JUNE 2002 Amongst the vast array of day packs that decorate the shelves of outdoor shops, it's difficult to pick something with the right features, what with 101 different types of nylon, all sorts
of different canvases, airflow systems, expanding pockets and neon colours.
[Se it's nice to know that if your the type of
that teflects years of local bushwalking
experience with solid locally made material
be your best companion for many years to come.
_ Pack Review by David Noble Its good to see a pack made in the Blue Mountains for use in the Biue Mountains. The Triassic features two houlder strap sizes so that the pack can be properly hip loaded, sitting down comfortably in the lumbar region of ithe back. This is sometimes difficult especially if you are a italler person. The harness system also includes a thick waist belt and chest strap enabling a tight fit which is great when climbing over rocks. (The volume is large enough to allow a 50m rope and wetsuit to easily fit in and the top is made larger so that your stuff slides in and out with ease. The pack has a jarge front pocket for those essential items such as a torch, and a top pocket for the map and camera. The pack is large enough to be used as a weekend pack when no ropes etc. are needed. This can keep the bulk down and stop you frorn packing too much on those weekend bushwalks. Theo Triassic is made from durable 120z canvas which can withstand the abuse given to it in canyons and when walking through scrub. Ali the seams are double stitched land sealed to prevent failure. ft is also very water proof, on a recent trip down Hole In The Wail canyon, no water entered the main compartment despite a number of lengthy swims. [The pack js bush green in colour making the walker almost invisible in the bush. This is handy for sneaking up on wildlife with a camera or just blending in to the wilderness as you walk along. Good for those who like to keep the visual impact minimal too. A quality Blue Mountains pack for our tough conditions, Ithe Triassic carries a lifetime guarantee on workmanship and materials. [Overaf! an excellent pack for either short or tall with the 2 shoulder strap options. And great for canyons or short
INB: David Noble Is a keen canyoner and bushwalker, He is also the discoverer of the rare Wollem! Pine (WOLLEMIA NOBILIS) found in 1994.
#& Australian 120z canvas
Made in Katoomba the old traditional way
40 litre capacity
Proper hip loading with 2 shoulder strap sizes for walking comfort
Wide throat for easy loading and unloading Buckle up front pocket with interna! divider Top lid pocket
Extendable lid for overloading
Padded hip belt with 38mm buckle
Hip belt retainer for city use (conveniently holds the hip belt back and out of the way
Padded back (removable)
Thumb loops on shoulder straps for more comfortable walking
Internal compression strap for holding down your canyon rope
Side compression straps for minimising volume Storm throat to keep out the rain
Hard wearing Cordura base
Price $159.00
ONLY AVAILABLE AT
A4lpsport
PPePrP rh PP PD
> b
1045 VICTORIA RD, WEST RYDE Ph 9858 5844 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER is _ the monthly bulletin of matters of interest to members of
The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc
PO Box 431 Milsons Point 1565.
Editor: Bill Holland Production Manager: Frances Holland Printers: Kenn Clacher, Barrie Murdoch,
Tom Wenman Don Brooks Margaret Niven
Highlights from the Social Programme June: |
Wed 26“ Leadership and Walks Planing: July:
Wed 12” General Meeting
Wed 19“ Winter Solstice Feast
Wed 24 Peru Part 2 of Oliver's Video Wed 31” Indoor Rock Climbing -
Edna Gentle (Stratton) Edna Gentle, an honorary Club member for many years passed away peacefully on 24“ April 2002 . She is survived by her husband and Past President, Jack Gentle. Our sincere sympathy goes out to Jack, from all her many friends in SBW
Have you changed -your Address? If you have changed your address or phone, number recently, please advise:
Members: . Pani Morrison
Prospectives. Heike Kravsse
The advice should be in writing directed to the | Clubs postal address. This will ensure that our records show your current, address and prvent
delay in receiving the magazine each month.
Fergotten Something?
\. Turn to Page 8 for a reminder
JUNE 2002
Issue No. 811
INDEX:
Index and Notices Editor's Note
Message From Our President Rosemary MacDougal
SBW And the Privacy Act 1988
3. Treasurers Report Maurice Smith 4-5 Letters to The Editor Coolana Report Don Finch The May General Meeting Barry Wallace 7. Conservation Report David Trinder 8. The Oxfam/CAA Trailwalker Maureen Carter 10. What is Geocaching? 11. Out of the Past 12-15. The Walks Pages 16-17. Of Interest To New Members 18. Social Notes ADVERTISERS: Alpsport Front cover Eastwood Camping 9 Paddy Pallin Back cover Wildemess Transit 7 Willis's Walkabouts 5
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 2 |
The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
This year we celebrate our 75” anniversary.
The Club's main activity is bushwalking, but it has grown to include other activities such as ski touring, canyoning, abseiling, li-loing, cycling and social events- .
Our Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirnbilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station).
Visitors and prospective members are welcome. General Enquiries: Phone 0500 500 729 SBW Website www.sbw.org.au
Office Bearers
President: Rosemary MacDougal Vice-President: Wilf Hilder Public Officer: Maurice Smith Treasurer: Maurice Smith Secretary: – vacant – Walks Secretary: _ Carol Lubbers Social Secretary Vicki Garamy Membership Secretary - Pam'Morrison
New Members Secretary: Heike Krausse
Conservation Secretary: David Trinder
Magazine Editor: Bill Holland
Committee Member: Eddy Giacomel
Barry Wallace
Delegates to Confederation:
Jim Callaway – vacant –
Editors Note:
Its very pleasing to see that our old
res @ frend Alex Colley is now back to # active letter writing see Letters to
the Editor on Page 4..
Alex raises valid points in his letter when he talks about the level of social activity in the Club and laments the poor attendances at general meetings. Both of these matters are currently receiving attention from the Clubs Management Review Sub-committee with suggestions that the number of meetings per month be cut to two and doing away with general meetings altogether, or making them less frequent, perhaps every three or six months.
We should ask ourselves whether reducing the level of social activities will make the remaining meetings better attended. It is worth noting that some social nights are well attended those nights when we have slides about interesting overseas walking trips or interesting guest speakers. Perhaps the answer may be to pay more attention to the quality of the social nights and widen the appeal.
The club has a Jong history of fluctuating
Fax. 9980 5476
attendances at general meetings. In recent years these meetings have been predictably repetitious with very little participation from the floor.
With recent publicity given to reducing the size of the committee to 5 -8 members it becomes even more important that general meetings continue in some form and are fostered as a means of member participation and to provide a watching brief on the Committee.
Consideration could be given to incorporating elements of the general meeting into one of the social nights with only essential items being reported. in a limited time frame but still giving members the option of questioning the Committee and proposing resolutions.
Another suggestion is that the monthly magazine could substitute for the general meetings by including more walks reports, proceedings of the Committee, notes from Confederation etc.
This has severe limitations. Not only is there insufficient space available but the Editors duty is to encourage a diversity of relevant and interesting subject matter contributed by members, not simply act as a voice for the Committee.
And, the magazine is a one-way process, giving out information with little opportunity for member feedback and a considerable time lag.
Moving on to this months issue, there your are some reports of significant matters. Changes to the Clubs public risk insurance may unpact on our activities - see Presidents report, Maurice Smith raises the question of privacy Page 3. David Trinder reports on conservation matters and Eddy Giacomel has some concems about the club website Page 4.
There are some interesting walks reports, including Maureen and David Carters 100km effort in 30 hours. Please keep these reports coming in as many members, who are no longer active, enjoy reading about others finding the rewards of bush walking.
Unfortunately, no one has offered a recipe of the month
Bill Holland
Contact The Editor:
Copy for publishing in the SBW magazine should
be received by the editor by the end of the first
week of each month. Letters stating your
viewpoint on matters of interest are most welcome. Please send your submission in by mail
(preferably typed), on floppy disc, by fax or by
email addressed to The Editor
Telephone: 9484 6636
Email: bilfholl@hotkey.net.au
(phone 9484 6636 first The Sydney Bushwalker
June 2002 Page 3 |
Presidents Report:
A sub committee has been formed (led by Maurice Smith) to2umdertake a complete review of our Constitution, which governs our activities. It is thought. that a number of improvements can be made to increase efficiency and bring it up to date. In due course any changes recommended will be notified to the membership for consideration at a general meeting.
Regrettably, Confederation, who organises our, insurance, has been forced to accept the one and only offer for public liability insurance for the year commencing July 2002. This policy excludes cover for canyoning, caving, rock climbing, mountaineering, abseiling, rafting, skiing, and any other activities above the snow line.* We have no choice but to exclude these activities from our walks programme for the time being. However, we will continue to monitor the position and obtain clarification of the precise meaning of these exclusions.
Wilf Hilder has been appointed by Confederation to represent it as one of four representatives of recreational interests for the Kosciuszko NP Plan of Management Review Reference Group. Wilfs tactics will be to maximise co-operation between recreational users in opposition to commercial interests.
The new training officer at Confederation is organising a two day Leadership Training
weekend at the end of August and September. I
am proposing to book in for the September weekend but would be pleased to hear from anyone else who may be interested. We are encouraged to book early.
. See you on the track
Rosemary MacDougal
*
applies only where the walk is deliberately or intentionally attempted in the snow.
SBW And the Private Sector provisions of
the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988
A few members have asked about whether SBW
is subject to the above-named Act. In brief, the
answer is no, it isnt. For your information SBW maintains records in relation to its members, including:
the club membership database used for mailing and membership maintenance purposes will-contain your name, nominated mailing address and telephone numbers
the Walks Recorders database will record your name when you attend a club walk/activity.
a SBW does not provide, sell or otherwise make available its membership list to any other organisation.
The referral to activities above the snowline
An extract of the clubs membership list (excluding prospective members) containing members names, mailing addresses and telephone number(s) is printed annually and provided to all club members, excluding prospective members.
Names of walks participants will often appear in walks reports in the club magazine.
If you have any concerns about your privacy take the time to discuss your concerns with the management committee.
Maurice Smith
Treasurers Report
Bank Balance 1 May $24,243 Income received
Subscription 5,196
Other 405 Total Income 5,601 Cash Management Account 22,000 Expenses paid
Rental 575 Magazine 347 Coolana rates 274
75“ anniversary dinner deposit 610
Brochure printing 845 Other _25
Total payments 24,676
Bank Balance 31 May $5,515
The annual subscriptions are still dribbling into the post office box. Remember, if you havent paid your subscription it is now due.
Overdue Subs
Does the label on your magazine have the message SUBS OVERDUE printed on it? If it does, then it means that your current year subscription has not been received by the Treasurer.
If you are certain that you have paid in the last two weeks or so then it is likely that the Treasurer has in fact received your cheque since the label was printed. However, if you have locked up your cheque book inside the Dobermans kennel then distract it (a nice ham bone might do the trick) while you wmite a cheque to ensure that your membership ts renewed.
If you dont renew then the consequences are dire! It will mean no magazine and no Spring Walks Program. So get to and write a cheque or buy. a money order from the post office for the relevant amount. Oh so youve lost youre original subscription notice, well there is another one included in this magazine so you know the correct amount to pay.
Send your payment addressed to The Treasurer to the Clubs postal address. Maurice Smith The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 4 |
MX Letters To The Editor
MX A Thank You Note
If there is room in your pages I would like to express my thanks to the 30 or more SBW members who came to see me during my three and a half months in hospital. Many of them came several times, two over 20 tumes, and they cheered me up a lot. In addition I had many visits from members of the Colong Foundation and the Total Environment Centre. Jim Somerville, an accountant, who came nineteen times, counted the number of visits - 288 in all. Although an object of our constitution is To promote social activity amongst members Nancy Alderson wrote in the February magazine, that we are a walking club, not a social club. I thought so too when I joined, but I soon changed my mind, and I think my experience in hospital proves that we are a very social club.
In May last year I wrote an article on Social Capital, defined in Professor Putnams book Bowling Alone as those tangible substances that count for most in the daily lives of people, namely goodwill, fellowship and social intercourse The main way to accumulate social capitai is to take part in group activities. Groups may be formed at schoo! or university, at work, in sporting clubs and many other ways, but there is no better way of gaining and retaining social capital than joining a walking club and spending days or weeks together in the bush One of the benefits of acquiring social capital is, in Professor Putnams words, that people who are socially disconnected are between two and five times more likely to die from all causes, compared with matched individuals who have close ties with family friends' and community. This was particularly relevant in my case.
I am saddened by the fact that members and officers of the Club dont come to Club meetings. | regret the passing of the days when meetings were well attended and there was wide and lively participation in Club debates, but that is because I have failed to move with the times. There are however some Club social activities in which those who cant be bothered debating the Clubs affairs can participate, such as collating the magazine and looking after Coolana.
Alex Colley
The latest AUSLIG newsletter. advises that all paper maps will rise in price from A$7, 70 to A$9.25 as of July 1. - :
MX Wondabyne Station Track Closed Club members, especially leaders of day walks, should be aware that the waterside section of track from Wondabyne station to the northem end of Mullet Creek has been closed by the NPWS. Indeed, so effectively has it been closed that dense bracken and lantana have quickly grown over it in parts, with the result that the old track in those sections cannot even be seen, let alone be negotiated. Nor can you even get around the shoreline at low tide at the critical points, because the water laps up against near- vertical rocks.
The situation is most disappointing as it means that walkers can no longer do the very pleasant circular walk to and from Wondabyne Station via Kariong Brook and Mt Wondabyne. Nor can walkers now do the walk from the station to Little Wobby, with those spectacular cliff top views in the final section. Of course, fast and keen walkers can do this walk if they are prepared to loop around the Kariong Brook section first, before heading to Mt Wondabyne and on to Little Wobby, making it a pretty long walk in all.
Perhaps one day the NPWS will re-open the track alongside Mullet Creek from Wondabyne station. But don't hold your breath, as there are no votes to be gained by the NSW government from allocating money for it. Meantime, Brisbane Water National Park still offers some excellent day walks, and we will have to make do with them from now on. As well as the magnificent views, the abundant spring wildflowers make this park a great place for waiking.
Nigel Weaver .
MX Website www.sbw.org.au
There have been some recent changes to the website. A members section has been added with a summary of the social program and the 75” anniversary celebrations. The website hopefully will become more useful as more material is added. Im working on a few items as time permits me and these will be added if/when approved by the committee. If you have any suggestions please forward them to me at giacomel@tpgi.com.au.
The committee has recently decided to add a summary of the walks program to the website within the next few months. In particular, it is intended not to include names and phone numbers of leaders. However, it is a decision
The Sydney Bushwalker
June 2002 Page 5
that causes me some concern. Putting material on the website doesnt just make it convenient for our club members, it also enables virtually anyone to use (or abuse) the information. Areas that members may wish to keep to the club could be advertised to 4 wheel drivers, commercial operators and even the arsonists that were active during last summers bushfires. There is also the question of security. Could someone deduce where our cars will be parked for some time? Or worse, where we will be? I was on a SBW walk 18 months ago. Upon retuming to the two parked cars we found that someone had slashed two tyres. A broken knife blade found in one tyre led to speculation that all tyrs on both cars would have been slashed if the blade hadnt broken.- Wed be naive if we thought that everyone out there had good intentions.
' The use of the Internet is growing rapidly and its use in a few years from now is expected to be much greater than it is today. This is an issuc that sooner or later will need to be debated within the club. The debate should however be more than just a few minutes in the committee. Eddy Giacomel
Coolana Report
Don Finch The Landcare registration process is now complete. The Department of Land and Water Conservation Landcare officer Eric:Zarrella has agreed to a meeting at Coolana on Saturday 6“ July at 11:00am. You are all invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting will be to plan the first steps in the Landcare project for Coolana. Work on the access road to the car park is progressing. A plan to repair the road from the car park te the hut for use by four-wheel drive vehicles is in the initial stages. Expect an invitation to the road gang on the spring program as this will be a major undertaking a lot of muscle will be required. On recent weekends various people have continued with the weeding program and several local trees were planted on the flat. White top stakes were used to mark small trees and shrubs in an effort to protect the new growth from accidental damage, please feel free to use the marking stakes that are near the shed for this purpose.
For Sale “One Planet” Strezlecki model 65 litre backpack with 2 compartments and gel shoulder pads. Two years old and used for only about six trips. $320.60 or nearest offer. Contact Kay Chan or Tony Manes 02 95200266
The Kimberley
has it all! |
=. Rugged mountains, spectacular waterfalls, deep gorges, mighty rivers, cliff-lined coasts, a wealth of Aboriginal rock-art sites
and more.
Remote Kimberley Bushwalking Holidays
Trips range from major expeditions to trips where you carry no more than a day pack.
The Mitchell Plateau
Drysdale River National Park
King Leopold Ranges and Gorges
The Charniey and Isdell Rivers
The Kimberley Coast
<6 WAL Ask for our trip notes. Sn Y
The Sydney Bushwaiker
June 2002 Page 6
The May 2002 General Meeting.
After some rounding up of the noises-off fraternity the meeting began at around 2011 with 15 members present and Rosemary in the chair. There were apologies from Pam Morrison, David Trinder, Fran Holland and Gretel Woodward.
Minutes of the April General Meeting were read and received, with no matters arising.
The first item in correspondence was a letter from Confederation. This diverted the meeting into a Confederation report that went something like this: The plan to introduce a requirement that where a member clubs name does not anclude the word bushwaiking they must affirm at each annual renewal that at least 50% of the organisations activities include . bushwalking has been shelved. Confederation will oppose the proposed charcoal plant at Mogo on the NSW south coast. Mention was made of a Game Bill being moved in the NSW parliament, but no one had any useful information on the matter. The budget prepared for production by Confederation of a film on bushwalking has rendered the enterprise doubtful. The new State Rail timetable (deferred indefinitely) would have eliminated stops by southbound services at Wondabyne. Affiliation fees remain unchanged for the coming year. The Catchment Management Authority has begun to step up enforcement activities in the restricted areas of the catchment in an effort to improve security. Review workshops are to be held to obtain public input on the plan of management for Kosciuszko National Park. The meeting passed a motion supporting a fundraising raffle at the Confederation bush dance in response to a request from the floor.
Meanwhile, back at the correspondence, we received a. letter from Oxfam/Community Aid Abroad seeking starters for a fundraising Trailwalk event.. A letter from Jack Gentle brought the sad news that his wife Edna had passed away on 24” April.
The walks secretary then regaled us with tales of walks past and to come, though this report only covers those passed since the last general meeting. We begin with Wilf Hilders midweek walk scheduled for Thursday the 18“ April. Alas the walk was cancelled due to a lack of starters. The following weekend, 12, 13, 14 April, saw Steve Adams cancel his birthday walk to Pantoneys Crown for a similar reason. It may also have had something to do with the hard;sell Jine on the program about starting early Sunday with a sore head. I wonder what that meant. The day walks fared somewhat better
with Chris Dowling leading 12 walkers on his Saturday car shuffle from Govetts Leap to Victoria Falls. Conditions were somewhat warm and some of the prospective members found the going tougher than anticipated. Tony Marshall diverted his Sunday walk planned for the Glenbrook area to the Megalong Valley, out from Carlons Farm, over Knights Deck to the Cox River and back.
Bill Holland cancelled his scheduled mid week walk along the North Arm track.
Anzac weekend saw Rosemary leading the party of 5 who tured out for Kenn Clachers walk in Duea National Park. It was a memorable walk in many ways, not the least of which being the pinched nerve that kept Rosemary company for most of the way. Bill Capon re-routed his walk in Wollemi National Park somewhat, but the weather was good and the party of 8 returned with a remarkable diversity of memories. Maurice added a walk out from Yalwal to the program as the weekend approached. This attracted a party of 4 and was described to the meeting as excellent by the author. Carol Lubbers had a walk out from Newnes into the Red Rocks scheduled over the more conventional weekend that weekend. There was a party of 10, a cold breeze, goats along the track, they downgraded the walk for some reason, and we are promised a detailed report for the magazine. Three day walks were also scheduled for that weekend. Nigel Weaver led 13 walkers on his Anzac Day tmp off the Megalong side of Narrow Neck. They relapsed to Plan B for the trip, whatever that, was, and had a great day we were told. Eddy Giacomel cancelled his Saturday walk in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase when his son Ethan, recovering from a broken foot, had a doctors appointment to change plaster. Sunday saw Eddie Collins leading a party of 16 on his trip to Grand Canyon from Neates Glen.
The following weekend Wilf encountered a shortage of starters for his Stages Q and R of the Great River Walk and so cancelled the event. Seventeen starters turned out for Rosemarys walk in Wattagan State Forest on the Sunday. Another 16 walkers were out that day on Arthur Andersons tour of the heads out from Victona
Falls. This brought the walks reports for the
month to a close.
The walks secretary also advised us that there has been a good response to completing and submitting walks attendance forms.
The Treasurers report indicated that we began the month with a balance of $10,081, a The Sydney Bushwalker June 2902
Page 7
received income of $7,411, disbursed $1,176 and closed with a balance of $16,316.
Patrick James then presented detaiis of the possible options for the celebration of the clubs 75” anniversary. Details of the decisions reached have already appeared in this magazine.
Announcements included notice that a localiy manufactured EPIRB unit is available through Confederation for around $300.
There was no general business so the President closed the meeting at around 2142 hours.
Conservation Report David Trinder
Bob Brown, the Tasmanian Greens MP considered supporting the Governments proposal to privatize the last of Telstra by asking for restrictions on logging native forests. He backed down because his party did not want to sell the remainder of Telstra, but his heart was in the right place, he wanted to stop logging native forests.
The Carr Government has recently approved the Mogo charcoal factory near Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast. If built this factory will consume 200,000 tonnes of native forest timber for the next forty years. Many groups from the south coast and the ACT are responding to the call to stop the factory. The factory will bum the timber for charcoal which will be used to make silicone in a plant in Lithgow.
The Eurobodalla Shire Council decided to appeal against the Governments approval of the Mogo Plant. The approval has not brought the project much closer to completion. There are lengthy court battles ahead and a community mobilized to stop construction of the facility.
Two years ago a similar proposal to take timber from the Goonoo and Pilliga forests in the west of New South Wales was rejected amid an enormous community uproar. Now the same company from Western Australia, ah iron ore miner called Portman Limited under the name Australian Silicone proposes to woodchip the south coast forests for charcoal with the continued support of the Premiers Strategic Projects Jnit and the enthusiastic encouragement of NSW State Forests.
The South Coast charcoal woodchipping will threaten catchment values, 150 existing. sawmill jobs; the: fishing industry, oyster growing and the 6,200 nature tourism jobs in the region that depend on nature based tourism. In return the forest miners are promising somewhere between 20 and 50 jobs. The charcoal plant will more than double the native forest logging in the region, There is already an unsustainable supply
of up to 65,000 tonnes per year of woodchips taken to the Eden chip mill from the South Coast Forests.
There has been no environmental or economic assessment of the threats to our South Coast forests for this proposal. The limited assessment of the plant itself at the Batemans Bay received the largest ever number of submissions, over 1,500, with more than 98% of submissions opposing the factory. The Government is essentially relying on conservation advice from NSW State Forests, who were discredited two years ago for recommending logging in the west of the state for the same reason.
Spring Walks Programme:
The deadline for the Spring Walks Programme is 26th July 2002. Would all leaders please submit their proposed walks to our Walks Secretary, Carol Lubbers by post (no fax please) Address details are on the last page of the Winter Programme.
INsw WILDERNESS Transtr
YERRANDERIE GHOST TOWN STARLIGHTS TRACK. BUNGONEA CAVES. Woe Wo. NERRIGA
F Departs from Sydney's Campbelttown Railway Station
Via Poennth, Kaincmba & Blackheath for Kanangra Walls Mon & Wed at 11am. Frid at 7am Returns 4om Mon, Wed, Frid. d
Via Starlights. Mivaqcna & Mandan for
Retums 4 pri Tues, Thars, Sun.
a Yerranderie Ghost Town Srst Saturday in each
month, retums Sun at 1pm (any Friday min 5} 7 Group buoking Gscourts or caries service :
i Tel 0246 832344 Mob 0428832344 | iwww.wildernesstransit.com.au I
| The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002 Page 8
An easy eo Walk mn The Oxfam/CAA Trailwalker 100 kms < 48 hours! 3 te ie Ae Maureen Carter About two years ago I was inspired by Richard Darkes account in the Sydney Bushwalker of how he had completed the Oxfam/CAA Trailwalker. I thought then, who can I con into joining me for that epic. Only my family were foolish enough to volunteer and a couple of SBW members. Stuart Comer and Phil Newman joined with two others, as I had signed up David (husband); Martin (son); and, Mark (brother). We even met our young neighbour at the start, with seven of his running mates from the police force, keen to get going. So, on a miserable wet Friday in late May team Mythical Beasts joined 1196 other Trailwalkers at Hunters Hill to attempt to reach Brooklyn, 100 kms away, mostly on the Great North Walk. I grew in confidence as we trialed the trail in the few months beforehand, but still, it is 55kms further than the Six Foot Track and someone in the Club asked me if I would be capable of doing the K to K and back again. I doubt it.
Our first task on the day was to prevent Mark from running, as he recently completed 100kms in under 1d hours. He discovered a hazard of bush walking a half hour into the walk when he slipped on a rock and headed for the river, but, was hauled back by a member of Team No. 8. Martin had trained by
- completing a triathlon in April and never worked up a sweat under the goretex jacket that he wore all the way. David performed splendidly on coffee, muesli bars and bananas. I relied heavily on adrenalin, cups _of tea (with caffeine instead of mint) and the knowledge that I was one of the oldest walkers.
There were many funny moments ~ jokes to share with other walkers; smiling, helpful volunteers at the nine checkpoints; and for me, taking a mobile phone call regarding work, somewhere in the Lane Cove National Park. The caller was amazed when I told her why I was puffing. We rejoiced in being in the bush despite the weather and the pace. There were a few anxious moments too, especially in the rain at night, but we worked well as a team and stayed together, taking it in turn to lead.
Our support groups were brilliant, providing us with a hot meal at 10.30 pm at Crosslands, two tents at Mt Kuring-gai where we spent four hours; and, meeting us throughout Saturday with encouraging words and yummy treats. Richard Darke walked the last 12 kms with us and they were all there at the end when we actually ran the last kilometre. It was not my idea to sprint in, but, the men decided that if we hurried we could finish in under 30 hours. My estimate had been to finish between 30 and 32 hours. Martin threatened to carry me if] refused to co-operate. We made it with two minutes to spare.
The whole event was a fantastic experience. We met many interesting people of all ages; enjoyed each others company; raised over $2,000 for the cause and only suffered some aches and pains in the last 5 kms. Who would like to join us for the Trailwalker in Adelaide in October 2003?
Incidentally, five SBW members finished (but I never did meet Lesley); only three of the eight burly cops survived to the end; and, 800 of the 1200 walkers crossed the line with 116 of the 300 teams being complete.
ot Reminder - Pont forget that the & BW 75 oftnniversaty Pinner will be held in the oftarbourview CRoom at the Kjeeibillt Club on ofciday 25 Getober . ihe venue is booked from 7 pm to midnight. d/cains stop neatly at the door; alternatively you may patk yout cat on eae: the premises. CJickets ($40 each) can be booked now. Yes now, right now! Gend a chaque no made out to & BW for the number of tickets, addressed to:
75th ftnniversary Dinner
The Gydney Bush Walkers Inc
FO Box 437 ftilsons Point 1565.
| The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 7
received income of $7,411, disbursed $1,176 and closed with a balance of $16, 316.
Patrick James then presented details of the possible options for the celebration of the club x 75“ anniversary. Details of the decisions reached have already appeared in this magazine.
Announcements included notice that a locally manufactured EPIRB unit is available through! Confederation for around $300.
There was no general business so the President closed the meeting at around 2142) hours.
Conservation Report David Trinder
Bob Brown, the Tasmanian Greens MP considered supporting the Governments proposal to privatize the last of Telstra by asking for restrictions on logging native forests. He backed down because his party did not want to, sell the remainder of Telstra, but his heart was in the right place, he wanted to stop logging native forests. !
The Carr Government has recently approved the Mogo charcoal factory near Batemans Bay| on the NSW south coast. If built this factory. will consume 200,000 tonnes of native forest! timber for the next forty years. Many groups! from the south coast and the ACT are| responding to the call to stop the factory. The factory will burn the timber for charcoal which; will be used to make silicone in a plant in| Lithgow.
The Eurobodalla Shire Council decided to appeal against the Governments approval of the| Mogo Plant. The approval has not brought the project much closer to completion. There are! lengthy court battles ahead and a community! mobilized to stop construction of the facility. |
Two years ago a similar proposal to take; timber from the Goonoo and Pilliga forests in' the west of New South Wales was rejected amid| an enormous community uproar. Now the same, company from Western Australia, an iron ore! miner called Portman Limited under the name! Australian Silicone proposes to woodchip the' south coast forests for charcoal with the! continued support of the Premiers Strategic Projects Unit and the enthusiastic encouragement of NSW State Forests.
The South Coast charcoal woodchipping will threaten catchment values, 150 existing, sawmill: jobs, the fishing industry, oyster prowing and the 6,200 nature .tourism jobs in the region that, depend on nature based tourism. In return the| forest miners are promising somewhere between) 20 and 50 jobs. The charcoal plant will more than double the native forest logging in the) region. There is already an unsustainable supply|
_ -of up to 65,000.tonnes per year of woodchips
taken to the Eden chip mill from the South Coast Forests.
There has been no environmental or economic assessment of the threats to our South Coast forests for this proposal. The limited assessment of the plant itself at the Batemans Bay received the largest ever number of submissions, over 1,500, with more than 98% of submissions opposing the factory. The Government is essentially relying on conservation advice from NSW State Forests, who were discredited two years ago for recommending logging in the west of the state for the same reason.
Spring Walks Programme:
The deadline for the Spring Walks Programme is 26th July 2002. Would all leaders please submit their proposed walks to our Walks Secretary, Carol Lubbers by post (no fax please) Address details are on the last page of the Winter Programme.
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[Loa The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002 Page8 |
An Easy/Medium Walk !! The Oxfam/CAA Trailwalker 100 kms < 48 hours! Be : f Maureen Carter About two years ago I was inspired by Richard Darkes account in the Sydney Bushwalker of how he had completed the Oxfam/CAA Trailwalker. JI thought then, who can I con into joining me for that epic. Only my family were foolish enough to volunteer and a couple of SBW members. Stuart Comer and Phil Newman joined with two others, as I had signed up David (husband); Martin (son); and, Mark (brother). We even met our young neighbour at the start, with seven of his running mates from the police force, keen to get going. So, on a miserable wet Friday in late May team Mythical Beasts joined 1196 other Trailwalkers at Hunters Hill to attempt to reach Brooklyn, 100 kms away, mostly on the Great North Walk. I grew in confidence as we trialed the trail in the few months beforehand, but still, it is SS5kms further than the Six Foot Track and someone in the Club asked me if I would be capable of doing the K to K and back again. I doubt it. Our first task on the day was to prevent Mark from running, as he recently completed 100kms in under * 14 hours. He discovered a hazard of bush walking a half hour into the walk when he slipped on a rock and headed for the river, but, was hauled back by a member of Team No. 8. Martin had trained by completing a triathlon in April and never worked up a sweat under the goretex jacket that he wore all the way. David performed splendidly on| coffee, muesli bars and bananas. J relied heavily on adrenalin, cups of tea (with caffeine instead of mint) and the knowledge that 1 was one of the oldest walkers.
There were many funny moments ~ jokes to share with other walkers; smiling, helpful volunteers at the nine checkpoints; and for me, taking a mobile phone call regarding work, somewhere in the Lane Cove National Park. The caller was amazed when I told her why I was puffing. We rejoiced in being in the bush despite the weather and the pace. There were a few anxious moments too, especially in the rain
at night, but we worked well as a team and stayed together, taking it in turn to lead.
Our support groups were brilliant, providing us with a hot meal at 10.30 pm at Crosslands; two tents at
Mt Kuring-gai where we spent four hours; and, meeting us throughout Saturday with encouraging words and yummy treats. Richard Darke walked. the last 12 kms with us and they were all there at the end when we actually ran the last kilometre. It/was not my idea to sprint in, but, the men decided that if we hurried we could finish in under 30 hours. My estimate had been to finish between 30 and 32 hours. Martin threatened to carry me if I refused to co-operate. We made it with two minutes to spare.
The whole event was a fantastic experience. We met many miteresting people of all ages; enjoyed each others company; raised over $2,000 for the cause and only suffered some aches and pains in the last 5 kms. Who would like to join us for the Trailwalker in Adelaide in October 2003?
Incidentally, five SBW members finished (but I never did meet Lesley); only three of the eight burly cops survived to the end; and, 800 of the 1200 walkers crossed the line with 116 of the 300 teams being complete.
from 7 pm to midnight. nn eee alternatively you may path your car on the premises. ickets ($40 each) can be booked now. Yes now, right now! Send a cheque
75th finniversary Dinner She Eydney | Bush Walkers Ie FC Pox 437 cflilsons Point 1865.
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The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
-Page 10 |
What is Geocaching? (Extracts from www. geocaching.com)
Geocaching is the name given to a sport which is played around the world by a small number of enthusiasts, via the Internet. A small box is hidden, the co-ordinates and clues are posted on the Internet, and players use GPS to find it.
It is an entertaining adventure game for GPS users, Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a GPS unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a. cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.
What i 1s usually in a cache?
A cache can come in many forms but the first item ishould always be the logbook. In its simplest form a cache can be just a logbook and nothing else. The logbook contains information from the founder of the cache and notes from the cache's visitors. The logbook can contain much valuable, rewarding, and entertaining information. A logbook might contain information about nearby attractions, coordinates to other unpublished caches etc.
If you get some information from a logbook you should give some back. At the very least you can leave the date and time you visited the cache.
Larger caches may consist of a waterproof plastic bucket placed tastefully within the local terrain. The bucket will contain the logbook and any number of more or less valuable items. These items turn the cache into a tre treasure hunt. You never know what the founder or other visitors of the cache may have left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something, its only fair for you to leave something in return. Items in a bucket cache could be: Maps, books, software, hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, games, etc. It is recommended that items in a bucket cache be individually packaged in a clear zipped plastic bag to protect them.
As of today, there are 17520 active caches in 121 countries. In the last 7 days, there have been 10891 new logs written by 3507 account holders.
For more information on
geocaching, please search the web using
geocaching in Australia as your reference.
Warning - Take Care in National Parks
Please note that there are some problems using national parks for geocaching purposes as set out in the following extract from an a posting on www.geocaching.com. Also note that such organised activities may be contrary to the parks Plan of Management
This GPS cache was located in the Lane Cove National Park, in the lower-north suburbs of Sydney, NSW, Australia. It was Australia's first cache, planted 18th May, 2000. It has now become a “virtual cache” because of its unfortunate position (please read below!!!).
If anyone wishes to create a cache in a national park in Sydney it is a lot more complicated than you can imagine.
Some places in the park have been designated as remote places suitable for growing rare plants. I managed to place mine where they were growing Darwinia Biflora. Secondly, people normally stick to the walking tracks (as they are supposed to), rather than heading into the scrub. So piacing the cache there provides unexpected attention to some normally undisturbed scrub. Thirdly, your shoes carry weeds from one place to another, and with cache hunters arriving from unexpected directions, this causes unexpected problems. Fourthly, during bushfire season, backburning may be done, and the rangers need to know of unexpected people (before they commit homicide)
Is Geocaching Consistent With The Aims Of Bushwalking?
Some would say that it is a high-tech version of orienteering. Others may think it just a game or an elaborate treasure hunt. Many may object to it taking place in the bushland as it risks disturbing the environment. Perhaps it has no place in a bushwalking club what do you think?
Write to the Editor and give your opinion… ….ED
oogooonad
Is Your Annual Subscription Overdue? The rates for the current year
Single Membership = $40-00 Household membership = $66-00 Non Active Membership = $15-00 Non Active + Magazine = $28-00 Magazine only = $15-00
Prompt payment will help ensure that you are covered by club insurance and that you receive the magazine and Spring Walks Programme.
be
ae Zz The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002 Page 11
FROM OUT OF THE PAST (75 Years of SBW History)
From 1960's Car camp on the Turon River near Sofala: Val and Arthur Gilroy, Malcolm McGregor, John Noble, Elsa McGregor, Jean Webb and Ron Baker. Photo: Reg Alder
75th Anniversary Celebrations
We tum Seventy-five on 21% October 2002. To help with your planning please reserve the whole of October for SBW activities. Mark these dates on your calendar:
Reunion at Coolana. 19/20” October.
This will extend to the Monday as well to celebrate the actual birthday. The Coolana details are still on the drawing board and will be revealed in due course.
The Dinner Friday 25 October. ..
Harbourview Room at the Kirribilli Club. Book your tickets now. Cost $40
75th Anniversary Tee-shirts
These will be available soon.
Anniversary Walks. ,
Special anniversary walks repeating walks of the very early years. See the Spring Programme _
The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 12 |
THE WALKS PAGES
Walking m Deua NP Rosemary MacDougal
I had never walked in this area but had heard much about Mother Woila and wondered what she must look like. My imagination ran wild as to the prospects of climbing it. I booked into Ken Clachers walk for the Anzac weekend, which was scheduled to go through this area, but at the last minute he was unable to lead the walk and so I did.
The Park has very dramatic ranges and peaks. This was essentially a ridge walk along narrow, rocky and at times pinnacles of stone where the way down would entertain us for hours. Water was always going to be difficult but when we found it we carried as much as we could.
The first night we camped in a saddle not far from the Mother to which we would go the next day as a day walk. The approach was across and down a very narrow ridge with some sections requiring sidling around with some exposure. To do this with full packs would be quite difficult. Once onto the saddle below the Mother we set off around the base over some pretty but slippery grass. We came to some mossy and wet dripping rocks from which we replenished our water bottles. The map gave no hint that there would be water here and we concluded that it could only be because of the recent rain.
_ Up into the saddle between the Mother and the small hump which we referred to as the baby. The views from the baby were spectacular in that we were above the mist and the clouds with the peaks in the distance poking out. There was a great campsite here for the brave who could carry a full pack and water.
The Mother herself did not offer views as it was heavily wooded but we felt well pleased with our efforts.
We retumed to campsite and packed up to move onto Tabletop. The fog and mist had not lifted and as it started get dark it became obvious we would not make Tabletop that night. Therefore we camped in the saddle below. It was a bit tight but some gardening generally results in creating a relatively flat area or at least a position to wrap oneself around a tree or a rock to avoid slipping down the hill. The next moming as the moon set the sun rose thereby indicating that the moon had been full. That saddle enabled us to experience this wonderful site.
The next day we set off over Tabletop towards Scout Hat. We had seen it in the distance and its spine up which we presumed we had to go looked daunting. Once at the bottom we could see the way up but with some exposure. The party was very
happy to proceed this way rather than the long way around the base. Once on the top we felt a sense of achievement and were able to see the route we had taken over the previous days. Mother Woila dominated the scene.
We proceeded down the ndge and into Woila creek where were greeted with running water (and leeches) all of which was in such contrast to the dry and arid country over which we had been. A beaut camp site on the creek was a welcome relief and prepared us for the ascent of 1000 m the next day back to the cars.
Cross Country Skiing- 75th Memorial Anniversary Kiandra to Kosciusko Crossing
75 years ago Dr Schlink and party made this epic XC ski trip and I will be leading a party to commemorate their efforts (also to have some fun!)
Dates are 24“ August 1* September. Leave cars at Cooma, get transported to by bus to Kiandra and dropped off, ski for half a day then progressively ski to Thredbo via all the Peaks & slopes enroute. Bus from Thredbo to Cooma. Carry a 7 day pack to give flexibility with the weather (really necessary on 5 days skiing). Maps Denison, Eucumbene, Khancoban, Kossie etc. Grade Medium/Hard.
There will be some “hut” nights. Having done the trip a few years ago I have planned a “fairly flat” route initially and remember that Paddy did his first Crossing when he was 65. I plan to do the 75th and then come back for the Centenary (given that there is still snow im 25yrs time!)
Ian Wolfe
First Aid Certificates for Leaders:
To encourage our walks leaders to get their St Johns First Aid Certificate, the Committee has offered to subsidise current Walks Leaders for half the cost of gaining an accredited Senior First Aid Certificate up to $50 and if combined with an accredited Remote Area First Aid, up to $80.
The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 13 |
Faster In Ettrema
Caro Ryan
You've Read The Leaders Report Last Month …Read One From A Punter!
There is something so wonderfully comforting about the sense of the familiar. The aroma of Mum s roast lamb on Sundays, the smell of freshiy washed linen and the sound of rain at Easter. It simply wouldnt be Easter on the east coast without it. And it was with this sound that myself and Pamela Irving made our way down the Princes Hwy, through the fog, hazard lights flashing, on our way to Nowra, Ettrema and beyond!
Never ones to be pessimists, we pondered the myriad of activities available to us over the next four days, should Maurice (our intrepid leader) decide to cancel the walk. There were books to read, movies to see, sleep to catch up on and of course, the Blessing of the Fleet in Ulladulla. Geez! A girl could get exhausted just thinking about it!!!
Friday morning came and with it - patches of blue, a lightening of the sky and a 7am meeting time at Nowra Maccas. (Oh Damn, wouldnt get to read those books after all!) The car convoy out to the end of the walk (somewhere out along the Braidwood Rd) went well, as did the meeting of the bus and ferrying around to the start. (It was only afterwards that I found out that the dnver of Bushwalkers Wilderness Transport was Robert Sloss, whose published track notes on the Katoomba-Mittagong walk I had followed religiously last October.)
Now its at this point that 1 should let you, the good reader, know that I am writing from a prospectives perspective. Ah yes, one of those shiny eyed, eager young things who can make simple mistakes like packing hairdryers, 8 man tents (with annexe) or car fridges on overnight walks. Thankfully, I dont think that SBW is the type of club that attracts people who would do such a thing…although I have heard stories.. You know who you are! Anyway - I can happily report that myself and Grace, the other prospective, certainly did not fit this bill. (Although her tent did become known as the Taj Mahal, but weighing in at 2.5kgs as opposed to a MacPac Microlite at 2.2ke - she knows the delight and comfort that a 3 man tent can bring!! Thank you Grace!!)
The start of the walk was a good introduction to some of the challenges that we would find over the next four days. The scrub along sections of Bullfrog Creek was thicker than a serve of badly mixed Deb. This was my introduction to Day-O. Most bizarre to think that someone is only 2 metres away from you, and you can have no idea where they are. The
rain from the previous night was still hanging in the trees, so that after only a few hundred metres, we were all soaked to the skin - not that we were complaining, as moming tea was called only 25 mins into the walk! Wow, I thought, This might be an easy/medium trip after all!. Hmmm, little was I to know what was ahead! But what exactly was ahead? 4 days of beautiful, pristine, wilderness - 5 star waterholes, 5 star campsites, breathtaking gorges, crystal waterfalls, towering cliffs and a hell of a lot of rocks. Yep, rocks! All shapes and sizes, big, small, enormous, pebbly, mountainous, slippery, rough, moss covered, wet or dry - we had em…. Rocks! Dont think for a minute that it was possible in four days to put your foot on simple, everyday, flat earth, uh huh - that just aint going to happen in Ettrema! The trip down Bullfrog Creek was a slow and slippery one, with many bruises and scrapes (mostly on my legs, thanks for the photo Maurice!!!) And the sight of Ettrema was a welcome one. With it, brought the first campsite of the trip - 3kms short of our intended stopping point for the day. (Ahhh, thanks Peter for the introduction to the famous SBW Lemon Barley/Hot Toddie concoction.) Bruises forgotton and sleep approaching, I settled down in the Taj Mahal for a great nights sleep.
For the next 3 days, we continued down along Ettrema (just follow the water with the rocks under it! You cant miss it), zig-zageing our way across the creek, and getting used to the whole idea of rock hopping. I found myself chanting, Momentum, Momentum - must keep moving - tread lightly - skip over the rocks and, bizarre as it may sound, it worked. I think I found my rock-hopping feet.
There were numerous scrambles and climbs up over rocky banks to avoid the option of swimming with packs and as the days progressed, there were more trips away from the creek to avoid whole sections that were impassable. It was during these forays into the bush and scrub, whilst we held dear to Maurices insistence that there was an old disused fire-trail that will be much easier to walk on, that I was introduced to Lawyer Vine (the hard way!!) And the Stinging Tree (thankfully only by sight), along with Blackberries and stinging nettles. Not much fun all round, but we kept up good spirits by keeping an eye out for any rogue fire trucks that might come speeding past. Lets just say, that if that was a fire trail - Pll eat my thermarest.
The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 14 |
Dont get me wrong though, yes, the Ettrema Easter walk with the intrepid Maurice Smith was one of the hardest walks Ive ever done, but I dont regret it for a second. It was however, most encouraging to hear even the most hardened of walkers (you know, the one that is always 10 mins ahead of everyone else) on the trip comment that it was a 6 day walk, done in 4 and indeed, thats what it was. This is reflected by the exciting news that Maurice has announced he will be doing Ettrema again later in the year, this time over 6 days, with a base camp and the option of a rest day!
Let me encourage you all, this is wonderful termtory - the wilderness of Ettrema and as I heard it mentioned at last weeks reunion, if you want to do a Morton NP walk properly, do it with Maurice - nobody knows Morton better. Vd have to agree…..even though there is that small issue of exactly WHERE Tallyangello Creek disappeared too??? Maurice?? Maurice???
And Another Punters Report ! Pamela Irving
The next time I want to do a six day walk in four days, Maurice, I'll ring you.” These were the parting words of oue of our party as we left the restaurant in Nowra where we had celebrated our deliverance from the Ettrema Wilderness.
A long-held ambition of Maurice Smith was to walk the full length of Ettrema Creek, and this Easter he finally filled in the missing bit on his map. Torrential rain on Thursday afternoon and night made descending Bullfrog Creek slow goimg on Friday, but at least it had stopped raining. We pitched camp at 4 pm amongst the trees, earlier than planned, in consideration of the toll taken on the less-fit members of our party.
Maurice had us up at 6.30 the next morning and back into the creek at 8 am. Rock-hopping, boulder-scrambling, waist-deep wading, bush- bashing, this trip had the lot. The sun even started to break through in the aftemoon.
I pointed out Hamlet's Crown, a vertical cliff Bill Capon made me climb some time ago, carrying 4litres of water. This rightly impressed some of the members of our partly. The tail enders collapsed into camp at 6pm, compensated by a beautiful campsite next to a big waterhole, beneath a cliff-face covered with lichen. Ettrema Creek has countless such stunning spots.
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday I in sunshine this time. Ettrema is at her best in the sun. The cliffs in the gorge shine, the waterholes beckon, the foliage is bright. We even met a naked bunch of Canberra Bushwalkers, camped
at a huge water hole. One remarked that our trip was “ambitious” Once again the front runners had a fire roaring to lift the spirits of we three permanent stragglers. Thanks for hanging out at the back with me, Cathryn and Caro.
An even earlier start on Monday. Maurice assured us that as we progressed towards the lower reaches of Ettrema, we would come across a fire-trail, albeit somewhat overgrown. We began to suspect that Maurice is a master of under-statement. However, towards the very end where Ettrema joins Yalwal Creek the track became discernible, to the extent that we actually saw fresh tyre-tracks.
Caro, one of our two prospectives, had sustained a hip injury earlier in the morning, so Maurice altered our exit plan and sent us on ahead to an accessible four-wheel drive track near where Yalwal joins the Shoalhaven River. He and Grace, our other prospective, followed our original planned route back to the cars. It was after seven pm when we saw the headlights of Maurice's Rav4 approaching as we climbed our first hill of the whole four days. (This was one of Maurice's selling points -“it's all down hill”) .
Two hours later, six of our party were eating Asian food at an excellent restaurant in Nowra. Maurice has announced that he's putting this trip on again as a Christmas walk, over six or seven days this time. At least some of our mutterings hit home…
Thanks Maurice for a truly unforgettable experience. ..
(Trip participants, Maurice Smith, Cathryn Cliff Caro Ryan, Peter Love, Nenad Stilin, Bill Smallwood, Grace Martinez and Pamela Irving)
Wanted: Companion(s) for Tasmania Overland Trek January 2003
Im looking for some company early/mid January to walk the Cradle MountainlLake St Clair (or vice versa) route with me at a comfortable unhurried pace –please contact Byron on 9387 7208(H) or 9387 2167 (W) orby fax 9387 7536
Cycling:
Regular mid-week cycling activities are sometimes conducted at short notice on Thursdays and are additional to those shown in the Clubs Walks Programme. If you are free to cycle during the week please contact George Mawer 9707 1343 The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 15 |
A Walk With The Lot!
Richard Phillipps
Emus, Icy Water, Dense Scrub, Vines, Vistas and History
All 12 starters arrived on time, 9am (three cancelled late, sick). It was a qualifying walk for prospective members,
The car shuffle put half the cars at finish point, Highland Road Faulconbridge, and half at Adeline Park. This nearly went awry because I wasn't in the lead car and was busy chatting to Cecily instead of looking where we should be going.
This walk had everything - rain on the lower Blue Mountains last week made Linden Creek fuller than usual. First we found three emus carved in the cliff ledge. After half an hour we reached a waterfall, later the main creek we could either ford half a kilometre upstream or we could wade across there. They looked at the thick wet Eucalypt forest and voted to wade. We took off boots and socks, tucked up our shorts - it was freezing.
Then we struggled through chest-high ferns up a 45-degree talus slope to a long west- heading spur heading for Linden Ridge. At the top we paused for moming tea in weak sunshine. By then it was llam and I feared we would be struggling home in the dark.
By noon, after water stops we had progressed to the high point of the climb, 539m. I asked the three prospectives how far off the fire trail was (nothing visible). The answer - 100 metres - was spot on. J attempted to lead them in the wrong _ direction but they didn't fall for it.
We then hiked fast along the fire trail SW towards Linden. We avoided the temptation to check out Mount Twiss. Some put up with gravelly socks and boots, and we didn't stop until we reached my hidden cairn. Again, the map readers knew where to tum east.
I've been on many walks but the scrub at this point was the highest and thickest I've yet encountered ~'some hakea and mountain devil, the rest not very prickly but almost impenetrable - hard work for the guy in front (me). A gloves,
, Jong sleeves and gaiters job.
By Ipm, amazingly we burst through the head-high scrub right at the lunch spot atop the sheltered cliff sussed out the month before with a jogging mate (took us five hours scrambling then, no stops except for water). The sun by now was quite warm; autumnal weather even though it was the first day of winter.
Black rain clouds looming impelled a quick pack-up after half an hour and we moved off east down and up and down a very hilly spur. Gradually the eucalypts, angophoras and turpentines got taller, the scrub less of a
challenge and the occasional views rewarding - at least we could see what compass and map implied. We found the saddles, some of which had amazing chimneys and balancing boulders.
We all climbed a rock, now Mount SBW?, 515 metres; views south across Linden Creek headwaters, north into wilderness (gorgeous gorges).
Some unusual fungi and herbs in the deep litter underfoot; plenty of aromatic boronia and mintbush but not in flower, only Epacris and blue Dampiera in sunny spots … a lyrebird's paradise and they sang to us at every rest stop. The clouds moved away and despite forecast showers, the afternoon was warm and quite sunny.
We made it smartly down a steep slope by 3.15pm, negotiated ferns and lawyer vines to Linden Creek again (well upstream of the bidet crossing), right at a sawmill site abandoned about 1910 *. The boiler looked like an ancient submarine that had come up the Grose Valley and Linden Creek to rest on a sandstone wharf in knee-high ferns and rainforest. Huge logs, cables and wheels in the moss and ferns.
By then I was more confident that we would finish on time but there was some debate about whether and where to cross the creek again - no one wanted to take off boots. Most men got wet feet but the women found a drier crossing downstream below a cave.
Had we forded the right creek? Nenad said no and insisted on finding the junction. He did. After a long climb we were safely back at the cars by 4pm; a bandaged knee or two, some blood but nothing serious.
The only thing I forgot was my camera. Salt was packed but not needed - no leeches. Are they hibernating for the winter?
I enjoyed leading, a first for me with SBW. As Maurice said, the best part of being a leader is, you get to choose where to go and the other 1] tag along.
Walkers: Pat Bickley, Cecily Fremaux, Trevor Kloeden, Heike Krausse, Carol Lubbers, Pam Morrison, Jim Percy, Richard Philipps, Jan Pieters, Maurice Smith, Nenad Stilin and Marianne Watt
** Jim Percy advises that subsequent checking indicates that the Cable Incline and Tramway was built around 1910 although many of these projects had very short lives and it could be correct that it was abandoned also about that year a The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 16 5 |
OF INTEREST TO NEW MEMBERS
Hello from Heike,
Day' walking dags….If you have been out on a few walks you may have noticed that the average Sydney Bushwalker is not garbed with sartorial splendour, that is the fashion stakes are not high, if they exist at all.
Comfort, comfort, comfort and practicality are the keys for planning your bushwalking wardrobe.
You can stroll into your camping and bushwalking store on the Kent street strip and spend a fortune on the latest and best in polyester, polypropylene and new fashioned wool (mm I love it), however as a new penny- pinching walker personally, 1 headed down to the local K-Mart/Woollies/Target and found pretty much all I required and still 2 years on walking in that gear that cost me less than $50. Some would say even that was extravagant as they swan about displaying the latest in Op-shop vogue.
What do you need for starters?
Shorts: baggy legged for the high leg raises over iogs, up very steep hills, those unexpected drops on river crossings and able to accommodate legging thermals when it gets a little chilly. Most do swear by polyester for the quick dry factor, however I'm a fan of my heavy duty cotton ones that still dry well and have solid butt-patch pockets for the bum-shuffles down steep rock inclines.
Some prefer longs especially in Hakea country (although not much less than armour plating will protect you on some bush-bash ventures). Again, the natty zip-off-to-shorts numbers can be purchased or you can wander down to Paddy's market and pick up some Chinese cotton elastic/tie waisted ones for about $10. (Stall adjacent to the fruit and veg).
Tops: Layering is the secret here, over all should be a long siceved shirt, protection from sun, sharp pointy things in passing, or tick/leech access. Cotton again is my choice, as I prefer natural fibres. I have a very dinky lots-of- pockets, roll-up-the-sleeves, aerated armholes, fishing shirt that was dead cheap on sale at the local mall chain store. There are the lovely poly/nylon ones in beautiful colours for around $50 that are designed to wick away moisture from the skin. But you cant go wrong with the cotton/polyester blend as in your old business shirts, and if they get shredded well, forking out another SOcents at St Vinnie's wont twinge the hip pocket nerve severely.
Depending on the weather underneath can be nothing if hot, or m the chill of winter long- sleeved thermals. (One of the Kent St strip stores has a range of more reasonably priced ones or again the good old chain-stores have plenty, not as snazzily striped or coloured but will do the job in being light and an extra layer). Some shop on the net for super bargains in thermal gear available overseas.
The heavier weight and warmer gear for winter may mean a little more expense, this is where you act predatory, hunt around, scout the layout and pounce in the sales. Get onto the mailing lists and you get pre-sale invites to avoid the trampling on doors open day. If you feel like Harlequin look around, most walkers are dressed in an array of colours, not because we are all genetically challenged in trend setting, we've just built up our bushwalking wardrobe over the years in sales. Plus you get to be a bit handy with needle and thread. (No patch pockets and bumsliding leads to more than a visible panty line).
Worth a little extra to get Gortex for the raingear, I waited and found exactly what I wanted in the mens section, $200 off, bargain…. Ok the sleeves are a bit long but they'll just keep me that bit drier.
Found a great pair of polyprop gloves at the local mail chain store. Maybe I'm wrong but they look and feel very similar to the $30 ones, at $7…..Easy choice.
Explorer sox can be found there too, teamed with a thin cotton pair you may find that you no longer suffer blisters even on extended walks. Top it all off with a hat of suitable dimensions to cover the nose!
There are many different opinions as to what is best, but the one thing all agree on is that wearing jeans is the worst!
Next month, gear pool and keeping non- clothing-gear costs down, yes I know that was supposed to be this month but I got sidetracked….
Please welcome on your next walk our new members: Nancy Vozoff, Bryan Smith, Jan Hughes, Amanda Osenton, Nic Dzamko, Emma Setchell, Chris Oldrey, Garry Shaw, Ann-Mane Powell, Stefanie Brown and Joe Stratek. Striding on into Full membership are Clive Klugman, Graciela Martinez and James Cryer. tu : The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002
Page 17 |
OF INTEREST TO. NEW MEMBERS
Recommended For New Members:
The following walks are extracts from the Winter Walks Programme. For additional details of leaders, contact numbers etc please refer to the programme.
Day Walks:
Sun 30“ June: Kuring-Gai NP Easy 12km. St Ives - Bobbin Head - Wahroonga Stn. An interesting picturesque walk along river and creek, :
Sat 27” July: Blue Mountains NP Easy 6kms Blackheath stn Porters Pass Centennial Pass. Suitable for beginners. Late start an early finish. Sun 28“ July: Eastern Suburbs Ramble. 10km Edgecliff to Watsons Bay. An easy, enjoyable walk with fish and chips lunch.
Sun 28” July: Great River Walk Easy Jim Final stage Brooklyn to Palm Beach. Some coastal rock hopping.
Week-end Walks
Sat/Sun 13“ 14” July: Morton NP
Meryla Pass Danjera Dam - Griffins Farm An easy walk . ideal first weekend walk for new members as 50% is without weekend packs. Navigation training and tests can be given if required. Sat morning start.
Sat/Sun 27 28“ July: Wollemi NP
Overnight base camp in Newnes area. Explore creeks and spectacular pagoda country. Great views.
Weekend Walking Gear For Hire . The club now has a small pool of weekend walking equipment available for hireto |
are: , . . cet. ; Weekend pack; $15
Sleeping bag: . $15 (For hygiene reasons you must provide and use
Sleepmg.mat: $5 Ground sheet: $27
Complete kit $50
All items. will require an equivalent cash deposit, refundable on. return of the equipment. Geoff Mcintosh has volunteered to act as Gear - Custodian on a trial basis and would be hirers
Please be aware that our pool is presently still
small, so give plenty of notice. We will be monitoring the demand and may, as required,
expand our stocks
Coolana Training Weekend: We had a very successful training weekend in May with 11 new members and several members attending the training and maintenance activities. Our next training weekend is in July. All new members are invited to join us at the “Coolana” Wildlife Refuge in the beautiful s Kangaroo Valley on Sat, Sun 20”, 21 July.
The weekend offers practical : training in navigation, first aid and bushcraft. It provides an
ideal introduction to camping and a chance to extend your social contacts within the club. There is a shelter shed for those who do not have a tent. Ample shelter if weather is cold or wet. The camping site is about 15 minutes downhill from the carpark.
Experienced members may also attend to assist with training and join in the social activities around the camp fire on Saturday evening. Maps are provided but please bring a mapping compass. Activities start on Saturday moming and finishes late afternoon on Sunday. For transport assistance and location advice please phone:
Bill Holland 9484 6636 (h & w) or
Patrick James 9904 1515 (h & w)
Bush Regeneration: Ever wanted to learn more about bushcare, weed eradication, indigenous grasses and local plant species? Well, come along on any of the scheduled Coolana maintenance weekends as featured in our Walks Programmes. For instance:
6% 7“ July: Come and join the maintenance crew for a pleasant weekend. Shelter available but tents recommended.
17_18” August: Another weekend of light maintenance and bushcare.
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia albilfora) * Wandering Jew is a weed.. It grows quickly and spreads over the ground, forming a dense mat and smothering other small plants. This succulent herb grows best in damp places and tolerates moderate sun or shade. Once established it suppresses all other ground plants. Wandering Jew is one of the weeds at Coolana . Members might like to adopt a 10 square metre
patch of Wandering Jew, at Coolana and try their hand at eradication.. The Sydney Bushwalker June 2002 Page 18 | SOCIAL NOTES: Our Social Programme In Review: In May we saw Part 2. of Jan Mohandas South American slide night and Part 1. of Oliver Crawford's video of the same tnp. It definitely was not a repetitive evening, far from it. It was interesting the differences between the two visuals. ; Maurice Smith presented a talk on the club's personal accident and public liability insurance on May 29“ . It highlighted the the importance of the club's need for coverage of this very topical issue. June: Wed 26 Leadership/Walks Planning Night July: Wed 3” Committee Meeting Observers welcome as well to see their Committee members at work Introduction to SBW Introducing, new members to the Club Wed 10th General Meeting Your opportunity to particiapte in the management of your club. Hear the reports from office bearers, walks reports and discussion of current events Wed 17th Leadership Workshop For experienced and aspiring leaders. A chance to learn from Wilf Hilder Wed 24* South America Peru Oliver Crawford will show Part 2 of the video taken during the recent trip
Wed 31st Indoor Rock Climbing at Summer Hill A fun activity for all! Cost $9-50 per person. Please RSVP by 15“ July
Any suggestions, ideas or questions about the social programme should be directed to the Social Secretary: Vicki Garamy 9349 2905 You can find this social program (and updates) on our web site www.sbw.org.au
The Club Telephone
Volunteers are (sti) required to assist Ian Rannard and Judy OConnor in answering the clubs phone from 9am to Spm Monday to Friday. The clubs phone can be diverted to your home on certain days of the week according to a roster. Calls outside these times are automatically diverted to a _ recorded announcement. Im sure Ian and Judy would be willing to discuss their experiences with anyone who is interested. If you would like to assist please give Eddy Giaomel a call on 9144 5095. A Scholar Of The Scriptures ! A young woman brings home her fiancee to meet her parents. After dinner, her mother tells her father to find out about the young man. The father invites the fiancee to his study for a drink. “So what are your plans?” the father asks the young man. “I am a scholar of the Scriptures,” he replies. “A scholar of the scriptures, Hmm.” the father says. “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in as she's accustomed to?” “T will study,” the young man replies, “and God will provide for us.” “And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring such as she deserves?” asks the father. “I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man replies, “and God will provide for us.” “And children?” asks the father. “How will you support children?” “Don't worry, sir, God will provide,” replies the fiancee. The conversation proceeds like this, and each time the father questions, the young idealist insists that God will provide. Later, the mother asks, How did it go, dear? The father answers, “He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I'm God.” Mid-week Walking Group: There is a group of members with time available to participate in midweek activities. If you have time during the week or can take leave from work please join us. Here are the mid-week activities already listed in The Winter Walks Programme Tues 25th June Cape Bailey Coast Walk Discovery Centre (Kumell- Cape Bailey lighthouse Solander Trg - Mur Track. Along this coastal walk explore sand dunes and heathland and spectacular views of rugged coastline. Easy 10 km Thur 11” July _Suburban Parks Med 12 km Wynyard bus Cammeray -Greenwich Wharf Ferry Circular Quay. Early finish. Additionally, we organise bike rides and other excursions sometimes at short notice. For instance in July have three days of walking in the Blue Mountains staying at a members house. In August we go to Hitchenbrook Island for a week. If you would like to have your name added to our mailing list for regular newsletters please contact Bill Holland 9484 6636 or email billholl@hotkey.net.au *We have to use with skill what simple equipment we can carry on our backs to achieve shelter, if you really want to get the best prepare food and have a night's rest? out of what you carry with you, Paddy Pailin, 1900-1991 then move up to Black Diamond, exclusive to Paddy Pallin. < Black Diamond Black Diamond Moonlight Headterch: Constantly frustrated with replacing your torch battery? Then the Moonlight is for you. WIth 4 ultra bright, energy efficient LED bulbs, it provides 70 hours of constant light. It weighs a mere 90g (without batteries) so you'll hardly know you're carrying it. Ideal for night walking, cooking and reading. Black Diamond Contour Trekking Pale: Trekking poles dont just - ~ncmenecaeiPrenermancOE PIR: AORN a> improve your balance and reduce the strain on your lower limbs; they help re-distribute the load to your upper limbs as well, meaning you can keep going for fonger. The Contour, featured, is ideal for comfort over iong periods of walking with an ergonomic 15 degree correction angle in the upper shaft and soft dual density hand grip. Jt also features a unique NEW adjustment system, making these the most easily adjusted poles on the market. Black Diamond Betamid Tent: When you want to go ultra-light or you need extra storage space, the Betamid has you covered. This compact, floorless tent will go anywhere and pitches using a pair of trekking poles! Weighing in at a fraction over 1kg, it sleeps two and stands strong against the elements. (Optional, detachable tub floor is also available.) Store lacations: Sydney; 507 Kent Street + Miranda: 527 Kingsway * Parramatta: 74 Macquarie Street Katoomba: 166 Katoomba Street Also in Canberra and Jindabyne Website: www.paddypallin.com.au Mall order: 1800 805 398