I - ' 7

February 1967

Some of us have itartd 021' the year with new enthusiasm - one young lady at least having spent three January weekends out in the wilds. Others, I fear, started off no less enthusiastic- ally but have since been cured of all such madness. And finally there is the remainder, including.a few of.the,.so-called hard party on a recent wrekend, who have yet to cone to grips with their bushwalking instinct - or was it some other reason that led then to join the club?

NEUS FROM NEAR AND FAR Gddff 1.iátt6ñ iédtS that the Wrights are in fine form in Phnon Penh, but are finding the local variety of scrub rather, insupportable. Geoff himself is back in town after an adventuresome trip in South-east Asia. From all accounts Margot Cox is. enjoying her travels abroad. When last heard from she was in England. Congratulations to Deab and Elizabeth lIaddad on the birth of their daughter. Fran Eccles is back hone in Canberra to prepare for her wedding on the 25th of this month. She hasn't changed except for her hair style. Caroline Pattison writes from Brisbane that "life is swinging along up here, though there are no bushwallcs, camp-fires or LtA songs". Gaby Fritschi has gone to Europe for some months to visit family and friends - including Bob de Viana in Geneva. Dorothy Brown and Lin Chaffer have returned after motoring many thousands of miles to Mossnian and back (it seems this is not a suburb of ). Where is Iliep? That is the question. Vie were all shocked to hear of Nyra Grech's car accident on January 4th and hope she will soOn be alright.

fl2flt TIE EDITOR - Déa±AI±dé, Thank you for the suggestion that I write something for tIti on our climbing trip to New Zealand. - So as not to conflict with any other accounts you may haVe or are yet to receive from more accomplished writers and story tellers I feel I should remain silent. The occurence of discrepancies would cast quite unwarranted doubt on the facts presented. Or, perhaps I should say, we have not yet all got together to determine what the facts should be so I thini: it best to leave it for my companions to reconstruct (or create) then as they see fit. Roy GOING TO NEIl ZEAlAND? If d, 1iiéà6 ddñthct Geoff Liarston who may tell you something to your advantage.

PATAGONIA, CIiItISTMM 1967 Sill tãblé ThI éáIthy tddws, philanthropists, people changing jobs, etc. Contact Geoff i-iarston. WANTED - 1 LADY'S BICYCLE. S. Brierley 46095. -2-

TEE_JANUARY LONG WEEIND I. II and III

Never has a trip stirred the imagination of our members to such lengths. I sighed when I saw Roger's article but groaned at John's - but only, you understand, because of their bulk. I assure you they are most readable and I have made no attempt to butcher them. If you are puzzled at the end as to where anyone in particular was at any precise time or now they got there, let me tell you that that was part of the charm of the trip; people just kept appearing or disappearing - to such an extent that I would hardly have been surprised if ltd suddenly found I wasn't there either but somewhere else instead. [Ed.] - I. EASY TRIP Th dftiestl party of the Galloways and Dorothy Brown set off at a civilized 8 a.rn. on Saturday, with Dorothyts VU loaded with creature comforts. - Our first objective was a track to Waterfall Creel: gauging ótätión betwenTooma and fliancoban, from the end of which we hoped to explore in the general direction of the Dargals. The car tackled the first three major drainage ditches with the tenacity of the breed, but as the ditches became deeper and the road even steeper we walked on ahead to find the edge of the road collapsed in an uninviting scree. We retreated and continued on towards Geehi, investigating on the way one of those fascinating deep-V valleys near iQaancoban. We next followed the road to Bella Vista, stopping at Olsen's Lookout, commendably well-kept and surprisingly free of litter, - largely, we suspect, because the signpost to the Lookout points the wrong way. The mountain spurs were beautifully lit by the late afternoon sun, making the most of the best views in the mountains. Two lyre-birds and a black wallaby added to the pleasure of the day. Beyond Bella Vista and just before the site of the Geehi Dan we turned left up a steep 3recently ploughed track leading towards Grey Mare. "Awkward in wet weather", we thought, and pressed on. We camped in an old road, the only reasonably level patch available, intending to walk on through the bush next day. The storms raged to and fro, the level ground proved to be a depression, we retreated to the car, swinging out our bedding. Dorothy decided shetd rather be iet and horizontal, so about 3 á.n. she returned to her.. tent. The rain continued. -- --Luckily some flat-dwellers keep their - snow- chains - in-'th-e- car all summer - we needed them. With no hope of drying out either ourselves or our bedding, we headed for hone, adniring the play of clouds and mist on the mountain mass across the way. In clearing up the mess I proved the wisdom of storing clothes in plastic bags inside a pack; my swimming costume was perfectly dry. Norma Galloway -. II. DEAD HORSES AI'D FLIES C A tháiij thdñ-hd tthout promise. Sleepy tousled heads appearing around doors. Anxious enquiries like "Will you wait?" It was as though Tyburn Hill awaited them, d and not the fair upland meadows. H

- -3- "Itwee bee ann that way - ICumna that way". So spalce £1 Greco perched on a stonewall in answer to my own anxious enquiries concerning the passage of the rest of the migratory birds. We arrived. We surveyed. We emerged victorious. 110w it all came about was thus:- Leaving our bath chairs at Dead Horse Gap we set out to rendezvous with Herr Ober Leutnant Kassnann. It may be an opportune moment to slip in the "flogging a dead horse" gem at this point. However, the weather was, bright, the flies were troublesome, the air was cool and the tops looked inviting. 1-Ye were ten in number and, being free from any dissenting and otherwise dissentient factions, we soon left the lovely snowg-ums below us. The path is well marked through the trees; the grade is easy and the Alpine mint was in flower just for our pleasure. We dined soon after leaving the treea and began to notice the flies 1 A warm black blanket on the leeward side was bearable but if only the little chaps wouldn't run about so. tie lost the track soon after lunch and a slight divergence of nrricational interpretation split the party asunder. The reunion cane shortly after regaining the track wider the crags of North Ramshead. I really think that the charm of the main range lies in the diversity of the scenery. Between North Ranshead and the Ranshead rocks lies a winding vale of snowgrass, granite boulders, alpine flowers and a rocky, clear, deep, alpine stream - enclosed like a massive amphitheatre by high ridges of piled boulders. From my eyrie I gazed down upon the little covey of quail - now moving on - now stopping to peck and rest and call to one another until they reached the skyline where the scene changed so dramatically to the sombre shades of the Cootapatamba cirque. There before us stood the Patriot trying to look dignified under his heavy load of tourists. Under his despoiled majesty lay the "drinking place of the eagles", blue, wind-ruffled and quite lady-like. Across the valley and on to the far distance, the Victorian tinberclad ranges were framed by the outer bastions of the alps. Within the valley masses of snow daisies spread out in patches which were so orderly and yet so random. - Into this wonderland tramped a mob of hob-nailed Phillistines who could think of no greater pleasure than sucking March flies into plastic tubing and plunging then into the cool waters from which others must quenchtheir thirst. Anxiety again reared its head when the passage of time suggested that the disgrace of reaching our meeting place - SECOI-D1 - night' be thrust upon us. A rapid sweep to the left of Kossy was made and it was not long before we looked down with relief upon the uninhabited Vale of Wilkinson. We had no way of knowing that no dark figures would suddenly appear, silhouetted on the farthernost skyline of the - Abbot Range. Nor could we know of the conflict which raged 5,000 feet below our feet (or heads - depending on sleeping arrangements). We could but shade our eyes against thegorgeous sunset and wait. Roy and Jenny arrived with a massive butane tank; Bob produced a corrosive chemical called O.P. (old Plinsolls); Alice muttered strange rain-making incantations over a bubbling yellow liquid; a little voice announced the discovery of the raspberry jam; and the gathering gloaming rang with the sound of tent pegs being hammered into bare rock. Such was the peace and -. tranquility of the scene. - /

The last head (or foot) had disappeared within the canvas depths when a pattering upon the tent walls - f- fijIz\ - announced that Alice had been "at it again" and had indeed succeeded beyond her wildest expectations.

A storm - the like of which I never wish to encounter again - suddenly broke among our scattered dwellings. The wind sucked and blew from every direction at once • The lightning danced from tent pole to tent pole. The deluge hammered the thin japara. The thunder rolled from crag to crag and the turbulence' drove spray through tent flaps and cracked at least one tent pole with a sound which sent the chill shiver of despair deep into the dweller's heart. Suddenly it came and suddenly it went. Quick survey of damage, makeshift repairs and back to bed - oilskin laid out ready. Uithout warning an even fiercer tempest swept in. This time there was no relief for many hours and it is quite creditable that six tents, placed in an area where protection was so hard to find, were so well managed that none collapsed, only one leaked and nobody was washed but by any of the "instant torrents" which flowed during the heaviest rain squalls. The morn dawned (i think) with visibility down to 50 yards and after a late breakfast we set out for Seaman Hut. The tempest of the night before was all but forgotten when its younger sister arrived with hail, lightning and drenching rain. Despite this dismal scene, dozens of cars sloshed past us on their way to post letters! Seaman Hut was occupied without resistance and sodden clothing and sleeping bags were soon hanging about • With the sizzle of cooking, the babble of voices and the sound of the rain it was only appropriate that further confusion should be heaped upon the scene by the miraculous arrival of the gallant leader and a large body of foot pads. He was in the very act of carrying out a brilliant encircling manoevre designed to enable an attack upon Hannel' s Spur from the gear. In the days when knighthood was in flower, such an act would have brought no little discredit but today we feel that we are enlightened. Even more miraculous was the manner in which the party was moved, without ceremony, to Guthega. Dunkirk was but a shadow in comparison. At this point I fear that I lost confidence in the weather forecast and suddenly remembered the cheerful hearth from which I had set forth. Therefore, my account of the largest excursion for many noons cones to an ext with myself and 4 others being conveyed by a long-suffering Roy to Dead Horse Gap to retrieve the remaining cars. -

Roger Hine. III. HANEEL'S SPUR P6Ii66Xáün6h "Nemesis" steamed slowly up the i'iurray pulling out of the water crews of capsized sail craft, human flotsam and jetsam despised by everybody, noticed only by the water-police - "Rats" as they are known affectionately by the floating population. The skipper, Serjeant-Colonel first-class iicPhalister was brooding, "I don't like it", he said. "It's too quiet. Better 1:eel-Iaul the fo!c' 5 le over the super-cargo, forward-hand ilugent. And stow thebowsprit in the Nigger-head. We don't want to stand off from any shifting ballast we night meet". Serjeant-Colonel first- class McPhalister' s order was as good as performed from his very uttering it. This was on Thursday. Meanwhile, a thousand miles north of H.ii.P.L. "Nemesis", tropical cyclone "Dirjj" was approaching the south Queensland coast. Already its forward fringe effects were felt as far south as Sydney. A Yagoona housewife complained of a premonition of misfortune, "whenever Burt cones home like that and goes straight to the club I know that something is going to happen", she explained shortly after the tragedy. An elderly Ashfield couple 'I -5- celebrating ninety-five years of marriage had a sour-note injected into their festivities when the bottle of Barossa RosS which they opened for the occasion was found to be flat. This was on Friday. As H.M.P.L. "Nemesis" was in the vicinity of , and tropical cyclone "Dinah" was destroying ColT' s Harbour and its forward effects were being felt in Barranngli and Michelago, an enormous expedition consisting of hundreds of souls, including some with officer potential, was milling around the eastern and north-western flanks of the Massif of Kosciusko. They were divided into three tightly knit, highly trained, superbly fit assault teams. Team one was a support team only. It was never seen. Its alleged activities are reported elsewhere by Norma Galloway et al. Team two undertook what could best be described as an afternoon's rumble. line maintained strict control over it and the afternoon's rumble became a difficult, 15-hour climb. Its route reportedlywent from Dead Horse Gap to Itosciusko. Team three was headed by Cashman, recently returned from New Zealand where he climbed many daring peaks such as Glencairne and Mt Jackson, and was attempting a new tactic o.n the hitherto rarely tried diretissima route up Hannel's Spur from Geehi to Kosciusko. Six thousand feet in six miles. It was a dream that many mountaineers have cherished. Picture a moth approaching a candle flame. The thrill of approach increases as the danger increases until the moth immolates itself in a brilliant holocaust, at which who can but be joyful. So the mountaineer approaches Hannel' s Spur. A few have turned back. Many have lost their lives. Some few have never been seen again and are presumed lost. Saturday morning. Oppressive Saturday. Hurricane "Dinah" wipes out Hornsby. Police launch "Nethesis" has left the Murray and is moving strongly up the Geehi approaching . One hour, two hours, four hours, six hours. No progress is being made on the climb out of the Geehi valley. One pitch across a paddock full of blackberry bush took five hours. The party morale is falling with the barometric pressure. A new route will have to be found. A return was made to and provisions were brought up. Only the barest essentials were carried. The rest of the gear was strewn untidily through the State Park. A possible route was discovered, examined, napped and noasured, dissected, tested and memorised. A high camp was made at the Geehi River in preparation for an attack on the new route at i a.n. on Sunday. A 2.30 reveille was planned. As they relaxed in the Geehi River before tea, police launch "Nemesis" was just breasting the retaining wall of the Khancoban pondage and tropical cyclone fIfljpjtI was ravaging Bateraan' s Bay, having obliterated the major centres of settlement in the east of . Its outer edge was now being felt in Ingebyra, Guthega and Yarrangobilly, where a man was seized in an attack of rising of the lights. He is seeking legal advice. - It was most fortunate for those in the high camp on the Geehi River, that they had sturdy tenting, for when tropical cyclone "Dinah" broke around then there was no quarter. For twelve hours it raged and battered about then. It smashed trees, dinted blackberry bush, brought scree slopes crashing down and all but quelled the-human spirit. Needless-to say no rise was made at 2i30 a.m. and no start was nadeat Il.. They clinbed out of their sodden sleeping bags at 5, found the shredded remains of their tents scattered across acres of blackberry bush, ate a sullen, watery breakfast and retreated. But not before two members left to climb Hannel's Spur in the rain. They reported that the attempt was successful, but one of them later admitted under torture that he was not sure whether they had reached the top. There was thick mist, he groaned, and heavy rain. They could have been anywhere. - 6 -

The party with enough pragmatic intelligence to retreat while there was yet time travelled to Dead Horse Gap, found the. cars of party number two and left a note. As this party reached Jindabyne, seriously depleted in numbers due to desertion, sea sickness and a surfeit of rainbow trout from the Geehi River, Police launch "Nemesis" was beginning the long haul across the blackberries from the Geehi River to the foot of the diretissjma. "Scupper the galliards" shouted Serjeant-Colonel first-class McPhalister in the wind. He was enjoying himself. From Jindabyne they turned towards Kosciusico hoping to find the remains of party number two before any Of its members attempted the downward passage of Hannel' s Spur. But there was no need to fear. The second party was found huddled in Seaman's Hut below Kosciusko in a pitiable state of disordered

nerves. Jiany of them were unshaven. .. - A few were twitching in the cold, - lice and filth of their condition. Their dead lay unburied. Cashman - took the situation in at a glance. A rapid calculation of petrol costs -, was followed by a rendering of an account to each passenger. Each .. L.44J4ET4j driver was then paid a sum equal to twice his petrol costs for the Av whole trip. Any outstanding accounts' 'izIAIt -- RTUfi should be sent to 4t

J.D. Cashman, & Officers' Mess, "UI flJ:i.C. // 1W DUNFROON. A.C.T. as soon as possible. Drivers were despatched to Lead Horse Gap. Some were never seen again. Some of the party went to the Y.M.C.A. Ski Club Lodge "Kyilla" at Guthega, where a good night's sleep was had by most. At dusk "Nemesis" was at Noira's Flat and had reached Byatt' s camp by midnight. Cyclone "Dinah" was heading out to sea but not without taking the lighthouse on Wilsont s Promontory. Monday dawned cloudy but slowiy cleared and a rumble was initiated up the Snowy valley. Cashman, feeling the reins to be a little loose, drew them tight, regained utter control and shortly lost a member of the party. An immense and expensive land,- sea and air search was undertaken. One squad descended Hannel's Spur, one set off for Dead Horse Gap and a third hurried north into the Brindabellas. But when the missing man found the searchers they all returned to the lodge at Guthega, which by now had to be hosed out and scrubbed down with carbolic. As they set off for Canberra, Police launch "Nemesis" was speeding out of control down the eastern slopes of the Ramshead to be destroyed utterly on the bluffs of Dead Horse Gap. McPhalister, when he saw the end was certain, so far forgot himself as to shake forward-hand Nugent by the hand and with a voice that almost broke echoed Uittgenstein's proposition 6.15, "The contemplation of the iorld sub specie aeterni is its contemplation as a limited whole". J.D. Cashnan I) 2 -7- TUROSS FALLS

It is not unusual for day trips to have a preponderance of female walkers, but I was somewhat surprised to find that there wereIO male starters for my weekend trip to Tuross Falls. However, my hostel training meant I was entirely equal to the situation, and the three young ladies proved to be charming company.

Leaving Canberra at about 10.00 a.n. we headed south along the Cooma- road until we reached the northern outskirts of Cooma. Here we turned off left and drove to Countegany via Numeralla - a distance of about twenty miles. At Countegany (which for some strange reason most people find difficult to pronounce) we turned south for about half a mile and then left into a property named Taerloch (or something similar) owned by a Mr Morrison. The route then led across paddocks on a faint track to the . On this leg of the trip the girls became expert at opening and shutting dates - Pm a bit vague about the number of gates, about ten I think.

By now it was after midday and the sun was cruelly beating down as we started off downstream. After an hour we stopped by a pleasant pool where Judy and I, who were the only ones to bring bathers, had a refreshing swim. Following lunch we continued downstream and eventually climbed a ridge to avoid scrub near the river. After a couple of miles the flat, open nature of the valley changed dramatically as the river entered a narrow deep gorge.

Eventually late in the afternoon we found a very scrubby spur which led steeply down to the river. This was a relief because I had envisaged camping the night on the ridge without water and unable to get down to the river because of the cliffs. Banging through the dense scrub we reached the river to find the gorge floor covered by large boulders. Finding two relatively flat patches on the side of the spur just up from the river we cleared enough scrub away to pitch two tents. Only two tents you ask? It being a warn night I slept out. We made our camp fire on a sandy patch between some boulders close to the waters edge. Finishing tea we lazed around the fire until about ten when we decided to turn in. however, this was not as easy as it seemed. First we had to find the tents which were about seventy yards away. It was a pitch black night and what with the boulders and the scrub it was twenty minutes of trial and error before we located the tents. A shocking admission to

have to make. --- ......

• .1 \Jr ti.4i:. attractive one. Granite cliffs j \ \ cane sheer into the river and a ' bar of rocic forned a deep pool about fifty yards long. Judy and I had a stan before breakfast in the pool. Inc hot weather made us rather slow in getting organisea and it was 2 - a3out eleven before we finished • - : -. -A 1-fl-Pqt r.y-,.-i set nff drrwnst.renrn - ----? to find the falls.

To my sük'prise aftr only quarter of an hour of boulder hopping down the river we came to- the brink of the waterfall. Although we were not in a very good position to see the actual waterfall we had a magnific ent view of the gorge, hundreds of feet deep, into which the river tumbled. A spur coning out from the opposite side of the river (tile right hand side going downstream) would have afforded a much better view of the falls. L

As none of us were feeling particularly energetic in the heat, and it was getting late, we didnt t climb down to the bottom of the gorge. A traverse downstream along the gorge would be a very interesting trip.

Getting bacic to our campsite Judy and I had another swim and then we headed back to the car having lunch on the way. On the latter stages I pushed the girls along pretty hard as a thunderstorm was brewing and I didn' t relish the thought of getting bogged on the way back across the paddocics. Just ten minutes short of the car the thunderstorm caught us and we were drenched. Fortunately, the car negotiated the track without difficulty and thence home after a very pleasant weekend.

Roger llumber.

GOOPRADIGBEE UILDEiUE55 AREA

A party of four in one rather crowded little VI1 spent a couple of days looking at the proposed wilderness area that includes the Cooleman Plains area. The poor little car found it hard work getting up the track out of the Brindabella Valley and had to stop for breath several times but eventually we made it to the Blue Uaterholes. After nearly a month with little rain the track was far easier than on a previous club trip in December. Luncn at the rubbish tip- actually - - - a charming spot - was followed by - >f -----.. - a leisurely walk down the gorge - N nearly to the junction of Cooleman MLjtr Lh-._- Creek and the Goodradigbee. In the / late afternoon we pushed onto the o'd Si.iA Goodradigbee Camp now falling. into ruins. The wildflowers and the even wilder flies were truly memorable. x:H' ::

On the Sunday we drove a few miles towards Tantangara Dan then struck eastwards towards Mt. Morgan through beautiful open woodland. The steep west slopes of lit. Morgan were rather difficult on account of fallen tiraber and scrub but we surprised ourselves by reaching the crest of the sutnnit ridge relatively easily; three of us trotted along the ridge practically to the summit cairn. I had always thought of Morgan as one of the most inaccessible peaks in the area and was surprised to find it could be climbed so easily. We were back at the cars by 3 p.m. and, after drinking the upper Murrunbidgee 'nearly dry had a rapid• back to Canberra livened only by the driver falling asleep while travelling at fifty miles per hour.

Bob Galloway.

FPEircmaNts CAP - With reference to the last issue of IT and Peter Sands article on the tragic bush fire in the Frenchmants Cap area, Tasmania. I have recently returned from Tasy where I was a member of the HVIC. The club shocked and horrified at what has ft.ppencd to this wonderful national park has proposed to spend the Easter holiday in planting seedlings in the burnt out area. No club trips are to be prograned that weekend and it is hoped a large force of members will be able to make an appreciable contribution to the re-growth. oue Brierley a I ÜJAS IN NEW ZEALAND - "EPISODE IT"

A full account, of the recent New Zealand activities of J.C., R.H., R.M., 11.11. and T.W., inter alia, is probably beyond the capacity of any one of these persons, or any conceivable combination of them. This, therefore, is a partial account, impartially told, of Episode IT.

Episode N opens at the rear of Lake Ohau Lodge, in the South Island of New Zealand, on 24th December. It is raid- afternoon, and a large truck has just driven up to a group of walkers and climbers who are gathered around the Lodge's garbage bins, sorting their food. In approximately three seconds flat, about fifty persons, together with their packs, ice axes, and cranpons, have boarded the truck, and a deadly seething pyramid of bodies is beginning to smother and crush those who were first on. J.C. secures his position near the summit, by bracing one knee against the back of a frail old little lady from the Nepal Himalaya Club, and driving an ice axe into the Japanese Women' s Climbing Team. The truck moves off to the screams and groans of those who are being kicked or dragged below the 'surface. It is followed by a motor cycle with sidecar, made from old exhaust pipes, which vanishes in a cloud of steam and spray at each creek crossing.

About.an hourlater the truck stops, some 15 miles further up the Hopkinsvalley, and its load unties itself. The pyramid mounts and dismounts once or twice more, as the further progress of the truck is debated, but rebel elements decide that the walk to Elcho Hut, about four hours up the valley, will start now. And it does

Parties began arriving at Elcho Hut about 9pm that night, and continued to arrive during the next few days. Rumours said that some of the overseas visitors were waiting for the river to go down, or possibly change its course. Christmas day was spent in searching for and recovering food, which had been airdropped near Elcho Hut, and in distributing the edible and inedible remains. The sugar and flour sacks had exploded spectacularly on landing in a stony outcrop, said some disinterested watchers; cattle were alleged to have eaten the porridge and butter, and the chocolate was thought to be up a beech tree. Loiled sweets had fallen into a small stream, and fused into large lumps of brightly coloured conglomerate. The custard powder, unfortunately, was intact; and in the ensuing weeks; Iiopi±ins valley custard powder began appearing in mountain huts all over the South Island.

Monday 26th was a climbing day, and thus about dawn J.C. and R.Ii. set off with six New Zealanders to climb Glencairn, a peal: about 6,500 feet above the camp and described by the experts as a rumble. (The terra has a sultle meaning, barely grasped by J.C. and R.j4. at the start of that day. Crudely translated, a rumble is a notional scramble that may be practicall? impossible). The sequence of events on 26t 1-1 is probably typical of a days climbing in many parts of the N.Z. Alps. About 5am the party plunsed into the Hopkins River, still cool with the previous days glacier, and for the next hour or so climbed up steeply through beech forest. 'A further hour or so brought then to the upper limit of the snow grass, and beginning of the rock and scree slopes, and several hours later they reached the top of the main ridge leading to Glencairn's summit. The bagging of the peal: tool: place about midday, and was followed by an outbreak of scroggin, sardines, and heavy drinking. Ropes were untied, and freshly tangled for the descent. The nature and timing of incidents on a climb, such as falling off (or in crevasse country, in) is entirely up to the party; they may be arranged either on the ascent or descent. J.C. and R.11. were reluctant to jeopardize the bagging of the peak on this occasion by falling e -10- off prematurely, and thus postponed their fast penguin until theij descent. (A fast penguin, like a rumble, is a local term, and means an involuntary descent at reckless speed). Fortunately, the penguin was stopped, and more fortunately, no one was watching. And the days climb? Just a rumble, they commented casually back at the base camp.

Tuesday and Wednesday were non-climbing days, and devoted mainly to eating, sleeping and the exposure of one another's intellectual weaknesses. Now and then a damper would pass.. through the snapping jaws of starving wretches who hung about the area, and tea, sweetened by chips of boiled conglomerate, would be taken in large amounts.

On Thursday 29th began the protracted and epic assault of Lit Jackson, details of which have by now been given verbally and without discrimination to most members and potential members of the Club. It seems, sufficient here to say that the climb occupied the attention, to varying degrees, of J.D.C. and R.i'i., plus eight others, for periods ranging up to about 48 hours, and involved a series of camps with differing amounts of preparation; it might best be described as an interesting rumble with a good fast penguin potential. The completion of Jackson all but ended Episode N. A more serious event in the valley stopped climbing for the next two days, and when they next resumed climbing, J.C. and R.M. discovered they were no longer in the Hopkins valley, and that n.H., M.W. and T.W. had temporarily -joined them.

R. M.

Iii TASiiAiIIà. - flECIPE FOR A 13'ABULOUS HOLIDAY nr.-TImEE GRADES - EASY, MEDUJN & HARD Federation Peak (s.u. Tasmania) 10 days / 2 air drops ,1.1 10 lbs manilla rope 5 enthusiastic conrades - Bruce Cole, Peter Canning, John Peate, Jennifer and myself We had 2 meetings before the trip - 1 re food, 1 re equipment; Jennifer flew down from the mainland (Canberra), and we were off. We walked around South Picton on the Cracroft Track which is well nick-named the yo yo track. Tip Luckman' s Lead to Goon Moor via the Needles, around the 4 Peaks and on to Hanging Lake. We spent the 5th night here • We arrived in glorious sunshine and had our first decent swim and wash. The next day'dawned -fine and clear and we set off to climb the Peak. We went via the Southern Traverse and climbing gulley reaching the top with comparative ease. All but one had had some rock climbing experiencewhich helped. The views were marvelous; we were very lucky with the weather as the previous Christmas, a party had been snow bound for 3 days at Hanging Lake. We abseiled 100' down the climbing gulley, retracing our steps to Goon Moor. 1-lere 4 of us spent our rest day tackling Lit Hopetoun. The scrub was almost impenitrable, we spent 5 hours getting onto the main ridge and didn't have time or energy left to reach the top. It poured with rain. that day too. I can strongly recommend a certain plastic coated nylon jacket I wore. It kept me dry throughout our trip, when others were not so lucky. We then returned to Hobart by our incoming route.

There were tracks and markers all along the route. The higher we got the more beautiful the scenery became and wild flower&were plentiful. What has been a gruelling experience against nature and the elements in the past, was made easier for us. Firstly, by our predecessors - it was first climbed in 1949 - and since then many walkers have helped in marking the route. Secondly, - by favourable weather conditions, and thirdly, by our companions - 2 of whom had been there before. Sue Brierley. *To name a few, Blanfordia, 1-luadia, Geeum, Wild Lilac, Teatree, Pandami flowers and dare I mention Bouera? Canberra Bushwalking Club P.O. Box 160, Canberra City

7 <

MONTifiJY CIRCULAR - FEBRUARY 1967

NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 15th February in the Meetings Room at University House at 8 p.m. Speaker : Geoff Moslsy - Wilderness Areas. NEW ERS: We, welcome the following new members - Rosemary Stacey, Canberra Community Hospital. Bernard van der Meer. Barry Elphinston. Barry McCann NEXT COIVUHTTEE MEETING: The next Committee Meeting will be on Monday, March 6th. at Roger Hine's home, 35 Goble Street, Hughes.

ME!ERSHIP LIST: As a new membrship list will be issued after the February meeting all renewals should be ôpmpleed by that date.

TRANSPORT COSTS: Members, espeial1y leaders, are asked to consider carefully the effect on transport costs of any major departure from the planned route at walks, particularly with regard to any junior members.

Sally Holt Secretary

WALKS ;PROGRAIVL?ffE . Leader: - . Feb. 18-19 Search &.Recue. Practice.- Cliff Rescue Demonstration Harry Black WEEKEND & Come and learn howL SATURDAY 18. Feb. 25-26 Gøodradigbee WildernesS Area: Peppercorn Falls. MEDIUM Jim Webb V)EEND Grade, walkfng mostly along tracks; many flies probably a bit of scrub. Feb. 26 Black Springs EASY Rene Enders SUNDAY March 4-5 - Boor.g tSldcr*e sa Area: WEEKEND Bogoog 'eaks I t , Hard Roger Hine ..Tttut River - camping at cars - beginners EASY tr3 your luck

March 11-12 Jagungal Wilderness Area: Gu-thega, Tate, West WEEKEND Ridge, Geehi , Leaning Rock Falls, Dicky HARD Roy Hyndman Cooper Bogong, Guthega. A long walk for the sturdy ones. March 12 Tidbinbilla Faunal Reserve: See the fern gullies, EASY SUNDAY hear the lyre birds and see a bit of wildlife. 'N

P.' Leaden £.Jarch 18-19 Jagurigal Wilderness Area: V)EEKEND Tin Hut, The Kerries, Bull's Peaks. Terrain MEDIUM Robin A long walk, mostly along the ridges. Distance LONG Miller 18 March Papoose Party - Pierce's Creek. Family EASY Jenny SATURDAY Picnic. Yanless EASTER LONG Pilot Wilderness Area: wEEKEND: Jacob's River Base Camp - ishing, trips to 24,25,26,27 sand banks EASY March Other trips to 1. Black Jack-Byadbo HARD Geoff .Mosley 2. Suggan Buggan Range & The Pilot HARD Geoff.Marston

April 1 Naas and Orroral Valley - Picnic SATTJRThY April 2 Tinderries - find the attractive granite boulders - Tom Dixon SUNDAY amongst the odd bit of scrub. - April 8.9 Tabletop Unique Natural Area: .. Nine Mile Diggings, Kiandra - bring your gold pans EASY John Wanless

April 9 Yankee Hat - open country, pleasant walking to foot EASY Pat Green SUNDAY of mountain then its up to you.

April 15-16 Talbingo Unique Natural Area Landers. Falls MEDIUM

April 15 Gibraltar Falls -near sealed road to Corim Dam; EASY SATURDAY No great effort required to see the falls.

April 22-23 Gungarlin-Snowy Plains-Cesjacks Hut: MEDIUM Rob. Story WEEKEND Long walk but easy country.

April 23 Blue Range-Mt. Coree: Quite a long walk following SUNDAY firetrail and tracks. A suggestion for a first MEDIUM outing with new boots and pack.

April 29-30 Yarrangobilly Unique Natural Area: WEEKEND Lobs Hole - Fishing EASY Mike Morriss Ravine Copper Mines - pan for gold MEDIUM

S

Sybil Story 1alks Secretary