SBW Magazine & History Project

Established June 1931.

A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476. G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.30 pm at the Wireless Institute Building, 14 Atchison Street, St. Leonards. Enquiries concerning the Club should be referred to Ann Ravn, Telephone 798,8607.

by Spiro Hajinakitas.

Once again David put the “classic” Three Peaks trip on the Sydney Bush Walkers programme. This time on the weekend of 9th and 10th May 1981. You may recall that last year I wrote a rather tongue-in-cheek article on the three peaks trip which David wanted to complete in 24 hours, that is to climb Cloudmaker, Paralyser and Guouogang on Saturday, and camp at Konangaroo Clearing and walk out via Yellow Pup and Narrow Neck on Sunday. As you will recall only Tony Marshall completed the trip, climbing Guouogang on Sunday, and the rest of the party, for one reason or another, pulled out at various stages on the first day.

Well, this time David decided to do the three peaks in two days. We were warned to carry a light pack, no more than 18 pounds David stressed, to walk steadily and moderately quickly, and at about 80% of our individual capacity. By observing these guidelines and having a short rest every two hours or so, the party should achieve its objective and possibly find time to enjoy ourselves. The party consisted of David Rostron, Fazeley Read, Gordon Lee, Tony Marshall, Richard Winthorpe, Jack Elliott (a visitor from Alberta,, Canada), Warwick Blayden of Federation fame, and me.

We enjoyed the usual refreshments at Aroni's Cafe, Katoomba, and drove our cars to the beginning of Narrow Neck. It was a cool dark night as we set off along Narrow Neck to the White Dog Road and reached the Cox's at about 11.30 pm where we erected our three tent flys and went to bed. We broke camp the next morning at about 7.00 am and headed off up the Cox's to Marcott's Spur, and started the long slog up to Gentle's Pass where we had a five minute break. The next leg to Dex Creek does create some navigational problems, but with his usual skill, David led us forward and we arrived spot on Dex Creek, had a quick drink before shooting off to Cloudmaker. Another break for a bite to eat and off again, over Rumble, onto Roar, where we turned towards Marooba Karoo, and down the long steep descent of Thunder Buttress to Kanangra Creek at Thunder Bend.

Unfortunately at this point of the trip, Gordon decided to pull out. The new Dunlop “High Leap” shoes he was wearing, although the same size as he normally wears, were far too tight, blistering his feet. We all felt sorry for him as he was the keenest in our little group, but the Three Peaks will be there for some time yet and I noticed that Gordon has put a Three Peaks 24-hour-attempt-trip on the current walks programme.

I suppose we had about 3/4 of an hour for lunch before starting our ascent of Paralyser via the South Paralyser Buttress. We all enjoyed the climb up to the Paralyser trig, although steeper than the gradual climb up to Cloudmaker one does experience the feeling of getting somewhere quickly. Unlike the top (of Paralyser), half and three-quarters of the way up one enjoys splendid views, in fact its rather an anticlimax on the top as the trees cut out the view completely. After another short stop we set off again as we now had to head along the North Paralyser Buttress and drop down into Whalania Deep to the Kanangra River, where we planned to set up camp at the bottom of Nooroo Buttress. It was a rather steep descent and we were pleased that we were able to set up camp with plenty of daylight left. Another group of bushwalkers had established camp on the river so we proceeded downstream a little to a very cosy flat grassy bend in the river. We did not stay up late and during the night the wind blew somewhat strongly, blowing over one of the tent flys.

Again we left camp at about 7.00 am and began our climb up to Guouogang, about 3000 feet. It was a cool sunny morning, ideal for the ascent, and half way up the wind blew with considerable force and the temperature dropped. I stopped and donned my sweater whilst the others continued in their shirts. The top of Guouogang is quite large and flat, and to avoid the scratchy bushes, we sidled the last spur to the trig point. We had spread out during the long climb but David was very pleased with us as on this and every climb, we all managed to finish with only a few minutes separating our arrival time.

Our path now led east to Bullagowar, Mt. Konangaroo and down to the Cox's for lunch. It was quite a long way and it took about 2 1/2 hours to reach the Cox's.

Now we felt rather warm, but a quick dip in the cold river soon cooled us off before lunch. Richard was also having trouble with his sandshoes, his bleeding blisters appeared very painful. This was his first walk for some time, yet, being the amazing fellow that he is, he took it all in his stride and had no difficulty in keeping up with the party. And of course Jack was certainly not accustomed to Australian conditions, and he also amazed us by being up there with the leaders at all times.

The climb up Yellow Pup was a hot affair and by the time we reached Mob's Swamp we were pleased to find water there. Upon leaving Mob's Swamp we met a party of bushwalkers that had started walking that morning, and who were doing a week's walking during the school holidays.

Back onto Narrow Neck the weather again turned cold with a very strong wind and Fazeley took off in top gear to reach the vanguard of the party as she didn't want them to miss out on the most welcomed chocolate that she was distributing. The wind increased its velocity, at times blowing me off balance. We encountered yet another party of bushwalkers, whom we nearly bumped into, in the dark. It was a good feeling to know we were walking out of the cold conditions whilst they were heading into them. We reached the cars at about 7.00 pm and drove back to Aroni's Cafe at Katoomba for a well earned hot meal and masses of their famous hot chocolate drink topped with loads of fresh whipped cream.

We estimated that we walked 50 miles and climbed up and down 15,000 feet. It may seem quite an achievement, but when one considers that the record, Warwick tells me, is 18 1/2 hours starting from Katoomba railway station and return, our party's 48 hour effort from the beginning of Narrow Neck and return, just pales into insignificance. Yet, by average standards, it is a hard walk and should only be attempted by experienced walkers. I think most of the Club's members who regularly go on hard weekend trips would have trouble doing the trip in 48 hours, but one would have to be a “tiger” walker to do the Three Peaks in under 24 hours.

by Jim Brown.

The Club lost a well-loved member with the death, on August 26th, of Phil Hall.

Phil joined the Club in November 1944, and over the ensuing seven or eight years was very active in walking and Club affairs. In 1950 he married fellow member Betty Hurley, and over the next few years home building and commitments to his young family kept him away from the mainstream of Club activities. During the 1960's, however, he returned to walking and also took a keen and active interest in ski-ing and canoeing. He joined the River Canoe Club with his son, Geoff. In that period when he was not closely engaged in his loved outdoor activities, he undertook several courses of study which led him to his final place of work with the Department of Technical and Further Education, where he was closely associated with the formation of curricula for apprenticeships.

That is a bare outline of Phil's work and interest over the past 37 years. Of the man it says nothing, and that means that it says nothing, because in the case of Phil Hall, the manner of man he was is everything.

A fellow Educationist at the funeral, which was attended by a large number of Club members, mainly dating from the 1940's, said he was a mixture of idealist and realist. That was true, but not all the truth. Phil had a discerning and lucid mind, and at times spoke out forcibly and vehemently, on those matters about which he felt strongly. When you got to know him, you realised he was a very gentle man, quite soft-hearted, somewhat shy and something of a Puritan. When he spoke out strongly and critically it was always on some issue where his concept of humanity, decency and justice had been affronted. He was, in short, a thoroughly “good” man, and there are not enough of those to go around.

For my own part, I met Phil on my very first Club walk, in the last days of 1946, and somehow became part of a gang including Phil and Betty, Ken Meadows, Bob and Christa Younger, and Bill Horton. At the time I suppose I was learning to be a civilian again, and the acceptance by and friendship of that group during the next few years was one of the really profound influences on me. At last I had “come home”.

Obviously I have many memories of those years. I am not jealous of those memories and would gladly write of them if I thought I could do justice to any small part of them. Perhaps enough to say that I will always be thankful I had the chance to walk and talk with Phil, and to share with him that strange, utterly satisfying communion of camps with the wind and the stars and the firelight glow in the friendly darkness and stillness of the bush.

To Betty; to Marion, Susan and Janet, his daughters; to Geoffrey, his son, all Club members extend the deepest sympathy in their - and our - loss.

by David Rostron.

In recent years I had wandered through the Blue Breaks but had not set foot on Lacy's Plateau or the Bimlow Tableland. My interest in the latter had been aroused by some of Jim Brown's accounts of his roamings and a study of the maps showing the long narrow finger of Bimlow Tableland extending over about 20 km.

As far as I could determine no one had traversed the tableland between the Amphitheatre, G.R.322960, and lest Bimlow Peak, G.R.389022 - a distance of about 10 km. The major problem was how to manage the trip in 3-4 days from Kanangra. It was Don Finch who suggested it could be included in a Mittagong to Katoomba jaunt. Over some months I enthused about the trip and at one stage had about 12 converts. However, when the time came to board the Mittagong train on 5/6/81, there were only Fusae and Ray Dargan, John Redfern and I.

We arrived at Mittagong at 7.30 pm, enjoyed a leisurely dinner and then taxied out to Wanganderry, where the driver took us about 4 km on to the farm. We then walked 2-3 miles down the steepest part of the Burnt Flat Creek fire trail. The only suitable campsite was the trail, and we pitched tents under a starry night.

Ray was first up before 6.00 am and we were away at 7.20 am, just as it started to drizzle. This was to be the pattern for the day - overcast and drizzling rain at times. On only one occasion did I put a cape on - for about 30 minutes.

We travelled along Water Board roads and had magnificent views of Bonnum Pic from various angles. From the north, under the summit ridge, it looks most precipitous.

The Wollondilly Valley with its rolling yellow-green hills looked magnificent in contrast to the sandstone walls. We saw large numbers of kangaroos - groups of up to about 30. The river was crossed at 9.45 am at Bonnum Pic Creek. The water was about a foot deep at a rapid. We continued past Joorilands Homestead (vacant) and then along the Sheepwalk for about 3 miles, turning off west just before Byrnes Creek where we had lunch in the rain.

After lunch we climbed to the Yerranderie Road and then along this for a short distance before crossing more rolling open hills to the Tonalli River by 2.45 Pm. As rain was still threatening we decided to carry water up to Lacy's Gap (1700' up) where we hoped to find a cave for the night. It was a tired group that eventually stopped at 4.30 pm in a small but very well sheltered cave on the western side of the island rock formation which extends southwards from the gap. It rained and blew during the night but we were very comfortable.

It appeared to be clearing in the morning and this may have encouraged us to linger over breakfast as we had our latest start for the trip at 7.40 am. We then had pleasant plateau walking to Point 2570' where we had good views to the west and north - to Axehead Range, Kanangra, Cloudmaker, etc.

The next 3-4 km on a compass course to Point 2450' at G.R.301953 included some reasonable plateau walking but also some heavy scrub. View to the north from 2450' and from the northern plateau rim just beyond it were again excellent, particularly of the Broken Rock Range.

Our view of the next 13-14 km of the Bimlow Tableland revealed some rough going - many ups and downs. The appearance from that angle was similar to the Red Rocks. We thought we could discern a break in the north-west cliff line with a ridge down, about half way along. We decided then that this would be the “out”, if the going became too rugged.

The next 2 km to the amphitheatre (and a route down at 322960) was very scrubby and we were thankful for the long pants. At the amphitheatre the faint-hearted leader gave the party the option of the soft life down on Green Wattle Creek. I was disappointed there were no takers.

We pressed on over the Clear Hills (the vegetation being slightly less dense) and then lunched on Point 2360. The sky was clear but a cool westerly had us putting parkas on. From this point we remained (or tried to) on the western rim of the Tableland. Most of the creeks drain to the south-east from this point.

At the point where we believed we had seen a route down, it had literally “disappeared”. There was no ridge or apparent break in the cliff line. By this time (2.30 pm) we were all somewhat thirsty and tired and shortly afterwards explored some breaks and ledges on the north-west face but could not find a route which did not involve rope work. We lost about 45 minutes and then decided to press on and stop at the first suitable site. We had already encountered some cliff lines on the top of the Tableland and we had to negotiate more before stopping at 366988 at about 4.00 pm. Our progress from the Clear Hills had been at about 1 mile an hour.

Our camp was on a saddle, right at the western rim with magnificent views through 180°. The lights of Katoomba were later clearly visible. We found some water 80 metres down a gully and the rest in rock pools - about 2 gallons in all. This high camp was typical of the others I have experienced in the Blue Breaks - glorious views and sunset as we sat on the western rim eating dinner. The grandeur of this wilderness area associated with the feeling of both isolation and freedom have made these experiences among the most treasured of my life, or as Snow Brown would put it - “You wouldn't be dead for quids”.

From our camp we could see two possible routes down, a further 3-5 km to the north. We knew progress would be slow, so resolved to move off at first light on Monday. This wasn't all that difficult as we were in bed by 8.00 pm. Ray was first up at 4.30 am and then we waited about 10 minutes for the light to improve, before moving off at 6.30 am.

The terrain was similar to that encountered on the previous afternoon - cliff lines, some dense scrub and some easier rocky terrain. This section of the tableland was identical to parts of the Red Rocks. Progress was still at one mile an hour. We had a magnificent sunrise over Bimlow Peak.

At 384009 we found a face ridge which we could have descended but then decided to press on to West Bimlow Peak and apparent routes beyond. Another 500 metres and we found the perfect route down - a break crevasse through the cliff line at 385015 with walls up to 200' high.

We pressed on to West Bimlow Peak, reaching this at 9.30 am. We had magnificent views to the north. This is one of the most outstanding viewpoints in the Blue Breaks. We dropped off this through small cliff lines - and then after 1/2 km dropped off the Tableland at 390026 - down a gully which Phil Butt had used when crossing the tableland from Lacy's Creek 14 years before. There is a ridge just to north which is also a route. The excitement was over.

We descended to Green Wattle Creek and then it was up and over the Broken Rock Range, followed by a long descent to Butcher's Creek for a five star campsite with running water.

This was the coldest night of the trip - about 2°C. We were again up at 4.30 am and then experienced one of the hazards of breakfast in the dark. John put dry soyaroni instead of muesli in his breakfast milk. The tents were heavy with dew and we spent about 1/2 hour drying them before moving off at 7.00 am.

An easy ascent up a ridge to the Cedar Road, and then to Scott's Main Range Road. We were on the Cox at 10.30 am. Both the Kowmung and Cox were up and Fusae with her short legs was somewhat apprehensive about the crossings. We breathed a sigh of relief when we reached the northern bank of the Cox.

An early lunch followed and then the long drag up White Dog and back over Narrow Neck. We enjoyed the celebration at Young's Chinese Cafe (now licensed). It was a time to eat, drink and be merry, with only a train to catch.

by Peter Miller.

F.B.W. Cabaret Ball. (See notice Page 16)

Square Dancing.

This is an evening of fun and dancing for all. It does not matter if you cannot dance as the Caller is expert at teaching the basic steps.

Dinner before the meeting will be held at Cheludes Lebanese Restaurant, 270 Pacific Highway, Crow's Nest at 6.30 pm.

Club Auction.

The auction will be conducted again by Charlie Brown and as usual the proceeds will go to the Coolana funds.

Bring along all those useful old objects which will be snapped up by the eager buyers.

by Jim Brown.

(The final instalment of an item presented at the 1981 Club Re-union)

(SONG) Please don't sue our Editor,
Although he was to blame.
He should not have said it, or
At least not used your name.
When we elect our Editors
They're sane, you may depend,
But when their year is almost up
They're likely to be round the bend.

SONG (All) to “Lili Marlene” -

Back in Nineteen-fifty, someone in despond
Said the Club was failing, just “a stagnant pond”.
Earlier still, they said with heat
The Club was dying on its feet.
The corpse just kept on walking… we don't know when we're beat.

Say we just ignore them, messengers of gloom,
Treat with scant attention prophecies of doom.
We cannot see what we should fear
For while we walk our path is clear.
Be this our closing blessing… A HAPPY WALKING YEAR!

Presented by Sutherland Bushwalking Club (for the N.S.W. Fed. B.W. Clubs). From Saturday 7th Nov. to Sunday 8th Nov. - Start 2 pm Sat. to 2 pm Sund.

A 24 hour Rogaine is a sport of Scandanavian origin involving cross-country navigation on foot around a course of previously set checkpoints. Competitors must find as many checkpoints as possible within 24 hours using only a map, compass and resourcefulness.

The Second N.S.W. 24 Hour Rogaine will be held in a very varied and interesting area 90 minutes drive south of Sydney. The terrain ranges from rolling paddocks, light eucalypt forest, pine forest to steep, scrubby ridge and gully systems. A number of the checkpoints around the administration hall (hash house) are designed for novice entries and beginners are encouraged to come and try rogaining. The course is centred on a small hall in a quiet country town so that weary walkers will be served their meals in warmth and shelter if the weather is inclement.

Entries are invited from teams of 2 to 6 persons. Teams will be entered as: Mens, Womens, Mixed or Veterans (all team members over 40 years). These classifications are for placings only and all teams will use the same course.

Equipment:

1) It is recommended that you carry a day pack throughout the event containing waterproof jacket, compass, torch, spare globes, pencil, high energy food, whistle, spare batteries, water bottle, plastic bag for map, watch and beanie, first aid gear. Comfortable sandshoes will be satisfactory though competitors may expect to have wet feet for some of the distance so bring spare socks.

2) You should understand the use of a compass and Lands Dept. map (e.g. terms like knoll, spur, ridge, etc.)

3) Please bring your own tent (if required), plates and cutlery.

Food will be provided at the hash house by the organisers as will soup, tea and coffee. This is included, in the entry fee.

Please Note: No dogs are allowed either at the hash house or on the course.

Cost: $8 per person for entries received before 16th October. $10 per person for late entries.

Enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope for posting of final instructions prior to the event.

Enquiries - preferably by mail to Sutherland Bushwalking Club, P.O. Box 250, Sutherland. 2232, or C.P. Shiels (02) 528 6543.

Note: Rules and entry forms will be attached to S.B.W. Notice Board.

Dear Sir,

I was only remotely amused by Owen Marks' attack on fellow Club member George Gray in the recent issue of The Sydney Bushwalker, as I thought George's article highly instructive and if that's what computers are designed for, Hooray for them.

Before reading the article I was a nervous wreck. I used to bash my wife up regularly, couldn't sleep at symphony concerts and I was the laugh of the Cordon Bleu Club when I left my ox on the spit 3 1/2 minutes too long. The reason was that I was perpetually worried, if Easter 2005 would coincide with the 800th anniversary of the Sacking of Constantinople by the 4th Crusade? Thanks to George's article I can now sleep in peace, with angels sitting on my shoulder all night; but now I have another problem that Owen Marks has pointed out, namely do I add or subtract 11 days from the date? I am starting to get panicky, because if the date is in the English history books, is it in the Gregorian time scale or the Julian? Or to put it more succinctly, have all British dates been altered.

Only a few weeks ago I was celebrating the 766th Anniversary of the Signing of the Magna Carta on June 15th, and now I fear I may have been celebrating it on the wrong day. I am really concerned because I feel as though I am out of tune with the cosmos.

The Battle of Marathon is one of my favorite anniversaries and now I have a problem that is well nigh insurmountable. The date is well known to everyone, but when the Greek date was put into the Roman calendar before the Emperors Julian and Augustus had their months inserted, was it altered? And was it altered when the Gregorian Calendar followed the Julian with the missing 11 days?

I have decided to forgo all anniversaries that have occurred before the 19th century just in case. Have I done the right thing? Perhaps the President of the Calendar Reform Society can help me in my present predicament.

A Worried Reader.

(Name and address supplied.)

by Barry Wallace.

The meeting began at 2025 with the President in the chair and about 55 members present. There was an apology from Tony Marshall and the new member, Lyndy Macready, was welcomed in the usual way.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received and the only matters arising were deferred to General Business. Correspondence brought letters from Rosemary Baxter (new address), Bob and Sheila Battye (terminating membership), Mick Elfick (advising new address and inviting visitors - see last month's magazine) and the usual letter to new member.

While we are on Correspondence, let me correct an error from the July mag. It is Chris Perez who has moved to Broken Hill, not Chris Percy. Sorry Chris, it's all to do with my writing.

The Treasurer's Report indicates that we started the month with $1916.48, spent $617.09, acquired $517.00 by fair means or foul, and ended up with $1816.39. The Coolana account shows a closing balance of $353.50.

Federation Report brought news of two meetings, the July General Meeting and the Annual General Meeting. At the former there was news of the sale Of lands in the Wolgan Valley due to rates owing. F.B.W. is to support the purchase of this land by the Lands. Dept. subject to N.P.W.S. approval. It reported that there are plans to close the Narrow Neck road in two to three years, and that the next F.B.W. Re-union will be organised by Span Unlimited.

The F.B.W. Annual General Meeting saw some changes in the elected officers of Federation, with Gordon Lee going in as President. Search and Rescue appear to be being excluded from searches in all but the most general cases.

The Walks Report began with Peter Frank's Capertee River trip an 10,11,12 July which attracted 9 members and one prospective. Unfortunately this party was somewhat slow and they became benighted on a mountainside on Saturday night and had to re-trace their steps to arrive back at the cars at 1430. There was no report of Gordon Lee's Kanangra walk for that same weekend. Tony Marshall's Kanangra trip had 6 starters and some snow. The report said it was led by committee (of 6?) with some changes to the programmed route. Of the two day trips Hans Stichter had 19 people on his Mt. Hay test walk and Peter Christian reported 10 members and 4 prospectives on his Porto Bay ramble.

The weekend of 17,18,19 July saw John Redfern leading 8 to 10 starters an his Airly Mt., Mt. Genowlan walk. It was a good weekend somewhat spoilt by new access road construction in the area. Ian Debert's mid-day Saturday start walk to Mt. Solitary attracted 8 starters and Nancye Alderson's historical trip on Saturday the 18th did go but there was no report. The Sunday walk had Vic Lewin shepherding 4 members and 3 prospectives around the Pinnacles on what was described as a lovely day.

Jim Laing should have opened the betting for the weekend of 24,25,26 July with his Newnes trip, but for some reason there was no report. Don Finch, on the other hand, led 11 bods on his Ettrema Creek trip, one of whom suffered a sprained knee, causing the walk to be re-routed and getting everyone back to the cars by 1500 on Sunday. There were two day walks that weekend: Jim Brown had 10 members, 13 prospectives and one visitor on an uneventful test walk from Waterfall to Heathcote and Roy Braithwaite had 10 members and 2 prospectives an a pleasant enough walk to Otford. Things looked bad when their train didn't stop for them at Otford, but it backed up to get them and all was well.

Gordon Lee's Introduction to Kanangra for the fit must have scared people off. There was no report. That same weekend, July 31, August 1,2 saw Jim Vatiliotis leading 8 people on a difficult walk in the Budawangs to arrive back at the cars in the last of the light at 1730. Sunday 2nd August saw David Ingram (Snr.) and 14 members, one prospective and 5 visitors affirming that Bushwalkers Basin is as good as ever. Vic Lewin had a party of 7 members, 8 prospectives and 2 visitors on a solid walk in the Lockley's Pylon area the same day.

The following weekend, 7,8,9 August was cold, particularly for Spiro and his 14 starters on Mt. Colong. Apart from almost losing Peter Miller they all had a good time. There was no report of Colin Besley's trip for that same weekend but Len Newland had 7 people on his day walk on Sunday 9th. At least one member of the party reported being threatened by an angry wombat. There was no report on Peter Dyce's programmed walk for Glenbrook Gorge, and that ended the Walks Report - - - sort of.

General Business saw the Club vote $100 to support the F.B.W. challenge the E.C. of N.S.W. Birds Rock Colliery environmental impact statement.

After that it was just a matter of the announcements and the President declared the meeting closed at 2112. Amen!

Ashfield Town Hall - Friday, 9th October.

$6 Single. 7.30 pm to 1 am. B.O.G. Ladies bring plate - men bring drinks. S.B.W. Contact: Barbara Bruce - Phone 669,0411 Ext.550 or 546,6570 (H).