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197801 [2015/11/18 17:21] paul_barton197801 [2015/11/20 10:14] (current) – Image + minor changes sbw
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 |Farewell Peter Page|Grace Noble|6| |Farewell Peter Page|Grace Noble|6|
 |Paddy's Ad| |7| |Paddy's Ad| |7|
-|Canoeing Cooper'Creek|Wade Butler|8|+|Canoeing Coopers Creek|Wade Butler|8|
 |Social Notes for February|Christine Austin|12| |Social Notes for February|Christine Austin|12|
 |Mountain Equipment Ad| |13| |Mountain Equipment Ad| |13|
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 |Walk Notes|Len Newland|20| |Walk Notes|Len Newland|20|
  
-**The December General Meeting**+=====The December General Meeting=====
  
 by Barry Wallace. by Barry Wallace.
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 The restaurant is on the western side of the highway on the St. Leonard's side of the main intersection. The food is Italian, prices range from $2.00 to $3.50 and it is licensed. Meeting time 6.30 pm. The restaurant is on the western side of the highway on the St. Leonard's side of the main intersection. The food is Italian, prices range from $2.00 to $3.50 and it is licensed. Meeting time 6.30 pm.
  
-We will meet for dinner at this restaurant on the third Wednesday of each month until further notice. Please came and make it a success.+We will meet for dinner at this restaurant on the third Wednesday of each month until further notice. Please come and make it a success.
  
 Peter Miller. Peter Miller.
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 It was at the junction that Peter gave us various options for the remainder of the trip. Some were anxious to be in Ettrema and Jones Creek on Sunday, and Peter eventually suggested that Monkey Ropes, Ettrema and Jones Creeks was a "soft option". Have you ever heard a walker use such a ridiculous phrase! He then had the hide to abstain from voting on our route. We believe it was a superb confidence trick and there was much muttering in the party about the "soft option" we had chosen whilst walking for eleven hours on Sunday. It was at the junction that Peter gave us various options for the remainder of the trip. Some were anxious to be in Ettrema and Jones Creek on Sunday, and Peter eventually suggested that Monkey Ropes, Ettrema and Jones Creeks was a "soft option". Have you ever heard a walker use such a ridiculous phrase! He then had the hide to abstain from voting on our route. We believe it was a superb confidence trick and there was much muttering in the party about the "soft option" we had chosen whilst walking for eleven hours on Sunday.
  
-Anyway, Monkey Ropes Creek wus attempted - or 300 yards and two waterfalls of it. From this point the only route was out on the northern side - over steep rock and ledges. We then continued up 1000 ft. of very scrubby ridge to the base of the cliff line, just below the plateau top. A number of breaks were investigated without success and it was necessary to follow a difficult route at the cliff base for about an hour until we found a break. It was during this period that Diane who had not complained so far enquired "When are we going to have some more straight walking?".+Anyway, Monkey Ropes Creek was attempted - or 300 yards and two waterfalls of it. From this point the only route was out on the northern side - over steep rock and ledges. We then continued up 1000 ft. of very scrubby ridge to the base of the cliff line, just below the plateau top. A number of breaks were investigated without success and it was necessary to follow a difficult route at the cliff base for about an hour until we found a break. It was during this period that Diane who had not complained so far enquired "When are we going to have some more straight walking?".
  
 After reaching the plateau top another hour of walking found us on the fire trail and then Manning Saddle, at 6.00 pm. There was only one slightly stagnant pool of water, in the rocks adjacent. After reaching the plateau top another hour of walking found us on the fire trail and then Manning Saddle, at 6.00 pm. There was only one slightly stagnant pool of water, in the rocks adjacent.
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 We camped on the trail and were soon revived - by Barry's rum and grapefruit drink. Our leader restored some of his damaged reputation at dinner by producing a litre of red wine and this was followed by Rod's apple wine. Everyone was in good - is "spirits" the right word - by the time we retired. We camped on the trail and were soon revived - by Barry's rum and grapefruit drink. Our leader restored some of his damaged reputation at dinner by producing a litre of red wine and this was followed by Rod's apple wine. Everyone was in good - is "spirits" the right word - by the time we retired.
  
-We were away by 7.15 am the next morning and followed the fire trail south for about two miles. We then headed west again - down across the headwaters of Cinch Creek and then up another small creek to the plateau rim above Ettrema, at a point about a mile south of Hamlet Crown and Billy'Head.+We were away by 7.15 am the next morning and followed the fire trail south for about two miles. We then headed west again - down across the headwaters of Cinch Creek and then up another small creek to the plateau rim above Ettrema, at a point about a mile south of Hamlet Crown and Billys Head.
  
 The rim was followed for a half mile south to where Peter had recently discovered a new pass down to Ettrema. This involved negotiating a 15 ft tight chimney to the top of the ridge. From that point the drop over the next 1200 ft was on a very steep ridge-face with many loose rocks. The rim was followed for a half mile south to where Peter had recently discovered a new pass down to Ettrema. This involved negotiating a 15 ft tight chimney to the top of the ridge. From that point the drop over the next 1200 ft was on a very steep ridge-face with many loose rocks.
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 By now the Longreach Police had given up trying to turn us back and we were no longer news on the ABC throughout Australia. The police plane stopped flying over us every day dropping rude notes and generally making nuisances of themselves. They either thought we were complete fools as no one had canoed down this river before, or else they realised we knew what we were doing. Local blacks, however, seemed to think it was quite a good idea and told us of all the shortcuts and what to expect in the next month. By now the Longreach Police had given up trying to turn us back and we were no longer news on the ABC throughout Australia. The police plane stopped flying over us every day dropping rude notes and generally making nuisances of themselves. They either thought we were complete fools as no one had canoed down this river before, or else they realised we knew what we were doing. Local blacks, however, seemed to think it was quite a good idea and told us of all the shortcuts and what to expect in the next month.
  
-The river consisted of one very big wide channel for the next two days and then divided into the North West and the South West arms, the NW going up into hundreds of lakes and taking a very long way round. We took the SW branch which didn't have very much water in it. We+The river consisted of one very big wide channel for the next two days and then divided into the North West and the South West arms, the NW going up into hundreds of lakes and taking a very long way round. We took the SW branch which didn't have very much water in it. We missed the main channel and ended up in a channel about 2 ft wide meandering through a lignum swamp, but fortunately it didn't last long and we were soon out into some nice waterholes with thousands of parrots for companions and lots of mistletoe berries to eat.
  
-[Sketch map on page 10 was here] +{{197801_queensland.png?direct}}
- +
-missed the main channel and ended up in a channel about 2 ft wide meandering through a lignum swamp, but fortunately it didn't last long and we were soon out into some nice waterholes with thousands of parrots for companions and lots of mistletca berries to eat.+
  
 One week out from Innaminka and we reached Gidgealpa Station, the last habitation we were likely to see on the river. Old Baldy gave us some meat and a bunny trap and wished us luck for the next lonely 300 miles to the Birdsville Track. Next day took us into Lake Embarka, dry at one end and a few feet deep down the other with lots of gas pipes and valves all over the place. This network is part of the big natural gas field of Moomba-Gidgealpa which supplies Sydney. One week out from Innaminka and we reached Gidgealpa Station, the last habitation we were likely to see on the river. Old Baldy gave us some meat and a bunny trap and wished us luck for the next lonely 300 miles to the Birdsville Track. Next day took us into Lake Embarka, dry at one end and a few feet deep down the other with lots of gas pipes and valves all over the place. This network is part of the big natural gas field of Moomba-Gidgealpa which supplies Sydney.
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 For many people the flowers by the wayside are one of the greatest attractions of the walk. John Noble, famous for his slides of insects, is going to show us his slides of flowers in three states. For many people the flowers by the wayside are one of the greatest attractions of the walk. John Noble, famous for his slides of insects, is going to show us his slides of flowers in three states.
  
-=====Per Adua Ad Antartica=====+=====Per Adua Ad Antarctica=====
  
 by A. Non. by A. Non.
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 Soon we were descending and were down to 15,000 ft when up ahead was a smoking volcano, Mt. Erebus 13,000 ft. Enormous crevasses were on the lower slopes and the sulphurous deposits could be seen and all around was ice and snow going down the shoulders to the base which was lost in the snow. The plane did a figure eight and we finished up lower than the summit,and the plane was on its side and the volcano was rearing sideways and up, Everyone was screaming and photographing like mad. This side, now the other, and all the time the pilot was chattering on about the next manouvre. The person who was at the window would take other cameras and click and then return them to the owners who were hanging on to the seats. Soon we were descending and were down to 15,000 ft when up ahead was a smoking volcano, Mt. Erebus 13,000 ft. Enormous crevasses were on the lower slopes and the sulphurous deposits could be seen and all around was ice and snow going down the shoulders to the base which was lost in the snow. The plane did a figure eight and we finished up lower than the summit,and the plane was on its side and the volcano was rearing sideways and up, Everyone was screaming and photographing like mad. This side, now the other, and all the time the pilot was chattering on about the next manouvre. The person who was at the window would take other cameras and click and then return them to the owners who were hanging on to the seats.
  
-We were descending fast now and were down to 1,500 ft when suddenly there was the american base at McMurdo Sound just beneath us. As the french base, this large base was built amongst huge rocks on the tip of a promintory on Ross Island. The Ross Ice Shelf is right there too. A wide expanse of frozen sea crossed by tracks with miniature rubbish dumps along them. I supposed them to be fuel dumps here and there could be seen orange snow cats. A few hundred yards from the huts was an aerodrome carved out of the ice; for little ski planes, but Dick Smith our expedition leader saw a Hercules aircraft on the runway. We made a number of circles of this base, and we could see people running. They must have been as excited as us.+We were descending fast now and were down to 1,500 ft when suddenly there was the American base at McMurdo Sound just beneath us. As the french base, this large base was built amongst huge rocks on the tip of a promontory on Ross Island. The Ross Ice Shelf is right there too. A wide expanse of frozen sea crossed by tracks with miniature rubbish dumps along them. I supposed them to be fuel dumps here and there could be seen orange snow cats. A few hundred yards from the huts was an aerodrome carved out of the ice; for little ski planes, but Dick Smith our expedition leader saw a Hercules aircraft on the runway. We made a number of circles of this base, and we could see people running. They must have been as excited as us.
  
 Then came the great trauma. About ten rows above the wing were given orders to exchange seats with ten rows near the tail. The idiots started to exchange their luggage and the aisles were jammed with lunatics rushing back and forth. I put my luggage in its new place and realized I was a ball of sweat. The moving, the excitement and me being one of the few wearing a tie (my psychiatrist would say I have a thing about ties) made me smell. I dashed off to the W.C. and with a Qantas wettex, sloshed it with Sandalwood Balm and doused myself all over. The Rustle of Spring. Then came the great trauma. About ten rows above the wing were given orders to exchange seats with ten rows near the tail. The idiots started to exchange their luggage and the aisles were jammed with lunatics rushing back and forth. I put my luggage in its new place and realized I was a ball of sweat. The moving, the excitement and me being one of the few wearing a tie (my psychiatrist would say I have a thing about ties) made me smell. I dashed off to the W.C. and with a Qantas wettex, sloshed it with Sandalwood Balm and doused myself all over. The Rustle of Spring.
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 useless. He had spent a season down there 30 years ago. The wind blows all the time etc. Even I knew that from those Scott films and the advertisements for Buckleys Canadiol Mixture. useless. He had spent a season down there 30 years ago. The wind blows all the time etc. Even I knew that from those Scott films and the advertisements for Buckleys Canadiol Mixture.
  
-Somehow or other I had to include Iceland in the conversation, for I had worked there during the summer of 1957, and I have learnt over the years that Iceland is a sure conversation stopper. I am an authority on the midnight sun, having done a course in a Readers Digest at my local phrenologist's. But back to Harry Black. "Excuse me, sir," the speaker was the famous aviatrix Nancybirdl W. "Would you like to donate 50c towards buying a present for Harry Black?" "No." I said. Spiro and his friend Cec Hill, who I knew from the world of the theatre, both gave. Later when we were about to land in Melbourne, our Expedition Leader informed us that Harry Black refused the gift and donated it back to some charity or other.+Somehow or other I had to include Iceland in the conversation, for I had worked there during the summer of 1957, and I have learnt over the years that Iceland is a sure conversation stopper. I am an authority on the midnight sun, having done a course in a Readers Digest at my local phrenologist's. But back to Harry Black. "Excuse me, sir," the speaker was the famous aviatrix Nancybird W. "Would you like to donate 50c towards buying a present for Harry Black?" "No." I said. Spiro and his friend Cec Hill, who I knew from the world of the theatre, both gave. Later when we were about to land in Melbourne, our Expedition Leader informed us that Harry Black refused the gift and donated it back to some charity or other.
  
 There was an official photographer on board who was taking orders and although they are magnificent photographs, the whole atmosphere was of making money. Dick Smith's wife was trying to get rid of Tshirts labelled "Dick Smith Electronics Expedition". Her name was appropriately called Pip. "Enough, no more," I cried and was pleased to hear the pilot say we were going to land at Melbourne shortly, at 6.30 pm. There was an official photographer on board who was taking orders and although they are magnificent photographs, the whole atmosphere was of making money. Dick Smith's wife was trying to get rid of Tshirts labelled "Dick Smith Electronics Expedition". Her name was appropriately called Pip. "Enough, no more," I cried and was pleased to hear the pilot say we were going to land at Melbourne shortly, at 6.30 pm.
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 The trip through Glen Davis was slowed a little to allow a quick inspection of the ruins of the abandoned shale oil works and then a steady tramp on to Dingo Creek, a tributary of the Capertee River, where exhausted we made camp for the night. The trip through Glen Davis was slowed a little to allow a quick inspection of the ruins of the abandoned shale oil works and then a steady tramp on to Dingo Creek, a tributary of the Capertee River, where exhausted we made camp for the night.
  
-Sunday morning saw a strange spectacle as a plate of boiling water leapt out of the fire and attacked me, sending me madly hopping and jumping, swearing and kicking as this wretched utensil adhered firmly to my right foot until I managed to kick it free. The result of this, strange encounter being a severely burnt leg. A few minutes later, the same plate, empty this time, attacked me again despite the huge volume of bad language raining on this wretched utensil. It looked like an excorcist was going to be required. However, on closer inspection it was found that the offending plate was of the folding handle type and when ever I walked by it the hooked end of the handle was latching onto the instep of my boot and staying there until I had kicked it free. The dull grey of the handle was blending in with the colour of the ground so well that it was almost impossible to see it.+Sunday morning saw a strange spectacle as a plate of boiling water leapt out of the fire and attacked me, sending me madly hopping and jumping, swearing and kicking as this wretched utensil adhered firmly to my right foot until I managed to kick it free. The result of this, strange encounter being a severely burnt leg. A few minutes later, the same plate, empty this time, attacked me again despite the huge volume of bad language raining on this wretched utensil. It looked like an exorcist was going to be required. However, on closer inspection it was found that the offending plate was of the folding handle type and when ever I walked by it the hooked end of the handle was latching onto the instep of my boot and staying there until I had kicked it free. The dull grey of the handle was blending in with the colour of the ground so well that it was almost impossible to see it.
  
 Shortly after moving off on Sunday morning I managed to have an encounter with a blackberry vine, which certainly didn't help matters whatsoever. At this stage I was getting along at less than half speed with a dreadful limp that threw my left knee out of wonk. I found that I was doing a rather good impression of walking like a wounded crab. Shortly after moving off on Sunday morning I managed to have an encounter with a blackberry vine, which certainly didn't help matters whatsoever. At this stage I was getting along at less than half speed with a dreadful limp that threw my left knee out of wonk. I found that I was doing a rather good impression of walking like a wounded crab.
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 17th, 18th and 19th sees Springwood to Glenbrook along Glenbrook Creek in the eastern Blue Mountains with Peter Miller. 17th, 18th and 19th sees Springwood to Glenbrook along Glenbrook Creek in the eastern Blue Mountains with Peter Miller.
  
-Tony Denham hits this month's programme with his trip from Malcolra's Farm to the Wollondilly River, down kattagong way on February 24th, 25th and 26th.+Tony Denham hits this month's programme with his trip from Malcolm's Farm to the Wollondilly River, down kattagong way on February 24th, 25th and 26th.
  
 **Lilo trip** **Lilo trip**
-February 3rd, 4th and 5th. Du Faur'Creek and Wollongambe River in the western Blue Mountains. Leader is Alastair Battye.+February 3rd, 4th and 5th. Du Faurs Creek and Wollangambe River in the western Blue Mountains. Leader is Alastair Battye.
  
 **Abseiling** **Abseiling**
-Kanangra Walls on the 10th, 11th and 12th with Barry Wallace. Two trips: Kalang Falls and Wallora Canyon.+Kanangra Walls on the 10th, 11th and 12th with Barry Wallace. Two trips: Kalang Falls and Wallara Canyon [Dione Dell].
  
 **Instructional** **Instructional**
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 **Day walks** **Day walks**
    
-**Sunday 5th**: Sheila Binns leads from Waterfall to Heathcote vie- Kangaroo Creek and Karla Pool (Royal National Park). With swimming.+**Sunday 5th**: Sheila Binns leads from Waterfall to Heathcote via Kangaroo Creek and Karloo Pool (Royal National Park). With swimming.
    
 **Sunday 12th**: Jim Brown's walk, after a ferry trip from Cronulla, goes from Bundeena down to Little Marley (R.N.P.). **Sunday 12th**: Jim Brown's walk, after a ferry trip from Cronulla, goes from Bundeena down to Little Marley (R.N.P.).
197801.1447827692.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/11/18 17:21 by paul_barton

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