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+ | =====How I Joined The S.B.W. - Part 2.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===How I Failed My First Test Walk.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The problem now became: How do I join the bushwalkers? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well, I had exhibited plenty of self-reliance and stamina in the bush; but that had not been in this local-style __vertical__ bush. My quest for the holy grail of bushwalking was therefore put on the back-burner for three years (to be truthful, my studies kept my head well down, betimes). In this time I started saving my pennies until I could join the dawn queues at Paddy' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Eventually there came a time when I decided to approach the hallowed halls of the Sydney Bush Walkers and attempt whatever trials and approbations they might wish to impose. By this time, I was not alone in my quest. My good friend Stuart Brooks came with me. No, please don't laugh yet; we haven' | ||
+ | |||
+ | One Friday night in Hamilton Street, we presented ourselves for inspection. We swiftly learned about test walks, field weekends, and various other tests including the ultimate need for seven members to testify to our " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Edna mentioned that she was leading a test walk on the coming Sunday and invited us to join her retinue. Bundeena - Marley - Audley. An easy stroll for a couple of likely lads like us. We promptly agreed. So, also, did a third joiner that night. Alan Stuckey, if I remember aright. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sunday morning on the Bundeena-Marley track was a warmish spring morn beneath the golden sun, walking between pale grey-pink grevilleas. The warmth of the sun was such that, by the time we reached Marley Pool, we were all sweaty and thirsty. The members promptly shed their outer garments or disappeared behind bushes to reappear in swim togs, soon to be cavorting in the cooling waters. But,alas! we inexperienced and improvident prospectives were without cossies. However, salvation arrived in the form of three mature, obviously highly experienced and equally highly loquacious male members, tailing the party. Without hesitation, they peeled off everything, and I mean everything, and dived in. We soon followed, very avante garde in those days. | ||
+ | |||
+ | No sooner were we in than Edna's voice announced, " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Soon, though, we all resumed the walk, up a rising track to the crest of a ridge to the west. At the top of the ridge, we came to a T junction on the track. As we three trailing prospectives approached it, we found our three mentors enacting a quite astonishing scene. The map was spread on the ground and a vehement three-way argument was raging, as to which way to proceed. One protagonist pointed north, one pointed south, while the third, Quixote-like, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now, older members might be interested to know who these three members were, if they have not alreadY guessed; but we must be wary of the laws of slander. Perhaps I can call them Burden, Ireland and Cosglade. I later found that, individually, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Stuart and I had no doubts. We knew to turn south and regarded the antagonists with silent astonishment. When, still shouting, they moved off northward, we just had to go, too. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Three kilmetres we ran - and I do mean ran, because their aim was to overtake Edna. Then another pause on the track. Puff, puff, puff from the prospectives: | ||
+ | |||
+ | At about 5 pm, we reached Audley with three footweary prospectives at the tail, viewing the final climb with very little enthusiasm. But, lo! a passing vehicle and, a reflex action of Stuart' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Reunited at the railway station, Edna explained that the most heinous action that a prospective could commit was to hitch a ride up the final, or any other, hill on a test walk, thereby failing to demonstrate the ability to do the whole distance. Alas! our day had been an utter waste. The three of us had failed our first test walk. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Postscript.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Edna later showed her graciousness by reinstating us. She had apparently not known of our Redex-type trial in the morning. Stuart went on to become S.B.W.' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Confederation Of Bushwalking Clubs NSW - January 1993 General Meeting.===== | ||
- | HOW I JOINED THE S.B.W. | ||
- | PART 2 by " | ||
- | HOW I FAIL8D MY FIRST TEST WALK | ||
- | The problem now became: How do I join the bushwalkers? | ||
- | Well, I had exhibited plenty" | ||
- | at Paddy' | ||
- | a sleeping bag, I stitched IT an old eiderdown rescued from a scrap-heap at home. Later, I queued for a Paddy " | ||
- | dehydrated snack! In those days, a Paddy " | ||
- | had" | ||
- | Eventually there came a time when I decided to approach the hallowed halls of the Sydney Bush-Walkers and attempt whatever trials and approbations they might wish to impose. By this time, I was not alone in my quest. My good friend Stuart Brooks came with me.. 'No, please don't laugh yet; we haven' | ||
- | One Friday night in Hamilton Street, we presented ourselves for inspection. We swiftly learned about test walks, field weekends, and various other tests including the ultimate need for seven members to testify to our " | ||
- | ' soon found that she was and still is one of this world' | ||
- | Edna mentioned that she was leading a test walk on the coming Sunday and invited us to join her retinue. Bundeena - Marley - Audley. An easy stroll for a couple of likely lads like us. We promptly. agreed. So, | ||
- | also, did a third joiner that night. Alan Stuckey, if I remember aright. | ||
- | Sunday morning on the Bundeena-Marley track was a warmish spring | ||
- | morn beneath the golden sun, walking between pale greypink grevilleas. The warmth of the sun was such that, by the time we reached Marley Pool, we were all sweaty and thirsty. The members promptly shed their outer garments or disappeared behind bushes to reappear in swim togs, soon to be cavorting | ||
- | PAGE 10 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALIcER FEBRUARY 1993' | ||
- | in the cooling waters. But,alas! we inexperienced and improvident prospectives were without cossies. However, salvation arrived in the form of three mature, obviously highly experienced and equally highly loquacious male members, tailing the party. Without hesitation, they peeled off everything, and I mean everything, and dived in. We soon followed, very ,avante garde in those days. | ||
- | . No sooner were we in than Edna's voice announced, ," | ||
- | " | ||
- | | ||
- | Soon, though, we all resumed the walk, up a rising track to. the crest of a ridge to the west. At the top of the ridge, we came to a. T junction on the track. As we three trailing prospectives approached it, we found | ||
- | our three mentors enacting a quite astonishing scene. The map was spread . on the ground and a vehement three-way argument was ragtrig,;) as to which way | ||
- | to proceed. One protagonist pointed north, one pointed south, while the third, Quixote-like, | ||
- | Now, older members might be interested to know who these three members were, if they have not-alreadY guessed; but we must be wary of the laws of slander. Perhaps I can call them Burden, Ireland and Cosglade. I later found that, individually, | ||
- | But, what we three innocent prospectives did not then know was that, together, they spelt one word: DISASTER! Well, we were soon to learn. | ||
- | Stuart and I had no doubts. We knew to turn south and regarded the antagorigtswith silent astonishment. When, still shouting, they moved off northward, we just had to go, too. | ||
- | , Three kilmetres we ran - and I do mean ran, because their aim was to | ||
- | overtake Edna. Then another pause on the track. Puff, puff; puff from | ||
- | the prospectives: | ||
- | "Where on earth have you all been?" cried the other members. " | ||
- | | ||
- | At about 5 pm, we reached Audley with three footweary prospectives at the tail, viewing the final climb with very little enthusiasm. But, lo! | ||
- | . a passing vehicle and, a reflex action of Stuart' | ||
- | . | ||
- | waved cheerily to them. Some waved back; hut the redheaded lady gave us a shock/ | ||
- | Reunited at the railway. station, Edna explained that the most heinous action that a prospective could commit was to hitch a ride up the final, or any other, hill on a test walk, thereby failing to demonstrate the ability to do the whole distance. Alas! our day had been an utter waste. The three of uS had failed our first test walk. | ||
- | PostscriTI. | ||
- | . Edna later showed her graciousness by reinstating us. She had | ||
- | apparently not known of our Redex-type trial in the morning. Stuart went | ||
- | on to become S.B.W.' | ||
- | . | ||
- | * * * | ||
- | FEBRUARY 1993. THE SYDNEY.BUSHWALKER PAGE 11 | ||
- | CONFEDERATION OF BUSHWALKING CLUBS NSW - JANUARY 1993 GENERAL MEETING. | ||
- | ' - | ||
by Spiro Hajinakitas | by Spiro Hajinakitas | ||
- | The Government has not included a representative of the Bushwalking movement in the Blue Mountains National Park Advisory Committee. | + | |
- | .NPA is organizing a clean up of the coastline from Burning Palms to Garie BeaCh on-7th.March. Meet at 9 am. Volunteers | + | The Government has not included a representative of the Bushwalking movement in the Blue Mountains National Park Advisory Committee. |
+ | |||
+ | NPA is organizing a clean up of the coastline from Burning Palms to Garie Beach on 7th.March. Meet at 9 am. Volunteers | ||
Confederation to investigate disturbing reports of the Western Deua Wilderness being logged. | Confederation to investigate disturbing reports of the Western Deua Wilderness being logged. | ||
- | SEARCH | + | |
+ | __Search | ||
Confederation has written to Hon. Ros Kelly MP suggesting the Government increase the money allocated to investigate the possible World Heritage listing of the Blue Mountains National Park from $40,000 to $200,000. | Confederation has written to Hon. Ros Kelly MP suggesting the Government increase the money allocated to investigate the possible World Heritage listing of the Blue Mountains National Park from $40,000 to $200,000. | ||
+ | |||
In Tasmania popular areas such as the Western Arthurs are subject to over-use and permits will soon be introduced. | In Tasmania popular areas such as the Western Arthurs are subject to over-use and permits will soon be introduced. | ||
- | The bridge at the Endrick | + | |
+ | The bridge at the Endrick | ||
On a recent TV program the Government promoted the tourism aspects of the National Horse Trail without properly representing the environmental side as the trail does intrude into wilderness areas. | On a recent TV program the Government promoted the tourism aspects of the National Horse Trail without properly representing the environmental side as the trail does intrude into wilderness areas. | ||
- | FIRE BANS | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Fire Bans.===== | ||
by Allan Wells | by Allan Wells | ||
- | It should go. without saying that during the bushfire | + | |
- | A Total Fire Ban means no open fires or portable stoves may be lit during the stated hours the ban is in place. The deliberate lighting | + | It should go without saying that during the bushfire |
- | of a fire during a Total Fire Ban carries a penalty/ | + | |
- | The National Parks and Wildlife Service may impose a fire ban in. a park at any time. Sometimes you may be permitted to light a portable stove i e. the ban only applies to open fires. Check with the local N.P.W.S. office if in doubt. Failure to observe a N.P.W.S. fire ban carries a penalty of $500. | + | A Total Fire Ban means no open fires or portable stoves may be lit during the stated hours the ban is in place. The deliberate lighting of a fire during a Total Fire Ban carries a penalty/ |
+ | |||
+ | The National Parks and Wildlife Service may impose a fire ban in a park at any time. Sometimes you may be permitted to light a portable stove i.e. the ban only applies to open fires. Check with the local N.P.W.S. office if in doubt. Failure to observe a N.P.W.S. fire ban carries a penalty of $500. | ||
Total fire ban periods (usually 24 hours) are announced on national and local radio. N.P.W.S. do not announce parks fire bans but display signs at park entrances and/or at the beginning of tracks. | Total fire ban periods (usually 24 hours) are announced on national and local radio. N.P.W.S. do not announce parks fire bans but display signs at park entrances and/or at the beginning of tracks. | ||
+ | |||
Remember if in doubt about fire conditions check with the local Police, N.S.W. Fire Brigade or N.P.W.S. | Remember if in doubt about fire conditions check with the local Police, N.S.W. Fire Brigade or N.P.W.S. | ||
- | Happy, safe and..considerate bushwalking. | + | |
- | ***4(4******4z. | + | Happy, safe and considerate bushwalking. |
- | FROM EVERY STATE, | + | |
- | AuSTRALIAN MADE | + | ---- |
- | IS GREAT! | + | |
- | 3 Trelawney St (PO Box 131) Eastwood.INTSW2122 | + | =====A five day Trek From The Ecuadorian Central Valley Over The Easternmost Andes Chain To Macas In The Amazon Basin.===== |
- | PtIONE_US TODAY & SAY " | + | |
- | 02-85873833 | + | |
- | on | + | |
- | bags | + | |
- | QLD | + | |
- | QBB | + | |
- | Butter Concentrate | + | |
- | SW | + | |
- | Skepi Bags J & II, Mont, Romans | + | |
- | | + | |
- | DO Packs High Tops, Summit Gear | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | WA | + | |
- | | + | |
- | Car | + | |
- | | + | |
- | SA | + | |
- | . Rossi | + | |
- | 8 " | + | |
- | era Baby Carriers | + | |
- | Vic: | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | Giant Trees | + | |
- | Drkd meals | + | |
- | ; | + | |
- | EASTWOOD | + | |
- | CAMPING | + | |
- | CENTRE | + | |
- | - | + | |
- | FEBRUARY 1993 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 13 | + | |
- | A FIVE DAY TREK FROM THE ECUADORIAN CENTRAL VALLEY OVER THE | + | |
- | EASTERNMOST ANDES CHAIN TO MACAS IN THE AMIZON BASIN. | + | |
by Gerry Leitner | by Gerry Leitner | ||
- | Starting point was Riobamba, a picturesque provincial capital some 200 kM south of Quito. You get there from Quito by frequent minibusus in 3-4 hours. Riobamba is also called Sultan de los Andes for its magnificent setting with vistas to nine snow covered mountains including Chimborazo (6310 m) and several volcanoes, including Altar, Sangay and Tungurahua. Its origins go back to pre-hispanic times. The original Spanish town was destroyed on 4th February 1797 by a disastrous earthquake and moved to its present location. On Saturdays Indians from the region come to the markets in town to sell their products on the ten or so market places. Most interesting are those held on Plaza San Alfonso and Plaza La Concepcion. From Riobatba local buses connect the remote Indian villages scattered in the Cordillera. | + | |
- | I took such a rural bus to Llicto up in the Rio Guamote Valley. From here onwards it was on foot on mountain and jungle trails. A young school teacher-visiting her family was my guide on the first day. Llicto village is inhabited by Puruha Indians with only a few Spanish speakers. The following day her mother in her late eighties led me (barefoot) to the junction of the Rio Cohadas which I followed up to the Rio Atillo junction which has its source in Lago Atillo I camped on the east side of Largo Atillo which is completely surrounded by mountains in the vicinity of 5500 m. The lake itself is at an altitude of 4000 m with excellent trout fishing. After spending a freezing night complete with snowstorm I was seriously contemplating a return to the central valley. When a fresh breeze blew the cloud cover away I could see within a stone' | + | Starting point was Riobamba, a picturesque provincial capital some 200 km south of Quito. You get there from Quito by frequent minibusus in 3-4 hours. Riobamba is also called Sultan de los Andes for its magnificent setting with vistas to nine snow covered mountains including Chimborazo (6310 m) and several volcanoes, including Altar, Sangay and Tungurahua. Its origins go back to pre-hispanic times. The original Spanish town was destroyed on 4th February 1797 by a disastrous earthquake and moved to its present location. On Saturdays Indians from the region come to the markets in town to sell their products on the ten or so market places. Most interesting are those held on Plaza San Alfonso and Plaza La Concepcion. From Riobatba local buses connect the remote Indian villages scattered in the Cordillera. |
- | Nevertheless it took until lunch time from the lake' edge to arrive at the pass. From the pass you have splendid views down into the Rio Upano Valley and most remarkable vistas of Volcan Sangay Which is active: the trail leads through dense jungle skirting the base of the volcano within striking distance. The trail at first is well defined between huge boulders and usually little icy streams run through the trail. Many of these streams, betray their volcanic origin: a strong mineral content,and brown or yellowish colour. Nevertheless there is no shortage of water all the way to Macas. | + | |
- | As you descend into the valley you start peeling, first your gloves and raincoat and then jumper. You are now passing through thick jungle which is interrupted only by the torrential streams coming down and which become bigger and fiercer, the further down you come. As soon as you find that you are not on the main trail never use a short cut, always go back until you arrive at the spot where you went astray. | + | I took such a rural bus to Llicto up in the Rio Guamote Valley. From here onwards it was on foot on mountain and jungle trails. A young school teacher visiting her family was my guide on the first day. Llicto village is inhabited by Puruha Indians with only a few Spanish speakers. The following day her mother in her late eighties led me (barefoot) to the junction of the Rio Cohadas which I followed up to the Rio Atillo junction which has its source in Lago Atillo. I camped on the east side of Largo Atillo which is completely surrounded by mountains in the vicinity of 5500 m. The lake itself is at an altitude of 4000 m with excellent trout fishing. After spending a freezing night complete with snowstorm I was seriously contemplating a return to the central valley. When a fresh breeze blew the cloud cover away I could see within a stone' |
- | After spending the third night in a jungle clearing perched on a slope (which I suspect | + | |
+ | Nevertheless it took until lunch time from the lake's edge to arrive at the pass. From the pass you have splendid views down into the Rio Upano Valley and most remarkable vistas of Volcan Sangay Which is active: the trail leads through dense jungle skirting the base of the volcano within striking distance. The trail at first is well defined between huge boulders and usually little icy streams run through the trail. Many of these streams, betray their volcanic origin: a strong mineral content and brown or yellowish colour. Nevertheless there is no shortage of water all the way to Macas. As you descend into the valley you start peeling, first your gloves and raincoat and then jumper. You are now passing through thick jungle which is interrupted only by the torrential streams coming down and which become bigger and fiercer the further down you come. As soon as you find that you are not on the main trail never use a short cut, always go back until you arrive at the spot where you went astray. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After spending the third night in a jungle clearing perched on a slope (which I suspect | ||
The fourth night I spent in an abandoned hut. Tha trails leading onto the clearing were mostly peccary trails and "off limits" | The fourth night I spent in an abandoned hut. Tha trails leading onto the clearing were mostly peccary trails and "off limits" | ||
- | PAGE 14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER FEBRUARY 1993 | + | |
The villagers told me the hut I slept in was all that was left of the abandoned village of Zufliga. Also an area with frequent sightings of pumas. They had killed a puma here recently. | The villagers told me the hut I slept in was all that was left of the abandoned village of Zufliga. Also an area with frequent sightings of pumas. They had killed a puma here recently. | ||
- | The final leg of my journey to Macas was on a rural bus. In Macas I had to. report to the local police to notify them of my arrival in the " | + | |
- | Please note; The area west of Macas up the Rio Upano and incorporating the lake area in the high sierra around,Lago Atillo has been declared a national park, which also includes Volcan Sangay. Starting point for the Sangay section is Macas and Guamote is the starting point for the Lago Atillo area. There is now a road from Guamote down to Macas. East | + | The final leg of my journey to Macas was on a rural bus. In Macas I had to report to the local police to notify them of my arrival in the " |
- | of Macas begins the tribal area of the Jivaros, once known as fierce warriors with the habit of shrinking the heads of their slain enemies, | + | |
- | Fruit available in the forest are large yellow passion fruits and wild red bananas which I used to fry or add to my soups. I suppose there are more edible fruit around, however I only stuck to the ones I was familiar with | + | __Please note__: |
- | It should be noted that from Llicto until my arrival in the first village in the jungle I only met four people on the trail. I was completely dependent on myself and on the not so exact map from the Institut | + | |
- | The full Riobamba-Macas hike is recommended for outdoor enthusiasts; | + | Fruit available in the forest are large yellow passion fruits and wild red bananas which I used to fry or add to my soups. I suppose there are more edible fruit around, however I only stuck to the ones I was familiar with. |
+ | |||
+ | It should be noted that from Llicto until my arrival in the first village in the jungle I only met four people on the trail. I was completely dependent on myself and on the not so exact map from the Institut | ||
+ | |||
+ | The full Riobamba-Macas hike is recommended for outdoor enthusiasts; | ||
TAME has weekly flights to Quito. The airstrip is almost in the centre of town. | TAME has weekly flights to Quito. The airstrip is almost in the centre of town. | ||
- | In Macas you can buy from " | + | |
+ | In Macas you can buy from " | ||
This was just one of my adventurous trekking trips in South America in recent years, testing my fitness to the limit. | This was just one of my adventurous trekking trips in South America in recent years, testing my fitness to the limit. | ||
- | SOCIAL NOTES FOR MARCH | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Social Notes For March.==== | ||
by Belinda McKenzie | by Belinda McKenzie | ||
- | 24 MarCh - Be sure you don't miss George Mayer' | + | |
+ | 24 March - Be sure you don't miss George Mayer' | ||
31 March - Peter Christian' | 31 March - Peter Christian' | ||
- | ***********4 | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
FEBRUARY 1993 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 15 | FEBRUARY 1993 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 15 | ||
THE JANUARY GENERAL MEETING | THE JANUARY GENERAL MEETING |
199302.txt · Last modified: 2016/09/28 15:25 by tyreless