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-A Queen's Birthday Experience in the West Budawangs by Bob Younger 2
+|A Queen's Birthday Experience in the West Budawangs, by Bob Younger |2|
-New Members 4
+|New Members |4|
-The Snow Bowl Frank Rigby 5
+|The Snow Bowl, Frank Rigby |5|
-Advertisement - Blackheath Taxi 6
+|Advertisement - Blackheath Taxi| 6|
-Conservation Corner Ainslie Morris 7
+|Conservation Corner, Ainslie Morris |7|
-Lost in the Bush R. W. French 8
+|Lost in the Bush, R. W. French | 8|
-Advertisement - Eastwood Camping Centre 12
+|Advertisement - Eastwood Camping Centre |12|
-Whew! Whadidisaywrong? Ronald Knightley 13
+|Whew! Whadidisaywrong? Ronald Knightley |13|
-Letter from the Friends of the Hacking River 14
+|Letter from the Friends of the Hacking River |14|
-Advertisement - Canoe & Camping, Gladesville 15
+|Advertisement - Canoe & Camping, Gladesville |15|
-General Meeting on 10-7-86 Ainslie Morris 16
+|General Meeting on 10-7-86, Ainslie Morris |16|
-R S I of the Tongue Dr. Mac 17
+|R S I of the Tongue, Dr. Mac |17|
-Just a Minute 18
+|Just a Minute |18|
-Social Notes 18
+|Social Notes |18|
-Report of the Committee Meeting of 6th August 18
+|Report of the Committee Meeting of 6th August |18|
-Special Notice re the CONSTITUTION 18
+|Special Notice re the CONSTITUTION |18|
-A QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY EXPERIENCE IN THE WEST BUDAWANGS
+====== A Queen's Birthday Experience in the West Budawangs with Chernobyl Capon======
-WITH CHERNOBYL CAPON.
-by Bob Younger.
+Bob Younger
 At around midnight on the Friday heralding the Queen's birthday weekend, twelve of Bill Capon's cortege mostly gathered in the car park adjoining the start of the new access track which skirts the northern boundary of Wog Wog Station. The majority had come via Braidwood and Mongarlowe to avoid the coastal traffic and take advantage of sealed roads most of the way.
-Saturday morning revealed the following who were almost ready to move off at the stipulated hour of 0730:- Barbara Bruce, Carol Bruce, Bill Capon, Fusae Dargan, Ray Dargan, "Rick" King, Jim Laing, Gordon Lee, Bob Milne, Bob Niven, Christine Scott, Rosalind Tayler, Bob Younger. Fifteen minutes later the party started along a well-defined foot-track towards the beautiful cone of Corang Peak. After the windy ascent of this
-wonderful object, a quick survey for the best approach to Freeman Creek led us to a steep and rocky slope.
-Bill ordered us to sit down and enjoy our morning tea full knowing that we would not linger in such an uncomfortable spot. And so it proved,
-because the party soon decided to follow Bill downhill in a most undiscip-
-lined fashion. This led to the headwaters of Canowie Brook, lush grasses
-and boggy ground. Further upstream we crossed the watershed into the beginning of Freeman Creek.
-Bill and Bob had poked about here on previous occasions and had found many places where it was not possible to gain access. We must have been
-lucky this time, for it was not long before the party was sliding and stumbling downstream through dampness arid decay until lunch time.
-After lunch the creek became steep and narrow with cliffs on either side. We hopped, crawled and slid around large moss-covered boulders and
-over uninviting drops. "Rick" was detailed off to scout the left-hand
-cliff, Jim and Gordon were sent down the creek and Bill reconnoitered the
-right-hand side. The creek proved to be too steep to manage and we thought
-we could be stuck for the night. Then Rick returned with the welcome news
-that he had found a narrow passage along the base of the cliff which would
-probably get us out of our predicament. This proved to be the case and,
-apart from Jim who was still trying to escape from the depths of the gorge, we were soon happily walking down a long ridge which would take us to the Yadboro River and a good campsite.
-It was here that Bill came within a whisker of once again achieving a melt down with his latest aluminium billy. "You need to have cooling water," we said, dubbing him CHERNOBYL CAPON and recommending that he should
-buy steel vessels in future. Modest toasts to Her Majesty were proposed and consumed prior to us drifing off to scattered tents.
-Sunday morning, and it was not long before we were making good speed along a bridle path towards the Belowra Creek junction. Bill had previously been unable to find the continuation of the track at this spot and told us
-that progress from here on would be slow. Not so! Carol stepped across
-the river, through the bushes right onto the path.
-The next objective was to pick up another track leading towards a ridge up to the southernmost tip of Mt. Owen. Another pleasant surprise.
-Where a dubious foot-track had been expected we found a well maintained
-fire trail/four-wheel-drive road. (It looked like another bicentenary
-project.) This made the extremely steep climb up to the base of the first
-Si<E1CH ri A P 6 WEST BLADAWANGS
-TRIP LED Es -1- 13% Lt. CAPor4
-SCale  1
-New, Entrt..e.te,
-Glo,
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+Saturday morning revealed the following who were almost ready to move off at the stipulated hour of 07.30 - Barbara Bruce, Carol Bruce, Bill Capon, Fusae Dargan, Ray Dargan, "Rick" King, Jim Laing, Gordon Lee, Bob Milne, Bob Niven, Christine Scott, Rosalind Tayler, Bob Younger. Fifteen minutes later the party started along a well defined foot-track towards the beautiful cone of Corang Peak. After the windy ascent of this wonderful object, a quick survey for the best approach to Freeman Creek led us to a steep and rocky slope.
-(411
-C9. RA-14 4b/1,4,
-i 6benly,
+Bill ordered us to sit down and enjoy our morning tea full knowing that we would not linger in such an uncomfortable spot. And so it proved because the party soon decided to follow Bill downhill in a most undisciplined fashion. This led to the headwaters of Canowie Brook, lush grasses and boggy ground. Further upstream we crossed the watershed into the beginning of Freeman Creek.
-m +
-CArAP
-a
-tow ,
-.
-.1
-'Y A o80
-co
-Ro.ut.e
-C
+Bill and Bob had poked about here on previous occasions and had found many places where it was not possible to gain access. We must have been lucky this time, for it was not long before the party was sliding and stumbling downstream through dampness arid decay until lunch time. After lunch the creek became steep and narrow with cliffs on either side. We hopped, crawled and slid around large moss-covered boulders and over uninviting drops. "Rick" was detailed off to scout the left-hand cliff, Jim and Gordon were sent down the creek and Bill reconnoitered the right-hand side. The creek proved to be too steep to manage and we thought we could be stuck for the night. Then Rick returned with the welcome news
+that he had found a narrow passage along the base of the cliff which would probably get us out of our predicament. This proved to be the case and, apart from Jim who was still trying to escape from the depths of the gorge, we were soon happily walking down a long ridge which would take us to the Yadboro River and a good campsite.
-AP4t
+It was here that Bill came within a whisker of once again achieving a melt down with his latest aluminium billy. "You need to have cooling water," we said, dubbing him CHERNOBYL CAPON and recommending that he should buy steel vessels in future. Modest toasts to Her Majesty were proposed and consumed prior to us drifting off to scattered tents.
-Ad Ty, , r
-n
+Sunday morning, and it was not long before we were making good speed along a bridle path towards the Belowra Creek junction. Bill had previously been unable to find the continuation of the track at this spot and told us that progress from here on would be slow. Not so! Carol stepped across the river, through the bushes right onto the path.
-\040.5 W 0
-M 4.
+The next objective was to pick up another track leading towards a ridge up to the southernmost tip of Mt. Owen. Another pleasant surprise. Where a dubious foot-track had been expected we found a well maintained
-V
+fire trail/four-wheel-drive road. (It looked like another bicentenary project.) This made the extremely steep climb up to the base of the first cliff line more acceptable. In fact the more senior members were wont to entertain the youngsters with their repertoire of old jokes, but they come in handy every so often.
-e
-NA;
+The grade eventually became too much for the four-wheel-drivers so we scrambled up to the base of the cliff and perched there in the chilly wind, all huddled together, taking shelter as best we could. The scouts were out again to find a way up through this fearsome barrier. Some signs of previous human passage along a narrow ledge and up through a steep slot were visible. The party split into two manageable groups and ropes were secured to sturdy shrubs to assist the would be alpinists. The second group sheltered from the debris generated by the efforts of those above to achieve some solid grip to assist their struggles.
-Page 4 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1986.
-cliff line more acceptable. In fact the more senior members were wont to entertain the youngsters with their repertoire of old jokes, but they come in handy every so often.
+With everyone now over the first giant step an early lunch seemed to be a good idea. We could admire the magnificent panoramic view and search for the way up through the second step. This appeared to be even more difficult than the first but there was a sort of transverse slot in the otherwise forbidding cliff face protecting Mount Owen from would be invaders. Verbal information received and memories of previous expeditions by individuals were recalled whilst the water we carried up was boiled in communal billies.
-The grade eventually became too much for the four-wheel-drivers so we scrambled up to the base of the cliff and perched there in the chilly wind, all huddled together, taking shelter as best we could. The scouts
-weie out again to find a way up through this fearsome barrier. Some signs of previous human passage along a narrow ledge and up through a steep slot were visible. The party split into two manageable groups and ropes were
-secured to sturdy shrubs to assist the would be alpinists. The second
-group sheltered from the debris generated by the efforts of those above to achieve some solid grip to assist their struggles.
-With everyone now over the first giant step an early lunch seemed to be a good idea. We could admire the magnificent panoramic view and search for the way up through the second step. This appeared to be even more
-difficult than the first but there was a sort of transverse slot in the otherwise forbidding cliff face protecting Mount Owen from would be invaders. Verbal information received and memories of previous expeditions by individuals were recalled whilst the water we carried up was boiled in communal billies.
 A foot track heading towards the slot was discovered. We followed it until another near vertical cleft brought the rock climbing fraternity to the fore to scout ahead. Again ropes were fastened for use by the faint hearted.
-The cold wind sent us scampering across the flat table top of Mount Owen whilst we debated the choice of camp sites available, one well away from possible trespassers upon our eclectic seclusion. Earlier we had come
-across a self-styled "Commercial Operator" leading a group, all newly shod
+The cold wind sent us scampering across the flat table top of Mount Owen whilst we debated the choice of camp sites available, one well away from possible trespassers upon our eclectic seclusion. Earlier we had come across a self-styled "Commercial Operator" leading a group, all newly shod in walking boots. Couldn't camp anywhere near them!
-in walking boots. Couldn't camp anywhere near them!
 Wine skins were filled once again and loaded into rucksacks. An elevated cave on Donjon Mountain had been selected by more or less popular choice. What an enjoyable evening we had. The fire reflected off the
-wind-carved walls of the cave and stars gradually appeared above the bulk of
+wind-carved walls of the cave and stars gradually appeared above the bulk of Mount Tarn to the west. A wind added to our sense of security, safe in our stronghold, while we drifted off to sleep in the dwindling incandescence of the fire.
-Mount Tarn to the west. A wind added to our sense of security, safe in our
-stronghold, while we drifted off to sleep in the dwindling incandescence of the fire.
+Monday morning and another early start towards the Corang River and Conglomorate Slope. Water was carried to an elevated lunch spot and billies boiled. Some left their packs for a quick dash out to Admiration Point before returning to the cars.
-Monday morning and another early start towards the Corang River and Conglomorate Slope. Water was carried to an elevated lunch spot and billies boiled. Some left their packs for a quick dash out to Admiration Point
-before returning to the cars.
 Braidwood, Bungonia or Nowra were chosen as the way home, depending upon one's prognosis concerning the holiday traffic likely to be encountered on each route.
 Here's to Her Majesty and here's to Chernobyl for leading the apprehensive across such magnificent country!
-NEW MEMBERS. Please add the following names to your List of Members:-
+**NEW MEMBERS**. Please add the following names to your List of Members:\\
-FISHER, Jim - 37 Rosedale Road, Gordon, 2072 Phone 498 3195
+FISHER, Jim - 37 Rosedale Road, Gordon, 2072 Phone 498 3195\\
-MITCHELL, Alan - 9/147 Smith Street, Summer Hill, 2130 799 8550
+MITCHELL, Alan - 9/147 Smith Street, Summer Hill, 2130 799 8550\\
 WOLFE, Ian - 27 Glen Road, Roseville, 2069 46 3474
@@ Line 133: / Line 81: @@
 The afternoon was advancing and my thoughts, as leader, turned to the more mundane question of finding a campsite for the evening. The chances were not bright. The route ahead along the crest of the range looked
 similar to that which we had already traversed: rugged, rocky, stark, treeless and completely dry, difficult although exciting to walk but impossible to camp.
-I can't remember who saw it first but suddenly we were all looking with some interest. Just a short distance away, below the summit, the boulder-
-strewn crest cradled a small basin whose floor was covered by a bright green
+I can't remember who saw it first but suddenly we were all looking with some interest. Just a short distance away, below the summit, the boulder-strewn crest cradled a small basin whose floor was covered by a bright green carpet. Silvery threads wove meandering ways across the carpet. What made the basin seem so improbable, yet so inviting, was the unrelenting harshness of its lifeless surroundings. To me, even at that distance, the place looked so enchanting that I would not have been surprised if a troupe of fairies had made a dainty entrance while I watched.
-carpet. Silvery threads wove meandering ways across the carpet. What
-made the basin seem so improbable, yet so inviting, was the unrelenting
+We hurried down off the summit, perhaps worrying whether such a pleasant and unexpected vision could possibly exist in reality. And why had we not heard of it before from walkers who had previously passed this way? But the basin was indeed real even if the fairies failed to materialise. The green carpet resolved into a dense grassy sward of fine lawn length and quality, admittedly damp in some places but eminently campable in others. The floor of the basin was dotted here and there with shallow tarns
-harshness of its lifeless surroundings. To me, even at that distance, the place looked so enchanting that I would not have been surprised if a troupe of fairies had made a dainty entrance while I watched.
+connected by narrow serpentine channels of flowing crystal-clear water. And here was another strange thing: there was no outlet for all this flowing water, at least no conventional outlet. At the Lowest point of the basin the water simply disappeared into a hole in the ground, never to be seen again. From whence the water originated was also something of a mystery because the rocky rim seemed utterly dry.
-We hurried down off the summit, perhaps worrying whether such a pleasant and unexpected vision could possibly exist in reality. And why had we not
-heard of it before from walkers who had previously passed this way? But
+Of course it was not really a snow bowl at all, not when we were there in that late December. In truth there was but one snowdrift still defying the summer sun. But in my imagination I tried to visualise the place as it would surely be in winter; and I saw a saucer-shaped bowl half-filled with the purest virgin snow. The surface would be unblemished because no human being would dare to approach that rugged mountain fastness in that season; the terrain and the climate would protect this sanctuary from even the hardiest adventurers.
-the basin was indeed real even if the fairies failed to materialise. The
-green carpet resolved into a dense grassy sward of fine lawn length and quality, admittedly damp in some places but eminently campable in others. The floor of the basin was dotted here and there with shallow tarns
+After three small tents had been erected I climbed to the rim to observe the effect. Somehow, the tents did not degrade the scene, rather they seemed to belong. To me they symbolised the temporary presence of intelligent and receptive beings who could appreciate Nature's masterpiece. I suppose I was reminded of the night sky when the stars are brilliant - would it be quite the same if there were no one to gaze up in wonder?
-connected by narrow serpentine channels of flowing crystal-clear water. And
-here was another strange thing: there was no outlet for all this flowing
+Although some sort of a fire would have been possible with the small twisted branches of the heath around the edges, we determined not to light one because its remains would have left a scar. Indeed, there was not the slightest evidence that anyone had ever camped there before, at least not for a long time. Instead, we cooked on stoves until Christine called us over to the south-west side of the bowl. As if our campsite were notenough, Nature now proceeded to mount a display I shall never forget.
-water, at least no conventional outlet. At the Lowest point of the basin
-the water simply disappeared into a hole in the ground, never to be seen again. From whence the water originated was also something of a mystery because the rocky rim seemed utterly dry.
+The sunset seemed to go on and on as if reluctant to shed its glory. I would guess that, from the first tinge of gold to the final fiery red, a full hour must have elapsed. Perhaps that is not surprising in those southern latitudes at midsummer. But it was not just the sky that held our breath; the landscape below more than played its part. From our lofty perch, the tiers upon tiers of peaks and ridges, ever changing with light and colour, formed a superb foreground.
-Of course it was not really a snow bowl at all, not when we were there in that late December. In truth there was but one snowdrift still defying
-the summer sun. But in my imagination I tried to visualise the palce as it would surely be in winter; and I saw a saucer-shaped bowl half-filled with
+According to Nature's law there is a serpent in every paradise. In our Snow Bowl he proved to be the mosquitoes, but this was a small price to pay. Another potential serpent could be its partial exposure to the south-west from which so much nasty weather in these parts originates. Fortunately for us, we had no cause to worry during our one-night stay.
-the purest virgin snow. The surface would be unblemished because no human
-being would dare to approach that rugged mountain fastness in that season; the terrain and the climate would protect this sanctuary from even the hardiest adventurers.
+It is now more than six years since we stumbled upon the Snow Bowl. I have not been back. I hesitate in case it is not the same in which case my memories would collapse in ruins. Have uncaring human beings marred its pristine beauty? Has Nature herself, in some cataclysmic mood, altered it beyond my recognition? I do not know and I may never know. I wonder if that's the way it ought to be.
-After three small tents had been erected I climbed to the rim to observe the effect. Somehow, the tents did not degrade the scene, rather they
-seemed to belong. To me they symbolised the temporary presence of intell-
-igent and receptive beings who could appreciate Nature's masterpiece. I
-suppose I was reminded of the night sky when the stars are brilliant - would it be quite the same if there were no one to gaze up in wonder?
-Although some sort of a fire would have been possible with the small twisted branches of the heath around the edges, we determined not to light one because its remains would have left a scar. Indeed, there was not the
-slightest evidence that anyone had ever camped there before, at least not
-for a long time. Instead, we cooked on stoves until Christine called us
-over to the south-west side of the bowl. As if our campsite were not
-enough, Nature now proceeded to mount a display I shall never forget.
-Page 6 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1986
-The sunset seemed to go on and on as if reluctant to shed its glory. I would guess that, from the first tinge of gold to the final fiery red, a full hour must have elapsed. Perhaps that is not surprising in those
-southern latitudes at midsummer. But it was not just the sky that held
-our breath; the landscape below more than played its part. From our lofty
-perch, the tiers upon tiers of peaks and ridges, ever changing with light and colour, formed a superb foreground.
-According to Nature's law there is a serpent in every paradise. In our Snow Bowl he proved to be the mosquitoes, but this was a small price to
-pay. Another potential serpent could be its partial exposure to the south-
-west from which so much nasty weather in these parts originates. Fortunately for us, we had no cause to worry during our one-night stay.
-It is now more than six years since we stumbled upon the Snow Bowl.
-I have not been back. I hesitate in case it is not the same in which case
-my memories would collapse in ruins. Have uncaring human beings marred its
-pristine beauty? Has Nature herself, in some cataclysmic mood, altered it
-beyond my recognition? I do not know and I may never know.
-I wonder if that's the way it ought to be.
 Author's Note:
-The Snow Bowl is a real place in an Australian national park. Perhaps some readers may guess its location; perhaps others do not want to know,
+The Snow Bowl is a real place in an Australian national park. Perhaps some readers may guess its location; perhaps others do not want to know, preferring instead to imagine it to be wherever they wish. I hope that my companions of December 1979, four of whom were, and still are S.B.W. members, retain happy memories of a shared experience in a very special place.
-preferring instead to imagine it to be wherever they wish. I hope that my companions of December 1979, four of whom were, and still are, S.B.W. members, retain happy memories of a shared experience in a very special place.
@@ Line 585: / Line 510: @@
 A draft Constitution is in this magazine for you to read before
 the Half-Yearly General Meeting in September. Have your comments ready then, and COME TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT MEETING.