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34 Falcon Street, Crows Nest. | 34 Falcon Street, Crows Nest. | ||
- | |EDITOR: | + | |Editor |
- | |BUSINESS MANAGER: | + | |Business Manager |
- | |PRODUCTION MANAGER: | + | |Production Manager |
- | |TYPIST: | + | |Typist |
- | |DUPLICATOR OPERATORS: | + | |Duplicator Operators |
- | ==== SEPTEMBER, 1984. ==== | + | ==== SEPTEMBER 1984 ==== |
| | |Page | | | | |Page | | ||
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|Decisions - Half-Yearly Meeting | |Decisions - Half-Yearly Meeting | ||
- | ===== A MOMENT OF TRUTH. ===== | + | ===== A MOMENT OF TRUTH ===== |
- | by Jim Brown. | + | by Jim Brown |
I fancy this title comes from the horrendous sport (!) of bullfighting, | I fancy this title comes from the horrendous sport (!) of bullfighting, | ||
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I breakfasted out of a tin of cocktail frankfurts and vegetables, looked at the bodies cossetted in their sleeping bags in the Dance Floor Cave, where there was still quite a lot of the wooden platform, and went on up the ladders which then gave access to the Tops. Took a few black and white photographs, | I breakfasted out of a tin of cocktail frankfurts and vegetables, looked at the bodies cossetted in their sleeping bags in the Dance Floor Cave, where there was still quite a lot of the wooden platform, and went on up the ladders which then gave access to the Tops. Took a few black and white photographs, | ||
- | But my confidence had been shattered into little fragments like the track. I looked south towards Mount Colong' | + | But my confidence had been shattered into little fragments like the track. I looked south towards Mount Colong' |
- | | |"Good Doctor Jekyll, naughty Mr. Hyde, | | + | “Good Doctor Jekyll, naughty Mr. Hyde,\\ |
- | | |Day and night, wrong or right, | + | Day and night, wrong or right,\\ |
- | | |They' | + | They' |
- | Mr. Hyde now spoke to me loud and clear. He said, "Turn back. It's too hairy. You're no hero, not even a half-baked bushwalker." | + | Mr. Hyde now spoke to me loud and clear. He said, “Turn back. It's too hairy. You're no hero, not even a half-baked bushwalker.” |
- | Dr. Jekyll replied. | + | Dr. Jekyll replied. |
- | "Take the easy way out," | + | “Take the easy way out,” counselled Mr. Hyde. “Remember how you suffered on Kedumba Creek and in the lawyer vine below Clear Hill? You can easily get back to Jenolan. No one will ever know.” |
- | Said Dr. Jekyll. | + | Said Dr. Jekyll. |
- | "Well," | + | “Well,” argued Mr. Hyde. “You wanted to get to Kanangra. Well, you got here. There will be even better views on the Tops as you go back. Oh, and by tn6 way, are you really sure this is the way to Gingra?” |
- | Dr. Jekyll: | + | Dr. Jekyll: |
- | Mr. Hyde: "Where do you think you're going? You'll be sorry!!!" | + | Mr. Hyde: “Where do you think you're going? You'll be sorry!!!” |
- | Years later, in a magazine article, | + | Years later, in a magazine article, |
So I came to Gingra Range, to Hughes Ridge (finding that must have been Mug's Luck), and the Kowmung for lunch. That night, near Gingra Creek junction I met up with some real, fair-dinkum bushwalkers. They may have been S.B.W. - I never found out. They were very kind, and didn't sneer at my queer assortment of gear, and even offered some helpful suggestions. | So I came to Gingra Range, to Hughes Ridge (finding that must have been Mug's Luck), and the Kowmung for lunch. That night, near Gingra Creek junction I met up with some real, fair-dinkum bushwalkers. They may have been S.B.W. - I never found out. They were very kind, and didn't sneer at my queer assortment of gear, and even offered some helpful suggestions. | ||
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Why agonise over the rest of that awful trip? On the morning of Easter Day the chill drove me on my way before dawn and I reached Coxs River via the Lower Kowmung Canyon about 9.00 am for breakfast. The Kowmung wasn't flowing, neither was the Coxs, but there were large pools, and beside them some cattle that had died in the drought. On the lower Kowmung I also found a dead wallaby, which must have been shot the previous day: I went on my way cursing in the filthiest language I then knew those people who took pleasure in destruction. | Why agonise over the rest of that awful trip? On the morning of Easter Day the chill drove me on my way before dawn and I reached Coxs River via the Lower Kowmung Canyon about 9.00 am for breakfast. The Kowmung wasn't flowing, neither was the Coxs, but there were large pools, and beside them some cattle that had died in the drought. On the lower Kowmung I also found a dead wallaby, which must have been shot the previous day: I went on my way cursing in the filthiest language I then knew those people who took pleasure in destruction. | ||
- | I was determined not to drink polluted water again, so I waited until I found the Coxs flowing before I filled my aluminium water bottle for the stage up Kedumba. What I didn't notice was the Coxs began to flow where a puny stream came out of a narrow ravine ... Kedumba Creek. About 3.00 pm, already bilious from the "Coxs River" | + | I was determined not to drink polluted water again, so I waited until I found the Coxs flowing before I filled my aluminium water bottle for the stage up Kedumba. What I didn't notice was the Coxs began to flow where a puny stream came out of a narrow ravine ... Kedumba Creek. About 3.00 pm, already bilious from the “Coxs River” water in my flask, I started up Kedumba Pass. Mount Solitary was ringed by the flames of a bush fire. |
I just caught the last train from Wentworth Falls about 8.20 pm, and was glad to have to myself a compartment in a box carriage so that I could go and be sick in the toilet when I needed to do so. I arrived home about 11.30 pm on Easter Sunday, very sick, sore and sorry for myself. | I just caught the last train from Wentworth Falls about 8.20 pm, and was glad to have to myself a compartment in a box carriage so that I could go and be sick in the toilet when I needed to do so. I arrived home about 11.30 pm on Easter Sunday, very sick, sore and sorry for myself. | ||
- | Yes, like the character in the pop song, I was sorry for myself. In fact, I wondered again if I should Quit for Life, except that I no longer had any real choice. At South Kanangra I had passed through an invisible | + | Yes, like the character in the pop song, I was sorry for myself. In fact, I wondered again if I should Quit for Life, except that I no longer had any real choice. At South Kanangra I had passed through an invisible barrier, that sort of Moment of Truth. |
- | barrier, that sort of Moment of Truth. | + | |
- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | + | Even as I have been writing this, a most disturbing thought has occurred to me. I know that Thomas Carlyle cautions us about speculation on our “might-have-beens” and derides it as a totally futile exercise. Perhaps it is. But suppose ... just suppose ... I had turned back at South Kanangra... Would I have ever gone again to the bush? Could I have ever nerved myself to try to join a Bush Walking Club seven years later and after the War? |
- | Even as I have been writing this, a most disturbing thought has occurred to me. I know that Thomas Carlyle cautions us about speculation on our " | + | If that had happened, |
- | is. But suppose | + | |
- | If that had happened, I might have failed to do almost all the things that now seem to me to have been most worthwhile, most rewarding. Worst of all, I may never have met most of the people I have come to respect ... | ||
- | to admire ... yes, to love ... \\ | ||
It doesn' | It doesn' | ||
- | ===== A NEW NATIONAL PARK AT PORT STEPHENS - AND IT'S MAGNIFICENT. ===== | + | =====A NEW NATIONAL PARK AT PORT STEPHENS - AND IT'S MAGNIFICENT===== |
- | __From "The Sydney Morning Herald", 11th August, 1984.__ | + | From “The Sydney Morning Herald”, 11th August, 1984 |
N.S.W. gained a magnificent new coastal headland national park at Port Stephens yesterday, when the Minister for Planning and Environment, | N.S.W. gained a magnificent new coastal headland national park at Port Stephens yesterday, when the Minister for Planning and Environment, | ||
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And it is only 30 minutes' | And it is only 30 minutes' | ||
- | Mr. Sheahan said that since 1976 the length of the N.S.W. coastline covered by national parks and nature reserves had doubled from 17 to 34 per cent. The addition of Tomaree Park would preserve the scenic and biological features of the area and cater for swimming, surfing, bushwalking, | + | Mr. Sheahan said that since 1976 the length of the N.S.W. coastline covered by national parks and nature reserves had doubled from 17 to 34 per cent. The addition of Tomaree Park would preserve the scenic and biological features of the area and cater for swimming, surfing, bushwalking, |
- | The vegetation of Tomaree Park includes open forest, mixed eucalypts and extensive areas of heath, as well as rare species of tea tree. Fauna includes koalas, bandicoots, swamp wallabies and an outstanding variety of | + | The vegetation of Tomaree Park includes open forest, mixed eucalypts and extensive areas of heath, as well as rare species of tea tree. Fauna includes koalas, bandicoots, swamp wallabies and an outstanding variety of seabirds on the offshore islands and cliffs. There is also a number of archaeological sites. |
- | seabirds on the offshore islands and cliffs. There is also a number of archaeological sites. | + | |
An important part of the park is the Fingal promontory, which for much of the year is an offshore island, but sometimes is connected by a sandy isthmus. | An important part of the park is the Fingal promontory, which for much of the year is an offshore island, but sometimes is connected by a sandy isthmus. | ||
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The N.P.W.S. also hopes that the Crown land on Tomaree Head controlled by the N.S.W. Health. Commission may eventually be included in the park. | The N.P.W.S. also hopes that the Crown land on Tomaree Head controlled by the N.S.W. Health. Commission may eventually be included in the park. | ||
- | + | ||
- | JOSEPH GLASCOTT | + | Joseph Glascott |
(Perhaps a member would like to lead a walk here? Ed.) | (Perhaps a member would like to lead a walk here? Ed.) | ||
- | ===== COMMITTEE MEETING. ===== | + | =====COMMITTEE MEETING===== |
- | Some information presented to the September Committee Meeting suggested that on a few recent walks lunch-time fires were not extinguished as thoroughly as they might have been. In some cases, apparently, sand had | + | Some information presented to the September Committee Meeting suggested that on a few recent walks lunch-time fires were not extinguished as thoroughly as they might have been. In some cases, apparently, sand had been scuffed over the embers. |
- | been scuffed over the embers. | + | |
- | For bushwalkers there is only one way to put out a fire - DROWN IT COMPLETELY WITH WATER. | + | For bushwalkers there is only one way to put out a fire - **drown it completely with water**. |
- | __NEW MEMBER: Please add to your Membership List.__\\ | + | **New Member: Please add to your Membership List.** |
- | OSPREY, Martina - 57 Melaleuca Drive, St. Ives, 2075 Phone 440,8877 (H) | + | |
- | ===== OUR CONSERVATION SECRETARY AWARDED 0.A.M. ===== | + | Osprey, Martina - 57 Melaleuca Drive, St. Ives, 2075 Phone 440,8877 (H) |
- | __From "The Colong Bulletin July 1984.__ | + | =====OUR CONSERVATION SECRETARY AWARDED 0.A.M.===== |
+ | |||
+ | From “The Colong Bulletin" | ||
Alex Colley, Honorary Secretary of the Colong Committee for the past eight years, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen' | Alex Colley, Honorary Secretary of the Colong Committee for the past eight years, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen' | ||
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In his professional career, Alex was, until his retirement, an economist with the N.S.W. State Planning Authority. Thus his life's work has been concerned with conservation-related matters and public service. He has served not only his employer but a host of public spirited bodies with distinction, | In his professional career, Alex was, until his retirement, an economist with the N.S.W. State Planning Authority. Thus his life's work has been concerned with conservation-related matters and public service. He has served not only his employer but a host of public spirited bodies with distinction, | ||
- | Alex Colley joined The Sydney Bush Walkers Club in 1936. By 1937 he was filling a position on the Committee, and four years later was elected President for 1941-42. He later served as editor of the Club's magazine | + | Alex Colley joined The Sydney Bush Walkers Club in 1936. By 1937 he was filling a position on the Committee, and four years later was elected President for 1941-42. He later served as editor of the Club's magazine |
- | In the conservation field, Alex has been closely involved in The Colong Committee, which he joined in 1963, when it became known that limestone deposits at Colong were under threat from mining. | + | In the conservation field, Alex has been closely involved in The Colong Committee, which he joined in 1963, when it became known that limestone deposits at Colong were under threat from mining. He has given continuous service to the Committee as Director, editor of “The Colong Bulletin”, and Hon. Secretary since 1976. |
- | His contribution to conservation has always been a willingness to take on activities that involve both time and effort. Aside from editing | + | His contribution to conservation has always been a willingness to take on activities that involve both time and effort. Aside from editing |
In conservation, | In conservation, | ||
- | + | ||
It is perhaps typical of Alex Colley that when, in July 1981, the Sydney Bushwalkers Club elected him as their second Honorary Active Member, he told those gathered that he felt the Club owed him nothing - rather that he owed the Club for the many good years it had given him. | It is perhaps typical of Alex Colley that when, in July 1981, the Sydney Bushwalkers Club elected him as their second Honorary Active Member, he told those gathered that he felt the Club owed him nothing - rather that he owed the Club for the many good years it had given him. | ||
- | Alex's many friends and colleagues in the great conservation movement are delighted at the well-deserved honour he has received. And to this official recognition we all heartily add our own special | + | Alex's many friends and colleagues in the great conservation movement are delighted at the well-deserved honour he has received. And to this official recognition we all heartily add our own special |
- | Hardly need we say - "Keep up the good work!" | + | Hardly need we say - “Keep up the good work!” |
- | ===== NO NEGOTIATION ON THE DAINTREE. ===== | + | =====NO NEGOTIATION ON THE DAINTREE===== |
- | __From "The Colong Bulletin", July 1984.__ | + | From “The Colong Bulletin”, July 1984 |
The July A.C.F. Newsletter reports that Last November the State Government gave the (Douglas Shire) Council $100,000 to begin work approximately along the line of a rough track last bulldozed in 1976. The Council now has between $20,000 and $40,000 left (they claim the December blockade cost them $20,000). Despite the efforts of the Environment Minister, Martin Tenni (Barron River), the government does not appear to be about to put more money into the road. | The July A.C.F. Newsletter reports that Last November the State Government gave the (Douglas Shire) Council $100,000 to begin work approximately along the line of a rough track last bulldozed in 1976. The Council now has between $20,000 and $40,000 left (they claim the December blockade cost them $20,000). Despite the efforts of the Environment Minister, Martin Tenni (Barron River), the government does not appear to be about to put more money into the road. | ||
- | The lack of preparation and haste of the Council in bulldozing from both ends last December has now become quite clear. In places the grading is so steep that it is difficult to walk, let alone drive a vehicle. At | + | The lack of preparation and haste of the Council in bulldozing from both ends last December has now become quite clear. In places the grading is so steep that it is difficult to walk, let alone drive a vehicle. At the northern end where the road climbs above the Woobadda River large landslips have sent sections of the road into the river. Some low sections of the road behind Cowie Beach would be flooded during summer rains. At the southern end between Emmagen Creek and Cape Tribulation the road is also excessively steep and sections have slipped up to 100 m. Throughout its 38 km length erosion has created deep channels and gullies up to 3.5 m deep over some creek crossings. |
- | the northern end where the road climbs above the Woobadda River large landslips have sent sections of the road into the river. Some low sections of the road behind Cowie Beach would be flooded during summer rains. At the southern end between Emmagen Creek and Cape Tribulation the road is also excessively steep and sections have slipped up to 100 m. Throughout its 38 km length erosion has created deep channels and gullies up to 3.5 m | + | |
- | deep over some creek crossings. | + | |
It is obvious that a road in this terrain and climate will have to be thoroughly drained, graded and surfaced, and kept that way if it is to be usable. Simply pushing a bulldozer through the scrub is not only destructive, | It is obvious that a road in this terrain and climate will have to be thoroughly drained, graded and surfaced, and kept that way if it is to be usable. Simply pushing a bulldozer through the scrub is not only destructive, | ||
- | Mr. David Connolly, Federal Shadow Minister for the Environment, | + | Mr. David Connolly, Federal Shadow Minister for the Environment, |
- | the Opposition proposal to offer Federal Funds to build or upgrade an alternative road, inland from the coastal rainforest". The Federal Government' | + | |
- | ===== AN EXTRA WALK FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEK-END. EASY CAMP ===== | + | =====AN EXTRA WALK FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEK-END. EASY CAMP===== |
- | Sunday 30th.Sept., | + | |
- | GLENBROOK - St. Helena - Springwood. EASY/MEDIUM 15 km - Train: 9.10 am Country.\\ | + | Sunday 30th.Sept., Monday 1st Oct. (Suitable for beginners) |
- | LEADER: Barbara Evans. Phone 94, | + | |
- | ===== " | + | Glenbrook - St. Helena - Springwood. Easy/medium 15 km - Train: 9.10 am Country.\\ |
+ | Leader: Barbara Evans. Phone 94,6333 (H) before 9.00 pm. | ||
- | by Peter Christian. | + | =====" |
+ | |||
+ | by Peter Christian | ||
Touch the stillness of twilight huddled deep in the lap of wilderness\\ | Touch the stillness of twilight huddled deep in the lap of wilderness\\ | ||
- | As cool night air brushes ruddy complexion and prickles even a leathery skin; \\ | + | As cool night air brushes ruddy complexion and prickles even a leathery skin; |
Incessant stars shine above unblinking as both air and time stand still, | Incessant stars shine above unblinking as both air and time stand still, | ||
- | Faces framed by flickering flame give friends a ghostly grin. | + | Faces framed by flickering flame give friends a ghostly grin. |
Feel the icy, swirling mountain waters as they numb both calf and knee, | Feel the icy, swirling mountain waters as they numb both calf and knee, | ||
- | Agonising pins and needles and futile battle of shoes versus rigid feet, \\ | + | Agonising pins and needles and futile battle of shoes versus rigid feet, |
When unrelenting scrub and lawyer vine nearly reduce pack and limbs to shreds, | When unrelenting scrub and lawyer vine nearly reduce pack and limbs to shreds, | ||
The luxury and reprieve of grassy river bank where rest of bones is complete. | The luxury and reprieve of grassy river bank where rest of bones is complete. | ||
Rugged granite spurs and ridges tax heart and limb to limits of endurance, | Rugged granite spurs and ridges tax heart and limb to limits of endurance, | ||
- | Solitary mountain peaks stand witness to the weathering of eons of time. \\ | + | Solitary mountain peaks stand witness to the weathering of eons of time.\\ |
Fragile heath spreads its delicate lace and lightly springs beneath our tread; | Fragile heath spreads its delicate lace and lightly springs beneath our tread; | ||
Persistent leeches, sand and march flies find the tempting bare skin sublime. | Persistent leeches, sand and march flies find the tempting bare skin sublime. | ||
- | Stinging nettle on snaking Colo keeps tough walkers recoiling in retreat; \\ | + | Stinging nettle on snaking Colo keeps tough walkers recoiling in retreat; |
Casuarinas as dense as bristles stubbornly resent and rebuff our advances.\\ | Casuarinas as dense as bristles stubbornly resent and rebuff our advances.\\ | ||
Evil black oozing bog of ancient sphagnum swamps, squelches between the toes\\ | Evil black oozing bog of ancient sphagnum swamps, squelches between the toes\\ | ||
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Sandstone buttresses stand sentinel in far-flung Hawkesbury reaches.\\ | Sandstone buttresses stand sentinel in far-flung Hawkesbury reaches.\\ | ||
- | Currawong and lyrebird sing of a newborn day as morning mist disperses. \\ | + | Currawong and lyrebird sing of a newborn day as morning mist disperses.\\ |
Shy platypus and wild duck cautiously ripple those tranquil inland waters\\ | Shy platypus and wild duck cautiously ripple those tranquil inland waters\\ | ||
Where rock orchids display their creamy finery perched on protective ledges. | Where rock orchids display their creamy finery perched on protective ledges. | ||
- | Sense the wild and untamed beauty, the balm for restless heart and soul, \\ | + | Sense the wild and untamed beauty, the balm for restless heart and soul,\\ |
- | That can only be found in unblemished places where nature reigns supreme \\ | + | That can only be found in unblemished places where nature reigns supreme\\ |
But only a few oases remain due to destructive hand of ignorance and greed\\ | But only a few oases remain due to destructive hand of ignorance and greed\\ | ||
So precious little left on this tiny planet - preserve it before it's only a dream. | So precious little left on this tiny planet - preserve it before it's only a dream. | ||
- | __CONGRATULATIONS__ | + | **Congratulations** |
- | ===== THE DESERT SURVIVAL PROBLEM. ===== | + | =====THE DESERT SURVIVAL PROBLEM===== |
- | Marion Lloyd, a Club member for some years, was introduced to the following | + | |
+ | Marion Lloyd, a Club member for some years, was introduced to the following | ||
[Removed for copyright reasons] | [Removed for copyright reasons] | ||
- | The views of the "experts" | + | The views of the “experts” will be published in the October issue of the magazine. |
+ | |||
+ | =====CAROL' | ||
- | ===== CAROL' | + | by Bill Gamble |
- | There was Brian, Shirley, Jan, Paul, John, Marilyn.... in all thirty-one on Carol Bruce' | + | There was Brian, Shirley, Jan, Paul, John, Marilyn .... in all thirty-one on Carol Bruce' |
Carol led a procession of many prospectives and a few members, generally on a well-used track along the true right of the creek (there are a couple of places where the track swings to the true left, e.g. downstream from Karloo Pool) and Peter Miller kept the rear intact. Sometimes it was easier to forget about the track as travel was often easy on both sides of the creek. | Carol led a procession of many prospectives and a few members, generally on a well-used track along the true right of the creek (there are a couple of places where the track swings to the true left, e.g. downstream from Karloo Pool) and Peter Miller kept the rear intact. Sometimes it was easier to forget about the track as travel was often easy on both sides of the creek. | ||
- | Lunchbreak | + | Lunch break was taken above Karloo Pool and there was plenty of time for an afternoon snack in the sun on the east side of Yaala Pool (for Laurie Quaken and a lady it was sufficient for a quick dip in the chilly waters) before doubling back a couple of hundred metres to recross to the true left and climb up the established track to Engadine Station before rain closed in quickly from the south. It was a pleasant if uneventful day. |
At the time, Kangaroo Creek was running cold and clear and the way was easy. Given a warmer time of year there would have been ample opportunity for the party to have swum and waded itself downstream. The rock pools are numerous and a delight, and the walk is recommended for inclusion in the summer walks programme. | At the time, Kangaroo Creek was running cold and clear and the way was easy. Given a warmer time of year there would have been ample opportunity for the party to have swum and waded itself downstream. The rock pools are numerous and a delight, and the walk is recommended for inclusion in the summer walks programme. | ||
- | ===== WILDLIFE IN THE APSLEY RIVER GORGE. ===== | + | ====WILDLIFE IN THE APSLEY RIVER GORGE===== |
- | First printed in "The Sydney, Bushwalker" | + | First printed in “The Sydney, Bushwalker” May, 1967 |
- | by Dot Butler. | + | by Dot Butler |
In the spacious days before speed, when the whole of your life stretched ahead in a golden never-ending summer, you travelled by coastal steamer from Sydney to Port Macquarie taking several days over the trip, including the wait to get over the bar. Uncle met you there with his buggy and you bowled off inland along a dirt road through the dense rainforest filled with Buffalo Marys (a large-bodied yellow and green wood pigeon), where bullock tams were dragging logs out of steep rocky gullies. You passed cleared areas where the plovers made their odd call by day and. the curlews wailed in the dark. Walcha, in those days hardly more than a homestead property, was an infinity of time and space away from Sydney. Now we get in our cars at 6.00 pm. Friday, travel non-stop through the night, and in the early hours of the morning we have arrived. | In the spacious days before speed, when the whole of your life stretched ahead in a golden never-ending summer, you travelled by coastal steamer from Sydney to Port Macquarie taking several days over the trip, including the wait to get over the bar. Uncle met you there with his buggy and you bowled off inland along a dirt road through the dense rainforest filled with Buffalo Marys (a large-bodied yellow and green wood pigeon), where bullock tams were dragging logs out of steep rocky gullies. You passed cleared areas where the plovers made their odd call by day and. the curlews wailed in the dark. Walcha, in those days hardly more than a homestead property, was an infinity of time and space away from Sydney. Now we get in our cars at 6.00 pm. Friday, travel non-stop through the night, and in the early hours of the morning we have arrived. | ||
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Easter Friday morning saw 12 Sydney Bush Walkers and a number of N.P.A. members arriving at the Apsley Lookout Reserve in the New England Highlands, about 12 miles out of Walcha. The N.P.A. people were going to view the region from the top, visiting its various lookout points, while the S.B.W.s were planning, in the four days at our disposal, to negotiate some thirty miles of its rugged gorges and canyons. As far as we knew, this trip had never been done before. | Easter Friday morning saw 12 Sydney Bush Walkers and a number of N.P.A. members arriving at the Apsley Lookout Reserve in the New England Highlands, about 12 miles out of Walcha. The N.P.A. people were going to view the region from the top, visiting its various lookout points, while the S.B.W.s were planning, in the four days at our disposal, to negotiate some thirty miles of its rugged gorges and canyons. As far as we knew, this trip had never been done before. | ||
- | The Apsley River winds its way in great loops from west to east right across the map, dropping about 2,400 ft in this distance. While the car drivers took the car on some thirty miles to where we planned to come out on the last day, the rest of us wandered round to admire the falls, and to speculate on our chances of getting through the deep, rock-piled canyon floor down which the brown water tumbled, building up back eddies of yellow | + | The Apsley River winds its way in great loops from west to east right across the map, dropping about 2,400 ft in this distance. While the car drivers took the car on some thirty miles to where we planned to come out on the last day, the rest of us wandered round to admire the falls, and to speculate on our chances of getting through the deep, rock-piled canyon floor down which the brown water tumbled, building up back eddies of yellow foam. It was beautiful hot dry inland weather and billies of tea seemed much more in demand than climbing activity. However, when our ruthless leaders, Ross Wyborn and Don Finch, arrived back at about 11 am it was a case of “Finish your eating and get packed up; we're moving off in ten minutes!” And strange as it may seem, in less than ten minutes we were actually moving off. |
- | foam. It was beautiful hot dry inland weather and billies of tea seemed much more in demand than climbing activity. However, when our ruthless leaders, Ross Wyborn and Don Finch, arrived back at about 11 am it was a case of "Finish your eating and get packed up; we're moving off in ten minutes!" | + | |
- | We clambered down a steep spur, covered with scant vegetation, and moved across to a steeply falling creek bed. Although this is to be an account of the native fauna, I can't omit mentioning a specimen of introduced fauna - the exotic Homo Sapiens who dislodged a large boulder on the hillside, which split into several pieces as it bounded down, one of them grazing Ross's head as it screamed past. Of course, being Ross's head, it | + | We clambered down a steep spur, covered with scant vegetation, and moved across to a steeply falling creek bed. Although this is to be an account of the native fauna, I can't omit mentioning a specimen of introduced fauna - the exotic Homo Sapiens who dislodged a large boulder on the hillside, which split into several pieces as it bounded down, one of them grazing Ross's head as it screamed past. Of course, being Ross's head, it caused no damage. However, another piece hit him on the arm, paralysing it, and it remained out of commission for the rest of the trip. We applied band-aids and continued on our way. |
- | caused no damage. However, another piece hit him on the arm, paralysing it, and it remained out of commission for the rest of the trip. We applied band-aids and continued on our way. | + | |
When we reached the river bed we found it even more rugged than it looked from the top. Huge dark grey block-up boulders lay crowded together in great heaps and over these we clambered for the rest of the afternoon. Those in the lead had plenty of time to admire the scenery while waiting for the tail-enders to catch up. The warm air had a dream-like quality. The sun filtered down in a golden haze. The scene looked like a picture done in pointillism - that form of art in which the whole effect is achieved by little dots of colour. The thousand-foot high rock walls, dark grey and almost vertical, were spotted with palest grey-green lichen, the pale blue sky was a backdrop to countless thousands of lightly floating thistledowns, | When we reached the river bed we found it even more rugged than it looked from the top. Huge dark grey block-up boulders lay crowded together in great heaps and over these we clambered for the rest of the afternoon. Those in the lead had plenty of time to admire the scenery while waiting for the tail-enders to catch up. The warm air had a dream-like quality. The sun filtered down in a golden haze. The scene looked like a picture done in pointillism - that form of art in which the whole effect is achieved by little dots of colour. The thousand-foot high rock walls, dark grey and almost vertical, were spotted with palest grey-green lichen, the pale blue sky was a backdrop to countless thousands of lightly floating thistledowns, | ||
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Away bright and early in the morning. The water must be swarming with eels; we came across many 2 ft long ones dead among the rocks, probably killed by the impact of flood waters the previous week. Stranded shells on the black mud gave evidence of fresh-water mussels. This rocky gorge is a lizard' | Away bright and early in the morning. The water must be swarming with eels; we came across many 2 ft long ones dead among the rocks, probably killed by the impact of flood waters the previous week. Stranded shells on the black mud gave evidence of fresh-water mussels. This rocky gorge is a lizard' | ||
- | Our progress this day involved much swimming, pushing our floating packs before us. I heard no complaint about the temperature of the water from the girls, but poor Digby, shivering his way over the rocks from one swim to the next, was heard to remark through chattering teeth, | + | Our progress this day involved much swimming, pushing our floating packs before us. I heard no complaint about the temperature of the water from the girls, but poor Digby, shivering his way over the rocks from one swim to the next, was heard to remark through chattering teeth, |
- | After cooling off in the water it was a delightful sensation to lie on the hot rocks and dry off. We weren' | + | After cooling off in the water it was a delightful sensation to lie on the hot rocks and dry off. We weren' |
- | Camp for the night was another heap of rocks - the only thing offering in this steep gorge country. We made a big campfire from dry wood brought down by the floods and sang into the late hours, though you might wonder what we had to sing about as this day we had only covered another four or five miles, and no knowing how we were to get out. All night long bats flitted across the star-shine and disappeared into the dark shadows of the trees. | + | |
Next day more swimming. In fact, the first seven miles of the gorge involve as much swimming as walking. For this reason it would be wise for anyone else planning this trip to find out about local rainfall during the previous week as it would be extremely hazardous, if not impossible, to swim the canyons in flood. Huge logs and other flood debris was piled 20 and 30 ft up the sides of the gorge. | Next day more swimming. In fact, the first seven miles of the gorge involve as much swimming as walking. For this reason it would be wise for anyone else planning this trip to find out about local rainfall during the previous week as it would be extremely hazardous, if not impossible, to swim the canyons in flood. Huge logs and other flood debris was piled 20 and 30 ft up the sides of the gorge. | ||
This was a glorious day. With most of the food eaten the pack was light and easy to carry. Going quietly, barefoot, over the rocks, the wild creatures were not frightened into hiding. The lizards hardly bothered | This was a glorious day. With most of the food eaten the pack was light and easy to carry. Going quietly, barefoot, over the rocks, the wild creatures were not frightened into hiding. The lizards hardly bothered | ||
- | to plop into the water, As I swam quietly behind my pack the ducks accepted me as part of the scenery and stayed floating above their reflections as I swam among them. A vivid cerulean blue kingfisher darted out of the bank and skimmed across the water. Flocks of swallows filled the air overhead and I floated on my back to watch their darting flight. Up the rocky hillsides rock wallabies grazed, the warm orange-coloured fur on the front of their bodies making a splash of colour on the grey-green hillside. Some black gang-gang parrots were tearing away at a tree with their powerful beaks. I was thinking, " | + | to plop into the water, As I swam quietly behind my pack the ducks accepted me as part of the scenery and stayed floating above their reflections as I swam among them. A vivid cerulean blue kingfisher darted out of the bank and skimmed across the water. Flocks of swallows filled the air overhead and I floated on my back to watch their darting flight. Up the rocky hillsides rock wallabies grazed, the warm orange-coloured fur on the front of their bodies making a splash of colour on the grey-green hillside. Some black gang-gang parrots were tearing away at a tree with their powerful beaks. I was thinking, " |
- | great beating of wings above my head and a huge eagle flew by, his wings marked with dark feathers like all eagles, but his underbody a sparkling creamy white. I have never seen a more perfect bird in a more perfect | + | |
- | setting. He circled round and finally came to rest on a branch - king of all he surveyed. | + | |
In the afternoon the country began to flatten out. The stark rocky canyons had given way to thickly wooded mountains, which now gave way to lower hills. Clawing his way up a tree a 6 ft goanna looked like some ageless antedeluvian monster in the never-ending sunshine. Bright little butterflies flitted about, some with black and orange markings and some as yellow as a buttercup. Dragonflies skimmed by water on gauzy wings. Huge spiders hung their webs busy with the day's butchery - trussing up 2-inch long green grasshoppers in silken cocoons. | In the afternoon the country began to flatten out. The stark rocky canyons had given way to thickly wooded mountains, which now gave way to lower hills. Clawing his way up a tree a 6 ft goanna looked like some ageless antedeluvian monster in the never-ending sunshine. Bright little butterflies flitted about, some with black and orange markings and some as yellow as a buttercup. Dragonflies skimmed by water on gauzy wings. Huge spiders hung their webs busy with the day's butchery - trussing up 2-inch long green grasshoppers in silken cocoons. | ||
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We had now finished with swimming. Grassy river flats made walking a pleasure. In place of the rock wallabies we now saw pale grey aristocratic kangaroos feeding on the fine native grasses. | We had now finished with swimming. Grassy river flats made walking a pleasure. In place of the rock wallabies we now saw pale grey aristocratic kangaroos feeding on the fine native grasses. | ||
- | Camp for the night was a complete contrast to our previous ones - right in the middle of an acre of grassy river-flat. We made a big camp fire and when Ross arrived we found that he had another close shave - this time with an exotic female who chased him into the river when he appeared to be threatening her baby. After the evening meal we initiated Donnie into the mysterious practices of the masseur' | + | Camp for the night was a complete contrast to our previous ones - right in the middle of an acre of grassy river-flat. We made a big camp fire and when Ross arrived we found that he had another close shave - this time with an exotic female who chased him into the river when he appeared to be threatening her baby. After the evening meal we initiated Donnie into the mysterious practices of the masseur' |
Next day we had only a couple of miles walk along the river flats before the long pull up a steep ridge to the farmlands above and so back to the cars and home. The Apsley Gorge has such high potential for a Natural Reserve that we hope it will be dedicated as such in the near future. | Next day we had only a couple of miles walk along the river flats before the long pull up a steep ridge to the farmlands above and so back to the cars and home. The Apsley Gorge has such high potential for a Natural Reserve that we hope it will be dedicated as such in the near future. | ||
- | ===== GOOD NEWS AT NARROW NECK. ===== | + | ===== GOOD NEWS AT NARROW NECK ===== |
- | by Bill Gamble. | + | by Bill Gamble |
On Sunday, 17th June 1984, Jim Laing led a party of twelve members and prospectives in a loop walk from Golden Stairs. The sections of the walk may be summarised thus:- | On Sunday, 17th June 1984, Jim Laing led a party of twelve members and prospectives in a loop walk from Golden Stairs. The sections of the walk may be summarised thus:- | ||
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In all, there is good news for bushwalkers seeking to traverse the country between Walls Pass and Ruined Castle. | In all, there is good news for bushwalkers seeking to traverse the country between Walls Pass and Ruined Castle. | ||
- | ===== SOCIAL NOTES FOR OCTOBER. ===== | + | ===== SOCIAL NOTES FOR OCTOBER ===== |
- | by Roger Browne. | + | by Roger Browne |
- | |October 3 |Committe | + | |October 3 |Committee |
- | |October 10 |CLUB AUCTION. Buy and sell your second-hand billies, tents, rucksacks, clothes, cameras, beanies, raincoats, pogo-sticks, | + | |October 10 |**Club Auction**. Buy and sell your second-hand billies, tents, rucksacks, clothes, cameras, beanies, raincoats, pogo-sticks, |
| |0nce again, the popular Charlie Brown will conduct the auction. Maps, books and records will be sold on a separate table. Small items arc generally donated to the Club, however you may receive the proceeds for any of your items, with a 25% commission to the Club. | | | |0nce again, the popular Charlie Brown will conduct the auction. Maps, books and records will be sold on a separate table. Small items arc generally donated to the Club, however you may receive the proceeds for any of your items, with a 25% commission to the Club. | | ||
- | | |You may set a reserve price if you like. Clean out your cupboards, get a small return on your surplus equipment, and help newcomers equip themselves for bushwalking. Bring CASH too - you never know what bargains await you. | | + | | |You may set a reserve price if you like. Clean out your cupboards, get a small return on your surplus equipment, and help newcomers equip themselves for bushwalking. Bring **cash** |
- | | |DINNER | + | | |**Dinner** |
- | |October 17 |HIMALAYAN NIGHT with Stan Corny. Stan has led treks through the Himalayas each year for some time now. and has interesting tales to tell, plus movies to show. | | + | |October 17 |**Himalayan Night** |
| |Stan will also talk about a forthcoming trip to the area for those who are interested in seeing it for themselves. | | |Stan will also talk about a forthcoming trip to the area for those who are interested in seeing it for themselves. | ||
- | |October 24 |GAMES NIGHT. Deirdre Schofield will host a games evening. Form tables of 6 on the night for loads of fun. | | + | |October 24 |**Games Night**. Deirdre Schofield will host a games evening. Form tables of 6 on the night for loads of fun. | |
- | |October 31 |MACDONNELL RANGES | + | |October 31 |**MacDonnell Ranges** |
- | ===== DECISIONS - HALF-YEARLY MEETING. ===== | + | ===== DECISIONS - HALF-YEARLY MEETING ===== |
- Roger Browne has now returned to Sydney, has withdrawn his resignation and will now continue as Social Secretary. | - Roger Browne has now returned to Sydney, has withdrawn his resignation and will now continue as Social Secretary. | ||
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- Coolana has been chosen as the site for the 1985 Annual Reunion and Spiro Hajinakitas has been appointed as Convenor. | - Coolana has been chosen as the site for the 1985 Annual Reunion and Spiro Hajinakitas has been appointed as Convenor. | ||
- | __CONGRATULATIONS__ | + | **Congratulations!** |
198409.txt · Last modified: 2017/03/07 12:57 by richard_pattison