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--- 198402 [2016/03/17 15:23] – [SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS ON THE CENTRAL PLATEAU, TASMANIA - 26/12/83 TO 9/1/84] It was very cold and there were some dark clouds about so we decided to get down to a creek for lunch. From lower down the clouds didn't look so threatening and we ha kclacher
+++ 198402 [2016/03/17 15:30] (current) – [SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS ON THE CENTRAL PLATEAU, TASMANIA - 26/12/83 TO 9/1/84] kclacher
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 We woke to a misty morning with no sun and no Jagungal. As We had a relatively easy day there was no great hurry to be off. Helen opted to stay back at camp and make the "blanc-mange" and the rest of us set out at 09.20 heading north for the Jagungal saddle. It was delightful to be walking with light packs across the open grassland with our mountain now in full view. We climbed an open grassy ridge (262973) and followed the sky-line to the summit which we reached by 11.50.
-There were several other groups there or on the way up so after a few photos and a look at the distant Main Range we headed back. on an afternoon-drink. During our absence Peter had had the same idea. He had got up and had a couple of stiff scotches and a cigarette or two and back to bed. Any thought of Peter having dinner with us that evening was quashed when he heard Joan exclaim that we had weevils in the figs. Unperturbed, our quartermaster Bill stated we should wash and eat them first.
+There were several other groups there or on the way up so after a few photos and a look at the distant Main Range we headed back. It was very cold and there were some dark clouds about so we decided to get down to a creek for lunch. From lower down the clouds didn't look so threatening and we had a pleasant stroll back to the camp site which John was able to see from a distance of three kilometres. Four brave souls went for a quick swim in the Geehi River but the rest of us kept going and got back to camp at 15.20.
+When we were gathered again at the camp Helen produced a birthday cake with one candle for Brian so we all helped him to celebrate - um - delicious.
+__Thursday 29.12.8__\\
+It was a clear sunny morning and we got away by 08.30 and set off to climb Cup and Saucer Hill. The view from the top was excellent, looking across Valentines Creek to the Kerries, back to Jagungal which we could now add to our "been there, done that" list, and along the Brassies. By now the packs were noticeably lighter and it was good to be walking.
+We crossed Valentines Creek at the Big Bend and headed downstream. Walking in the open country beside the creek was very pleasant but as the creek gets lower down it goes through a patch of fairly thick scrub which was tedious to negotiate. It would be better to leave the creek at 249906 and head over a clear saddle running south-west and aim for the fire trail.
+We pushed on through the scrub and reached Valentines Hut at 12.00. On a fine day all huts look scruffy and uninviting and Tin Hut and Valentines Hut were no exceptions. When it is cold and wet huts are transformed in one's mind to palaces of warmth and dryness and any walker worth his or her salt would trample over his or her grandmother to get a bunk or a place near the fire.
+We headed south along Valentine fire trail and had. lunch at a side creek running into Duck Creek. After lunch we continued along the fire trail until we came to the road leading over Schlink Pass. After three days of walking there were a few tender spots showing up an our feet so we had to stop, and Margaret did great work with a roll of plaster. The foot tending was rather Biblical but she drew the line at drying them with her hair.
+We left the road at the top of the pass and followed a faint track leading up onto Dicky Cooper Bogong. The object was to find a high camp spot, and after getting above the low gorse we saw in front of us at 239825 a delightful grassy knoll surrounded by snow gums (15.00).  We set up camp and had a magnificent view across the valley to Gungartan, up the hill behind us to Dicky Cooper Bogong and along to the Granite Peaks. There was water nearby and plenty of fire wood. The ground in front of the campsite sloped away steeply to the Munyang River so we had a view in: each direction. We pitched the tents on the soft snow grass among the sheltering gums and had a cup of tea.
+It was a clear sunny afternoon so we climbed up to Dicky Cooper Bogong where we had the best view on the trip. The sun was going down and flooding the Main Range with brilliant light. To the west row upon row of hills stood out as far as the horizon, each one a subtle shade of blue-grey and different to its neighbour. We sat in the cold wind an top of Dicky Cooper as long as we could and then returned to our more sheltered camp spot among the snow gums.
+We rigged up a foot bath made from a large (75 cm x 100 cm) garbage bag laid across a square made from logs and filled with hot soapy water. From here on this foot bath became very popular and we rigged it up again at the next camp. It is recommended for soothing tired feet.
+__Friday 30.12.83__\\
+Reluctant to leave such a charming spot we finally dragged ourselves away at 09.00 and set off for the Granite Peaks, the Rolling Grounds and Consett Stephens Pass. The weather remained clear and we had no problems navigating. At the pass the wind was extremely cold so we put on extra clothing which soon became too-warm as we climbed up to Mount Tate. On top of Tate we met Gordon Lee and his party. Gordon pointed out a possible camp site below Mount Anderson and-that became our objective after lunch.
+We found another grassy knoll surrounded by snow gums - 206732 - and made an early camp at 14.00. This campsite too was surrounded by mountains and we could see Mount Tate, Mann Bluff, Mounts Anderson,  Anton, Twynam (with a large patch of snow), Little Twynam, The Paralyser, Mount Perisher, Blue Cow and Gills Knob.  In the valley below us across the Snomy River we could see Illawong Lodge. I wanted to camp in a position with an easy escape route in case the weather turned nasty and this was an ideal spot.
+__Saturday 31.12.83__\\
+This was another day off from carrying full packs, so we left the tents pitched and set out (09.30) for Watsons Crags. Helen's knee had been hurting so she and Brian decided to camp at Lake Albina for the night. This would save them climbing Mount Twynam twice and make the last day easier.- (We had intended walking to Thredbo on the last day from Pounds Creek.)
+We agreed that if the weather turned bad and the rest of the party could not get over the top to Thredbo, Helen and Brian were to go dawn to The Chalet and wait to be picked up by car. It is not a good thing to split the party but in this case we had little option.
+The wind was very cold and. strong and it was most invigorating walking out along Watsons Crags as far as the first trig station (12:30). We kept a wary eye on the weather while we had lunch, looking across Lady Northcott Canyon to Mount Townsend. We went back to Mount Twynam and Helen and Brian headed south along the track towards Carruthers Peak while the rest of us went over the top and down into the saddle between Mount Twynam and Little Twynam.
+John and I were reminded of a camp spot there on a trip in 1976 with David Rostron when we were blown off by bad weather. By now the wind was very cold and the clouds completel covered the sky and the only place we wanted to be was back in our snug little camp spot. We skirted below the snow drifts on Twynam and among the  great granite outcrops and stayed above Pounds Creek and so got back to camp at 16.00.
+By now the weather really showed signs of turning wet and horrible - this was New Year's Eve heralding in 1984. We had each carried a selection of luxuries for the occasion but we decided that we would see the New Year in at 21.00 as it was too cold to stay out longer. At that time we blew the whistles that Margaret had carried and drank hot lemon barley with a dash of whiskey carried by Bill and scoffed the luxuries.
+As we turned in for the night the rain started and did not stop all night. The wind was very strong, blowing from the north-east and we wondered how Helen and Brian were getting on in their exposed position at Lake Albina.
+__Sunday 1.1.84__\\
+After raining all night and blowing great guns the weather relented a little and we were able to have breakfast in the dry. Colin and Bill got a fire going and when we were ready to go I asked each person  whether they wanted to go over the top to Thredbo or down to Guthega. The general consensus was that there would be little joy in going higher, so we set off down Pounds Creek. As we did so the rain started
+again and became quite heavy. The scrub along Pounds Creek was thick for the last kilometre before reaching the Snowy River and we made slow progress until we crossed the river and picked up the track leading into Guthega. We did the six kilometres from Guthega to the Power Station in about an hour as we wanted to get out of the rain as soon as we could.
+John, Colin, Bill and Evelyn went off in John's car to Thredbo and the rest of us waited in the power station out of the rain. Evelyn was meeting David Rostron and others at Dead Horse Gap and staying out for a few more days.
+When the cars came back from Thredbo all that remained to be done was to drive up to The Chalet to collect the Goldstraws (who were the only members of our party to get up Mount Kosciusko after having spent a very blustery night hanging onto their tent), and then go on into Jindabyne.
+Because I had my son calling me "Dad" everyone called me "Dad". This raised a few eyebrows when we were arranging accommodation in Jindabyne. It rained and blew all night and we were happy to be snug in a couple of home units overlooking the lake, with hot showers, comfortable beds and toilets.
+We spared a thought for our fellow walkers at Dead Horse Gap.
+__Monday 2.1,84__\\
+And so the drive home again.
+===== BUSHWALKER RECIPES =====
+|**From Judith Rostron**  |  |  |**From Christine Austin**  |
+|1 packet soyaroni   |  |  |Mixed beans or lentils  |
+|1 packet dried peas and corn  |  |  |Brown rice   |
+|1 large tin tuna  |  |  |Cheddar, chopped  |
+|1 packet French onion soup  |  |  |Chopped cashews, herbs, garlic  |
+|(Serves 4)  |  |  | |
+===== MEETING NOTES =====
+===== DECEMBER 1983 GENERAL MEETING=====
+by Barry Wallace
+The meeting began at 2018 with around 35 members present and Vice- President Ainslie Morris in the chair.
+There were apologies from Tony Marshall, Bill Holland and Barrie Murdoch. The welcome to new members saw Deirdre Schofield, Maurie Bloom, Roger Browne. and Chris Nugent come forward to be welcomed in the usual way, but David Underwood was not present to answer the call.
+The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received, with no business arising.
+Correspondence comprised an outgoing invitation to Mr. Dick Smith to address the membership on one of the social nights, an incoming copy of a letter regarding cross-country skiing facilities in Kosciusko National Park, a letter to the Director, N.P.W.S. regarding the selection of representatives for park advisory committees, from the Great South- West Walk Committee, to the Melbourne Bushwalkers magazine "Walk 1982" requesting permission to reprint an article on snakebite treatment and a quotation from Gestetner for the replacement of our ageing duplicator.
+The Treasurer's Report indicated that we began the month with a balance of $3802.92, had an income of $429.15, spent $304.53 and closed the month with a balance of $3927.54.
+The Walks Report was next. It seems that Gordon Lee's Chichester/Wangat walk of the 11,12,13 November did not go, but Peter Miller reported a floating population of from 5 to 16 persons and beaut weather on his Shoalhaven River wine and cheese walk. Of the day walks, Peter Christian had 13 people out on his Hawkesbury River ramble and Brian Bolton had 11 people, 3 groups, and several factions on his Lilyvale to Otford walk.
+The following weekend, 18,19,20 November, Bill Holland had 13 starters and many grass-seeds an his Corroboree Flat map-reading and first-aid Instructional. Jim Percy reported that his group of 10 found nettles chest high in Carlons Creek on his Wild Dogs walk, and that grass-seeds were also a problem. There was no report of Ken Gould's overnight walk to Tootie Greek and back but we were informed that it did go. Joan Cooper's Erskine Creek walk had "lots of people" (est.17) on a coolish day, and Jim Brown reported 20 people, a lazy day, and radios at Lake Eckersley on his Waterfall to Heathcote walk.
+The report for the weekend of 25,26, 27 November began with a cancellation. Gordon Lee's Ettrema (route to be advised) did not receive enough of the necessary advice it seems. Barry Wallace had 11 starters on his Barrallier/Tomat Falls trip. They got heavily rained on for their trouble and had to take the easy (?) way out. Hans Stichter. had 17 people and no report on his Glenbrook day walk, and John Newman reported 10 people, cool weather, rain and a good walk and no grass seeds.
+Over the weekend of 2,3,4 December Peter Hislop's abseiling trip was cancelled due to bad weather but Gordon Lee led 3 starters through some afternoon rains and fine mornings on his Kowmung River walk. Of the day walks, whose name was Legion, Frank Wbodgate led 12 people from Woy Woy to Woy Woy, and Tony Marshall and Rudy Dezelin had no report.
+The following weekend saw Peter Harris leading 8 people on an easy but grass-seed plagued walk somewhere near  the Kowmung. Of Ken Gould's Barren Grounds cycle trip there was no report. Peter, Christian's Engadine to Heathcote walk attracted 17 starters, and Errol Sheedy reported 13 people on a nice walk with some rain on his Waterfall to Waterfall walk. All of which ended the Walks Report.
+Of General Business there was none, so the meeting closed at 2107 hours.
+===== JANUARY 1984 GENERAL MEETING =====
+by Jim Brown
+This should be sub-titled "Where have all the office-bearers gone?" You see, President Tony Marshall was on holidays; so was V.P. Ainslie Morris. The other "Vice", Barry Wallace, was in Brisbane on business. After almost as much "racing and chasing" as mentioned in Walter Scott's "Lochinvar". Treasurer Barrie Murdoch occupied the chair for the General Meeting, which started with the bare quorum of 15 members, escalating to a little over 20 by the end.
+In addition to the distinguished absentees named above, Barbara Bruce was in Italy, but had arranged for a former Secretary, Sheila Binns, to stand in. Indeed there was such a dearth of dignitaries that the Committee Meeting, which was to have been held before the General Meeting, lapsed for want of a quorum of five. There were only two office-bearers present, of whom. one, Bill Holland, was busily engaged in his usual never-ending role of Recruiting Sergeant.
+You may well ask why waste all this valuable paper in your magazine discussing something that has little relevance to the business of the Meeting. Well, even a January General Meeting probably deserves a few lines, but as it lasted only 14 minutes 28.6 seconds, there's not a lot to be said. I even thought it might be a record, but Sheila Binns assures me there was a meeting back in the 1970s that took only 14 minutes, 21.2 seconds. Hard luck!
+Well, then, on to the Meeting. No one wanted to dispute anything in the December Minutes, but there were a couple of items in Correspondence with a little meat on them. The Lane Cove Scout troop is desperately seeking leaders from the walking movement, and the Club's Telephone Contact and Enquiry Agent, Ann Ravn, finds it necessary to vacate this position. No one at the meeting volunteered for taking over these good deeds, so it was resolved to make mention in the magazine and re-invite takers at the February meeting. The Paddy Pallin Foundation is offering interest-free loans for programmes to promote Rucksac sports and similar activities which require capital investment but could be expected to become financially rewarding in due course. No projects were put forward at the meeting.
+Donning his other hat the Chairman advised that Club working funds were $3923 at the beginning of December and had shrunk to $2586.63 at the close, but this included an investment of (I think I heard it right)
+$2000.
+Among Reports, there was no Federation statement, but this was not due to the absence of Federation delegates. Instead Federation had held its December meeting early and an account had been given at our last General Meeting. Then the Walks Report, beginning with Roger Browne's narrative of the walk to Wyanbean Caves jointly led with Michelle de Vreis; sixteen attended, and all went to the Caves, but on the two associated walks the party split 8/8 between the tougher and easier trips (an account of the trip appeared in the January magazine). Brian Bolton took 10 people on a wettish morning of December 18th to Kingdom Come (that's just the alternative name for Boobera Pool on the Woronora River). They dried off around a fire there before coming home on a sunny afternoon. No one could give any information on Sandy Johnson's day walk in Marramarra National Park or Ken Gould's Colo River trip.
+Next the Alps trips over Christmas/New Year. Of Gordon Lee's walks it was reported at second-hand that it was an all-male team of five, and they did what they set out to do. Tom Wenman's party started at the New Year, and was understood to have a rather larger gathering, but details were not available (it is hoped an account of this trip may be written for the magazine).
+On the week-end 6/8 January, Bob Younger and party of about 17 were in the Danjera Creek country. The reporter said the trip proved reasonably strenuous, and was almost entirely through scrub. Blayden's Pass was "an experience". That same Sunday Roy Braithwaite took 14 on a day walk to Burning Palms, the travel arrangements necessitating some change of programme. They encountered storms and some of the crew unaccountably diverted to Werrong.
+With almost exactly 14 minutes of the meeting time fled, Barrie, who had conducted the meeting with the aplomb one might expect of a legal practitioner, called for General Business and when there was none, decreed the gathering at an end.
+===== ANOTHER BUSHWALKER RECIPE =====
+Judith Rostron
+__PESTO__\\
+bunch of steamed spinach (with stalks removed)\\
+clump of parsley\\
+approx 100 g walnuts\\\
+approx 1 tablespoon dried basil (or 1 cup fresh basil)\\
+a slurp of oil\\
+salt and pepper to taste\\
+a clove of garlic
+Blend until smooth. Prepare your Pesto at home before taking it to the bush, where it will keep unrefrigerated for up to 4 days. Toss through noodles or rice with parmesan cheese sprinkled an top.
+===== SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS ON THE CENTRAL PLATEAU, TASMANIA - 26/12/83 TO 9/1/84 =====
+by Spiro Hajinakitas
+ROUTE: Higg's Track - Lake Nameless - Walls of Jerusalem - Lake Meston - Mountains of Jupiter - Orion Lakes - Du Cane Gap - Overland Track -  Narcissus Bay - Byron Gap - Cuvier Valley - Cynthia Bay.
+STARTERS: Bill Burke, Joan Cooper, George Gray, Spiro Hajinakitas, Peter Harris (Leader), Dick Mason (NPA), Jim Percy, Jo Van Sommers.
+The success of a two-week Tassie walk depends on a combination of factors. The compatibility of the party members, sound leadership, the weather, an interesting and scenic route, good campsites, good food and shorter walking days than on an ordinary weekend walk in NSW. Peter, whilst maintaining a hectic pace at his work place, did a great deal of hard work in the planning of the route, arranging transport, selecting the party members and delegating chores. All credit goes to him for the success of this trip and we are forever in his debt.
+__DAY 1__\\
+Our driver, Spike, arrived on time at Devonport Airport and we loaded - our packs onto the Land Rover. They seemed to weigh a tonne, but I think the average weight was 27 kilos. After an hour's drive in the hot midday sun we arrived at the bottom of Higg's Track, changed into our walking clothes and put our street clothes back into the vehicle. Spike assured us he would deposit them at the Ranger's hut at Cynthia Bay ready for our return. We bid him farewell, boiled the billy, had lunch and started off up the steep but well-graded track through thick forest. We were thankful of the tree shade cover, saw our first Tasmanian Waratahs and eventually reached the top of The Great Western Tiers to be greeted by a most strong north-westerly breeze. After the hot climb up Higg's Track the change in temperature came as a shock. We donned jumpers and set up camp in a sheltered spot alongside the ruins of a logger's hat. It was very pleasant out of the wind.
+__DAY 2__\\
+We awoke to a sunny but cool day, and moved off at 9.20 am to cover the 6 km to Lake Nameless. A severe bushfire many years ago had burnt of a lot of the trees and shrubs, the going through numerous vivid green cushion plants, snow grass and alpine flowers in bloom was very easy. Quite soon afterwards Peter was feeling very ill; he suspected the bacon he had for breakfast. We stopped for morning tea at the northern and of Lake Nameless and spotted a small group of day trippers coming towards us. We invited them to share our fire, chatted with them for a while, and moved off to make camp near the south-west tip of Lake Nameless in another sheltered spot above another ruined hut site which was to be our camp for two nights. As he was still feeling ill, Peter declined lunch and whilst we ate our lunch.of cheese, ham speck, bread and butter, spreads, carob nuts and dried fruit, he went through our comprehensive medicine chest for the right medicine and retired to his tent to sleep.
+Dick, George and Joan headed off to Lake Ironstone, 3 km to the north,east, followed half an hour later by Jo, Jim and me. On the way we disturbed a colony of fat-looking light-tan wallabies. We Were not sure if they were fat or if their long hair gave them their plump -appearance. We saw so many wallabies on the Central Plateau that after the first day we just took their presence for granted. Liter a short time viewing and photographing the lake we returned to camp, With.Jim, Jo and Jowl going for a swim. As the night was still young, we decided on an afternoon-drink. During our absence Peter had had the same idea. He had got up and had a couple of stiff scotches and a cigarette or two and back to bed. Any thought of Peter having dinner with us that evening was quashed when he heard Joan exclaim that we had weevils in the figs. Unperturbed, our quartermaster Bill stated we should wash and eat them first.
 __DAY 3__\\
@@ Line 126: / Line 264: @@
 __DAY 15__\\
 Our driver picked us up at 9.30 am, drove us to the airport to drop our luggage, then into Devonport itself for another meal at the hotel. Bill, who was staying on in Tasmania, drove us back to the airport in his hired car (Jim and Jo were also staying on, but were on their way to Hobart), thus ending a pleasant two weeks' holiday.
-===== SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS ON THE CENTRAL PLATEAU, TASMANIA - 26/12/83 TO 9/1/84 =====
-by Spiro Hajinakitas
-ROUTE: Higg's Track - Lake Nameless - Walls of Jerusalem - Lake Meston - Mountains of Jupiter - Orion Lakes - Du Cane Gap - Overland Track -  Narcissus Bay - Byron Gap - Cuvier Valley - Cynthia Bay.
-STARTERS: Bill Burke, Joan Cooper, George Gray, Spiro Hajinakitas, Peter Harris (Leader), Dick Mason (NPA), Jim Percy, Jo Van Sommers.
-The success of a two-week Tassie walk depends on a combination of factors. The compatibility of the party members, sound leadership, the weather, an interesting and scenic route, good campsites, good food and shorter walking days than on an ordinary weekend walk in NSW. Peter, whilst maintaining a hectic pace at his work place, did a great deal of hard work in the planning of the route, arranging transport, selecting the party members and delegating chores. All credit goes to him for the success of this trip and we are forever in his debt.
-__DAY 1__\\
-Our driver, Spike, arrived on time at Devonport Airport and we loaded - our packs onto the Land Rover. They seemed to weigh a tonne, but I think the average weight was 27 kilos. After an hour's drive in the hot midday sun we arrived at the bottom of Higg's Track, changed into our walking clothes and put our street clothes back into the vehicle. Spike assured us he would deposit them at the Ranger's hut at Cynthia Bay ready for our return. We bid him farewell, boiled the billy, had lunch and started off up the steep but well-graded track through thick forest. We were thankful of the tree shade cover, saw our first Tasmanian Waratahs and eventually reached the top of The Great Western Tiers to be greeted by a most strong north-westerly breeze. After the hot climb up Higg's Track the change in temperature came as a shock. We donned jumpers and set up camp in a sheltered spot alongside the ruins of a logger's hat. It was very pleasant out of the wind.
-__DAY 2__\\
-We awoke to a sunny but cool day, and moved off at 9.20 am to cover the 6 km to Lake Nameless. A severe bushfire many years ago had burnt of a lot of the trees and shrubs, the going through numerous vivid green cushion plants, snow grass and alpine flowers in bloom was very easy. Quite soon afterwards Peter was feeling very ill; he suspected the bacon he had for breakfast. We stopped for morning tea at the northern and of Lake Nameless and spotted a small group of day trippers coming towards us. We invited them to share our fire, chatted with them for a while, and moved off to make camp near the south-west tip of Lake Nameless in another sheltered spot above another ruined hut site which was to be our camp for two nights. As he was still feeling ill, Peter declined lunch and whilst we ate our lunch.of cheese, ham speck, bread and butter, spreads, carob nuts and dried fruit, he went through our comprehensive medicine chest for the right medicine and retired to his tent to sleep.
-Dick, George and Joan headed off to Lake Ironstone, 3 km to the north,east, followed half an hour later by Jo, Jim and me. On the way we disturbed a colony of fat-looking light-tan wallabies. We Were not sure if they were fat or if their long hair gave them their plump -appearance. We saw so many wallabies on the Central Plateau that after the first day we just took their presence for granted. Liter a short time viewing and photographing the lake we returned to camp, With.Jim, Jo and Jowl going for a swim. As the night was still young, we decided
+===== THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & THE ANNUAL REUNION =====
-===== THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & THE ANNUAL REUNION. =====
+by Kath Brown
-by Kath Brown.
 According to the S.B.U. Constitution the Annual General Meeting "shall be held in March" and among the business of that meeting shall be "election of Office-bearers and Committee". Each year all official positions become vacant and although the previous holders often stand for re-election for a second year and sometimes for a third or more, usually the President does not seek re-election after two years. Any member may be nominated for any office. Only. Club full members may vote. This year the A.G.M. will be on Wednesday, 14th March.