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- | COLLEGE PLANS BUSHWALKING GUIDES COURSE. | + | ===== College Plans Bushwalking Guides Course. ===== |
(From The Blue Mountains Gazette, 19 December, 1984) | (From The Blue Mountains Gazette, 19 December, 1984) | ||
+ | |||
Katoomba College of TAFE will be offering a Bushwalking Guides Special Course in 1985. | Katoomba College of TAFE will be offering a Bushwalking Guides Special Course in 1985. | ||
- | The aim of this new course, which was trialled by a Participation | + | |
- | and Equity class in 1984, is to produce qualified and trained professionals who can organise a bushwalking party and perform an educational function as a mobile teacher, lecturer/ | + | The aim of this new course, which was trialled by a Participation and Equity class in 1984, is to produce qualified and trained professionals who can organise a bushwalking party and perform an educational function as a mobile teacher, lecturer/ |
Its emphasis is aligned towards local tourism, and while the core modules are based upon local area geography, local flora and fauna, Aboriginal history, and practical bushwalking, | Its emphasis is aligned towards local tourism, and while the core modules are based upon local area geography, local flora and fauna, Aboriginal history, and practical bushwalking, | ||
+ | |||
Entry requirements are: That potential students be 18 years of age or over, hold a school certificate with passes at level 3 or better in English, Geography and/or Science, or, completion of PEP Bushwalking Guides Course. However, alternative selection may be via interview. | Entry requirements are: That potential students be 18 years of age or over, hold a school certificate with passes at level 3 or better in English, Geography and/or Science, or, completion of PEP Bushwalking Guides Course. However, alternative selection may be via interview. | ||
+ | |||
TAFE colleges encourage the equal enrolment of both males and females. This course in particular is suitable for both men and women seeking fresh opportunity in a new field. | TAFE colleges encourage the equal enrolment of both males and females. This course in particular is suitable for both men and women seeking fresh opportunity in a new field. | ||
+ | |||
To enable planning to be finalised at the college, interested students are invited to call at the college now where further information is available at the College East Campus, Parke Street, Katoomba. | To enable planning to be finalised at the college, interested students are invited to call at the college now where further information is available at the College East Campus, Parke Street, Katoomba. | ||
- | ************* | + | |
- | WALK NQTICE. | + | ---- |
- | CANCELLATION | + | |
- | ICAMPING EQUIPMENT | + | === Walk Notice. === |
- | DISTRIBUTORS OP | + | |
- | Paddymade | + | Cancellation |
- | BUSH WALKERS | + | |
- | Lightweight Tents Sleeping Bags Rucksacks | + | ---- |
- | Proprietors: | + | |
- | EASTWOOD CANVAS GOODS & CAMPING SUPPLIES | + | === Eastwood Camping Centre. === |
- | Rutledge Street | + | |
- | Rowe Street | + | __Bushwalkers__. |
- | February, 1985. THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 7 | + | |
- | ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUSHWALKING | + | Lightweight Tents - Sleeping Bags - Rucksacks - Climbing & Caving Gear - Maps - Clothing - Boots - Food. |
+ | |||
+ | __Camping equipment__. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Large Tents - Stoves | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Distributors of__: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paddymade | ||
+ | |||
+ | Proprietors: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Eastwood Canvas Good & Camping Supplies. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3 Trelawney | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== All You Need To Know About Bushwalking. ===== | ||
by Paul Sharp. | by Paul Sharp. | ||
- | . I set out below, from my vast experience of bushwalking, | + | |
- | 1. 75% of all journeys, in either direction, are up hill. | + | I set out below, from my vast experience of bushwalking, |
- | 2. However much you eat from it, the pack gets heavier rather than lighter. | + | |
- | 3. The map is wrong. | + | - 75% of all journeys, in either direction, are up hill. |
- | 4. There is (always) a magnetic anomaly (maybe ironstone) in the area that causes the compass to be misleading. | + | |
- | 5. The last pair of boots was more comfortable. | + | |
- | 6. The job of the leader is to be way out in front, to prove that he is the leader. | + | |
- | 7. The best camping spot is a little farther on. | + | |
- | 8. Halfway through the journey back it is "only about five minutes to the cars" | + | |
- | 9. An easy descent to, crossing of, and ascent from, Pigeon House Gorge exists, and is easy to find. | + | |
- | 10. The "Beers for Bushwalkers Association" | + | |
- | 11. Women are better walkers than men. | + | |
- | 12. It's only now that this heavy storm has set in that the tent has suddenly sprung a leak. | + | |
- | 13. It doesn' | + | |
- | is indicated. One ridge is as good as another. | + | |
- | 14. My boots are waterproof. | + | |
- | 15. Leeches | + | |
- | 16. Lung cancer is good for you. | + | |
- | 17. Waterproof matches are. | + | |
- | 18. It's easy to light a fire in the heaviest rain. | + | |
- | 19. The pass used to be here last time I came. | + | |
- | 20. Men are better walkers than women. | + | |
- | 21. At Wog Wog they love you. | + | |
- | 22. aushwalking | + | |
- | 23. Dot is an orthodox conservative. | + | - Bushwalking |
- | 24. Inflatable mattresses are just as good when they are punctured. | + | |
- | 25. I like walking in this heavy fog - it's a good test of navigation. | + | |
- | 26. No, you don't subtract the magnetic deviation, you add it. | + | |
- | 27. A competent bushwalker can always find his way from the sun. | + | |
- | 28. "The bush is not a rubbish dump" | + | |
- | 29. This river never floods. | + | |
- | 30. Members of S.B.W. don't get lost. | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | Page 8 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER February, 1985. | + | |
- | THE COUNTRY WITH A HUMAN FACE. | + | ---- |
- | PART 2. by Wal Liddle. | + | |
- | (Wal continues his account of a 16 day bike/bus tour - cycling | + | ===== The Country With A Human Face - Part 2. ===== |
- | 660 kms - through Southern China, from the Macau border to Canton and then north to Hot Springs.) | + | |
- | AT SHIQUI. | + | by Wal Liddle. |
- | Returning to our hotel, Joseph and I were stopped by the swing | + | |
- | bridge which had been raised to allow the river traffic to pass down stream. After a thirty minute wait we formed a long queue of people waiting to cross the river by means of pole-propelled punts. Three or four of these crafts were doing a roaring trade, ferrying bikes and people from bank to bank. The queue became a crush of men, women and machines in a metre | + | (Wal continues his account of a 16 day bike/bus tour - cycling 660 kms - through Southern China, from the Macau border to Canton and then north to Hot Springs.) |
- | wide alley that led to the wharf. As each punt approached to discharge its passengers, we would move forward, with the more agile men pushing to the front, elbowing the weaker men and women out of the way. | + | |
- | At one stage, the gate holding back the intended passengers was wrenched off its hinges by some of the impatient Chinese, and the crowd surged forward. It became very difficult to maintain ones balance and | + | === At Shiqui. === |
- | cope with the press of bodies, in such a narrow space. I had visions | + | |
- | of finding myself and the bike in the middle of a very wet, deep stream. Seeing a break in the crowd and using the bike as a battering ram, I pushed through to an exit gate and found myself in the street. Joseph, seeing my change in direction, joined me and we cycled back to the hotel, via another bridge up stream. | + | Returning to our hotel, Joseph and I were stopped by the swing bridge which had been raised to allow the river traffic to pass down stream. After a thirty minute wait we formed a long queue of people waiting to cross the river by means of pole-propelled punts. Three or four of these crafts were doing a roaring trade, ferrying bikes and people from bank to bank. The queue became a crush of men, women and machines in a metre wide alley that led to the wharf. As each punt approached to discharge its passengers, we would move forward, with the more agile men pushing to the front, elbowing the weaker men and women out of the way. |
- | The hotel staff informed us that the afternoon excursion bus had | + | |
- | left without us. Grabbing a street map, we cycled back down town, losing our way and ending in blocked streets on a number of occasions. Finally we found a narrow lane that twisted and turned before joining a path by a muddy canal which led to the local Middle School. | + | At one stage, the gate holding back the intended passengers was wrenched off its hinges by some of the impatient Chinese, and the crowd surged forward. It became very difficult to maintain ones balance and cope with the press of bodies, in such a narrow space. I had visions of finding myself and the bike in the middle of a very wet, deep stream. Seeing a break in the crowd and using the bike as a battering ram, I pushed through to an exit gate and found myself in the street. Joseph, seeing my change in direction, joined me and we cycled back to the hotel, via another bridge up stream. |
+ | |||
+ | The hotel staff informed us that the afternoon excursion bus had left without us. Grabbing a street map, we cycled back down town, losing our way and ending in blocked streets on a number of occasions. Finally we found a narrow lane that twisted and turned before joining a path by a muddy canal which led to the local Middle School. | ||
We had been invited to play basketball against the school team. | We had been invited to play basketball against the school team. | ||
- | Russell looked resplendent in his Macau T-shirt and black track suit pants, Joseph was dressed in a grey T-shirt with blue pants, Malcolm ran onto the field in his Cross Point Tours, red and white shirt, Margaret wore jodhpurs and Kim chose black. The Chinese team looked very professional | + | |
- | in maroon and white track suits. | + | Russell looked resplendent in his Macau T-shirt and black track suit pants, Joseph was dressed in a grey T-shirt with blue pants, Malcolm ran onto the field in his Cross Point Tours, red and white shirt, Margaret wore jodhpurs and Kim chose black. The Chinese team looked very professional in maroon and white track suits. |
- | The first half proved to be very thrilling, with the score being 32 all. School children of all ages cheered their favourites as each | + | |
- | basket was scored. Two male sports instructors were the " | + | The first half proved to be very thrilling, with the score being 32 all. School children of all ages cheered their favourites as each basket was scored. Two male sports instructors were the " |
- | the Chinese side whilst the women players were relegated to lesser positions | + | |
- | on court. The Australians treated the second half as a fun match, fielding Lesley, | + | Our evening' |
- | strongest players. The score at full-time was 64 China to 56 Australia, | + | |
- | and a great time was had by all!! | + | The morning of the 13th January saw our party cycling 42 kms, to Da Liang, a small town in the county of Shunde. The road led past many irrigation channels which were used to transport bricks, sawn timber, bamboo poles and sugar cane. Our group came to a halt beside a very wide, swift flowing river, one of the main arms of the Pearl River Delta. We queued on the side of the road, in a long procession of Chinese and Japanese made trucks and buses, waiting for the boat ferry. |
- | Our evening' | + | |
- | sign above the counter serving cold soft drinks stated "WARMLY SERVICE | + | A long punt loaded with coal was tied up at the river bank with two hens pecking on the top of the heap. A young family of two children, a man and wife, lived in the back section, with no screen between them and the coal. One of the roadside vendors was selling black market cassette tapes whilst others sold cakes, fruit and cigarettes. An old lady crossed the road, right under our noses, carrying two buckets of evil looking human manure, for use on the vegetable crops. We now knew the source of the peculiar smell that permeated the countryside. |
- | FOR YOU". The ballroom floor was paved with ceramic tiles, whilst blue, | + | |
- | red and yellow glass shades (vintage design 1940) illuminated the scene. All the doors and windows were open, letting in the icy cold but the | + | The first vehicle ashore from the incoming ferry was a large, black limousine with a red flag insignia on the bonnet. The chauffeur-driven car contained high government officials travelling to a conference. So much for the equality of the proletariat! The cyclists were ushered on first, being crammed in by the high-sided trucks, many of which were of a 1940 Russian design, similar to the Chevrolet. Our ferry curved in a wide arc for about 15 minutes before reaching the opposite shore of the muddy brown river. |
- | Chinese did not seem to mind. The young couples, who were dressed in | + | |
- | slacks and jackets danced the foxtrot beautifully, | + | Joseph suggested a ride into town, to get some milk which proved to be different to what I expected. The shop was a very drab affair with a concrete floor and hard wooden benches. The proprietress was distinctly grubby, but did wear long leather gloves to serve the milk which was kept in tinned buckets on a white-tiled fuel stove. The junket-like milk was served, hot or cold, in ceramic bowls. I don't think they had ever heard of " |
- | February, 1985 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 9 | + | |
- | The morning of the 13th January saw our party cycling 42 kms, to | + | That evening we went to the unheated " |
- | Da Liang, a small town in the county of Shunde. The road led past many irrigation channels which were used to transport bricks, sawn timber, bamboo poles and sugar cane. Our group came to a halt beside a very wide, swift flowing river, one of the main arms of the Pearl River Delta. We queued on the side of the road, in a long procession of Chinese and Japanese made trucks and buses, waiting for the boat ferry. | + | |
- | A long punt loaded with coal was tied up at the river bank with two hens pecking on the top of the heap. A young family of two children, a man and wife, lived in the back section, with no screen between them and the coal. One of the roadside vendors was selling black market cassette | + | The next day saw the cyclists at the Dae Li County Commune, one of the many that provide work and sustenance for 800 million people from birth to death. Mr. Chang, the chairman, said that the commune was only partly mechanised because full mechanisation could mean unemployment for some of the 81,000 persons under his control. He stated that since Mao Tse Tung's death and a change in Government policy, people could now build and own their own homes. |
- | tapes whilst others sold cakes, fruit and cigarettes. An ola lady crossed the road, right under our noses, carrying two buckets of evil looking human manure, for use on the vegetable crops. We now knew the source of the peculiar smell that permeated the countryside. | + | |
- | The first vehicle ashore from the incoming ferry was a large, black limousine with a red flag insignia on the bonnet. The chauffeur-driven car contained high government officials travelling to a conference. So much for the equality of the proletariat! The cyclists were ushered on | + | We visited a typical home of a farming family which was situated in a village of 50 houses in the middle of agricultural fields. Each house was joined |
- | first, being crammed in by the high-sided trucks, many of which were of a 1940 Russian design, similar to the Chevrolet. Our ferry curved in a wide arc for about 15 minutes before reaching the opposite shore of the muddy brown river. | + | |
- | Joseph suggested a ride into town, to get some milk which proved to be different to what I expected. The shop was a very drab affair with a concrete floor and hard wooden benches. The proprietress was distinctly grubby, but did wear long leather gloves to serve the milk which was kept in tinned buckets on a white-tiled fuel stove. The junket-like milk was | + | To be continued. |
- | served, hot or cold, in ceramic bowls. I don't think they had ever heard of " | + | |
- | That evening we went to the unheated " | + | ---- |
- | wooden benches and the men used the floor as a spitoon. The second feature " | + | |
- | and body movement. This film, made in the American classic style of the | + | ===== In Retrospect. ===== |
- | 1950s, was sloppy, sentimental and exaggerated. to the point of being ridiculous. The story revolved around a young, handsome, Chinese soldier who was posted to the border with an Alsatian guard dog; he lost his girl-friend to another guy; the dog was shot three times; came to life twice; and the hero riddled the Japanese Spy with a machine gun! Well, that's how we understood the story, as the dialogue was in Chinese. Our hosts did not appreciate our humour as the film to them was deadly serious and true to life! | + | |
- | The next day saw the cyclists at the Dae Li County Commune, one of the many that provide work and sustenance for 800 million people from birth to death. Mr. Chang, the chairman, said that the commune was only partly mechanised because full mechanisation could mean unemployment for some of the 81,000 persons under, his control. He stated that since Mao | + | |
- | Tse Tung's death and a change in Government policy, people could now build and own their own homes. | + | |
- | We visited a typical home of a farming family which was situated in a village of 50 houses in the middle of agricultural fields. Each house wasjoined | + | |
- | Page 10 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER February, 1985. | + | |
- | for a family of seven adults. A TV set stood in the corner of the lounge room. The kitchen contained a fuel stove and a white tiled bench on a concrete floor. Mrs. Chen was very proud of her electric rice cooker and washing machine but said that the washing machine had its drawbacks because there was no piped water supply to her house. | + | |
- | TO BE CONTINUED. | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | IN RETROSPECT. | + | |
by BillGamble. | by BillGamble. | ||
+ | |||
This is a reflection on part of a brief walk I did in Olympic National Park (which is located in the north-west corner of the United States) at the beginning of October, 1984. Apart from the couple I met in the last five minutes of the walk and who gave me a lift into town, I saw no one else. | This is a reflection on part of a brief walk I did in Olympic National Park (which is located in the north-west corner of the United States) at the beginning of October, 1984. Apart from the couple I met in the last five minutes of the walk and who gave me a lift into town, I saw no one else. | ||
- | The route is not difficult. The tracks are well-maintained and | + | |
- | there are sign posts at every trail fork. That is why I chose it, along | + | The route is not difficult. The tracks are well-maintained and there are sign posts at every trail fork. That is why I chose it, along with the prospect of walking through some fine mountain scenery. Simply, I had been staying with friends on nearby Vancouver Island on what had largely become a fishing holiday and decided to take a break to do a quiet walk across part of the Olympic mountains not altogether unfamiliar to me. But the weather changed (as it had done during previous visits in 1977 and 1979). If anything, this account points to the way I try to see walks which are mostly better in retrospect. It would be untrue to say that I love mountains in all conditions - for me, there is no comparison between the joy of a walk along the tops on a mild, clear day, and the bitterly cold task of making my way along exposed ridges and over passes in driving sleet and poor visibility. I had a disproportionate amount of the latter on this walk. So, perhaps, I can be excused for being a little disappointed and saying so. |
- | with the prospect of walking through some fine mountain scenery. Simply, | + | |
- | I had been staying with friends on nearby Vancouver Island on what had largely become a fishing holiday and decided to take a break to do a quiet walk across part of the Olympic mountains not altogether unfamiliar to me. But the weather changed (as it had done during previous visits in 1977 and | + | Anyway, amid the measure of disappointment there was a walk to be remembered and for about five or six hours I did cover some marvellous high country in generally fine conditions. I shall start with a comment or two about the weather. |
- | 1979). If anything, this account points to the way I try to see walks | + | |
- | which are mostly better in retrospect. It would be untrue to say that I | + | |
- | love mountains in all conditions - for me, there is no comparison between the joy of a walk along the tops on a mild, clear day, and the bitterly cold task of making my way along exposed ridges and over passes in driving sleet and poor visibility. I had a disproportionate amount of the latter | + | |
- | on this walk. So, perhaps, I can be excused for being a little disappointed and saying so. | + | |
- | Anyway, amid the measure of disappointment there was a walk to be remembered and for about five or six hours I did cover some marvellous high country in generally fine conditions. I shall start with a comment | + | |
- | or two about the weather. | + | |
I know that mountains make their own weather, often compounding into high winds, sleet and/or snow at altitude what often passes as a mildly unpleasant day in the valleys below; yet, somehow, I always hope for a great run of fine weather on the tops. Perhaps most people who like mountains do hope so at heart, and particularly so when the journey to reach the tops has been a long one. There is no way to bring about a fair weather change at will and I accept the mountains on their own terms, and continue to hope. | I know that mountains make their own weather, often compounding into high winds, sleet and/or snow at altitude what often passes as a mildly unpleasant day in the valleys below; yet, somehow, I always hope for a great run of fine weather on the tops. Perhaps most people who like mountains do hope so at heart, and particularly so when the journey to reach the tops has been a long one. There is no way to bring about a fair weather change at will and I accept the mountains on their own terms, and continue to hope. | ||
- | On this walk the wind came in long waves. There would be the occasional lull then, in the distance, from the direction of Cameron Pass (6450' | + | |
- | My sleeping bag remained dry and warm, but I still dozed fitfully. More than once that night I questioned the wisdom - even the sanity - of being on a stormy mountainside, | + | On this walk the wind came in long waves. There would be the occasional lull then, in the distance, from the direction of Cameron Pass (6450' |
- | k | + | |
- | February, 1985 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 11. | + | My sleeping bag remained dry and warm, but I still dozed fitfully. More than once that night I questioned the wisdom - even the sanity - of being on a stormy mountainside, |
- | The wind, cold rain and sleet no longer threaten. My photographs show mostly fine days as the camera was buried in my pack for protection during the worst of the weather. And the memories of the distinctive smell of | + | |
- | fir trees, the sightings of marmots and squirrels and the sounds of tumbling mountain streams, among other things, almost convince me that the | + | The day started pleasantly enough in the upper Elwha Valley where camp had been made 850' above the river alongside an icy stream tumbling down from the tops. Sunlight filtering through the tall trees (Douglas fir and western hemlock) suggested a fine day ahead and the temperature to its likely mildness. The weather so far had been almost summerlike and there was nothing to indicate that a cold front would sweep in from the south-west before the day was out. |
- | walk was a delight to the senses from beginning to end. It wasn't really. | + | |
- | I have to remind myself that some risks are taken when walking in mountains and probably a little more so when alone. But there is always something to be learned from such walks. LIke coping with bad weather, difficult terrain, and one's own limitations. And my respect for what mountains can do to the weather grows apace. These sort of things are not gained | + | The track up to Haydens Pass (5847' |
- | from a book or talking to others. It comes drom being out there doing it | + | |
- | oneself. Anyway, back to the walk itself, or, at least, some of it. | + | |
- | The day started pleasantly enough in the upper Elwha Valley where camp had been made 850' above the river alongside an icy stream tumbling down from the tops. Sunlight filtering through the tall trees (Douglas | + | |
- | fir and western hemlock) suggested a fine day ahead and the temperature to its likely mildness. The weather so far had been almost summerlike and there was nothing to indicate that a cold front would sweep in from the south-west before the day was out. | + | |
- | The track up to Haydens Pass (5847' | + | |
- | a long sidle to the pass. The glimpses of rocky snow-covered peaks from | + | |
- | between breaks in the forest cover gave way to a sweeping panorama of | + | |
- | mountains and densely forested valleys and slopes. The jagged peaks, capped or slabbed with ice and snow, stood out starkly against the blue sky. Later the sky slowly turned grey as a strata of high cloud moved in | + | |
- | from the south-west. The pattern was familiar. I had seen this happen | + | |
- | before on the two previous walks in the park. It meant bad weather. | + | |
Around noon the warm autumn breeze ruffling the snowgrass turned a chill edge, and it was necessary to seek a lunch stop on the north side of the pass in the lee of a rock outcrop. And to put on my wool pullover. The alpine views, mainly into the upper Dosewallips basin and across to Thousand Acre Meadow were memorable in the juxtaposition of almost rolling country with jagged peaks. After lunch I plunged down a good zig zag track into the upper basin of the Dosewallips River, and shortly after reaching the tree line turned off onto another trail to climb very steeply to Lost Pass (5550' | Around noon the warm autumn breeze ruffling the snowgrass turned a chill edge, and it was necessary to seek a lunch stop on the north side of the pass in the lee of a rock outcrop. And to put on my wool pullover. The alpine views, mainly into the upper Dosewallips basin and across to Thousand Acre Meadow were memorable in the juxtaposition of almost rolling country with jagged peaks. After lunch I plunged down a good zig zag track into the upper basin of the Dosewallips River, and shortly after reaching the tree line turned off onto another trail to climb very steeply to Lost Pass (5550' | ||
+ | |||
I cleared the protection of the tree line again to meet a cold breeze. It was a portent of the remainder of the walk for I was never again really warm outside of my sleeping bag. | I cleared the protection of the tree line again to meet a cold breeze. It was a portent of the remainder of the walk for I was never again really warm outside of my sleeping bag. | ||
- | There followed an excellent sidle around the alpine basin at the head of Lost Valley with a cirque of peaks as a backdrop. The stiff breeze | + | |
- | had redOved | + | There followed an excellent sidle around the alpine basin at the head of Lost Valley with a cirque of peaks as a backdrop. The stiff breeze had removed |
- | as often happens in mountains. By this time it was after 4.30 pm and a | + | |
- | lower strata of clouds was beginning to creep in and cover the peaks to | + | The route was steep, up a mountainside buffeted by the wind. I recall it as being a rather slow climb and it became necessary to count my progress: fifty steps and stop, then five deep breaths and repeat (and occasionally the fumbling of the camera with cold hands to record the views). There was no respite at the pass. The wind blew into every likely place of shelter and my rest stop was limited to a few minutes, some photographs and a handful of scroggin. |
- | the south-west. I had been walking since 8.00 am, felt rather weary and | + | |
- | would have preferred to have stopped for the day, but it was important in my assessment of the weather to cross Cameron Pass (6450' | + | I picked my way down the north slope scree trying to follow the faint route trodden by many summer backpackers and soon to be obliterated by storms and snow. Packed snow dropped well down into the basin below, and I wanted to avoid having to kick my way across the snow with its icelike consistency. It was difficult to scuff the surface let alone kick steps. With an iceaxe it would have been an interesting glissade and a quick descent. The key to the route was a spur of loose rock between two snowfields, and once descended it left me with a small crossing of the packed snow of about thirty yards. |
- | The route was steep, up a mountainside buffeted by the wind. I recall it as being a rather slow climb and it became necessary to countmy,..progress: | + | |
- | Page 12 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER February, 1985 | + | As soon as I reached flat ground in the first small meadow offering some protection from the approaching bad weather, I erected the tent and cooked supper promptly. No time had been wasted. In less than an hour I had dropped over 800' |
- | fifty steps and stop, then five deep breaths and repeat (and occasionally the fumbling of the camera with cold hands to record the views). There | + | |
- | was no respite at the pass. The wind blew into every likely place of | + | Next day the walk continued across the mountains in cold rain and sleet, driven by the wind and a subborn frame of mind. It ended on the Hurricane Ridge alpine road at Obstruction Point (6100' |
- | shelter and my rest stop was limited to a few minutes, some photographs and a handful of scroggin. | + | |
- | I picked my way down the north slope scree trying to follow the faint route trodden by many summer backpackers and soon to be obliterated by storms and snow. Packed snow dropped well down into the basin below, | + | |
- | and I wanted to avoid having to kick my way across the snow with its | + | |
- | icelike consistency. It was difficult to scuff the surface let alone | + | |
- | kick steps. With an iceaxe it would have been an interesting glissade | + | |
- | and a quick descent. The key to the route was a spur of loose rock between two snowfields, and once descended it left me with a small crossing | + | |
- | of the packed snow of about thirty yards - | + | |
- | As soon as I reached flat ground in the first small meadow offering some protection from the approaching bad weather, I erected the tent and cooked supper promptly. No time had been wasted. In less than an. hour | + | |
- | I had dropped over 800 and made camp (in mild conditions it would have been a delight to have descended much more slowly and stopped frequently | + | |
- | to enjoy the surroundings). Already the pass and nearby peaks were shrouded in mist and cloud. By 7.00 pm the camp was as secure as I could make it. | + | |
- | Fora while I walked around in the fading light taking in as much as was | + | |
- | left to be seen of the upper Cameron basin. Then the prospect of a warm | + | |
- | sleeping bag entided me out of the cold. The wind came in soon after- | + | |
- | wards in the long waves already described, | + | |
- | Next day the walk continued across the mountains in cold rain and sleet, driven by the wind and a subborn frame of mind. It ended on the | + | |
- | Hurricane Ridge alpine road at Obstruction Point (6100' | + | |
- | nearby. A little over the hour and we were down at sea level. It was | + | |
- | a mild to warm afternoon in Port Angeles. On the following day I took | + | |
- | the ferry back across the Juan de Fuca Strait to Victoria, B.C., in | + | |
- | Canada. The salmon would soon be biting on the Cowitchan River. | + | |
Map reference: Mt. Angeles quadrangle 1:62500 (US Geological Survey) | Map reference: Mt. Angeles quadrangle 1:62500 (US Geological Survey) | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & THE ANNUAL REUNION. | + | ---- |
- | The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13th March. Among the business of the meeting will be the election of Office-Bearers and Committee. Each year all official positons become vacant. Any member may | + | |
- | be nominated for any office, and only Club full members may vote. | + | ===== The Annual General Meeting And The Annual Reunion. ===== |
- | The Annual Re-union, held on the weekend following the A.G.M., is a social gathering, overnight camping of present, past and prospective | + | |
- | members. The incoming President is inaugurated in a simple ceremony at the | + | The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13th March. Among the business of the meeting will be the election of Office-Bearers and Committee. Each year all official positons become vacant. Any member may be nominated for any office, and only Club full members may vote. |
- | Saturday evening campfire, and there is usually a programme of campfire singing | + | |
- | and short sketches. Clean (though sometimes off-beat) humour is the aim. | + | The Annual Re-union, held on the weekend following the A.G.M., is a social gathering, overnight camping of present, past and prospective members. The incoming President is inaugurated in a simple ceremony at the Saturday evening campfire, and there is usually a programme of campfire singing and short sketches. Clean (though sometimes off-beat) humour is the aim. Supper is provided by the Club. On Sunday morning there is a damper-making competition using the ashes of the previous night' |
- | Supper is provided by the Club. On Sunday morning there is a damper-making | + | |
- | competition using the ashes of the previous night' | + | ---- |
- | self-raising flour, salt and water may be used for the dampers. The Re-union | + | |
- | this year is at our property " | + | |
- | swimming available in the river. Transport is by car (cars are left at the | + | |
- | top of the hill), and anyone who can provide transport for others is asked to get in touch with George Gray, phone 86-6263. | + | |
- | February, 1985. THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 13 | + | |
- | low.m | + | |
"YOU SHOULD ENJOY THIS NEXT BIT " | "YOU SHOULD ENJOY THIS NEXT BIT " | ||
by Tony Cunneen. (Reprinted by permission from The National Times in | by Tony Cunneen. (Reprinted by permission from The National Times in |
198502.txt · Last modified: 2019/02/22 13:20 by tyreless