THE SYDNEY BLTSHWALKER is a monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc, Box 4476 GPO Sydney 2001. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager. Editor: George Mawer 42 Lincoln Road Georges Hall 2198 Telephone 707 1343 'Business Manager: Joy Hynes 36 Lewis Street, Pee Why 2099 Telephone 982 260 (H), 888 3144 (B) Production Manager: Fran Holland Editorial Team: George /Amer., Barbara Bruce, Jan Roberts, Maurice Smith Printers: Kenn Clacher, Kay Chan, Barrie Murdoch,Margaret Niven & Les Powell THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS 1NtORPORATED was founded in 1927. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at S pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre; 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point 'Railway. Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. President: Greta James Vice-President: Ian Debert . Public Officer: Fran Holland Treasurer: Tony Holgate Secretary: Maureen Carter Walks Secretary: Morrie Ward :Social Secretary: John Hogan IN THIS ISSUE APRIL 1995 P 2 Invitation to a St Johns First Aid Course Fran & Bill Holland P 2 An invitation to compete in the:annual Wilderness Shield. competition .P 2 'The Empty Community' Do the RNP shacks serve any useful. purpose or are they simply a blot on the landscape? Elwin Moms P 4 Old Bushwalkers Never Die. Barbara Bruce visits some members Who have escaped. p.5 Nepal Trek Don Finch & Sev Sternhell P10 About the White Ants Jim Brown P12 Safety and Learning Maurice Smith P13 Ken's Canyons Maurice Smith P14 A letter from Bert Canons' daughter How About It? Here / am soliciting again. We need copy for this - magazine. We need your stories, your trip reports, your jokes and yams, your complaints and constructive suggestions, (suggestive constructions) your ideas that might be helpful to beginners, we can be a blackboard for your advettisem ents, we can display your sketches, you perhaps have some gOssip you wish to propagate, some poetry you want the world to read, could be you want to buy something, sell something, find a friend. We'll., print lust about anything in the guise of being “matters of interest'. Tit-bits, fiction, truth - or your version of the events, lies - or your version of the events. How 'about it?. Deep down you know that there are lots of things you'd like to say. We'll accept it in any form, we're not in any position to be too choosy but if you can put it on diskette as IBM compatible “something or other” it will help. Membership Secretary: Barry Wallace Thank you. Ed. New Members Secretary: Bill Holland , Conservation Secretary: Alex Colley
Magazine Editor: George Mawer Committee Members: Denise Shaw & Advertisers: 3 Alpsports Maurice Smith 7 Willis's Walkabouts Delegates to Confederation: Wilf }Elder & 8 Mountain Equipment Ken Smith 10 Eastwood Camping Centre
13 Paddy Pallin
PAGE 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER APRIL 41995
ST JOHNS FIRST Al]) COURSE FOR SBW MEMBERS ' We are planning to run a first air course for SBW members and prospective Members over a weekend in August (tentatively 12th/13th August). This will result in St Johns First Aid certification for members attending the course. The instructor will be a , bushwalking member of Confederation, Dave Shepherd: He is an accredited instructor Who regularly conducts first aid courses for The Confederation of BUshwaildng Clubs. Dave will give emphasis in this course to first aid problems encountered in the bushland remote areas. The cost to our members will be $58, a substantial discount otithe normal cost of $125. This will only be possible if we get a reasonable advance booking for the course but numbers will have to be limited as well. To make it a fun Weekend, as well as an instructive weekend, we are offering our home as the venue, possibly with a barbecue on Saturday evening, You can stay overnight for. an early start. on Sunday Morning. We are seeking expressions of interest at this stage but a $20 deposit will secure your place in what is expected to be a popular course. Please phone Fran or Bill Holland (484 6636). Notice of Change of Walk My weekend test walk of 7,8&9 April could not be held due to a change of circumstances. In its place on 28, 29 & 39 April there is a weekend test walk in the Budawangs from New Haven Gap. For further details please contact Maurice Smith on (02) 587 6325 H or. (02) 285 5573 W. Wilderness Shield Navigation Corning up on the weekend of 24 & 25 June (a few days after the winter solstice) is the annual Wilderness Shield Navigation competition organised by the NSW Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs. This is off- track wilderness navigation at its most challenging. - Last year SBW had one team in the short event. This tear I would like to see several teams entered by SBW, in both the short and long event. So dust off your map and compass knowledge and give me a call to register yoUr interest Omit not between May 30 and June 17 when I Will be in Kakadu). For further details please contact Maurice Smith on (02) 587 6325 (H) or (02) 285 5573 (W). THE EMPTY 'COMMUNITY' IN THE ROYAL NATIONAL PARK by Elwin Morris Th e 137 huts that with their, .dunnies, gArdens', barbecues, chairs, tables,, beer bottle walls and other paraphernalia. clutter. 'all the flat useable spots behind Era, Burning palms and Little Garie are supposed to house a 'community' I visited. Era on a warm sunny Sunday at lunchtime in February, when there was a good. surf on a safe, patrolled beach. Apart from the lifesaving club and at most 20 huts , the place was deserted. 1 was told that the day before, on an equally fine day, only about 10 huts were occupied , A relative mansion takes up all of the point of the north headland, with a fenced estate where prickly pear and blackberry are spreading. The brother of a long time. hut owner on the opposite headland didn't even know the owner's' name, but knew he 'almost never comes down'.
One of the hut owners at Era, a graphic designer who described 'the community', in a recent article in ',.the Sydney Morning Herald, lives in expensive Louisa Road, Birchgrove, and has a weekender at Pearl Beach, like his neighbour, 1David the playwright. It wouldn't be surprising if. he preferred Pearl Beach to Era most of the time. Most Of the huts are empty except at peak holiday periods. They are ugly, despoiling otherwise beautifUl, headlands: They take up almost every good camping or picnic spot with sea Views near the safest beaches. You feel you're trespassing when you walk. on 'their' lawns. even though there's no one around. How much longer must this so called 'comMunity' get away with it? Bushwa ers We specialise in the latest light weight gear for your outdoor adventures. Whether you require Tents, Backpacks, Sleeping bags, Rainwear, Stoves, Abseiling gear or Accessories, we carry the best brands. Macpa c; j&H, Bergha us, Scarpa, Outgear, Trangia, M.S.R., jansport, Bluewater, Edelrid, Petzl, S.R.T. We offer you personalised knowledgeable service to help you purchase the correct equipment for your needs, naturally we offer the best prices too. Advice is only a phone call away. X-Coun Skiers We stock the latest range of skis, boots bindings, & poles for backcountry and telemark skiing. BACKCOUNTRY SKI HIRE MAIL ORDER CATALOGUE AVAILABLF, IMPORTANT NOTICE HIRE GEAR EititEr Ica.? OlVir Now Available A Macpac - Tents - Backpacks - Sleeping bags A NW - Rainwear A Trangia - Stoves A Thermarests A Bivvy Bags Special prices for club members. Week or weekend rates. DISCOUNT FOR CLUB MEMBERS INIONNEININIIMINIW” NOMEMONSIIRMINEEMEI MIENNINwirvumur ' NniggaPM1101 sammemir mon.- Noisimeri immoomor ..1., i Your 'One Stop' Adventure Stoop 10454047 Victoria Rd, West Ryde NSW 2114. Ph: (02) 858 5844 PAGE 4 THE SYDNEY 'el.ISHWALKER APRIL 1995 OLD BUSHWALKERS NEVER DIE - by Barbara BrUce they just walk off into the countryside … Like Helen (Rowan) and Brian Goldstraw and Wendy and Steve Hodgman, both of whom own properties on opposite sides of the A C.T. and who Tony Marshall, Marsha Durham and myself visited in the middle of March. Margaret and Bob Hodgson and their two daughters also presented their credentials while we were visiting the Hodgmans. We were all very active walkers in the '70s and early '80s so it is interesting to see how the different ones have branched out into new areas and new activities. It occurred to me that there may be a few 'out there' who also know the same people and would be interested to hear of them. Brian and Helen have a 40 acre property (I don't know how many 'hectares' that is!) called “Sunset” outside Hall. They have a son, Geoffrey (5) and a daughter, Amy (3). Their kitchen, dining room and lounge have a magnificent view of the Brindabella Range and they offer agistment for people with cattle. This area is not endowed with many trees and Helen and Brian have planted quite a few. Although the weather conditions have not helped them to flourish as yet, I can see some improvements since the last time I visited. Wind can be a bit of a problem - it hinders the growth of the trees, but when grown there will be a lot more protection. They also grow their own vegetables and feed their chooks on food scraps - nothing gets wasted! Brian has set up an irrigation system with pipes from their dam and they use water from a tank which captures rainwater from their roof. It only takes Brian 20-25 minutes to drive to work in Canberra, while Helen enjoys the friendly neighbourliness of country people. It was with pleasure I listened to her tell of the great success of a local church craft group which involves all ages and levels of society: the older folk who set it up each fortnight, the young mothers of all 'religious and ethnic groups whip frequent it for social contact and the parishioners who share their expertise for free. As far as Wendy and Steve Hodgman are concerned, it is as if they just went on a bushwalk one day and decided that that was it, they weren't going to go any further - this camp would be permanent. Their home on 10Q acres at Captains Flat is about 70km away from Brian and Helen and is set right in the bush. They have three children Sean (9), Jenny (5) and Lewin (2%). Like Helen, Wendy also has a mesmerising view through her leaded glass kitchen window. While Brian and Helen have been at “Sunset” for eight years, Steve and Wendy only moved into “Chippendale” (Chip'n'Dale) last August.. There wasn't a lot to do in the way of renovations, but they found quite a few repairs were necessary in very quick succession! So fortunate that they had put aside money to buy a farrnworthy“ vehicle… They too have chooks - and ducks and goats and yabbies and trout and grebes (which look like ducks) and a horse and dogs. Wendy and Steve have always been different in what they have done so to hear that Wendy is currently educating her children at home will not surprise those who know them. (If they should express a desire to go to school, they would not be held back.) They still have cause to visit Canberra once or twice a week, including some of the cultural activities put on during the Canberra Festival. Steve can operate his computer company from home but still travels to Canberra and other states fairly frequently. They seem pretty relaxed - maybe it's the country air! Both couples would welcome visits from any of their S.B.W..friends, so to make it easy I will leave you with their phone numbers in case you should wish to make it a reality. Brian and Helen Goldstraw: _(O6) 230 2650 Steve and Wendy Hodgman: (06) 236 6380 APRIL 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWAL.KER PAGE 5 KANCHENJUNGA TREK Sev Sternhell and Don Finch., * 1994 Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain (8586m) on earth: and is situated at the 1 eastern extremity of Nepal on the border of the Indian state of Sikhim: We (the authors,:- together with Barbara Finch, Peter Finch; Brian…Holden and Ros,.Kerrigan) completed a long trek in the area late in 1994. Being. fully catered our had not only three guides (“Sherpas”) but six kitchen staff and a varying number of porters up tO 25) Carrying tents, food, a dining table and the inevitable_tent toilet. This is the only way to trek in eastern Nepal, as ,he area is not much visited by trekking parties and hence boosts very few inns (tea houses). We arranged the trek. through Bir Sarki Tawang, whom we knew from three previous treks and who is a truly excellent guide and a good friend. Bir acted as our expedition chief (Sirdar) and organised the infrastructure through the smallish but excellent trekking company, Magic Mountain (Sundar Himali) owned, by his friend, Mg Phuri Sherpa.' We have nothing but praise for both Bir and Sundar Himali., We set off on -9, November 1994 by:. light plane from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, a reasonably safe air strip situated on the Arun River and Managed a short walk (including a. crossing of tributary, of the Arup by boat) on the same day, to camp at Kukowa at an altitude of' 500m., The vertical profile of the trip is shown on the illustration at about 2500m. As you can see, the profile reseinbles the Himalayas themselves; as Bir says, “Nepal never fiat. When not up, it is down.” You better.. believe this as the ascents oni the profile 'add up to over 1900m and this is a 'gross underestimate,. as all the' little ripples of a hundred metres or se were not counted. '. It Would Strain the readers' 'attention span to go over a trip of thiS length on a -day to day basis, but a few highlights should give you a feel for'this kind of trek. . It took. us 10 days to reach Pathibhara, a “hill” according to Bir, but a fait sized mountain (3794m) br:1 our standards. When we reached the top, which is a local pilgrimage spOt with a temple containing an altar for sacrificing goats, it 'started to snow and we thought that the view would be ruined. However; as on many other occasions, the 'sky cleared overnight and the morning greeted us with:4 magnificent view of five of the world's six highest peak's: Everest, Kanchenjunga,.., Lhotse, Malcalu and Cho 'Oyu; only mountain number two (K2) was unseen in far Off Pakistan. In a further five days'we reached Gunza, a Tibetan village at 3420m ',where we had our first acclimatisation day (Pathibhara did not count as we descended sharply after one night). We used' this day to reconnoitre the Crossing of the lower reaches of the Kanchenjunga massif, Which we knew we had to do later and which looked rather horrific from the top of Pathi bhara.. We had a second acclimatisation day. Kambachen, a tiny settlement in spectacular surroundings at 4050m, which we reached in one day from Gunza. We spent this day clambering oyer, the hills around Kambachen taking hundreds of photographs in truly breathtaking (no pun intended) - surroundings. Even if you could go no further, the trip to K.ambachen would be worthwhile, particularly for the magnificent view's of Jarinu (7710m). Kanchenjunga, while enormously, and impressive, is not a particularly beautiful mountain because it is seen 'as a wall rather than a peak from both north and south. However Jannu, known as The Fang of Death, is a spectacular sharp double peak of yellow rock and gleaming ice. From Kambachen it took us three days to reach the north base camp of. Kanchenjunga at Pang Perna situated at 5140m, where we spent One night. In this area we saw several , herds of blue sheep and deer. During three days it got progressively colder (the lowest temperature we recorded was -17, but undoubtedly it must have got colder still) even the weather was very good with crisp sunny mornings, some cloud in the afternoon which cleared at sunset to brilliant starry nights. Sleeping in tents at these temperatures had its moments,. - particularly as one needs to get up several times each night to relieve oneself of the'enormous amount of fluid which one takes in to avoid acute mountain sickness (ACM). At Pang Perna itself, some cloud prevented us from seeing the top of the north wall of Ka nchenjunga, but the overall landscape was very impressive indeed, with our campsite at the foot of the Wedge Peak (6750m), the Nepal Peak (6910m) and The Twins (7004m). Needless to add that 'Pang Perna is well above the tree line and nothing but stunted shrub and grass exists in the, narrow strip above the glacier and below the towering walls of ice. it took us two easy days to return to Gunza even though a significant snowfall occurred. This was so because moving down When acclimatised to a high altitude gives one a- great feeling of energy one is drunk on oxygen, From Gunza we embarked on crossing the tail end of the Kanchenjunga massif over a succession 'of five passes known collectively as Mirgin La, with the I> TEMP 30 20 7 11 3 -2 -2 -3 -2 -17 -15 -7 -10 -2 10 7 12 -5 oC 13 15 10 6 3 4 -4 -10 -15 -2 -10 -11 0 12 4. 5 -2 5350 MILKE DANDA LUNCH GUPA POKHARI 3000 RIDGE TOP FEATHERS TORANTAN GYPALA LAL KHARKA CHAUKI Temperatures recorded 6am to 7am PANG PEMA 5000 Day temperatures add 10 to 15 oC .Day _1 was 9/11/94 LHONAK 4500 D.Finch MIRGIN LA CHORTEN LAPSANG LA TRACK 4000 RIDGE RAMTANG LUNCH KAMBACHEN
PATHIBHARA GHUNSA GHUNSA GHUNSA LAMITE BHANJ YANG 3500 TSERAM Many small up/downs are not counted CLIMBED 260 +-915 1135 335 -1915 UP/DOWN 1040 805 -1405 835 860 -500 KLMS 4 12 19 10 11 WALKED 17 13 12 9 6 11 935 730 605 740 370 -820 +-800 +-300 1100+-800 +-1000. 1415 -230 215 +-510 +-200 0 -910 880 600 -1500 -815+-950 -1085 875 -500 LUNCH CHIPS LUNCH CREST 2500 AMJILASSA SUKETAR OMJE KHOLA 'SUKETAR NUNDHAKI 2000 SUNGHU GORJA BASANTPUR SHEEP (2days by MAYAN TAPLEJUNG SOKATHUM YAMPHUDIN TAPL JUNG bus KTM) 1540 - GHURIA CHAINPUR LUNCH LUNCH SIDE CREEK 5 (NESUM) 6SI U 1000 Climbed up/down meters are minimum for' any given day 4PASS 3ANPANG 1MAMANKE 500 KOKUWA DOBHAN Kilometers walked are estimated from map scale 1:192500 2BRIDGE DOBHAN TUMLINGTAR contour interval 500 meters 5PHAWA KHOLA (lhour by air from Kathmandu) DAY .1..2..3..4-5..6..7..8..9..10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24.25.26.27.28.29.30.31.32.33.34.35.36.37.38 10 14 16 15 10 21 14 18 12 11 21 11 14 20 9 11 20 10 14 10 4 11 APRIL 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 7 highest of them at 4724m,. The best views and the highlight f the trip were from Selela La (La ems, “Passin Nepali) in perfect Weather with 'great views of Jamm and Kanchenjungi 1 The crossing pfMirgin: La Was a two dayaffairiwith a very pretty camping Spot On the banks of a stream on a high meadow. The descent forin Mirgin La to Simbua Ehola (river) was not without minor drama as three of our porters got mislaid on the huge mountainside. However, Bir and his men found them in darkness and all was well. Next day we walked up Simbua Ithola to camp near Ramze where the river emerges from the Yalung glacier. The following day we made a trip up Yaltmg glacier to a Chorten 14huddist religious structure consisting of a pile of stones, prayer flag and small:, 'offerings) where, in perfect weather, we enjoyed a view of the south face of Kanchenjunga. On. photographs, this looks somewhat disappointing, but standing there one can quickly calculate that the wall of rock and ice rises 12000 feet above the Chorten! It is just that there is nothing around to indicate the scale. The return trip had no major objectives so we were relaxed about the weather, but it had itsmoments, particularly a nasty sidle on a snowy and unstable scree slope before a small pass Lamite Bhanjyang (3410m). Later on we also had three rather, hard days even though we were fit. Following, major river valleys in Nepal is not always easy: the valleys are about 3000m deep and side streams cut huge declivities in them. One is forever going down and then up 1000m or SO. Eventually we reached Basantapur, where a road complete with a private bus and representative Of Magic'. Mountain appeared to take us back to Kathmandu after the traditional party where our staff entertained us with song and dance. As the old hands among us knew, the hardest part of the trip followed, with a two day bus trip, but only one really close shave - a safety record of some sort. Then four days in Kathmandu to enjoy the sight's, eat like pigs and shop, shop, shop: In all a magnificent trip. We were very, lucky with the conditions and very fortunate in the absence of serious altitude sickness. For the next trip to this bewitching place, contact Sev Stembell.
Central Australia's heavy rains early this year have insured an above average supply of both water and wildflowers. 1995 is shaping up to be an excellent year to visit the region. Our West Macdonneils walks will. include 'portions of the Larapinta Trail aSwell as some magnificent areas which fie well'away from the marked route. Each section lasts about a week. Our East Macdonnells, Finke Gorge and Watarrka walks take you even further off the beaten track. We no longer have space available on our March-April trips, but welcome bookings on our June-July (pleasantly warm days and cold nights) and September-October (warmer days and cool nights) trips. Ask for our trip notes. WAtitis, .Willia's Walkabouts 12 Carrington Street, Milner NT 0810 Phone (089) 85 2134 Fax (089) 85 2355. Mountain Equipment The. leading specialists in lightweight outdoor equipmen. SYDNEY CHATSWOOD 291 SUSSEX STREET (cks. BATHURST) 272 VICTORIA AVENUE PH: (02) 264 3146 or (02) 267 3639 (OPP. CHATSWOOD CHASE CAR PARK) FAX: (02).264 2645. PH: (02) 419 6955 BUSH WALKING PACKS All sizes 40-85 litre capacity. The best designs to suit your back. MACPAC, W.E., OUTGEAR & SOUTH WINO.
FIAINSHELLt Jackets, dtrousers & capes. Goretex, Milair, MVT, Nylon, : INTERTREK & PETER STORM. THERMAL UNDER & OUTER WEAR Polypropelene, Chiorofibre, Polartech, Polarlite & Polarplus. PROPEL, EVERWARM, PETER STORM, SNOWGUM,. MACPAC, MONT & INTERTREK. DOWN SLEEPING BAGS From super lightweight travel to expedition use. MACPAC, MONT, SALEWA, J&H & ROMAN. FOOTWEAR For Trekking, Travelling, Bushwalking, Ski Touring & Climbing. Synthetics or leather. MONTELLIANA, LA ROBUSTA, LA SPORTIVA, BUNYIP, HI-TECH, MERREL & VASQUE. MIN mai Imum lilt= ism gum ism um NEWSLETTERS EQUIPMENT CATALOGUE PRODUCT UPDATES 1 PLUS. 7 YOUR CHANCE TO WIN EXCITING PRIZES! Pleae send me info on: TRAVEL PACKS 0 SLEEPING BAGS I0 FOOTWEAR WARMWEAR 0 RAINWEAR o TENTS, D STOVESlux al= mom iim morn EMIMIMS =MI MEW RIM i1.1 axis Imo aim =iv arm THE LEADING SPECIALISTS*. men mot ow paw ism Nos moil OM= RIM =NM ht I I RIM IRMO P/CODE POST TO: MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT , 291 SUSSEX ST, SYDNEY. 2000. Ph:-(02) 264 3146 I
MOM =IS 11111111 MIMI NM MIMI VIM SNOW 111=111 OMNI NAME: ADDRESS: rilirMOUNTAIN EQt./IPMENT'S MAILING LIST! YES, I WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED ON I. .tfr!” ^ APRIL 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 9 From the Clubroom - Jan Roberts Barbeques; boats and bargains were the main focus. for Wednesday night clubroom activities during March. Following the yearly election of the SBW committee on the 12 th of March, the traditional celebratory barbecue was held for the incoming office bearers. Kirribilli Barbecue - March 15 Having accepted the role of Social Secretary the week before, this particular night proved to be literally a trial by fire. for me. It seemed that part of the social Secretaries job , was to ensure, that the barbecue was burning fiercely on the night, in time to sizzle the arriving offerings,. Unfortunately the Only matches, I could find proved pathetically inadequate, as did the pile of soggy wood provided by the Kirribilli Community Centre. Happily Bill came to the rescue with dry timber from Westleigh and with the help of Miriam, Dick and Oliver; I managed a. respectable inferno in time for the first sausage sacrifice. Gradually little groups formed at tables decorated with cloth and candles as members settled down to serious eating and the usual 'Walk Talk'. The promised downpour held off until we had finished the festivities for the night, and so my prowess as waterproofing the fire was not needed after all. ,”Kathleen March' 22 As one of the' original volunteer guides for the National Maritime Museum, David Boult entertained us on this particular evening with a presentation on the restoration of the “Kathleen Gillett” built in 1939. David and his wife Janet are both keen walkers, and like, many others we know are busier in retirement than ever before. The “Kathleen. Gillett” sailed in the first Sydney to Hobart YaCht race in 1945 and was the second to circumnavigate the world between 1947 - 48. The video we sawtraced this magnificent yachts life from conception through some exciting times including crocodile hunting in the Solomon Islands, and being dashed on. a reef near Guam, to eventual purchase and restoration by the museum. A gift to Australia for the Bicentenary from the Norwegian Government, the Kathleen Gillett is ,a 'must see' next time you are at the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour. Thanks to David for his fascinating presentation on such a significant part of our maritime heritage and for the four free passes to the Museum donated on the night to the Club Club Auction - March 29 Patric James once again took command of the auctioneers hammer last week to run our annual auction at the clubrooms. By far the best participation we've enjoyed for a while, the auction proved to be not only a great way to pick up the odd (and some of the items were very odd) bargain, but it was also great fun. Some of the items up for auction included a lawn mower, 2 bicycles, jewellery and even a genuine Asian wood carving complete with household dust! Members and prospectives all got into the Mood of the auction very quickly with some of the better quality boots and gaiters prompting fierce bidding for the start A reserve price was made available to those Who 'required it, and it was felt that this contributed to an improvement in the overall quality of the goods. Thanks to Patric for his time, effort and entertainment in helping us to raise a tidy sum for the Club, and for all those who participated on the night. Reminder- Upcoming -event The SBW Concert is planned for May 24th and is shaping up to be a big night. For those of you who are planning to be part of the entertainment and haven't rung me yet, please do so soon as we need to finalise the program. There's still time to be included to strut your stuff! John Hogan has agreed to be master of ceremonies even though he's normally the shy, retiring type, and we look forward to a big audience on the night. Remember to mark your diary. PAGE 10 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER APRIL 1995 THE WHITEST OF WHITE ANTS Part 1. by Jim Brown “All right, “said The McGregor, “We've now got names with 'ant' in it for all the characters except the Bladk Duke, What are we going to call him?” “Well,”, I volunteered doubtfully, “How about 'Anthracite'? I believe it's a kind of coal - very black and pretty hard.” “Ha!” exclaimed The McGregor. “I don't think there's anything much blacker than anthracite coal. That should do.” The old team of Writers had assembled early in 1957. to 'tidy up' the Mass of scribbling we'd been doing-for the 'Chronic Opera' to be played at the Reunion. The basic theme of the storyline had been dreamed up by our Producer/Director, The McGregor himself, and it had its origin in a group of our current members, commonly called the “White Ants”: Householders, of course, have good reason to think of white ants as Unspeakable villains, insidiously devouring the timber work of housing, but the SBW breed of 1953-57 was a very different kettle of termites. Oh sure, at 11.00 a.M, they may call to the leader “a great place for lunch, leader!”, or at '4.00 p m. 'What a beadt spot for the night camp, eh?” You rnay imagine they were the laggards and shigeprds of the walking game, but you would be way off beam. fact, most of them were solid, reliant walkers, some almost in the 'Tiger' class, but possessed of an impish sense of humour which made them turn on a show of `white anting' the trip. Those of us who got to know -them fairly well came to regard them with affection, ail in my own case found them jolly company despite wliat was almost a `generation gap' in age. ,-;The story devised by Malcolm McGregor for our next `Chronic Opera' transported us to the Ant Qiieendom, where a new Queen Antimony, played by Heather Joyce (later Heather White, but no “white ant” foi' all that) succeeded to the throne and was hoping to wed her favourite Noble Ant, Count Anthony (Geof Wagg). The main obstacle was the senior Noble the Black 'Duke (to be played by Frank Rigby), who was,a notorious “White Ant”, but should become Royal Consort, in accordance with the Consorting Act, of course. However the Queen's old father, antecedent (McGregor) recalled that in his own time he had foiled,: 'the former Black Duke by recourse to an amendment in the Consorting Act which enabled the Queen tomake her own,choice,provided her champion could walk 1000 Miles in the course of one year. Once he had told his daughter, she opted to persuade Count Anthony to attempt this feat. There Were difficulties however, with the various personalities and their attitudes. Even her personal maid Antirrhinum (Yvonne Renwick) had misgivings, while the Ruler of the Queen's Navee, Admiral Antidote (Brian Anderson) as a staunch supporter of the Black Duke, was prepared to go to any measures to stop Anthony in his stride. Needless to say, both Frank Rigby and Brian Anderson were eminent Club “White Ants” at the time and I found them. great - people, both for their walking ability and delightful sense of humour. Another opponent of the Count Anthony proposal was the stodgy old Archbishop of Anterbury (my role in the play). Finally 7 and very disquieting for the Queen, Anthony himself had misgivings about his athletic capacity, expressed in the aria Geof wrote for himself tO the old ballad tune “Rolling Down to Rio”. I've never walked a step before if I could catch a tram, You may suppose I'm lazy - ah well, perhaps I am. (See Note A) (Yawn) An, ah, ah, ah, ah. But now they say I've got to walk; to me it seems quite mean To walk a thousand miles - a thousand weary miles To win a loving queen. As Archbishop, I was allowed to write my own anthem, setting out my rather pedestrian view (to. “Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon). I grant I'm pedantic, I'm not a romantic This law is fantastic and all so much cant. This thousand mile antic will drive us all frantic, I look upon Anthony as redundan It's extravagant, quite irrelevant, Ranting and panting of antenuptial love. Fragrant diction, but flagrantly fiCtion, The Queen needs the Black Duke, who'll never be druv. 4041 ONE PLL\NET II utaear *NT linkSP3RTIV1 berekaig Come in and discover for yourself the fun of _.r-044i0g..:thoug Me– . - - ……. . - botent. OBlueWater eWILDERNESS 0 SCIASZP',4% , MacPaC 1..Vilderress Eq-,:tprilen; 014Cou, THE SPORT SANDAL e a mommEm., .4stercotd:#- ba,*(drd: american express cheque' lay-by. 11Alliance D.D. Stuff THERWA-RES11 VICTORINOX SOURCE
Kike iff Utrangia tradin MowlaY: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: r Saturday: 'Sunday: lours_ 9:00an' 5 9:00w- 5:30Pm 9:00' -5:30Pm 9:00am - 9:00Pm 9:00am -5:30Pm 9:00smI 30P CLOSED , HPIEC race gtorm- -1&'” eastwood . 3 Trelawney Street camping. Eastwood - NSW- 2122 centre Telephone (O2)858 3833 t - .. . r …;…,..:,..,,,,,,,,,,,,,:.,…:,,,……),:&.,: :::::;:kv,:,:.,*;:,:…?:;.A.;*.vozw, ,,.. s::. FIRST AID AND ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT CHECK' LIST 1. DANGER - To you, to others, or the casualty. Don't become the next victim. 2. RESPONSE - Shake and shout “Can you hear me? Open your eyes: What's your name?” - “If you cant speak, squeeze my hand.'. If a neck or spinal problem is suspected - Apply a cervical collar but do not move. If unconscious - support neck and head then roll Casualty onto side. Clear- mouth, check pulse and breathing. 3. AIRWAYS - Ensure airways are clear and open. Tilt head back and open jaw. BREATHING - if not, 5 full breaths in 10 seconds. CIRCULATION - Check pulse, if present - start Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR) Adult - 1 breath every 4 seconds Child - 1 breath every 3 seconds If NO pulse= kart Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) _ 1 Person CPR - Adult - 15 compressions + 2 breaths every :15 seconds 1 Person CPR -.Child - 15 compressions + 2 breaths every 10 seconds 2 Persons CPR - ,Adult - 5 compressions + 1 breath every 5 seconds 2 Persons CPR - Child - 5 compressions + 1 breath every 3 seconds. Count “1000 - 2000 - 3000 - 4000” - BLOW repeated. (for adult) Check pulse at 1 minute, then 2 minute intervals. Continue CPR until medical help arrives. 4. CONTROL BLEEDING + cover wounds - clean wounds, apply non stick dressings. 5. IMMOBILISE FRACTURES - above & below fracture bandages, splints slings. 6. TREAT FOR SHOCK - Lay them down, raise legs, reassure them, keep warm and corafortable. Do not give anything to eat or drink (moisten lips only), loosen tight clothes/belts. Monitor pulse, breathing, skin; temp', fluids, Record condition every 30 minutes. 7. HEAD TO TOE EXAMINATION - Any other wounds, fractures, bites, internal bleeding? Head, neck, chest, shoulders, abdomen, hips, arms, hands, legs, feet, back Soft tissue injuries (sprains and strains) - Rest - Ice - Compression - Elevation. 8. ENSURE CASUALTY IS KEPT WARM AND COMFORTABLE until medical help arrives. Cared for by most experienced first aider. Alleviate pressure points. 9. PREPARE INFORMATION FOR RESCUERS date, day, time of accident, club, number in the group, number injured, details of casualties, what help is required - Evacuation, doctor, stretcher, shelter, food, water, matches, communications etc. Location, map & grid references, wind direction and speed. Is there a nearby helicopter landing site - minimum 40m x 40m Y/N 10. SEND FOR EXPERT ASSISTANCE/TRANSPORTATION Send two walkers for help with instructions on what is expected of them. 11. PREPARE FOR HELICOPTER. Clear the landing area Mark the landing area If Strong wind put up a wind sock (indicator). 12. PREPARE TO WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE. ** APRIL 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 11 But the one like a sphere is sadr eadfully dear kings abdicate at the 'price. Conclusions which I draw from this I briefly will explain Though Queens wear out, there is no doubt You can use the crown again. For crowns you know, take long to make as you beat and burnish and bind, While Queens so fair are everywhere and never hard to find. And so to win renown, this rule I will set down, Just find a Queen to fit your crown, a Queen to fit your crown. This 'wisdom I exude, if properly construed Will earn my constant gratitude, my constant gratitude. At least, I provided a response for father Antecedent, who first says “Tosh, Bishop, Anthracite's a heel, and youknow it” and sings:- But Anthony's elegant, gallant and pleasant, Anthracite's humour is..mordant and scant: Anthony's favoured by savant and pea, Anthracite's banter has Unpleasant slant. He's too jubilant; it's significant; In my antennae anticipation swells, So antagonistic and antipathetic swear Anthracite's up to something that smells. Meanwhile Geof had recognised the problem for an Archbishop faced with this situation we had developed., and produced for me a delicious aria based on the Mikado's song “Making the punishment fit the crime” from the G&S-operetta. The words he gave me were:- I aril Archbishop and that's the reason ., Uve got this job today.. To nobody second, I'm certainly reckoned, An expert in my way. ,There is no other who has the wide experience cantlaim .: At -crowning kings and allied things I really know thy game. But the hardest part I ween, has nearly always . been To find a crown to fit the Queen, crown to fit the.Queen. As Royal heads arise in every Shape and size For each a crown I must devise, a crown I muit devise. The cubic head is simple to fit, so long as it's perfectly Square, A micrometer job is just 45 bob and I work viith meticulous care. The pointed head is tricky of course, though it always looks quite nice, 'For this session I've taken up enough of your valuable reading time. [fl am tolerated, I.will relate in another instalment how the Black Duke tried to defeat Count Anthony's 1000 mile walk and include a few more of the songs that touched on the whitest white ants I ever met.
Note A: “Never walked a step if I could catch a tram” This needs to be read with the knowledge that, up to 1957, most of the public transport in,a radius of about 6 miles (10km) from Sydney's GPO Was by “tram” - or “light rail” as its present proponents call it. Buses superseded trams in the inner suburb' from 1952 to 1961, when the last (City-La PerOusOtram line was converted. I know - I was closely involved. As part of these “explanations” it should also be said that Brian Anderson, who took the part of “Admiral Antidote”,,the Black Duke's' ally, was already nicknamed “The Admiral” 'because he had organised several easy summertime weekends on the 'Walks Program using launches hired from a Broken Bay boatshed. Regrettably at least one such jaunt ended up in shoal waters. PAGE 12 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER APRIL 1995 Letter, to the Editor: By Maurice Smith Safety and Learning With the ever increasing popularity of bushwalking the likelihood is that there will be more situations where bushwalkers need to be extracted from mishaps, or awkward situations. However, much we might deplore it, the media does not distinguish between the casual once a year biishwalker who readily manages. to get into trouble requiring outside asSistance and the dyed in the wool club members who are capable and rarely need outside assistance. Our club has been very fortunate in that out members are very rarely involved in any situation that needs outside assistance. Over the last few years we ., have averaged about one such serious incident a year. Considering the number of members who are out walking week in and week out 1 think our serious incident rate is very low and excellent. Of course, we aspire to a zero incidentrate. When we have an incident I believe that we should use that opportunity to learn lessons that can be . useful for all our activity leaders and members. Here is what I offer for consideration by club members and for comment via our newsletter. tbelieve that our club should form a pentanent sub-committee for the purpose of'. reviewing all ifiCiderits that require outside assistance. The subcommittee 1 suggest would be chaired by the Walks Secretary, and would have' as members the club president and three other committee members. The charter. of the sub-committee would be to review with the relevant activity leader and group members the full details of the incident. The review is not an inquisition. Each incident will almost certainly be unique. However, ;there will be elements in the incident. that have broader application. Resulting from the review any lessons learned should be published in our club newsletter. Such an approach by this wonderful club, of which I am proud to be a member, will help to make it an even betterclub. . It is rare that any of our leaders will be involved in an incident that requires outside assistance. We should equip our leaders with knowledge hard won from other incidents. The benefits for leaders and members in incidents should be reasonably evident to all. Mishap management is all about ensuring that an incident does not become a disastrous headline. There will probably be members who will say “if we do that we might compromise our insurance cover or we might expose- ourselves to risks of lawsuits”. My response is that if we do not learn from the rare opportunities that occur then we fail our members in two ways. Firstly, we fail to equip our leaders and members in handling rare and potentially difficult situations. Secondly, we may compromise insurance cover and risk lawsuits for precisely the same reason. We could be judged to have been negligent precisely because we haven't equipped our leaders' and members with the knowledge and' skills for managing these rare situati ons. - I would like to see 'the view g of other club members in print in this newsletter. 'Get your pen and paper, or word processor out and offer constructive criticism. Ken's Canyons By Maurice Smith When it is too hot for serious bushwalking around Sydney and its environs then 1 get the urge to go canyoning. Over the weekend of TBA and on a day trip on 'TBA I have been canyoning with Ken Clacher. It hasn't been too hot even when wearing a wetsuit in the canyons on top of the Blue Mountains. In fact before the start of next summer's canyon season I intend to upgrade my wetsuit. It is either that or I need to put on a lot of fat for insulation. But if 1 put on insulation then much my current wardrobe will not fit me, On balance it will be cheaper to buy a new wetsuit! . Anyway, enough of the waffle. On the Thursday and Friday before this weekend we had quite heavy rain as the drought broke. However, the ABC news weather forecast on. the Friday night was good. Five minutes after the weather, forecast was over my phone rang and my immediate reaction *as that it was Ken to tell me he had cancelled the trip. Fortunately the call wasn't from Ken and the trip was on with an early Saturday morning start. The weekend of TBA saw a nine members and three prospective members meet on the Bells Line of Road at Pierces Pass and then perform' a car shuffle with most of the cars being left back at Mt. Tomah in anticipation of our exit there. Under leaden skies we started by dropping off the main road into i> APRIL 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 13 .1.1.1 .(1 an upper branch of Range ??? Creek. Almost immediately we came onto what seemed to be a burned out marijuana crop. As we progressed down the creek the water level was high and fast flowing. Soon we were donning our wetsuits as we took to the 'creek. and found deep holes. Several tricky down climbs saw us using ropes for , hand. over hand descents, with our water proofed weekend packs being tossed in ahead of us. - Lunch time saw us at the junction of Range Creek and Bowen Creek South. Shortly after that the creek started to widen out a bit and become quite deep. For most of us it justified inflating our lilos. So off down the creek we floated. There were numerous rapids, fallen trees etc. so that often we were forced to get off the lilo and carry it over or around the obstacles. Carrying the lilo was no great trouble, however, getting off the lilo wearing a saturated weekend pack in fast flowing water posed some real challenges. However, some of the high waterfalls were very attraCtive. withlots of water tumbling down to add their load to our creek. Around 4 PM- saw us at a major junction where it was decided that we would make camp for the night. After some scouting around we managed to find enOifgh. sites .for. us all including four members who squeezed into 'a :rather interesting cave (of which more shortly). Upon opening our. packs., one member found that his waterproofing hadn't been adequate. Quite 'a .lot of his gear was very wet, including his sleeping bag, as well as some food and horror of horrors, wet toilet paper too. However, a fire was soon started and a reasonable amount of the wet gear, was soon isteaming and quickly dried. 'creek junction. Here we made the unanimous decision to pull out of the creek while we had a Chance as the weather had turned quite cold and the skies: promised lots more rain. Some of the party were suffering quite severely from the cold water and cold. weather. The alternative was to keep liloing for another 4 to 5 hours before we could be certain of another exit. As we -made our way back to the Bells -Line of Road we came across a vehicle that had been dumped in the bush next to a fire trail. The ,vehicle's rear windows had been broken but the rest of it seemed intact.' Judging by the fresh tyre marks on the trail the vehicle had only been dumped there in the previous night. Relevant details were taken for reporting our find to the relevant police station. Eventually we hit the main road and then we had the delights of a 4 kilorneter road bash back to Pierces Pass. Then we had a car shuffle to reclaim our cars from Mt. Tomah. So ended a wet weekend, and while we didn't get to where we intended we did enjoy the weekend_ The following, weekend saw four of the previous weekend's participants plus two others gather at Mt. Wilson for an abseiling and canyon trip. The objective was to descend Crayfish Canyon that exits into the tourist section of the Wollangarnbe,River and:then filo down that river to the usual exit point: This we did on a warm and sunny day. The water,, in Crayfish Canyon was the usual temperature of other canyons. In other words it was wetsuit territory. We had two abseils, one 'of about 10 meters and the other of about 20 meters. Both had difficult starts: :The second one had us down besides a waterfall. At the bottom we then -twisted and turned as we made our . A camp fire was set on a rock slab in the creek way through the last 200 meters or so of the canyon and happy hour followed in the traditional manner out to the Wollangambe River. What a contrast in despite the light drizzle that fell now and then Water temperature between Crayfish Canyon and the the creek roaring in our ears in due course we Wollangambel.,' After the former the latter was almost adjourned to the sleeping bags for the night.''' sauna-like in comparison. After lunch on the banks of the river it was time to exercise the lungs again by Just as well that the member with the wet gear, is inflating the lilos and then making our leisurely Way on very friendly terms with:a lady proSpeCtive' as they down 400 meters of the river to the exit. Upon and another couple shared the small Cave for the:M..44C. reaching the cars..we stumbled upon the club members Four people with three sleeping bags., need I 'say Who had been On the :other canyon trip with Geoff They also shared the cave with a native marsupial Macintosh ???. A combined afternoon tea at the Ivy'animal (type not certain) that walked across some of Inn at Bilpin on the 'Way home put the finishing their faces in the night and 'raided various food caches touches to another great day canyoning in the cave. The tale of the animal's raid grew with ,. each retellingthe next day. So Ken Clacher thanks again for a good time in , the canyons. The Creek level was down somewhat the next morning, : However, the- weather was not looking too promising. After an hour's hieing we came to another
, PAGE 14 THE SYNNEY BUSHWALKER APRIL 1995 LETTER TO THE EDITOR “Green Gully” Megalong Valley N.S.W. 2785 (047) 879150 The Editor am researching the history of my family, the Canon's, in the hope of writing a book to pass on to my children. My father, Bert, is the last, in our line, of the pioneering bushmen. I am anxious to preserve as many facts and memories of Dad, and his family, as possible. I know many of your members have had much to do with my family over the years - particularly my grandparents, Alice and Norbert Carlon. I would be grateful if I could appeal to those members, through your magazine, for any memories they can share with me. I would also love to obtain copies of photos of family members and the farm 'pre Packsaddlers'. I would of course meet all costs. Kind regards, Sharon Tofler. OK you older members, here is another opportunity to do something for our Club and for Bushwalking, and of course another chance to get into the history of bushwalking in Australia. I believe that most of us would consider a book about one of our forebears should get a pretty high rating. So, lets give Sharon any information that we can. As we don't know where our individual contribution might fit into the overall storey I suggest that you contribute anything you have and let Sharon sort it out. And remember - nothing is too small and nothing too big. (so go for it - ED). oct ti EVEREST BASE CAMP via Pumori Ridge - Kala Pattar, Nepal Sometime in: October '95 - November '95 Thirty Days Duration Best views in the world of the whole Everest Region Wanted - Treckers to go to the ALEXANDER 3854158 (W) 6630755 (H) ALEXANDER 385 4158 (H) 6630755(W)