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-A TREE FAILS IN BLUE GUM.
+===== A Tree Falls In The Blue Gum. =====
 by Jim Brown.
-Somewhere recently - and it may have been in the Federation supplement which often accompanies the magazine - I read that most of the mature trees
-in Blue Gum Forest are of similar age, and that the day would cone when quite a big portion of the trees would die simultaneously.
+Somewhere recently - and it may have been in the Federation supplement which often accompanies the magazine - I read that most of the mature trees in Blue Gum Forest are of similar age, and that the day would cone when quite a big portion of the trees would die simultaneously.
-I was reminded of this a few days ago when passing one week-day after-
-noon through the Forest. It was flat calm - not a puff of wind in the valley - and several days since the idrevious rains. Quite abruptly there was a long- drawn-out crackling, splintering noise two or three hundred metres distant,
+I was reminded of this a few days ago when passing one week-day afternoon through the Forest. It was flat calm - not a puff of wind in the valley - and several days since the previous rains. Quite abruptly there was a long-drawn-out crackling, splintering noise two or three hundred metres distant, culminating in a thunderous crash. Looking in the direction of the noise I could see flying leaves and fragments of bark.
-culminating in a thunderous crash. Looking in the direction of the noise
-T could see flying leaves and.fragments of bark.
+A little later I explored. A large tree, but not one of the very largest in the forest, had evidently been rotten at the base. I don't think the decay would have been evident to a casual observer. At all events, it had suddenly shattered and fallen, and its trunk had became entangled with branches of a smaller tree, which had also been uprooted and shattered. The ground around for thirty or forty metres was covered with broken branches, some of them almost large enough to be a respectable tree in their own right.
-A little later I exploced. A large tree, but not one of the very largest in the forest, had evidently been rotten at the base. I don't think the decay would have been evident to a casual observer. At all events, it had suddenly shattered and fallen, and its trunk had became entangled with branches of a smaller tree, which had also been uprooted and shattered. The ground around for thirty or forty metres was covered with broken branches, aome of them almost large enough to be a respectable tree in their own right.
-Of course, camping in Blue Gum Forest has been prohibited by the Parks
+Of course, camping in Blue Gum Forest has been prohibited by the Parks & Wildlife Service for some years, but judging from the recent fireplaces and collections of firewood, the ban is neither observed nor strictly policed. On other grounds, however, it seems that it may be wise to refrain from camping in an area where quite a colony of trees may be approaching the end of their normal life span.
-& Wildlife Service for some years, but judging from the recent fireplaces and collections of firewood, the ban is neither observed nor strictly policed. On other grounds, however, it seems that it may be wise to refrain from camping in an area where quite a colony of trees may be approaching the end of their normal life span.
-XXXXXXXXXXX*
+----
-Page 13	THE SYDN:EY BUSHWALICER	April, 1982.
-PROPOSED EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTH-WEST CORNER OF FIORDLAND NATIONAL PAR/c, NEff ZEALAND - FEBRUARY-'83.
+===== Proposed Expedition To The South-West Corner Of Fiordland National Park, New Zealand - February '83. =====
-(Cascade Cove, Dusky'SoUnd - Chalky Inlet)
-. by Peter Harris.
+=== (Cascade Cove, Dusky Sound - Chalky Inlet) ===
-. The south-west corner of Fiordland National Park is a remote alpine wilderness, little visited by trampers and climbers. The peaks rise to about 49500 metres above a myriad of glacial lakes and deep, wild river valleys. It is an area which pits the human soul against some of nature's most beautiful and demanding challenges - a spiritual satisfaction, and a
-lifetime-lasting memory of rocky ramparts,cloud-piercing peaks of mica and quartz, virgin streams and brooks,.alpine,meadows and lakes set like shimmering jewels carelessly scattered on the ground. The ultimate challenge is
+by Peter Harris.
-survival against the combined wild elements of torrential rain and snow,
-electrical thunderstorms which split peaks asunder, and the human element of maintaining high morale against countless natural difficulties.
+The south-west corner of Fiordland National Park is a remote alpine wilderness, little visited by trampers and climbers. The peaks rise to about 4,500 metres above a myriad of glacial lakes and deep, wild river valleys. It is an area which pits the human soul against some of nature's most beautiful and demanding challenges - a spiritual satisfaction, and a lifetime-lasting memory of rocky ramparts, cloud-piercing peaks of mica and quartz, virgin streams and brooks, alpine meadows and lakes set like shimmering jewels carelessly scattered on the ground. The ultimate challenge is survival against the combined wild elements of torrential rain and snow, electrical thunderstorms which split peaks asunder, and the human element of maintaining high morale against countless natural difficulties.
 The criteria for survival is impeccable planning and research, time, physical fitness, experience in extended walking trips to remote wilderness, and continuation of a high morale at all times and on all occasions.
-In February 1980, four of us successfully completed a difficult first crossing from Lake Manapouri to Cascade Cove, Dusky Sound, via the peaks of the Heath Mountains, Dark Cloud Range and Evans Range. We successfully
-accomplished the first traverse of the Evans Range including the first ascent
+In February 1980, four of us successfully completed a difficult first crossing from Lake Manapouri to Cascade Cove, Dusky Sound, via the peaks of the Heath Mountains, Dark Cloud Range and Evans Range. We successfully accomplished the first traverse of the Evans Range including the first ascent of Mt. Evans, and the third ascent of Mt. Sparrman (first climbed in 1773 by Anders Sparrman from Captn. James Cook's "Resolution"). Our expedition was dependent upon only one air-dump of food, thus heavy packs, and uncertainty of a forward route made the trip more demanding. The region of complete and total spiritual bliss was discovered in the Evans Range, and in the many glacial lakes to the south (towards Preservation Inlet and Chalky Sound).
-of Mt. Evans, and the third ascent of Mt. Sparrman (first climbed in 1773 by
-Anders Sparrman from Captn. James Cook's "Resolution"). Our expedition Was dependent upon only one air-dump of food, thus heavy packs, and uncertainty
+It is proposed to conduct a second expedition to this area, commencing after a flight to Cascade Cove, and pre-placement of food deposits in several strategic campsites. The termination of the trip will be Cascade Cove, thus allowing much more time (and less pack carrying) to investigate and enjoy this wild remote wilderness with all its magnificent natural features. It will involve walking only; there will be no technical climbing involved.
-of a forward route made the trip more demanding. The region of complete
-and total spiritual bliss was discovered in the Evans Range, and in the many
-glacial lakes to the south (towards Preservation Inlet and Chalky Sound).
-It is proposed to conduct a second expedition to this area, commencing
-after a flight to Cascade Cove, and pre-placement of food deposits in several Strategic campsites. The termination of the trip will be Cascade Cove, thus allowing much more time (and less pack carrying) to investigate and enjoy
-this wild remote wilderness with all its magnificent natural features. It will involve walking only; there will be nO technical climbing involved.
 Initially it is proposed that the activity will occur over a three-week period in Feb/March 1983, since the weather is most stable at this time of year. All participants will assist with the planning and preparation which should start by June, 1982.
-Participation is invited from members of the Sydney Bush Walkers who
-desire to visit one of the most beautiful wilderness areas on earth. There
+Participation is invited from members of the Sydney Bush Walkers who desire to visit one of the most beautiful wilderness areas on earth. There probably won't be a second chance! Exposure to forceful natural elements and the necessity to maintain a high morale require that the walk be graded hard; however because of pre-placed food drops and a high frequency of proposed one-day walks from a variety of different base camps, the standard of walking is only of medium grade. The key is safety, experienced leadership, party involvement in planning and decision-making. The party does not move in bad weather conditions.
-probably won't be a second chance! Exposure to forcefulnnatural elements,
-and the necessity to maintain a high morale require that the walk be graded.
+Should you wish to participate, or else have a strong interest but question your abilities, phone me one night (80-0322(H)), and we'll discuss it further. It is an expedition to a wild area of remote wilderness which you won't forget in a lifetime of walking and dreaming....
-hard; however because of pre-placed food drops and a high frequency of
-proposed one-day walks from a variety of different. base camps, the standard
+P.S. There are no sandflies above the treeline! The expedition may terminate with a charter cruise north to Milford Sound, exploring all the majestic fiords along the way.
-of walking is only of medium grade. The key is safety, experienced leadership, party involvement in planning and decision-making. The party does -
-Page
+----
-.
-TEE SYDNEY BUSEWALKER	April, 1982.
+===== Kedumba Connection. =====
--
-question your abilities, phone me one night (80-0322(H), and. we'll discuss
+by Bill Gamble.
-it further. It is an expedition to a wild area of remote wilderness which you won't forget in a lifetime of walkiniand dreaming....
-P.S. There are no sandflies above the treelinel The expedition may terminate with a charter cruise north to Milford Sound, exploring all the majestic fiords along the way.
+Most bushwalkers will have covered the well-worn path from the Scenic Railway or Golden Stairs to Mount Solitary. It is a brisk day walk with time for a side visit to Ruined Castle and leisurely lunch at Chinaman's Cave. The back end to Mount Solitary is not quite as accessible (which may be considered a good or bad thing depending upon one's viewpoint); and, as a consequence, few approach it from the east ridge to The Col. For those who do so, there is the promise of terrain quite different from that along the usual route. Map references are Katoomba and Jamison in the 1:31680 series.
-* * * * * * * * * *
-KEDUMBA CONNECTION.	by Bill Gamble.
+Ian Debert has included both sections in the walks programme for the last two years in overnight walks around June/July. For me, they have opened one of the most interesting routes I have encountered in the Blue Mountains abutting the main road/rail links. Those who are inclined to dismiss the walk as covering too much familiar ground or too close to civilisation; or, perhaps, put off by doubtful water quality in Kedumba Creek, should think again.
-Most bushwalkers will have covered the well-worn path from the Scenic Railway or Golden Stairs to Mount Solitary. It is a brisk day walk with
-time for a side visit to Ruined Castle and leisurely lunch at Chinaman's Cave. The back end to Mount Solitary is not quite as accessible (which
+It is necessary to arrange a car swop before the walk commences, or road bash about six miles from Wentworth Falls if using public transport, which may be a little offputting too, but the time involved is well worth while. Do not be dissuaded.
-may be considered a good or bad thing depending upon one's viewpoint); and, as a consequence, few approach it from the east ridge to The Gol. For those who do so, there is the promise of terrain quite different from that along the usual route. Map references are Katoomba and Jamison in the 1:31680 series.
-Ian Debert has included both sections in the walks programme for the last two years in overdight walks around June/July. For me, they have opened one of the most interesting routes I have encountered in the Blue Mountains abutting the main road/rail links. Those who are inclined to dismiss the walk as cdvering too much familiar ground or too close to civilisation; or, perhaps, put off by doubtful water quality in Kedumba Creek, should think again.
+The starting point is beyond the Sanatorium on the King's Tableland - take the Kedumba Valley Road which passes to the right of the hospital and continue down to the locked gate. While waiting for the car swop to be completed, or resting after the road bash, there are spectacular cliff-top views to be seen a mere thirty yards from the roadside, and from the gate if one wishes to sit or stand on it.
-It is necessary to arrange a car swop before the walk commences, or road bash about six miles from Wentworth Falls if using public transport, -which may be a little offpatting too, but the time involved is well worth
-while. Do not be dissuaded.
+In 1980 Ian had about fourteen people on this walk, and of the eight who turned up in 1981, five had come the previous year. For the record, the 1981 party comprised Ian Debert, Joy Hynes, Sue and Bill Capon, Keith Docherty, Derek and Lyn Wilson, and the writer.
-The starting point is beyond the Sanatorium on the King's Tableland -
-take the Kedumba Valley Road which passes to the right of the hospital and
+The walk proper starts from the gate and proceeds for about fifty minutes along the dirt road which passes through the cliffs to the buttress below Kedumba Walls. There the route turns off the road (rather subtly I might add, about five minutes along a flat section of the road running generally south and parallel to Kedumba Walls) on to a little-used route down to Kedumba Creek. The road walk is not without interest, as one cannot but be impressed by the eneineering work involvd in breaching the cliff-face, and the fine views from the road.
-continue down to the locked gate. While waiting for the car swop to be completed, or resting after the road bash, there are spectacular cliff-top views to be seen a mere thirty yards from the roadside, and from the gate if one wishes to sit or stand on it.
-In 1980 Ian had about fourteen people on this walk, and of the eight who turned up in 1981, five had come the previous year. For the record,
+The route from the road down to Kedumba Creek is probably best understood by walking it in company with someone who knows the way, rather than trying to understand my description. Briefly, though, one starts down a sort of disused fire trail, becoming a track on an ever-steepening route which bears left around the back of a gully and sidles down its farther side, ending up in the bottom of the gully alongside the near dry wash of a seasonal creek bed. Eventually, one emerges on to Kedumba Creek and then heads upstream for about five minutes to a reasonable campsite adjacent to cliffs on the opposite bank.
-the 1981 party comprised Ian Debert, Joy Hynes, Sue and Bill Capon, Ieith 15ocherty, Derek and Lyn Wilson, and the writer.
-The walk proper starts from the gate and proceeds for about fifty
+The campsite of 1980 had taken a bit of a battering in between visits and the fire in 1981 was lighted on a much reduced bench of packed sand above the creek. Considering the drought conditions throughoat the period one can but speculate on the force of the flash flood which ripped through the original campsite. There is still the choice of a tent pitched on the hard sand or a few yards away among the tall trees which dominate this part of the creek flats.
-minutes along the dirt road which passes through-the cliffs to the buttress below Kedumba Walls. There the route.turns.off the road (rather subtly
-I might add, about five mites along a flat 'section of the road running
+The need to boil water is an excuse for a generous campfire and plentiful brews of tea. Overnight cold and damp tend to fall heavily on the campsite and a warmer alternative may be to camp about one hundred feet above the creek on the opposite side - it just means a little more effort to draw water and find wood. An advantage could be to place one at the beginning of the ridge walk up to The Col on Mount Solitary, without having to cross the creek first up.
-generally south and parallel to Kedumba Walls) on to a little-used route down to Kedumba Creek. The road walk is not without interest, as one
-not Move-in bad weather conditions.
+Last year, on the Sunday morning, we walked up through thick mist to a beautiful, cloudless day atop Mount Solitary - at one stage we seemed to be adrift on a sea of mist - whereas in 1980 it had been clear thoaughout.
-Should you wish to participate, or else have a stron interest but
-Page 'l5	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALICER	April, 1982.
+Probably, the most satisfying part of the walk - and this is what is missed by those who only day walk from the other end - is the climb from Kedumba Creek to The Col, and the walk along the top of Mount Solitary to Chinaman's Cave. It is a walk in open forest up a spur ridge to The Col, steady at first but increasing in steepness towards the cliff line until hands and feet are necessary. At the top of the buttress a dead-end track sidles around the cliff line to the north, while the track to The Col forks and continues steeply. About two-thirds of the way up, there is an abundance of bellbirds and the air is filled with their sounds - it is like walking through an aviary. At The Col are fine views to east and south-east and to Lake Burragorang. The track between there and Chinaman's Cave, across the top of Mount Solitary, is generally clear and keeps to the Katoomba side until shortly before descending to the cave, when it swings to the opposite side giving the opportunity for good views south beyond Cox's River.
-,'		_...		'..1.1111MOO.MM
-"cannot but be impressed by the eneineering work involvd in breaching the cliff-face, and the fine views from the road.
-The route from the road down to Xedumba Creek is probably best
-Understood by walking it in company with someone who knows the way, rather
-than trying to understand my description. Briefly, though, One starts dawn a sort of diaused fire trail, becoming a track on an ever-steepening route'
-Which bears left around the back of a gully and sidles down its faritor side, en'ding up in the bottom of-the.gully alongside the near dry wash of a
-Seaaanal creek bed. Eventually, one emerges on to Kedumba Creek and then headi upstream for about five minutes to a reasonablo campsite adjacent' to cliffs on the opposite bank.
-The campsite of 1980 had taken a bit of a battering in between visits
-and the fire in 1981 was lighted on a much reduced bench of packed sand - above the creek. Considering the draught conditions throughoat the period
-one can but speculate on the force of the flash flood which ripped through the original campsite. There is still the choice of a tent pitched on the
-hard sand or a few yards away among the tall trees which dominate this part pf the creek flats.
-The need to boil water is an excuse for a generous campfire and plentiful brews of tea. Overnight cold and damp tend to fall heavily on the campsite and a warmer alternative may be to camp about one hundred feet
-above the creek on the opposite side - it just means a little more effort to draw water and find wood. An advantage could be to place one at the beginning of the ridge walk up to The Col on Mount Solitary, without having
--,o cross the creek first up.
-Last year, on the Sunday morning, we walked up through thick mist to a beautiful, cloudless day atop Mount Solitary - at one stage we seemed to
-be adrift on a sea of mist - whereas in 1980 it had been clear thoaughout.
-Probably, the most satisfying part of the walk - and this is what is
-missed by those who only day walk from the other end - is the climb from
-KeduMba Creek to The Col, and the walk along the top of Mount Solitary to Ohinaman's Cave. It is a walk in open forest up a spur ridge to The Col,
-steady at first but increasing in steemess towards the cliff line until
-hands and feet are necessary. At the top of the buttress a dead-end track
-sidles. around the cliff line to the north, while the track to The Col forks and continues steeply. About two-thirds of the way up, there is an
-abundance of bellbirds and the air is filled with their sounds - it is like
-walking through an aviary. At The Col are fine views to east and south-east
-and to Lake Burragorang. The track between there and Chinaman 's Cave, across
-the top of Mount Solitary, is generally clear and keeps to the Katoomba side
-until shortly before descending to the cave, when it swings to the opposite side giving the opportunity for good views south beyond Cox's River.
 There is no need to describe the familiar route out to the Scenic Railway - for Sydney Bushwalkers it seems to become an excuse for a headlong rush along a beaten track, or a time to spread out, lost in their thoughts and the 4.55 pm deadline for the last ride of the day on the railway.
-* * * * * * * * * *
-Page 16	ME SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER	April, 1982.
+----
 CANCEING THE SHOALHAVEN RIVER.
 by Geoff Davidson.