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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, Crow's Nest. | 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, Crow's Nest. | ||
- | |EDITOR: | + | |Editor |
- | |BUSINESS MANAGER: | + | |Business Manager |
- | |PRODUCTION MANAGER: | + | |Production Manager |
- | |TYPIST: | + | |Typist |
- | |DUPLICATOR OPERATORS: | + | |Duplicator OPerators |
- | ==== JULY 1984. ==== | + | ==== JULY 1984 ==== |
| | | Page| | | | | Page| | ||
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|The Paddy Pallin Foundation - 1984 Grants | |The Paddy Pallin Foundation - 1984 Grants | ||
|McDonnell Ranges - 1984 |David Rostron | |McDonnell Ranges - 1984 |David Rostron | ||
- | |Advertisement - Eastwood Camping Centre | + | |Advertisement - Eastwood Camping Centre |
|The June General Meeting | |The June General Meeting | ||
|Social Notes for August | |Social Notes for August | ||
Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
|Editor' | |Editor' | ||
- | ===== JUST A PLEASANT SUNDAY STROLL. ===== | + | ===== JUST A PLEASANT SUNDAY STROLL ===== |
by Ronald Knightley. | by Ronald Knightley. | ||
- | |||
All of us thirty-six low quality, one-day walkers (we will never forget you, Spiro) who followed, led or deviated from Ainslie Morris on her walk down Lawson' | All of us thirty-six low quality, one-day walkers (we will never forget you, Spiro) who followed, led or deviated from Ainslie Morris on her walk down Lawson' | ||
On the Mount York road just 1 km beyond its turnoff from the Great Western Highway, we assembled at the "track head" of Lawson' | On the Mount York road just 1 km beyond its turnoff from the Great Western Highway, we assembled at the "track head" of Lawson' | ||
Line 62: | Line 61: | ||
By 1830, commuting between Sydney and the west had reached such a volume that Governor Bourke commissioned two improvements: | By 1830, commuting between Sydney and the west had reached such a volume that Governor Bourke commissioned two improvements: | ||
- | But alas, poor Lockyer. That great public service innovator, unhandicapped by mock modesty, Surveyor General Sir Thomas Mitchell, happened along, | + | But alas, poor Lockyer. That great public service innovator, unhandicapped by mock modesty, Surveyor General Sir Thomas Mitchell, happened along, |
- | In May, we followed | + | Sleeping spots were scratched out in, the sand and gravel |
- | After our lunch at the picnic reserve in Hartley Vale, we were introduced | + | The next day we negotiated |
- | While Barbara Evans posed kodachromatically for me beside some earthworks of an old mine tramway, Ben Esgate charged up the hill to the crowning cliffs, returning with enthusiastic stories | + | The canyon was an absolute delight - about nine dry waterfalls, quite enclosed and narrow - a cross between Galong Creek and Claustral Canyon. It was negotiated without too much difficulty and we headed west again, carrying water. From the top of the Hogs Back it had appeared as though the canyon and hanging valley drained the entire south side of Brinkley Bluff. We had hoped to cross the west saddle and descend to the river at |
+ | Stuarts Pass. However, we then found there are three hanging valleys and of course, three saddles to cross. The canyon draining | ||
- | When Lawson!s men were carving his road into the valley, they discovered a seam of what they thought | + | With heavy packs, we began to tire in the third hanging |
- | seat discovered by Lawson' | + | the sandy river bed and as it had been a warm afternoon, no one could resist plunging |
- | The construction of Mitchell' | + | The next morning we saw our first dingoes -three came within about 80 metres, scrutinised us carefully and then retreated |
- | refineries which the. Company was building in the Vale. The ore was rich, yielding 160 gallons | + | bloom and one received full photographic attention. A Major Mitchell parrot objected |
- | Hartley Vale, fallen into a decline since the Mt. York roads departed. to Mt. Victoria, was rejuvenated under the name of Petrolea. A second company, " | + | Further west we entered an unnamed north-south gorge which cuts almost through |
- | By 1868 the western railway | + | The next morning, Tom was the only one brave enough |
- | Candles, naphtha, kerosene | + | We headed north in Spencer' |
- | Australia'. The original little Aussie bottler! | + | |
- | Shale mining ceased in 1903; and Although | + | Heather |
- | A decline again set in; Petrolea reverted | + | That night, at about midnight, we were treated |
- | Thanks, Ainslie, it was a most pleasant interlude, even if we did have to walk back up that too-steep road pioneered by William Cox. It was quite a pleasant grade, I thought; but then, 1 am not a horse and cart. | + | Ray, in fact, did have a stomach wog the next morning and we did not move off until about 11.00 am, heading south. The gorge was a series of pools and dry river bed sections |
+ | and then 5 minutes later, we came upon a superb campsite, near the southern exit. A sandy flat, river gums, pool and red rock wall on the other side created one of nature' | ||
- | __NOTICE OF CHANGE OF WALK DATES.__ | + | To make amends for the 5 minute walk after lunch, most of the party ascended 1,000 feet to a ridge and pinnacle, which provided extensive view south, over the Alice Valley, to the Heavitree Range. Four of us, at Heather' |
- | WENTWORTH FALLS - Leader: IAN DEBERT. Changed from weekend of 10,11,12 August | + | That evening, a number of dingoes came to within about 30 metres of the camp fire and we were again treated to a night of howling, although they were not as vocal as on the previous night. |
- | ===== S0, WE'VE MADE IT! ===== | + | The next morning we were off onto the southern plain. This was the only location where a fireplace or some evidence of a previous camp was sighted. We now headed east, back towards Standley Chasm. After about 11 km we stopped to explore another canyon. This also contained running waterfalls and we went into it for about 500 m to a hanging valley. Then it was east again for lunch at the south end of Spencer's Gorge. Tom, Bill and Bob were the only ones with the necessary fortitude to swim the pools at the southern end, whilst the weak spirited (or old or sensible or something) struggled over the first ridge and dropped into the gorge upstream of the pools. |
- | by Jim Brown. | + | This was the only section of the trip where we retraced our steps - we headed north in Spencer' |
- | Yes, we've made it. We' | + | The cloud cleared but it remained cool and windy - a maximum temperature of about 17 degrees C that day. We made good time along numerous horse trails, (brumbies are in abundance on the plains and open valleys). We reached Stuarts Pass for lunch and then returned to our campsite of a few days beforehand. There was no swimming that day as strong winds gusted through |
- | At the end of a very easy daywalk, in the pale westering sunlight | + | The next morning saw our earliest start - 8.00 am - for the climb of Brinkley Bluff. On this morning we found a spring with a considerable flow of water near the base of the north-west ridge. Six of the party climbed this ridge (about 2,000' |
- | little tired, but said it had been a lovely day. | + | |
- | Putting | + | It had been 2 - 3 degrees C that morning and a cool south-west wind confronted us on the summit. This discouraged a lengthy stop and then we began the traverse |
- | know. That makes it a bit harder. After all, we were on tracks all through today". | + | in length. Views in all directions were fantastic. Lunch was enjoyed just below the ridge top, out of the wind, and after almost reaching the saddle below the Hogs Back we dropped down a steep northern ridge to a gully and began searching for campsites. The only suitable one was below Surprise Waterfall (dry) where Frank Rigby has camped before. |
- | Beryl said, "I wondered if the Club did trips like that?" And I answered, " | + | The cool south-west wind with some high cirrus cloud continued for the next two days. Overnight temperatures were 2 - 3 degrees C, and maximums about 17 - delightful walking weather. We were within 5 km of our finishing point and spent the next day exploring the complex system |
- | Before that, of course, there had been the Mountain Trails Club, and they certainly didn't do all their walking | + | On our last day, eight of the party ascended to a ridge we had not traversed before |
+ | through the pools. Civilisation | ||
+ | eating competition. The most ardent Pritikin fan, Ray Dargan, ate the most rubbish. | ||
- | Considering how often the Australian media now refers to " | + | It was a sad group which parted company at Mascot |
- | Pommy production, it is really very good, It covers " | + | |
- | Then I wondered if the Macquarie Dictionary, published a few years ago by an Australian University team, would do justice to us. I had a " | + | ===== ADVERTISEMENT ===== |
- | "Bush walking: The sport of making one's way on foot through the bush, often on tracks designed for this, but sometimes for longer periods through virgin terrain" | + | |
- | Well, there we are, we've made it. | + | **Low Cost Blue Mountains Holiday**\\ |
+ | **Caravans** | ||
+ | Two vans (7 m & 4 m) are available. | ||
- | No, that's not quite right. The term "bush walking" | + | ^**Charges** |
- | + | ^Per week | |
- | But to my mind WE'VE HAD IT MADE for almost 57 years. | + | ^Per weekend |
- | ===== "A BUSH WALKER' | + | **Enquiries: |
- | by John Baillie. | + | ===== THE JUNE GENERAL MEETING ===== |
- | (Tom Herbert, who joined S.B.W. in 1929, and was President from March 1934 to March, 1936, was recently transferred to the list of Honorary Members. In addition to his activities with the Club, Tom was a foundation member and first President of the River Canoe Club of N.S.W. and an early President of the N.S.W. Federation of Bush Walking Clubs. At an early Club Reunion he discovered "THE BONE" and invested the incoming President with this Mace of Office, which has since been associated with the inauguration of S.B.W. Presidents and is on the desk at every General Meeting. Tom has expressed his "best wishes for the continued progress of a grand Club", and enclosed with his letter the following verses:-) | + | by Barry Wallace |
- | | |Forbid that I should walk | | + | (These meeting notes were posted in Perisher Valley |
- | | |through Thy beautiful world | | + | |
- | | |with unseeing eyes; | | + | |
- | | | | | + | |
- | | |Forbid that the lure of the | | + | |
- | | |market-place should ever | | + | |
- | | |entirely steal my heart | | + | |
- | | |away from the love of the | | + | |
- | | |open acres and the green trees; | + | |
- | | | | | + | |
- | | |Forbid that under the low roof | | + | |
- | | |of workshop or office or study | | + | |
- | | |I should ever forget | + | |
- | | |Thy great over arching sky; | | + | |
- | | | | | + | |
- | | |Forbid when all Thy creatures | + | |
- | | |are greeting the morning | + | |
- | | |with songs and shouts of joy | | + | |
- | | |I alone should wear a dull | | + | |
- | | |and sullen face. | | + | |
- | | | | | + | |
- | | |Let the energy and vigour | + | |
- | | |which | + | |
- | | |Thou has infused into every | | + | |
- | | |living thing stir today | | + | |
- | | |within my being that I | | + | |
- | | |may not be among | | + | |
- | | |Thy creatures | + | |
- | | |and a drone; | + | |
- | | | | | + | |
- | | |And above all give me grace | | + | |
- | | |to use these beauties | + | |
- | | |and this eager stirring of life | | + | |
- | | |within me as means whereby | + | |
- | | |my soul may rise | | + | |
- | | |from creature to creator | + | |
- | | |and from nature to nature' | + | |
- | ===== SNAPSHOTS. ===== | + | The meeting began at around 2015 with some 30 or so members present and the President in the chair. There was one apology, from Spiro Hajinakitas. New members Timothy Rannard, Ian Rannard, Laurie Bore and Michael Reynolds were welcomed with constitution, |
- | by Geof Wagg. | + | The Minutes were read and received with no business arising. Correspondence brought a letter to Tom Herbert advising his transfer to Honorary Membership, and from the responsible Minister, T. Sheehan, regarding membership of Advisory Committees for National Parks. |
- | (These are my snapshots of Barry Wallace | + | Then it was the Treasurer' |
- | 1. This is Wendy and Don and me in the car on Friday night, going back down Kanangra Road looking for the rest of the party. Don has got his map out and put on his glasses. Wendy is trying to look interested and stifling a yawn. We had just decided to introduce a bit of fact into the debate. | + | All of which brought us to the Walks Report. Although only the May walks were reported at the meeting, this report includes |
- | 2. Here we are at Budthingaroo on Saturday morning and you can see it's a bit nippy. Barry is bustling around | + | The Reunion has been more fully reported |
+ | one of his Sydney Harbour | ||
- | 3. This is our whole party together at last and out on Kanangra | + | The following weekend, 24, 25, 26 March saw some cancellations due to some rather wet weather. Peter Miller |
+ | Brian Bolton' | ||
- | 4. And here looking | + | Peter Harris had 12 starters on his Wollangambe Crater walk over the 31 March-1 April weekend. They reported scrub, gullies |
- | the cliffs | + | Bill Capon rep6rted 20 people plus (?) Vic Lewin on his Yalwal trip over 30, 31 March, 1 April. Of the All Fools Day walks, Jim Brown' |
- | 5. Here we are sitting in Gabes Gap by that old fireplace | + | Peter Miller cancelled his' Megaiong Valley walk for 6, 7 April but John Redfern led his Goulburn River National Park trip with a party of 13. Sandy Johnson had a party of 20 people |
- | 6. | + | The weekend of 13, 14, 15 April saw Joan Cooper with 15 people on a great walk in the Budawangs. Peter Christian' |
- | This was a coincidence. We arrived at Cloudmaker trig just as the Three Peaks party was moving off. Jim Percy, Tom Wenman, Jim Laing and Ian Rannard look fit and rearing | + | 15th April. John Newman probably led his Bundeena |
- | 7. Here we are on Tiwilla immersed in scratchiness from the waist down as we skirt the northern edge of the plateau. Wendy, whose shin is still tender from her Easter | + | The Easter |
- | 8. Now here we are grappling with the climbing aids in Compagnoni' | + | The following weekend, 27, 28, 29 April, saw Ainslie Morris leading a party of 15 up The Castle in perfect weather. There was no report of Errol Sheedy' |
- | 9. Here you see us in the scrub at the foot of the pass. It is clear | + | Bill Capon led a party of 16 on his Kanangra walk of 4, 5, 6 May. It was an eventful walk, they lost one person with ankle problems, had a narrow miss involving a loose rock, Bill Capon and David Rostron, They |
+ | also reported some nettles, but this is surely insignificant! | ||
- | 10. This is our camp on Gingra Creek, with magical moonbeams radiating down from a mystical moon; mingling in the tops of the silhouetted river oaks with the quantities of steam and smoke given off by the rather damp wood on our fire. It makes the trees seem even more gigantic than they are and certainly gives the place a lot of atmosphere. Barry has reached | + | There was no report of George Walton' |
- | by sharing some with him. David has astonished us by producing an enormous pair of Ugh boots from his pack and is now lounging in them by the fire. Morag is sitting with her feet tucked up looking as neat and contented as a cat. John and Ron, however, | + | very well for them, but rather warm for David Rostron |
+ | Waterfall to Heathcote ramble. Bill Holland, however, | ||
- | 11. This was next morning at the foot of the Gingra Ridge. You can see it's another perfect morning, clear and bright. That long pool on the upstream side of the ridge is returning immaculate image reflections | + | The 18, 19, 20 May saw Barrie Murdoch with a party of 3 on his Kanangra/ |
+ | |||
+ | Hans Stichter reported 12 people | ||
- | 12. This is us climbing Gingra Ridge. It' | + | The weekend of 1, 2, 3 June saw Lyn McDonald's Kanangra to Katoomba walk, sans Lyn, with a party of three. The view of the city from Kanangra indicated that our smog umbrella had been briefly dissipated. John Reddel led a party of 14 people on his Colo River Saturday start walk in near perfect Weather. There was no report of Rudy Dezelin' |
- | 13. Here we are at our Well earned | + | The Queen' |
+ | sunset from Mt. Kosciusko summit. Carol Bruce led 31 people | ||
- | 14. This is us sitting | + | Federation Report brought news of the F.B.W. Reunion, 42 in attendance, and that the Mount Druitt bushwalkers club is now to be known as Mount Druitt Bushwalkers, |
- | Oh well, that's all perhaps next walk I'll remember | + | General Business, after a long discussion, saw a decision |
- | ===== THE PADDY PALLIN FOUNDATION. 1984 GRANTS ===== | + | So then it was just a matter of the announcements and the meeting closed at 2190 and it was all over again for another quarter. |
- | Robert Pallin, Trustee. | + | ===== SOCIAL NOTES FOR AUGUST ===== |
- | This year a large number of applications were received, most for worthwhile causes. The committee considered two points should be made in reference to applications.\\ | + | by Roger Browne |
- | |1. |The Foundation is not a welfare organisation. | + | |
- | |2. |The Foundation' | + | |
- | This year the committee allocated funds to the following organisations. Funds are made available, as either grants or loans. 7 Loans are considered to be unsecured | + | |August 1 | Committee Meeting. |
+ | |August 8 | Members' | ||
+ | | |**Dinner** before this meeting at Cheezies Carvery Upstairs; which is at 116 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest. Meet outside at 6.30 pm, late arrivals ask for the " | ||
+ | |August 15 |Bush Dance with Caller. All dances taught | ||
+ | |August 22 |A production Session | ||
+ | |August 29 |Did you know that in Alaska during summer, when the sun never sets, they still have daylight saving? Alan Dixon of C.M.W. spent three weeks last year walking around Bering Strait and Brooks Range, and has some interesting slides to show. | | ||
- | AUSTRALIAN TRUST FOR CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS | + | ===== AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION ===== |
+ | for consideration at the Half Yearly General Meeting on 12th September, or any other matters that members wish to have included in the agenda for discussion at that meeting, should be submitted to the Secretary by no later than Wednesday, 8th August.\\ | ||
+ | Barrie Murdoch Hon. Secretary. | ||
- | Grant $1000 | + | ===== THE HUME AND HOVELL WALKING TRACK ===== |
- | This organisation supplies teams of volunteers | + | The Crown Lands Office proposes |
- | THE COLONG COMMITTEE | + | ===== EDITOR' |
+ | Who said "I have played similar games in the mountains .... Longing for a rest but determined not to be the first to suggest it. In the hills a camera provides a useful excuse for a rest with honour - must stop to get a picture!" | ||
+ | (a) Spiro Hajinakitas, | ||
+ | (b) The Editor - frequently.\\ | ||
+ | c) Chris Bonington, Himalayan climber and author of books on Everest.\\ | ||
+ | (d) Bill Capon, when the kneeguard doesn' | ||
- | Loan $2000 | + | **New Member**\\ |
+ | Tom Fischhof, 13, Lytton Street, Cammeray, 2062. Te1.922.1170. | ||
- | Publication | + | **Change |
+ | Errol Sheedy, 5 Kungar Road, Caringbah, 2229. Te1.525.0316. | ||
- | THE TASMANIAN CANOEISTS ASSN. & PEDAL POWER | + | **Test Walk**\\ |
+ | August 5 - Leader: Jeff Bridger. **Correct** Tel. number | ||
- | Loan $2000 | + | **For Sale**\\ |
- | A loan was approved to help publish " | + | Nikon zoom lens 36-72 f3.5 Series E\\ |
+ | Brand new, 1 year warranty. Price below duty free\\ | ||
+ | Phone: Steve Lengakis 969.8894 Mon.- Fri. after 6.00 pm. | ||
- | FEDERATION OF BUSHWALKING CLUBS (N.S.W.) | + | **Answer to Quiz**\\ |
+ | c) In "Quest for Adventure" | ||
- | Grant $ 500 | ||
- | |||
- | To print a leaflet " | ||
- | |||
- | NATIONAL PARKS ASSN. (N.S.W.) | ||
- | |||
- | Grant $1000 | ||
- | |||
- | To publish a leaflet on proposed extensions to Barrington National Park. | ||
- | |||
- | TASMANIAN WILDERNESS SOCIETY (ALBURY-WODONGA) | ||
- | |||
- | Grant $ 500 | ||
- | |||
- | Portable display equipment for a campaign for a Victorian Alpine National Park. | ||
- | |||
- | TASMANIAN WILDERNESS SOCIETY (TAS.) | ||
- | |||
- | Grant $1000 | ||
- | Production of a professional quality audio-visual presentation for the Daintree area. | ||
- | |||
- | FEDERATION OF BUSHWALKING CLUBS (N.S.W.) S. & R. SECTION | ||
- | |||
- | Grant $1500 | ||
- | To enable S. & R, to print: | ||
- | 1. A calendar and safety pamphlet. | ||
- | 2. A call-out manual. | ||
- | 3. A trip preparation safety leaflet. | ||
- | |||
- | THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY (N.S.W.) | ||
- | |||
- | Loan $5000 | ||
- | |||
- | National Campaign for Wilderness.\\ | ||
- | To help cover pre-production costs of a T.V. series " | ||
- | |||
- | Grant $1000 | ||
- | |||
- | Audio-Visual production for the campaign to save the Daintree rainforest area. | ||
- | |||
- | The committee would like to thank all applicants and wish all well in their projects whether we were able to supply funds or not. | ||
- | |||
- | ===== MACDONNELL RANGES - 1984. ===== | ||
- | |||
- | by David Rostron. | ||
- | |||
- | Following publication of Frank Rigby' | ||
- | |||
- | One of my 1984 resolutions was to cease procrastination. As a result 1/6184 found 10 of us at Mascot Airport, bound for Alice Springs. The party was as follows: | ||
- | Heather Finch, Wendy Lippiat, Fusae Dargan, Ray Dargan, Bob Duncan, Tom Wenman, Spiro Hajinakitas, | ||
- | |||
- | We had previously decided to have an exploratory type trip in the area between Standley Chasm and Hugh Gorge, to the west. This is the area favoured by previous parties as opposed to the west end of the range around Mts. Giles and Sonder. Another trek considered was from Ormiston Gorge to Mt. Giles and then east along the Chewings Range to Hugh Gorge, finishing at Standley Chasm. However, in the mid section, over about 30 km, there is some doubt about water and the terrain is less interesting. | ||
- | |||
- | We arrived at Alice Springs on schedule at 12.25 pm - a pleasant, windy day with a temperature of 25 degrees C. We dropped off our minor luggage at the Telford Motel in the centre of Alice Springs and then proceeded by mini-bus (Arura Safaris) to the drop off point on Namitjira Drive, about 40 mihutes travelling time from Alice Springs. We had a charming bus driver, Del, who was sorely tempted to abandon the vehicle and join us. | ||
- | |||
- | We headed Up a dry creek bed, through a gap in the Heavitree Range, and then across the plain towards the Chewings Range and the west end of Mt. Conway. We walked 6-7 km, stopping after about 2 hours at a gap | ||
- | between Mt. Conway and a small pinnacle to the west. There were three pools of water in the creek bed at the gap, although we had carried water for a possible dry camp. As it was then 4.50 pm, and we were suffering from first day heavy packs, it was an appropriate time to stop. | ||
- | |||
- | The campsite turned out to be typical of those we had for the trip - on the sand of the creek/river beds with the party members selecting a variety of scattered locations. One of the delights of the MacDonnell Ranges in June is the weather - deep blue skies and glorious starry nights with no dew. "On only two days/nights did we have cloud and there was never any likelihood of rain. As a result, the flies we took were never put up. In any event, erection would have required many rocks to secure the guys. | ||
- | |||
- | For the first night we had the dinner delight of chicken a la Hajinakitas and boiled new potatoes. Heather insisted on climbing the pinnacle (about 100 m in height) for a sunset dinner and she was joined by most of the party. | ||
- | |||
- | I had expected scenes similar to those in Frank and Henry' | ||
- | locals now call it the Green (instead of Red) Centre. It had last rained in about February and although the red rock is a dominant landscape feature, the remainder comprised shades of green and some light yellow - grass drying off. The scene for the sunset dinner was magical as the rocks of the Heavitree Range to the south changed from a sun-bleached red to a dull glow. | ||
- | |||
- | The next morning set the pattern for the trip. Spiro was first up at first light (6.30 am) and had a fire going in a minute. A leisurely breakfast of porridge and sultanas followed and then we were usually away | ||
- | by about 9.00 am. (As this was a holiday for all, we set no definite starting-finishing times, except on the 9th day.) | ||
- | |||
- | We headed north through the gap into the east-west valley beyond and then east for 2 km to a canyon we had sighted from the pinnacle on the previous evening. | ||
- | |||
- | The gorges and small canyons are the jewels of this area. The spinifex tends to discourage one from climbing the ridges, summits and faces, and the easiest travelling is usually in the creek and river beds. As a result, most canyons we sighted were explored. Invariably the waterfalls were dry and the mainly rough quartzite provided excellent foot and hand holds for scrambling. There is a great variety of vegetation in these canyons and many of the small bedrock pools contained water. | ||
- | |||
- | Our first canyon was quite steep, with only two dry falls and two small pools. This took us out onto the tops with views of Mt. Conway and the Hogs Back. Then it was over two low saddles to the base of Jerry' | ||
- | |||
- | Sleeping spots were scratched out in, the sand and gravel of the canyon. The more enthusiastic filled their beds with leaves and grass. We then enjoyed a leisurely " | ||
- | |||
- | The next day we negotiated the most interesting part of Jerry' | ||
- | |||
- | The canyon was an absolute delight - about nine dry waterfalls, quite enclosed and narrow - a cross between Galong Creek and Claustral Canyon. It was negotiated without too much difficulty and we headed west again; carrying water. From the top of the Hogs Back it had appeared as though the canyon and hanging valley drained the entire south side of Brinkley Bluff. We had hoped to cross the west saddle and descend to the river at | ||
- | Stuarts Pass. However, we then found there are three hanging valleys and of course, three saddles to cross. The canyon draining the second valley was another gem. Some of us descended four falls to the top of a 50' fall - slippery slide. | ||
- | |||
- | With heavy packs, we began to tire in the third hanging valley but there was no suitable camp site so we pressed on to Stuarts Pass - a further 2 km and a drop of about 1,000 feet. There were large pools of water in | ||
- | the sandy river bed and as it had been a warm afternoon, no one could resist plunging in. The river was not flowing but the water quality was good. | ||
- | |||
- | The next morning we saw our first dingoes -three came within about 80 metres, scrutinised us carefully and then retreated with dignity. We headed west along the river fiats, passing many corkwood trees (lakea) in | ||
- | bloom and one received full photographic attention. A Major Mitchell parrot objected to our presence at the morning tea stop below a large river gum. The bird life on the plains, adjacent to the range, was generally prolific, with a great variety of finches and parrots. | ||
- | |||
- | Further west we entered an unnamed north-south gorge which cuts almost through the range. Here the vegetation was similar to N.S.W. with melaleuca, cyprus, gums, etc in the river bed. From the northern end, we took a west valley to a saddle and then descended a very scrubby gully over about 2 km to Spencer' | ||
- | |||
- | The next morning, Tom was the only one brave enough to swim the last two pools in the gorge to gain access to the southern plains. He claimed the water was " | ||
- | |||
- | We headed north in Spencer' | ||
- | |||
- | Heather and I managed to sidle. along these walls for a further 200 m but as the next section was of fingernail climbing standard, we retreated. Tom, Spiro and Wendy tried the same sidle but at the first bend, involving some awkward manoeuvring, | ||
- | |||
- | That night-, at about midnight, we were treated to our first dingo howls. To be woken to a high pitched, piercing wail (almost human) which continued for 1-2 minutes, was one of the most eerie experiences of my life. Heather was heard to say, "Oh, my God". Ray Hookway responded, "I feel sick. Will we light the fire?" However, they remained in their sleeping bags. The howling and some grunting continued on and off during the night, with some dingoes coming within about 30 metres. Understandably, | ||
- | |||
- | Ray, in fact, did have a stomach wog the next morning and we did not move off until about 11.00 am, heading south. The gorge was a series of pools and dry river bed sections | ||
- | and then 5 minutes later, we came upon a superb campsite, near the southern exit. A sandy flat, river gums, pool and red rock wall on the other side created one of nature' | ||
- | |||
- | To make amends for the 5 minute walk after lunch, most of the party ascended 1,000 feet to a ridge and pinnacle, which provided extensive view south, over the Alice Valley, to the Heavitree Range. Four of us, at Heather' | ||
- | |||
- | That evening, a number of dingoes came to within about 30 metres of the camp fire and we were again treated to a night of howling, although they were not as vocal as on the previous night. | ||
- | |||
- | The next morning we were off onto the southern plain. This was the only location where a fireplace or some evidence of a previous camp was sighted. We now headed east, back towards Standley Chasm. After about 11 km we stopped to explore another canyon. This also contained running waterfalls and we went into it for about 500 m to a hanging valley. Then it was east again for lunch at the south end of Spencer' | ||
- | |||
- | This was the only section of the trip where we retraced our steps - we headed north in Spencer' | ||
- | |||
- | The cloud cleared but it remained cool and windy - a maximum temperature of about 17 degrees C that day. We made good time along numerous horse trails, (brumbies are in abundance on the plains and open valleys). We reached Stuarts Pass for lunch and then returned to our campsite of a few days beforehand. There was no swimming that day as strong winds gusted through the pass. | ||
- | |||
- | The next morning- saw our earliest start 8.00 am - for the climb of Brinkley Bluff. On this morning we found a spring with a considerable flow of water near the base of the north-west ridge. Six of the party climbed this ridge (about 2,000' vertical) whilst four of us climbed the adjacent canyon/ | ||
- | |||
- | It had been 2 - 3 degrees C that morning and a cool south-west wind confronted us on the summit. This discouraged a lengthy stop and then we began the traverse of the summit ridge to the east. This was about 4 km | ||
- | in length. Views in all directions were fantastic. Lunch was enjoyed just below the ridge top, out of the wind, and after almost reaching the saddle below the Hogs Back we dropped down a steep northern ridge to a gully and began searching for campsites. The only suitable one was below Surprise Waterfall (dry) where Frank Rigby has camped before. | ||
- | |||
- | The cool south-west wind with some high cirrus cloud continued for the next, two days. Overnight temperatures were 2 - 3 degrees C, and maximums about 17 - delightful walking weather. We were within 5 km of our finishing point and spent the next day exploring the complex system of ridges and valley' | ||
- | |||
- | On our last day, eight of the party ascended to a ridge we had not traversed before and followed this for 5 - 6 km to finish on the road south of Standley Chasm. Bill and Ray took the valley route to finish with wades | ||
- | through the pools. Civilisation was a rude shock after eleven days of a wilderness experience. However, in the motel that night, the mood mellowed, with some great wining and dining, which for some seemed to turn into an | ||
- | eating competition. The most ardent Pritikin fan, Ray Dargan, ate the most rubbish. | ||
- | |||
- | It was a sad group which parted company at Mascot the next night. | ||
- | |||
- | ===== ADVERTISEMENT ===== | ||
- | Low Cost Blue Mountains Holiday. | ||
- | CARAVANS are being offered for holiday hire in the upper Blue Mountains, by two bushwalkers. The vans are located on a secluded bushland site, - very close to ' | ||
- | Two vans (7 m & 4 m) are available. | ||
- | CHARGES: Large van Both vans | ||
- | Per week $ 50 $ 65 | ||
- | Per weekend | ||
- | ENQUIRIES | ||
- | |||
- | THE JUNE..LENERAL MEETING. by Barry Wallace. | ||
- | (These meeting notes were posted in Perisher Valley and came with a covering letter saying " | ||
- | drunks and card sharps. Best wishes, Barry Wallace:' | ||
- | The meeting began at around 2015 with some 30 or so members present and the President in the chair. There was one apology, from Spiro | ||
- | Hajinakitas. New members Timothy Rannard, Ian Rannard, Laurie Bore and | ||
- | Michael Reynolds were welcomed with constitution, | ||
- | The Minutes were read and received with no business arising. Correspondence brought a letter to Tom Herbert advising his transfer to Honorary Membership, and from the responsible Minister, T. Sheehan, regarding membership of Advisory Committees for National Parks. | ||
- | Then it was the Treasurer' | ||
- | of $2103.88, income of $3402.20, and ended up with $3830.36. | ||
- | All of which brought us to the Walks Report. Although only the May walks were reported at the meeting, this report includes the March and April walks. | ||
- | The Reunion has been more fully reported in an earlier issue, but just for the record it was held over the 16,1748 March with 70 to 80 people in attendance and Spiro won the damper competition again. Ralph Pengliss led | ||
- | one of his Sydney Harbour walks that same weekend. It was reported as a | ||
- | pleasant walk with 5 members, 2 visitors and 3 prospectives. | ||
- | The following weekend, 24,25,26 March saw some cancellations due to | ||
- | some rather wet weather. Peter Miller and Frank Woodgate owned up, but | ||
- | of George Walton' | ||
- | Brian Bolton' | ||
- | . Peter Harris had 12 starters on his Wollangambe Crater walk over the 31 March-1 April weekend. They reported scrub, gullies and ants. There | ||
- | was no mention of happy hours, but they did say that it was a good weekend. | ||
- | Bill Capon rep6rted 20 people plus (?) Vic Lewin on his Yalwal trip over | ||
- | 30,31 March,, 1April.. Of the All Fools Day walks, Jim Brown' | ||
- | . Peter Miller cancelled hi ' | ||
- | John.. Redfern led his Goulburn River National Park trip with a party of 13. Sandy Johnson had a party of 20 people and a long walk in the rain around Erskine Creek on the 8th of April. GeorgeMawer had 13 people and a rainy | ||
- | but beautiful. walk in Grand. Canyon, Blackheath the same day. | ||
- | The Weekend of 13914915 April saw Joan Cooper with 15 people on a rat walk iii.the Lud,,lvfts. Peter Christian' | ||
- | Paul Mawhinney led 12 people on his Otford to Waterfall walk on Sunday, | ||
- | Page 18 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | ||
- | 15th April. John Newman probably led his Bundeena to Otford walk on 15th | ||
- | April and there were probably around 15 people on it in fine, sunny weather. | ||
- | The Easter weekend started with heavy rein. Don Finch' | ||
- | River walk saw the 40 starters having some early problems with excess water and some late problems with injuff, Peter Miller had 9 people on his Mittagong to Mittagong via Aroneys - Classic flood Special.' | ||
- | The following weekend, 27,28,?9 April, saw Ainslie Morris leading a party of 15 up The Castle in perfect weather. There was no report of | ||
- | Errol Sheedy' | ||
- | Bill Capon led a party of 16 on his Kanangra walk of 4,5,6 May. was an eventful walk, they lost one person with ankle problems, had a narrow miss involving a loose rock, Bill Capon and David Rostron, They | ||
- | also reported some nettles, but this is surely insignificant! | ||
- | walk by going out up the Golden Stairs in fairly atrocious weather. There was no report of Peter Christian' | ||
- | There was no report of George Walton' | ||
- | very well for them, but rather warm for David Rostron and his 5 member | ||
- | Three Peaks trip party. There were two who successfully completed the | ||
- | walk. Of the day walks that weekend there was no report of Paul Mawhinnry' | ||
- | Waterfall to Heathcote ramble. Bill Holland, however, had 25 people, an | ||
- | early start and beaut views on his Bluegum Forest walk. | ||
- | The 13,19,20 May saw Barrie Murdoch with a party of 3 on his Kanangra/ | ||
- | of 10 months to 70 years, on her Mt. York historical ramble. range | ||
- | Sunday trip and Ainslie Morris reported a party of 37, with an age' | ||
- | Hans Stichter reported 12 people and a pleasant walk for his 25,26, 27 May Lox River trip' and. Frank Taeker had 19 starters on his Budawangs test walk. Of the day walks, Ralph Penglis had 8 or so people | ||
- | on his Bundeena to Otford trip, Joe Marton had an unknown party size but | ||
- | the walk, from Waterfall to Otford went O.K. anyway. Errol Sheedy had | ||
- | 13 people on his Heathcote to Waterfall trip. The area must have been | ||
- | somewhat crowded! Tony Marshall' | ||
- | postponed. | ||
- | The weekend of 1,2,3 June saw Lyn McDonald' | ||
- | ally, 1984 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | ||
- | in near Terfeet,' | ||
- | to Bundeena trip. , - | ||
- | .The Queen' | ||
- | perks in 3 days and drove close to 4 others. Ian Debert' | ||
- | base camp saw 14 people enjoying day trips to Yerranderie Peak, Church Creek | ||
- | and the Axehead Range. Bill Capon led a party of 9 people on his BUdawangs | ||
- | walk. They reported good viewing conditions from The Castle and took numerous photos to prove the point. , Gordon Lee's Axehead Range trip had | ||
- | a large; but , | ||
- | attracted 4 starters, was described as easy, and featured a magnificent | ||
- | sunset from Mt.Ksciusko summit. Carol Bruce led 31 people on 'her day-walk, | ||
- | Waterfall to. Engadine;' | ||
- | Federation Report brought news of the F.B.W. Reunion, 42 in attendance, and that the Mount Druitt bushwalkers club is now to be known asMount Druitt Bushwalkers, | ||
- | General Business, after a long discussion, saw a decision to purchase a-used-offset printer, copier, and fuser for use in production of the Club magazine. | ||
- | So then it was just a matter of the announcements and the meeting closed at 2190 and it was all over again for another quarter. | ||
- | * * * * * * * *. * | ||
- | SOCIAL NOTES FOR AUGUST. | ||
- | - Committee Meeting. | ||
- | - Members' | ||
- | DINNER before this meeting at Cheezies Carvery Upstair@; which | ||
- | is at 116 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest. Meet outside at 6.30.pm, | ||
- | late arrivals ask for the " | ||
- | bread, etc. BYO. | ||
- | 15 - Bush Dance with Caller. All dances taught and called. Loads of fun - but it can be hot work, so it might be a good idea to bring something-: | ||
- | 22 - A production Session for' the August issue of the magazine. | ||
- | Help with the collating, stapling, wrapping and sorting. | ||
- | August 29 - Did you know that in Alaska during summer, when the sun never | ||
- | sets, they still have daylight saving? Alan Dixon of C.M.W. | ||
- | 'spent 'three weeks last year walking around Bering Strait and Brooks :Range, | ||
- | and has some interesting slides to show. | ||
- | by Roger Browne. | ||
- | August 1 August 8 | ||
- | August | ||
- | August | ||
- | *************** | ||
- | Page 20 THE. SYDNEY BUSHWALKER. , July, 1984. | ||
- | | ||
- | BARRIE MURDOCH. Hon.Secretary. | ||
- | THE HUME AND HOVELL WALKING TRACK. | ||
- | The Crown Lands Office proposes to construct an identified track that will retraced as closely as practical the route of the 1824 expedition. Interested walkers are asked to fill in a questionnaire. This, with a coloured brochure, may be obtained at the Club room from Joan Cooper or | ||
- | Barrie Murdoch, or from the Crown Lands Office, 22-23 Bridge Street (te1.20579). | ||
- | ************** | ||
- | EDITOR' | ||
- | Who said - "I have played similar games in the mountains ... | ||
- | longing for a rest but determined not to be the first to suggest it. In the hills a camera provides a useful excuse for a rest with honour - must stop to get a picture!" | ||
- | (a) Spiro Hajinakitas, | ||
- | (b) The Editor - frequently. | ||
- | (c) Chris Bonington, Himalayan climber and author of books on Everest. | ||
- | (d) Bill Capon, when the kneeguard doesn' | ||
- | ' | ||
- | NEW MEMBER - Tom Fischhof, 13, Lytton Street, Cammeray, 2062. Te1.1922, | ||
- | CHANGE OF ADDRESS. | ||
- | Errol Sheedy, 5 Kungar Road, Caringbah, 2229. Te1.525, | ||
- | TEST WALK August 5 - Leader: Jeff Bridger. CORRECT.Tel.number - 411,3948 | ||
- | *********. | ||
- | FOR SALE; NIKON ZOOM LENS 36-72 f3.5 SERIES E | ||
- | Brand new -,1 year warranty - Price below duty free Phone: STEVE LENGAKIS 969,8894 Mon.- Fri. after 6.00 pM. | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * * * | ||
- | ,.saamsuv ' | ||
- | :Zino OI HHMSNV | ||
198407.txt · Last modified: 2014/12/21 11:30 by kclacher