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198803 [2019/03/22 13:57] – tyreless198803 [2019/03/25 13:12] – tyreless
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 | |Gordon Redmond| | | |Gordon Redmond| |
  
-NOTE: All Club workers are honorary.  +__Note__: All Club workers are honorary.  
  
 * Indicates members of Committee.   * Indicates members of Committee.  
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 ---- ----
  
-DAMP, DAMPER, DAMN PESTS+===== Damp, Damper, Damn Pests. ===== 
 + 
 +by Deborah Shapira. 
 + 
 +=== Kowmung River Trip led Finch from December 26th to January 3rd, 1988. ===
  
-by Deborah Shapira 
-Kowmung River  Trip led Finch from 
-December 26th to January 3r1.21988. 
 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 "mother"),Trisha Dean and me. The drivers went off to'Carlon's while Don treated the harem at the pub. By about three the drivers had returned by taxi and we piled into the minibus for a two hour drive to the Bayd River Fire Trail. We made camp and dinner included Shirley's Xmas cake, several varieties of red wine and Barry's story about a darts club which I'd forgotten by morning. + 
-Sunday, 27th December. Got off to an early 7 am start on a hot sunny morning down Megalith Ridge. Had morning tea at Hanrahan Cteek (new map nomenclature) and then a steep descent to the Kowmung. Enjoyed a great swim with lunch. Walked downstream along the banks and made camp at a 4 star spot beyond Ruby Creek. Although cloudy, it was so hot that some of us had lots of swims in between happy hour - dinner - happy hour. I'd pitched my fly on +__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 "mother"), Trisha Dean and me. The drivers went off to Carlon's while Don treated the harem at the pub. By about three the drivers had returned by taxi and we piled into the minibus for a two hour drive to the Boyd River Fire Trail. We made camp and dinner included Shirley's Xmas cake, several varieties of red wine and Barry's story about a darts club which I'd forgotten by morning. 
-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. IF anyone wants to know where it is I'll tell them - for a price. It rained on and off so we cooked in between showers. +__Sunday, 27th December__. Got off to an early 7 am start on a hot sunny morning down Megalith Ridge. Had morning tea at Hanrahan Creek (new map nomenclature) and then a steep descent to the Kowmung. Enjoyed a great swim with lunch. Walked downstream along the banks and made camp at a 4 star spot beyond Ruby Creek. Although cloudy, it was so hot that some of us had lots of swims in between happy hour - dinner - happy hour. I'd pitched my fly on slightly sloping ground. 
-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. If anyone wants to know where it is I'll tell them - for a price. It rained on and off so we cooked in between showers. Mother dried things in front of the fire. I'd pitched my fly on sloping ground. 
- Wednesday, 30th December. Left early under grey skies and dressed in raincoats. We + 
-mardhed in formation through the Wilderness Society camp hoping to frighten them or something. We cheated a couple of loops in the river by doing a couple of "up and Dyers" to arrive at Bullshead Creek at about 3.30 pm. The camp area was inhabited by all kinds of creatures - ants, flies and also leeches in the creek bed. My fly was on sloping ground next to a bull-ant nest. Our food drop was intact up the creek except for George's port which had undergone some kind of underground self-destruction. I enjoyed a fantastic wash, an act copied by Barry a little later much to the delight of another passing group of liloists we'd met earlier. We had a premature New Year's Eve with all the goodies in the drop and had a lot of fun with George's stories, Lynne's song sheets and Mother drying things. She is going to be a Hill's Hoist in her next existence. +__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 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 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 Ridge. Realizing that we had not been in civilisation for a while he told us 311 -re exciting things that had happened in the world, as in who had won the cricket test! Th wealler having cleared we made the acquaintance of several snakes and goannas. It was +__Wednesday, 30th December__. Left early under grey skies and dressed in raincoats. We marched in formation through the Wilderness Society camp hoping to frighten them or something. We cheated a couple of loops in the river by doing a couple of "up and overs" to arrive at Bullshead Creek at about 3.30 pm. The camp area was inhabited by all kinds of creatures - ants, flies and also leeches in the creek bed. My fly was on sloping ground next to a bull-ant nest. Our food drop was intact up the creek except for George's port which had undergone some kind of underground self-destruction. I enjoyed a fantastic wash, an act copied by Barry a little later much to the delight of another passing group of liloists we'd met earlier. We had a premature New Year's Eve with all the goodies in the drop and had a lot of fun with George's stories, Lynne's song sheets and Mother drying things. She is going to be a Hill's Hoist in her next existence. 
-.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 hung over. Actually had lunch in sunshine!! Don and George took out their fancy mosquito nets. Just after ambling off the Yerranderie map we met a fisherman who had just come down Hughes' Ridge. Realizing that we had not been in civilisation for a while he told us all some exciting things that had happened in the world, as in who had won the cricket test! The weather having cleared we made the acquaintance of several snakes and goannas. It was 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't camp where I'd pitched my fly - it was too flat! 
-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't camp where I'd pitched my.fly - it was too flat! + 
-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, Making damper +__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, making damper 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. 
-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's Elbow (aptly named I thought) it was pretty wet and the going was a bit hairy on greasy sloping slatey rocks until we reached the Cox. Continued on a bit until we made a damp camp and spent the last night planning future trips +__Saturday, 2nd January__. Set off in sticky conditions through the lower Kowmung which was pretty tough going. After lunch at the end of Devil's Elbow (aptly named I thought) it was pretty wet and the going was a bit hairy on greasy sloping slatey rocks until we reached the Cox. Continued on a bit until we made a damp camp and spent the last night planning future trips. 
-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's to the cars and clean clothes at about 1 pm. Went to Aroney's jr a Katoomba cloaked in thick fog. +__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's to the cars and clean clothes at about 1 pm. Went to Aroney's in a Katoomba cloaked in thick fog. 
-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, please contact HANS STICHTER on 688 3050 (home) or 410 9410 (business). Also next first aid course is on may 21/22. + 
-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, please contact Hans Stichter on 688 3050 (home) or 410 9410 (business). (Also next first aid course is on May 21/22. Ed.) 
-. 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 St. JOhn's First Aid Certificate and a reasonable level of fitness. All persons attending an alert should have light overnight equipment, suitable for all weathers such as:- +To enable an effective contact system to work, the contact officers need to know which members are available immediately (i.e. same day) when contacted, those that require one day's notice, and those members who are available for weekends only. 
-O suitable overnight pack and day pack + 
-O sleeping bag +Prerequisites are a __current__ St. John's First Aid Certificate and a reasonable level of fitness. All persons attending an alert should have light overnight equipment, suitable for all weathers such as:- 
-O tent or bivy bag + 
- tent fly (optional' +  * suitable overnight pack and day pack 
-O water bottle/wine cask inner +  * sleeping bag 
-O food for 48 hours - 40% of which requires no cooking +  * tent or bivy bag 
-O clothing that remains warm when wet e.g. wool +  * tent fly (optional) 
-O suitable wet weather gear +  * water bottle/wine cask inner 
-O beanie or balaclava +  * food for 48 hours - 40% of which requires no cooking 
-O gaiters (optional +  * clothing that remains warm when wet e.g. wool 
-O reliable fire lighting equipment (all weather +  * suitable wet weather gear 
-O sunburn cream (optional, for summer use) +  * beanie or balaclava 
-O garbage bags for keeping items dry in pack, +  * gaiters (optional) 
- torch +  * reliable fire lighting equipment (all weather) 
-bushwalkers First aid Kit +  * sunburn cream (optional, for summer use) 
-0 map/s and compass 'which map will be advised +  * garbage bags for keeping items dry in pack 
-S & P alerts may require attendance for I or 2 days, with the option usually being left up to the individual.+  * torch 
 +  * bushwalkers First aid Kit 
 +  * map/s and compass (which map will be advised) 
 + 
 +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, would you please complete the following form and forward to: Should you wish to be considered for S & R alerts, and you have the necessary prerequisites, would you please complete the following form and forward to:
-Hans Stichtei, loorgate Street, Toongabbie 2146 + 
-Alternately, you car phone through the informatior to me on either of the following telephone numbers: +Hans Stichtei, Moorgate Street, Toongabbie 2146. 
-688 3050 (home 410 9410 bus  ness + 
-SOW SEARCH & RESCUE CONTACT LIST +Alternately, you can phone through the information to me on either of the following telephone numbers: 
-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 Circle appropriate category C - available weekends only + 
-NAME  Phone no. (home) +---- 
-Home ADDRESS - (business) + 
-THE SYDNEY BUSHWAL E +=== SBW Search & Rescue Contact List. === 
-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  COMPASSES  SURVIVAL GEAR +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) .... 
- A HUGE RANGE OF PADDLES FOR ALL TYPES OF CANOEING  WETSUITS  SURF SKIS + 
- ALL TYPES OF SPRAY COVERS  WIDE RANGE OF JACKETS & CAGS  FACE MASKS +---- 
- FOOTWEAR  MANY TYPES OF BUOYANCY & LIFE VESTS  HELMETS + 
-March 1988 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7 +=== Canoe & Camping. === 
-11111 + 
-GEORGE WALTON'S KOSCIUSKO N.P. WALK  OR +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: George Walton, ElaineWalton, Matthew Walton, Sue, Brian Bolton, +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's River Hut was an easy, but hot, walk of 8 km, with an ascent of 400 m gained by following the Aqueduct Road up the valley of the Munyang or White's River. About ten minutes before reaching our first camp the road passed, on the uphill side, an extensive jumble of granite boulders which I believe constituted a "large terminal moraine.... This bouldery barrier was dumped by the glacier as it retreated up +  * Cold weather protection clothing and raingear 
-the valley... (l)". We briefly imspected the White's River Hut which had some bunks, a wood stove and table. It would doubtless look very attractive to snow-blown souls in the winter, but on our sunny afternoon the campsite nearby among the snowgums was George's obvious choice. +  * 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."(2) From here we had an easy climb, mostly with a track, to the top of the ridge, +  * Knives 
-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!" and sure enough, there it was, high in the air, heading back in +  * 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 (Bett's Camp) - or the reverse, but had been deterred by lack of shelter on the way. However, one summer "Dr. Schlink noticed a tumble-down shepherd's hut at +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."(3)+ 
 +Quality touring craft of all types. High quality, performance competition craft. 
 + 
 +  * A huge range of paddles for all types of canoeing 
 +  * Wetsuits 
 +  * Surf skis 
 +  * All types of spray covers 
 +  * Wide range of jackets & cags 
 +  * Face masks 
 +  * Footwear 
 +  * Many types of buoyancy & life vests 
 +  * Helmets 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +===== George Walton's Koscuisko N.P. Walk. ===== 
 + 
 +Or 
 + 
 +=== We Did It Our Way. === 
 + 
 +by Errol Sheedy. 
 + 
 +Participants: George Walton, Elaine Walton, Matthew Walton, Sue, Brian Bolton, 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__: 
 + 
 +The party of fifteen assembled at Guthega Power Station at 2 pm and set off northwards. The stretch from the power station to White's River Hut was an easy, but hot, walk of 8 km, with an ascent of 400 m gained by following the Aqueduct Road up the valley of the Munyang or White's River. About ten minutes before reaching our first camp the road passed, on the uphill side, an extensive jumble of granite boulders which I believe constituted a "large terminal moraine.... This bouldery barrier was dumped by the glacier as it retreated up the valley... (l)". We briefly imspected the White's River Hut which had some bunks, a wood stove and table. It would doubtless look very attractive to snow-blown souls in the winter, but on our sunny afternoon the campsite nearby among the snowgums was George's obvious choice. 
 + 
 +__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."(2) From here we had an easy climb, mostly with a track, to the top of the ridge, proclaimed in capital letters by the map as the "Great Dividing Range". 
 + 
 +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!" and sure enough, there it was, high in the air, heading back in 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 ski trip from Kiandra to Kosciusko (Bett's Camp) - or the reverse, but had been deterred by lack of shelter on the way. However, one summer "Dr. Schlink noticed a tumble-down shepherd's hut at 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."(3) 
 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 topogr 
-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 topographic boundary to the Main Range, as well as being part of the Great Divide." (4) +aphic boundary to the Main Range, as well as being part of the Great Divide." (4) 
-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's son Matthew and his friend Sue who had just walked up via Gungartan. At this point the weather looked positively foul and although the rain was easing off, the low cloud was fogging the high points, and it was getting colder. A conference was held as to the best course to follow. The result was that Bill, Fran, John, Derek and I decided to return to Tin Hut to await an improvement in the weatherr, while the twelve others elected to push on north towards Mawsonlsi Hut. That was the last time we saw the rest of the party until we were reunited at White's River camp on the last afternoon of the trip. +We headed back towards the ridge of the Brassy HIlls, and shortly afterwards met George's son Matthew and his friend Sue who had just walked up via Gungartan. At this point the weather looked positively foul and although the rain was easing off, the low cloud was fogging the high points, and it was getting colder. A conference was held as to the best course to follow. The result was that Bill, Fran, John, Derek and I decided to return to Tin Hut to await an improvement in the weatherr, while the twelve others elected to push on north towards Mawson's Hut. That was the last time we saw the rest of the party until we were reunited at White's River camp on the last afternoon of the trip. 
-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 On the hut fire, we had the place to ourselved for the night. The afternoon at the hut had enabled us to stop still and enjoy the atmosphere of granite boulders and alpine plants in fog, and to photograph such delights as green and yellow patterns on the wet trunks of gnarled snow gums where the rainwater had darkened and highlighted the colours'of the smooth bark. + 
-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 on the hut fire, we had the place to ourselved for the night. The afternoon at the hut had enabled us to stop still and enjoy the atmosphere of granite boulders and alpine plants in fog, and to photograph such delights as green and yellow patterns on the wet trunks of gnarled snow gums where the rainwater had darkened and highlighted the colours'of the smooth bark. 
-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 "reached the Tin Hut in the dark at the start of a blizzard. Five minutes after lighting the fire the hut was full of smoke and remained so for the three days while the blizzard lasted. The smoke was so bad that the six men in the 3 metre by 4 metre space could not see each other and spent the time hungry and in miserable darkness except when they ventured out for wood."(5). + 
-As we left Tin Hut the fog began to clear and we wended our way pest Valentine Creek towards Gungartan Pass, with Kerrie's Ridge providing a rocky backdrop to the west. AFter morning tea just north of Gungartan we set off for Schlink Pass, and when we looked downhill towards the road we saw what seemed to be an easy way down via a small valley so, not bothering to follow the ridge of the actual Pass, down we went. It would have been quite a good way down had it not been for the granite boulders (another terminal moraine, I think). Where these stood above the bed of the creek their rounded surfaces presented a chance to do some easy rock hopping, but further downstream prostrate shrubs grew over the rock in thin matting offering a deceptive surface which was secure as long as we stood on the rock beneath. In many places, however, the sparse foliage covered the holes between the rocks and it became a difficult matter to keep from stepping into the interminable interstices. This problem was compounded by the spongy boggy +__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 "reached the Tin Hut in the dark at the start of a blizzard. Five minutes after lighting the fire the hut was full of smoke and remained so for the three days while the blizzard lasted. The smoke was so bad that the six men in the 3 metre by 4 metre space could not see each other and spent the time hungry and in miserable darkness except when they ventured out for wood."(5). 
-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's Ridge providing a rocky backdrop to the west. After morning tea just north of Gungartan we set off for Schlink Pass, and when we looked downhill towards the road we saw what seemed to be an easy way down via a small valley so, not bothering to follow the ridge of the actual Pass, down we went. It would have been quite a good way down had it not been for the granite boulders (another terminal moraine, I think). Where these stood above the bed of the creek their rounded surfaces presented a chance to do some easy rock hopping, but further downstream prostrate shrubs grew over the rock in thin matting offering a deceptive surface which was secure as long as we stood on the rock beneath. In many places, however, the sparse foliage covered the holes between the rocks and it became a difficult matter to keep from stepping into the interminable interstices. This problem was compounded by the spongy boggy 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. 
-"Snowy Mountains Walks" where the admonition says, in relation to Schlink Pass, "avoid the cirque depression a little to the north"(6). We migh have added, "else you'll get depressed!" + 
-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"(6). We migh have added, "else you'll __get__ depressed!" In retrospect it was a more demanding, more adventurous descent than Schlink Pass. I do not think I would care to repeat the performance. 
-not think I would care to repeat the performance. + 
-The road walking, north, was a pleasant change after our stumbles d slips down from Gungartan, but it grew hot and when we eventually reached Valentine's HUt (complete with a row of red hearts on the awning over the window) at 3.30 pm I was quite ready to stop. We found a good campsite nearby on the side of a hill overlooking VAlentine River where we enjoyed a leisurely campfire. Just on dark, as clouds passed overhead, a blood-red sunset illuminated the closing of the day. +The road walking, north, was a pleasant change after our stumbles and slips down from Gungartan, but it grew hot and when we eventually reached Valentine's Hut (complete with a row of red hearts on the awning over the window) at 3.30 pm I was quite ready to stop. We found a good campsite nearby on the side of a hill overlooking Valentine River where we enjoyed a leisurely campfire. Just on dark, as clouds passed overhead, a blood-red sunset illuminated the closing of the day. 
-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's River about an hour before the main party reappeared, all looking very fit and sturdy after their adventures in the high wilds.+__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's River about an hour before the main party reappeared, all looking very fit and sturdy after their adventures in the high wilds. 
 The final night's camp had a festive air, with the last of the food goodies, etc, being trotted out to the accompaniment of a hot solution of lime-flavoured barley crystals laced with various additives the precise nature of which, gentle reader, I will mercifully pass over. It is sufficient to say that even though the early hours became quite cool (resulting in ice on the waterbuckets at breakfast) the combination of fatigue, drinks and thermal underclothing insured a cosy night. The final night's camp had a festive air, with the last of the food goodies, etc, being trotted out to the accompaniment of a hot solution of lime-flavoured barley crystals laced with various additives the precise nature of which, gentle reader, I will mercifully pass over. It is sufficient to say that even though the early hours became quite cool (resulting in ice on the waterbuckets at breakfast) the combination of fatigue, drinks and thermal underclothing insured a cosy 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 FIRST SIXTY YEARS. +=== The Sydney Bush Walkers - The First Sixty Years. === 
 + 
 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 are still available except size 22. Beverley Foulds, phone 798 5650 after 6 pm or Wednesday evening at the Club. $7 each, postage $1.50 extra. + 
-Page 10 The Sydney Bushwalker March, 1988+__SBW T-Shirts__ are still available except size 22. Beverley Foulds, phone 798 5650 after 6 pm or Wednesday evening at the Club. $7 each, postage $1.50 extra. 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 A NATTAI NATIONAL PARK A NATTAI NATIONAL PARK
 by AIex'ColleY by AIex'ColleY
198803.txt · Last modified: 2019/03/28 08:58 by tyreless
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