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THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the SydneyBushwalker, The N S W. Nurses' Association Rooms “Northcote Building ” -Reiby Place, Sydney.. Box No. 24/4,76 G.P.O. Sydney. 338 FEBRUAIT 1963 Price 1/- '1EcIttor: Stuart Brooks. Reproduction: Denise Hull 5 Ingalara Rd.Wahroonga. Sales &Subs: Lola Wedlock 484343 Business Manager: Brian Harvey. Typed. by Shirley Dean CONTENTS. Page Editorial 1 At Our January Meeting A.Colley 0 Day Walks 5 Letter to the Editor 6 At Our Christmas Party K. McKay 7 The Conquering of the Kowmung- SeBrooks 8 Rby's Ad and Batswell's Ad 11 Paddy's Ad. 13 Who Killed the Gourmets and the Epicyclic Walker. - Eff See Niktr 14 The Tin Carpe Trip - Part II. A. KenwaY 17 Federation Report - December 1962. 20 000.1400 Hi, A balmy sunny afternoon by the seaside is hardly conducive to the writing of fiery editorials, but as I can't change the locale without a domestic crisis and have no control over the elements there is little that can be done in this direction, which, no doubt, is a great pity. Bawley Point, which. the Brooks family is presently gracing, is not a place one would exchange precipitately just for the purpose of an editorial with some purpose. 160 odd miles from Sydney, one leaves the Prices Highway at.Termeil and trawls 4 miles coastwards to the said B.P. 2. The Sydney Bushwalkar February 1963 The area is largely undeveloped and 6ne can 'camp in relative solitude amidst natural timber within a stones thro'wlg'you're a Neil Harveirof a Safe surfing-beach-and its attendant lagoon - a-lovely-spot and mc,re Orticuiarly so if 'you ha'te dn up and-cominl-generation of hature lovers -6o cater-for. There is no fresh iater occurririg naturally on this section of the soUth coastr'but 2 miles si-;uth of B.P. on the bush road to Kiola, we have discovei;ed 'an old farm, deserted, but with tanks intact which saves carting water from Uladulla. Befor'e dragging the 8):ihi1y off southwards, I had the extreme pleasure of being conducte6 on a tour of the Mor-Ong Deep by two experienced Lemmungers -my initiation to this awe-inspiring-area - and unless my zeal evaporates, or the Tish start to bite a bit better, my impressions will be recorded - elsewhere in this issue (this is perhaps the only advnntage of being Editor). . . Half-may through the Plbrong Deep, over a cup of heroic coffee one evening, the expeienced-Ebmmunger (female) and I leant ratter heavily on th6-expeiliencerK6A-munger (male) and such Was the trength of either the' terrdc c-offee or our persuasion that he promised to record his impressions of the trip also. ' In my p-i4esent detdched geographical situatin I haVe no way of checking up on whether this exorbitant pi“nmise-is being honoured, hut if it' is, it will be mbrth the tiffie and effort61-rea-ding, ag Pie hi:is the liternry'ability and integrity (rdther lacking in youk's-ti”uly) to record his' impressions with insight and accuracy. His pdrtiCular Choice of-pseudrinym-for-the oftasion is likewise a coffiplete mystery to me so I am-afraid you are going to be left in that glorious'state of incertitude for which bushwalking has undoubtedly trained you well. We trust the January editorial' seeds fell on fertile ground and you th e finanCial quest16ns there raised yotr 1-Individed mental concentration, so that you can approach the A.G.M. with your thoughts clearly marshalled. March will bring its own gloomy problems which -all require ynur undivided attention, the human sacrifice on the editorial altar being not the least. STOP PRESS. My triumphant return to the metropolis ,(and the cJuntless cnres of contented customers) was somewhat chastened by ti h.) chillin, news that my ex erienced friend had not come good with his version. Rabhex had he seen fit to present c what was a thinly-disguised (and unwarranted) attack upon m3;-so1f (or perhaps I'm becoming unduly sensitive). Things being what they are, ,Ind honouring a policy of impartiality regardless of cost (as my friend would say “zrace under pressure”), the article is included in this issue, intact, but with all its vertiginous 'verisimilitude. February, -19 63 - . The Sydney Bushwalker 3 AT OUR JANUARY MEETING. Alex Colley. It was nearly 9 p m. when the President, with hardly time to draw breath after the Committee meeting, which had to be held on the same evening, summoned us to the General Meeting. It was not surprising, in view of the pressure of business, that the meeting commenced somewhat irregularly with a dong on the Assistant Secretary instead of the gong, and the admission of two members with defective Constitutions. The members were Margaret McLeod and John Holly, 'and the trouble with their Constitutions was that they were out of dPte, a matter which would be rectified by the Secretary. In correspondence was a letter from Brian Harvey informing us that the recent registration of the magazine as a periodicial meant a small saving in postage due to bulk rates. Denise Hull pointed out that this incurred more work in posting the magazines, which would only be worthwhile if the Club as a whole benefited. Maly Rodgers told us that many famous Characters had attended the Christmas party, including Dr. Barbara Mbore, Sir Lancelot, Samson and Delilah and Julius Caesar, It had been both a social and financial success, netting el.3.3 profit. This was mainly because John Holly had donated a cake and provided the other supper items at cost, While Molly and Bill Rodgers, John Holly, Edna Stretton and Jack Gentle had prepared the supper. The meeting voted its thanks for their work. The reunion site was chosen Woods Creek again, with Burning Palms as an alternative for flood weather, Bill Burke, Edna. Stretton, Dick Childs, Jack Gentle, Helen and George Gray and David Brown were chosen as the Reunion Committee, In view of the lack of test walks on the programme for the next two months, it was announced that Committee had decided to extend the prospective membership period of all prospectives by two months. Heather Joyce then gave us a description of the search for the Scouts stranded on a ledge at iirethusa Canyon. One hundred and twenty Bushwalkers had assembled at 5.30 a m, on the S'turday and had searched the upper Grose area. _There was close and successful co-operation with the polico. Because of the'need to verify reports, and the lack of wireless sets, it hRd not been possible to recall all searchers immediately the lost boys were found. 4. The Sydney BushwaIker February; 1963 -Frank Ashdown told us that, as he would be away, he w'Auld not be able to look -afters Club equil5ment for a couple of months, and Roy Crasgs volunteered to co the job during this time. - The P-resident tOld us that it was tithe to start thinking nf office bearers' for next year. One offic6 that would need rifling was that of Secretary, because David Ingrain would be away for some time in the U.S. In his Nnks Report, WiIf Hi1d e tol:. us that the Christmas had been a very active one for both official and privnte tr*s. On Nov.30 arid De 6 1 Bill Burke'and Ron KhiL;htlay 111.(f. 15 strturs-on their walk from Lnng Point Lookout to Kiri i7 Piii,'Shoalhaven River, Bunronia :Inf.'. back via Barber's Creek. It was' veryhot; but the swi=inr: as good, sipecially in Barber's Wilf's'ownwrilk on 7–9 Dec, was not ie(11 as plA'nhed because of floods on'the Kommung, but 'a walk including Che,ron Canyon, - Dungalla Fails anC1 MOrong Fa116 was complaed by-the perty of 6. Bun('Ir,zu tig. had been carried out in this area, as nearly everywhei4e else, and two-ugly - sears have been gouged down the mountainside to the Knwmung River near Tuglow Hole. Oh the same weekend Frank Leyden led a'walk down Misery Ridge to Werong Creek for' hepurpose' of -putting in a food dumli6 Frank's 7arty too had-difficuIty crossing the iver. The Sunday walk for that weekend was Ramon U'Briehls Sutherland.Wiorohor-Engadine trip. It wad a bit of a scramble through the thick undextrowth upstream between'IffnsqUito camp and Heathcdte Rd. Four ffiembers;'2 prospectiVes and 1 visitor were'on the walk. As there were no start-Ors for the Club track clearing weekend on Dec. 14,16, Nilf dssisteethe Kameruka and YMCA Hobnails clo tc5 clear Pear-beg:Pass,' previously wrongly called Pgige'6 Pass,“and aIso-known as nungerford's track. One section of the trail took about 4 h6urs to locte,under some 3 ft. of lawyer vine. Judging by-the-thousands of blazed trees in the area the trail must get a heavy volume of traffic, 'There were several trips over th-e Christmas -J,erid. 'Frank Leyden”with a party of 4, 'did an li day Kowmung trip, startin frnm,Boss Mountain on the new fire r6ad and returning from Laiinigan's'Creek. The 'river was high and swimming cold and difficult. Some of tne'ponls had to be sidled. Colin Ferguson received a nasty cut on the leg towards the ena of the tMp, but managed to ge't out without help, though he was unable to get to wntic the next week. Roy Cragg went fishing on the Upper Turnn and Snow Brown lecl a paIrty of 4 to the Pilot, Wombat Flt, Cascade Falls, the Indi RiVer and bear P H6rse Gap, John Scott, Bill C.6s,rnve ;In]iile Colley wgndered to and fro for some days in thb mists which covered the up-2,3i. reaches of the Badja River, then headed across the upper Shnalhaven and down the Deua Uo Araluen. 'Inch or th76 country iS not-buIldozed yet. Alf lodfi 11 day trip in the Cnln country. The party covered the whole of the' Colo in 5-72 days, encl. also February, 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker 5 included Urater6r. They tried to retuihn to the Colo via Ruhnialg Stream Creek, which, however, disappeared into an unscaleable canyon At the close of the meeting (nearly 10.30 pm) Wilf told us that new maps of St. Albans ad KUrin-gai were available and Jennlan sheets would be available in 2 or 3 months time. Dia* WALKS. ITARY 17 Don't overlook the day walk to the SINITZMIG CARNIVAL. Details in last month's magazine. FEBRUARY 24 Waterfall Uloola Falls - Karloo Pool - HePthcote.8 miles A pleasant stroll through the south-western -portion of National Park. Uloola Falls are particularly good after rain. Recommended for new prospective members. Train: 8.50 a m. Cronulla train from Central Electric Station. CHANGE LT SUTHERLIND for rail motor to Waterfall. Tickets: Waterfall return @ 6/- Yap: Port Hacking Tourist. Leader: Dick Child. In“ MARCH 3. MARCH 10 Helensburgh Wilson's Creek - Bola Heights - Burning Palms - Lilyvale. 12 miles. Good test walk material,this, particularly if the weather is hot. Bola Heights could be scratchy and gaiters are recommended. Train; 8.42 a m. Wollongong train from Central Steam Station to Helensburgh. Tickets: Lilyvale return @ 7/7. Map: Port Hacking Tourist. Leader:- Jack Gentle. Otford - Burning Palms - Cane. Some lovely forest country in the Garrawarra Primitive Area. 8 miles. Usually good surfing at “The Palms”. Train: 8.42 a m. Wollongong train from Central Steam Station to Otford. Tickets: Otford return g 8/- plus 2/6 bus fare Garie-Wtterfall. Nap: Port Hacking Tourist. Leader: Margaret Wilson. 6 The Sydney Bushwalker Febvuary 1963

……….M.,..410.1M.M.10. Letter to the Editor; From an Interested Non-Active Member. '“Is the magazine-going doWnhill?” oi ask, perhaps rhetorically, in your -January editorial. Certginly not, if volume is any measure of editorial affluence, as the more or less traditional eighteen pages is being maintained and sometimes even exceeded. But a closer look at this apparently robust and healthy exterior reveals gome'undesirable and even 'Unhealthy symptomsd ma Y hasten to ask how I, as a-nonp-contributar, can have the effrontery to make such a claim. The reasons should become clear. Returning to my peiht, I have noticed ever the last year or-so, a growing use of a number Of 'devices Which serve to ameliorate an otherwise unhappy situation - a form or editorial mosmetic for a tired old magazine iryou like. The presentation of' articles under various pseudonyms (all 15robab1y written by the same person) the uee-of cartoon figures (reminiscent of certain magazines?) articles with no acknovledement, your “Science Naturally-series, shippets of verse whose only connection with the bash is that they'rg a'bit green and the reprinting of articles, ilbidt goad ones, all point to frantic efforts to instil some life into a worn out body. Over my long and erstwhile active association with this club, the mainstay of the magazine has alfhays been the acbounts-of walks ivritteii-by enthusiastic metbdi's, Theae sere a twofold purpose Cin informatiOn of tacks, rautes, conditions etc, to never-members, and retivingiemoi4ies-for the non-active group (who probably constitute the large part of your reading public anyway). It is i-Infortunate but true, that the non…grctive cannOt 6ontribute to this phase of club life, though many have done so in their more active past. This responsibility and burden must be carried by that hay group of active walkers, th'Algh it may require a little persuasion from the office bearers of the club to achieve. The walks programme and reports from monthly meetings indicate a wailing activity Probably as'vigorous as ever'; but I am afraid-that the same cannot be said-for the support being given to the magazine from tese active walkers. Edu6ation at 'the-prospective stage and a little ngg ging from'the-Chair could undnubtedlyretUrn the thagazine to its former vigour, when you could smell gum leaves as soon as you opened its pages, Curious Headhunter. ex patria. February 1963 The Sydney Bushi valker 7 AT OUR CHRISTMAS PAM:. On Sat” December Twenty-Two The gi-5ri:Etit Disported; old and recent members, In the North Sydney Council Chamberso The danoars came in fLnc, dress And represented, riabe or is, Groat charactersfrom history 2s pages, The brave,-the fair, all down the ages. We could nht help but glance a lot At Guinevere and Lancelot - Jack G. and Ed in deep dibguise. Indeed; he won th,;. secnnd But first placewas awarded to A fairly recent member whA As carrot-munching epicure– Marathon 'walker, Barbara Moore, Strode nonchalantly on to fame, Arid Esme Biddulph was her name Togatd 'Tiberius was there, And Nero, vine:aeaves in hi b h-dr. The scrapings of his toy violin Were heard (or t6re they?) in the din. Many wer5 barefoot, lightly clad, A state 'of thing6 which made them glad When those who tripped the light fPntastic Became increasingly gymnastic,' That very well-kilown walker Founeuig and stockings far too hot, Arid so-n Most praa:Icers shed their wrappings For airier more mundane trappings. We fel we must reco'.e d the ha:pless Case of a lass in garments str-apless Who, clutching; gai-14ped helter-skelter, To seek tho'510ak-room friendly shelter. Enough.' GoOd times were had by all, And nearly fifty graced the hall. May you be present, fit and hearty, At next December's Christmas Party! lath McKay 8 The Sydney Bushwalker February 1963 THE CONQUERING OF THE KUNMUNG. Stuart Brooks It is not often that the 'leader' of a walk is the on4 on, not trhave seeh the cnuntry “before. P6rhaps having collected most of the food and providing the transport, Won me s6me rights to th15 euphemism, but I rather think-I achieved the rtink of nominal leader through the innate politeness 6f my to companions. Maybe they realised this was a subtle way to ensure my continued serenity and acquiescence. But I fouhd the presenoe of d Kowmunger, Experienced, FeMale aid Kowmiinger,. Experiehbed, Male, (Shirley D6an and Bill Gillada for the record) a perfect-excuge for decliniiig the onus cl decision-making, the/by leaving py mind free to tackle the more urgent problems of having the food in my pack eaten firSt, and getting Kern to carry the tent. I might add that Kef and emwere suffidient1Y”exp6ilienced to frustrgte the. resolution of these problems beneficially for Brooks despite my not inconsiderable mental gymnastics. The Jas rains had made the Kanangra road a qu'agmire and we fee: justified in 'Claiming the first side*ys–car -brit) from Joni-Ian Caves to Kanangra. Certainly rwas able to frustrate any desire for sleep my two pasgengers may have nurtured. We boiled as we toiled crabwise up the Jenolan hill and th-6 final act of ignnmy was tn bog the car at nangra. We abandoned it where it sat, deep in mud, and grabbed a few hours sleep in the snail cave. Over a spartan-brenfast of 'grilled bacAn, aoffee rnc1 brandy, the first vague plans wereborn, appislopriatel enntigh, with considerable difficulty; We ite,uld go ba8k the rnad to Dlintalla Hbishts and fnilaw the ridge out, dropping into Hollandef s abilre-ChardAn Canyon. Only there, I is assured-, wouId-I see the genesis of the Knwmung, with all its un-tamed prinaieval grandear. To the squeak of block and cordage; grunts (self', racing Motor (Kef) and the Maddening dlidk of camera shutter (Kern)' the-car was de-bogged-ane pointed round the other way. Kef Eanouvered the cgr back-along the road, while I studied the map and Kern threw in the odd sonnet for spiritual comfort. By 10.30 a.51. we were close to Dungalla Heights and with 15ack and parliat walking al6ng a conveient fire trail in misty rain. By an unfoitunate olfersight, 110 one had a co/id:pass, and 661 at any stage, we had the-choice of three directionS. What-I thought was lgorth Kef'-would be equally sure' was south-east and Kern would automgtically call west. tot moat parties are so fortunate. The stage was set for a brilliant 3 8c. R operation. February 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker 9 OOMMI.11014NialIPM1111.44111WIIMMI.M.10…0111111/ Final/y, we deserted our road 6w nd headed virtunasly through the scrub. Ne lunched on a sidestreamvpressed on and hit another fire-trail, which we followed ad followed at it twisted and turned. Just'when ve-vruld, iri exati-Deratibn, decitle to abandon it, a swing towards our general lihe of approach would convince 'ad to stick:with:it. Finally' bY mid-afternoon, we could tolerate Its meanderings no further, and we took off along an enthusiastic stream. - -We camped early, determined to pick up the hours of sleep that the trip out had denied us. -A couple of Naiciously placed Kidks and a cup of tea attracted Kem at a respectable hour and we were on our *74 7.30 a m. Our creek rapidly hssumed'a more rugged, deeper look anei our 'two Kts E., felt sure we were realiy-on Hollander. When it ran into a rocky gorge, the impulsive cry was “Chardon Cany55, here we corn' E.Ps suddenly appeared in swimming- - costuMe and took to the centre nf the-a-tr.-6am. Fighting baptitm,-I clung to the craggy banks and half h mile-later, from a lofty pinnacle; got my first shock. I could see the-stream for' perhaps 200 yards, but beyond that - nothing! 'It-6 maffled f nar spoke of a fir-sized fall. I scrambled down to have a closer 16k. Some waterfall! 5 or 600 feet if I'M any judge, and disappearing into a respectably deep valley. This Cherdon Canyon was really eDmething: The water babies sonn joined me,- mouths agape. Not Chardon Canyon” was their unanimousopinion: I wa-d easily swayed. “MUst be Dungeala Falls. How on earth did we get onto Box Creek?!” We slid down he steep hillside bbside thesG iringnificent feals, pausing from time to time to admire each new pei'sfective bur descent offered. At 10.30 a m. We had reached the-la114 floor and werein intimate and d-amp consort-with a man,-sized river. “Kbmmung River” was the reverent refrain and I trust I appeared suitably impressed. We moved downstr-eam untawe were directly opposite the final 200 ft. plUnge of'the falls straight into the Kommung, and-here, at precisely-/1 a m. we, with our combined domestic chdmical and electridal skills, won from the _ inhospitable banks, a campsite supreme. If these were indeed Durigalla Falls; we were exactly 1 days ahead of our rough schedule, a truly heroic endeavnur. TO fill in the day, it was resolved over early lunch to whistle upstream to Tuglaw Falls and Chardon Canyon, (“These, you must see!”) Off we went. _ _ Soon, the wallsclosed-in and the river became a -deries of larg-6 pools, bounad by steeply sloping rock. The K's (EY hit the drink; but water-shy, I-started skirting the walls. Ify nEw sandshoes and Laver-socks mutt be kept ary at all costs! I Wasn't-very far alonewhen I slipped and-performed a running, sitting, involuntary glissade into a deep pool. There ivs some 10 The Sydney Bushwelker February 1963 conflict as to how far-I'd fallen.- ConserijatiVely, I had estimated-tvidnty feet. In his usual 35erverse fashion, Kern observed that if it ware over two Teet, he'd shout; and with typical feminine guile, Kef stated that 'it was really quite a loi -g. wayyat least faur feet.' This, I am sure, was the highlight of the trip for. the E.K's, deapite the fact that the axpedition's only match was severely dunked.. I was baptised, K. had claimed me! An hour and a half found us at a sizeable sideitream assumably Tuglew Creek, but-where were the falls? ,Slowly the ti4uth'dawned. We wore, in fact, came d opposite Mbrong Falls and this was Tuglow Hole Creek! We splashed back to our camp in a sullen silence. - Over' ainner-that eveang, a 'new philosophy' was ;v6lved to rationalise (Dili inglorious record - two days ahead of 6chedule and our first day out. Forsaking all scientifi-C impedimenta, we would wend our wa thrOugh space and time unfettered by theii. cold Clutch. Flying by the seat of our pants (or samming costumes) we wyuld unravel fate's capricious whim as it was presented to us. Sufficient unto the day: 9.30 a m. next morning fodfid us, pylon clad, i5add1ing down the Liorong Deep, 'The river was running strongly and our numer'ous crossings an swims were boiaerous affairs. We: lunched at mid-day above an ielressive fal in' the riverc T flow-of water prevented any reesonable attempt at neEotidtion and We were forced to sidle. Seve:ral hundred feet above'the river, we fund i'eMarkably eat?' and pleasant going., and'plit a-few-miles-of trle Deep under' our belts before, at 4 p m., deciding to return to the river, to the sand, and seek a campsite. A spot was soon located, complete with swimming pool and thundering cascades. Kern modestly assessed the V.G. at 25,000 - and no rates! We ate, talkan,:, climbed into the. bag; it was still 1-:earkably liht. “How's the time, Scroggin?” asked Kern. I insi5octed the watch.. “Just after 10.30., Shaciel Bt it was still broa'a daylight! At 1 a m. on the dia/, the gloomy gray clouas-disappearea into the gathering Calsk. -The amphibious' watch was about 5 hours-fast! We hiust have steamed off ab6ut 5.30am lunched about -10 a m. and camped not 16ng after mid-day! The nar philosophy passed thi crucial:test with flying colours. Kef, Kern and I were at; peace with the world! - Thereafter, we sauntered downstream, eating and campineds th6 mood struck: us'anduevdrrtuaW Tound a sizeable area: that Llid us for-Werong Creek. dlimbing out oiposite (our agery Ridge) we roamed around the tops and camped in a sizeable rivulet. (the Boyd again?) The Sydney Bushlivalker 11 1111011.01MW FOR ALL YOUR TROS.POR.T. FROM BLi-iCKEATH CONTACT HATSWELL'S MU AND TOURIST SERVICE. , RING, WRITE, WIRE O. ANY HOUR - DAY OR NIGHT. /Phone: Blackheath W4.59 or W151 BOOKING -OFFICE: 4 do6rs from Gardiners Inn Hotel' (LOOK FOR THE NEON SIGN) SPEEDY 6 or PASSENGER. CARS AVAILL13LE LARGE OR SMALL PARTIES CATERED FOR FARES: Kanangra rg-116 30A per head (minim= 5 passengers) Peri;y1 is Lookdowii- 11 Jeholan State Forest 20/. 11 11 Canon's Farm 12/6 WE WILL BE PLEASED TO QUOTE TRIPS OR SPECIAL PARTIE9 ON APPLICATION PLUMBING TROUBLES ?? DO YOU NEED - NEW ROOF, GUTTERING and DOWNPIPES ?? OR DOES TIE ROOF AND GUTTERING NEED RE-PAINTING?? OR PERHAPS - , 8. NEW WATER,. SERVICE OR HOT WATER-INSTULATION ?? No job is too small - for any plumbing installation or alterations YOU NEED ROY'S FRIENDLY PLUMBING SERVICE CONTACT ROY CRAMS in the S B Clubroms or nt a c t Joe Craggs, Carpenter and Painter, 41 Rosamond Street, Hornsby, Telephone JU2203 RUMMER YOU NEED ROT 'S FRIaIDLY SERVICE 12 The Sydney Bushwalker Febxuary 1963 'Next day, we were once more on fire trails, and, with the Gods of the Xommung-smilirg upoh Usl'foand,the cal'. in the late morhing. Liquid” supplies were running low, so we headed for Obei4onmhich boasted the closest garage. A pichic lunch at Oberon dam, the map on the grass, bright sunlight - the new philosqphy was rampant. We dr6gged oursavds away and headed for Ginn. Despit::., a co6l reception from the farmer's sons at Tuglow (“Dad !on' -t like no guns or bottles”), we, managed to get the-dar parked, a'hd an hour later were throvinE up the tent onTuglow Creek in glorious afternoon sunshine. - Vrom here'on in, Kem7was ih hi8 element. ThiC lins his country. We Iiire-conducted on'an-egUberant tou' of Tuglow Creek, Tuglow FUs, Tuglow Hae, u through Chardon Canyon, Hollanders Creek and cross-country back to Tuglow. Abluttins in the s-dhoolacliuse-with Tuckers nnd Xthas ctle urrnir a r6b1e-pine tree at Porters Retreat, provided fitting 1at rites to the country we were leaving. In the flush ol'our new 15hil6soip1y, we-drOsve quietly home via Abercrombie River, Goodman's Ford over, the Wollondilly and Mittagong.. - (The-discerninereader will observe -that the title of -this narrative may Lifer that we conquered the-Komthung, or, equally well, that the KowmUng conquered us. Whio5 is correct; we will never be sure, but at least, this is consistent with our new philosophy). 01)eren This is a rough sketch of our pilrima,e. No one, I am sure, will be surpidsed to Ginkin note that it is completely devoid of scale, proportion, north-. seeking point and -grid references. This, of cour renders superfluous the 24 hour clock.- Mit,tageng rpoof Heathcote Penrith Kanarkgra Hornsby: Sut erland C”:x P'..-. Viri .–, ,,,, . f:e,,,, ,, , ,..,“ ' :1,,,r'”“ 0,” ',. 4 .;.-, - ,,, T:,!…:2-,7'.:-, .,.,,,,,a,,,,., ..,,,,– …,,,,;,. , .,,….. , “.,,, .., 24t , 4,,,,,,…., ,,,,,-44, ,,,, ..y…, ,.. :-.,…,.: ,Iii iii. ' k,,, ”,a),,,,,,./. .4a21,10441.1CONSMOGAOMAArammiemmegaiart…m 0,010116SAdftIBLVAIPSWzve,,amodkv,11417M/W -0,47)11.2 it,: zel. Zt- 4. 13 v i :,1; '. ,.,,,y,' 1 : , I ,,7:4i' i,“ ' “After the evening malt we retired io our. tents– a lithe hail had fallen, but the storm had not yet broken. What a surious sense of security and comfort is given us by a tent and sleeping bag. We listenea qtite happily at the wind working at the tent cloth, which resisted it and gave us protection.” All of you who have experiericea h i.gh mountain camP's in an approachin g storm recognise a sense of coaradoship in these words. Those Of you who still have this adventure to look forward t-o, will shai-e this confident' spirit and mutual understanding, when the time comes. kim your time comes make sure y?iur adv-enture is complete with Paddymade' Camp Gear: Gear that as giV6n'marmth and protection to thousands of adventurers. P.S.Ski hire bookings for winter are now open. 14 The Sydney Bushwalker Pe'Jruery 1963 'WHO KILLED THE GOURIETS AND THE =CLIC W.,1.LEER Eff See Min When I was commencing my career I had the good fortune to be a member of a group whose chief member was not only an excellent navigator but a superlative cook. She had the added advantage of having access to one of those mechanical ledger machines which lirovide information under fifty different headings. Food lists were issued to liembers of a walk not only with the exact amount of food to be taken but in a form which wculd not disgrace the stowing diagram of the First Officer of an Antartic expedition. If the Chart was followed one could so pack that the cook could go through say f:urteen rucksacks neatly lined up in front of her fire; itself a masterpiece of required and varied temeratures, and produce, it seemed effortlessly, seven aesthetically satisfying courses. Even if the food was not 4-star Michelin it was only prevented from being so by the vagaries of weather which might dilute the soup with rain water while one sipped it, or the frostiness of the night could prevent the magnificent sauce arriving on one's plate at the same temperature as the superlative pudding. (The Anclo-Saxon term “afters” gives one a clue t6 the indifference of a whole nation). The food was beautifully cooked, ample, varied, possibly 3-star. Naturally the beauty of such arrangements depends on the presence at the cooking fire of all the members of the food list. The couk was only once, in my recollection put out. Five of the party of ten or twelve appeared to be so caught on a ride that there was a strong possibility of their being benighted. This in itself was no cause for alarm; it was only a day walk from a base or food; camp and all the inredients were in their right places except the potatoes. One of the beniphted persons had used his 2.235 lbs of potatoes as a pillow in complete disregard of the mores of the group. Such are the imponderables of ElliTnetS. Mich as one would like to remain a lotophagi the really adventurous gourmet moves on.. An ofnoot of the ledger machine group was semi-vego, and it was pleasant, indeed healthy, to dally among their strange dishes fora While. Aromatic zhoulashes, pemmicans, wholemeal dampers and a technique for the preparation and consumption of porridge were the crowning glories of this group. The perridge technique was to place the amount required of scotch cut oats in a billy with a handful of dried fruit for each person. This was soaked overnight, warmed in the morning and then eaten directly from the billy. The ccnvention was that each had a spoon of approximately the same capacity and one stirred the fruit and oats thoroughly at each dip. The leading spirits of the group carried this togetherness to its logical conclusion and cooked and ate every course from the same billy. One could thus enjoy tomato custard and appled coffee. It is -a long while since I had appled coffee. February 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker 15. -V The mobile meals of this group were particularly gbod. One such m:eal ma-6 taken standing in a crowded saying train arid consisted of criko-bread sandwiches, peMmican7pieces, handfu1I6 of nuts and thirds oi drahges. Since the party boarded the train from either eid nf-a corridor car-ftage the source of these delicacies and their point nf ingestion -Were i'ather separated. My share of'the megl pdssed through ten pairs of-strange hands, but such is the honesty Of train travellers I believe I received every piece that was intended for me. Oc-dasionally we had bal-fuit trips Fin which the skins, pips and peel Were &aired and simmered to a thin syrup which waa drunk-inste6d-of an early morning cup-of tea':- The rind of a pineapple, but not the ough ed was-espeedially iirized for this syrup. It was a deliAtfill experience to return from one of tl-i se walke-dnd then to-be shunted onto-the line at Redfern next to Wbread fdctory which proclaimed”Whatou eat'today walk and talks tomorroW.“- For myself I could haraly wait to get to Central and eat a hamburper-relishing the pungent onions and the slightly sapect meat with tEe e:be,ndonment -Of a fallen angel. -These fruit weekends w6re-the Cduse-of some social embarrassment gt a 1ater-8ate. I had gone to Era 6ver Christmgs with a cane bag full of fruit from the garden; fruit which mould have silt-had it not been eaten that week-end. There was sufficient fruit for Erwee meals a day and eVen'at that it was a race betviden ripeness_ and rottenhess. Bg- some quirk 6f romantic fate I discOv'ered a girl at Erewith the Mozaft gnd cofeee tastes oemyself, dnd in due course was in4rited-to a meaI at her home befdie we lent tO a'concert.' There was a delicious aroma of lovingly baked laEt;as-we sat down,a plate Of lettuce, pinapple and cheese was placed in front of be while ne-rest of the family demaished the Iamb. Be assured thgt the girl was properly but politely informed that fruit weekends were not my normal diet. The declirie grid fall of the great stgndard6 of mY yogth-I now place on the inventiOn of a plastic that is at once transparent, tough and ea6ily fabricdted into plastic bEgs.' This innovation ensures that all dried food will arrive gt the point Of cohgumption in an identifiablG state not stuck tenaci6Us1y to' a cloth food bag. In the past one could recnghise, at times, porridge from-dried vegetable only by the fact that the porridge ' h;n: been-iput into a floral: pattern bag and the vegetables into a-brIg mAde from an old -Shirt. The great debate between tric durability of fresh potdtoeS hnd tile uncertainty of-the dried Trariety has no' been settled to the detriment of good eati?ig. Th ogici1 en 5 of all-thig is tMt if the planniiig is left in the handsef a person ber-eft of-inspiration a fondlist can be prodUced in which all the ingredients ai'e thoroughly dry, unpalatable and The gehbric term`for,thii food is scroggin-and there is vegetab/e scrnggin, nut scroggin,”6mo1ing -6croggin gnd map scroggin. 2111 these scroggins aid'e seif explahgtory and are self“cont-d ined ea-oh in their owni5lastic envelope. Smoking setoggin needs iptch or scratch-scroggin; map scroggin is the smallest po-6sible piec6 of the 'mapCut'out and carried de eP inside-the pack with in turn hats Its on liner: To coridult the map is too mu'dh trouble for the small consolation of knowing where one is. This in turn gives rise 16 The Sydney- Bushwalker February 1963 to vectOr scroggin in Which one's “velocity and direction are thoroughly mixed. A firer type oCthe same ubiquitous pla'sltic has been-fashione8 into - indeStrUctible bottles, g savf::1g grgce for its inventor. Hy container hem, not'scrOggin but bottledl'in-bond stbfreven though it was labelled “Vorsicht-stark atzent. Caution - very corrosive.” 1Nhile the calating 6f a food list has thus been open3d to people of little lroginatioh the margin '-)f safety ih the bUsh has been immensely There-a:sad. 337- blowing air-into these s'eroin holders nhd whiF)inL a rubber band over the neck a -dol/Oction of bouyant chambers aan be stuffed int6 a pg76k: making a pack far more stable than the Titanic or the ill-fgted Andrea Dorea. Equipped with such a pAck even the wcN,kest swid'ior cah-now Lace with equanimity the Kommung canyons. -By lea-kiing-the glucose scrogcin in an outside' tiOck6t and-adding a cupfUll, of water a readily gvaiiable and repulsive scource- of energy is always on hand. If a-capsiz6 occurs the pack can be inverted and' all 1:He ullage drained. Very personal equipment should be packed in d'-iAle scroggins. – Such is the wgy of the world. One trades the delights Of a deep billy for the cel4tainty of a meal. And the icyclic walkarL.: He ow6-6- me the bus fare from the Quay to the Railway. But that is another story. (Note for students. Eff See It was the Chinese herbalist who introduced dried mushrZarT7 the astonished world, Now deceased, he is buried at the foot of a magnificent tree on the Boyd Plateau. For pilgrims who would worship at his shrine, an access road has recently been constructed to the site.) CHRISTIES v NEW YEAR AT MA, Frank and Jean Ashdown were ,down early, but didn't stay for New Year. The camp fire on New Year's Eve was a beaut. Some f;ood work was done in getting in a supply of fuel and the entertainMent was an all-in effort. The weather was mainly fine with a fair bit of cloud and the surf was very cold for the time of the year. On New Year's Eve the can fire revellers included Edna Stretton and nephew, Evan Williams, Kath, Jim and Christine Brown, Bill-and Ruby Hall and family, Phil tnd Betty Hall and family, round from South tra for the night, Bob and Christa Younger and family, Dill Burke and his four boys and a..mate of theirs, 8i1een and Jack Wren, Mr & Mrs. Taylor (Eileen's po/-ents) Denise ' Hull, Jack Gentle, David Ingram, Retter RemPt, Gladys Roberts and Auriel Mitchell. February 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker

-=01M.I.M THE TIN CANOE TRIP-Part II. Audrey Kenway. After a final burst of building we had two canoes built and on the train in time for the trip. They were taken to Darling Harbour on top of a Comer van, and two members Were seen holding up peak: hour traffic carrying two 17 foot canoes across 'Six lanes of traffic at. Pyrmont Bridge. The rain had not started when the boats left Sydney. We still thought it mould all be over before we started the trip when we hoarded, the' on the night of the 26th, everyone loaded up with paddles, seat backs for the canoes etc. We had good luck in finding the mail van at Wauchope was just the right kind of vehicle, a van with a large luggage rack capable of taking two boats plus all of us and gear in comfort. The driver did not appear at all suxprised to see the gear. We met Len Young with his car and canoe on board and the whole party moved off up the Hastings through Ellenborough, where the car was left, and up past the junction of the Forbes River. We were rather uneasy at this time to see the height and speed of the river, as there had already been a weeles rain in the district. Len being' a canoeist was delighted, but the rest of us were thinking how fast the Water was racing and noting the floating logs arid the fact that it was very muddy and that the snags mould be hard to see. It was also in our minds that our boats had not been intended for this sort of thing, just a. little gentle paddling on the Nepean perhaps. Having found a campsite near the road and river with the help of our driver, who asked permission on our behalf, saying the farmers are not happy about camping on the,ir pi oporties, we settled down to wait for the river to go down. It was still r:iinir g of course. ive welted for three days and finally things looked little mole possible. While filling in time we gathered mushrooms and practiced, in a side cre6k which was also flooded. This gave us more confidence in the hendling of the canoes, and we realised they were a lot more stable than expected. A bower-bird's bower was discovered right in the camp. The bird did not appear, but he had collected several pieces of blue plastic, I think off a'stieky-tape dispensery'and some blue flowers. We tried to get a photo but of course the weather. as not the best for photography. We saw more bird life along the Hastings than.8n-trips nearer Sydney. On the third day, the river looked less fierce and much clearer, so with Len going ahead we pushed off down stream. The first mile included some bad spots we had seen while walking along the banks, so we vent very carefully to the first bend. The canoes surprised UB with the way they handled. They proved very stable once tested in rough water. We soon came to a spot where the pressure waves were a bit high for us, as it was too easy for them to break over the front and fill the open boats. The two tin canoes were roped round the roagh patch -without too much trouble, with the women and Children walking along the banks. A lunch spot was found at the top of a long stretch of rocks and small falls, so the gear was unpacked and carried about half 18 The Sydney Bushwelker. February 1963 a mile and the boats brought down along the shallows on a rope. So far we had only had to carry them a few yards. The rest of the day went well, and a very pleasant camp spot was found. There is no Shortage of good- camp sites along the Hastings. It is a beautiful river, and would make an interesting walk when the water level was normal. We saw it at a time when the river was certainly well above normal, but of course made very exciting canoeing. By this time we were beginning to enjoy the fast sections and to have more confidence in handling the boats. Another nice camping spot was reached on New Year's Eve j and the party spent the evening (#ying washing and eating. The highlight of the evening was Keith's cake, baked in two plates like a damper, and iced with chocolate icing. Ruth opened a tin of caviar, but the ants got in it. Rain sent us all into the tents early, Clutching our half wet washing. By this time we were Checking to see we had no mushrOoms on our gear, as there was such a lot of dampness. The plastic inner bags had saved all the stuff- inside the packs from the rain and river, but after, six days of 7,ackinp. up wet things it was really getting too far. During the night the river rose again and the next day proved the fastest and most exciting of all - a little too exciting. The first mishap was when we turned a bend and found we were on the wrong side to f_-o ashore and check:the next rapid which was making quite a noise ahead. We crept upstream along the bank, then turned out into the current. Bob gave a good heave with his paddle against the bank, and pushed Us Well out, leaving his paddle sticking like an arrow in the mud. That left Ruth and me paddling furiously as we drifted downstream, with nobody steering from the back. It was a breathless few minutes until we were back against the far bank and hauling upstream hanging on to grass and -willows to where the paddle was. The rapid proved a hard one, with channels everywhere among the sheoaks and the water going very fast. Len went through on his own, parked the boat and came back to help. We were going along well till we found a log across the river near the bank with no way of roping, round it and not enough room for the boat to go under. We lifted ours out and carried it round. Just above this spot Keith and Jean were roping round a tree when one of the packs caught in a tree, tangled in the rope, pulling the boat out into the current, and snapping the light rope on the froht. Keith hung on and vent downstream with the boat, :till it came to the log, and he decided not to go under with it. The boat went down under the log, popped up on the other side and continued half full of water downstream. We were horrified to see it coming down towards us all on its own and with that maze of trees ahead. Len dived in and grtbbed the end and Bob grabbed Len and they managed to pull it ashore. The back seat had been ripped out by the force of thw water but nothing was lost. Keith appeared very wet and glad to see his gear again. After that Len and Bob took the two boats down the rest of the way as the first had gone, with the two of them in it paddling and steerinc, between the trees. They disappeared very quiclay, and we had a long walk to catch up to them for lunch. It was raining heavily during lunch as usual. We had some good February 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker 19 fast canoeing and more getting quite game, when we came to a sharp bend where the river divided and pressure waves were coming from two directions. None of us like the look of it. We roped round it and then found trouble in a steep bank with deep water and small trees: half under water, which made roping along the sides impossible. The pressure waves were still rather high and the current fast, so Bob Climbed into the back of the boat and was working his way along the edges hanging on to the trees when the current swung the boat round, throwing him out an sending the boat broadside into the rough patch. He was in again very smartly, knocking his paddle overboard in the scramble. In a spot where we thought the boat might fill up in the waves, he climbed up to the front and grabbed a spare paddle, then scrambled back over the gear and turned the canoe in the right direction. . By the time we caught up Bob was bailing out the boat on the bank and mourning over his met tobacco and matches. He had managed to catch the lost paddle in the middle of the rough water. On the third night we c'.me to the Ellenborouch River and went up to the house to get the car. vIre were invited in to a cap of tea, in sadte of our wet and muddy clothes, and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas cake and pucl din,a. Robyn was invited to stay at thu house with the children, and the rest of us loaded Len's canoe on his car and went back to camp. The weather forecast was for even worse conditions, and the family at Ellenborough warned us that the river could rise very quickly, and we might be caue-ht several miles from the road if the flood rose and we were half way down towards WauchoDe. We decided to wait till next day and get some fresh supplies when the shops opened, and then see how the river looked. By this time the tents were beginning to drip from being packed up wet every day. They just never did get dry. We were given a lift into Long Flat, where there was a general store, a butcher's shop and a bakery, and found news had travelled fast. Everyone greeted us with “Lre you the people canoeing the river?” On the may back a landrover driver picked us up and took us back to camp, again showing the goodwill of the people in the distribt. It was still raining, so we sent a message to the mail car driver to come up to EllenbOrough and take us back two days early. On t)le morning he arrived we had the only sunny day; and had nearly dried things out when it vas time to pack. It was steamy hot, and we were all annoyed with the weather, but it vas only a short break, as we had only gone a little may when a storm came up, and the rain was on again, with lightning and thunder as well. Next morning the river was up over the road bridges again. The brothers who ran the mail car and buses in Wauchope offered us the use of an old cottage at the depot to camp in while we waited for next day's train. It looked like a palace to us after a week in the rain, but they said it was only a tool store room now, and insisted on sweeping it out for us. During the evening one brother brought over a projector and showed us movies of the distriOt. These included some scenes of the mountains at the back of CoMboyne, where there are some really impressive falls on the 20 The Sydney Bushwalker. February 1963 Ellenborough River, and interesting walking country. We were sorry to hear there has been a lot of damage done by shooters nd cam-,Ders, who have ldlled cattle and even dogs. However, we found everyone we met very telpfUl once they lmew we were not. shooting. It was just as well we had approached the. first farmer before camping, and that the driver had been with us to assure him we were harmless. Vqe even managed a tot bath by boiling kerosene tins of water, and we could hardly recoifnise each other as we emerged from the bathroom in clean clothes.. It was just as -well, . because we finished the trip home in a first class carriage on the airsonditioned train. This was an accident, of c.-)urse, due to late change of booking and the railways being swamped with holiday travellers and having to convert a first class, carriage to second. We booked our packs and canoe paddles in the baggage car, not having the nerve to take them in on the carpeted floors, and in our clean clothes nobody would have guessed where we had spent the last week. They must have wondered why I was carrying a waterproof tin instead of a handbag: (-the party' consisted of 1ter#b Renwick, Jean Ba3four, Ramon U'Brien, Len Young, Val Young, Ruth Thompson, Bob Godfrai_Robyn Godfrey and Audrey Kenvray. FED-MI.1'10N REPORT - December 1962. SIGNS IN NATIONAL PARK. Objection was raised to the recent erection of large advertising signs regarding the “Allambie Motel” at Audley. Federation will protest to the Trust. WARRAGAMBA CATMENT AREA.. A letter and map were received from the Water Board showing details of parmissable areas in the Warracamba Catchment Area. The letter will be duplicated and circulated to all Clubs and the map displayed on Paddy's notice board. SEARCH liND ascuE. A. party of 3 school boys delayed in the Grose Valley, Blackheath -early in December walked out under their own steam at 5.15 p m. on the Monday before any search was organised. Members of all Clubs are irxvited to participate in the practice in the use of two-way radio communication to be arranged early in the New Year. TRACKS AND ACCESS. Starlight's Trail has been blazed, cairned and cleared suffioiently to enable its use with care. Pierce's. Pass or Hurrerford's Track, formerly Page's Pass, has been partly cleared and siL:nposted by the Council at the top. Lower down, some clearing has been ,.lone and the track may be used by following aluminium and tree blazes. The Blue Mountlins National Park Trust proposed to do- more work on the Lovett Ba Pockle7,T's Glen track has been cleared to the top of hill South West of the head of tidal waters in Lovett Bay by the Bush Club. REUNION 1963. Last week end in March Will be the date. “Bushwalker Annual.” The new issue is in the hanc'.s of the publishers and should soon be ready for distribution.

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