This is an old revision of the document!
March 1999
Issue No. 772:
2 COMMITTEE 1999/2000
Snowy Mountain High by _Maureen Carter
5 Information Wanted
Rogaining
by Ken Smith
8 Trekking in East Africa #2 by Jan Szarek
9 Dispatch from the Snowy by George Mawer
9 WEB PAGE EXPERT WANTED
10 Letter. from South America by Erith Hamilton & John de (7oque
1,1 Epic E.N.E.
by Don Matthews
.12 Vale Joe Turner
by Rosemary Roebuck
13 A Walk through the Cradle Reserve by Ray Hookway
16 Footnotes
by Patrick James
ADVERTISERS
Alpsport front cover
Eastwood Camping Centre 7
Outland 8
Paddy Pallin back cover
U Relax 4 We'll Drive 11
Willis's Walkabouts' 5
SYDNEY BUSHWACKER is a monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush.- Walkers Inc, Bo.5( 4476 GPO Sydney 2001. To advertise in this,magazine, please contact the Business Manager.
Editor: Ray Hookway Telephone 9411 1873
Business Manager: Elizabeth Miller
1 The Babette, Castlecrag, 2068
Telephone 9958 7838
Production Manager: Frances Holland
Printers: Kenn Clacher, Barrie Murdoch,
Margaret Niven, Les Powell, Tom Wenman,
THE. SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS INCORPORATED was founded in 1927. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood -Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday..
President: Eddy Giacomel
Vice-President: Tony Holgate
Public Officer: Fran Holland
Treasurer Edith Baker
Secretary: Rosemary MacDougal
Walks. Secretary: Bill Capon
Social Secretary: Elwyn Morris
Membership Secretary: Barry Wallace
New Members Secretary:
Frank Grennan
Conservation Secretary: Bill Holland
Magazine Editor: Ray Hookway
Committee Members:
Anthony Crichton & Spiro Hajinakitas
Delegates to Confederation:
Jim Callaway & Wilf Hilder
Page 2 The Sydney Bushwalker, March 1999
COMMITTEE 1999/2000.
The AGM was field on 10 March 1999 and the new committee elected. Although you may have missed out on a Committee position your input to the management of the Club is always welcome; there's usually more work to be done than there, are workers. So don't be shy contact the appropriate Committee members and make your contribution known.
PRESIDENTIAL INVESTITURE
President; .Eddy Giacomel, was re-invested with the Symbols of Office at the 72nd Annual Reunion, 13/14 March, held at Coolana.
SUBSCRIPTIONS for
The subscriptions remain the two years.AND.ARE NOW single members
household membership Non-active member Non-active member + magaz magazine subscription only
You may pay at the Clubrooms (cash or cheque) or by mail (cheque, ban cheque or money order), cheques etc. made out to Sydney Bushwalkers Inc. Payment by mail to the.Treasurer,
Sydney Bushwalkers. Inc.
GPO Box 4476
Sydney 2001
Include with your payment by mail, the following details:
membership type,
name(s) of member(s) covered by this subscription,
if changed, telephone numbers, mailing address + post code,
If you changed your family name during the year please tell us both names (old name &. new name) to assist in identification of your membership record.
, 1999/2000
Committee Positions
President ' Edd ' Giacomel.
Vice-president Ton Hol:ate
Secretary Rosemary MacDougal
Treasurer Edith Baker
Public Officer . :Frances.Holland
Walks Secretary Bill Capon
Social Secretary Elwyn. Morris
Membership Secretary Barry Wallace
New Members Secretary Frank &ennui
Conservation Secretary .. -Bill:Holland
Ray Ho okway
Magazine Editor
Confederation Delegates Jim Callaway
Wilf Hilder
Members Representatives Anthony Crichton
Spiro Hajinakitas
Non-Committee Positions 1999/2000
Confederation Delegates vacant
Mag. Production Manager Frances Holland
Mag. Business Manager Elizabeth Miller
Printers Kenn clacher
Barrie Murdoch
Margaret Niven
Les Powell
Tom Wenman
Archivist vacant
Hon. Auditor Chris Sonter
Hon. Solicitor Richard Brading
,
Kosciuszko Huts Assoc. , Wayne Steel .
Representatives , .
Ian Wolfe.
Search. & Rescue Contacts Allan. Donnelly -
Bill Holland
Greta James
David Robinson
Coolana Maintenance Don Brooks.
Committee Gernma Gagne
. Bill, Holland'
' Patrick James
'Spiro Hajinakitas
Reunion Organiser . -.. Allan Donnelly,
Bill :Holland
Patrick James
Training Team
1999/2000
same as for last DUE.
$35
$58
$12
me $25
$12
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931
The'Sydney Bushwalker, March 1999 Page 3
SNOWY MOUNTAIN HIGH
by Maureen Carter.
How many August mornings, on the way to Thredbo, have I heard the radio announcer say that snow is falling in the village, it's 2 C and it's blowing a gale on the peaks with a wind chill factor of-23C. Well, here we go again, but this time it's 2,7 December 1998 and the day we are to assemble for Tony Holgate's trans-Snowies walk.
Instead of a leisurely start to the six day walk from Tooma Reservoir we spent the evening at Adaminaby in front of a log fire. The ever flexible leader re-routed us to begin from Round Mountain on a sparkling blue day with no sign of the previous day's freezing conditions. The Tumut River was not even cold as we crossed for lunch on its banks. We shared the track with other walkers and squadrons of march flies. But we had the spacious Stockyard Ruins to ourselves, where we paid homage to a glorious sunset and I divested myself of at least 1 kg of weight being Nana's Christmas pudding.
I thought we all still looked. quite neat and tidy on day two, but Jan Roberts supplied the quote of the day “Hushwalking is nor glamour sport”! What a perfect day to climb Jagungal with cool temperatures and clear skies following a frosty dawn. None of us were too happy to find that after our steep descent we were still 9 kilometres from Grey Mare Hut, where we intended to stay overnight. A few of us made the trek up to the Hut and saw remnants of the old. gold mine but we camped next to the delightful murmuring Back Flat Creek. John kindly collected a pack full of firewood to keep us warm as we dozed in front of the fire.
and Klaus took the route via the waterfall o Valentines Hut and Jim took a nose denting tumble but never complained. Valentines provided us with an opportunity to wash clothes and swim SBW fashion beneath cascades (much to the consternation of some mountain bike riders). We had a choice of lovely level campsites (Denise found the best one for John); sat in a spotlessly clean hut; shared jokes with Victorian walkers; marvelled at a young man walking alone from the ACT to Valhalla at an incredible pace; and, we had a toilet with one of the best views in the world. Tony and Gail still lusted after the mountain of cheese that Tess carried and they were occasionally rewarded with morsels.
Another clear sunny day and what better way to begin than with a dip in the sparkling stream before breakfast. We wandered up a grassy track through further stands of snow gums with their colourful bark patterns and once our cross-country walking began we had several rest stops on granite tors. We spent the next few hours feasting on the view towards Watsons Crags with their remnant of snow. We admired nature's wonderful sculptures that are the Kerries but bolted across the boggy ground to the only tree around which we gathered its shade for lunch. Jan S escaped from the constant flies by covering himself with his mosquito net, and was still eating fresh vegetables on day
4.
A few of us were again caught perving in Tony Holgate's food bags at the delicacies he seems to always unearth at Neutral Bay. I think we have convinced him to put a day walk on the programme so that the eastern and south side' members can also stock up on dried hommus Thai dips and all sorts of goodies. We did not entertain such kind thoughts towards our leader after lunch because, although we voted not to go over Gungarten, we did not enjoy following him steeply downhill through a maze of creeks,
Another- leisurely start to the day to find ice still in the bottom of the billies after 8 am. Clear skies and a cool breeze accompanied us through stands of grand snow gums, pretty scoparia and snow daisies. Jim, John
The Sydney Bushwalkeii.AGM Edition M.emberskiii SnbSeription's lire now due.
Page 4 . - The Sydney,Bus1kwalker, March 1999
holes and scratchy vegetation. Don followed the fashion trend set by Jim and also landed on his nose in the creek, but his happy smile was hot absent for long.
At the Schlink Hiltbn we drank 'half a river and viSited the composting toilet. A debate ensued as to where we should spend the night Schlink, White River Hut or half Way up the mountain. The majority voted for the latter 'and- 'even the young ones made no cornplaints; about the long day. No-one complained once we reached the best camp site' yet, at the Rolling Grounds with 360 degree views. We snuggled into the hillside net to a rough stone wall where the Man from Snowy River must have surely camped before us. Once more, the black clouds passed With the aid of a slight northerly breeze and we settled down to New Years Eve happy hour with ballcions courtesy of Denise, a fabulous feast and Jim's rum and lemon barley. The only down- side of our idyllic spot was the Walk for water and Tony C was not impressed with the march fly which bit him itt a-delicate spot whilst he bathed:
A not too brilliant sfart to the New Year as Gail, suffered an asthma attack, but everyone played' a part in organising the helicopter rescUe, Tony H coordinated the rescue via Jan's mobile phone; Denise gave invaluable advice and information regarding asthma; John set up an improvised windsbck; Klaus walked to the road and conferred with the ambulance there; Don signalled to the pilot with a :mirror; and, everyone played their part in cleating away 'objects that could become rnis'siles in the doWndraft from the chopper.
was a relief to see-the paramedics swiftly medicate and reassure Gail before whisking her and Tony off to Cooma Hospital.
By the time we reached the Granite Peaks we walked through the only rain of the whole trip. We hurried lunch as we shivered and hunched amongst the rocks and we all
realised the itnportance of warm clothing in the high country. The track became muddy around Consett Stephen Pass but the sight of acres of snow daisies distracted me. No shortage of fresh water as we traversed around Mt. Tate. We did not descend to Pounds Creek, as planned, but enjoyed a spectacular electric storm all around us as we camped on soft grass on the roOf of Australia. The rain held off until we were fed and then we fled to the security of our tents but by 9 PM the rain had- vanished. Another Jan Roberts quote “you can only eat a certain number of lentils on any trip”.
We had to be careful whilst watering the grass at 3 am as we noticed plenty of funnel web holes at the campsite and saw a few of the occupants too. Another perfect day dawned and after a few foot fixes we were off for a long day. The views were outstanding as we ascended Twynam somehow I missed Anton (must have been
chatting again). David couldn't resist throwing the first snow ball at me, but he missed and was embarrassed when it connected with Jenny's head. There were plenty of opportunities to look back on our journey, especially for those who made the effort to climb Mt. Twy nam. Karl and Tess seemed amazed to think they had walked so. far and what strong walkers they were must be genetics. I will never forget the sight of Tess in the glamorous hat with the flowers or Karl the camel producing the water bottles from his pack.
After lunch on Muellers Pass, whilst we watched the tourists, seven of us walked to the cairn on Kosciusko then descended to the' tourist tOilets. It was interesting that we were covered in flies, whilst the day walkers were fly free. No-one enjoyed the hike along the metal tracks or the $14 we all coughed up to ride the Chairlift down the mountain, in order to avoid even greater physio fees later.
The S:rduey Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931
Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
The Sydney Bushwalker, Mardi 1999 Page 5
comfortable lodge accommodation thanks to Don..and the major topic of conversation there was the disaster of July 1997 which had befallen Carinya Lodge next door.
As I write this I re-live a relaxing, challenging and totally enjoyable walk through diverse terrain with wonderful walking friends. Where are we going next year Tony?
The party consisted of: David Carter, Maureen Carter Gail Crichton, Tony Crichton, John Hogan, Tony Holgate (leader): Karl Holgate, Tess Holgate, Jenny Paton. Jim Percy. Jan Roberts. Denise Shaw, Jan Sz arek, Klaus-Umland and Don Wills.
INFORMATION WANTED
Biographical information, reminisces, and photos in particular are wanted of Ruby Hall nee Payne-Scott, an SBW member of the
mainly in the 1930s-1950s, but extending to 1970s. Besides being a keen walker and wife of fellow SBW member Bill Hall, Ruby was also a World renowned CSIRO scientist in the field of radio-physics. A biography is being written about this amazing lady, however the author is short on details of Ruby's bushwalking activities. Thus the call for help to our members to rack their brain and/or search out old photos to make this biography a fitting tribute, and also to demonstrate that radio-physics is a common hobby among bushwalkers. Please send all information, photos and bits &. pieces to Ruby. and Bill's son: Professor Peter Hall, Centre for Mathematics & Its, Application, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, phone 02 6249 3474.
Our really switched on readers will have noted that. Ruby Payne-Scott was one of the women featUred on page 40 of the Sydney Morning Herald Good Weekend magazine of 6 March 1999.
The exploration of Australia is far from complete!
On previous Explorer trips we've found Aboriginal art sites, beautiful pools, pockets of rainforest, gorges and waterfalls no hint of
which appeared on any map.
.. ..These are the kind of trips
1. that let uS discover the walking
routes we regularly use today.
:We offer different exploratory trips each year. In 1999 our NT exploratory walks include the Gulf of Carpentaria region, Gregory National park and central Australia. Our Kimberley exploratory walks
lsdell River, the Richendo Gorge area and a wet season trip to the Bungles.
If you have ever dreamed of being among the first non-Aboriginals to discover an area, our Explorer trips could be your dream
come true. IA41
VAri,
'44CENT6
12 Carrington St Milkier NT 0810
Email: walkabout@ais net au
[Page 6 The Sydney Bushwalker, March 1999
ROGAINING by Ken Smith Rogaining is the sport of long distance crosscountrytavigation, in which teams of two to five peOple-visit as many checkpoints as they wish in set:time period. The traditional
rogaine. is for 24 hours, hoWever, there are shorter events of 6, 8 and 12 hours. Most NSW events are held within 2/3 hours travelling time of Sydney.
Rbgaitting is a real adventure sport, a lot' of fdn, an excellent way to develop, one's naVigation skills and an opportunity to walk
tarely..Visited areas. Most rogaines are on fobt4n&held in bush and farmland locations, some “ events are held in metropolitan areas (metrogaines), or on bikes (cyclegaines).
WHO IS IT FOR? Rogaining is a team
activity for ;people of all ages and levels of
fitness. Everyone from elite athletes to
families with young children can enjoy
rogaining. New rogainers are always welcome and assistance is always available from organisers to help get started.
The parts of the course you visit are entirely up to you and your team members. There are no set routes and you don't have to spend 1 the whole time on the course. You can, return to the “hash house” at any time for hot food and rest around the campfire, or a :sleep, before heading out again.
Some competitive teams May'cover 50 km in
a 12 hour event and even more in an event of 24 hours duration. However, the distance you travel is entirely up to you. The satisfaction comeS.fin tinging your way around the course atcording to the route that you have chosen, and navigating back to the finish within the time limit.
REQUIREMENTS? Rogaining is good :value for money; all you need is basic bushwalking gear including a compass; i'whistle, pencil, water bottle, warm clothes iticli,comfortable shoes, a waterproof jacket
and a basic team first aid kit. On 12 and 24 hour events you may wish to bring camping gear and spend overnight at the hash house.
COSTS In NSW/ACT, entry fees vary from $15 to $35; depending on the event. This covers hot food during the event, your map, information sheets and facilities at the hash house. Family teams need only pay two adult entry fees. Join up when you enter
your first event. Annual 1999 NSW Membership fees, which includes a regular newsletter, are:
Individual $12 Household*/Family $15 *+$3 for each additional person of same address
CONTACTS.
1. if you are interested in trying' Rogaining then get in touch with me, Ken Smith; on 02 9808 4021, or the person specified for the next event on the calendar.
2. WEBSITE: HTTPHROGAINE.ASN.AU then click on the state of NSW.
3. New South Wales Rogaining Assoc Inc. NSWRA Voicemail 02 9990 3480
;999 EVENT CALENDAR: NSW & ACT All events require advance ent
Event Contact
Mar 21 6hr ACT Paddy Pallin 02 6268 8134
Mar 27. 12/24hr Autumn: 02 9314 6211
28 South, Coast
May 1, 2 24hr ACT Champs 02 6268 8734
Jun 20 6hr NSW Paddy Pallin: 02 9416 6423
Shoalhayen .
Jul 3. 4 291r Search & Rescue 02 9789 2527
Navigation. Shield -
Aug 28, 12/2411r NSW Champs 02 4959 8840
29 Hunter Valley
Scp 12 ACT Cyclegame 02 6268 8734
Sep 18 12hr Lake Macquarie 02 4975 3507
Oct 23, 24 24hr Ails' Champs - 02 6025 4959
Wodonga
Nov 20 1211r ACT Spring 02.6268 8734
Dec 5 6hr Socialgaine - 02 9816 2508
Hawkesbury River
'Jan 15, 16 4th World 2000, Champs 02 9416 6423
- Christchurch NZ
The Sydnej.. Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931
Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
:EastwoodCamping Centre is_a
privateiyowned business, estabished in 1970
by Nancy ark' Jack Fox.
.,,i,kfter 28 years experience we can confidently offer the be, t
service in Sydney at the lowest prices.
We carry the most extensive of camping gear
& accessories in Sydney, specialising in:
tents
backpacks
sleeping bags
rz rock climbing & abseiling gear
g–; walking boots
gas equipment (lights, stoves, spares)
For further enquiries and expert advice
give us a call and talk to our fulltime staff:
Paul Lidgard Brett Murphy
Toby Watson Matt de Belin
Margaret Fox Nancy Fox
eastwood
camping
centre Phone: 02 9858 3833
3 Trelawney Street Eastwood
Page 8 The Sydney Bushwalkei-, March 1999
TREKKING in EAST AFRICA
Part 2; by Jan SZarek.
The Rwenzori Mountains are in Uganda, along the border with Zaire, about 200 km from capital Kampala. The mountains are about 5,000 m high, and they are renowned for their beauty. It rains almosteyery day up there and because of this, the vegetation is one of the best in Africa.
I intended to trek for eight days in Rwenzoil. However after arriving in Africa the'trip was abandoned due to unstable political and military situation in the region. Various tribes inhabiting the region started fighting each other recently. Some aid workers were shot, others were kidnapped, and there were rumours of rebels setting up mines in the niciuntains. The soldiers do not like foreigners around, if you :were kidnapped it would be a problem for them ; The military patrols stop and :search car Si -for weapons every twenty kilometres. Even if one is brave enough to go there, the military patrol will pick you up from the bus and put on the next bus going in the opposite direction.
It is quite difficult to obtain reliable information about current situation in Africa. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs maintains the Internet site with information about safety situation in various countries. I found information there quite useless *. For example, the warning for Uganda was that Mountain Gorilla Sanctuary in Rwenzori Mountains is unsafe * As it turned out the Gorilla Sanctuary was the Only safe place in the Rwenzori National Park *.
It seems that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs treats the Internet site in bureaucratic manner, formulating it in such manner that people will not sue them if something goes wrong.
A more reliable source of information is the
., advice from fellow travellers in Africa. It seems
that 1',,they are more up-to-date than the
rtmenf- of Foreign Affairs. The only
.drawback for such approach is that it is difficult
to plan a trip in Africa from Australia. Before
departing for my holiday I rang Australian High 'Commission in Nairobi asking for security situation in Uganda. They ducked the question by directing me to the above mentioned Internet site. It. seems that the Australian embassies abroad do not want the responsibility of giving advice which Might be wrong, we are living in the age of the lawsuits.
* Jan has advised that information about safety in Africa (and elsewhere) changes rapidly. Internet information appears to be loaded with caution. Information from other travellers also changes, perhaps at the speed that rebels can move into or out of an area. Tiv. killing of 8 tourist in Uganda on Monday, 1 March 1999 is a brutal example of how the Rwenzori Gorilla Sanctuary changed li-0171 being unszrfe, to saft and back to unsaft.
Something new at the top of the Blue Mountains …
Courses Expeditions
intro to dirribing trekking, Kokoda Trail
intro to abseiling trekking. Mont Blanc
remote area first responcer -trekking, Nepal
vertical r ci-it plus
roping & rescue cheap flights. permits,
caryon leader visas - complete expedition
navigation & survival management service
Gear Join us on the verandah
hardware - rope
rainvvear
clothing Relax with a free coffee
while you wait for your
buskwalking mates wetsuits - sale/hire Sell some old gear
therms- hats on the noticeboard.
maps - compasses
hooks - guides Wait out a rain storm
chalk-tape with old copies of Wild,
packs Geo, Rock and Outdoor.
Were open 7 days
22 Station St Mt Victoria (opp. the Pub) freecan for a brochure 7800 ABSEIL (02 4787 7777)
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931
Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
The Sydney lBashwallier, March 1999 Page 9
Dispatch from The Snowy.
From George Mawer our roving reporter. The day after Boxing Day, December ,27th was holed up with the ten other members of our walking party, in a Holiday Inn in Guthega Village while a small blizzard raged outside. We had arrived at Guthega to begin our extended walk*, Which was to start with a climb -half way up onto Mount Tate. However, conditions were such that we thought it prudent to run for cover.
We managed to get into the local Resort Hotel where the rooms were heated and a. big log fire burned in the lounge and a bar where we could console each other.. The lounge had big-.double glazed windows that we could look, from. We couldn't see very. much because of the low, cloud and snow, but from the comfort and security of the lounge it all looked rather pretty. After dinner which was quite reasonably priced and of ample proportions and served in the lounge - we all sat around the big fire and chatted or browsed through the books and magazines spread around for the guests.
One of the books I picked up was Tom Darmody's 'Mies of the Monctra. I copied the following little poem from this book as I thought you might like it for the magazine.
The next morning dawned clear and windless and from our higher vantage point we could now see the whole snow blanketed panorama. We Modified the route a little to allow for the lost walking time and from then on had excellent weather.
There were eleven in our party, an excellent mix, lots of fun and no problems of any kind. I was the slowest of course and stayed as 'camp mother' when they did the round trip day-walk to Jagungal and judging by the state of exhaustion of some of them when they got back, I'm glad I stayed in camp.
There were no residual snow-banks on the main range where we walked this summer. However we did see about four rather small patches on a distant mountain.
MEMBERSHIP
Some members keep their organisations strong While others join and just belong
Some dig right in - some serve with pride Some go along -just for the ride
Some volunteer and do their share While some sit back and just don't care On meeting days some always show Then there are those who never go
Some always pay their dues ahead Some get behind for months instead
Some do their best - some build - some make Some never give - but always take
Some lag behind - some let things go
Some never help their clubs to grow
Some brag - some pull - some don't - some do Of all of these - which one are-you?
Extract from Tales of the Myriam, by Tom Dannody, pub. Darmody Family, Cooma 1995.
* see Feb. 99 Sydney Bushwalker for Cathryn 011if's graphic account of this remarkable walk
WANTED
WEB PAGE EXPERTISE.
SBW has the opportunity to have a web page on the Internet. We need someone who has had experience in constructing a web page. Web pages have nothing to do with spiders or funny footed birds, but have everything to do with html, www, dot this and dot that and best of all, with a web master. We are looking fdr your help now. This work will look terrific on your CV. Call Eddy Giacomel on 9144 5095 H, or 8977 2211 W
The Sydney Bushwalker AGM Edition Membership Subscriptions are now due.
liPage 10 The Sydney Bushwalker, March 1999
Letter from South America
by Erith Hamilton and John de Coque
Travelling South America as a twosome requires some effort to organise walks around the countryside, as local details, maps, transport and security information are not readily available. We were thus_ delighted to come 'across the walking group, - in Bogota, Sal Si. Puedes (SSP), “Walk if you can”. It is similar. in objectives and activities to Australian Bush Walking Clubs and is a must for anyone contemplating a trip to Columbia. It is the only club we know that organises walks, rather than just dispense information, or sell expensive tours.
Started in 1979 as an informal group of walkers, led by Alfonso Gamboa, 'SSP puts much emphasis on ecological preservation and are very active, organising about 300 trips annually,, mostly one day excursions and some weekeend trips. They maintain. an office in Bogota and publish an annual handbook listing their aims and objectives and detailing their activities for the year.
Having just arrived in Bogota, we took the chance and turned up at their meeting point on a Sunday morning, hoping to join one of the three groups. walking that day. We were , very warmly received _..by Alfonso himself, who invited us to join him. We boarded a bus chartered for the trip, with about 35
others. The proceedings on board were
very interesting. After a few words by
Alfonso, each of us' Was invited to say
somethinc, about ourselves.' This 'lasted most of the 2. hour' trip. andwas'H a great icebreaker for us. We look this opportunity to tell them about Walking in Australia.
On arrival Alfonso led the group in the SSP song ,and. prayer and then gave an irripaSsioned];.talk about the inhabitants and the history of the area that we were about to walk thraigh. He emphasised our responsibility for maintaining and enhancing
the environment, 'Then some warm-up
exercises and off we went.
There were many interesting features to the walk. Alfonso and some others walked in Wellington boots. Two Red Cross volunteers, in full uniform, walked diligently at the rear, and someone in front laid down strips of material to mark the track.
The SSP walks are graded to the musical scale “do, re, mi .. etc”. Our walk was -fa-, which would still be in the easy category for SBW. The walk took us on a 500m uphill climb (alt. 3300 m), followed by a ramble along the paramo, lunch and then downhill to the waiting bus, about 6 hours in all.
Our companions were very friendly, communicated with us despite' our limited Spanish and gave us local snacks and wild berries to try. Fortunately some spoke English and amongst them were botanists who could tell us about the beautiful flora we were walking through. In fact we got on so well that we were invited to the homes of two of the walkers for later that week - something that has not happened to us in South America before.
The day was such a special experience for us, that we extended our stay in Bogota to the next weekend to repeat the exercise. Contact details: Sal Si Puedes, Carrera 7A, No. 17-01 Santa Fe de Bogota, D:C: Columbia.
For Sale: Pine cot & Domino mattress $120. Bushwalkinu Baby Carrier (1-4 years) Macpac Possum $120. Contact Elisabeth & Steve Lengakis: 9644 9560
Cairns via central Queensland?
John Hogan is returning to Cairns and is looking for someone or some-four to travel with him to share the costs. From Sydney via Bourke, Cunnanulla, Thargominda, Longreach, Winton, Mt Isa and the gulf savannah to Cairns. Departing Sydney approximately 27 March 1999..
Call John on 041 77 333 52 for details.
The sydney Bushwalher First Edition July 1931
Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
The Sydney BushWailier, March 1999 Page 11
EPIC E.N E. by Don Matthews
High on the hill, and looking where the lake - Which from the rapids at yon bend will make Contiguous water to a distant shores
He gazed, and murmured to hithself “What ,more,
What extra boon could make this pleasant .spot
More:pleasant still. What could improve our lot?”
And 'Suddenly there flashed into his brain A vision of a shelter lgainst: the rains.
A Georgian structure set into the hill
And fashioned with much grace and strength and skill,
Which when the elements should so persuade Would furnish us with shelter and with shade.
And by an artifice both wise and bold
There could be brought by pipeline fresh and cold
A stream of sparkling water, from a rill To save us carrying water bags uphill And then another feather in our cap Could we not regulate the flow by tap?
These were his thoughts, and now we see today
Those thoughts transformed by Butler and by Gray
And numerous helpers whom. we fain would list
From A to Z plus any that we've missed. Here now it stands, and wide will spread its fame
This shelter with its iron and wooden frame.
The problem Unresolved is that of paint
To Some bright red is nice,- to- some it ain't, And this will lead to meetings in committee.. And on that desperate note we end this ditty. Hail Coolana, silver, red or blue,
We'll use your shelter, heedless of the hue.Grant to our many members, strength and
solace;
This project, started in the time of Wallace, We now declare complete, or pretty near,
So raise your mugs and give a rousing cheer!
The meaning of this title “Epic E.N.E” stumped- the Editor of The Sydney. Bushwalker at. the time, the whole article was published. Recent discussions with the author have not revealed the deep and meaningful thought which contributed to the selection of the title. ! A possible clue is the letters together spell epicene. a word which means belonging to. both sexes, an adjective which could be used to describe the hut at Coolana.
“U RELAX 4 WE LL DRIVE”
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# Visit the Reef dive or snorkel:
4 Trek, cycle, balloon, kayak, canoe, snorkel, dive, sail, birdwatch or just relax.
2 bedroom self contained unit available in Cairns at very reasonable rates.
All tours in luxury; air conditioned 8 seater 4 wheel drive fully guided.
Contact 'John Hogan (S.B.W. member) on (07) 4054 3313 or 015 066 870 to plan your “adventures in paradise”.
Hail Coolana, camp spot by the water,
Long may your sylvan settings as it oughter
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Page 12'-, The Sydney Bushwalker, March 1999
VALE JOE TURNER, by his
daughter Rosemary
Joe `13111' Turner was, in the 1920's, an
:
active member of Sydney Bushwalkers and
foundation member with the committee in obtaining the Blue GUM Forest in 1931. Bill was a lifetime member of the Sydney Bushwalkers and ardent camper (even taking his wife and first three children by motorbike and sidecar on many camps): In 1941, after the birth of their fourth child, he moved to Armidale from where he continued to attend re-unions. Until his death, in February 1999, he received, read and enjoyed The ,Vdtrey Bushwalker. In hospital after his second hip
replacement, 'he said, “Oh, don't lose THAT!” referring to the January issue of the magazine.
; JOSEPH VINCENT MATTHEWS TURNER was born 9'11 March 1901 at 91 Johnston Street, Annandale, died 20' - February 1999 at Belmont North, aged 97. Bill Was the second youngest of eight children to Joseph and Lavinia Turner. His grandfather,: William, arrived in :Hobart. in 1829, convict on HMAS Lady Harewood.
ck-nivicted twice for theft of a handkerchief In 1839, William married a;,..free woman, Maly Hughes and became a respected merchant.
Bill attended St Andrews Cathedral School, Sydney, as a boy chorister, where he received excellent musical, training and his
, love of choral music and church choir singing' which he did for seven decades. When his family moved to Rookwood he caught a steam train to school. He finished school at r14 years and entered the Law Book 'Company, soon beCoMing head delivery boy. BillW-a-artickd'as Law Clerk with `Priddle and,.0Qsling' becoming Managing Law Clerk. to the firm.
Armidale, he continued his legal career for some time and was very involved with his family, the community church, schools, tennis and in the choir of St Peter's Cathedral. He and Kath proclaimed 'open house' to college and university students and musical evenings were always shared. He and Kate were beautiful ballroom dancers. He subsequently set up a business in Real Estate and Tourism Turner and Poggoli.
Some years after Kath's death in 1950, he worked in Inverell T. finally moving to Newcastle in 1955 with his family.
In 1958 Joe married Huldah Mary Sneddon, a lecturer at Newcastle Teacher's College. He became a life member of Newcastle City Choir and sang in various church choirs. He continued working in legal offices until his retirement in 1968.
In. 1973., he and Huldah travelled by Kombi van for 6 months around Australia. Other trips included New Zealand, the Centre and Perth on the Indian Pacific.
Joe's love of the bush saw him involved with the local Flora and Fauna Society and the Hunter Manning branch of the National Parks Association. Around 1981, he and Huldah retired to the first unit at Narla Village, Belmont North. In 1996, a broken femur prevented his regular evening bush walks but he could still look on his beloved bush.
Joe died, as he lived, peacefully, and until the end an absolute gentleman in every respect. He instilled in his family and their children a love of the bush and walking. Joe is survived by his wife Huldah, his children Elizabeth, Audrey, Geoffrey and Rosemary, 10 grandchildren and 2 1/2. great grandchildren.
He married Kathleen Biden Chidley in Sydney in 1930. After their move to
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The Sydney Bushwallier, March 1999 Page 13
A Walk through the Cradle
Reserve by Ray Hookway.
A recent article in the Sydney Herald regarding the control of walkers in Tasmanian parks and in particular on the Overland Track, reminded me of a Marvellous nine day trip that I did in January 1970 through the Cradle' Reserve with Pat Harrison, and about some of the people we met on that popular walk. Pat is a former SBW 'club member and walks secretary.
The encounters started at Devonport Airport. We shared a taxi to Waldheim with four young Melbourne footballers. Pat and I both had fair sized' packs for the forthcoming 86 km valk, (Pat's weighed 27 kg), but the geal those four carried 'would have been sufficient for three times their number for a three week walk.
The leader's pack, which was a large Paddy steel-framed type with its bulging throat fully extended, and with gear hanging from ever' strap, was too big to fit in the station-wagon taxi so it was strapped to the roof
We spent the: fist two nights in the rustic Waldheim chalet. The chalet, nestling amongst the pine trees, was built in 1912 by Gustav Weindorfer, a leading Victorian naturalist. Weindorfer, who died at Waldheim in 1932 - and is buried there, became. known as the hermit of Cradle Mountain' and was a leading campaigner to have the area made, a national park. The track. from Waldheim to Lake St Clair was first blazed by Mr Bert. Nichols in the summer of.1930-31,
The resident Bennet wallabies at Waldheim made us very welcome, one even defecating on the arm of my chair as I read. I seem to have a way with animals.
Morning dawned beautiful: and fresh so we set out on a long day walk around Dove Lake and climbed Mt. Campbell and Hanson's Peak, but by the time we reached
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Kitchen Hut, rain, Mist and sleet had obscured Cradle Mountain. We returned to Waldheim via Marion's Lookout.
The following morning was again sunny and bright so we set out via Kitchen Hut and climbed Cradle Mountain (l5,45 m), enjoying the superb views, rated, arilOrlg,St_th e best in Tasmania, in clear cool weather. Scrambling over the shattered, vertical columns to reach the Summit imade me slightly nervous as the gaps between them seemed big enouglf.-and deep enough to hide the bodroia Careless climber forever.
We then proceeded to climb Barn Bluff (1559 m) perched at the far end of the large Bluff glacial cirque which overshaddWs Waterfall Valley to the east. The mist closed in on us as we reached the summit so we hurried down and set out back to Waldheim.
Our footballers, heavily laden, had set out that morning for Waterfall Valley:via Kitchen Hut. Dressed in ,lOnv aant:s, jumpers and jackets, and with a tOmahawk and a.-gaSlamp hanging from their belts they were definitely overdressed and overlOade d and when I asked one why he didn't 'pia his small billy inside the bigger one, both swinging from the outside of his pack, he replied “I. can't. They are both full of gear!”
At Kitchen Hut we found the table piled high with food discarded by them. Obviously the steep 300. metre climb and the 5km walk from Waldheim had proven too much and they ,had 'decided to lighten their load. We made a selection of the' luxury items and carried the remainder back to Waldheim for distribution to other walkers.
Next morning, shouldering our own heavy packs, we left Waldheim via the same route, meeting on the way, CMW member Ray Jerrerns, , who was running through the Reserve from -Cynthia Bay to Waldheim. He did it in record time. At the turn-off to Waterfall Valley we met SBW member Christine 'Kirkby (now Austin) with two girl
The Sydney Bushwalker, March 1999
lunches. They were wearing ordinary dress shoes and carried cheap plastic raincoats.
The leader had purchased the food and because of the inadequate packs brought by the party members, he had to carry it all. Needless to say he also left some of the food with that of the footballers' at Kitchen Hut.
When we saw them camped at Pine Forest Mali-, some were suffering from diarrhoea, plastic raincoats were badly torn and at least one of them had 'shoes Which required wire to keep body and sole,. together. It was enough to test anyone's faith.
The ,Cradle Reserve has an annual rainfall of about 284 cm, and the boggy, saturated button grass plains can be hard on footwear. Much of the walk is over very exposed country and weather conditions can become life threatening to ill equipped walkers, even in January.
Many snow poles along the track were adorned with boots and shoes abandoned or lost in the sticky mud by walkers.
The Overland Track has since been rerouted to skirt Pine Forest Moor and take a more sheltered route over a low ridge to the west.
We lunched at Frog Flat north, with good views in all directions including Mt. Achilles, Mt. Thetis and Paddy's Nut. Then, it was on to New Pelion Hut. Here, a selfish walker had claimed the entire centre of this 12 bunk building' by spreading his groundsheet, pack and other gear around him to occupy the maximum amount of space. He sat in the middle, issuing instructions to new arrivals. The 20 people who arrived from the track before the rain started, soon deposed, him.
We coOked outside, amongst “leeches! leechesl leeches!” as Pat recorded in his log.
It was at New Pelion Hut that we first met the 'kidney' man. He appeared to be in charge of a group of teen-aged miscreants engaged in a 61-iaracter building exercise. Whenever this fellow said something which he thought was clever, which was quite
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friends., They were 'doing the Reserve' in the slower traditional way.
We rested for a while near., the Waterfall Valley huts and watched a group of youths manufacture a rough table from fallen timber. “When's the sacrifice?” I flippantly inquired and to my surprise, a few minutes later the oldest member of the group put on a stole, spread a white cloth over the table and began to conduct a religious service. We picked up our packs and slunk aWay.
Camp that night was by Windemere Lake after inspecting the Stygian gloom of the hut and rejecting it out of hand. It was here that one of the minor problems of Tasmanian walking became evident -; leeches. Finding gdod campsites amongst the -bcitton grass anywhere in Tasmania, is diffiCialt, and leeches seem to have staked out all of the reasonable spots. Our camp by the lake was otherwise excellent as we watched the storm clouds gather around -Barn Bluff and. the rain set in. Wet nights and tine days. This was to be the weather pattern for the whole trip.
The Cradle Reserve is a peak-bagger's paradise. The shape of each of the many mountains is different and none appears too difficult to climb, the major problem being Which ones not to climb. When the Weather permits, the view in all directions is fascinating, with the shattered fluted dolerite columns, which make up most of the mountain tops: a spectacular skyline.
Crossing Pine Forest Moor next morning the clouds lifted to give a good view of Pelion -West but the Forth Gorge was lost in the mist. At -Pine Forest Moor we met another group who had shared Waldheim with us
. that first night.
The leader had organised the walk, cum religious retreat, via mail and his instructions to the party members had obviously been very poor. The packs they brought were only army sidepacks, unsuitable for carrying anything but schoolbooks and school
The Sydney Bushwalker,.March 1999 Page 15
often, he would tap his :forehead with a finger, look. wise, and say - “kidneys.”
n
The mist shrouding Mt. Ossa (1617 m), Tasmania's highest peak, Mt. Doris and Mt. Peliott East, as we crossed between them over Pelion Gap next day, made climbing them pointless, so we pushed on to Kia-ora hut for a snack. We then continued toward Du Cane Hut over thick mud4 and gradually, the mist lifted giving spectacular views of the cliffs on Cathedral Mountain.
“ShOrtly after leaving Du Cane Hut, built in 1010 by animal trapper Paddy Hartnett but now a ruin, we turned off to view some waterfalls, one of them being the 30m Hartnett Falls, whose strong flow we had sighted from Pelion Gap.
The track became slightly drier as we passed through Du Cane Gap and proceeded to Windy Ridge hut where we again met three of our footballers (1 don't remember what had happened to the. fourth one). They were physically wrecked and had decided to rest up for a day. They all agreed that walking while carrying packs was harder than playing
We spent a restless night at Windy Ridge. The bunks had only loose straw to soften the hardness of their corrugated slats, (this was before the days of self-inflating mattresses) and as the slats had wide gaps between. them, when the person in. the bunk above moved you were showered with straw.:
Possum marauders spent the night on noisy sorties to gather our fOdd, gaining entry to the 'hut, down the chimney Where a fire burnt brightly all night, hopefully to deter them. Heavy stones placed on our billies to prevent theft of our food only served to increase the noise level caused by these massive Tasmanian Creatures as they dislodged them. A large club' hanging from the wall, with instructions for use nearby, showed that we were not the first to have such problems. A large Possum known as Black Pete was
reputed to regularly terrorise walkers who camped at Du Cane Hut and that hut had a suitably labelled ',Black Pete,Donger'.
A beautiful morning dawned after our first rainless night and we set out' over our' driest track yet to Pine Valley hut Poi- lunch prior to climbing the' Acropolis (1471 m).
The Acropolis is located on the edge of the most spectacular area of the park, and we were rewarded at the summit with superb views of the Labyrinth and its lakes.
We ,.Made','an early start next morning to climb the south peak of Mt. Gould (1491 m). The climb proved to be very steep but we were again rewarded with panoramic views.
Next morning, after a camp near the dingy Narcissus hut; a discussion ensued as to whether we should proceed along Lake St Clair to Cynthia Bay or go up over Byron Gap into the Cuvier Valley. The mud had been ,pretty constant and Cuvier Valley had the reputation of being much worse. A poem in the Windy Ridge hut log book about that hues: ineffectual axe referred to “the plains behind Olympus being a sea of sticky mud”. I insisted that we go via Cuvier Valley and off we started over the steep Byron Gap and into the valley.
The Cuvier Valley proved to be as dry as a bone and totally mud free, due undoubtedly to its bad. publicity driving prospective walkers away to churn up the mud on the Lake St Clair track. The valley is very open and relatively flat and has a reputation for dangerous extreme weather conditions from storms blown up from the south west.
This day we strolled along in bright sunshine, admiring the scenery and the long white beach around the end of Lake Petrach, which is named after the Italian renaissance poet, and where a solitary fly-fisherman fished for trout. Pat recognised. a former club mate in the Kamerukas so we sat down for a talk. Again the grass literally rustled with the
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At Cynthia Bay,' at the southern end of Lake St Clair, we,tteate&kiurselv.'es to 'a 'room in Melaleuca cabincs;-.,h,ad-a hot shower and ate the remains of our.. food, feeding the resident wallabies the almost inedible long-life biscuits we had carried. A nibble, a puzzled look, first at the biscuit and then at the donor, and the offering was usually discarded. Hard as the 'hobs of hell', the -.tasteless biscuits had allegedly been designed to. feed the starving third world poor. They were a good argument- for the practice of testing new products, b qle re a long walk, not 011 it!
The leader of our group of miscreants busied himself helping a newly arrived car-camper to erect his tent. “Kidneys” he said to us, smiling and tapping his forehead after he had finished. bite him for a lift to Derwent
. Bri dg e.-t o m w.
Th6 nekt'mornilfig Pat and I scored' a lift- to Clarenoe frOm 'another motorist, passing up the '.Pleasure of the Cold pint at Derwent Bridge Hthel that We had been promising ourselves'. Four hitched lifts later, wet and cold from two hours standing in the rain Waiting for a lift, and after a hot shower at a Hobart friend's home, we had our promised pint but it did not taste as good as we had anticipated.
We met the Kidney man later in Hobart and learnt that despite his clever kidneys the group had been unsuccessful in getting a lift and had walked to the bus stop at Derwent Bridge, a tedious 61<ms and an anticlimax to the rest of their Walk.
Even now the word 'kidneys' uttered by either' Pat or me is enough to bring 'back pleasant memories of an dutstanding Walk that I would repeat tomorrow.
FOOTNOTES by Patrick James The AGM 'is'over. Congratulations to the new Committee who takes up the reins and, standing on the.- bridge, navigates the club through the uncharted waters of modern life towards the bug infested year 2000.
This,Issue of the Sydney Bushwalker is my last as. editor. Two terms as editor is enough. Of course 1 have enjoyed the job, some times more than others, but that is usual with all jobs. Each editor is different
'sure our new, 42nd editor will make
Mark in the Sydney Bushwalker. To all _those people who have written for the magazine, some of their on free will, many thanks for your contribution.
Welcome to Hannah Elise BRADING, a charming your lady who will be eligible to join SBW in 2015 (Constitution:_Clause 5(d)
from 5AM, 25 February, Hannah -Elise-is the brand new sister:,-of
.'-tlaughter of Karen and Richard; ati&grand datighter of Bill & Fran Holland.
S&R Training Weekend. Please note, not S&M but S&R, that is 'Search & Rescue, new known as Wilderness -rescue. The 'Confederation's annual training weekend is for all Confederation club members to learn- and re-learn an additional range of unusual bush skills such as wilderness self rescue, GPS receivers, night navigation, radios,., crime scene, helicopter techniques, and much, much. more. Bring everything for a normal weekend. walk on 20/2 1 March 199.9't. 'start at,, 8.3.0 AM. Location is the Cataract Scout camij, Appin Road. Contact Ken 'Smith or Jim Callaway
:Walk One Week Early Jim, C4a way :has advised :that his Sunday day walk, of 11 April. will become a ,Mon day, dayrwalk pn 5 April. M.onday day walks are veiy.,similar to unday,.d ay ,alks. Every thing else remains the same. Bring some Easter eggs! rst July 1931 Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.