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- | ----,-Esta-blished June 1931 | + | ====== The Sydney Bushwalker. ====== |
+ | |||
+ | Established June 1931. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday from 7.45 pm at the Ella Community Centre, 58a Dalhousie Street, Haberfield (next to Post Office). Prospective members and visitors are invited to visit the Club on any Wednesday. To advertise in this magazine please contact the Business Manager. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |**Editor**|Patrick James, P.O. Box 170, Kogarah, 2217. Telephone 588 2614.| | ||
+ | |**Business Manager**|Anita Doherty, 2 Marine Crescent, Hornsby Heights, 2077. Telephone 476 6531.| | ||
+ | |**Production Manager**|Helen Gray, telephone 86 8263.| | ||
+ | |**Typist**|Kath Brown.| | ||
+ | |**Illustrators**|Morag Ryder and Ainslie Morris.| | ||
+ | |**Printers**|Stan Madden, Morag Ryder & Kenn Clacher.| | ||
+ | |||
+ | === March, 1988 === | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== In This Issue: ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | | | |Page| | ||
+ | |Office Bearers & Committee Members 1988| | 2| | ||
+ | |Damp, Damper, Damn Pests|Deborah Shapira| 3| | ||
+ | |SBW Search & Rescue Contact List|Hans Stichter| 5| | ||
+ | |George Walton' | ||
+ | |A Nattai National Park|Alex Colley|10| | ||
+ | |" | ||
+ | |Letter to the Editor|Jack Gentle|15| | ||
+ | |Letter to the Editor|Paul Sharp|15| | ||
+ | |" | ||
+ | |The February General Meeting|Barry Wallace|18| | ||
+ | |NSW Federation Meeting Report | ||
+ | |New Members| |20| | ||
+ | |SBW Annual Subscription 1988| |20| | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Advertisements: | ||
+ | |||
+ | | |Page| | ||
+ | |Belvedere Taxis, Blackheath| 4| | ||
+ | |Canoe & Camping, Gladesville| 8| | ||
+ | |Eastwood Camping Centre|16| | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== S.B.W. Office Bearers & Committee 1988. ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The following Office Bearers and Committee Members as well as other Club workers were elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club held on Wednesday, 9th March, 1988:- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |President|Barrie Murdoch*|498 7834| | ||
+ | |Public Officer|Bill Holland*|484 6636| | ||
+ | |Vice President|Alan Doherty*|476 6531| | ||
+ | |Treasurer|Anita Doherty*|476 6531| | ||
+ | |Secretary|Carol Bruce*|797 9784| | ||
+ | |Walks Secretary|John Porter*|439 6714| | ||
+ | |Social Secretary|Ian Debert*|982 2615| | ||
+ | |New Members Secretary|Oliver Crawford*|44 1685| | ||
+ | |Conservation Secretary|Alex Colley*|44 2707| | ||
+ | |Magazine Editor|Patrick James*|588 2614| | ||
+ | |Membership Secretary|Joy Hynes*|982 2615| | ||
+ | |2 Committee Members|Don Finch*|85 2167| | ||
+ | | |Deborah Shapira*|798 0309| | ||
+ | |2 Delegates to Federation|Gordon Lee*|744 1824| | ||
+ | | |Spiro Hajinakitas*|357 1381| | ||
+ | |Federation Delegate|Tim Coffey|489 5035| | ||
+ | |Magazine Business Manager|Anita Doherty|476 6531| | ||
+ | |Magazine Production Manager|Helen Gray|86 6263| | ||
+ | |Printers|Morag Ryder| | | ||
+ | | |Kenn Clacher|449 4853| | ||
+ | | |George Mawer| | | ||
+ | |Archivist|Ainslie Morris|428 3178| | ||
+ | |Solicitor|Barrie Murdoch|498 7834| | ||
+ | |Auditor|Tony Marshall|713 6985| | ||
+ | |Search & Rescue Contacts|Hans Stichter|688 3050| | ||
+ | | |Bob Younger|57 1158| | ||
+ | | |Don Finch|85 2067| | ||
+ | |Kosciusko Huts Association Delegates|Jim Percy| | | ||
+ | | |Ray Hookway| | | ||
+ | |Projectionist|Alan Doherty| | | ||
+ | |Trustees|Bill Burke| | | ||
+ | | |Heather White| | | ||
+ | | |Gordon Redmond| | | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Note__: All Club workers are honorary. | ||
- | WIDDEN vALLay | ||
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday from 7.45 pm at the Ella Community Centre, 58a Dalhousie Street, Haberfield | ||
- | (next to the Post Office). Prospective members and visitors are invited | ||
- | to visit the Club on any Wednesday. To advertise in this magazine please contact the Business Manager. | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * | ||
- | EDITOR | ||
- | BUSINESS MANAGER | ||
- | PRODUCTION MANAGER | ||
- | TYPIST | ||
- | ILLUSTRATORS | ||
- | PRINTERS | ||
- | Patrick James, PO Box 170, Kogarah 2217. Telephone 588 2614. | ||
- | Anita Doherty, 2 Marine Crescent, Hornsby Heights Telephone 476 6531. 2077. | ||
- | Helen Gray - telephone 86 8263. | ||
- | Kath Brown. | ||
- | Morag Ryder & Ainslie Morris. | ||
- | Stan Madden, Morag Ryder & Kenn Clacher. | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * | ||
- | MARCH, 1988 | ||
- | Page | ||
- | Office Bearers & Committee Members 1988 * by Deborah Shapira 2 | ||
- | Damp, Damper, Damn Pests Hans Stichter 3 | ||
- | SBW Search & Rescue Contact List Errol Sheedy 5 | ||
- | George Walton' | ||
- | A Nattai National Park Brian Hart 10 | ||
- | " | ||
- | Letter to the Editor | ||
- | VI If ff Brian Harvey 15 | ||
- | "Their Splendour Shall Never Fade" | ||
- | The February General Meeting | ||
- | NSW Federation Meeting Report - February | ||
- | Wew Members | ||
- | SBW Annual Subscription 1988 20 | ||
- | * * * * * * 4 | ||
- | Advertisements | ||
- | 16 | ||
- | Belvedere Taxis, Blackheath | ||
- | Canoe & Camping, Gladesville | ||
- | Eastwood Camping Centre' | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * | ||
- | The Sydney Bushwalker | ||
- | S.B.W. OFFICE BEARERS & COMMITTEE 1988. | ||
- | The following Office Bearers and Committee Members as we].]. as other Club workers | ||
- | were elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club held on Wednesday, 9th March, 1988:- | ||
- | President *, Barrie Murdoch | ||
- | Public Officer * Bill Holland 484 6636 | ||
- | Vice President * Alan Doherty 476 6531 | ||
- | Treasurer Anita Doherty 476 6531 | ||
- | Secretary * Carol Bruce 797 9784 | ||
- | WalksSecretary * John Porter 439 6714 | ||
- | Social Secretary * Ian Debert 982 2615 | ||
- | New Members Secretary * Oliver Crawford 44 1685 | ||
- | Conservation Secretary * Alex Colley 44 2707 | ||
- | Magazine Editor * Patrick James 588 2614 | ||
- | Membership Secretary * Joy Hynes 982 2615 | ||
- | 2 Committee Members * Don Finch 85 2167 | ||
- | * Deborah Shapira 798 0309 | ||
- | 2 Delegates to Federation Gordon Lee 744 1824 | ||
- | * Spiro Hajinakitas 357 1381 | ||
- | Federation Delegate Tim Coffey 489 5035 | ||
- | Magazine Business Manager Anita Doherty 476 6531 | ||
- | Magazine Production Manager Helen Gray 86 6263 | ||
- | Printers Morag Ryder | ||
- | Kenn Clacher 449 4853 | ||
- | | ||
- | Archivist Ainslie Morris 428 3178 | ||
- | Solicitor Barrie Murdoch 498 7834 | ||
- | Auditor Tony Marshall 713 6985 | ||
- | Search & Rescue Contacts Hans Stichter 688 3050 | ||
- | Bob Younger 57 1158 | ||
- | Don Finch 85 2067 | ||
- | K6sciusko Huts Association Jim Percy | ||
- | Delegates | ||
- | Ray Hookway | ||
- | Projectionist Alan Doherty | ||
- | Trustees Bill Burke | ||
- | | ||
- | | ||
- | NOTE: All Club workers are honorary. | ||
* Indicates members of Committee. | * Indicates members of Committee. | ||
- | | ||
- | March 1988 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 3 | ||
- | DAMP, DAMPER, DAMN PESTS | ||
- | by Deborah Shapira | + | ---- |
- | Kowmung River Trip led Finch from | + | |
- | December 26th to January | + | ===== Damp, Damper, Damn Pests. ===== |
+ | |||
+ | by Deborah Shapira. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Kowmung River Trip led Finch from December 26th to January | ||
The following are extracts from a diary I kept in honour of this being my first trip with SBW of more than two day duration. | The following are extracts from a diary I kept in honour of this being my first trip with SBW of more than two day duration. | ||
- | , Saturday, 26th December. Arrived at Don's at midday and drove to Blackheath. The party consisted of Don, Wendy Aliano, George Mawer, Lynne Jones, Barry Wallace, Les Powell, Joe Marton, Shirley Dean (our collective " | + | |
- | Sunday, 27th December. Got off to an early 7 am start on a hot sunny morning down Megalith Ridge. Had morning tea at Hanrahan | + | __Saturday, 26th December__. Arrived at Don's at midday and drove to Blackheath. The party consisted of Don, Wendy Aliano, George Mawer, Lynne Jones, Barry Wallace, Les Powell, Joe Marton, Shirley Dean (our collective " |
- | slightly sloping ground. | + | |
- | Monday, 28th December. It rained a little in the night to get the fly damp. Decided to learn to lilo down the river on my pack and found an excellent teacher in Wendy. Near disaster when a rapid got me off balance and I went head first. Practised a little more caution after that. The rest had a couple of compulsory swims and it had begun to rain more seriously so we pulled up for early lunch in a pretty damp state. During a break in the rain we set off and made camp in a fabulous 4.75 star spot further downstream. | + | __Sunday, 27th December__. Got off to an early 7 am start on a hot sunny morning down Megalith Ridge. Had morning tea at Hanrahan |
- | Mother dried things in front of the fire. I'd pitched my fly on sloping ground. | + | |
- | Tuesday, 29th December. With everything damp and dressed in raincoats (24 hours earlier I'd mentioned that I'd been dragging my coat all over the countryside and never getting to use it - ha!!) set off downstream. Met some bedraggled-looking but keen liloists from the Wilderness Society and played cat and mouse with them all day. Dodging the showers we made an early camp and ate and drank all our goodies in anticipation of Finding the Food Cache the next day. Mother dried things in front of the fire and my fly was pitched on slightly sloping ground. | + | __Monday, 28th December__. It rained a little in the night to get the fly damp. Decided to learn to lilo down the river on my pack and found an excellent teacher in Wendy. Near disaster when a rapid got me off balance and I went head first. Practised a little more caution after that. The rest had a couple of compulsory swims and it had begun to rain more seriously so we pulled up for early lunch in a pretty damp state. During a break in the rain we set off and made camp in a fabulous 4.75 star spot further downstream. |
- | Wednesday, 30th December. Left early under grey skies and dressed in raincoats. We | + | |
- | mardhed | + | __Tuesday, 29th December__. With everything damp and dressed in raincoats (24 hours earlier I'd mentioned that I'd been dragging my coat all over the countryside and never getting to use it - ha!!) set off downstream. Met some bedraggled-looking but keen liloists from the Wilderness Society and played cat and mouse with them all day. Dodging the showers we made an early camp and ate and drank all our goodies in anticipation of Finding the Food Cache the next day. Mother dried things in front of the fire and my fly was pitched on slightly sloping ground. |
- | Thursday, 31st December. This day was renamedYom | + | |
- | a nice quick shower in the early hours to get the dry tents and flies a bit damp. Actually when we finally crawled out of bed there were a few blue patches in the sky and we set off after 9 ligh ly hung over. Actually had lunch in sunshine!! Don and George took out their fancy mo quit nets. Just after ambling off the Yerranderie map we met a fisherman who had just cc e don HUighest | + | __Wednesday, 30th December__. Left early under grey skies and dressed in raincoats. We marched |
- | .11m. | + | |
- | Page 4 The Sydney 8ushwalker March, 1988 | + | __Thursday, 31st December__. This day was renamed Yom F.S. (Zero Day in Hebrew). We had a nice quick shower in the early hours to get the dry tents and flies a bit damp. Actually when we finally crawled out of bed there were a few blue patches in the sky and we set off after 9 slighly |
- | not until after 5 that we found a suitable camp spot although we had to dislodge the resident landlord - a nice black snake. Wendy said I couldn' | + | |
- | Friday, 1st January. Woke up to clear blue skies. Set off at a fast trot and walked until 10.30 - 11.00 when we had arrived at a beautiful pool. We farewelled Joe who had a wedding to get to and we finally had the promised holiday, swimming, loafing, | + | __Friday, 1st January__. Woke up to clear blue skies. Set off at a fast trot and walked until 10.30 - 11.00 when we had arrived at a beautiful pool. We farewelled Joe who had a wedding to get to and we finally had the promised holiday, swimming, loafing, |
- | and fly swotting. We left at 3 and the skies turned black, the thunder clapped, the lightning struck and we just managed to pull out our raincoats before the deluge. Made camp at New Yards Bend and pitched tents and flies in between downpours. | + | |
- | Saturday, 2nd January. Set off in sticky conditions through the lower Kowmung which was pretty tough going. After lunch at the end of Devil' | + | __Saturday, 2nd January__. Set off in sticky conditions through the lower Kowmung which was pretty tough going. After lunch at the end of Devil' |
- | Sunday, 3rd January. Although we packed away a lot of damp gear we were grateful for the coolish weather for the White Dog Fire Mail Slog. The mountains were now assuming a wintry look with mists everywhere. From Medlow Gap, after seeing a few kangaroos hopping | + | |
- | around, we arrived at Carlon' | + | __Sunday, 3rd January__. Although we packed away a lot of damp gear we were grateful for the coolish weather for the White Dog Fire Trail Slog. The mountains were now assuming a wintry look with mists everywhere. From Medlow Gap, after seeing a few kangaroos hopping around, we arrived at Carlon' |
- | had a great time, thank you Don, and 1 can't wait for the next extended walk. | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * | + | I had a great time, thank you Don, and I can't wait for the next extended walk. |
- | NOTE 5 & R Contact List see next page) For any additional information, | + | |
- | BELVEDERE TAXIS BLACKHEATH | + | ---- |
- | 10 SEATER MINI BUS TAXI | + | |
- | 047-87 8366 | + | === Note. === |
- | KANANGRA BOYD | + | |
- | , UPPER BLUE MOUNTAINS | + | S & R Contact List (see next page). For any additional information, |
- | . SIX FOOT TRACK | + | |
- | PICK UP ANYWHERE FOR START OR FINISH OF YOUR WALK - BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT | + | ---- |
- | Share the Fare Competitive Rates | + | |
- | March 1988 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 5 | + | === Belvedere Taxis Blackheath. === |
- | (See also page 4) SBW SEARCH & RESCUE CONTACT LIST | + | |
- | ------------. | + | 10 seater mini bus taxi. 047-87 8366. |
- | by Hans Stichter | + | |
+ | 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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== SBW Search & Rescue Contact List. ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Hans Stichter. | ||
The Sydney Bush Walkers have four (4) nominated search and rescue contact officers, as listed on the last page of every walks program. Their primary role is to contact Club members who may be available to participate in a Search and Rescue alert for any person/s overdue on walking trips. | The Sydney Bush Walkers have four (4) nominated search and rescue contact officers, as listed on the last page of every walks program. Their primary role is to contact Club members who may be available to participate in a Search and Rescue alert for any person/s overdue on walking trips. | ||
- | To enable an effective contact system to work, the contact officers need to know which members are available immediately same day) when contacted, those that require one day's notice, and those members who are available for weekends only. | + | |
- | Prerequisites are a current | + | To enable an effective contact system to work, the contact officers need to know which members are available immediately |
- | O suitable overnight pack and day pack | + | |
- | O sleeping bag | + | Prerequisites are a __current__ |
- | O tent or bivy bag | + | |
- | tent fly (optional' | + | * suitable overnight pack and day pack |
- | O water bottle/wine cask inner | + | |
- | O food for 48 hours - 40% of which requires no cooking | + | |
- | O clothing that remains warm when wet e.g. wool | + | |
- | O suitable wet weather gear | + | |
- | O beanie or balaclava | + | |
- | O gaiters (optional | + | |
- | O reliable fire lighting equipment (all weather | + | |
- | O sunburn cream (optional, for summer use) | + | |
- | O garbage bags for keeping items dry in pack, | + | |
- | | + | |
- | bushwalkers First aid Kit | + | |
- | 0 map/s and compass | + | |
- | S & P alerts may require attendance for I or 2 days, with the option usually being left up to the individual. | + | |
+ | | ||
+ | | ||
+ | |||
+ | S & R alerts may require attendance for 1 or 2 days, with the option usually being left up to the individual. | ||
Should you wish to be considered for S & R alerts, and you have the necessary prerequisites, | Should you wish to be considered for S & R alerts, and you have the necessary prerequisites, | ||
- | Hans Stichtei, | + | |
- | Alternately, | + | Hans Stichtei, |
- | 688 3050 (home 410 9410 bus ness | + | |
- | SOW SEARCH | + | Alternately, |
- | I wish to be considered For the SBW 5 & P contact list, on the following basis: | + | |
- | A - available same day | + | 688 3050 (home) 410 9410 (business) |
- | 8 - require one ,I) day's notice | + | |
- | NAME | + | ---- |
- | Home ADDRESS - (business) | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSHWAL E | + | === SBW Search |
- | 265 VICTORIA ROAD GLADES VILLE, 2111 PHONE (02) 817 5590 HOURS - MON.-FRI. 9-6 | + | |
- | THURS. 94 | + | I wish to be considered For the SBW S & R contact list, on the following basis: |
- | SAT. 9-4 | + | A - available same day\\ |
- | (PARKING AT REAR OFF PITNVATER ROAD) | + | B - require one (1) day's notice\\ |
- | A LARGE RANGE OF LIGHTWEIGHT, QUALITY, BUSHWALKING Et CAMPING GEAR | + | C - available weekends only |
- | LIGHTWEIGHT FOOD FOR BACKPACKERS AND CANOEISTS | + | |
- | COLD WEATHER PROTECTION CLOTHING AND RAINGEAR | + | Circle appropriate category. |
- | MAPS, BOOKS AND LEAFLETS | + | |
- | INFORMATION SERVICE FOR CANOEISTS AND WALKERS | + | Name ....\\ |
- | KNIVES | + | Home Address ....\\ |
- | WE STOCK THE LARGEST RANGE OF CANOEING GEAR IN N.S.W. | + | Phone no. (home) |
- | QUALITY TOURING CRAFT OF ALL TYPES HIGH QUALITY, PERFORMANCE COMPETITION CRAFT | + | Phone no.(business) |
- | | + | |
- | ALL TYPES OF SPRAY COVERS | + | ---- |
- | FOOTWEAR | + | |
- | March 1988 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7 | + | === Canoe & Camping. === |
- | 11111 | + | |
- | GEORGE WALTON'S KOSCIUSKO | + | 265 Victoria Road, Gladesville, 2111. Phone (02) 817 5590. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Thurs. 9-8, Sat. 9-4. (Parking at rear off Pittwater Road). |
- | WE DID IT OUR WAY by Errol Sheedy. | + | |
- | Participants: | + | A large range of lightweight, quality, bushwalking & camping gear: |
- | Morag Ryder, Ficank Woodgate, Derek Wilson, Tim Rannard, Hans Stichter, Frances Tylman, Diana Lynn, John Jansons, Laurie Bare, Bill Hall, Madeleine Graf, Errol Sheedy. | + | |
- | December 26: | + | * Lightweight food for backpackers and canoeists |
- | The party of fifteen assembled at Guthega Power Station at 2 pm and set off northwards. The stretch from the power station to White' | + | * Cold weather protection clothing and raingear |
- | the valley... (l)". We briefly imspected the White' | + | * Maps, books and leaflets |
- | December 27: | + | * Information service for canoeists and walkers |
- | After breakfast a short walk north took us to a wooden sign at the edge of the road:- "SCHLINK PASS - 5918 ft - 1804 m". "The pass is named after the eminent surgeon, Sir Herbert Schlink, who died in 1963. Sir Herbert spent a great deal of his leisure time in the Snowy Mountains." | + | |
- | proclaimed in capital letters by the map as the "GREAT DIVIDING RANGE". | + | * Compasses |
- | This ridge headed off towards the north-east, and so did we, skirting around the ubiquitous granite boulders until we arrived at the eastern side of a rocky eminence named Gungartan (2068 m). It was rather breezy and under the shelter of this hill we had morning tea on the grass among the boulders. At this point a rather remarkable phenomenon occurred when I placed an empty plastic freezer bag on the ground. A gust of wind snatched up the bag, and I didn't know what had happened to it until somebody pointed it out, about twenty metres up in the air, hovering rather like a kite. The wind then took it higher and further away downhill where it finally came to rest among some low rocks about a hundred metres off. I was contemplating going down to collect it when it again fluttered further downhill and disappeared. A moment later somebody said, "Hey! It's off again!" | + | * Survival gear |
- | our direction towards the top of Gungartan. To the accompaniment of several exclamations of incredulity from the party it approached us, dropped down, lost speed, and as I stood up it came towards me, whereupon I took one step and trapped it between both open hands. I have seen people throw hats, skimming them out backhanded from a cliff top into the teeth of an updraught, and have watched the hats return safely, but this was the first time I had seen a plastic bag imitate a boomerang. Perhaps the spirits of the ancient inhabitants of the locality were jocularly re-enacting an antedeluvian game for our benefit? | + | |
- | We continued towards the N.E. to Tin HUt, at the headwaters of Finn's River, where we had lunch. Bill said the huts in this region took their rise from the days when leaseholders were required by regulation to provide shelter for employees shepherding flocks and tending cattle. Tin Hut was built in 1925-26 at the instigation of Dr. Schlink who had been contemplating a eci trip from Kiandra to Kbsciusko | + | We stock the largest range of canoeing gear in N.S.W. |
- | the head of Finn's River and realized its significance to the expedition. Mr. Litchfield, lessee of the snow leases at that time, was approached for permission to rehabilitate the hut and he proved both interested and generous and, with his help, a small weatherproof hut, the present Tin Hut, was built in 1925-26 a few hundred metres from the old site." | + | |
+ | Quality touring craft of all types. High quality, performance competition craft. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * A huge range of paddles for all types of canoeing | ||
+ | * Wetsuits | ||
+ | * Surf skis | ||
+ | | ||
+ | * Wide range of jackets | ||
+ | * Face masks | ||
+ | | ||
+ | * Many types of buoyancy | ||
+ | * Helmets | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== George Walton's Koscuisko | ||
+ | |||
+ | Or | ||
+ | |||
+ | === We Did It Our Way. === | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Errol Sheedy. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Participants: | ||
+ | |||
+ | __December 26__: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The party of fifteen assembled at Guthega Power Station at 2 pm and set off northwards. The stretch from the power station to White' | ||
+ | |||
+ | __December 27__: | ||
+ | |||
+ | After breakfast a short walk north took us to a wooden sign at the edge of the road:- "Schlink Pass - 5918 ft - 1804 m". "The pass is named after the eminent surgeon, Sir Herbert Schlink, who died in 1963. Sir Herbert spent a great deal of his leisure time in the Snowy Mountains." | ||
+ | |||
+ | This ridge headed off towards the north-east, and so did we, skirting around the ubiquitous granite boulders until we arrived at the eastern side of a rocky eminence named Gungartan (2068 m). It was rather breezy and under the shelter of this hill we had morning tea on the grass among the boulders. At this point a rather remarkable phenomenon occurred when I placed an empty plastic freezer bag on the ground. A gust of wind snatched up the bag, and I didn't know what had happened to it until somebody pointed it out, about twenty metres up in the air, hovering rather like a kite. The wind then took it higher and further away downhill where it finally came to rest among some low rocks about a hundred metres off. I was contemplating going down to collect it when it again fluttered further downhill and disappeared. A moment later somebody said, "Hey! It's off again!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | We continued towards the N.E. to Tin Hut, at the headwaters of Finn's River, where we had lunch. Bill said the huts in this region took their rise from the days when leaseholders were required by regulation to provide shelter for employees shepherding flocks and tending cattle. Tin Hut was built in 1925-26 at the instigation of Dr. Schlink who had been contemplating a ski trip from Kiandra to Kosciusko | ||
From Tin Hut it was an easy walk up into the hills of the Brassy Mountains which extend for about five kilometres northwards. Actually, they are more like a rocky ridge than mountains, the gain in height from Tin Hut being only about 100 m. The lack in relative altitude was more than compensated for by the rock formations wuch as the one where we had afternoon tea among the alpine flowers in a grassy bay with a backdrop of elongated granite boulders stabbing at the aky like the fingers of a hand. | From Tin Hut it was an easy walk up into the hills of the Brassy Mountains which extend for about five kilometres northwards. Actually, they are more like a rocky ridge than mountains, the gain in height from Tin Hut being only about 100 m. The lack in relative altitude was more than compensated for by the rock formations wuch as the one where we had afternoon tea among the alpine flowers in a grassy bay with a backdrop of elongated granite boulders stabbing at the aky like the fingers of a hand. | ||
- | Page 8 March 19 88 | + | |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker | + | We made an early camp on an arm of Road Horse Creek on the eastern side of The Brassy Peak. "The Brassy Muuntains are the definite eastern |
- | We made an early camp on an arm of Road Horse Creek on the eastern side of The Brassy Peak. "The Brassy Muuntains are the definite eastern | + | aphic boundary to the Main Range, as well as being part of the Great Divide." |
- | Some brave souls immersed themselves in the creek, downstream from camp, while the less hardy of us filled waterbags, | + | |
- | and even contemplated performing less heroic ablutions. The hills in this area constantly leak quite cold water. Tiny creeklets do not seem to need rain to cause them to flow. It is as if whole mountainsides are so waterlogged from melted snows that the subterranean waters are continually seeking the comfort of appropriate points of egress. (Having said that, it does also seem to rain here a fair bit!) As George had said, there is really no need to carry water in these parts. | + | Some brave souls immersed themselves in the creek, downstream from camp, while the less hardy of us filled waterbags, and even contemplated performing less heroic ablutions. The hills in this area constantly leak quite cold water. Tiny creeklets do not seem to need rain to cause them to flow. It is as if whole mountainsides are so waterlogged from melted snows that the subterranean waters are continually seeking the comfort of appropriate points of egress. (Having said that, it does also seem to rain here a fair bit!) As George had said, there is really no need to carry water in these parts. |
- | December 28: | + | |
+ | __December 28__: | ||
It was raining when we awoke, and though the rain on the tent sounded worse than it was, it was still rather unpleasant outside, and breakfasting and packing up were less fun than usual. | It was raining when we awoke, and though the rain on the tent sounded worse than it was, it was still rather unpleasant outside, and breakfasting and packing up were less fun than usual. | ||
- | We headed back towards the ridge of the Brassy HIlls, and | + | |
- | shortly afterwards met George' | + | We headed back towards the ridge of the Brassy HIlls, and shortly afterwards met George' |
- | Retracing our steps in the poor conditions was no problem, especially with Bill leading, and we soon found ourselves back at Tin Hut where five other people were in residence. They, however, decided during the afternoon, when the weather improved, to press on north, and thus apart from two latecomers who tented outside and cooked | + | |
- | December 29: | + | Retracing our steps in the poor conditions was no problem, especially with Bill leading, and we soon found ourselves back at Tin Hut where five other people were in residence. They, however, decided during the afternoon, when the weather improved, to press on north, and thus apart from two latecomers who tented outside and cooked |
- | WE enjoyed the shelter of the hut and its open fireplace which apparently worked much better than it had in August 1926. A party led by Dr. Schlink " | + | |
- | As we left Tin Hut the fog began to clear and we wended our way pest Valentine Creek towards Gungartan Pass, with Kerrie' | + | __December 29__: |
- | March 1968 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 9 | + | |
- | R124.4co7c,/,,, | + | We enjoyed the shelter of the hut and its open fireplace which apparently worked much better than it had in August 1926. A party led by Dr. Schlink " |
- | Ge 754.C. Before I left home I should have studied my copy of | + | |
- | Ael | + | As we left Tin Hut the fog began to clear and we wended our way past Valentine Creek towards Gungartan Pass, with Kerrie' |
- | "Snowy Mountains Walks" where the admonition says, in relation to Schlink Pass, "avoid the cirque depression a little to the north" | + | |
- | In retrospect it was a more demanding, more adventurous descent than Schlink Pass. I do | + | Before I left home I should have studied my copy of "Snowy Mountains Walks" where the admonition says, in relation to Schlink Pass, "avoid the cirque depression a little to the north" |
- | not think I would care to repeat the performance. | + | |
- | The road walking, north, was a pleasant change after our stumbles | + | The road walking, north, was a pleasant change after our stumbles |
- | December 30: | + | |
- | After breakfast Bill minded the packs while Fran, John, Derek and I followed the track downstream to see the Valentine Falls and the view of the valley where the Valentine flows into the Geehi River. Then it was back to the road where the walking was hot, but not as hot as it seemed. Even though we felt very warm the thermometer on John's pack indicated a mere 18 C, and when we stopped for lunch among the snow gums at the edge of the road I needed to don jumper and parka. We arrived back at our first camp at White' | + | __December 30__: |
+ | |||
+ | After breakfast Bill minded the packs while Fran, John, Derek and I followed the track downstream to see the Valentine Falls and the view of the valley where the Valentine flows into the Geehi River. Then it was back to the road where the walking was hot, but not as hot as it seemed. Even though we felt very warm the thermometer on John's pack indicated a mere 18° C, and when we stopped for lunch among the snow gums at the edge of the road I needed to don jumper and parka. We arrived back at our first camp at White' | ||
The final night' | The final night' | ||
- | December 31: | + | |
- | Oh the last morning most of the party, intending to be back in Sydney for New Year's Eve, packed swiftly and made an early start and headed back down the road towards Guthega. The five of us followed later - John and Fran destined for a Thredbo detour, and Bill, Derek and I bound for Tumut where we camped overnight on the banks of the Tumut River. | + | __December 31__: |
+ | |||
+ | On the last morning most of the party, intending to be back in Sydney for New Year's Eve, packed swiftly and made an early start and headed back down the road towards Guthega. The five of us followed later - John and Fran destined for a Thredbo detour, and Bill, Derek and I bound for Tumut where we camped overnight on the banks of the Tumut River. | ||
Many thanks, George, for organizing the trip, and for the leadership. | Many thanks, George, for organizing the trip, and for the leadership. | ||
- | vegetation which made walking tiring in the wetter places near the creek. Eventually we descended to the road and arrived at the conclusion that in this area it is advisable | + | |
- | to keep to the ridges, and stay out of the creeks however easy they may look from a distance. | + | __References__: 1 - 6 are all from Snowy Mountains Walks, Fifth Edition, compiled and published by The Geehi Club, Cooma, N.S.W. 1978. pp 89 - 101. |
- | References: I - 6 are all from Snowy Mountains Walks, Fifth Edition, compiled and published by The Geehi Club, Cooma, | + | |
- | N.S.W. 1978. pp 89 - 101. | + | ---- |
- | ####*##*-14**.* | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS | + | === The Sydney Bush Walkers |
+ | |||
Copies are still available of our Historical Book. | Copies are still available of our Historical Book. | ||
- | Price is $10 if collected at the Clubroom. When ordering by mail, please add postage | + | |
- | at the rate of $2.05 for one copy, $3.15 for two and $3.50 for two copies posted interstate. Postage includes 55c for padded Postage Bag. | + | Price is $10 if collected at the Clubroom. When ordering by mail, please add postage at the rate of $2.05 for one copy, $3.15 for two and $3.50 for two copies posted interstate. Postage includes 55c for padded Postage Bag. |
- | SBW T-Shirts | + | |
- | Page 10 The Sydney Bushwalker March, 1988 | + | __SBW T-Shirts__ |
- | A NATTAI NATIONAL PARK | + | |
- | by AIex' | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== A Nattai National Park. ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Alex Colley. | ||
The proposed Nattai National Park covers 75,000 ha. It covers most of the catchment of the Nattai River from the old Mittagong loop line in the east to the Wombeyan Caved Road in the south and extends westward to Lake Burragorang, | The proposed Nattai National Park covers 75,000 ha. It covers most of the catchment of the Nattai River from the old Mittagong loop line in the east to the Wombeyan Caved Road in the south and extends westward to Lake Burragorang, | ||
+ | |||
Jack Debert farmed on land at the head of what is now Lake Burragorang during depression days (he walked from there to a reunion on the Nepean). Max Gentle was the first to traverse the Wanganderry Range. Features such as Starlights Track, Macarthur' | Jack Debert farmed on land at the head of what is now Lake Burragorang during depression days (he walked from there to a reunion on the Nepean). Max Gentle was the first to traverse the Wanganderry Range. Features such as Starlights Track, Macarthur' | ||
+ | |||
In 1932 Myles Dunphy published in the Blue Mountains Gazette his plan for a Blue Mountains National Park. It consisted of a northern, central and southern division. Separated from the southern division by a corridor some 10 to 15 miles wide was another proposed park which consisted of the Nattai catchment and was described as the " | In 1932 Myles Dunphy published in the Blue Mountains Gazette his plan for a Blue Mountains National Park. It consisted of a northern, central and southern division. Separated from the southern division by a corridor some 10 to 15 miles wide was another proposed park which consisted of the Nattai catchment and was described as the " | ||
- | Last year the Total Environment Centre and the Colong Foundation agreed that the time was propitious to make a comprehensive submission for a Nattai Park, one of the few remaining extensive natural areas not reserved. Each organisation contributed $2,000 and Keith Muir B. Nat. Res. (HOn.) was commissioned to write the submission. The NPA was approached for a contribution towards the cost of maps, and although the Sydney Branch was unable to contribute the Berrima Branch donated $300. This, together with donations from the Campbelltown Branch and from the SBW, has paid for a series of maps drawn by Bill Brennan B. Arch. Henry Gold donated the photographs, | + | |
- | The scenery of the area is not quite so impressive as the central and southern | + | Last year the Total Environment Centre and the Colong Foundation agreed that the time was propitious to make a comprehensive submission for a Nattai Park, one of the few remaining extensive natural areas not reserved. Each organisation contributed $2,000 and Keith Muir B. Nat. Res. (Hon.) was commissioned to write the submission. The NPA was approached for a contribution towards the cost of maps, and although the Sydney Branch was unable to contribute the Berrima Branch donated $300. This, together with donations from the Campbelltown Branch and from the SBW, has paid for a series of maps drawn by Bill Brennan B. Arch. Henry Gold donated the photographs, |
- | Like most Crown lands outside national parks the area has suffered considerable abuse. This includes sewerage discharge from MIttagong, overstocking and burning by graziers with consequent erosion, the annual burning of fire breaks, and penetration, | + | |
+ | The scenery of the area is not quite so impressive as the central and southern | ||
+ | |||
+ | Like most Crown lands outside national parks the area has suffered considerable abuse. This includes sewerage discharge from Mittagong, overstocking and burning by graziers with consequent erosion, the annual burning of fire breaks, and penetration, | ||
By reason of its accessibility to the population of the central coast, its natural endowment and catchment significance, | By reason of its accessibility to the population of the central coast, its natural endowment and catchment significance, | ||
- | A proposed wilderness area of 25,000 ha covering much of the Nattai catchment will be submitted for report by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (as provided by section 7.2 of the Wilderness Act). It is to be hoped that it will be one of the wilderness areas declared in | + | |
- | 1988. | + | A proposed wilderness area of 25,000 ha covering much of the Nattai catchment will be submitted for report by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (as provided by section 7.2 of the Wilderness Act). It is to be hoped that it will be one of the wilderness areas declared in 1988. |
- | Upper reaches of the Nattai River Valley | + | |
- | Overlooking | + | [ Photo: |
- | Z z * * | + | |
- | CD D3 a E | + | [ Photo: |
- | CD 7' a | + | |
- | CD o 3 g | + | Photographs by Henry Gold. |
- | .e CD CD, o | + | |
- | CD c -0 g, | + | [ Map: Park Proposal: Then Nattai National Park Proposal. The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. December 1987. ] |
- | -0 n x- | + | |
- | CP I- -o n | + | ---- |
- | 7C. x- A- 5- | + | |
- | | + | ===== "Gloucester Tops Are Tops." |
- | CD | + | |
- | z | + | by Brian Hart. |
- | 3 751 | + | |
- | a a a | + | |
- | z | + | |
- | rn | + | |
- | -o | + | |
- | 0 | + | |
- | m | + | |
- | March, 198B The Sydney Bushwalker Page 13 | + | |
- | "GLOUCESTER TOPS ARE TOPS" | + | |
- | by Brian Hart | + | |
Nev, our driver, seemed a little doubtful about the wisdom of our trip to the Gloucester Tops. He had lived in Gloucester for many years and made it clear he intended to notify the police rescue squad if we failed to turn up on time at the end of the trip. As well as being the Gloucester car hire man, Nev was also the area's part-time funeral director, so he would apparently be able to cater for all our needs if the occasion arose. | Nev, our driver, seemed a little doubtful about the wisdom of our trip to the Gloucester Tops. He had lived in Gloucester for many years and made it clear he intended to notify the police rescue squad if we failed to turn up on time at the end of the trip. As well as being the Gloucester car hire man, Nev was also the area's part-time funeral director, so he would apparently be able to cater for all our needs if the occasion arose. | ||
+ | |||
Fazeley Read, Rik King and I were setting out on a trip to the Barrington National Park west of Newcastle. We planned to go up the Kerripit River, around the Gloucester Tops area and back down the Gloucester River. We had travelled by train from Sydney to Gloucester, and had arranged for Nev to take us by road to a bridge-crossing on the Kerripit River and pick us up four days later on the Gloucester River. | Fazeley Read, Rik King and I were setting out on a trip to the Barrington National Park west of Newcastle. We planned to go up the Kerripit River, around the Gloucester Tops area and back down the Gloucester River. We had travelled by train from Sydney to Gloucester, and had arranged for Nev to take us by road to a bridge-crossing on the Kerripit River and pick us up four days later on the Gloucester River. | ||
- | The idea was to go somewhere reasonably cool and close to Sydney during the Christmas hot weather period. Instead of the usual Barrington Tops approach from the southern or western sides, we decided to come in from Gloucester, to the east; this would allow us to maximise cool rain forest and river travel on the wayto the higher tops country. | + | |
- | The temperature was in the mid-30s when we left Sydney. I blame Fazeley for the abrupt | + | The idea was to go somewhere reasonably cool and close to Sydney during the Christmas hot weather period. Instead of the usual Barrington Tops approach from the southern or western sides, we decided to come in from Gloucester, to the east; this would allow us to maximise cool rain forest and river travel on the way to the higher tops country. |
- | change in the weather when we arrived in Gloucester. She had bought a large shady hat for the expected heat - naturally, this induced an instant weather change and we spent the next few days in overcast, sometimes stormy conditions, with cold, windy rain towards the end of the trip. | + | |
+ | The temperature was in the mid-30s when we left Sydney. I blame Fazeley for the abrupt change in the weather when we arrived in Gloucester. She had bought a large shady hat for the expected heat - naturally, this induced an instant weather change and we spent the next few days in overcast, sometimes stormy conditions, with cold, windy rain towards the end of the trip. | ||
The Kerripit, from where we began walking, to the tributary creek at which we left it, rose about 3000 feet. To those who know the Barrington Tops, this is roughly equivalent to the height gained in going from Lagoon Pinch to the top of Carey' | The Kerripit, from where we began walking, to the tributary creek at which we left it, rose about 3000 feet. To those who know the Barrington Tops, this is roughly equivalent to the height gained in going from Lagoon Pinch to the top of Carey' | ||
- | We had noted a couple of points where the map contours in the river bed looked a little too close for comfort, denoting possible waterfalls; I accordingly brought 20 metres of light rope whose existence I thought it wiser not to mention to Fazeley until the trip was under way. As it turned out, the river was the easy part of the trip. It was steep in sections, but there were no problems until the last couple of kilometres, when we struck falls 15 metres | + | |
- | high and cascades up to 60 metres long and perhaps 20 metres high. These, however, could be | + | We had noted a couple of points where the map contours in the river bed looked a little too close for comfort, denoting possible waterfalls; I accordingly brought 20 metres of light rope whose existence I thought it wiser not to mention to Fazeley until the trip was under way. As it turned out, the river was the easy part of the trip. It was steep in sections, but there were no problems until the last couple of kilometres, when we struck falls 15 metres high and cascades up to 60 metres long and perhaps 20 metres high. These, however, could be clambered around with little difficulty. |
- | clambered around with little difficulty. | + | |
We took it fairly easily and had an interesting trip up the river, passing through some attractive and reasonably open semi-rain forest country and then coming into antarctic beech and sphagnum moss on the Gloucester Tops. We camped in eucalypt country on the second night out, experiencing a terrific thunder and lightning storm. It was so violent we thought it could last for only a few minutes, but the fireworks continued for two hours. By morning, all was calm again, but the rain had set in and continued through the day. | We took it fairly easily and had an interesting trip up the river, passing through some attractive and reasonably open semi-rain forest country and then coming into antarctic beech and sphagnum moss on the Gloucester Tops. We camped in eucalypt country on the second night out, experiencing a terrific thunder and lightning storm. It was so violent we thought it could last for only a few minutes, but the fireworks continued for two hours. By morning, all was calm again, but the rain had set in and continued through the day. | ||
+ | |||
At this stage, we hit the Gloucester Tops walking trail. We could have trudged along 14 kilometres of trail and road to the Gloucester River falls, but this would have been a bit bovine, so we elected to orient ourselves along six kilometres of mountain ridge top instead, rejoining another fire trail briefly before dropping down a 2000 ft ridge to the Gloucester River. | At this stage, we hit the Gloucester Tops walking trail. We could have trudged along 14 kilometres of trail and road to the Gloucester River falls, but this would have been a bit bovine, so we elected to orient ourselves along six kilometres of mountain ridge top instead, rejoining another fire trail briefly before dropping down a 2000 ft ridge to the Gloucester River. | ||
- | The ridge top turned out to be a lacerating experience. The first section was the hardest - low, thick vine scrub, tree ferns, fallen logs, with occasional raspberry vine and spear grass thrown in; Ric said it seemed more like a steeple chase than a bush walk. The six k lometres, including some reasonable stretches of open country, took us six hours to trave se. Rain fell constantly. The elevation was 1150 to 1300 metres and Rik estimated the I- mperature | + | |
- | Page 14 The Sydney Bushwalker March, 1988 | + | The ridge top turned out to be a lacerating experience. The first section was the hardest - low, thick vine scrub, tree ferns, fallen logs, with occasional raspberry vine and spear grass thrown in; Ric said it seemed more like a steeple chase than a bush walk. The six kilometres, including some reasonable stretches of open country, took us six hours to traverse. Rain fell constantly. The elevation was 1150 to 1300 metres and Rik estimated the temperature |
- | On the way down the last long, steep ridge, I became careless and we found ourselves in an unexpected position, with a creek forming up in a wrong location. As it was gatting late - 5.30 pm - I decided to abandon map reading finesse and strike directly north and across any intervening obstacles to the Gloucester River, a course of action recommended only with stoic walking companions. The unsophisticated ploy worked and we soon found ourselves looking down on the Gloucester, still quite a fair distance below. | + | |
+ | On the way down the last long, steep ridge, I became careless and we found ourselves in an unexpected position, with a creek forming up in a wrong location. As it was gatting late - 5.30 pm - I decided to abandon map reading finesse and strike directly north and across any intervening obstacles to the Gloucester River, a course of action recommended only with stoic walking companions. The unsophisticated ploy worked and we soon found ourselves looking down on the Gloucester, still quite a fair distance below. We could hear the rumble of the river and it seemed to contain long stretches of white. As it was still raining, Rik thought this could be low-lying cloud - but the river looked to me to be in flood. Not wishing to disturb the ambience of the occasion, I said nothing. | ||
Forcing our way down the ridge proved hard work - lots of vines, raspberry and undergrowth, | Forcing our way down the ridge proved hard work - lots of vines, raspberry and undergrowth, | ||
+ | |||
By the time we reached the river, it was 8.15 pm and we could see the Gloucester was carrying a lot of water - not exactly in flood, but not far off it. We would normally have camped then and there, but reasoned that, as it had been raining for 24 hours or more, the river could be impassable next day. | By the time we reached the river, it was 8.15 pm and we could see the Gloucester was carrying a lot of water - not exactly in flood, but not far off it. We would normally have camped then and there, but reasoned that, as it had been raining for 24 hours or more, the river could be impassable next day. | ||
+ | |||
So we made the crossing; fortunately, | So we made the crossing; fortunately, | ||
- | By now it was 8.30 pm. With driver Nev's warning about the police rescue squad in mind, we had been pushing steadily on for 12 hours - no lunch stop, but occasional 10-minute food and rest breaks. I thought the party would be happpy to call a halt at the river, but to | + | |
- | my surprise Rik and Fazeley were more than ready to go on. Fazeley, with her adrenalin level boosted by the river crossing, declared she could walk for hours. The imperturbable Rik felt it would be desirable to march on until we reached a good camp site. | + | By now it was 8.30 pm. With driver Nev's warning about the police rescue squad in mind, we had been pushing steadily on for 12 hours - no lunch stop, but occasional 10-minute food and rest breaks. I thought the party would be happpy to call a halt at the river, but to my surprise Rik and Fazeley were more than ready to go on. Fazeley, with her adrenalin level boosted by the river crossing, declared she could walk for hours. The imperturbable Rik felt it would be desirable to march on until we reached a good camp site. |
So off we went through the darkening scrub, coming out on the Gloucester River tourist track about 9 pm. Rain was still pouring down and it took an hour or so to get the tents up and a decent blaze going. After a late meal, we climbed into our sleeping bags about 11.30 pm; we felt we had had our money' | So off we went through the darkening scrub, coming out on the Gloucester River tourist track about 9 pm. Rain was still pouring down and it took an hour or so to get the tents up and a decent blaze going. After a late meal, we climbed into our sleeping bags about 11.30 pm; we felt we had had our money' | ||
+ | |||
To the start of the tourist track, we had not been bothered by leeches. But they were waiting for us at the track; as we prepared to make a fire in the rain, Rik put his torch, apparently bearing a leech, into his mouth, and later found the leech embedded in the roof of his mouth back towards the throat. It resisted all efforts to remove it by hand until Fazeley finally dislodged it with a pair of tweezers. The leeches continued to be a nuisance even after we went to bed. I got up in the morning, removed a few from the outside of my sleeping bag, blew my nose and was startled to expel a blood-laden leech from my right nostril. Literally dozens attached themselves to our persons as we walked out the last six or so kilometres. | To the start of the tourist track, we had not been bothered by leeches. But they were waiting for us at the track; as we prepared to make a fire in the rain, Rik put his torch, apparently bearing a leech, into his mouth, and later found the leech embedded in the roof of his mouth back towards the throat. It resisted all efforts to remove it by hand until Fazeley finally dislodged it with a pair of tweezers. The leeches continued to be a nuisance even after we went to bed. I got up in the morning, removed a few from the outside of my sleeping bag, blew my nose and was startled to expel a blood-laden leech from my right nostril. Literally dozens attached themselves to our persons as we walked out the last six or so kilometres. | ||
- | But for most people, leeches are only a minor psychological inconvenience, | + | |
- | case I had other discomforts to think about. Slogging through the vine scrub the previous day had produced a rather painful set of chafes on my inner thighs. To minimize the discomfort, I had adopted a bowlegged gait which reminded Fazeley, sympathetic | + | But for most people, leeches are only a minor psychological inconvenience, |
- | and back sections were held together under the groin by a large safety pin, a la Dorothy Butler. | + | |
Thus partly clad, wet, unshaven, bowlegged and with blood still leaking from my right nostril and various lacerations, | Thus partly clad, wet, unshaven, bowlegged and with blood still leaking from my right nostril and various lacerations, | ||
+ | |||
Another half kilometre and we made our rendezvous with Nev. And so back to Gloucester, a hot shower, and a luxurious return trip to Sydney on the XPT, sipping expensive railway chardonnay. | Another half kilometre and we made our rendezvous with Nev. And so back to Gloucester, a hot shower, and a luxurious return trip to Sydney on the XPT, sipping expensive railway chardonnay. | ||
- | March, 1988 The Sydney BUshwalker Page 15 | + | |
All in all, it had been an enlivening walk. We covered a lot (for us) of new ground, arriving back in good spirits with food and time to spare. One day had been a bit prickly, but c'est la vie. | All in all, it had been an enlivening walk. We covered a lot (for us) of new ground, arriving back in good spirits with food and time to spare. One day had been a bit prickly, but c'est la vie. | ||
+ | |||
The trip brought home to me once again the value of walking with relaxed, congenial and reliable companions. We're thinking of having a look at parts of the adjoining Barrington or Moppey Rivers in the next few months; this time, I think I'll take some leather gloves. | The trip brought home to me once again the value of walking with relaxed, congenial and reliable companions. We're thinking of having a look at parts of the adjoining Barrington or Moppey Rivers in the next few months; this time, I think I'll take some leather gloves. | ||
- | 41.#31-1***####*# | + | |
- | LETTER TO THE EDITOR | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Letter To The Editor. ===== | ||
Dear Sir, | Dear Sir, | ||
+ | |||
It is with dismay that I find that the Sydney Bushwalker has started to actively campaign in politics. I refer of course to the printed appeal leaflet sent to us via our magazine on behalf of three candidates for the NSW State Legislative Council for the March 19th elections. | It is with dismay that I find that the Sydney Bushwalker has started to actively campaign in politics. I refer of course to the printed appeal leaflet sent to us via our magazine on behalf of three candidates for the NSW State Legislative Council for the March 19th elections. | ||
+ | |||
Religion and politics are two controversial subjects which have always been avoided in our various activities. | Religion and politics are two controversial subjects which have always been avoided in our various activities. | ||
+ | |||
Whilst wholeheartedly agreeing that conservation is one of our most foremost aims many other ways of furthering this cause are available as has been demonstrated over 60 years past and 37 years to my knowledge. | Whilst wholeheartedly agreeing that conservation is one of our most foremost aims many other ways of furthering this cause are available as has been demonstrated over 60 years past and 37 years to my knowledge. | ||
+ | |||
Again the leaflet sent is of doubtful legality and may contravene the NSW Electoral Act as the name and address of the accredited author and of the printer are not shown. In the event of any complaint from opposing candidates our Club could court trouble and possible prosecution for being an instrument in its issue. | Again the leaflet sent is of doubtful legality and may contravene the NSW Electoral Act as the name and address of the accredited author and of the printer are not shown. In the event of any complaint from opposing candidates our Club could court trouble and possible prosecution for being an instrument in its issue. | ||
+ | |||
Notwithstanding all of this how do we all know what general political philosophy the three candidates follow? | Notwithstanding all of this how do we all know what general political philosophy the three candidates follow? | ||
+ | |||
A single issue parliamentarian does not enhance stable government as he or she could be completely at sea on such issues as social rights, transport, taxation, education, local government and many other facets. | A single issue parliamentarian does not enhance stable government as he or she could be completely at sea on such issues as social rights, transport, taxation, education, local government and many other facets. | ||
- | The election will be over before this letter could be printed so let's hope the 5B1iJ emerges unscathed. | + | |
- | Yburs faithfully, | + | The election will be over before this letter could be printed so let's hope the SBW emerges unscathed. |
- | JACK GENTLE. | + | |
- | THE EDITOR | + | Yours faithfully, |
- | raised at the February 1988 general meeting, a motion was put and carried. As Editor I spoke and voted against the motion on the basis that the leaflets were political and had no place | + | |
- | jr the magazine. As Editor I am responsible for the contents of the magazine which are those titled and numbered pages stapled together between the standard covers, my responsibility does not extend to other sheets included for postal convenience. The current editorial policy was detailed in the editorial in the May 1987 issue of the Sydney Bushwalker; the policy has | + | Jack Gentle. |
- | not changed. | + | |
- | *****### | + | ---- |
- | LETTER TO THE EDITOR | + | |
- | Dear Patrick | + | The Editor |
- | I enjoyed Margaret Wood's puzzle. However, she should be informed that a Stoi Sign has on.,y two sices. It has eight edges. A purist might contend that it has | + | |
- | 10 sides and 24 edges. It : | + | ---- |
- | Kind regards, | + | |
- | Well done Paul, you're the only one to spot our deliberate error. | + | === Letter To The Editor. === |
- | FROM EVERY STATE, | + | |
- | AUSTRALIAN MADE | + | Dear Patrick |
- | IS GREAT! | + | |
+ | I enjoyed Margaret Wood's puzzle. However, she should be informed that a Stop Sign has only two sides. It has eight edges. A purist might contend that it has 10 sides and 24 edges. It certainly | ||
+ | |||
+ | Kind regards, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paul Sharp. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well done Paul, you're the only one to spot our deliberate error. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Eastwood Camping Centre. === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Australian Made is great! | ||
QLD | QLD | ||
- | QBB Butter Concentrate | + | |
+ | * QBB Butter Concentrate | ||
NT | NT | ||
- | | + | |
+ | * Beef Jerkey | ||
WA | WA | ||
- | | + | |
- | Goretex Clothing Cycle Panniers | + | * Wilderness Equipment Backpacks |
+ | | ||
+ | * Cycle Panniers | ||
ACT | ACT | ||
- | National Maps | + | |
- | Outgear Backpacks Accessories | + | * National Maps |
- | | + | |
- | Giant Trees Dried meals | + | |
- | NSW | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | Mont, J & H, Superior | + | |
- | Day Packs | + | |
- | High Tops, Summit Gear | + | |
- | | + | |
- | Holeproof 1.1 Undies 4 Socks | + | |
- | | + | |
- | DS= bags | + | |
- | | + | |
SA | SA | ||
- | | + | |
- | Fr ers Baby Carriers | + | * Rossi Boots |
- | Vic | + | * Flinders |
- | EASTWOOD | + | |
- | CAMPING | + | VIC |
- | CENTRE | + | |
- | 3 Trelawney St (PO Box 131) Eastwood NSW 2122 | + | * Outgear Backpacks Accessories |
- | PHONE US TODAY & SAY "CrtDAY" | + | * Feathertop Wool Shirts |
+ | * Giant Trees Dried meals | ||
+ | |||
+ | NSW | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Sleeping Bags - J & H, Mont, Romans | ||
+ | * Rainwear - Mont, J & H, Superior | ||
+ | * Day Packs - High Tops, Summit Gear | ||
+ | * Bonwick Caving Ladders | ||
+ | * Holeproof Undies 4 Socks | ||
+ | * Trailblazer Hats | ||
+ | * DB Canyon bags | ||
+ | |||
+ | TAS | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Blundstone Boots | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3 Trelawney St (PO Box 131) Eastwood NSW 2122. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Phone us today & say "G'Day". | ||
02-858-3833 | 02-858-3833 | ||
- | March, 1988 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 17 | + | |
- | "THEIR SPLENDOUR SHALL NEVER FADE" | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== "Their Splendour Shall Never Fade." | ||
by Brian Harvey | by Brian Harvey | ||
+ | |||
I first stood on Splendour Rock on March 29th 1939 in the pleasant company of the now late Bill Cosgrove. We had been members of a small private SBW party which had luxuriated for a week at Kanangaroo Clearing, doing the local sights at our ease, no packs. A very young Bert Carlon had accompanied us with a packhorse laden with sugar bags of the bare necessities such as potatoes, pumpkins, cornflakes, Ideal milk, tinned fruit, reduced cream - as recommended for the light-weight camper. Thus nurtured, the party had ascended the Yellow Dog Ridge and skirted round the Wild Dog Peaks, the main body pressing on to Katoomba via Narrow Neck. | I first stood on Splendour Rock on March 29th 1939 in the pleasant company of the now late Bill Cosgrove. We had been members of a small private SBW party which had luxuriated for a week at Kanangaroo Clearing, doing the local sights at our ease, no packs. A very young Bert Carlon had accompanied us with a packhorse laden with sugar bags of the bare necessities such as potatoes, pumpkins, cornflakes, Ideal milk, tinned fruit, reduced cream - as recommended for the light-weight camper. Thus nurtured, the party had ascended the Yellow Dog Ridge and skirted round the Wild Dog Peaks, the main body pressing on to Katoomba via Narrow Neck. | ||
- | Water was scarce as it had been a very dry summer so Bill and I, intent on visiting Splendour Rock, made off to find a water camp and located excellent pools at the extreme head of Mouin Creek in a wattle grove with unlimited firewood, at a point exactly south-east of | + | |
- | the main knot of Mount Mouin, which proved to be a good reference for later trips in the area. This deviation had been planned and we carried appropriate walkers' | + | Water was scarce as it had been a very dry summer so Bill and I, intent on visiting Splendour Rock, made off to find a water camp and located excellent pools at the extreme head of Mouin Creek in a wattle grove with unlimited firewood, at a point exactly south-east of the main knot of Mount Mouin, which proved to be a good reference for later trips in the area. This deviation had been planned and we carried appropriate walkers' |
Leaving camp next morning, we made a bee-line up into Black Horse Gap through some atrocious scrub where I'll bet no walker had been before, all walking being confined to the western side. At that period there were no detailed maps of "The Dogs", but by following good instructions we had no problems in locating our objective. Very few had visited the Rock so there were no discernible foot tracks, even on the spine of Mount Dingo. | Leaving camp next morning, we made a bee-line up into Black Horse Gap through some atrocious scrub where I'll bet no walker had been before, all walking being confined to the western side. At that period there were no detailed maps of "The Dogs", but by following good instructions we had no problems in locating our objective. Very few had visited the Rock so there were no discernible foot tracks, even on the spine of Mount Dingo. | ||
+ | |||
In those days most folk worked on Saturday morning which frustrated walkers from taking part in the very rewarding Friday night starts, whilst only about 3-5% owned cars. There was no Kanangra Road and one had to hoof it for 30 km from the Oberon Road, adding one and a half days to all trips out there, as the tourist cars always deposited walkers in the afternoon. Additionally, | In those days most folk worked on Saturday morning which frustrated walkers from taking part in the very rewarding Friday night starts, whilst only about 3-5% owned cars. There was no Kanangra Road and one had to hoof it for 30 km from the Oberon Road, adding one and a half days to all trips out there, as the tourist cars always deposited walkers in the afternoon. Additionally, | ||
- | Splendour Rock was discovered in 1933 and named by our SBW member Walter J. Hedland Roots, alias "Wally of the Wild Dogs", who was out exploring in the company of Foundation Members Maurie Berry and Alan Rigby, the designer of the front cover of our monthly magazine. | + | |
- | is indisputably the oldest living walker to first set foot on it, now enjoying his ripe " | + | Splendour Rock was discovered in 1933 and named by our SBW member Walter J. Hedland Roots, alias "Wally of the Wild Dogs", who was out exploring in the company of Foundation Members Maurie Berry and Alan Rigby, the designer of the front cover of our monthly magazine. |
- | To those who have never been there, Splendour Rock could be described as a flat-topped orphan rock, the flat top of which is level with the sandstone escarpment of Mount Dingo' | + | |
- | It possesses a magnificent commanding view with a panorama of about 2200 with a great abyss at one's feet where the terrain steeply slopes down to the Cox River BOOm below, with Sydney' | + | To those who have never been there, Splendour Rock could be described as a flat-topped orphan rock, the flat top of which is level with the sandstone escarpment of Mount Dingo' |
- | So enthralled was I that four months later, with my brother Perce, again I visited the Rock over the Bank Holiday weekend, camping in bitter conditions on the Friday night at Corral Swamp on Narrow Neck, and then down at "Camp Cosgrove", | + | |
- | granted leave from working on the Saturday morning. Standing out there, gazing at that peaceful scene, little did I know that one month hence I would, at 4.20 am, receive a priority telegram from the Royal Australian Navy requesting the pelasure | + | It possesses a magnificent commanding view with a panorama of about 220° with a great abyss at one's feet where the terrain steeply slopes down to the Cox River 800m below, with Sydney' |
- | In 1947 we were all settling down again and learned that some 172 walkers from the small number of then Federated Clubs had been on Active Service and that an unlucky 13 had failed to | + | |
- | Page 18 The Sydney Bushwalker March, 1988 | + | So enthralled was I that four months later, with my brother Perce, again I visited the Rock over the Bank Holiday weekend, camping in bitter conditions on the Friday night at Corral Swamp on Narrow Neck, and then down at "Camp Cosgrove", |
- | return to our shores, the SBW grieving the loss of the following: | + | |
- | REGINALD HEWITT GORDON MANNELL NORMAN SAILL GORDON SMITH | + | In 1947 we were all settling down again and learned that some 172 walkers from the small number of then Federated Clubs had been on Active Service and that an unlucky 13 had failed to return to our shores, the SBW grieving the loss of the following: |
- | . I felt something tangible should be done in remembrance of them and all fallen walkers and conceived the idea of a suitable bronze plaque to be installed at some prominent and well loved site, and immediately thought of Splendour Rock. I recall moving a resolution at a monthly meeting at our old clubroom at Ingersoll Hall to that effect. with the rider that Federation be acquainted with our intentions, the site being Crown Land and not National Park at that time. | + | |
- | Federation greeted the idea with enthusiasm and a small committee of four was elected with myself as Convenor. I put the proposition to the committee, which it adopted, that | + | * Reginald Hewitt |
- | the inscription be "THEIR SPLENDOUR SHALL NEVER FADE". The full text on the plaque reads: "In memory of bdshwalkers who fell in World War II. Their splendour shall never fade." Subscriptions to a fund raised some 27 pounds whilst the cost of the plaque was, I. think, 23 pounds, and this was cast by a firm of brass founders in City Road. | + | * Gordon Mannell |
+ | * Norman Saill | ||
+ | * Gordon Smith | ||
+ | |||
+ | I felt something tangible should be done in remembrance of them and all fallen walkers and conceived the idea of a suitable bronze plaque to be installed at some prominent and well loved site, and immediately thought of Splendour Rock. I recall moving a resolution at a monthly meeting at our old clubroom at Ingersoll Hall to that effect with the rider that Federation be acquainted with our intentions, the site being Crown Land and not National Park at that time. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Federation greeted the idea with enthusiasm and a small committee of four was elected with myself as Convenor. I put the proposition to the committee, which it adopted, that the inscription be "Their Splendour Shall Never Fade". The full text on the plaque reads: "In memory of bdshwalkers who fell in World War II. Their splendour shall never fade." Subscriptions to a fund raised some 27 pounds whilst the cost of the plaque was, I think, 23 pounds, and this was cast by a firm of brass founders in City Road. | ||
It was affixed on site on 22nd February 1948 by a party consisting of Paul Barnes, Ken Compagnoni, Stan Cottier and Len Hall who had a fairly hefty load to carry out there with the necessary cement and rock cutting tools. | It was affixed on site on 22nd February 1948 by a party consisting of Paul Barnes, Ken Compagnoni, Stan Cottier and Len Hall who had a fairly hefty load to carry out there with the necessary cement and rock cutting tools. | ||
- | MUth publicity had been given and with the after-effects of war still prominent, some | + | |
- | 83 walkers assembled at Splendour Rock at dawn of Anzac Day 1948 when the plaque was unveiled by Paddy Pallin, himself an ex-Serviceman having served in the Royal Flying Corps (later the RAF) in England during the 1914/1918 war. An address was delivered by the then Federation President, Paul Driver, and two hymns, accompanied by violin music, were sung. In all, it was a very moving ceremony and which had involved quite an effort to reach such a remote location at that time of day. | + | Much publicity had been given and with the after-effects of war still prominent, some 83 walkers assembled at Splendour Rock at dawn of Anzac Day 1948 when the plaque was unveiled by Paddy Pallin, himself an ex-Serviceman having served in the Royal Flying Corps (later the RAF) in England during the 1914/1918 war. An address was delivered by the then Federation President, Paul Driver, and two hymns, accompanied by violin music, were sung. In all, it was a very moving ceremony and which had involved quite an effort to reach such a remote location at that time of day. |
Further commemorative gatherings were held on 26th April 1958 (10 years), 25th April 1965 and 6th May 1973 (25 years) whilst one or two wreaths have been laid on unofficial occasions as Anzac Day is celebrated on the actual date and not the nearest Monday, when a three day weekend would be created. | Further commemorative gatherings were held on 26th April 1958 (10 years), 25th April 1965 and 6th May 1973 (25 years) whilst one or two wreaths have been laid on unofficial occasions as Anzac Day is celebrated on the actual date and not the nearest Monday, when a three day weekend would be created. | ||
+ | |||
And now, 40 years on, Anzac Day conveniently does occur on a Monday when, at my suggestion, Federation has again organised a service to be conducted at dawn on Monday, 25th April, details of which are being ciiculated to all clubs. | And now, 40 years on, Anzac Day conveniently does occur on a Monday when, at my suggestion, Federation has again organised a service to be conducted at dawn on Monday, 25th April, details of which are being ciiculated to all clubs. | ||
+ | |||
I would ask as many walkers as possible to attend the ceremony. I shall be there in spirit. | I would ask as many walkers as possible to attend the ceremony. I shall be there in spirit. | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | THE FEBRUARY GENERAL MEETING by Barry Wallace | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | THE FEBRUARY GENERAL MEETING by Barry Wallace | ||
The meeting was called to order at around 2031 after a short film about Blue Gum Forest which gave latecomers an even chance. There were 30 or so members present as we called Richard Brading (present) and Dawn Greentree (no show) for welcome to membership with badge and applause. Apologies were called next, and lo and behold, there were apologies from Stan Madden and Dawn Greentree. | The meeting was called to order at around 2031 after a short film about Blue Gum Forest which gave latecomers an even chance. There were 30 or so members present as we called Richard Brading (present) and Dawn Greentree (no show) for welcome to membership with badge and applause. Apologies were called next, and lo and behold, there were apologies from Stan Madden and Dawn Greentree. | ||
The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with the only matter arising being advice that the transfer of ownership of Conlana to the incorporated body is proceeding and has been accepted as exempt 1r-0ms-stamp duty on the transferi | The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with the only matter arising being advice that the transfer of ownership of Conlana to the incorporated body is proceeding and has been accepted as exempt 1r-0ms-stamp duty on the transferi |
198803.txt · Last modified: 2019/03/28 08:58 by tyreless