User Tools

Site Tools


193412

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision
Previous revision
193412 [2014/09/12 10:07] – [On the Wallaby] emmanuelle_c193412 [2014/09/12 13:22] (current) – [Social Notes.] emmanuelle_c
Line 151: Line 151:
 ===== "This all Sounds Like Kowmung to me" ===== ===== "This all Sounds Like Kowmung to me" =====
  
-This is not the record of three very earnest young men spending a hazardous time in "tough" country, avidly gleaning crumbs of Knowledge from the Book of Nature, but rather one of a happy holiday which we enjoyed muchly, being imbited with the urge to be free, footloose, and responsible to no one but ourselves as fancy cared to dictate. +This is not the record of three very earnest young men spending a hazardous time in "tough" country, avidly gleaning crumbs of Knowledge from the Book of Nature, but rather one of a happy holiday which we enjoyed muchly, being imbued with the urge to be free, footloose, and responsible to no one but ourselves as fancy cared to dictate. 
-We were three no-ologists, Frank, Evan, and I, and not being cumbered with the burden of past records - mental or physical - were able ro relax into a truly hobo holiday spirit. + 
-"Hence, loathed Melancholy, +We were three no-ologists, Frank, Evan, and I, and not being cumbered with the burden of past records - mental or physical - were able to relax into a truly hobo holiday spirit. 
-Of Cerberus and blackest midnight born + 
-In Stygian cave forlorn +"Hence, loathed Melancholy,\\ 
-tMongst horrid shapes, and shreiks,and sights unholy!"+Of Cerberus and blackest midnight born\\ 
 +In Stygian cave forlorn\\ 
 +'Mongst horrid shapes, and shreiks,and sights unholy!" 
 + 
 +And now the story opens at the Mill near Jenolan. It rains as oft it has rained before; there is mud, such mud, and the three of us are struggling manfully with beans, bacon, a small fire, and a tame cat, which last was still happy, fat, and purring when we left.
  
-- And now the story opens at the Mill near Jenolan. It rains as oft it has 
-rained before; there is mud, stuch mud, and the three of us are struggling manfully with beans, bacon, a small fire, and a tame cat, which last was still happy, fat, and purring when we left. 
 Came the dawn after a hard night in the garage - a cold and chilly dawn with frost in the air, - and soon a start along the Kanangra road. Came the dawn after a hard night in the garage - a cold and chilly dawn with frost in the air, - and soon a start along the Kanangra road.
-Frank distinguished himself by having a pack of gargantuan proportions, and was hung all over with water bags and bottles, a pedometer, alluge pair of what he called "boots", a camera tripod, a fearful looking "donkey-breakfast", and - save the marks - puttees.+ 
 +Frank distinguished himself by having a pack of gargantuan proportions, and was hung all over with water bags and bottles, a pedometer, a huge pair of what he called "boots", a camera tripod, a fearful looking "donkey-breakfast", and - save the mark! - puttees. 
 Evan was a somewhat lesser celebrity in a burglar Bill cap and something which looked a little more like a pack than a haystack. Evan was a somewhat lesser celebrity in a burglar Bill cap and something which looked a little more like a pack than a haystack.
-I regret to say I had a water bottle which, on occasion, was also a hot water  bottle at night, very little soap, and no intention of shaving until I had to. Frank very early made himself a nuisance as he insisted on noting down the time when we (a) stopped, (b) started, (c) had a drink, (d) took a photo, (e) saw anything unusual, (f) - but why go on? By the time the trip was nearly over Evan and I were so well trained that we automatically sprang to our feet an all necessary occasions, saying as one man "11minutes past 10"(or whatever the time was.) The pedometer was a nuisance too because after walking and walking and walking we would ask "How far have we gone - 8 miles?" and Frank would divest himself of some three hundred weight of loose gear and with an air of profound knowledge like an Oracle, impart the useful information that we had gone 2 miles 1500 yards to the nearest decimal point as far as he was able to judge at the moment, but if we liked to wait he would work the distance out correctly. Damn the blithering thing, anyhow! But for it we would have made a trip of 130 miles at least instead of 85e+ 
 +I regret to say I had a water bottle which, on occasion, was also a __hot water bottle__ at night, very little soap, and no intention of shaving until I had to. Frank very early made himself a nuisance as he insisted on noting down the time when we (a) stopped, (b) started, (c) had a drink, (d) took a photo, (e) saw anything unusual, (f) - but why go on? By the time the trip was nearly over Evan and I were so well trained that we automatically sprang to our feet on all necessary occasions, saying as one man "11 1/4 minutes past 10"(or whatever the time was.) The pedometer was a nuisance too because after walking and walking and walking we would ask "How far have we gone - 8 miles?" and Frank would divest himself of some three hundred weight of loose gear and with an air of profound knowledge like an Oracle, impart the useful information that we had gone 2 miles 1500 yards to the nearest decimal point as far as he was able to judge at the moment, but if we liked to wait he would work the distance out correctly. Damn the blithering thing, anyhow! But for it we would have made a trip of 130 miles at least instead of 85. 
 The wind blew in gusts and we felt very cold at Rocky Top; when we reached the Mud Hut we found some of the more illustrious members of the S.B.W's in occupation, and none of them looked too warm. Tea over the rain came again, and later turned to sleet - ugh!, so disregarding certain jeering remarks we left our tents which were "secured" by tent pegs sunk only a couple of inches into stony earth, and made our way to the vicinity of the old dancing floor where there was less fear of our habitat being flattened by icy gusts during the night. The wind blew in gusts and we felt very cold at Rocky Top; when we reached the Mud Hut we found some of the more illustrious members of the S.B.W's in occupation, and none of them looked too warm. Tea over the rain came again, and later turned to sleet - ugh!, so disregarding certain jeering remarks we left our tents which were "secured" by tent pegs sunk only a couple of inches into stony earth, and made our way to the vicinity of the old dancing floor where there was less fear of our habitat being flattened by icy gusts during the night.
-Snow fell lightly and next morning we were greeted by a much heavier fall lasting until 11 o'clock. Washing up - apart from the cold - was a joy almost as all the mess of eating was frozen and one had but to amputate same in chunks from the cooking and masticatory utensils, so different from the usual greasy corrobaree I often fall fox, 
-We oxplored Mounts Maxwell and Brennan and spied out the surroundings from Danae with its snowy top, Thurat, and Gangerang in a great half circle to Colong sway in the distance southwards where we were due in four days - and all the time the wind whistled over the Tops, and our capes waved wildly whenever we moved so that standing the camera and taking a picture was an art all on its own. Later 
-a sudden squall with hail came upon us and we only wanted heavy mist and an earthquake to make our picture of sunny New South Wales complete in every detail. 
-Tuesday was fine and we were away on the lower path for Gingra at 7.46 
-(New record). About 10.30 we were an the lookout for Wally's marked tree but it remained hidden, so after a consultation we struck off on a ridge past Third Top which bends back at an angle on Gingra. The marked tree may have been burnt - or we may have got on to a detour path and missed it, but I think not 
-Our ridge landed us eventually din a slope which swear was close on 500. 
  
-Our language dawn that slope has singed a line five feet high from the top to bottom through the foliage. There was no track - naturally - but there were tangled scrub, fallen trees, holes, loose stones, thorn bushes, and flies. +Snow fell lightly and next morning we were greeted by a much heavier fall lasting until 11 o'clock. Washing up - apart from the cold - was a joy almost as all the mess of eating was frozen and one had but to amputate same in chunks from the cooking and masticatory utensils, so different from the usual greasy corrobaree I often fall for. 
-At last we broke out onto a flat on a creek bed and we all said "Ahhhh!" We followed the creek for fifty yards, and said "Blank, blank, blank, blanks" + 
-It turned out to be Ferny Flat Creek, full of heavy undergrowth and nettles, and every nasty sort of thing that grew, flew, and buzzed, so trimming three +We explored Mounts Maxwell and Brennan and spied out the surroundings from Danae with its snowy top, Thurat, and Gangerang in a great half circle to Colong sway in the distance southwards where we were due in four days - and all the time the wind whistled over the Tops, and our capes waved wildly whenever we moved so that standing the camera and taking a picture was an art all on its own. Later a sudden squall with hail came upon us and we only wanted heavy mist and an earthquake to make our picture of sunny New South Wales complete in every detail. 
-nettle stems for use as walking sticks we climbed out onto Hughes' ridge and, three hours after leaving Gingra, we hit the Kawmunge We camped at Orange Bluff. + 
-The Kawmung is a nice river. It took us four hours to get through the Canyon next day, and the rest of the day to reach Lanniganfs Creek. Narry a soul MB saw the whole way and we later learned that the miners had deserted the river for climes more pleasant - financially. +Tuesday was fine and we were away on the lower path for Gingra at 7.46 (New record). About 10.30 we were on the lookout for Wally's marked tree but it remained hidden, so after a consultation we struck off on a ridge past Third Top which bends back at an angle on Gingra. The marked tree may have been burnt - or we may have got on to a detour path and missed it, but I think not! 
-Beyels shack appeared in quite good repair but Manning's looked worse than usual, while the famous dam again leaked slightly. + 
-A couple of hours' rock hopping along Lannigants Creek on Friday morning brought US to Caves Creek, and after making camp and consuming some donkey sausage, figs ,and nuts, we spent two or three hours in the caves taking pictures. The wind was again gusty and inside the bluff the draught whistled through the squeezes so much that our enthusiasm for a mole's life greatly diminished. My happiest moment was watching Frank wriggle through the smallest squeeze, cold, bewhiskered, and very rude when I laughed.+Our ridge landed us eventually on a slope which swear was close on 50°. Our language down that slope has singed a line five feet high from the top to bottom through the foliage. There was no track - naturally - but there were tangled scrub, fallen trees, holes, loose stones, thorn bushes, and flies. 
 + 
 +At last we broke out onto a flat on a creek bed and we all said "Ahhhh!" We followed the creek for fifty yards, and said "Blank, blank, blank, blanks!" 
 + 
 +It turned out to be Ferny Flat Creek, full of heavy undergrowth and nettles, and every nasty sort of thing that grew, flew, and buzzed, so trimming three nettle stems for use as walking sticks we climbed out onto Hughes' ridge and, three hours after leaving Gingra, we hit the Kowmung. We camped at Orange Bluff. 
 + 
 +The Kowmung is a nice river. It took us four hours to get through the Canyon next day, and the rest of the day to reach Lannigan'Creek. Narry a soul we saw the whole way and we later learned that the miners had deserted the river for climes more pleasant - financially. 
 + 
 +Haye'shack appeared in quite good repair but Manning's looked worse than usual, while the famous dam again leaked slightly. 
 + 
 +A couple of hours' rock hopping along Lannigan'Creek on Friday morning brought us to Caves Creek, and after making camp and consuming some donkey sausage, figs ,and nuts, we spent two or three hours in the caves taking pictures. The wind was again gusty and inside the bluff the draught whistled through the squeezes so much that our enthusiasm for a mole's life greatly diminished. My happiest moment was watching Frank wriggle through the smallest squeeze, cold, bewhiskered, and very rude when I laughed. 
 We were pleased to find that the bats are re-inhabiting the lower part of the galleries, from where they were abducted by scientists some moons ago. We were pleased to find that the bats are re-inhabiting the lower part of the galleries, from where they were abducted by scientists some moons ago.
 +
 The track to Yerranderie via the swamp and the Tonalli River proved very thirsty and our water bottles were appreciated muchly; incidentally the swamp was actually wet. The track to Yerranderie via the swamp and the Tonalli River proved very thirsty and our water bottles were appreciated muchly; incidentally the swamp was actually wet.
 +
 In the township we made straight for the store, which has changed hands, the Goldings having left, and two young? men now being in occupation. In the township we made straight for the store, which has changed hands, the Goldings having left, and two young? men now being in occupation.
 +
 We were hungry - very hungry - but after 3 bottles of soft drinks, 2 cups of tea each, a pound of chocolate, a tin of salmon, a tin of jam, a can of tomatoes, 112 lb butter, and a loaf of bread, we felt a little better and also able to cope with the junior element which foregathered and proved to be, not half of Yerranderie's young citizens, but the small members of one family - and father's on the dole! We were hungry - very hungry - but after 3 bottles of soft drinks, 2 cups of tea each, a pound of chocolate, a tin of salmon, a tin of jam, a can of tomatoes, 112 lb butter, and a loaf of bread, we felt a little better and also able to cope with the junior element which foregathered and proved to be, not half of Yerranderie's young citizens, but the small members of one family - and father's on the dole!
 +
 We turned in early and next day, Frank and I climbed the Peak, and were rewarded with a superb view of the hills which enclose Yerranderie, and the fine white ribbon of road winding eastwards to the Burragorang Valley. We turned in early and next day, Frank and I climbed the Peak, and were rewarded with a superb view of the hills which enclose Yerranderie, and the fine white ribbon of road winding eastwards to the Burragorang Valley.
 +
 This seems a most appropriate finish to the article, that is two young men gazing from a mountain peak with far seeing eyes over a vast expanse of rugged - country, with the light of conquest in their eyes and the satisfied feeling of a trip well done - but I dislike doing the appropriate thing so will continue to the bitter end. This seems a most appropriate finish to the article, that is two young men gazing from a mountain peak with far seeing eyes over a vast expanse of rugged - country, with the light of conquest in their eyes and the satisfied feeling of a trip well done - but I dislike doing the appropriate thing so will continue to the bitter end.
-We climbed dawn and effected a late start in much heat, feeling fed up with our boots, and landed in at Wollondilly Bridge somewhere about sundown, hungry, tired, and slightly the worse for wear. Shaves were the order of the day, also baths, and next morning when our clothing had been washed and dried and MB appeared moderately respectable again we were driven into the Oaks by a gentleman with a car - or rather lorry, I should say - and our appropriate finish is now presented. The lorry was full of coal, and we three sat on top; the wind was keen and we were coaled all the way in, but the story of the "Three Beers" at the pub soon warmed us - and so the Sydney, and bed.+ 
 +We climbed down and effected a late start in much heat, feeling fed up with our boots, and landed in at Wollondilly Bridge somewhere about sundown, hungry, tired, and slightly the worse for wear. Shaves were the order of the day, also baths, and next morning when our clothing had been washed and dried and we appeared moderately respectable again we were driven into the Oaks by a gentleman with a car - or rather lorry, I should say - and our appropriate finish is now presented. The lorry was full of coal, and we three sat on top; the wind was keen and we were coaled all the way in, but the story of the "Three Beers" at the pub soon warmed us - and so the Sydney, and bed. 
 Barney. Barney.
  
 ===== Exploration of Tuglow Caves ===== ===== Exploration of Tuglow Caves =====
  
-A letter from Oliver Glanfield to Myles Dunphy+A letter from Oliver Glanfield to Myles Dunphy\\
 23rd. August, 1934. 23rd. August, 1934.
 +
 Dear Myles, Dear Myles,
-I have been trying to drop in and recount our experiences on our second 
-visit to Tuglaw Caves on August 4, 5 and 6 inst., but having been unsuccessful in seeing you I am writing a brief outline of the trip. 
-The party - Cedric Old and Keith Hardiman, both of the legal fraternity; and Win. Barnes, a doctor; and myself - left Sydney on Friday night in Old's car and stayed the night at his cottage at Wentworth Falls. This time we carried a 
-thermometer as a matter of interest. At Wentworth Falls a strong westerly blow 
-arose and sent the temperature down to 400F. Spent a good night indoors and moved off next morning in good sunshine to Jenolan. Along the main road, from about 
-Hartley to Jenolan, snow had fallen the previous night and still remained in protected 
-patches. Somehow we could not get warm. 
-Passed through Jenolan and up the Oberon Hill, finding the whole country covered with a few inches of snow. Air temperature 350F generally, but once dropped to 330F. Good road but a bit slippery to Ginkin Turnoff (main Ginkin Road, not the short cut, which is in a terrible condition. Poor road to Ginkin, sky becoming 
-ominously overcast, and a bad road to Tuglaw which necessitated detours, and once the 
-removal of undergrowth by axe to provide a safe passage around a road bog of unknown depth. 
-Arrived at Dennis' Farm shivering and literally blue in the nose and accompanied by a biting westerly wind. What a bleak, exposed position this farm occupiesi After unpacking the gear and covering the car with a tarpaulin we set off for Tuglow Hut, not having eaten since breakfast, and it now being around 4 p.m. As we descended we escaped the full force of the wind and by sunset arrived at the Tuglaw River, after meeting Mr. Bill Dennis en route. 
-The river was greatly swollen and crossing proved difficult. Old tried to wade at the usual ford but the current was too strong and the cold water made his 
-skin very sore. As the light was failing rapidly we decided to push a pole across the narrowest part where two limestone boulders formed a deep, rushing channel. A 
-second lighter pole was also manoeuvred into position, and then I crawled across on 
-all fours and fixed a rope to the opposite side. On this somewhat insecure bridge we crossed with our gear, and entered the hut at twilight, finding one of Dennis' hands camped there. 
-Old, failing in a brave attempt to wade the river, ran up and down the bank 
-trying to warm himself, clad in shirt, pullover, coat, overcoat and muffler, but 
-without his trousers, and presented a strange sight in the fading light of the cold evening. After spending some time and considerable physical effort in warming himself he was unfortunate enough to step forward onto a seemingly solid-looking 
-grass tussock by the side of the stream, and found himself dropped vertically into 
-the chilly stream again. These incidents produced a deal of hilarity but the various comments cannot be recorded. 
-SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th., 1934. The day broke clear and sunny, but fresh to cold. Party 
-set out over Tuglau Mountain to the Caves. Much to my discredit, I admit an error in guiding and we found ourselves in the next gully upstream along the Kawmung from the Caves, but after a scouting trip on my part, we climbed out and arrived at the 
-Caves about mid-day. We had brought along a winch made of one inch galvanized iron 
-piping with handles, and rigged up this S.E. of the bigger entrance, having previously 
  
-marked Z)112 200 feet of rope in 20 feet sections. Decided to lunch before the descent. During 1-unzh we drew lots for "first down," draw the short stick, so. having had a good lunch, I got into tho chair we made on the end of the rope, and realizing it VAS too late to back out now I gave three blasts on the whistle to be lowered. As you know, my experience in unexplored and partly explored caves is extensive, but I must admit a strange feeling came over me as I looked down that hole below, not knowing its depth or what it contained beyond the limit of the beam of my torch, and being lowered on an untested le ropesteadying myself against the almost vertical side +have been trying to drop in and recount our experiences on our second visit to Tuglow Caves on August 4and 6 inst., but having been unsuccessful in seeing you am writing brief outline of the trip.
-of the crevasse. This feeling intensified when I reached a larger cavern, the sides of which were beyond reach, However, I signalled for further lowering and, swinging freely in space, descended 40 feet or so to a ledgeAltering my direction somewhat I continued steadily downward p gaining confidence, sometimes with rocks against which I steadied myself, sometimes freely swinging, until I came to a ledge about 30 feet +
-up from what appeared to be a "bottom". Looking upward to see haw many times the rope was deflected from the straight line, but not being able to see to the opening above, I decided to descend no farther, as such a descent would necessitate passing the rope over particularly rough rocks, which might cause jamming. Dropped a stone onto the floor below, which sounded hollow, and the stone, after bouncing, fell farther and echoed for from 1 to 2 seconds. I was now 120 feet down from the surface. Signalled two blasts (up) and slowly ascended, finding some difficulty in negotiating ledges over which the rope passed, to avoid having my fingers cut off. Arriving at the top the boys lassoed me and pulled me to the side of the hole and released me from the chair. +
-I had pulled a second rope dawn with me as a safety precaution and in coming_ up had moved it from the end of the crevasse into which I had been, to the other end, as a guide to the next man down. This was Hardiman. We lowered him to about 100 feet when he blew one blast - stop. His next signal was !down', but although we paid out rope it simply laid slack. So we took up the slack and tried to raise him but without success. The rope was jammed somewhere out of sight and Hardiman was swinging in black space, with us unable to move him. By careful shouting, we told him to bounce on the rope, which he did and fortunately freed himself, but not until some anxious moments had passed. We hauled him to the top - minus the seat of his +
-trousers and back pocket and contents, torn off against a rock somewhere in the ascent. +
-would mention the matter of sound in the Caves. Each man had fairly loud whistle of the vibrator or '''Boy Scout" type. This could be heard to about 80 feet down, after which it was necessary to place a man at the mouth of the hole to repeat the signals to the winch-man, only 40 feet away. I intend, in future, using whistles of the "Thunderer type like we use in the Surf Clubs. +
-Next man down was Barnes. Profiting from the knowledge gained of the first two descents he successfully gained a solid (?) bottom at 110 feet. He left the rope; we hauled it up and sent dawn Old to join him, Hardiman and I pulled up the second rope (a mistaken move) and lowered ourselves into the smaller hole or entrance which we explored last Easter. However, we did not get far before the signal to haul up was heard (both entrances lead to a common cavern) 'and we had to hurry to allay fears of the boys being trapped. Old came up first, and then we realized that, as the second rope had been removed, we did not know where Barnes was. +
-After some deliberation I was lowered on the main rope, carrying the second rope, and after some manoeuvring, I saw the reflection of Barnest torch showing in a hole some 60 feet below me. Through this hole, guided by the faint light, I dropped the end of the second rope, which Barnes succeeded in reaching, although out of my sight. I tied the other end to my chair and was hauled up. Barnes then pulled the main rope and chair down to himself and was raised to the surface. +
-Dusk was approaching rapidly, so we dismantled the winch and wound up the - ropes. Made a short trip to the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Kowmung River, which was running strongly - there were no placid pools between the rapids.+
  
-Started back to the hut, ascending straight up the side of Tuglaw Mountain, gaining the summit in darkness, with just the faintest glow of light in the Western sky, above Dennis' farm. Kept along the side of the mountain straight for this last glow, and just as it entirely disappeared we found ourselves at the head of the gully leading to the hut. During the descent we were forced to use our torches. Arriving on the Tuglaw River flats we set a course by judgment and fortunately walked straight to the hut, which we could not perceive until within 20 yards of it. A good meal and then to bed.+The party - Cedric Old and Keith Hardiman, both of the legal fraternity; and Win. Barnes, a doctor; and myself - left Sydney on Friday night in Old's car and stayed the night at his cottage at Wentworth Falls. This time we carried a thermometer as a matter of interest. At Wentworth Falls a strong westerly blow arose and sent the temperature down to 40°F [4.4°C]. Spent a good night indoors and moved off next morning in good sunshine to Jenolan. Along the main road, from about Hartley to Jenolan, snow had fallen the previous night and still remained in protected patches. Somehow we could not get warm. 
 + 
 +Passed through Jenolan and up the Oberon Hill, finding the whole country covered with a few inches of snow. Air temperature 35°F [1.7°C] generally, but once dropped to 33°F [0.5°C]. Good road but a bit slippery to Gingkin Turnoff (main Gingkin Road, not the short cut, which is in a terrible condition). Poor road to Gingkin, sky becoming ominously overcast, and a bad road to Tuglow which necessitated detours, and once the removal of undergrowth by axe to provide a safe passage around a road bog of unknown depth. 
 + 
 +Arrived at Dennis' Farm shivering and literally blue in the nose and accompanied by a biting westerly wind. What a bleak, exposed position this farm occupies! After unpacking the gear and covering the car with a tarpaulin we set off for Tuglow Hut, not having eaten since breakfast, and it now being around 4 p.m. As we descended we escaped the full force of the wind and by sunset arrived at the Tuglow River, after meeting Mr. Bill Dennis en route. 
 + 
 +The river was greatly swollen and crossing proved difficult. [Cedric] Old tried to wade at the usual ford but the current was too strong and the cold water made his skin very sore. As the light was failing rapidly we decided to push a pole across the narrowest part where two limestone boulders formed a deep, rushing channel. A second lighter pole was also manoeuvred into position, and then I crawled across on all fours and fixed a rope to the opposite side. On this somewhat insecure bridge we crossed with our gear, and entered the hut at twilight, finding one of Dennis' hands camped there. 
 + 
 +Old, failing in a brave attempt to wade the river, ran up and down the bank trying to warm himself, clad in shirt, pullover, coat, overcoat and muffler, but without his trousers, and presented a strange sight in the fading light of the cold evening. After spending some time and considerable physical effort in warming himself he was unfortunate enough to step forward onto a seemingly solid-looking grass tussock by the side of the stream, and found himself dropped vertically into the chilly stream again. These incidents produced a deal of hilarity but the various comments cannot be recorded. 
 + 
 +__SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th., 1934.__ The day broke clear and sunny, but fresh to cold. Party set out over Tuglow Mountain to the Caves. Much to my discredit, I admit an error in guiding and we found ourselves in the next gully upstream along the Kowmung from the Caves, but after a scouting trip on my part, we climbed out and arrived at the Caves about mid-day. We had brought along a winch made of one inch galvanized iron piping with handles, and rigged up this S.E. of the bigger entrance, having previously marked our 200 feet of rope in 20 feet sections. Decided to lunch before the descent. During lunch we drew lots for "first down," I drew the short stick, so having had a good lunch, I got into the chair we made on the end of the rope, and realizing it was too late to back out now I gave three blasts on the whistle to be lowered. As you know, my experience in unexplored and partly explored caves is extensive, but I must admit a strange feeling came over me as I looked down that hole below, not knowing its depth or what it contained beyond the limit of the beam of my torch, and being lowered on an untested l 3/4" rope, steadying myself against the almost vertical side of the crevasse. This feeling intensified when I reached a larger cavern, the sides of which were beyond reach. However, I signalled for further lowering and, swinging freely in space, descended 40 feet or so to a ledge. Altering my direction somewhat I continued steadily downward, gaining confidence, sometimes with rocks against which I steadied myself, sometimes freely swinging, until I came to a ledge about 30 feet up from what appeared to be a "bottom". Looking upward to see how many times the rope was deflected from the straight line, but not being able to see to the opening above, I decided to descend no farther, as such a descent would necessitate passing the rope over particularly rough rocks, which might cause jamming. Dropped a stone onto the floor below, which sounded hollow, and the stone, after bouncing, fell farther and echoed for from 1 to 2 seconds. I was now 120 feet down from the surface. Signalled two blasts (up) and slowly ascended, finding some difficulty in negotiating ledges over which the rope passed, to avoid having my fingers cut off. Arriving at the top the boys lassoed me and pulled me to the side of the hole and released me from the chair. 
 + 
 +I had pulled a second rope down with me as a safety precaution and in coming up had moved it from the end of the crevasse into which I had been, to the other end, as a guide to the next man down. This was Hardiman. We lowered him to about 100 feet when he blew one blast - stop. His next signal was 'down', but although we paid out rope it simply laid slack. So we took up the slack and tried to raise him but without success. The rope was jammed somewhere out of sight and Hardiman was swinging in black space, with us unable to move him. By careful shouting, we told him to bounce on the rope, which he did and fortunately freed himself, but not until some anxious moments had passed. We hauled him to the top - minus the seat of his trousers and back pocket and contents, torn off against a rock somewhere in the ascent. 
 + 
 +I would mention the matter of sound in the Caves. Each man had a fairly loud whistle of the vibrator or "Boy Scout" type. This could be heard to about 80 feet down, after which it was necessary to place a man at the mouth of the hole to repeat the signals to the winch-man, only 40 feet away. I intend, in future, using whistles of the "Thunderer" type like we use in the Surf Clubs. 
 + 
 +Next man down was Barnes. Profiting from the knowledge gained of the first two descents he successfully gained a solid (?) bottom at 110 feet. He left the rope; we hauled it up and sent down Old to join him, Hardiman and I pulled up the second rope (a mistaken move) and lowered ourselves into the smaller hole or entrance which we explored last Easter. However, we did not get far before the signal to haul up was heard (both entrances lead to a common cavern) and we had to hurry to allay fears of the boys being trapped. Old came up first, and then we realized that, as the second rope had been removed, we did not know where Barnes was. 
 +After some deliberation I was lowered on the main rope, carrying the second rope, and after some manoeuvring, I saw the reflection of Barnes' torch showing in a hole some 60 feet below me. Through this hole, guided by the faint light, I dropped the end of the second rope, which Barnes succeeded in reaching, although out of my sight. I tied the other end to my chair and was hauled up. Barnes then pulled the main rope and chair down to himself and was raised to the surface. 
 + 
 +Dusk was approaching rapidly, so we dismantled the winch and wound up the ropes. Made a short trip to the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Kowmung River, which was running strongly - there were no placid pools between the rapids. 
 + 
 +Started back to the hut, ascending straight up the side of Tuglow Mountain, gaining the summit in darkness, with just the faintest glow of light in the Western sky, above Dennis' farm. Kept along the side of the mountain straight for this last glow, and just as it entirely disappeared we found ourselves at the head of the gully leading to the hut. During the descent we were forced to use our torches. Arriving on the Tuglow River flats we set a course by judgment and fortunately walked straight to the hut, which we could not perceive until within 20 yards of it. A good meal and then to bed
 + 
 +__MONDAY, AUGUST, 6th., 1934.__ Day broke beautifully; sun shining and cold wind but not unpleasant. Arose late and breakfasted in the sun under the lee of the hut. The weather being delightful we dallied somewhat and set off for home about mid-day. Mr. Bill Dennis took some of the gear on his horses for us. Having re-crossed the river on our pole bridge we dismantled it and replaced the poles in the fence from which we borrowed them. 
 + 
 +From Tuglow to the main Oberon - Jenolan Road we encountered conditions worse than met with on the outward journey; the road bogs seemed to be more numerous and dangerous, but we successfully crossed or by-passed them and proceeded on to Jenolan for a mid-afternoon meal. From here to Sydney we overcame the difficulty of being cold, by actually getting inside our sleeping-bags and sitting in the car - excluding the driver, of course - although the cold was not so severe as on the outward journey. Stopping at Katoomba we bought packets of chips and fish, and proceeded, thus having our evening meal without delay, by changing drivers. To Sydney without event, then a good, hot bath and bed. 
 + 
 +We are convinced that the best way to enter Tuglow Caves is straight down the  larger hole on a winch-controlled rope, and also that these Caves present possibilities in the way of good formations and extensive, although possibly steep, tunnels.
  
-MONDAY, AUGUST, 6th., 1934. Day broke beautifully; sun shining and cold wind but not unpleasant. Arose late and breakfasted in the sun under the lee of the hut. The waether being delightful we dallied somewhat and set off for home about mid-day. Mr. Bill Dennis took some of the gear on his horses for us. Having re-crossed the river on our pole bridge we dismantled it and replaced the poles in the fence from which we borrowed them. 
-From Tuglaw to the main Oberon - Jenolan Road we encountered conditions worse than met with an the outward journey; the road bogs seemed to be more numerous and dangerous, but we successfully crossed or by-passed them and proceeded on to Jenolan for a mid-afternoon meal. From here to Sydney we overcame the difficulty of being cold, by actually getting inside our sleeping-bags and sitting in the car - excluding the driver, of course - although the cold was not so severe as on the outward journey. Stopping at Katoomba we bought packets of chips and fish, and proceeded, thus having our evening meal without delay, by changing drivers. To Sydney without event, then a good, hot bath and bed. 
-We are convinced that the best way to -enter Tuglaw Caves is straight dawn the 
-larger hole on a winch-controlled rope, and also that these Caves present possibilite-, ies in the way of good formations and extensive, although possibly steep, tunnels. 
 I suggest that any would-be adventurers should be dissuaded from attempting exploration underground, unless they have had considerable experience in unattended caves and possess the ability to throughly organize and provide for any eventuality. In my opinion these caves are definitely dangerous, even to experienced men. I suggest that any would-be adventurers should be dissuaded from attempting exploration underground, unless they have had considerable experience in unattended caves and possess the ability to throughly organize and provide for any eventuality. In my opinion these caves are definitely dangerous, even to experienced men.
-411114.000 
  
 ===== "On the Wallaby" ===== ===== "On the Wallaby" =====
Line 254: Line 263:
 ===== Social Notes. ===== ===== Social Notes. =====
  
-During October we had two very interesting lectures, one by Mr. W.L. Havard, B.Sc. an Jenolan Caves and the other by Miss Swan on a matter of historical interest. Mr Havard had some beautiful slides of the interior of most of the Caves at Jenolan. These were quite unique and most realistic. Miss Swan's talk about Mrs. Musgrove and her book was intenaiy interesting and amusing. +During October we had two very interesting lectures, one by Mr. W.L. Havard, B.Sc. on Jenolan Caves and the other by Miss Swan on a matter of historical interest. Mr Havard had some beautiful slides of the interior of most of the Caves at Jenolan. These were quite unique and most realistic. Miss Swan's talk about Mrs. Musgrove and her book was intensely interesting and amusing. 
-In October, we also held the last of the Club Dances,as the weather is now rather hot for dancing. + 
-The 7th. Annual Concert was put forward a week and was held on the 13th. and 14th. of November. We think the idea of giving the concert on two nights in succession an admirable one from all points of view. There was a very fair attendance on the first night, and an excellent one on the second. The concert generally was the usual gratifying success. The conoensus of opinion is that it is by far the best as yet put forward by the Bushwalkers. Some of the items would do credit to any professional body.+In October, we also held the last of the Club Dances, as the weather is now rather hot for dancing. 
 + 
 +The 7th. Annual Concert was put forward a week and was held on the 13th. and 14th. of November. We think the idea of giving the concert on two nights in succession an admirable one from all points of view. There was a very fair attendance on the first night, and an excellent one on the second. The concert generally was the usual gratifying success. The consensus of opinion is that it is by far the best as yet put forward by the Bushwalkers. Some of the items would do credit to any professional body. 
 Financially there should be a profit of round about 15. The father of one of our members, Miss Beryl Madgwick, paid a very gracious compliment to your Social Secretary, when he sent along about 50 Art copies of the programme as Souvenirs to be given by her to the Members of the Concert Party and assistants. I would like to take this opportunity of saying how much I appreciate this gracious act and also to say thank you. Financially there should be a profit of round about 15. The father of one of our members, Miss Beryl Madgwick, paid a very gracious compliment to your Social Secretary, when he sent along about 50 Art copies of the programme as Souvenirs to be given by her to the Members of the Concert Party and assistants. I would like to take this opportunity of saying how much I appreciate this gracious act and also to say thank you.
-Mile on this subject I would like to thank all the Members of the Concert Party for their assistance, and also the House Manager, Ticker Seller and all those others who so ably guaranteed the success of our concert by their excellent work behind the scenes.+ 
 +While on this subject I would like to thank all the Members of the Concert Party for their assistance, and also the House Manager, Ticker Seller and all those others who so ably guaranteed the success of our concert by their excellent work behind the scenes. 
 Once again on the 16th. November, we had the pleasure of listening to an evening's music presented to us by some Members of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. The works of these two Masters are ever enjoyable and especially so when presented to us by some of their earnest students. Once again on the 16th. November, we had the pleasure of listening to an evening's music presented to us by some Members of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. The works of these two Masters are ever enjoyable and especially so when presented to us by some of their earnest students.
-One of our Club MembersoMiss D. Lawry,gave an intimate talk to the small attendance of Members an the 23rd. November. This was accompanied by slides mainly of the MacDonald River. All those present throughly enjoyed Miss Lawry's description of her trip in what is to most of us more or less unknown country. + 
-We wish to congratulate May and Paddy Pallin on the birth of their daughter, +One of our Club Members Miss D. Lawry, gave an intimate talk to the small attendance of Members on the 23rd. November. This was accompanied by slides mainly of the MacDonald River. All those present thoroughly enjoyed Miss Lawry's description of her trip in what is to most of us more or less unknown country. 
-on the 19th. October. May she always be able to say - "Isn't it fun being Jennifer':+ 
 +We wish to congratulate May and Paddy Pallin on the birth of their daughter, on the 19th. October. May she always be able to say - "Isn't it fun being Jennifer". 
 On Friday 30th. November, Jock Marshall gave us a very interesting "talk" on the New Hebrides Natives. On Friday 30th. November, Jock Marshall gave us a very interesting "talk" on the New Hebrides Natives.
-I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Club Members the Compliments of this Season allied to good walking and camping during their holidays. FOR TEE SOCIAL COMMITTEE+ 
 +I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Club Members the Compliments of this Season allied to good walking and camping during their holidays.  
 + 
 +FOR THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE\\
 Rene D. Browne, Hon. Social Secretary. Rene D. Browne, Hon. Social Secretary.
193412.1410480424.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/09/12 10:07 by emmanuelle_c

Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki