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194712

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TEE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER A monthly Bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney. No. 157:' Dg4EWBER Price 6d. Annual subsriptionFeb1g48.t6')Jana949 Editor: Alex Colley, 55 Kirri- Production: Brian Harvey billi AV., Milson's Pt..,Troduction Asst. Peter Price Assistant Editor: Dot Butler Sales & Subs: Christa Calnan Walks Reporter: Kevin Ardill s'Asst. Sales & Sbs; Betty Hurley Illustrationist: Dennis Gittoes Typed by: Jean Harvey Business Manager: Maurie Derry CONTENTS Page Editorial - The Narrow Neck Peninsula 1 At Our November Meeting 2 Kiddies' Christmas Treat 3 Social Notes for December - Christmas Party 4 Kosciusko Snow in Colour 5 Report of the Era Sub-committee 5 The Mistletoe Menace (continued), by Alan Wyborn 6 Bett's Camp in September, by Olive Jurd 8 S.B.W. Ski Tour, by Tom Moppett 9 Warrumbungles from Gular, by Frank Leyden 12 Australia Day Weekend Walk 1948 - note from A. Hardie 14 We Went to Press in '37, by Brian Harvey 15 Federation Notes, by Brian Harvey 16 Paddy's Advt. 18 EDITORIAL . The Narrow. NeckHP6nifasula Before the proposal for the purchase of land on the Narrow Neck comes to rest in the Federation files we should like to express an opinion. Not that we favour purchase, except perhaps as a lnst resort, but publicity and approach to public bodies with the object of having the area reserved would be well worth while. Such efforts should be directed, not towards the reservation of the Narrow Neck Peninsula alone, but towards the wider project of the Greater Blue Mountains National Park. Nearly ten years ago this was adopted as the “principal cOnservation project of the Federation.” Little has been heard of it since. Many club members question the necessity for reserving Narrow Neck. If you believe, as do the Forestry Departments of U.S., U.K., and N.S.IN. that wilderness areas are necessary for the recreation of city populations, here are six reasons for reserving Narrow Neck. The reasons apply with slight modification to the whole Blue Mountains Area 1. It is a unique natural feature. 2. It is readily accessible to most of the population of the State. 3. It has no agricultural pastoral or forest value. 4. It would be very costly to develop as a residential area. There is,already ample land in the near vicinity of mountain towns, without incurring the expense of taking roads, sewerage, telephones etc. out so far. 5._ It can be seen from most of the popular -tourist resorts and its beauty would be badly a6m;,1-Cri road or buildings.- 6. It is part of the Warragamba catchment area. These are the main reasons why Narrow Neck Peninsula is good for a primitive recreation aid catChment area but for nothing else. AT OUR NOVEMBER MEETING. After conVeying apologies from the President for his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents, Alex Colley, took the chair. Over 50 members were present. Four new members were welOOmed - Olive Jurd, Audrey Chaplin, Aubrey McDonald and Stan Everard, The Treasurer's Report, showing an excess of payments over receipts of 22: 9: 2d. evoked 'cries of 'shame but was received with acclamation. The report of the Ski-ing Sub-Committee was read and its recommendations adopted. The Sub-Committee recommended that a committee consisting of Tom Voppett (Convenor), Len Scotland, Charles Ciaberg, Frank Leyden, Dot Butler, Phyllis Ratcliffe, Ted Constable, Gordon Ballard, Russell M.lkins and Bert ahillier be elected to organise Club ski ing activities. The committee was approved by the meeting and it was resolved that it be 3. appointed annually in November. The objects of the Skiing Committee were published in our last issue, The Report of the Era Sub-Committee was read (see below). The Sub-Cammittoe's recommendations re notices, sanitary arrangements, aater-supply, rubbish, tools and a working bee were adopted. Fifteen of those ;present were willing to go to the working bee. In accord with the wishes of the subcommittee no decisions were made as to tree planting, but a motion from 7ouldy Harrison to the effect that we should ask Alan Rigby to draw 1110 a plan for the block was carried. A long discussion then took place on another notion by Fouldy ,'That the meeting deprecates the use of radios and firam aphones (at Era) and that steps be taken to eliminate ther“. The motion was occasioned by a letter from “Tod” Sloane of the Rucksack Club, who had not been able to hear the lyre birds properly because of the playing of a wireless. luhen he spoke to the owners of the set they had affirmed their right to play it when and where they liked. Ruby Payne-Scott thought that those who didnrt like wireless could keep away from it. Eric Rowed had had a long talk to the players of the set, who had resented 7r. Sloane's attitude. Eric had explained the ideals of the S.F).vu. in taking over the land and told then they were welcome to carp there. If TTr. Sloane had been less aggressive they would probably have turned the set down. Roy Braithwaite thought that it would be better to encourage new- carers to follow our customs than to impose too many restrictions early. Renee Brown said she had often been annoyed by people making a noise far into the night, but she remembered the day when she liked to do likewise. People who didn't like noise could always carp away, as they did at reunions. Gordon Ballard thought that that was their idea of fun and we should be tolerant. Edna Garrad brought up the point that if there were enough - radios all turned down low the cumulative uproar would be considerable. On putting the notion to the vote it was defeated. Ray Kirkby pointed out the limitations of having only 40 acres. He thought that, foD proper development, most of the North Era valley should be acquired if that were possible. This brought on a discussion of nudism.: Eric Rowen reported that the nudists were gathering from hnear and far h and that we should get the blame. Dorothy Lawry said that she had opposed the buying of Era as she had said we would be hbuying trouble'. The Club had always been divided into the walkers and the “Eraitesh. Rangers and beach inspectors would be necessary. de rust not shirk our responsibilities, but must look after the land. After this the discussion moved on to Narrow Neck. Allan Hardie roved that the land for sale be purchased and made into a Bushwalkers' Yemorial Park. Because of urmrtainty as to the exact location of the land and as to the 'intentions of the Federation the motion was left in abeyance, The meeting closed at 10.20 p m. 4. KIDDIES' CHRISTMAS TRE. 1 T your costures, plates, cups etc. H ELPERS -Du TED SUBSCRIPTIOS .,,,N TED It is at Fuller's Bridge, Lane Cove River by 161,1, fron Chat swood. Organiser - Phil Hall SOCLIJ., NOTES FOR DECEYBER There is only one social event in Decerber but what an event! The Christrlas.Party, the one night of the year, when the S.B..'really ugets'crackin,”'will be held on Thursday 16th Dec. at 8T.r. The place is zlir.Force House, just off Elizabeth St.. in Goulburn St. The cost is 6/6 per 'person. 'Eric Rowen and Edna Strotton, who will be in the 'Club on the next two Friday nights, are selling tickets'. There will-be dancing, conpetitions, preSents for the winners-,.-and a good supper..- Subs cril5tions rlust be paid before the_.night .- so pay your roney in the Club: or sen-r-i-t–i laigrs adress KOSCIUSKO SNav IN COLOUR Frank Leyden, assisted by Bill Cosgrove, who operated the lantern, gave us a' photographic treat with his coloured slides of the vwestern slopes of the Kosciusko Yain Range. During their stay at the Chalet Frank and party,hadjust three fine days and. they took full advantage of ther. These were the first cloured slides we had seen of _the estern faces of the range in fact there are probably verY95hotorTaphs of any sort extant of this region which is inaccessible and usually obscured by rust.' The scenes were nagnificent and the vivid whites, blues and purpl'es' of the Alps showed to perfection. 11 feature of the evening was Thrank's interesting commentary - other photographers right well copy on slide nights. . Now Maps: T'r. E. Caines Phillips advises that the following raps have nowbeen corpleted and are available for perusal by those interested:- No. 42 lliars River (Bandongrove to Clarencetown) mangrove Creek (Hawkesbury River) (corplete tidal ,section together with all tidal tributaries), and including an imact illustrating the canocable (tidl) soction of Brcnhftst Creek at Spencer. 5. DAaN AT ERA, As daylip;ht cane a voice sounded near iytnt flOw are yer rate?” Soreone else woke with a start. 'Strike-no lucky!“ he said. There followed a cry: of “Cop this!”fror up the valley, then shouts of Order! Order!” from the trees opposite. Shortly after this the strains of f!Chattanuga Chu. Ch“ were warted into my tent, then the victory theme of the Fifth Syrphony, All very puzzlinr;, until a voice announced from the depths of the up-valley scrub This prograrrr-e comes to you by courtesy of Liar Birds Unlimited'. Sagacious birds, aren't they? - in fact; alrost hupan. ' REPORT 07 THE E R A.SUB430WITTEE The Era Sub-Corrittee, ponsisting of Jack liren (Con,;enor) Phyllis Ratcliffe, Arthur Gilroy, Ray Kirkby and Edna Garzaa, has net twice, once at Era. At the last General 1eetini its report was presented. The rain recarirendations were :- NOTICES. Suggested wording for a dozen printed calico notices was NORTH ERA -aALKERS CATIPING RESERVE. .: HIKE TENTS ONLY, CUT NO GREEN TREES USE EXISTING FIRE PLACES PUT OUT FIRES ITHAvATER USE RUDDISH PITS FIREARrS PROHIBITED. The Trustees. Notices would also be required prohibiting -carping near, or washing in, the,drinking water. SANIMRYARRANGEVENTS. Suggested frames with sacking walls, pits … . . an-aetceteras - two in each gully. LuATER SUPPLY. -fire covering for dar in Northern Gully eeririionts re dars further up creek. A well to be considered later. At Stockyard Creek existing pool to be enlarged and fenced to Tceep out cattle. RUBBISH. 11 pit for each gully. PLATING OF TREES, The Forestry Departrant considered that oak, coastal she oak, broad leafed ti'tree swamp riahosany, pittosporum undulatun and callistemon balignus would be suitable for the area. Best planting time would be April. It was considered desirable that a corpetent forestry authority be invited to visit Era and advise us. 6. There was great diversity of opinion between members of . the Sub-Committee on the situations where trees should be planted etc. However it was tentativeIy'Suggested that trees be planted At North North Era along the bank between the two levels on which tents are pitched for shade.: Acrobs mouth of valley to' provide a Windbreak.' At base of ridge on Stockyard side for shade. Arthur Gilroy provided an excellent panorama - photographed specially for the use of the committee and strongly recommends that Dennis Gittoes or some artistic person be invited to sketch in trees on the photograph before any plan is carried out. TREE GUARDS, Use to be made of the 27 existing fence posts at styclff:ia;ia;– Iron stakes could be procured for 2/3d. each and 120 yards of wire costs V-. It was estimated that about 2,000 yards of wire and 124 stakes would be needed for plots suggested. TOOLS. Purchase of some tools necessary. WORKING BEE. Suggested on 6th and 7th December.

THE MISTLETOE MENACE (Cent c1.) By A.L. Wyborn. Combating the Mistletoe. To the casual observer the ravages of mistletoe are not at ' once apparent, but due to the slow insidious working of this parasite, hundreds of thousands of our precious trees are continually suffering a creeping death. Methods of control will became an extreme urgency if mistletoe is allowed to spread'nuch further than it has today. It is apparent that prevention is better, than cure, and now is the time to deal a mortal blow to this pest, before time increases the rate of destruction, and the cost of eradication becomes out of all proportion. It must beemp'hasised that no large scale technigue of control has been worked out as yet over extensive areas in New South Wales. The destruction of mistletoe calls for concerted and practical action by the Government and other large interested bodies. The Forestry Advisory Council is urging action in this respect, and is undertaking a publicity campaign to make the general public aware of the danger, and thus to demand an effective campaign of control. 7. Although much manpower and money is required to really stamp out the ristletoe, nevertheless much can be done by the snaller bodies and individuals in local areas, particularly -Woere ristletoe has only a very slight hold. As a preliminary a survey of the incidence of mistletoe could be carried out in any particular district, the clusters of mistletoe being very easily recognised. Speaking generally, tho methods of control could be either the application of chemical sprays; encouraging fungus disease of the:,Astletoe; or the felling or lopping of infected trees. Chemical methods- are being tried, using rainly some of the newly developed hweed killers, such as rethoxone, but care has to be taken that the chamicals only affect the mistletoe and not the host plant. 4=' more promising approach might be made by encouraging , fungus disease or finding some insect which will attack the growth, but clearly this has to be done with caution or it right prove a two-edged sword. At this stage it is apparent that more detailed work is necessary to find what weaknesses the parasite has so that these can be exploited, The foiling or lopping of infected trees is considered by 'many to be the only, practical method of control, but in a badly infected forest this is laborious and time consuming. The Queensland Main Roads Board have a lopping plant in action, which, having loi:Pies with ladders, is particularly suitable for working on roadsides or up to the edge of a forest. Hero mistletoe is particularly prevalent, probably due to the high light requirerents of the plant, but ray be due to the behavibur of birds which distribute the seeds. On young shade and ornamental trees, branches should be cut off one or more feet below the point of infection as soon as the mistletoe shoots appear. On trees with infection already heavily established the smaller branches should be cut off and the plants should be raroved from the larger stars by'cutting out the underlying bark and wood for one or rore feet each way from the point of attachment. The cut surface should be treated with a disinfectant, such as creosote, Simp ly knocking off mistletoe plants merely results in the development of new shoots over a widening area, although if the successive crops of shoots are in turn removed every year or two the injurious effects of the parasite are reduced. In managed forests infected trees should be removed, as early as possible during intermediate cuttings. In untreated stands infected trees should if possible all be removed in the first cutting. Trees with trunk infections are particularly undesirable. After lopping, the mistletoe should bd burnt, as it is easily killed by fire. BETT'S CZrP IN SEPTEnER. By Olive Jurd, Had you boon in the vicinity, of Bott's Carp about the last week in Septorbor you surely would have noticed some strange creatures speeding down the rountains sometimes ploughing beneath tho snow, scretires coring to tho ,surface and racinp; on in a wavering, reckless kind of way, then, aeeringly for no reason at all, disappearing again, with a c,ras and scurry, leaving a great yawning chasm which was likely to engulf any straying skier who could not depend on his guiding star. Creatures did I say? No, just a feW S.B.11/s on-a mountain covered with snow, trying out their skiing technique. For nearly a week we plodded up the now covered rountains and bore down again. Everyone was happy, ,the days were :.fine and the snow was good. Despite OUT generous collection of bruises and rany groaning muscles we managed to enjoy ourselves. Evening excursions to the Chalet were becoming nore and more popular. Some wanted hair cuts, sore wanted to dance, but it did not take long to discover that the bar had an attraction too. One rornind the wind and rain greeted 'us in very boisterous ranner. Everyone thought it delieltful for the first day - it was a grand opportunity for some extra spine-bashing - this skiing is really hard work, don't ever be led to belicVe it isn7tClimb a few rountains with six or seven feet of board strapped on each foot, then slide swiftly down crashing here and there of course, while tho spectators have a little bet on whether you'll' be able to rise again under your own stear. After a few days of all this you too would welcome a day of rest. But alas, next day it rained just as hard and the wind blew even harder. At breakfast that -.morning someone had a bright idea that we right pack up and go north, to Yal,lba, where there is a beautiful surfing beach and warn sunshine (someone worked it all out about the sunshine). Six out of the ten of us decided to leave for this charming spot and so all arrangements were made. The other four were to go on to the Chalet for the week. There was rUch excitement as belongings were thrown into rucksacks and in an amazingly short time all six were set for the track. Just as the party was about to rove off the wind s creechod loudly and lashed the rain furiously against the first face that emerged from the door. Like a drowning man grasping at a straw hp desperately urged a conference, to rake sure this really was a sensible move. A round-the-Stove conference was held and expitenent dissolved into doubt and indecision. Eventually, the wonderful dream of surf and sunshin- was put back into its box and the ,Thole party decided to go to tne Chalet. All except one, who very much wanted to -make the trip and almost slipped out on to the cold, cruel, windswept snow, where she would soon have disappeared into the rain and fog. But we dragged her back and made her colAnt ten. 9. vde found Chalet life quite different from Eon's Carp but in tine adjusted ourselves admirably to the social forr-alities. 'Being first into reals of course was an excusable habit, seeing we had the usual Bushwalker appetites. Usually after the evening real we would cluster arolind the fire to work out a tour for next day, and retire early hoping for a suitable tonorrow. Some found these trips rather exhausting and preferred to try out turns, stops and crashes down the various slopes of t. Stillwell, near the Chalet. The touring party would appear at the top of Charlotte Pass at about dusk, cane bumping down over the iced up herringbone tracks and some- tires alnost enter the ski roam on skis. vue would listen in wonder as they told their stories of spectacular views and experiences of the day, and the sad thought of what we had rissed caused a tear now and again to splash into our great plate of turkey. o vowed that next time we would find enough energy to go too. ',ue don't know when f'next “tire” will be, but we hope it is next year. C.7.1t1i. S.13,,A. SKI TOUR. 13y Tai,1 7oppett. One of the visitors at our last Annual Photographic Exhibition was John Houghton, President of the and while chatting we discovered that we wore going to Alpine Hut at the sar-e tine.. - in the middle of August. 1Ne thereupon decided on a few days touring, and arranged to take tho necessary food and equipment. During the first week at the Hut snow fell most days, and one day it rained - a most unusual occurence for that tire of the year - definitely not touring weather. But on Friday night the weather conditions and the rieteorological report over the radio agreed that Saturday and the following day or two would be good - and they were. On Saturday morning, saying we would be back for dinner iiednesday evening, John and I set off for Grey Vare Hut via Mawson's, where we lunched. From there we rounded the end of the Kerries and set a westerly course. The day was warn and still, and we passed through several enclosed spots which had been getting the direct rays of the sun, where the air was super heated oe wondered why the snow, and we, didn't melt. The only real obstacle we encountered was Rocky Plains Creek, at that point in a valley about 400 feet dmo. The going was open and on our side the descent was gentle, but the climb cut opposite was quite stoop. From the top, locking S.w. across Straight and Grey Hare Creeks, we could see Grey Mare Hut only about a rile away. But it took some time to roach, as there was a fairly steep drop of about 500 foot into Straight Creek, which John, with a pack weighing about 40 lb's., found rather difficult. From the bottom of the descent to the Hut was easy, as both straight and Grey Mare Crooks were covered. The Hut is a couple of hundred 7ards back fror Grey Mare Crook and about 50 feet above it. hen approaching from the bed of the creek, it is impossible to see the 'Jut until right in front of it, as the ends of ridges screen it from up and down stream. The f'Grey 7are Gold Mine, as it says on the door, was originally twice the size, but half was pulled down a' few yeas ago by a horse. The exposed end of the hut has been repaired - with old sheets of galvanized iron, mid it is now a four-roomed, lined hut, and seers to be fairly sound. The doors have to be lifted when'lockinc or unlocking. Snow still gets above the coiling and on a hot day drips through - one room was Vito damp. There are beds for three, a double spring rattross and a single bags-between-poles, but there arc no kapok mattress or blankets. Equiprent includes a shovel and a blunt axe with the handle broken off, and various billies and tins. There is a small creek about twnty,yds fron the door, and there are scattered dead snow gums a hundred yards up behind the hut, but unless these are conserved, it wonit be lonr; before wood getting will require a lot of effort. The Hut is well known as a freezer at night, and no wonder - it is right in the riddle of a great expanse of bare, cold snow, unprotected b'y trees or hills. Even on our second night there, when we had every possible piece of clothing under us, we were not quite. warm. On Sunday we took our lunch along the Grey Mare Range ad” ate it on top of Grey Mare. It was a beautiful clear day, without wind, and we just Wandered along the Range, stopping frequently to ac custom ourselves to the Tuat panoramas or-i. all sides. It'was just such, a day as we had wished for. Though it took four hours. to reach Grey vqre we kept going on the 'way back,' and did it in' one hour-. Monday was cl a.r third fine day and we roved to Pretty 'Plains Hut. Our route was up Greylqare Creek_to, its head, round the northern side'df BiTBogong,,and then a OCUY'.S0 north of, west to the Hut. The 'Big Bogone referred to:is near the:Sunction of Grey Mare Range with tho'Strunbo,Range.' On the way we net two wombats, one drinking ii the side creek, the other chewing grass besidetherai n 'creek. 11, On Tuesday rornini:, there was some sun, but the weather had changed. we set out with the idea of following down the Toana to ,.heoler's Hut, but had just reached the River when it started to rain. we crossed and took shelter in the small bark and slab hut at the junction of Pugilistic Creek with Toora River. After waiting sonic tire we decided there was little hope of the weather improving, so had a very early lunch and dashed back to Pretty Plains Hut, .,lthough I understand there is good skiing on parts of the Dargals Range - The Dargals, Ink Bottle and Toolang - most of the country west of Big Bogong is quite thirqcly timbered so not really suitable. But in any case it is well worth while to visit Pretty Plain to see that part of the snow country. Pretty Plains Hut is about 4,400 feet. It is well sheltered and is most attractive, being built of round logs and has a high galvanised iron roof with wide eaves. It has two big rooms, living and bunk, and a snail corner roam with an outside door only, used for storing feed. There is no ceiling, giving a vary roomy effect. Tho Hut is well equipped and there arc a lot of spare bags to help keep the cold out. The bunks, six of ther, are of bags slung between poles. It has been kept beautifully clean, as have the two satellite huts up and down stream, and it is a real pleasure to stay there. -vve spent Tuesday afternoon sitting before the fire in our sleeping bag cushioned chairs, reading. The cook produced a super dinner at his leisure, and then we drowsed in front of the fire until supper. A really enjoyable rest afternoon. Next day a blizzard was blowing higher up, although it was quiet in the valley. Having cleaned up the hut and nade sure the fire was out and sone wood left inside, we sot off at about 8 for Alpine Hut, a distance of approxinately 13 riles. Unfortunate- ly we made a =all hole in the cenent hearth splitting wood, but a letter of apology to the owner, plus a srall sir to cover the darage brought a very friendly reply. As far as Big Bogong and the source of Grey Tare Creek we followed our outward routp, but going as straight as possible instead of wandering about learning the country. From there we went EllE, and climbed to the top of the Strumbo Ranp;e, at a point from which we could look down the valley of the Toora. Sc far, although we were in fairly thick fog part of the tine, there were tires Jhen we could see quite well. Unfortunately there wasn't only fog and, of course, wind, but some rain, and it had to be at lunch tine too. LIG ate our lunch of biF;cuits, butter, dates, cheese and peanut butter standing under a snowguri, then got going again as quickly as possible before we froze. .From tho. top of the Strurbo Range we had to go five 1,idles across the open Range, with no protection from the blizzard. Fortunately the wind was behind us, or it would have boon much 12. roro uncomfortablo. vve could soc only a short distance, and all we could sec was snow and fog and rocks and odd patches of snow gums. So we headed eastward for Bull's Peaks. by carpass, 'going over or round an endless. succession of snail hills: -irve had several showers of rain, which made the ,snow soggy and the going hard as:,we got. no run at niL As time went on we became a bit fed up with the succession of rocks and trees which went slowly past, and our comfort wasnft increased by the odd trickles of ice cold water which got past our groundsheets and down our neck. The billy bag 1 was wearing for a hat wasnit as effective as I could have wished. we were glad to arrive at Bull ?s Peaks about 4.15'p n, Bull's Peaks are right an the edge of the Range, so we. went southward along the edge and eventually down through the thick belt of trees to rcDonrc12s Diggings, and along to Alpine Hut, where we were greeted with “Hero they are”. Peter Price!, and Frank Ricketts wore among the welcomers, but Ill-1 afraid Frank's face was obscured by sudh a thick black growth that- took about ten minutes to recognise'him, ZERUmBUNGLES FROM GULAR. By Frank Leyden. (This was written in response to a request for an informative article to assist those planning trips in the future. - 'Ed,) Gular is on thd Coonanble linE, and 70 riles north of Dubbo. The Coonamblo Yail leaves Central 7.25 p n. in the evening and arrives Gular 10.39 a m. next -rorningi On the return, the train leaves Gular 1.56 p m. in the afternoon and arrives Sydney 5.5 air next morning. - The township of Gulargarbone is about 2 miles east of the station and a us to the town meets the train. The propri'etor, Joe Donnelly, is very versatile on local information. Our official party, Easter 1947, used truck transport to the 35 riles distant liarrumbungles. The transport was supplied by E.R. Ginty and Corpany, Garage and Service Station, Gulargarbone. Cost for forward and return truck trip was 2,16. There wore 12 in the party, so it worked out at P.,U 8d. each. Another firm is Skinner Bros., 7otor Garage, Bourbah Strebt, and there are several local carriers. There is a good road for about 25 niles-out, but it ray not be passable in very wet weather. The last 10 miles or 8o is throlgh the foothills and up the i,uombelong Creek. From the motor . 13. point of view the worst parts of the road are tho. six_or so. splash crossings of the crock. The. st()eply: eroded banks were the major difficulty. The driver was expert and the truck powerful so we c. ,ct to the furthest of tjie road at. PinchanTs farr. ..,bout 2 riles before covlin to PinchamTp, the rend passes nrounh 131ac],nflanTs property. 1s it is necossor7 to E;e through both of those properties, it is customary to call in. I wrote to PincharTs some weeks ahead for peri'lission to camp on his property, as this is desirable. I received ft vo27 courteous and helpful reply. The aridness is Pincham, 'Strathmore, Upper i4ombelong Creek, oarru1bunglc Tfrts.,'Via Gulargatbene. Keith Blackran and his wife were also very Iclpf.9,1 with local information. The whole area is nornally very dry, hut ,rater generally ho found in the follow in places, provided some rain has fallen in previous months. (Rofor,to TFyles DunphyTs uttarriambungle National Yonum ent Near the head of the Castlereagh River, just oast TTopera Gap. Yopora Gap Crook from 'opora Gap down to ombelong Creak. uorlbolong Creek from 7opora Gap Creek junction downstroam for about 5 riles or so. Those two latter streams give the biggest flow of water this side of the range. Upper ombolonr; Crook is dry except for a small flow at the water tank just below PincharTs (good carp spot). All other creek beds that we examined were very porcus and of the storm water channel type, particularly higher up in the mountains. But springs or soaks exist, often high up, such as the remarkably good supply in the gully just above Hurley's Base Carp. This spot rakes a very good basecarp. V Srall soaks have also 'boon found in the gullies under the Bluff and the Bread Knife, hut they would be ii7ficalt to find in emergency. Good trips are as follow: The Bluff via the high tops above the Broad Knife.' High _Top 3. Rock Tifountain. All the foregoing are readily accessible from li=loyis Base Canp. dhen climbing; up around Belous_;ery Spiro it is advisable to keep next to the rocky wall. This area encompasses VT1CSt of the spectacular rock formations. From carp at the tank just below Pincham's, the northern side ray be explored as follows Follow up branch creek on 'the eastern side just abgve the tank. A little way upstream (dry crook) ,VVfoIlowrac1c'marked with white surve7 pegs (for a p rojected road over ropera Gap). At the top of the range, l'opera Gap swings around to the right, oorut is NNE over the Upper 7opera Gap Creek deep vdlley, and Scabby is the closest high ridge in the For Scabby, go NMI) for 1' rile, then climb up on the ridge with the gorge or deep valley on the right. Follow the narrow neck about ,vS.0 for anothc r rile to its end, where a very fine view exists. This is not shown on the map, but would bn about at the NE point on the compass drawing on the map. To go to Aoorut, drop down into the deep valley of the UDper 170pera Gap Crock, go northward to the west to east ridge and follow up the fence. There is a negotiable route up the rocky cliffs whore the fence goes up. uonrut is one of the main focal points of the mountain system and offers an extensive panoramic view. Our times were as fellow Truck Gular to Pincharis 3 hours, i al,king tiy:les. PInCham,s lip;-to HUrleyrs Base Camp with heavy packs 2 hours, To came down, with light packs 45 min. Hurley Carp to top Big Bluff 0 1_ ,,,. hours.. To return down l?5.- Fincharis tank to Mopera Gap 1 hour. Gap to end of Scabby About 45 min. To return to Gap 30 Gap down into,UPper Mopera Gap Creek 20 Creek to top of orut lat hours :uYoorut back to Creek - 45 m in. Creek back to Topera Gap About 25 I! Yopera Gap back to tank -at PinchEmis 45 AUSTRALIA DAY 'vyEEKEND )014LK, 1948 Hardie wishes those desirous of going on his walk (winghar-Ellenborough Falls-Bulga Ridge-Comboyne Plateau-Upper Lansdowne) to let him knew before the 31st . cember, 1947, se that he may make arrangements for the necessary motor transport. He also requests the payment of 25/- per head to cover the latter before the,same date. If he cannot make up a party of five or more persons, he reserves the right _to cancel the trip On Bob Eastoels Breakfast Creek trip Ray Kirkby, who was practising cooking and testing his intake in preparation for his Tasmanian trip,dell4Ited the party with his excellent plun pudding. No synthetic product this, but, as he himself put it hrade from the raw elements, '“–urth,” he added, 11.1 do allow myself the luxury of self-raising flour.“ 15. iE ENT, TO PRESS IN '37 by Brian Harvey October 1937 saw the last., quarterly edition of journal devoted to ,,atters pf interest to the Sydney Bush idlialkers h This particular issue, No. 35 of its ilk, was one of 20 pages,- carercially mimeographed and selling to the news-hun7yy walkers,who eagerly snapped it up,at the exorbitant pre-war price of 1/- a copy - 1/- mark youl! Issues appeared at three or four monthly periods - apparently as sufficient stories of trips cane to hand - September 1936 struggled to reach 10 par.;es!! nyway, in historic 1937 it :was resolvod,to purchase a-duplicator and produce a monthly mamzine by our own fair hands. The illustrious Business'7anager,. Bill 7u11ins (since' the proud father of twins, we T”,;iht rerark) came to light with a second hand uReliinf;ton Rapid ,Rotary“ machine, known in well4informed office equipment 'circles as the uR.R.R.0 The manufacturers undoubtedly were hurourists, fOr at no stac;e of our early production were our efforts uRapid u and as for “Rotaryu.- well; we buzzed about in ever increasing circles. Club artist Alan Rigby prouced the bushland scene depicted on the cover within which we still proudly staple ourpages today. decade ago this month, under the baton of the said ,illiam vullins, an imposing array of seven operative uassistantsu made the kitchen of our Hamilton StrKTElubroOr the birthplace of the nonthly magazine now presented on the first Friday of each month. Cur first 13 pages (as a Christmas treat) was a blotchy, unevenly duplicated affair, costing 3d - sone pages as black as the Caves during a power failure,, some faint like a much-worn carbon copy), others a rare cortination of both. Not to mention 'first-copies” signed with the indelible black finger prints of the unskilled operators. The unsuitable paper had to be laboriously peeled off the rotary drum, laid out and a square of Sydney Horning Herald” -plonked thereOn to absorb excess ink. After drying we udeinterleaved“' and Sorted out r'laF:azine and uS.v.,71.'' - never once making the fatal error of ringing in a page of uGronnyu in mistake. Hands and thoughts were equally black. Haw the Editor, T'arie Byles, tolerated it We donft know, but when she, passed. the blue 13encil on to Dorothy Lawry, after six months, a definite upward trend was in evidence. To brighten up the months our covers, in those days of ample suPplies, appeared in. rotation in blue, yellow, salmon, red and green tones.

Came Hitler and the “R.R.R.0 roved about the suburban homes of various-operators, finally, coming “to rest for a long period with Yvonne Rolfe, who nobly performed the task of duplication, at tines unaided. It was practi cally. a fertLnine production by now. Copies were posted to Very roTeber'of all bushwalking clubs on active service by that fine body,the.Bushwalkers Services Committee. To conserve 'paper we correnced printing on both sides. Clare Kinsella took over the editorship in June 142, and, owing to rising costs of paper the price rose to 4d. per copy. By midwinter of 1944 the few remaining walkers had to dig deep in pockets and 1G. handbas to extract the necessary 6. wherewith to possess their ragazine. Hay Kirkby ber!ar'e editor the next pri1. This was in the drirk dr yys when the Club had no hoc, and, for a tire, he had - ho produce the w-hole naazire hirself - even to typino the stencils. Ron Knichtley, our first post-ar editor took over in T'ay 1946 and carried on till Yarch last year, when the present editor took over. For our present production we have a newly-apquired highspeed duplic-Ater and an efficient co-ordinfAted staff including Reporter, Illustrationist, Business Vana6.er, Sales wanager and (-nest tr,portant) tynistos who mat the stencils. ill corbine to bring you the latest trips, what the well -dressed walker is wearin, conservation, naps, Federation notes and club :-;ossip. Duo tJc s'tvin(:s effected in stencil cutting, we are able to allow a concession to those who stabilise our sales - viz the annual subscribers - in that the annual subscription, fron 1st. Feb. next,is reduced, to 5/- per annun (postare 1/6 extra), a saving to the thrifty of 1/-. Casual cashsales rerain at 6d. per copy. hy not becore an Lnnual Subscriber and 'make sure of your copy? Fill in the inserted forr and hand over to Christa C-.11nan before another day passes! Present subscribers should note that current sub. expires with receipt of January ragazine. Let us know before 31st Jan. whether you are going to renew, please. FEDERTION NOTES by Brian Harvey Icati_onTrus:t Tederation has affiliated. InauTu ral Trust reeti'ng wen' ii:t ten dod and enthusiastic. Hopes raised for our national parks and priritive areas. Oliver Jyndhan our delegate. Yarrol;v reck Land) Position to be closely watched but no 3.ove yet. r. K. Conparsnoni appointed ClItAr-an of Section, rTat i-dirnW-fare lookout towers 15 S.D.,. nenbers have durilv: danger period. John Iroble convenor. Blue Gur: Reported Muth Hostellers destroyed two tree ferns. T”riici-dhot on trail. Trore news of this later. Kosciusko: To -oppott and 7iss Joscolyn Henderson norinatod by VY(Ter6n to fill positions of trustees on proposed enlarged Trust. To represent recreational and grazing interests. Arend- lent to Act to 7o before Parilarent soon. Riflos: Co-operation of Police Dept. sought on license of guns -6.71—Catrol of shooting in bush. Blitz on Sunday shooting. Conservation Bureau: Has been re-created and is finding its feet after hibernation during war. Policy to be drawn up. Bundeena: Proposed new road fron top Artillery Hill strongly opposed. Bushwalkers, ear Terorial: be bronze tablet at Splendour :r?o-c-11.-Mciarc-DTE-o-i-r,-E'jl;rvice' next Anzac Day. ;C,9 cost to be defrayed 17. by donation. Wild flowers Total prohibition of sale is being sought. Federation now represents 1180 walkers and conservationirts. Cairns on Peaks Unseenlyco..ment in record books deprecated. nnuFPrbj a,campl-ete social and financial success. Recent. arriv4:ls fromWellington H.S., are Kath Jamieson the. Tararua Trampers. and Ray. Larberton of Paua Club and Canterbury mountainacring Club.. Both hav been seen on official walks and we hope to see more of theraS their -stay in this country. is indefinite. 0000 Oo..opa.0 0000 The John. Hunters are having 'a busy time the days extending hospitality to S.B.W.s.Yarge and Ruby Clarke, Doug Johnstone ano Dave Ingram. recently spent a most enjoyable evenin with them in their Auckland hone, and Kath HardY and Ron Knightlay look like . being on the visiting list very soon. It seers that Joan and N Junior may be in Sydney some time next year. 0 o 000000 000000 P,ip;gest sensation in the “Vonterey' since David Stead took in a suitcase-full of snakes was the presentation to 'Bill Horton of a pair of long; Woollen underpants with lace frills and draw(er) cords round the cuffs. On the legs were embroidered in red wool the names of the lads and lasses who had donated them. In pres- enting tne woollies, Jim Brown expressed the hope that Bill' would. feel warrly towards his friends '4.bile he. was away. Bill sailed for England on Dec, 41,:th.: and will be away for -six months. He a vary busy ran before he left being Walks Secretary, organiser of the Kiddies' Treat and a very usefUl worker on' the magazine. We hope he has a first rate trip, but it will be a good thing for the Club when he gets back0 iipos o o Ron Knightley, Kath Hardy and party set off for N.Z. on 3rd Dec. Included in their itinerary is dinner at the Church of Christ, Christchurch. Progress reports of the trip are promised Blue Yountains Yystery: What is a seaplane doing in the gully to the south of the water tanks at Hatoamba9 How long is a wombat r3 burrow? “Burrows explored b7eGpen cut” have measured up to a hundred feet long, in some of thew a chila might crawl through to the nesting- chamber. Unusually extensive burrows may result from long continued use or the joining of an original network…. Burrows in the Tsonaro district of New South Wales are noted as being very large but only fray ten to fifteen feet long and usually with a comfortable nest at the end. from Furred Animals of Australia” by Ellis Troughton. BACK7A.RD BUS,HVA.ALKIT,T,G- Yes, all the babies are doing. well.. Thanks to a few timely showers, all the seedlings are well established and putting on leaf nicely. If they can survive the next six months, they should make a pretty show in the following:summer. One often sees warnings that native plants shOuld not be water. The fact seems to be that if the ground is well drained, they thrive on an extra ration of water during hot weather. I have a little bed of flannel flowers raised from seea. The soil is almost pure black san.(4.1 which is frequently watered. The flannel floAr plants have raced ahead and on one plant I recently counted over-eighty flowers - not including buds. xxx xxxxxx-xxxxx IVITAT HAS PADDY GOT? New line Royal Navy disposals. Brand new tropical blankets. These extra large (7! x 5!) blankets only weigh 2,4 lbs. They are a pleasant grey-green 'colour in a good quality sof17,. woven,fannel. Could be used as a summer camping blanket or an extra for winter trips.. Price 17/6 each. Rucksacks. With or without frames in stock. Billies. Upright rolled edge aluminium billies. 2 Pint 5/- 3- laTit-5/9 Squat billies 1?; Pint 4/6, 2-4 pint 5/6, 3 pint 7/3, 4 pint 8/3 All good wishes for a happy Christmas. .PADDY RALLIN CAMP “GEAR FOR 'WALKERS Phone 327 George St., E 3101 SYDNEY 10.

194712.1348882389.txt.gz · Last modified: 2012/09/29 11:33 by 127.0.0.1

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