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-A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Incorporated, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.45 pm at the Ella Community Centre, 58a Dalhousie
+====== The Sydney Bushwalker ======
-Street, Haberfield (next door to the Post Office). Prospective members
+Established June 1931
+A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Incorporated, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.45 pm at the Ella Community Centre, 58a Dalhousie Street, Haberfield (next door to the Post Office). Prospective members
 and visitors are invited to visit the Club any Wednesday. To advertise
 in this magazine please contact the Business Manager.
-EDITOR
-BUSINESS MANAGER
+|**Editor**|Morag Ryder, Box 347 PO, Gladesville 2111 \\ Telephone 809 4241|
-PRODUCTION MANAGER
+|**Business Manager**|Anita Doherty, 2 Marine Crescent, Hornsby Heights 2077 \\ Telephone 476 6531|
-TYPIST
+|**Production Manager**|Helen Gray \\ Telephone 86 6263|
-ILLUSTRATOR
+|**Typist**|Kath Brown|
-PRINTERS
+|**Illustrator**|Morag Ryder|
-Morag Ryder, Box 347 PO, Gladesville 2111 Telephone 809 4241
+|**Printers**|Kenn Clacher, Les Powell, Margaret Niven|
-Anita Doherty, 2 Marine Crescent, Hornsby Heights 2077 Telephone 476 6531
-Helen Gray Telephone 86 6263
+===== January 1990 =====
-Kath Brown
-Morag Ryder
+| | |Page|
-Kenn Clacher, Les Powell, Margaret Niven
+|While the Billy Boils|The Editor|2|
-JANUARY 1990
+|Book Review - "Sing With the Wind"| |2|
-While the Billy Boils
+|Mittagong to Katoomba - Part 1|Morag Ryder|3|
-Book Review - "Sing With the Wind" Mittagong to Katoomba - Part I
+|Why World Heritage? - A book review| |4|
-Why World Heritage? - A book review
+|All You Need to Know About the BIRD Track|Jim Brown|5|
-All You Need to Know About the BIRD Track "Environment 190"
+|"Environment '90"| |6|
-Portrait of a Climber - Part 2
+|Portrait of a Climber - Part 2|'Clio'|7|
-The December General Meeting
+|The December General Meeting|Barry Wallace|11|
-Mount Cameron to Bell Federation Notes
+|Mount Cameron to Bell|David Rostron|14|
-Footnotes
+|Federation Notes| |16|
-Advertisements
+|Footnotes| |16|
-Y
-Blackheath Taxis & Tourist Services
+===== Advertisements =====
-Eastwood Camping Centre
-Kakadu Wet Wonderland
+|Blackheath Taxis & Tourist Services|9|
-Fanoe & Camping - Gladesville & Kogarah Bay
+|Eastwood Camping Centre|10|
-Page
+|Kakadu - Wet Wonderland|12|
-The Editor 2
+|Canoe & Camping - Gladesville & Kogarah Bay|13|
-Morag Ryder 3
-Jim Brown
+===== While the billy boils =====
-'Clio'
-Barry Wallace
-David Rostron 14
-i6
-/6
-Page 2 The Sydney Bushwalker January 1990
-WHILE THE BILLY BOILS.
 Looking at some photos of 1960's walkers embarking on a 5 day trip, the size of their packs caught my attention. How ever did they fit 5 days food and other essentials into such tiny packs?
-Judging by the huge packs now carried by some of our members, it is obvious that we have allowed high pressure advertising to brainwash
-us intolamerican style' walking. We carry giant 'high tech' packs with
+Judging by the huge packs now carried by some of our members, it is obvious that we have allowed high pressure advertising to brainwash us into 'american style' walking. We carry giant 'high tech' packs with more padding, straps and fastenings than a space suit. Instead of a cape-groundsheet and a little fly, we must carry a tent which can withstand an arctic blizzard and rain-gear (now known as 'shells') suitable for the open tundra. Add to these some 'thermal' clothing, a multi-fuel stove and a dozen or so 'essential' little high tech gadgets. Having cranked this load onto your back, you will probably find that notwithstanding your 'ergonomically engineered' boots, (whatever __that__ means!) the best you can manage is a slow plod along a smooth, level pavement.
-more padding, straps and fastenings than a space suit. Instead of a cape-groundsheet and a little fly, we must carry a tent which can
-withstand an arctic blizzard and rain-gear (now known as 'shells')
-suitable for the open tundra. Add to these some 'thermal' clothing, a multi-fuel stove and a dozen or so 'essential' little high tech gadgets. Having cranked this load onto your back, you will probably find that nonwithstanding your 'ergonomically engineered' boots, (whatever that means!) the best you can manage is a slow plod along a smooth, level pavement.
 Somehow, I think those happy-go-lucky lads with their scant possessions
 had a lot more fun, and covered a lot more ground.
-Perhaps what we really need is something which cannot be bought in a trendy gear shop....
+Perhaps what we really need is something which cannot be bought in a trendy gear shop...
 A spirit of adventure.
-See you on the track....
-[ BUSHFIRE DANGER PERIUD1 - See November magazine Page 5
+See you on the track...
-BOOK REVIEW
-spic WITH THE WIND   Selected by Colin Gibson
+Morag
-Bushwalkers it seems, have always enjoyed writing poetry. Colin Gibson's
-little book of 100 bushwalker's poems covers a time span of 77 years
+BUSHFIRE DANGER PERIOD! - See November magazine - Page 5
-to 1979. S.B.W. members figure prominently, from Dorrie Lawry to
-Gordon Lee. One of my favourites, 'Bivouac' by Kath McKay was included,
+===== Book Review =====
-as was a tribute to Tarro, by Bernie Peach of C.M.W. There are even some quotes from the Chronic Operas. Not all of the poems could be classified as Deathless Verse, but many are very amusing, showing true bushwalker's humour. I particularly liked 'The Kowmung' and 'I Remember' by Ted Hartly:,- 'Holiday' by Barry Dwyer and 'Kedumba Creek' by Jim Barratt.
-Sources are given with each poem, and the pages are enlivened with delightful line drawings. My only criticism is that the index is in page
+Sing With The Wind ... Selected by Colin Gibson
-order, instead of in alpha order of titles. The latter method makes it
-much easier to find a desired poem, which is important, as books of poetry
+Bushwalkers it seems, have always enjoyed writing poetry. Colin Gibson's little book of 100 bushwalker's poems covers a time span of 77 years - 1902 to 1979. S.B.W. members figure prominently, from Dorrie Lawry to Gordon Lee. One of my favourites, 'Bivouac' by Kath McKay was included,
-are surely meant to be read many times. The book is light enough to slip trito your pack - reading aloud from it coad make an interesting thz,age from campfire singing.
+as was a tribute to Tarro, by Bernie Peach of C.M.W. There are even some quotes from the Chronic Operas. Not all of the poems could be classified as Deathless Verse, but many are very amusing, showing true bushwalker's humour. I particularly liked 'The Kowmung' and 'I Remember' by Ted Hartly. 'Holiday' by Barry Dwyer and 'Kedumba Creek' by Jim Barratt.
-The price is a modest $10-00. Copies can be obtained from Alex Colley when he comes into the clubroom, or by phoning the Colong Foundation
-on 247.4714.
+Sources are given with each poem, and the pages are enlivened with delightful line drawings. My only criticism is that the index is in page order, instead of in alpha order of titles. The latter method makes it much easier to find a desired poem, which is important, as books of poetry are surely meant to be read many times. The book is light enough to slip into your pack - reading aloud from it could make an interesting change from campfire singing.
-January 1990 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 3
-MITTAGONG to KATOOMBA
+The price is a modest $10-00. Copies can be obtained from Alex Colley when he comes into the clubroom, or by phoning the Colong Foundation on 247.4714.
-aEatember 28- October 3 - Leader: IAN RANNARD
-By Morag Ryder PART ONE: Nattai to Butcher's Creek
+===== Mittagong to Katoomba =====
-Thursday 28th September
+September 28 - October 3 - Leader: Ian Rannard
+By Morag Ryder
+==== Part One: Nattai to Butcher's Creek ====
+=== Thursday 28th September ===
 It was bitter cold in Mittagong when the train arrived at 9.30 pm. We climbed into the back of a ute belonging to Ian's friend and nearly froze on the long bumpy journey down the Nattai fire trail. We bivvied on the ridge-top, and slept well despite the cold.
-Friday 29th
-Low misty cloud blanketed everything when we started walking at 7.30 am. The wattles were out in force, a golden presence that kept us company for the entire walk. By 10.30 the cloud lifted and we admired the sunlit face of Surveyors Crag, strolling along broad 4WD tracks on the lush green river flats. Unfortunately the Nattai was unfit to drink, murky and full of slimy green algae. A huge sign told us we were at the foot of Beloon Pass track
+=== Friday 29th  ===
-which started just opposite Colleys Flat, on the north side of Travis Gully. Not too steep,
-and very faint, the blue markers beckoned us ever upward. Ian collected water from a small
+Low misty cloud blanketed everything when we started walking at 7.30 am. The wattles were out in force, a golden presence that kept us company for the entire walk. By 10.30 the cloud lifted and we admired the sunlit face of Surveyors Crag, strolling along broad 4WD tracks on the lush green river flats. Unfortunately the Nattai was unfit to drink, murky and full of slimy green algae. A huge sign told us we were at the foot of Beloon Pass track which started just opposite Colleys Flat, on the north side of Travis Gully. Not too steep, and very faint, the blue markers beckoned us ever upward. Ian collected water from a small pool and we reached the top at noon. Magnificent views, despite the heat haze. Wollondilly River, Lacey's Tableland and Broken Rock Range were spread out before us.
-pool and we reached the top at noon. Magnificent views, despite the heat haze. Wollondilly River, Lacey's Tableland and Broken Rock Range were spread out before us.
-After lunch in the shade of a friendly casuarina, we scrambled down the short, steep escarpment, and along a gentle ridge to the Wollondilly. Parrots everywhere, and glory pea
+After lunch in the shade of a friendly casuarina, we scrambled down the short, steep escarpment, and along a gentle ridge to the Wollondilly. Parrots everywhere, and glory pea in flower. A small pure stand of yellow bloodwood, their pastel ochre trunks and huge green leaves vivid against the olive scrub. The Wollondilly was knee deep and clear, cooling our feet. Groups of kangaroos peered at us from the tall golden grass as we walked up, admiring Burragorang Walls and Bonnum Pic in the afternoon sun.
-in flower. A small pure stand of yellow bloodwood, their pastel ochre trunks and huge green
-leaves vivid against the olive scrub. The Wollondilly was knee deep and clear, cooling our
+Meadowlarks sang, an eagle soared - all was tranquility until we passed two 4WDs, which covered us in dust as they tore along with their loads of yelling people. Perhaps they were staying at the Jooriland Guest House. Afternoon tea break was on the Jooriland River, a green flat which tempted us to camp. Resolutely we marched on, shaded by thick casuarinas. Crossing the river, we encountered Hereford cows with very young calves. They fled, and we rambled on, stopping at 3.45 pm on a high bank overlooking the river. Large enough for a sub-division, our three little tents looked rather comical, perched in one corner. After washing off the day's sweat, I took drinking water from the side creek. This was so full of minerals that it foamed when boiled - good for making capuccino! By 6.30 pm it was cold enough for a jacket, and we watched the sparks from our fire fly up to a dazzle of stars.
-feet. Groups of kangaroos peered at us from the tall golden grass as we walked up, admiring Burragorang Walls and Bonnum Pic in the afternoon sun.
-Meadowlarks sang, an eagle soared - all was tranquility until we passed two 4WDs, which covered us in dust as they tore along with their loads of yelling people. Perhaps they were staying at the Jooriland Guest House. Afternoon tea break was on the Jooriland River, a green flat which tempted us to camp. Resolutely we marched on, shaded by thick casuarinas. Crossing the river, we encountered Hereford cows with very young calves. They fled, and we rambled on, stopping at 3.45 pm on a high bank overlooking the river. Large enough for a
+=== Saturday 30th ===
-sub-division, our three little tents looked rather comical, perched in one corner. After
-washing off the day's sweat, I took drinking water from the side creek. This was so full
-of minerals that it foamed when boiled - good for making capuccino! By 6.30 pm it was cold
-enough for a jacket, and we watched the sparks from our fire fly up to a dazzle of stars.
-Saturday 30th
 Low cloud again, blocking the last views of Bonnum Pic. A 7.30 am start up the gentle hills, following faint farm tracks, while groups of kangaroos and lumbering cows watched us from afar. When the cloud lifted at 9.30 we were sheltered by young trees with a thick understorey of brilliant gold wattle. A pair of eastern rosellas and a quarreling flock of fire-tail finches entertained us. We found the remains of an old out-house in the scrub, and had a snack stop there, which drew raucous comment from a gang of Gang-gangs.
 Morning tea was at Basin Creek, where it crosed the Yerranderie Road, a grassy flat with a huge wattle in full flower. Several 4WDs passed, unaware of us. The road was hedged
 with wattle, and Yerranderie was quite busy, cars and children everywhere. We stopped for lunch at Tonalli River, lighting a small fire in the river bed. Birds rushed about, shouting and arguing - it must have been the stress of raising their families. The vivid lilac of Native Indigo mingled with golden pea flower and wattle, where we lounged in the shade sipping our tea.
-The fire trail from Tonalli River to Byrnes Gap was undoubtedly the most tedious part
-of our walk, although we walked in shade most of the way. At the 4WD club bouse there were two front end loaders, busily working among the trees behind the building. Among the 4WDs was a truck loaded with riding horses and the verandah was crowded with people. Down the hill we went, to where Butchers Creek crossed the road, and at 3.30 pm began searching
+The fire trail from Tonalli River to Byrnes Gap was undoubtedly the most tedious part of our walk, although we walked in shade most of the way. At the 4WD club house there were two front end loaders, busily working among the trees behind the building. Among the 4WDs was a truck loaded with riding horses and the verandah was crowded with people. Down the hill we went, to where Butchers Creek crossed the road, and at 3.30 pm began searching for a campsite. Should we sleep among the little tea trees? Further searching revealed an open grassy area behind them. This would have been pure swamp in wet weather, but now was merely rather damp. In the creek were deep pools of good water and no leeches - incredible!
-Page 4
-The Sydney Bushwalker
-January 1990
-for a campsite. Should we sleep among the little tea trees? Further searching revealed an open grassy area behind them. This would have been pure swamp in wet weather, but now was merely rather damp. In the creek were deep pools of good water and no leeches - incredible!
 On one side of the camp were the cliffs of the Axehead, on the other the rock faces of Tonalli Mountain. A cool breeze fanned our fire and gums ringing the emerald turf shone snow white. Armies of rosellas began evening manoeuvers in the trees, commanded by several raucous kookaburras. The rocks turned gold in the setting sun, and we settled ourselves on a huge log provided by Ian, while a few bold rabbits mowed the lawn.
-TO BE CONTINUED
-***********
+To be continued...
-WHY WORLD HERITAGE? A book review.
-We tend to be rather blase about our east coast scenery. It has always been there,
+===== "Why World Heritage?" - A book review =====
-so we take it for granted. It might come as a surprise to learn that our BLue Mountains are absolutely unique in their combination of geology, flora and fauna. We are fortunate
-that some of it has been declared National Parks. So if an area is already a National Park,
+We tend to be rather blase about our east coast scenery. It has always been there, so we take it for granted. It might come as a surprise to learn that our Blue Mountains are absolutely unique in their combination of geology, flora and fauna. We are fortunate that some of it has been declared National Parks. So if an area is already a National Park, why have it listed as a World Heritage Area? One good reason is that National Parks are only protected by State Governments, but World Heritage Areas have Federal Government protection.
-why have it listed as a World Heritage Area? One good reason is that National Parks are only protected by State Governments, but World Heritage Areas have Federal Government protection.
-After years of labour, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Submission is finally complete. Or. Geoff Mtiosley has written a book on this, covering all the most important points. Part-
+After years of labour, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Submission is finally complete. Dr. Geoff Mosley has written a book on this, covering all the most important points. Particularly interesting to walkers are the chapters on natural scenery, vegetation and fauna. Lavishly illustrated with photos by Henry Gold, this book gives fresh insights into some of our favourite walking areas.
-icularly interesting to walkers are the chapters on natural scenery, vegetation and fauna. ,avishly illustrated with photos by Henry Gold, this book gives fresh insights into some of our favourite walking areas.
-I learned that Yerranderie was once the site of a FROPOSED WORLD volcano, 4 km in diameter. Bindook Highlands still contain !HERITAGE AREAS deposits of 'tufa', a stone formed from the volcanic ash. An aerial photo shows clearly that Thirlmere Lakes used to
+I learned that Yerranderie was once the site of a volcano, 4 km in diameter. Bindook Highlands still contain deposits of 'tufa', a stone formed from the volcanic ash. An aerial photo shows clearly that Thirlmere Lakes used to be part of a river. The land slowly rose, and the river lost its headwaters to the Nepean - now only the lakes remain.
-be part of a river. The land slowly rose, and the river
-tost its headwaters to the Nepean now only the lakes remain.
+Our east coast is one of the oldest areas of land in the world. Endrick River was old before the Himalayas were born. The coast was originally a massive, shallow basin. Multiple layers of soil and rock were washed into it from the then surrounding mountains. About 90 million years ago, this basin began to rise. Volcanic activity began and lava flows covered large areas with basalt. When streams finally cut through this hard capping, they eroded the softer sandstone beneath. In doing so, they created a most complex multi-layered biome.
-Our east coast is one of the oldest areas of land in the world Endrick River was old before the Himalayas were born. The coast was originally a massive, shallow basin.
-Multiple layers of soil and rock were washed into it from the then surrounding mountains. About 90 million years
+The plants reflect this complexity. When walking down one of those long ridges during springtime, I have often noticed how different flowers seem to be arranged in horizontal bands up the hill, like some rich layer cake. This is because different plants have adapted to live on the various types of soil, some only about 10 metres deep.
-ago, this basin began to rise. Volcanic activity began and
-Lava flows covered large areas with basalt. When streams finally cut through this hard capping, they eroded the
+The whole of our Blue Mountains area is a paradise for geologists, botanists, and zoologists - not to mention the humble bushwalker! If ever an area was worth preserving, this is. Dr. Mosley's little book is clearly and simply written, beautifully illustrated and extremely informative.
-softer sandstone beneath. In doing so, they created a
-most complex multi-layered biome.
-The plants reflect this complexity. When walking down one of those long ridges during springtime, I have often noticed how different flowers seem to be arranged in horizontal bands up the hill, like some rich layer
-cake. This is because different plants have adapted to live on the various types of soil,
-some only about 10 metres deep.
-The whole of our Blue Mountains area is a paradise for geologists, botanists, and
-zoologists - not to mention the humble bushwalkerl If ever an area was worth preserving,
-this is. Dr. Mosley's little book is clearly and simply written, beautifully illustrated
-and extremely informative.
 It might well be sub-titled 'Everything You Wanted To Know About The Blue Mountains, But Didn't Know Who To Ask'. Available from the Colong Foundation - phone 247 4714. At $15.00 post free, it's a bargain.
-THE EDITOR
-Katoombe
-Windsor Acc,
-!SIMNEL
+The Editor
-Camden
+===== All you need to know about the Bird track =====
-Denman
-* * * * * * * * * *
-January 1990 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 5
-ALL YOU NEED  TO KNOW ABOUT THE BIRD  TRACK
 by Jim Brown
 Yes, that's right - the Bird Track, not the Birdsville track.
-How do I know there's a Bird Track? That's easy, it's mentioned in the Summer Walks Program, where the day walk for December 31 commences "Helensburg - Bird Track  etc."
-And, of course, the 5BW Walks Program would never telaki lie, would it?
+How do I know there's a Bird Track? That's easy, it's mentioned in the Summer Walks Program, where the day walk for December 31 commences "Helensburg - Bird Track etc." And, of course, the SBW Walks Program would never tell a lie, would it?
-On reading this particular item I behaved like that,naive girl "Little Audrey" who featured in a series of smutty jokes back in the 1930s, and I laughed and laughed and laughed   because I was sure the route had been volunteered over the telephone and been
-misheard. You see, Helensburgh has a final mh" in the spelling, and the track from there
+On reading this particular item I behaved like that naive girl "Little Audrey" who featured in a series of smutty jokes back in the 1930s, and I laughed and laughed and laughed ... because I was sure the route had been volunteered over the telephone and been misheard. You see, Helensburgh has a final "h" in the spelling, and the track from there out towards the coast is the "Burgh Track" borrowing the last syllable of the town name. But there's another complication, because the town is named after a mining town in Scotland, not so far from the Scottish capital Edinburgh ... and that's not usually pronounced as "Edin-burg".
-out towards the coast is the "Burgh Track" borrowing the last syllable of the town name.
-But there's another complication, because the town is named after a mining town in Scotland, not so far from the Scottish capital Edinburgh   and that's not usually pronounced as
+When I discovered that last fact a good many years ago I tried for a while to do what I thought was the right thing. I soon found that if I asked a Railway Booking Clerk for a "Weekend excursion ticket to Helens-burra" he would look at me in a peculiar way and ask "Where?" Presently I surrendered to ''force majeure'', especially after I joined SBW and heard Bob Younger's story about the American serviceman travelling on a south coast train during the War years peering at the blacked-out station and asking plaintively, "Say, what burg is this?" to which the walkers answered, "Oh, I guess it's Helen's".
-"Edin-burg".
-When I discovered that last fact a good many years ago I tried for a while to do what I thought was the right thing. I soon found that if I asked a Railway Booking Clerk for a
+But what I really want to waffle on about is the Burgh ... sorry, Bird Track, because
-"Weekend excursion ticket to Helens-burra" he would look at me in a peculiar way and ask "Where?" Presently I surrendered to force majeure, especially after I joined SBW and heard Bob Younger's story about the American serviceman travelling on a south coast train during the War years peering at the blacked-out station and asking plaintively, "Say, what burg is this?" to which the walkers answered, "Oh, I guess it's Helen's".
-But what I really want to waffle on about is the Burgh   sorry, Bird Track, because
 its name evokes some memories of trips over it back in the 1930s, when it was mostly used by miners from the town going out to the coast for the fishing. My first journey over it was in June, 1938, after finding Burning Palms and Era beaches and the tracks leading to them from Lilyvale and Otford.
-My walk actually started at Stanwell Park and began with a torch-light passage through the mile-long railway tunnel beneath Bald Hill. The tunnel had been abandoned for rail
-operations almost 20 years before, but it was still intact and hadn't even been invaded by
+My walk actually started at Stanwell Park and began with a torch-light passage through the mile-long railway tunnel beneath Bald Hill. The tunnel had been abandoned for rail operations almost 20 years before, but it was still intact and hadn't even been invaded by mushroom growers. This brought me to Otford by 10.30 am, and it was a simple matter to walk out to Burning Palms along a known track, arriving shortly after noon. By 1 pm I had lunched and was wondering how to fill in time until the afternoon train passing through Otford at 5.7 pm. Why of course! - find the Burgh Track, which I had been told started at the northern edge of Maynards Farm - now Garawarra Ranger Station.
-mushroom growers. This brought me to Otford by 10.30 am, and it was a simple matter to
-walk out to Burning Palms along a known track, arriving shortly after noon. By 1 pm I had
+I hustled up the northern ridge out of Burning Palms and quickly located a rather vague thread of trail skirting the northern fence of Maynards property. After a few hundred metres the track became clearer and remained quite fair down to the Old River Road, a bush trail along the eastern side of the Hacking River, which was replaced by the present motor roadway a few years later. West of the river crossing I found a tracery of pads and tracks but settled on a fair foot track climbing out of the valley and becoming a passable bush road on top of the ridge.
-lunched and was wondering how to fill in time until the afternoon train Passing through
-Otford at 5.7 pm. Why of course! - find the Burgh Track, which I had been told started
+By about 2.45 I was clearly approaching the town of Helensburgh, and came to a fairly large open space, very rich green in colour and much ploughed-up. The track abruptly divided into three, the middle one leading across the verdant meadow to some corrugated iron sheds on the far side. This seemed the obvious route, and it was only after going across the clearing that I realised it was a Sanitary Depot, where toilet pans from 10,000 unsewered Illawarra homes were delivered, and the contents buried. Hence the rich growth of grasses.
-at the northern edge of Maynards Farm - now Garawarra Ranger Station.
-I hustled up the northern ridge out of Burning Palms and quickly located a rather vague thread of trail skirting the northern fence of Maynards property. After a few hundred metres
+Actually, walkers and fishermen crossed the area regularly without trouble, except during the exceedingly wet winter and spring of 1950, when much of the ridge-top soil had the consistency of porridge. At that time I warned one party that I led across it that "it was a death-defying exploit", and one of the Club's ardent conservationists, sounding off at a meeting about the poor condition of the Depot, accused the cartage contractor of "failing to throw himself into his business".
-the track became clearer and remained quite fair down to the Old River Road, a bush trail along the eastern side of the Hacking River, which was replaced by the present motor roadway
-a few years later. West of the river crossing I found a tracery of pads and tracks but settled on a fair foot track climbing out of the valley and becoming a passable bush road on top of the ridge:
+I certainly had no difficulty on that first time over the Burgh Track, and came to the Railway Station about 3.25 pm. I killed time by walking down the line to the No.1 tunnel, half a mile south, to watch the Up South Coast Daylight Express storm out of the shaft in a cloud of smoke and steam. I wished I had a camera to record it.
-By about 2.45 I was clearly approaching the town of Helensburgh, and came to a fairly large open space, very rich green in colour and much ploughed-up. The track abruptly divided
-into three, the middle one leading across the verdant meadow to some corrugated iron sheds on
+The next memorable journey along the Track was on 15th January, 1939. I can place the exact date, because it was the day after "Black Saturday" when the temperature in Sydney reached 113.5 in the Fahrenheit scale (45.3C). That day big areas in Victoria and the Southern Tablelands of NSW were savaged by bush fires, some people perishing. However, a southerly change blew through late at night, and when Bill and I stepped from the train at Helensburgh about 9.50 am on the Sunday the mercury had dropped to 68F (20C) and it was drizzling rain. Bill and I planned to do our very first overnight walk on the Australia Day weekend, a fortnight away, and hoped to do a lively day walk to "get in condition".
-the far side. This seemed the obvious route, and it was only after going across the clearing
-that I realised it was a Sanitary Depot, where toilet pans from 10,000 unsewered Illawarra
+As far as the Hacking River crossing the vegetation was a bit withered and sun-scorched, but undamaged. On the hill up to Maynards (Garawarra) it was a desolation of blackened tree-trunks, grey and white ash and seared reddened leaves - where there were any left. Once we paused where a big tree was still smouldering, with plumes of smoke coming from broken branches, like steam from the spout of a kettle. Then we moved around to the up-hill side, and found the trunk was a hollow shell with the interior still glowing angrily in each puff of wind. We ran until we were beyond its reach if it should collapse. The clearing at Maynards was a tiny island in a sea of devastation.
-homes were delivered, and the contents buried. Hence the rich growth of grasses.
-Actually, walkers and fishermen crossed the area regularly without trouble, except during the exceedingly wet winter and spring of 1950, when much of the ridge-top soil had the consistency of porridge. At that time I warned one party that I led across it that "it was
+That's all the old memories. Post-war the Burgh Track received less and less foot traffic and became heavily overgrown in places so that it could easily be mislaid even when you knew the general direction of the route. At one stage some local enthusiasts marked the trail but over a few years most of the markers vanished. About 1978 the Parks and Wildlife people erected notices "Burgh Track heavily overgrown and closed. It will be re-opened after it has been cleared". The signs stood for about 10 years until 1988, when it was finally cleared and re-opened - but only from Garawarra Ranger Station to the Hacking River. From that point you're on your own, but there are several routes in to Helensburgh, each of which skirts the former Sanitary Depot, now a King Size Rubbish Tip.
-a death-defying exploit", and one of the Club's ardent conservationists, sounding off at a meeting about the poor condition of the Depot, accused the cartage contractor of "failing to throw himself into his business".
-Page 6 The Sydney Bushwalker January 1990
+There are two notices about the track near the Ranger Centre. They are only about fifty metres apart. One mentions the "Burgh Track" and the other has it "Burg Track". Clearly NPWS is not too sure of the spelling, but at least it's not for the Birds.
-I certainly had no difficulty on that first time over the Burgh Track, and came to the Railway Station about 3.25 pm. I killed time by walking down the line to the No.1 tunnel, half a mile south, to watch the Up South Coast Daylight Express storm out of the shaft in a
-cloud of smoke and steam. I wished I had a camera to record it.
+===== "ENVIRONMENT '90" =====
-The next memorable journey along the Track was on 15th January, 1939. I can place the exact date, because it was the day after "Black Saturday" when the temperature in Sydney reached 113.5 in the Fahrenheit scale (45.3C). That day big areas in Victoria and the
-Southern Tablelands of NSW were savaged by bush fires, some people petithing. However, a southerly change blew through late at night, and when Bill and I stepped from the train at Helensburgh about 9.50 am on the Sunday the mercurey had dropped to 68F (20C) and it was drizzling rain. Bill and I planned to do our very first overnight walk on the Australia Day weekend, a fortnight away, and hoped to do a lively day walk to "get in condition".
-As far as the Hacking River crossing the vegetation was a bit withered and sun-scorched, but undamaged. On the hill up to Maynards (Garawarra) it was a desolation of blackened tree-trunks, grey and white ash and seared reddened leaves - where there were any left. Ohce we paused where a big tree was still smouldering, with plumes of smoke coming from broken branches, like steam from the spout of a kettle. Then we moved around to the up-hill
-side, and found the trunk was a hollow shell with the interior still glowing angrily in each
-puff of wind. We ran until we were beyond its reach if it should collapse. The clearing at
-Maynards was a tiny island in a sea of devastation.
-That's all the old memories. Post-war the Burgh Track received less and less foot
-traffic and became heavily overgrown in places so that it could easily be mislaid even when you knew the general direction of the route. At one stage some local enthusiasts marked the
-trail but over a few years most of the markers vanished. About 1978 the Parks and Wildlife
-people erected notices "Burgh Track heavily overgrown and closed. It will be re-opened after
-it has been cleared". The signs stood for about 10 years until 1988, when it was finally
-cleared and re-opened - but only from Garawarra Ranger Station to the Hacking River. From that point you're on your own, but there are several routes in to Helensburgh, each of which skirts the former Sanitary Depot, now a King Size Rubbish Tip.
-There are two notices about the track near the Ranger Centre. They are only about fifty
-metres apart. One mentions the "Burgh Track" and the other has it "Burg Track". Clearly
-NPWLS is not too sure of the spelling, but at least it's not for the Birds.
-* * * * * * * * * *
-"ENVIRONMENT '90"
 WHO IS DOING NOVI 11) REPAIR THE ENVIRONMENT?
 Believe it or not, some 14 Government bodies and a growing number of private companiesi The International Conference and Exhibition will be held at Darling Harbour in May 1990.
@@ Line 198: / Line 161: @@
 combusted internally, or cleaned and cooled before being released to the atmosphere.
 If you want further details, ring FAYE CAMERON on 449.5279.
-January 1990 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7
-PORTRAIT OF A CLIMBER
+===== PORTRAIT OF A CLIMBER =====
 PART TWO: BY 'CLIO'
 'The Blue Mountaineers'
@@ Line 249: / Line 212: @@
 amused."
 Next month   THE SYDNEY ROCKCLIMBERS.
-* * * * * * * * * *
-NEW MEMBERS. Two new members were admitted to the Club at the December Committee Meeting. They are Peter Sternhell and Ed Franklin. Their addresses and telephone numbers will be included in the new List of Members to be sent to members during Fodruary.
+===== NEW MEMBERS =====
+Two new members were admitted to the Club at the December Committee Meeting. They are Peter Sternhell and Ed Franklin. Their addresses and telephone numbers will be included in the new List of Members to be sent to members during Fodruary.
 BLACKHEATH TAXIS & TOURIST SERVICES
 & le SEATER MINI BUS TAXI
@@ Line 294: / Line 259: @@
 January 1990 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 11
-THE DECEMBER GENERAL  MEETING
+===== THE DECEMBER GENERAL  MEETING =====
 by Barry Wallace
 It was around 2018 when the President in the chair called the 20 or so members present to order and declared the meeting begun. There were apologies from Carol Bruce, John Porter and Jeff Niven and the call for new members brought Ed Franklin and one Paul Churcher from a