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xx-x4(*xxx* *-g THE SYDNEY BUSHLLKER xxxxx* 4cx A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Syclney Bush 7alkors9 14 1.-behison Street9 St. Leonaras. POSTAL ADDRESS: Box 4476 G.1.0.9 Sydney9 N.S.7. 2001. Meetings at the Club Room on Wednesday cvonincs after 7.30 p m. Enquiries regaraing the Club – Mrs Marcia Shappert9 Talc 30-2028. LAY, 1973 Spiro Ketas9 104/10 Uylde Street, Pott's Point 2011. Tale. 357-1381 (home) Evelyn 'Jalker Mike Short Bill Durk, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, 2118. Editor: Typist: Duplication: Business Manager: IN THIS ISSUE: The April General Meeting by Jim Drown Page 2 Tasmania '72, part 5 Don Finch 3 Walking the Pennine Way Frank Rigby 4 Paddy Pallin advertisement 6 A. Sunday Disaster David Cotton 8 Jenolan Caves part 1 (from “OberonJenolan District”) 9 Jenolan Caves part 2 (from “Our Blue Mountains Yesterdays”) 11 Mountain Equipment advertisement 12 Federation. Notes 2osemary Edmunds 14 The Savo Oolong Bulletin 15 Walks Secretary's Notes for June 71i1f Hilder 16 Letter from Alan and Dorothy 18 * X X X Page 2 THE SYDITE'Y BUSH.17ALIM.R … May, 1973 Th.7 APRIL GETERAL L Bi ING When the President called the April meeting to order, so few were present that a murmur arose “Have we a quorum?” Yes, we did, and a couple to spare, albeit that two were the new members to be welcomed, Jenny Hulton and Dirk Balvoord. After reading the minutes of the Annual Meeting it was stated that negotiations were in train for purchase of the additional typewriter approved on that occasion. Correspondence disclosed a number of “staff movements”, with Barbara Bruce returning to the active list, while Margaret Marotsy and Frank Ashdown had resigned - the former going abroad: Marie Byles and Maurice Berry had accepted Honorary Membership, and the same offer had been extended to Myles Dunphy: during a two years' sojourn overseas Alice and Alan 1-iyborn had transferred to the non-active list. Marcia Shappert, the new Treasurer, put us in the financial picture, which indicated that the usual March outgoings, plus a major expenditure of about $240 for a year's supply of magazine covers, had more than offset income from the new year's subscriptions, and our “end,..of-March” balance was down to $596 in the working account. We moved on to I:Talks activities, cbmmencing with a report of Tony Denham's “leisurely” trip to Blue Gum on March' 9/119' only two members being present. The President said that the Annual Reunion had brought out about 150 people, and it was good to see the large attendance of family groups, some of whom had not been seen for several years. For the following weekend, March 23/25, there had been Mike Short's jaunt to Bonnum Pic and the Uollondilly, 11 present, a fair amount of scrub on the ridges, and a rumour that the earth tremor of February, which had been centred in the region, had shifted a slab of rock and made access to Bonnnum Pic a little more hazardous: notwithstanding which, Mike's party went out to the Peak. Bill Burke, on the same weekend, visited Splendour Rock and the Cox River, making their Saturday night camp at MObbs Swamp and visiting the Rock without packs. It was understood Roger Gowing's camp at Era had been cancelled? while on the Sunday 14 walkers turned out for John Holly's day trip from Camijbelltovin to Pheasant Creek and O'Hare's Creeks they managed to outflank a wire fence erected by the Army, but found the water in Pheasant Creek somewhat turbid from developments higher up. The weekend which bracketed the end of March and beginning of April saw Don Finch's journey into the Ettrema Creek country, about 12 folk coming along. It was rather scrubby across the plateau, so they camped-in the valley, and followed Dungeon Creek back to the cars. Same weekend, and Hans Beck had three in the party over Mount Solitary, camping on top of the mountain on Saturday night, and making an early finish at the top of Golden Stairs on the Sunday. Three day walks took place on Sunday April 1, ono led by Wilf Hilder - a deferred trip to the Colo Valley, which started from home at 5.0 a m. with four people. Some thickish sera was encountered on the descent from Culoul Range, and the river was up slightly, and it was 'round 6.15 p m. when the party reached the side creek which they were to ascend. That with failing torches and a pile 'of flood debris in the creek the climb took quite a while, Page 3 Ti-E SYDNEY B1JSE7ALKER May, 1973 and it was almost 11.0 o'clock back at the cars. Meanwhile Marion Lloyd's team was doing the historic sites around -C:oodford and Faulconbridge with 7 in the party. At one stage they appeared to be regarded as trespassers, and Bob Younger described the walkers as “skulking in the blackberry bushes, pretending to be Bror Rabbit.” The third day walk was Kath Brown's trip (12 attending) from Uaterfall to Audloy with tho stream slightly higher than usual and the Pools nicely filled. The final weekend covered the trip into the Lower Gangerang led by Mike Short in lieu of Roy Higginbottom. The trip was reversed to enter the Cox valloy via Uhito Dog and some navigational problems wore encountered on the Gangerang, but Dax Crook was reached at 6.30 on Saturday night, and the return to the cars via Konangaroo clearing was made on the Sunday: seven in the party. This was the weekend of Federation Rounion, with about eight S.B.W. in residence, and on the Sunday Bill Hall had 16 for his day trip out from Uaterfall, which was uneventful except for one member being bitten by a bull-ant. (To judge from subsoquont events, the bull-ants were only getting into their stride). 'calf gave us a run-down on Federation affairs, thore having been a protracted ddbato at the last meeting on the suitability of the Reunion site, and also about the date for the Anzac Day observance at the Splendour Rock Memorial. Federation is still trying to came to a conclusion with the Army concerning access to the Budawang Mountains from Sassafras, while the National Parks Association is voicing opposition to caving in reserves unloss permission is obtained. It had been announced that the annual orienteering competition would be held on May 26, and at the Federation meeting there had been a post-mortem discussion on the procedures at the Gas Pipe Lino Enquiry. This loft only two brief comments bofore we would up at 9.20 p m. First Alan Round mentioned that dog traps were likely to be sot along Scott's Main Range trail shortly,aftor Eastor, while Social Secretary Elaine Brown gave notice of a couple of likely amendments to the social events towards the and of May. TLSMLNIL '72 (Part 5) by Don Finch The last of the morning mist was drying up as the sun peeped over the ridge. Hot and strong, anothor warm day was on the way. The crisp cool of the early morning was already going, and the perspiration was dripping off our bodies as we struggled with the packs up the ironbounds. About half way up on a lovel portion of the ridge we wore afforded a view to the south. Do Witt Island 10 miles away looked rather forlorn with its court of lessor islands. 17e speculated where Miss COODOT would have made her camp, deciding on the only largo crook that flowed to the north of the island. disturbod several ground parrots, in size and shape not unlike the eastern rosolla, but the plumage was of olive green with dark bands on breast, wing and tail feathers. Page 4 'THE SYDNEY BUSH17ALKER Nhy, 1973 Tho track pass as by a high peak on the Ironbounds. Everybody but Pet or decidod to give it a miss having worn themselves out getting up what was necessary. Thc peak was bare of any -blocs, with only low scrub, moss and rocks as a covering. Wo watched Peter's progress almost until the top whore ho bocame invisible except to the koonost oyes. Ue moved off without waiting for him. The descant started immediately, past the high camp site and than dropping more steeply. Here the track became little more than a muddy crook. Tree roots and fallen timber mado the descant very tricky just the place to sprain an ankle. Down at sea level again wo passed Lousy Day, stopped for lunch at Doadman's Beach and continued in the afternoon to Prior Beach whore we made camp on the castorn end. Peter and I went fishing while Snow, Spiro, Bill and Graham decided to go for a walk along the beach. Snow suggested they could go up and have a look at Precipitous Bluff and the lagoon. Six weary sand. miles later they arrived back at camp. Snow wasn't very Popular at all. The next day we were to walk to Surprizo Bay about 8 miles. 7o found the fibreglass rowing boat that is used to cross tho lagoon. Thc remains of an old wooden skiff lay under some trees. The spit of sand between New River Lagoon and Prior Beach is used as an air drop site. Air drops arc usually made weeks beforehand, and often for one reason or another the intended recipients fail to claim them. Tho packages are dated with an expiry data, after which they are fair game. Snow, being the most hopeful, started off in his search for an expired air drop. He had been gone only ten minutes or so when he came staggering back across the sand with an enormous sack swung over his back. He dropped it to the same with a healthy thud. Eager hands soon had the wra-ppings off. Cans of soft drink, blocks of chocolate, tinned bully beef, Milo and broken biscuits were revealed. Three cheers for Snow ho had made up for that extra long beach walk the day before. xxxxxxxxxxm laLKING THE PENNINE 7AY By Frank Rigby Everyone's doing it, young folk, c,la folk, all the same. No I'm not talking about the Cornish Floral Dane but walking the Pennine :Tay. Every summer they're out there in their thousands, aged seven to seventy, many knocking off the entire 250 miles during their annual holidays. From the Peak in Derbyshire to tho Choviot Hills, there can be soon each day a veritable procession of walkers across the moors. 77a1king those British 7ays has become a way of life, and the opening of each new r:ay is heralded as a groat achievement. Some enthusiasts “do” a difforent one each year and we hoard tales of exploits along the South Downs 7ay, the PeMbrokeshiro Coast Way, Offa's Dyke Path, etc., otc. I would not say that walking the :ays is exactly equivalent to Australian bushwalking but (with the possible exception of Scotland) it's the nearest the Brits can got to it. Page 5 THE SYDNEY BUSHTJALICDR May, 1973 My first contact with the Pennine 'Jay was in the small town, of Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales. I remember well the sign in the main street which showed the -Jay -Is passing uhacr an archway, through a courtyard and then down a lane bordered by neat cottages. This is the intriguing thing about the Pennine Way - it marches through towns and villages, up country lanes between dry stone fences, across farmers' fields and motorways as well as crossing the high moors whore, strangely, civilisation seems as remote as it does on the button-grass plains of Tasmania. Yet despite all this development en route, the walkers enjoy an unchallenged right-flf-way for 250 miles (contrast the local situation J) They can also enjoy a convivial wayside jug of the best at a pub and a night in a farmhouse catching up on the local gossip. So it was fron Hawes that Joan and 19 suitably armed with a special guide-book, set out last July for a two-day jaunt along thc Pennine Way. Ours was a puny effort compared with the roal exponents since we intended only a short section in the middle. The first signpost on the edge of town pointed across a farmer's field - we couldn't quite got used to the idea of “trespassing” private property but reassurance from a local resident set our minds at case. This gentleman regaled us wIth what seemed like the entire history of the aroa (Bonnie Prince Charlie marched his army straight down that hil15 the Romans brought their legions along an old road over there - you can still see the tracks, etc.) and finally sent us off with a guarantee that the sun would shine all day (a bit of a joke in the event 1) -,- Soon we were into the hills, looking 12)7ck at the green, green valley with Hawes nestling at the bottom and the patchwork quilt fields and the'stone fences. The whole scone reminded me of those children's story books with the pretty pictures. But that wasn't all, for we could now sec that we ware being followed by groups of walkers here and there - indeed some were ahead of us as well. It was like one of those day walks we have hero sometimes, with about fifty starters scattered at random all along the route. Lt rest stops wo talked to them and learned a bit about British “rambling”. They came from everywhere - from places like Brighton, Banbury and Birmingham, from the foul industrial cities and the Now Towns, to flex their muscles and savour the freedom of the uncluttered parts of England. In return we had to toll them about bushwalking back home ana dispel a few myths about snakes, flies and other nasty insects. Just a few short miles from Hawes and we seemed to be in the middle of Siberial We wore now on the high moors, treeless and boggy, and treacherous in foul weather when the mists come down or the icy winds and rain howl across them. Many a man has lost his life in this country. It never ceases to amaze me that there aro areas of England like this whore there is no sign of man's presence as far as the eye can see. Yet we knew that dawn in the dales, not so far away, wore busy roads and villages with all the trappings of civilised society. Lunch near Great Shunner Poll (it sounds impresvo 1) and on again along the soggy track until we descended to the next-valley northwards in a stone-walled lane into one of those picturesque little English villages. Pago 6 THE SYDNEY BUSE:1=R May 9 1973 eg S44 a St Lightweight btishwafking r , and Camping gear. FREEZE DRIED AND DEHYDRATED FOODS Now, the bushwalker can fully equip himself with the aid of Paddy's range of lightweight foods. Beef curry with rice; sweet and sour thicken with rice; chicken curry with rice; instant mashed potatoes; Surprise peas; Surprise peas and carrots; butter concentrate in tubes or 12oz tins; condensed milk in tubes; mixed vegetables; Kraft onions, Ovaltine energy tablets; freeze dried egg powder; Staminade; Kraft personal servings of jam, tomato sauce etc; army ration biscuits; farmhouse stew; savoury mince; beef curry; chicken curry; sweet and sour chicken; thicken supreme; 4 serve packet soups; Alliance beef steak stew; Alliance beef mince; Kendall mint cake or Kendall rum butter candy. BUNYIP RUCKSACK This ishipadiTucksack is excellent for children. Use- full day pack. Weight 14ozs. SENIOR RUCKSACK A single pocket, shaped rucksack. Suitable for overnight camping. Weight 1%lbs. BUSHMAN RUCKSACK Has sewn-in curved bottom for extra comfort in carrying. Will hold 30Ibs. 2 pocket model 11/41bs. 3 pocket model 11Albs. PIONEER RUCKSACK Extra large bag with four external pockets and will carry about 40Ibs of camp gear. Weight 21/41bs. Everything for the bush- walker, from blankets and air mattresses, stretchers, boots, compasses, maps, books, stoves and tamps to cooking ware and freeze dried and dehydrated foods. 'A' TENTS One, two or three man. From 2% to 3%lbs. Choice of three cloths. Supplied with nylon cords and overlapped doors. No walls. WALL TENTS Two, three or four man. From 3% to 414/bs. Choice of three cloths. Supplied with nylon cords and overlapped doors. 1:et 4.14 69 LIVERPOOL ST. SYDNEY 26-2686 61-7216 Page 7 TIE SYDNEY BUSHI7ALICR, May, 1973 '.:.+ra r….,… No pub hero so we slaked our thirst with the host Yorkshire milk and swapped yarns with a group of young mon who wore walking the entire way and camping out every night into the bargain. They were sending off postcards to assure hum or the girl friond that all was well Finding our route out of that village and across the fields was quite an exorcise, one tends not to believe tho signposts which direct one along narrow twisting laneways among the houses and then over stone walls enclos- ing the locals ' crops and cattle. An hour's walking along a pleasant track among the groan fields brought us to our next village whore we decided to spend the night, pitching the tent for a foe on private Property beside a, lovely stream. This was a torriblo mistake despite the idyllic surroundings. ie had reckoned without the midges Those insects are the scourge of northern England and Scotland but naturally tho tourists never hear about them beforehand. There were thousands inside the tent and millions outside but enough said0 re now thorough understand why many of the 7ayfarors spend their nights indoors; and don't lot mo hear the Poms or the Scots complaining about our flies I Next morning WC Could not get awa,y quickly onough and ate our breakfast up in tho hills whore we could got F.iorno, peE.,..co. More parties on the tra,ck, including sovr vf al we had mot the previous clay one could make some lasting friendships if going all tho way. 77o fell in with a 'family (kids and all) who told us they had booked ovc2.7 night 's accommodation for their 2Cday t.-2i-o way bacl-. in January, so great was the pressure on lodgings along the -;ray. The whole walk was Proplanned thci. and come hell or high water thoy must make their goal each ovoning or the entire schedule would fall in ruins. Just as we wore getting a good sweatup; that should loom up on the near horizon but a Pub I rubbcd my oyes, but there it was the Tan Hill Inn, all on its ownsorao out in the middlo of nowhere (we later discovered a narrow road to it). Now I ask you Australians, can you imagine dawning packs, trundling into tho pub for a pint of bitter, exchanging track banter with twenty or so fello7walkers and than returning to the walk? There was an air of unroali y about it all, especially when that bitter had the usual effect. This 1,Alo was reputed to bo the highest in all ngland one of several, I boliovo, all claiming the same distinction. One thing is not in dispute though; it was doing a roaring trade out of the walkers on the Ponnine Way. We terminated the jaunt that citornoon at a point whore the .:ay crosses a busy highway. Some people say that crossing the highways is the greatest hazard on the Way I can well believe it. Anyway, this highway was a means back to our starting point where we had a oar to retrieve. Not an Australiantypo bushwalk but an enjoyable (midgos excepted) and educational experience; one moots the people as well as the landscape. If there's a next time, I might “do” the South Downs for a change. XMCC:=00==== Page 8 THE SYDNEY BUST-T7A1I= May, 1973 . .i., SUNDAY DISASTER By David Cotton (or Boowalking at Darkos Forest) Saturday. A very, very wot morning, spent going through my slide collection and reading books (what also can one do when one lives in a very small and very cluttered hut at Darkcs Forest?) Anyway, the 4.00 pm train was mot at Holonsburgh, I picked up Evelyn and Doug and then back to Darkos Forest, Tents wore soon up and a quick cup of tea,thon off for a scraMblo around the waterfall. The creek had dropped two foot sinco the morning and consequently the trip underneath the waterfall to me was very disappointing. Only a fraction as exciting as when in full flood, which is something like walking through a railway tunnel with half a million trains passing through simultaneously. Tea was on soon after returning and seemingly finished just as quickly, and after a mug of apple cider Doug departed to the “Land of Nod”, leaving Evelyn and myself to discuss ponderous subjects around an extremely smoky fire till the late hours of the evening, when we called it quits and sought the “Land of Nod” likewise, possibly a little wiser or moro confused who knows? Sunday. A very, very cold and cloudy morning. Only a small amount of rain fall during the night and the large amount of surface water lying around from the previous day had disappeared. Even the huge puddle the campfiro had been sitting in was almost gone. L rather smoky fire was tolerated during breakfast. 71hy? I don't know. I have never known anyone to cook cornflakes! At this stage, the cleaning up of breakfast things was loft for Evelyn and I dopartod with a Stoinboolc book and clock (no watch) to the Forest/Highway turnoff to moot our Sunday starters at 9.30. Cousin Leonora, new to Sydney from Lrmidale whore she had spent the last year or so since coming over from Perth, was first to arrive. Shortly after Mitch turned up with daughter Jan, I waited until 10, then back to the apiary. Due to the cold weather the boo inspection was rather short and abrupt. I was nursing a heavy cold and with only a small party I just couldn't get into things. After morning tea of bread and butter and fresh honeycomb still warm from the hive, a quick scramble around tho waterfall was undortakon. The falls were found to be oven lower thantho previous trip; once something has been seen in all its fury it is a bit hard to accept when it is quiet and placid. After a short scramble under, over and around the falls it was decided to abandon tho usual trip down O'Hares Creek and return to the apiary for lunch. Page 9 TEE SYDNEY BUSH7ALKER Hay, 1973 On returning hitch found his car keys wore locked inside his car, together with his and Jan's dinner. L nasty moment lifter much unsuccessful amateur burglary the local N0R0..M.21. depot was contacted and Mitch, who was not a member, soon found “it pays to belong”. After which a much groat= and moro concentrated amateur burglary effort was sot in motion. One person to each door armed with a variety of paint scrapers, tin, wire and aluminium, which brought forth a groat following of amateur koymakors all filing, snipping and testing until the whole procedure was terminated by the insertion of a huge screwdriver in the koyholo and with a groat outburst of =orgy the door was opened minus a workable or sensible lock. _Aftor dinner was concluded (and afternoon tea for some as well), Mitch, Jan, Evolyn and Doug departed for home. Disaster struck again for the second or third time (I forget). My own car koys were missing (12 keys all quite irreplaceable). So after much searching and scrabbling all over the place and in the long grass, etc., Leonora found thom and with much jumping up and down demanded a kiss for their return. 7o119 phew 12 irreplaceable keys… Leonora got her big kiss, much, much bigger than she had expected. Join in the fun noxt “Boo 7a11-”. Those will start again after the winter. XaCCOODZEOCCOO= JENOLAN CLVES (From “OberonJcnolan District” Historical Handbook by Joy Moclor and Blue Garland) The early history of the Jonolan Caves is interwoven with the story of Oberon in many ways. Credit for the discovery of the Caves in 1838 usually goes to Tarana pastoralist James Whalan, who had selected land at Gingkin, and his brother Charles Malan of Glynd7r Estate, Oberon. Howavor, there is evidence that bushrangers used them as a hideout long before that 5 for how many years we will never know. Also intorwovcn with the history of Jonolan are stories of bushranger James lIckeown, an escaped convict, who is now a legend in the district. Many tales are told of how he raided the nearest farms taking food as well as yokes and bows for his bullocks. A. story is told by a Malan descendent of how James Malan became tired of having his food stolen and having to travel many r2iles to Tarana to replace his stores. So ho set out with some men to track down MbKoaun,. Page 10 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Hay, 1973 whom hb suspected. However, they had to camp the night =d in the morning found that McKeown had made a quiet raid and taken the oxbows, so they couldn't get their team together and had to leave the bullocks till they replaced the stolen equipment. The story generally accepted is that Mckcovn raided settlers' stores and James Malan, who had by then taken up land at Gingkin, went with police looking for him. They found MbKcovn and arrested him. On his return, James tola his brother Charlos that ho had seen the mouth of a big cave in the distance. Sc Charles wont exploring and found the Grand Lrch and the Devil's Coachhouse. In a book written for tho N.S.71. Tourist Bureau about the Jonolan Caves there is a story quoted from 'The Argus'. It tells of how James Malan tried to track McKeown only to find that he disappeared in rough country. However, he 'found evidence of careful cultivation and a nice little farm'. James returned and tola his brother Charles that he had boon 'through the devil's coachhouso'. The next day James went with troopers and they captured McKeown at his hiding place, which is new known as McKoown's Hole, not far away from the Grand Arch. This story ends with saying that McKeown returned afterwards from a term of exile on Norfolk Island and revisited the scone of his former exploits. Charles 7/halan explored the caves under the great arches and he and his sons wore prominent as honorary guides during the years 1838-67. Visitors often stayed at Charles' estate, 'Glyndwr', at Oberon on their way to the caves. Jenolan was made a reserve in 1866. In 1867 Jeremiah 7i1son became unofficial keeper of the caves and in 1884 was appointed first warden at 25 per annum. Some of the older residents of the district remember him as having a big red beard and carrying a long horn over his shoulder for a hearing aid as he was very deaf. 7ilson met tourists at Tarana Railway Station and drove them by horse drawn coach along the Oboron Road to Jonolan, but they had to make their stoop descent into the valley floor by foot. Overnight they would sloop in the Grand Arch Cave. Visitors carried candles when entering the caves at that time, but well placed electric lights now add to tho magic c the caves. By 1879 the road from Oberon had reached the caves and in 1880 there was a permanent settlement, Jeremiah Uilson building a guest house. This was later burnt dawn. The present Caves House was built in stages and completed in 1918. The Jonolan Caves have had many names. In the Bathurst Tree Press' (30.4.1856) they were called licKeown's Caves. They have also been known as the Fish River Caves and the Binda Caves. However, in the Government Gazette of 19 _August 1884 the name was changed to Jonolan.- This was taken Pagc 11 THE SYDNEY BUSHMLICER May, 1973 from the nativo no of a Mountain in thc district, iGenowlanii, which means 'foot'. Sad to say, the friondly rock wallabics that wore often seen around the Grand Arch have now disappeared. Motorists ran over thorn and the foxos arc blamcd for killing the rost. Mrs Violot Ebborton, a daughter of Harry ',7ho.,1a4 who guided people through thc Lucas Cave, told thc writer there woro groat flocks of parrots at Jenolan. They wero rosellas and lowrios. 'They would coma and sit on your head and eat biscuits. Thcy would come into cur bedrooms and raid our tins. If you left tho biscuit tin open you would go back to find ever hing gono,' she said. TFEc JEITOLLF CAVES
(By P. 7. Spriggs – “Our Blue Mountains Yosterdays”) Thera is an air of mystory and oxcitoment about Jonolan – and a cortain “something” which ovon world travellers do not oxporience frcquently. Even the tiny spiders which spin a lace curtain at tho very top of the Grand l'irch arc found only at that particular spot at Jenolan Caves. In the book “Australian Spidors” Keith C. :known, F.R.Z.S., states “Th find no social organisation among spidors the strong prey upon the weak, evon brother upon sistor. Spider communitios do, however, exist and by far the most remarkable of those communal offorts – probably in the whole world – are the webs of the Gregarious Ixouticus Socialis (formerly Lmaurobius) from the Jonolan Caves”. The mount-An scenery loading to the caves is typically Australian, but one has a fooling of having loft Australia behind as the road descends 1500 foot in five miles, going right through tho Grand Arch, to emerge into the picturesque remoteness of tho CavesHouse area. 7e fool that we arc at the bottom of a valley and yet the altitude is 2600 foot p:bovo son level. Four hours is considerod to be n loisurely car journcy from Sydney to the Jonolan Caves, so perhaps it is interesting to rend excerpts from the “Cumberland Argus”, Parramatta, of 22 October 1898. At one timo, it was a severe journey to got to the Caves. Now things arc different and if you want to rush it, you can do the trip in 2 days. Take the train from Sydney and spend the night in the Railway Refresh- Page 12 TIE SYDNEY BUSE:ALE:ER HaY9 1973 0 U N T 11 I N EQUIPMENT*- * * * * * * * * * * IF YOU L= BUYING OR HIRING HIRING OR BUYING GEAR FOR -.7ALKING C12.TING CLEE3ING C.LNOIMTG 7ALKINC- CaTING CLETING CANOEING TIMa OF MOUNTAIN EZUII=\TT 17 Alcannaor Strect Crow's Nost92065 (On the corner of Falcon Stroct) Tc-,lephono 439-3454. FOR F.LID.YDOIJN STFT9PIITG BAGS HIGH LOAD PACKS (-.7eight 3 lb 10 oz ) MID ALL THE OTIER THINGS YOU COULD POSSIBLY * * * * * * * * * * * * 401. THE SYDNEY BUSH7.71 -May, 1973 Page 13 mont Rooms at Mt to tho “Ha1f-7ay hearty meal, the Harry Smith, Rooms.. Victoria0 liftor an early breakfast, the coach is taken House” at Hampton., Horses :tro changed here and after a journey is resumed. It is advisable to book through the lessee of the Caves House, at the Rodforn Refreshment The caves wore discovorod some time before 1341 (1838), by James Malan, whose father was L.D.C. to Governor Macquarie. I:halan had suffered at the hands of a bushran[;or named McKeown, and ho was determined to try and track him to his hiding place. He followed him for miles when suddenly the bushranger disappeared as if the earth had swallowed him up. 7fha1an now came across a wild cavern and kopt on the track of his enemy through its gloomy portals, where 3 miles up the gorge, he came across McKcown's hiding place. The police wore informed and McKoovni caguarod. '.7ha1an later told his brother that ho had been through the Devil's Coach House and this name is used today. Tenders were called in 1897 for “improvements” to the Fish River or Binda Caves and in 1884 they were officially called Jono/lan. The word Jonolan is aboriginal, moaning “High :Mountain”. Jeremiah 77ilson was ap- pointed 71a:don at a salary of 25 per year and one had the choice of 3 tracks to gain access. The Oberon track approached the cavos from the west via an extremely stoop 2 mile hill. The track from Hartley (about 35 miles) was improved in 1896 and continued through the Grand Arch to meet the boron Road at the - opposite end. Then thcro was the bridle track (Six Foot Track) via Folly's Glen and lic,cealong Valley,. over the Black Range, and so down to the Cave's, a distance of 26 miles. For many years, the most venturesome visitors hired horses and a guide in Katoomba and “did” the Caves in this manner. Lord Carrington in 1886, with his lady, rode via the. Yolly's Glen track with a local guide. Hr Mark Fay was the first motorist to the Caves in 1903, taking 9 hours from Blackheath in an 8 h p0 single cylinder Do Dion5and within a few years horse coaches gave way to cars which wore becoming reasonably reliable. Candles and magnesium flares wore replaced by electric light in 1887F first by battery operation and then by water-pacred turbines driving generators. It has been said that the education of no porson is complete without having visited The Caves. * Pace 14 TEE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER May, 1973 FEDERATION N.OTES, April and. May 1973 Rosemany -Edmunds It has boon reported that the National Parks and laid Life Service is tightening up on caving' activities. Stringent regulations have been laid down and Permits must be obtained for caving in all National Parks. 7alkers should be warned that dingo traps are being laid on Scott's main range by the local graziers. These traps can inflict bad injuries if accidentally sprung or stepped upon. The Kosciusko 111, Association Annual General Meeting for 1973 was hold on May 19 at Sawpit Crock. The Association needs moro mcmbol ,lubs and individual members, and the $2.00 annual membership foe, which is to go towards hut maintenance, entitles members to free use of all huts in the park. The address for membership details is Box 6269 Manuka, ACT 2603. The idea of S.D.:J. adopting a hut and maintaining it would be well worth considering. The Lake Podder enquiry continues. The Federation urges anyone, both clubs and individuals who have walked in the area, to write to the Department of the Environment (Secretary, Lake Poddor Enquiry, Department of the Environment, PO Box 1937, Canberra 2601 ACT), stating their reasons why Lake Fodder should be preserved. This is the only way that the Departmont can gauge the popularity of the area for walking. A very important arcument is that Southwest Tasmania is about tho only real wilderness walking area loft in Australia. Thc Anzac Day Dawn Service hold at Splendour Rock on May 6 was attended b3. 25 people representing four clubs. S.B.7. was not represented. The Sydney Rock Clinibers arc proposing to produce a manual on abseiling, which will probably cost around 500. They 7oula welcome comments from clubs and individuals to try to csau(70 response. The Bob Butt Colo Sketch map – currently on sale at Paddy Pallin has boon found to have numerous errors and omissions. It should be used in conjunction with the St. Albans nap, which should also be treated. with caution. The National Mapping Authority have advised- that after larch 1973, in all areas where 1/100,000 maps are being' published, all 1“: 1 mile and 1/50,000 maps with contours in feet, etc., have boon discontinued. . This applies mainly to the southern areas. Pac,.c 15 THE SYDNEY BUSHriALKER May, 1973 Thc National Lapping ,luthority has advised that in all areas whore 1/100,000 maps arc being pUblishod, all 1” : 1 mile and 009000 maps with contours in foot, otc., have boon discontinued since March 1. This applies nainly to the southorn areas. Nor! Naps laLlo9 March/prilJEay, 1973 – the Lands Dopartment 1/25,000 topographic maps. Bormagui, Bodalla, Central alba and Narooma. Glen =on, Nimmitabol, Teapot, 1.ance11ic. Dadga, Bolowra, Norrigundah 8 naps available Macsville 9436 8 maps available Nambulla 9536 4 maps available Bundarra 9137 8 maps available The Mount Tomah Society is proposing to erect a monument on tho top of Mount Tomah to caamoaorate Caley and Hoddlo and two other early cxplorcrs of thc Blue nountains. It will consist of a group of large stones croctcd in a picnic area, each bearing a plaque inscribed with the exploror's dates, etc. Anyone interested in helping financially or otherwise should contact the Mount Tomah Society. Fr,day Pallin's orientooring contest is sot for Saturday 26 May. # THE SAVE COLONG BULLETIN Last year, as one wilderness area after another was threatened with various forms of development, the Coloncs Committee formed itself into a National aldernoss Society. It is now fiF;hting for the preservation not only of Mount firmour, but of Bungonia Gorge, Baxbcrs Crook, The Boyd Plateau, Lake Poddor, the Top End National Park, the ::ollongambo Uilderness, the Cox Valley, the Dcua/Tuross area, the laangario Rain Forest and any other threatened area brought to its notico. For those who would like to follow this running battle with cement companies, public utility authorities, the Forestry Commission, private doveloPers and anybody else who threatens our feyr remaining mildernoss areas, the Save Colonc Bulletin is the one publication which prints the campaigns in detail. It is pUblished hi-monthly, and a yearly subscription costs $2, payable to the Hon. Treasurer, The Colone Committee, 3rd Floor, 18 :ircylo Street, Sydney, NS' 2000. Narcoma 8925 Bombala 8725 Cobargo 0825 Corral 9336 Pago 16 THE SYDNEY BUSH7LLK72 .lay, 1973 If anyono would liko to add a donation to the 2, they can be assured that it will ho put to good uso in financing the publications of the com- mittoo and thc costs the committco incurs in proparing submissions and sometimcs, whoro essential, in paying consultants, for the purpose of prcsenting our case before the various inquiries on onvironmontal issues. Two copies of recent Bulletins havo been placed on the Club noticoboard. STOP PRESS Coolana treeplanting wookond is still on 2. ay 25, 26, 27 But the party at Dill Gillam's place is off Ho-::over, you still go to his place and pick up trees on Friday night or Saturday morning – 200 to be transportod. Bring'your spade. Information from Bob Younger. TAIKS SECRETLRY'S POTES JUL, 1973 7ilf Hildar Sunday 3 Sunday 3rd Snow climbing at Tatson's Crags. Leader Doono 77yborn. For details sco Dot Butler (h) 48.228. The President's safari heads for the Fattai Canyon this weekend. Spectacular scenery down =tins Crock with some boulder hopping through tho canyon. Graded track from licArthur's Flat to the road. Book early. 7i1f's trying to con you into this test walk – could be tougher than ho bargained for. Bring a good torch. Lands of historical features for interostod croaturos. Dill Hall leads this interesting day walk into Hyuna Crook – bit cool for tho nudists, mind you. Good tr cks along Hoathcoto Crook – rough tracks along :iyuna Creek. Juno 1,2,3,4 Juno 1,2,3, Long 7cokond Juno 8,9,10,11 Ski touring's back again. Dave Rostrcn loads this 3day trip to the Alps for experienced tourers only. Base camp mid the snow 3urns on the lower slopes of Twynam. Book early. Juno 8,9,10,11 Laurie (luakcn leads this 3day special to KananGra over old Cloudy (pardon, Illylos) a Cloudmrtkor and down to Konangaroo. Lone but scenic climb over Faralyscr and back to Kananera. Page 17 THE SYDNEY DUSHALKER EAY, 1973 Sunday 10th June 169 17 Sunday 17th Juno 222 23, 24 299 30, 1st Uncle Sam Hinde loads this boaut day walk from Engadine to 'Jaterfall via Trailers Lake. bit scrubby along the ':ioro- nora but first rate scenery. Special excursion tickets to ':iatcrfall. Hero's your golden opportunity to learn to ski cross country – langlauf, langren, as our German or Swedish friends call it. Free tuition by Rod and lilf – ask yourself: If Paddy can do it, why can't I? Early bookings please, for the only ski touring instructional this year – full moon weekond too Two great Sunday walks for you – Moryl :atman is heading for Merolla Karong and the nporay Track to Hoathcote2 while Carl Dock is bound for 'Jost Head and Salvation Crook (ferry to and from Church Point). 7:i1dflowers are waiting for you. Mt Solitary with El Prosidonte – what a way to go – in safe hands all the way. Fabulous scenery – brine; your colour camera. Foto Saturday morning train. Kath Brown's off to the Palms on this classic day walk. Glorious views and company on well polished tracks. Throdbo is the “in” place – without peoplo. Conundrums aside – Rod and 'alf arc at it again with a Ski touring practice weekend for novices at Rawson Hut. Short Main Range Tours during the weekend. Book early please. Uncle Frank is leading this winter classic to Blue B pardon, I meant Gum. Tracks all the way but stoop and very scenic climb out of Canyon at Govctts Leap – a 520' sheer fall. Sunday 24th Juno/July 299 309 1st Sunday 1st July ';:ondabyno to the legendary ?incl.= Cave. Uncle Sam leads it as only he can – it's the years of experience on top that count. Beautiful views across Mullet Crook and the 7./Ivskesbury. Lush lunch spot near Pindar Cave. Do lot Sab know you are coming. XA4( Pagc 18 -THE SYDNEY BUSE7ALICLR YLY 1973 Letter from ;Ilan and Dorothy Dear friends, have arrived safely and are now enjoying the comparative luxury of tho Enrmor Hotel,which is old but very westernised in style, food and prices. The jumbojot was very comfortable, mainly because it was less than half full and we wore fortunate enough to havo a window seat, which was quite lucky considering the piano is 9 seats wide. Vio arrived at 3 a m. yesterday morninc and 6 a m. for the man in charge to authorise visas wore very naughty not to got thorn beforehc-,ndl) city just as dawn was breaking. Lots of large with a beautiful backdrop of mountains going up is at 39900 ft on a plain and it is quite cold and today dull and some snowflakes and rain. had to wait until nearly for us. (Apparontly we 'Jo then got a taxi to the grey square concrete buildings to 189600 ft. Tehran yesterday sunny and windy l,fter booking in at the hotel we wont in search of a Imp and eventually found one in a bookshop. '20 bet:38,n to got our bearings and wont wandering. 7e tried to find a bazaar but before we got fox we were taken in charge by a young chap (recently finished 'electricity' at college) who took it upon himself to show us around for the day. The bazaar was very fascinating, situated. in a maze of tunnels surrounding a mosque. 77e bought some broad to cat as we went alonc,the oquivalont of 3 cents for a largo flat thing about 3 ft long and 1 ft 7ido. Te saw man making huge copper vessels, some about 6 ft across, and watched them heating them and coatinc the insides with tin. The bazaar also sells any amount of ghastly plastic shoos and clothes, etc., of western stylo. The city is in fact very westornisod, so I was surprised that literally everybody that passed us, particularly children, stared at us (Alan says it is my fair hair that amazes them, as our clothes are not different to many Persians'), :To have soon no other tourists in the streets, and only a couple in hotels (also, we were two of only five people who got off the plane at Tchran, and then the other throo were natives of Iran. Qanta.3 piano which came shortly after ours produced only one person and she was meeting her painlaw who has lived hero 35 years. In the afternoon, after glasses of tea (6 cents for 4 cups) we said ' goodbye to our guide and came home out of the wilf2wind and had a snooze as we were rather tired after 23 hours on tho piano and all morning walking. **