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| - | AUGUST 1999 | + | **AUGUST 1999 Issue No. 777** |
| - | Issue No. 777 | + | |
| - | The June General Meeting reported by Barry Wallace 4. | + | |The June General Meeting reported by Barry Wallace |
| - | The July General Meeting reported by Bill Holland 4. | + | |The July General Meeting reported by Bill Holland |
| - | Request for the return of SBW records 6. | + | |Request for the return of SBW records |
| - | NAV 99 Navigation Contest reported by Ken Smith 6. | + | |NAV 99 Navigation Contest reported by Ken Smith |6. | |
| - | Confederation Bush Dance notice of event date & venue 7. | + | |Confederation Bush Dance notice of event date & venue |7. | |
| - | Alex Colley' | + | |Alex Colley' |
| - | Some Problems With Coolana, letter by Elwyn Morris 11. | + | |Some Problems With Coolana, letter by Elwyn Morris |
| - | Taking Teenagers Walking by Christine Austin 13. | + | |Taking Teenagers Walking by Christine Austin |
| - | SBW photograph and Slide competition 14. | + | |SBW photograph and Slide competition |
| - | Wiles Great Escarpment Walk Part 2 (conclusion) by Roger Treagus 15. | + | |Wilfs |
| - | Vale Greg Bridge by Alan Mewett 16. | + | |Vale Greg Bridge by Alan Mewett |
| - | Budawangs. Pigeon House to Byangee by Libby Harrington 16, | + | |Budawangs. Pigeon House to Byangee by Libby Harrington |
| - | Vale Bill Hall, Eulogy by Bob Younger | + | |Vale Bill Hall, Eulogy by Bob Younger |
| - | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER is a monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc, PO Box 431 Milsons Point 1565. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager. | + | THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER is a monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc, PO Box 431 Milsons Point 1565. |
| - | Editor: Ray Hookway Telephone 9411 1873 | + | |
| - | Business Manager: Elizabeth Miller 1 The Babette, Castlecrag, 2068 Telephone 9958 7838 | + | To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager. |
| - | Production Manager: Frances Holland Printers: Kenn Clacher, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven, Les Powell, Tom Wenman, | + | |
| + | |**Editor**| Ray Hookway Telephone 9411 1873 | | ||
| + | |**Business Manager**| Elizabeth Miller 1 The Babette, Castlecrag, 2068 Telephone 9958 7838| | ||
| + | |**Production Manager**| Frances Holland | ||
| + | |**Printers** | Kenn Clacher, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven, Les Powell, Tom Wenman | ||
| THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS INCORPORATED was founded in 1927. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. | THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS INCORPORATED was founded in 1927. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. | ||
| - | President: Eddy Giacomel | ||
| - | Vice-President: | ||
| - | Public Officer: Fran Holland | ||
| - | Treasurer: Edith Baker, | ||
| - | Secretary: Rosemary MacDougal | ||
| - | Walks Secretary: Bill Capon | ||
| - | Social Secretary Elwyn Morris | ||
| - | Membership Secretary: Barry Wallace | ||
| - | New Members Secretary: Frank Grennan | ||
| - | Conservation Secretary: Bill Holland | ||
| - | Magazine Editor: Ray Hookway | ||
| - | Committee Members: Anthony Crichton & Spiro Hajinakitas | ||
| - | Delegates to Confederation: | ||
| - | ADVERTISERS | + | |**President**| Eddy Giacomel | |
| - | Alpsport front cover | + | |**Vice-President**| Tony Holgate | |
| - | Eastwood Camping Centre 9 | + | |**Public Officer**| Fran Holland | |
| - | Ecotrek | + | |**Treasurer**| Edith Baker| |
| - | Bogong Jack Adventures 3 | + | |**Secretary**| Rosemary MacDougal | |
| - | Outland | + | |**Walks Secretary**| Bill Capon | |
| - | Paddy Pallin back cover | + | |**Social Secretary**| Elwyn Morris | |
| - | U Relax 4 We'll Drive 10 | + | |**Membership Secretary**| Barry Wallace | |
| - | Willis' | + | |**New Members Secretary** | Frank Grennan | |
| + | |**Conservation Secretary** | Bill Holland | | ||
| + | |**Magazine Editor**| Ray Hookway | | ||
| + | |**Committee Members**| Anthony Crichton & Spiro Hajinakitas | | ||
| + | |**Delegates to Confederation**| Jim Callaway & Wilf Hilder | | ||
| + | |||
| + | ADVERTISERS\\ | ||
| + | Alpsport front cover\\ | ||
| + | Eastwood Camping Centre 9\\ | ||
| + | Ecotrek\\ | ||
| + | Bogong Jack Adventures 3\\ | ||
| + | Outland | ||
| + | Paddy Pallin back cover\\ | ||
| + | U Relax 4 We'll Drive 10\\ | ||
| + | Willis' | ||
| + | ====== The June 1999 General Meeting ====== | ||
| - | **The June 1999 General Meeting.** | ||
| Reported by Barry Wallace | Reported by Barry Wallace | ||
| Line 63: | Line 68: | ||
| The 14, 15, 16 May saw Peter Kaye coping with some navigation problems on his walk out from Barallier. The party of 8 also encountered a cold change that brought a brief shower. They emerged onto the Wollondilly from Tomat Creek at 17.00 and the return to the cars at 19.00 was accomplished despite darkness. Alan Donnelly' | The 14, 15, 16 May saw Peter Kaye coping with some navigation problems on his walk out from Barallier. The party of 8 also encountered a cold change that brought a brief shower. They emerged onto the Wollondilly from Tomat Creek at 17.00 and the return to the cars at 19.00 was accomplished despite darkness. Alan Donnelly' | ||
| - | Eddy Giacomel' | + | Eddy Giacomel' |
| Although the initial response for Carol Lubbers' | Although the initial response for Carol Lubbers' | ||
| Line 77: | Line 82: | ||
| The President reported the following committee activities to the meeting. The Coolana sub committee is progressing. It is anticipated the report will be included with the September magazine and a question and answer night will be programmed for 27th October. | The President reported the following committee activities to the meeting. The Coolana sub committee is progressing. It is anticipated the report will be included with the September magazine and a question and answer night will be programmed for 27th October. | ||
| - | Ute Foster has volunteered to assist with the sorting out of the archives. Committee, has discussed a letter received from the hon solicitor providing advice on competency standards for abseiling activities. A sub committee will be formed to review abseiling | + | Ute Foster has volunteered to assist with the sorting out of the archives. Committee, has discussed a letter received from the hon solicitor providing advice on competency standards for abseiling activities. A sub committee will be formed to review abseiling |
| - | A new lens and an ,adapter unit have been ordered for the club projector. | + | A new lens and an adapter unit have been ordered for the club projector. |
| General business saw passage of a motion that the club take out insurance cover through Confederation for Public Liability and Personal Accident. This may lead to a small increase in subscriptions next year, in the order of $2.00 per head. | General business saw passage of a motion that the club take out insurance cover through Confederation for Public Liability and Personal Accident. This may lead to a small increase in subscriptions next year, in the order of $2.00 per head. | ||
| - | There was no further general, business so after announcements the meeting closed at around 21.16. | + | There was no further general business so after announcements the meeting closed at around 21.16. |
| **A Request for the return of missing SBW records** | **A Request for the return of missing SBW records** | ||
| - | As reported in Barry' | + | As reported in Barry' |
| They have found that there is a dearth of records. for the period since 1994 and they request that former office bearers of the club conduct a search of their premises and forward copies of any SBW documentation they find to Bill Holland. | They have found that there is a dearth of records. for the period since 1994 and they request that former office bearers of the club conduct a search of their premises and forward copies of any SBW documentation they find to Bill Holland. | ||
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| - | **The July General Meeting** Reported by Bill Holland | + | ====== |
| + | |||
| + | Reported by Bill Holland | ||
| This article is published to bring the monthly reports up to date and make them more relevant, not as a comparison of literary styles. Ed | This article is published to bring the monthly reports up to date and make them more relevant, not as a comparison of literary styles. Ed | ||
| Line 116: | Line 123: | ||
| Somehow the Confederation' | Somehow the Confederation' | ||
| - | On to the conservation report with 'letters from Govt Depts. assuring us that all that was possible was being done to protect the environment. From the confederation report we learnt that access to Bonham Pic is still being negotiated and that Confederation (and SBW) are supporting a NPWS application for funding to improve the Coastal Track. | + | On to the conservation report with letters from Govt Depts assuring us that all that was possible was being done to protect the environment. From the confederation report we learnt that access to Bonham Pic is still being negotiated and that Confederation (and SBW) are supporting a NPWS application for funding to improve the Coastal Track. |
| Then, finally to matters of general business which included advice that Duke Energy will close part of the Sassafras Road for the month of October. Unless you're travelling in a specified two hour period Monday- Friday you won't get to Ettrema, North Budawangs etc. This will still of course require Shoalhaven Council approval. We wait with bated breath. On this happy note the meeting closed at 9-30 pm. | Then, finally to matters of general business which included advice that Duke Energy will close part of the Sassafras Road for the month of October. Unless you're travelling in a specified two hour period Monday- Friday you won't get to Ettrema, North Budawangs etc. This will still of course require Shoalhaven Council approval. We wait with bated breath. On this happy note the meeting closed at 9-30 pm. | ||
| Line 122: | Line 129: | ||
| - | NAV99 Reported by Ken Smith | + | ====== |
| + | Reported by Ken Smith | ||
| The 1999 Emergency Services Navigation Shield event organised by Confederation' | The 1999 Emergency Services Navigation Shield event organised by Confederation' | ||
| Line 135: | Line 143: | ||
| Results Points (The maximum possible point-score was 2290) | Results Points (The maximum possible point-score was 2290) | ||
| - | eventTwda | + | Two Day Event Class 1 (top three) |
| Springwood Bushwalkers 1600 | Springwood Bushwalkers 1600 | ||
| Shoalhaven Ambulance Team 1400 | Shoalhaven Ambulance Team 1400 | ||
| Kangaroo Valley Bushfire Brigade 1380 | Kangaroo Valley Bushfire Brigade 1380 | ||
| - | 01_ le....._-14, | + | One Day Event Class 1 (top three) |
| Victorian SES Central 680 | Victorian SES Central 680 | ||
| Wild Dogs Bushwalking Club 650 | Wild Dogs Bushwalking Club 650 | ||
| Line 145: | Line 153: | ||
| + | **CONFEDERATION BUSH DANCE** | ||
| - | CONFEDERATION BUSH DANCE | ||
| Another important date to mark on your 1999 social calendar. | Another important date to mark on your 1999 social calendar. | ||
| The last Bushwalkers Confederation Bush Dance to be held in this Millenium will be held at the Petersham Town Hall on September 17th Why not organise a party? | The last Bushwalkers Confederation Bush Dance to be held in this Millenium will be held at the Petersham Town Hall on September 17th Why not organise a party? | ||
| - | **Alex Colley' | + | |
| + | ====== | ||
| Reported by Ray Hookway. | Reported by Ray Hookway. | ||
| Line 171: | Line 181: | ||
| **Letter to the Editor** | **Letter to the Editor** | ||
| - | SOME PROBLEMS WITH COOLANA | + | ====== Some Problems With Coolana ====== |
| by Elwyn Morris | by Elwyn Morris | ||
| This letter is the only one received by me favouring a possible future sale of Coolana and for that reason it is printed in its entirety. It raises most of the matters being discussed by members and should be read in conjunction with the letters and articles on the subject in the April issue. Ed | This letter is the only one received by me favouring a possible future sale of Coolana and for that reason it is printed in its entirety. It raises most of the matters being discussed by members and should be read in conjunction with the letters and articles on the subject in the April issue. Ed | ||
| - | The Club owns an 140-acre property, Coolana, in the Kangaroo Valley. If, as is being proposed at the moment, a Voluntary Conservation-area Agreement (VCA) is made with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, with the agreement only being able to be rescinded by the Minister for the Environment an unlikely scenario this would greatly affect the value of the Club's most valuable possession. If only PART of the property is covered by a VCA, this Would help protect its value for the future (rated by one local estate agent as round $200,000), but only if space is left for a house and garden. A partial VCA would also allow SBW itself to make improvements. A wide strip adjoining the track, and areas just below the cliffs (for a possible car-camping area) and from the hut to the toilet and water source could be excluded from the VCA, so that the Club would be free to improve these in future. | + | The Club owns an 140-acre property, Coolana, in the Kangaroo Valley. If as is being proposed at the moment, a Voluntary Conservation-area Agreement (VCA) is made with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, with the agreement only being able to be rescinded by the Minister for the Environment an unlikely scenario this would greatly affect the value of the Club's most valuable possession. If only PART of the property is covered by a VCA, this would help protect its value for the future (rated by one local estate agent as round $200,000), but only if space is left for a house and garden. A partial VCA would also allow SBW itself to make improvements. A wide strip adjoining the track, and areas just below the cliffs (for a possible car-camping area) and from the hut to the toilet and water source could be excluded from the VCA, so that the Club would be free to improve these in future. |
| Such an important decision should only be made after thorough investigation, | Such an important decision should only be made after thorough investigation, | ||
| Line 186: | Line 197: | ||
| 2. CONSERVATION. | 2. CONSERVATION. | ||
| - | To make Coolana a true conservation area, it would have to be enclosed with a high chicken wire fence against foxes and other feral animals. (Foxes are currently being baited there). This would be very expensive, and cut across access to the river flats, the most used part. It could be argued that the large 'Morton National Park not far away is more suited to Conservation efforts, as Kangaroo Valley is primarily agricultural, | + | To make Coolana a true conservation area, it would have to be enclosed with a high chicken wire fence against foxes and other feral animals. (Foxes are currently being baited there). This would be very expensive, and cut across access to the river flats, the most used part. It could be argued that the large Morton National Park not far away is more suited to Conservation efforts, as Kangaroo Valley is primarily agricultural, |
| 3. NEVER-ENDING WORK. | 3. NEVER-ENDING WORK. | ||
| Line 197: | Line 208: | ||
| Only a small proportion of club members regularly use Coolana. Some of the original supporters are now deceased, and some older and less fit members can't carry gear down and up the steep hillside. | Only a small proportion of club members regularly use Coolana. Some of the original supporters are now deceased, and some older and less fit members can't carry gear down and up the steep hillside. | ||
| - | There may be several reasons for its lack of Use | + | There may be several reasons for its lack of use |
| a) It is not on public transport, with the only bus stopping 8km away. It requires one and a half to two hours driving from Sydney, the last part on narrow winding roads into the Valley. | a) It is not on public transport, with the only bus stopping 8km away. It requires one and a half to two hours driving from Sydney, the last part on narrow winding roads into the Valley. | ||
| - | b) There is difficult access, down a very water-eroded track, from the car parking area, (which is on Crown land off club land), to the river flats camping area. This makes it difficult for older and less fit members, | + | b) There is difficult access, down a very water-eroded track, from the car parking area, (which is on Crown land off club land), to the river flats camping area. This makes it difficult for older and less fit members, |
| It is unlikely that a cash-strapped NPWS would improve the road, as it only seems to invest where profit can be made from visitors. The track' | It is unlikely that a cash-strapped NPWS would improve the road, as it only seems to invest where profit can be made from visitors. The track' | ||
| c) There is difficult, steep access to the river, with only one tiny. beach, so that any canoes have to be launched from the Bendeela Ponds campground opposite. | c) There is difficult, steep access to the river, with only one tiny. beach, so that any canoes have to be launched from the Bendeela Ponds campground opposite. | ||
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| - | **Taking Teenagers Walking** by Christine Austin | + | ====== |
| + | |||
| + | by Christine Austin | ||
| Participants - the author (x) years, Craig Austin (y) years, Dane Austin (17) years and Noni Austin (14-15) years. | Participants - the author (x) years, Craig Austin (y) years, Dane Austin (17) years and Noni Austin (14-15) years. | ||
| - | Taking teenagers walking (from Katoomba to Kanangra via the Kowmung River in April) first involved some hard talking. Their mother, seeing their independence as the next step, decided that an extended walk in the Blue Mountains would be beneficial to their ftiture | + | Taking teenagers walking (from Katoomba to Kanangra via the Kowmung River in April) first involved some hard talking. Their mother, seeing their independence as the next step, decided that an extended walk in the Blue Mountains would be beneficial to their future |
| Easter Sunday was a drizzly and uninspiring day in Blackheath as we waited for the taxi to take us to the locked gate on Narrowneck. Surprisingly, | Easter Sunday was a drizzly and uninspiring day in Blackheath as we waited for the taxi to take us to the locked gate on Narrowneck. Surprisingly, | ||
| Line 236: | Line 249: | ||
| Gone was the convivial atmosphere which had permeated this campsite where we had spent our last night on David Rostron' | Gone was the convivial atmosphere which had permeated this campsite where we had spent our last night on David Rostron' | ||
| - | About midnight, a Hitchcock-like howl awoke me violently and there was reluctant daughter, sitting up and pointing wildly to her back. | + | About midnight, a Hitchcock-like howl awoke me violently and there was reluctant daughter, sitting up and pointing wildly to her back. " |
| - | " | + | |
| - | But she was correct and I flicked the intruder into the darkness outside. She settled back to sleep but this happened once more during the night. Life was degenerating rapidly. | + | |
| - | By morning, with the rain commencing seriously, things began to look even grimmer. Noni and I found ourselves floating in the tent on a therm-a-rest island. | + | By morning, with the rain commencing seriously, things began to look even grimmer. Noni and I found ourselves floating in the tent on a therm-a-rest island. "I want to go home!" she whimpered. I was beginning to agree with her. Craig and Dane, under their fly, were also getting extremely wet, so a conference was called. We agreed to pack up quickly and back track to a small cave on the western side of M. Warrigal, which we had passed yesterday. This cave proved to be a godsend. Wood, collected quickly by four cold people, soon became a cheerful, warming blaze and billies were filled by the cascading torrents from the rocks above us. Smiles began to return, but also a strong hint of mutiny. However, |
| - | "I want to go home!" she whimpered. | + | |
| - | I was beginning to agree with her. Craig and Dane, under their fly, were also getting extremely wet, so a conference was called. We agreed to pack up quickly and back track to a small cave on the western side of M. Warrigal, which we had passed yesterday. This cave proved to be a godsend. Wood, collected quickly by four cold people, soon became a cheerful, warming blaze and billies were filled by the cascading torrents from the rocks above us. Smiles began to return, but also a strong hint of mutiny. However, | + | |
| - | T | + | |
| - | hen a miracle occurred. Whilst eating lunch and contemplating a quiet afternoon ahead of the Sun appeared. There was a mad dash for Splendour Rock and then another miracle! They were impressed by the view and the quiet splendour of the place. This was the turning point of the trip. That night in the cave, so different from the previous one, we chatted happily whilst watching the stars and lights from the Hampden ridge. | + | |
| - | The next day, Tuesday, sun glinting from the rain soaked trees, we farewelled our cave and descended to the Cox. Now all was easeful walking, the bush looking all the more beautiful for the rain. Crossing the full and flowing Cox proved to be quite easy using care and we set up camp early at Konangarbo | + | Then a miracle occurred. Whilst eating lunch and contemplating a quiet afternoon ahead of the sun appeared. There was a mad dash for Splendour Rock and then another miracle! They were impressed by the view and the quiet splendour of the place. This was the turning point of the trip. That night in the cave, so different from the previous one, we chatted happily whilst watching the stars and lights from the Hampden ridge. |
| + | |||
| + | The next day, Tuesday, sun glinting from the rain soaked trees, we farewelled our cave and descended to the Cox. Now all was easeful walking, the bush looking all the more beautiful for the rain. Crossing the full and flowing Cox proved to be quite easy using care and we set up camp early at Konangaroo | ||
| It was now Wednesday and reluctant daughter' | It was now Wednesday and reluctant daughter' | ||
| Line 255: | Line 264: | ||
| The good spirits which surrounded this evening extended to the following day (Thursday) when a navigational oops was accepted with great equanimity. From Campagnoni' | The good spirits which surrounded this evening extended to the following day (Thursday) when a navigational oops was accepted with great equanimity. From Campagnoni' | ||
| - | Camp was made that night beside the clean and gently flowing Kowmung. Last year it had been muddied- from the bushfires, but now its clarity revealed every pebble.. Greatly disturbing it was however,.. to see the decrease in camp sites and the corresponding increase in weed growth since last seen the river. All manner of weeds were growing in profusion - croften weed, cobbler' | + | Camp was made that night beside the clean and gently flowing Kowmung. Last year it had been muddied- from the bush fires, but now its clarity revealed every pebble. Greatly disturbing it was however, to see the decrease in camp sites and the corresponding increase in weed growth since last seen the river. All manner of weeds were growing in profusion - croften weed, cobbler' |
| Friday arrived and we wandered slowly along the river, watching the morning light glisten on the trees and looking for that ideal swimming spot. But- dark clouds, then drops of rain appeared. Sitting under the fly at the bottom of Roots Ridge, we marked time as the day was too far advanced to attempt the climb. We ate our last dehyd meal whilst athletic son lapsed into dreams of barbeques and exotic delicacies. | Friday arrived and we wandered slowly along the river, watching the morning light glisten on the trees and looking for that ideal swimming spot. But- dark clouds, then drops of rain appeared. Sitting under the fly at the bottom of Roots Ridge, we marked time as the day was too far advanced to attempt the climb. We ate our last dehyd meal whilst athletic son lapsed into dreams of barbeques and exotic delicacies. | ||
| + | On a casuarina backlit by low sunlight shone with the full spectrum of colours - a bush Christmass tree. | ||
| - | on a casuarina backlit by low sunlight shone with the full ' | + | What person could fail to be impressed by their first ever view of Kanangra Walls? And so it was with our teenagers. There was a gasp of genuine awe and amazement as they beheld the mighty drop Kanangra |
| - | What person could fail to be impressed by their first ever view of Kanangra Walls? And so it was with our teenagers. There was a gasp of genuine awe and amazement as they beheld the mighty drop Kaparigra | + | |
| - | Footnote: Recently Reg Alder sent me an article from the June 1955 SBW magazine. Into the Cumulus by Alex Colley and Brian Harvey describes a wet 1955 Easter trip from Kanangra to Katoomba. Their experiences were so similar to ours that it shows that things don't change too much. It also recounts how Max Gentle discovered the 100 Man Cave while pioneering a route under the Tiwilla | + | Footnote: Recently Reg Alder sent me an article from the June 1955 SBW magazine. Into the Cumulus by Alex Colley and Brian Harvey describes a wet 1955 Easter trip from Kanangra to Katoomba. Their experiences were so similar to ours that it shows that things don't change too much. It also recounts how Max Gentle discovered the 100 Man Cave while pioneering a route under the Tiwilla |
| - | Something new at the top of the Blue Mountains ... | + | **SBW PHOTOGRAPH AND SLIDE COMPETITION** |
| - | Expeditions | + | |
| - | di rig. Trail trekking, Mont Banc | + | |
| - | trekking, Nepal | + | |
| - | ; Plus' | + | |
| - | cheap flights, permits, | + | |
| - | visas complete expedition | + | |
| - | management service | + | |
| - | Gear Jan us on the verandah | + | |
| - | Relax with a free coffee | + | |
| - | while you wait for your | + | |
| - | buskwaildng mates | + | |
| - | TAN =amok' gear on the noticeboapd. | + | |
| - | Iffall out a rain stone with old copies of Wild, Geo, Rock and Outdoor. | + | |
| - | We're open 7 days | + | |
| - | 22 -Station St Mt Victoria (Opp the:Pubj freecaii for a bros./lulls 7800 Al3SEL (02 4787 :1777) | + | |
| - | Courses | + | |
| - | intro to climbing | + | |
| - | , intro to abseiling | + | |
| - | remote area Wit reSponder | + | |
| - | vertical rescue | + | |
| - | roping & rescue | + | |
| - | caryon leader | + | |
| - | navgabon & survival | + | |
| - | clothing | + | |
| - | rainwear | + | |
| - | hardware - rope | + | |
| - | wetsuits - salefhire | + | |
| - | thermals - hats | + | |
| - | maps -compasses | + | |
| - | books - guides | + | |
| - | chaik pe | + | |
| - | packs | + | |
| - | SBW PHOTOGRAPH AND SLIDE COMPETITION | + | |
| Wednesday 24th November 1999. $300 total prize value | Wednesday 24th November 1999. $300 total prize value | ||
| - | For full details see page 6 of the May 1999 Magazine or the lt rear page of the | + | |
| + | For full details see page 6 of the May 1999 Magazine or the rear page of the | ||
| Winter or Spring Walks programs. There will be a $50 gift voucher, for the winner of | Winter or Spring Walks programs. There will be a $50 gift voucher, for the winner of | ||
| - | each category, kindly donated by the following bushwalking shops: | + | each category. |
| - | . ALPSPORT EASTWOOD CAMPING KATHMANDU | + | |
| - | 1045 VICTORIA ROAD 3 TRELAWNEY STREET Cnr KENT & BATHURST St | + | |
| - | WEST RYDE NSW 2114 . EASTWOOD NSW 2112 SYDNEY NSW 2000 | + | ====== Wilf's Great Illawarra Escarpment Walk ====== |
| - | Phone 9858 5844 H Phone 9858 3833 Phone 9261 8901 | + | |
| - | MOUNTAIN DESIGNS MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT I PADDY PALLIN | + | A PERSPECTIVE Part 2 (conclusion) by Roger Treagus |
| - | . 499 KENT STREET 491 KENT STREET 507 KENT STREET | + | |
| - | SYDNEY NSW 2000 SYDNEY NSW 2000 SYDNEY NSW 2000 | + | So it was that on the next walking day Bong Bong Pass wouldn' |
| - | Phone 9267 3822 Phone 9264 5888 Phone 9264 2685 | + | line reached a high point near the cliffs. The tourists were let out here to look at the view barely 50 metres away. So worried was the Water Board that the tourists might pollute the catchment on alighting (what could they do in 50 metres?) that they got the tour operators to build "sheep pens" between the train and the lookout along which the tourists could be herded. I suppose the occasional free spirit who escaped the pens could be easily, rounded up by a blue heeler. |
| - | Page 14 The Sydney BUshwilker, August 1999 | + | |
| - | WILY'S GREAT ILLAWARRA ESCARPMENT WALK | + | The next day was long and hot. We now had to cross the valley of the Macquarie Rivulet to gain the southern section of the Illawarra Range. |
| - | A PERSPECTIVE Part 2 (conclusion) by Roger l' eagus | + | |
| - | So it was that on the next walking day Bong Bong Pass wouldn' | + | This proved difficult as our ' |
| - | line reached a high point near the cliffs. The tourists were let out here to look at the view barely 50 metres away. So worried: was the Water Board that the tourists might pollute the 'catchment on alighting (what could they do in 50 metres?) that they got the tour operators to build "sheep pens" between the train and the lookout along which the tourists could be herded. I suppose the occasional free spirit who escaped the pens could be easily, rounded up by a blue heeler. | + | floor. Our concept route used these benches to run round to the southern side gaining the range again at Caloola Pass. |
| - | The next day was long and hot. We now had to cross the valley of the Macquarie Rivulet to gain the southern section of the Illawarra..Range. | + | |
| - | This proved difficult as our ' | + | We descended Calderwood Pass and walked along the grassy bench contouring around the north rim and western wall of the valley to the Macquarie Rivulet. To reach public |
| - | floor. Our concept route used these benches to. run round to the southern side gaining the range again at Caloola Pass. | + | |
| - | We descended Calderwood Pass and walked along the grassy bench contouring around the north rim and western wall of the valley to the Macquarie Rivulet. To reach public | + | When we reached the Rivulet in Macquarie Pass NI) the ranger there said he thought there was a way up although he had not actually done it, himself (how well do rangers know their parks?). The dilemma was that if we attempted it and failed we would lose too much time and miss the only bus. (For one of our party the bus was the only connection to a plane to London the next morning!) The unpleasant but prudent option was taken of bashing on along the many kilometres of heavy traffic along the highway to the Robertson bus station. After hours of pavement pounding we arrived to find the timetable was wrong. But darkness turned to light when after a couple of beers the bus to Wollongong |
| - | transikefor | + | |
| - | was to leave the bench at Macquarie Rivulet and climb through a pass, (if one existed), near Macquarie Falls. | + | Summer came and went before we took up the cudgels again in more pleasant walking temperatures. We now moved along a discontinuous bench on the southern side of the valley past the disused Tongarra colliery and onto the abandoned but intact Caloola Hut once the HQ of the Caloola walking club (the club was absorbed into the NPA). It was set into a sandstone outcrop on a glorious site with the Caloola Pass above and a coastal panorama below. The actual Caloola Pass could not be found despite our best reconnaissance efforts. The score was now Passes 4, Walkers 0. We beat a retreat to Albion Park via the beginnings of the " |
| - | When we reached the Rivulet in Macquarie Pass NI). the ranger there said he thought there was a way up although he had not actually done it, himself (How well do rangers know 'their parks?). The dilemma was that if we attempted it and failed we would lose too much time and miss the only bus. (For one of our party the bus was the only connection to a plane to London the next morning!) The unpleasant but prudent option was taken of bashing on along the many kilometres of heavy traffic along the highway to the Robertson bus station. After hours of pavement pounding we arrived to find the timetable was wrong. But darkness turned to light when after a couple of beers the bus to Wollongong | + | |
| - | Summer came and went before we took up the cudgels again in more pleasant walking temperatures. We now moved along a discontinuous bench on the southern side of the valley past the disused Tongarra colliery and onto the abandoned but intact Caloola Hut once the HQ of the Caloola walking | + | We stuck to the lush basalt plateau from then on via Knights Hill heading back towards the coast via the Barren Grounds. Hoddles Pass provides the access off the Barren Ground |
| - | club (the club was absorbed into the NPA). It was set into a sandstone outcrop on a glorious site with the Caloola Pass above and a coastal panorama below. The actual Caloola Pass could not be found despite our | + | |
| - | best reconnaissance efforts. The score was now Passes 4, Walkers 0. We beat a retreat to Albion Park via the beginnings of the " | + | The penultimate stage of the Great Illawarra saw us based at Helen and George Gray's property near Woodhill Gap at the entrance to the Kangaroo Valley. Day I saw us back on the Barren Grounds, this time covering |
| - | We stuck to the lush basalt plateau from then on via Knights Hill heading back towards the | + | |
| - | The Sydney Bushwalker: First, | + | On day two we walked the ridges adjacent to Wedding Cake Mountain as far as Cambewarra Mountain. |
| - | Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. | + | This left a final stage to the Shoalhaven at Coolendel where, on the opposite bank, a link could, he made to the two rivers track running south to the Clyde. |
| - | The Sydney Bushwalker, August 1999 Page 15 | + | |
| - | coast via the Barren Grounds. Hoddles Pass | + | The route was from Cambewarra via Red Rocks NP and Bugong Gap with a camp at Coolana (this may have been the first time Coolana was used as a camp on a through walk - would this be right?) That final stage was like all the others, never straightforward. This time it was the rain, light on the Saturday but solid on the Sunday, damping our anticlimactic arrival on the banks of a swollen Shoalhaven where I believe several drowned rats were photographed to mark the occasion. |
| - | provides the access off the BarrenGrounds | + | |
| - | ,, | + | And so ended an 18 month long event. Many people took part for one or more stages over this period and I got to know some of the stayers well. It was rather like all being together on a ship which finally found port after a long time at sea. |
| - | to Saddleback Mountain and Kiarna. And once again no obvious way down could be located in the enveloping mists; at leaSt not until some substantial bush bashing brought us onto a veritable freeway of a track below the escarpment at 951587 on the Kiama sheet. | + | |
| - | The penultimate stage of the Great Illawarra saw us based at Helen and George Gray's property near Woki4i.11-Oap, | + | I thank Gretel Woodward, Ian Rannard, Brian Hart and Richard Dark for their enthusiasm and good humour in the face of adversity. Thanks also to George and Helen Gray who so generously provided shelter at |
| - | Day I saw us back on the .Barren Grounds, this time coyeritig.., | + | their property including a range of luxuries (how about hot home made soup for happy hour), and to Russ Evans for his 4 wheel drive backup plus an under cover afternoon tea on the wet final day of the walk. |
| + | |||
| + | Mention should be made of the efforts of City Rail in ensuring that track work was scheduled on many of the walk days. The vastly inferior replacement buses were a nightmare for Wilf's best laid plans. However, the public relations expertise award goes to the crowd that operate the Robertson bus. This is Countrylink who apparently never talk to the foreigners in City Rail about the novel idea of having their Wollongong to Robertson service connect with trains from Sydney. The Wollongong Station master scored several brownie points in getting things right for us on the day. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Finally I extend a special thanks to Wilf leader, creative navigator and chief entertainer who over 18 months never wavered as a constant source of ripping yarns. Wilf is the only person I know who can walk into the bush on any bearing and have a track materialise in front of him, a talent fully utilised on the Great Illawarra Walk. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ====== Vale Greg Bridge ====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Bushwalkers were saddened by news of the death of Greg Bridge, a leader with NPA and SBW, and a confederation delegate for NPA. He was 50 years old and died from a brain tumour. At the funeral on Monday August 2, the eulogies were given by his sister, also by Stephen Bennet of NPA, and by Rosemary MacDougal of SBW. Confederation was represented by president Jim Calloway, secretary Prudence Tucker and vice-president Alex Tucker. Alan Mewett represented the Bush Club. It is at times like this that we feel part of the great fraternity of Bushwalkers a bond that goes beyond the limits of club membership. | ||
| + | Alan Mewett | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ====== Budawangs, Pigeon House to Byangee Walls ====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | April 30 - May 2 | ||
| + | Wayne Steele (leader), Libby Hanington, Helen Jones (prospective), | ||
| + | ** | ||
| + | Libby' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The heavens opened with a vengeance as we left Sydney for the Budawangs with thoughts of a damp campsite. However after a few four wheel slides on the road to Pigeon House, we were greeted with a full moon, clear skies and the other half of our party who ushered us to our beds under the picnic shelter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | We woke to a beautiful crisp morning for the ascent to Pigeon House and breathtaking views of the Budawang area and our destination Byangee Walls. We had a full day ahead so onward down Landslide Creek where we scrambled over boulders, depositing bits of skin on dense vegetation and collecting the odd leech or two. However we were rewarded with many flowering orchids and beautiful watercourses. We gave up trying to keep boots dry as we negotiated several creeks and the Clyde River, and eventually reached Castle Gap at nightfall. Navigating a vertical cliff by moonlight! Not a problem for Wayne, so we pushed and shoved bodies and packs through slots onto the plateau and our very welcome campsite where we enjoyed a perfect calm night. Clear skies, full moon, good tucker and great company. | ||
| - | On day two we walked the ridges adjacent to Wedding Cake Mountain as far as Carnbewarra Mountain. | + | Sunday dawned another perfect day for our descent off the Walls at Pickering Point. A new experience for some as we made our way down 300 metres of vertical cliff face With the aid of rope, surges of adrenalin, and much swearing, reaching the Clyde River for lunch and a very brisk swim. Our final challenge |
| - | This left a final :stage to the Shoalhaven at Cdolendel where, on the opposite bank, a link could, he made to the two rivers track running south to the Clyde. | + | |
| - | The route was from Cambewarra via Red Rocks NP and Bugong Gap with a camp at Coolana: (This may have been the first time Coolana was used as a camp on a through walk - would this be right?) That final stage was like all the others, never straightforward. This time it was the rain, light on the Saturday but solid on the Sunday, darriping our anticlimactic arrival on the banks of a swollen Shoalhaven where I believe several drowned rats were photographed to mark the occasion. | + | |
| - | And so ended an 18 month long event. Many people took part for one or more stages over this period and I got to know some of-the stayers well. It was rather like all being together on a shipwhich finally found port after a long time at sea | + | |
| - | I thank Gretel. Woodward, Ian Rannard, Brian Hart and Richard bark for their enthusiasm and good humour in the face of adversity. Thanks also to George and Helen Gray who so generously provided shelterS at, | + | |
| - | their property including a range of luxuries (how about hot home made soup for happy hour), andto Russ Evans for his 4 wheel drive backup plus an under cover afternoon tea on the wet final day of the walk. | + | |
| - | Mention should be made of the efforts of City Rail in ensuring that trackwork was scheduled on many of the walk days. The vastly inferior replacement buses were a nightmare for Will's best laid plans. However, the public relations expertise award goes to the crowd that operate the | + | |
| - | Robertson bus. This is Countrylink who apparently never talk to the foreigners in City Rail about the novel idea of having their Wollongong to Robertson service connect with trains from Sydney. The Wollongong Station master scored several brownie points in getting things right for us on the day. | + | |
| - | Finally I extend a special thanks to WK leader, creative navigator and chief entertainer who over 18 months never wavered as a constant source of ripping yarns. Wilf is the only person I know who can walk into the bush on any bearing and have a track materialise in front of him, a talent fully utilised on the Great Illawarra Walk. | + | |
| - | 0000000 | + | |
| - | Vale Greg Bridge | + | |
| - | Bushwalkers were saddened by news of the death of Greg Bridge, a leader with NPA and SBW, and a confederation delegate/ for NPA. He was 50 years old and died from a brain tumour. At the funeral on Monday August 2, the eulogies were given by his sister, also by Stephen Bennet of NP A, and by Rosemary MacDougal of SBW. Confederation was represented by president Jim Calloway, secretary Prudence Tucker and vice-president Alex Tucker. Alan Mewett represented the Bush Club. It is at times like this that we feel part 'of the great fraternity of Bushwalkers a bond that goes beyond the limits of club membership. | + | |
| - | Alan Mewed_ | + | |
| - | Page 16 The Sydney Bushwalker, August 1999 | + | |
| - | Budawangs | + | |
| - | Pigeon House to Byangee Walls | + | |
| - | AOril 30 May 2 | + | |
| - | Wayne Steele (leader), Libby Hanington, Helen Jones (prospective), | + | |
| - | Libby' | + | |
| - | The heavens opened with a vengeance as lift Sydney for the Budawangs With thoughts of a damp campsite. However after a few four wheel slides on the road to Pigeon HOuse, we Were greeted with a full moon, clear skies and the other half of our party who ushered us to our beds under the picnic shelter: | + | |
| - | We woke to a beautiful crisp morning for the ascent to Pigeon House and breathtaking views of the Budawang area 'and our destination... Byangee Walls. We had a full day ahead so onward down Landslide Creek where we scrambled Over boulders, depositing bits of skin on dense vegetation and collecting the odd leech or two. However we were rewarded with many flowering orchids and beautiful watercourses. | + | |
| - | We gave up trying to keep boots dry as we negotiated several creeks and the Clyde River, and eventually reached Castle Gap at nightfall. Navigating a vertical cliff by moonlight! Not a problem for Wayne, so we pushed and shoved bodies and packs through slots onto the plateau and our very welcome campsite where we enjoyed a perfect calm night. Clear skies, full moon, good tucker and great company. | + | |
| - | Sunday dawned another perfect day for our descent off the Walls at Pickering Point. A new ,experience for some as we made our way down 300 metres of vertical cliff face With the aid of rope, surges of adrenalin, and much swearing, reaching the Clyde River for lunch and a Very brisk Swim. | + | |
| - | Our final challenge | + | |
| sighting of a large cave filled with Aboriginal rock art in pristine condition. There is apparently a community of Aboriginals who regularly visit the Budawang area to keep the tradition of rock art, bush craft etc. alive. What a treat! | sighting of a large cave filled with Aboriginal rock art in pristine condition. There is apparently a community of Aboriginals who regularly visit the Budawang area to keep the tradition of rock art, bush craft etc. alive. What a treat! | ||
| - | We arrived back at the cars in moonlight with a wealth of memories and well exercised bodies. | + | |
| - | Thanks Wayne for another exhilarating weekend and Wendy, Bob, John, Helen and Greg for great companionship. | + | We arrived back at the cars in moonlight with a wealth of memories and well exercised bodies. Thanks Wayne for another exhilarating weekend and Wendy, Bob, John, Helen and Greg for great companionship. |
| - | 0900 OD 0 | + | |
| - | Vale Bill Hall | + | |
| + | ====== | ||
| + | |||
| As reported in the July Bushwalker, long time early club member Bill Hall died in Wollongong on July 21 aged 87. | As reported in the July Bushwalker, long time early club member Bill Hall died in Wollongong on July 21 aged 87. | ||
| + | |||
| At his funeral service on July 24th Bob Younger read the following eulogy. | At his funeral service on July 24th Bob Younger read the following eulogy. | ||
| - | 'A long time member of the SBW and the Bush club died on July 21 at Figtree near Wollongong. Bill was born in Inverell in 191! and was the youngest member of a family of several brothers and sisters. Bill is survived by his son Peter and daughter Fiona. | + | 'A long time member of the SBW and the Bush club died on July 21 at Figtree near Wollongong. Bill was born in Inverell in 1911 and was the youngest member of a family of several brothers and sisters. Bill is survived by his son Peter and daughter Fiona. |
| Bill became a member of the SBW in the pre-war years and was member of a group of very strong walkers known as The Tigers. | Bill became a member of the SBW in the pre-war years and was member of a group of very strong walkers known as The Tigers. | ||
| + | |||
| Bill always took an interest in the lives of fellow members and it was a delight to see his face light up when talking to their children. He also went out of his way to help new members and kept an eye out for any stragglers who were having difficulty. At river crossings being tall and strong he would carry the more fragile members of the opposite persuasion to the opposite bank. He was a reliable leader and members of his party could trust him to get them home safely and on time. | Bill always took an interest in the lives of fellow members and it was a delight to see his face light up when talking to their children. He also went out of his way to help new members and kept an eye out for any stragglers who were having difficulty. At river crossings being tall and strong he would carry the more fragile members of the opposite persuasion to the opposite bank. He was a reliable leader and members of his party could trust him to get them home safely and on time. | ||
| + | |||
| Bill would not sleep in stockmen' | Bill would not sleep in stockmen' | ||
| + | |||
| On Sunday walks at lunchtime Bill liked to collect water and firewood to boil his billy for the midday cup of tea. On these walks he would collect any litter left behind by others and carry it out for proper disposal. | On Sunday walks at lunchtime Bill liked to collect water and firewood to boil his billy for the midday cup of tea. On these walks he would collect any litter left behind by others and carry it out for proper disposal. | ||
| - | Bill will be missed by his many friends and our sincere sympathy is extended to his family.' | + | |
| - | The Sydney Bushwalker. First Edition July 1931 | + | Bill will be missed by his many friends and our sincere sympathy is extended to his family. |
| - | Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. | + | |
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