198309
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Next revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
198309 [2012/05/17 23:21] – external edit 127.0.0.1 | 198309 [2016/03/24 10:07] – [City to Surf in Forty Two Minutes] kclacher | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
- | * * * .* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | ====== The Sydney Bushwalker ====== |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | |
Established June 1931 | Established June 1931 | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.30 pm at the Cahill Community Centre (Upper Hall), | + | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.30 pm at the Cahill Community Centre (Upper Hall), 34 Falcon Street, |
- | 34 Falcon Street, | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |**Editor**|Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039. Telephone 827-3695.| |
- | Street, Rozelle, 2039. Drive, Carlingford, | + | |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, |
- | EDITOR: | + | |**Production Manager**| Helen Gray| |
- | BUSINESS :MANAGER: Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Telephone 871-1207. | + | |**Typist**| Kath Brown| |
- | PRODUCTION MANAGER: | + | |**Duplicator Operator**|Phil Butt| |
- | TYPIST: | + | |
- | DUPLICATOR OPERATOR: Phil Butt. | + | ===== September |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | | | |Page| |
- | SEPTEUBER, | + | |Paradise Revisited - The Blue Breaks|David Rostron| |
- | Page | + | |The August General Meeting|Barry Wallace| |
- | 2 | + | |Social Notes for October|Jo Van Sommers| |
- | 5 | + | |Advance Notice - Walk in Tasmania|Peter Harris| |
- | 6 | + | |A Matter of Perception|Don Matthews| |
- | 7 | + | |City to Surf in Forty Two Minutes|Nancye Alderson| |
- | 8 | + | |Eastwood Camping Centre - Advertisement| | 12| |
- | 10 | + | |Arthur and Us - Part II|Bill Gamble| 13| |
- | 12 | + | |
- | 13 | + | |
- | Paradise Revisited - The Blue Breaks The August General Meeting | + | ===== Paradise Revisited |
- | Social Notes for -October | + | by David Rostron |
- | Advance Notice - Talk in Tasmania Matter of Perception | + | |
- | City to Surf in Forty Two Minutes Eastwood Camping Centre - Advertisement Arthur and Us - Part 11 | + | I've expanded on the glories of the Blue Breaks and particularly the Axehead Range to many walkers - in fact to anyone who was patient enough to listen to the spiel. In describing the area and views I usually become quite nostalgic. I was last on the Axehead at Easter '79 so the yearning to return was becoming quite strong and I was virtually compelled to place it on the programme for the June Long Weekend, 1983. |
- | by David Rostron Barry Wallace Jo Van Sommers Peter Harris Don Matthews Nancye Alderson | + | |
- | Bill Gamble | + | As we headed towards Jenolan Caves on the Friday evening I wondered |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | Page 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, | + | We arrived at Kanangra to find Jim Percy' |
- | PARADISE REVISITED | + | |
- | by David Rpstron. | + | |
- | I've expanded on the glories of the Blue Breaks and particularly the Axehead Range to many walkers - in fact to anyone who was patient enough to listen to the spiel. In describing the area and views I usually become quite nostalgic. I was last on the Axehead at Easter '79 so the yearning to return was becoming quite strong and I was virtually compelled to place it an the programme for the June Long Weekend, 1983. | + | |
- | As we headed towards Jenolan Caves on the Friday evening I wandered | + | |
- | We arrived at Kanangra to find Jim Percy' | + | |
We waited at the car park for the other vehicles, to make up our party of eleven:- Wendy and Steve Hodgman, Janet Waterhouse, David Lewis, John Redfern, Spiro Hajinakitas, | We waited at the car park for the other vehicles, to make up our party of eleven:- Wendy and Steve Hodgman, Janet Waterhouse, David Lewis, John Redfern, Spiro Hajinakitas, | ||
- | The others needed no encouragement to stop at the Kanangra Cave and we | ||
- | edged our way there, across snow and ice. Two bodies in the cave were quickly identified as Jim and Jo who had set off across the Walls, couldn' | ||
- | Conditions were cool that night - Jim recorded 0C on his gauge and there was considerable wind chill factor. However daylight saw little claua so we were compelled to _emerge from warm bags (for a few only) and struggle to get a fire going. Instead of a"7.30 am start from the Coal Seam Cave we struggled out of the Kanangra Cave at 8.15 am. | ||
- | The wind was very strong on top and everyone appeared to have all their gear on - what an array of beanies, gloves and long pants: Jim reported | ||
- | 1oC on the tops as we tiptoed carefully across the ice and snow coverea rocks in brilliant sunshine. There was a very brief photographic stop at the track junction and then a gallop to the Coal Seam Cave. What joy - pushing through the snow and ice covered caauarina scrub. It was a little warmer down off the Walls and we had a disrobing stop at the Bullhead Range track junction. The top of the range to Cambage Spire has been burnt and the track is not always apparent. Again a very brief stop in the cool wind on top of the Spie and then a run down to the Kowmung, arriving at 11.23 am - about 2 hours behind schedule.. | ||
- | It was delightful sitting in the sun on the banks of the Kowmung with the temperature at an incredible 100. The river was at a normal level and looked magnificent as it sparkled and danced across the rocks of the rapid just below the Christie' | ||
- | September, 1983. THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER Page 3 | ||
- | I gave the party the option of an early lunch an the Kowmung (many had | ||
- | collected firewood - a not too subtle form of perguasion), | ||
- | Creek in l hours. They opted for the latter, and I was a bad loser in the | ||
- | popularity stakes when we eventually reached the creek, | ||
- | Over a brief lunch the next option was discussed - camping on one of | ||
- | the streams forming the head of Butcher' | ||
- | temperature at lunch being 5 -6 and the strong westerly still blowing, the cave appealed to all so it was then a race for the Axehead, two kilometres | ||
- | away. | ||
- | Where the road.crossed the third creek, wine skins were filled and with | ||
- | heavy packs it was slow toil up the 200 in of Gander Head. (Our airy perch on the ridge of the Axa.ead provided a magnificent panorama.) The late afternoon sun highlighted the golden rocks of the Burragorang Walls with Yerranderie Peak and Bonnum Pic standing out in stark relief. | ||
- | The cold westerly kept us moving and we sidled the first series of | ||
- | roCks' | ||
- | extend over about 200 metres. Sidling was difficult on the east (the normal | ||
- | route is partly on the top and then the west), and the overhangs, visible from a distance; had floors which would only accommodate 1 or 2 people. When | ||
- | nearly to the end of this section we came upon a possible 6-person overhang. | ||
- | However the floor shelf was only approximately 3 in wide, to the end of a | ||
- | 6 in drop. Nearby were a number of places where 1 or 2 people could bed down and with some excavation thefl cave was made habitable. | ||
- | The cave is about 1 km north of Gander Head. There were no old fire | ||
- | places along this section so we assumed the Kameru' | ||
- | passing pieces up the steep slope and cliff .over about 15 in to the shelf. | ||
- | A large sleeping platform was levelled and the fire was soon roaring on the | ||
- | only possible location - some rocks adjoining the back wall. Because of the narrow Shelf only 5 to 6 could stand around the fire at a time, so it was almost a " | ||
- | The setting sus seemed to magnify the Burragorang Walls, Although it was cold (about 2-3 ), we had virtually no wind. From our eyrie it was | ||
- | delightful watching the valley being gradually enveloped in darkness. With the onset of night we witnessed a fireworks display in the Oaks-Picton area, about 50 km away. | ||
- | The limited standing area around the fire encouraged many to retire | ||
- | early and :there were soon 5 - 6 stalwarts left to warm their bodies. Spino. | ||
- | certainly planned his evening well. He dined early,. went to bed for an hour and then joined us for a prolonged post-dinner discussion, highlighted by his Turkish coffee and an assortment of " | ||
- | The pleasures of high camps are many but probably the most exquisite | ||
- | are sunsets and dawns. That orange glow in the sky above Burragorang Walls, at 6.20 am, was certainly one of those delights. | ||
- | Page 4 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, | ||
- | Jim reported a temperature of 00 at 7.06.am, but the sun soon warmed | ||
- | us - with heat radiating off the back wall of the cave. Early starts seem | ||
- | to be impossible to achieve in mid-winter and it was 8.20 am before we were away. Another 10 minutes of sidling and we were again on the ridge crest - | ||
- | greeted by a cool westerly. | ||
- | The views to the west in the early morning light were magnificent, | ||
- | the range as we soaked in the panoramas in all directions with many camera' | ||
- | We crossed Green Wattle Break, sidled Bull Island Peak and began the | ||
- | climb to Mt. Remorseless. Then to one of the highlights - the Causeway - | ||
- | 60 an wide and 8 m long, requiring an airy traverse. Morning tea was enjoyed an the large rock shelf just to the east, where one has a 300 panorama. By this time the keen westerly had diminished so we sat back and enjoyed the sunshine and views. It was difficult to leave that fantastic location. | ||
- | We continued on keeping to the northern edge of the range and then to the north-east corner where there is an easy route through the cliff line. We then headed north down the ridge towards Green Wattle Creek. A steep section required some care because of loose rocks, but then it was easy progress to the creek for lunch. | ||
- | Those concerned. with personal hygiene (no names!) were immediately in the creek for a brisk dip and wash. Anyway it was great to Teel refreshed and virtuous amongst those other grimy souls. After a relaxing lunch (no time schedules this day) we sauntered off, found a break in the cliff lines | ||
- | on the other side and climbed the ridge to the low plateau of the Broken Rock | ||
- | Range. Visibility was limited and a compass course soon found us on the chosen ridge for the descent to Butcher' | ||
- | Peter Harris had only Sunday and Monday off that ' | ||
- | . A great array of pre-dinner snacks wag soon produced and devoured. We settled back for one of those memorable nights - good food,, companionship, | ||
- | verbal sparring and much hilarity, all under a clear starlit sky. | ||
- | Jim Percy reported 0 the next morning but a roaring fire soon warmed | ||
- | us. -Following a leisurely breakfast we were away by 8.20 am ascending thefl ridge, | ||
- | It | ||
- | was 'still cool as we descended the ridge towards the river. Spiro was at this stage wearing jumper, beanie and gloves. John Redfern couldn' | ||
- | September, 1983. THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER Page 5 | ||
- | you're nothing but a softie now:" The verbal sparring continued all the way to the river. | ||
- | On the river the options were a three kilometre walk upstream and lunch at the foot of Roots Ridge or an extended lunch there at the base of Hughes Ridge followed by the ascent of the ridge. A visitor could be excused for thinking S.B.W. was a club of degenerates when the. vote was for an extended lunch! | ||
- | I had not been an this part of the Kowmung since February 1980. The river was then a mass of shingle banks - the aftermath of the March 1978 floods. I was surprised to see the banks were in their former delightful condition - extensive grassy flats. We are very fortunate to have a paradise like this so close to Sydney. My appreciation of this type of wilderness experience was greatly increased by having just returned from months in the U.K. and " | ||
- | The extended lunch in the sun was followed by a barefoot wade across | ||
- | the river and then a sprint (for some) up the ridge because of Peter' | ||
- | A final stroll along the Gingra Ridge took us to the Kanangra: Tops. The Blue Breaks were beautifully highlighted in the clear late afternoon' | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * * | ||
- | THE AUGUST GENERAL MEETING. by Barry Wallace. | ||
- | The meeting began at about 2018 hours with 35 or so members present and Vice-President Ainslie Morris practising scales on the gong with a piece of scrap timber. There were apologies from Tony Marshall; and new members Carol Bruce and Stephen Long to be welcomed in the usual way. | ||
- | The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with no | ||
- | matters arising. | ||
- | Barrie Murdoch, fresh back from the northern hemisphere, presented | ||
- | Tony Marshall' | ||
- | Correspondence comprised letters to new members, a donation of $200.00 from the Beswick Family Foundation and our letter of thanks, from Mr. Cleary, N.S.W. Minister for Sport and Recreation, acknowledging receipt of our letter regarding cross-country skiing facilities near Kosciusko National Park, a letter from the Federation of Tasmanian Bushwalking Clubs requesting donations toward the cost of repairs to the walkers' | ||
- | Business arising brought a motion that the Club donate $200.00 towards the cost of repairs to the huts at Melaleuca. After a brief debate the motion was passed. | ||
- | Page 6 THE SYDNEY BUM: | ||
- | The Walks Report began with a Gordon Lee's "to be advised" | ||
- | The following weekend, 22,23,24 July saw Spiro and Brian Bolton car swapping in the Budawangs. There were 24 starters and the weather was cold. Ian Debert' | ||
- | Over the weekend 30,31 July Tony Marshall ran an Instructional Weekend | ||
- | at Coolana. There were 11 members, 9 prospectives and 2 visitors. They all walked up M. Scanzi on the Sunday to prove that it could be done, without getting lost. -Ian Debert' | ||
- | The weekend of 5,6,7 August was a good one for cancellations. Gordon Lee's walk did not go, and the Tony Marshall - Don Finch car swap was abandoned in the absence of Finch. The day walks fared better. David Ingram had 7 members and 2 prospectives on his Middle Harbour Walk despite some train problems and confusion, and George Walton had 22 starters arriving back before dark 00 after a beaut day out to Mt. Solitary." | ||
- | Federation Report brought the news that both the General Meeting and Annual General Meeting had been held. Among the matters covered were:- a campaign to have deposits charged on beverage containers in N.S.-VL, that the Yarwood Bushwalking Club has been accepted as an associate member, that Sutherland Bushwalkers are organising a bus trip to Barrington Tops over the October long weekend (50 seats 9 )35.00 ea.), and that unannounced N.P.W.S. burning off during the week is creating a hazard in the Royal National Park. | + | The others needed no encouragement to stop at the Kanangra Cave and we edged our way there, across snow and ice. Two bodies in the cave were quickly identified as Jim and Jo who had set off across the Walls, couldn' |
- | Of General Business there was none, so the meeting closed at 2113. | + | |
- | *XX**XXXXXXX | + | Conditions were cool that night - Jim recorded 0< |
- | SOCIAL NOTES FOR OCTOBER. by Jo Van Sommers. | + | |
- | * October 19 Roger Goode, bush fire control authority, will give a talk illustrated with slides. | + | The wind was very strong on top and everyone appeared to have all their gear on - what an array of beanies, gloves and long pants! Jim reported 1< |
- | October 26 - Bob and Christa Younger will show slides of classical Greece and Italy. | + | |
- | * DINNER | + | It was delightful sitting in the sun on the banks of the Kowmung with the temperature at an incredible 10< |
- | The annual Barn Dance at "Coolana", the Club's property on the Kangaroo River, will be held on the Saturday night of the full moon, October 15th. Please contact | + | |
- | September, 1983. TEE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 7 | + | I gave the party the option of an early lunch an the Kowmung (many had collected firewood - a not too subtle form of persuasion), |
- | ADVANCE NOTICE. | + | |
- | IgiL2L12/-232.11LLIOVILEIL | + | Over a brief lunch the next option was discussed - camping on one of the streams forming the head of Butchers Creek or carrying water up onto the Axehead Range for a high camp. I had read of a cave 300 metres from the southern end (Gander Head), and on the eastern side, which had been used by the Kamerukas in adverse weather conditions some years before. With the temperature at lunch being 5-6< |
- | PETER HARRIS.' | + | |
- | Sydney - Devonport - Higgs Track - Lady Lake | + | Where the road crossed the third creek, wine skins were filled and with heavy packs it was slow toil up the 200m of Gander Head. (Our airy perch on the ridge of the Axehead provided a magnificent panorama.) The late afternoon sun highlighted the golden rocks of the Burragorang Walls with Yerranderie Peak and Bonnum Pic standing out in stark relief. |
- | Lady Lake - Lake Lucy Lang - Lake Nameless Lake Nameless - Lake Johnny - Lake Chambers - Lake Douglas - Forty Lakes Peak - Lake Nameless | + | |
- | Lake Nameless - Ritters Track (Central Plateau) - Pencil Pine Tarn | + | The cold westerly kept us moving and we sidled the first series of rocks on the eastern side. These were 300-500 metres from Gander Head but there was no sign of a cave. We followed the crest to the next rocks which |
- | Pencil Pine Tarn - Lake Gwehdy | + | extend over about 200 metres. Sidling was difficult on the east (the normal route is partly on the top and then the west), and the overhangs, visible from a distance, had floors which would only accommodate one or two people. When nearly to the end of this section we came upon a possible 6-person overhang. However the floor shelf was only approximately 3m wide, to the end of a 6m drop. Nearby were a number of places where one or two people could bed down and with some excavation the cave was made habitable. |
- | Turrana Bluff - Mersey Crag - Pencil Pine Tarn Pencil Pine Tarn - Lake Butters - Ritters Track Zion Gate -Mt.Jerusalem - Gate of the Chain Pool of Siloam - Walls of Jerusalem | + | |
- | Circuit of Walls of Jerusalem | + | The cave is about 1 km north of Gander Head. There were no old fireplaces along this section so we assumed the Kamerukas' |
- | Pool of Siloam - Damascus Vale - Lake Ball - Lake Toorah | + | |
- | Lake Toorah | + | The setting sun seemed to magnify the Burragorang Walls, Although it was cold (about 2-3< |
- | Lake Payanna - Lake Athena - Lake Pallas - Orion Orion Lakes - Traveller Range - Du Cane Gap - Lake Marion | + | |
- | Lake Marion - Narcissus River - Lake St. Clair Spare Day. | + | The pleasures of high camps are many but probably the most exquisite are sunsets and dawns. That orange glow in the sky above Burragorang Walls, at 6:20 am, was certainly one of those delights. |
- | Lake St. Clair | + | |
- | Peter Harris | + | Jim reported a temperature of 0< |
- | 88-3637 (H) | + | |
- | GRADE: Medium - | + | The views to the west in the early morning light were magnificent, |
- | . Extended walk. Average | + | |
- | MAPS: Mersey 1:100,000 (Map No.81149 Tas.) | + | We crossed Green Wattle Creek, sidled Bull Island Peak and began the climb to Mt. Remorseless. Then to one of the highlights - the Causeway - 60m wide and 8m long, requiring an airy traverse. Morning tea was enjoyed an the large rock shelf just to the east, where one has a 300< |
- | Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park Map. | + | |
- | All food must be carried (13 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners). | + | We continued on keeping to the northern edge of the range and then to the north-east corner where there is an easy route through the cliffline. We then headed north down the ridge towards Green Wattle Creek. A steep section required some care because of loose rocks, but then it was easy progress to the creek for lunch. |
- | Members of party must be equipped to expect snow. | + | Those concerned with personal hygiene (no names!) were immediately in the creek for a brisk dip and wash. Anyway it was great to feel refreshed and virtuous amongst those other grimy souls. After a relaxing lunch (no time schedules this day) we sauntered off, found a break in the clifflines on the other side and climbed the ridge to the low plateau of the Broken Rock Range. Visibility was limited and a compass course soon found us on the chosen ridge for the descent to Butchers Creek. |
- | The plateau is mostly clear of vegetation; some heathland; some richea scrub around some lakes, including Lake Payanna and Mountains of Jupiter. Gaiters are advisable. | + | |
- | Camping areas are limited - maximum of 4 tents (8 people). Space remaining for 5 people. | + | Peter Harris had only Sunday and Monday off that weekend and said he might meet us in Butchers Creek. Well, there he was at the foot of the ridge having arrived three minutes beforehand. Peter had walked about < |
- | The party is democratic, but in the event of a conflict of interests the leader' | + | |
- | LEL v.BER: | + | A great array of pre-dinner snacks was soon produced and devoured. We settled back for one of those memorable nights - good food, companionship, |
- | 1.. | + | |
- | 2. | + | Jim Percy reported 0< |
- | 3. | + | |
- | 4. | + | It was still cool as we descended the ridge towards the river. Spiro was at this stage wearing jumper, beanie and gloves. John Redfern couldn' |
- | 5. | + | |
- | 6. | + | On the river the options were a three kilometre walk upstream and lunch at the foot of Roots Ridge or an extended lunch there at the base of Hughes Ridge followed by the ascent of the ridge. A visitor could be excused for thinking S.B.W. was a club of degenerates when the vote was for an extended lunch! |
- | 7. | + | |
- | 8. | + | I had not been on this part of the Kowmung since February 1980. The river was then a mass of shingle banks - the aftermath of the March 1978 floods. I was surprised to see the banks were in their former delightful condition - extensive grassy flats. We are very fortunate to have a paradise like this so close to Sydney. My appreciation of this type of wilderness experience was greatly increased by having just returned from 3< |
- | 9. | + | |
- | 10. | + | The extended lunch in the sun was followed by a barefoot wade across the river and then a sprint (for some) up the ridge because of Peter' |
- | 11. | + | |
- | 12. | + | A final stroll along the Gingra Ridge took us to the Kanangra Tops. The Blue Breaks were beautifully highlighted in the clear late afternoon sunlight as we stopped for our last nostalgic views. |
- | 13. | + | |
- | 14. | + | ===== The August General Meeting ===== |
- | 15. | + | by Barry Wallace |
- | LEADER: | + | |
- | - Hobart | + | The meeting began at about 2018 hours with 35 or so members present and Vice-President Ainslie Morris practising scales on the gong with a piece of scrap timber. There were apologies from Tony Marshall; and new members Carol Bruce and Stephen Long to be welcomed in the usual way. |
- | - Sydney | + | |
- | Total Kilometres | + | The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with no matters arising. |
- | Plus Day Walk kms - 26 | + | |
- | Total for 2 weeks = 121 | + | Barrie Murdoch, fresh back from the northern hemisphere, presented Tony Marshall' |
- | Distance | + | |
- | (2 km) Uphill (6 km) | + | Correspondence comprised letters to new members, a donation of $200.00 from the Beswick Family Foundation and our letter of thanks, from Mr. Cleary, N.S.W. Minister for Sport and Recreation, acknowledging receipt of our letter regarding cross-country skiing facilities near Kosciusko National Park, a letter from the Federation of Tasmanian Bushwalking Clubs requesting donations toward the cost of repairs to the walkers' |
- | (6 km) Day walk | + | |
- | (91i) | + | Business arising brought a motion that the Club donate $200.00 towards the cost of repairs to the huts at Melaleuca. After a brief debate the motion was passed. |
- | (15 km) Day walk | + | |
- | (12 km) | + | The Walks Report began with a Gordon Lee's “to be advised” walk over the weekend of 15,16,17 July. We are advised that there were 4 starters and they went to the Budawangs. Sandy Johnson' |
- | (5 km) Day walk | + | |
- | (9 km) | + | The following weekend, 22,23,24 July saw Spiro and Brian Bolton car swapping in the Budawangs. There were 24 starters and the weather was cold. Ian Debert' |
- | Lake (10 km) | + | |
- | (5 km) | + | Over the weekend 30,31 July Tony Marshall ran an Instructional Weekend at Coolana. There were 11 members, 9 prospectives and 2 visitors. They all walked up Mt. Scanzi on the Sunday to prove that it could be done, without getting lost. Ian Debert' |
- | Lakes (5 ka) | + | |
- | p.7 km) 20 km approx.) | + | The weekend of 5,6,7 August was a good one for cancellations. Gordon Lee's walk did not go, and the Tony Marshall - Don Finch car swap was abandoned in the absence of Finch. The day walks fared better. David Ingram had 7 members and 2 prospectives on his Middle Harbour Walk despite some train problems and confusion, and George Walton had 22 starters arriving back before dark (!!) after a beaut day out to Mt. Solitary. All of which brought the Walks Report to an end. |
- | XXXXXXXXXX | + | |
- | Page 8 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKERS September, | + | Federation Report brought the news that both the General Meeting and Annual General Meeting had been held. Among the matters covered were:- a campaign to have deposits charged on beverage containers in N.S.W., that the Yarwood Bushwalking Club has been accepted as an associate member, that Sutherland Bushwalkers are organising a bus trip to Barrington Tops over the October long weekend (50 seats @ $35.00 ea.), and that unannounced N.P.W.S. burning off during the week is creating a hazard in the Royal National Park. |
- | A MAT=OE PER.CEPTION | + | |
- | by Don Matthews. | + | Of General Business there was none, so the meeting closed at 2113. |
- | Kath Brown was having a surprise birthday party. Not for me to . | + | |
- | disclose which one, but it was an event to be celebrated. Nor do I int6nd | + | ===== Social Notes For October ===== |
- | feel the need to record the-S..-BM's tangible-appreciation of the enormous amount of effort that Kath and Jim have put into Club affairs and of the. discreot | + | by Jo Van Sommers |
- | There are some people who can speak with elequence, dignity, and feeling at the drop..of a hat, and there are some of us whose attempts at opera and | + | |
- | up as overtures and whose best efforts at serious verse end up as doggerel. As I stood under the shower an the morning of the party washing my shirts and socks, it suddenly struck me that I had better get moving on the Ode. | + | | October 19* | Roger Goode, bush fire control authority, will give a talk illustrated with slides. |
- | The last time I wrote one it was Owen who threw out the challenge. He rang inc at work at lunchtime on that occasion. "I want," | + | | | | |
- | "fourteen lines of the worst drivel you've ever written. I want it by eight | + | | October 26 | Bob and Christa Younger will show slides of classical Greece and Italy. |
- | o' | + | |
- | of something in the time it takes to eat my cheese sandwich, then O.K., but otherwise you're on your own." | + | * __Dinner__ |
- | Somehow the cheese sandwich worked. On this occasion, however, the white heat of inspiration was not so evident, and it took six cups of tea', but the germ of an idea had been floating around in the back of my head for | + | |
- | some time. It was all to do with assimilation. When I went on my first day walk with the S.B.W., one of the tough lady walkers eyed me speaulat- | + | The annual Barn Dance at “Coolana”, the Club's property on the Kangaroo River, will be held on the Saturday night of the full moon, October 15th. Please contact |
- | ively and muttered darkly, | + | |
- | lot." | + | ===== Advance Notice ===== |
- | tough lot". Next week I tried again, and_very tentatively approached.the Browns about their weekend walk, whose proportions seemed much the same. | + | ===== Walk 26/12/83 - 9/1/84 Tasmania ===== |
- | No problems! I was welcomed with ' | + | ==== Leader: |
- | the ode for Kath is based on fact, and it is dedicated to both Kath and Jim, because I'm sure that's the way Kath would prefer it. | + | |
- | BIRTHDAY ODE. | + | ^ Day ^ Geographical Points along the Route ^ Distance ^ |
- | Some score and ten short years ago When some of uz were-young | + | | 1 | Sydney - Devonport - Higgs Track - Lady Lake | (2 km) Uphill | |
- | And walking, for a pastime, | + | | 2 | Lady Lake - Lake Lucy Lang - Lake Nameless |
- | We had only just begun, | + | | 3 | Lake Nameless - Lake Johnny - Lake Chambers - Lake Douglas - Forty Lakes Peak - Lake Nameless |
- | ' | + | | 4 | Lake Nameless - Ritters Track (Central Plateau) - Pencil Pine Tarn | (9 km) | |
- | September, 1983. THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | | 5 | Pencil Pine Tarn - Lake Gwendy |
- | Page 9 | + | | 6 | Pencil Pine Tarn - Lake Butters - Ritters Track - Zion Gate - Mt. Jerusalem - Gate of the Chain - Pool of Siloam - Walls of Jerusalem |
- | I'd joined the | + | | 7 | Circuit of Walls of Jerusalem |
- | I thought | + | | 8 | Pool of Siloam - Damascus Vale - Lake Ball - Lake Toorah |
- | They looked me up and down_they | + | | 9 | Lake Toorah |
- | Those fellows who stood tall-. | + | | 10 | South Ling Roth Lake -Mountains of Jupiter - Lake Payanna |
- | 'You can't go on this walk or that, You're far too bloomin' | + | | 11 | Lake Payanna - Lake Athena - Lake Pallas - Orion Lakes | (5 km) | |
- | But then I met some wiser folkTheir | + | | 12 | Orion Lakes - Traveller Range - Du Cane Gap - Lake Marion |
- | "Just came with us," | + | | 13 | Lake Marion - Narcissus River - Lake St. Clair | (20 km approx.) | |
- | Come for a walk to Coal Mine Creek From Perry' | + | | 14 | Spare Day | | |
- | I grabbed | + | | 15 | Lake St. Clair - Hobart - Sydney | | |
- | My bag of Terry' | + | |
- | The leader gazed upon my load | + | | __Leader:__ | Peter Harris |
- | And said, "How does it feel? | + | | | 88-3637 (H) | Plus day walk km | = | __26__ | |
- | It looks a little high to me, Adjust it to your keel. | + | | | | __Total for two weeks__ | = | __121__ | |
- | Try sneakers too, instead of boots, | + | | __Grade:__ | Medium - | __Average |
- | The benefits are real." | + | | | Extended walk | | | | |
- | So down I went to Coal Mine Creek; | + | |
- | The Tigers? they were there, But nicely held in rein by those Nho took some thought and care And hardly ever lost a soul - They always got them there. | + | | __Maps:__ | Mersey 1:100,000 (Map No.81149 Tas.) | |
- | So if you think the going' | + | | | Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park Map | |
- | That someone has the long term yiet, The proper state of mind, | + | |
- | And certainly will wait for you | + | - All food must be carried (13 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners). |
- | If you are all behind. | + | |
- | Now let us drink a toast or two | + | |
- | To friends of some renown | + | |
- | Whose talents we should. add include The use of verb and noun - | + | |
- | .A toast in grape or orange juice To Kath, and to Jim Browns | + | |
- | So we drank our toasts, and listened while Kath responded with eloquence, dignity and feeling. And this at the drop of a hat, because it waa a | + | ===== A Matter of Perception ===== |
- | genuine surprise party. Wonderful: | + | by Don Matthews |
- | * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | Page 10 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, | + | Kath Brown was having a surprise birthday party. Not for me to disclose which one, but it was an event to be celebrated. Nor do I intend |
- | CITY TO SURF 711. FORTY TWO MINUTES. | + | |
- | by Nancye Alderson. | + | There are some people who can speak with eloquence, dignity, and feeling at the drop of a hat, and there are some of us whose attempts at opera end up as overtures and whose best efforts at serious verse end up as doggerel. As I stood under the shower an the morning of the party washing my shirts and socks, it suddenly struck me that I had better get moving on the Ode. |
- | We are standing at the top of William Street near the entrance to the Kings Cross tunnel and we can see thousands of athletes lining | + | |
- | than an hour are in front. The next group think they will finish in 70 minutes, | + | The last time I wrote one it was Owen who threw out the challenge. He rang me at work at lunchtime on that occasion. |
- | and finally the people who think they will take 90 minutes or more. The | + | |
- | favourite runner today is *Zephaniah Ncube from Zimbabwe. A crowd is waiting for the athletes to go past `and there is a sense of anticipation and excitement. It is a brilliantday | + | Somehow the cheese sandwich worked. On this occasion, however, the white heat of inspiration was not so evident, and it took six cups of tea, but the germ of an idea had been floating around in the back of my head for some time. It was all to do with assimilation. When I went on my first day walk with the S.B.W., one of the tough lady walkers eyed me speculatively |
- | It is 9.55 am, only 5 minutes to go before the race starts. Far away in | + | |
- | the distance I can hear a pipe band playing. Two minutes to go now. Here they come, they are off and running down William Street and what a pace: A sea of petiple is moving like a great wave and the crowd behind me are pushing to get a better view. Now the athletes are coming up the hill and whistles and a horn are blowing. The police cars, the Sun car and trucks carrying the gear belonging to people in the race are just cruising past us. Here are the athletes stepping it out up the hill, the majority are men of all ages and they look pretty fit to me. Dressed in red, white, green, blue or gold shorts and- tops it is an amazing sight. Several men running past are wearing earphones. As they go through the King's Cross tunnel the athletes are calling out and there is an echo of calls and whistles. | + | ==== Birthday Ode ==== |
- | I can't believe it, they are still coming by in thousands. What a kaleidescope | + | |
- | Each athlete has a number pinned to the front of his or her chest and number 25,003 has just passed. A fee of $4 has been paid by entrants and the Spastic Centre receives part of the proceeds. A few girls are walking here, I expect the hill is too much for them. I feel dizzy watching the crowd as they move up and down. And still they come. One man has his girl friend an his shoulders and he is jogging along energetically. The girls are coming now, they are in the group which will take more than 90 minutes. The road is littered with plastic garbage bags and T-shirtS | + | | Some score and ten short years ago | |
- | The tail end is coming up now,:aind there are another two dogs an leads, they are bassett | + | | When some of us were young | |
- | September, 1983. THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 11 | + | | And walking, for a pastime, |
- | a few mini buses including the Spastic Centre bus. Suddenly it is all quiet, everyone has gone through the tunnel, in 15 minutes the athletes have all passed us. Well, it's over at this end. What a marvellous spectacle... wait a minute, an English taxi is coming along and it has a sign which-re ds, | + | | We had only just begun, |
- | "Follow me to health and fitness". | + | | I ventured out to Coal Nine Creek | |
- | Here we are at the finishing line and the athletes are lookingil er | + | | In apprehens-iun. |
- | different to when they first started. There is a lot of perspirat 46 and tiredness showing as they come around a bend in the road to the fiia0-. ing line. That amazes me is that everyone is still keeping up a very steady'pl e at the end of 14 I. A man is going past wheeling two little children | + | | | |
- | man piggy-backing his girl friehd, he still is running energetically. He has | + | | I'd joined the S.B.W. | |
- | done well, he has been running 1 hour 45 minutes carrying a person weighing about 8 stone on his shoulders. I can tell by the expressions on faces there are people feeling exhausted. Three little boys about 6 years old and two boys on roller | + | | I thought |
- | Now we are' | + | | They looked me up and down they did | |
- | is Rhonda Mallinder and fifth is Moira Xane. | + | | Those fellows who stood tall. | |
- | A little 3,year,old is. jut cro-asing | + | | "You can't go on this walk or that, | |
- | for Sport,:ays: "What a wonderful success this race has been. We t give | + | | You're far too bloomin' |
- | credit to the Sun who organised it and handles | + | | | |
- | year." | + | | But then I met some wiser folk | |
- | Andrew Lloyd who ran a wonderful race is receiving a large cup id trophy | + | | Their name - you've guessed? - was Brown. |
- | with an athlete on it. Andrew says, "I would like to thank every e invnlved | + | | “Just come with us,” they volunteered, | |
- | and I enjoyed this one. I have competed in the Commonwealth Games. Congratulations to those who participated." | + | | “Erase that worried frown. |
- | start it is where you finish." | + | | Come for a walk to Coal Mine Creek | |
- | the City to-Surf race with 33,708 official athletes.taking part. | + | | From Perry' |
- | 4 | + | | | |
- | Several:members of Sydney Bush Walkers took part in the race and they included Barbara Holmes and Evelyn. Walker...walking, | + | | I grabbed |
- | onlookers, to their home after the race and a good time was had by all. A | + | | My bag of Terry' |
- | special welcome | + | | The leader gazed upon my load, | |
- | Margaret and Bob. | + | | And said “How does it feel? | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * | + | | It looks a little high to me, | |
- | eastvvood | + | | Adjust it to your keel. | |
- | camping | + | | Try sneakers too, instead of boots, |
- | ce | + | | The benefits are real.” | |
- | BUSHWALKERS | + | | | |
- | 1CAMPING EQUIPMENT Large Tents Stoves | + | | So down I went to Coal Mine Creek; |
- | DISTRIBUTORS OF: | + | | The Tigers? they were there, |
- | Paddymade | + | | But nicely held in rein by those | |
- | Proprietors: | + | | Who took some thought and care | |
- | rAt | + | | And hardly ever lost a soul - | |
- | Rowe Street | + | | They always got them there. |
- | EASTWOOD CANVAS GOODS & CAMPING SUPPLIES 3 Trelawney St Eastwood NSW 2122 Phone: 858 2775 | + | | | |
- | Lightweight Tents Sleeping Bags Rucksacks* Climbing 8- Caving Gear Maps Clothing | + | | So if you think the going' |
- | September, 1983. THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 13 | + | | Be patient, |
- | ARTHUR AND US - PART 11. | + | | That someone has the long term view, | |
- | by Bill Gamble. In March, 1983, a Club walk on the autumn programme went to Arthars | + | | The proper state of mind, | |
- | Pass National Park in New Zealand. Two members (Brian Holden and Bronwyn Stow) and a visitor (Steve Tremont) flew from Sydney to join the leader (Bill Gamble) for nine days of walking in the park. The introduction to the park and the first days of the walking are contained in the article which appeared in the August issue of the magazine.. This article covers the programmed walk in the Poulter Valley and beyond. | + | | And certainly will wait for you | |
- | It was shortly before 10.00 am by the time we got away from AndrrATs | + | | If you are all behind. |
- | descends | + | | | |
- | have walked up Andrews Stream. The gentle saddle between the Waimahariri and Poulter Valleys is deceptive, more like walking a river flat than the semi-alpine meadow it is. Thick forest sharply defines the limits of the meadow and climbs on up the slopes on either side for another | + | |Now let us drink a toast or two | |
- | We were over the saddle before we really knew it - most interesting and easy to miss - and well worth a second look. Soon we had dropped into Surprise Stream (which joins Casey Stream lower down) and the last of the meadow before picking up the track marker for a sidle down the true right to | + | |To friends of some renown |
- | the Poulter Valley. The track stayed fairly high with a steep drop last | + | |Whose talents we should add include |
- | aad came out in a generous meadow a few hundred metres from Casey Hut. Consistent with the intentions of the walk we only passed through on this | + | |The use of verb and noun - | |
- | fine late afternoon, taking sufficient time to make an entry in the hat log book before crossing Casey Stream to find a very pleasant campsite a little | + | |A toast in grape or orange juice | |
- | way upstream an the true left. Contrary to previous experiences | + | |To Kath, and to Jim, Brown. | |
- | for cooking, and warmth to sit around and talk into the evening under a cloudless night sky. It felt like a bushwalk out of Sydney, only for the tumbling stream | + | |
- | The fine weather continued right through the following day as we walked | + | So we drank our toasts, and listened while Kath responded with eloquence, dignity and feeling. And this at the drop of a hat, because it was a genuine surprise party. Wonderful! |
- | up the Paulter | + | |
- | The rout e from Casey Stream up the Poulter Valley is badly affected at first by windfalls and a change in a main channel of the river. These factors and a misplaced reluctance' 'to get our feet wet led us into an unnecessary scrub-bash, | + | ===== City to Surf in Forty Two Minutes ===== |
- | Page 14 TEE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, | + | by Nancye Alderson |
- | _ | + | |
- | of New Zealand tramping hut a and which stood-back;' | + | We are standing at the top of William Street near the entrance to the Kings Cross tunnel and we can see thousands of athletes lining up at College Street to take part in the thirteenth annual Sun City to Surf race of 14 km to Bondi Beach. The runners who think they will make the distance in less than an hour are in front. The next group think they will finish in 70 minutes, and finally the people who think they will take 90 minutes or more. The favourite runner today is Zephaniah Ncube from Zimbabwe. A crowd is waiting for the athletes to go past and there is a sense of anticipation and excitement. It is a brilliant day and the sun is warm on our backs. The Hare Krishna wearing their pale pink flowing robes are playing their shrill instruments on the side of the road. |
- | We found the track marker after a bit of a search, then settled down | + | |
- | to lunch in the forest, well-covered to minimise the predations of the sand- flies. Our " | + | It is 9:55 am, only 5 minutes to go before the race starts. Far away in the distance I can hear a pipe band playing. Two minutes to go now. Here they come, they are off and running down William Street and what a pace! A sea of petiple is moving like a great wave and the crowd behind me are pushing to get a better view. Now the athletes are coming up the hill and whistles and a horn are blowing. The police cars, the Sun car and trucks carrying the gear belonging to people in the race are just cruising past us. Here are the athletes stepping it out up the hill, the majority are men of all ages and they look pretty fit to me. Dressed in red, white, green, blue or gold shorts and tops it is an amazing sight. Several men running past are wearing earphones. As they go through the King's Cross tunnel the athletes are calling out and there is an echo of calls and whistles. |
- | The next day offered fine weather for our day walk to Minchin Pass, | + | |
- | 1082 metres, although by late morning Steve had concluded that a weather change was imminent. But apart from being a rather chilly day on the pass it was not until the early hours of the following morning before the change | + | I can't believe it, they are still coming by in thousands. What a kaleidoscope |
- | affected us. | + | |
- | Our exact route to Minchin Pass was not always obvious, but we made good time once we had all decided that getting our feet wet was unavoidable. Until the first plunge we did all sorts of things to try and keep feet dry. There was a reasonable track around the edge of the lake to the gravel flats beyond; and on the far side, where the Mdnchin Stream issues from a gorge, we crossed it to reach a marked track which climbs high and steep, up and over the bluffs on the true right. From there we chose a rock hop up the stream to Mdnchin | + | Each athlete has a number pinned to the front of his or her chest and number 25,003 has just passed. A fee of $4 has been paid by entrants and the Spastic Centre receives part of the proceeds. A few girls are walking here, I expect the hill is too much for them. I feel dizzy watching the crowd as they move up and down. And still they come. One man has his girl friend an his shoulders and he is jogging along energetically. The girls are coming now, they are in the group which will take more than 90 minutes. The road is littered with plastic garbage bags and T-shirts |
- | We had thoughts of retreating from the pass to a sheltered place lower | + | |
- | down to have lunch, but Steve faund a good place on the west slope above the pass which provided shelter and views. We anjoypd | + | The tail end is coming up now, and there are another two dogs an leads, they are basset |
- | same route and got back dragging as much downed wood as possible for our | + | |
- | campfire. We also had company nearby - Pete Williamson from Christchurch | + | Here we are at the finishing line and the athletes are looking rather |
- | who had been tailing us by a day since leaving Hawdon Shelter. We figured | + | |
- | that we were the only walkers in the Poulter Valley, which is quite an area | + | Now we are near the finishing line with its photo finish camera and the runner' |
- | for five People to have to themselves. We left a warm campfire and a starry night to awake in the morning to a grey, misty day which would get a lot worse by nightfall. | + | |
- | tar | + | A little 3-year-old is jut crossing |
- | September, 1983. THE SYDNEY BUSawA | + | |
- | Page 15 | + | Andrew Lloyd who ran a wonderful race is receiving a large cup and trophy with an athlete on it. Andrew says, “I would like to thank every one involved |
- | Our plan was to linger awhile at Mdnchin | + | |
- | The hut log book had nothing good to say about the Trudge Col route into the Hawdon Valley and it seemed that much depended upon the weather | + | Several members of Sydney Bush Walkers took part in the race and they included Barbara Holmes and Evelyn |
- | which. was beyond our control. However, we did take the opportunity of walking up Trudge Stream for about hours to determine what sort of route it offered | + | |
- | to the tops. The first hour was good travelling | + | ===== Arthur |
- | It wa' | + | by Bill Gamble |
- | people and gear comfortably. Bronwyn, who did not go on the trip up Trudge Stream, had spent part of the time cleaning it out and the bivy.was in. top shape for our stay. It was left to Steve and, belatedly, Bill to try. (unsucc- | + | |
- | essfully) to clear out the hundreds of sandflies around windows.. Outside, they numbered in their thousands, so our comfort inside really had to be measured relative to the alternative. | + | //In March, 1983, a Club walk on the autumn programme went to Arthurs |
- | Assisted by a tailwind we were buffeted along an our walk back down the Poulter River, the Trudge Col route abandoned in the face of the weather. There was no way of crossing the channels with dry feet and very soon we were crossing and re-crossing them without much thought as to whether they could' | + | // |
- | It was still raining in the morning, but there was sufficient lightness in the sky to push ahead with plans and walk back over the Casey Saddle. Protected under the canOpy | + | It was shortly before 10:00 am by the time we got away from Andrews |
- | Page 16 THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER September, | + | |
- | footing on a route which had become a watercourse rather than a track. At the beginning of the saddle, we left the protection of the forest and felt the full effect of the wet and cold as we scurried on to find the bivy on the saddle. Crammed into this drafty, dirty and dilapidated shack, we slowly thawed and put an most every piece of foul-weather gear we could muster. Obviously. the weather gods were impressed for as soon as we moved off across the saddle, the rain and wind ceased. Within the hour the clouds were - breaking and we stopped for lunch alongside a tumbling stream in the beech forest. | + | We were over the saddle before we really knew it - most interesting and easy to miss - and well worth a second look. Soon we had dropped into Surprise Stream (which joins Casey Stream lower down) and the last of the meadow before picking up the track marker for a sidle down the true right to the Poulter Valley. The track stayed fairly high with a steep drop last aad came out in a generous meadow a few hundred metres from Casey Hut. Consistent with the intentions of the walk we only passed through on this fine late afternoon, taking sufficient time to make an entry in the hat log book before crossing Casey Stream to find a very pleasant campsite a little way upstream an the true left. Contrary to previous experiences |
- | It was a sunny and warm descent to Andrews Shelter with sweeping views into the Waimakariri Valley, and we needed to wear only the minimum of gear for a decidedly warm walk back to our starting point at the Hawdon Shelter. Over this last stretch we spread, either talking or lost in our own thoughts. Thereupon we repaired to the tearooms and general store at Arthurs Pass - thirty minutes away by car - for an orgy of junk food, ice cream and milk shakes before returning to camp for the night. . The early evening quiet. in | + | |
- | the shelterloy | + | The fine weather continued right through the following day as we walked up the Poulter |
- | Our last day which had been reserved in case of bad weather delays.was | + | |
- | spent in a day-walkup | + | The route from Casey Stream up the Poulter Valley is badly affected at first by windfalls and a change in a main channel of the river. These factors and a misplaced reluctance to get our feet wet led us into an unnecessary scrub-bash, taking about an hour to make 200-300 metres to reach the river flats where travelling is easy. Having emerged from this maze of windfalls and scrub, we wandered up to the Poulter Hut (built in the more traditional style of New Zealand tramping hut and which stood back, well maintained, in the shelter of the tree line well away from the main river channels). Then it was a long, diagonal crossing of the Poulter River to reach the confluence of the river and Minchin Stream - it took the best part of an hour. |
- | on the true right about 30 minutes walk past the East Branch fork. There were many people moving along the route. The volume_of | + | |
- | - | + | We found the track marker after a bit of a search, then settled down to lunch in the forest, well-covered to minimise the predations of the sandflies. Our " |
- | day was wet and cold and we appreciated the refuge which, the hut provided for lunch. break. Perhaps we all were not quite so enthusiastic. about .the numbers of trampers which crammed into the place - someone counted over twenty at one stage. Walking back down the valley we seemed to keep a few minutes ahead of worsening conditions spreading across the main divide from the west. We shared the Hawdon Shelter with two deerstalkers who had found the weather in the upper basin of the East Branch unenjoyable and had come down for the night. Late afternoon and early evening was a time to tidy gear in preparation for the return to Christchurch the next morning. A warm fire and protection from the wind and rain contributed to a relaxed evening. But overnight conditions worsened and we were faced with having to dry tents and Brian' | + | |
- | The weather improved by the kilometre and by the time we reached the 'tearooms-cum-general store at Springfield for ice creams etc, it.had become | + | The next day offered fine weather for our day walk to Minchin Pass, 1082 metres, although by late morning Steve had concluded that a weather change was imminent. But apart from being a rather chilly day on the pass it was not until the early hours of the following morning before the change affected us. |
- | a warm, autuffin | + | |
+ | Our exact route to Minchin Pass was not always obvious, but we made good time once we had all decided that getting our feet wet was unavoidable. Until the first plunge we did all sorts of things to try and keep feet dry. There was a reasonable track around the edge of the lake to the gravel flats beyond; and on the far side, where the Mdnchin Stream issues from a gorge, we crossed it to reach a marked track which climbs high and steep, up and over the bluffs on the true right. From there we chose a rock hop up the stream to Minchin | ||
+ | |||
+ | We had thoughts of retreating from the pass to a sheltered place lower down to have lunch, but Steve faund a good place on the west slope above the pass which provided shelter and views. We enjoyed | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our plan was to linger awhile at Minchin | ||
+ | |||
+ | The hut log book had nothing good to say about the Trudge Col route into the Hawdon Valley and it seemed that much depended upon the weather which was beyond our control. However, we did take the opportunity of walking up Trudge Stream for about 1< | ||
+ | to the tops. The first hour was good traveling | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was a small A-frame hut with a sleeping platform which took four people and gear comfortably. Bronwyn, who did not go on the trip up Trudge Stream, had spent part of the time cleaning it out and the bivy was in top shape for our stay. It was left to Steve and, belatedly, Bill to try. (unsuccessfully) to clear out the hundreds of sandflies around windows. Outside, they numbered in their thousands, so our comfort inside really had to be measured relative to the alternative. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Assisted by a tailwind we were buffeted along an our walk back down the Poulter River, the Trudge Col route abandoned in the face of the weather. There was no way of crossing the channels with dry feet and very soon we were crossing and re-crossing them without much thought as to whether they could be avoided. We made good time and called in at Poulter Hut for morning tea. Intermittent rain squalls followed us all the way to Casey Hut. We did not repeat our scrub-bash this time and at Bronwyn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was still raining in the morning, but there was sufficient lightness in the sky to push ahead with plans and walk back over the Casey Saddle. Protected under the canopy | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was a sunny and warm descent to Andrews Shelter with sweeping views into the Waimakariri Valley, and we needed to wear only the minimum of gear for a decidedly warm walk back to our starting point at the Hawdon Shelter. Over this last stretch we spread, either talking or lost in our own thoughts. Thereupon we repaired to the tearooms and general store at Arthurs Pass - thirty minutes away by car - for an orgy of junk food, ice cream and milk shakes before returning to camp for the night. The early evening quiet in the shelter by the fire was shattered by the arrival of Friday evening trampers from Christchurch | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our last day which had been reserved in case of bad weather delays was spent in a day walk up the Hawdon | ||
+ | |||
+ | The weather improved by the kilometre and by the time we reached the tearooms-cum-general store at Springfield for ice creams etc, it had become a warm, autumn | ||
Bill caught the evening Qantas flight to Sydney and was home at Bondi by 10.00 pm. Brian, Bronwyn and Steve went on the next day to Abel Tasman National Park, which is another story. | Bill caught the evening Qantas flight to Sydney and was home at Bondi by 10.00 pm. Brian, Bronwyn and Steve went on the next day to Abel Tasman National Park, which is another story. | ||
- | ' Nap references: Arthurs Pass National Park, NZMS 273, 1:80000, | + | |
- | 1st edition; Otira, | + | (Map references: Arthurs Pass National Park, NZMS 273, 1:80000, 1st edition; Otira, |
198309.txt · Last modified: 2016/03/24 10:32 by kclacher