APRIL 2005 41045 Victoria Rd West Ryde NSW 2114 Tel 9858 5844
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THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER is the monthly bulletin of matters of interest to members of
The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc
PO Box 431 Milsons Point 1565.
Editor: Bill Holland Production Manager: Frances Holland Printers: Kenn Clacher, Barrie Murdoch,
Tom Wenman Don Brooks Fran Holland
Opinions expressed in this magazine are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
All material in this magazine is copyright . Requests for reproduction should be directed to The Editor. billholland@bigpond.com
CONSERVATION
7 News from Coolana Don Finchs report on Coolana maintenance
12 Conservation Notes The new Conservation Secretary comments plus some news items
13. Hunting In National Parks Should Aborigines be allowed to hunt in National Parks
apvenisees
Alpsport Front cover Newnes Hotel Cabins 6 Paddy Pallin Back cover Scarpa Boots : 14 Wild Asia 7 Wilderness Transit 15 Willis's Walkabouts 11
APRIL 2005 Issue No. 845
HIS MONTH INCLUDES pOULAR FEATORS
From the Committee Room Message from President Maurice Treasurers Report
Editors Note
Letters to the Editor
Social Notes and Other Items
spHCTAL FEATURES
4
8,9
10,11
A Tribute to Grace Noble
Helen Gray writes of her friend and long-time SBW member who died in March
The 2005 Annual General Meeting Barry Wallace reports on our AGM
Reunion 2005 - Annual Get Together
Freddo has a tale or two to tell about celebrations at Coolana
No Boots At All Back in 1991 the late Jim Brown had sonething to say about boots
15
16 17
18,19
Walks Notes: Barry Wallace continues with his informative notes.
Other Walk Reports
Easter in Ettrema
Maureen Carter and five others stumble down Bullfrog Creek but never reach Jones Creek
Beautiful Tambo Creek Alison Shames enjoys Peter Love's Easter Waik slipping and sliding.
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. | Page 2
The Sydney Bus]
About Our Club The Sydney Bush Walkers was formed in 1927 for the purpose of bringing bushwalkers together; enabling them to appreciate the great outdoors; establishing a regard for conservation and promoting social activities. The Club's main activity is bushwalking but includes other activities such as cycling, canoeing and social events. Our Walks Programme (published quarterly) features day walks on most Saturdays and Sundays, some mid week walks and overnight weekend walks. Extended walks are organised in areas such as Lamington, Snowy Mountains etc as well as interstate. Our meetings are held on Wednesday evenings (see Social Programme) at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome. General Enquiries: Phone 0500 500 729 SBW
Website www.sbw.org.au
Office Bearers President: Maurice Smith Vice-President: Rosemary MacDougal Treasurer: Tony Marshall Secretary: Leigh McClintock Walks Secretary: Ian Thorpe Social Secretary Kathy Gero Membership Secretary Ron Watters New Members Secretary: Grace Martinez Conservation Secretary: Bill Holland Magazine Editor: Bill Holland
Committee Members
Caro Ryan Peter Love
Delegate to Confederation: Jim Callaway
Pam Campbeil
Contact The Committee:
Members are welcome to contact the following officers on Club matters:
President : Maurice Smith
9587 6325 (h) mauricethewalker@ihug.com.au Vice President : Rosemary MacDougal 9428 5668 (h) rmacdougal@bigpond.com
Secretary: Leigh McClintock 8920 2388 (h) meclintock@pacific.net.au Treasurer Tony Marshall
9713 6985 (h) tbhuilder@bigpond net.au Members Secretary: Ron Watters 0419617491 wattersr@bigpond net.au
New Members Secretary: Grace Martinez 9948 6238 g.martines@bigpond.com
April 2005 |
oo S40 From The Committee Room -
i A report of proceedings at the Management Committee meeting on
6“ April
= The proposed response to Confederations draft Risk Management Policy will be tabled at the next meeting.
” No further progress reported on the Coolana toilet project
= A copy of the Draft Budawangs Walking and
Camping Strategy has been received from National Parks. Open for public comment until 29 July.
Wayne Scott, Stephen Bradbury, Susan Ellicott- Darke and Graham Byme were accepted as full Members.
“ The Easter walks led by Kenn Clacher and Peter Love were upgraded to Q status.
” The Committee approved payments of $332 (postage of subscription renewal notices) $402 magazine-related expenses,.$566 new printer and other sundry payments.
At its first meeting, the incoming Committee discussed a paper prepared by the President, listing key tasks and projects for the coming year. Some were dropped from the list after discussion, but the Committee agreed that priority items included updating the constitution.
The Committee agreed to hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. on 27 April, to discuss the resignation of the Website Sub-Committee, and the issues raised by that resignation. The discussion may also deal with other issues of electronic communication and information management.
Death of Grace Noble
We were saddened to hear that Grace Noble passed away on 20th March after a short illness - aged 95 years,
Grace, and her husband John joined SBW in the early 1930s.
All members will join in offering sympathy to John, and also Dorothy and Malcolm, both ex- SBW members.
A tribute to Grace, by Helen Gray appears to on Page 4.
4“ May Committee Meeting: 11” May New Members Night.
Social Programme - May
Introduction to SB'W for intending prospective members
18“ May Boots and All - Presentation
See prizes awarded and hear about latest developments in walking gear, particularly footwear. There will be opportunities for questions and discussions and floor prizes on the night.. Contact Kathy Gero for details of the pre-meeting dinner.
|
The Sydney Bushwalker
April 2005 Page 3
4@
Treasurers Report Receipts and Payments to March
Receipts
Members Subscriptions 80 Prospective Fees 1,772 Interest Conservation 107 Interest - Coolana 318 Interest General 181 Magazine Advertising 1,065 Total 3,523 Payments
Magazine Production 722 Magazine Postage 1,252 Coolana Rates & Occupancy 187 Coolana Maintenance 250 Rent Club Rooms 598 Postage, Phone & Internet 1,424 Administration 571 Total 5,003 Closing Bank balance 10,123
The Clubs finances are going pretty much as expected with the exception of postage which is higher than budgeted.
At the AGM, concerns were raised that the club was intending to invest with Colonial State believed to be a major shareholder in Gunns. At one time, Colonial State did own shares in Gunns but sold these in May 2004. Its quite interesting. If you look on the web you get lots of hits about this issue pre May 2004. Then, it seems, several large institutions quietly sold their shares in Gunns during May/June 2004 with very little mention to be found from either side of the debate.
Tony Marshall
Annual Subscriptions Now Due * The Annual General Meeting determined that the SBW Annual Subscriptions for 2005 would be:
Single Membership = $45-00 Household membership = $73-00
Non Active Membership = $20-00
Non Active + Magazine = $34-00 Magazine only = $20-00
A payments slip has been mailed to you. Please return this with your cheque
. * These subscriptions do not apply to Prospective Members
Message from President Maurice: Our enthusiastic member, Patrick McNaught, who suffered a medical condition while visiting New Zealand, is back in Australia and on the mend. I have spoken with Patrick and he tells me that it will be a while before he can get out and about. Im certain that he would appreciate your best wishes for a speedy recovery.
At our recent Management Committee meeting we put together a list of our projects for the next 12 months. That list is quite long and will involve a significant amount of work for all involved. In my column last month 1 promised you a list of those projects, so here they in (in condensed form for the sake of column space):
” Improving the way in which the Walks Program is compiled Risk management issues referred to us by Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs (the NSW State body of bushwalking clubs) “ Electronic payment facility for members subscriptions (for the 2006 subscriptions) Progress the review and editing of the draft revisions to the clubs constitution Electronic management issues including the web-site, membership databases, archives, email distribution, electronic distribution of club material Identifying and developing potential trip leaders Later this month the Management Committee will be having a one-off meeting to devote our attention to all of the issues surrounding the web-site, which has proven to be a source of considerable debate. [ will report on the outcome of this meeting in next months column.
That is all from me for now. I look forward to catching up with you around the camp fire in the near future.
Maurice Smith
NOTICES ~-CHANGE OF WALK DATES
Please note the following change of dates for my Autumn walks:
14” -15“ May changed to 21*-22 May Wollemi NP - Grassy Hill fire trail
4.5” June changed to 25-26“ June Wollemi NP - Drip Rock fire trail
Peter Love
BOOTS AND ALL COMPETITION CLOSING SHORTLY See Page 10 for details
Get your entry in now for a chance to win great prizes !
A Tribute to Grace Noble
On March 20th 2005 S.B.W. member Grace Noble died. She had led a long, adventurous, and full life. Her interest in others, and in everything, remained to the end; as did her memory, her humour, and vitality.
Grace Edgecombe was born of Australian parents in 1910 in Buenos Aires. In 1913 she and her mother left for Australia, via Scotland where they were marooned by the outbreak of World War 1. The journey was resumed in 1913, but Graces father, the artist Harry Edgecombe, didn't get back until 1919. [The story goes that one day 9 year old Grace went to her mother and said “Theres a man at the front door and it could be my father”.] Grace didn't start school until aged 8, but at 16 had completed the Leaving Certificate at Sydney Girls High. Lacking the prerequisite Latin to study Arts at Sydney University, she embarked on a Science degree instead [with no school science!] and graduated with Ist class Honours in Geology in 1930. From geology came Grace's love of bushwalking, for as Grace wrote in the early 1930s as a student of geology you could escape some of the limitations of being a girl; you could camp and wander alone.
In 1935 Grace joined S.B.W. She has described herself as a rabbit amongst tigers [referring to the Tiger Walkers of the 1930s and their amazing walks] but my reading of a trip report by Gordon Smith in 1935 shows that Grace was no rabbit! In 1944 Grace married fellow S.B.W. member John Noble.
During WWII Grace worked for AWA. Because the Germans controlled most of the world's supply of quartzite for radio crystals, her work included searching maps and mining records for probable sources, and later the application of her mathematical skills to achieve the required electronic frequencies of crystals.
I first met the Nobles John and Grace, with Dorothy, young John, and baby Malcolm - at Jamberoo when I was a teenager. I was intrigued by this family; so different from the 1950s model, with its unconventional mother who avoided housework, fed her family on wholegrain bread and vegetables, cared little for possessions, and encouraged her children to be creative, and to think freely and express their opinions. It was a family very much ahead of its time.
Graces first job had been school teaching, which she resumed as her children approached adulthood. This gave her the means to travel and in 1970 she was on one of the first organised treks to Nepal. Other trips followed: to Europe, where she revelled in being an older woman travelling and walking alone, then to Argentina, Chile and Peru entirely on her own. She added to her interests the study of Ancient Greek and Spanish, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics, and still found time for operas, concerts, plays, and art exhibitions, often with bushwalking friends. I was lucky and privileged to be one of those friends; Grace heard and saw everything with an open, fresh, mind.
Grace was an active walker with the club until in her 70s, and not just on easy walks. She was known to say yes impulsively to any invitation to go bushwalking. Thus she came to be on a Narrow Neck trip in the 70s, Grace had forgotten about the way one gets off, and up, Narrow Neck. [Her children didn't call her The Muddie-headed Wombat for nothing!] She ended her written account of the trip thus: Home late, to account the horrifying story of ropes and chains. But of course, it was in the walks programme.
Why didn't you tell me? I knew you wouldn't take any notice.
The death of Grace's son John in 1993 in a plane crash was devastating, but Grace [as did husband John] found solace in many interests, and the family, especially in encouraging the grandchildren in their creative endeavours. Grace cared little for the opinions of others. But she DID care about her friends, and cared very much about the state of humanity, and of the world. Dorothy summed it up at her Mothers funeral:
Ever an optimist, she looked on the positive side of everything without exception. This meant that never in my life did I hear her say an unkind thing about another person. She could get angry and infuriated with people, but never did she demean them.
Farewell, dear friend.
Helen The Sydney Bushwalker
April 2005 Page 5
Letters to the Editor:
[=” In Appreciation
I would like to take this opportunity to expand on President Maurices note of thanks to Barry Wallace last month, and having ready access to our clubs archives, I thought members would like to know of Barrys extensive contribution.
Barry joined SBW in June, 1966, and our records show he has worked for the club in many and various positions since 1967.
Not in order, Barry has been President, Vice President, Membership Secretary (10 years) Members Committee Representative (7 years) Confederation Delegate, Printer (during the years we wrestled the monster machine) and member of Coolana Maintenance Committee (1976 to present). For over 35 years he has given a lot of time and energy to the club as a valued Committee member. As well as this he has been a very active walks leader
Barry received Honorary Membership in June 1991
Each month, since 1977, he has contributed to our magazine an informative and entertaining review of our meetings and walks reports, a very valued part of our magazine.
Thank you Barry. Fran Holland.
[=“] Susie Writes a Book Dear Fellow Walkers, Well at last it's time for the launch of the book I've been telling you about over kilometres and kilometres through the bush!!! Hope you can make the launch (details below) or, if you can't, buy a copy!! Susie Arnott
Sitting here with my leg up on a chair (recovering from knee surgery) Ba provides a great opportunity to read and reflect on my walking days and how the Club has changed in my relatively short time as a member.
And then, reading Helen Grays tribute to Grace Noble on Page 4 gives an insight into a different era.
This month, President Maurice reporting on Committee proceedings tells us we have risk management and electronic management issues. We have to identify leadership potential consider electronic payments and establish a new Web Site sub-Committee.
Whatever happened to those early days when people just got up and walked?
I hear this comment from other clubs. More time required on insurance matters, identifying risks, waivers to be signed before a walk commences - even managing child protection issues. Nowadays, it seems that the key requirement for a bushwalking club is to eliminate all possible risks.
I looked back on Committee minutes of twenty years ago. Not a mention of these matters. The Club received a great deal of correspondence in those days - no emails. In our meetings we discussed walk reports, tracks, conservation and social activities - and the word management rarely appeared, if at all.
How about a return to the good old days! Lets give priority to putting fun back into walking and even for a short while forget the problems of the world.
Now about this months magazine; our competition is nearing the closing date so it seems opportune to include an article from 1991 by the late Jim Brown on the subject of boots and sandshoes. As well as the regular features, there are special reports of the AGM and the Coolana celebrations in March.
And of course the tribute to Grace Noble. Bill Holland.
Susan Arnotts first novel will be launched by
Susan Hunt, -Head Curator,
Museum of Sydney, at Shearers on Norton,
99 Norton Street Leichhardt On Tuesday 24*” May, 2005
6 for 6.30 | Page 6
The Sydney Bushwalker
April 2005
The 2005 Annual General Meeting
The meeting began at around 2001 with Maurice in the chair and around 20 members present. Apologies were tendered for Joy and Ian, Eddy and Jenny, John Bradnam, Ron Watters, Richard Brading, Jim Calloway, and Joan Rigby.
The minutes of the previous Annual General meeting were read and accepted as a true and correct record. There were no matters arising from these minutes.
No items of correspondence were presented to the meeting.
The annual reports were taken as read and accepted. The Treasurer presented the Annual Accounts and these were taken as read and accepted. There were some questions, and answers, regarding managed funds, but otherwise there were no matters arising.
The election of office bearers was next. We elected two scrutineers, acknowledged the two procedural motions to permit the business of the meeting to proceed concurrently with the elections and to establish the counting methods for the various possible combinations of positions, and began. The scrutineers even
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earned their pay for one or two positions. The results will have appeared in last months magazine. *
The statement required by the Associations Incorporation Act (NSW) was presented and accepted by the membership present.
The annual subscription rates for the coming year were discussed and determined. Notice of the rates will have already appeared in this journal.
There was no general business when the call came.
A vote of thanks to the Hon. Auditor and the Hon. Solicitor was moved and passed by acclamation.
From there it was a simple matter of passing by acclamation a vote of thanks to the outgoing office holders and the meeting closed at 2114. Barry Wallace
* The names of Office Bearers and the positions to which they were electeds were published in last months magazine
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This is the ideal base for numerous bushwalks in the area.
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campground. The Sydney Bushwalker April 2005
Page 7 |
Coolana Report
On Friday 4“ March the Sydney Catchment Authority had an inspection at Coolana for the acquittal of the SCA grant. The officer was very complimentary in his comments about the way the project was conducted and asked that his congratulations be passed on to all those involved for a job well done.
The weed-poisoning regime was also considered. It was pointed out that the Roundup glyphosate used is a non-selective weed poison, which can be applied up to the waters edge. Also available is Roundup Biactive, which is specifically made to control weeds in aquatic areas. The non-selective nature of Roundup means that very often non-target grasses and other desirable plants are also destroyed along with the weeds, leading to bare patches. Two selective poisons were recommended Grazon DS and MCPA500.
Close inspection of the trees revealed that many more trees were damaged at the level of the top of the guard by wind action. It was noted that removal of the guards and resilient support of the trees was the next step at the appropriate time for each individual tree.
The riverbank area, which has suffered considerable from repeated weed infestations, was inspected and it was noted that very little if any grass or plants were surviving under the two-meter high cobblers pegs. The use of the selective poison spray along with grass seeding was recommended.
The inspection moved to the eastern flat where again selective poison spray along with mulching of weeds and then grass seeding was recommended for some areas. While other areas that were not yet a monoculture of weeds could benefit from the selective poison spray. The SCA trees were growing well but these were not advanced plants to begin with and are not yet over
Don Finch
the top of the guards.
Advice was given that a tender was about to be let for the removal of privet on SCA and NP land on the river and lake foreshores. This would include Coolana and we could expect workers at any time.
The issue of the composting toilet was mentioned and the SCA will inspect the plans and site prior to approve of the project. The council initiates the SCA inspection, not us, after we put in a development application to council. However the officer took a GPS position of the proposed site and undertook to check the position in relation to SCA boundaries as a curtsey.
The mowers and brush cutter were serviced; oil, air filters, plugs, cleaning and repairs as required all are in working order. Several trees that had fallen and some logs on the camping flat were cut up with the chain saw. The facilities for the reunion were erected and some selective mowing done.
The reunion was on the following days and several people helped with securing wooden posts to extend the star posts and support trees with ladies stocking tied to the wooden posts. Ladies we need more stockings can you help? Weeding inside guards was also done.
Don Finch
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| Page 8 The Sydney Bushwalker
April 2005 |
Reunion 2005 - SBW Annual Weekend Get Together
It was a great weekend for the fifty or so members who attend the annual celebration at Coolana in March.
Freddo of Frog Hollow describes the campfire celebrations.
Down in the valley the sun shone brightly, Coolana looked a picture, and the wood gatherers had done a fine job. And there was promise of Spiro's spinach pie and the best of all possible fruit cake from Fran and Lorraine!
As the stars twinkled above, Patrick James slipped effortlessly into his accustomed role as MC and the entertainment was a happy blend of the spontaneous interleaved with items written for the occasion by Don Matthews, and some classic rhymes from the 1935 Reunion concerning the Stegosaur ,of which more later.
After some spirited singing led by Karen Brading, Bill Holland, Tom Wenman and Patrick, Helen Gray introduced and Don entertained us with Zhe Megaphone Man a comic ditty describing Patrick's antics last year. This time he managed splendidly without the megaphone, but then as he would no doubt point out, it wasn't meant for him anyhow but for the more softly spoken among us and they were uncooperative.
Karen, Bill and Patrick then sang with the children and later on Bill led them through a touching rendition of The Broken Doll. That was great, Bill, you'll have to do it again next year. Jim Percy had us in stitches with his Purple People Eater and responded to the chant of We want Jim! by returning to tell his version of The Three Bears.
Talk about a proposed new toilet of advanced design had inspired our composer to muse about The New Shed and after Tom had delivered a preamble, Barbara Bruce pointed out the salient features on a highly imaginative sketch as Don painted a word picture.
Later, On St. Coolanas Day, which celebrates the triumph of commonsense over the electronic gadgetry which is overwhelming society, was performed by Helen as narrator, Tom and Don variously as the new chum” and as Pat and Bill (Coolana devotees) and Frank Rigby as the electronic spy, with Barbara joining in for the choruses. This was_first performed at the 75th,and extra songs have since been added. The Spook, the electronic eavesdropper, was reduced in this new edition, to a crumpled heap by the power of the Presidential Bone , striking the Gong three times. The Gong looked suspiciously like a galvanised garbage bin lid painted gold, and the Bone (we have this on good authority) consists of a piece of tree branch, a ping pong ball and some plastic putty! These objets d'art first appeared on the scene at the 75th, and have been creeping into
prominence, to .They We gave Frank an “These antics to full being a 4 :
This story claims that the Bone comes not from a defunct cow at Euroka, but from a prehistoric monster which had two brains, one at each end. Tom and Barbara presented this marvellous piece of verse as two of the children held up a drawing by Helen, so that it's features could be pointed out. Tom summed it up at the end thus:
“You now know why bushwalkers are so often caught in two minds and why it is so appropriate that our President should have the only known relic of the extinct Stego. The Stego became, extinct, we are told, because he developed the habit of sitting down.”
This was the cue for the re-induction of President Maurice by nine Past Presidents ( Frank, Don, Spiro, Barry, Helen, Jim, Barbara, Bill and Greta )
And then to the supper table. After this feast the serious singers, led by Tom, warbled on into the night, with a break now and then for special treats such as Tom's “Albert and the Lion”. He does it very well,
Sunday was another brilliant day, and what with a spot of swimming or canoeing, for those so inclined, the damper competition, with the children to the forefront, and the viewing of photo panels from past Reunions (from the 4th Reunion in 1935 up to recent times) it was all very pleasant. Some folks, including Jenny and Don Cornell all the way from Tabulam, stayed on for another evening of good fellowship.
Freddo of Frog Hollow The S A 2005 | Page 10
The Sydney Bushwalker
April 2005 _|
No Boots At All
Jim Brown (1991)
This article appeared in The Sydney Bushwalker in March 1991. It was one of several articles by both Jim Brown and Errol Sheedy on the benefits of Volley sandshoes over boots. Although not an entry in the current Boots and All competition, the late Jim Brown would certainly have welcomed the opportunity to have his say.
The Boot -has it fallen upon evil times? Is it the symbol it used to be? Well, what sort of a symbol was it, anyway?
1 have vague recollections that, during my early years at Primary School, say about 1925-6-?, I was regarded by some of my school-fellows as something of a'sissy” or wimp, because my parents had provided me with shoes which didn't come up over my ankles. Shoes may be all right for girls, but all true men and boys wore BOOTS. Maybe my recollections are amiss, but that's how I remember it.
Certainly, at the beginning of the bush walker movement in and around Sydney at much the same time, boots appear to have been the accepted and acceptable footwear. As evidence, I'm almost sure that the badge of one of the long-established Clubs is a boot. And of the symbols with which we invest our incoming Presidents, the first one is “The Boot” - indicating that we esteem walking.
These symbols are hung, like the Ancient Mariner's Albatross, around the new President's neck. Fortunately The Boot is on a fairly long chain, but by the time you get through “The Map” and “The Flannel Flower” to “The Clasped Hands”(to signify friendship and social activities), the chain is so short that Presidents wearing spectacles are best advised to remove them, and one wonders sometimes if the clasped hands might ever separate and try to strangle the wearer.
There were also several songs commonly sung around camp fires and at Reunions which gave favourable publicity for boots - indeed, treated them as a vital part of the bush walking scene . - more about that later.
This thinking originated with the reading of an advance copy of Dot Butler's biography “The Barefoot Bush Walker”, and coincidentally an article by Errol Sheedy in the January [1991] magazine telling how he was lured away from his original boots into sandshoes. This reading in turn revived some old memories including Dot travelling on the “Fish Express” one
(Bes
Friday evening in 1955 (yes, it was 1* April - All Fools Day) and we were going to Katoomba to take part in Geoff Wagg's “85 Miler -Katoomba to Picton”. From my seat opposite Dot in the same compartment on the train I noticed one of her sandshoes had a decided split in the sole, displaying either a bit of sock or some foot. In horror I drew her attention, and was rewarded with “Oh, dear!” Dot insists she added “Oh, well, it will let the water out, (on the many crossings of the Cox River). I was so worried about it, this sensible attitude didn't register properly at the time.
Another memory is my own conversion from boots in the 1948-49 period. Earlier, during a number of freelance pre-war walks I had used sneakers -with Tubber sole and leather uppers - but after being required to wear boots for about five years (in the army during World War TI) and on finding they were standard footwear for most SBW members in 1947, I submitted to the mode. Not for long. The jolt that went up the shin when walking in hobnailed boots along sealed roads on the last leg into Katoomba, Blackheath or Kiama soon persuaded me “there must be a better way”.
Since the sneakers I'd worn earlier were no longer available, I tried sandshoes and quickly became convinced they were adequate in the easy conditions encountered in our Sydney- side bushland. J even made a few converts, including some of the most active of the new members and -almost to my surprise - the sandshoe suddenly “took off”.
Sinful pride urges me to believe that I had something to do with the widespread adoption of sandshoes for bush walking. Ordinary common-sense persuades me that it is likely other members of our Club and the members of other Clubs were probably moving towards the same conclusion about that time. By 1950 I had finally discarded boots, after a Tasmanian trip, and that wimpish school-boy who had been derided for wearing shoes was doing a bit of gloating over the downfall of the dominant boot. (But was there something else? (Continued next page)
se “Boots. and: All”
Competition; closes 30th, April
PRIZES FOR YOUR SHORT STORY/ARTICLE - POEM OR LIMERICK - JOKE. Dont delay, send you entry in today to Boots and All Competition C/- W. Holland 216C Quarter Sessions Rd Westleigh NSW 2120 Or by email to: billholland@bigpond.com
The Sydney Bushwalker April 2005
Page 11
No Boots At All
Did something in my sub-conscious say to me, “You don't have to behave like an Army tank and trample everything down. You can tread softly, go around that prickly hakea, avoid squashing that tiny boronia. You can make the Bush your friend, not something to be beaten down”. All I can answer is - yes, for years, walking in my wimpish sandshoes, I always thought the bush was a friendly place, an ally, not an adversary to be defeated.)
You can tread softly, go around that prickly hakea, avoid squashing that tiny boronia. You can make the Bush your friend, not something to be beaten down”. All I can answer is - yes, for years, walking in my wimpish sandshoes, I always thought the bush was a friendly place, an ally, not an adversary to be defeated.)
I think the final seal of approval - the apotheosis - came several years ago, when several young people were overdue on a Colo River walk, and Federation's Search and Rescue organisation took part in the search. Actually the young people walked out under their own steam a couple of days late, but in the meantime some worried parents had managed to reach the Rescue Headquarters organised by the Police out on the Culoul Range, and one mother sent a large donation to 5 & R, accompanied by a letter praising the devotion, expertise and kindness of the people “wearing the dirty sandshoes” {the bushwalkers). So, the sandshoe had become the mark of the bush walker.
Top End
(Continued)
Now, I'm well aware some walkers still prefer boots (but not the hob-nailed variety these days), and like Errol Sheedy, I can see they may have merits in some areas. The essential fact remains that in our fairly kindly local environment the sandshoe in its various forms is good footwear and is widely wom.
This has, of course, put paid to those old campfire songs -“For They Were Large Boots” and “No Boots At All”. You just can't sing the same words and substitute “Volleys” or “Reeboks” or even “Sandshoes”, because all of those words are of two syllables, where “boots” is only one syllable, so it just won't scan.
Is this a good thing? After all, Ive discovered that the two “boots” songs I've mentioned both have rather smutty alternative words. One version of “No Boots” was sung by R.A-F. airmen operating in the Western Desert of North Aftica in the 1940s, where pilots forced down sometimes fell into the hands of nomadic tribes who had a rather unpleasant way of showing their disapproval of the warring Europeans (whether British, Italian or German). It's to. be hoped this isn't the practice in all Desert Wars.
Meanwhile, if anyone can come up with a tolerable “one syllable” word for sandshoes in lieu of “boots”, we should be able to sing those songs again.
Jim Brown.
Orienteering and Rogaining
a . After 27 years of Top End {Car nival - 8-17 July |
Orienteering, this is Darwin's first Championship and national badge event.
It will include three orienteering events, a rogaine
and a bush dinner
Hf you are interested in orienteering and/or rogaining as well as bushwalking, this could be the perfect year for a visit.
Months of planning have already gone into this
See the websites below for fuil details.
Top End Grienteering: wanwtopend.nt orientesring.asn.au/badgesindex. htm!
Rogaine: http/nt.rogaine.asn.au
Several of our trins or sections of our tips can easily be combined with the carnival. See the Top End and Kimberley trip list on our website for full details, Spedal discount. Anyone enteting the orienteering championship and/or the rogaine will get an additional discount of 10% on the cost of the trip
carnival and teonths more are still to come. A small, if their total discounts are 15% or less, 5 y
dedicated band of iocal orienteers and rogainers an extra 5% if their other discounts will have all syster:s go by the time the event kicks add up to more than 15%. RECOSELNS. off in July. (Proof of entry is aquired.) :
www. bushwalkingholidays.com.au alkabouts | Page 12 The Sydney Bushwalker April 2005 |
CONSERVATION NOTES:
This month we open up these pages to a discussion of the question Should Aborigines have hunting rights in National Parks? Peter Dyce raises this issue in a Letter to the Editor - see next page. Peters letter was prompted by an article in the Sydney Morning Herald - see next page - previewing the release of a State Government . draft discussion paper later this year.
The question is whether traditional land owners should have these rights and if so, should the rights be limited to traditional forms of hunting and should wilderness areas be protected. The National Parks Association (NPA) has a policy statement on this issue - see next page - and at this stage my personal inclination is to agree with the NPA statement particularly as I feel that the original occupants and owners of this land should have the same right as any other landholder to use what is really their land. To their credit they are willing to concede part of their ownership to preserve national park status.
As Conservation Secretary I intend to write to express an opinion on behalf of members. However, whereas previously I could base such an opinion on discussion at SBW general meetings this is no longer possible as these meetings only take place at very infrequent intervals (every six months). Therefore I am relying on you, the SBW member, to write a letter, make a phone call or send an email telling me your views. I will summarise these next issue and base my reply on your submissions.
Also included in this months Conservation Notes are news items collected through the month from various sources. I would be very pleased to receive such items of interest for publication and have your reaction. These items should reflect conservation issues relating to bushwalking and the preservation of our natural environment. Bill Holland - Conservation Secretary
News Items:
Living Parks - A Draft Sustainable Visitation
Tenth hottest year
Strategy For NSW National Parks The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is seeking community comment on its new draft Living Parks strategy, which is a sustainable visitation strategy for NSW national parks. The goals of Living Parks are: - park values protected and conserved - enhanced visitor experiences - sustainable and culturally appropriate visitor use - sound practice in visitor management - enhanced community health and wellbeing - economic benefits for communities. You can download the draft Living Parks strategy at DEC website www. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
G8 Promises Action
A Group of Eight (G8) ministerial meeting in England has finished with the promise of take action on illegal forestry and help for countries likely to bear the brunt of climate change.
The G8 Environment and Development Ministers agreed to help poor countries combat illegal logging and trade in poached timber.
The statement says the eight industrialised countries would “take steps to halt the import and marketing of illegal timber.
The communiqu issued after the meeting did not mention the Kyoto Protocol, the UN treaty to combat the fossil-fuel gases that are causing the problem.
G8 members are England, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States
A two-week hot spell in February, which set new temperature records, contributed to 2004 being ranked the tenth hottest year on record in Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology's Annual Australian Climate Summary said preliminary data showed the countrys annual mean temperature was 0.45 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 long-term average.
6th January AAP article through Sydney Morning Herald Australian Bureau of Meteorology's Annual Climate Summary 2
Shareholders in Gunns Ltd
In answer to a question raised at the recent AGM the following companies are major shareholders (ie over 5%) in Gunns:
Perpetual Trustees 13.72% @ 29/10/2004 AMP 7.37% @ 23/9/2004 Concord Capital 8.62% @ 27/7/2004 Deutsche Bank 5.74% @ 23/11/2004 The Commonwealth Bank and its subsidiaries ceased to be a major shareholder in Gunns on 27 May 2004.
Mid-term Review of World Heritage Area
The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (TP WS) has commenced a mid-term review of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan 1999. The aim of the review is to fix errors and make corrections to any parts of the plan that are not working, to ensure that the plan is current and that it takes account of any emerging issues. The TPWS has stressed that it does not intend to change the structure of the plan or the broad management approach. It is intended that a full review of the plan will take place in 2009
| The Sydney Bushwalker April 2005 Page 13
Hunting In National Parks
Letter to the Editor The State Government is giving consideration to allowing hunting by aborigines in National Parks.
I have had correspondence with the Premier in which I protested against any form of hunting by any ethnic group. One of the purposes of National Parks is to protect wild life.
Members of the Committee of SBW who feel as I do should make their known to the Premier, stressing that such a decision will cost the Government votes from animal lovers, conservationists, environmentalists and the many people who use our National Parks.
Regards Peter Dyce
Aborigines May Get Right To Hunt In Parks Extract from James Woodfords article in Sydney Morning Herald 4” January 2005
Aborigines may be permitted to hunt and gather in national parks using weapons and vehicles but will not be allowed to use firearms.
A draft discussion paper, Wild Resource Use by Aboriginal People on National Parks and Reserves in NSW, says flora, fauna and other material, such as stones and ochre, could be harvested from the state's reserves. The list of what could be sought by Aborigines includes meat, bone, feathers, teeth, skins, eggs, shellfish, trunks, branches, fruit and flowers.
Hunting in National Parks is now banned to the general public, and Aboriginal harvesting occurs in only a few jointly managed parks.
The new policy will cover protected areas throughout the state.
The document, a copy of which the Herald has seen, is to be released for public comment this year, says issues raised by the plan include public safety, animal welfare and protection of native wildlife from over-harvesting.
The paper, prepared by the Department of Environment and Conservation's Parks and Wildlife Division, lists the range of implements that may be used for harvesting: knives, clippers, axes, saws, wedges, shovels, chainsaws, traps, fishing gear, spears, spear guns, sieves and poisons. Dogs and fire may also be required for cultural activities.
“In recognising the cultural practice of wild resource use, activities should be defined according to their purpose and not their methods. This recognises that Aboriginal culture is dynamic and has adapted to modern technology. The use of modern implements as well as the taking of introduced species does not remove the cultural significance or validity of wild resource use,” the paper says. “Uncontrolled use of wildlife for commercial purposes may lead to serious wildlife conservation problems.”
National Parks Association Policy on Hunting and Gathering by Aboriginal People in National Parks
NPA supports the right of Aboriginal owners to pursue traditional hunting, fishing and gathering activities, subject always to the overriding responsibility to ensure public safety and enjoyment and conserve and maintain the full range and abundance of species, biodiversity and diverse natural habitats.
NPA also has a strong commitment to gun and other weapon control, and believes that the carrying and use of weapons in public places by members of the public should be restricted as far as possible.
NPA therefore believes:
That where hunting and gathering by traditional Aboriginal owners occurs in National Parks, the take should not be bigger than what could be obtained using traditional (pre-European contact) means.
Any vehicular use for hunting and gathering purposes within National Parks must be outside of wilderness areas and confined to public roads and management trails.
Hunting and gathering only be allowed where there is no conflict with other park users.
That hunting and gathering provisions, including monitoring, be clearly delineated within National Park Plans of Management, and where possible facilitate other park management goals, ie control of pest and over-abundant species
Given the above, NPA believes that hunting would be an appropriate activity in only a minority of the National Parks within NSW and these should be identified through the Plan of Management for each park.
The above Policy 21 was formulated and accepted by NPA State Council in 2000.
214 The Sydney Bushwalker April 2005 |
THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES, CHAPTER IVa
NATURAL SELECTION;
OR THE SURVIVAL OF THE PERFECTLY EVOLVED.
Fig. 1: Scarpa Trek, circa 1985. Fig, 2: Australia
Fig. 3: The bighly evolved Trek Pro, circa 2005.
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April 2005 Page 15 |
THE WALKS PAGES
Walk Notes: Period: 13th January to 10 February
Barry Wallace
To open proceedings Pamela Irving led a midweek walk on Thursday 13th January from Narrabeen Lagoon to Mona Vale Beach. The day was hot, but a pleasant breeze took the edge off most of it as the party of 6 (initially at least) passed along the lake-shore through the rainforest. Lovely views of the lagoon and northern coastline were had from Collaroy Plateau. The higher than normal tides precluded a walk around the rocks of the headlands but an enjoyable day was had by ail, including the 1 drop-in and 3 early leaving drop-outs along the way.
The following weekend, 15, 16 January, saw Ian Thorpe with a party of 6 on his walk out from Bell into the canyons of the Wollangambe. Conditions were hot, especially on the Sunday, but explorations ranged from the environs of the camp-site to Wollongambe Crater and Hill 896 for a view into the beginning of the gorge-ous section of Wollangambe River. Tony Manes led a day walk on the Saturday out into The Royal from Waterfall Station with a party of 17. Sunday saw Ron Watters with a party of 12 plus 1 out on a walk from Burrawang Creek to Hindmarsh Lookout via Burrawang Creek and Stages 3, 2 and 1 of Belmore Falls. The weather was predominantly sunny and warm with just the odd spots of rain, all of which made the bracing swim in a lovely pool somewhere among Belmore Falls seem more inviting. The party emerged from the rainforest at the end of the walk around 1630 for a chat and dinner (roast pork and 3 veg. at the Tahmoor Hotel still gets a tick) to complete a problem-free day.
Saturday 22 January Ian Thorpe led a sunscreen free overnight walk from Woodford to Glenbrook with a party of 7. The funnel web spider that meandered across their path at the beginning of the walk presaged nothing much really, but they did encounter a range of weathers along the way with mist, showers and a bit of a thunderstorm. After all that the moon emerged to spell the head torch batteries. I take it that the inclusion of the hazard torch going bung means there is yet another untold story lurking out there somewhere beyond the reach of this scribe.
Stephen Dolphins Saturday 29 January walk out from Quiera Clearing attracted a party of 9 and alas repelled 3 of their shoe soles. The 2 large thunderstorms on Friday night made the going on the rocks in Myail Creek more
treacherous then usual, but the entire party managed it without resorting to a rope.
The weekend of 5, 6 February saw John Bradnam with a party of 9 on his frolic on the Kowmung walk. The river was somewhat swollen due to rains during the previous week and the party due to a surfeit of goodies along the way. The handicap for the climb up Brumby ridge on Sunday morning appears to have been a certain well known worse-for-wear feeling. Saturday 5th February Maurice Smith led a party of 11 on his li-lo trip down the Wollangambe gorges.
Well folks that it for this month and not a moment too soon. That editor is breathing down my neck; and when that involves baited breath * the possible consequences are, shall we say non- trivial
*Barry refers to some misspelling in my email Wentworth Pass Re-opened Wentworth Pass, in Blue Mountains National Park at Wentworth Falls, has been reopened. The tree fall that closed the track near the base of Slacks Stairs has been cleared.
Bronwyn Batchelor - Commercial Licensing Administration Blue Mountains Region - NPWS
NSW WInDERNESS TRanst
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Page 16
The Sydney Bushwalker
April 2005
MeMillans Track
In the February edition of The Sydney Bushwalker an account of a walk in the Victorian Alps was published. It mentioned that the last part of the route of that walk was on part of McMillans Track. It didnt mention that on our descent into the now abandoned gold mining town of Mayford, we encountered Les Hooker and other members of the Ben Cruachan Walking Club who are the caretakers of that track. Les greatly assisted our partys wellbeing by agreeing to provide a decent burial to John Hogans shoe that had decided to part company with its sole. He also promised to provide some information on the track. This he has done and I can provide a short summary of the track.
MeMillans Track was established in 1864 by veteran explorer Angus McMillan to connect the Victorian goldfields and the towns of Omeo, Dargo, Crooked River, Harrietville, Woods Point and the Jordan goldfield. The main track at 2.4m wide was suitable for horses, with a dray track 4.9m wide from Dargo to the Crooked River Goldfields. The track now stretches about 200km from the Victoria River, 17km from Omeo, to Woods Point, near Mt Matlock on the Jamieson Matlock road. It is now divided into four main sections, each of which can be walked in around 2 3 days except for the fourth which takes 4 days.
The first stage from Victoria River goes to Mayford, where we spent New Years Eve, and then to the Dargo High Plains. From there itmakes its way to the junction of Crooked River and Good Luck Creek. The next stage follows Crooked River downstream past the deserted gold mining town of Talbotville. It then goes past Wongungarra River to the junction of the Wonnangatta and Moroka Rivers. It follows the Moroka River upstream for some way before climbing up to Higgins Yards. The third stage goes to Mt Arbuckle and the Bennison Plains, then past Mt Tamboritha to the Macalister River. The fourth stage starts by climbing to the Glencaim Licola Road. It then follows a number of roads and fire trails, over Johnson Hill and Bald Hill, past the Jordan goldfield and eventually to Woods Point.
It appears that this would be an interesting walk. It does have some unmarked sections but is mainly on roads, fire trails or tracks. It will not be a wilderness experience but it does traverse some spectacular, rugged country. I have a few brochures and fairly detailed track notes provided by Les Hooker. They may be obtained direct from the Ben Cruachan Walking club, PO Box 70, Maffra 3860.
Kenn Clacher
Day Walk - Stanwell Park
On 19“ March the predicted rain never arrived and twelve Sydney Bushies enjoyed a walk in perfect temperatures from Stanwell Park up into the rainforest; then we travelled along some slippery tracks which were indistinct and overgrown in places; and, climbed up to the escarpment along the old bullock track. We had morning tea looking back towards the railway viaduct and escarpment then spent almost five hours wandering through about seven different plant communities, including sedge land (bog) and huge Banksia seratas until we reached the microwave towers where we turned around.
We often looked down on the sparkling INawarra coastline and lunched at a spot where the colliery was obscured. A highlight was the group of nine pelicans flying in V formation. A lowlight was when I stepped on a small snake. We returned using the Wodi Wodi track and walked along the beach to the caf where fine food and drink finished off a very pleasant day. Does anyone know a way down from the escarpment in the vicinity of Coalcliff?
Maureen Carter
Coolana Training Weekend 14”/15 May
Ideal for new members. Practical training and testing _ in navigation, first aid and ' bushcraft at Coolana in the beautiful Kangaroo Valley.
The weekend provides an ideal introduction to camping. However tents are optional, as there is a shelter and BBQ facilities on site.
SBW members are also encouraged to attend and assist with training and social activities around the camp fire on Saturday evening. This . is an opportunity to foster social contacts within the club.
Activities start on Saturday morning and transport assistance is available.
Bill Holland 9484 6636 (m) 0418 210 290 email: billholland@bigpond.com or
Patrick James 9567 9998 (m) 0409 041515 email: pjames@idx.com.au
Indicating Radio Beacon SBW has purchased an EPIRB for use by club members, in particular walks leaders. If you would like to take the EPIRB for a walk give Leigh McClintoch a ring on 8920 2386 and arrange to collect it.
EPIRB Emergency Position | The Sydney Bushwalker
2005
April Page 17 |
Easter in Ettrema
I didnt feel too good on Good Friday, as five of us stumbled down Bullfrog Creek from The Jumps on our way to camp at a long remembered camp site at Jones Creek. I felt bad because I had persuaded four others, including two SBW members, to join me. I knew David would have to forgive me (as spouses do) but I wondered if Jan, Fiona and Ross would still want to know me on Monday. To cut a long story short, we never reached Jones Creek, not even by Monday, but it was fun trying to get there,
The revised route became - The Jumps - Bullfrog Creek - Ettrema Creek - Jingles Pass Quiera Clearing. Bullfrog Creek was a myriad of ferny greens but scrubby in its upper reaches with many fallen timber obstacles. We made our cosy Friday camp just below the junction with Ettrema Creek at 418192 (Nerriga Sheet). David & I didnt fit so we found a two person spot under a rock upstream. However, the morming revealed a far better camp only 300 metres down stream on the right bank which could accommodate the limit of eight in fine style.
On Saturday we took a morning tea break around 421200 at a large cleared camp site on the left bank. Faster parties who did not suffer the misfortunes of falls, or spend too much time enjoying the ambience, might make this their first nights camp. Although the weather was fine we were not enticed to swim until Sentry Box Canyon would not allow us to proceed any further without a full immersion. This was around 428235 on the bend at the canyon entrance. We were very pleased to find an idyllic campsite just downstream that supports a maximum of three tents, as much of our gear was soaked or at least damp. I will never trust the expensive red pack liner again! How heavenly to have another night besides a huge pool complete with cascades. Who needs Jones Creek anyway?
On Easter Sunday we arrived at the Myall! Creek junction with Ettrema Creek by 1lam with plenty of room for the tents of the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers too. Ross and Fiona needed to leave and we accompanied them up past the waterfall, stopping briefly for a freezing swim in the plunge
Maureen Carter
pool. Then we returned to the campsite for lunch before spending a lovely, lazy afternoon wandering to a perfect pool in the sun to swim and dream.
At 5am Monday we scrambled to erect the fly of our tent over the inner as the rain gently fell. This made the climb out via Myall Creek rather risky so we chose the easy option of climbing the ridge behind our camp to exit via Jingles Pass. What foliowed was not pleasant as we bashed our way across the tops through thick, often dead, scrub with many obstacles impeding our progress. Lunch at the top of Myall Creek was a treat before we climbed up to clearer country and finally Quiera Clearing. It was good that we no longer needed to watch our feet as we counted fourteen wedge tailed eagles soaring in the thermals above us.
We arrived back safely at the car to find someone had caused a bump in the bumper bar of the new Subaru and I remembered the tales of the two octogenarian land owners who are not partial to bushwalkers. But, still, I'll be back. Hopefully, next summer.
Maureen Carter
How Wreid Is Tihs?
Aoccdmig to a rscheeachr at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the Itteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and Isat Itteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.
Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig!
Submitted by Karen Brading
| Page 18
The Sydney Bushwalker
_
April 2005
The First of Many Visits to Beautiful Tambo Creek
Alison Shames
.– Not Peter Love's Easter Walk 2005
The Putty Road Roadhouse at 7:30 on Good Friday morning looked more like a bushwalker's convention than a caravan park, with both Peter Love's “plenty of time” group and Ken Clacher's “Wollemi Three Peaks-busy trip masochists meeting at the Roadhouse parking lot. After a quick bacon, egg and cheese sandwich (oops, it's no-meat Good Friday, Grace belatedly remembers) and deciding to help Ken's group with a car shuffle, we drive everyone to the end of the Grassy Hill Fire Trail to begin the walk. Ken's group descends and begins what we thought would be a walk from hell and our group happily ascends to Alidade Hill. The view on Alidade Hill was duly admired and off we went to conquer Pass 12.
Ropes came out, packs were hauled, scouts went scrambling. One scout got a bit ambitious and found her way down without coming back for the rest of us, but we managed to find a route and an hour and a half later we were down on the muddy banks of the Colo River. The river was swollen and murky and made us wonder how the rest of the walk would go. We rewarded ourselves with a bit of lunch, and pondered how we would fare on other passes, given that Bob Buck labelled Pass 12 “an easy though steep route”.
A quick cross over the Colo and we embark up Pinchgut Creek. We avoid a waterfall by climbing to the right, and then drop back down to the creek for a water refill and afternoon tea. The creek is flowing and the waterhole is picture perfect. We continue walking, relatively level with the creek and our pace slows as rock hopping commences. The rocks are slippery, and the end of day approaches. It would be kind to use the word “campsite” to describe the spot where we slept, but “campsite” it was christened. Level spots were rare. The 2-person tenters were a bit slow in claiming territory, but Maurice came to the rescue and gave up his perch, finding a lovely level space with room enough for one closer to the creek. We all fall asleep looking forward to leaving the creek in the morning.
Our morning begins at 8am, we cross the creek, load up with water for the day and start climbing towards Mount Savage. Why climb Mount Savage, you ask? The stunning views, the beautiful vistas? No, simply because it's marked on the map. After lunch, we find our way down to the “T” in Tambo Creek. We start rock-hopping, scrambling, sidling, and slowly pass the afternoon. We spot a suitable 2- star site at about 4pm, and grab the chance for a level night's sleep not knowing what we'll find if we walk on for an hour more. We all enjoy a peaceful evening.
Sunday morning and Peter promises that the creek will open up and we'll move a bit quicker. We hope to get out to the Colo by lunch, in time to either explore pass 20 or go up 18 and down 19. We have 6km of creek in front of us. It looks like a lot on the map … and it is. Bob Buck didn't nickname this “Suicide Creek” for nothing. The going was very slow indeed. And the map looks nothing like reality–those wide open spaces never eventuate. We cross the creek, cross back again, slip on the rocks and slip some more. We stop for lunch at a lovely water hole, and enjoy a bit of swimming and rinsing off. The afternoon is much the same, but a bit more slipping as the bodies tire. Peter learns that all good falls happen in threes: first, his right side goes into the creek; second, he gets sucked up by a mud hole; third, his left side goes into the mud.
We finally make it to a very swollen Colo River at 3pm. Too late to explore any passes. We all agree that a stroll up the river is the suitable route. We walk along the banks of the Colo, the water just too deep for river walking. Quickly we meet our match with a kilometre or so of thick, unforgiving blackberry bushes. I was thankful to be last in line, and let Peter and Ian and others do the blackberry bashing to clear a path for the bludgers among us ) Having forgotten his machete in the car, Ian had to settle for his Swiss Army blade. Maurice's left leg lost a fight with a blackberry vine while the rest of us survived with just a few scratches.
The bewitching hour approaches and we go on the lookout for a suitable campsite. We spot a decent level area but we still have an hour or so left of daylight and the party agrees to keep looking for another site. We arrive at a second possibility but it's not as good as the first one, and while some are ready to settle for a lopsided night's sleep, the majority of the group agrees to continue walking, We strike on, and literally 1 minute away is the best campsite we have seen all trip. A Colo beach, views of the red rocks, flat places to sleep … payback time for a day of hell on Suicide Creek. Many celebrate with a swim to rinse off the grime of the day, and we all enjoy a night around the campfire. The comfort of the campsite made us a bit giddy and before we know it, we were all barefootaround the campfire! We'll be blackmailing Maurice
Tan should just resign now before the event becomes known as “Footsie-gate”.
Monday was thankfully uneventful. The blackberries were few, the slippery rocks were underwater and a faint trail helped to speed the walk along. We reached Canoe Creek by 11:30 and enjoyed a quick cup of tea courtesy of a camping party's boiling billy. After a quick swim, we climb and climb out of the Colo. Back at the cars by 2pm, just in time for a late lunch of a burger with the works at the Roadhouse. And we beat the Easter traffic, about the only thing that went to schedule this entire with those photos for the rest of his presidential term and trip! Alison Shames
INDIAN HIMALAYA Exclusive trip for SBW members by World Expeditions Featuring Australian trip leader Sue Fear
Last month | detailed the start of the trip, flying into Delhi on the 4/10, through to camp in Lwan! on the 11 Oct…. the story continues!
THE CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS IS FAST APPROACHING and THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN A FEW BOOKINGS - YOU MUST ACT NOW (steak knives not included!) MINIMUM NUMBERS NEEDED FOR THIS TRIP TO RUN.
12 Oct Trek towards the Nanda Devi East Base Camp (6-7 hrs) The trail up the Lwanl Gorge is in places nothing more than a goat track. Care should be taken to traverse the numerous steep gullies high above the Lwan] river. We plan to camp on a shepherd meadow known as Naspanpatti (3950 metres) about two hours below the Nanda Devi East Base Camp.
Trek to Nanda Devi East base camp (2 hours)
it will take a couple of hours to ascend the grassy ridges leading to the spectacular Nanda Devi East Base camp (4150 metres). Ringed by high mountains the alpine camp in the shadow of Nanda Devi East (7434 metres). We spend the rest of the day relaxing and savouring these unsurpassed views of this little visited corner in the inner Himalaya.
At Nanda Devi base camp
We gain vantage points about 500 metres above our camp to appreciate the route to the famous Longstaff Col and the historic Traills Pass. We also gain unsurpassed views of the many other peaks that form the rim of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. There is also the possibility on this stage of seeing the rare blue sheep making their way down towards their winter pastures.
Return to Lwani (6 to 7 hours) From the Nanda Devi East Base Camp we return directly to Lwant
to Milam (7 hours)
From Lwanl it takes less than a couple of hours to reach Martoli. From there we follow a well defined trail leading through the settlement of Burfu (3200 metres) before a long gradual haul to the large sprawling settlement of Milam (3450 metres). Until 1962 villagers set out regularly throughout the summer to trade in Tibet. Indeed you are less than one day's walk from the border of Tibet.
13 Oct
14 Oct
15 Oct
16 Oct
17 Oct At Milam A full day is reserved to ascend the Milam Glacier and appreciate the impressive peaks including the 7000 metre peaks of Hardeol and Tirsull.
To base of Brijganga Dhura (7 hours) From Milam we set off early to appreciate the classic twin peak profile of Nanda Devi (7816 metres). This can also be a tiring stage for beyond Burfu we follow a less well- defined trail before ascending alpine meadows to the base of the Brijganga Dhura (3700 metres) and the route to the Ralam Valley. If it is clear we gain magnificent views from camp that take in many of the 7000 peaks in the vicinity of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary as well as the twin peaks of Nanda Devi.
Cross Brijganga Dhura to Ralam (5 to 6 hours)
It is about three hours from camp to the summit of the Brijanga Dhura (4570 metres). En route we gain a birds eye view of the upper Milam Valley and many of the peaks that define the border with Tibet. A steep descent across alpine meadows and conifer forest leads to our camp just below the tiny village of Ralam (3600 metres).
18 Oct
19 Oct
Stay tuned next month for the continuing adventure as we head to Ralam Glacier, Lilam, lower gorge sections of Gori Ganga and the mountain village of Munsyari.
For further details and information, contact Caro Ryan on 9909 1076 or email to: justshootme@ozemail.com.au
Nb: The trek schedule, is a guide, and variations may occur, according to conditions, and group preference under Sues leadership
= AEE
SOCIAL NOTES Greetings from your Social Secretary - Kathy &_ No Flies On Him!
Firstly, I would like to thank you all for electing me as the Social Secretary for 2005. I look forward to providing an interesting and fun program of activities - any ideas or suggestions are gratefully accepted. I propose to restart an old tradition of dinner at a nearby restaurant before the social night activity - any recommendations would be good. The first of these dinners could occur on 18 May from 18:00 onwards till 19:45 - no need to book, just turn up and look for familiar faces. It will probably be at a local 'pub' with more info provided in the social reminder email] sent to you the weekend before the meeting.
Last month, March, The Coolana Annual Get- Together and Africa Unveiled slide show started off the year with fine attendances and a great time had by all.
Then on the 20th of this month we had slides, talks and merriment relating to SBW Xmas trips. Our President Maurice hosted the evening.
Next month, 18th May is the social night which will see the judging and prize giving for the Boots and All competition. There is still time for your contribution - see details Page 10.
With great prizes - best is a pair of Scarpa Boots - for contributors and for those present it promises to be a great night. Come and have some fun. That's it fornow Kathy
Kathygero@aol.com
Two Drunks
Two drunks are walking along. One drunk says
to the other, “What a beautiful night, look at the
moon.” The other drunk stops and look at his drunk friend, “You are wrong, thats not the moon, that's the sun.”
Both started arguing for a while when they come upon another drunk walking so they stopped him. “Sir, could you please help settle our argument?
Tell us what that thing is up in the sky that's shining. Is it the moon or the sun?” The third drunk looked at the sky and then looked at them and said, “Sorry, I don't live around here.”
Another Lawyer Joke You seem to have more than the average share of intelligence for a man of your background,” sneered the lawyer at a witness on the stand.
“If I wasn't under oath, I'd return the compliment,” replied the witness.
Contributed by George Mawer
i
A farmer got pulled over by a traffic policeman for speeding, and the policeman started to lecture the farmer about his speed, and in general began to throw his weight around to try to make the farmer uncomfortable.
Finally, the policeman got around to writing out the ticket, and as he was doing that he kept swatting at some flies that were buzzing around his head. The farmer said, “Having some problems with circle flies there, are ya?”
The policeman stopped writing the ticket and said–“Well yeah, if that's what they are–J never heard of circle flies.” So the farmer says–“Well, circle flies are common on farms. See, they're called circle flies because they're almost always found circling around the back end of a horse.”
The policeman says, “Oh,” and goes back to writing the ticket. Then after a minute he stops and says, Hey…wait a minute, are you trying to call me a horses ass?“
The farmer says, “Oh no, officer. I have too much respect for law enforcement and police officers to even think about calling you a horses ass.”
The policeman says, “Well, that's a good thing,” and goes back to writing the ticket.
After a long pause, the farmer says, “Hard to fool them flies though.”
Rottweiler Business
A man takes his Rottweiler to the s vet and says, “My dog's cross-eyed, is
there anything you can do for him?
“Well,” says the vet, “let's have a look at him” So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, then checks his teeth. Finally, he says “I'm going to have to put him down.” “What? Because he's cross-eyed?”
“No, because he's really heavy”
Dont Forget The Baby oo With the help of a fertility specialist,
OS a 65 year old woman has a baby. All
her relatives come to visit and meet
the newest member of their family.
When they ask to see the baby, the 65 year old mother says “not yet.”
A little later they ask to see the baby again. Again the mother says “not yet.” Finally they say, “When can we see the baby?”
And the mother says, “When the baby cries.” And they ask, “Why do we have to wait until the baby cries?” The new mother says, “because I forgot where I put it.” We have to use with skill what simple equipment we can Carry on our backs to achieve shelter,
If you really want to get the best prepare food and have a night's rest? out of what you carry with you, Paddy Pailin, 1900-1991
then move up to Black Diamond, exciusive to Paddy Pallin.
< Black Diamond
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