198709
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Next revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
198709 [2012/05/16 22:10] – external edit 127.0.0.1 | 198709 [2016/09/19 13:11] – tyreless | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
- | THE | + | ======The Sydney Bushwalker.====== |
- | SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | |
- | Established | + | Established 1931 |
- | 041WWW | + | |
- | 77 10 X, | + | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476, G.P.O. Sydney, |
- | g | + | |
- | \\ | + | |**Editor**|Patrick James, P.O. Box 170, Kogarah, 2217. Telephone 588 2614.| |
- | 1 I | + | |**Business Manager**|Stan Madden, |
- | 1 CI NOUSE | + | |**Production Manager**|Helen Gray. Telephone 86 6263.| |
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, | + | |**Typist**|Kath Brown.| |
- | Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.45 pm at ELLA COMMUNITY CENTRE, 58a Dalhousie Street, Haberfield (next to the Post Office). Prospective | + | |**Illustrator**|Morag Ryder.| |
- | ######### | + | |**Printer**|Stan Madden.| |
- | EDITOR: | + | |
- | BUSINESS MANAGER: | + | ====September |
- | PRODUCTION MANAGER: | + | |
- | TYPIST: | + | =====Contents.===== |
- | ILLUSTRATOR: | + | |
- | PRINTER: | + | | | |Page| |
- | Patrick James, | + | |Editorial - Safety| | 2| |
- | Stan Madden, | + | |Friction, Fusion, Failure|Rik King| 3| |
- | Helen Gray. Telephone 86 8263. | + | |Serious |
- | Kath Brown. | + | |Walking Alone|Veronique Crowther| 7| |
- | Morag Ryder. | + | |"As He Treads the Burning Sands"|Don Finch| 8| |
- | Stan Madden. | + | |If You Are Going to Have an Accident....|Peter Miller| 9| |
- | -********** | + | |"How Not to Sprain One's Ankle"|Christine Scott|10| |
- | SEPTEMBER, | + | |Letter to the Editor|Ainslie Morris|11| |
- | Clubs Cladesville | + | |Letter to the Editor|Errol Sheedy|11| |
- | Editorial - Safety Friction, Fusion, Failure | + | |Letter to the Editor|Alex Colley|11| |
- | Serious | + | |Demons|Wal Liddle|12| |
- | "As He Treads the Burning Sands" | + | |N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking |
- | If You Are Going to Have an Accident.... | + | |A Message From One of Our Friends|Jim Brown|15| |
- | Letter to the Editor | + | |The August General Meeting|Barry Wallace|16| |
- | PT IT IT It | + | |New Members etc.| |17| |
- | VT VI ft IT | + | |1927 S.B.W. 60 Years 1987| |18| |
- | Demons | + | |
- | N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking | + | |
- | New Members etc. | + | =====Advertisements.===== |
- | 1927 S.B.W. 60 Years 1987 | + | |
- | Page | + | | |Page| |
- | 2 by Rik King 3 | + | |1988 N.S.W. Wilderness |
- | 3 | + | |Eastwood Camping Centre| 6| |
- | Sydney Jan Mohandas 4 | + | |Belvedere Taxis, Blackheath| 9| |
- | 6 | + | |Canoe & Camping, Gladesville|14| |
- | Veronique Crowther 7 | + | |
- | Don Finch 8 | + | ---- |
- | Peter Miller 9 | + | |
- | 9 Christine Scott 10 | + | =====Editorial.===== |
- | Ainslie Morris ri | + | |
- | Errol Sheedy 11 | + | ===Safety.=== |
- | Alex Colley 11 | + | |
- | WalLiddle 12 | + | The theme for this edition is Safety |
- | Spiro Hajinakitas 13 | + | |
- | 14 | + | Getting to and from a walk especially by private transport is an obvious safety hazard. Insufficient directions/ |
- | Jim Brown 15 | + | |
- | Barry Wallace 16 | + | |
- | 17 | + | |
- | 18 | + | |
- | Advertisement - 1988 N.S.W. Wilderness | + | |
- | #######*## | + | |
- | Page 2 | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | |
- | September, 1987 | + | |
- | EDITORIAL. | + | |
- | SAFETY. | + | |
- | The theme for this edition is Safety | + | |
- | Getting to and from a walk especially by private transport is an obvious safety hazard. Insufficient directions/ | + | |
- | petrol station can lead to being lost or stranded and missing the walk. Leaded and unleaded petrol and diesel are three incompatible fuels and make it important for all to carry spare fuel. Driving home tired and weary and dreaming of a nice warm shower with a friend may cause the driver' | + | |
Bushwalking is definitely a sport which requires the ability to walk, thus sound legs. Sprains and fractures can easily happen and have happened this year; definitely a case of more haste less speed. In rock-hopping the bicycie approach does work - if you go fast enough you stay upright - but if you slip then what? And talking of slipping the far end of one's sound legs should be enclosed in a pair of suitable footwear, suitable for the terrain with non-slip the most important property. | Bushwalking is definitely a sport which requires the ability to walk, thus sound legs. Sprains and fractures can easily happen and have happened this year; definitely a case of more haste less speed. In rock-hopping the bicycie approach does work - if you go fast enough you stay upright - but if you slip then what? And talking of slipping the far end of one's sound legs should be enclosed in a pair of suitable footwear, suitable for the terrain with non-slip the most important property. | ||
+ | |||
Safety in numbers is usually true but what if you want to get away from it all and opt out of the rat race for a couple of hours. A peaceful solo walk in the bush may not end as such! | Safety in numbers is usually true but what if you want to get away from it all and opt out of the rat race for a couple of hours. A peaceful solo walk in the bush may not end as such! | ||
- | For general bushwalking equipment failures are not a threat to safety; so what if your pack falls to pieces or your sleeping bag zipper malfunctions, | + | |
- | and like me cause you to walk into a tree. People wearing bifocals have a special problem; their map is in focus, distances are in focus but their feet are optically fuzzy. | + | For general bushwalking equipment failures are not a threat to safety; so what if your pack falls to pieces or your sleeping bag zipper malfunctions, |
At lunch or dinner how easy it is around the fire to trip, stumble or bump into someone and tip or nearly tip a boiling billy over the nearest foot or leg. | At lunch or dinner how easy it is around the fire to trip, stumble or bump into someone and tip or nearly tip a boiling billy over the nearest foot or leg. | ||
- | The accidents described here did happen and my thanks to the authors and to the subjects of the accidents (the accidentees); | + | |
- | in front or behind who was hurt, that's kismet. Whether accidents just happen or are caused | + | The accidents described here did happen and my thanks to the authors and to the subjects of the accidents (the accidentees); |
- | can be debated but they do occur and that is the reason for our first aid tests. | + | |
- | EDITOR. | + | Editor. |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | |
- | September, 1987 Page 3 | + | ---- |
- | FRICTION, | + | |
+ | =====Friction, Fusion, Failure.===== | ||
by Rik King. | by Rik King. | ||
+ | |||
Recently, I was one of a party which did an abseiling trip down Castle Head (off Narrow Neck at Katoomba) where an interesting incident occurred. I mention it here in the hope that others who may be on abseiling trips will be somewhat cautious. | Recently, I was one of a party which did an abseiling trip down Castle Head (off Narrow Neck at Katoomba) where an interesting incident occurred. I mention it here in the hope that others who may be on abseiling trips will be somewhat cautious. | ||
- | All was going well on our trip until the last one of a number of very exposed abseils, about 45 metres. At this point the ropes jammed when attempts were made to retrieve them. The two ropes (both 11 mm kernmantle) were running through an 8 m kernmantlelsling | + | |
- | 10 m of rope, when suddenly, the whole lot came down! Our rockclimbers returned with a broken sling: it had melted | + | All was going well on our trip until the last one of a number of very exposed abseils, about 45 metres. At this point the ropes jammed when attempts were made to retrieve them. The two ropes (both 11 mm kernmantle) were running through an 8 m kernmantlel sling placed around a large rock at the top of the abseil. At first, four people applied considerable weight to one of the ropes, yet it did not budge. Eventually, the usual trick of crossing and uncrossing the rope with some movement back and forth plus flicking was tried. Our party was fortunate to have two rockclimbers as members, and they climbed to the top without the use of the ropes, by another route. At last, two people were able to pull down about 10 m of rope, when suddenly, the whole lot came down! Our rockclimbers returned with a broken sling: it had __melted__ |
- | A post mortem was held in a backyard after the walk. The sling was tied around a tree and an old climbing rope put through it. When this rope was pulled on both sides with some force, no wearing of the sling was noticed. When, however, slightly unequal forces were applied on each side, some movement in the ropes was produced, and it took only about | + | |
- | 30 seconds of this treatment before the outer sheath of the sling began to melt. Clearly, | + | A post mortem was held in a backyard after the walk. The sling was tied around a tree and an old climbing rope put through it. When this rope was pulled on both sides with some force, no wearing of the sling was noticed. When, however, slightly unequal forces were applied on each side, some movement in the ropes was produced, and it took only about 30 seconds of this treatment before the outer sheath of the sling began to melt. Clearly, this was what had happened earlier in the day. |
- | this was what had happened earlier in the day. | + | |
- | To my knowledge, it has been standard practice either to climb up or prussik up ropes which won't come down. If the rope has been " | + | To my knowledge, it has been standard practice either to climb up or prussik up ropes which won't come down. If the rope has been " |
- | practices could be exceedingly dangerous when kernmantle rope (or even nylon sling?) is being used for belaying purposes. | + | |
- | A bit of forgotten wisdom was never to let nylon run over nylon - to use hemp as belay sling for nylon rope. Although the theory is all there in the books (cf. " | + | A bit of forgotten wisdom was never to let nylon run over nylon - to use hemp as belay sling for nylon rope. Although the theory is all there in the books (cf. " |
- | Techniques", | + | |
- | 1988 NEW SOUTH WALES WILDERNESS CALENDAR. | + | ---- |
- | Henry Gold's calendar is now available, complete with superb 12" x 10" colour photographs of Antarctic Beechforest, | + | |
- | Grose Valley, Beecroft Peninsula, Werrikimbe, Barrington, Mungo, Main Range Kosciusko, Tantawanglo, | + | ====1988 New South Wales Wilderness Calendar.==== |
+ | |||
+ | Henry Gold's calendar is now available, complete with superb 12" x 10" colour photographs of Antarctic Beechforest, | ||
Spaced date tabulation to enable noting of engagements. Phases of the moon. | Spaced date tabulation to enable noting of engagements. Phases of the moon. | ||
- | Price $8 from Alex Colley in the clubroom or $9.50 posted from | + | |
- | the Colong Foundation 18 Argyle Street, Sydney 2000. | + | Price $8 from Alex Colley in the clubroom or $9.50 posted from the Colong Foundation 18 Argyle Street, Sydney 2000. |
Proceeds from sales in the clubroom or from the Foundation will be used for preservation of wilderness. | Proceeds from sales in the clubroom or from the Foundation will be used for preservation of wilderness. | ||
- | Page 4 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, 1987 | + | |
- | SERIOUS ACCIDENTS DURING DAY WALKS AROUND SYDNEY. | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | =====Serious Accidents During Day Walks Around Sydney.===== | ||
by Jan Mohandas. | by Jan Mohandas. | ||
- | In and around Sydney there are hundreds of walksone | + | |
- | to safety becomes a problem. One such incident is described below. | + | In and around Sydney there are hundreds of walks one can do within two hours driving distance. Most of the walks are on tracks and hence usually do not lead to serious accidents. There are also several walks one can do in some of the more rugged and spectacular regions near Sydney. When a serious accident occurs during one of these walks, getting the injured to safety becomes a problem. One such incident is described below. |
- | This accident occurred in March 1986 during a medium/hard day walk I led from Leura golf course, through Robert' | + | |
- | one has to put in to complete the walk before the end of the day. It often involves distances | + | This accident occurred in March 1986 during a medium/hard day walk I led from Leura golf course, through Robert' |
- | of 20 to 30 km. Lindeman' | + | |
- | favour. Recently Jim Smith and his friends reopened this area for experienced bushwalkers. | + | In 1986 we had excellent weather for the walk. At about 11.30 am the track appeared to have got washed off during heavy rain several days prior to the walk. I decided to go ahead in the direction of our route and look for signs of the track with another walker. The party was given instructions to wait for us before proceeding. After I had gone for about 100 metres, we heard a noise where the party was and some of them called me to return. When I went back to the spot where the party was, Margaret Wood was lying down with a head injury with blood pouring from her head. I was told that a big rock, about the size of a soccer ball, had slid down and landed on her head. What had happend was that one of the walkers scrambled up to look for signs of the track and while returning, accidently dislodged a loose rock. Meanwhile, those who were standing at the front of the party, including Margaret Wood, were asked by people at the rear to make a move to try to find another route below in the gully. If both the incidents had not proceeded at the same time, everything would probably have been fine. |
- | It is not an area for easy walking. The route has certain areas where the track is good and | + | |
- | other areas where one has to scramble up and down quite a bit. I had done this walk twice | + | Margaret by now was resting on the branches of some bushes due to the slope of that area; there was no level ground in sight. Jim Oxley , who was just behind her and had run, saw the rock fall on Margaret' |
- | before, one as a semi-exploratory before Jim Smith and his friends reopened this area fully, | + | |
- | and on another occasion led a S.B.W. medium/hard day walk in April the previous year. During | + | We had walked for about three hours and the party was moving at a fair pace. There was no way out into civilization in the immediate vicinity. Either we had to go back the way we had come or we had to walk for another four hours to get out near Leura waterfalls. If two people were sent to get help it was still going to take about six hours for help to arrive and it would be dark by then, and the injured would not get to hospital until morning of the next day. At that time of the year it could get extremely cold at night and none of the party had extra warm clothing to survive the night in relative comfort. I was thinking that unless the injury is serious enough to keep the injured down in the valley, every effort should be made to get the injured and the rest of the party out of that area, the injured to the nearest hospital and the rest of the party to their destination. There were several experienced walkers in the party. |
- | the first attempt it certainly was a very difficult walk. | + | |
- | In 1986 we had excellent weather for the walk. At about 11.30 am the track appeared to | + | Bill Capon and Geoff McIntosh volunteered to stay overnight to be with the patient. About 10 minutes after we left the site of the accident, we found a nice level spot near an overhang and made a comfortable resting spot with a number of jumpers and packs for Margaret to have a rest. Morag Ryder and others made some hot tea for the injured and the rest of the party had an early lunch. We had a general discussion about the course of action. Several participants were of the view that the best approach would be to send a couple of walkers for help. I decided to find out whether as a group we could help Margaret to walk out to a location nearer to Leura where we could get help more readily. |
- | have got washed off during heavy rain several days prior to the walk. I decided to go ahead | + | |
- | in the direction of our route and look for signs of the track with another walker. The party | + | We got Margaret a walking stick and her day pack was carried by one of the other walkers. We still had to go up and down rocks, down gullies, up steep hills, and slippery rocks near waterfalls. We had a talk to Margaret and explained to her the plan. Bill Capon would walk just in front of her and I would walk close behind her. If she felt giddy or too tired, she should hold on to Bill and me immediately. Whenever we had to go through difficult parts, both of us would help her or carry her across. This plan worked very well. Bill Capon, Geoff McIntosh and I talked continuously to Margaret to keep her spirits up as well as to ensure that we would know if her condition deteriorated in any way. After about an hour, Margaret said that she was feeling slightly better. |
- | was given instructions to wait for us before proceeding. After I had gone for about 100 metres, we heard a noise where the party was and some of them called me to return. When I went back to the spot where the party was, Margaret Wood was lying down with a head injury with blood pouring | + | |
- | from her head. I was told that a big rock, about the size of a soccer ball, had slid down and | + | On the way we had several stops to prevent Margaret feeling exhausted. For Margaret, Leura was the appropriate destination since her parents lived there. By the time we reached the bottom of the Leura walking track, Margaret was feeling a bit better and suggested that the rest of the party could head towards their destination. Bill Capon and Geoff McIntosh helped Margaret to walk up the Leura walking track and telephoned Margaret' |
- | landed on her head. What had happend was that one of the walkers scrambled up to look for | + | |
- | signs of the track and while returning, accidently dislodged a loose rock. Meanwhile, those | + | |
- | who were standing at the front of the party, including Margaret Wood, were asked by people at | + | |
- | the rear to make a move to try to find another route below in the gully. If both the incidents | + | |
- | had not proceeded at the same time, everything would probably have been fine. | + | |
- | Margaret by now was resting on the branches of some bushes due to the slope of that area; | + | |
- | there was no level ground in sight. Jim Oxley , who was just behind her and had run, saw the | + | |
- | rock fall on Margaret' | + | |
- | the party started to move to do the necessary first-aid. One person with training in nursing | + | |
- | took Margaret' | + | |
- | head wound. More padding was placed on the cut and bandage was put around her head and under- | + | |
- | neath her chin. She looked very pale and naturally shaken up. However we all told her that | + | |
- | she looked well and tried to keep her alert. I asked her whether she had a headache. She | + | |
- | replied that she did not have a headache, but had pain near the wound and around her neck. It | + | |
- | was evident that the rock had also jarred the neck. She did not become unconscious at any stage, | + | |
- | feel giddy or become sick. Margaret rested there for another five minutes. The bleeding from | + | |
- | the head stopped. She was asked again whether she had double vision. She said " | + | |
- | to move her from the spot where she was desperately trying to manage to stay still. After | + | |
- | consulting Margaret, she was helped to stand up. Two other walkers helped her to walk slowly | + | |
- | towards the gully to get around that difficult region of LIndeman's Pass. All we could do was to look for a level spot where she could have proper rest. A decision could then be made about the best approach to get Margaret to safety after observing her condition after a short rest. | + | |
- | We had walked for about three hours and the partywas | + | |
- | be dark by then, and the injured would not get to hospital until morning of the next day. At | + | |
- | that time of the year it could get extremely cold at night and none of the party had extra warm | + | |
- | clothing to survive the night in relative comfort. I was thinking that unless the injury is serious enough to keep the injured down in the valley, every effort should be made to get the injured and the rest of the party out of that area, the injured to the nearest hospital and the | + | |
- | rest of the- party to their destination. There were several experienced walkers in the party. | + | |
- | September, 1987 THE SYDNEY' | + | |
- | Bill Capon and Geoff McIntosh volunteered to stay overnight to be with the patient. About | + | |
- | 10 minutes after we left the site of the accident, we found a nice level'spot near an overhang and made a comfortable resting spot with a number of jumpers and packs for Margaret to have a rest. [brag Ryder and others made some hot tea for the injured and the rest of the party had an early lunch. We had a general discussion about the course of action. Several participants | + | |
- | were of the view that the best approach would be to send a couple of walkers for help. I | + | |
- | decided to find out whether as a group we could help Margaret to walk out to a location nearer to Leura where we could get help more readily. | + | |
- | We got Margaret a walking stick and her day pack was carried by one of the other walkers. We still had to go up and down rocks, down gullies, up steep hills, and slippery rocks near waterfalls. We had a talk to Margaret and explained to her the plan. Bill Capon would walk | + | |
- | just in front of her and I would walk close behind her. If she felt giddy or too tired, she | + | |
- | should hold on to Bill and me immediately. Whenever we had to go through difficult parts, | + | |
- | both of us would help her or carry her across. This plan worked very well. Bill Capon, | + | |
- | Geoff McIntosh and I talked continuously to Margaret to keep her spirits up as well as to ensure that we would know if her condition deteriorated in any way. After about an hour, Margaret said that she was feeling slightly better. | + | |
- | On the way we had several stops to prevent Margaret feeling exhausted. For Margaret, Leura was the appropriate destination since her parents lived there. By the time we reached the bottom of the Leura walking track, Margaret was feeling a bit better and suggested that the rest of the party could head towards their destination. Bill Capon and Geoff McIntosh helped | + | |
- | Margaret to walk up the Leura walking track and telephoned Margaret' | + | |
- | at home and took her to see their friendly GP. Several stitches were put to close the head | + | |
- | wound. The rest of the party walked up the walking track near the Scenic Railway, drove to | + | |
- | Blue's Cafe and waited to hear about the condition of the injured. Margaret and her father | + | |
- | came to see us at the Cafe and informed us that apart from the cut on the head she was all right. | + | |
Margaret had a persistent light-headedness for a number of weeks and she consulted a physician and had neurological examinations to ensure that there were no complications. Margaret was found to have had no after effects from that accident. | Margaret had a persistent light-headedness for a number of weeks and she consulted a physician and had neurological examinations to ensure that there were no complications. Margaret was found to have had no after effects from that accident. | ||
+ | |||
In order to learn from an experience of this kind, I would like to highlight the following points: | In order to learn from an experience of this kind, I would like to highlight the following points: | ||
- | When we go to rugged areas, each member of the party must be aware of the dangers in that area and the difficulty in getting someone injured to safety and take extra care and very few risks. | + | |
- | These areas often need scrambling up and down rocks and going down steep hills and therefore one must always keep in mind the possibility of dislodging a loose rock which might cause injury to another walker. | + | * When we go to rugged areas, each member of the party must be aware of the dangers in that area and the difficulty in getting someone injured to safety and take extra care and very few risks. |
- | Always carry enough warm clothes to keep warm and take necessary first-aid items for treating possible injury. Carry emergency space blanket to keep warm if injured. It would always be helpful if the party is of a reasonable size, say 10. | + | |
- | Whenever one gets an opportunity, | + | |
- | in a situation where you will have to help or rescue someone else to safety and then you would wish that you had gained the necessary training. | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | NOTE. Lost going up the Col, Blue Mguntains, one old green cloth hat with some sentimental | + | ---- |
- | value decorated with a S.B.W. badge of immense sentimental value -if/when found, return to the Editor. | + | |
- | E | + | __Note.__ Lost going up the Col, Blue Mountains, one old green cloth hat with some sentimental value decorated with a S.B.W. badge of immense sentimental value. If/when found, return to the Editor. |
- | A HUGE | + | |
- | RANGE OF | + | ---- |
- | GEAR TO CATER | + | |
- | FOR EVERYONE' | + | =====Walking Alone.===== |
- | NEEDS, WHETHER | + | |
- | IT BE FOR.... | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | 411 Climbing | + | |
- | O Travelling | + | |
- | * Cycling | + | |
- | or Car Camping | + | |
- | eastwood | + | |
- | camping | + | |
- | centre | + | |
- | 3 Trelawney Street Eastwood 2122 Telephone (02) 858 3833 | + | |
- | Proprietors Jack Nanc awl David Fox Established 1970 | + | |
- | September, 1987 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 7 | + | |
- | WALKING ALONE | + | |
by Veronique Crowther | by Veronique Crowther | ||
+ | |||
It was hot and I was tired as I made my way up the steep track from Blue Pool to Glenbrook Station. | It was hot and I was tired as I made my way up the steep track from Blue Pool to Glenbrook Station. | ||
+ | |||
I looked up and there he was, this naked young man in track shoes with a small pack on his back. The reason I was here was because of the reports of the rapist rumoured to be roaming the Royal National Park and my consequent discomfort at walking there alone as I am sometimes want to do. My quick mental checklist told me that although his hair was long and straggly, bleached on top in the latest two-tone style, his face wasn't really evil. Though wearing a pack it wasn't of a usual bushwalking type and he didn't look like a " | I looked up and there he was, this naked young man in track shoes with a small pack on his back. The reason I was here was because of the reports of the rapist rumoured to be roaming the Royal National Park and my consequent discomfort at walking there alone as I am sometimes want to do. My quick mental checklist told me that although his hair was long and straggly, bleached on top in the latest two-tone style, his face wasn't really evil. Though wearing a pack it wasn't of a usual bushwalking type and he didn't look like a " | ||
+ | |||
Nothing for it but to keep going in a business-like manner, ready to kick and run if required and hope for the best. Once again I thanked God for my sturdy walking boots! | Nothing for it but to keep going in a business-like manner, ready to kick and run if required and hope for the best. Once again I thanked God for my sturdy walking boots! | ||
- | He said "Good day, excuse me" and my heart slowed down a little as T responded. But when we were about to pass he stopped, in the ascendant position, and I was trapped - on a narrow path all alone with my eyes at the critical level! He engaged me in some inconsequential conversation about the track and my brain ticked over like a racing car - which escape is better, up the hill to civilisation or back down to Blue Pool? Could I outrun him in my boots and pack against his track shoes and if he got me did I have the strength left to fight him off and land some telling kicks? It was very hot and I was very tired having walked from Glenbrook Station up Red Hand Gully to Kanuka Brook and Glenbrook Creek non stop and at a fast pace. I wasn't sure. | + | |
- | liaasked | + | He said "Good day, excuse me" and my heart slowed down a little as I responded. But when we were about to pass he stopped, in the ascendant position, and I was trapped - on a narrow path all alone with my eyes at the critical level! He engaged me in some inconsequential conversation about the track and my brain ticked over like a racing car - which escape is better, up the hill to civilisation or back down to Blue Pool? Could I outrun him in my boots and pack against his track shoes and if he got me did I have the strength left to fight him off and land some telling kicks? It was very hot and I was very tired having walked from Glenbrook Station up Red Hand Gully to Kanuka Brook and Glenbrook Creek non stop and at a fast pace. I wasn't sure. |
- | my heart racing again and my breath choking me. I was scared, really scared. | + | |
+ | He asked me if I knew of another track in the area as he was sure there was one but he couldn' | ||
I never saw him again and made it to civilisation and the station without incident. | I never saw him again and made it to civilisation and the station without incident. | ||
+ | |||
Another hazard to walking alone? Another constraint on my freedom? What are the odds? The worst part (of it) is that I no longer feel comfortable and at ease walking alone in the bush - a pity! | Another hazard to walking alone? Another constraint on my freedom? What are the odds? The worst part (of it) is that I no longer feel comfortable and at ease walking alone in the bush - a pity! | ||
- | NOTE: Articles and notes for the October magazine should be submitted early (no later than 28th September) so the magazine can be issued in time for the 60th Anniversary celebrations. | + | |
- | Page 8 | + | ---- |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, 1987 | + | |
- | "AS HE TREADS THE BURNING SANDS." | + | __Note:__ Articles and notes for the October magazine should be submitted early (no later than 28th September) so the magazine can be issued in time for the 60th Anniversary celebrations. |
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====="As He Treads The Burning Sands."===== | ||
by Don Finch. | by Don Finch. | ||
- | "How hot is sand?" Sunday morning, 12th July 1987, we had camped on a sand bank on the | + | |
- | Little River approximately 3 km upstream from its junction with Blue Gum Creek. The campfire | + | "How hot is sand?" Sunday morning, 12th July 1987, we had camped on a sand bank on the Little River approximately 3 km upstream from its junction with Blue Gum Creek. The campfire which had been set on sand was put out with the combined efforts of many wine-skin-equipped |
- | which had been set on sand was put out with the combined efforts of many wine-skinequipped | + | |
- | bushwalkers. An apple core which had not been in the fire long enoughto | + | What happened next was not quite so obvious. A firm crust of sand wetted down by the wine skins had formed under the coals and ash layer, this now gave way and I found my left foot standing in extremely soft unsupporting sand to a depth of 250 mm. It was also extremely hot. In less time than it takes to shout the magic word I had my foot out of the hot sand and four quick strides later I was standing in the cold creek water. After five minutes of standing the toes of my left foot began to complain about the cold. It was time to survey the damage. |
- | my eye and a firm poke with the toe of my sandshoe to bury the core under the now defunct | + | |
- | coals and ash proved ineffective. Not enough coal and ash to bury the core, a firmer push | + | Whilst perched on a rock, the party surrounding me, the medically inclined in the front row while in the " |
- | into the sand underneath was obviously required. | + | |
- | What happened next was not quite so obvious. A firm crust of sand wetted down by the wine skins had formed under the coals and ash layer, this now gave way and I found my left foot standing in extremely soft unsupporting sand to a depth of 250 mm. It was also extremely hot. | + | Within 24 hours all of the lower burnt section was one large blister, the upper area was less affected. Nerve sensation was normal over the total lower area and most of the upper area with the exception of a 1 sq.cm area which had reduced feeling. Burning pain, absolutely none at any time. Six days later as tender skin is forced to stretch over ankle bones, but considering the possibilities nothing to complain about. |
- | In less time than it takes to shout the magic word I had my foot out of the hot sand and four | + | |
- | quick strides later I was standing in the cold creek water. After five minutes of standing | + | At the end of the first week the blistered skin was removed to expose a very raw layer. This was also accompanied by a considerable amount of pain. A day later with pain persisting and the first sign of infection, the best of medical advice was to become supine, stay in hospital, and have a good dose of penicillin. A week later with a raw pink shin, a tube of Vitamin A cream and a bunch of flowers I left hospital. Just for effect I'll relate the excesses of several medical opinions, but first remember that the time from my burning in the hot sand to standing in the creek was in the order of 2 - 3 seconds and in that time I in fact suffered a second degree circumferential burn. How many seconds for a third degree burn? The opinion, third degree burns disrupt blood supply to a critical level. Circumferential third degree burns could disrupt the critical blood supply to the point where gangrene and amputation are distinct possibilities. |
- | the toes of my left foot began to complain about the cold. It was time to survey the damage. | + | |
- | Whilst perched on a rock, the party surrounding me, the medically inclined in the front row while in the " | + | Well, what did I learn? Fires built on sand are to be treated with extra caution when they are put out. Consider the possibility of someone walking over the fireplace 1 hour after it is left with the top completely out but the sand underneath hot enough to singe hair. That the advice to " |
- | earnest discussion. With sandshoe and sock removed the following was revealed:- No damage | + | |
- | at all below the level of the sandshoe, a strip 100 mm wide from the top of the sandshoe up the ankle was very red, a strip 50 mm wide above this was not damaged, my thin nylon sock had been | + | |
- | burnt off over this area. Above this but confined to the front and side of the shin another | + | |
- | red area approx 50 mm wide, the hair in this area had been singed off by the heat of the sand. Pain absolutely none except for very cold toes. 'The burnt area was treated as follows: washed off with cold water, swabbed with alcohol, no broken skin at this stage, left to dry, | + | |
- | dry padding applied and secured with plaster followed by sock and sandshoe. I was ready to | + | |
- | go, almost! The party took my pack apart, sharing the weight here and there and returning | + | |
- | the disembowelled beast to me, now only 3 kgs so that I would have something to carry. Then | + | |
- | 1 was ready to go, back down the Little River to the fire trail where I was fortunate enough | + | |
- | to find the Water Board ranger who very promptly offered a lift. Several hours later I was | + | |
- | back in Sydney mixed up with hospitals, doctors, nurses and a wonderful ointment called " | + | |
- | Within 24 hours all of the lower burnt section was one large blister, the upper area was Less affected. Nerve sensation was normal over the total lower area and most of the upper | + | |
- | area with the exception of a 1 sq.cm area which had reduced feeling. Burning pain, absolutely | + | |
- | none at any time. Six days later as tender skin is forced to stretch over ankle bones, but | + | |
- | considering the possibilities nothing to complain about. | + | |
- | At the end of the first week the blistered skin was removed to expose a very raw layer. This was also accompanied by a considerable amount of pain. A day later with pain persisting | + | |
- | and the first sign of infection, the best of medical advice was to become supine, stay in | + | |
- | hospital, and have a good dose of penicillin. A week later with a raw pink shin, a tube of | + | |
- | Vitamin A cream and a bunch of flowers I left hospital. Just for effect I'll relate the excesses of several medical opinions, | + | |
- | suffered a second degree circumferential burn. How many seconds for a third degree burn? | + | |
- | The opinion, third degree burns disrupt blood supply to a critical level. Circumferential | + | |
- | third degree burns could disrupt the critical blood supply to the point where gangrene and amputation are distinct possibilities. | + | |
- | Well, what did I learn? Fires built on sand are to be treated with extra caution when | + | |
- | they are put out. Consider the possibility of someone walking over the fireplace 1 hour after | + | |
- | too | + | |
- | it is left with the/completely out but the sand underneath hot enougn Lo singe hair. That | + | |
- | the advice to " | + | |
- | inner layers and nerves were relatively unaffected can only be attributed to the fact that I was standing in cold water within a couple of seconds after being burnt. | + | |
It was also reaffirmed that bushwalkers are kind and considerate and make great companions. | It was also reaffirmed that bushwalkers are kind and considerate and make great companions. | ||
- | September, 1987 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 9 | + | |
- | IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT..,. | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | =====If You Are Going To Have An Accident....===== | ||
by Peter Miller. | by Peter Miller. | ||
+ | |||
If you are going to have an accident, have it with the Sydney Bush Walkers. | If you are going to have an accident, have it with the Sydney Bush Walkers. | ||
- | To celebrate 35 years of bushwalking I managed to fall two metres over a large boulder and land on my head. I did this on a walk led by Bill Capon as we were negotiating a | + | |
- | very rough creek below Blayden' | + | To celebrate 35 years of bushwalking I managed to fall two metres over a large boulder and land on my head. I did this on a walk led by Bill Capon as we were negotiating a very rough creek below Blayden' |
- | My next piece of advice is, if you have made up your mind to have an accident, do as I did and choose a walk where there are seven ladies to look after you. How many S.B.W. men | + | |
- | can claim to have had seven ladies at their beck and call, making them cups of tea, keeping them warm, preparing food, supplying bandages and catering to their every whim? | + | My next piece of advice is, if you have made up your mind to have an accident, do as I did and choose a walk where there are seven ladies to look after you. How many S.B.W. men can claim to have had seven ladies at their beck and call, making them cups of tea, keeping them warm, preparing food, supplying bandages and catering to their every whim? |
- | I had barely landed on a very hard and unyielding rock when the rescue effort swung into action. Barbara Bruce whipped off her T-shirt to staunch the flow of blood; I was made | + | |
- | comfortable with warm clothes and Bill and 3oan Cooper went off to find a way out of the valley. | + | I had barely landed on a very hard and unyielding rock when the rescue effort swung into action. Barbara Bruce whipped off her T-shirt to staunch the flow of blood; I was made comfortable with warm clothes and Bill and Joan Cooper went off to find a way out of the valley. |
- | The first thing for the injured person to realise is that there is no point in trying to | + | |
- | be a hero. Let the party decide what is best, and if they decide to carry your gear, then | + | The first thing for the injured person to realise is that there is no point in trying to be a hero. Let the party decide what is best, and if they decide to carry your gear, then __let them__. It is silly for the injured person trying to be tough and then collapsing and having to be carried. |
- | LET THEM. It is silly for the injured person trying to be tough and then collapsing and | + | |
- | having to be carried. | + | I felt fine when we set off with all my gear being carried, but when we came to Blayden' |
- | I felt fine when we set off with all my gear being carried, but when we came to Blayden' | + | |
- | injured person is being most helpful if he or she can remain mobile and does not agonise over holding up the party or making them carry extra weight. | + | An accident can happen to anyone and when it does just thank your lucky stars that you are with the S.B.W.s. |
- | An accident can happen to anyone and when it does just thank your lucky stars that | + | |
- | you are with the S.B.W.s. | + | ---- |
- | *#### | + | |
- | BELVEDERE TAXIS BLACKHEATH | + | =====How Not To Sprain One's Ankle.===== |
- | 10 SEATER MINI BUS TAXI | + | |
- | 047-87 8366 | + | |
- | KANANGRA BOYD | + | |
- | UPPER BLUE MOUNTAINS | + | |
- | SIX FOOT TRACK | + | |
- | PICK UP ANYWHERE FOR START OR FINISH OF YOUR WALK - BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT | + | |
- | Share the Fare Competitive Rates | + | |
- | Page 10 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, 1987 | + | |
- | "HOW NOT TO SPRAIN ONE'S ANKLE". | + | |
by Christine Scott. | by Christine Scott. | ||
- | Easier done than said!! My disaster came along this year one Easter afternoon coming | + | |
- | down off Broken Rock Range, a very rocky and scrubby ridge. About a third of the way down | + | Easier done than said!! My disaster came along this year one Easter afternoon coming down off Broken Rock Range, a very rocky and scrubby ridge. About a third of the way down heading for Butcher' |
- | heading for Butcher' | + | |
- | several maybe' | + | |
Should I have been going down a bit slower? | Should I have been going down a bit slower? | ||
- | Had I misjudged my footing, presuming a bit of scrub had solid ground under it? Had I slipped? | + | |
+ | Had I misjudged my footing, presuming a bit of scrub had solid ground under it? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Had I slipped? | ||
Maybe it was just bad luck? | Maybe it was just bad luck? | ||
+ | |||
Could Bill be right - I just wanted to get out of doing Narrowneck? | Could Bill be right - I just wanted to get out of doing Narrowneck? | ||
+ | |||
Whatever the case, I was glad to be with a group of walkers who knew how to cope with the situation. | Whatever the case, I was glad to be with a group of walkers who knew how to cope with the situation. | ||
+ | |||
My foot was examined for any possible blood or broken bones and while doing this it was discovered that my ankle was badly swollen. It was bandaged immediately and my shoe put on. | My foot was examined for any possible blood or broken bones and while doing this it was discovered that my ankle was badly swollen. It was bandaged immediately and my shoe put on. | ||
- | My foot was raised for half an hour or so in the hope of preventing more swelling. During | + | |
- | this time I was kept warm and given aspirin for the pain. Unfortunately we were a fair way from water, so it was some hours of travelling down hill keeping the weight off my foot with the support of various shoulders, before I could soak my oversized ankle in the creek. | + | My foot was raised for half an hour or so in the hope of preventing more swelling. During this time I was kept warm and given aspirin for the pain. Unfortunately we were a fair way from water, so it was some hours of travelling down hill keeping the weight off my foot with the support of various shoulders, before I could soak my oversized ankle in the creek. |
- | Not long after the walk I was given a memoir, a map showing the route of the walk. On | + | |
- | one particular section there' | + | Not long after the walk I was given a memoir, a map showing the route of the walk. On one particular section there' |
- | en o Jp at the back of a drawer, it's something I hope never happens again. To anyone. | + | |
- | Many thanks go to those on the walk for the endless supply of help and support. As azeley 1-lad written previously " | + | Many thanks go to those on the walk for the endless supply of help and support. As Fazeley had written previously " |
- | LEITER TO THE EDITOR: | + | |
- | I. Sergeant Sports store at Chatswood resoled my Nilse joggers for $20 with a herringbone | + | ---- |
- | pattern good-grip sole. It is starting to lift off one heel. Another member asked for the | + | |
- | same sole but it is not the same; it is too soft and tore easily. I would recommend the | + | =====Letter To The Editor - from Ainslie Morris.===== |
- | Deodora shoes at $40-$45 for comfort and support, strong upper, and good gripping herringbone sole. | + | |
- | 2. In reply to Michael Christie' | + | 1. Sergeant Sports store at Chatswood resoled my Nilse joggers for $20 with a herringbone pattern good-grip sole. It is starting to lift off one heel. Another member asked for the same sole but it is not the same; it is too soft and tore easily. I would recommend the Deodora shoes at $40-$45 for comfort and support, strong upper, and good gripping herringbone sole. |
- | support his recommendation that signs be placed at track entrances by the N.P. & W.L. Service | + | |
- | and other authorities such as the Forestry Commission, Blue Mountains Council, etc. The sign | + | 2. In reply to Michael Christie' |
- | I would like to sugoest | + | |
- | "The tins you carry in your pack Are lighter on the journey back. Though empties are a bore to hump The bush is not a rubbish dump." | + | "The tins you carry in your pack\\ |
+ | Are lighter on the journey back.\\ | ||
+ | Though empties are a bore to hump\\ | ||
+ | The bush is not a rubbish dump." | ||
This could well be news to many people, and is put pleasantly but with a strong message. It could get lots of walkers cooperating. | This could well be news to many people, and is put pleasantly but with a strong message. It could get lots of walkers cooperating. | ||
+ | |||
Maybe our Committee and members would consider sending a recommendation to the relevant authorities? | Maybe our Committee and members would consider sending a recommendation to the relevant authorities? | ||
- | ********** | + | |
- | Sep4-.ember, 1987 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 11 | + | ---- |
- | LETTER TO THE EDITOR: | + | |
+ | =====Letter To The Editor - from Errol Sheedy.===== | ||
I also would like to extend my congratulations re the excellent layout of the Walks Program. Its legibility and presentation are first-rate. | I also would like to extend my congratulations re the excellent layout of the Walks Program. Its legibility and presentation are first-rate. | ||
- | However, I would be grateful if the abridging of Leaders' | + | |
- | Couranga Track - Waterfall, and the vital Curracurrong Creek is omitted, it's anybody' | + | However, I would be grateful if the abridging of Leaders' |
- | how the walk would go from Bundeena to the Couranga Track. Yes, participants could phone | + | |
- | me but I really do not want every one of the thirty people who may attend, phoning. The Prospective Members do phone, but most other members know that I do not want to answer the phone thirty times in the space of a few days regarding a day walk with public transport. Which brings me to my next point. | + | The details re train times have been omitted from both my Spring walks. If the problem concerns space, I would gladly see the embellishments about wildflowers etc. dispensed with. In the hope that I may be spared a deluge of phone calls, here are the train times:- |
- | The details re train times have been omitted from both my Spring walks. If the problem | + | |
- | concerns space, I would gladly see the embellishments about wildflowers etc. dispensed with. In the taope that I may be spared a deluge of phone calls, here are the train times:- | + | __September 20__: (Goomera Ridge Walk) - 7.57 am Country train from Central. |
- | September 20: (Goomera Ridge Walk) - 7.57 am Country train from Central. | + | |
- | October 18: (Curracurrong Creek Walk: Bundeena - Waterfall) - 7.16 am Electric train to Cronulla from Central. | + | __October 18__: (Curracurrong Creek Walk: Bundeena - Waterfall) - 7.16 am Electric train to Cronulla from Central. |
- | (The Walks Secretary, Alan Doherty, has done an excellent job with the new format Walks Program and I join Errol in congratulating Alan. Any new system has teething problems, | + | |
- | but only two faults in 67 items is pretty good. EDITOR.) | + | (The Walks Secretary, Alan Doherty, has done an excellent job with the new format Walks Program and I join Errol in congratulating Alan. Any new system has teething problems, but only two faults in 67 items is pretty good. Editor.) |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | LETTER TO THE EDITOR: | + | ---- |
- | I am getting together a complete | + | |
+ | =====Letter To The Editor - from Alex Colley.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | I am getting together a complete | ||
My collection is complete excepting for the following issues: | My collection is complete excepting for the following issues: | ||
- | Numbers 11 to 30 | + | |
- | July 1940 | + | * Numbers 11 to 30 |
- | August 1941 | + | |
- | February & October 1942 December 1944 | + | |
- | April & MaY 1948 | + | |
- | September 1962 | + | |
- | January & February 1966 March 1970 7 | + | |
- | May 1973 Jr | + | |
- | June & August 1974 v/ March & April 1975 ,..., November 1978 | + | |
- | November 1980 y, | + | |
+ | * March & April 1975 | ||
+ | * November 1978 | ||
+ | | ||
These can't be copied from the copies in the Club archives because the bound volumes are too thick to lay flat on the plate of a photocopier. | These can't be copied from the copies in the Club archives because the bound volumes are too thick to lay flat on the plate of a photocopier. | ||
- | If anyone would lend me the missing issues, I should be glad to photocopy them and return them together with the cost of postaae. | + | |
+ | If anyone would lend me the missing issues, I should be glad to photocopy them and return them together with the cost of postage. | ||
My phone number is 44 2707. Yours sincerely - | My phone number is 44 2707. Yours sincerely - | ||
- | ************ | + | |
- | Page 12 THL SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, 1987 | + | ---- |
- | DEMONS. by Wal Liddle. | + | |
- | Demons were lurking on th edges of darkness. They slipped back into my consciousness | + | =====Demons.===== |
- | to confront me with my own fears, as with each step I penetrated deeper into the jungle which | + | |
- | surrounded me on all sides. The earthy smells, the gloomy haze produced by the over-hanging | + | by Wal Liddle. |
- | canopy of trees, the oppressive heat and humidity, the weird noises of birds and beasts unseen didn't help the feeling of claustrophobia that was creeping up on me. | + | |
- | I had been walking for hours in trackless bush trying to find a trail or signs of civilization that would lead me out of the mess I'd got myself into. I was without map or | + | Demons were lurking on the edges of darkness. They slipped back into my consciousness to confront me with my own fears, as with each step I penetrated deeper into the jungle which surrounded me on all sides. The earthy smells, the gloomy haze produced by the over-hanging canopy of trees, the oppressive heat and humidity, the weird noises of birds and beasts unseen didn't help the feeling of claustrophobia that was creeping up on me. |
- | compass in some of the toughest terrain in the world, an area in Queensland used by the army | + | |
- | for training troops in jungle warfare. This was the home of the green python and the taipan, | + | I had been walking for hours in trackless bush trying to find a trail or signs of civilization that would lead me out of the mess I'd got myself into. I was without map or compass in some of the toughest terrain in the world, an area in Queensland used by the army for training troops in jungle warfare. This was the home of the green python and the taipan, one of Australia' |
- | one of Australia' | + | |
- | Suddenly, I felt a coil wrapping around my right leg. Instinctively I tried to retreat | + | Suddenly, I felt a coil wrapping around my right leg. Instinctively I tried to retreat but this only made matters worse as claws dug into my clothing and flesh. The next minute I was pitched down the slope, hitting my head as I fell. |
- | but this only made matters worse as claws dug into my clothing and flesh. The next minute I | + | |
- | was pitched down the slope, hitting my head as I fell. | + | Demons appeared again, shapeless but with shape, intangible apparitions in colours of red, purple and green. The huge forms towered over me, gaping mouths ready to devour me. Each figure lunged and retreated, uttering harsh guttural sounds as the pain wracked my body. My mind went blank and darkness reigned or a short time. The blackness turned into a long tunnel that led nowhere, the light at the end was receding! |
- | Demons appeared again, shapeless but with shape, intangible apparitions in colours of red, purple and green. The huge forms towered over me, gaping mouths ready to devour me. Each | + | |
- | figure lunged and retreated, uttering harsh guttural sounds as the pain wracked my body. My | + | I lay upside down against a rock, my arms pinned under my body. The weight of the haversack was driving my face into the earth bank. My mouth and nostrils were filled with dirt. Without air I would suffocate! |
- | mind went blank and darkness reigned or a short time. The blackness turned into a long tunnel | + | |
- | that led nowhere, the light at the end was receding! | + | Spluttering and spitting I raised my head to gulp in air. Again my body position and the weight on my back forced me downwards. The soft earth kept falling! I would be buried alive. I would remain here forever. My flesh would turn putrid. The birds would pick at my eyes. The small bush animals would eat the meat and break my bones. I would become a grisly white skeleton. My soul would join the legion of the lost floating in space. |
- | I lay upside down against a rock, my arms pinned under my body. The weight of the | + | |
- | haversack was driving my face into the earth bank. My mouth and nostrils were filled with | + | Again I raised my head but this time my body movements allowed me to breathe more freely. The earth had stopped falling. The lawyer vine which had wrapped itself around me made all movement difficult. Wriggling from side to side I was able to straighten one leg but my arms were still trapped under me. The vine did not allow me to move into an upright position so that I could release the haversack straps. I struggled against the thorns that were cutting into my flesh. Each movement brought incredible agony but finally I was able to reach the knife at my belt and cut myself free. |
- | dirt. Without air I would suffocate! | + | |
- | Spluttering and spitting I raised my head to gulp in air. Again my body position and the | + | As I was bandaging my leg I recognised a pile of rocks in the distance. " |
- | weight on my back forced me downwards. The soft earth kept falling! I would be buried | + | |
- | alive. I would remain here forever. My flesh would turn putrid. The birds would pick at | + | My fears again enveloped me. The demon was there, only this time it took the form of an ugly black gorilla with a distorted mongoloid face, its large penis dragging on the ground. Around its middle hung a bunch of keys, in one paw was a hypodermic syrings, whilst the other held a white straitjacket. The top of the head had been cut away allowing part of the grey matter to ooze out over the skull. It was coming straight for me, making strange grunts, its evil eyes fixed in a hypnotic stare. |
- | my eyes. The small bush animals would eat the meat and break my bones. I would become a | + | |
- | grisly white skeleton. My soul would join the legion of the lost floating in space. | + | Suddenly a branch knocked |
- | Again I raised my head but this time my body movements allowed me to breathe more freely. The earth had stopped falling. The lawyer vine which had wrapped itself around me made all | + | |
- | movement difficult. Wriggling from side to side I was able to straighten one leg but my arms | + | What did these strange apparitions mean? Was I going mad? Would I be able to retain my sanity? Were they the result of my inner panic? How was I to get out of this tangled web? If I could sight ahead to one distant tree and having reached that point, take another bearing, there was hope. If I could find a river, this would lead to civilization. |
- | were still trapped under me. The vine did not allow me to move into an upright position so | + | |
- | that I could release the haversack straps. I struggled against the thorns that were cutting | + | The sweat poured out of me as I walked, so that within an hour I was stripped down to shorts, boots and hat. As I climbed to the top of a ridge storm clouds were gathering on the horizon; the further I travelled, the more ominous they became. |
- | into my flesh. Each movement brought incredible agony but finally I was able to reach the | + | |
- | knife at my belt and cut myself free. | + | By late afternoon the devil' |
- | As I was bandaging my leg 1 recognised a pile of rocks in the distance. " | + | |
- | the ones I'd massed, early in the morning?" | + | A cyclonic wind sprang up, with huge vortexes of air sweeping through the jungle, sucking the forest debris heavenwards. The trees bent under its force, small bushes were uprooted. Then came torrential rain - cascading down, turning the dry earth into a raging watercourse. The rain gave way to a hail storm; the ice pelted through the branches, stripping the leaves from the trees. The forest floor became a thick green carpet which rapidly changed colour as the hailstones piled on top of each other. The temperature dropped rapidly and the icy wind chilled my body. |
- | My fears again enveloped me. The demon was there, only this time it took the form of an | + | |
- | ugly black gorilla with a distorted mongoloid face, its large penis dragging on the ground. Around its middle hung a bunch of keys, in one paw was a hypodermic syrings, whilst the other | + | A light drizzle was falling as I set up camp for the night. The damp wood only allowed me to make a small fire so I went to bed in sodden clothes and a wet sleeping bag. I drifted off under the shelter of a groundsheet, |
- | neld a white straitjacket. The top of the head had been cut away allowing part of the grey | + | |
- | matter to ooze out over the skull. It was coming straight for me, making strange grunts, its evil eyes fixed in a hypnotic stare. | + | I dreamt of the straight broad road that led to heaven and the narrow crooked path that led to hell. Monsters and demons were waiting at the side of the path, frothing at the mouth with green slime and horrible smells coming from their bodies. |
- | Suddenly a branchOnocked | + | |
- | What did these strange apparitions mean? Was I going mad? Would I be able to retain my sanity? Were they the result of my inner panic? How was I to get out of this tangled | + | I awoke to find the sun streaming down on me with a beautiful blue sky overhead, my clothes and sleeping bag were nearly dry because of the heat generated by my body. The sound of a rifle bird echoed around the clearing. Two ringtail possums were searching for crumbs around the ashes of the campfire. My spirits soared, I had survived in this inhospitable environment. I had conquered the demons which were no more than past life experiences and fear of self. |
- | web? If I could sight ahead to one distant tree and having reached that point, take another | + | |
- | bearing, there was hope. If I could find a river, this would lead to civilization. | + | Later that day I came to a river which led south. |
- | The sweat poured out of me as I walked, so that within an hour I was stripped down to shorts, boots and hat. As I climbed to the top of a ridge storm clouds were gathering on the horizon; | + | |
- | the further I travelled, the more ominous they became. | + | ---- |
- | By late afternoon the devil' | + | |
- | been replaced by inky gloom, making it difficult to see ahead. | + | =====N.S.W. |
- | September, 1987 | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | |
- | Page 13 | + | |
- | A cyclonic wind sprang up, with huge vortexes of air sweeping through | + | |
- | the jungle, sucking the forest debris heavenwards. The trees bent under its | + | |
- | force, small bushes were uprooted. Then came torrential rain - cascading down, turning the | + | |
- | dry earth into a raging watercourse. The rain gave way 7o a hail storm; the ice pelted | + | |
- | through the branches, stripping the leaves from the trees. The forest floor became a thick | + | |
- | green carpet which rapidly changed colour as the hailstones piled on top of each other. The | + | |
- | temperature dropped rapidly and the icy wind chilled my body. | + | |
- | A light drizzle was falling as I set up camp for the night. The damp wood only allowed | + | |
- | me to make a small fire so I went to bed in sodden clothes and a wet sleeping bag. I drifted | + | |
- | off under the shelter of a groundsheet, | + | |
- | thought was of catching pneumonia. | + | |
- | I dreamt of the straight broad road that led to heaven and the narrow crooked path that led to hell. Monsters and demons were waiting at the side of the path, frothing at the mouth | + | |
- | with green slime and horrible smells coming from their bodies. | + | |
- | I awoke to find the sun streaming down on me with a beautiful blue sky overhead, my | + | |
- | clothes and sleeping bag were nearly dry because of the heat generated by my body. The sound | + | |
- | of a rifle bird echoed around the clearing. Two ringtail possums were searching for crumbs | + | |
- | around the ashes of the campfire. My spirits soared, I had survived in this inhospitable | + | |
- | environment. I had conquered the demons which were no more than oast life experiences and | + | |
- | fear of self. | + | |
- | Later that day I came a river which led south. | + | |
- | * * * "=, * * * * | + | |
- | N.S.W. | + | |
- | REPORT OF AUGUST MEETING. | + | |
by Spiro Hajinakitas. | by Spiro Hajinakitas. | ||
+ | |||
Clubs are to be asked for volunteers to form a " | Clubs are to be asked for volunteers to form a " | ||
+ | |||
F.B.W. is writing to both the Water Board and National Parks & Wildlife Service about the intrusion of helicopters flying in tourist fishermen to the upper reaches of the Warragamba catchment. | F.B.W. is writing to both the Water Board and National Parks & Wildlife Service about the intrusion of helicopters flying in tourist fishermen to the upper reaches of the Warragamba catchment. | ||
- | Search & Rescue. Climbathon - October Holiday Weekend. | + | |
- | 60 volunteers are required for bucket brigade to collect money from tourists as they | + | ===Search & Rescue. Climbathon - October Holiday Weekend.=== |
- | watch Peter Treseder attempt to break the record for climbing west wall of the Three Sisters.. day | + | |
- | Volunteers are required for the first, second or third r.)1- the whole of) the October long | + | 60 volunteers are required for bucket brigade to collect money from tourists as they watch Peter Treseder attempt to break the record for climbing west wall of the Three Sisters. Volunteers are required for the first, second or third day (or the whole of) the October long weekend. Peter' |
- | weekend. Peter' | + | |
- | on the remaining days. Money is to go to the Search & Rescue Radio Account. | + | |
Federation is writing to Scots College drawing their attention to the amount of gear and rubbish left behind on the Cox's River when their cadets were rescued. | Federation is writing to Scots College drawing their attention to the amount of gear and rubbish left behind on the Cox's River when their cadets were rescued. | ||
- | "The Bushwalker" | + | |
+ | ==="The Bushwalker" | ||
Gordon Lee would like all interesting snippets of "Club News" from all Clubs for inclusion on the "Club News" page of "The Bushwalker" | Gordon Lee would like all interesting snippets of "Club News" from all Clubs for inclusion on the "Club News" page of "The Bushwalker" | ||
- | St. Johns Ambulance First-Aid Course. | + | |
- | This will be held on the weekend of 31sf October/let November. Examination on | + | ===St. Johns Ambulance First-Aid Course.=== |
- | Monday 9th November. Venue: Marrickville Police Rescue Headquarters. Cost 641.00. | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * | + | This will be held on the weekend of 31st October/1st November. Examination on Monday 9th November. Venue: Marrickville Police Rescue Headquarters. Cost $41.00. |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER | + | |
- | 265 VICTORIA ROAD GLADES VILLE, 2111 PHONE (02) 817 5590 HOURS - MON.-FRI. 94 | + | ---- |
- | THURS. 9-8 | + | |
- | SAT. 9-4 | + | =====A Message From One Of Our Friends.===== |
- | (PARKING AT REAR OFF PITTWATER ROAD) | + | |
- | A LARGE RANGE OF LIGHTWEIGHT, | + | |
- | | + | |
- | COLD WEATHER PROTECTION CLOTHING AND RAINGEAR | + | |
- | MAPS, BOOKS AND LEAFLETS | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | WE STOCK THE LARGEST RANGE OF CANOEING GEAR IN N.S.W. | + | |
- | QUALITY TOURING CRAFT OF ALL TYPES HIGH QUALITY, PERFORMANCE COMPETITION CRAFT | + | |
- | A HUGE RANGE OF PADDLES FOR ALL TYPES OF CANOEING | + | |
- | ALL TYPES OF SPRAY COVERS | + | |
- | | + | |
- | September, 1987 | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 15 | + | |
- | P MESSAGE FROM ONE OF OUR FRIENDS. | + | |
by Jim Brown. | by Jim Brown. | ||
- | Recently I received a letter from Ron Compagnoni, a long-time member of the Coast and Mountain Walkers, and an enthusiastic worker for Federation over many years. His letter is | + | |
- | reproduced below - | + | Recently I received a letter from Ron Compagnoni, a long-time member of the Coast and Mountain Walkers, and an enthusiastic worker for Federation over many years. His letter is reproduced below - |
- | My dear Jim, | + | |
+ | "My dear Jim, | ||
Earlier this year I wandered with friends over Kanangra Tops. Inevitably my thoughts went back to tracks I had travelled before, to walkers with whom I had walked, and to bushwalking history. The party descended part of the way down Gordon Smith' | Earlier this year I wandered with friends over Kanangra Tops. Inevitably my thoughts went back to tracks I had travelled before, to walkers with whom I had walked, and to bushwalking history. The party descended part of the way down Gordon Smith' | ||
- | Later I orowbe, | + | |
- | a feeling of disquiet which is still with me. It is therefore in this belief that something should be done that I am moved to communicate my concern to one of the elder statesmen of S.B.W. | + | Later I browsed |
- | Alan Doherty in an article in S.B.W. Magazine of May 1987 mentions those early members of your Club, Gordon Smith, Peter Page and Frank Craft. Page's Pinnacle and Craft' | + | |
- | Pass? Both passes are shown and named on the "Blue Mountains and Burragorang" | + | Alan Doherty in an article in S.B.W. Magazine of May 1987 mentions those early members of your Club, Gordon Smith, Peter Page and Frank Craft. Page's Pinnacle and Craft' |
- | Tourist Map, Lands Department 1937. Both are shown and named on Myles Dunphy' | + | |
How is it that the discoveries of two giants of S.B.W. and bushwalking history have been omitted from the current map? Can something be done to restore them? | How is it that the discoveries of two giants of S.B.W. and bushwalking history have been omitted from the current map? Can something be done to restore them? | ||
+ | |||
With very kind regards, | With very kind regards, | ||
- | Ron Compagnoni. | + | |
+ | Ron Compagnoni." | ||
As a result of this prompting, I moved at the August General Meeting two motions which were carried:- | As a result of this prompting, I moved at the August General Meeting two motions which were carried:- | ||
- | 1. That this Club write to the Geographical Names Board requesting the restoration of the names " | + | |
- | 2. That Ron Compagnoni' | + | - That this Club write to the Geographical Names Board requesting the restoration of the names " |
- | (To show that in this, our 60th Anniversary Year, S.B.W. has some good friends elsewhere in the walking movement.) | + | |
- | It is perhaps worth mentioning that Ron Comp. has a place on the Kanangra map named for him - " | + | |
+ | It is perhaps worth mentioning that Ron Comp. has a place on the Kanangra map named for him - " | ||
That sounds like Ron Comp. - the impish, lovable pioneering walker I know from chance bushland meetings, and from some years together on the Blue Gum Forest Trust, before Blue Gum was embodied in the Blue Mountains National Park. | That sounds like Ron Comp. - the impish, lovable pioneering walker I know from chance bushland meetings, and from some years together on the Blue Gum Forest Trust, before Blue Gum was embodied in the Blue Mountains National Park. | ||
- | * * * | + | |
- | Page 16 | + | ---- |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER September, 1987 | + | |
THE AUGUST GENERAL MEETING. | THE AUGUST GENERAL MEETING. | ||
by Barry Wallace. | by Barry Wallace. |
198709.txt · Last modified: 2016/09/19 15:14 by tyreless