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198308 [2016/03/24 10:56] – [June] kclacher | 198308 [2016/03/25 15:22] (current) – y the leader (who had arrived ten days earlier to do some walking on his own account). They were quickly transferred from the airport to their overnight accommodation at the Melville Private Hotel in Gloucester Street, close to the city centre, with instr kclacher | ||
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|**Editor**|Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039. Telephone 827-3695.| | |**Editor**|Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039. Telephone 827-3695.| | ||
|**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, | |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, | ||
- | |**Production Manager**| Helen Gray | | + | |**Production Manager**| Helen Gray| |
|**Typist**| Kath Brown| | |**Typist**| Kath Brown| | ||
|**Duplicator Operator**|Phil Butt| | |**Duplicator Operator**|Phil Butt| | ||
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| The Franklin River Verdict |by Jim Brown | 2| | | The Franklin River Verdict |by Jim Brown | 2| | ||
| Social Notes for September | | 2| | | Social Notes for September | | 2| | ||
- | | Arthur and Us - Part 1 | Bill Gamble | 3| | + | | Arthur and Us - Part I | Bill Gamble | 3| |
| For the Love of the-South-West | Peter Harris | 6| | | For the Love of the-South-West | Peter Harris | 6| | ||
| Notes of the June & July General Meetings | Barry Wallace | 6| | | Notes of the June & July General Meetings | Barry Wallace | 6| | ||
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===== The Franklin River Verdict ===== | ===== The Franklin River Verdict ===== | ||
- | by Jim Brown | + | (13th July, 1983) by Jim Brown |
| The Wise Men sat in judgement and they found | | | The Wise Men sat in judgement and they found | | ||
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Arthur' | Arthur' | ||
- | "The park is a rugged and mountainous area of about 100,000 hectares situated in the centre of the South Island (about 150 km west of Christchurch). It is a land of jagged skylines, tall snowy peaks and snowgrass-clad ridges, deep gorges, steep, bush-covered hillsides, sheer cliffs of angular black rock, high waterfalls, wide shingle riverbeds and rushing torrents. The park is traversed by large rivers - on the east the Waimakariri and Poulter and their tributaries, | + | "The park is a rugged and mountainous area of about 100,000 hectares situated in the centre of the South Island (about 150 km west of Christchurch). It is a land of jagged skylines, tall snowy peaks and snowgrass-clad ridges, deep gorges, steep, bush-covered hillsides, sheer cliffs of angular black rock, high.waterfalls, wide shingle riverbeds and rushing torrents. The park is traversed by large rivers - on the east the Waimakariri and Poulter and their tributaries, |
"... the area of mountain ridges above bushline approximately equals the forested area. From valley floors at about 700m on the east the peaks rise to 1800m or more, but the western valley floors lie at only about 300m or slightly more. From any of the high peaks there are views over ridge upon ridge of broken rock, with snowfields lying beneath them and deep-cut valleys below. Ten named peaks over 2100m in height and twenty-one over 1800m lie within the park. | "... the area of mountain ridges above bushline approximately equals the forested area. From valley floors at about 700m on the east the peaks rise to 1800m or more, but the western valley floors lie at only about 300m or slightly more. From any of the high peaks there are views over ridge upon ridge of broken rock, with snowfields lying beneath them and deep-cut valleys below. Ten named peaks over 2100m in height and twenty-one over 1800m lie within the park. | ||
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"The main divide of the Southern Alps bisects the park and from it branch intricate ranges of mountains between the courses of the rivers.... Between the peaks are many passes, high and low, but nearly all of them difficult to cross. The western and eastern separation has a dominating influence on the character of the park; but the rugged terrain, the wide range of altitudes, the relatively severe mountain climate, the swift rivers and the passes all affect the nature of the park in various ways." | "The main divide of the Southern Alps bisects the park and from it branch intricate ranges of mountains between the courses of the rivers.... Between the peaks are many passes, high and low, but nearly all of them difficult to cross. The western and eastern separation has a dominating influence on the character of the park; but the rugged terrain, the wide range of altitudes, the relatively severe mountain climate, the swift rivers and the passes all affect the nature of the park in various ways." | ||
- | Instead of going straight into the walk as programmed, our introduction to the park, as a party, was two days spent above Arthurs Pass itself, firstly on the east side in the Temple Basin and in the upper Mingha Valley, and then an the west side on the slopes of Mt. Rolleston, 2271m. The leader had spent two days in the park on the previous weekend and proposed this change as a way of widening the scope of the walking to be done by the party. It proved to be an excellent beginning, in brilliantly fine weather immediately after snowfalls. The change was also partly due to recent alterations in the timetable for trains to and from the park, which had made impractical the use of public transport if full use was to be made of the days allotted for walking. The use of the leader' | + | Instead of going straight into the walk as programmed, our introduction to the park, as a party, was two days spent above Arthurs Pass itself, firstly on the east side in the Temple Basin and in the upper Mingha Valley, and then an the west side on the slopes of Mt Rolleston, 2271m. The leader had spent two days in the park on the previous weekend and proposed this change as a way of widening the scope of the walking to be done by the party. It proved to be an excellent beginning, in brilliantly fine weather immediately after snowfalls. The change was also partly due to recent alterations in the timetable for trains to and from the park, which had made impractical the use of public transport if full use was to be made of the days allotted for walking. The use of the leader' |
- | Anyway, three of the party members arrived in Christchurch late on Wednesday afternoon, 16 March, on a cold, wet day (maximum 7< | + | Anyway, three of the party members arrived in Christchurch late on Wednesday afternoon, 16 March, on a cold, wet day (maximum 7< |
- | All the way from Christchurch the Southern Alps were a line of white against blue sky, looming larger all the time. The storm of the previous day had dumped an impressive covering of snow. However, over the foothills | + | After what seemed hours the rain gave way to a hail storm. The hail pelted down, cutting |
- | at Porters Pass, we found that the warmth of the day was melting the snow rapidly and, much the same as a rainbow, it seemed to recede | + | |
- | About 4:00 pm we walked away from the parking area on Arthur' | + | Mark had been caught by the rain in only singlet and shorts and his clothing was wet under his rain cape. A bout of shivering came on him. He realised that it was a malarial fever attack, a legacy of his earlier years in the tropical north of Queensland. We made room for Mark under the groundsheet and huddled close together trying to keep him warm. |
- | In the gathering chill of the early evening the pot belly stove in the centre of the room was soon alight. It provided | + | The hail ceased after a while but a light drizzle had set in. We decided |
- | to shelter many day-use skiers. Piped water and flush toilets seemed luxuries, but were really necessities | + | |
- | Away on a day walk, we traipsed through | + | The track had nearly been obliterated by the leaves |
- | Our route back was to follow the rocky watercourse of the side stream which brought us out on a ridge spur about 500m above. For the next hour or so we walked and scrambled our way along the ridge and confirmed the description in the park handbook of ".... ridge upon ridge of broken rock.... deep-cut valleys below", | + | After an hour the rain ceased. Mark seemed to have partly recovered. He looked rather odd in Mary's angora jumper. Pat had prepared |
- | Early on Saturday | + | We awoke next morning |
- | After lunch, it was a pleasant half-hour walk out alongside | + | After breakfast |
- | (Map reference: Arthur's Pass National Park, NZMS 273, 1:80,000, 1st edition; Otira, NS 1, S59, inch to the mile series) | + | The party then proceeded down a steep gully to the Stinson wreck, where olive-green tubular steel trusses protruded from the undergrowth. One of the wheel struts lay nearby. Small pieces of broken window glass were found by one of the walkers. A plaque set in concrete marked the scene of the crash. The inscription read:- "This plaque marks the spot where the Stinson Airliner |
- | ===== Advertisement ===== | + | A white wooden cross nearby was marked:- "In memoriam Capt. Rex Boyden died in Stinson crash 19-2-37." |
- | ==== For Sale ==== | + | |
- | __One only__ " | + | Three passengers survived the crash - Westray, Bunstead and Proud. Westray, a young New Zealander, decided to go for help only to fall over a cliff and die in the bush. The other two survivors lived on the berries from the walking stick palm and water collected from Xmas Creek. |
- | __Two only__ " | + | The papers of the day and the aviation authorities had given up the Stinson |
- | Phone Bronwyn Stow - 81 1257 (H) 789 9242 (B) after 4 pm. | + | After eight days and differing radio and press reports, Bernard O' |
- | ===== For the Love of the South-West ===== | + | He packed some supplies which consisted of bread and butter, onions, sugar and tea, and mounted his horse ready for the journey to Mount Bethongabel. Here he sent the mare home and proceeded by f6ot through the trackless jungle. On the morning |
- | by Peter Harris | + | After returning to camp from the wreck we were able to see the stretcher track, approximately 4 feet wide, which is maintained free from undergrowth to this day. |
- | I am not alone with my thoughts. I used to be, but all of the unanswered questions have been answered. There is another voice inside me which calls for freedom, and weeps for my love of the South-West won. | + | Our party arrived at Tyalgum Valley Lookout at 9:30 where the hailstones on the track were thick underfoot. The track from here on became indistinct and we had to fan out many times to find one of the tree blazes. Wherever a break in the rain forest canopy occurred, the undergrowth was thick and tangled because |
- | Mine is a burning life-force borne in peaceful lofty crags, and in the silent heathlands | + | We passed |
- | I hear my name being beckoned | + | At one stage we became disoriented and found ourselves heading |
- | Talk to me no more about joyful experiences of the South-West. Praise instead the many hearts | + | Some time after lunch the track became defined again and at 2:30 pm we arrived at a signpost which pointed |
- | Lift your voices. Can you hear the call of the wild? Can you feel its burning caress | + | At 5 pm the party emerged from the bush onto Forest Road. Here we were met by Peter Maxwell, a Forestry Commission Ranger. He drew the leaders aside and engaged them in earnest conversation. Pat later told us the story. Bill had assumed that we would get lost because |
- | There are times when I am alone that I can communicate with nature itself, when I sit upon a rock and see the place of which I've dreamed, and know without a single doubt it is exactly as it seemed. The cold bitter wind speaks to me in whispers of intimate love, enveloping and caressing my body. My eyes reflect the awesome power of creation. I am not dying in the night. I am not looking for the light. I have found the light in the South-West. It is the tie that binds me to my Maker. | + | That night we camped in cold, overcast conditions |
- | ===== Notes of the June and July General Meetings ===== | + | The next morning we rejoined |
- | by Barry Wallace | + | |
- | ==== June ==== | + | We arrived at Kyogie at 1:45 and sat down to a counter lunch, a welcome change from our bush repasts At 5 pm we escorted Joyce to the railway station |
- | There were about 30 members present by 2018, so the President, in the chair, gonged the gong (this time with a wooden spoon, you will all be relieved. | + | |
- | As is sometimes the way of things there were no apologies | + | ===== Bush Walkers |
+ | by Jim Brown | ||
- | It seems our membership is becoming mobile for there was a spate of change of address notices. Apart from these there was a letter from the Wildlife Preservation Society advising of a three week bus tour to South Australia and environs planned for later this year; and a copy of a letter which Ray Hookway has sent to the N.S.W. Minister for Sport and Recreation supporting the provision of facilities for cross-country skiing in the areas around Kosciusko National Park. The only business arising was deferred to General Business. | + | Of course;- bush walkers would never use explosives or fire-arms, would they? Never? |
- | The Treasurer' | + | This thinking was inspired by the quotation from Phil Butt in the " |
+ | sometimes took to.the bush during the 1930s Depression years. In spite of the reputed permissiveness of more recent years, no one seems to think such a precaution necessary now. Maybe we really | ||
- | e " | + | But even in my time with the Club there have been walkers who were fascinated by the Big Bang. For some years there used to be a regular camp at Euroka Clearing |
- | But even in my time with the Club there have been walkers who were fascinated by the Big Bang. For some years there used to be a regular camp at Euroka Clearing in the Lower Blue Mountains (before there was a road there) on the weekend nearest to the 24th May (which used to be Empire Day - Cracker Night - in the days when there were still some vestiges of a British Empire, my children). All comers brought their catherine wheels and Roman candles, port lights and rockets, and made the Blue Labyrinth resound on the Saturday evening. | + | On one occasion a lighted firework, thrown |
- | On one occasion a lighted firework, thrown | + | In addition to those who were satisfied |
+ | not to do it again, | ||
- | In addition | + | Being at the time the S.B.W. representative on the Blue Gum Trust, I undertook |
- | Being at the time the S.B.W. representative on the Blue Gum Trust, I undertook to put the proposal to the Trust. Admittedly, I did so with fingers crossed | + | The Blue Gum affair wasn't quite as simple as it sounds. A drill was needed to burrow into' |
- | The Blue Gum affair wasn't quite as simple as it sounds. A drill was needed to burrow into the hardened, saturated wood of the partially submerged logs and a chain block was used to shift some Of the more massive lumps of timber. It was reckoned at the time that Colin Putt, who carried | + | At one stage on the Sunday morning |
- | At one stage on the Sunday morning a rumour spread around " | + | Honour - or the urge to make a **big bang** - must have been satisfied at Blue Gum. Although we had almost 50 people there for a. subsequent working bee in 1955 to consolidate the work on the "silt pack", there were no. more loud noises. Our mantle passed to one of the Speliblogical |
- | + | ||
- | Honour - or the urge to make a **big bang** - must have been satisfied at Blue Gum. Although we had almost 50 people there for a subsequent working bee in 1955 to consolidate the work on the "silt pack", there were no more loud noises. Our mantle passed to one of the Speliological | + | |
| "Oh, we're going to make a big hole, big hole, | | | "Oh, we're going to make a big hole, big hole, | | ||
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| We've explored every cave that is known, is known, | | | We've explored every cave that is known, is known, | | ||
- | | With din everlasting and drilling and blasting | | + | | 7th din everlasting and drilling and blasting | |
- | | We're making a few of our own..... | | + | | We're making |
As Hamlet says with his last breath "The rest is silence" | As Hamlet says with his last breath "The rest is silence" | ||
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===== Continuing Education Programme, University of Sydney ===== | ===== Continuing Education Programme, University of Sydney ===== | ||
- | Over the next few months several courses of lectures, discussions and outings are to be held by the University of Sydney in its Continuing Education Programme. Anyone over the age of 18 may enroll | + | Over the next few months several courses of lectures, discussions and outings are to be held by the University of Sydney in its Continuing Education Programme. Anyone over the age of 18 may enrol for these courses. Some of these courses may be of interest to people engaged in outdoor activities such as Bush Walking. Further information may be obtained by writing to the University or by phoning 692-2907. |
+ | |||
+ | **__Birds__** - 9 meetings $35.00. Tuesdays at 7 pm, commencing 6th September. Classification and distribution of birds, their habitats and breeding behaviour. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **__Bird-Watching Week-End__** - Oberon: | ||
+ | |||
+ | **__Seashore Ecology__** - 6 meetings $45.00. Tuesdays at 6 pm, commencing 1st November. Study of animals and plant of NS.W. Seashore - life hiStorY, environments, | ||
+ | |||
+ | **__Hill End - The Study of a Goldfield__** - October. Participants make food, accommodation. Study Cost $40.00. Week-end Saturday/ | ||
- | | **__Birds__** | - 9 meetings $35.00. Tuesdays at 7 pm, commencing 6th September. Classification and distribution of birds, their habitats and breeding behaviour. | | + | **__Anthropology - Aboriginal Art__** - 9 meetings, $30.00. Thursdays 10.30 am from September 8th. Survey of aboriginal rock carvings, painting |
- | | **__Bird-Watching Week-End__** | - Oberon: | + | |
- | | **__Seashore Ecology__** | - 6 meetings $45.00. Tuesdays at 6 pm, commencing 1st November. Study of animals and plant of NS.W. Seashore - life history, environments, | + | |
- | | **__Hill End - The Study of a Goldfield__** | - October. Participants make food, accommodation. Study Cost $40.00. Week-end Saturday/ | + | |
- | | **__Anthropology - Aboriginal Art__** | + | |
__Congratulations__ to Margaret and Bob Hodgson on the birth of their first child, a daughter, | __Congratulations__ to Margaret and Bob Hodgson on the birth of their first child, a daughter, | ||
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Let's put our dancing shoes on and get together for the Bushwalkers Ball (it's country dancing, really). | Let's put our dancing shoes on and get together for the Bushwalkers Ball (it's country dancing, really). | ||
- | | Date: | Friday, 23rd September | + | | Date: | Friday, 23rd Saptember |
- | | Venue: | Lane Cove Town Hall, Longueville Road, entrance in Phoenix Street. Council car park at rear and in Little Street. | | + | | Venue: | LANE 'COVE TOWN HALL. |
+ | Longueville Road, entrance in Phoenix Street. Council car park at rear and in Little Street. | | ||
| Time: | 8 pm | | | Time: | 8 pm | | ||
| Cost: $7.00 single - B.Y.O. + Plate | | | Cost: $7.00 single - B.Y.O. + Plate | | ||
| Dress: | Casual or semi-formal (whatever you fancy!) | | | Dress: | Casual or semi-formal (whatever you fancy!) | | ||
- | | Tickets: | Barbara Bruce - phone bookings 925-2520 (Bus.) or 546-6570 (H). | + | | Tickets: |Barbara Bruce - phone bookings 925-2520 (Bus.) or 546-6570 (H).. |
- | | | Denise Shaw - phone 922-6093 (H) | | + | | | Denise Shaw - phone 922-6093.(H). | |
The tickets will also be on sale in the clubroom. | The tickets will also be on sale in the clubroom. | ||
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==== Walks Note ==== | ==== Walks Note ==== | ||
- | Gordon Lee, following a recent walk in the Budawangs area, reports that Sluice Box Falls on Kilpatrick Creek are not shown on the new Endrick 1:25000 map in the correct location. | + | Gordon Lee, following a recent walk in the Budawangs area, reports that Sluice Box Falls on Kilpatrick Creek, are not shown on the new Endrick 1:25000 map in the correct location. |
===== Notice ===== | ===== Notice ===== | ||
- | ==== Half-Yearly General Meeting ==== | + | ====Half-Yearly General Meeting ==== |
__The Sydney Bush Walkers__ | __The Sydney Bush Walkers__ | ||
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No notices of Amendments to the Constitution have been received. | No notices of Amendments to the Constitution have been received. | ||
- | 15th August, 1983 | + | 15th August, 1983. |
198308.1458777368.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/03/24 10:56 by kclacher