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 And now what have we to say for ourself? Well, long walks such as the one described are possible, and no great hardship physically provided the footwear is suitable, but the "life is real, life is earnest" atmosphere is a bit hard to take and leaves no time for fun, and when it's all said and done, fun is essential.
-FEDERATION REPORT - SEPTEMBER
+=====Federation Report - September.=====
-New Secretary: Mr. Peter Cameron of the C.M.W. has been elected to the position of Hon.Sec. of the Federation. The position of Secretary to S.& R. has now been vacated.
-The publishers of "Entertainment Guide" are inviting Bushwalking Clubs to advertise in a future edition. The advt. will be free. Firther details may be obtained from the Secretary of Federation.
+====New Secretary:====
-Bushfire Fighting_intheloyal_National Park: Reported that confer-
-ence had been held with Mr. Watchorn of the Sutherland Bushf ire Fighting Brigade. The names of vdanteers will soon be collected and a letter from Norman Allen, who is in charge of arrangements. A practice day will be held on November 6th.
+Mr. Peter Cameron of the C.M.W. has been elected to the position of Honorary Secretary of the Federation. The position of Secretary to S.& R. has now been vacated.
-It was further reported that an alderman of the Blue Mountains City Council had requested the presence of a representative of the. Federation at a meeting to be held concerning bushfires on the Blue Mountains. Mr. Allen will attend as an observer.
-Federation Annual Ball t Wed., 5th October, in the Rainbow Room of the Hotel Australia. Tickets 17/6d. from Paddy.
+The publishers of "Entertainment Guide" are inviting Bushwalking Clubs to advertise in a future edition. The advertisement will be free. Further details may be obtained from the Secretary of Federation.
-The Bong Bong National Park Proposals The Dept. of Lands has reportei
-a. The Barren Grounds Section (of some 4,000 acres) should soon be declared a Faunal Reserve; it is already a Reserve for the Preservation of Flora.and Fauna.
+====Bushfire Fighting in the Royal National Park:====
-b. The Budderoo Peninsula Section. All the available Crown. Lands will be Reserved for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna. This should be about 5 or 6,000 acres.
+Reported that conference had been held with Mr. Watchorn of the Sutherland Bushfire Fighting Brigade. The names of volunteers will soon be collected and a letter from Norman Allen, who is in charge of arrangements. A practice day will be held on November 6th.
+It was further reported that an alderman of the Blue Mountains City Council had requested the presence of a representative of the Federation at a meeting to be held concerning bushfires on the Blue Mountains. Mr. Allen will attend as an observer.
+====Federation Annual Ball:====
+Wed., 5th October, in the Rainbow Room of the Hotel Australia. Tickets 17/6d. from Paddy.
+====The Bong Bong National Park Proposal:====
+The Dept. of Lands has reported:
+a. __The Barren Grounds__ Section (of some 4,000 acres) should soon be declared a __Faunal Reserve__; it is already a Reserve for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna.
+b. __The Budderoo Peninsula Section.__ All the available Crown Lands will be Reserved for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna. This should be about 5 or 6,000 acres.
 It is now planned to have the Budderoo Peninsula added to the Barren Grounds when the latter becomes a Faunal Reserve. This would put a permanent reserve over most of the plateau with the hope of later encouraging resumption of some of the alienated lands.
-Barrington-GloucesterTELL: An Inter-Departmental Committee has been
-.
+====Barrington-Gloucester Tops:====
-established to make recommendations to the Dept. of Lands on the disposal of Crown Lands in this area Close liason has been kept
-between the Federation, the Barrington Club. and tha Northern Parks
+An Inter-Departmental Committee has been established to make recommendations to the Dept. of Lands on the disposal of Crown Lands in this area. Close liaison has been kept between the Federation, the Barrington Club and the Northern Parks & Playgrounds Movement. The Inter-Departmental Committee held a meeting in Newcastle on Thursday, September 8th. Mr. Tom Moppett attended and placed the recommendations of The Wild Life Preservation Society of Australia, The N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs, and The Caloola Olub before the Committee. The recommendations had been co-ordinated. They show two Faunal Reserves (one the Barrington River, the other on the Paterson) and a National Park over the general plateau of the Barrington-Gloucester Tops. We are also happy to record that The Fauna Protection Panel has agreed to ask for the same Faunal Reserves, The Chief Guardian of Fauna was present in Newcastle to put these proposals. Mr. Moppett reports that the Newcastle Meeting appeared to be conducted in a very friendly and understanding atmosphere. The Barrington Club, the Northern Parks & Playgrounds Movement, the Newcastle Tech. Bushwalkers and numerous local bodies also gave evidence before the Committee all of whom had general agreement with our proposals. There appeared to be assurance that no Crown Land would be alienated in the area.
-& Playgrounds Movement. The Inter-Departmental Committee held a meeting in Newcasbleon Thursday, Sept08th0 Mr. Tom Moppett attended and placed the recommendations of
-The Wild Life Preservation Society of Australia,
+====Bouddi Natural Park:====
-The N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs, and The Caloola Olub
-....before the Committee. The recommenda-
+The Park Trust regrets to announce that moves are being made to mine Black Sands (Rutile) on the northern end of Putty or Kilcare Beach. Already much pegging and cutting of bush has been done. The Trust is objecting to the Dept. of Mines proceeding without prior consultation with the Trust and is asking for an assurance that the quality and quantity of material to be taken is worth the amount of upheaval caused and secondly, that the mining company be required to deposit a considerable sum in trust to ensure replacement of vegetation after operations have ceased.
-tions had been co-ordinated. They show two Faunal Reserves (one
-the Barrington River, the other on the Paterson) and a National Park over the general plateau of the Barrington-Gloucester Tops. We are
+====Bungonia Gorge:====
-also happy to record that The Fauna Protection Panel has agreed to ask
-for the same Faunal Reserves, The Chief Guardian of Fauna was present in Newcastle to put these proposals. Mr. Moppett reports that the Newcastle Meeting appeared to be conducted in a very friendly and understanding atmosphere. The Barrington Club, the Northern Parks & Playgrounds Movement, the Newcastle Tech,,Bushwalkers and numerous local bodies also gave evidence before the Committee all of whom had general agreement with our proposals. There appeared to be assurance that no Crown Land would be alienated in the area,
+Signatures from members of the Geology Staffs at the Universities of Sydney and New England and the University of Technology at Sydney and Newcastle, were obtained to a petition asking the Minister for Mines to cancel certain Mining Leases at Bungonia in order that a National Monument might be declared about the Gorge. The Minister says he is having enquiries made.
-Bouddi Natural Parke The Park Trust regrets to announce that moves are being made -E-E-E-Ene Black Sands (Rutile) on the northern end of Putty or Kilcare Beach. Already much pegging and cutting of bush has been done. The Trust is objecting to the Dept. of Mines proceeding
-without prior consultatimi with the Trust and is asking for an assur-
+----
-ance that the quality an quantity of material to be taken is worth the amount of upheaval caused and secondly, that the mining company be required to deposit a considerable sum in trust to ensure replace-
-ment of vegetation after operations have ceased.
+====Social Programme Alteration:====
-Bungonia Gorge: Signatures from members of the Geology Staffs at the Universities of Sydney and New England and the University of Technology at Sydney and Newcastle, were obtained to
-a petition asking the Minister for Mines to cancel certain Mining Leas at Bungonia in order that a National Munument might be declared about the Gorge. The Minister says he is having enquiries made.
+The lecture by J. Savage, scheduled for October 26th, has now been changed to November 30th.
-SOCIAL PROGRAMYE ALTERATION: The lecture by J. Savage, scheduled TE/777E7.-6th, has now-Feiachanged to Nov. 30th,
-CHILDREN'S XMAS TREAT: Jenny Madden (WL5317) has offered to act as
+----
-Convenor of a meeting of all Bushwalkers interested in organising a Children's Xmas Treat this year. If you would like to offer your services and go on an Organising Committee, or if you merely have
-suggestions to offer, would you please ring Jenny. (WL5317).
+====Children's Xmas Treat:====
- e a
+Jenny Madden (WL5317) has offered to act as Convenor of a meeting of all Bushwalkers interested in organising a Children's Xmas Treat this year. If you would like to offer your services and go on an Organising Committee, or if you merely have suggestions to offer, would you please ring Jenny. (WL5317).
+----
 Douglas and Marj. Johnston have a daughter.
-  0 OGO 0006 ea
-.
+----
-, - e (0) 0\1
+=====Leaderless Legion.=====
-By
-Jim Brown.
+By Jim Brown.
-e
+At approximately 2.30 p.m. on Thursday, 15th September, the 'phone was handed to me and I heard the familiar voice of Admiral (24-hours) Anderson. I said, "You've got yourself a party - about nine or ten - Checked in the Club last night."
-w,,,,
-k1fial- ,....
+He said "Oh," and there was a pregnant pause. Then he said he had a wide variety of sound reasons for not going. There was a leg still misbehaving after a stumble in the snow country, his return to work on Monday, and a military parade on Monday night. Then he became rather vague with references to a car and something about dawn, all of which didn't seem to tie in; I said sympathetically "Ah, Ah," for it was clear that the poor fellow was unhinged and wandering. There and then he came back to the point and explained he wasn't wandering, not on the week-end of that deplorable Katoomba to Bowral walk, anyway.
-/ j1/17m/i(i
-/
+So the Leaderless Legion began to assemble outside platform 7, Central, shortly before five on the Friday afternoon. I was first there, and shortly after the Editor tripped up brightly and was duly shocked to learn that the Navy had retreated. She fidgeted for a moment, then borrowed a penny from me and scuttled away. Three minutes later, what time I wondered where Ardill had concealed himself, she returned to tell me her pack weighed just 12 lbs. I felt overweight with about 22.
--  r,
-_ kZ1 '
+At 5.5 they all rolled up together, Schafer and Digby and Gowar, with visitor Jack Marshall, all squiring Heather Joyce. Then Kevin arrived molto agitato lest Patsy shouldn't find the "green Vauxhall" parked "somewhere near Central." (Patsy was charged with collecting the Ardill car and delivering it in one piece to Wanganderry at about 2 p.m. on the Sunday.) We made aboard the Fish Express, while Kevin tried a last urgent 'phone call. We were the proletariat, travelling second class, whilst Joyce, Digby, Gowar and Schafer shocked a rudely staring femme by wearing shorts in a 1st class car. "Yes, Lady," sneered Schafer. "Legs! Lovely, aren't they?"
-,, -----9,
-At approximately 2.30 p.m, on Thursday, 15th September, the 'phone was handed te me and I heard the familiar voice of Admiral (24-hours) Anderson. I said, "Youtve got yourself a party - about
-nine or ten - Checked in the Club last night. '
-He said "Oh," and there was a pregnant pause. Then he said he
-had a wide variety of sound reasons for tot going. There was a leg still misbehaving after a stumble in the snow country, his return to work on Monday, and a military parade on Monday night. Then he becam
-rather vague with references to a car and something about dawn, all of
-which didn't seem to tie in; I said sympathetically "kh, Ah," for it was clear that the poor fellow was unhinged and wandering. There and then he came back to the point and explained he wasn't wandering, not on the week-end of that deplorable Katoomba to Bowral walk, anyway.
-So the Leaderless Legion began to assemble outside platform 7, Central, shortly before five on the Friday afternoon. I was first
-there, and shortly after the Editor tripped up brightly and was duly
-shocked to learn that the Navy had retreated. She fidgeted for a moment, then borrowed a penny from me and scuttled away. Three minutes later, what time I wondered Where Ardill had concealed himSeli
-she returned to tell me her pack weighed just 12 lbs. I felt over-
-weight with about 22.
-At 5.5 they all rolled up together, Schafer and Digby and Gowar,
-with visitor Jack Marshall, all squiring Heather Joyce. Then Kevin arrived molto agitato lest Patsy shouldn't find the Igreen Vauxhall" parked "somewhere near Central.n (Patsy was charged with collecting the Ardill car and delivering it in one piece to Wanganderry at about 2 p.m. on the Sunday.) We made aboard the Fish Express, while Kevin tried a last urgent 'phone call. We were the proletariat, travelling second class, whilst Joyce, Digby, Gowar and Schafer shocked a rudely staring femme by wearing shorts in a 1st class car. "Yes, Lady," sneered Schafer. 'Legs. Lovely, aren't they?"
 We rolled away from town, Kevin still wondering how long Patsy would seek the "green Vauxhall".
-We came presently to Katoomba without any alarming developments, and I have no doubt Snow met the others at the top of the steps. Kevin
-.
+We came presently to Katoomba without any alarming developments, and I have no doubt Snow met the others at the top of the steps. Kevin and I had decided to visit that famous chemist Mr.Gearin on the wrong side of the track, for some of his famous restorative potion, and for us the rest of the trip became somewhat of a repetition of the marath.... the long walk of April last - a kind of private trip, occasionally interrupted by catching up with other laggards. Hereabouts Kevin produced his brightest idea of the whole week-end, so we each put five ounces of best Bundaberg on our back. There's no fuel like an old fuel (aged in wood).
-and I had decided to visit that famous chemist Mr.Gearin on the wrong side of the track, for some of his famous restorative potion, and for us the rest of the trip became somewhat Of a repetition of the marath.... the long walk of April last - a kind of private trip, occasionally interrupted by catching up with other laggards. Hereabouts Kevin produced his brightest idea of the whole week-end, so we each put five ounces of best Bundaberg on our back. There's no fuel like an old fuel (aged in wood).
-Ten past eight, and we were charging out towards the Water Towers. The charge was moderate, being a leisured 3 m.p.h. Towards nine we glimpsed torches moving out along the Necks as we went down
+Ten past eight, and we were charging out towards the Water Towers. The charge was moderate, being a leisured 3 m.p.h. Towards nine we glimpsed torches moving out along the Necks as we went down the Causeway. Some time later we sighted them again climbing out of Diamond Spray Falls as we started down. The night was calm, mild and starlit, but as we beat up over the Narrow Neck itself a darkish scum of cloud, quite a deal larger than a man's hand, drifted up out of the south east. The first few splashes of rain fell as we dropped down into Glenrapheal, and there Kevin and I settled down on a deep couch of grass. Yes, we had a tent.
-the Causeway. Some time later we sighted them again climbing out of
-Diamond Spray Falls as we started down. The night was calm, mild and starlit, but as we beat up over the Narrow Neck itself a darkish scum of cloud, quite a deal larger than a man's hand, drifted up out of thc south east. The first few splashes of rain fell as we dropped down
+A very cosy, comfortable half-night was put in, till I heard Kevin murmuring over and over "Jimmy Brown, Jimmy Brown.." in the first pallor of 5 a.m. I vaguely wondered if this was the dawn which deterred the Admiral, and obediently crawled ex bag. We moved off on chocolate at 5.20.
-into Glenrapheal, and there Kevin and I settled down on a deep couch of grass. Yes, we had a tent.
-A very cosy, comfortable half-night was put in, till I heard Kevin murmuring over and over "Jimmy Brown, Jimmy Brown.." in the first pallor of 5 a.m. I Vaguely wondered if this was the dawn which deterred the Admiral, and obediently crawled ex bag. We moved
+Up the hill beyond Glenraphael there was a sudden upheaval in the scrub at the trackside, and Arne Jonsson emerged, having travelled independently on the later train and walked past us during the night.
-off on chocolate at 5.20.
-Up the hill beyond Glenraphael there was a sudden upheaval in
+He accompanied us a little way, then stormed ahead, and we presently met the whole advance party in the little overhang just below Clear Hill. They were having breakfast (or some of it) sitting in their sleeping bags. Fancy, breakfast in bed on a mara...(naughty! naughty!) long walk.
-the scrub at the trackside, and Arne Jotssola emerged, having travelled independently on the later train and walked past us during the night.
-He accompanied us a little way, then stormed ahead, and we presently
+Miracle of miracles, Kevin and I actually led the field down and over Debert's Knob and part way along the track to Black Dog, the white mists wreathed about the higher points, and sometimes a little thin sunlight put warm olive colours in the drab of the ranges. The flyers, Heather, Dot and Snow flitted past us, but for a time the rest trod close on our heels; someone said the cool overcast with a hint of rain was fine for walking. Kevin said "Admirable" and Schafer screamed "Don't say that name to me." We mentioned our tent, and Digby argued the merits of "an open-ended polythene sleeve"... and if it should rain you apparently slept in an inverted U position, somewhat like a leech en route to the nearest bushwalker. We stopped at the flat rock on Black Dog for the view and an orange, and the rest passed by.
-met the whole advance party in the little overhang just below Clear
-Hill. They were having breakfast (or some of it) sitting in their
+Breakfast by the Cox from 8.0 to 8.5.0. The runaways were off as we reached the river: the Schafer team was taking breakfast on the west bank, and Jack and Arne preparing to move on the far side. We were away in light rain twenty-odd minutes behind the rest, back in our accustomed position as Tail End Charlies. My last time over the Policeman had been in 1940, but the way was quite obvious, and within an hour we were making the gradual ascent of the range towards the Cooken track which is, by the way, virtually non existent. We identified the gate, but immediately found we had a tendency to veer too far south and west towards the rim of the Kowmung, and it cost Kevin much effort with his compass to drag me back onto a decent SE bearing. Mist end rain stayed with us as we slopped towards Kowmung House, and Jack Marshall joined us over the last half mile or so. Apparently Arne had found his feet were playing up and had decided to withdraw, but hadn't been able to join the others to say so, and Jack had waited for him in vain for a while. He considered we were three quarters of an hour behind the rest.
-sleeping bags. Fancy, breakfast in bed on a mara,..(naughtyl naughty long walk.
-Miracle of miracles, Kevin and I actually led the field down and over Debert's Knob and part way along the track to Black Dog, the
+We took a spell at Kowmung House, and trundled off towards Bran Jan just after noon, a good hour and a quarter behind estimated timetable. For the first couple of miles along Cedar Road Jack was with us, but obviously itching for a greater rate of knots, he pushed on hoping to take the rest at Bran Jan. In point of fact, even the sluggards met the main party, arriving at about 1.45 just as Dot, Heather and Snow were pulling out into the heaviest shower of the week-end. We started lunch to a barrage of counsel and instruction about the Bran Jan facilities from Neil: we finished and moved off alone again, just after 2.30, caped up against the mizzling rain.
-while mists wreathed about.the higher points, and sometimes a little
-thin sunlight put warm olive colours in the drab of the ranges. The flyers, Heather, Dot and Snow flitted past us, but for a time the rest trod close on our heels; someone said the cool overcast with a hint of rain was fine for walking, Kevin said "Admirable" and Schafer screamed "Don't say that name to me." We mentioned our tent, and Digby argued the merits of "an open-ended polythene sleeve",., and if it should rain you apparently slept man inverted U position, somewhat like a leech en route to the nearest bushwalker. We stopped at the flat rock on Black Dog for the view and an orange, and the rest passed by.
+We'd not been along Scott's Main before, and were amazed at the wealth of grasses in pockets of shaley soil, at the continuity of fences, and pleased at the jeep track which confirms a route otherwise requiring pathfinding in places. The ridge top is fairly flat from a walker's viewpoint, and we were able to maintain our regulation "three miles an hour, five minutes halt" routine, but with the hands of our watches creeping towards five we began to realise that the light would dictate our future. The old jeep trail was good in daylight, but it would be nearly impossible by night: I recalled a couple of "horror stretches" between Water Gully and Byrne's Gap, and suggested aiming for the Gap by last light - (Ho! ho! also Ha! ha!). At our 4.45 halt we took in a little high octane, and fairly flew during the next hour - we might as well have stayed on the range and turned in early!
-Breakfast by the Cox from 8.0 to 8.5.0. The runaways were off as
-we reached the river: the Schafer team.was taking breakfast on the west bank, and Jack and Arne preparing to move on the far side. We
+For those who follow, there's some kind of a trap nearing Water Gully from the north: the faint jeep trail apparently follows the ridge right around the top of the Butcher's Creek watershed, joins the Church Creek/Kowmung route and enters Water Gully from its south-western end. The Blue Mts.- Burragorang Tourist Map shows the track dropping directly off Scott's Main into Water Gully. Kevin and I imagined we were on the latter, but it didn't work out and we spent the last few glimmers of the day searching up and down a shadowy creek to find the track out from Water Gully (where we weren't anyway). With great reluctance and greater oathing regarding Water Gully, Scott's Main, Byrne's Gap, Bowral, Admirals and mara....long walks generally, we sat down for the night. Apart from Kevin's gashing his lip whilst breaking timber and my spilling the rice we passed a warm and comfortable night.
-were away in light rain twenty-odd minutes behind the rest, back in our accustomed position as Tail End Charlies, My last time over the Policeman had been in 1940, but the way was quite obvious, and within
-an hour we were making the gradual ascent of the range towards the
+There was no future in shifting without light, so we breakfasted on the spot, moving off shortly after six in the misty morning up the gentle ridge to the south and hoping to sight Byrne's Gap. It was far too hazy for that, but we did intersect the jeep track, and after a little indecision followed it eastward to reach Water Gully by the back door just before 7 a.m. So we had been west of it after all!
-Cooken track which is, by the way, virtually non est. We identified
-the gate, but immediately found:INC had a tendency to veer too far
+In places we could see footprints of the others and wondered if they had managed to stay with the jeep track with enough light to pass the awkward places the previous evening. By now, of course, our own target was Wollondilly bridge and rescue by David Ingram; we couldn't count on cars waiting past 4 p.m. at Wanganderry. A walking party would have to be through Wanganderry by three to have any chance of making Bowral on foot for the last train, and the car owners would assume that people unable to be there at three would aim for Wollondilly.
-.
-south and west towards the rim of the Kowmung, and it cost Kevin much effort with his compass to drag me back onto a decent SE bearing. Mist end rain stayed with us as we slopped towards Kowmung.House, and Jack Marshall joined us over the last half mile or so Aploarently Arne had found his feet were playing up and had deoidcdt:) withdraw, but hadn't been able to join the others to say so, end Jack Had waited for him in vain for a while. He considered we were three quarters of an hoar behind the rest.
+At a few minutes past eight we came to the Tonalli, and learned there from a couple of motor campers that three (one named "Snow") had passed the previous evening, and the rest before us that morning. That gave the racehorses just a chance of making Bowral, but the other quartet - not in the event.
-We took a spell at Kowmung House, and trundled off toal,,,s Bran
-Jan just after noon, a good hour and a quarter behind estimated. time-
+Little remains to tell of our own walking. Kevin was anxious to get to a phone to tell Patsy at Bowrai to await further instructions instead of leaving for Wanganderry at 1 p.m., so he streaked on from Yerranderie to reach Upper Burragorang about elevenish. I knew by now the feet wouldn't stay the distance to Wanganderry or Bowral, so paddled sedately along, plying myself with rum and chocolate at hourly intervals, and (after a most unexpected meeting with Bob Savage leading a veritable convoy of cars to Yerranderie to inspect the old silver mines) came to the Wollondilly just before 12.
-table. For the first couple of miles along Cedar Road Jack was with us, but obviously itching for a greater rate of knots, he pushed on hoping to take the rest at Bran Jan. In point of facts evrv. the sluggards met the main party, arriving at about 1.45 just Dot,
-Heather and Snow were pulling out into the heaviest shower of the
+Dependable David arrived at 12.7 1/2 p.m. and took us back to Spring Corner, where Kevin contacted Bowral. I settled down in my sleeping bag as we rolled sweetly south to Mittagong, where Patsy united Kevin with the beloved green Vauxhall. We went in convoy out to Wanganderry to join the rabble that waited there. Just before we arrived (4 p.m.), the cars of Jack Gentle and Len Fall had headed along the track towards Malcolm's farm at the head of Burnt Flat Creek. There was, however, another utility standing by, and its driver explained that he was an old hand freelance walker, thinking of joining S.B.W. who fancied he might be able to help bring in the way-weary travellers - a nice gesture. We were then five cars, sundry car-travellers, two retired marath...long distance walkers, and a bevy of children, all waiting and brewing tea in the grey chilly afternoon, watching for Snow's gaudy red-white-and-blue cape to waft over the slope of Wanganderry Hill. Now that they knew the others were still en route to Wanganderry the drivers were quite happy to stay on a while longer; they couldn't have passed - Gladys and Len Fall had been there since 11 a.m. The Fall and Gentle cars came skidding back to the junction about five, and we brewed more tea.
-week-end. We started lunch to a barrage of counsel and instruction
-about the Bran Jan facilities from Neil: we finished and moved off alone again, just after 2.30, caped up against the mimzling rain.
+Some time after 5.30 two of the cars departed, and David and I drove 7 or 8 miles west to the Bullio region in case the walkers had reached the road beyond Wanganderry. The light was almost gone as we came back to the junction, and after a brief discussion we concluded that the strays had either (a) changed their minds and retreated to Burragorang, or (b) mislaid Burnt Flat Creek and were destined to pass another night out. A hasty arrangement was made to organise some search and rescue activities on Monday evening, and at 6.15 the cars departed in column towards Mittagong. At that moment Snow's coat of many colours was coming down the last hill towards the road...... but that's another story......
-We'd not been along Scott's Main before, and were amazed at the wealth of grasses in pockets of shaley soil, at the continuity of
-fences, and pleased at the jeep track which confirms a route otherwise
-requiring pathfinding in places. The ridge top is fairly flat from a walker's viewpoint, and we were able to maintain our regulation '?three miles an hour, five minutes halt" routine, but with the hands of our
-watches creeping towards five we began to realise that the light would
-dictate our future. The old jeep trail was good in daylight, but it
-would be nearly impossible by night: I recalled a couple of"11.0c3.?or
-stretches" between Water Gully and Byrne's Gap, and suggested airing for the Gap by last light - (Ho: hol also Hai han. At our 4,45 halt we took in a little high octane, and fairly flew during tbo next hour - we might as well have stayed on the range and turned in early;
-For those who follow, there's some kind of a trep nearing'cater Gully from the north: the faint jeep trail appare;Itl-y follows the ridge right around the top of the Butcher's Creek 7,J. ershed, joins the Church Creek/Kowmung route and enters Water Gully from its southwestern end. The Blue Mts.-Burragorang Tourist Map shows the track
-dropping directly off Scott's Main into Water Gully. Kevin and I
-imagined we were on the latter, but it didn't work out and we spent the last few glimmers of the day searching up and down a shafciwy creek to find the track out from Water Gully (where we werent any7774y) With great reluctance and greater oathing regarding Water Gully Scott's Main, B7rnels Gap, Bowral, Admirals and ma:,-sc.long walks generally, we sat down for the night. Apart from Fe7in's gashing his lip whilst breaking timber and my spilling the rice we passed a warm and comfortable night.
-There was no future in shifting without light, so we breakfasted mn the spot, moving off shortly after six in the misty morning up the gentle ridge to the south and hoping to sight Byrnel.s.Gap. It was far too hazy for that, but we did intersect the jeep track, and after a little indecision followed it eastward to reach Water Gully by the back door just before 7 a.m. So we had been west of it after all
-..
-In places we could see footprints of the others and wondered if they had managed to stay with the jeep track with enough light to pass the awkward places the previous evening, By now, of course, our own target was Wollondilly bridge and rescue by David Ingram; we couldn't count on cars waiting past 4 p.m. at Wanganderry. A walking party would have to be through Wanganderry by three to have any chance of making Bowral on foot for the last train, and the car owners would assume that people unable to be there at three would aim for Wollondilly,
-.P4.t a few minutes past eight we came to the Tonalli, and learned there from a couple of motor campers that three (one named "Snow") had passed the previous evening, and the rest before us that morning.
-That gave the racehorses just a chance of making Bowral, but the other quartet - not in the event.
-Little remains to tell of our own walking. Kevin was anxious to get to a phone to tell Patsy at Bowrai to await further instructions instead of leaving for Wanganderry at 1 p.m., so he streaked on from Yerranderie to reach Upper Burragorang about-elevenish. I knew by now the feet wouldn't stay the distance to Wanganderry or Bowral, so paddled sedately along., plying myself with rum and chocolate at hourly intervals, and (after a most unexpected meeting with Bob Savage leading a veritableconvoy of cars to Yerranderie to inspect the old silver mines) came to the Wollondilly just before 12.
-Dependable David arrived at 12.7i p.m. and took us back to Spring Corner, where Kevin contacted Bowral. I settled down in my sleeping bag as we rolled sweetly south to Mittagong, where Patsy united Kevin with the beloved green Vauxhall. We went in convoy
-out to Wanganderry to join.; the rabble that waited there. Just before we arrived (4 p.m.), the cars of Jack Gentle and Len Fall had headed along the track towards Malcolm's farm at the head of Burnt Flat Crk. There was, however, another utility standing by, and its driver
-explained that he was an old hand freelance walker, thinking of join-
-ing S.B.W. who fancied he might be able to help bring in the way-wear
-travellers - a nice gesture. We were then five cars, sundry car-
-travellers, two retired marath...long distance walkers, and a bevy of
- children, all waiting and brewing tea in the grey chilly afternoon, watching for Snow's gaudy red-white-and-blue cape to waft over the slope of Wanganderry Hill. Now that they knew the others were still en route to Wanganderry the drivers were quAte happy to stay on a while longer; they couldn't have passed - Gladys and Len Fall had been there since 11 a.m. The Fall and Gentle cars came skidding
-back to the junction about five, and we brewed more tea.
-Snme time after 503Q two of the cars departed, and David and I drove 7 or 8 miles west to the Bullio region in case the walkers had reached the road beyond Wanganderry. The light was almost gone as we came back to the junction, and after a brief discussion we concluded that the strays had either (a) changed their minds and retreat ed to Burragorang, or (b) mislaid Burnt Flat Creek and.were destined to pass another night out. A hasty arrangement was made to organise
-some search and rescue activities on Monday evening, and at 6.15 the cars departed in column towards Mittagong,- At that moment Snow's coat of many colours was coming down the last hill towards the road.. ....but that's another story.. ....
-.
 SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF. THE FAUNA PROTECTION. PANEL.
 Year ended 30th JuneL_12151..