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 At this stage too we filled the two vacancies resulting from Stephen Harvey's move to Melbourne, with John Fox inheriting equipment hire and John Redfern becoming the second Federation delegate holding a Committee seat. At this stage too we filled the two vacancies resulting from Stephen Harvey's move to Melbourne, with John Fox inheriting equipment hire and John Redfern becoming the second Federation delegate holding a Committee seat.
  
-Correspondence, in addition to the usual circulars and bulletins, showed us that the Electricity Commission had paid compensation of $150 for the power line across Coolana. The Dept. of Public Works advised an environmental impact study was to be made of plans for improving water supply to Gosford and Woy Woy, and there weas two items which led to subsequent debate; one being Frank Rigby's appeal for moral and financial support for the McDonnell Ranges Committee in its bid to secure reserves in the centre and the other a copy of a letter sent to another club regarding the passage of its members across the property Baramul in Widden Brook. Evidently the writer of the second letter imagined that "Sydney Bush Walkers" was a generic name covering all clubs in Sydney.+Correspondence, in addition to the usual circulars and bulletins, showed us that the Electricity Commission had paid compensation of $150 for the power line across Coolana. The Dept. of Public Works advised an environmental impact study was to be made of plans for improving water supply to Gosford and Woy Woy, and there were two items which led to subsequent debate; one being Frank Rigby's appeal for moral and financial support for the McDonnell Ranges Committee in its bid to secure reserves in the centre and the other a copy of a letter sent to another club regarding the passage of its members across the property Baramul in Widden Brook. Evidently the writer of the second letter imagined that "Sydney Bush Walkers" was a generic name covering all clubs in Sydney.
  
 We decided to donate $50 to the McDonnell Ranges appeal and it was remarked that the present era when the beef market was depressed might be a favourable time to persuade landholders to contribute property to such a reserve. On the question of the Widden Valley property (Baramul is about 10 miles up from the Goulburn River and just south of "Widden") it was proposed to refer the correspondence to Federation and to reply to the writer in terms that should ensure his understanding of our Club's principles. We decided to donate $50 to the McDonnell Ranges appeal and it was remarked that the present era when the beef market was depressed might be a favourable time to persuade landholders to contribute property to such a reserve. On the question of the Widden Valley property (Baramul is about 10 miles up from the Goulburn River and just south of "Widden") it was proposed to refer the correspondence to Federation and to reply to the writer in terms that should ensure his understanding of our Club's principles.
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 This is the famous Icelandic volcano, still active, set in a remote part of the island. I was working at the time (in 1956) on a farm outside Reykjavik, so only had the weekend. Accompanied by three Danish farmhands like myself, we walked the 7 miles to town, and caught a bus to where the road ends and then walked for hours across those barren wastes. At a lonely farmhouse roofed in turf sods and the only form of transport was donkey, we barged in for a bite to eat. Kindly people and they treated us like lost relations. They had a piano and those days I could play my 3 pieces properly. After playing my Mendelssohn and Chaminade we set out and there, shortly over the sand dunes, was Hekla. This is the famous Icelandic volcano, still active, set in a remote part of the island. I was working at the time (in 1956) on a farm outside Reykjavik, so only had the weekend. Accompanied by three Danish farmhands like myself, we walked the 7 miles to town, and caught a bus to where the road ends and then walked for hours across those barren wastes. At a lonely farmhouse roofed in turf sods and the only form of transport was donkey, we barged in for a bite to eat. Kindly people and they treated us like lost relations. They had a piano and those days I could play my 3 pieces properly. After playing my Mendelssohn and Chaminade we set out and there, shortly over the sand dunes, was Hekla.
  
-Clouds were looming up and as we all climbed higher the fog became thicker and thicker. The scoria commenced and it was one up, two back. Visibility was down to a few feet and I decided enough was enough. What's the point in going further up to see a crater that would be invisible and no view? The following morning when they came down to me in my tent they were full of misery and woe. Serves them right! They weren't idiots, even for all that. Two of them were learning Gothic, which is rather odd. Dear reader, ask anyone you meet in the next 25 years if anyone has heard of anyone ever learning Gothic. Sanscrit is much more useful, and how many people have you met who have spoken that? No more. Be that as it may, that night we returned to Mossfellssveit and all the locals laughed at the stupid Australian. Such is Icelandic Logic, but Icelanders are rather potty as a race anyway. An example:- During Iceland Flag Day every room in the house had little flags in them on tiny 7" stands. Even the toilet! One more example:- Crossing a bridge by bus once near the top of a pass, every passenger spat out over the side of the bridge and then they each put a small stone on top of a carin that was there. It stops Loki doing them harm. If you don't know who Loki is, look it up. Hekla by the way is only 4,500 ft.+Clouds were looming up and as we all climbed higher the fog became thicker and thicker. The scoria commenced and it was one up, two back. Visibility was down to a few feet and I decided enough was enough. What's the point in going further up to see a crater that would be invisible and no view? The following morning when they came down to me in my tent they were full of misery and woe. Serves them right! They weren't idiots, even for all that. Two of them were learning Gothic, which is rather odd. Dear reader, ask anyone you meet in the next 25 years if anyone has heard of anyone ever learning Gothic. Sanscrit is much more useful, and how many people have you met who have spoken that? No more. Be that as it may, that night we returned to Mossfellssveit and all the locals laughed at the stupid Australian. Such is Icelandic Logic, but Icelanders are rather potty as a race anyway. An example:- During Iceland Flag Day every room in the house had little flags in them on tiny 7" stands. Even the toilet! One more example:- Crossing a bridge by bus once near the top of a pass, every passenger spat out over the side of the bridge and then they each put a small stone on top of a cairn that was there. It stops Loki doing them harm. If you don't know who Loki is, look it up. Hekla by the way is only 4,500 ft.
  
 ===Mount Egmont.=== ===Mount Egmont.===
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 ===For the cheapest gear in Australasia.=== ===For the cheapest gear in Australasia.===
  
-We have a prompt mail order service to Australian customers - **free posateg on all orders**. Below is a list of some of the gear we stock - prices quoted in New Zealand dollars (NZ $1 = A $0.83). We prefer payment by bank draft in New Zealand currency.+We have a prompt mail order service to Australian customers - **free postage on all orders**. Below is a list of some of the gear we stock - prices quoted in New Zealand dollars (NZ $1 = A $0.83). We prefer payment by bank draft in New Zealand currency.
  
 | |$| | |$|
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 At 12.30 p.m. we stepped out into the full force of this now dangerous weather. At that moment, strangely as if to thwart our intentions, a thick mist enveloped the mountains, reducing visibility to a few yards. It was as if I had been blinded in mid-stride and in fact it was the last we were to see of the landscape for over six hours. Now the navigation of the South West Cape Range is difficult indeed in such conditions for the top of the Range is undulating, with shoulders and hollows all over the place; there is no well-defined crest. Of course, if one had been perfectly rational the compass would have been consulted immediately. But I find, unfortunately, that to be perfectly rational in tearing wind, rain and cold requires a tremendous effort of will - there is an overwhelming temptation to keep moving and a self-deluding notion that one senses the correct direction to go. Such a mental condition is dangerous and it was not until we stumbled over the same group of rocks for the second time that we finally recognised that danger. Even with the compass in my hand I doubt that I steered a very steady course. For over two hours (more than twice the duration of the outward walk) we groped along the Range on a rough northerly course, sometimes slipping off onto one side, sometimes the other, seeking campsites here and there but of course there were none. It was during one of these explorations that we nearly lost each other; a ten-yard separation, we found, was fatal because at that distance eyes and ears were useless in the mist and wind. It is amusing to reflect that lunch, so eagerly awaited on other days, never even crossed our minds. At 12.30 p.m. we stepped out into the full force of this now dangerous weather. At that moment, strangely as if to thwart our intentions, a thick mist enveloped the mountains, reducing visibility to a few yards. It was as if I had been blinded in mid-stride and in fact it was the last we were to see of the landscape for over six hours. Now the navigation of the South West Cape Range is difficult indeed in such conditions for the top of the Range is undulating, with shoulders and hollows all over the place; there is no well-defined crest. Of course, if one had been perfectly rational the compass would have been consulted immediately. But I find, unfortunately, that to be perfectly rational in tearing wind, rain and cold requires a tremendous effort of will - there is an overwhelming temptation to keep moving and a self-deluding notion that one senses the correct direction to go. Such a mental condition is dangerous and it was not until we stumbled over the same group of rocks for the second time that we finally recognised that danger. Even with the compass in my hand I doubt that I steered a very steady course. For over two hours (more than twice the duration of the outward walk) we groped along the Range on a rough northerly course, sometimes slipping off onto one side, sometimes the other, seeking campsites here and there but of course there were none. It was during one of these explorations that we nearly lost each other; a ten-yard separation, we found, was fatal because at that distance eyes and ears were useless in the mist and wind. It is amusing to reflect that lunch, so eagerly awaited on other days, never even crossed our minds.
  
-The passage of time that day made no impact on me but it must have been about 3 p.m. when Joan calld, "Look, what's that?" Looming eerily in the white-out we could make out a straight and slender vertical object. On coming closer we perceived it was an iron stake! So we had at last discovered the route to Window Pane Bay, the route we had traversed two days before. Or had we? Nothing was familiar. We must find more stakes, not an easy exercise in those conditions, but by scouting around with a great deal of shouting we managed to locate the next stake in both directions. (I should add there was no recognisable track.) We walked that line of three stakes three times but failed to recognise a single feature. Incredibly, it seems now, we convinced ourselves that this was not, after all, the route to Window Pane Bay but some other staked route beyond our knowledge. There seamed only one thing to do now - to forget the Bay and find a campsite somewhere up top, because frankly we were bewildered. Fortunately, the rain had eased.+The passage of time that day made no impact on me but it must have been about 3 p.m. when Joan called, "Look, what's that?" Looming eerily in the white-out we could make out a straight and slender vertical object. On coming closer we perceived it was an iron stake! So we had at last discovered the route to Window Pane Bay, the route we had traversed two days before. Or had we? Nothing was familiar. We must find more stakes, not an easy exercise in those conditions, but by scouting around with a great deal of shouting we managed to locate the next stake in both directions. (I should add there was no recognisable track.) We walked that line of three stakes three times but failed to recognise a single feature. Incredibly, it seems now, we convinced ourselves that this was not, after all, the route to Window Pane Bay but some other staked route beyond our knowledge. There seamed only one thing to do now - to forget the Bay and find a campsite somewhere up top, because frankly we were bewildered. Fortunately, the rain had eased.
  
 Having made this decision, we dropped down the eastern (the more protected) slopes, exploring patches of trees and gullies for possible sites. But the whole landscape was tilted at 60° or worse and the little that was level was covered with scrub and fallen logs. The frustrating thing was that we had to stumble on something out of the fog - there was no "casing the joint" on a broader scale. Finally, we settled for the bare crest of a spur sloping away down to the east. When I say I mean bare of timber, not bare of the large button grass clumps which were everywhere. But at least it was reasonably level and partly protected. Getting the tent up called for some perseverance what with the wind, the slope and the button grass. We anchored the metal pegs with short lengths of stick cut from a nearby sapling and thankfully crept inside, moulding our bodies around the clumps. Having made this decision, we dropped down the eastern (the more protected) slopes, exploring patches of trees and gullies for possible sites. But the whole landscape was tilted at 60° or worse and the little that was level was covered with scrub and fallen logs. The frustrating thing was that we had to stumble on something out of the fog - there was no "casing the joint" on a broader scale. Finally, we settled for the bare crest of a spur sloping away down to the east. When I say I mean bare of timber, not bare of the large button grass clumps which were everywhere. But at least it was reasonably level and partly protected. Getting the tent up called for some perseverance what with the wind, the slope and the button grass. We anchored the metal pegs with short lengths of stick cut from a nearby sapling and thankfully crept inside, moulding our bodies around the clumps.
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 Apparently this time the gods were with us because no sooner had we got comfortable than the storm returned with renewed fury. For three hours our tiny shelter in the middle of that vast wilderness was buffeted unmercifully by the wind and lashed by driving rain. Fearing the worst, we expected the tent would be lifted bodily from over us at any moment. Memories of a dreadful Tasmanian night spent in similar conditions at the high camp on Mt. Eliza in 1968 only made us more anxious. Then there was the terrible reputation of south-west Tassie to reckon with. I remember saying some prayers at this stage. We began to plan exactly what we would try to do if the worst came to the worst. Finally I got out my novel in an attempt to forget the outside world, but it was no use - I read only two pages in an hour. But the tent held and not a drop of rain had entered and I gave thanks for the sturdy japara sou'wester and the aluminium poles, the very items I had previously cursed because of their weight. Apparently this time the gods were with us because no sooner had we got comfortable than the storm returned with renewed fury. For three hours our tiny shelter in the middle of that vast wilderness was buffeted unmercifully by the wind and lashed by driving rain. Fearing the worst, we expected the tent would be lifted bodily from over us at any moment. Memories of a dreadful Tasmanian night spent in similar conditions at the high camp on Mt. Eliza in 1968 only made us more anxious. Then there was the terrible reputation of south-west Tassie to reckon with. I remember saying some prayers at this stage. We began to plan exactly what we would try to do if the worst came to the worst. Finally I got out my novel in an attempt to forget the outside world, but it was no use - I read only two pages in an hour. But the tent held and not a drop of rain had entered and I gave thanks for the sturdy japara sou'wester and the aluminium poles, the very items I had previously cursed because of their weight.
  
-Around 7 p.m. we became vaguely aware of a change outside the tent. At first it was difficult to believe, a sort of "pleasure is the cessation of pain" type of feeling. But yes, the rain had stopped and the wind had eased. We quickly parted the flaps and two heads eagerly thrust through. We could actually see something! "Look, there's the Melaleuca Range apross the valley, and that's the spur we came down three days ago. Yippee! We know where we are!" Out of the tent and up the spur we hurried, slipping and sliding everywhere in the mud. The weather still looked somewhat ominous but it was a wonderful new world, a world with which we could now come to terms. There were the stakes we had found in the mist and we followed them to the crest of the Range. Then the awful truth hit us like a thunderbolt: of course it was the route to Window Pane Bay, no doubt of it now, it was again familiar, how silly we must have been. How easy it all is when you can see around you, how utterly mystifying when you cannot!+Around 7 p.m. we became vaguely aware of a change outside the tent. At first it was difficult to believe, a sort of "pleasure is the cessation of pain" type of feeling. But yes, the rain had stopped and the wind had eased. We quickly parted the flaps and two heads eagerly thrust through. We could actually see something! "Look, there's the Melaleuca Range across the valley, and that's the spur we came down three days ago. Yippee! We know where we are!" Out of the tent and up the spur we hurried, slipping and sliding everywhere in the mud. The weather still looked somewhat ominous but it was a wonderful new world, a world with which we could now come to terms. There were the stakes we had found in the mist and we followed them to the crest of the Range. Then the awful truth hit us like a thunderbolt: of course it was the route to Window Pane Bay, no doubt of it now, it was again familiar, how silly we must have been. How easy it all is when you can see around you, how utterly mystifying when you cannot!
  
 We were now faced with another decision - whether to uproot camp and descend to the Bay while we could or whether to stay put. The wind now came from the south-west, not a reassuring sign at all, we felt. On the other hand, it was clearer in the south-west than it had been all day. Besides, only two hours of daylight remained, barely time to pack up and avoid the difficulties of the forest in the dark. Inertia, of course, won and we stayed. But it was not just that, either. Somehow, just knowing our position was immensely reassuring and after all, the tent had survived one onslaught - it might survive another. We would collect some water, hop into our cosy tent and make the gas stove justify its bringing; and in the morning, weather permitting, we would be off to a flying start along that crazy range. It all worked out. We were now faced with another decision - whether to uproot camp and descend to the Bay while we could or whether to stay put. The wind now came from the south-west, not a reassuring sign at all, we felt. On the other hand, it was clearer in the south-west than it had been all day. Besides, only two hours of daylight remained, barely time to pack up and avoid the difficulties of the forest in the dark. Inertia, of course, won and we stayed. But it was not just that, either. Somehow, just knowing our position was immensely reassuring and after all, the tent had survived one onslaught - it might survive another. We would collect some water, hop into our cosy tent and make the gas stove justify its bringing; and in the morning, weather permitting, we would be off to a flying start along that crazy range. It all worked out.
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 Along the track the lower shelf of Mt. Evans ridge brought me back into a paradise of lichen and mosses, and soon I was down in Moa Park, with its rushing stream, scenic clearing and dilapidated hut (4-bunk). The stream contains protected freshwater crayfish. Following up the clearing I located the track to Castle Rocks Hut, and descended about 1,000 ft. along the track to reach the hut by 3.30 p.m., after a very leisurely day. Castle Rocks Hut is 4-bunk, and has a very homely atmosphere about it. The clearing gives some pleasant views of the nearby granite masses from which some superb sunrise photographs may be taken. Along the track the lower shelf of Mt. Evans ridge brought me back into a paradise of lichen and mosses, and soon I was down in Moa Park, with its rushing stream, scenic clearing and dilapidated hut (4-bunk). The stream contains protected freshwater crayfish. Following up the clearing I located the track to Castle Rocks Hut, and descended about 1,000 ft. along the track to reach the hut by 3.30 p.m., after a very leisurely day. Castle Rocks Hut is 4-bunk, and has a very homely atmosphere about it. The clearing gives some pleasant views of the nearby granite masses from which some superb sunrise photographs may be taken.
  
-Tho following morning I left by 9.00 a.m. in order to reach Torrent Bay Hut, a descent of about 2,500 feet. My impressions of the forest deteriorated due to a sort of slog to Holyoake Clearing, with no views till the clearing is reached. The clearing is high-level and is the result of a past fire. There is a 4-bunk hut which is not marked on amy maps that I have seen. I arrived at the hut at 10.30 a.m. for morning tea. Shortly after I encountered acres of gorse, which is a most inconvenient prickly bush introduced into New Zealand initially as a hedge, but gone wild. Goats and pigs also are common in this area. The track forks, one going south to Marahua, my track going north to Torrent Bay. At last I saw my long-sought-after view of the northern coast from a bare hill just off the track, and after a dehydrating descent arrived at sea level to lunch at the Torrent River.+The following morning I left by 9.00 a.m. in order to reach Torrent Bay Hut, a descent of about 2,500 feet. My impressions of the forest deteriorated due to a sort of slog to Holyoake Clearing, with no views till the clearing is reached. The clearing is high-level and is the result of a past fire. There is a 4-bunk hut which is not marked on any maps that I have seen. I arrived at the hut at 10.30 a.m. for morning tea. Shortly after I encountered acres of gorse, which is a most inconvenient prickly bush introduced into New Zealand initially as a hedge, but gone wild. Goats and pigs also are common in this area. The track forks, one going south to Marahua, my track going north to Torrent Bay. At last I saw my long-sought-after view of the northern coast from a bare hill just off the track, and after a dehydrating descent arrived at sea level to lunch at the Torrent River.
  
 The midday light had a magical effect on the water. To my mind it ranks as one of the most beautiful locations I have seen, with reflections, deep swimming holes, and a beautiful beach for sunbaking. Sandflies were present but not unbearable. From the river a side track for 15 mins. took me up to Cleopatra's Pool, which can be recognised by its rather unique waterfall. Multi-coloured berries adorned the nearby bushes. I arrived at the luxurious Torrent Bay Hut at 2.00 p.m. The hut is 12-bunk and features mattresses, table and chairs, outside garden, barbeques, lawns, exterior furniture, and a family of inquisitive wekas. In this setting I was content to bludge away what remained of the daylight, in picturesque surroundings. The midday light had a magical effect on the water. To my mind it ranks as one of the most beautiful locations I have seen, with reflections, deep swimming holes, and a beautiful beach for sunbaking. Sandflies were present but not unbearable. From the river a side track for 15 mins. took me up to Cleopatra's Pool, which can be recognised by its rather unique waterfall. Multi-coloured berries adorned the nearby bushes. I arrived at the luxurious Torrent Bay Hut at 2.00 p.m. The hut is 12-bunk and features mattresses, table and chairs, outside garden, barbeques, lawns, exterior furniture, and a family of inquisitive wekas. In this setting I was content to bludge away what remained of the daylight, in picturesque surroundings.
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 ====Annual Subscriptions.==== ====Annual Subscriptions.====
  
-Members are reminded that annual subscriptions were due and payable as at March this year. Subscriptions may be paid to Jim Vatiliotis (Treaurer) or John Holly in the club rooms or may be posted to Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. Receipts for payments by cheque will not be posted out unless requested. Subscription rates are as follows-+Members are reminded that annual subscriptions were due and payable as at March this year. Subscriptions may be paid to Jim Vatiliotis (Treasurer) or John Holly in the club rooms or may be posted to Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. Receipts for payments by cheque will not be posted out unless requested. Subscription rates are as follows-
  
 Ordinary member $8.50, Married Couple $10.50, Students $5.00, Non-active member $1.50 plus $4.00 for magazine if required. Ordinary member $8.50, Married Couple $10.50, Students $5.00, Non-active member $1.50 plus $4.00 for magazine if required.
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 By Len Newland. Telephone 43.2419 (B). By Len Newland. Telephone 43.2419 (B).
  
-In order to satisfy curiousity, I can advise that the S.B.W./Dungalla day will be Saturday 11th. September.+In order to satisfy curiosity, I can advise that the S.B.W./Dungalla day will be Saturday 11th. September.
  
 ====Walks for July.==== ====Walks for July.====
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 All members and non-members of the Sydney BushWalkers Gourmandizers and Epicurian Club are advised that: All members and non-members of the Sydney BushWalkers Gourmandizers and Epicurian Club are advised that:
  
-**Dinner before the next General Meeting on Wednesday 14th. July will be at Lombardo's Restaurant, 435 elizabeth Street Sydney, near Central Station. Food is Italian style.+Dinner before the next General Meeting on Wednesday 14th. July will be at Lombardo's Restaurant, 435 Elizabeth Street Sydney, near Central Station. Food is Italian style.
  
 Time: 6.00 p.m. Time: 6.00 p.m.
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 Dusky Sound - Lake Manapouri - N2MS S157, N2MS S148. Dusky Sound - Lake Manapouri - N2MS S157, N2MS S148.
  
-Hollyford Valley - N2MS S122, N2MS S113.+Hollyford Valley - N2MS S122, N2MS S113."
  
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197606.txt · Last modified: 2016/09/06 09:00 by tyreless

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