196907
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+ | ======The Sydney Bushwalker====== | ||
- | **CONTENTS** | + | ===July 1969.=== |
- | |The June General Meeting - Jim Brown |2| | + | =====Contents.===== |
- | |Mittagong to Picton Bike Trip - Marion Lloyd |4| | + | |
- | |The Ups & Downs of Broken Rock Range - Dorothy Noble |7| | + | |
- | |Paddy' | + | |
- | |The Fifth Tave - Observer |13| | + | |
- | |Mountain Equipment Ad |17| | + | |
- | |Colong - Won or Lost R. Janssen| | | + | |
- | A monthly-bulletin of matters of interest | + | | | |Page| |
- | Place, Circular Quay, Sydney. Postal address: Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney. | + | |The June General Meeting|Jim Brown| 2| |
+ | |Mittagong | ||
+ | |The Ups & Downs of Broken Rock Range|Dorothy Noble| 7| | ||
+ | |The Fifth Wave|Observer|13| | ||
+ | |Colong - Won or Lost|R. Janssen|18| | ||
- | |**EDITOR**| Bill Gillam, 19 Old Bush Rd. Engadine 2233| | + | =====Advertisements.===== |
- | |**BUSINESS MANAGER**| Bill Burke, Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford 2118| | + | |
- | |**TYPIST**| Christa Younger, 71 Yarran Rd. Oatley 2223| | + | |
- | **The Sydney Bushwalker. JULY 1969** | + | | |Page| |
+ | |Paddy' | ||
+ | |Mountain Equipment|17| | ||
+ | ---- | ||
- | ====== The June General Meeting ====== | + | A monthly bulletin,of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, Northcote Buildings, Reiby Place, Circular Quay, Sydney. Postal Address: Box 4476, G.P.O., Sydney. |
- | Jim Brown | + | |**Editor**|Bill Gillam, 19 Old Bush Road, Engadine, 2233| |
+ | |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, | ||
+ | |**Typist**|Christa Younger, 71 Yarran Road, Oatley, 2223| | ||
- | This took a little more time than the short-lived May Meeting | + | ---- |
- | The President then called hopefully for nominations for several vacant offices, and although a Lady Committee member was not to be had, Jack Perry undertook magazine sales and circulation activities; and Marion Lloyd volunteered as one delegate to the Nature Conservation Council. There was a suggestion of Helen Grey as the added S & R Contact being sought. | + | =====The June General Meeting.===== |
- | Movement of personnel occupied some of the Correspondence with Dawn & Brian Anderson transferring to non-active and Pat and Ian Wood going active. Mention was made of a Nature Conservation exhibition to be held in July/August and moves were initiated to obtain some SBS custodians (this Project later came to naught). | + | Jim Brown. |
- | The Treasurer reported a month of favourable results with current funds rising by about to a closing figure of $57.82 there are many outstanding subscriptions. | + | |
- | Although three programmed walks folded up for lack of starters, there was reasonable walking activity in May, beginning with a party of 9 on Bill Gillam' | + | This took a little more time than the short-lived May Meeting |
- | Coming to the fourth weekend of the month, Barry Pacey was leader of 16 who made the circuit Kanangra-Cloudmaker-Kowmung River and back via Gingra Range, | + | Minutes were understandably quite brief and in " |
- | Otford-Burning Palms-Helensburgh day jaunt, On the final weekend Joan Rigby and party of six were out on Wollemi Creek and the Colo River, and David Ingram' | + | |
- | Federation Report | + | The President then called hopefully for nominations for several vacant offices, and although a Lady Committee member |
- | The President announced that some Committee members wondered if Club rules should be framed to cover the possible suspension of members in view of the abolition of an old resolution relating | + | Movement of personnel occupied |
- | With a reference to celebration | + | The Treasurer reported |
- | ----------------------- | + | Although three programmed walks folded up for lack of starters, there was reasonable walking activity in May, beginning with a party of 9 on Bill Gillam' |
- | E. (Ted) Caines Phillips | + | Coming to the fourth weekend |
+ | Federation Report was temporarily deferred to see if a delegate with a detailed report would turn up but finally Alan Round gave a brief verbal report, mentioning S & R had received two alerts - one from a party who sought to canoe down the Capertee/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The President announced that some Committee members wondered if Club rules should be framed to cover the possible suspension of members, in view of the abolition of an old resolution relating to such action. Your reporter suggested that the expunged rule merely covered the question of payment of subscription by a suspended member, and the Constitution already gave Committee scope for any punitive action it may deem desirable, save that the extreme penalty of expulsion carried a right of appeal. | ||
+ | |||
+ | With a reference to celebration of our senior citizen (Taro' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | E. (Ted) Caines Phillips of the River Canoe Club passed away last month after a brief illness. Members of long standing particularly those who served on Committee will recall the sketch maps of various districts prepared by him and forwarded for our information. He was the author of several books on walks in the Sydney area and South Coast now unfortunately out of print. His extensive knowledge of the country within 100 miles of Sydney was always available to the members of Club who sought it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
**BE A DEVIL AND LEAD A WALK** | **BE A DEVIL AND LEAD A WALK** | ||
- | ====== Mittagong to Picton Bike Trip ====== | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | =====Mittagong to Picton Bike Trip.===== | ||
- | Marion Lloyd | + | Marion Lloyd. |
- | At Mittagong we scrambled out of the first carriage down a ladder then a short jump to the ground, stumbled along the track and up onto the platform. We collected our bikes from a bewildered station assistant then stoked up at the cafe before proceeding to ride the 18 miles to Malcolm' | + | At Mittagong we scrambled out of the first carriage down a ladder then a short jump to the ground, stumbled along the track and up onto the platform. We collected our bikes from a bewildered station assistant then stoked up at the cafe before proceeding to ride the 18 miles to Malcolm' |
Next morning we proceeded down Burnt Flat Creek, which was badly eroded from recent rains making it treacherous in parts and slow going, often lifting our bikes across the creeks and numerous obstacles. Lyn Drummond had a spectacular bust up on her bike but escaped with multiple bruising. | Next morning we proceeded down Burnt Flat Creek, which was badly eroded from recent rains making it treacherous in parts and slow going, often lifting our bikes across the creeks and numerous obstacles. Lyn Drummond had a spectacular bust up on her bike but escaped with multiple bruising. | ||
Line 59: | Line 72: | ||
Before leaving the creek it was quite obvious that not all were going to make it to Katoomba. Five decided to take the track back to Picton. From here the track became much better but still very hilly and bumpy. However, we turned off fire trail too early to follow a sheep path down a gradual then very steep hill to the Wollondilly. To our horror and dismay the river was in full flood. | Before leaving the creek it was quite obvious that not all were going to make it to Katoomba. Five decided to take the track back to Picton. From here the track became much better but still very hilly and bumpy. However, we turned off fire trail too early to follow a sheep path down a gradual then very steep hill to the Wollondilly. To our horror and dismay the river was in full flood. | ||
- | Bushwalkers can be very pig-headed at times and we were quite determined to reach Katoomba at all costs. However, it became quite clear that all the combined know-how could not produce a floating object, Here I have noted some examples - | + | Bushwalkers can be very pig-headed at times and we were quite determined to reach Katoomba at all costs. However, it became quite clear that all the combined know-how could not produce a floating object. Here I have noted some examples - |
- | 1. A long log was propelled across by 3 intrepid swimmers. Half way across the current was too strong, log abandoned, swimmers returned.\\ | + | - A long log was propelled across by 3 intrepid swimmers. Half way across the current was too strong, log abandoned, swimmers returned. |
- | 2. Two long logs with two bikes on top tied together with boot lace; but forgot to check whether logs floated. Ten feet-out these went to the bottom.\\ | + | |
- | 3. Optimistically, | + | |
- | 4. A log was fitted cross bar and handle bars of H.M.B. Wade. Wade rode through the water like a torpedo only to disappear gracefully out of view. Apologies to the tadpoles were given for this intrusion. | + | |
- | One hour later discussions and lunch over, we grudgingly surrendered to the Wollondilly. So it was back to Picton for us too. First we had to push our bikes up a fantastically steep rocky hill. We got over the top and Graham optimistically suggested taking the right fire trail (now about 2.45 p.m) to Yerranderie, | + | One hour later discussions and lunch over, we grudgingly surrendered to the Wollondilly. So it was back to Picton for us too. First we had to push our bikes up a fantastically steep rocky hill. We got over the top and Graham optimistically suggested taking the right fire trail (now about 2.45 p.m) to Yerranderie, |
- | By and by we found we were riding along the shores of a very big pond, the sunset on it was beautiful giving it a tinge of pink may be that is why it is marked in pink on the map. We picked our camp site well out of sight of the highway. Here we saw lots of ducks and swans and a lot of kangaroos (about 6) hopping around. | + | By and by we found we were riding along the shores of a very big pond, the sunset on it was beautiful giving it a tinge of pink - may be that is why it is marked in pink on the map. |
- | Next day we found the track very busy with bulldozers and workmen as quite a few sections | + | We picked our camp site well out of sight of the highway. Here we saw lots of ducks and swans and a lot of kangaroos (about 6) hopping |
- | About 3.30 p.m. a man in a land-rover coming towards us pulled Dot and myself up. The dreaded ranger. He bawled at us "Ya going up...didn' | + | Next day we found the track very busy with bulldozers and workmen as quite a few sections of the road had collapsed due to recent rains with splits up to 12 feet deep. |
- | CAMPERS PROHIBITED, FINE $l00," | + | |
+ | For a few hours we followed the shores of this pond. All was beautiful and quiet except the occasional hum of machinery and it was a glorious day. Eventually this track joined the tarred road down to the Nattai. We had a good spin down a steep long hill to the Nattai but to our dismay the bridge had been washed away so we had to make a detour of about a mile up river before we found a place to cross. Here we had lunch, then worked away down the river. Before the bridge we had to make another detour up and over very steep scrub as we didn't particularly want the bridge fixers to know we were around. Back on the tarred road again we commenced the very gradual climb of several miles from the Nattai. The country was beautiful with water all along the road, but it was more than once we were practically skittled by that cursed species called Sunday Afternoon Tourists. | ||
+ | |||
+ | About 3.30 p.m. a man in a land-rover coming towards us pulled Dot and myself up. The dreaded ranger. He bawled at us "Ya going up... didn't ya see that notice" | ||
Apparently the ranger got the same answer every time he pulled up a group. By the time he got to Lynn who was last in line, he had given up asking or he had lost his voice. | Apparently the ranger got the same answer every time he pulled up a group. By the time he got to Lynn who was last in line, he had given up asking or he had lost his voice. | ||
- | After this calamity and when we were all together again, we had a little bit of something whilst giving our, various versions. | + | After this calamity and when we were all together again, we had a little bit of something whilst giving our, various versions. Eventually we got on to the tarred road to Picton. Not far out of Picton is this fantastically steep long tight winding hill. The only time I applied the brake was when a stupid idiot came around the corner on the wrong side. Fuming that I had to slow down, I went around the next corner so fast I nearly went over the safety fence. Later we all agreed it was the best downhill spin of the trip. |
- | Picton is this fantastically steep long tight winding hill: The only time I applied the brake was when a stupid idiot came around the corner on the wrong side. Fuming that I had to slow down, I went around the next corner so fast I nearly went over the safety fence. Later we all agreed it was the best downhill spin of the trip. | + | |
+ | We reached Picton about 5 p.m., quenched our thirst at the pub while we ate fish and chips. However, one chap was going to ride back to Sydney. He left his pack on the pub verandah. Some of us thought he had gone up to the cafe with some of the others. About an hour later he came to the cafe wanting to know if any of us had his pack because it wasn't at the pub. He had ridden about ten miles before he realised he wasn't carrying his pack. This meant he had no money and had lost a new pack and other new equipment. We had to pass his sock around to get enough for his fare home. | ||
- | We reached Picton about 5 p.m., quenched our thirst at the pub while we ate fish and chips. However, one chap was going to ride back to Sydney. He left his pack on the pub verandah | + | The train we were to catch was full. The guard wouldn't have us in his van - against regulations - and the old ladies and civies wouldn' |
- | The train we were to catch was full. The guard wouldn' | + | ---- |
- | ====== Ski Tips ====== | + | ====Ski Tips.==== |
Angulation, the dropping of your downhill shoulder, is the way to give edging control and stability to your skis. In the traverse the lateral plane of the hips is parallel more or less to the slope. If your lower shoulder is brought back at the same time so that the line through your shoulder is parallel to the line joining your ski tips you are in a perfect, stable safe position. | Angulation, the dropping of your downhill shoulder, is the way to give edging control and stability to your skis. In the traverse the lateral plane of the hips is parallel more or less to the slope. If your lower shoulder is brought back at the same time so that the line through your shoulder is parallel to the line joining your ski tips you are in a perfect, stable safe position. | ||
- | Always warm up well before the day's skiing. Knee bends, body bends with your chin touching your knees, calithenics in general all help. So will .a lot of bushwalking. | + | Always warm up well before the day's skiing. Knee bends, body bends with your chin touching your knees, calithenics in general all help. So will a lot of bushwalking. |
When skiing from a lift check your bindings before running down. | When skiing from a lift check your bindings before running down. | ||
+ | ---- | ||
- | **INDULGE YOURSELF AND LEAD TWO WALKS** | + | **INDULGE YOURSELF AND LEAD __TWO__ |
- | ====== The Ups and Downs of Broken Rock Range ====== | + | |
- | Dorothy Noble | + | ---- |
- | It was obvious from the outset that this was going to be a Pat Harrison Special, | + | =====The Ups and Downs of Broken Rock Range.===== |
+ | |||
+ | Dorothy Noble. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was obvious from the outset that this was going to be a Pat Harrison Special. | ||
Thursday night (it was Anzac weekend) saw the glow of eight torch beams bobbing their way down the track at Kanangra. A few lights terminated at a snug little cave above the track while the remainder continued on to that chilly cavern further down. | Thursday night (it was Anzac weekend) saw the glow of eight torch beams bobbing their way down the track at Kanangra. A few lights terminated at a snug little cave above the track while the remainder continued on to that chilly cavern further down. | ||
- | Next morning the leader, true to style was up and away bounding energetically across the Tops while the rest of the party was still engaged in the usual semi-conscious pottering around before breakfast. With the leader out of the way the party heaved a sigh of relief and settled down to a leisurely meal. | + | Next morning the leader, true to style, was up and away bounding energetically across the Tops while the rest of the party was still engaged in the usual semi-conscious pottering around before breakfast. With the leader out of the way the party heaved a sigh of relief and settled down to a leisurely meal. |
- | Fortunately we caught the leader up in time for us to admire the view together before turning away from the valley to head towards | + | Fortunately we caught the leader up in time for us to admire the view together before turning away from the valley to head towards |
- | To our surprise the other two were not there. We waited, thinking that they may have landed a little up or downstream. While we waited, two cattleman on horses arrived surrounded by a surging mass of yelping dogs and leading a couple of cows. The few words that passed between the men and ourselves convinced Pat that they were highly suspicious characters especially when one of them refused to take Pat's boots across the river with them. Consequently, | + | To our surprise the other two were not there. We waited, thinking that they may have landed a little up or downstream. While we waited, two cattleman on horses arrived, surrounded by a surging mass of yelping dogs, and leading a couple of cows. The few words that passed between the men and ourselves convinced Pat that they were highly suspicious characters, especially when one of them refused to take Pat's boots across the river with them. Consequently, |
- | Pat had planned on at least reaching Butcher Creek or even green Wattle Creek by nightfall so that we could do Broken Rock Range the next day. We doubted however, whether Ross or Alan had an appropriate map with them so we considered going down the Kowmung as far as Gingra Creek and making a fixed camp, especially as Marion Ellis intended to anyway. Then we could do a day trip out to Broken Rock. Admittedly this meant doing 25 miles in ore day, but, as our leader was careful to point out, we could do it if we got up early enough, namely 5.30 a.m. | + | Pat had planned on at least reaching Butcher Creek or even Green Wattle Creek by nightfall so that we could do Broken Rock Range the next day. We doubted however, whether Ross or Alan had an appropriate map with them, so we considered going down the Kowmung as far as Gingra Creek and making a fixed camp, especially as Marion Ellis intended to anyway. Then we could do a day trip out to Broken Rock. Admittedly this meant doing 25 miles in one day, but, as our leader was careful to point out, we __could__ |
- | Since such an idea was too horrible to contemplate, | + | Since such an idea was too horrible to contemplate, |
- | Our thoughts turned once again to the missing two bods. Maybe they's missed the turnoff and gone all the way down the Gingra, or gone down the wrong ridge or perhaps they'd gone on ahead and were aiming for Butcher Creek. Eventually our resourceful leader decided we'd camp down the river and do the day trip out to Broken Rock. He had cunningly omitted to tell us that this variation would turn the trip into a good fifty miler. | + | Our thoughts turned once again to the missing two bods. Maybe they'd missed the turnoff and gone all the way down the Gingra, or gone down the wrong ridge or perhaps they'd gone on ahead and were aiming for Butcher Creek. Eventually our resourceful leader decided we'd camp down the river and do the day trip out to Broken Rock. He had cunningly omitted to tell us that this variation would turn the trip into a good fifty miler. |
So in blissful ignorance we sauntered down the Kowmung, stopping periodically to try and decipher the various footprints whenever they trailed across a particularly muddy section of track. | So in blissful ignorance we sauntered down the Kowmung, stopping periodically to try and decipher the various footprints whenever they trailed across a particularly muddy section of track. | ||
- | Well they weren' | + | Well, they weren' |
- | It appeared that Round' | + | It appeared that Round' |
Our news of a 7 o' | Our news of a 7 o' | ||
Line 124: | Line 145: | ||
The night was clear before the arrival of an early morning mist which settled around us and dampened the air. We breakfasted to the sounds of the gently lowing cattle across the river as our cattle duffers and their dogs moved them about the yards. By half past seven we were ready to leave, having spent some time organising three packs between seven people. We left Marion behind to mind the camp and spend a restful day on the river. | The night was clear before the arrival of an early morning mist which settled around us and dampened the air. We breakfasted to the sounds of the gently lowing cattle across the river as our cattle duffers and their dogs moved them about the yards. By half past seven we were ready to leave, having spent some time organising three packs between seven people. We left Marion behind to mind the camp and spend a restful day on the river. | ||
- | After catching up with the leader who had of course left on time we headed up a ridge decorated with wildflowers and before long we had climbed out of the mists and were looking at a clear blue sky as we followed the road past "Bran Jan" and onto Scott' | + | After catching up with the leader who had of course left on time, we headed up a ridge decorated with wildflowers and before long we had climbed out of the mists and were looking at a clear blue sky as we followed the road past "Bran Jan" and onto Scott' |
Before leaving the creek we boiled the billy for a quick morning tea and filled all available containers with water because we were unlikely to find any more until late afternoon when we would again be on Butchers Creek. | Before leaving the creek we boiled the billy for a quick morning tea and filled all available containers with water because we were unlikely to find any more until late afternoon when we would again be on Butchers Creek. | ||
- | We started up a likely looking ridge, scattering kangaroos as we went, and after gaining height gradually for some time we saw the impressive sight of the end of Broken Rock Range towering above us, dry and rocky and supported by buttresses of crumbly red earth. As we made our way to the top, we began to feel less keen about the clear blue sky, but we were thankful not to have to carry all our gear as originally planned. There was a final rock scramble and levering up of bodies before we finally reached the top and started off along the length of the range. There was a surprising amount of cover on top, as it was well treed and even managed to house some lyrebirds. | + | We started up a likely looking ridge, scattering kangaroos as we went, and after gaining height gradually for some time we saw the impressive sight of the end of Broken Rock Range towering above us, dry and rocky and supported by buttresses of crumbly red earth. As we made our way to the top, we began to feel less keen about the clear blue sky, but we were thankful not to have to carry all our gear as originally planned. There was a final rock scramble and levering up of bodies before we finally reached the top and started off along the length of the range. There was a surprising amount of cover on top, as it was well treed and even managed to house some lyre-birds. |
We walked along, waiting | We walked along, waiting | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
**GO THE WHOLE HOG - LEAD A WALK A MONTH** | **GO THE WHOLE HOG - LEAD A WALK A MONTH** | ||
- | Many sandwiches and cups of tea later we left the little creek, which was later discovered to be Fritz' | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | Many sandwiches and cups of tea later we left the little creek, which was later discovered to be Fritz' | ||
- | Just as we were beginning to get worried about the failing light, we came to the last of tho rocky rise and turned off tho range onto a ridge. We began picking our way carefully down the rest of the way carefully down the steep crumbly bits, and then thundering down the rest of the way in the hope of reaching Butchers Creak before it was completely dark. This we just managed, and after a good many gulps of lemon and lime we started, at half past five, to make our way up the 2,000 foot of ridge onto Scott' | + | Just as we were beginning to get worried about the failing light, we came to the last of the rocky rise and turned off the range onto a ridge. We began picking our way carefully down the rest of the way - carefully down the steep crumbly bits, and then thundering down the rest of the way in the hope of reaching Butchers Creak before it was completely dark. This we just managed, and after a good many gulps of lemon and lime we started, at half past five, to make our way up the 2,000 foot of ridge onto Scott' |
- | As we later discovered, we came upon the road somewhere near New Yards. The party collapsed in an oddly regular line on the roadside and after a while began to think of food and scrabbled in the bottom of the three packs for the few remaining bits and pieces. Then all was eaten we started plodding the miles along the white, moonlit road, and again made the occasional dicey detour to avoid a dingo trap. We waited at the turnoff for bods to catch up, and then it was all downhill to the causeway on the Kowmung where we walked upstream a short distance to reach the camp, | + | As we later discovered, we came upon the road somewhere near New Yards. The party collapsed in an oddly regular line on the roadside and after a while began to think of food and scrabbled in the bottom of the three packs for the few remaining bits and pieces. Then all was eaten we started plodding the miles along the white, moonlit road, and again made the occasional dicey detour to avoid a dingo trap. We waited at the turnoff for bods to catch up, and then it was all downhill to the causeway on the Kowmung where we walked upstream a short distance to reach the camp. |
- | It was ten past nine when arrived, and we were exceedingly tired, so wo were really grateful when we saw that Marion had a fire still going for us, although she had gone to bed. For a long while we sat around it in silence - no energy. Around 10 o' | + | It was ten past nine when we arrived, and we were exceedingly tired, so we were really grateful when we saw that Marion had a fire still going for us, although she had gone to bed. For a long while we sat around it in silence - no energy. Around 10 o' |
The fine weather stayed on for Sunday, and after some debate we decided to go up Gingra Creek and Croft' | The fine weather stayed on for Sunday, and after some debate we decided to go up Gingra Creek and Croft' | ||
Line 146: | Line 171: | ||
We made our way up Gingra Creek, stopping in places to marvel at the smooth water worn rocks, vividly coloured in pinks and greys, greens and purples, whites and beiges, and carved into beautiful geometrics. The shapes are so regular they must be mathematical and the clear water curves over them like delicately blown glass. | We made our way up Gingra Creek, stopping in places to marvel at the smooth water worn rocks, vividly coloured in pinks and greys, greens and purples, whites and beiges, and carved into beautiful geometrics. The shapes are so regular they must be mathematical and the clear water curves over them like delicately blown glass. | ||
- | Crofts Ridge rises at the junction of Gingra Creek,and Gabes Creek and this as where we planned to have lunch before going up. But before getting there we managed to have two false alarms at previous creek junctions, much to the ire of the hungry members whose harassed digestive juices began voicing a noisy disapproval. At lunch time, those with much food left ate well and those who hadn't didn' | + | Crofts Ridge rises at the junction of Gingra Creek and Gabes Creek and this as where we planned to have lunch before going up. But before getting there we managed to have two false alarms at previous creek junctions, much to the ire of the hungry members whose harassed digestive juices began voicing a noisy disapproval. At lunch time, those with much food left ate well and those who hadn't didn' |
We made our way up to Crofts Wall and along Kilpatrick Causeway as the sun sank low. The inimitable view from Kanangra was enhanced in the golden afternoon light and my memory of it so vivid that the subsequent car journey to Blackheath seemed to last but a few seconds. | We made our way up to Crofts Wall and along Kilpatrick Causeway as the sun sank low. The inimitable view from Kanangra was enhanced in the golden afternoon light and my memory of it so vivid that the subsequent car journey to Blackheath seemed to last but a few seconds. | ||
- | **Only 17.5 days to Go** | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ====Only 17 3/4 Days To Go.==== | ||
The Spring Walks Programme (September-November) is not exactly revelling in the abundance that should be Spring. | The Spring Walks Programme (September-November) is not exactly revelling in the abundance that should be Spring. | ||
- | You can help eliminate this discrepancy by spilling a carnucopia | + | You can help eliminate this discrepancy by spilling a cornucopia |
+ | ---- | ||
- | **July 30th (omitted from Social Programme)** | + | ====July 30th (omitted from Social Programme).==== |
- | A patrol officer from New G will give a slide talk on July 30th. It should be a very interesting and informative evening with the recent uprising there. We'll be able to get some of the background on this. | + | A patrol officer from New G will give a slide talk on July 30th. It should be a __very__ |
All members who have not paid their membership fees are reminded that they are long overdue. Keep our accountant happy. | All members who have not paid their membership fees are reminded that they are long overdue. Keep our accountant happy. | ||
Line 165: | Line 193: | ||
Active Subs $5.50, Active Students $3.50, Non Active $1.00, Plus mag. sub. $1.50 | Active Subs $5.50, Active Students $3.50, Non Active $1.00, Plus mag. sub. $1.50 | ||
- | **The Surveyors Crag** | + | ---- |
- | Don't miss the chance to survey the breathtaking panomara from this vantage point. | + | ====The Surveyors Crag.==== |
+ | Don't miss the chance to survey the breathtaking panorama from this vantage point. The miles and miles of burnt black bushes will give enough bruises to gladden the heart of any masochist. And the views make it all worthwhile for ordinary mortals. The trip, a good twenty-five miles should be classed as M-R and will be going on August 22 23 24. See Mike Short. | ||
- | ====== The Fifth Wave ====== | + | ---- |
- | + | ||
- | "It was a damn close run thing", | + | |
- | The theory of fire fighting is, of course, very simple. | + | =====The Fifth Wave.===== |
- | Removing. one side of the-angle will remote the fire. 7hen the | + | |
- | (fuel is Royal National Park it is difficult to remove the fuel -and still have a park, although this is virtually tho present par Sition.- Ir.mically the source of ignition occurred during 'ire | + | |
- | Prevention Week, Even if you don't drink:the water you must still breathe the air. None of the " | + | |
- | All our National Parks are basically botanical in con- | + | Observer. |
- | cept, Oolong | + | |
- | . | + | "It was a damn close run thing", |
- | we harp a complete cover and a close to natural association of genera there will be faunal population to follow. The Hoathcote - | + | |
- | Primiti' | + | The theory of fire fighting is, of course, very simple. Removing one side of the triangle will remote the fire. When the fuel is Royal National Park it is difficult to remove the fuel and still have a park, although this is virtually the present position. Ironically the source of ignition occurred during Fire Prevention Week. Even if you don't drink the water you must still breathe the air. None of the " |
- | that rubbish doesn' | + | |
- | 'regeneration which will almost certainly be of a lower order2 | + | All our National Parks are basically botanical in concept, Colong |
- | which in fact will take at least ten years to approach a reason- | + | |
- | 'abl6 leVel for a park. Many of the larger angophoras reached the | + | Ten years is the approximate time it takes for seedling eucalypts and casuarinas and mallee-rooted stock to grow 15-20 feet; hakeas and banksias need about the same time to mature and hold fruit for the next regeneration. Because the overhead storey of large trees has been reduced the content of the cover is increasingly made up of hakeas and casuarinas and less of the more delicate heaths and sought after flowers. The Park must degenerate with each fire. At ten years there is a dense understorey of extremely inflammable material reaching to the fully recovered crowns of the larger trees. This is the stage for an extremely dangerous situation, the understorey brews up the crowns which explode through an immense cloud of burning gas into further crowns. At any time after ten years the first critical drought of winter and spring provide, with the undergrowth the real source of ignition. It is no coincidence that the literature cites 13 years as the critical cycle; ten years plus the statistical certainty of one severe drought and one moderate drought year in five. Our own 1984 could conceivably see the whole of the south east coast of Australia ablaze again. |
- | 'limit of their survival during the fires. I doubt if they will be replaced.-.. | + | |
- | Ten years is the approxiniate time it takes for seedling eucalypts and casuarinas and' | ||
- | year in five. Our own 1984 could coneaivably sea the whole of the south east coast of Australia ablaze again. | ||
That is being done? Despite the evidence of devastation, | That is being done? Despite the evidence of devastation, | ||
- | Sutherland Shire is the .key to the protection of the Royal National Park and to a lesser rextentthe Heatlecote Park. In the past few years the effectiveness of the Bush Fire brigades has increased enormously due to the creation of the office of Fire Control. Officer and the provision of motile radios that at last are r;eliable. The FCO had political troubles at its gestation, an area larger than the Shire being advocated at one time by an interested group. Ray 7atchorn, the FCO2 is a full time Shire employee, a trustee of the Heatheoto Primitive Area and has that rare quality in a boss to inspire loyalty. He has bushwalker' | ||
- | There is a control room in 7atchorn' | ||
- | and | + | Sutherland |
- | a radio/ | + | |
- | Dependent on the magnitude | + | |
- | The Police Force can supply men_at short notice for | + | |
- | "lac se-pulling", | + | |
- | magic, day or night. T40, Regular Army is ponderous, querulous and exclUdiVe... | + | |
- | PreSent equipment | + | |
- | times the heath and more-open wooded areas,, They carry water tanks of five hundred gallons, two pumps, live hose reels of rubber and an assortment of canvas hose from 1" | + | |
- | Aminimum of five, Deputy. Captain, driver-radio operator, pumpman | + | |
- | all jobs are interchangeable. Engadine has a converted petrol | + | |
- | tanker, | + | |
- | can negotiate most of the fire trails. Shortly all brigades will be re-equipped with new 4-wheel drive Bedfords, uniformly equipped so the capability | + | |
- | Tactics to be effective are infinitely variable but depend on | + | There is a control room in Watchorn's house at Heathcote, and a radio and conference room in the Shire Chambers and brigades |
- | training | + | |
- | If washing a small fi_ri s not feasible | + | Dependent on the magnitude |
- | fire during a,Fock of intnse bleat with frequent wind changes | + | |
- | it was not ricIeaa%' | + | |
- | How effective aro the volunteer bmtades? Up to conditions: | + | |
- | on the possible side of catastrophic | + | |
- | Similar situation exists | + | The Police Force can supply men at short notice |
- | Blue Mountains National ?ark. I don't know and can't comment.' | + | |
- | Waves reaching a shore are the result | + | Present equipment |
+ | A minimum of five, Deputy Captain, driver-radio operator, pumpman and two helpers is desirable. The trucks have radio communication with the control centre and with each other and walkie-talkies nozzle-to-pump and captain-to-driver. Ideally all jobs are interchangeable. Engadine has a converted petrol tanker, not 4-wheel drive, of 1,000 gallons capacity and is frequently used to replenish the other tenders in the field. It can negotiate most of the fire trails. Shortly all brigades will be re-equipped with new 4-wheel drive Bedfords, uniformly equipped so the capability of each tender is known to all and the effectiveness of the whole system improved. | ||
+ | Tactics to be effective are infinitely variable but depend on training a thorough knowledge of the area and co-operation. Preferably fires are " | ||
- | ====== Colong - Won or Lost ? ====== | + | If washing a small fire is not feasible and conditions are suitable handtools can isolate a fire and " |
- | Rolf Janssen | + | How effective are the volunteer brigades? Up to conditions on the possible side of catastrophic the combination of sufficient training, suitable equipment, mobility and good leadership the brigades can control fires in the R.N.P. and the Heathcote Park. Possibly a similar situation exists for Kuring-gai Chase and the Blue Mountains National Park. I don't know and can't comment. In the catastrophic conditions of late October no amount of men or equipment could have saved the park. Fire crossed the gorge of the Woronora almost from top to top, a carry of 800 yards. A similar carry crossed the Hacking River. There was no chance. Brigades sent north along the Highway to extricate other brigades were stopped by flames; by the time they turned to retreat they were enclosed. Internal combustion engines need oxygen to operate, as do firefighters. Motors and men stop suddenly when there is no oxygen left for them. It is the limit of human effort. It was reached. |
- | The fight - save Colong is still on - it must not lag for if we lose this case future cases will be harder to win. Many of our beaches and the Barrier Reef are threatened in the " | + | Waves reaching a shore are the result |
- | Many readers have already shown support to SAVE COLONG by | + | ---- |
- | 1) sending articles to me referring to the Colong issue. Please keep them rolling in. Send the entire page in which the article. occurs because \\ | + | =====Colong - Won or Lost? (3069).===== |
- | a) it saves you cutting it out\\ | + | |
- | b) me from losing it if it is small\\ | + | |
- | c) gives me the date, place and type of publication all very important\\ | + | |
- | 2) Giving support, if they can at a time when the Colong Committee wants to publicise Government vandalism. | + | Rolf Janssen. |
+ | |||
+ | The fight to save Colong is still on - it must not lag for if we lose this case future cases will be harder to win. Many of our beaches and the Barrier Reef are threatened in the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Many readers have already shown support to SAVE COLONG by: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - sending articles to me referring to the Colong issue. Please keep them rolling in. Send the entire page in which the article. occurs because: | ||
+ | - it saves you cutting it out | ||
+ | - me from losing it if it is small | ||
+ | - gives me the date, place and type of publication all very important | ||
+ | - Giving support, if they can at a time when the Colong Committee wants to publicise Government vandalism. | ||
If you want to be asked to help SAVE COLONG give the following details to the Membership Secretary Rolf Janssen: | If you want to be asked to help SAVE COLONG give the following details to the Membership Secretary Rolf Janssen: | ||
- | Name\\ | ||
- | Address at home\\ | ||
- | Home Tel. No\\. | ||
- | Business Address, | ||
- | Have you access to a car? Wi11 you take passengers? How many? | + | * Name |
- | The Colong Committee\\ | + | * Address at Home |
- | 1) Has had a meeting with management of A.P.O.M. to reconsider mining in the Colong Caves area - details in the next issue as they are not ready at present.\\ | + | * Home Tel. No. |
- | 2) Is arranging for a " | + | * Business Address |
+ | * Bus Tel. No | ||
+ | * Have you access to a car? Will you take passengers? How many? | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Colong Committee: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Has had a meeting with management of A.P.C.M. to reconsider mining in the Colong Caves area - details in the next issue as they are not ready at present. | ||
+ | | ||
Next issue - revealing details of Government incompetence on the Colong scandal. | Next issue - revealing details of Government incompetence on the Colong scandal. | ||
- | SAVE COLONG OR LOSE EVERYTHING. | + | __SAVE |
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
- | REMINDER. FROM THE TREASURER: The majority of members have not yet paid their annual subscription. The Treasurer appeals to all who are guilty in this respect to assist the Club by the payment of their dues. | + | REMINDER FROM THE TREASURER: The majority of members have not yet paid their annual subscription. The Treasurer appeals to all who are guilty in this respect to assist the Club by the payment of their dues. |
+ | ---- |
196907.1463698592.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/05/20 08:56 by kennettj