MAY 2002
Amongst the vast array of day packs that decorate
the shelves of outdoor shops, it's difficult to
pick something with the right features, what
with 101 different types of nylon, all sorts

of different canvases, airflow systems,
expanding pockets and neon colours.

So it's nice to know that if your the type of
person that wants simple robust functionality
that reflects years of local bushwalking
experience with solid locally made material
then the BLUE MOUNTAINS TRIASSIC could
be your best companion for many years to come.

XN

>

RIE ig
Uli

| by David Noble
It's good to see a pack made in the Blue Mountains for
use in the Blue Mountains. The Triassic features two
shoulder strap sizes so that the pack can be properly hip
loaded, sitting down comfortably in the lumbar region of
the back. This is sometimes difficult especially if you are a
taller person. The harness system also includes a thick
waist belt and chest strap enabling a tight fit which is
great when climbing over rocks.

The volume is large enough to allow a 50m rope and
wetsuit to easily fit in and the top is made larger so that
your stuff slides in and out with ease. The pack has a
large front pocket for those essential items such as a
torch, and a top pocket for the map and camera. The
pack is large enough to be used as a weekend pack
when no ropes etc. are needed. This can keep the bulk
down and stop you from packing too much on those
weekend bushwalks.

The Triassic is made from durable 120z canvas which
can withstand the abuse given to it in canyons and when
walking through scrub. All the seams are double stitched
and sealed to prevent failure. It is also very water proof,
on a recent trip down Hole In The Wall canyon, no
water entered the main compartment despite a number
of lengthy swims.

The pack is bush green in colour making the walker
almost invisible in the bush, This is handy for sneaking up
on wildlife with a camera or just blending in to the
wildemess as you walk along. Good for those who like to
keep the visual impact minimal too.

A quality Blue Mountains pack for our tough conditions,
the Triassic carries a lifetime guarantee on workmanship
and materials.

Overall an excellent pack for either short or tall with the

2 shoulder strap options. And great for canyons or short
weekend trips.

NB: David Noble is a keen canyoner and
bushwalker. He Is also the discoverer of the rare
Wollemi Pinte (WOLLEMIA NOBILIS) found in 1994.

4 Australian 120z canvas

Made in Katoomba the old traditional way

40 litre capacity

Proper hip loading with 2 shoulder strap sizes
for walking comfort

Wide throat for easy loading and unloading
Buckle up front pocket with internal divider
Top lid pocket ,

Extendable lid for overloading

Padded hip belt with 388mm buckle

Hip belt retainer for city use (conveniently holds
the hip belt back and out of the way

Padded back (removable)

Thumb loops on shoulder straps for more
comfortable walking

Internal compression strap for holding down
your canyon rope

Side compression straps for minimising volume
Storm throat to keep out the rain

Hard wearing Cordura base

Price $159.00

ONLY AVAILABLE AT

= Alpsport

>P PPP PPP bP bP bp

>Pb> Pp Pp

1045 VICTORIA RD, WEST RYDE Ph 9858 5844
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 Margaret Niven

SBW 75 Dinner Friday 25 October

The venue for the 75th Dinner
was decided at the May
General Meeting. Two venues
were short-listed and their
respective pros and cons were

- presented to the meeting. The
basic premise was that the dinner should be
value for money, and the venue have easy
access and suited for social mixing and
mingling.

The venue selected is the Harbourview
Room at the Kirribilli Club. This venue is
readily accessible by public transport,
eliminates the drink and/or drive quandary,
has good ambience, a wonderful view, and
plenty of opportunity to mix and mingle.

Tickets for the evening will cost $40 each,
The venue is booked from 7 PM to midnight,
giving plenty of opportunity for Cinderella to
have dinner and get back to the kitchen before
the pumpkin happens. Nearby motel
accommodation at reduced rates can be
arranged. Car parking is not a problem

Tickets can be booked now. Yes now,
right now. Send a cheque made out to SBW
for the number of tickets. Include your name
and address. No tickets will be sold at the

door (we also want to have a good time and '

not be bothered with money and tickets).

MAY 2002

Issue No. 810

INDEX:

Index and Notices

75" Anniversary Dinner
Editor's Note
President's Report
Treasurers Report

Foon - =

The April General Meeting

Barry Wallace
Don Finch

5. Coolana Report
5. Letter from England
7

Out Of The Past
- Brian Harveys 90th Birthday
- Letter Rennies Tunnel

8. Conservation Report David Trinder

8. Walks Activity and Planning Night

10-11. Is The Walk StillOn Roger Treagus

12-16. The Walks Pages

17. New Members Page
18 Social Notes

ADVERTISERS:
Alpsport Front cover
Eastwood Camping 9
Paddy Pallin Back cover
Wildemess Transit 7
Willis's Walkabouts 5

The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931
Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.

Maurice Smith
| The Sydney Bushwalker May 2002

Page 2 |

The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.

This year we celebrate our 75" anniversary.

The Club's main activity is bushwalking, but it
has grown to include other activities such as ski
touring, canyoning, abseiling, li-loing, cycling
and social events.

Our Club meetings are held every Wednesday
evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood
Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kimibilli (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: Rosemary MacDougal
Vice-President: Wilf Hilder
Public Officer: Maurice Smith
Treasurer: Maurice Smith
Secretary: . ~- vacant --
Walks Secretary: Carol Lubbers

| Social Secretary Vicki Garamy
Membership Secretary Pam Morrison

New Members Secretary: Heike Krausse

Conservation Secretary: David Trinder

Magazine Editor: Bill Holland

Committee Member: Eddy Giacomel
  Barry Wallace

| Delegates to Confederation:

Jim Callaway -- vacant --

Weekend Walking Gear For Hire
The club row has 48mall poor of weekend
walking equipment available for hireta

All items. will require an equivalent cash.
deposit, refundable on return of thie equipment,
Geoff Milntosh ids: volunteered: to- act. as: Gear:
Custodian ona trial basis did: would be hirers-
should telephone Geoff on 9419 4619. .
Please be aware that our podt i a8 presently: gtitk-
small, 36 give plenty of notice, | We will be.
monitoring the demand and Tay, as requiced,
expand our-stocks: :

Prospective. Meiubers.: The rates for se byte

| are: De
Weekend patk: gs
 Sleepingbag: $15 ak
{For hygiene reasons you, must 5 provide ands use
your own sleeping bag liner). -
Sleeping mat. =. $5
L, Ground shest: $2.
S Tent: a . $20 *
Complete:kit . - $50.

Editors Note:

The other day one of our club members
exclaimed Lets put the fun back into
bushwalking! and I thought back to my early
days in the club.

I remember the social walks as well as the hard
grinds. Peter Millers themed birthday weekends
on the Shoalhaven River; Jan Mohandass gourmet
walks, Maurie Blooms Call of the Wild
extended walks, Wine and Cheese walks with
Barry Wallace. I remember the theatre evenings,
the barbecues, the pre-meeting dinners and wonder
where are they now?

It made me think of why SBW was formed
back in the 1930s when real men walked and
women waited at home. How SBW
encouraged mixed sex walking; amalgamated
the social and walking aspects to make
bushwalking a more enjoyable exercise.
Nowadays we seem to dismiss the social aspect
and hear only the call we are a walking club.
Well lets put the fun back into bushwalking.
Lets have the social life that all can share. The
easier walks as well as the walks planned for
aspiring and perspiring tigers.

How about your views on the subject.

- Would you welcome more attention to

developing the social aspects of bushwalking?

This month we have the regular -reports of
club matters; a couple of pages of history
including a 90" birthday celebration, and many
walks reports. One of our new members has
contributed a Recipe of the Month and the
subject of weather forecasting receives some
attention.

As always, I welcome your contributions

_ whether as letters or articles. I would like to see

more promotion of walks scheduled in the coming

_ months. Drawings and photos add to the

presentation of the magazine and with todays
technology can be forwarded by email and easily
converted from colour to black and white.
Bill Holland :

Contact The Editor: s

Copy for publishing in the SBW
magazine should be received by the
editor by the end of the first week of each
month. Letters stating your viewpoint on
matters of interest are most welcome.

Please send your submission in by mail

(preferably typed), on floppy disc, by fax or by

email addressed to The Editor
Telephone: 9484 6636
Email: billholi@hotkey.net.au

Fax: 9980 5476 (phone 9484 6636 first)
. | a The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page 3

|

_ Presidents Report

__ As you know last year you were invited to write
to the committee with any suggestions you
might have about how the club is mun.
Subsequently, there was a survey sent to every
member which attracted a huge response.

A review committee was formed to consider
the responses. It was hoped that there could be a
written acknowledgement of each letter written
but this has proved impracticable. This is not to
say that your suggestions have failen into a large
black hole. They are being considered but not all
can be implemented largely because of the cost
 or lack of the voluntary support to implement

them, For example, it would be much more

convenient to send in our annual subscription by

Visa (or similar) or Bpay. However this attracts

an additional cost, which would have to be

passed onto you. Quite sensibly the committee
 opted not to do this.

However, the changes for prospective members
to move through to full membership, which were
approved at the last AGM, originated from your
suggestions and were developed by the review
committee. The committee has .just about

' completed a brochure, which will help publicise
our club and is working on a handbook with
' helpful suggestions for new leaders.

_ Later this month four of our members are
Competing in the annual Oxfam walk along part of

the Great North Walk. They are required to

complete 1600 ks within 48 hours and they are

busily looking for'sponsors. All funds raised go to

Community Aid Abroad. We have had

representatives in this event for a few years now
 -and it is pleasing to see their contribution.

The committee has taken the first step to
implement the program discussed last year at
various general meetings designed to trial the
management of the club by a smaller committee.
Under our constitution, we have a very large
committee of 15 members and it was considered
to be too cumbersome for a club of our size.

The constitution allows a member to be
absent from meetings if the committee consents.
We have resolved that, until the next AGM, the
Public. Officer, the Social Secretary, the two

.- Confederation delegates, the two non-portfolio
. positions and the Editor may, if they wish, elect
. hot to attend meetings. These members will
 continue to receive the agenda papers and
minutes of meetings and may attend a meeting
cat any time.

As part of this process we will also try to
develop a walks committee of say, three
experienced leaders to help the Walks secretary.

All of these arrangements are to be
constantly kept under review and- will be

be

discussed at the general meeting in November

~ 2002 with a report to be published in the

Journal.
See you on the track.
Rosemary MacDougal

Treasurers Report - April 2002.
We started the month with $10,081 in the bank
account.

During the month we received $7,411 in
income. $7,329 of this was subscriptions from
members and new members. In the month we
drew cheques to the value of $1,176. The big
items of expenses were Kirnbilli
Neighbourhood Centre for $460 for rent of the
club rooms, The Production Manager for $372
for magazine expenses and various other
payment of expenses totalling $344. We ended
the month with $16,316 in the bank.

Bank Account Balance 1 April $10,081
Income received

Subscriptions 7,329

Other : 82
Total Income 7,4i1
Expenses paid

Rent 460

Magazine etc 372

Other 344
Total expenses 1,176
Bank Account Balance 30 April 16,316

The annual subscriptions are arriving in the post
office box. So [m busy processing the
payments. Remember, if you havent paid your
subscription it is now due. If you dont pay you
will lose your membership rights. Write your
cheque today and mail it together with the
payment advice to:

The Treasurer - Sydney Bush Walkers Inc

PO Box 431 Milsons Point NSW 1565
Maurice Smith

Confederation First Aid Training:
Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad (BWRS)
is running a Senior St John First Aid course on
Ist, 2nd June. The training will be 9am to Spm
both days (with the exam held
on Sunday afternoon). The
(heavily discounted) total cost
for the course will be $100. A
$20 non refundable deposit with
a stamped self addressed
cavelope v will confirm your place.
Cheques must be made payable "Bushwalkers

Wilderness Rescue Squad" and send to:

BWRS Secretary

PO Box 22

CANTERBURY 2193

The Sydney Bushwalker May 2002

Page 4

' There were some 15 or so members present
when the president, presiding, called the
meeting to order. Bul and Fran Holland and
Gretel Woodward were unable to be present and
had sent their apologies.

The, minutes of the previous February
General Meeting were read and received, with
no matters arising.

Correspondence presented to the meeting
included a booklet from Confederation advising
of proposed changes to their constitution and a
letter from the clubs Hon. Solicitor regarding
the provisions of the Federal Governments new
privacy act. .We also received a report of recent
Confederation activities which included a notice
of motion as follows. That clubs where the
club name~ does not include the word
bushwalking be required to affirm at each
annual renewal that at least 50% of the
organisations activities include bushwalking.
Confederation are to upgrade their web site to
- permit imember clubs to maintain their own
contact information on the site. Materials have
been purchased to carry out renewal of the roof
of the rangers cabin at Burning Palms. There is
an appeal for persons having suitable sea going
vessels to assist in transporting the materials to
site.

No conservation report was available to the
meeting.

The walks reports began with activities for
the weekend of 16, 17 March. The annual
reunion was attended by some 46 or so people,
conditions were clement and a good time was
had by all. No report was available to the
meeting for Wayne Steeles rough camp trip out
from Pigeon House, Michael Bickley had 11
starters for his Bobbin Head Saturday walk
which was described as an OK.walk. Sunday
saw Nigel Weaver and a party of 12 enjoying
warm conditions and glorious views for his trip
out to Mount Solitary from the Golden Stairs.
Peter Cochrane was also out that day with his
trip around Bargo Gorge. The walk went but we
had no details.

Wilf Hilder led stage 22 of his
recircumnavigation of Port Jackson as the
midweek walk on the Thursday with the party of
8 getting along at such a fine clip that it was all
over by 1400 hrs.

Carlo Lubbers reported 4 starters for her
Kanangra Walls walk over the weekend of 23,
24 March. The weekend was fine but ticks were
somewhat of a problem. Zol Bodlay had 15 on
his Saturday trip to the Aboriginal art sites of

April 2002 General Meeting

Barry Wallace

Marra Marra and Jim Callaway reported a party
of 7 enjoying pleasant conditions on his trip
from Cronulla to Otford the same day. Bill
Holland was out there on the Sunday with 13
starters and a reversed route for his walk to
Maitland Beach in Bouddi National Park.

Easter weekend saw Stephen Adams
unavailable to lead his Blue Breaks trip, so Jan
Pieters stepped in and led the party of 7,
following a slightly rearranged route. Maurice
Smith led a party of 8 on his extended rockhop
down Ettrema Creek in good weather
conditions. Bill Capon reported a party of 7 on
his trip in Wollemi National Park. Apart from
some heavy rain in Friday evening all went well.
Ian Rennards Saturday walk from Wondabyne
to Woy Woy attracted a total of 40 applicants 3
of whom were no-shows in the event. There
was also a reference to a herd of goats but I
think they were just along the way.

There was no report for Carole Beales
Saturday walk in Bouddi National Park but
Maureen Carter had a party of 18 enjoying a
sunny day for her Cremorne to Manly foreshores
walk on the Sunday. Wilf Hilder was also out
on the Sunday, with 5 walkers enjoying sunny
and clear weather with a spot of training in map
reading and some scratchy scrub on his walk in
the Porto Ridge area of Brisbane Waters
National Park.

New members Don and Lesley Read were
then welcomed into membership.

The Treasurers report indicated that we
began the month with $12,065, received income
of $2,716, disbursed $4,701 and ended up with a
balance of $10,081.

We were advised of the passing of Chris
Kirkpatrick, who had previously been a member
of the club.

There was no general business for attention
so the President closed the meeting at around
2043 hours.

' First Aid Certificates for Leaders:
To encourage our walks leaders to get their St
Johns First Aid Certificate, the Committee has
offered to subsidise current Walks Leaders for
half the cost of gaining an accredited Senior
First Aid Certificate up to $50 and if combined
with an accredited Remote Area First Aid, up
to $80. This will be for a trial six-month period.

f The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page 5 |

Coolana Report:

After the reunion Joan and Barbara spent time
weeding and fixing water pipes. They also
reported the weed, turkey rhubarb is cotitinuing to

establish  the river flats. could
also been
winning  cases too not
enough Barry and have been
working on : of the
and have cut of the timber on

process
S.B.W. and are
meeting will be arranged
officer, Mr Eric. Zarrella, ;
and members of like to
present Coolana Committee will be
: So

let me know

by the end of May by fax, ! or telephone of

94525194: email:

x] Letter From England

My wife and I were prospective members of
SBW for a couple of years up until last
September when we moved to England. We
have very fond memories of our time at the club
and regret that we didn't get past the final barrier
to membership.- the overnight walk - before we
had to leave.

We are now in the UK for the next 2 years or
so. We are still keen walkers and get out most
weekends with the local Ramblers Club, and
every now and then go off on longer trips within
Europe: As you can imagine, this is a very
different sort of walking to the type we did with
SBW. But it: is-nevertheless challenging - the
day walks are generally longer for a start - and
the countryside here - near us, the Cotswolds
and Chiltertis  is beautiful and surprisingly
unspoilt.

Would you be interested in an article or two
about the walking we do here? The
differences/similarities are fascinating in
themselves, and also some walks have historical,
cultural or natural aspects to them that I'm sure
would be of interest. Your readers might also be
thinking of visiting the UK for walking, so an
article like this would be a very practical way of
letting them know what to expect.

Best wishes,

John Mapps

The Charnley River
and the Munja Track

Dozens of Aboriginal art sites show that this has been a special place

The Charnley is one of
the most spectacular
and least accessible
rivers in the Kimberley.
The lower section goes
through about 30 km
of continuous gorge.

for thousands of years. With so many interesting side creeks to explore,
our Charniey Explorer includes a number of day walks where we dont
carry full packs.

Want something easier? To get to the Charnley. we drive about 200
km along the Munja track. There is an incredible wealth of lovely short
walks along the track: waterfalls, paols and art-sites galore. We offer
two trips: the Munja Track Explorer with walks of up to four days and
the Light-Pack Explorer where you carry only day packs. By using the
airstrip at the end of the track, you drive only in one direction.

Want more Info? Log onto our website, click onto the
Kimberley tour list and click the photo gallery link below

se

CO,
the trip. No web access? Ask for the trip notes. a a

www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au y

ans
| The Sydney Bushwalker May 2002 Page |

FROM OUT OF THE PAST (75 Years of SBW History)

BRIAN HARVEY, S.B.W. PRESIDENT 1956-58, TURNS 90.

On Friday March 15", 2002 Brian Harvey celebrated his 90" birthday with a lunch at his home, the
RSL War Veterans Home, Collaroy Plateau. Celebrating with him were his wife of nearly 60 years, Jean,
walking friend Shirley Dean, and the daughters of his old SBW friends - Kate Moppett and Nancy Pallin
(daughter of Jean & Tom Moppett) and Christine Austin (daughter of Jean & Ray Kirkby).

Brian has had a lengthy and interesting career in the club. He joined SBW with his brother Perce, the
Friday after Easter in 1936.

Prior to being mobilised for the Navy, Brian was on the General Committee, was a Federation
Delegate and magazine producer, using an old hand operated machine. After six and a half years in the
Navy, Brian built his home in Wahroonga, clearing the site for the house and creating a beautiful garden
~ masses of azaleas amongst the tall eucalypts where we children roamed happily and safely. Brian had
married Jean in April 1942 and their home in Wahroonga was the venue for many an SBW gathering.

In 1947 Brian had the idea that a plaque be installed at Splendour Rock in the Wild Dog Mountains to
commemorate the bushwalkers who died in the war. He was chairman of the committee to organize this,
and the dedication by Paddy Pallin took place on Anzac Day 1948.

At the end of the war Brian resumed SBW activities, again as magazine producer and Federation
Delegate 1949 - 1950 and leading test and other walks. He organised the annual SBW swimming
carnival at Lake Eckerslie for some years.

Briatr said that his most memorable sprint  was leaving Carlons Farm on Galong Creek on a
Monday aftemoon and arriving at Richmond on a Wednesday afternoon via Blackheath and the Grose
River.

In 1960 an injured nerve in his shoulder precluded Brian from carrying a pack and so active
bushwalking ceased, but not his interest in club affairs, As there were many walkers who were not able
to take part in active bushwalking, Brian formed the Dungalla Club on the 31 July 1968. Its aims were
to provide social contact for older members.

About 5 years ago Brian was elected an Honorary Member of the SBW and continues as such.

| In 1984 he and Jean moved to his present home with its glorious views of bushland and Narrabeen
Lagoon.

SBW MEMBERS ALL WISH BRIAN A HAPPY 90 BIRTHDAY.
a 1

| The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page7 |

DX] Letter To The Editor
I am prompted by your printing of Ron
Knightleys article on The Golden Stairs to
forward an account of a walk through the tunnel
with Greg Bridge in 1994
.Rennies Tunnel
Change into old shoes, transform your backpack
into a frontpack, bend forward until said
frontpack is jammed between chin and knees -
now you can enter Rennies Tunnel.

Scarcely more than a metre high with up to
half a metre of chocolate water/mud on the
floor, this 700m long tunnel! passes through
Narrow Neck Peninsular connecting the Jamison
Valley with the Megalong.

With torch gripped firmly in one hand
(courage in the other) twenty walkers followed
Greg Bridge into Rennies Tunnel, shuffling
sideways like a chorus line of crabs.

After about ten minutes of stooping a spot is
reached where you can stand erect. Blessed
relief! But- wait. This comfort zone is possible
only because a section of roof has collapsed.

- How long ago did it fall?

~ When is the next fall due?

- What amI doing here?

The roof height varies, the water depth varies,
veins of coal and shale are encountered and
surprisingly, considerable variety is evident. lhe
constants are that the water is cold and that it
would be very very dark without the torchlight
beams.

Some twenty five minutes go by and, at the
end, a further rock fall has reduced the exit to a
crawl height. Out into daylight and there seems
a general senseof relief, but with hints of
satisfaction, as though we had passed some
manner of test .

But this is not how our day started. We had
walked from Katoomba Station to the Explorers
Tree then descended via Nellies Glen, a
beautifully scenic area despite an unfortunate
attempt to build a road down to the valley floor.

Some distance along the valley a branch
track climbs the talus slope to the base of
Narrow Neck where the Water Board ladders are
climbed - four, almost vertical, steel runged,
somewhat intimidating for any unused to
ladders.

Following lunch we moved along Narrow
Neck to descend Golden Stairs heading towards
the landslide to locate the entrance of Rennies
Tunnel,

After negotiating the tunnel, we washed up at
Waterfall Cave and climbed to Cliff Drive via
Devils Hole.

A road walk to return to car or train is
sometimes a let down that can take the edge off
a good walk; on this day however even three
kilometres of bitumen could not dull the sheen
of an 'adventure' that reads: -Nellies Glen, Water
Board ladders, Golden Stairs, Rennies Tannel,
Devils Hole.

In one day we had covered five of the
Mountains classic locations. Even the usually
yantic drive down the mountain I faced calmly.
Frank Davis March 1994

Norman Rodd has advised that the three people

shown in the photo of The Dance floor Cave last
month were Wally Roots, Phil Chamberlain and

Marjorie Hill.

Also a correction to the names shown in the
earlier photo (March issue) where Rene
Browne was incorrectly called Rene Bracone
and Marjorie Hill, we are told, would not have
been pleased at the abbreviation  Marge

WILDERNESS Taavst

| JENOLAN CAVES, KANANGRA Was,
YESRANDERIE GHost TOWN
STARLIGHTS TRACK. BENGONIA CAVES.
Woa Woc. Nenniga

Departs fram Sydney's Campbelliown Railway Station

. Yi Pandh, <atcombe 4 Biackheath for :
} Kanangra Walls Mon & Wed at 11am. Frid at 7am 
Returns 4om Mon, Wed, Frid. ;
Via Starlights, Mittagong & Marulgn for

i Wog Wog-Nerriga Tues.4 Thurs & Sun at dam 
Returns 4 pm Tues, Thurs, Sun. q
Yerranderie Ghost Town first Saturday ineach =f
month, relurns Sun at 1pm {any Fday min 4) 

Group booking discounts or charter service

| Tel 0246 832344 Mob 0428 832 344

jwww.wildernesstransit.com.au |

The Sydney Bushwalker May 2002

Page 8 |

De

Conservation Report David Trinder
A quick look at several problem areas.

Burning Forests for Electricity and Charcoal

The Carr Government is pushing logging industry
plans to build three new wood fired powers
stations and a large charcoal plant in NSW. They
will all be fuelled by our native forests.

The charcoal plant will be on the south coast
at Batemans Bay near the nature based tourism
centre of Broulee/ Mossy Point. There have
been large public rallies opposing the plant with
crowds of 2,500 people or more. It will create
the third major woodchip operation in NSW and
will take 230,000 tonnes per year of native
forest timber for the next 40 years and will
supply charcoal to the Lithgow silicone plant.

Not only has Bob Carr broken his promise to
end woodchipping by the year 2000, this will
entrench native forest logging where otherwise
it would move towards plantation supply, less
intensive logging and further national parks.

The political attraction of the Carr Government
is the marginal ALP seat of Bathurst which will
benefit: from the Lithgow plant. The South East
Forest Alliance believes that conservation minded
people should take strong action to prevent the
Government from approving the charcoal plant.
There are other alternatives.

Four Wheel Driving On Beaches

The New South Wales coast is blessed with
hundreds of beautiful clean sandy beaches but
* with the increased number of all terrain vehicles
on our roads, there is also increased pressure
from their owners to drive on these beaches.
Many beaches in Sydney and north and south of
Sydney have become highways for people who
want to justify their purchase of an expensive
vehicle, to show how well they can drive in soft
surfaces or to enjoy the beaches without
walking. Beaches should be quiet places where
you can sit and relax or walk. Many of them are
becoming dangerous, smelly, noisy places.
Some drivers are even venturing into the dune
areas behind the beaches. A few drivers can
spoil kilometres of beach for everybody else.

To quote the National Parks Association

* We need the freedom of the long beaches, the sands
unmarked, smooth and clear. Wind, waves and
seabirds the only sounds. Native creatures at home,
undisturbed. The wanderer alone with nature and
thought.

There is strong pressure from outdoor
recreation and fishing groups to allow vehicles
on beaches. .

A recent issue of our magazine was posted to
members with a pamphlet to register your
support for the NPA s campaign against this
problem. [If you havent returned it please do.

Protecting the Yengo Wilderness
Two months ago I wrote describing the Greater

Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. In the
north east of that area is the Yengo Wilderness.
The extent of the wilderness area is under
negotiation. I am supporting the whole of the
134,000 ha identified Yengo Wilderness area to
be protected as a component of the World
Heritage Area. The Crown Road Reserves
should be added to the park and tracks in
wilderness should be closed to reduce habitat
fragmentation.

Protection should include the central feature,
Mt Yengo, and the attractive wet gorges of the
Mogo Creek.

On behalf of the club I will be writing to the
Director-General of the Yengo Wilderness
Submission to put these views.

Walks Activity And Planning Night

The next regular Planning Night is Wednesday
26 JUNE 2002 in the Clubrooms at Kirnbilli
where the Spring Walks Programme (Sept Oct
Nov) will be shown in all its naked glory.

Now while we dont expect to fill the
Programme on this night, it is a golden
opportunity to reserve the date and the area for
your winter walk or activity as you will have the
first option.

At our last Walks Planning Night we
recruited two new leaders for the 2001Summer
Programme and that was great news. On its
own it made the night a great success.

Other agenda items for the 26" are to;

* continue to encourage the buddy system,
particularly for new leaders.

 provide information ie track notes, map details
etc of three areas that current and new leaders
may consider including in the winter or future
programmes.

The format of these evenings provides the
opportunity for leaders, potential leaders,
members and prospective members to discuss
new walks, old walks, exploratories, new ideas,
old ideas and support each other. Also, to
encourage the expansion of the choice of
activities and walks that appear on our Walks
Programmes.

Despite all of the navel gazing currently
underway within the club our Walks Programme
is what it is all about!

So lets hope we see you then.

Carol Lubbers Don Brooks

Walks Secretary Convenor

P.S. We have it on good authority that the Club
will provide tea, coffee, wine, cheese and
biscuits

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The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page 10 |

Is The Walk Still On?

Is the walk still on? is a common question put
to an SBW leader early on a gloomy weekend
morning. Ninety-nine times out of 100 the
answer will be yes.

Sydney has a top climate. The weather is
eternally optimistic. When its bad, it soon fines
up. When its good, it tends to stay good. For
computer nerds you could say it defaults to blue,
whereas English weather defaults to grey
drizzle. Our weather is the answer to an English
walkers prayer, but we are spoilt by it and
easily put off.

I worked in the weather bureau for some years,
and trainee meteorologists were often told to look
out the window frequently, a literal reality check.
The best forecast youll get about the day ahead is

obtained by poking your head out of your bedroom

window when you wake up and looking up.

Natures signs in the sky are usually good for the

next six hours, which is very useful for

bushwalkers at the start of a walk day.

Ive compiled a short list of
what you'll see and what it
means for the day ahead:

 Sky completely blue = no
worries.

"Bnght sky but thick high _|
cloud to the west = morning
OK but there might be late rain.

" Really dark cloud to the west = stormy for the
morning but likely to rapidly
clear! later in the day,
especially in winter.

Cloudy or showery with

onshore winds = showers but

always a good chance of
clearing later in the day.

Showers with onshore winds but bright in the

east = it'll clear up to a great day.

= You cant see the sky because of fog = no
worries.

 Its pouring but the sky has some definition,
clouds look lumpy and its perhaps a little
bnghter to the west = likely to clear up by the
time you start walking.

* A southerly went though during the night and
its looking cloudy now = showers later but
might just be coastal.

 Its pouring and the sky is uniformly grey =
worst case scenario. You
cant really tell what will
happen in this case, it
might fine up, but its
best to -get a bureau
forecast.

So you see the pattern,

Roger Treagus

things generally get better, and if showers are

forecast, theres a good probability they wont

rain on you. The bureau is naturally pessimistic.

They cover themselves better by forecasting-bad

weather that doesnt eventuate rather than not

forecasting bad weather that does. So here goes
an interpretation of what your TV forecasts
really mean.

 Showers means some showers samewhere

between the southern highlands and the

Hunter.

Isolated showers means one.

Scattered showers means more than one.

Rain technically means precipitation falling

without more than a 10-minute break in every

hour. This term is often avoided because its
so precise, so when forecasters actually use it,
they really mean it.

 Patchy rain is a safer compromise.

= Unsettled is a catch-all phrase, used when
they havent got a clue what will+happen.

 Clearing means fine. :

 Chance of thunderstorms is an honest
statement, covering everything from nothing
happening to a full-on tornado.

We might laugh at the bureau, but they do
produce lots of good information that we can
interpret to complement our head-out-the-
bedroom-window forecasts.

The weather map is really useful, provided
all the action causing the weather is occurring at
the surface. Often this is not the case, especially
in summer where upper level troughs cause the
weather. These dont show up on surface
weather maps. The maps are really good for
showing where the high pressure belt is  that is,
what latitude the high pressure systems
generally favour. There are four scenarios: the
first two are normal but the second two are not.

Summer, and high pressure is in its usual
position around the latitude of Tasmania.
Sydney weather follows a well defined cycle: .
Day 1  cold front and showers; day 2  showers
clearing as winds swing from south east to north
|. 7) eS

The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page 11 |

east, day 3 - fine; day 4 - fine and warmer;:day

5 - very warm with north westerlies and
increasing cloud with late stotms; day 6 ~ cold
front and the cycle repeats.

Winter, and the highs operate at the latitude
of Sydney or further north. The weather is dry
and cold with excellent visibility as the winter
westerlies blow. After a few days of this
weather, a cold front will pass, causing some
snow. on the ranges and brief wintry showers, if
anything, in Sydney  great walking weather.

Winter, and highs operate somewhere south
of the mainland. This situation causes miserable,
cold, damp weather which might last days with
little respite. .

Summer, and highs are operating at Sydneys
latitude. This can be a disastrous situation,
leading to extreme bushfire conditions, because
highs -in this position allow very dry hot
westerlies to blow for prolonged periods. This
happened in 1994 and Christmas 2001.
Paradoxically, this same airstream is very cold
further south, so that in both extreme bushfire
periods snow fell at the same time in Victoria.

Thankfully, scenarios 3 and 4 dont happen
very often.

There are two other features to look out for
on the weather, map: when all the systems are
moving rapidly; and when theres a low off the
coast north of Sydney. If Sydneys weather is
miserable and either of these features is
operating, dont cancel your walk plans. In the
first case, the bad weather will pass quickly, and

in the second case, the low is likely to move |

south, and once it passes Sydney the weather
often miraculously changes from strong winds
and driving rain to a clear crisp washed
atmosphere with sun in just an hour or so.

On the bureaus web site at www.bom.gov.au

theres a four-day weather map prognosis.,

Coupled with the above information, it may give
you a feel about the forthcoming weather. The
other. useful info source appears in NSW Notes
on the weather on the forecast page, which
details the next four days across the State in
terms of the weather map.

Finally, a couple of my pet hates. Why do
TV weather people always give out the air
pressure? Will all the viewers suddenly rush off
to recalibrate their aneroid barometers? Its
totally. useless, like the indication of dry,
fine, change and storm appearing on
traditional aneroid barometers  ail meaningless
for Sydney, as theyre designed for the weather
in northern Europe, where the original
instruments were made.

My second hate is the unreliability of TV
forecasts. There is rarely complete uniformity

between channels, and SBS is now attempting
forecasting the entire worlds weather in two
minutes with gems like It will be fine and hot
in Africa but windy around Cape Horn!

So next time youre about to cancel a walk
because of the current weather, the chances are
that youll miss out on a great day. But dont
take my word for it. I used to work for the

weather bureau and my office had no windows.

Have You Heard? Don Brooks

There is a track open to the public through the old
mines depot at Clifton Gardens (Chowder Bay)
and the adjacent military reserve Georges Heights. |

The entry is close to the Submarine Wharf at
the northern end of Clifton .Gardens beach.
Follow the marked path past the wharf for a few
steps and along the road for a short distance 
the walking track goes off to the left and up the
hill (adjacent to a sign about the track but no
indication that this is the point you leave the
road). If you continue up the road you reach
the open gates to the depot and have gone too
far. Just retrace your steps 50 metres and the
track head will be on your right.

The exit of the track is on Middle Head Road
just east of Cobbittee Street where its just a
short hop, step and jump to Balmoral Beach
Good Hunting

Cycling:

Here are some coming
cycling activities. Full details
of these and later rides are
: shown in Winter Walks
ss Programme.

Sunday 26" May: Meadowbank to Olympic
park etc and return. An easy/medium ride with
extensions for the fit.

Thurs/Fri 20" 21* June: Mid-week cycling with
possible..extension to the weekend. Stay
overmight and cycle from Robyns farm at
Georges Plains near Bathurst.

Regular mid-week cycling activities are
additional to those shown in the Clubs Walks
Programme. They are often scheduled at short
notice so if you are free to cycle during the week
please contact George Mawer 9707 1343

Volunteers are required for a
dance routine at the 75th Dinner
similar to You Can Keep Your
Hat On as featured in the film
The Full Monty. This may be
. your opportunity to display your
talent and start a show business career. Contact
the 75" Sub-Committee ASAP

' The Sydney Bushwalker May 2002 Page 12 |
THE WALKS PAGES
Top End Wet - Kakadu Light February 2002

(Willis 'sWalkabouts) Russell Willis, Don Brooks, Frank Davis

Monsoon Season -'The Wet - Green Season,
call it what you will. It depends on who is telling
the story and what they are trying to promote or
sel].

After several 'dry season' trips to the Top End it
seemed appropnate to experience what this fabled
wet! was all about. "When it rains it pours usually
as heavy, long-lasting cloudbursts from January to
~ March -writes Derrick Ovington.

Darwin, February 6 - smack in the middle of
the wet. It's as dry as burnt toast.

On the Amhem Highway, some 60 kilometres
from Darwin, Beatrice Hill, a rare high point on
the Adelaide River flood- plain, stands "Window
on the Wetlands Visitor Centre. The building
and contents are impressive, the paucity of water
disappointing - it is more a land of droughts
than flooding rains'. Further on, Mamakula
Wetlands hint at what floodplains could be like.
A bird hide stands at the edge of a body of
water. The birds occupy small, distant islands.

Next morming we joined Magela, a tour
company with access to Hawk Dreaming, the
birth place and ancestral home of Big Bill
Neidjie (Australia's Kakadu Man. 1986). First
we visited Ubirr Gallery, climbed Obiri Rock
(of Crocodile Dundee fame) and gazed out over
the verdant but dry Magela floodplain. There
was some promise for the future for we had
driven through water that spread from a
Melaleuca swamp to cover the road. 

The East Alligator River, running strongly
over the ford at Cahilis Crossing provided the
background for lunch. We then moved on to
Hawk Dreaming. The gallery has a fascinating
range of art ranging through ancient red-ochre,
x-ray (teaching) to contemporary. It rained
briefly early afternoon, again at night. Maybe
we'd get to experience the wet after all.

Day threc took us along Baroalba Creek with
its sparkling cascades which spilled and tumbled
from sandstone shelves and ledges. There was
water aplenty in the cascades, small tributaries
emerged from lush vegetation to add their
contribution -the pale, gray sky promised but
delivered no monsoonal deluge. We climbed
into the sandstone ramparts to view red-ochre
paintings by the original inhabitants. I have
heard these described variously as_ graffiti,
casual daubs, childish.

Casual daubs they are not - the effort
required to grind the dense red rock to talcum
fineness ensures the artist had serious intent.

They may not be pictorial, any more than Dali's
melting clock is. They could be cultural or
instructional. They could have been painted as
long ago as forty thousand years. Who are we to
second-guess the artist's purpose?

Just when we needed clear skies the cloud
thickened and our flight to Twin and Jim Jim Falls
was curtailed by poor visibility. We did get a great
view of Twin Falls, and as impressive as this is
from the ground, either above or below, their
spectacular grandeur is revealed only from the air.

Some fifty kilometres south of Pine Creek on
the Stuart Highway we tumed east to enter
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) NP. Here in this
western comer of the park is Edith Falls which
debouches into a large pandanus-ringed pool. A
walking track provides access to above the falls.

Following the Edith upstream reveals a string
of large and small pools; cascades that divide
and sub-divide to skirt large solitary rock
outcrops and broken rock bars that span the
river. I believe this was as exciting as any body
of moving water 1 have encountered. This area
is not directly connected to the gorge section of
Nitmiluk so it was a case of back to the highway
and on to Katherine.

Next morning we drove to Katherine Gorge -

- well as far as Maud Creek and here a 200 metre

stretch of water a metre deep barred our passage.
Park Rangers ferried people across the flood but
Park personnel only, not tourists. We occupied
the morning at Katherine's Pioneer Museum.

After lunch the creek was down. We walked
the Wondilk track to Pat's lookout on the gorge
rim then down to water level. To return, |
followed the marked track. Russell and Don
took a detour to explore a waterfall. A stream
we had crossed on the way in, spanned by a
sturdy safety chain, was mid-calf depth. The
depth was substantially the same as I returned. It
rained, in fact bucketed down, shortly before I
reached the car park, and persisted. A scant hour
later Russell and Don forded the stream now
waist deep and fast flowing.

Again, next morning, Maud Creek was up -
deeper. A boat was there - the cruise operator's.
Only by becoming customers could we gain a
place. A full bus saw we three walk the 7.5
kilometres to the park gate before the bus returned

The Katherine River level gauge showed a
touch under 17 metres. On the way in it stood at a
shade over 4 metres. We may have been fortunate
to see as much of Nitmiluk NP as we did.
fr  The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page 13 |

To com a phrase. Litchfield is a Clayton's
Kakadu -a way to sample the grandeur of Kakadu
if you haven't enough time to do it properly. Buley
Rockholes, Florence, Tolmer and Wangi Falls are
infinitely better in the wet. The road to The Lost
City was closed and that was a pity.

Finally I got a glimpse of a frill-neck lizard.

Smack in the centre of the road. He scarpered as
 soon as I moved to exit the car. At least now I

know they are more than a computer- generated
_ image - I had begun to wonder.

We stayed this night in Batchelor at a motel
called Jungle Drums. They should get this guy

' to rename Motor Car Falls.

We returned to Darwin via the Northern
Territory Wildlife Park. A wonderful
achievement with plenty of space to grow.

At last I managed to photograph a frill-neck
lizard, close up. Perhaps | should confess before
someone lets the cat out of the bag -it was
captive and behind glass.

Overall it was an exciting venture. We did
get to experience the wet. We walked in
bucketing rain. At Katherine we watched
reflected lightning flashes light up the clouds,
accompanied by thunder that rolled and
reverberated and racketed so fiercely you could
feel it, not just hear it, There was no shortage of

water underfoot, a camping trip would seem to
be impossible. It was more comfortable to walk
when it rained than in the oppressive humidity
which I found quite taxing.

Don handled the conditions and walking with

 aplomb, but then doesn't he always.

Frank Davis

Mountain Pleasures Mark Patteson

1 recently had the opportunity to explore an
area that has always appealed to me Mt.
Canobolas State Recreation Area located south
west of Orange in Central West NSW. I was
joined by Henry Roda, a strong walker well
known to many in the club.

We began our walk at the mountain tea house
at the base of Mt.Canobolas (the apple pies are
legendary here). The road from the car park rises
steeply at first and gets the heart rate up early.
After walking a kilometre or so we diverted onto a
track called Fern Gully Trail which does a loop of
some 4 kilometres before meeting the main road
again further up the mountain. The track skirts the

: lower northern slopes of the mountain and passes
-numerous apple orchards where harvesting was in
full swing. We managed to pick a few of these
juicy beauties and encountered several quite large
grey kangaroos before reaching the road. Once
back on the road we continued along until we
. reached another track called The Spring Glade

Trail which takes one to the summit of the
mountain.

1 have walked this track in snow and it had the
appearance of a winter wonderland. Today
however we had to endure the blackberry bushes
which had overrun large portions of the mountain.

Finally we arrived at the summit 1400
metres above sea level. It is the highest point
from east to west in a straight line across the
continent (remembering the location of our
highest peaks). Morning tea at the monument
was welcome on a quite warm day.

Next stop was Federal Falls where little
water was falling. We then headed to Boree
Creek above the Falls to see if it was possible to
follow it back up the mountain However we
were thwarted by the blackberry bushes which
choked the creek. An hour later we arrived at

Federal Falls camping area for lunch.

After lunch we explored the eastern slopes of
the mountain with lots of little ups and downs
before taking an old four wheel drive track back
down to the Mountain Tea House.

It was a great day walk. Stay tuned to a
future walks programme.

The Great River Walk ~ ~ Stage 8 - |

opportunity to see the real wildemesssctions of

 Kowmung: and up the Wild Dog mountains.

| car shuffles but the Great'River Walk has many .

| by vehicles and dropped in the town; A few |

 Baxtended Walk - Later this Month
26"  30% May

Yerranderie 0 Katoomba: Roger Treagus
This walk. is in the Autumn: program * from
Sunday May 26 to Thursday 30"8-is-an

fhe southern Blue Mountains, the Axechad
Range, near the Blu Breaks, on the pristine

It. starts, in Yerranderie which isa private tows,
urmsual in itself, being restored to its former
glory as a.19" and eaily 20" century mining
town with the drive and vision.of one lady, Val
Levede. Normally one way. walks do not start.
from here because of the difficult logistics with

sopporters and some walkers Wwill be ferried in

others will be flying in from Camden airport to
the smali airstrip at Yerranderie, a spectacular
20 minute Hight over Lake Birragotang,

It. will Be another great experience, like cack
previous stage has been. IF you.are contemplating
comiitg I would recommend the. flight on the |
Monday morning, what a way to start 4 walk and
its not expensive, We will be having @ party in
Yerranderi on the Monday sight prior to the start
of the walk on Tuesday rorming and Val, the
Queen of Yerranderie will bs there. Contact ct Roger
Treagus on 99955784 or 0461017289, =

foo The Sydney Bushwalker _ May 2002

Page 14

Ettrema Easter Epic

The Easter walk that I had the privilege to lead
was one that I had wanted to do for quite some
time indeed. Our former President Wilf Hilder
has since told me that to his knowledge the last
time that this trip was done as a club walk was
when he led it as a six day Christmas walk in
about 1960.

Its now a week since the tip ended and Im
still on a high. How do I describe and do
justice in a few paragraphs to the highs and lows
of four days of walking?

Anyway here goes.

For readers not familiar with the area,
Ettrema Creek is located in Morton National
Park, about 60 kilometres west on Nowra. Its
headwaters are near the Braidwood Road and it
runs for about 50 kilometres in a generally
northerly direction, emptying into Yalwal Creek
about 3 kilometres before Yalwal Creek in tum
empties into the Shoalhaven River not far from a
property called Coolendel. Any walking in the
area requires a large amount of rock hopping
and frequent wading with consequent wet feet.

To overcome what looked like being an
awful car shuffle, we parked our cars near the
end of the walk and I arranged to have a mini
bus from NSW Wilderness Transit Service (I
Support them as they advertise in our club
magazine) to collect us at our cars at 8 a.m. on
_ Fnday morning. Robert, our bus driver arrived
at our designated meeting point about 1 minute
after we arrived, as we werc starting to unload
our gear from the cars.

In planning for this tap I had considered
using several camp sites previously used by me
in earlier trips into Ettrema Creek. I also
considered bail out options at various points
along the way in the event of disasters or
absolutely foul weather. In the end none of the
contingency plans were required, but also none
of the planned camp sites were used either.

Day One: The bus shuffle worked well,
Robert drove us to our starting point without
hassle. Although at one point along the way a
heavy rain shower was looking ominous, but it
tumed out to be localised.

When we started off down Bullfrog Creek it
soon became evident that the previous nights
heavy thunderstorm had also dumped some of
its load in this area too. The rocks were quite
slippery indeed. With a four day pack on our

backs at times the slippery rocks forced us to 

take it slowly. So jelly legs were the result by

the time that we arrived in Ettrema Creek itself.
The rock hopping along Ettrema was slow

that first day. Even though it wasnt raining

Maurice Smith

there was still a fair amount of damp slippery
rocks around. So in the end it was agreed to
camp early in a pleasant spot, about 3 kms from
our intended camp site. My concern for the
following day was whether we would be able to
make up some of the lost kilometres or at a
minimum not fall any further behind our
walking schedule. Overnight we had some more
rain but the rain cleared and by the time we were
away from our camp site the rocks were dry and
were to remain so for the entire trip.

Day Two: Along the way that day we met a
CMW group at the junction of Jones Creek,
several SBW members in that party were
greeted. Several deep pools were avoided by
scrambling around them. Camp that night was
on a beach alongside the creek. In all, that day
we managed to claw back one of the three
kilometres we had lost the previous day. This
days walking imvolved about 10 hours from
camp site to camp site. So there were quite tired
walkers sitting around the camp fire that night.
However, it is amazing how everyone quickly
recovers after dropping their packs and a camp
fire is started, a billy is boiled and hot
wholesome food replenishes the energy levels.

In the early hours of the following day (Easter
Sunday) the Easter bilby visited and some quite
edible droppings were found near our tents.

Day Three: Once again an early start saw us
up in the dark and we were under way to what
was to be a warm day. Despite one of our
number not feeling very well all day his walking
speed did not noticeably suffer. At the junction
with Tullyangela Creek we found a largish
python snake draped in a small tree. Our
estimate was that it was about a metre and half
in length. My photos of it dont really do it
justice. It treated us with total disdain, ignoring
us completely, probably because we werent part
of its potential food supply. In mid-afternoon we
met a group of eight members of Canberra
Bushies who were camped at the junction of
Manacle Creek. They were enjoying the water
and the mid afternoon sun. Without putting too
fine a point to it none of them were wearing
much in the way of clothing.

By the time we found a pleasant camp site,
we were all quite tired after walking for about
10 hours. We didnt manage to make up any of
our lost kilometres. However, we didnt lose any
either, so I was a reasonably happy camper. The
swim that aftemoon was quite pleasant indeed
washing off the sweat and dust accumulated.

Day Four: Again an early start was the order

of the day. But already our thoughts were
May 2002

Page 15 |

| The Sydney Bushwalker -

turning to where we would stop for dinner on
the way home and what we would order there.
Im convinced bushwalkers are merely stomachs
with legs

As we progressed along the lower section of
Ettrema there was more evidence of weeds. By
the time we reached the junction of Yalwal and
Ettrema Creeks I was elated, we had achieved
the trips objective. Then followed the walk
along Yalwal Creek for about two kilometres.
This was followed by a fire trail walk back to
our cats. We arrived there anxious for our meal
on the way home.

Would I do this trip again? Yes. Would I do
it as a four day trip? No. With the benefit of
hindsight Id do it as a six or seven day walk,
with a lay day in the middle and more time to
enjoy swims along the way.

Every day involved wet feet all day, with lots
of wading, rock hopping and _ frequent
scrambling around the sides of the creek to
avoid long deep pools. Often at night, our feet
were quite sore and had a strong buming
feeling as result of the days exertions. At the
tisk of starting a war between those for and
against wearing Dunlop Volley shoes, they are
the ideal shoe for this sort of walk, the water
drains quickly and they have excellent grip on
the rocks.  .

My thanks to fellow members, Pamela
Irving,, Cathryn Ollif, Grace Martinez, Caro
Ryan. Pefer Love, Bill Smallwood, Nenad Stilin.
Each of these members helped me immensely
and made this trip a truly memorable experience.
This was the official version of Maurices walk 
but Maurice asked for another report of his walk
from a participant's perspective and two obliged
- their stories will be in next months
magazine... ..... Ed

Kosciusko: NP StephenAdams
With my Easter walk cancelled due to a shortage
of starters, 1 decided to join Jan's walk in the
Kosciusko national park.

All the arrangments were made, we were to
depart on Thursday night. On Wednesday Jan

called me, "Steve, I'm sick, can you lead the-
walk?". I was happy to dblige - the walk was on: .
] traveled down with the other Steve and we met

up with Joni, Helene and Norman on Friday
morning.

We started from Leather Barrel Picnic Area
with a perfect, blue, sunny sky and that is how it
stayed for the duration of the walk.

The plan was to descend to the Murray river,
follow the river upstream, if possible, then climb
out and retum via the Cascade Trail to Dead
Horse Gap, where we had left Joni's car.

If as I suspected, the river section was
impassable, due to thick scrub and the dreaded
blackberry, we would climb out of the river
valley and use Davies Plain Ridge, to the west
to bypass the river section, descend to the river
near Tin Mine Creek, climb out and meet the
Cascade Trail which would take us to Dead
Horse Gap and the end of the walk.

Lo and behold, upon arrival at the Murray

River, we found a well traveled trail, which
contoured wonderfully in the direction we
wanted. We concluded that this must be man
made and would take us all the way down the
river and we could avoid the 1000 metre climb
to Davies Plain Ridge.
The first night was spent at
Tom Groggin Fiat, a nice, flat,
grassy camping spot by the
river. The water from Dan
creek,nearby, was crystal clear
and delicious. We were on the
move at 0730 the next day,
following the river trail. There was much
evidence of brumby activity along the trail and
eventually it led us to what appeared to be their
dried up watering hole. At this point the trail
disappeared, we had been tricked by the
brumbies, it was just a brumby trail, leading to
their watering hole.

The scrub and blackberry was plentiful and
progress was painfully slow, we would have to
make the climb out to Davies Plain ndge after all. A
scrub bash and a river crossing then we were
ascending the ridge out of the river. It had taken us
two hours to do one kilometer through the scrub.

We needed to get back down to the river that
same day as it was unlikely we would find any
water up on the ridge. By the time we made it to
the top of our ridge it was clear we were not going
to make it to the river that day and we would be
spending the night on Davies Plain ridge, possibly

with no water. Three of the party had already run -

out of water and it was getting late; we would have
to camp within the next hour.

Steve found a hint of a soak, there was
moisture there, in the tiniest little puddles, but
how to get it into our bottles? Norman saved the

day. He had a water pump with filter attached .
and after much furious pumping we had the:

prize; two litres each of precious drinking water.
We camped at 1,800 metres, weary but happy.
Day 3 dawned and most of us only had a cupful

of water left and it was a good half day walk to :

the river. Luckily it was a cool moming, we
were going downhill, but by the time we reached
Tin Mine Creek at lunchtime there were scenes
reminiscent of the movies, where the desert
traveler finally stumbles into an oasis and drinks
ran
| r

| The Sydney Bushwalker | May 2002

Page 16

for the first time in days - no champagne ever
tasted better than that deliciously cool creek
water at that moment.

Having drunk our fill, and with an hour off for
lunch, we loaded up with four litres each and set
off up the ridge that would take us to the
Cascade Trail. We were traveling at the hottest
part of the day and had a 900 metre climb
carrying four litres of water each. The ridge was
scrubby. and there was plenty of fallen timber to
impede !our progress. It felt like we were never
to stop climbing, just when we thought we could
see the top, there would be more.
Finally, the prize was ours, we had no more
mountain left to climb and we raced on towards
the Cascade Trail, now just 1.5 kilometers away.
This would be our last night out in these
magnificent mountains before returning to
civilization and the complexities of urban living,
despite all the hardships, life is a lot simpler on
an extended walk in the bush.

Monday morning, our last day, 17 kilometers
to the car and we needed to do it by lunchtime.
Heads down and away we went, going for it. We
had seen not another person for the whole four
days, now we started meeting fresh, clean
daywalkers, smelling of soap and deodorant. I
wonder what we smelt like?

Back at the car by 1.00 p.m. and with the
welcome news that the clocks had gone back
one hour, giving us time to get back to Sydney
at a reasonable time. It had been a wonderful
walk with an excellent party. I heard not one
whinge the whole four days despite some hard
walking in adverse circumstances.

Roll on next Easter.

Anzac Walk Bill Capon

The Anzac 4 day 8 member Nullo Mountain
trip turned out to be quite a_ specialist
production. Anzac day itself saw our steering
committee demonstrate to the mortals in the
party how best to negotiate Cedar Creek.

Next morning the blackberry detail
consisting of 2 masochists spent an hour
negotiating a route through blackberries
surrounding Emu Creek. My role that day was
to find water in Turon Creek having earlier told
the party only to carry a couple of litres. I found
only dry sand.

On Saturday the consulting hydrologists
worked on the spring under Mt Pomany and
produced much needed water. That night under
the full moon on Mt Pomany we were treated to
a reading of the full transcript of a paper due to

be presented on the Monday. Bring back the
song books!
Despite all this, people said it was a great trip.

Walking Middle Harbour - Source To
Mouth Roger Treagus

This was meant to be a summer walk but NPWS
closed Garigal NP to all walkers so the walk was
postponed to March. We had about 16 starters
and the majorhurdle for the day was in getting to
the start with the inevitable track maintenance
stopping all trains. But determination won out
and we were able to get going around 8:15am
from the northern end of St Ives.

The first feature was a small manhole in a
gutter 100metres north of Kitchener Street on
Mona Vale Road. This was the source of Middle
Harbour I said. Skeptical looks all round. Then

_ we forged through the bush opposite the manhole

heading east and within 50 metres we were in a
small steep valley next to a little brook.

Once we hit the fire trail at the bottom of the
hill it was all easy going to the Cascades for
morning tea. Middle Harbour creek was broad
and impressive in this impressive rocky area In
one of the deep pools we spied an eel. The most
beautiful part of the walk I think is the section
from the Cascades to Bungaroo, the head of
navigation where the track follows the left bank
of the creek running through quite lovely gallery
rain forest. This upper section of the navigable
Middle Harbour is a very tranquil waterway
with white beaches and forested hills that few
Sydney Harbour boaties have ever seen.
Kayakers seemed to be the only people enjoying
the water on this day.. We made Davidson Park
near Roseville Bridge for lunch. But the main
fun came when we attempted a wet crossing of
Bantry Bay. The tide was out but a little knee
deep water seemed the main challenge until we
were 20 metres from the other side when
suddenly we were sinking in thick gooey mud
up to out knees and beyond. Then came a 10
metre cliff to scale (funny, it wasnt there for the
reccy) before a well earned afternoon tea at the
welcome Bantry Bay reserve.

The old bullock track took us up to Seaforth
Oval and then it was a plod through suburban
Seaforth and the Spit Bridge with a final push to
the lookout above Grotto Point with the marvelous
views of Balmoral, the Heads and Grotto
Lighthouse, a spectacular end to Middle Harbour
that began so modestly below a manhole. These
source to mouth walks are very satisfying as those
who made it to the end will testify.
The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page 17 |

NEW MEMBERS PAGE:

Hello from Heike
These boots were made for walking....

In a future article I will talk
about how to get away with
keeping initial bushwalking costs
down but one of the essentials
that you really should not be

stingy on in your spending is
that for your footwear.

50 million years ago we evolved from an
anthropoid 4 legged crouch to a 2-legged stance,
the feet had to adjust from supporting 1/4 of the
' body weight each to 1/2. The thumb-like
opposable' toe moved to the same plane as the
other toes, the heel dropped to support the
vertical position and the arches lifted to propel
the stride efficiently.

The feet take a severe beating on their path
through life, on average an equivalent of twice
around the equator, Bushwalkers probably a
 dam sight more.

Your feet are fragile, made up of no less than
26 small bones, 114 ligaments, 33 muscles
joined by connective tissue, blood vessels,
- nerves and covered in a layer of skin. This is all
 balanced into 2 arches one running from the heel

to the base of the little toe, the other from the
heel to the big toe. Leonardo DaVinci thought
the foot an engineering masterpiece, and it is
and should be treated with respect.

The common phrase " Oh my feet are killing
me" can usually be rephrased more
appropriately to you are killing your feet".

The structure of the foot can be easily

. damaged from years of excessive stressors such
as running, incorrect gait, and ill fitting shoes.
Ambalance in the alignment of the feet causes a
change in the centre of gravity; other areas then
overcompensate stressing ankles, calves, knees
and hips. Ili-fitting shoes lead to foot
deformities, ingrown nails, areas of friction,
possible blisters, ulcers, infections, bunions
coms and callous formation.

If your choice of bushwalking footwear is
hasty all these factors can be very apparent on
an average day or weekend walk, the trip can be
a misery or in fact not manageable at all.

Boots or good walking shoes should be wide
enough to comfortably accommodate 2 pairs of
socks for blister prevention (take your
bushwalking socks in with you when trying on
footwear), remembering also the feet will swell
and spread when you are on them for long

. periods and in heat:

They need to be long enough that on steep

downhill slopes the tips of the toes (with nails
cut) are not being pressed against the toe of the
footwear. (Several members of the club have
lost the occasional toenail in this way). Most
people have one foot larger than the other so be
aware of this.

The sole should be stout and yet flexible with
good tread. I advise that there is ankle support.

Good shops will take the time to find the
right pair that fit correctly for you and will best
serve your type of walking. The better ones will
also allow you to take them home and wear
them around the house inside for a few hours
before your final decision.

"Life would be serene and sweet no aching or
abrasion, if shoes were bought to fit the feet
instead of the occasion"

Wishing you comfortable walking!!

Heike Krausse New Members Secretary

Please make welcome on your next walk our
new members:

Christine Innes, Kim Stokeld, Kate Ratcliffe,
David Ingham, Edward Walters, Pat Austin,
Kevin Songberg, Matt Cudworth, Michael Thai,
Rob Gollagher, Maxwell Prince, David Le Page,
Marianne Watt.

Recommended Easy Day Walks:

Please refer to the Winter Walks Programme for
additional details.

Sunday 26" May: Sydney Urban Walk

Walk the Cooks river Cycleway from Tempe
station to Bicentennial Park. No big hills.
Sunday 9" June: Scheyville NP 15km

Easy walk mostly on old tracks, woodland and

wetland. Interesting iandscape on Sydney fringe.
Tuesday 25" June: Cape Bailey Coastal Walk
Easy 10km midweek walk from Kumell with
spectacular views of rugged coastline.

Sunday 30" June: Kuring Gai NP

. Pleasant and interesting walk along river and

creeks from St Ives to Wahroonga via Bobbin
Head.

dlay in receiving thei iMagaiziie each nionths.

Have you Ghangell your: Address?  "|
If you have changed your address or phone
numbeF recently, please advise:

Members: . Pam Morrison -

Prospectives: Heike Krausse

The advice should be in writing directed. to the
Club's postat address. This will Snsur that our 
records show your eurrent, address: and | prevent

The Sydney Bushwalker

May 2002 Page 18

SOCIAL NOTES:

Social Programme
Reviewing the past two months:

On March 20th Vivien Dunne present her
solo walk of Yorkshire Dales National Park-
(England) A small gathering attended, none
the less, we enjoyed the pretty pictures, and
valuable information to those intending to do the
walk. Thank you Vivien.

This was followed by a pleasant Cheese &

- Bickie evening on the 27".
_ In April Jan Mohandas presented his slides
of Patagonia on the 17". A great tum out - there
were approximately 50 or so in attendance.
Amazing photos.

We look forward to Part 2 ( 15" May)which
will be of Pera. Thank you Jan for sharing the
experience, and also the leader of the walk
Oliver Crawford (without whom there wouldnt
be any photos). Thank you also to Heike
Krausse for baking a cake forus keep them
coming.

Wilf Hilder presented a New Members
Training evening on the 24" outlining things to
consider before leading that first walk. Basic
navigational skills were also covered. Thank you
Wilf More leadership talks from Wilf & Don
Brooks to follow next programme.

May:
Wed 29" The Clubs Insurance
Come along and hear Maurice Smith
_ give details of our insurance cover.
Both Public Liability and Personal
Accident covers will be discussed.

June:
Wed Sth Committee Meeting
Observers welcome as well to see
their Committee members at work
Introduction to SBW
Introducing new members to the Club

Wed 12th General Meeting

Wed 19th Winter Solstice Feast
Bring a plate of goodies, Club will
supply the beverages.

Wed 26th Leadership/Walks Planning Night
with Don Brooks

Any suggestions, ideas or questions about the
social programme should be directed to the
Social Secretary: Vicki Garamy 9349 2905
You can find this social program (and updates)
on our web site www.sbw.org.au

Puss in Heaven!

One day a cat dies of natural causes
and goes to heaven. There he meets the
Lord Himself. The Lord says to the cat,

"You've lived a good life and if there

is any way I can make your stay in
Heaven more comfortable, please let me know."
The cat thinks for a moment and says, "Lord, all
my life 1 have lived with a poor family and had
to sleep on a hard wooden floor. The Lord stops
the cat and says, "Say no more," and a
wonderful fluffy pillow appears. A few days
later, six mice are killed in a tragic farming
accident and go to heaven. Again there is the
Lord to greet them with the same offer. The
mice answer, "All of our lives we've been
chased. We have had to run from cats, dogs and
even women with brooms. We are tired of
running. Do you think we could have roller
skates so we don't have to run any more? The
Lord says, "No problem," and fits each mouse
with a beautiful set of roller skates. About a
week later the Lord stops by to see the cat and
finds him snoozing on the pillow. The Lord
gently wakes the cat and asks him, "How are
things going since you arrived here?" The cat
stretches and yawns and replies, "It is wonderful
here. Better than I could have ever expected.
And those Meals On Wheels you have been
sending by are the best!!!"

Bushwalking Recipe Of The Month:

Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:
% cup plain rice (arborio/nsotto nce
takes too long to cook)
1 crumbled chicken or vegie stock
cube
% cup dried mushrooms (from
Asian supermarket)
Sprinkling onion flakes
Sprinkling garlic flakes
Good grind of pepper
2 tbs dried peas
Optional: J tsp finely chopped dried chilli
Place all ingredients into 1 snaplock bag before
the trip - dinner in one bag!
Bring 3 cups of water to the boil in billy.
Tip in bag and simmer until rice is cooked
(approx 12 mins).
Stir occasionally to stop rice sticking.
Voila! Bon appetit! Caro Ryan

I recently read a book on mountaineering and thought the following quote might interest our members :
All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in
the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their
dreams, with open eyes, to make it possible TH Lawrence, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Vicki)

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, exclusive to Paddy Pallin.

~ Black Diamond

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replacing your torch battery? Then the Moonlight is for you. With 4 ultra
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It weighs a mere 90g (without batteries) so you'll hardly know you're

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Black Diamond Contour Trekking Pole: Trekking poles dont just
o> ceneeemnanen mma erem ene rene BRM Fair improve your balance and
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