into the Hollyford Valley, across to the snow-capped Darran Mountains, south to Lake Gunn and north to a distant view of the Tasman Sea. From the top of Conical Hill we found a well-worn track that followed a circuitous route down to the emergency shelter. On the way down this track Bill was unfortunate enough to slip three times. His feet just shot out from under him and he landed with a jolt each time. It was fortunate this hadn't happened on the way up or he would have plunged to a watery grave in Lake Harris. |
- | - | + | |
- | flowers. Bill, Stan and I ventured down the other side of the Col and climbed a hill trd-the-test to be rewarded with views of .Bidden Falls Creek and the Hollyford Valley. Our Olympus cameras were very busy. | + | Back at the emergency shelter we had morning tea then continued an our way to Lake Mackenzie. This stretch of track must be one of the finest anywhere. It is above the tree line and high above the Hollyford |
- | On the return journey we met a well strung out party of high school students walking across the snow in the couloir. The fact that the snow . was hollowed out beneath and a fall would have dropped them four or fie metres onto rocks didn't seem to worry them. Later in the evening this school party straggled past our camp on their way to the Rauteburn | + | |
- | 'Millions of sandflies were waiting for us back at camp and those of us who wanted to wash in the stream did so very hurriedly. The sandflies were so troublesome that I wore a balaclava, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt and mittens for protection while I wrote a letter. Darkness brought relief from the pests and we sat around the fire drinking Stan's hot toddy and watching satellites moving across the cloudless, star-studded sky. | + | We arrived at the Mackenzie Hut at 1245 hrs and found it was the most luxurious hut we had seen. It has two floors, forty bunks, glass doors, a spiral staircase, running water, flush toilets, gas rings, a fuel stove and Tilley lamps. We also found it was possible to have a hot shower and share a baked dinner with the Hut Warden but only if you were a shapely South African girl. |
- | The weather was fine and frbsty | + | |
- | We set out at 0835 hrs and soon had wet feet from the dog-soaked grass. As long as the water didn't come over the tops of our gaiters we could, if we stepped quickly,enaugh, cross streams without getting wet feet, but wet grass soaked us through in no time. Our progress across the river flats and past a reedy mere was heralded by alarm calls from the ubiquitous paradise | + | |
- | After a brief stop to fill in the Intentions Book at the Routeburn Flats 'Hut we continued on up the steep track through beech forest to the Routeburn Falls Hut. The view from this hut is magnificent and, as we were going no further that day, we had plenty of time to admire it. | + | |
- | Soon the tents were spread out on the grass to thaw and dry out and, socks and underwear were washed and hung on lines strung between the verandah posts. Bill and Stan made an exploratory trip to the Harris Saddle while the rest of us -sunbathed and talked to the Canadian, American, Japanese, English, Australian and New Zealand walkers staying at the hut. There are 20 bunks in the Raateburn | + | |
- | We left RoutebUrn | + | |
- | .. Page. TIE SYDNEY BtiSHW2' | + | |
- | August, 1982. | + | |
- | after one hour's walking. A few spots of rain fell soon after we started walking but not enough to wet us. The rest of the day it was cloudy with sunny periods. | + | |
- | While the others explored around the emergency shelter on the Harris Saddle, Bill, Stan-and I climbed Conical Hill. It was rather hazardous | + | |
- | climbing the very steep snow grass slopes high aboVe Lake Harris but we | + | |
- | reached the top without incident. What magnificent views we had when we reached the top. We looked down into the Hollyford Valley, across to the snow-capped Darran Mountains, south to Lake Gunn and north to a distant view of the Tasman Sea. . From the top of Conical Hill we found a well-worn track that followed a circuitous route down to the emergency shelter. On the way down this track Bill was unfortunate enough to slip three times. His feet just shot out from under him and he landed with a jolt each time. It was fortunate this hadn't happened on the way up or he would have plunged to .a watery grave in Lake Harris. | + | |
- | Back at the emergency shelter we had morning tea then continued an our way to Lake Mackenzie. This stretch of track must be one of the finest anywhere. It is above the tree line and high above the Hollyford | + | |
- | We arrived at the Mackenzie Hut at 1245 hrs and found it was the most luxurious hut we had seen. It has two floors, forty bunks, glass doors, a spiral staircase, running water, flush toilets, gas rings, a fuel,stove and Tilley lamps. We also found it was possible to have a hot shower and share | + | |
- | a baked dinner with the Hut Warden but only if you were a shapely South African girl. | + | |
Two Canadian girls were making popcorn when we arrived and they shared it with us and asked us about bushwalking in New South Wales. At dinner we shared a table with five Venturer Scouts from Dunedin. It turned out a rather hilarious evening. One of the boys was ribbed unmercifully when he attempted to eat his soup with a fork. They were very curious about the weird mob of Australians and they wanted to know what we all did for a living. When asked to guess one of the girls said she thought we were all farmers. John convinced them that I was a psychiatrist, | Two Canadian girls were making popcorn when we arrived and they shared it with us and asked us about bushwalking in New South Wales. At dinner we shared a table with five Venturer Scouts from Dunedin. It turned out a rather hilarious evening. One of the boys was ribbed unmercifully when he attempted to eat his soup with a fork. They were very curious about the weird mob of Australians and they wanted to know what we all did for a living. When asked to guess one of the girls said she thought we were all farmers. John convinced them that I was a psychiatrist, | ||
- | The keas,arrived at the hut hefore dawn next morning and stole a sock that a Canadian girl had left drying on the verandah. The Venturer Scouts left very early to walk to the Divide on their way home, but before they left they gave us their surplus bread, cheese and tomatoes. | + | |
- | A misty drizzle was falling when we set off at 0900 hrs on a day walk to Lake Howden. The track led through beech forest that was very mossy in places. Poor visibility caused by low cloud and misty rain prevented us taking any decent photographs of the impressive Earland Falls. Fortunately | + | The keas arrived at the hut hefore dawn next morning and stole a sock that a Canadian girl had left drying on the verandah. The Venturer Scouts left very early to walk to the Divide on their way home, but before they left they gave us their surplus bread, cheese and tomatoes. |
- | the claud lifted and the rain stopped briefly when we reach Lake Howden at | + | |
- | 1130 hrs. Inside the Lake Howden | + | A misty drizzle was falling when we set off at 0900 hrs on a day walk to Lake Howden. The track led through beech forest that was very mossy in places. Poor visibility caused by low cloud and misty rain prevented us taking any decent photographs of the impressive Earland Falls. Fortunately the cloud lifted and the rain stopped briefly when we reach Lake Howden at 1130 hrs. Inside the Lake Howden |
- | Page 8 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, | + | |
- | were closed and the fuel stove was going full blast. All of the bunks were occupied and an Austrian girl with a penetrating voice was talking incessantly. We remained inside only long enough to fill in the Intentions Book then returned to the fresh air and sandflies. | + | Light rain started to fall again soon after lunch and we found the track rather muddy in places on our way back. Footprints in the mud showed that some people were walking barefooted. Small birds were quite numerous |
- | Light rain started to fall again soon after lunch and we found the track rather muddy in places on our way back. Footprints in the mud showed that some people were walking barefooted. Small birds were quite numeraas | + | |
- | - It wasn't exactly an intrepid party that left Mackenzie Hut at 07451: | + | It wasn't exactly an intrepid party that left Mackenzie Hut at 0745 hrs next day to cross Emily Pass. The maps in the Routeburn Track huts had Emily Pass marked "For experienced alpinists only". Bill, the dour optimist, thought we had enough experience in our party, but Moir's Guide didn't inspire much confidence with - " |
- | thought we had enough experience in our party, but Moir's Guide didn't inspire | + | |
- | much confidence with - " | + | Visibility was much better on the other side of the pass and we had good views of the Raateburn Flats and the North Branch, but clouds still hid the hilltops. |
- | track over Emily Pass, and the route is not obvious in poor visibility. .The route is only suitable for those prepared to tackle untracked bush and scicub, | + | |
- | and steep snowgrass and scree" | + | The steep descent to the Routeburn Flats was an exciting experience. Most of the party chose to scramble down the right-hand side of the gut where sparse |
- | cloud but the route past the lake and up to the pass was quite straightforward5 owever, care had to be taken an the scree and negotiating three patches of snow. We halted for lunch on top of the pass and a curious kea flew down to inspect us. Stan decided to try for a really close up photograph of the bird but he forgot that his wide-angle lens would make it appear further away than it actually was. We all laughed when he took his eye from the viewfinder | + | |
- | and looked over the camera to see the kea's wickedly hooked beak only a few | + | Rain began to fall soon after we arrived at the Routeburn Flats Hut at 1645 hrs. It increased in intensity and became a torrential downpour that lasted all night. We were pleased to be in the hut rather then cowering in our tents in that downpour. However, that was when we discovered just how far the toilet was away from the hut. |
- | centimetres away from his nose. | + | |
- | Visibility was much better on the other side of the pass and we had good | + | As usual Joy organised the evening meal but Stan prepared the dessert. |
- | yiews of the Raateburn Flats and the North Branch, but clouds still hid the hilltops. | + | |
- | The steep descent to the Routeburn Flats was an exciting experience, | + | Bill was up early next morning trying to light a fire in the pot-bellied stove. Gas rings were provided for cooking so the fire wasn't necessary, but Bill thought it would make for a more cheerful breakfast if the pot-bellied stove was throwing |
- | gost of the party chose to scramble down the right-hand side of the gut where | + | |
- | Sparse | + | The rain had eased by the time we left at 0855 hrs but it was still heavy enough |
- | the gut we climbed down a rocky drop beside a small waterfall and sidled across steep anowgrass | + | |
- | thick, springy scrub was difficult to walk over (it was too dense to walk through, so we had to walk over it), and where it had covered boulders care was needed to avoid stepping into holes. Once into the bush the descent to the Rout eburn Track was very steep but thick moss covering the tree trunks | + | We drove out of the rain soon after crossing the Dart River and stopped for lunch in the sunshine at Glenorchy. |
- | and forest floor ensured a soft landing if one slipped. | + | |
- | Rain began to fall soon after we arrived at the Routeburn Flats Hut at 1645 hrs. It increased in intensity and became a torrential downpour that lasted all night. We were pleased to be in the hut rather then cowering. in our tents in that downpour. However, that was when we discovered just how far the toilet was, away from the hut. | + | Back in Queenstown we found that " |
- | As usual Joy organised the evening meal but Stan prepared the dessert. | + | |
- | Page 9 THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER August, | + | So ended the second ramble with Gamble. |
- | we survived without any ill effects. After the mealI did the washing up and Ian lid the drying. | + | |
- | Bi.-11 | + | Having failed |
- | The rain had eased by the time we left at 0855 bra but it was still | + | |
- | - - - | + | ---- |
- | heavy en)ugh | + | |
- | walk th/ | + | ===== Bushwalker Recipes |
- | We drove out of the rain soon after crossing the Dart River and stopped | + | |
- | for lunch,in. the sunshine at Glenorchy. | + | In a large saucepan combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of mixed dried fruit (or bananas or dates) and a few nuts, 1/2 cup of sugar, a good sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered ginger, 1 tablespoon of margarine. Stir over low heat until margarine |
- | Back La Queenstown we found that " | + | |
- | So aaded the second ramble with Gamble. | + | ---- |
- | Hav.iiefailed: | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * -X- -X- * | + | The Social Secretary, Jo Van Sommers advised a new address and telephone number:- 8 Gosbell Street, Paddington, 2021, phone 33 6506. |
- | BUSHWALKLR RECIPES | + | |
- | In a large saucepan combine | + | Please also note the Walks Secretary' |
- | - | + | |
- | (or bananas or dates) and a feu. wilts, cup of sugar, a good sprinkle of | + | ---- |
- | cinnamon and powdered ginger, 1 tablespoon of margarine. Stir over low heat until taargarine | + | |
- | XXXX.XXXXXXX** | + | |
- | The Social Secretary, Jo Van Sommers advised a new address and telephone number: | + | === Eastwood Camping Centre. === |
- | Please, also note the Walks Secretary' | + | |
- | eastwood | + | __Bushwalkers__. |
- | camping | + | |
- | ce | + | Lightweight Tents - Sleeping Bags - Rucksacks - Climbing & Caving Gear - Maps - Clothing - Boots - Food. |
- | ICAMPING EQUIPMENT | + | |
- | DISTRIBUTORS OF: | + | __Camping equipment__. |
- | Paddymade | + | |
- | BUSHWALKERS | + | Large Tents - Stoves |
- | 1 Lightweight Tents Sleeping Bags Rucksacks | + | |
- | P Et roprietors: Jack Nancy Fox Sales Manager: David Fox | + | __Distributors of__: |
- | Rowe Street | + | |
- | EASTWOOD CANVAS GOODS & CAMPING SUPPLIES | + | Paddymade |
- | Rutledge Street | + | |
- | Page 11 THE SYDNEY BUSH7ALKER August, | + | Proprietors: Jack & Nancy Fox. Sales Manager: David Fox. |
+ | |||
+ | Eastwood Canvas Good & Camping Supplies. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3 Trelawney St., Eastwood, NSW, 2122. Phone 858 2775. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
ELEANOR BLUFFS REVISITED. | ELEANOR BLUFFS REVISITED. | ||
by Jim Brown. | by Jim Brown. | ||
Line 356: | Line 368: | ||
XXXXXXXX** | XXXXXXXX** | ||
CONGRATULATIONS to Margaret and Hans Stichter an the birth of their second Son EVAN' | CONGRATULATIONS to Margaret and Hans Stichter an the birth of their second Son EVAN' | ||
- |
198208.txt · Last modified: 2019/02/07 12:47 by tyreless