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i101,19t- SOO P-t t'keeK. A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers Inc, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney. 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening* at 8 pa at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milson's Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager. *The Clubroom will be closed on 26th January '94. EDITOR George Mawer,42 Lincoln Rd,Georges Hall Telephone 707 1343 2198 BUSINESS MANAGER Joy Hynes, 36 Lewis St, Dee Why 2099 Telephone 982 2615 (H), 888 3144 (B) PRODUCTION MANAGER Fran Holland, Telephone 484 6.636 TYPIST & LAY-OUT Kath Brown ILLUSTRATOR Morag Ryder PRINTERS Kenn Clacher, Kay Chan, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven & Les Powell JANUARY 1994 Page From the President 10/1/94 Ian Debert 2 Bushfires! Ben Esgate 2 The First Canyons of Summer David Trinder 3 Not As Per Program Jo van Sommers 7 New Members 8 Hat Hill, Crayfish Creek, The Hole Carol Lubbers 11 The December General Meeting Barry Wallace 12 From the Clubroom Maurice Smith 14. #..*###### Advertisements Alpsports 5 Eastwood Camping Centre 6 Blue Mountain Outdoor Clothing Specialists 9 Mountain Equipment 10 Willis's Walkabouts 13 -#### PAGE 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER JANUARY 1994 FROM THE PRESIDENT 10/1/94 Here we are in the middle of a real heat wave with fires that are HORRIFIC at last count it was 150 over the State. As a bushwalking club we are all aware of the dangers of fire and I hope none of us Are guilty of non-extinguishing that last ember. All National Parks are closed, - A lot of country has been destroyed either accidentally or on purpose, and some lives lost. However we say many, many thanks to all those who have been involved in fighting the fires, saving lives and homes and also same bushland. We hope that'no members of 40pr Club have been victims. I'll see you down the track when the dangers have passed. BUSHFIRES ! (Extracts from a talk given by Ben Esgate on. 31/5/89.) PANIC is the biggest killer. When faced with a fast moving bushfire, people forget every bit of good advice they have ever been given. If a fire approaches when you are out on a bushwalk:- ; FIND RAINFOREST - this has thick, dark green foliage coachwood) and is a safe retreat. So are clumps of lawyer vines and tall trees without undergrowth (like blue Gum). Green casuarinas (she-oaks) also burn poorly. AVOID - low, th2k scrub, in forested or open areas. Dry swamps are full of rushes which burn fiercely. ' Avoid wearing synthetic materials, as flying cinders will melt them into your skin. Wool or cotton is best. Because HEAT RISES, fire races UP hill, but burns slowly DOWN hill. Head down into a gully. A 'rocky stream bed, even if dry, is good. Smoke also rises, avoid being asphyxiated by lying down, where the air will be fresher and contain more oxygen. If the fire is going to pass fairly close, use a large boulder to shield you from heat radiation. Always carry matches. If the situation 'is really desperate, you can light a fire and walk behind the flames. A bushf ire cannot burn ground already burnt. Remember that even the biggest fire passes. Once it HAS passed, walk carefully over the burnt ground. Try keeping' to rocky patches to avoid treading on burning cinders. (This article was first published in November 1989, and published again in November 1991. ten Esgate is an authority on the subject, having. lived in the Blue Mountains for many years. In addition to being a bushman and bushwalker of vast experience, he was a Bush Fire Brigade Captain for a considerable time.) IAN DEBERT. JANUARY 1994 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 3 THE FIRST CANYONS OF SUMMER 27'& 28 November 1993 by David Trinder It was an early start from home. Driving through the Newnes Forest was just normal Blue Mountains bush. The sloping morning sunshine was lighting the spring growth gum tips in the full range of reds, orange red to purple red. They were brightly. back lit against the dark unlit greenery behind. Large red waratahs were outstanding. The group parked the vehicles and walked to Hole-in-the-Wall Canyon. The sun was higher but shining from an angle brightly on one side of trees and on wildflowers, pink, white, purple, blue. Their leader had twenty-two behind him, he was thinking, “What I've got for this lot will put a smile on the other side of their faces”, but he was &so anxiously thinking, “I've got to bring them back in twenty-two pieces and preferal5ly with a smile sornevvhere!” At a ferny creek, an unnamed tributary of Bungleboorie North Arm, the word went back along- the line, “Wet suits on”, “wet suits on”, “wet suits on”. They made body and pack ready for cold water and continued down the creek through deep pools to the first abseil. The canyon had been formed by long term erosion by creek water into soft rock, creating a narrow slot., that at the bottom was wet, cold, dark and eerie; and it was about to receive this group of game, agile adventurers. “Gear on”, went back along the line. Karabiners, pitons and rappel racks tinkled and harnesses were tied or buckled on. The first abseil rope was set up by the leader. They had all learnt the technique but still had some fear. They knew that if you look between your legs towards the ground and it is out of focus, don't bother focussing. The leader showed how it was done, feet at rightangles to the walls on both sides of a vee, body horizontal, he walked backwards down the vertical face until he disappeared from sight. The canyon was narrow and deep, the sides of sandstone had humps and hollows, the light came from one direction, above, and it accented the sculptured shape by lighting the top side and leaving the lower side dark. Several abseils later, a drop into water, unhook,, and “Rope free”, in front is a cold dark pool of water, how deep? Knee deep,. neck deep and a swim. job. “Torches on”, went back along the line and the next drop took them into a chamber with no light from above, no natural light at all except for a thousand tiny glow worm lights. “Put the torches out”, and it was iike a clear dark night sky. “There's the saucepan”. PAGE 4 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER JANUARY 1994 It was cold, they were shivering and somebody offered a cup of tea: They had time to appreciate this beautiful place because the next stage was a swim around the corner to the hole in the wall - a slot wide enough for the thickness of a body. and a metre above water level. It took strenuous exercise with grunting, swearing, laughing, squeezing, pulling and contorting the body to feed through. Then they were in blinding sunlight and sunheat for lunch. - Returning up the ridge was hot and they needed water; a contrast to the wet, cold, exciting places they were coming from Sunday, and Surefire Canyon - the first abseil was difficult, down the nose of a large rock then fall across to a slimy wall or down the vee between the rock and the wall. They help one another, checking and encouraging the person ahead and belaying and congratulating the person behind. Some had fear, that their mates with whom they stayed, helped to resolve: Changes in the canyon's shape occurred continuously, it was like being in two seashells, in an amphitheatre or between straight walls. The sculptured shapes Were endless and the floor was littered with large rocks and black wet logs, but the top was always a one-metre wide strip of light that ferns reached over and , overlapped, one hundred metres above. A difficult start over a black log and in front of another that should not be dislodged, the remaining hole, only large enough for a body to go through vertically, then a freefall in a waterfall, to dark water below. From the young ones further down, peels of laughter and calling echoed through the chambers with the noise of Waterfalls. They were laughing at the surprises and challenges that they encountered and at the idea of older members doing the same thing. Another pool - can I walk around it on the slippery sloping rocks or do I go through it? The last drop was in a waterfall into waist deep water then a swim through a gap as narrow as a body's thickness. More surprises, log jams, swim below a rock and exit to warm welcoming sunshine. As each one came out, he or she was ecstatic at surviving the challenges, at the light and heat of the sun and being released from the, fear and tension. The twenty-two survived and will go back for more. Thanks go to the leader, Kern Clacher. The followers were Edith Baker, Kay Chan, Marella Hogan, Joanne Kerr, Carol Lubbers, Michele Powell, Doreen Proven, Colin Atkinson, Brian Beaven, Bob Harder, Steve Mackay, Tony Manes, Geoff McIntosh, Jim Oxley, Andrew McLay, David Trinder, Patrick Trinder, Maurice Smith, Alan Wells, Tom Wenman, Ian Wolf (21C) and Chris Wong. PHONE US TODAY & SAY 'Cr. DAY“ 02-858-3833 QLD QBB Butter Concentrate ACT National Maps Vic Outgear Backpacks Accessories Feathertop Wool”Shirts Giant Trees Dried meals NSW Sleeping Bags J& H, Mont, Romans Rainwear Mont, J & H, Superior Day Packs High Tops Summit Gear Bonwiek Caving Ladders HoleProof ,r1 Undies 4 Socks Trailblazer Hats DB Cdnyon bags 'TA& Blundstone Boots WA Wilderness Equipment Backpacks Goretex Clothing Cycle Panniers SA . Rossi Bo Fr ts ers Baby Carriers EASTWOOD CAMPING CENTRE 3 -Trelawney St (PO Box 131) Eastwood NSW 2122 NT Beef tier We specialise in the latest light weight gear for your outdoor adventures. Whether you require Tents, Backpacks, Sleeping bags, Rainwear, Stoves Abseiling gear or Accessories, we carry the best brands. Macpac, j&H, Berghaus, Scarpa, Outgear, Trangia, M.S.R., Jansport, Bluewater, Edelrid, Petzl, S.R.T. We offer you personalised knowledgeable service to help you purchase the correct equipment for your needs, naturally we offer the best prices too. Advice is only a phone call away. X-Country Skiers We stock the latest range of skis, boots bindings, & poles for backcountry and telemark BACKCOUNTRY SKI HIRE. IMPORT T NOTICE Boor-. HIRE GEAR' AhrO/V7 Now Available—-,..&ti`fiss A Macpac - Tents - Backpacks -“Sleeping bags A j&II - Rainwear A Trail& - Stoves A Thermarests,A. Biwy Bags Special prices fordub members. Week or weekend rates. MAIL ORDER CATALOGUE AVAILABLE DISCOUNT FOR CLUB MEMBERS 11111111111 ammer- rimmir Nion\rpoirr morrow .. wiwrams…”…. IDS Your 'One Stop' Adventure Shop .407 Victoria Rd, -West Ry(le NSW 2114., Ph: (02) 858 5844. JANUARY 1994 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE ' NOT AS PER PROGRAM by Jo van Sommers Jim and I have had a really good look at the Mount Hay area this year The wildflowers have been beautiful, with fields of Boronia floribunda softening the harsh rocks of the knobs leading up to Boorong Crags, with its wonderful views of the Grose River. I got very excited about finding some white bushes' amongst the predominantly pale pink boronia, but calmed down a bit when I checked the reference books at home and found that the white form does occas- ionally occur. (Incidentally, those who know the rare –stand of pink Flannel flower off the Narrow Neck Road will be disappointed to learn that it has disappeared this year.) We put a lot of effort into devising a route using our expibrations of the'Mount Hay area so Jim could Offer a weekend Walk from Blackheath to Hazelbrook. Despite asking around we couldn't find anyone who had actually got out of the Grose River by way of Marie Byles. Pass, although a few older members thought they might have been there once, long ago, and others whom you would have expected to know, didn't. We even went along way back through the old programs. However, the position of the pass looked pretty clear from the high ground beyond Mount Hay and the top map showed all the right contours, so we regarded that bit of this new trip as a pushover (walkover!). That left a mystery section using Mount Hay Creek to connect up with the overgrown untrafficked Hurley Heights firetrail that leads off the end of Mount Hay Road. We have previously driven an ordinary car to the start of this track (four-wheel drive owners, especially local Mountain people, like to regard, the Mount Hay Road as suitable only for four-wheel drives). Again the flowers in spring along this track were profuse and lovely. Towards the end of Hurley Heights Track water was available where the south-flowing creek had been dammed a long time ago, making a nice campsite in the tall trees. Although the track ends where the ridge starts to drop sharply, we had previously found a way down through the cliff line and into Wentworth Creek. Once there, we knew we could exit byone of several routesmriously explored on. Jim's popular Lawson Ridge trips. So all Jim needed was a feasible route from the Boorong Crags to the firetrail. I had already observed what sort of exploration was involved and declined to accompany him. Would've slowed him down too much anyway. He had two possible routes drawn on the map, with bearing marked and everything. Somehow the practice didn't fit the theory, and he returned home late, scratched, bruised, and unsuccessful. Did he give up? No Way! Off again the next day to try the second line on the map. Same result - scrub too thick, cliffs too precipitous, tributaries too choked with vegetation. Not the ideal short cut at all And thus it was that the medium/hard weekend walk of November 13/14 1993 with two long days requiring early starts to get through; became an ordinary medium walk from Lawson to camp on Wentworth Creek, with a large deep swimming pool, piles of driftwood conveniently arranged on thebeach next to the fire place, . just enough space for the four tents and good water a mere hour upstream at the same south-flowing creek coming off Hurley Heights Ridge that I mentioned before. So now we know what is at the top and the bottom of this creek, and would like to hear from anyone who had been up or down it. There is attractive rain-forest and it looks worth exploring. At the campsite itself, there is a small rock ' pool in a dry creek. Wentworth Creek itself is getting cleaner but is not yet drinkable. Saturday night.. It rained after dinner. It rained all night. It rained at breakfast. The two prospectives, Stephen and Andrew, very comforable each in PAGE 8 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER JANUARY 1.994 his own spacious Olympus, emerged dry in the next morning's downpour, and. stayed dry; while they packed up inside their outer fly. Fran and Bill were dry in their Macpac and through careful co-ordination, patience (Fran) and strength (Bill) managed to pack up for two inside their tent also. Guess who wasn't dry in their eleven-year-old ir6en Yapara which ciplirtati*.haaAlebil around a bit, and guess who got even wetter while packing up outside any sheltering fly? That did it. I announced that I was not sleeping in that thing again! (We now have not one, but two, beautiful new jobs which between them fulfil all the impossible specifications that one tent could not possibly, meet, that had keptJis from deciding on a replacement for at least the last two years.!) The rain meant we would be cutting back on further exploration and returning by the route we had used to get to camp. Quite a route it was, too. Hanging by our teeth from lawyer vines, wrapping ourselves around boulders while the feet did a little dance trying to find something solid to grip, practising beautiful telemarks in the loose scree; that slope was steep. But it didn't seem so bad going up: spurred on by the storm, and knowing there was a dry cave above us. A big morning tea in a dry cave with a soothing fire, the rain ceasing, time for a little snooze for the not-so-young, while the brave leader and the intrepid prospectives set off at a cracking pace (set by the prospectives, I'm told) to discover fresh marvels along the ridge and down the cliffs to Wentworth Creek “a new way” and back up “Jim's Creek” for a well-earned lunch. Then a pleasant, flower-lined walk home in the afternoon. Dinner was taken at the oddly named Henry Lawson cafe in Lawson - odd because the food is Lebanese. Everyone ordered medium plates, except for Andrew, who opted for the large. The medium was enormous, the large was just about ridiculous. Andrew says he consumes about 5-6 lb of f6od a day whilst bughwalking (no problem - for him tocarry it either) but he couldn't finish that plate. With coffee, the bill was less than $10 each. , Fruit to finish; and extra nibbles, were on the house. They seemed to have forgotten the corkage charge. Thefl decor is far from flash, the traffic rumbles just outside, but this must be the bargain eatery of the.Mountains. Thus ended the weekend walk, not exactly as per program, but very enjoyable nonetheless.' * * 4 * * * * * * * *

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All garments shipped by certified mail * Cheques payable to “Blue Mountains Outdoor Clothing Specialists”, or circle Mastercard,! Visa /I Bankcard No. Cardholder Name Expiry date Signature Please send me No Garment type Size Colour NAME ADDRESS PH THE LEADING SPECIALISTS. OUTFITTERS FOR THE SERIOUS BUSH WALKER CHATSWOOD 272 VICTORIA AVENUE (OPP. CHATSWOOD CHASE CAR PARK) PH: (02) 419 6955. SYDNEY 291 SUSSEX STREET (CNk BATHURST) PH: (02) 264 3146 or (02) 267 3639 FAX: (02) 264 2645. BUSH WALKING PACKS All sizes 40-85 litre capacity. The best designs to suit your back. MACPAC, WE., OUTGEAR & SOUTH WIND. RAINSHELLS Jackets, oltrousers & capes. Goretex, Milair, MVT, MONT, WE., INTERTREK.& PETER STORM. THERMAL UNDER & OUTER WEAR Polypropelene, Chlorofibre, 'Polartech, Poladite & Polarplus. PROPEL, EVERWARM, PETER STORM, SNOWGUM,. MACPAC, MONT & INTERTREK. DOWN SLEEPING BAGS From super lightweight travel to expedition use MACPAC.,'MONT, SALEWA, J&H & ROMAN. 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JANUARY 994 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE fly Carol Lubbers 16 & 17 January 1993 Blue Mountains NP: Hat Hill, Crayfish Creek, The Hole & Return Leader: Geoff McIntosh Party: 7 members & 1 visitor: Bendigo Kerry, Pat Bradley, George Mawer, Peter Lafferty, Carol Lubbers, Keith Perry, Vince Smith & Louise Sylva The weather was very hot as our party left Hat Hill and negotiated the short steep descent into lush and beautiful Hat Hill Creek. Lush is the word, the Blackheath Sewage Treatment Works are upereek! If you ever need liverwort, this is the place. Just don't drink the effluent. The climb up the other side was excruciating 7 hot, steep..and:scrubby. Frogs sat in trees calmly watching us claw by. We were consoled by the expansive views of the Grose Valley from Baltzer Lookout and awed by the sheer drop below us. It became a weekend of proposed abseils, if only 'we had a long enough rope! Late on Saturday afternoon, We sidled- through the scrub along Crayfish Creek to where it drops to the Grose Valley. Along the way, we indulged in several welldeserved ice cold sitzbaths in the creek. Ai the drop, there were huge boulders from rock falls in the creek bed and many big trees beside. A green and pleasant place. We camped. back along the Creek. in a large, clean overhang - ideal for happy hour fter such a hot d First thing Sunday, we made a short trip to a side. . canyon- running into Crayfish - cold, slippery, wet and dark but worth the wrigglingand risk of hypothermia. Could've seen more if we'd had a long enough rope to 'drop in 'froth the top, we mused. Whilst making our way to The Hole we found an impossible side creek (just as well only one of us went over one overhang - we had to pull him back!). -Geoff vowed to return to conquer by abseil. While the retrieval attempts were happening, we were buzzed by a nesting pair of rufous fantails whose nest was precariously glued to a meagre branch above the drop. We retraced our steps and 'continued on to G-eoff's usual way and then: THE HOLE: Ominous clouds rolled across above and we became very cold, but it wasn't just because of the weather! We gladly donned our thermals. Cold, wet, slimy, scary 7 one at a time, with our packs on; we slid into a freezing deep ,pool, swam a few metres, slipped and slithered, quivered and quaked across a short, slimy, sloping section to dangle over the next edge on a rope. A few feet of freefall to more, slippery rocks and Geoff's open arms, then drop packs down' into a large pool at the bottom A very thin slippery sidle with a handline for psychological comfort and Peter Lafferty cheating death to ensure our safety (but not his!), lead to a ramp down to the pool (full of big rough, slimy bounders beneath The Hole), We had arrived in an amphitheatre of high sandstone walls, the base of which was littered with great boulders and fringed with rainforest. We hastily shivered into our dry clothes and 'said, next time, we abseil! Following a short exciting rainforest sidle back to the exit point on Hat Hill Creek, a hot climb was had by all back to Hat Ilia Amazing to think that all this rugged walking was, so close to the tourist traps. A most magnificent weekend. Thanks, Geoffl PAGE 12 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER JANUARY 1994 THE DECEMBER GENERAL MEETING . by Barry Wallace There were around 20 members present. at 2026 when the President called the imeeting to order. -There were no apologies so' we proceeded to the welcome of new members Anne Maguire', Jo Robertson, Frank Grennan, Ron Howlett and : John DeCoque: . The Minutes of the previous general meeting were read and received with no matters arising. Correspondence brought a letter from Kath Brown indicating that she will step down from her long term voluntary position as magazine typist in March 1994. There was a letter from our insurer indicating that the matter of the claim for damages by Frances Drew has been settled out of court by negotiation. There were also numerous advertisements, circulars and magazines from other clubs. A letter from someone-in Ulverstone, Tasmania, asking for details on the setting up of a walking club such as ours brought a touch of deja-vue, particularly for Zol Bodlay who provided a fairly Complete answer the last time this correspondent sent us a similar letter. Given that he must have the hang of it by now, this'one was alSo referred to Zol for response. Matters arising' involved a brief discussion of Kath's letter, mainly centred on what we do now and how do you thank. someone for all that diligence and perseverance. So then it was over to the Treasurer to report on matters financial. It seems that for the month we earned $0.00: (that's, right, NO income), spent $548 and ended the month with a-balance of $4,205. The Walks Report began with the weekend 'of 12/13/14 November as Jim. Percy re-routed his “early starts! two full days” Govetts Leap to Hazelbrook walk to make it a gentler more caring easy-medium ramble around Lawson Ridge. The 6 people who attended keep insisting, or at least a vocal sub-set of theadoes, that it did not rain, but we know. better. Will Hilder had 6 on his day-and-ahalf Great West Walk stages 18 and Of the day walks, Zol Bodlay led a party of 6 on his Wollemi Wilderness Colo River Saturday trip in fine conditions with a modicum of swimming, Kenn Clacher had 21 students and instructors on his abseiling instructional at Wahroonga, and Laurie Bore reported a party of 4 enjoying generally fine conditions with some rain and lots of waratahs on his Bell to Wollongambe Crater trip on the Sunday. November 20,21 saw Tone Dean cancel her walk along the beaches from MacMasters Beach to Wagstaff Point. Maurie Bloom's' Budawangs trip went with the-party of 11 enjoying some rain and strong winds The rain prompted them to camp in one of the overhangs in the area, avoiding the worst of it until things fined up on the Sunday. TOm Wenman's Kanangra walk had a party of 6 out'in uncertain weather. Uncertain that is until they reached first top, When torrential rain assisted their passage down the ridge to the Kowmung. ' After that it just rained normally until they were approaching camp, where it did the torrential downpour bit again. Just to be perverse Sunday turned out fine and overcast. Nancye Alderson reported 'a party of 6 out on a grey day with some rain for her ramble around the relics at Medlow Bath. They retreated to the Hydro Majestic for coffee at the end of the walk. The dearth of information regarding Carol Lubber's walk around Mount Banks is perhaps best expressed in the words used in response to the Walks Secretary's enquiry at the meeting - “buggered if I know”. What we do know is that there were around 16 people on the trip. Ian Debert led a party of 5 on his gourmet bludge weekend to Diggers Flat over the 26,27,28 November. Jim Rivers' walk on the Shoalhaven went but we JANUARY 1994 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 13 have no details. Kenn Clacher reported a party of 22 on Saturday and 16 on Sunday for his abseiling trips in the Wollemi area. Peter Sargeant had a rebellious party of 10 take him to lunch at the Figure Eight Pool on his Otford to Otford day walk on the Sunday. He was able to re-assert his authority as leader and force them to have afternoon tea at the Otford Pantry, however. Jim Callaway was out there doing it tough with the party of 8.on his Engadine to Waterfall :trip. The day was overcast and Jim, who became bushed in the dense scrub,had to resort to the dam road to escape. John Hogan's rest and relaxation weekend'at Lake Macquarie over 4,5 December went, in so-so weather, with around 8 people. They rode bikes on the.Saturday, and generally relaxed and avoided horse riding on the Sunday. There was no report of Peter Christian's two one-day abseiling trips in the vicinity of Kanangra Walls. Tony Manes had 12 out on his i5rogrammed bludge/swimming walk in overcast conditions. The weather was unkind and there were three deluges, causing the party to shelter under rock overhangs. His trip was from Waterfall to Engadine. The deluges brought out leeches along the tracks just to-add-to the fun.. Errol Sheedy reported-11 on his walk from Bundeena to Little Marley in overcast but pleasant conditions. Tony Holgate led aparty of 3 on his walk from Forestville along the reaches of Middle Harbour. The day was pleasant and the area described as attractive in order, at least in part, to provide an upbeat end to the Walks Report. Conservation'Report brought details of a letter from the NSW Minister for the Environment in response to our concerns over the possible sub-division Of the area at Yadboro. The gist of it was that they will take appropriate advice and have regard to State priorities in any decision made. So put that through your “Yes Minister” translator and weep. A motion that the, Club donate $300 to the Colong Foundation for Wilderness was passed without dissent. There was no General Business, so after the announcementsthe meeting closed at 2145. ;#1(3X.*# le4k4DU: a4R0141.114 CRE E Baroalba Creek drains a large, irregularly shaped sandstone massif which sits 200 metres above the surrounding floodplains. The steep, rugged sides offer magnificent views of the nearby Arnhem escarpment and proteCt a. central basin containing lush valleys, pockets of rainforest, creeks and waterholes - a place where numerous rock shelters and art sites in a wide variety of styles tell the story of its original inhabitants. Experience the Magical qualities of this secluded wilderness. Picture yourself relaxing in a rock shelter, watching one of the brief, spectacular green season storms, just as the local aboriginal people have done for thousands of years. Note. Because of its archaeological importance, bushwalking groups in the Baroalba area are limited to a maximum of seven ,s viittic people. -3… 4410 WILLIS 'S WALKABOUTS 12 Carrington Street Milner NT 0810 Phone (089):85 2134 Fax: (089) 85 2355 PAGE 14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER JANUARY 1994 FROM THE CLUBROOM By Maurice Smith CHRISTMAS PARTY - 1993 A substantial number of members, of all varieties, assembled on the lawns at the back of the kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre under heavy skies on the evening of Wednesday 15 December to celebrate the then forthcoming seasonal festivities. The gods who look upon the interests of bushwalkers with occasional disdain must have been distracted. The heavy clouds did not unload their burden upon the assembled group, indeed, it was' a very pleasant summer evening. From the most senior meritet, to the newest 'prospective, we all used the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new friends.. - Much of the evening was spent by the members in discussing past walks, planning and making last minute arrangements for forthcoming walks, especially those in the Christmas New Year period, as well as in reminiscing about members and memorable (but not necessarily relaxing) walks. While not every face was known to me, it seems that th6 annual Christmas party had provided the incentive for members of tong standing, who are not able to make it to the clubroom- often,, to come in and renew friendships, as well as to enjoy the food. Talkinig about food reminds me that the food brought to the evening was superb. As is traditional for bushwalkers, the food quantity was great, the variety was extensive, the taste was excellent, and Unusually there were left-overs. The drinks situation was grim for a white 'until John Hogan our Social Secretary came to the rescue. By the time you read this column, 1994 will be with us and the Christmas walks will be over So I use this opportunity to wish all members all the very best for the new year of 1994 and I look forward to seeing you in the clubroom to hear about your latest exploits. I have enjoyed writing this column during 1993 and I look forward to seeing you in the clubroom in 1994 for interesting evenings to gather information for this column. * * * * * * STOP PRESS OUR REPORTER WITH ONE OF THE XMAS-NEW YEAR TRIPS IN KOSCIUSKO N.P. SAYS THEY ARRIVED IN A SNOW STORM!! WHICH CONTINUEp FOR THREE DAYS. WE HOPE TO HAVE A FULL REPORT NEXT MONTH.

199401.txt · Last modified: 2012/09/29 11:34 by 127.0.0.1

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