Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- 200002 [2023/08/16 14:03] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ 200002 [2023/11/09 07:49] (current) – kennettj
@@ Line 462: / Line 462: @@
 Web. hitp://outdoortravel.netc.net.au
-SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS THEY SUPPORT OUR CLUB
-| The Sydney Bushwalker, February 2000 Page 5
-MT TOWNSEND - BOB
+**MT TOWNSEND - BOB TURNERS TRACK**
-TURNERS TRACK
 by Craig Austin
-After 16 years this story can now be related
+After 16 years this story can now be related to show how a few complications can turn an otherwise uneventful walk into an epic.
-to.show how a few complications can tum
-an otherwise uneventful walk into an epic.
-The party assembled about 6:30 am ona |
+The party assembled about 6:30 am on a cold June dawn for a pleasant stroll along the ridge to Mt Townsend and the Colo, up the river and return via Bob Turners track. I reassured my wife, who can be a bit
-cold June dawn for a pleasant siroll along
+negative about these things, that the last weeks rain would not have had much effect on the river. We followed a narrow sandstone ridge with glimpses into the gorge from rock slabs and enough fallen timber
-the ridge to-Mt Townsend and the Colo, up
+and ground cover to slow progress a little without being too difficult. The last drop to the river was a typical Colo access route  descend a steep loose spur, scramble down a small cliff and leap into a tangle of lawyer vine and brambles at the base. The river was rolling along impressively, broad and brown. Some time was spent finding a crossing that was only thigh deep and did not require swimming.
-, the river and retum via Bob Tumers track. I
-| Feassured amy wife, who can be a bit
-negative about these things, that the last
-weeks rain would not have had much effect
-on the river. We followed a narrow
-sandstone ridge with glimpses into the gorge
-from rock slabs and enough fallen timber
-and ground cover to slow progress a little
-without being too difficult. The last drop to
-the river was a typical Colo access route
-descend a steep loose spur, scramble down a
-small cliff and leap into a tangle of lawyer
-vine and brambles at the base.
-The river was rolling along impressively,
-broad and brown. Some time was spent
-finding a crossing that was only thigh deep
-and did not require swimming.
-A warming fire and lunch was needed
+A warming fire and lunch was needed before proceeding. We later learnt that Katoomba registered a maximum
-before proceeding. We later learnt that
-Katoomba registered a maximum
 temperature of 4 on that day.
-Reasonable progress can normally be made
+Reasonable progress can normally be made along this section of the Colo by wading up the sandbars and crossing from side to side to avoid the steepest banks. Sadly neither crossing nor wading was an option so we struggled slowly through the River Gums and around the cliffs on the Western bank until reaching Tootie Creek, noting with interest that no easy river crossings had been seen since our moring wade.
-along this section of the Colo by wading up
-the sandbars and crossing from side to side
-to avoid the steepest banks. Sadly neither
-crossing nor wading was an option so we
-struggled slowly through the River Gums
-and around the cliffs on the Western bank
-until reaching Tootie Creek, noting with
-interest that no easy river crossings had been
-seen since our moming wade.
-We arrived opposite Hungryway Creek
+We arrived opposite Hungryway Creek about 3:45. There was a brisk breeze blowing, the sun had long since departed from the depths of the Colo gorge and the river was swirling dangerously over the
-about 3:45. There was a brisk breeze
-blowing, the sun had long since departed
-from the depths of the Colo gorge and the
-river was swirling dangerously over the
 rapids.
-Our only choice was to swim the relatively
+Our only choice was to swim the relatively still, but very wide, pool above the rapids. This long, cold swim was viewed with some trepidation by the less confident swimmers but quick action was needed as, once
-still, but very wide, pool above the rapids.
-This long, cold swim was viewed with some
-trepidation by the less confident swimmers
-but quick action was needed as, once
 stopped, we were cooling down rapidly.
-lar!
+There were two cameras in the party but only John had a waterproof garbage bag. This was promptly commandeered for the cameras and also, of course, for Johns clothes. I swam across with the bag,
+holding one end of a 35metre rope to provide support for the less confident swimmers. Unfortunately the pool was about 50 metres wide so both Richard & I had to stand in waist deep water holding
+each end of the line. Even more, unfortunately those people who had not been sure that they wanted to swim became quite certain once they entered the water, starting a protracted debate on alternatives. A calm and thoughtful discussion was not easy when waist deep in fngid water.
-A dozen operators can give you a 4WD tour along the
+Finally John, Alan, Dorothy and Spiro elected not to cross and remained on the west bank, as did Christine's sandshoes and Alans car keys. John, whose clothes had already crossed in the bag, exchanged gear with Malcolm who was swimming. After shouted directions (the only map being on the other bank) the non swimmers hurried back downstream, attempting to reach Tootie Creek before dark.
-Kimberleys Gibb River Road. Only one, Williss Walkabouts will
-take you away from the roads and show you the wonderful gorges
-which will remain forever unknown to non-walkers. Highlights
-include the most spectacular part Lennard Gorge (missed by the
-AWD tours}, Diamond Gorge, Sir John Gorge, the upper Isdell
-Gorge and more.
+Group one hastily lit a fire to thaw frozen limbs and waited while Richard heroically swam twice more across the river and retrieved car keys and sandshoes. A quick walk up Bob Turners track in the dusk
+completed their trip. Group two did locate the route up the ridge from the Tootie Creek junction just before dark but reported that a torch would have been helpful on the stumble back to Mountain Lagoon where
-Want an easy trip? We offer lightpack trips where you need carry
-no more than 8 kg. Want a challenging one? We offer wo and
-three week expeditions exploring further afield.
-Ask for our brochure and pick the trip which suits you:
-of the
-River Road
-Williss Walkabeouts
-Carrington St Millner NT 0810
-Email: walkabout@ais.net.au
-i ; The Sydney Bushwalker, February 2000
-Pages |
-There were two cameras in the party but
-only John had a waterproof garbage bag. -
-This was prompily commandeered for the
-cameras and also, of course, for Johns
-clothes. I swam across with the bag,
-holding one end of a 35metre rope to
-provide support for the less confident
-swimmers. Unfortunately the pooi was
-about 50 metres wide so both Richard & I
-had to stand in waist deep water holding
-each end of the line. Even more,
-unfortunately those people who had,not
-been sure that they wanted to swim became
-quite certain once they entered the water,
-starting a protracted debate on alternatives.
-A calm and thoughtful discussion was not
-easy when waist deep in fngid water.
-Finally John, Alan, Dorothy and Spiro
-elected not to cross and remained on the
-west bank, as did Christines sandshoes and
-Alans car keys. John, whose clothes had
-. already crossed in the bag, exchanged gear
-with Malcolm who was swimming. After
-shouted directions (the only map being on
-the other bank) the non swimmers hurried
-back downstream, attempting to reach
-Tootie Creek before dark.
-Group one hastily lit a fire to thaw frozen
-limbs and waited while Richard heroically
-swam twice more across the river and
-.Tetrieved car keys and sandshoes. A quick
-walk up Bob Tumers track in the dusk
-completed their trip. Group two did locate
-the route up the ndge from the Tootie Creek
-junction just before dark but reported that a
-torch would have been helpful on the
-stumble back to Mountain Lagoon where
 they were picked up about 9 pm.
-We have since avoided the Colo after heavy
+We have since avoided the Colo after heavy rain in winter and now ask all potential
-rain in winter and now ask all potential
 companions Do-you like swimming?
 Participants
-Spiro, Christine, Craig, Bronwyn, Malcolm
+Spiro, Christine, Craig, Bronwyn, Malcolm Noble, Richard Winthorpe, Dot Pike, Alan
-Noble, Richard Winthorpe, Dot Pike, Alan
 Pike, John Redfem.
-o0000
-Bde oye >
 & CLUB CLIQUES
 jrom Morag Ryder
-With reference to the letters from Brian
+With reference to the letters from Brian Holden and Rob Millans. One should be aware that the problem of clique-ness is not confined to the SBW.
-Holden and Rob Millans. One should
-be aware that the problem of clique-ness is
+I have walked with another well-known club and with a conservation group that had a large bushwalking contingent; and found the same attitude in both groups.
-not confined to the SBW.
-I have walked with another well-known club
+Perhaps the tendency to keep to ones own little group and not socialize much is an attribute that goes with the bushwalking mentality, because it took me a good many OVERNIGHT walks before I felt that I
-and with a conservation group that had a
-large bushwalking contingent; and found the
-same attitude in both groups.
-Perhaps the tendency to keep to ones own
-little group and not socialize much is an
-attribute that goes with the bushwalking
-mentality, because it took me a good many
-OVERNIGHT walks before I felt that I
 belonged in SBW.
-This attitude has never concerned me, I go
+This attitude has never concerned me, I go bushwalking because I love THE BUSH. All I need is reliable transport and a reliable leader ie. A good navigator with good bush sense. If my fellow walkers are friendly and communicative thats a bonus.
-bushwalking because I love THE BUSH.
-All I need is reliable transport and a reliable
-leader ie. A good navigator with good bush
-sense,
-If my fellow walkers are friendly and
-communicative  thats a bonus.
 pono