Canberra Bushwalking Club

IT .':..H or June 1969 Nawslettgr1of.the.CAberra Bushwalking Club Price lOc Registered in Australia for tratisintasion bypost as a periodical V01.1 ... H No.10 CXT GENERAL THURSDAY 19th June 1969 at 8 p1.m in the Meetings Room, NEETING I University House, Acton. v Feature: Illustratedtalkindhiñts on p1tography, èipeciaily.4lpine flàra by Cohn Totterdell. Please note change of night this month- it is ThURSDAY NZXT COMMITTEE — , Monday, 7th July at 7.45 p m. at Story's house, 104 Buxton a Street, Deakin. 1 EXECUTIVE President Sybil Story, 104 Buxton Street, Deakin, 812174(P'

COMMITThE: Vice-Pres: John Hogan, 44/4 Owen Flats, Lyneham, .1. 704 Treasutei: John Ràltzapffel, Box 989, Canberra city 818244(N) Secretary: Nary Carter, 41 Throssell St. ,Curtin.492134(W) 814078(11) Walks Jim Collins, 5 Albany s;:Dominibñ Secretary: . Cfrcuit, Forrest. 72591-73(W) Social Nancy Sutton, 3/354 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson 44272 (:1) Secretary - Eputpment Les Brown, 85K Kanangta Cort, Reid 496811-66(W) Editor Jim Dick, 39 Hutchins St. Yarralu'nla.812328(H)40477-237(1) Reporter:., Miep Molijn, 10 Elouera Flats, 90 Northbourne Ave, Braddon .. 491250,H) 71256(W)

THE SEARCH & RESCUE SUB-COMMITTEE did an excellent Job in organizing the practice week-end in May — everybody who took part was accounted for, therefore special thaaks for this go to the hard work put in by Julie Henry, harry Black, Robin Miller, Jim Dick and las. Brown. It took a great deal of their spare time getting plans and maps lined up then co-ordinAting everything with the Canberra Aero. Club,, Civil Defence Organization, St. John's Ambulance Brigade and other intereste4 parties. a The Club greatly appreciates the interest shownby these people, especially the Aeró• Club who want to keep us in view when theyrcan fly on some of our walks'. C .iv.L 1'.CW MEMBERS We welcome Cohn Totterdell, 57 Blacket St. Downer. 40455-301(W) Richard Kemmis, 48D Kanangra Crt, Reid. .44371(W);. Cynthia Breheny,, Tall Trees MOtórLodge,21 Stphen St. Stan Mizon, Flat 10,Block A,Currong Flats Braccon 4.n. Braddon 482711(W) '• CflANGE bY ADDRESS for the following members: Mike and Helen Morriss, Post Office, Mount Hagen,T,P.N.G. I Dr. & Mrs G... :Mosley, Australian Conservation Foundation, 191 Royal 'Parade, Parkvilj.e, Vic 3053.. . ... - John van der Straaten 16 Aurórá Close, Mawson, A.C.T. 2607: .; . .Ginette :Pieraop, 84 Dryandra Street, O'connor', A.C.T.. 2601: NEWS' FAM FAR & NEAR: Congatulation&I to..Rthbyn Stacy and Marjaret Ralston in doing so wdll intheir nursing exaini .reäently; good wishes to Dit Langeñdoorn who was married last month and to LesleyHowlett who has announced her engagement to Peter Haskett of South Australia.

Our Scottish friends John & Rosemary Smart are wondering if temperatures of 98 0 upwards together with King Browns and trap door spiders are conducive to walking of

P.T.0... IT JUNE 1969

NEW ZEALAND ALPINE CLUB - AUSTRALIAN SECTION is again organizing an instruction course in NZ this summer and Club members"are 'invited to take part. Anyone interested in travelling to NZ for the course can make bookings through the Club. Robin Miller and John Wanless can give further information.

CLUB DIARY DATE EVENT GRADE LEADER , MAP

JUNE 19th GENERAL MEETING -, PLEASE. NOTE CHANGE OF VATEc Thursday * Weekend SKULL ISLAND on the Shoalhaven River.: Medium Karl Nerriga 21 2Z Approach from the Necriigal Side. Involves a' ' StenkowsktL' steep climb down & up from the river

Sunday PARKERS GAP - near Captain's Flat Mid-Winter Easy Tom Halsey Capt 22 soistideinTallaganda State Forest. Flat -- Beñdoura H Fri.night/ CAMPING IN vTHEACT-bring a compass Easy Jim Collins ACT -: Sat 20-21 (Base camp) - Tourist t

Weekend SKI INSTRUCTION: - -for beginners andothersA l :Easy Harry Black Nimmo 27/28 & Beginners will be ably catered for by , Harry S H A C., Sunday Black, while John Hogan will arrangectivAty-a Medium John Hogan ,

28 for experienced skiers . JULY

Weekend BUDAWANGS - CURROCKBILLY - Attempted again Medium John Holtz- Budawangs 5 /6 apffel C M.W Sunday. FAMILY OAt At GIBRALTER FALLS ANtI CORIN DAM Easy Rqri Wilk- AQT 6 All members with family invited to attend , inson TGurist *Weekend SKI TOUR with dASHMAI - medium John Cashman 12/13 Sunday ECOROOMBA ROCKS - east of Mt fldbinbilla. Medium Kim Young Cotter 13 On Corin Dam Road Interesting Formations. - Bimbirri Wednesday 16 -GENERAL MEETING Weekend- . . . - . 19/20 - FEDERATION - SEARCH AND RESCUE "¼ Saturday CAPTAINS FLAT6 A stroll around the old Easy to be advised 19 workings etc 'S Sunday "M'VTUMERANG west of Tinderries Medium Dan Capt Flat 20 Further details ia July IT Buchler Jerangle Weekend PALERANG PEAK - detdils of this trip Medium to be Braidwood 26/27 & will appear in the July copy of IT advised Sunday Pa 27 Trips marked with * are not recommended for beginners.

NOTE: Perébnss.ishing to nominate £Qr--.Outin$s should doso persOnal1yby 5.15 p.m. on the Thursday, preceding the 'trip, at PADDY PAILIS'S SHOP, Garema Place (above Radio Rentals). Outing the winter months members ar reminded to take adequate warm clothing on outings For the benefit ot nçè members the Club has for hire 2 tents, 2 sleeping bags and 2 rucksacks An additional charge is made for equipment not returned by Wednesday. Further information fràm the Walks Secretary, Jim Collins - 72591 (W)

I -2- , IT ITUNE 1969

CONSERVATION NOTES

The following extracl is "from the Report to the Minister for Lands (N.S.W.) on investigations into controlled grazing and longer term leases in the Kosciusko National Park, made by Dr. Grahame Edgar (formerly Director General of Agriculture in N.S.W.). !?CONCLIJSIONSg 1. The Kosciusko State Park is unique in the topography of the Australian continent, being the only high mountain catchment with a substantial and reliable water yield0 2. The run-off from this watershed provides 25 of the flow in the River Murray. 3 The development and 6xpansion of population and industry in Australia and the arid nature of our climate, virtually demands that this high mountain water catchment must be preserved, even if hydro-electric engineering works have J evolved in the process. +. The highest parts of the main range carry a deep mantle of soil cover, which is exceptional when compared with similar altitudes in other parts of the world0 5. Stock grazing on this area during the summer months, have created adefinite erosion hazard and from the point of * ViéwoT'tXanddsag cannot 'be commended0 6 The advantages to the slightly over one hundred graziers who hold leases have been substantial. 7. The annual ievenue to the State from rentshas yielded approximately 10 cents per acre being of little significance on present day values and should be disregarded as a factor influencing the matter under consideration0 8, The Stowy Mountains Authority estimate that thelvater yield from the Park will produce additional primary produce from irrigation areas to the 'value of $60,000,poo and electric power tothe value of $50,000,000 on a total yield of some $80 per acre. 9. Any factor which adversely affects this return from water, or cu±tails the life of this asset to the nation, must be removed in the interests of posterity. 10. The size of the leases vary in extent and are specified either for sheep or cattle grazing or both. The stocking rate is determined for each lease. 11. The sheep grazing these leases are almost solely Merinos, the most selective feeder of the ovine species, a fact which has been determined by scientific observation and has been common knowledge for some tine. 12. Stocking rates for both sheep and cattle, determined for cacti lease by officers of the Department of Lands have appeared to be conservative in relation to the number of stock on a specified area. This has not operated in practice and was clearly apparent to the writer during the January-March period of 1969, when observations were made on the grazing pattern of sheep on a number of leases. -3- IT JUNE 1969

13. The razingpressure on areas carrying the more palatable species of plant life is exceptionally high. U+. The dominant grass, Poa Caespitosa, or Snow Grass, doesi in f&bt comprise apprcximately seventeen species of Poa, which have been identified by Dr. Vickery.

15. Snow Grass is not grazed heavily by either sheep or cattle. It gives excellent soil protection and water infiltration. 16. Livestock, especially Flerino sheep, show a grazing preference for Snow Grass only in the early stages of growth or when it is flowering. Other components of the pasture, notably Alpine herbs, are subjected to dangerously high grazing pressures owing to their palatability especially for sheep.

17. There are clear indications that localised grazing pressures, especially of sheep, have created wind and water erosion. 18. Evidence of this can be seea in numerous areas within the Park. Islands of Snow Grass interspersed with bare soil patches are apparent on Nungar Plain, Long Plain and Snowy Plain.

19. The re-establishment of Alpine 'nerbage on the bare soil patches is slow. This can be seen in numerous areas and is well demonstrated within the enclosure on Long Plain established by N.S.W. Department of Conservation in 1 954, 20. The intense frosts of Autumn and Spring, the effects of thaw, high winds and periodic low summer rainfall, have created environmentalconditions inimicable to the re- establishment of a normal balance between grass and herbage. 21. Additional interference, e.g. sheep grazing accentuates the difficulty of re-establishment of ground cover where plant life has been destroyed. 22. Effective control of surface run off and loss of soil requires a grass-herbage cover, yielding approximately four tons of dry matter per acre:,

23. Spagnuni bogs which are a significant feature in the hydrol- ogy of the Alpine regions, have been damaged from tramping by stock. t. 211. Hot fires in the last decade have killed extensive areas of Snowgums, Eucalyptus niphophila. The greatest destruction being in the northern and central regions of the Park.

25. It would appear that Snowgums are not grazed to any extent by cattle. 26. Numerous Snowgum seedlings appear following precipitation subsequent to a fire, ./hich destroys mature trees and do not refolioate,

27 ,1. Snowgum seedlings are very palatable to sheep which graze them heavily and thus significantly curtail the reaffores- tation of burnt areas. 28. Costin's observations in st.idying snow accumulation and per- sistence in the Guthega region,, show the value of Snowgums in this respect and in the interception of rain, cloud and fog. - 4 - IT JUNE 1969

29. The cattle leases in the Cascade Hut-Tin Mines region are forest jungle. I 30. The shrub, Bossiaea sp. is showing an increased incidence0 31. This is particularly apparent on areas which have been traversed by hot fires and it would seem that the seed of this plant, like some Acacia species, germinates after subjection to fire. 32. Extensive areas of the Park were grazed illegally, particularly by sheep during the summer 1968-69. 33. Ranger staff are confronted with difficulties in impounding stock which are grazing illegally and provision of impounding facilities within the Park is essential, if this practice is to be controlled. 34 Wild horses (brurubies) are fairly numerous particularly in the southern areas of the Park, along the Alpine Way and the Tin Mine area.

NOTE: Dr. EdgarTs recommendations, which have been adopted by the N.S.W. Government, will be published in the next months 1JT".

OF SHOES AND SHIPS

Visiting Sydney in the near future? Looking for somewhere to eat? If so the following will be of assistance: New Eating House Victuals dressed in the Englishw At the Houfe formerly occupied by Michael Knowland, near the New Windmill, on the Rocks, Rosetta Stabler refpectfu]Ay acquaints the Public that fhe prepares Boiled Nuttai and Broths every day at 12 otclock, and a Joint of Meat Roafted always ready at One, which, from its quality and mode of ferving, The flatters herfelf will attract the Notice of the Public. Vifitors from remote Settlements, Mariners, &c will find a convenient Accommodation at a moderate expence, and every exertion will be made to render fatisfaction.

- The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertifer, July 3 5 1803.

The Height of Kociusko References in maps and articles to Mt. Kosciusko show its height variously as 7328, 7316 5 731+ and 7310 feet, and there could be other guesses; • The highest of the figures quoted seems to have been the thought current in the 1920s and the lowest is the present estimation. - 5 -

IT JUNE 1969

The difference isn't the result of erosion or weathering of the summit - surveyors today have a great advantage over their forebears, what with increased technical knowhow, more accurate instruments and greate'r:resources. Prior to the Snowy Mountains Authority the height of Kosciusko had been fixed by the N.S.W. Lands Department at 7316 feet (all measurements given are to the nearest foot) the datum being Fort Denison, Sydney. The S.M.A., using a datum somewhere near Cooma fixed Kossie's height at 7311+. Surveys just recently completed and based on both. S.M.A. figures and theLands Dept. Fort Denison datum give the present height at 7310. . Presumably the recent survey would also affect the other peaks in the Main Range.

F t WALKS REPORTS C '.

flOUKING There should really have been the body of a girl in the boot. Blona, eautiful, long evening dress - the lotJ - t. go with the deserted car we found, just off the track, on the way back to Yaouk0 .....A New South Wales Humber, in good condition, keys in the ignition - though battery flat -. papers, tax stamps,. news- papers - all dated 1967 - all looking rather mysterious., though a good search by a dozen amateur sleuths failed to find any traces of further James Bond-]Jké activity. This was on the way back from Platypus Lodge. "It" had noted this trip as 'may have a fishy ending'. WelL someone must have shown "It" to the fish in advance, as the efforts of our lone fisherman thet with no success. The area had obviously been evacuated, . However, after proceeding a few miles from Yaouk a F hut was found. This might have een Platypus Lodge .or it might not have. It didn't really look gran enough to rate the three- star "lodge" status. But it made a good excuse to stop, eat luhch and.consume some good Tasmanian-style soup. From there on, going was easy though fairly rapid, necessary in order to find the cars before darkness set in. Accomplished, Chinese chow went down well in Cooma on the way home, Graham Ashton.

DAMPIER AND MOTHER WOILA It was still darkwhen three members of your club left Canberra in a beetle for thetiger-country around Mother Woila. (The person who gave it that name must come from a broken home). Tigers we didn't see but eagles aplenty.

1. The weather at that hour of the day was reasonable but a mini-size high pressure system on the weather map didn't forecast anything stable. St IT JUNE 1969

We reached the starting point some miles past the main gate of Khan Ynnis farm. After crossing some hilly opeh grazing country we came into very pleasant native forest which changed into open valleys being the upper reaches of the Shoalhaven River. Good place to spend a weekend in front of your tent reading a book or watching kangaroos0 At this stage a not very impressive-looking hill came into sight to the east which our leader remembered as Dampier from an earl?:- r trip. After a rest and something to eat we walked along a jeep track leading us not quite to the top. Some fanatic axenian has bla :ed every tree along this track and several gallons of yellow paint are splashed on rocks to mark the route from the end of the track to Darupier trig. A cold wind wouldn't have us up there for long. After observing Mt. Dromedary to the east and Pidgeon House to the distant'north, we continued down the south side along a ridge and down into a creek for water and lunch. Shortly after that the leader slightly misled us but fortunately noticed his error in time to prevent disaster. The going was easier than expected. A combination of dense scrub, numerous fallen trees and bad weather would put anybody off hushwalking. So far fallen trees were the only hazard, Last :aar's bushfires burnt the scrub.. However the new crop is two feet high and looks promising. It was about four o'clock when we reached the end of a ridge which had narrowed to a "knife-ed ge". Across a deep ãaddle loomed a sheer impossible cliff. This must be Mother Woila, Its top is well forested with fairly large trees which look as if they will come sliding down at any moment. If we wanted to reach the top we had no time to hose so down we went into the saddle. This was a rather dangerous manoeuvre as all rock was loose and would start sliding and rolling if not negotiated with care. Down in the saddle we sidled around the right of the cliff through scrub and over sliding rubble till we reached a point where the cliff-face was broken and could be climbed. We reached the top in darkness. Some rocks had to be dug out to get a place good enough for a tent. A fire was quickly lit but cooking a meal was out of - the question as we had just a few sips of water between us. Nevertheless we had a good sleep and felt a lot better the next morning. We decided to return the way we had come rather than do the round trip as this would be far enough for the remaining day. So after a meagre and dry breakfast we retraced our steps and came to a creek at mid-morning. A billy of tea was made in a hurry; hot porridge prepared,ffcJlowed by scrambled omelet. Feeling a lot better we continued back over Dampier and to the car. Les Brown Alan Moy John Holtapffel

-7- IT JUNE 1969 LINKS WITH THE PAST

No. 3 - The Moriaro Initial exploration by white settlers of the area now known as the Monaro was carried out in 1823 by Captain Currie and Major Evans. They travelled from Bong Bong (Bowral) via the Goulburn Plains, Lake George, Limestone Plains (now Canberra) and probably as far south as Bredbo. Theylearnt from natives that the clear country before them was called "Maneroo," but preferred to call it Brisbane Downs. Providently their preference quickly fell into disuse, Settlement followed fairly quickly, for by 1827 Richard Brooks had the-Gejizrick Run - now called Gegedzerick - near Berridale. Michelago was a recognised sheep station by 1834. it

NEWS FROM THE COMW ' 2EE The Committee has been examining the present policy relating to transport contributions,, It tonsiders that the present costs may be too high, particularly on walks to distant areas and in cases where there are small numbers in theparty. as A suggestion has been made that the pro sent..practice be varied by the car driver contributing on an equal basis with his -t passengers, The driver would still get double his petrol money but would be included in the calculations. This matter.will be discussed at the coming meeting.

Notice has been received of the formation of the Eurobodalla Con5erq_T whichhas as its objects (a) to support the conservation and regeneration of Australian native flora and fauna in the Eurobodalla Shire; (b) to encourage popular appreciation and to secure the public enjoyment of the natural beauty of the Shire; and (c) to co-operate with the Eurobodalla Shire Council and other authorities for the preservation of natural or man-made areas or objects of beauty or historical or scientific worth. Members are urged to support the Trust in its worthwhile aims - you can show your support in a most practical way by becoming a member: annual subg $2.00 : further details from the Editor.

Sale of Mapp : Those who still hold the Bendoura maps from the Search and Rescue Practice may wish to purchase them (what better souvenir could you have of that memorable occasion). If not please return them so that they can be sold to other interested members. As the maps are very slightly used a substantial discount will be allowed.

ONE TO BEAT The present record holder for the Perisher-Kiandra Dash is Jim Bosworth, He covered:.the 'distance (on foot of course) in 10 hours 16* minutes during the Anzac weekend.

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