====== The Sydney Bushwalker ======

Established June 1931

A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, Incorporated, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milson's Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager.
Deborah Shapira, 8/1 Blackwood Ave., Ashfield 2131
. Telephone: 798 0309(h), 439 7555 (w), 439 3671 (fax).
 Joy Hynes, 36 Lewis St., Dee Why 2099 Telephone: 982 2615 (h),888 3144 (w)
George Gray, telephone: 876 6263 Kath Brown
Morag Ryder
 Kenn Clacher, Kay Chan, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven and Les Powell
EDITOR
BUSINESS MANAGER
PRODUCTION MANAGER TYPIST AND LAY-OUT ILLUSTRATOR
PRINTERS
"
MAY 1992  Page
Editorial Notes  Debbie Shapira 2'
History Repeats Itself in Bushwalkers' Club 2
Into the Labyrinth   
 Central Tasmania - Part 2  Ian Wolfe 3,
Hints for Foodies   7
Photo & Map - Mount Airly   8
Conservation Corner  Alex Colley 9
Confederation Notes - April G.M. Spiro Hajinakitas 9
Monthly Meeting NOtes.- April  Wallace 12
  Barry 
Bush Tucker  Mike Reynolds 13
Walks Reports -   
Hilltop to Kanangra, Easter '92 Geoff Grace 15
Kanangra Boyd N.P. 13/14/15 March Marie Ward 16
Advertisements    
Willis's Walkabouts   5
Subscribe to "Wild".....   6
Paddy Pallin.- the Leaders in dventure  11
Eastwood. Camping Centre   14
Page 2 The Sydney Bushwall<er Nay 1992

I hope everyone had a pleasant break over Easter and lots of excellent walking in what seemed to be balmy weather compared to most years. In this issue we are starting to have what is hoped to be a regular feature, a "foodie" section. Anyone who Would like to contribute e.g. a recipe for dinner requiring lightweight ingredients, or some new delicacy found in shops, please contact Christine Floyd (929 4170), who has kindly offered to co-ordinate it, or myself. I read somewhere that the Japanese have developed self-cooking meals enclosed in two cans, the cooking chemicals being activated upon opening. Might be useful for taking on summer trips during total fire-ban seasons....

At the last Committee Meeting it was decided to take up "WILD" magazine's offer of the Club receiving 10% of every subscription by Club members. Therefore, you will notice the subscription offer in this issue. Since the offer is only until June 30th it will appear only in this month's issue.

Looking forward to your contributions, especially for the snow issue next month. 

Debbie Shapira

History Repeats Itself in Bushwalkers' Club

A new president of the Sydney Bush Walkers Club sees history, and links with Forster, repeated.

In 1927 John Debert [Jack Debert], a young Englishman living in Sydney and keen on weekend walks in the bush decided to write to the "Sydney Sun" suggesting the formation of a walking club, open to both sexes. The letter produced a number of interested replies and, after discussions among them and several meetings the "Sydney Bush Walkers" - the first club to cater for both men and women on bushwalks - was formed. John Debert was the first president of the new club and the word "bushwalker" had its origin in the name of the club.

John Debert was actively involved in the Sydney Bush Walkers until he joined the RAAF at the start of World War II. He explored many parts of the Blue Mountains, plotting exploratory trails, and detailed maps of the area show a mountain peak officially named "Mount Debert". Many years later he moved to Forster, where he was involved in the management of the "Advocate" for a number of years. At the time of his death he was president of the Forster Arts, Crafts and Gem Society - an organisation he had been instrumental in forming, where he was foundation president.

Last week his son, Ian Debert, took over as president of the Sydney Bush Walkers. He will have the task of planning, with a large committee, the club's commemoration of its foundation 65 years back. Ian was a resident of Forster for some years. He was captain of Forster Surf Club and a foundation member of Forster Apex. He continued in Apex on moving to Sydney, becoming a life member.

Reprinted from "The Forster Advocate" - April.

===== Into the Labyrinth =====

Feb 92 Central Tasmania (Continued)

Ian Wolfe

After picking up our food drop at the end of five days in the Walls of Jerusalem area we began to head towards the Overland Track,  The route took us initially along the side of Lake Adelaide for a couple of kilometres scrabbling over a number of rocky bluffs and across small sandy beaches. A long open valley led to the watershed which linked up to the start bf the Mersey River which we followed through a series of open dales to the head of Lake Meston. This was a spot seemingly out of the Greek Isles; blazing sun, a white sandy beach, a small rocky islet offshore topped with a decorative tree and towering rocky bluff rising directly from the. waters.

Unfortunately the track departs from the lake at this point and climbs through obscuring tea tree to emerge at Dick Weston's Hut. This is a very well constructed timber hut which was built in 1969 on a bluff overlooking the lake and served as a suitable venue for lunch.

Then it was onwards back down to the lake shore again, for a short time, before descending through eucalyptus forest to Mayfield Flats. These had been marked on the map in white, and thus I was expecting open clear fields to materialise. Instead we walked through a bea6tiful park-like region of open dales and vales. The track slowly twisted and turned following small ridges to reveal bubbling brooks and copses of trees. Through these we gently undulated down the broad valley to emerge at Junction Lake. Here Dick Weston has built another picturesque hut which is clean and airy inside.

From this-point we had two options as to our future course. One, down the line of the Mersey River bush-bashing through the tea-tree of the Never Never, Or secondly, across the top of the Traveller Range to Du Cane Gap. The weather being fine and the quest for views being strong within us, it was the upland path that called us. The track climbed initially through myrtle rainforest and then eucalypt to the mountain heath that surrounded a
succession of 'beautiful lakes below the Mountains of Jupiter. The sides of Lakes Artemis, Eros and Meros were traversed with all of us being most enamoured of Eros. Beyond this point the route crosses an open maze-like plateau of small dolerite, knobs and lakes through which one threads your way, over and round, over and round, over and round. In all it was with some relief that Falling Mountain gradually loomed larger to finally provide us with an afternoon tea spot with extended views.

To the south the sheer walls of the Acropolis and Mount Geryon reared 1300 ft from the valley floor. To the west and north Castle Mountain and. Cathedral Mountain provided competing vistas. A steep descent to Du Cane Gap brought us to the "highway" of the Overland Track. Taking care to keep to the left we walked a short distance to camp at Campfire Creek.

A short packless trip down to the Mersey River to view the waterfalls was entertained next morning. These included D'Alton, Boulder, Cathedral and Ferguson Falls. All are worth seeing, especially Ferguson Falls, as the river crashes over mossy rock ledges deep in the myrtle rainforest (we even found a Huon Pine). We thence retrieved our packs and headed south along the track to Windy Ridge Hut before leaving the Overland Track via the connection to Pine Valley.

The track here crosses the Narcissus River at a lovely still clear pool which reflected back the handsome/beautiful visage of the viewers. Dragging ourselves away, we continued on to Cephissus Creek and thence via the Forest Walk under towering myrtles to Pine Valley Hut. This sports a composting toilet with solar panels, to charge a battery, to drive a fan, to dry out the "mass", to promote the growth of the microbes! Over a four year period the microbes will progressively convert the mass to a benign substance which can be used as fertilizer. Problem being that on average 300 people a week are staying at Pine Valley Hut and these generate a lot of "mass", consequently filling up the tank and necessitating it being pumped out every month. (Conversations with the Rangers reveal that the introduction of a permit system to keep the numbers of walkers on the Overland Track at 1000 per week is to be expected with the next two years!)

Next morning some of us felt like a bit of a blast! 630 metres and two hours later we stood on top of the Acropolis in the sunshine sucking in the views. The Acropolis is a dolerite mountain composed of fluted columns which tower majestically, and in many places have been eroded to form isolated stacks for all the world like a ruined Greek temple. The views extend in all directions: south down Lake Sinclair, next to Mount Olympus, the Cheyne Range, the quartz of Frenchmans Cap gleaming on the horizon, the Labyrinth and Walled Mountain to the
west, Ossa and others to the north. Finally to the northeast the line of our journey was clear to see, with King Davids Peak and Mount Jerusalem standing clear above Lake Meston and Du Cane Gap.

We returned to Pine Valley for lunchbefore climbing up to thelabyrinth to camp beside
the exquisite Lake Elysia. This area is reknowned as one of the jewels of Tasmania and is an
elevated plateau of lakes set amongst Pencil Pine and deciduous Beech. This idyllic region
was to be our home for the next two days. A fierce rain storm during the early hours heralded
a misty dawn which allowed us to indulge ourselves by sleeping in to 10 am. A fairly easy
day walk up to Walled Mountain and a wander around the large flat top of this mountain looking at all the different types of mosses and heath plants, of which many were still in flower,
proved a very pleasant way to spend the day. A swim and an after-dinner walk in the Labyrinth
saw us retire to our beds after a ruby red sunset which saw the Olgas and Ayers Rock (alias
Mount Geryoh and the Acropolis) reflected in the still waters of the lake. To provide a
contrast those of us who arose in the wee hours of the night were rewarded with the vision of the mountains round about gleaming above the silvery lake under a full moon.

As can be expected the day dawned clear and bright and we lost little time in collecting our day packs and heading up to the high country 'toclimb up the flank of Mount Geryon. This peak, named after the three-headed monster of Greek mythology, has three rocky pinnacles as
its summits. The northern one can be climbed with some advanced rock scrambling to attain
one of Australia's most spectacular summits. There is a flat area on top of no more than
100 sq metres and the overall effect is very similar to being on top of Federation Peak. Certainly looking over the eastern face to the scree slopes 1300 ft below brings one to a
true appreciation of the word "sheer". Another wander around the high country towards Mount Hyperion and Mount Eros (plus a swim in a tarn and a water fight) completed the day,

On the morrow the weather had changed to low scudding cloud, a strong wind and a drop in temperature.: it was time to go! So off we went, some by the low road following the
formed tracks down to Narcissus Hut, others the high road across the tops. Being a high-
lander by origin and inclination it was the upland path that called me. Up to the summit
of the Minotaur we climbed steeply through scrub and rock to stand to admirethe view....
of ten feet. The cloud sat upon us and resulted in some nimble navigation and route finding
being performed to bring us down the correct ridge to the right saddle.

Then, skirting around the side of Mount Gould, over a huge dolerite scree slope brought
us to the bit described as "light scrub on a slight slope" in the trail notes. Well, if
you have asbestos hands, one leg 5 ft long and one 8 ft long I suppose it, would be! But
did we grumble? Did we grizzle? No..,.. well, not much. Instead we enjoyed the rapidly
Improving weather, progressively revealing more and more of the surrounding views.

A walk along the open Gould Plateau saw us find the track which dropped steeply down
through pandanus and a mighty myrtle forest to a short section of muddy button grass before -
reaching the open glades around the end of Lake Sinclair. Reunited with the rest of the
party we enjoyed a comfortable night on the river flats after a very brief look at Narcissus Hut (this one gets a lot of use and is definitely not five star).

For our last day of walking we again-split, with some walking down the lake track tp
Cynthia Bay whilst others went via Lake Petrarch and theCuvier Valley.  Well, "they" said
the lake walk was "nice" but I know the inland track was zeal. First, through a mighty
myrtle forest dripping with' moss. Then a saddle-with Panoramic views of Mount Byron and the Du Cane Range, to be followed by a cascade in a moss-covered grotto which a.JapaneSe tycoon
would pay a billion dollars for. Next air-open valley with views on all sides centred on a
lovely lake; The lake itself, of course, having a white quartz beach on which to sunbake
after a swim whilst partaking of lunch. Then open plains to enjoy the panoramas again 
(OK, I will admit to some button grass and some mud and there was that rather.large tiger snake that-was not seen until it was quite close, but these are mere trivialities).

In all, a good way to finish a walk especially when there is a milk bar waiting at the end (a very large number of pieces of carrot cake and a big Brie cheese seemed to disappear
quite i4J101y)..

' Next day, after.a sleep in and a walk by the lake, we were picked up. by. the bus and
returned to Launceston. A shower and celebratory dinner concluded events before we went e
our merry ways by bus and train next morn.. This brought to a close two weeks of very
pleasant walking in central Tasmania where We were able to enjpy lakes, mountains, plains, forests and small brown furry things.With white spots in perpetual motion.

===== Hints for Foodies =====

Dried Spiced Meat
This recipe has been used successfully by Ros Kerrigan on two-week trips in Central Australia. It comes from Charmaine Solomon's "The Complete Asian Cookbook".

IngTedients
1 kg round or topside steak 5 Tbs peanut oil
2 cloves of garlic, crushed tsp finely grated ginger 2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cummin1 tsp dried shrimp paste tsp,salt
1 tsp samba' ulek
6 Tbs clerk soy sauce
2 Tbs tamarind liquid
3 tsp palm sugar or substitute

Cut steak into slices of about 5 cm. Heat oil in a large saucepan and fry the garlic, ginger,
coriander, cumin and shrimp paste for 1 - 2 mins then add salt, samba' ulek, soy sauce and
tamarind liquid. Add meat and fry, stirring until meat is coated with spice mixture. Reduce
heat, cover pan and let cook over very low heat for 30-35 mins. Stir occasionally. At the
end of this time the liquid should be almost dry. Uncover, add sugar and stir to dissolve.

Turn the meat in this mixture over medium heat until liquid in pan has evaporated, but do not let it burn. Remove pan from heat and spread the meat in an oven dish in a single layer.
Put into a low oven 125C for 30 mins. Turn pieces of meat and continue cooking in the oven
for a further 20-30 mins. Meat should be very dark but not burnt and the oil should have
separated out and be visible at the edge of the pan. Cool and store airtight.

1 kg wet weight == 0.5 kg dry weight.

Ros recommends that you store it in the freezer until you need to pack for the trip. She has
also dried chicken and lamb using different flavours.

fussgsladmal: (one serving) - 50 g dried meat, 20-30 g dried vegetables, 90 g rice. Reconstitute vegetables (pre-soaking saves cooking time),cook rice, add meat and vegetables.

Bitton.2

This is sun-dried venison from South Africa. It can be obtained from Don Greenfield,
19 Alice Street, Auburn (tel: 674 7161) or SHop 8, Roma STreet, North Epping (tel: 876 6302).

Instant Hummous with Tahina

This is instant powder to which water is added (no cooking needed) and the resultant mix tastes very close to the real thing. It is made in Israel by Osem and can be obtained from Kemeny's Supermarket, 141 Bondi Road, Bondi.

SOCIAL NOTE FROM BELINDA MACKENZIE

On 17th June there is going to be an excellent slide show titled "SLIDES WITH A DIFFERENCE" presented by Les Simmons.

FIRST AID COURSE - NSW CONFEDERATION OF BUSHWALKING CLUBS

Instrueion by St John Ambulance trained bushwalkers and cavers. Contact KEITH MAXWELL 622 0049 (H) 7 to 9 pm for full details. You get a discounted first aid course that is claimable on some medical/hospital funds and the cost includes bandages and comprehensive
St John Ambulance Australian First Aid book. Date: 30/31 May. It may still be possible
to get in to the course at short notice. Recommended.

CONSERVATION CORNER

-GARDENS OF 'STONE THREATENED BY COAL GRAB

by Alex Colley

Novacoal, a CRA sobsidiary, plans to extract about 71 millions of tonnes of coal from under the Mount Airly Plateau at the mouth of the scenic Capertee Valley. This level of
extraction would cause substantial land subsidence and major damage to the landscape.

The Pliny PLateau is part of the Colong Foundation's Blue Mountains for World Heritage Plan and the Colo Committee's Gardens of Stone National Park proposal. Apart from ignoring
the Blue Mountains for World Heritage Report, Novacoal has also ignored the area's mining history wherein kerosene shale was discovered along the slopes of Airly Gap in 1883.

The unique Pliny Plateau can be protected if mining were restricted to Fifty per cent extraction, thus preventing subsistence and still providing 35 million tonnes of coal. This quantity would be sufficient for local power generation requirements. Novacoal has
offered only token subsidence protection zones. 'These zones may protect some high cliffs
and the very core of the Grotto. However, the 1.7 metre mine subsidence will cause the
toppling and fragmentation of pogodas and the destruction of the Hidden Valley and the slot
canyon in the VAlley of the Kings. Apart from ruining the area it will become very dangerous to enter the area.

Exploration has already caused some damage on a population of the rare plant, Dwarf She-Oak, as well as other rare and endangered plant communities. Novacoal has stated that
the mining operations will probably cause less damage than the exploration, difficult.to
understand since they did not avoid rare plants in the first place. All mineral exploration should be subject to environmental impact assessment under the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act,-1979.

Confederation Notes

Meetinaheld on 21st A2ril 

by Spiro Hajinakitas

. Garry Phillpott reported that the Ku-ring7gai Chase Recreation Association had sent in
cheque for membership of the tonfederation.and that the Weekday Walkers (Central Coast) would forward a copy Of their new Constitution with a view of joining the Confederation. The
WEA Illawarra Ramblers Club wil not join the Confederation yet, but will pay the cost of being on its mailing list.

A motion was carried that in relation to the Bicentennial National Horse Trail, the Conservation Officer. write a letter describing the Confederation's policy on access to wilderness areas, particularly in relation to horse trails.

Another motion was carried that the application from the Upper BLue Mountains BUshwalking Club for membership of the Confederation, be accepted subject to approval of the final version of their Constitution.and subject to the payment of Fees.

A further motion was carried that in the event of a claim for the Sports Accident Insurance, the climantls club shall provide certification that the claimant was a member of the club at the time of the accident.

The Treasurer's Report was presented and accepted by the meeting.

The Budawang Committee has invited Confederation to a meeting to oppose the WelcOme Reef Dam on the Shoalhaven River. Either Gordon Lee or Robyn Arthur will attend the meeting on 5th May.

The Ettrema Wilderness had been gazetted on 6th April 1992.

A motion was carried that the Conservation Officer write to the NPWS requesting that the banning of camping at Burning Palms be properly policed.


  - The recent search for the lost plane at Barrington tops had been affected by bad weather and only two groups had attended, eight people from the Navy Restue Group and about thirty bushwalkers. Although the search had been unsuccessful, it had attracted a lot of publicity.
  - the First Aid course will be held at the end of May.
  - Other rescue groups are expected to attend the Rogain.
  - In relation to the new tent, a frame had been found, but the quotation of $2300 for the cover was excessive.
  - The S & R Review Committee is trying to arrange a meeting with the Minister for Police.
  - The old radios will be sent to a repairer by courier, so that a quotation can be obtained for repairing them.

A motion was carried that,because of safety problems with the old trailer, the freezing of the $1400 previously approved for a new trailer be rescinded.

CsmeryatigLif.e2211:

Garry Phillpott reported that 4WD vehicles had been-seen in the Round Mountain - Tooma Dam area in the Kosciusko Nat.Park during the Easter period. Also, rangers had been driving about at night, looking for pig-shooters.

A motion was carried that Confederation write to the NPWS, Urging them to prosecute any unauthorized people found driving in National Parks.

EL22,41i411.

1. David Shepherd reported that the producers of the TV shows "A Big Country", "The Today Show" and "Real Life" had expressed interest in the search for the plane in the Barrington Tops area.
2. Simon Knight said there was ndthing to report on the stand at the Sydney Sports Show, except that an invoice had been received.
3. Robyn Arthur reported that flyers about the Bluegum Forest Anniversary would be sent
out in the mail. The Anniversary would also be published in "The Bushwalker"..

In General BUsinees a motion was carried that the setting of the fees for 1992/93 be deferred to the following meeting.

Jan Wouters reported that Anzac Day next year would be the 45th Anniversary of the memorial at Splendour Rock.

THE APRIL GENERAL MEETING 

by Barry Wallace

There were some 20 or so members present at 2014 when the new President (Ian Debert) called the meeting to order and got proceedings under way. There were no apologies, but when new members Ray Joyce and Rosemary Jones were called forwelcome only Ray was present.

The Minutes of the preceding general meeting were read and received as a true and
correct record. Correspondence was limited to a letter of resignation from Madelein Graff.

Matters financial brought news. that we started the month with a balance of $1,806, earned or otherwise acquired $2,674 (this amount includes a $2,000 redemption of one of our investments so is not quite as impressive as might first appear), and spent $1,360.
Bone Ward's Kanangra Walls, Christies Creek walk started the Walks Report. It was run
over the weekend of 13,14,15 March. There were 14 starters and they reported good weather
and plentiful water in the streams. Dick Weston's Campfire Creek trip was cancelled and
there was no report of the Peter Christian Snakepit Canyon trip. Of the day walks, Vic Lewin's Carne Walls trip attracted 14 on a fine day for a trip which was described as enjoyable but
tough. Ralph Penglis had a limit of 6 on his Harbour foreshores walk so we don't know just
how popular it was, because there were 6 on the.walk.

The weekend of 20,21,22 March saw. Ian Debert and Bill Holland co-leading a total party
of 13 on a combined canoe/walk on/along the Kangaroo arm of Lake Yarrunga. Saturday was fine
and hot but Sunday saw rain and cooler conditions. George and Christine Floyd had 13 on their
cycle trip from Sutherland to Wollongong, all finishing in fine style.' There was some muttering about people pushing bikes downhill towards the end of the trip, but none of that
chould be taken seriously. Bfonnie Niemeyer's Sutherland to Waterfall walk attracted 17 on
what was' described as an excellent day, although Errol Sheedy, walking in much the same area,
reported wet conditions for the. 6 starters on his Waterfall to Heathcote trip. It can't all
be in the mind, you know.

The weekend of-12,18,19 March saw Jan Mohandas convert his "Sunrise from the Castle"
trip into a restaurant crawl in the face of wet weather. Seems to indicate a choice between
feeding-themselves or feeding the leeches. Bill Holland's Colo River/Tootie Creek walk had
a party of 16 enjoying a range of weathers progressing from cloud to sunshine and back to
thunderstorm. Of the day walks, Alan Mewett led 9 starters on a "pleasant" Brisbane Waters walk, and Wilf HIlder proved yet again the old adage "you can't believe everything you read" by trying to follow the guide book with the party of 16 on Stage 3 of the Great North Walk. It seems they were also confronted with topa. maps that did not join up at a critical point.

Of the mid-week walk, Jo Van Sommers reported a party of 9 on her Lawson to Hazelbrook ramble on All Fools Day.

Over the weekend 3,4,5 April Les Powell-led a party of 5 on his walk via Apple Tree Creek to Gunman l Saddle. There was a fair amount of water in the streams as a result of 
recent flooding and the helmet and canoe fragments lodged in the casuarinas along the banks of the Shoalhaven led to some speculation as to the fate of the occupants of each item.
George Walton's wine and cheese Walk on the Cox was cancelled on' the strenth of reports of bad
road conditions in the area. Wilf Hilder, Great North walk stage 4.this time, led a party of
11 right into a swimming pool/extended morning tea ambush (Bill and Fran Holland). What with this, the flooded streams and the steep hills the party did well to reach the station by 1920. There were no details of Tom Wenman's Colo River walk.

The Conservation Report brought news of -a brilliant new piece of management strategy for one of our scenic sites. It seems that a 300 seat bistro is planned for Fitzroy Falls.
As an embellishment to the escarpment it will be located right on the edge of the Falls around where the car park is at the moment. There was also mention of a tunnel to carry viewers to the viewing site, presumably with a suitable toll gate at the entry.

We learnt that there are presently five pieces of wilderness-related legislation before. the NSW Parliament. These relate to endangered species and the various strategies being
employed to ensure they don't get in the way of Forestry operations. Great things are
expected from someone named Metherell. That name soundsfamiliar for some reason!!

Confederation Report indicated that the Nature Conservation Council is examining the ramifications of the NSW Government's Forestry Protection Bill and that changes to the provisions of the Charities Act-may pose problems for some of the bodies in the Confederation. The recent 5& R operation at Barrington Tops again did not find the lost aircraft. A
blockage at the keyhole in Claustral Canyon has been cleared and furthertrack maintenance
et Kanangra TOps is scheduled. for 25/26 July. The BushWalkers Ball is scheduled for
4th Septeffiber with Bluegum as the theme.

General Business was non-existent, announcements are now out of date, and the meeting closed 'at 2110.. Amen!

BUSH TUCKER

by Mike Reynolds

You may dine with wine at Cannes or Monte Carlo by the sea, You may drink champagne 'til morning on the Island of Capri, You may masticate the mammoth on the wild Siberian wastes, But none of these will ever please the simple Bushies tastes.

You may drink yak-butter tea high in the mountains of Bhutan, You may take a dish of uncooked fish with Geishas in Japan, You may taste the local specialties wherever you may go,
But West or East there is no feast like those the BUshies know

Where you huff In puff 'n fan In fume to get the fire to flame And then the billy overturns and puts it out agaih;
Where the instant mashed potato could be used for paper-hanging, And the drinking water's only drinkable with lots of Tang in;

Where there's muesli every morning and dehydes'every night,
And the flatulence is loud enough to put the 'roos to flight;

Where the toast falls off your toasting twig face downwards in the ashes, And in rescuing it the fire flares up and singes hair and lashes;

Where for Happy Hour "variety" every walker will chip in, And every single one has brought some oysters in a tin;
Where, in spite of all these.culinary mishaps, woes and trials, There's nothing like the fellowship engendered round the fire;

Where you're 'not sure how to cook this stuff, but game to have a try, And your mates will share their tucker if your cooking goes awry; Where, once the cookingl-s over and you're feeling quite replete,- And the fire has been stoked up enough to warm th'encircling feet,

As the moon gleams through the gum trees softly lit by flickering glow, A song is sung in chorus of the Oushies long ago.
And we know that as the voices blend and rise towards the sky, it Will always be as wonderful, regardless of the diet!

(This piece was 'inspired by the recent Easter diet enjoyed by Mike and Ainslie.)

WALKS REPORTS 

HILLTOP TO KANANGRA EASTER '92

A rope was anchored to a- tree higher up Each member of the party went down it hand over hand.

by Geoff Grace

Bill Capon (leader), George and Christine Floyd, Bob Milne, Geoff McIntosh, Ian Wolfe, Rick King, Morag,Ryder, Tony and Ellen flcGregor, Geoff Grace.

A point to point walk which in total could possibly be a "first". The route:- Nattai,
Beloon'Pass, Lacy's Tableland, Axe Head, Scott's Main Range, Bulga Range, Kowmung, Bullhead, Kanangra.

Thanks to Geoff Yewdell who, on the Thursday evening, kindly took four of the party by road to Hilltop, then collected seven others from Mittegong who had travelled there by train. At the Kanangra end, Bill had booked a mini-bus to come" from Blackheath to meet us at 5.30 pm Monday.

The 'organisation and route planning was supreme. Subtle planning by Bill ensured that the party had to carry water for many kilometres and to great heights on each of our four camps, thus ensuring -complete exhaust. ion every night and thus a good night's rest. Also by exercising astounding
skills, Bill managed to keep the big party together
most Of the time. It has to be said, though, that
there was one occasion when he decided on a little
personal exploratory trip. He was only missing for an hour, however, and was eventugly gghted a long way off jogging steadily along the track to Yerranderie which fortunately passed by us.

Pioneering an unknown route of Lacy's Tableland we found the south-west corner of the tableland a "goer". Easy except at one pinch where a rope is required. Each member of the party landed safely with help from Bob Milne who payed out a lifeline attached to each person as they.went hand-over-hand
down.a fixed rope. It concentrates the mind
marvellously.to have a very "airy" drop nearby. - Bob came down on a doubled rope (See sketch with artist's licence.)

A second rope was secured around the chest. It was held by Bob Milne so that a possible slip could be arrested.

Lots of little incidents dotted our route. OUr present 58W Inc. Secretary, George Floyd, on removing his gaiters on top of Axe Head revealed
an enormously bloated leech attached to HIM through a sock. "No wonder I was feeling tired climbing up here," said George, "I was suffering from lass of blood!"
Page 16 TheSydney Bushwalker  May 1992
The long climb. down to the KoWmung was rewarded with a bone-chilling but much-needed plunge. Ian took another ridge down to the river but unaccountably wasn't there when we
arrived. We missed a message he. had left for us on the sand. It' all 'turned out OK but
emphasised the problems that can Unwittingly happen in splitting a party. We lunched, then 
headed up Bullhead.
After four magnificent days in the bush, after the long sweat-drenching slog 6p Bullhead, with the deep purple haze of night closing in, in ones, twos and threes we moved through. the
heathland of Kanangra Tops to the end of a memorable trip. And yes - both the party and the
bus were on time, and of course the Blackheath pig-out was disgusting!
Thanks Bill - full marks - a beaut walk.
XANANGRA BOYD NATIONAL PARK - 13L14L15 MARCH
by Marie Ward
Seventeen starters including six prospectives. Leader: Marie Ward.
We started off from Kananera Walls car park in glorious weather about 8.15 am. Stopped for morning tea at Cottage Rock and then went down the ridge into Arabanoo Creek which had quite a bit more water than usual. We negotiated the first two waterfalls without
getting wet and had lunch at a beautiful sunny spot just above the third fall.
Although some brave souls took a dip at lunchtime, most of us put off our Saturday swim until the warmth of the mid-afternoon sun.
We came to the canyon section about 2 pm. Everyone made the short compulsory swim and
managed to keep things dry, and with the whole party keeping up a good pace we reached our campsite at the junction of Christie's Creek and the Kowmung about 4.45 pm.
Sunday morning saw us on our way shortly before 8.00 am and we came to our next compulsory swim about 9.30. This time it was about a five metre swim against quite a strong
current. A couple of deep wades and ane or two voluntary swims and we were at our runch spot by 11.30.
After lunch there was much groaning as we made the steep climb up Mount Great Groaner and then picked up the Mount Colboyd ridge and followed the track up through Pindara Pass.
The party spread out going across Pindari Tops and the last group arrived back at the cars at 4.50 pri)
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