Canberra Bushwalking Club P.O. 8ox 160, Canberra City A.C.T 2601

IT L for OCTOBER 1970 Newsletter of the Canberra Bushwalking Club Price bc Vol. 2 No.. 10 MONTHLY ETIN7r: Wednesday, 21st October, 1970 at 8.00 p.m. Meetings Room, University House, Acton. Featuring "Ian Harverson end V/elks in Britain" EXECUTIVE, President, Campbell Macknight, Burton Hall, A.N.U. COIll'IITTEE° 49 3321(H) 49 4085(W) Vice-President, Robin Miller, 49 Quiros Street, Red Hill, 73 0415(W) Secretary1 Ctnthia Breheny, 8 Jans..z Crescent, Griffith 48 82O5(W 95 8830(H Treasurerl Adrian Hobbs c/a "Lawley Rouse", Brisbane Avenue, Barton 61 378 (VI) Walks Secëtary, Frank Rigby, 52 Glosop Crescent, Campbell 730428(W), 491198(11) Social Secretary, Rosethary Smart, 22 Feakes Place, Campbell 47 7035 (H) 2 73 0427 Ext.346(W) Publicity Officer, Dorothy Browai, 17/5 Northbourne Flàt, Turner . . 49 1177 (H) Member1 Jennifer Brierly, 39 Murray Crescent, Manuk 62 1111 Ext. 476 (w) EGtor, Stehen Giàz, 4/100 Batchelor Street, Torrens 49 6055 (w)

"IT" COLLATION EVENINGS It is proposed that this paper be collated collectively. As an incentive, Club members are invited, to bring a. bottle and share it with the Editor who will provide paper, staplers, twine and glasses at his residence on the tE.i Wednesdy of every lunar and calendar month. ATTENTION FRUGAL MEMBERS U - In order to forestall any rise in the subscriptionfee, of which there have been dark hints, it is suggested that the form below might be detached and sent, together with $2.00 or $3.00 (married couples) to the Secretary. • . RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP ...... ADDRESS ...... , ...... ,...... ...... TELEPHONE.(Home ...... - lATork) ...... I am enclosing ...... for membership 1970-71

SIGNATURE: ..... * - DATE : •...... - 2- IT OCTOBER, 1970

PROGRA*IE 11 DATE EVENT GRADE LEADER MAP

17/18th OCT S (Sat./Sun.) MT. KELLY MEDIUM FRANK RIGBY BIMBERI

18th OCT. CANBERRA (Sun.) LONDON BRIDGE EASY CYNTHIA BREHENY TOURIST 21st OCT (Wed4) GENERAL MEETING/SOCIAL EVENT 24/25th OCT CROOKED PAtLS C,M.W. (Sat./Sun ; ) (BUDAWANGS) MEDIUM ALAN MOY BUDAWANGS 25th OCT. MT. TENNANT-SEARCH A.C.T.TOURIST (Sun.) FOR TENNANT'S CAVE EASY JO. FLOOD 31st OCT./ TREE PLANTING AT 1st •NOV DAINER'S GAP - (SAT./SUN.) SUNDAY WALK IN KOS EASY JOHN WANLESS KOSCIUSKO NAT. PARK 1 1OO,OOO 1st NOV. RENDEZVOUS CREEK (SUN.) CAVE - ABORIGINAL . EASY CYNTHIA BREHENY BIMBERI PAINTINGS 3rd NOV. COMMITTEE MEETING (TUES.) (D. BROWN'S RESIDENCE) 4th NOV. SOCIALISING/WALKS OPEN INVITATION TO FRANK & JOAN (WED.) PLANNING EVENING. • RIGBY'S PLACE, 52 GLOSSOP CRES. (SPAGHETTI AND PLONK CAMPBELL. SERVED AT 7 P.M.) 7/8th NOV. COOLAMAN MT. (SAT./SUN.) (INCLUDING FISHING/ MDIUN RICHARD KENNIS CURRANGO SWIMMING) 8th NOV. MT. COREE PROM A.C.T. (SUN.) .: BLUNDELL'S FLAT MEDIUM VOLUNTEER REQUIRED TOURIST 13th NOV. SUPERSTITIOUS NIGHT A.C.T. (FRID.) WALK AND BARBEQUE - EASY KARL SIENKOWSKI TOURIST MURRAY'S CORNER 14/15th NOV. BILLY BILLY ROCKS - (SAL/SUN.) BOGONG MOTH CAVES (EXPLORATION & EASY JO FLOOD BIMBERI EXCAVATIONS) 8th NOV. - GENERAL MEETING/SOCIAL EVENT (Wed.) 21st/22nd NOV. MEDIUM ALANI MOY CAOURA (SUN.) . I 22nd NOV. . TIDBINBILLA PEAK MEDIUM RICHARD KENNIS COTTER (SUN.) FROM NORTH 28/29th NOV. PRAWNING-SOUTH COAST EASY HARRY BLACK TO BE (SAT./SUN.) . .. . . ...... ADVISED.

. . N.B.. PLEASE.SEEFOLLOWING PAGES FORFURTHERDETAILSOF PT-f

• . .... .. .. . -3- IT OCTOBER, 1970 YOUR WALKS FOR THE MONTH AHEAD Sat./Sun. 17/18 October: Mt Kelly is near the southern tip of the I.C.T., p beautiful mountain in a spectacular part of the Bimberi Range, and is the central feature in a proposed and promised A.C.T. National Park. This medium walk, which will start very early on Saturday, will be a circular route starting from near Gudgenby, with Mt. Kelly being climbed the first day. It is hoped to camp on a pleasant creek near the foot of the mountain and return to the ears via a lower route. Sun. 18th October: Cynthia Breheny is leading this day walk to London Bridge, an interesting natural arch about 2-5 miles auth of Queanbeyan. Sat./Sun. 24/25th October: At the time of going to press, leader Aln Moy was keeping his options open regarding the route he intends to take for this Budawangs trip to Crooked Falls (formerly Angel Falls). Anyway, he assures us that it will be of medium grade and of course the scenery will be the usual spectacular stuff that bushwelkers exDect to see in this magnificent wilderness area. Sun. 25th October: Mt. Tennant, near Tharwa, is the goal of this day walk to be led by arehaelogist Jo. Flood. Mt. Tennant takes the name of the famous bushranger and somewhere on the east face is a cave which Tennrnt used as a hideaway. J0 is hoping to locate this cave and also plans to do a small "dig" in search of Aboriginal bones in other caves. So if you would like to delve into history and pre-history, this easy walk is for you. Sat./Sun. 31st Oct/ist Nov.: Snow Gum Planting. postponed from 10/11 October A further 1700 seedlinrs are to be planted, near Dainer's Gap in the Kosciusko Nationel Park - C.B.C. will be helped this time by the Monaro Conservation Society so that all planting should be completed on Saturday. Come along and help C.S.I.R.O. find out what is the optimum spacing of trees to hold the snow and help restore the Park to its pre-grazing beauty. Saturday night camp (some HalloweOn fun and games are in the offing) will be at Sawpit Creek and an easy walk somewhere in the Park is planned for Sunday. Sun. 1st Nov.: Here is another day walk with some pre-history thrown in for good measure. If Cynthia c'n find it, and she's pretty sure she can, she will take you to a fascinating cave in Rendezvous Creek (Gudgenby area) and show you some fine kbo±'iginal paintings. Sat/Sun. 7/8th Nov: Leader Richard Kemmis this week-end takes a circular walk (approx. 10 miles) to a rarely-visited area. It includes traversing Long Plain, the ascent of McLeod's Spur Trail to the summit of Coolrmrn Mt. and the descent to the for Sat, night's camp. You could try your hnd at trout fishing in the river and 'even have a swim if you're brave enough. Although f'irly short in mileage, the climb of Coolamon Mt. brings this trip up to medium grade. Sun. 8th Nov. Mt. Coree is the big rounded hump in the Brindabellas, directly to the west of Canberr-. Your Walks Secretary has heard various tales about the climbing of this mountain from the eastern, or Canberra, side, So if you wrnt the whole truth, better come along end find out for yourself - better still, you could volunteer to lead the wlk. The clmb from Blundefl's Flat is said to be of medium grade and the 360 views fromthe iummit superb. Friday, 13th Nov: Please note this is a Friday night walks and with a bit of luck the full moon will ight the wry. Starting about 6 p.m. from Cnberr, Karl Sienkowski will lend this unusual trip to the plearnt country of Murry's Corner where a barbecue will be held. Don't forget your torches. -4--. IT OCTOBER, 1970

Sat./Sun, 14/15th Nov: Here is another archaelogical type trip with exploration and excavations und€r the guidance of Jo. Flood. .Thevalk is easy and covers the Smokers Gap - Kangaroo Flats - Billy Billy Rocks area of the Bintheri Range. The aim is to explore the Bogong Moth Caves used by the Aborigines and do a "dig" for Aboriginal artifacts and remains...... YOUR •JALKS PROGRAMYIE • DEC/JAN4EB. Now is the time for all members to start thinking about the trips they would like to lead during these three summer months. In the latter part of the year, walks along rivers and creeks, to the coast or to the Snowy Mountains are especially popular, but you are by no means confined to such places. We are literally surrounded by some of the best bushwalking country in sothere's plenty of scope for action. Also, don't forget the special opportunities todo something different or go further afield during the long week-ends at Christmas, New Year and Australia Day. In order to tap leaders from a wider cross-section of the membership, we intend to try something new. Blank charts for the forthcoming walks period, divided up into week-ends, will be in the Clubroom at each General Meeting. The idea is that you insert the details of the trip you want to lead into the Chart when you come along to the Meeting. This arrangement should also make it more convenient for those potential leaders who can't manage to make the special Walks Planning evenings. If you can't come up with an idea for a walk, then how about asking other members for their advice - you might be surprised at how obliging they can be. YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU AS A LEADER......

OPEN INVITATION TO ALL M4BERS If you think it's too long between General Meetings, then come along to Frank and Joan Rigby's house at 52 Glossop Crescent, Campbell, on Wednesday, 4th November, to do some socialising and general fraternising with other Club members. If you can make it along about 7 p.m., then don't eat beforehand - you will be fed some sort of spaghetti dish and plonk will be on hand to wash it down with. As an added attraction, the Walks Secretary will invite anyone interested to help fill up the Walks Programme Chart for Dec./Jan./Feb. So bring along an idea for a walk you would like to lead and all such contributions will be gratefully accepted. (p.s. All the Club maps will be on hand to garnish your favourite bushwalking yarn and to give you inspiration for future trips)

++++++++++++4-+++++++ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Following the spirited discussion at the A.G.M. a spirited letter has been received, sent no doubt by a spirited member. These columr9 would welcon further correspondence in the matter, and any others which happen to prick the minds of members4 4 Dear 511', It is good to see that there is enough spirit and enthusiasm within the Canberra Bushwalking Club, for members to be editing an Anniversay Publication on Bushwalking in and around the A.C.T. I would like to fully support the project. However, I feel that pecause it is so - S - II OCTOBER 1970 big, I think Club members are entitled to know the results of the feasibility study made by the Publication sub-committee which led to the decision that the Anniveráai'y Publication should be in the form of a 'substantial book' as opposed to say a pamphlet or a small book. C.J.E. - .....and some comment on the slide show at the I.G • fi ...... - Dear Sir, 4 I was appalled by the abysmal quality of the slides presented by mthers at the last Annual General Meeting. Nover have I sat and watched a more boring or irrelevant slide show at a meeting of the Canberra Bushwalkiñg Clubs Severtl points need to be raised: The sheer lack of relevancy of, I would say, the majority of the slides presented. Pennian mud flows and pretty purple primroses are not bushwalking topics especially when photgraphed far removed in time or place from the bushwalk referred to. I would suggest that many slides of geology, botany etc would be of some interest if the persons concerned could organise a feature on that subject to be given at meetings.

The lack of interest of many of the slides that were actually taken on trips but displayed nothing more than fields of grass or a few odd rocks scattered randomly over some insigTlificant bill. (iii) The limiting of the number of slides shown by the various exhibitors. With a limit of say ten per exhibition the person concerned would be forced to cut down on the proportion of junk material included in the showing if he or she wished to include some good bushwalking shots • J.Y...... CLUB NGES Applications for membership have been received from:

Warren Wood Eleanor Walsh Warwick Blayden Glen and Shirley Lewis, and Ashley Titterton has been accepted as a member.

CIRCULAR CLOSING DATE Budding litterateurs and others-who feel they they might like to contribute to IT are advised that a deadlinefor receipt of material exists. being the first Wednesday of c lendar months. If posting material to the Editor, the date of postage should not be later than the first Monday of any month.

PRO TEM EQUIPMENT SECRET/J&Y President r:acknight is acting in a temporary capacity cs Equipment Secretary for the time being.

ATTENTION COMV!ITTEE TvIEMEERS In future, Committee meetings will be held on the Tuesday evening at 8.00 p.m. three weeks before the third Wednesday in the month, save in leap years. The next event will be at Dorothy Brown's flf3t on 3rd November, 1970. - 6 - IT OCTOBER 1970

FOR YOUR DIARY: The Christmas Party; alwayã a superoo event, will be tentatively precipitated on Saturday, 12th December - WATCH FOR Ft'RTHER DEVELOPMENTS. NEWS FROM HERE AND THERE

From a special correspondent, teletype news of Lob Headlan, well kno¼n to many members ......

"BRWEI TO;JN - aobert Headland, 26, Brisbane botanist, has just emerged from the jungles of Borneo, with an ambition to save the Raffles ia arnoldi.

The march of civilisation is upsetting the delicate balance which enables this huge flower to exist under very rare circumstances. Soon thespecies may cease to grow if it is notgiven protection.

SM4.LL AREA Borneo is one of the few places where aarrlesia. thrives. The others are Sumatra, Java and the Philippines. In Borneo it grows on the slopes of Mt. Kinabalu at 3000 feet in an area only about 400 square yards.

Rafflesia arnoldi is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, and his botanist frind, Dr. Arnold, who discovered it last century in the wilds of Sumatra.

- The star-shaped flower is anything from 15 inches to 3 ft. in - -- - diameter, with four to six petals. Its colcis are yellow or orange, red P. and sometimes purple.

It has no leaves and blooms, for between 10 days and two weeks. It is a parasite on jungle lianes - the kind of vines Tarzan uses to swing his way about. Mr. Headland, who came to Malaysia from Brisbane early this year to study tropical plants lives in Kuala Lumpur.

He said: "I became interested in the flower because very few have made a serious study of it. I think it is worth saving. It is the biggest in the world and of great botanical interest. No one has succeeded in growing it under controlled conditions. It is in danger of being lost to the world." Dan Buckler has surfaced again .....at Geoff Marston' s place in Geneva. From Geoff an interesting travellers' tale (see elsewhere)

TIP FOR THE tDNTH - When getting the gear off in a dark, cramped tent or snow cave, try fastening a candle end to a stick with an elastic band, and put it in the flow, it will save your cells and cast a very bright beam.

ITS HAPPENING NOW - The publications subcommittee, duly authorised is anxious to have walks chapters written for the long awaited tome. Committee members have notes for you to follow - front a subconmitteeman at the next meeting.

p

......

-7- IT (XTOBER 1970. NATIONAL PARKS suEcoMvanaE

The following submission to the Select Conuittee on Wildlife 1 Conservation has been made to the Club,

28th August, 1970.

tm. L.M. Barlin, Clerk, Select - Committee onWildlifeConservation,.

House of Representatives, - F CANBERRA. A.C.T. 2600

DearSir,

Two of this Club's five objects as outlined in our constitutiän are directly relevant to your investigations: -r F 1, to encourage the conservation of bushlands, fauna and flora and to encourage field studies

2. to support the establishment and preservation of national parks and primitive areas,

The Club is therefore interested in these m'tters and has a permanent sub-comittee to keep it informed and to help carry out its aims.

After examining the terms of reference of your committee the Club wishes to submit the following statement for your consideration. The points raised may well be covered in more detail by other organisations but we would rather raise them briefly here than risk the possibility of not having them mentioned at all.

We wish to comment generally on the terms of reference and suggest that while there is an immediate threat to some species of fauna we consider the terms of reference are too restrictive. This is so because it should be necessary to consider wildlife plants as well as animals. Conservation of plants is essential not only in their own right but also betause of the dependence of animal wildlife on plants for food, shelter and habitat generally.

-Term (a) We agree that ecology of some native -species is known inadequately but there is no need to waft for anurgent and comprehensive survey of wildlife population berore effective conservation measures- can be applied. SufficientinfbnnationVis available already, but it is spread throug~txt Australia in State departments, universities, research bodies and sdiehific associations. What is nEeded is a central collating and reference bodyand in this role we see the greatest-use

for a Com'no*eaIth conservation authority. The CSIRO Division Of -. Wildlife Research and the StátEFauna Protection àñd Piehery bodies have enoUgh information for action to be taken now. For example; the - S N.S.W. Fauna Protection Panel sèveralyears ago surveyed all available crown land on the north cOast of N.S.R. they subsequently recommended the creation of five nature reserveEartd four national parks in that

area but little action has been taken on these recommendations.

Term (b) The present system of national parks and reserves in Australia is not adequate by ant criterion. VOty few of these -areas are heldsecurelY; most can and are alienated in part or in Whole at

the-distretion 61' a deattment or authority not directly concerned with -

the management of the areas. - Becauthe of lack of finance and staffing problems few of them can be said to be managed effeëtively in the national interest. No State yetLhoids in reserve the area commonly agreed as minimal for national parks and the most urgent need is along our eastern coastline where human population is the most dense; Contd/.... - 8 - . IT OCTOBER 1970

Until sufficient national parks and reserves are set 'aside to cope adequately with' the future human demands on them, there is little hope of survival of wildlife, plant or animal. In addition to the needs og people we need areas extensive enough to allow for territorial claln5. by single animals or groups of animals and t' prevent "inbFeeding" and we need areas diverse enough to meet the requirements of ditferent species e.g. mans birds and small animals have only limited distribution. The classic Australian examples are the noisy scrub bird and the New Holland mouse. ' ...: ... Tern (g) We have mentipned already the need for aCommonweaith' conservation authority. We ehvisage such an authority as a coordinating body with means to assist with finance and its expertly trained staff but with power of direction only within its own territories, The States at present have inadequate resources to survey, their wkldlffe populations and habitats within established reserves. One way a Comonwealth authority could assist the States would 'be to provide scholarships so that special.. investigations of fauna and 'flora could be made in. State parks but in the national interest sholars mqst be free to operate in all States.

In conclusion we would like to emphasiS that we consider sufficient knowledge is available to allow reservation of suitable new areas to proceed but, however, further investigations would result in more effective administration of new and existing areas.

Club members would be pleased to .o.ffer furtherjnformation on any of these matters should your conmittee rkeed..it. . ..Ours.faithfully,

O.C. HOGAN.) 'PSIDE.

TRAYLLERS 1 'TALES: Past President and noted raconteur, Geoff Martton, gives us the drum from:

MOUNTKENYA• ,t

The 'glaciers of Mount Kenya are betoming accutomed to the' boots' of thosèwhoIat one time or another have gtaced or'disgraced the membership lists oftIie C T B.AcC. r3obde'Viana àndFrankRigby preceded and Martin

Williams has since followed me along the Nanyuki road. .' .

In mid-January lastI arrived inNarobi hot from the' stunner heat of Maurit.ius. Weight restriction fbrcd me at all airports to don boots and amorakàndin this bizarre cOndItion, kouring ëwe'at, I had:presented " myself to the thetk-in atPleasancé'Airpo&Maurititis. The ordeal had a. very stPañe'conSe'uence," a coupletollowing ,iie through the Customs struck up a conversation with me on' the strength of'h' offbeat appearance. On, V hearing that I was about to Climb Mount Kenya they' invited me to look them up at their home near Nairobi which, they told me,' was within eye shot of the mountain. Little did we know it at the time butthis kind couple were frjends of Doug Wright and Margot Co,C' . .

IhNairObi I visited 'a certain travel agdnt which professed to arrange ctimbs of Mount Keny'a for passing enthusiasts.; My stipulation' that I had to be back in Nairobi within 3 days did not upset them unduly and within the hOur I found nwself in a Pçugeot 404 station wagon travelling, the 110 mileà.tO the foot of themountain This fbnn of travel is cheap and fast in Kenya - ItO miles for $2! ThOugh we were stopped by police ir check points açvarious places on the way, probably for exceeding speed limits, the tà*i put me down well before nightfall at the Naro Mont River Cnt/.... -9- IT OCTOBER 1970

Lodge, near Nyeri. Here I was accorded great luxury. The place is mataac by an ex-farmer, 'Villy Curry, and his wife and in addition to providing the standard of comfort required by elderly spinsters froip Milwaukee, they, also 1 run safaris on Mount. Kenya and the sui-ronding area. All rcessa&y equipment ican be hired and with it a porter to ëatry, it As I Was on a "package tour" I did not complain when the next'morning at 6.00 a.m.,:after a rather short night due to a long evening of card e playing, I was aroused for a large breakfast and to find my pack loaded with food andralreacy on the back of one Bernard Thaithe (pronounced - I "Sayce"), my Kiktiyu porter who was clad, inter alia, in Wellington boots. We left the lodge in Willy's Land Rover with an entourage,of flout 18 porteFs whowere carrying supplies toan Italian Spedition on the mountain. The mountain itself, was invisible as we approached it along the 12 mile track from Maro Moru to the National Park entran,ce Willy told me ominously that the weather was "unAeasonable" After crossing a bridge which bore the intriguing sign "Elephants must, cross in single file" the Land Rover finally reached the limit of its adhesion.. We were at 10000 ft.

Shouldering rio' camera I joined the file of porters moving up through the rain forest. After less than half an hour the forest énde4 and we were in ojen country dotted by enormous lobelia and grounsel, dome reaching 15 ft in height. The rain began in earnest and the whole enviçonment reminded me of days in South West Tasmania. The track led sharply upwards through what the guide book calls the 'Vertical Bog'ç a name that needs ,no explanation.. Outcrops of rock provided shelter for the steaming Kikuyü who looked strangely out of place on the barren, sodden mountain.

At 13,000 feet we reached the crest,of a hill and could see below us the Teleki Valley. One of the by-products of the popularity of the mountain has been that vast quantities of tins, paper and general rubbish litter the track. Although I was carrying only nw camera the effect of the altitude began to make itself felt as I had come up from 5,000 feet to 13,000 feet in less than 6 hours. A tight feeling across my forehead which developed into a dull headache was the only symptan. Fortunately. my limbs remained in their normal condition. At.5.00 p.m. we reached Willy Curry's fixed camp at the head-of the Teleki Valley near which we came across several platoons of the Anglian Regiment on mountain exercises' (with permission of Kenyatta). The lads were kitted out with standard Army ponchos and kapok "freezing bags". After l day of in*iessant rain they began to congeal under their bivouac sacks. The unmusical accents of Middiesbrough and Scur\thorpe gave a grotesque touch to the place. Mount Kenya is located right on the Equator and at 6.00 p.m. sun went down.. Immediately the mist cleared and the whole mountain above us appeared, g!eaning rosily in the last-rays. The two main peaks of Nelion and 'Batian with the Lewis Glacier between them was an unforgettable sight especially as an enormous moon came sailing over the peake within an hour Cf sunset.

-a The next morning at 5.00 á..m., after a fitful sleep eve'n on all airinattress, I was roused by Bernard who was cooking breakfast in the mess tent. More dead than alive, I followed him over the remaining few I yards of the valley and then up a murderous scree slope. The sôrnug was wonderful, not a cloud in the sky and every detail of the 2,000 feet cliffs of. themninppaks could be seen. Unfortunately a di$tánt haze prevented a view of Kilimanjaro, 350 miles away. At Top HÜ€ we met a group of climbers who had been confined to the hut for days by the weather and who were now preparing to croSs to the cliffs. As it requires ,ropes to reach the very summit of Kenya, 17,058 feet, I had to be content with the third highest summit, Point Lenana, 16,355 feet. The last 500 feet was on permanent snow and Bernard's ice axe came in useful. The altitude wass beginning to tell on me necessitatin8 a rest eQéry 2 or 3 minutes. At last we reached the top, marked by a large cross. Below stretched the great plateau of Kenya but my chances of stopping reflectively on the suithit were blotted out by a rush- of cloud which appeared from nowhere obliterating everything even the file of swearing "squaddies" which was shambling across the glacier below. That *as the last I saw of the mountain. It was not yet 9.00 a.m. *r*'**'** GEOFF MARSTON . - 10 - •.. FOBER 1970

Mt McKeahirte- . .; ., .

The walk did Aot sthtt ver± encouragingly. Even at th pick-up stage we could not find JUl;e Henry sto was waiting fat us in her thr as planned. Luckily she found us before we left Canberra..

A bit ot car tttouble delayed us f6r4 a few mirthtes when stuart Temperl'ey got water\n 'his distributbr at Point Hut Crossing. If I had known' then wh&t. was to happen lateç I would have left Pid there -J The walk started at Smokers Gap on the Corin Dam ro4. We 1'oiiowea the ridge on the left of the road, atound large boulders, over fallen trees and through scrub. The going was'rather low btt through scrub. The going was rather slow but at 12.30 lupch was started - beside a large outcrop of boulders On what was declred to be Mt McKeahine • Visibility was not more than a hundreo Y?S thrOugh the trees No ohé could see much but everyone seemS, cpntent ateepV this as our destination. Well, eleven out of the twelve did. Ten minutes later S.T. came back from a short walk and started to sew doubt in'ourminds, proclaiming that Mt. M.was further alor'the ridge. Uud?ortunately he was correct, so after lunch we continued'bn .: our way. In - the afternoOn we gotonlyoné good view of Ororal VaLLey. This was - a bit disajipoiht'lng-since we were walking alOng the head 'of the valle-forinot-of the day. WeeventUâlly reached.the last point along the ridge from when we could eaiily descend to th'e Corin'Dai road. A proposal wS rnSe - foa feW ofUs to make a fast às'çent of. Mt. M. from there, but asthete were not enoughtakers'we all returned in very quick time via the road. :

J.C.H. -:

PARTY: Alan Moç,, 1]etcer; ..Joan and Frank Rigby, Warwick Blayden -, Adrian Hobs- TO Ettrema Gorge.

'wdn OniFriday ni'thht four of üé, in two cqrs, arrived it the ziick River turn off on the Nowra road and hurriedly made camp We were just settling dbwn- tO-'sledp when the fifth member arrived WtirSick a C.MVV.. refugee, .had just drfven 'trom TCmora. Up early in the morning and after a quick breakfast continued to Lodgers Hill near Ettrema Creek.. •; f I Making our way to illy's Pass, we crossea Circh Creek by scaling clif rb and Wátè'rcourses /troihd'luhth ifnwe deied that we must Ie., at the Pass so we stopped. /.fter a quick climb to the top of Hamlet Crown viat h' 410 feet ciiff and a lbok down the gorge we had lunch. Once lunch was over we descended Billy's Pass. This turned out to be a scree släpe some 800 feet high covered in brambles, stinging nettles, giant nettles and Gympi tfees.': Needl -eskto- bay soMe tIme - wast'k'en to get down, but we t eventuñllyi got down.- Pasing siith nötáhle features as Swag Point, Reprine Point, Thumcrew Creek, Dungeon Canyon, etc we continued cownstream. Our 'I erLitwhilreadi' nevcratisçied with acanisightkept whipping us to: greater exertion in a vain attempt to find the mythical, perfect campsight. Finally we settled on one that was muëh the srme PS the dozen we ha passed by. -. ...... . :the melody of satll ap1ds :wind 'In the teës mbpoke and 'scr'eamirig owls we htd a - pleasant teádñd'got Co bed'aLut 9.30. After the exertions of the prqvious . dciyits nathrai Ch theleadrl,et.latesô we didn't get underway till 10.60 the next màrning

Continuing ddnstream pOst RacIçCieek, Dynthnity CiSk'zrid Handcuff. Hill we reached the junction between dirch and Ettrejr.c dreeks çontiduing at a reasonable pace up Circh C?eek we reached a l'-rge Wterf-ll at the footof which we had lunch. . -- -''-

- 11-. IT 4XTOBER 1970

Digressing a little Imust comment on the beauty of this little creGk that must be a. raging torrent at times. The bed is one jumbled riiaoa of rock, immense boulders and large pools of water, betveen immense cliffs and steep slopes the vegetation is partially protected and the trees, shrubs and flowers are particularly well formed. Thiswith the grandeur of the surroundings and the abundant bird life made the trip all worth while.

Anyway getting back to lunch: the pool of water at the base of the waterfall tempted Warwick to try the bathers he had been carrying and EE dived in. He got out quick though when he found out that it was colder than expected. Meanwhile the Rigbys had tea and crumpets. With lunch behind us we teakled the task of setting round the falls. Another Scree slope; still we dii it qoick and the view from the top of the falls was spectacular to say the least.

We arrived near the top end of Circh Creek and heading up a small spur we made the plateau, A long walk back to the cars through wattle, Acacias and eanksias in full flower and three of us get back to the cars, Joan and Warwick had decided to race back and had covered the last few miles at a fast walk, and reached them well ahead of us.

A short stop at the "Nerriga" as bona-fide travellers and we set tracks for home. Adrian Hobbs

......

SURVIVi L 'IEEKEND Leader: Harry Black

Eighteen of us took part in this weekend exercise, the purpose of which was to help in gaining some knowledge of outdoor techniques - more particularly those inolved with difficult conditions.

+ + + + + + +

Five car loads of members met on the Cooma Road and headed southward to the 1Vt. Clear area in the south of the T.C.T. Here we were to establish a base camp. Unfortunately the Naas Creek was running high and this prevented driving right up to the projected campsite. Three cars with some difficulty crossed the creek once, but it.then swung back across the road and a second crossingwas not attempted. So we walked in to the base camp, adjstancc some two miles. Tte first Item on the programme was . a short talk by Robin Miller on the atfrig of the tents. After this we spread out to put into practice the thecy we bad heard and soon the area had sprouted with anny green and ft orange triangular prisms. The amin points of tent pitching were also discussed. Following a light lunch the programme was re-arranged (for the first time, it was to be rearranged and redrafted many times before the weekend was over) and Mike Hinchey showed us how to light fires even if the wood or ground is wet, and Harry Black gave the group the benefit of his long experience in protection from exposure.

Each person then tried to make some sort of shelter from a groundsheet, bark logs or anythin6 else available. Some of the end results were most jneaestlng 9 especially the ones lined with grass or Peter's bed under the log. To further experiment in gurvivAl technique, we were then directed to a nump of trees some distance away where we proceeded to stuff our clothing with layers of leaves and branches 4 There are very few things as coei.cal as a lot of busimalkers with bloated parkas and jcrns, with siluocettes reminiscent of Santa Claus walking (or waddling) up a hill, Anyway we proved that scrub can keep you warm.

- 2 - IT OCTOBER 1970

In the evening everyone tried to light their individual fire and when the long line of coals coalesced there was a campt' ire about twenty feet long. For cooking the evening meal this was marvellous - no competition for space and plenty of room to manoeuvre. When the fleffies died down Harry showed us the methods involved in making damper. Some people then proceeded to make fine looking products, but some of the other attemptr resembled doorstops rather than dampers (no names will be mentionei}, Thea Exley had probably the most interesting one - baked in an empty tin can.

On Saturday morning we discussed, under the guidcnce of Julie Henry, the quñlities of leadership needed on bushwalking trip and then Robin Miller, complete with cute little charts gave a short lecture on sUrviving bushfires. The party was then broken up into small groUps which were sent off to test their ability to navigate with a compass 1 !. ii groups hiartaged to get back to the camp quite well, allegedly without cheating, though one group had soie difficulty when one transect went straight up the creek. A planned search and rescue operation was abandoned for lack of time.

After lunch, during which Harry showed us how to make twists (a neat variation on the damper theme) we practised rock climbing (with and without packs) and were given some basic points on the techniques of river crossings.

About the middle of the afternoon, we packed up end walked back to the cars. All that reaiained was to drive the cars across the creek and back to the main road.

This took 3 hours

Car No. 1 (Toyota - Adrian Hobbs) crossed the creek successfully -, then stopped in a mudhole on the other side. Car bogged. Engine dead.

Car No. 2 (Peugeot - Mike Hinchey) almost got through creek but motor stalled by water splashing into engine. Engine dead. Car half in creek.

Car No, 3 (Laurie Toogood - VW Kombi) tried to find a new way to cross creek, but then could not get up the bank. Engine still going, car bogged. However the engine was sick and the owner was air; Ad to stop it running in case rigour mortis set in.

Darkress fell as people worked on cars - pushing, pulling, rocking, draining and drying. Eventually all were in going order, but Adrian's vehicle had inherited a radiator problem. It had had enough of water and insisted on leaking its contents at a rapid rate. There are nine creeks on the road home - this is known for certain because the car stopped at every one of them on the way back to fill up.

All in all a very interesting and infomatie weekend - even if I still cannot light a fire with two sticks.

Daryl Powell.

4 IT OCTOBER 1970 NADGEE. NATURE RESERVE

- - - Th. atiir'day 3 October ta3 happy bushwalkers drove down to o.ure Reserve via Brown Mountain and Eden arriving at L... day. We were:

Spfrir1t Gisz (Leader) Trevor Lewis C5othi;. 3re'neny Karen Scott Toeo Evu.sy Richard Scutter Ad'2.o hobbs Diane Northrop Murray Northrop

Ne':ton' s Flat and leaving the cars .!oil alternating between high *oed some kangaroos, and eucalyptus .i piain. r - dear views of the cliffs and forests wta oomperatively cool, more colourful raDt'C fragrant t.eoo o the many flowering shrubs trees ana vines. Clematis was prolific and particularly beautiful.

Having descended to the mouth of the progress was mcwte:.tiiy halted by the toorent. A bridge was then constructed er•a011013 t. ....e wJto those rot to unddle to make a dry if precarious crosa:g. Ccvi:2edtorokigh siaLiar country rejoicing at reaching Nadgee Rive a fw zazos from which we made camp at the old Nadgee honestaac site, Here the remnants of a cultivated flower garden contasted perversely with the natural vegetation.

Sunde.y was warmer than Saturday; The party set off gaily for tht-ough thickly timbered country, impressive for its tall banks, as. to the coast where we walked for a mile or so through a :t.raet -1 b!oe/;;auve wild fiC:weo, We descended to the beach ....

hLrst oc the more t.aiht±ve oezt.bs of the group. At tho coot nembeo tzndauntei t ...... :ioo-c',nLiflty of collecting in a nature reserwe dL:-ocoau fto eie:gies to gathering tO- bottles dotting the area and gave them for safe-keeping to har c&.cmanion - his insect-repellant soaked legs visibly sagging tha strain. Still another member attempted in his desperation to ...... a oh: liquid remained in these bottles but was restraifled by the ra:. c: toe. party. U:oThoatad we crossed the miles of grassy.plain at the otiier end of the booch to collapse beside the only fresh water pool Ia the vicinity. J..ftar lunch the party disintegrated - three crossed ,00 dunes to irs ycot the ship wrecks at Cape Howe, three remained sLothfully beside the pool and the remainder braved the surf.

On the return trek to camp the party was once again suitably stunnec' by b"ie beautiful colours and variety of wild flowers and lack of wn.,a.r,

Sunday night was very warm; Monday was even warmer.

After an exhausting breakfast lot the party managed to negotiate the first .25 yards to the Nadgee River where feet were soaked while waiting for the leader who was not keen to lead from behind. However knowing that the leader was fleet of foot and assuming that the heat, would increase as the day progressed it was decided to dawdle on ahead in an attempt to cover as much ground as ppssible before lunch. Being pre-occupied with the flora and many creeks the group missed the turn-off to the Li%tle River mouth. Continuing on the slightly longer inland trail to eventually link up with the return track from the Little River mouth, the group was staggered to see the leader shoes in hand only slightly dazed at being separated from the bulk of his party and a little disconcerted at ?n te!rçoirarily misplaced the two members with whom he had set out. was re-corstituted for lunch at Newton's Flat. Lack of ti;na and t-ry prevented a visit to the Caves and so the party regretfully reiSj',quished the Reserve until the next traditional October long weekend visit. - .- ** fl*****8.*4** L.A.H. oq 14 IT OCTOBER 1970

CANEERRJL, BJSEVLLKING CLUB

TRELSXE?) S REPORT

16Th - 1970

l ie 4 0pezi.ir Zai.ance - ,llth September 1969 341-13 RECETPTI:. Hs:flTship Subscritions 170-00 171-70 9-00

• . 14-80

Eqvdn-:t flre . ...,24-75 Mt .'.Rkiin Social 3 tT/E .,.. 86-50

DonationS . 500 • Annual Club Auction 39_35

I Bank Interest 137-79

• Miscellaneous: car costs $4-30 maps Soc 480 Sale of Booklets IVelbourne B.N,C. 3 • 00

• . . 542-69

PAYMENTS:

• Meeting Catering . . . .6-58 •I • .

H "IT!' : • it . ••.. l2O3

Orienteering ' 1-35

Petty Cash . 28-97 Photo Competition 7-25

Insurance . . . 10-55

C' nner (nett) . . 1620 ...... Dinnar (nett) . .1-12 • . . . Staëidnrvnd Supplies - 29-06

Acconrodation - Mt. Franklin 41-50

Food dndLiquor - Mt F'ranklin -. . 29-60

Cpnservation Confereyce . . . -. ... 6-00. flonation (Siuth Coast Committee 5-00

.rited. Booklets Meltoume B.W.C; ...... •.00- I Miscellaneous Conserv. $5-06

F' . Rent $3.00 8-00 I Bankcharge 2-50

B/rwd 341-13 Excess Of aeceipts over Payments 207-98 Balance at 16th September th70 549-11 Membership Singlç 145 persons Lank RecQnsiliation Statement Married 26 couplçs Balance as per Books of Account 549-11 Total 197 perso!ts balance as per Dank Statement $549-I1 (inél Mémbérs) Povis1oñl V 7 Csz) • . . •• TFèàsu&r REGISTERED F6R1 P064T1NG AS I. PERIODICAL - CAThGOitY B