199302
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision | |||
199302 [2016/09/28 15:01] – tyreless | 199302 [2016/09/28 15:25] (current) – tyreless | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
28.12.92: Crossing the Murrumbidgee was cold but uneventful. A strong wind was blowing, following the cool change the night before. We wandered alongside Tantangara Reservoir for the day to reach Old Currango Hut in the afternoon. This historic hut from the 1870's has been well restored and old magazines lining the walls have been preserved with perspex. My favourite was a wartime article lambasting Hitler for depriving oppressed peoples of their vitamins. Camp was made on nearby Charlies Creek where Michele and Ione set up their now-famous hairdressing salon. | 28.12.92: Crossing the Murrumbidgee was cold but uneventful. A strong wind was blowing, following the cool change the night before. We wandered alongside Tantangara Reservoir for the day to reach Old Currango Hut in the afternoon. This historic hut from the 1870's has been well restored and old magazines lining the walls have been preserved with perspex. My favourite was a wartime article lambasting Hitler for depriving oppressed peoples of their vitamins. Camp was made on nearby Charlies Creek where Michele and Ione set up their now-famous hairdressing salon. | ||
- | 29.12.92: Our journey took us along the aptly-named Mosquito Creek Fire Trail to Cooleman Plain, a limestine | + | 29.12.92: Our journey took us along the aptly-named Mosquito Creek Fire Trail to Cooleman Plain, a limestone |
30.12.92: Two walkers munching breakfast at Pockets Hut were somewhat surprised at our party of 19 rolling up at 8.30 am. This was a comfortable hut in the 1930's with electric lights, hot and cold running water, bath and shower, and a Rolls Royce parked in the garage. All long gone. We passed a pump house where water is diverted from the Goodradigbee River into Tantangara Reservoir by an aquaduct and from there to Lake Eucumbene as part of the hydro-electric scheme. Over the next hill is Oldfields Hut, ugly at first sight but with an old-world charm on closer examination and in the shade of beautiful Black Sallee trees. | 30.12.92: Two walkers munching breakfast at Pockets Hut were somewhat surprised at our party of 19 rolling up at 8.30 am. This was a comfortable hut in the 1930's with electric lights, hot and cold running water, bath and shower, and a Rolls Royce parked in the garage. All long gone. We passed a pump house where water is diverted from the Goodradigbee River into Tantangara Reservoir by an aquaduct and from there to Lake Eucumbene as part of the hydro-electric scheme. Over the next hill is Oldfields Hut, ugly at first sight but with an old-world charm on closer examination and in the shade of beautiful Black Sallee trees. | ||
Line 118: | Line 118: | ||
When Ian shouts "Tea break" we do as we're told. | When Ian shouts "Tea break" we do as we're told. | ||
- | Chorus: Dinki-Di, Dinki-di -\\ | + | Chorus: Dinki-Di, Dinki-Di -\\ |
I hope you don't think I would tell you a lie. | I hope you don't think I would tell you a lie. | ||
Line 178: | Line 178: | ||
===How I Failed My First Test Walk.=== | ===How I Failed My First Test Walk.=== | ||
- | The problem now became: How do I join the bushwalkers? | + | The problem now became: How do I join the bushwalkers? |
Well, I had exhibited plenty of self-reliance and stamina in the bush; but that had not been in this local-style __vertical__ bush. My quest for the holy grail of bushwalking was therefore put on the back-burner for three years (to be truthful, my studies kept my head well down, betimes). In this time I started saving my pennies until I could join the dawn queues at Paddy' | Well, I had exhibited plenty of self-reliance and stamina in the bush; but that had not been in this local-style __vertical__ bush. My quest for the holy grail of bushwalking was therefore put on the back-burner for three years (to be truthful, my studies kept my head well down, betimes). In this time I started saving my pennies until I could join the dawn queues at Paddy' | ||
Line 198: | Line 198: | ||
Stuart and I had no doubts. We knew to turn south and regarded the antagonists with silent astonishment. When, still shouting, they moved off northward, we just had to go, too. | Stuart and I had no doubts. We knew to turn south and regarded the antagonists with silent astonishment. When, still shouting, they moved off northward, we just had to go, too. | ||
- | Three kilmetres | + | Three kilometres |
At about 5 pm, we reached Audley with three footweary prospectives at the tail, viewing the final climb with very little enthusiasm. But, lo! a passing vehicle and, a reflex action of Stuart' | At about 5 pm, we reached Audley with three footweary prospectives at the tail, viewing the final climb with very little enthusiasm. But, lo! a passing vehicle and, a reflex action of Stuart' | ||
Line 226: | Line 226: | ||
In Tasmania popular areas such as the Western Arthurs are subject to over-use and permits will soon be introduced. | In Tasmania popular areas such as the Western Arthurs are subject to over-use and permits will soon be introduced. | ||
- | The bridge at the Endrick River crossing is now a concrete 4-lane structure and the Tianjara bridge is soon to get the same treatment. It appears plans are afoot to make the Neriga-Sassafras a major road. | + | The bridge at the Endrick River crossing is now a concrete 4-lane structure and the Tianjara bridge is soon to get the same treatment. It appears plans are afoot to make the Nerriga-Sassafras a major road. |
On a recent TV program the Government promoted the tourism aspects of the National Horse Trail without properly representing the environmental side as the trail does intrude into wilderness areas. | On a recent TV program the Government promoted the tourism aspects of the National Horse Trail without properly representing the environmental side as the trail does intrude into wilderness areas. | ||
Line 260: | Line 260: | ||
Nevertheless it took until lunch time from the lake's edge to arrive at the pass. From the pass you have splendid views down into the Rio Upano Valley and most remarkable vistas of Volcan Sangay Which is active: the trail leads through dense jungle skirting the base of the volcano within striking distance. The trail at first is well defined between huge boulders and usually little icy streams run through the trail. Many of these streams, betray their volcanic origin: a strong mineral content and brown or yellowish colour. Nevertheless there is no shortage of water all the way to Macas. As you descend into the valley you start peeling, first your gloves and raincoat and then jumper. You are now passing through thick jungle which is interrupted only by the torrential streams coming down and which become bigger and fiercer the further down you come. As soon as you find that you are not on the main trail never use a short cut, always go back until you arrive at the spot where you went astray. | Nevertheless it took until lunch time from the lake's edge to arrive at the pass. From the pass you have splendid views down into the Rio Upano Valley and most remarkable vistas of Volcan Sangay Which is active: the trail leads through dense jungle skirting the base of the volcano within striking distance. The trail at first is well defined between huge boulders and usually little icy streams run through the trail. Many of these streams, betray their volcanic origin: a strong mineral content and brown or yellowish colour. Nevertheless there is no shortage of water all the way to Macas. As you descend into the valley you start peeling, first your gloves and raincoat and then jumper. You are now passing through thick jungle which is interrupted only by the torrential streams coming down and which become bigger and fiercer the further down you come. As soon as you find that you are not on the main trail never use a short cut, always go back until you arrive at the spot where you went astray. | ||
- | After spending the third night in a jungle clearing perched on a slope (which I suspect was cleared some time ago by squatters) I came across the first signs of the approaching | + | After spending the third night in a jungle clearing perched on a slope (which I suspect was cleared some time ago by squatters) I came across the first signs of the approaching |
- | The fourth night I spent in an abandoned hut. Tha trails leading onto the clearing were mostly peccary trails and "off limits" | + | The fourth night I spent in an abandoned hut. The trails leading onto the clearing were mostly peccary trails and "off limits" |
The villagers told me the hut I slept in was all that was left of the abandoned village of Zufliga. Also an area with frequent sightings of pumas. They had killed a puma here recently. | The villagers told me the hut I slept in was all that was left of the abandoned village of Zufliga. Also an area with frequent sightings of pumas. They had killed a puma here recently. | ||
Line 296: | Line 296: | ||
=====The January General Meeting.===== | =====The January General Meeting.===== | ||
- | by Barry Wallsce | + | by Barry Wallace |
There were some 17 or so members present at around 2029 when the President in the chair called the gathering to order, or what passes for it on such occasions, and got the meeting under way. There were apologies from Fran Holland Dick Meston and Kern Clacher and there were no new members to welcome. The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with no matters arising. | There were some 17 or so members present at around 2029 when the President in the chair called the gathering to order, or what passes for it on such occasions, and got the meeting under way. There were apologies from Fran Holland Dick Meston and Kern Clacher and there were no new members to welcome. The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with no matters arising. | ||
Line 304: | Line 304: | ||
The Treasurer' | The Treasurer' | ||
- | The Walks Secretary then took the floor, or as much of it as was ceded to him by the ever-muttering rabble in the back row, and presented the Walks Report. We began at the weekend of 11,12,13 December with a no report for George Mawer' | + | The Walks Secretary then took the floor, or as much of it as was ceded to him by the ever-muttering rabble in the back row, and presented the Walks Report. We began at the weekend of 11,12,13 December with a no report for George Mawer' |
- | The weekend of 18,19,20 December saw Ian Wolfe cancelling his canyoning trip down East Christie' | + | The weekend of 18,19,20 December saw Ian Wolfe cancelling his canyoning trip down East Christie' |
Over the Christmas Period we had Ian Rannard heading north from Kiandra, leading his Kosciusko area walk with a party of 19, enjoying fine weather on a trip reported as having gone well, while George Walton was heading south from Kiandra leading his Kosciusko area walk at about the same time With a party of 9, enjoying similar weather and some large snowdrifts along the way. Despite the 52 cars in the parking area at Round Mountain they encountered few people once they cleared the fire trails and even enjoyed the luxury of an expired food drop near Grey Mare Hut. Maurie Bloom led a party of 16 on a walk in the Victorian Alps. They all enjoyed the walk and even managed to say it was worth the long drive/bus ride. Geoff Dowsett is reported to have had a party numbering around 20 on a far south coast walk near Nadgee Faunal Reserve but no details, other than an aggrieved letter from N.P.W,S., are available at time of writing. | Over the Christmas Period we had Ian Rannard heading north from Kiandra, leading his Kosciusko area walk with a party of 19, enjoying fine weather on a trip reported as having gone well, while George Walton was heading south from Kiandra leading his Kosciusko area walk at about the same time With a party of 9, enjoying similar weather and some large snowdrifts along the way. Despite the 52 cars in the parking area at Round Mountain they encountered few people once they cleared the fire trails and even enjoyed the luxury of an expired food drop near Grey Mare Hut. Maurie Bloom led a party of 16 on a walk in the Victorian Alps. They all enjoyed the walk and even managed to say it was worth the long drive/bus ride. Geoff Dowsett is reported to have had a party numbering around 20 on a far south coast walk near Nadgee Faunal Reserve but no details, other than an aggrieved letter from N.P.W,S., are available at time of writing. | ||
Line 314: | Line 314: | ||
Over the weekend of 8,9,10 January Ian Wolfe had a party of 8 enjoying warm conditions and good scenery on his Bungonia canyoning and abseiling weekend. David Rostron led a walk down Morong Deep, but as is sometimes the way of it with David' | Over the weekend of 8,9,10 January Ian Wolfe had a party of 8 enjoying warm conditions and good scenery on his Bungonia canyoning and abseiling weekend. David Rostron led a walk down Morong Deep, but as is sometimes the way of it with David' | ||
- | Conservation Report noted that Alex will write N.P.W.S. who are said to be in the throes of formulating a Plan of Management for the new Nattai National Park to encourage them to consider our views on the following matters: (a) Resume and eliminate inholdings as far as possible. (b) Close all roads except maintained park roads. (c) Restrict or eliminate issue by the Water Board of access permits for vehicular access to Yerranderie. (d) Eliminate sewage and partially treated effluent inflows to the river. (e) Manage State Recreational Areas within the park as national park areas. (f) Eliminiite | + | Conservation Report noted that Alex will write N.P.W.S. who are said to be in the throes of formulating a Plan of Management for the new Nattai National Park to encourage them to consider our views on the following matters: (a) Resume and eliminate inholdings as far as possible. (b) Close all roads except maintained park roads. (c) Restrict or eliminate issue by the Water Board of access permits for vehicular access to Yerranderie. (d) Eliminate sewage and partially treated effluent inflows to the river. (e) Manage State Recreational Areas within the park as national park areas. (f) Eliminate |
The Confederation Report confirmed our worst fears; insurances and the definition of visitors are still matters of profound uncertainty with that august body. | The Confederation Report confirmed our worst fears; insurances and the definition of visitors are still matters of profound uncertainty with that august body. |
199302.txt · Last modified: 2016/09/28 15:25 by tyreless