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196003 [2016/01/13 21:03] – kennettj196003 [2016/03/25 10:09] (current) – [Annual Swimming Carnival 1960] kennettj
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-THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER+**THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER**
  
 A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers,
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 Phone JW1462. Phone JW1462.
  
-303 MARCH 1960 Price 1/-+**303 MARCH 1960 Price 1/-**
  
-Editor: Don Matthews, 33 Pomona Street, Pennant Hills.  WJ3514. +|**Editor** | Don Matthews, 33 Pomona Street, Pennant Hills. WJ3514| 
-Reproduction: Eileen Taylor +|**Reproduction**| Eileen Taylor | 
-Sales & Subs.: Audrey Kenway +|**Sales & Subs.**| Audrey Kenway | 
-Business Manager: Brian Harvey  +|**Business Manager**| Brian Harvey | 
-Typed by Jean Harvey+|**Typed** | Jean Harvey | 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Contents =====
  
-CONTENTS 
    
-Direction Finding - Pisces  1 +|Direction Finding - Pisces | 1| 
-At Our February Meeting  - Alex Colley 2 +|At Our February Meeting  - Alex Colley |2| 
-Easter Trip 1960 - Warrumbungle Ranges - David Ingram 4 +|Easter Trip 1960 - Warrumbungle Ranges - David Ingram| 4| 
-Yosemite Valley - Keith Renwick 5 +|Yosemite Valley - Keith Renwick| 5| 
-Hatswell's Taxi & Tourist Service (Advertisement) 9 +|Hatswell's Taxi & Tourist Service (Advertisement) |9| 
-The New Zealand Expedition '59-60 - R.A. Duncan 10 +|The New Zealand Expedition '59-60 - R.A. Duncan |10| 
-Sanitarium Health Food Advertisement 11 +|Sanitarium Health Food Advertisement |11| 
-Annual Swimming Carnival 1960 - Brian Harvey 14 +|Annual Swimming Carnival 1960 - Brian Harvey |14| 
-Walking Guide 15 +|Walking Guide |15| 
-Kowmung Capers - Carl Doherty  +|Kowmung Capers - Carl Doherty |16 | 
-Editorial 20+|Editorial |20| 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Direction Finding =====
  
  
-DIRECTION FINDING 
 "Pisces"  "Pisces" 
  
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-**AT OUR FEBRUARY MEETING**+===== At Our February Meeting ===== 
 Alex Colley. Alex Colley.
  
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 In correspondence was a letter from Jim Hooper asking what had happened to our Chronic Opera Company. Why no operas? In reply, Jim brown said the discontinuance had been deliberate. Operas had become harder to arrange and the audience more critical. It had been said that the presentation of operas at reunions was taking away the need for other people to put on entertainment, so it was decided not to produce one for the last reunion. The success of last year's reunion justified this action. Jim assured the meeting that Chronic Opera would shine before the footlights again when occasion justified. In correspondence was a letter from Jim Hooper asking what had happened to our Chronic Opera Company. Why no operas? In reply, Jim brown said the discontinuance had been deliberate. Operas had become harder to arrange and the audience more critical. It had been said that the presentation of operas at reunions was taking away the need for other people to put on entertainment, so it was decided not to produce one for the last reunion. The success of last year's reunion justified this action. Jim assured the meeting that Chronic Opera would shine before the footlights again when occasion justified.
  
-The Treasurer's report, showing a balance of 25.10. 3 after paying deposits of 15. 6. 6 on the North Sydney Hall - and income for the month of a. 6. 6 - revealed some tightness in the cash position.+The Treasurer's report, showing a balance of 25.10. 3 after paying deposits of 15. 6. 6 on the North Sydney Hall - and income for the month of 6. 6 - revealed some tightness in the cash position.
  
 The Social Secretary reminded us of the members' slide night on March 30th and appealed to members to put their names on their boxes of slides. The Social Secretary reminded us of the members' slide night on March 30th and appealed to members to put their names on their boxes of slides.
  
-In his walks report, the Walks Secretary told us that 32 members and 38 children, including two two-year old nudists, had enjoyed the childrens' Christmas Treat near Waterfall. Brian Harvey's boat cruise had attracted 8 members and one prospective, and everyone had had a wonderful time at the Rudolph Cup Regatta. All in all more motoring and boating than walking, but one party had been down the Cox, and had poured half a bottle of rum into its waters. Whether this had contributed to State Cabinet's indecision on a certain appointment, our Walks Secretary did not say.+In his walks report, the Walks Secretary told us that 32 members and 38 children, including two two-year old nudists, had enjoyed the children's Christmas Treat near Waterfall. Brian Harvey's boat cruise had attracted 8 members and one prospective, and everyone had had a wonderful time at the Rudolph Cup Regatta. All in all more motoring and boating than walking, but one party had been down the Cox, and had poured half a bottle of rum into its waters. Whether this had contributed to State Cabinet's indecision on a certain appointment, our Walks Secretary did not say.
  
 Federation Report initiated a discussion on an accident fund. Federation had rejected the Robinson and Mitchell Insurance scheme, but had discussed the creation of a Federation fund, to be raised by a levy from members, and paid out to deserving cases by the trustees of the fund. Arbitrators were to be appointed to decide to whom and how much. Federation Report initiated a discussion on an accident fund. Federation had rejected the Robinson and Mitchell Insurance scheme, but had discussed the creation of a Federation fund, to be raised by a levy from members, and paid out to deserving cases by the trustees of the fund. Arbitrators were to be appointed to decide to whom and how much.
  
-Wilf Hilder was afraid that, secure in the knowledge that Federation would pay, people might get helicopter's when they didn't really need them. Frank Ashdown envisaged the difficulty of several claims at once and not enough cash to meet them. Ron Knightley said that one of the main difficulties in getting a policy was the lack of previous history. There might be expenses outside of transport - e g. track cutting - would these be covered? Brian Harvey told us that there had been only one quotation for an insurance policy. This would have cost us 60, or 1/6d. a head and would cover only bushwalking, which was difficult to define. What happened when someone was injured rock-climbing, caving, or even in the Rudolph Cup? These activities would not be covered in the policy. A policy to cover them would probably cost L1 a head. With the proposed fund, however, Federation would be guaranteeing to pay 500 out of a fund it didn't have. Colin Putt said that this was not the idea of the fund. It was to reserve against contingencies, which could accrue at a suitable rate, to be used as and when needed, and collecting could stop when the fund was large enough. Jack Wren said we were all scared about something that might never happen.  He thought that people should cover themselves up to L50. But surely bushwalkers could afford a levy of, say, 10/- every few years, if necessary, instead of collecting 1/6d. a time.  Bill Burke supported Jack Wren'S proposal. He thought we would have no trouble getting the money. Kath Brown thought that people going to hazardous places should take out a special policy. The accident might be caused by behaviour which we didn't approve. Frank Young pointed out that all would have to pay, and at least one affiliated Club, the W.E.A., which only did day walks, didn't want to be in it. John White foresaw all sorts of troubles arising from the complication of the scheme and difficulties of definition. Bob Binks thought that if there was a lower limit, it should be 25, not 50, and Jim Brown foresaw that, if the money were required quickly it could mean 100 from Club funds in one payment. Bob Duncan thought it was unrealistic to expect everyone to pay 10/-, and the person for whom the levy was made could reasonably be embarrassed.+Wilf Hilder was afraid that, secure in the knowledge that Federation would pay, people might get helicopter's when they didn't really need them. Frank Ashdown envisaged the difficulty of several claims at once and not enough cash to meet them. Ron Knightley said that one of the main difficulties in getting a policy was the lack of previous history. There might be expenses outside of transport - e g. track cutting - would these be covered? Brian Harvey told us that there had been only one quotation for an insurance policy. This would have cost us 60, or 1/6d. a head and would cover only bushwalking, which was difficult to define. What happened when someone was injured rock-climbing, caving, or even in the Rudolph Cup? These activities would not be covered in the policy. A policy to cover them would probably cost L1 a head. With the proposed fund, however, Federation would be guaranteeing to pay 500 out of a fund it didn't have. Colin Putt said that this was not the idea of the fund. It was to reserve against contingencies, which could accrue at a suitable rate, to be used as and when needed, and collecting could stop when the fund was large enough. Jack Wren said we were all scared about something that might never happen.  He thought that people should cover themselves up to L50. But surely bushwalkers could afford a levy of, say, 10/- every few years, if necessary, instead of collecting 1/6d. a time.  Bill Burke supported Jack Wren's proposal. He thought we would have no trouble getting the money. Kath Brown thought that people going to hazardous places should take out a special policy. The accident might be caused by behaviour which we didn't approve. Frank Young pointed out that all would have to pay, and at least one affiliated Club, the W.E.A., which only did day walks, didn't want to be in it. John White foresaw all sorts of troubles arising from the complication of the scheme and difficulties of definition. Bob Binks thought that if there was a lower limit, it should be 25, not 50, and Jim Brown foresaw that, if the money were required quickly it could mean 100 from Club funds in one payment. Bob Duncan thought it was unrealistic to expect everyone to pay 10/-, and the person for whom the levy was made could reasonably be embarrassed.
  
 From the debate there emerged a motion that the Club was in favour of Federation continuing its investigations. Second motion was carried asking the Federation also to consider the alternative of raising a fund, to be subscribed voluntarily, as and when necessary. From the debate there emerged a motion that the Club was in favour of Federation continuing its investigations. Second motion was carried asking the Federation also to consider the alternative of raising a fund, to be subscribed voluntarily, as and when necessary.
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-** +===== The Weight of the Years ===== 
-THE WEIGHT OF THE YEARS**+
 BIG H. BIG H.
  
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-**SOCIAL NOTES** +===== Social Notes ===== 
-- Edna Garrad.+ 
 +Edna Garrad
  
 On the 23rd March Palmer Kent will be talking to us about Japan, As previously mentioned in this magazine, Palmer was in Japan during the typhoon last year and was previously in Japan in 1932, when he did a walking trip, staying in out-of-the-way inns, etc. He is an excellent lecturer as we know from past experience and this should be a very entertaining night. On the 23rd March Palmer Kent will be talking to us about Japan, As previously mentioned in this magazine, Palmer was in Japan during the typhoon last year and was previously in Japan in 1932, when he did a walking trip, staying in out-of-the-way inns, etc. He is an excellent lecturer as we know from past experience and this should be a very entertaining night.
  
-March 30th is Members' Slide night, and this is the opportunity for members to show a limit of 20 slides each. Will you please hand your slide to Pam Baker (with names on the boxes so that it is easy to return them) before 8 p m.+March 30th is Members' Slide night and this is the opportunity for members to show a limit of 20 slides each. Will you please hand your slide to Pam Baker (with names on the boxes so that it is easy to return them) before 8 p m. 
  
 +===== Easter Trip 1960 Warrumbungle Ranges =====
  
-**EASTER TRIP 1960 
-WARRUMBUNGLE RANGES** 
 David Ingram David Ingram
  
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-YOSEMITE VALLEY+===== Yosemite Valley ===== 
 Keith Renwick. Keith Renwick.
  
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 The drive from San Francisco to Merced township is through a wide, fiat, dusty valley which is irrigated with water from the mountains and which is the centre of a very large fruit industry, Near Merced is a big airforce base, and every so often one of those really big 8 jet bombers would come in low over the bus station on their way in to land. They sure look impressive things in flight. They have two enormous bogies with at least 8 wheels on each mounted underneath. One came in about every quarter of an hour. The drive from San Francisco to Merced township is through a wide, fiat, dusty valley which is irrigated with water from the mountains and which is the centre of a very large fruit industry, Near Merced is a big airforce base, and every so often one of those really big 8 jet bombers would come in low over the bus station on their way in to land. They sure look impressive things in flight. They have two enormous bogies with at least 8 wheels on each mounted underneath. One came in about every quarter of an hour.
  
-At Merced you change from the Greyhound bus lines to another line which runs into the valley, about 90 miles east by road. You are climbinE all the way, for the valley +At Merced you change from the Greyhound bus lines to another line which runs into the valley, about 90 miles east by road. You are climbing all the way, for the valley floor is at 4,000 feet, up a narrow river gorge, which has reddish soil and sparsely scattered scrubby bush giving it much of the appearance of a lot of the country in Australia. There are also very many Eucalyptus trees, which were introduced from here in the gold rush days of last century and have since spread all over California. We passed the entrance of some of the mines which are still working. 
-- floor is at 4,000 feet, up a narrow river gorge, which has reddish soil and sparsely scattered scrubby bush giving it much of the appearance of a lot of the country in Australia. There are also very many Eucalyptus trees, which were introduced from here + 
-in the gold rush days of last century and have since Tread all over California. ge passed the entrance of some of the mines which are still working. +We entered the valley proper just at sunset and stopped by a very beautiful still lake in the river which reflected the red tinged granite mails to perfection. After a brief visit to the Ranger's Office, I returned to the camping ground to set up camp before the darkness fully set in, There are two sorts of people who come to Yosemite Valley. Those who want to see the bears - they stay at the Lodge, and those who are trying to get away from them. They stay in the camping ground! When I arrived at the camping ground there were a few others there, including 3 bears. Mumma bear and two little baby bears. These were, however, 2 years old and just about fully grown.. They are 3 to 4 feet high when standing on all fours and covered with plenty of dark reddish brown to black hair. 
-We entered the valley proper just at sunset and stopped by a very- beautiful still lake in the river which reflected the red tinged granite mails to nerfection. + 
-6. +They usually feed in the evening but, contrary to popular belief, the staple diet of bears is not tourists. However, they are not above collecting a few souvenirs now and then, when the tourists offer themselves. Their main diet consists of berries and fish, but they hang around the camping grounds for what they can scrounge from the garbage bins or somebody's food supply when they are not looking. It is now against the law to feed the animals (bears and deer mainly) because they come to depend on tourists 
-After a brief visit to the Ranger's Office, I returned to' the camping ground to set up camp before the darkness fully. set in, There are two sorts of people who come to Yosemite Valley. Those who want to see the bears - they stay at the Lodge, and those who are trying to get away from them. They stay in the camping ground! Mhen I arrived at the camping ground there were a few others there, including - 3 bears. Mumma bear and two little baby bears. These were, however, 2 years old and just about fully grown.. They are 3 to 4 feet high when standing on all fours and covered with plenty of dark reddish brown to black hair. +and starve when the tourists aren't there to feed them. Also, the bears get a little obstreperous when people stop feeding them - gosh, it takes a lot to fill a bear - this has been when most all of the accidents have occurred. 
-. They usually feed in the evening but, contrary to popular belief, the staple + 
-diet of bears is not tourists. However, they are not a)ove collectinE a few souvenirs +They don't normally bother people but come around to see what food they can get; so that the important thing is to keep food out of your tent altogether and string it up a tree when not in use. So this I did in a large plastic bag. It was suspended a foot or two below the branch, and about 12 or 15 feet above the ground. Also, you put it a long way out on a branch away from the trunk because bears can climb trees. The standard method of chasing them away is to bang on a billy with a spoon or in some other may make a lot of noise. 
-now and then, when the tourists offer themselves. Their main diet. consists of berries + 
-and. fish, but they hang arcurd the camping grounds for what they can scrounge from the garbage bins ar somebody's food su:Iply when they are not loolzing. It is now againe6 the +Right. I put my tent up and then one of the "baby" bears came around, so I banged furiously on a couple_ of tins. Off shot "baby" and all is serene. Then up comes "baby" number two, so I repeated the procedure with similar success. Peace at last - for a few minutes. Oh,. oh, here comes mumma, so through the old routine again. But ma was a real square. She wasn't hep like the kids and didn't dig this crazy tune was banging out. She objected most violently by growling and spitting and took off like a rocket, running very fast  but towards me. What did I do - well, I just made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight out on end. To run would have been fatal - they say - but she fortunately changed her mind about 8 or 10 ft.
-law to feed the animals (bears and deer mainly) because they come to de,Dend on touri,ets +
-and starve when the tourists aren't there to feed them. Also., the bears :et a little obstreperous when people stop feeding them - gosh, it takes a lot to fill a bear - this has been when most all of the accidentshave occurred. +
-. They don't normally bother people but come around to see what food they can get; so that the important thing is to heap food out of your tent altogether and string it up a stree when not in use. So this I did in a large plastic bag. It was suspended a +
-foot or two below the branch, and about 12 or 15 feet above the ground. Also, you put it a long way oat on a branch away from the trunk because bears can climb trees. The standard method of chasing them away is to bang on a billy with a spoon or in some +
-other may make a lot of noise. +
-Right. I put my tent up and then one of the "baby" bears came around, so I banged furiously on a couple_ of tins. Off shot "baby" and all is serene. Then up comes "baby" number two, so I repeated the procedure with similar success. Peace at last - for a few minutes. Oh,. oh, here comes mumma, so througki the old routine again. But ma was a real square. She wasn't hep like the kid& and didn't dig this crazy tune was banging oat. She objected most violently by growling and spitting and took off like a rocket, running very fast - but towards me. Mat did I do - well, I just made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight out on end. To run would +
-have been fatal - they say - but she fortunately changed her mind about 8 or 10 ft.+
 away and veered off. Just before I changed my mind about running! She was only about 20 feet away when she started. away and veered off. Just before I changed my mind about running! She was only about 20 feet away when she started.
-I then went down to the Lodge cafeteria for dinner. + 
-During the night the bears were around again and trip?ed over the tent guy ropes a couple of times. Then early in the morning I found myself suddenly wide awake. This has hap7)ened before when something is about to happen, e g.: when the 3ull came +I then went down to the Lodge cafeteria for dinner. During the night the bears were around again and tripped over the tent guy ropes a couple of times. Then early in the morning I found myself suddenly wide awake. This has happened before when something is about to happen, e g.: when the bull elk came round the hut at Lake Louise to dispute territorial rights. This time I lay listening for some time, but the only sound was a rustling noise off in the distance as the bears wandered among the Autumn leaves. It was obvious from the steady increase in volume that they were headed this way and I lay wondering what they were up to this time. They weren't interested in the tent - no food there - but were around the tree nearby where my food was, very excited indeed. I don't know quite how they did it but presently there was a large plop and clatter, followed by very excited squeals, grunts and growls. 
-round the hut at Lake Louise to dispute territorial ri lats. This time I la, listening for some time, but the only sound was a rustling noise off in the distance as the bears + 
-wandered among the Autumn leaves. It was obvious from the steady increase in volume that they were headed this may and ,L lay wondering what they were up to this time. They +From all the excitement that was going on, I didn't feel disposed to disputing the claim and in the morning I was 4lb. apples, 21b. sugar, 1lb prunes, 21b figs etc. the less. They really cleaned the larder out, and into the bargain I got a claw hole in my plate and billy, just as through a bullet had gone through. I cleaned up the mess, had breakfast, and as it was a beautiful fine day decided to make the most of it and set off up the Four mile track to Union Point, almost at the valley rim. 
-weren't interested in the tent - no food there - but were around the tree nearby where my food was, very excited indeed. I don't know quite how they did it but pres- + 
-ently there was a large plop and clatter, followed by very excited squeals, grunts and ,growls. +Yosemite Valley is a narrow, granite gorge 2,000 to 3,000 feet deep, cut by the action of the Merced River and glaciers over a long period of time as the granite mass rose. It is about 7,000 ft. above sea level at the rim and from the bottom you think that this must surely be the top, but no, the head of the valley is backed up by another 7,000 ft. of mountains (not visible from valley) rising in all to nearly 14,000 ft. in the high Sierra Nevada. Just south of the Yosemite area is Mt. Whitney, 14,400 ft., the highest mountain in the main body of U.S.A. While on the other side is Death Valley, which is 270 ft. below sea level. 
-From all the excitement that was going on, I didn't feel disposed to disputing + 
-1 +The following day dawned fine and clear again so this time I walked up one arm of the Y-shaped valley to Mirror Lake. It was so flat and smooth that it makes you scared to toss a stone in in case there is a clatter of glass. It was here that I first met two young Americans, Aileen and Albert, who had come up by car. I then walked back down to the junction and up the other arm to the end of the road where I stopped for lunch (llbs. of magnificent grapes at 1/3d. lb.). 
-the claim and in the morning I was 4 lb. apples, 21b. sugar, lb prunes, -21b figs etc. + 
-7.+I met Aileen and Albert here again and also some other young Americans arrived. Americans are really and truly tied to their cars. I've seen people spend an extra 5 or 10 minutes trying to park their cars just so they don't have to walk 100 yards. At this beautiful and magnificent spot called Happy Isles some were even too lazy to get out of their cars. Now, from the end of the road up to a bridge which looked up river to Vernal Falls, one of the sights of the valley, it was 0.8 of a mile (1400 yards). 
 + 
 +I sat munching grapes and listening for awhile to various groups discussing the merits of this tremendous undertaking. Some said it was too far - they got back in their cars. The others set off. Presently one group returned complaining bitterly it was much too difficult and too far. Soon after the rest returned having reached the bridge. It was a wonderful view, but they were so stiff and sore (for 3 days after) 
 +that you'd have thought they wouldn't be able to move again! 
 + 
 +I wandered up by myself after lunch and found the track very nearly wide enough far a jeep, and uphill with a grade of perhaps 1 in 10. Actually, in all due fairness, I must say that I did meet a couple of old people stepping it out up the track on my way down. I went a long way up past this bridge to the top of Vernal Falls to get a view up to Nevada Falls. Both were very good, being very wide and 300 ft. and 480 ft. high respectively. 
 + 
 +After tea and a film night at the Lodge I went up the road a bit to see the Fire fall from Glacier Point. Glacier Point is one of the best viewpoints in the valley so there is a road up to it and a hotel on top. Near to the edge they make a big fire of bark embers till they get red hot. They they are allowed to cascade over the edge to the valley below. A free fall of 1000 ft. or so: This they put on every night in the tourist season and three times a week in off periods. 
 + 
 +Thursday, again in magnificent weather, I climbed up to Glacier Point, a bit over 3000 ft. from the valley floor. Needless to say I had the track to myself although the point was crowded with dozens of people all trying to get out of the bitterly cold wind blowing straight off the snowy Sierra Nevada. 
 +Yosemite Valley really is a wonderful place, every bit as good as they say. There are lots of wonderful things to see even apart from the valley itself (such as the high Sierra and the giant Sequoi trees) but you need a car to get anywhere near them. The road crosses right over the range at just under 10,000 ft. 
 + 
 +Late September, nearly October, is probably the best time to visit the place as it's terribly hot in summer and shockingly crowded. They have 315,000 motor cars enter the park each year and 1,000,000 camper days. In a small narrow valley this must be hell. In spite of this it is surprising how the valley has retained most of its natural beauty, and shows little sign of wear. Then of course there is skiing in the high country in winter. But then I guess that the park is not really subjected to much wear - more than 100 yards from the roads. 
 + 
 +The types of people you get visiting these, park cover just about all sorts. You wouldn't think it possible for some of them to. be as naive as they are but some of the questions they ask the Rangers are really hilarious, such as "Say, pardner, what the heck is there to do round here besides looking at the scenery" - obviously there is no television! 
 + 
 +But the real classic came when Aileen and Albert were checking in at the Lodge. A really typical American tourist man and his wife sauntered in and up to the desk. During the usual palava that goes on in booking into a hotel, the wife pipes up in broad American drawl "Say, why don't youse people round here make your road signs a bit clearer. We came to one (under a cliff face) Which said - watch far falling rocks - well, we waited there 45 minutes and didn't see nothing happen."
  
  
-the less. They really cleaned the larder out, and into the bargain I got a claw hole in my plate and billy, just as through a bullet had gone through. I cleaned 1.17) the mess, had brea1fa9t, and as it was a beautiful fine day decided to make the most of it and set off up the Four mile track to Union Point, almost at the valley rim. 
-Yosemite Valley is a narrow, granite gorge 2,000 to 3,000 feet deep, cut by the action of the Merced River and glaciers over a long -oeriod of time as the granite 
-mass rose. It is about 7,000 ft. above sea level at the rim and from the bottom ycu think that this must surely be the top, but no, the head of the valley is backed up by another 7,000 ft. of mountains (not visible from valley) rising in all to nearly 14,000 ft. in the high Sierra Nevada. Just south of the Yosemite area is Et. Whitney, 14,400 ft., the highest mountain in the main body of U.S.A. While on the other side is Death Valley, which is 270 ft. below sea level. 
-The following day dawned fine and clear again so this time I walked up one arm of the Y-shaped valley to Mirror Lake. It was so flat and smooth that it makes you 
-scared to toss a stone in in case there is a clatter of glass. It was here that I 
-first met two young Americans, Aileen and Albert, who had cone up by car. I then 
-walked back down to the junction and up the other arm to the end of the road where I stopped for lungh (li lbs. of magnificent grapes at 1/3d. lb.). 
-I met Aileen and Albert here again and also some other young Americans arrived. Americans are really and truly tied to their cars. I've seen people spend an extra 
-5 or 10 minutes trying to park their cars just so they don't have to walk 100 yards. At this beautiful and magnificent spot called Happy Isles some were even too lazy to 
-The Harbour Bridge Opal Cutters, Give us a ring XB6476 (Business) 
-45 Broughton Street, )01768 (Home) Eirribilli. 
-(2 doors from the big Kirribilli Hotel.) 
-IOur hours are only:- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 11 - Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays by special arrangement. 
-4- 
-8. 
-get out of their cars. Now, from the end of the road up to a bride w'Ach lo67.7ed up river to Vernal Falls, one of the sights of the valley, it was 0.8 of a mile (1400 - yards). 
-sat munching grapes and listening for awhile to various groups discus sin the 
-merits of this tremendous undertaking. Some said it was too far - they got back in 
-their cars. The others set off. Presently one group returned complaining bitterly it was much too difficult and too far. Soon after the rest returned having reached the 
-bridge. It was a wonderful view, but they were so stiff and sore (far 3 days after) 
-that you'd have thought they wouldn't be ablve to move again! 
-I wandered up by myself after lunch and found the track very nearly-vide enough far a jeep, and uphill with a grade of perhaps 1 in 10. Actually, in all due fairness, I must say that I did meet a couple of old people stepping it out up the track on my 
-way dawn. I went a long'way up past this bridge to the top of Vernal Falls to get a view up to Nevada Falls, Both were very good, being very vide and 300 ft. and 480 ft. high respectively. 
-After tea and a film night at the Lodge I vent up the road a bit to see the Fire 
-fall from Glacier Point. Glacier Point is one of the best viewpoints in the valley so there is a road up to it and a Hotel on top. Near to the edge they mae. a big fire of bark embers till,they get red hot. They they are allowed to cascade over the edge to the valley below. A free fall of 1000 ft. or SD: This they put on every night in the tourist season and three times a week in off periods. 
-. Thursday, again in magnificient weather, I climbed up to.Clacier Point, a bit 
-over 3000 ft. from the valley floor. Needless to say I had the track to myself although the point was crowded with dozens of people all trying to get out of the bitterly cold wind blowing straight off the snowy Sierra Nevada. 
-Yosemite Valley really is a wonderful place, every bit as good as the say. There are lots of wonderful things to see even apart from the valley itself (such as the high Sierra and the giant Sequoi trees) but you need a car to get anywhere near 
-them. The road crosses right over the range at just under 10,000 ft. 
-Late SepteMber, nearly October, is probably the best time to visit the ?lace as it's terribly hot in summer and shockingly crowded. They have 315,000 motor cars 
-enter the park each year and 1,000,000 camper days. In a small narrow valley this must be hell. In spite of th16 it is surprising how the valley has retained most of 
-its natural beauty, and Shows little sign of wear. Then of course there is skiing in the high country in winter. But then I guess that the park is not really subjected to much wear - more than 100 yards from the road's: 
-The types of people you iet visiting these, park cover just about all sorts. You 
-wouldn't think it possible for some of them to. be as- naive as they are but some of the questions they ask the Rangers are really hilarious, such as "Say, pardner, what the heck is there to do round here besides looking at the scenery" - obviously there is 
-no television! 
-But the real classic came lithen Aileen and Albert were checking in at the Lodge. A really typical American tourist man and his wife sauntered in and up to the desk. During the usual palava that goes on in booking into a hotel, the wife pipes up in 
-broad American drawl "Say, why don't youse people round here make your road signs a bit clearer. We came to one (under a cliff face) Which said - watch far falling rocks - well, we waited there 45 minutes and didn't see nothing ha-open:" 
  
 Nothing much has been heard of Frank Rigby's trip down Arethusa, except that the Saturday night camp was in the lower end of the Gorge on rather hard rock. The same leader spent a similar night in Davies Canyon once - only then it was mid winter and snowing. Nothing much has been heard of Frank Rigby's trip down Arethusa, except that the Saturday night camp was in the lower end of the Gorge on rather hard rock. The same leader spent a similar night in Davies Canyon once - only then it was mid winter and snowing.
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 Full house for the B.P. Antarctic film, and for Bob Savage's slides of India and Kashmir. Both were first class shows. Full house for the B.P. Antarctic film, and for Bob Savage's slides of India and Kashmir. Both were first class shows.
  
-The S. & R. Weekend on the Colo went off with a bang (in fact, with several bangs); Features included a searching aeroplane and demonstration by underwater cave explorers and by rock climbers. +The S. & R. Weekend on the Colo went off with a bang (in fact, with several bangs). Features included a searching aeroplane and demonstration by underwater cave explorers and by rock climbers. About 120 people attended. This deserves to be fully written up. Any volunteers? 
-About 120 people attended. +
-This deserves to be fully written up. Any volunteers?+
 Interesting reading: Interesting reading:
-'Walk" - Annual Journal of the Melbourne Buslawall:ers and +'Walk" - Annual Journal of the Melbourne Bushwalkers and "The Melbourne Walker 1960" - Annual Journal of the Melbourne Walking and Touring Club. Both available from Paddy. 
-"The Melbourne Walker 1960" - Annual Journal of the Melbourne Walkint and Ting Club. +
-Both available from Paddy.+
  
  
 +===== The New Zealand Expedition '59-'60. An 8-Day Round Trip From Glenorchy =====
  
-THE NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITION '59-'60. AN 8-DAY.ROUND TRIP FROM GLENORCHY. 
 As recorded by Duncan. As recorded by Duncan.
  
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 Picking up our packs on the fifth day we climbed on to the saddle. We had planned to climb a peak before walking down Snowy Creek to Dart hut at the Snowy-Dart junction, but the weather turned black and we proceeded directly to the hut in light rain and with much grumbling. We crossed the fierce Snowy Creek on an exciting suspension bridge and reached the hut for lunch. The weather now cleared and after lunch Ian, Colin, Mick and I set off for Cascade Saddle at the head of the Dart, and overlooking the Matukituki Valley. At the hut the Dart was a river valley cut in moraine clothed in beech forest, but only a couple of miles up the valley the scene changed completely. The Dart became a valley glacier with its source in a horseshoe of magnificent ice peaks, Maori, Liverpool and others. It was the first time we had seen anything like this, though we were to see much more at Cook, and we were enthralled. "Mighty" everybody said, and everybody agreed. We climbed on to Cascade Saddle and there was another mighty view. It was a steady climb up the Dart side to the saddle but from there it dropped almost a sheer 3 or 4,000' to the Matukituki; waterfalls cascaded over with clear drops of 1,000 to 2,000'. Across the valley we could see more snowclad mountains and above all rose Aspiring, a tremendous white pyramid, the Matterhorn of New Zealand. We returned to the hut via a minor peak, very well satisfied. Picking up our packs on the fifth day we climbed on to the saddle. We had planned to climb a peak before walking down Snowy Creek to Dart hut at the Snowy-Dart junction, but the weather turned black and we proceeded directly to the hut in light rain and with much grumbling. We crossed the fierce Snowy Creek on an exciting suspension bridge and reached the hut for lunch. The weather now cleared and after lunch Ian, Colin, Mick and I set off for Cascade Saddle at the head of the Dart, and overlooking the Matukituki Valley. At the hut the Dart was a river valley cut in moraine clothed in beech forest, but only a couple of miles up the valley the scene changed completely. The Dart became a valley glacier with its source in a horseshoe of magnificent ice peaks, Maori, Liverpool and others. It was the first time we had seen anything like this, though we were to see much more at Cook, and we were enthralled. "Mighty" everybody said, and everybody agreed. We climbed on to Cascade Saddle and there was another mighty view. It was a steady climb up the Dart side to the saddle but from there it dropped almost a sheer 3 or 4,000' to the Matukituki; waterfalls cascaded over with clear drops of 1,000 to 2,000'. Across the valley we could see more snowclad mountains and above all rose Aspiring, a tremendous white pyramid, the Matterhorn of New Zealand. We returned to the hut via a minor peak, very well satisfied.
  
-After a night's sleep at Dart Hut a sixth day was upon us and we set off down the Dart River headed once more for Glenorchy. The Dart River in its upper reaches is quite different from the wide flat grassy Rees; we spent the morning walking along a track which sidled through beech forest high above the rugged river. In the afternoon we began reaching river flats and at 4 p m. we reached Dredge Hut on Dredge Flat. The area around Dredge Hut was littered with dismembered portions of deer carcase. A skin hung over the hut roof, a tail was nailed to the verandah post, a head with the antlers sawn off lay in the bushes near the front door, and an enormously bloated carcase bubbled and glugged down near the river. In some of us a powerful Pavlov reflex was triggered and we began salivating. The smell in our nostrils was that of putrefying deer flesh and we had had no fresh meat for four days. "Deer tail soup" I yelled jubilantly, wrenching the rudder from its nail and playfully balancing it between my upper lip and nose as a false moustache, but calmer thought told me it was wrong to rob the deer-culler of his bonus token and I stoically replaced it. I tried to appoach the bubbling carcase but I was eaten alive by the millions of sandflies Which were feasting on its gore, and sadly I admitted defeat and returned to the hut and ate the boiled rice, dried vegetables, and bully beef which Dot had cooked for us.+After a night's sleep at Dart Hut a sixth day was upon us and we set off down the Dart River headed once more for Glenorchy. The Dart River in its upper reaches is quite different from the wide flat grassy Rees; we spent the morning walking along a track which sidled through beech forest high above the rugged river. In the afternoon we began reaching river flats and at 4 p m. we reached Dredge Hut on Dredge Flat. The area around Dredge Hut was littered with dismembered portions of deer carcase. A skin hung over the hut roof, a tail was nailed to the verandah post, a head with the antlers sawn off lay in the bushes near the front door, and an enormously bloated carcase bubbled and glugged down near the river. In some of us a powerful Pavlov reflex was triggered and we began salivating. The smell in our nostrils was that of putrefying deer flesh and we had had no fresh meat for four days. "Deer tail soup" I yelled jubilantly, wrenching the rudder from its nail and playfully balancing it between my upper lip and nose as a false moustache, but calmer thought told me it was wrong to rob the deer-culler of his bonus token and I stoically replaced it. I tried to approach the bubbling carcase but I was eaten alive by the millions of sandflies Which were feasting on its gore, and sadly I admitted defeat and returned to the hut and ate the boiled rice, dried vegetables, and bully beef which Dot had cooked for us.
  
 The sand flies at Dredge Hut were terrible and we were glad to leave the place and head downstream again next morning. That night, the seventh, we camped at Chinaman's Flat under the shadow of Mt. Earnslaw once more. Earnslaw forms part of the narrow divide between the parallel Dart and Rees Rivers. Snow capped peaks towered over us at all times on this trip. We were getting to know our two N.Z. companions well now.  The sand flies at Dredge Hut were terrible and we were glad to leave the place and head downstream again next morning. That night, the seventh, we camped at Chinaman's Flat under the shadow of Mt. Earnslaw once more. Earnslaw forms part of the narrow divide between the parallel Dart and Rees Rivers. Snow capped peaks towered over us at all times on this trip. We were getting to know our two N.Z. companions well now. 
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-ANNUAL SWIMMING CARNIVAL 1960 +===== Annual Swimming Carnival 1960 =====
-- Brian Harvey, +
-T +
-he attendance this year was below that of the previous two years, but no doubt the threat of rain on the Saturday discouraged some from donning their packs. Again, heavy rain in the city overnight did nothing to help, yet in spite of it twenty-one adults, accompanied by eleven children put in an appearance on Sunday; but alas most were either too young or too aged or too decrepit to race: There was a dearth of lady starters, which proved that the men were not afraid of dissolving in the rain. Sunday proved dry, until a beau-b thunderstorm about 4 p m. Total attendance was 32 bods with 13 children. Two pounds of peanuts were consumed.+
  
-THE RESULTS. +Brian Harvey
-.4EN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: 1 (Eric Adcock Dead Hat - (Bob Godfrey +
-3 Kevin Dean+
  
 +The attendance this year was below that of the previous two years, but no doubt the threat of rain on the Saturday discouraged some from donning their packs. Again, heavy rain in the city overnight did nothing to help, yet in spite of it twenty-one adults, accompanied by eleven children put in an appearance on Sunday; but alas most were either too young or too aged or too decrepit to race. There was a dearth of lady starters, which proved that the men were not afraid of dissolving in the rain. Sunday proved dry, until a beaut thunderstorm about 4 p m. Total attendance was 32 bods with 13 children. Two pounds of peanuts were consumed.
  
-LADIES' OPEN  
-HEN'S BREASTSTROKE: 
-LADIES' 
-NEWS LOM PLUNGE: LADIES' " 11 
--  
-MAIDELBERG CUP: 
-MM1ORIAL CUP:.1 Nan Bourke 
-1 Eric Adcock  
-1 Nan Bourke 1 Bob Godfrey 1 Nan Bourke 
-1 Kevin Dean Nola Liver 
-1 Nan Bourke 9 points 
-2 No starter 2 Roy Craggs 
-2 Lola Nedlock 2 Eric dcock 2 No starter 
-2 Bruce McInnes 
-Jean Harvey 
-3 No starter 
-3 Bruce McInnes 3 Nola Liver 3 Brian Harvey 3 No starter 
-3 Jack Gentle 
-Lola Wedlock 
-2 Eric Adcock 3 Bob Godfrey 61- points 412 points 
  
 +THE RESULTS.
  
-EROSION IN THE ALPS.+MEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: 1 Eric Adcock - Bob Godfrey Dead Heat - 3 Kevin Dean 
 +LADIES' OPEN: 1 Nan Bourke  2 No starter 3 No starter 
 +MEN'S BREASTSTROKE:1 Eric Adcock  2 Roy Craggs 3 Bruce McInnes  
 +LADIES' " : 1 Nan Bourke 2 Lola Wedlock 3 Nola Liver 
 +MENS LONG PLUNGE:  1 Bob Godfrey  2 Eric Adcock 3 Brian Harvey 
 +LADIES' ": 1 Nan Bourke   2 No starter   3 No starter 
 +MANDELBERG CUP:1 Kevin Dean  Nola Liver 2 Bruce McInnes Jean Harvey 3 Jack Gentle Lola Wedlock 
 +HENLY MEMORIAL CUP: 1 Nan Bourke 9 points 2 Eric Adcock 6.5 points 3 Bob Godfrey 4.5 points
  
-The National Parks Association wants information about erosion being caused by jeep tracks along a power line at Kosciusko. If any reader intends walld_ng in the area during the next twelve months, and would be prepared to walk along 
-one of the tracks and report on it, please contact Tom Moppett (JA8873) some weeks before the trip. He will give details of' the information wanted. 
  
 +**EROSION IN THE ALPS**
  
 +The National Parks Association wants information about erosion being caused by jeep tracks along a power line at Kosciusko. If any reader intends walking in the area during the next twelve months, and would be prepared to walk along one of the tracks and report on it, please contact Tom Moppett (JA8873) some weeks before the trip. He will give details of' the information wanted.
  
-IN MEMORY OF MIKE PERYMAN 
  
-"There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter And lit by the rich sides, all day. And after, Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance And wandering loveliness; He leaves a white Unbroken glory, a gathered radiarre, +**IN MEMORY OF MIKE PERYMAN** 
-A width, a shining peace, under the night."+ 
 +"There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter \\ 
 +And lit by the rich sides, all day. And after, \\ 
 +Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance \\ 
 +And wandering loveliness; He leaves a white unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,\\ 
 +A width, a shining peace, under the night."\\
 - Rupert Brooke. - Rupert Brooke.
  
-WALKING GUIDE. + 
-MARCH 25-26-27 Car to MacDonald River - Et. Yengo rettron to car via ridges. Map: ht. Yengo Military. +===== Walking Guide ===== 
-For an account, by Jim Brown of a rc.,,cenb trip to YE.i ago, see the December 1959 issue of "The 3ydney 13ushwal1zer". Interesting + 
-area not often visited. Extensive views of the flo rthern 3lue +** 
-Mountains. 10 days notice required.+MARCH 25-26-27**  
 +Car to MacDonald River - Mt. Yengo return to car via ridges. Map: Mt. Yengo Military. 
 +For an account, by Jim Brown of a recent trip to Yengo, see the December 1959 issue of "The Sydney Bushwalker". Interesting area not often visited. Extensive views of the northern Blue Mountains. 10 days notice required.
 Leader: Jim Brown B0543, act. 299. Leader: Jim Brown B0543, act. 299.
-15. + 
-MARCH 26-27 +**MARCH 26-27 APRIL 1 -**
-APRIL 1 -+
 Instructional Weekend. Instructional Weekend.
 Berowra - Joe Crafts Creek - Cowan. Berowra - Joe Crafts Creek - Cowan.
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 Leader: Alex Colley JJ2707. Leader: Alex Colley JJ2707.
  
-Yalwal Yalwal Headwaters - Bunbunda Creek Maps: Yalwal and Tianjara Military. Transport: See leader +Yalwal Yalwal Headwaters - Bunbunda Creek  
-Explorat cry trip including rock hopping, scrambling. River gorge scenery.+Maps: Yalwal and Tianjara Military.  
 +Transport: See leader 
 +Exploratory trip including rock hopping, scrambling. River gorge scenery.
 Car to Yalwal, round trip return to Yalwal. Car to Yalwal, round trip return to Yalwal.
-Leader: Colin -Putt JU3218+Leader: Colin Putt JU3218
  
-APRIL 2-3 Federation Re-Union.+**APRIL 2-3**  
 +Federation Re-Union.
 See Notice Board for details. See Notice Board for details.
  
-APRIL 3+**APRIL 3**
 Blaxland St.Helena Glenbrook Blaxland St.Helena Glenbrook
 Map: Liverpool Military Map: Liverpool Military
 Medium track and scrub walking. Pleasant lunch spot at St. Helena. Good area for map-reading practice. Medium track and scrub walking. Pleasant lunch spot at St. Helena. Good area for map-reading practice.
 Leader: Len Fall 115959 Leader: Len Fall 115959
-16. + 
-APRIL 9-10 + 
-APRIL 10 +**APRIL 9-10**
-WALKING GUIDE+
 Blackheath - Car to Perry's Lookdown- Blue Gum Forest - Lockley's Pylon- Leura. Blackheath - Car to Perry's Lookdown- Blue Gum Forest - Lockley's Pylon- Leura.
-Map; Eatoomba Military. +Map; Katoomba Military. 
-Limber up for Easter. Steep 2,000' drop (views of Mts. King George and Hay) into the forest famous for its stand of Blue Gums. +Limber up for Easter. Steep 2,000' drop (views of Mts. King George and Hay) into the forest famous for its stand of Blue Gums. Good riverside campsite. Medium climb out 2,000', track walking into Leura. Extensive views of the Grose Valley.
-Good riverside campsite. Medium climb out 2,000', track walking into Leura. Extensive views of the Grose Valley.+
 Leader: Bill Rodgers 3X3106. Leader: Bill Rodgers 3X3106.
-Waterfall - Mt. Westmacott Myuna Creek - Heathcote Creek - Scouter's Mountain Heathcote.+ 
 +**APRIL 10** 
 + 
 +Waterfall - Mt. Westmacott - Myuna Creek - Heathcote Creek - Scouter's Mountain Heathcote.
 Creek and ridge walking. Passes by picturesque pools of Morella Harong, Meorabinda and Miara (swimming and camping spots). Creek and ridge walking. Passes by picturesque pools of Morella Harong, Meorabinda and Miara (swimming and camping spots).
-Maps: Port Hacking Tourist +Maps: Port Hacking Tourist, Military.
-Military.+
 Leader: David Ingram. Leader: David Ingram.
  
  
-KOWMUNG CAPERS.+===== Kowmung Capers ===== 
 Carl Doherty. Carl Doherty.
 Illustrations by Helen Barrett. Illustrations by Helen Barrett.
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-EDITORIAL.+===== Editorial ===== 
  
 Twelve issues of "The Sydney Bushwalker"! Twelve issues of "The Sydney Bushwalker"!
  
 There were times when the Editor tore his hair and wrote furiously into the night to make up a few missing pages. Then in the post would come a last minute contribution so superior that it went in instead. There were times when he pursued evasive writers around the Clubroom and even went on official walks to get "copy". But despite it all he enjoyed the experience and wishes to thank those who wrote for the mag. during the year. He hopes that members will express their gratitude to the long suffering but, always cheerful production types who kept the presses rolling. There were times when the Editor tore his hair and wrote furiously into the night to make up a few missing pages. Then in the post would come a last minute contribution so superior that it went in instead. There were times when he pursued evasive writers around the Clubroom and even went on official walks to get "copy". But despite it all he enjoyed the experience and wishes to thank those who wrote for the mag. during the year. He hopes that members will express their gratitude to the long suffering but, always cheerful production types who kept the presses rolling.
- 
- 
196003.1452679406.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/01/13 21:03 by kennettj
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