Vol. 11, 1970 30 C
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Vol. 11, 1970 30 c Terms and Conditions of Use Copies of Walk magazine are made available under Creative Commons - Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike copyright. Use of the magazine. You are free: • To Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work • To Remix — to adapt the work Under the following conditions (unless you receive prior written authorisation from Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc.): • Attribution — You must attribute the work (but not in any way that suggests that Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc. endorses you or your use of the work). • Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes. • Share Alike — If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one. Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitations on Liability. Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc. makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any content of this work. Melbourne Bushwalkers Inc. disclaims any warranty for the content, and will not be liable for any damage or loss resulting from the use of any content. LOCH WILSON & co. SPECIALISE IN AND OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF New Zealand Woollen & Waterproof Clothing and Gear for Bush walkers Campers Cavers Mountaineers Rock Climbers Ski- Tourers * Our experience is at your service THE GEAR WE OFFER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY WITH MINIMUM WEIGHT SWISS SHELLITE STOVE OILED JAPARA PARKAS com Light • Compact - Efficient b ine eHective waterproofing with light weight and great resistance BOOTS are strong, but light and to wear and tear comfortable PACKS & TENTS are lightweight SLEEPING-BAGS o Her warmth but strong without excess weight CALL, PHONE OR WRITE FOR OUR LISTS (We can post anywhere in Australia) 692 GLENHUNTL Y ROAD, CAULFIELD, VICTORIA, 3162 Phone: 53-7353 (All Hours) Vol. 21, 1970 ' .. •.. -•.• · : c -.: ~ __ .,._-;_ - .-_ .- .-. ... ---_: · '-' ~ · ...• ..:. .- ·'" -~~- - ·- · ·- ~ -;-; ;:.~- . - -~ -.-_: · ·. ......... _\:._:.· . ~- ·:. __.__ .... -~--- - ··- - -= - ~ - --- .........u-.._ __ _ ---:. - ~ ~ - ·...:.:..;.. Editor: Athol Schafer. Advertising: Doug Pocock. Distribution: Rex Filson. All enquiries to: Melbourne Bushwalkers, Box 1751Q, G .P.O., Melbourne 3001. WALK is a voluntary, non-profit venture published by the M~lbourne Bushwalkers in the interests of bushwalking as a healthy and enjoyable recreation. WALK Vol. 2.1, 1970 CONTENTS Editorial 3 Astray on the Prom Doug Pocock 4 Beauty spots of the Wulgulmerang Plateau and Snowy Gorges . Fred Halls . 9 Mammals of East Gippsland Norman A. Wakefield . 14 Billywing Bill Downing 19 Shingles for a School-house Gwynnyth Taylor and Sue Brownlie .. 20 Wildflowers of East Gippsland Rex and Sue Filson 25 Rock Climbing -The Artificial Climb .. Merv Scott 29 Colour me Grey ..... Michael Griffin .... 32 The Battle of the Biosphere . Judith Wright McKinney 38 Books for Bushwalkers 44 Mountain Muster 48 Metric Scale Maps so WALKS SECTION Mount Cobbler - Mount Howitt - Snowy Plains - Moroka River Snowy Bluff - Mount Kent Range - Castleburn ( 12 days) 53 The Viking and The Razor (2 days) 59 Daylesford - Tipperary Springs - Hepburn Springs (I day) 61 Warburton - Mount Little Joe - La La Falls (I day) 63 Seville - Wandin Yallock Creek - Warramate Hills - Lilydale (I day) 64 COVER PHOTO by Rex Filson. MELBOURNE BUSHWALKERS always welcome visitors on their walks which include easy one-day excursions and week-end trips. Extended walking tours of three days or more are also included on the programme. If you are interested, then call in any Friday night, from 8 to 10.30 p.m., to the clubroom. Details may be obtained by writing to the Hon. Secretary, Box 175/Q, G.P.O., Melbourne 3001, or by phoning 97 3724. 2 EDITORIAL It is now twenty-one years since the original sub-committee of the Melbourne Bushwalkers brought out the first issue of "Walk" in 1949. To mark the occasion let us make a pause to measure the terrain so far covered and view the prospect lying ahead. For those who remember the era, it was a time when the bush was thicker and closer at hand. The paved roads we sometimes walk upon were then often unstraightened, shady tracks. For a young walker venturing beyond the foothills there was the challenging vista of range after range of mountains sketchily mapped, locked in mystery, pervaded by that delicious sense of remoteness now caught only momentarily when following the web of forestry roads and jeep-trails that have developed over the intervening years. On the other hand the new conditions do allow weekending to places previously reached only by those prepared to undertake longer trips. But as the nearer lands are cut up and disappear under pressures exerted by a rapidly increasing population, it is generally necessary to travel further to find suitable walking areas. Other parts of the State too are under pressures from activities such as tourist development, water catch ment and marginal farming in places as far apart as the highest alpine peaks and the distant Little Desert. In regard to the well publicised "battle" over the future of the Little Desert, a heartening omen is the overwhelming amount of public and individual support in favour of retaining the area's natural scenic and scientific value rather than allowing it to be bulldozed completely out of existence in accordance with the current official policy of development at all costs. Most bushwalkers seem aware that the future of their recreation will depend largely on the extent of the areas reserved as National Parks. At present there are insufficient parks to cater for the increasing number of visitors. Of the State's total land area, only 0.6% represents National Parkland. Victorians may well cast envious eyes towards the more favourably endowed countries who regard 5% as inadequate. As walkers, we join with those working for new legislation on conservation. Cartoon by kind permlaalon ol Peter Russell Clarke and the Herald. 3 ASTRAY ON THE PROM By Doug Pocock Gentle Readers of this Humble Magazine. Through the years in which you have been enlightened and instructed in the Mysteries of the Noble Art of Bushwalking, you may be forgiven if you consider there are no Terrible Pitfalls awaiting the Young Novice. Take warning, young people, before straying from the Paths of Righteousness, from myself who, though hoary and wizened, am possessed of clear and tranquil mind and can cast my memory as far back as 1962, when as a youth I did venture forth into the Wilds of that Estate known as Wilsons Promontory. My companion in these peregrinations was a Young Lady who for Propriety's Sake shall be nameless. We did leave the clamour of Melbourne and travelled in our Vehicle over the High Road leading to the aforementioned Promontory. An Observant Bystander at Tidal River would have noticed the setting up of camp that evening, and general preparations being carried out in readiness for a Walking Tour on the morrow. Morning dawned with a chorus from our Feathered Friends, and after breaking our fast we did venture forth with heavy loads and light hearts, our feet guided very ably by the excellent Chart of the Area produced by the Esteemed Algona Guides. The chart was highly comple mented by the paths which have been cut to aid Access to the Hinterland of the Promontory by Adventurous Souls. As the scenery unfolded before us we noticed the impressive Diverse Flora of that area. We partook of light morning refreshments at Oberon Bay and then diligent searching did reveal unto us the path leading to "The Overland Track". Following this we soon reached a rude shelter known as "Half-way Hut" where we did partake of our noon repast. Farewelling the shelter we did proceed further on our way, via Martins Hill to the proposed camp spot at Roaring Meg Creek. Thus did we fulfil our First Day's Plan without untoward incident. The morning of the Second Day found us once again engrossed in preparations for breaking our fast, and, this pleasant task completed, we did perambulate along the Track Towards the lighthouse. At this Humble Edifice we were cordially welcomed by the Stalwart Keeper of the Light, that Noble Being who, through fair weather or foul, keeps the light brightly burning every night, a Friendly Guide to those Mariners of the Briny Deep. This Sturdy Fellow did very kindly conduct us through the Establishment, which proved to be of Absorbing Interest. After an Extremely Pleasant Morning we took our leave of that gentleman and returned to our packs at Roaring Meg. Shouldering our burdens once more we retraced our steps of the previous day to the "Half-way Hut", where we did seek and obtain most welcome repose. Next morn we did proceed further along the Overland Track and after a short distance branched off to Waterloo Bay. We eased ourselves of our Burdens at the north end of the Bay and did partake of light refreshments whilst surveying the Pleasant Scene before us. Leaving our packs on the sand we undertook a Pleasant Stroll to the south end of the Bay, pausing awhile to dig in the sand bar separating lagoon from ocean. Returning from the stroll we decided to Indulge in a Leisurely Bathe. Advancing to the ocean edge, which dropped very steeply, I prepared to commit myself to the Bosom of the Deep, when I straightway perceived a Large Shark no more than three yards from me. This caused me 4 Extreme Palpitations of the Heart. Recovering from the shock of sighting what would have been an Extremely Unpleasant Bathing Companion, we moved on to recover our packs. Alas, water from the lagoon was pouring through the drain we had dug in the bar, gouging a channel ten feet wide and speedily increasing, as evidenced by the Insidious Eroding of the Sandbank supporting our possessions.