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|At Our July Meeting - Alex Colley |1| | |At Our July Meeting - Alex Colley |1| | ||
|Your Walking Guide| 2| | |Your Walking Guide| 2| | ||
- | |On Being Led - One of Them" |3| | + | |On Being Led - "One of Them" |3| |
|Hatswell' | |Hatswell' | ||
|All On A Summer' | |All On A Summer' | ||
Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
- | | + | |
- | ing trip in continually changing country, | + | 83 Albion Park-Dhruvragha-MtJamberoo |
- | 83 Albion Park-Dhruvragha | + | 84 Heathcote-Ulloola Falls-Audley-Launch to Cronulla. Pleasant, easy, track walk. Cost - 10/-.\\ |
- | walk with some delightful views. Cost - 21/-. | + | 85 Katooma return via Blue Dog-Glen Alan Canyon , |
- | 84 Heathcote-Ulloola Falls-Audley-Launch to Cronulla. Pleasant, easy, track walk. Cost - 10/-. | + | trip for aspiring walker to test his metal. Good views and fine country. |
- | 85 Katooma return via Blue Dog-Glen Alan Canyon | + | 86 Katoomba return via Red Ledge & Mitchell' |
- | trip for aspiring walker to test his metal. Good views ane fine -' | + | always exciting. Good views over Megalong Valley. Cost - 23/.\\ |
- | 86 Katoomba return via Red Ledge & Mitchell' | + | |
- | always exciting. Good views over Megalong Valley. Cost - 23/. | + | |
87 Glenbrook-St.Helena-Blaxland. A trip in the notorious Blue Labyrinth | 87 Glenbrook-St.Helena-Blaxland. A trip in the notorious Blue Labyrinth | ||
- | but St. Helena repays the effort. Can be scratchy. Cost - 15/-. | + | but St. Helena repays the effort. Can be scratchy. Cost - 15/-.\\ |
- | 88 Blackheath-Minni Minni Rge-6 ft. Track-Katoomba. Good medium test walk. | + | 88 Blackheath-Minni Minni Ridge- 6 ft. Track-Katoomba. Good medium test walk. |
- | Extensive view from Gibralter Rocks. Cost - 36/-. | + | Extensive view from Gibralter Rocks. Cost - 36/-.\\ |
- | 89 Megalong Valley-Chanlowie Ck-6 ft. Track,.KatooMba. Another good medium | + | 89 Megalong Valley-Chanlowie Ck-6 ft. Track -Katoomba. Another good medium |
- | test. Megalong always | + | test. Megalong always |
- | 90 Terry Hills-Topham | + | 90 Terry Hills-Topham |
- | possibly some wildflowers in this mild season. Cost - | + | possibly some wildflowers in this mild season. Cost -\\ |
- | 91 Federation Ball. No Friday night walk:this weekend. | + | 91 Federation Ball. No Friday night walk:this weekend.\\ |
92 Pymble-Ryland Trig-St. Ives. Saturday & Sunday walk will combine. For | 92 Pymble-Ryland Trig-St. Ives. Saturday & Sunday walk will combine. For | ||
- | & 93 further information see ad. page 14. | + | & 93 further information see ad. page 14.\\ |
+ | |||
+ | AMENDMENT TO WALKS PROGRAMME\\ | ||
+ | WALK No. 84 Heathcote - Uloola Falls - Audley - Cronulla will now be held on 24th August in lieu of 17th August. LEADER: Joan Cordell - FY.2575. | ||
- | AMENDMENT TO WALKS PROGRAMWE | ||
- | WALK No. 84 Heathcote - Uloola Falls - Audley - Cronulla will now be held on 24th August in lieu of 17th August. | ||
- | LEADER: Joan Cordell - FY.2575. | ||
WALK No. 87 - Blaxland - St. Helena - Glenbrook: will now be held on 17th August in lieu of 24th August. | WALK No. 87 - Blaxland - St. Helena - Glenbrook: will now be held on 17th August in lieu of 24th August. | ||
- | TPLDER: Jack: Gentle - MA.6121 or LA.6041 (B). | + | LEADER: Jack Gentle - MA.6121 or LA.6041 (B). Note also reversal of original route. |
- | Note also reversal of original route. | + | |
- | 2. | + | |
- | 3. | + | |
====== On Being Led ====== | ====== On Being Led ====== | ||
One of Them | One of Them | ||
- | As we had foregathered at a common meeting place at Narulan on Friday night, the 4th July, we should have been in a receptive mood when Ron Knightly told us that, after leaving the cars at Long Point, we would go down on to the river that night. He and another wanted to climb a ridge on the far side of the Shoalhaven near McCallum' | + | As we had foregathered at a common meeting place at Narulan on Friday night, the 4th July, we should have been in a receptive mood when Ron Knightly told us that, after leaving the cars at Long Point, we would go down on to the river that night. He and another wanted to climb a ridge on the far side of the Shoalhaven near McCallum' |
- | of incredulous unbelief sat on the Knightly brow, but when his climbing partner | + | |
- | sided with the other 18 Ron gallantly gave in and off we went to Long Point. | + | On disgorging from the four cars Ron and Stewart set off down the hill "just a hundred yards" to make camp at the Lookout. Well, whether the word " |
- | On disgorging from the four cars Ron and Stewart set off down the hill "just a hundred yards" to make camp at the Lookout. Well, whether the word | + | |
- | " | + | " |
- | appeared after a lapse of fifteen minutes to see what had happened to his party. | + | |
- | " | + | At the junction of Barber' |
- | two-thirds of the party lengthened their strides, zagged a zig, and disalopeared | + | |
- | At the junction of Barber' | + | |
- | bank, is a lovely grassy flat, invitingly sunny last Saturday morning, and it | + | |
- | was here that the mutineers had their " | + | |
Away again after a pleasant break, Ron led down the creek to cross, whilst the majority went up the creek and got wet feet because of it. | Away again after a pleasant break, Ron led down the creek to cross, whilst the majority went up the creek and got wet feet because of it. | ||
- | On arrival at Lake Louise packs were downed to photograph and enjoy | + | |
- | the pleasant surroundings. Our frustrated leader at last got us on the move again, this time leading half the party through a terrific outcrop of nettles and mud, whilst the breakaways walked in comparative comfort higher up. | + | On arrival at Lake Louise packs were downed to photograph and enjoy the pleasant surroundings. Our frustrated leader at last got us on the move again, this time leading half the party through a terrific outcrop of nettles and mud, whilst the breakaways walked in comparative comfort higher up. |
- | Meandering along the river bank was very pleasant that morning with the sun filtering through the casuarinas and the lyre birds calling on the wooded hillsides. | + | |
- | Crossing Bungonia Creek, Stewart ventured first and went hip high in | + | Meandering along the river bank was very pleasant that morning with the sun filtering through the casuarinas and the lyre birds calling on the wooded hillsides. Crossing Bungonia Creek, Stewart ventured first and went hip high in the quicksand, so the rest took off at a different spot and managed to make the other side wet only to the knees. |
- | the quicksand, so the rest took off at a different spot and managed to make the other side wet only to the knees. | + | |
- | The pleasant luncheon spot chosen by the leader was by-passed and we climbed about 50 feet above the river to sit and munch our loaf and gaze up and down the Shoalhaven. | + | The pleasant luncheon spot chosen by the leader was by-passed and we climbed about 50 feet above the river to sit and munch our loaf and gaze up and down the Shoalhaven. It was at this juncture that four of the " |
- | It was at this juncture that four of the " | + | |
- | (one an original " | + | Up a steady pull until we made camp at the Bungonia Lookout about 4.30. Billies were soon bubbling with stew, and after taking our fill much reminiscing and chitter chat around a roaring camp fire took us well into the night. Sunday morning was spent wandering around the Tops - the Gorge is really an amazing place and well worth a closer look when there is less water in the creek. |
- | ahead of us, and would camp until we picked them up on the return trip. The leader was most understanding and told them just when and where we should appear on Sunday, and away we all went, waving goodbye to the " | + | |
- | regretful that he was losing some of his flock, after having traversed about 100 yards the leader looked back, and was amazed to find that the four had upped packs and were following along. The perversity of mans | + | A gloriously hilarious scree run, which dropped us 900' into the lower parts of Bungonia Creek in 22 minutes, was the highlight of the morning. Lunchtime found us on Barber' |
- | Up a steady pull until we Made camp at the Bungonia Lookout about 4.30. | + | |
- | Billies were soon bubbling with stew, and after taking our fill much reminiscing | + | |
- | and chitter chat around a roaring camp fire took us well into the night. | + | |
- | Sunday morning was spent wandering around the Tops - the Gorge is really | + | |
- | an amazing place and well worth a closer look when there is less water in the | + | |
- | creek. | + | |
- | A gloriously hilarious scree run, which dropped us 900' into the lower parts of Bungonia Creek in 22 minutes, was the highlight of the morning. | + | |
- | Lunchtime found us on Barber' | + | |
- | another half an hour. Was this received with sighs of content? No, not on - your life. Almest | + | |
- | the vagaries of man. | + | |
Anyway, Ron, we all think you're tops as a leader, and thanks for a grand weekend. | Anyway, Ron, we all think you're tops as a leader, and thanks for a grand weekend. | ||
- | THE EIWI HAS WINGS, | + | **THE KIWI HAS WINGS** |
- | As announced in our last issue, our old member Dorothy Lawry will be coming over from New Zealand for a period of nearly four weeks from 22nd September. To give many members the opportunity to " | + | As announced in our last issue, our old member Dorothy Lawry will be coming over from New Zealand for a period of nearly four weeks from 22nd September. To give many members the opportunity to " |
- | DATE TO REMEMBER | + | **DATE TO REMEMBER** |
Following her twelve months' | Following her twelve months' | ||
Line 132: | Line 115: | ||
getting out of Yerranderie on Sunday afternoon, so we were a day overdue, purely through transport problems. | getting out of Yerranderie on Sunday afternoon, so we were a day overdue, purely through transport problems. | ||
- | During the map study that preceded that trip I became aware of the presence of Brocken | + | During the map study that preceded that trip I became aware of the presence of Broken |
- | Rock:Trig, 2505', and a definite indication of a saddle south of the mountain, | + | |
- | with spurs running down into Black Hollow Creek. On the Blue Mountains Tourist map the picture is virtually repeated, and the creek is named Fritz Creek. | + | |
- | On both maps there are indications of a track of sorts leading up towards the saddle below Broken Rock. | + | |
- | .1 | + | The idea of visiting Broken Rock festered in me (the slob of a thing) for years, and presently a trip pattern was evolved. Yerranderie, |
- | ...1. | + | It should be a three day trip to do it comfortably, |
- | FOR ALL YOUR_TRANSPORT PROBLEMS CONTACT | + | |
+ | All this, of course, only contrived to make Broken Rock the more alluring. I promised myself another bid, coming in from Bimlow, but conditions didn't permit another try during the following months, and when the opportunity came, it was on a snap decision and under most unfavourable auspices. The " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Of course I must have been slightly crazy to try it, but 9 p m. Friday found me driving along the smoke-hazed road towards Burragorang, | ||
+ | |||
+ | I knew the Major General of Bimlow was in residence and the road blocked at the town, so at 10 o' | ||
- | The idea of visiting Broken Rock festered in me (the slob of a thing:) for years, and presently a trip pattern was evolved. Yerranderie, | ||
- | It should be a three day trip to do it comfortably, | ||
- | Gentle, for the end of March 1957. It was a rigid timetable, there was no | ||
- | margin for error, the weather on Saturday had to be kind'. Well, it wasn' | ||
- | In that year of drought we struck a wet morning and the trudge along Scott' | ||
- | Green Wattle. But the configuration of the country didn't seem to tie with the maps exactly, the weather was uncertain, and we knew the sands were running out. | ||
- | The original plan was forsaken, and we came back via the Kbwmung. | ||
- | All this, of course, only contrived to make Broken Rock the more alluring. I promised myself another bid, coming in from Bimlow, but conditions didn't permit another try during the following months, and when the opportunity came, it was on a snap decision and under most unfavourable auspices. | ||
- | The " | ||
- | Of course I must have been slightly crazy to try it, but 9 p m. Friday | ||
- | found me driving along the smoke-hazed road towards Burragorang, | ||
- | Hollow Creek, and perhaps to Bran Jan, maybe even along the Cedar Road to the Cox and back to Bimlow. Say twenty-eight miles the lot, with the unknown saddle | ||
- | from Green Wattle to Black Hollow Creek (including Broken Rock) as the real test. | ||
- | I knew the Major General of Bimlow was in residence and the road blocked at the town, so at 10 o' | ||
The first pallor came into the summer sky at 3.40 a m. A filthy dawn: the air had a death smell of bushfires, and the Burragorang Walls looked hay and unreal. It was much too warm, much too dry. By 4 a m. I was walking, at 4.20 I by-passed the toll gate, and at 5.30 I came to Cox Junction as a sunset-red sun glared through the yellow murk in Warragamba Gorge. | The first pallor came into the summer sky at 3.40 a m. A filthy dawn: the air had a death smell of bushfires, and the Burragorang Walls looked hay and unreal. It was much too warm, much too dry. By 4 a m. I was walking, at 4.20 I by-passed the toll gate, and at 5.30 I came to Cox Junction as a sunset-red sun glared through the yellow murk in Warragamba Gorge. | ||
- | The last two miles from Bimlow had been through a waste land, where all the lower forest had been destroyed, a shambles of fallen timber and charcoal, with the dry powder of the tractor-trodden road rising in puffs at each step. | ||
- | Cox Valley was a ruin also. I remembered Snow saying it made him feel sick - he didn't want to go that way again; and I wondered if the destruction had been carried into the side streams, Green Wattle particularly. It had. | ||
- | There was no respite from the ugly naked desolation when I left the Cox, not for | ||
- | another three miles at least. I hurried through this sad land, until about 7.15 I reached the Warragamba full storage level. Even at that hour I was glad of the forest shade, walking in hat and sandshoes only. | + | The last two miles from Bimlow had been through a waste land, where all the lower forest had been destroyed, a shambles of fallen timber and charcoal, with the dry powder of the tractor-trodden road rising in puffs at each step. Cox Valley was a ruin also. I remembered Snow saying it made him feel sick - he didn't want to go that way again; and I wondered if the destruction had been carried into the side streams, Green Wattle particularly. It had. |
- | Just after 8 a m. I came to the clearing at Fritz Creek, and halted for breakfast with twelve miles already covered - the easy twelve, I reminded myself. Here there had been some uneven bushfires, but the big clearing and the forest | + | |
- | immediately about were unharmed. After the nightmare journey in the country | + | There was no respite from the ugly naked desolation when I left the Cox, not for another three miles at least. I hurried through this sad land, until about 7.15 I reached the Warragamba full storage level. Even at that hour I was glad of the forest shade, walking in hat and sandshoes only. Just after 8 a m. I came to the clearing at Fritz Creek, and halted for breakfast with twelve miles already covered - the easy twelve, I reminded myself. Here there had been some uneven bushfires, but the big clearing and the forest |
- | due for flooding, this was a real haven: there was even a little water in | + | immediately about were unharmed. After the nightmare journey in the country due for flooding, this was a real haven: there was even a little water in isolated holes in the creek. A dry hot wind was beginning, and clearing away the smoke overcast that had sheltered me so far, so I put a shirt on. Presumably ,I looked like the famous Pelaco advertisement. |
- | isolated holes in the creek. A dry hot wind was beginning, and clearing away | + | |
- | the smoke overcast that had sheltered me so far, so I put a shirt on. Presumably ,I looked like the famous Pelaco advertisement. | + | Beyond the clearing I could see the hazy ridges where Fritz Creek rises. There seemed to be no obvious |
- | Beyond the clearing I could see the hazy ridges where Fritz Creek rises. There seemed to be no obviouS | + | Shortly before nine I started, turning up Fritz Creek. There was a track at first, but perhaps just an animal pad, and in a mile it disappeared in thickets of scorched bushes. I was coming under the shadow of the cliffy bluff, so turned up a spur. After a few hundred feet I could see my ridge was going straight up towards the cliffs, and by ten o' |
- | Shortly before nine I started, turning up Fritz Creek. There was a | + | |
- | track at first, but perhaps just an animal pad, and in a mile it disappeared in thickets of scorched bushes. I was coming under the shadow of the cliffy | + | It was energetic sidling, and the scrub on the sheltered side of the range was thick and clinging. I found every few yards of climbing called for a rest. Usually I can walk with very little drinking but I was half through the quart of water I had brought in a plastic bottle from Green Wattle. The water was getting sickly warm. |
- | bluff, so turned up a spur. After a few hundred feet I could see my ridge was going straight up towards the cliffs, and by ten o' | + | |
- | increasing, and though the wind was dry from the west, sweat was streaming down and stinging in the cuts from scorched-sharp bushes. | + | At the corner of the bluff I stopped. Something was very, very wrong. In all directions, so far as I could see, the divide between Green Wattle and Black Hollow was topped with sandstone walls. Both sides of my imagined Broken Rock, the range ran out at almost even height. Where, then, my saddle? If this above me was indeed Broken Rock, I could not imagine where the gap could be found. |
- | It was energetic sidling, and the scrub on the sheltered side of the | + | |
- | range was thick and clinging. I found every few yards of climbing called for a rest. Usually I can walk with very-little drinking but I was half through | + | I sat down, propping my legs against the slope, and felt the skin crawling with sweat. This was no good at all. Only 10.30 a m. and growing hotter. Much more of this work with a crook shoulder and it would be a heat stroke job. The crest was at least four hundred feet above, probably more, and with the cliff line to negotiate. Away below on my left I could see the big green clearing at the creek with shade trees and water. I turned downhill. |
- | the quart of water I had brought in a plastic bottle from Green Wattle. The | + | |
- | water was getting sickly warm. | + | Without the target of the gap to sustain and drive me, I realised how nearly spent I was. The legs were jelly, my wind gone. On the half-hour descent I had to stop a few times. When I did come back to Green Wattle, a few hundred yards above Fritz Creek, I fell into a shiny pool and stayed, clothes and all, for ten minutes. By the time I walked down to a drinkable hole, ten minutes away, I was quite dry again. I stayed in and around that pool from 11.30 a m, until after 3 p m., while the mercury must have flirted with the 100 mark on the thermometer. |
- | At the corner of the bluff I stopped. Something was very, very wrong. In all directions, so far as I could see, the divide between Green Wattle and | + | |
- | Black Hollow was topped with sandstone walls. Both sides of my imagined | + | In the densest shade I could find, sprawled on a groundsheet spread on thin dry grass, I oozed at every pore. The plastic of the groundsheet stuck to me and sat up with me. Myriads of flies tickled my large expanses of bared skin. The bread from a plastic bag at lunch was crisped, the tomato from a damp billy was tepid. |
- | Broken Rock the range ran out at almost even height. Where, then, my saddle? If this above me was indeed Broken Rock, I could not imagine where the gap could be found. | + | |
- | I sat down, propping my legs against the slope, and felt the skin | + | Gradually black-blue ragged clouds welled up over the range that had repelled me. I had decided to let the storm get going and walk, stripped off, in the rain, back down Green Wattle, but about three o' |
- | crawling with sweat. This was no good at all. Only 20.30 a m. and growing hotter. Much more of this work with a croole | + | |
- | stroke job. The crest was at least four hundred feet above, probably more, and with the cliff line to negotiate. Away below on my left I could see the | + | |
- | big green clearing at the creek with shade trees and water. | + | |
- | I turned downhill. | + | |
- | Without the target of the gap to sustain and drive me, I realised how | + | |
- | nearly spent I was. The legs were jelly, my wind gone. On the half-hour | + | |
- | descent I had to stop a few times. When I did come back to Green Wattle, a few hundred yards above Fritz Creek, I fell into a shiny pool and stayed, clothes and all, for ten minutes. By the time I walked down to a drinkable | + | |
- | hole, ten minutes away, I was quite dry again. I stayed in and around that | + | |
- | pool from 11.30 a m, until after 3 p m., while the mercury must have flirted with the 100 mark on the thermometer. | + | |
- | In the densest shade I could find, sprawled on a groundsheet spread on thi71 dry grass, I oozed at every pore. The plastic of the groundsheet stuck to me and sat up with me. Myriads of flies tickled my large expanses of bared skin. The bread from a plastic bag at lunch was crisped, the tomato from a damp billy was tepid. | + | |
- | Gradually black-blue ragged clouds welled up over the range that had repelled me. I had decided to let the storm pet going and walk, stripped off, in the rain, back dawn Green Wattle, but about three o' | + | |
It took more than an hour for the clouds to realise their menace, but never was menace so welcome: when the storm did break, it came as a gentle rain, growing heavier and more constant. Finally it forced me to keep on walking when I would have rested. | It took more than an hour for the clouds to realise their menace, but never was menace so welcome: when the storm did break, it came as a gentle rain, growing heavier and more constant. Finally it forced me to keep on walking when I would have rested. | ||
- | The barren broken country at the bottom of Green Wattle and on the Cox was thoroughly wetted when I came to it. Where my toes had thrown up dust | + | |
- | eddies that morning (or was it a week before?) I now splashed through yellow | + | The barren broken country at the bottom of Green Wattle and on the Cox was thoroughly wetted when I came to it. Where my toes had thrown up dust eddies that morning (or was it a week before?) I now splashed through yellow puddles. If anything the country looked more pathetic under rain - the drought of the morning was more fitting to this desert. |
- | puddles. If anything the country looked more pathetic under rain - the drought of the morning was more fitting to this desert. | + | |
- | It rained all the while I trauved | + | It rained all the while I travelled |
- | before I reached the road block in the last faint light of the day. As I climbed over the gate a door was opened and yellow light spilled out. Someone at the door reported "Just a hiker" | + | |
- | When I reached the car it was 8.20, with the decision of camp or return | + | When I reached the car it was 8.20, with the decision of camp or return home to be made. The latter won, but it was a weary and thwarted walker who crawled into the empty house at 11.30 that night. |
- | home to be made. The latter won, but it was a weary and thwarted walker who crawled into the empty house at 11.30 that night. | + | |
- | The whole episode was so dismaying and unrewarding that I unconsciously "wrote it off" in my mind until my little daughter was heard the other day murmuring over and over "all on a summer' | + | The whole episode was so dismaying and unrewarding that I unconsciously "wrote it off" in my mind until my little daughter was heard the other day murmuring over and over "all on a summer' |
- | Ah yes, "The Queen of Hearts she made some tarts, all on a summer' | + | |
Then I found I could think dispassionately of that lost walk, and not feel so irritated at my failure. | Then I found I could think dispassionately of that lost walk, and not feel so irritated at my failure. | ||
As to Broken Rock, well I don't know if, like the Knave of Hearts, " | As to Broken Rock, well I don't know if, like the Knave of Hearts, " | ||
Line 207: | Line 163: | ||
Just as the ancients boasted their deeds in song and story, so the ancients of S.B.W. prepare to blow their own battered trumpets with a repeat performance of that operatic epic "By Jet With Geof", the story of the eighty-five miler, on the free night - 20th August. | Just as the ancients boasted their deeds in song and story, so the ancients of S.B.W. prepare to blow their own battered trumpets with a repeat performance of that operatic epic "By Jet With Geof", the story of the eighty-five miler, on the free night - 20th August. | ||
+ | |||
The following Wednesday should prove to be an evening of exceptional interest as Geoff Broadhead will show movies of Eastern Asia, China and U.S.S.R. | The following Wednesday should prove to be an evening of exceptional interest as Geoff Broadhead will show movies of Eastern Asia, China and U.S.S.R. | ||
Line 214: | Line 171: | ||
John Manning | John Manning | ||
- | Alas, how the numbers dwindle as the walk grows near; from a possible fifteen, the acceptors were whittled away to leave just three staunch or stupid bods to step from the train into the rain on Thursday night, just in time to see ' | + | Alas, how the numbers dwindle as the walk grows near; from a possible fifteen, the acceptors were whittled away to leave just three staunch or stupid bods to step from the train into the rain on Thursday night, just in time to see ' |
Mick Elfick and myself comprised the team, with Mike Peryman and two other Hobnails starting from Picton. | Mick Elfick and myself comprised the team, with Mike Peryman and two other Hobnails starting from Picton. | ||
- | At 8 o' | + | At 8 o' |
- | 9.15 p m. A grand circle was then taken at a very solid pace and we were at the farm again at 10.00 p m., camping in the old hut (a most elusive hut) by 11 p m. | + | |
- | 6.00 a m. Friday morning we stepped out of the hut and set sail for the | + | |
- | Nattai, reaching there about 7.10 a m., After a slight delay we were away at a great rate of knots (14 m p.h.) until the Alum River hove in sight at 9 a m. Five minutes for chunder and we're off again. Martins Creek flitted past at | + | |
- | 10.10 and we stepped across Shea's Creek at 12.20, had lunch, and were off by | + | |
- | 1 p m. We were now following Mike Peryman' | + | |
- | staggered to the ' | + | |
- | (The leader says the party must walk faster.) After a couple of minutes break for a drink, we began to stalk towards Bimlow. Having side-stepped at least two | + | |
- | of the Sergeant Major' | + | |
- | My spirits almost sank when I saw the water over the road for it was getting dark | + | |
- | and we had to climb several hundrsd feet and traverse around at that height on a slope of 600 (ahem) back onto the rnad i mile away. It was dark by this and we pushed along the road to Green Wattle Creek, sidled another small mountain and reached the food depot at i.55 p m. and Maahons at 7.20 p m. We forded the river and climbed over the 'bill and dropped down to a rather deep Cox River for camp in the open at 8.00 | + | |
- | 6.00 Saturday morning, three pathetic, shivering figures hobbled across the icy Cax OH THE PAIN - and then turned themselves in the direction of Mecca and shuffled along the Cox to Commodore, where Mick and Freddy must poke around inside a tank. Over the Policeman to Kill's Hut and wonder of wonders Mike is only l hours ahead. With fresh incentive we repair our pace and reach the Kovmung at 9.40 a m. Mick and I are b6th thinking - if only Geoff was here. Kanangra River showed itself at 11.30 a m., twenty minutes for chunder, and then off again, reaching harry' | + | |
- | on darkness. We blunder a little and eventually reach Mitchell' | + | |
- | quick snack. 7.55 and three almost exhausted, but very contented, bods step onto the cliff drive at the top of Devil' | + | |
- | Walking time was 26 hours at an average of 3.64 miles per hour - Friday 3.85, Saturday 3.25 - for a total of 94 miles. Two hours resting and eating time, | + | |
- | seventeen hours slumber and three hours walking on Thursday night for at least nine miles. | + | |
- | In future if the camp is made at Nilsons Creek the first night (quite a | + | |
- | reasonable and simple matter) as it should have been, the hundred miler becomes much more feasible. | + | |
+ | 6.00 a m. Friday morning we stepped out of the hut and set sail for the Nattai, reaching there about 7.10 a m. After a slight delay we were away at a great rate of knots (4 m p.h.) until the Alum River hove in sight at 9 a m. Five minutes for chunder and we're off again. Martins Creek flitted past at 10.10 and we stepped across Shea's Creek at 12.20, had lunch, and were off by 1 p m. We were now following Mike Peryman' | ||
+ | staggered to the ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | (The leader says the party must walk faster.) After a couple of minutes break for a drink, we began to stalk towards Bimlow. Having side-stepped at least two of the Sergeant Major' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 6.00 Saturday morning, three pathetic, shivering figures hobbled across the icy Cox OH THE PAIN - and then turned themselves in the direction of Mecca and shuffled along the Cox to Commodore, where Mick and Freddy must poke around inside a tank. Over the Policeman to Kill's Hut and wonder of wonders Mike is only 1 hours ahead. With fresh incentive we repair our pace and reach the Kowmung at 9.40 a m. Mick and I are both thinking - if only Geoff was here. Kanangra River showed itself at 11.30 am, twenty minutes for chunder, and then off again, reaching Harry' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Walking time was 26 hours at an average of 3.64 miles per hour - Friday 3.85, Saturday 3.25 - for a total of 94 miles. Two hours resting and eating time, seventeen hours slumber and three hours walking on Thursday night for at least nine miles. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In future if the camp is made at Wilsons Creek the first night (quite a reasonable and simple matter) as it should have been, the hundred miler becomes much more feasible. | ||
+ | |||
+ | AND NOW FOR THE THREE PEAKS! | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== Here I Belong ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Bull Moose" - After a hard trip | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here I belong, where the bodgies grow\\ | ||
+ | In the city where there' | ||
+ | 'Neath these roofs I come and go\\ | ||
+ | Tiled gables and galvanised iron.\\ | ||
+ | Here I belong, relaxed and lying \\ | ||
+ | In steaming bath at nine P.M.\\ | ||
+ | Conscious of aching limbs and sighing \\ | ||
+ | "How can I go to the bush again?' | ||
+ | Lifting myself from the soapy flow\\ | ||
+ | My reflection sends all thoughts a ' | ||
+ | What's left of me is there on show, \\ | ||
+ | Bruised and torn - there' | ||
+ | A man can lie so close to dying.\\ | ||
+ | Like a person deranged, I count to ' | ||
+ | Stopping myself from loudly crying,\\ | ||
+ | "Why DO I return to the bush again?" | ||
- | AND NgT FCR THE THREE PEAKS: | ||
- | HERE I BELONG "Bull Moose" | ||
- | - After a hard trip | ||
- | Here I belong, where the bodgies grow | ||
- | In the city where there' | ||
- | 'Neath these roofs I come and go | ||
- | Tiled gables and galvanised iron. Here I belong, relaxed and lying In steaming bath at nine P.M. | ||
- | Conscious of aching limbs and sighing "How can I go t6 the bush again?' | ||
- | Lifting myself from the soapy flow | ||
- | My reflection sends all thoughts a' | ||
- | Like a person deranged, I count to 'ten, Stopping myself from loudly crying, "Why DO I return to the bush again?" | ||
- | 10. | ||
- | 11. | ||
- | PHOTOGRAPHY I 'I I ? | ||
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- | LEICA PBOTO SERVICE | ||
- | 31 Macquarie Place | ||
- | SYDNEY N.S.W. | ||
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- | Rollfilms | ||
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- | Leica films | ||
====== A Ballady Long Walk ====== | ====== A Ballady Long Walk ====== | ||
Line 270: | Line 215: | ||
Mike Peryman | Mike Peryman | ||
- | They planned a walk for Anzac Day and though it was a long, long way,\\ | + | They planned a walk for Anzac Day \\ |
- | An easy walk 'twas said at first, With plenty of water to quench your thirst.\\ | + | and though it was a long, long way,\\ |
- | There was big John with legs so long - He led a party of three strong;\\ | + | An easy walk 'twas said at first, |
- | The other two of lighter gait, And they were not the kind to wait\\ | + | With plenty of water to quench your thirst.\\ |
- | For those behind, whose lack of breath Brought them all nigh to point of death.\\ | + | There was big John with legs so long - \\ |
- | So Michael E. was to have fun, With Hobnail Fred, the other one.\\ | + | He led a party of three strong;\\ |
- | With gaudy six and windswept locks, They were to battle the mighty Cox,\\ | + | The other two of lighter gait, \\ |
- | Big John was for one hundred miles, He had to prove a point you see.\\ | + | And they were not the kind to wait\\ |
- | And also to disperse the smiles, Of those who scorn his artistry.\\ | + | For those behind, whose lack of breath |
- | 'Twas at Hilltop his start was made, No moon or stars to give him aid,\\ | + | Brought them all nigh to point of death.\\ |
- | But blundered in the misting rain, On Starlight' | + | So Michael E. was to have fun,\\ |
- | And yet before they came to harm, The night was spent at Coates' | + | With Hobnail Fred, the other one.\\ |
- | At first light they were then away, So keen they were to start the day\\ | + | With gaudy six and windswept locks,\\ |
- | Down to the Nattai and thence the ' | + | They were to battle the mighty Cox,\\ |
- | Of these three gallants you'll hear no more, From them themselves you'll learn the score.\\ | + | Big John was for one hundred miles, |
- | Instead of that I have a hunch Then read about another bunch, Another three there were to roam, They ne'er had been so far from home. | + | He had to prove a point you see\\ |
- | And as they wished to stay alive They only did their eighty-five. | + | And also to disperse the smiles, |
- | 'Twas not for them the moans and wails, | + | Of those who scorn his artistry.\\ |
- | For they, were only young Hobnails. | + | 'Twas at Hilltop his start was made, \\ |
- | Their sax were of a different hue, To some, it was of Mitchell Blue._ From Picton town they made their start With lightweight packs and lighter hearts, | + | No moon or stars to give him aid \\ |
- | Much dusty road they must traverse | + | But blundered in the misting rain,\\ |
- | Before you will be through this verse. | + | On Starlight' |
- | Many miles of road they were to see Without the favour of M.W.S.D.B. Along the ' | + | And yet before they came to harm, \\ |
- | Before them they could see but water | + | The night was spent at Coates' |
- | Where they were told it should not oughta be, 'cause there should be a road Which was now only fir for Toad. | + | At first light they were then away, \\ |
- | So over the top they took their load, | + | So keen they were to start the day\\ |
- | The distant mountains their only goad. They heard a noise - it was a jeep, | + | Down to the Nattai and thence the ' |
- | To the left they stalked so they could keep | + | But to cross at the junction was oh so silly.\\ |
- | On going, 'cause this was a hunt And they were well up in front. | + | Of these three gallants you'll hear no more, \\ |
- | Time drew on, but the slcy was clear, And Commodore' | + | From them themselves you'll learn the score.\\ |
- | And they also were left to ponder | + | Instead of that I have a hunch \\ |
- | Where it could be - this bend? the next? | + | Then read about another bunch,\\ |
- | At last it came their hopes were fixed. | + | Another three there were to roam, \\ |
- | Some food was there, they'd planned with care, Their muscles nagging, | + | They ne'er had been so far from home.\\ |
- | Their tongues a-lagging, With dusk a- creeping, Their brows a-weeping, | + | And as they wished to stay alive \\ |
- | They crossed those grassy hills, | + | They only did their eighty-five.\\ |
- | Over dry creek bed | + | 'Twas not for them the moans and wails,\\ |
- | Through grasses dead, | + | For they, were only young Hobnails.\\ |
- | All but outdone their wills. | + | Their sacks were of a different hue,\\ |
- | Atop the ridge, their breaths agasp, In gloom beneath they heard a rasp | + | To some, it was of Mitchell Blue.\\ |
- | Of waters over rocks. | + | From Picton town they made their start \\ |
- | At last, they thought, too tired to speak, "Those waters are the Cox" | + | With lightweight packs and lighter hearts,\\ |
- | And so fall into bed | + | Much dusty road they must traverse\\ |
- | Beside the river, a blessed shed | + | Before you will be through this verse.\\ |
- | Of sheet iron with a wooden door, | + | Many miles of road they were to see \\ |
- | And beddings three upon the floor. | + | Without the favour of M.W.S.D.B. |
- | At break of day they fled this hut, Refreshed in hope and vigour, but This dewy dawn and stinging nettle, Could not allure from them tbeir fettle. The river to themselves they had This time of day, and they were glad. No finer views they'd ever seen | + | Along the ' |
- | Than these along the rippling stream. They chalked their times in crayon red On stones along this river bed | + | With sweaty brows and seeded sox.\\ |
- | So those behind could see their time And say, "Why look, we're doing fine". Then up the Cox they met some folk Who thought it must be some big joke, "What do you mean? you cannot stay, Don't you know you've another day". So on they sped, they could not tarry, More food awaited at River Harry, No sight was greater to behold | + | Before them they could see but water\\ |
- | Than their delight at this untold Wealth of tins - fruit salad, cream - They almost thought it was a dream, | + | Where they were told it should not oughta be\\ |
- | And as they gourmandised themselves, Footsteps were heard, but not of elves. | + | 'cause there should be a road \\ |
- | Around the bend in ruddy blush Came the leader of the push. Well in fore was balding Fred, A flashing glow in sox of red. | + | Which was now only for for Toad.\\ |
- | Our shock was great at them to meet, Their one desire, "just two new feet" | + | So over the top they took their load,\\ |
- | And with some words their wounds to soften, "Oh: Do you come here often" | + | The distant mountains their only goad.\\ |
- | With greater speed, above mach 1, | + | They heard a noise - it was a jeep,\\ |
- | The Hobnails set off at a run, | + | To the left they stalked so they could keep\\ |
- | Their empty packs bounced on their backs, | + | On going, 'cause this was a hunt \\ |
- | They flew towards the six foot track, And so on up the track they went | + | And they were well up in front.\\ |
- | Although their breath was long since spent, And when it seemed they'd go no more, They had but reached the valley floor. While high above in sunset' | + | Time drew on, but the sky was clear, |
- | They saw the walls of Narrow Neck. | + | And Commodore' |
- | The setting sun had closed the day, | + | But the old Cox was apt to wander\\ |
- | But not before they found the way | + | And they also were left to ponder\\ |
- | 13. | + | Where it could be - this bend? the next?\\ |
- | Through fence and paddock to the road, Where they at last put down their load. Then with their torches blundered on, One day had never been so long, | + | At last it came their hopes were fixed.\\ |
- | A track had never been so steep, | + | Some food was there, |
- | This Devilish Hole their breaths did keep, Their time was going, oh so fast, | + | they'd planned with care,\\ |
- | And yet this day would not be past Until they reached the weary top | + | Their muscles nagging,\\ |
- | And there down on the tarseal did they flan. By starlight they could see | + | Their tongues a-lagging,\\ |
- | The forty-eighth hour would almost be - Ten minutes more, their time was through. But now to think of walks anew, | + | With dusk a- creeping, |
- | A lot of country they had passed, | + | Their brows a-weeping,\\ |
- | A walk:they planned - you might have guessed, "Now can you see those large three 'peaks, We'll be on those within five weeks. Now up you blokes, but just go slow For only one more mile to go. | + | They crossed those grassy hills,\\ |
- | I know a wondrous camping spot | + | Over dry creek bed\\ |
- | With bedding there and showers hot, And we'll await the other three, | + | Through grasses dead,\\ |
- | So keen to flake they' | + | All but outdone their wills.\\ |
- | But let us leave our tales of sorrow Until another day - tomorrow, | + | Atop the ridge, their breaths agasp,\\ |
+ | In gloom beneath they heard a rasp\\ | ||
+ | Of waters over rocks.\\ | ||
+ | At last, they thought, too tired to speak,\\ | ||
+ | "Those waters are the Cox".\\ | ||
+ | And so fall into bed\\ | ||
+ | Beside the river, a blessed shed\\ | ||
+ | Of sheet iron with a wooden door,\\ | ||
+ | And beddings three upon the floor.\\ | ||
+ | At break of day they fled this hut, \\ | ||
+ | Refreshed in hope and vigour,\\ | ||
+ | but This dewy dawn and stinging nettle, | ||
+ | Could not allure from them their fettle. | ||
+ | The river to themselves they had \\ | ||
+ | This time of day, and they were glad. \\ | ||
+ | No finer views they'd ever seen\\ | ||
+ | Than these along the rippling stream.\\ | ||
+ | They chalked their times in crayon red \\ | ||
+ | On stones along this river bed\\ | ||
+ | So those behind could see their time And say, \\ | ||
+ | "Why look, we're doing fine" | ||
+ | Then up the Cox they met some folk \\ | ||
+ | Who thought it must be some big joke, \\ | ||
+ | "What do you mean? you cannot stay, \\ | ||
+ | Don't you know you've another day" | ||
+ | So on they sped, they could not tarry, | ||
+ | More food awaited at River Harry, | ||
+ | No sight was greater to behold\\ | ||
+ | Than their delight at this untold Wealth | ||
+ | of tins - fruit salad, cream - \\ | ||
+ | They almost thought it was a dream,\\ | ||
+ | And as they gourmandised themselves, | ||
+ | Footsteps were heard, but not of elves. | ||
+ | Around the bend in ruddy blush \\ | ||
+ | Came the leader of the push. \\ | ||
+ | Well in fore was balding Fred, \\ | ||
+ | A flashing glow in sox of red.\\ | ||
+ | Our shock was great at them to meet,\\ | ||
+ | Their one desire, "just two new feet".\\ | ||
+ | And with some words their wounds to soften, | ||
+ | "Oh: Do you come here often" | ||
+ | We left them there with heavy heart \\ | ||
+ | To have been caught with such a start,\\ | ||
+ | With greater speed, above mach 1,\\ | ||
+ | The Hobnails set off at a run,\\ | ||
+ | Their empty packs bounced on their backs,\\ | ||
+ | They flew towards the six foot track, | ||
+ | And so on up the track they went\\ | ||
+ | Although their breath was long since spent, | ||
+ | And when it seemed they'd go no more, \\ | ||
+ | They had but reached the valley floor.\\ | ||
+ | While high above in sunset' | ||
+ | They saw the walls of Narrow Neck.\\ | ||
+ | The setting sun had closed the day,\\ | ||
+ | But not before they found the way\\ | ||
+ | Through fence and paddock to the road, \\ | ||
+ | Where they at last put down their load. \\ | ||
+ | Then with their torches blundered on, \\ | ||
+ | One day had never been so long,\\ | ||
+ | A track had never been so steep,\\ | ||
+ | This Devilish Hole their breaths did keep, \\ | ||
+ | Their time was going, oh so fast,\\ | ||
+ | And yet this day would not be past \\ | ||
+ | Until they reached the weary top\\ | ||
+ | And there down on the tarseal did they flop\\ | ||
+ | By starlight they could see\\ | ||
+ | The forty-eighth hour would almost be \\ | ||
+ | Ten minutes more, their time was through. | ||
+ | But now to think of walks anew,\\ | ||
+ | A lot of country they had passed,\\ | ||
+ | A walk they planned - you might have guessed, | ||
+ | "Now can you see those large three peaks, | ||
+ | We'll be on those within five weeks. | ||
+ | For only one more mile to go.\\ | ||
+ | I know a wondrous camping spot\\ | ||
+ | With bedding there and showers hot,\\ | ||
+ | And we'll await the other three,\\ | ||
+ | So keen to flake they' | ||
+ | Three tired walkers then trooped in,\\ | ||
+ | No need for them a " | ||
+ | But let us leave our tales of sorrow | ||
+ | Until another day - tomorrow, | ||
- | Watch for This Weekend | + | **Watch for This Weekend** |
- | Why not spend a weekend with wildflowers in our beautiful bushland, We have in store for you an interesting weekend and the fares will be the cheapest of the year. David Ingram will lead the party to base camp on Saturday to an area out from St. Ives. The stroll will be leisurely with time for afternoon tea. Your favourites, Yvonne Renwick and Edna Stretton, will lead in a campfire sing-song, Clarice Morris will be there to answer any question, whether genetic or biological. She will also deliver a short lecture on plant ecology (i e. the relationship of plant life with its environs). John Bookluch | + | Why not spend a weekend with wildflowers in our beautiful bushland, We have in store for you an interesting weekend and the fares will be the cheapest of the year. David Ingram will lead the party to base camp on Saturday to an area out from St. Ives. The stroll will be leisurely with time for afternoon tea. Your favourites, Yvonne Renwick and Edna Stretton, will lead in a campfire sing-song, Clarice Morris will be there to answer any question, whether genetic or biological. She will also deliver a short lecture on plant ecology (i e. the relationship of plant life with its environs). John Bookluck |
- | (c) Since I'm writing this ad. I can be long-winded. For photography-ti- | + | Since I'm writing this ad. I can be long-winded.For photography |
- | p2.) Camera (whether Box Brownie or Lieca). ) Close-up lenses - a NDST for wildflowers. A second | + | (1) Camera (whether Box Brownie or Lieca). |
- | Make sure you bring the Focusing Tables which should be supplied' | + | (2) Close-up lenses - a MUST for wildflowers. A second |
- | (3) Measuring tape | + | (3) Measuring tape\\ |
(4) Tripod, cable release and exposure meter (not absolutely essential). | (4) Tripod, cable release and exposure meter (not absolutely essential). | ||
- | TRAINS Saturday 12.51 p m. electric from Central to 7. 77mb1e. | + | |
- | Sunday 9.00 a m. | + | TRAINS Saturday 12.51 p m. electric from Central to Pymb1e. Sunday 9.00 a m. |
FARE 6/3 approximately includes bus fares. | FARE 6/3 approximately includes bus fares. | ||
- | 14. | + | |
- | 15. | + | |
====== Three Peaks ====== | ====== Three Peaks ====== | ||
Line 367: | Line 392: | ||
Geof Wagg. | Geof Wagg. | ||
- | If John or I or anyone had seen, in imagination, | + | If John or I or anyone had seen in imagination, |
- | We didn't notice it at first because moonlight means nothing in a city, nor yet on the journey up in the train where the excitement was deafening. There was Nick Elfick sitting with all the calm composure of a Jack-in-the-Box - Barry like a barrell | + | We didn't notice it at first because moonlight means nothing in a city, nor yet on the journey up in the train where the excitement was deafening. There was Mick Elfick sitting with all the calm composure of a Jack-in-the-Box - Barry like a barrel |
- Freddie a pacing feline - Mick Peryman' | - Freddie a pacing feline - Mick Peryman' | ||
- | But when we stood there on the Neck end saw the track, a blazing meteor trail before us, and the mountains around and beyond clear, sharp, but slightly dimmed like a memory, we realised at last the magnificence of this night. So we breathed it and walked into it and the walk began, born of our effort and baptized with our sweat. We talked of Esmarelda and Rear Admiral Byrde and were at Taro's Ladder in two hours. Across | + | But when we stood there on the Neck end saw the track, a blazing meteor trail before us, and the mountains around and beyond clear, sharp, but slightly dimmed like a memory, we realised at last the magnificence of this night. |
+ | |||
+ | So we breathed it and walked into it and the walk began, born of our effort and baptized with our sweat. We talked of Esmarelda and Rear Admiral Byrde and were at Taro's Ladder in two hours. Across | ||
With a certain confidence the party crossed the Glens of Guess to White Dog ridge and so down to the Cox. | With a certain confidence the party crossed the Glens of Guess to White Dog ridge and so down to the Cox. | ||
- | It was pleasant at ten to twelve as I lay in my bag in a leafy hollow beneath a bush to see the lights of the second group appearing on the skyline of White Dog. These ones hadn't waited at Katoomba while Snow and John bought food, so we who had caught a taxi to the Neck and as we got started without being seen, decided to arrange this surprise meeting on the Cox. John hailed them and the torches above waivered then as the fire flared and Johnny called again, it dawned on them that they had been tricked and the thin sound of faraway abuse drifted down to us on the still night air. Soon they arrived and recriminations were still in progress when I went to sleep. | ||
- | It's dark, a sightless hand gropes for the torch, finds it and withdraws. Inside the Sleeping | + | It was pleasant at ten to twelve as I lay in my bag in a leafy hollow beneath a bush to see the lights of the second group appearing on the skyline of White Dog. These ones hadn't waited at Katoomba while Snow and John bought food, so we who had caught a taxi to the Neck and as we got started without being seen, decided to arrange this surprise meeting on the Cox. John hailed them and the torches above wavered then as the fire flared and Johnny called again, it dawned on them that they had been tricked and the thin sound of faraway abuse drifted down to us on the still night air. Soon they arrived and recriminations were still in progress when I went to sleep. |
+ | |||
+ | It's dark, a sightless hand gropes for the torch, finds it and withdraws. Inside the sleeping | ||
" | " | ||
- | A handful of leaves | + | A handful of leaves |
- | it draws the formless shapes and bundles | + | it draws the formless shapes and bundles |
- | At almost six and barely light we started along the river, soaking our shoes with dew and stumbling over rocks. Somehow now we didn't feel like fire eating walkers and the cold damp morning air la in our hearts. We took to the climb of Marcott' | + | At almost six and barely light we started along the river, soaking our shoes with dew and stumbling over rocks. Somehow now we didn't feel like fire eating walkers and the cold damp morning air lay in our hearts. We took to the climb of Marcott' |
- | Slowly, as imperceptibly it seemed as the sunlight that moved to meet us, we climbed. Meanwhile below, along the valley of the Cox the dull grey Shadows | + | Slowly, as imperceptibly it seemed as the sunlight that moved to meet us, we climbed. Meanwhile below, along the valley of the Cox the dull grey shadows |
- | Now a change was upon us. No longer we raised our feet fainfully | + | Now a change was upon us. No longer we raised our feet painfully |
Gentle' | Gentle' | ||
Line 393: | Line 421: | ||
At the trig Mick conjured a tin of fruit salad out of the rock. It was ice cold (there had been frost at Dex Creek) and delicious. Within minutes almost everyone had arrived and was eating furiously. The Famous Higgins with the air of a connoisseur selected items from a bewildering array of food; John, his stomach pains gone, ate in customary manner, tearing the loaf with his teeth. Freddie dined delicately from a tin of baby food. | At the trig Mick conjured a tin of fruit salad out of the rock. It was ice cold (there had been frost at Dex Creek) and delicious. Within minutes almost everyone had arrived and was eating furiously. The Famous Higgins with the air of a connoisseur selected items from a bewildering array of food; John, his stomach pains gone, ate in customary manner, tearing the loaf with his teeth. Freddie dined delicately from a tin of baby food. | ||
- | Here two of the bods decided to make a more sedate return to Katoomba via Mbrilla | + | Here two of the bods decided to make a more sedate return to Katoomba via Morilla. |
- | We crossed Rumble, sidled Roar and nicked up the ridge at once. Mhruba | + | |
- | The creek bank was a haven of shaded green grass and the iced water | + | Thunder Buttress sounds impressive and it is. A high ridge that dips and twists towards the outlying plateau of Maruba-Karoo then drops like a roll of thunder to Kanangra Creek. |
- | tasted sweet to our dusty throats. Here we had first lunch with a might brew-up | + | |
- | of Cocoa. At 11.30 we were pulling out again, Mike Peryman electing to make a detour round the foot of the mountain to pick up his tea dump (and incidentally, | + | We crossed Rumble, sidled Roar and nicked up the ridge at once. Maruba |
- | Without going downstream to the main spur we cut into the climb of | + | |
- | Paraliser | + | The creek bank was a haven of shaded green grass and the iced water tasted sweet to our dusty throats. Here we had first lunch with a might brew-up of Cocoa. At 11.30 we were pulling out again, Mike Peryman electing to make a detour round the foot of the mountain to pick up his tea dump (and incidentally, |
+ | |||
+ | Without going downstream to the main spur we cut into the climb of Paralyser | ||
+ | |||
+ | Around the little cairn we loafed until a quarter past, basking in the sun and eating, then roused at last by Manning " | ||
- | we found the steeps still breath-taking but so much better than expected. The glorious, golden midday views trapped our eyes and lent greater pleasure to the effort. Paraliser summit - 12.50. | + | This last descent had found the chinks in our armour. Blisters appeared and knees began to creak. While we made repairs the deep, green gloom of afternoon spread along the narrow, |
- | Around the little cairn we loafed until a quarter past, basking in the | + | |
- | sun and eating, then roused at last by Manning " | + | |
- | followed his lead on to Paraliser North Buttress. If the South Buttress is steel, | + | |
- | this North Buttress is precipitous. For a while there was some dissention as to whether we were on a ridge at all. Mick would call down, "A bit more to the right I think John" and Famous Higgins on the other flank would counter with, | + | |
- | "A bit this may isn't it?". But Manning John kept his own council and, as usual, was 100% correct. After its first plumnntting plunge the ridge steadied for a | + | |
- | while to a respectable grade and we tail-enders came up with the others at the | + | |
- | point where it finally flung away pretentions and went headlong for the depths. | + | |
- | We took the tree-studdedprecipaus that led towards Guouogang' | + | |
- | trusting to luck and Manning' | + | |
- | F.H.) sitting naked for three minutes waste-deep in the icy waters of Kanangra | + | |
- | River. The sensation, he Informed us, was truly alpinic. | + | |
- | This last descent had found the chinks in our armour. Blisters | + | |
- | appeared and knees began to creak. While we made repairs the deep, green gloom of afternoon spread along the narrow, | + | |
- | improbable distance above them, then the rest of Mick Peryman materialised. | + | |
Salutations were exchanged but Snow's first words betrayed his sentiments. "Did you find my tea?" Mick's smile faded back into the gloom and Snow's jaw dropped. "Who taught you to hide food?" he demanded. "It must have been a bunny rabbit" | Salutations were exchanged but Snow's first words betrayed his sentiments. "Did you find my tea?" Mick's smile faded back into the gloom and Snow's jaw dropped. "Who taught you to hide food?" he demanded. "It must have been a bunny rabbit" | ||
- | Snow brightened up When the food was produced and explained that he didn't want any boy scouts to find it. | + | Snow brightened up when the food was produced and explained that he didn't want any boy scouts to find it. |
- | " | + | " |
- | Psychologically I'd been prepared for an hour-long rest here. I already | + | |
- | had the feeling that I'd done a good day's walk and was quite nrenared | + | Psychologically I'd been prepared for an hour-long rest here. I already had the feeling that I'd done a good day's walk and was quite prepared |
- | down for a couple of hours, leisurely cook and eat, then possibly choof a few | + | |
- | hundred feet up the ridge for the night. Manning, Elfick, Freddy | + | By 3.30 we'd eaten everything we felt we reasonably could and began to pick our way between the nettles to the foot of the ridge. The last big climb we told each other, forgetting for the moment all about the climb back to Katoomba. One thing was certain, it was the last climb for the day - our day. She had been beautiful and kept her beauty even now as her life drew to its close. The great white moon already well clear of the earth foretold her end and we toiled upwards on the twisting, spiney ridge that lay like the scaly tail of a dragon, who slept while we St. Georges took him in the rear. |
- | bllows | + | |
- | Snow and I, trying to make the best of two worlds, ate my tea on the river and his on the top. Mike Peryman and Dough Doughnut, who were also doing a soot of cooking, waited too. | + | We mounted rocks and climbed successive bumps, we saw the twilight dim in Davies Canyon and caught the grey-white glint of water falling in Whalania Abyss. Just at the ridge head we crossed a perpendicular gully of unbelievable green, then up a bump and up a hump and up and up and up - Lord we were tired- but at last flat ground and sally scrub - the top. |
- | By 3.30 we'd eaten everything we felt we reasonably could and began to pick our way between the nettles to the foot of the ridge. The last big climb we told each other, forgetting for the moment all about the climb back to Katoomba. | + | |
- | One thing was certain, it was the last climb for the day - our day. She had been beautiful and kept her beauty even now as her life drew to its close. The great | ||
- | white moon already well clear of the earth foretold her end and we toiled upwards | ||
- | on the twisting, spiney ridge that lay like the scaley tail of a dragdn, who slept while we St. Georges took him in the rear. | ||
- | We mounted rocks and climbed successive bumps, we saw the dwlight dim in Davies flanyon and caught the grey-white glint of water falling in Whalania Abyss. Just at the ridge head we crossed a perpendicular gully of unbelievable green, then up a bump and up a hump and up and up and up - Lord we were tired- but at last flat ground and sally scrub - the top. | ||
All at once we realised our day was very old. The last warm flush had drained from her soft cheeks and left a pallor there; then as we watched she died. A tiny cool breeze brought us her last kiss. | All at once we realised our day was very old. The last warm flush had drained from her soft cheeks and left a pallor there; then as we watched she died. A tiny cool breeze brought us her last kiss. | ||
- | We called, and the answer gave us our direction through the maze of | + | |
- | charred sally sticks to find the others settled by the trig - eating. A little fire flared fitfully in the now gusty mind lighting flighty | + | We called, and the answer gave us our direction through the maze of charred sally sticks to find the others settled by the trig eating. A little fire flared fitfully in the now gusty mind lighting flighty |
- | But heavens - even while we watched the moon like a great cold coin gleaming in a pool, ripples of disturbance passed across the face. Drifting fingers of mist, clinging, clawing at the face of the moon, drawing up from the east the damp, beady blanket hiding the stars. Lower and lover it sank, driven by the wind and moving within itself, teeming, like a pestilence, till it enveloped us. Just like that it happened, all within three minutes, while we watched. | + | |
+ | But heavens - even while we watched the moon like a great cold coin gleaming in a pool, ripples of disturbance passed across the face. Drifting fingers of mist, clinging, clawing at the face of the moon, drawing up from the east the damp, beady blanket hiding the stars. Lower and lover it sank, driven by the wind and moving within itself, teeming, like a pestilence, till it enveloped us. Just like that it happened, all within three minutes, while we watched. | ||
What held now we wanted to know. It might rain in five minutes or during the night, or the next morning could find our route swarthed in mist. Snow was consulted because he lived at Katoomba and should be an expert. " | What held now we wanted to know. It might rain in five minutes or during the night, or the next morning could find our route swarthed in mist. Snow was consulted because he lived at Katoomba and should be an expert. " | ||
- | Thus assured, we settled dawn for the night, most around the trig scattered wherever they could fit between the rocks, but snow and I sought shelter in the treeline just below the summit. | ||
- | Well it didn't rain and it didn't clear away, it just stayed misty and when at last after a long, long night the waning moon showed redly in the west, we decided we'd had enough of sleep so Snow got up and lit a fire by which we warmed ourselves under the pretence of drying our fleabags. The sky above the mist made luminous by the moonlight shoved darkly through, still bright with stars, Pnd | ||
- | cheered our hearts with signs of clearing. | ||
- | Next came breakfast, a miserable affair with just on half a cup of water each, but even before we'd finished we heard a cry from higher up... "Wake up waggn" signed with F.H.'s megaphone voice. In hast we crammed away the rest of breakfast and hustled up to the trig, arriving just as the Famous One gave tongue once more. We were amazed to find him and indeed all the others still at the angle of repose because - well their couch must have been even less comfortable than ours. | + | Thus assured, we settled dawn for the night, most around the trig scattered wherever they could fit between the rocks, but snow and I sought shelter in the treeline just below the summit. Well it didn't rain and it didn't clear away, it just stayed misty and when at last after a long, long night the waning moon showed redly in the west, we decided we'd had enough of sleep so Snow got up and lit a fire by which we warmed ourselves under the pretence of drying our fleabags. The sky above the mist made luminous by the moonlight shoved darkly through, still bright with stars, and cheered our hearts with signs of clearing. |
+ | |||
+ | Next came breakfast, a miserable affair with just on half a cup of water each, but even before we'd finished we heard a cry from higher up... "Wake up Wagg" signed with F.H.'s megaphone voice. In hast we crammed away the rest of breakfast and hustled up to the trig, arriving just as the Famous One gave tongue once more. We were amazed to find him and indeed all the others still at the angle of repose because - well their couch must have been even less comfortable than ours. | ||
While they ate their tins of ice cold fruit and milk; the mist about us cleared and all around below us swelled the cloud sea, cold and grey in pre-dawn light, filling the river valleys and turning the peaks to islands and peninsulas. Later as we left the sun broke from the horizon cloud and turned the stuff below to fairy floss. | While they ate their tins of ice cold fruit and milk; the mist about us cleared and all around below us swelled the cloud sea, cold and grey in pre-dawn light, filling the river valleys and turning the peaks to islands and peninsulas. Later as we left the sun broke from the horizon cloud and turned the stuff below to fairy floss. | ||
- | 18. | + | |
- | The ridge over Queahgong to Jenolan was strangely free of mountain holly. Only a tiny green sprig here and there gave a promise for future walks. At 7.30 we rested on Jenolan while Micheal | + | The ridge over Queahgong to Jenolan was strangely free of mountain holly. Only a tiny green sprig here and there gave a promise for future walks. At 7.30 we rested on Jenolan while Michael |
- | and the party was in tremendous | + | |
- | Breakfast Creek at 9.30, set about a mammoth brew-up and gorging festival. tin of cocoa was found lying on the grass like a gift from heaven, more tins of fruit and chocolates were unearthed from hiding places round abcub, | + | |
- | cocoa cooks. The Famous Higgins performing with the finesse of a traine: | + | |
- | demonstrated the advantage of thick woollen gloves when manipulating | + | |
- | he didn't spill much.) By eleven there was silence except for an occasional burp, | + | |
- | and Manning John staggered to his feet to declare " | + | |
- | through the trip and F.H. was cooking a final billy of porridge. 11.30 IAT, on our feet and moving - staggering a little, mind - but moving | + | |
- | direction of KatooMba. | + | |
The remainder of the trip? Anyone who's been that way could write. The fact is we'd eaten too much and there seemed no doubt that we'd make Katoomba in good time so we dragged our feet a bit. We made some pretence of pace along Breakfast Creek, but the climb out was an effort and the Carlon' | The remainder of the trip? Anyone who's been that way could write. The fact is we'd eaten too much and there seemed no doubt that we'd make Katoomba in good time so we dragged our feet a bit. We made some pretence of pace along Breakfast Creek, but the climb out was an effort and the Carlon' | ||
- | even worse. I'm not speaking for everyone, of course. Freddy | + | even worse. I'm not speaking for everyone, of course. Freddy |
- | ourselves up for the last lap. Walking all in orderly file we got as far as the main Neck track, then Dough Doughnut, who'd done the whole trip at a stroll, gave us all a shock by taking off at full gallop. Manning John stood the slow pace only a few minutes more, then he too forged ahead and soon disappeared. Both Nicks were now wearing socks over their sandshoes in an effort to hold them together and this tended to give the party quite an invalid flavour which we others made the most of by dawdling. There was another stop at Corral | + | ourselves up for the last lap. Walking all in orderly file we got as far as the main Neck track, then Dough Doughnut, who'd done the whole trip at a stroll, gave us all a shock by taking off at full gallop. Manning John stood the slow pace only a few minutes more, then he too forged ahead and soon disappeared. Both Micks were now wearing socks over their sandshoes in an effort to hold them together and this tended to give the party quite an invalid flavour which we others made the most of by dawdling. There was another stop at Corral |
- | coolish so we didn't linger. At Diamond Spray we came across five lumps of sugar | + | |
- | (one each) set in a neat row across the track. "Sugar for energy," | + | |
- | and the pace increased a fraction. Then best of all, just before the first quarry we saw our two speedsters and the Dace increased a whole lot. They' | + | |
Mighty bods and a mighty trip. | Mighty bods and a mighty trip. | ||
- | SCEETHING | + | **SOMETHING |
+ | |||
+ | Keep your ears tuned for details of the walking trial to be held on second weekend in September. A stack of fun and excitement for every member ofthe Club. | ||
- | Keep your ears tuned for details of the walking trial to be held on | ||
- | second weekend in September. A stack of fun and excitement for every member of | ||
- | the Club. | ||
- | 19. | ||
====== Letter to the Editor ====== | ====== Letter to the Editor ====== | ||
+ | Dear Sir, | ||
- | Dear Sir, | + | To quote the opening sentence of your July Editorial |
- | To quote the opening sentence of your July Editorial | + | |
- | "This tiger country stuff for prospective members is all very well, I sunnose, but in my opinion, it is often overdone" | + | Most applicants for prospective membership have, during the past year, have done so in search of congenial companionship, |
- | Most applicants for prospective membership have, during the Past veRre, | + | |
- | done so ih search of congenial companionship, | + | These people come to us to learn to walk and camp. It has become recognised of late, that it is the job of executive members, in particular, and club members generally, to ensure that they are afforded every assistance and encouragement. There are some prospective members who take to "tiger walks" like ducks to water, (there are several on the current list) but the majority of them need their initial six months to equip themselves with the " |
- | to enjoy the out-of-doors, | + | |
- | one of the various groups which go to make up the total Club membership. | + | |
- | These people come to us to learn to walk and camp. It has become recognised of late, that it is the job of executive members, in particular, and club: members generally, to ensure that they are afforded every assistance and encouragement. There are some prospective members who take to "tiger walks" like ducks to water, (there are several on the current list) but the majority of them need their initial six months to equip themselves with the " | + | |
fairly keen prospectives who, during the past twelve months, have become discouraged through being subjected to "some genuine suffering" | fairly keen prospectives who, during the past twelve months, have become discouraged through being subjected to "some genuine suffering" | ||
- | Consider the good training for walks to Kanangra and back offered by the " | + | |
- | but they usually wish to get out again by 8 p m. on Sunday night. | + | Consider the good training for walks to Kanangra and back offered by the " |
- | If certain prospective members wish "to suffer" | + | |
- | sometimes loss of working time on unsuspecting prospectives? | + | If certain prospective members wish "to suffer" |
too many eligible members during their prospective membership over a period of years through indifference to their welfare. | too many eligible members during their prospective membership over a period of years through indifference to their welfare. | ||
- | However, the new order seems to be well established now, whereby | + | |
- | prospective members are assisted and encouraged by the Hon. Membership Secretary and her active and not so active assistants. The fact that there is normally at least one new member welcomed at each monthly meeting augers well for the Club's future. | + | However, the new order seems to be well established now, whereby prospective members are assisted and encouraged by the Hon. Membership Secretary and her active and not so active assistants. The fact that there is normally at least one new member welcomed at each monthly meeting augers well for the Club's future. |
- | One last point, "me members who aren't particularly gifted with a flow of conversation", | + | |
- | Thank you, Mr. Editor, | + | One last point, "we members who aren't particularly gifted with a flow of conversation", |
- | attention to the forthcoming Prospectives' | + | |
- | Yours faithfully, | + | Thank you, Mr. Editor, |
+ | |||
+ | Yours faithfully,\\ | ||
David Ingram. | David Ingram. | ||
Line 498: | Line 501: | ||
+ | On my last day in Interlaken I decided to do the three passes tour whilst the weather held. The passes had only just been opened for the Summer and in some places they had only cleared for one way traffic through walls of snow. However when vehicles meet head-on, only the bus passengers panicked and the drivers seemed to know who should reverse to a safe place. There had been recent snow and the glaciers and mountain tops were wonderful - Sassen, Furks and Gletsch. I will never cease to marvel at the way the Swiss maintain their roads. In many places the roads are built up over space and the tunnels and bridges have to be seen to be believed. | ||
- | On my last day in Interlaken I decided to do the three nasses tour whilst the weather held. The passes had only just been opened for the Summer | + | Brig has lived up to all my expectations. The first morning seemed hopeful so in company with a German lady I set off for Zermatt and Gornergret. It was a grand trip with lots of field flowers and then alpine flowers |
- | and in some places they had only cleared for one way traffic through walls of snow. However when vehicles meet head-on, only the bus passengers nRnicked And the drivers seemed to know who Should reverse to a safe nlace. There had been recent' | + | |
- | Brig has lived up to all my expectations. The first morning seemed hopeful so in company with a German lady I set off for Zermatt and Gornergret. | + | Yesterday I took the postal bus to Simplon Pass. It was a doubtful day but I had quite good views of the surrounding peaks and went un to the large eagle which was built by the Swiss Army during the war. This is the Italian border and the eagle has his eyes towards Italy: I walked down for some miles and thoroughly |
- | It was a grand trip with lots of field flowers and then alpine flowers | + | enjoyed it. Talked to a car-load of English folk - the second lot I have met who shipped their cars to Italy and were driving across the continent home. However, they all seem to have a short time and stick to the main highways so that they miss a tremendous lot of interesting places. |
- | usual in this country, rushing streams and waterfalls in all directions. Zermatt is a tourist village on a plateau and from here you get wonderful glimpses of the Matterhorn. There are no cars in Zermatt - you travel by a cog railway - and the so-called taxis are horse drawn carriages. The principal hotel still has an enclosed mid-Victorian type carriage with steps un the back and glass walls and | + | |
- | a porter stands on the back steps. It is drawn by two horses, and has to be seen to be believed. There are tunnels, but you go most of the way U10 Gornergaat in the open and the views are glorious. It was a nerfect | + | Today I went to Mberel and took the zeilbahn to Riedernln which is a little tiny village at 6,392 feet and apparently |
- | Yesterday I took the postal bus to Simplon Pass. It was a doubtful day but I had quite good views of the surrounding peaks and went un to the large eagle which was built by the Swiss Army during the war. This is the Italian border and the eagle has his eyes towards Italy: I walked down for some miles And thoroughly | + | is most intriguing however. What I had thought from above to be broad river flats over the way turned out to be a plateau about 2,000 feet up: From Riederalp I had a lovely walk through the Aletsch Natural Park flora and fauna reserve. Had good views of the Lletsch glacier, said to be the largest ice-sea in Europe. I strolled through pine woods with snow drifts here and there and tiny tarns and always lovely flowers - buttercups, violas, gentions, mauve and white snow bells (these are lovely little fringed bells) mountain roses and lots of others. Most of the mountain tops are hidden in clouds and it was not good weather for photography, |
- | enjoyed it. Talked to a car-load of English folk - the second lot I have met whO shipped their cars to Italy and were driving across the continent home. However, they all seem to have a Short time and stick to the main highways so that they miss a tremendous lot of interesting places. | + | |
- | Today I went to Mberel and took the zeilbahn to Riedernln which is a little tiny village at 6,392 feet and apparently | + | |
- | is most intriguing however. What I had thought from above to be broad river | + | |
- | flats over the way turned out to be a plateau about 2,000 feet up: From Riederalp I had a lovely walk through the Aletsch Natural Park flora and fauna reserve. Had | + | |
- | good views of the Lletsch glacier, said to be the largest ice-sea in Eurone. I strolled through pine woods with snow drifts here and there and tiny tarns and | + | |
- | always lovely flowers - buttercups, violas, gentions, mauve and white snow bells | + | |
- | (these are lovely little fringed bells) mountain roses and lots of others. Most | + | |
- | of the mountain tops are hidden in clouds and it was not good weather for photography, | + | |
- | 44. | + | |
- | -lirviss, | + | |
- | Are, itok, aelom | + | |
- | _44 | + | |
- | 1,11i Eig | + | |
- | / | + | |
- | orsisamtvi, | + | |
- | ior : | + | |
====== The Humble Tent Peg ====== | ====== The Humble Tent Peg ====== | ||
It isn't often that Paddy is moved to publish the unsolicited testimonial type of letter but | It isn't often that Paddy is moved to publish the unsolicited testimonial type of letter but | ||
- | here is portion of one he received that was simply signed - "Newly Weds" | + | here is portion of one he received that was simply signed - "Newly Weds".\\ |
- | Dear. 11k.. Pallin, | + | Dear. Mr Pallin,\\ |
- | We have just undertaken that expensive operation of setting up house and would like to express our gratitude at the economy and the quality of what is possibly the most useful | + | We have just undertaken that expensive operation of setting up house and would like to express our gratitude at the economy and the quality of what is possibly the most useful article you produce - the tent peg. In the kitchen, not only as a skewer and cake tester, but when we have guests they look |
- | article you produce - the tent peg. | + | most attractive holding our kebabs. As well as this, Ethel finds them very useful for a stitch holder. |
- | In the kitchen, not only as a skewer and | + | |
- | cake tester, but when we have guests they look | + | Paddy mould like to point out that they will also keep a tent firm in any weather as though they had been made for the job, and to mention that he has innumerable other little items for the walking bod of equal quality & adaptability. |
- | most attractive holding our kabobs. As well | + | |
- | as this, Ethel finds them very useful for a | + | PADDY PALLIN |
- | stitch holder. | + | |
- | Paddy mould like to point out that they mill | + | |
- | also keep a tent firm in any weather as though they had been made for the job, and to mention that he has innumerable other little | + | |
- | Pit" | + | |
- | -114*- arez | + | |
- | PADDY PAWN | + | |
Lightweight Camp Gear | Lightweight Camp Gear | ||
201 CASTLE REACH St SYDNEY | 201 CASTLE REACH St SYDNEY | ||
195808.1458797432.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/03/24 16:30 by kennettj