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Eskimo Scroll THE SCROLL Newsletter of the Manning River Canoe and Bushwalking Club P.O. Box 511, TAREE 2430 Web:- manningcanoebushwalk.wordpress.com email:- [email protected] Issue: December 2013 Feature Pic LOOKING ON CHARLOTTES PASS – Mick O’Brien PHOTOS- Please forward some of your favourite photos of places you have been to be used as a Feature Pic at the start of the Scroll. I will acknowledge place and photographer with the photo. Stuart Next Meeting: 6:00pm 6th March 2014, Bushcamper Canvas 21 Oxley St Chatham President: Greg Stewart Treasurer: Dennis Mitchell 6552 3338 Secretary: Mick O’Brien 6551 2531 [email protected] Editor/ Publicity: Stuart Ireland 6552 6574 [email protected] Minutes from General Meeting 5/12/2013 Meeting opened at 6:00pm. Attendance: Mick O’Brien, Greg Stewart, Dennis Mitchell, Chris Stewart, Jenny Ireland, Stuart Ireland, Pam Finlay, Bob Finlay, Murray Bourke, Geoff Martin, Lenore, Wendy Campbell, Judy Yarrington, Kathy Cooper, Louise Enright, Janusz Haschek , Annelie Johansson-Riley, Christine Dennis. Geoff Songberg, Nina Linder, Greg Lee, Janeece Irving, Apologies: Linda Walters Previous Minutes: As per Scroll – no business arising General Business: President Greg thanked everyone for the work done during the year. Calendar for coming months organised. Motion carried to buy garlic breads for Xmas dinner. Meeting closed at 6:55pm TRIP REPORTS MT KILLABAKH - September 22 Eleven walkers participated in this walk and it was pleasing to see quite a few new faces come along for the day. We started off following a 4wd track and soon branched off onto an old logging track. We then diverged off this track after a search around to find the trail that we needed to follow. This section is always overgrown and proves tricky to locate the way. Mick used his cheap import machete to clear the path but the branches proved tougher than his blade which buckled under the impact. Thankfully there were some pink ribbons on trees which made it a little easier. The trail leads up through rainforest and then off track up to a rocky knoll with good views. We stopped and had morning tea before descending into a scrubby little saddle with rainforest. Chris waited here while the others continued to the top. 2 After a short climb through a tea-tree covered ridge and a scramble over rocks we reached the summit of Mt Killabarkh which is the highest point in the Manning Valley. Great views to the south and the west were had from the old trig. Some time was spent reading messages left in bottles in the rock pile and eating a leisurely lunch. Greg undertook some more running repairs with strapping tape on his boots which by now had both lost their soles. We returned to the saddle and met up with Chris again and then skirted around under the rocky knoll on which we had morning tea. Just before we rejoined the 4wd track we came across a Satin Bower Bird’s bower with a great display of blue items, mostly rosella feathers. It was a short walk back to the cars from here. A great walk was had by all and everyone enjoyed the day. Stuart APSLEY GORGE - OXLEY WILD RIVERS NP - October 5-6-7 Here I stand once again overlooking the 700 metre deep gorge with a group of 8 unsuspecting walkers. Did they really know what they were in for? I certainly had a dim recollection of pain and exhaustion from an earlier time about 8 years in the past. They say time heals old wounds but time is a harsh mistress and sometimes one remembers only good times and happy memories of those same tough times which can lead to a false sense of confidence. Shall I tell them now to reconsider or allow their overwhelming enthusiasm at the beginning of such an expedition to take control of decision- making. Ian's story: "I just wanted some fitness training before the Great North Walk trip that I'd planned for the following weekend. I had not planned for a boot camp with the SAS!" I paused atop the first steep descent and warned all about the perils of the Apsley geology ie; Loose surfaces with many small, sharp rocks plus steep drop-offs which unfortunately become steep jump-ups on the return trip. 3 Ewen's story: "Dad really wanted me to go on this walk - maybe as moral support - I just wish my boots had been up to it. Blisters are so hard to cope with on the final 500 metres." Sitting atop a rocky knoll having a quick bite, I reassured everyone that the progress so far was good and that we would be at the river's edge for lunch. I did notice a couple of querying eyebrows when I stashed a water bottle for the return journey in a crevice in the rocks. Scott's story: "I had only been on one walk before with Mick and he seemed to be capable and fit - I did not realise that I would be carrying his pack as well!!!" The situation started to become awry when we reached the final spur leading down into Rusdens Creek. It was like snow skiing without skis or snow?! VERY steep and I quickly claimed that I thought we may be on the wrong spur. BUT as consolation I reassured that this would get us there quicker!!! Greg's story: "You know when you're on one of Mick's 'Expeditions'. It's when you begin to swear through clenched teeth.........." Lunch was had at one of my favourite places - the big horse shoe bend on the Apsley looking up at Paradise Rocks - a vision splendid to say the least and always worth the effort in getting to this particular point on the map. Ian cooked up a feast on his solid fuel vintage cooker whilst the rest of us had a variety of fresh foods and the ubiquitous cup of tea. The descent so far had taken its toll and after crossing the river a suitable place to camp was sought to allow weary muscles and bones to recuperate............... and so ends day 1 I wake and look around at a particularly abstract canvas of hiking tents. Some large, some really small (like mine), some making snoring noises, some stirring and some in obvious use with their occupants getting breakfast ready for another day. I like this time of morning when it is usually calm and cool, with the cacophony of birdcalls to contest against, so you can discuss the plans for the forthcoming day. Michael’s story: "I like Mick's walks but I'd only been on one before and on that occasion we did not cross paths until the Sunday. This walk was very tough and I might add that lactic acid is not something you just pop a pill in your mouth when you might need it. We had to find energy reserves that even the Chinese don't know about. Very tough!" Ahh! Paradise! The climb was worth it once again as I summit for the third time and wonder how many people have actually stood on the pinnacle at Paradise Rocks. I'm with two others, Mark and Scott who have done it the hard way. Next out of nowhere appears Ian, then soon everyone is perched on top of a piece of rock no bigger than a lounge room with sheer cliffs most of the way around. Marks story: "This was my first outing with the Manning Club and the walking was excellent. I was pretty surprised by how enthusiastic some of the members were. They even strapped guitars on their packs just for the heck of it!" The Apsley River is fantastic in itself for being one of those places relatively untouched by modern civilisation. My muscles are slowly repairing as I sit waist deep in a rapid relishing the medicinal advantages 4 of cold water. It has been a magic day of experiencing true wilderness with like minded individuals............ and so ends day 2 Jen's story: "I've had the privilege of attending most of Mick's more difficult walks. I use the word 'privilege' because I have full knowledge of what I am getting myself into by being a participant. These trips might be a test of strength sometimes, but when you look back at the pic's of a certain place, where you needed strong will to get you through, it's all pretty amazing." A group decision has been made to follow the easiest spur and ridgeline back to Budds Mare. An early start was in order due to the hot conditions and by 9 o'clock, plus 2 black snakes later, we were making our way up & up & up & up. Wish someone had reminded me about this bit before I started out on Saturday. Stuart's story: "I've realised now, being a year or two older than Mick, that whilst ever he can keep doing this, then so can I. God help us both if we collapse at the same time or kick up our heels on the same trip.....!" The final steep pinch is in sight, I'm last and tired. It's 3.30pm but we haven't adjusted our clocks for daylight saving which makes it worse............ and so ends day 3. What a day! Can the human body really do this? Apparently for at least 9 of us it can do just that. Sensational! Mick QUEENS LAKE - Sunday October 20 Attendees: Geoff S, Murray, Chris Marriott, Dennis Mitchell, Chris (Chrissy) Mitchell, Wendy Campbell We set out from the Queens Lake Sailing club beach across the southern side of Queens Lake in calm, almost glassy, conditions heading towards Herons Creek.
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