199112
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|**Editor**|Judy O' | |**Editor**|Judy O' | ||
- | |**Business Manager**| Joy Hynes, 36 Lewis Street, Dee Why 2099 Telephone 982 2615 or 888 3144 (Business)| | + | |**Business Manager**|Joy Hynes, 36 Lewis Street, Dee Why 2099 Telephone 982 2615 or 888 3144 (Business)| |
- | |**Production Manager**| George Gray - Telephone 876 6263| | + | |**Production Manager**|George Gray - Telephone 876 6263| |
- | |**Typist**| Kath Brown & Others| | + | |**Typist**|Kath Brown & Others| |
- | |**Illustrator**| Morag Ryder| | + | |**Illustrator**|Morag Ryder| |
- | |**Printers**| Kenn Clacher, Les Powell, Margaret Niven, Barrie Murdoch & Kay Chan| | + | |**Printers**|Kenn Clacher, Les Powell, Margaret Niven, Barrie Murdoch & Kay Chan| |
===== December 1991 ===== | ===== December 1991 ===== | ||
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|Getting Over|Jim Brown|11| | |Getting Over|Jim Brown|11| | ||
|The November General Meeting|Barry Wallace|13| | |The November General Meeting|Barry Wallace|13| | ||
- | |A. Worthy Call -|Editor|14| | + | |A Worthy Call|Editor|14| |
|A Day at the Circus - A Phantasy|" | |A Day at the Circus - A Phantasy|" | ||
|Fire Bans|Editor|16| | |Fire Bans|Editor|16| | ||
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===== Advertisements ===== | ===== Advertisements ===== | ||
- | |Paddy Pallin - the Leaders in Adventure||6| | + | | |Page| |
- | |Willis' | + | |Paddy Pallin - the Leaders in Adventure|6| |
- | |Eastwood Camping Centre||10| | + | |Willis' |
+ | |Eastwood Camping Centre|10| | ||
+ | ---- | ||
To all Club Members - Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year - Good Walking! | To all Club Members - Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year - Good Walking! | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
===== Saving Of Blue Gum Forest Commemorated ===== | ===== Saving Of Blue Gum Forest Commemorated ===== | ||
- | Just over 60 years ago on November 15th 1931, a small party of Sydney Bush Walkers and Mountain Trailers met the lessee of Blue Gum Forest and agreed to acquire the Forest for 130 pounds. The Forest was the fore-runner of Miles Dunphy' | + | Just over 60 years ago on November 15th 1931, a small party of Sydney Bush Walkers and Mountain Trailers met the lessee of Blue Gum Forest and agreed to acquire the Forest for 130 pounds. The Forest was the fore-runner of Miles Dunphy' |
- | now existing in fact although not in name. | + | |
On December 6th this year, Bill Holland, Dot Butler and Alex Colley presented a cheque for $130 to the Hon. Tim Moore, Minister for the Environment for the purposes of the Wilderness Fund which, though created under the Wilderness Act 1987, was not operative. Mr. Moore was pleased to accept our cheque and announced that $82,000 would be transferred to the fund from the National Parks & Wildlife Service for the purpose of the assessment of wilderness areas nominations. | On December 6th this year, Bill Holland, Dot Butler and Alex Colley presented a cheque for $130 to the Hon. Tim Moore, Minister for the Environment for the purposes of the Wilderness Fund which, though created under the Wilderness Act 1987, was not operative. Mr. Moore was pleased to accept our cheque and announced that $82,000 would be transferred to the fund from the National Parks & Wildlife Service for the purpose of the assessment of wilderness areas nominations. | ||
- | It is very appropriate that the Sydney Bush Walkers, having in effect presented the Forest to the people of has now been able to open the Wilderness Fund. - two firsts for the Sydney Bush Walkers! | + | It is very appropriate that the Sydney Bush Walkers, having in effect presented the Forest to the people of N.S.W. |
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
Alex will make a more detailed conservation report for the next magazine. | Alex will make a more detailed conservation report for the next magazine. | ||
Many people will have seen the beautiful picture of Blue Gum in the S.M.H. of 6/12/91. | Many people will have seen the beautiful picture of Blue Gum in the S.M.H. of 6/12/91. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
===== It's all in a day - Jan's "K to K" ===== | ===== It's all in a day - Jan's "K to K" ===== | ||
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It was crisp & cold when we emerged from our tents at 4.45 am; but it promised to be a clear fine day. The bad news comes from Morrie; Jan does not want a fire lit, he obviously fears we might sit around it too long. Am I really going to walk 55 km without a cup of coffee!? Dave saves the day, he has a stove. | It was crisp & cold when we emerged from our tents at 4.45 am; but it promised to be a clear fine day. The bad news comes from Morrie; Jan does not want a fire lit, he obviously fears we might sit around it too long. Am I really going to walk 55 km without a cup of coffee!? Dave saves the day, he has a stove. | ||
- | I complain to Henri, my hands are freezing as I dismantle the tent poles. "What are you, man or mouse?'' | + | I complain to Henri, my hands are freezing as I dismantle the tent poles. "What are you, man or mouse?" |
There is a subdued excitement as we all go about our packing silently. Its 5.45 am when we start the cars & set off for Kanangra Walls car park. | There is a subdued excitement as we all go about our packing silently. Its 5.45 am when we start the cars & set off for Kanangra Walls car park. | ||
- | At 6.05 am we start walking, the sun is bright, but it icy cold. The pace is fast & my legs haven' | + | At 6.05 am we start walking, the sun is bright, but it' |
We are soon urged on from behind by Jan & Michelle to quicken the pace as we are a little behind last year's time. | We are soon urged on from behind by Jan & Michelle to quicken the pace as we are a little behind last year's time. | ||
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Gradually we quicken the pace for the final 9 km dash along Narrow Neck & I feel every incline. The first person arrived at 5.45 pm & by 6.45 pm we were all back at the cars; tired but all prepared to walk the "K to K" next year. | Gradually we quicken the pace for the final 9 km dash along Narrow Neck & I feel every incline. The first person arrived at 5.45 pm & by 6.45 pm we were all back at the cars; tired but all prepared to walk the "K to K" next year. | ||
- | |||
===== A Taste Of Kakadu ===== | ===== A Taste Of Kakadu ===== | ||
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by Geoff Grace | by Geoff Grace | ||
- | An airfare price war, an offer of Cheap accommodation, | + | An airfare price war, an offer of cheap accommodation, |
My wife and I stayed with our medico son Robert, who found sufficient flexibility in his shift work at the Hospital to drive us to well known tourist spots at Katherine, Litchfield and Kakadu. | My wife and I stayed with our medico son Robert, who found sufficient flexibility in his shift work at the Hospital to drive us to well known tourist spots at Katherine, Litchfield and Kakadu. | ||
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Marj, Steve and Russell from Darwin Bushwalking Club, two visitors from Maroondah Bushwalking Club of Melbourne and myself made up the party. Russell is already well known to Sydney Bush Walkers - a regular advertiser in our magazine - Russell Willis of " | Marj, Steve and Russell from Darwin Bushwalking Club, two visitors from Maroondah Bushwalking Club of Melbourne and myself made up the party. Russell is already well known to Sydney Bush Walkers - a regular advertiser in our magazine - Russell Willis of " | ||
- | The end of September in the Top End is hot and humid. It's entering the "build up" leading to the commencement of the Wet. We set out on Friday evening with temperature | + | The end of September in the Top End is hot and humid. It's entering the "build up" leading to the commencement of the Wet. We set out on Friday evening with temperature |
To cut a long story short, after travelling 300 km south on the Stuart Highway to Pine Creek, we headed east on the Kakadu Highway 100 km to near the escarpment - a hot dry camp under a starry sky. A curlew wailed loudly during the night (the spirit voice of a dead ancestor says aboriginal lore). | To cut a long story short, after travelling 300 km south on the Stuart Highway to Pine Creek, we headed east on the Kakadu Highway 100 km to near the escarpment - a hot dry camp under a starry sky. A curlew wailed loudly during the night (the spirit voice of a dead ancestor says aboriginal lore). | ||
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I should mention that in northern Kakadu at a wetland called Mamukala, I had the experience of seeing around 25,000 Magpie Geese all at the one time, and all happily feeding along with other birdlife on the products of the wetland. A fantastic sight. | I should mention that in northern Kakadu at a wetland called Mamukala, I had the experience of seeing around 25,000 Magpie Geese all at the one time, and all happily feeding along with other birdlife on the products of the wetland. A fantastic sight. | ||
- | Sunday, more great swims in fantastic rock pools with mysterious gas bubblings. A few hot scrambles. to get down from the escarpment but then, at the bottom, more swimming in shady pools! | + | Sunday, more great swims in fantastic rock pools with mysterious gas bubblings. A few hot scrambles to get down from the escarpment but then, at the bottom, more swimming in shady pools! |
The walk back to the cars was interrupted with - guess what - a lengthy dip in a huge natural rock pool fit for a five-star hotel! | The walk back to the cars was interrupted with - guess what - a lengthy dip in a huge natural rock pool fit for a five-star hotel! | ||
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Thanks to Darwin Bushwalking Club for the hospitality. An easy, interesting weekend - actually a bit of a bludge - but for me - new country and a new experience. Kakadu is different. I also enjoyed getting away from the tourist crowds. | Thanks to Darwin Bushwalking Club for the hospitality. An easy, interesting weekend - actually a bit of a bludge - but for me - new country and a new experience. Kakadu is different. I also enjoyed getting away from the tourist crowds. | ||
+ | ---- | ||
**Please note** - The clubroom will be closed for three weeks over Xmas - New Year period. The first meeting for 1992 will be on 15th January. | **Please note** - The clubroom will be closed for three weeks over Xmas - New Year period. The first meeting for 1992 will be on 15th January. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
===== Four Wheel Driving On Fraser Island ===== | ===== Four Wheel Driving On Fraser Island ===== | ||
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by Brian Holden | by Brian Holden | ||
- | 12/20 October '91. | + | ===12/20 October '91.=== |
- | Participants: | + | Participants: |
- | Women were not meant to understand a lot of things and the buzza red-blooded male gets with four big wheels underneath him is one of them. One of them told me that when I get behind the wheel of my own 4WD I step into. Marlborough Country. Garbage! This was not escapism. This was the real stuff. This was the famous Fraser Island. Man and machine in a remote place. And it was to be an all-new 4WD experience for me - sand!! This time I was not driving but was, nevertheless, | + | Women were not meant to understand a lot of things and the buzz a red-blooded male gets with four big wheels underneath him is one of them. One of them told me that when I get behind the wheel of my own 4WD I step into Marlborough Country. Garbage! This was not escapism. This was the real stuff. This was the famous Fraser Island. Man and machine in a remote place. And it was to be an all-new 4WD experience for me - sand!! This time I was not driving but was, nevertheless, |
- | "Let the wheels spin and you will simply dig a hole for yourself" | + | "Let the wheels spin and you will simply dig a hole for yourself" |
- | learned that to this young man's warning could be added another; you.must always keep the vehicle moving when crossing a sandy creeks | + | I learned that to this young man's warning could be added another; you must always keep the vehicle moving when crossing a sandy creek. |
- | While travelling at speed to suddenly, sink into deep wet sand causes the same physical sensation Randolph Scott must have felt when his horse dropped dead under him - a Comanche arrow through its heart. In dry sand stomach sink is the emotional type. It gradually increases as the awareness increases that the vehicle' | + | While travelling at speed to suddenly sink into deep wet sand causes the same physical sensation Randolph Scott must have felt when his horse dropped dead under him - a Comanche arrow through its heart. In dry sand stomach sink is the emotional type. It gradually increases as the awareness increases that the vehicle' |
- | One of our group' | + | One of our group' |
- | Another bogging was in a long incline of dry sand so a sudden jump into a roll on was not possible. When in a jam one has to calm down to give the male logic free rein. Everything possible has to be thought of to ensure success before the next attempt is made to break out of the trap. Sand was scooped away and bits of timber laid down in front of the wheels. Once the vehicle got Moving | + | Another bogging was in a long incline of dry sand so a sudden jump into a roll on was not possible. When in a jam one has to calm down to give the male logic free rein. Everything possible has to be thought of to ensure success before the next attempt is made to break out of the trap. Sand was scooped away and bits of timber laid down in front of the wheels. Once the vehicle got moving |
- | When Preston Foster was pursuing his man over snow he strapped onto hie boots those things which look like tennis racquets. When we find the going tough in sand we spread our Page 8' The Sydney Bushwalker December 1991 feet by letting out more air. We aimed to keep down to 15 psi. This pressure rises with the temperature of the sand and friction. From time to time the driver has to ask himself if the going appears to be getting tougher and, if it is, doe S the.pressure need further reduction. If too much air is expelled minor adjustments upwards are by means of a compresor plugged into the cigar lighter. | + | When Preston Foster was pursuing his man over snow he strapped onto his boots those things which look like tennis racquets. When we find the going tough in sand we spread our feet by letting out more air. We aimed to keep down to 15 psi. This pressure rises with the temperature of the sand and friction. From time to time the driver has to ask himself if the going appears to be getting tougher and, if it is, does the pressure need further reduction. If too much air is expelled minor adjustments upwards are by means of a compresor plugged into the cigar lighter. |
- | The engine works very hard in soft sand. Overheating is a constant threat - especially in Warm weather. Now that is another source | + | The engine works very hard in soft sand. Overheating is a constant threat - especially in warm weather. Now that is another source |
- | One of our vehicles had a dual system of petrOl/gas. Tuning such a combination is a compromise. Performance was not brilliant and there were.numerous stoppages due to vapour. locks when running on petrol. While on the subject of performance; | + | One of our vehicles had a dual system of petrol/gas. Tuning such a combination is a compromise. Performance was not brilliant and there were numerous stoppages due to vapour locks when running on petrol. While on the subject of performance; |
- | The lowest fuel cost was associated with a diesel-powered vehicle with large enough tanks to fill up on the mainland where fuel was 30 cents/litre cheaper. | + | The lowest fuel cost was associated with a diesel-powered vehicle with large enough tanks to fill up on the mainland where fuel was 30 cents/litre cheaper. |
- | The barge 'round trip costs $30 for a car and $15 for, a trailer. In addition there is a $15 ent-ry | + | The barge round trip costs $30 for a car and $15 for a trailer. In addition there is a $15 entry permit. Food, ice, fuel and alcohol are available on the island at several points. As a holiday |
- | Sitting in the queue to get onto the two barges during a holiday period must give all waiting the screaming heebees - nearly all. The love of the mere company of their 4WD would be sufficient to sustain a few in the queue. During the summer holidays driving on the beach would be like white water rafting with frustration replacing the exhilaration. Two opposing streams of vehicles zig-zagging to avoid depressions, | + | Sitting in the queue to get onto the two barges during a holiday period must give all waiting the screaming heebees - nearly all. The love of the mere company of their 4WD would be sufficient to sustain a few in the queue. During the summer holidays driving on the beach would be like white water rafting with frustration replacing the exhilaration. Two opposing streams of vehicles zig-zagging to avoid depressions, |
- | Some of the single-car-width inland roads are two-way. As a crest has to be charged at there would be a big bang if somebody was charging up the other side. And when two vehicles meet on a narrow, level road, one does not simply back up to let the other pass if there is no firm ground to back onto or when one has a trailer in tow. Situations open to head on smashes should be eliminated but I do think situations which siMply | + | Some of the single-car-width inland roads are two-way. As a crest has to be charged at there would be a big bang if somebody was charging up the other side. And when two vehicles meet on a narrow, level road, one does not simply back up to let the other pass if there is no firm ground to back onto or when one has a trailer in tow. Situations open to head on smashes should be eliminated but I do think situations which simply |
- | Our two trailers made 4W0 movement-in sand a lot harder than 'what might otherwise have been. They added the kind of hard-to-define drag ' | + | Our two trailers made 4WD movement in sand a lot harder than what might otherwise have been. They added the kind of hard-to-define drag you feel in your innards when you have been driving for some hours with your mother-in-law in the back seat. A fourth vehicle without passengers would have been a better idea to remove the need for one of the trailers. |
- | Travelling solo is asking for trouble and, when in convey,. CB radio is handy.. The system must be of high quality in all member vehicles. Repeat requests for clarification or failure to contact at all in a'tense situation | + | Travelling solo is asking for trouble and, when in convey, CB radio is handy. The system must be of high quality in all member vehicles. Repeat requests for clarification or failure to contact at all in a tense situation |
- | A 4WD man might be tough but it does not follow that is insensitive. | + | A 4WD man might be tough but it does not follow that is insensitive. When exposed |
- | had 4 dream after I returned from the island.' | + | I had a dream after I returned from the island.\\ |
+ | I saw an orange morning sun rising above a glassy grey horizon.\\ | ||
+ | The cool birth of another balmy day.\\ | ||
+ | I saw those early rays stream down through the soaring trees,\\ | ||
+ | Shafts of thin white in the rainforest.\\ | ||
+ | I saw tranquil lakes with banks of gleaming white sand,\\ | ||
+ | And a sand that returned those rays back through crystal clear water.\\ | ||
+ | I saw a beach becoming more golden under their warming caresses, | ||
+ | A beach which seemed to go on forever, lapped by a glistening surf.\\ | ||
+ | I saw myself on that wonderous gift of a morning -\\ | ||
+ | I was wading barefoot through a palm-lined creek.\\ | ||
+ | I stopped where there was a snow-white cockatoo perched in a palm.\\ | ||
+ | It displayed its sulphur crest and sound suddenly filled the morning air.\\ | ||
+ | " | ||
+ | And the dream was gone. | ||
- | I saw an orange morning sun rising above a glassy grey horizon. The cool birth of another balmy day. | + | ---- |
- | + | ||
- | 'I saw those early rays stream down through the soaring trees, Shafts of thin white in the rainforest. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | I saw tranquil lakes with banks of gleaming white sand, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | And a sand that returned those rays back through crystal clear water. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | I saw a beach becoming more golden under their warming caresses, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | A beach which seemed to go on forever, lapped by a glistening surf. I saw myself on that wonderous gift of a morning | + | |
- | + | ||
- | I was wading barefoot through a palm-lined creek. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | stopped where there was a snow-white cockatoo perched in a palm. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | It displayed its sulphur crest and sound suddenly filled the morning air. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | " | + | |
- | + | ||
- | And the dream was gone. | + | |
- | **Fraser Island 12/20 October '91.** | + | ===Fraser Island 12/20 October '91.=== |
Days overly warm, nights just right, no insect problem. Ground very dry. One day of stiff walking - otherwise as campers/ | Days overly warm, nights just right, no insect problem. Ground very dry. One day of stiff walking - otherwise as campers/ | ||
+ | ---- | ||
- | (Over the last 8 or 9 years, there have been periodical Club walks incorporating " | + | (Over the last 8 or 9 years, there have been periodical Club walks incorporating " |
===== Getting Over ===== | ===== Getting Over ===== | ||
- | First published June 1964 | + | __First |
by Jim Brown | by Jim Brown |
199112.txt · Last modified: 2016/04/20 14:19 by tyreless