• Canberra Bushwalking Club • P.O. Box 160, Canberra City A.C.T 2601

for NOVEMBER 1969 Newsletter of the Canberra Bushwalking Club Price bc Vol. 1 No. 15 MONTHLY MEETING: Wednesday, November 19, 1969 at 8.00 p.m. in the meetings room, University House, Acton. Feature: Results of photo competition and presentation of PRIZES. NEXT COMMIT7EE Wednesday, January 14, 1970 at 87 Wailer Crescent, Campbell. * MEETING: EXECUTIVE President: John Hogan, 44/4 Owen Flats, Lyneham. 70415(W) COMffflEE: Vice-Pres: Campbell Macknight, Burton Hall, A.N.U. 493225(H) Secretary. Judith debster, 46 Dumaresq St., Dickson. 496779(W) Treasurer: Dan Buehler, Flat 51, Bri.galow Court, O'Connor. 70415-248(W) Walks Secretary: Karl Sienkowski, 56 Lambrigg St., Farrer. 861876(H) Social Secretary: Barbara Graham, 6/20 Northbourne Flats, Braddon, 44028(H) Equipment: Les Eron, 85H Kanangra Court, Reid. 496811-66(W) Assistant 5ecreta) John Webster, 46 Duinaresq St., Publicity Officer: ) Dickson. 40455-269(W) Member: Bob Galloway, 87 Waller Crescent, Campbell. 44271(H) Editor: Jim Dick, 39 Hutchins St., Yarraluinla.. 812328(H) Reporter: Miep Molijn, 10 Elcuera Flats, 90 Northbourne Ave., Braddon. 491250(11)

NEWS FROM NEAR AND FAR: Jennifer Brierley is due back in Canberra some time in Jecember. Barry and Leslie M.ann are now living near London after touring Ireland and Scotland. Jim Collins is the proud rather of a daughter, born 5th November and named Louise. CHRISThIAS PARTY 1969: To be held on Saturday, 6th December, 1969 commencing at 5 4.00 p.m. at Mr. Ginn's woolshed, on the Gundaroo Road. Food, drink, music, conviviality in pastoral surroundings, all for 42.00 a head. Tickets are avail- able from Barbara Graham or from other members of the Coninittee up to the Wednesday before the big "do". HOW TO GET THERE:- Take Barton Highway. About six miles from Civic and 100 yards :before Ginninderra bridge, turn right along the Gundaroo Road. This road crosses the border of the A.C.T. and N.S.W. A few hundred yards past the border tur# right into the first drive-way, through a gate flanked by t brick fence. The ::.dtive winds past the house up to the woolshed. TREASURER WANTS YOU: - Members are reminded that subscriptions are now due. THE -...... PLEASEPAYUP LETFER TO THE EDITOR Sir, Proposed amendments to the constitution I oppose the proposed amendments generally on the grounds that they complicate unnecessarily the admission of new members and the increased convenience in posting the - circular obtained at a regular time each month is offset by a great inconven- lence at all times to the treasurer, secretary and any prospective member or anyone prdposiñg a member. The proposed amendments do not alter the powers or duties of the Committee so I see no reason for anyone to have fears on that aspect. -2- IT NOVEMBER 1969 My objections in particular are: 1. There are five club objects and bushwalking forms only part of one of these. I did not draw up the original constituton but I suspect that flose who did, purposely required a prospective member to "complete at least one club trip", not walk, cave or ski. I would have strongly opposed a similar proposed change earlier this year to make the walk a weekend one, 2. You admit that the change from one to two walks (trips) is not particularly onerous. I submit that the increase is not..significant enough to warrant a change. There might be some point if you increased it to ten. The present wording is "at least one" and the Committee has the power to modify this require- neat, What more do you want? 3. You require a prospective member applying in April to pay 30c to $1.10 (at the last meeting you suggested SOc). After 3 months, or sooner, he is liable for 0e to $1.70. In October he pays a new full subscription of $2.00. Probably three times in the first year, the Treasurer has to catch this new member and the accounts would be correspondingly mere complicated and I suggest, never complete. There is also the objection that a prospective member has to pay a full fee whereas current practice has been to halve this in the latter part of our financial year. If we are to encourage bushwsl,king 3 then we should make it easy for prospective members to join. We do not have many tangible assets that undesirable elements can steel. We do have many intangible ones and one of these is the lack of formality which is administratively sometimes frustrating, but compared with some other clubs, a Liessing. We are also a club large enough, and mature ' -n ugh in outlook, to expect that a small minority will never meettthe ideals of the majority, no matter how many restrictions are placed on members or prospective members. Does that really matter? John Wanless

CLUB DIARY Date Event Grade Leader Map fovenber 19 G4ERAL MEETING Weekend COLONG CAVES. LcnigEns Creek, MEDIUM Stephen OW & Lands 22-23 Kowmung , Yerranderie (?) Gisz Dept. Sunday 23 Sentry Box Hill EASY John Webster Yaou& r/E 29-30 . Eendethera Area, MEDAjARD Frank Rigby Edac, 30 NURSERY SWAIWS EASY Tom Halsey pECEMBER Saturday 6 CHRISTMAS PARTY Weekend. Exploratory Trip. McLeod's Spur in MEDIUM Richard 13-14 Kosciusko State Park, ' Kemmis Eunday 14 BOOROOMBA ROCKS MEDIUM Jim Collins Bimberi Sunday 21 GUDGENBY GORGE EASY to be advised CHRISTh'IAS TRIPS 25-29 Dec. SNOWY 1VXNTAINS. Day walks on demand. MEDIUM Stephen Gisz Snowy Mts. Stephen Gisz will be going to Tasmania from 31st January-14 February and hopes to do the Reserve and go to Precipitous Bluff. Interested people should contact him as soon as possible. ,JAN'JARY sunday 4 COLINOTON GORGE EASY to be advised W/E 10-11 PRETTY BEACH EASY to be advised Sunday It PRETTY BEACH EASY to be advised W,'E 17-18 DEUA RIVER AREA. ALt-INE HUT. EASY Karl Sertkowski Sunday 18 NAAS VALLtX wisep iv.ussji' NOTE: Persons wishing to nominate for outings should do so personally by. 5.15 p.m. on the THURSDAY preceding the trip at PADDY PALLIN'S shop, Garema Place (above Radio Rentals). Please consult the trip leader before bringing domestic animals on ti'ips. -3- IT NOVE!LER, 1969

The Spiny Ant-eater (Echidna)

The Spiny Ant-eater is a commonly, seen animal in the A.C.T. Unlike the platypus, these: animals do not tunnel, but are protected from attack by the long black spines covering them. These spines wy measure 2) inches in length. They have tie aLility to cling tenaciously to the ground when disturbed with all soft parts protected. They may also dig themselves into the ground under such circucistances with their strong clawed feet. -

Food is stained with a long sticky tongue to which ants and other small insects adhere. The eyes are very small but the Echidna is very sensitive to smells and sounds. The female develops a small pouch into which is laid an egg. After hatching, the young is carried in the pouch for a short time and later left between feeding times in a secluded hiding place.

The Spiny Ant-eater is a diurnal animal and is often seen "ffling through the bush during the middle of the day. They are widely distributed in dry scierophyll forest and woodland situations throughout the Territory and regularly turn up in suburban backyards.

Echidnas have long been protected throughout the country and are theref're "onably abundant. Rarely have they been raised in captivity, and much is still to be learnt of their biology.

-- from ttwildlife in the A.C.T.' t

LLNKS WITH THE PAST

No. S A ROUGH HISTORY OF THE AREA The Goobarragandra River starts on the N.W. Slopes of Peppercorn Hill and flows in a generally northerly direction before making odd turns to the west until it flows into the River near Tumut Access to the lower reaches is from Tuniut and the upper reaches from the Broken Cart Trail S.W. of Erindabella. The area ,is of, particular interest becausc or its abundance of wildlife and gold diggings. tccess to the upper reaches has been until recently, particularly diffic- -

Aborigines in the area at the beginning of the last century were numerous and friendly. The first Europeans who saw the river were Hume and Hovell on their trip to Port Phillip. Their diary states that-- On 30th October, 1824, they passed through comparatively level country with perfect quagmires (Micalong Swamps). On the 31st towards evening, they descended a very steep mountain and came to a river (Goobarragandra River) some distance above the present Goobarragandra Station homestead at Dinner Time Creek. On 1st November, they rested as there was good feed for the cattle. Rovell's fournal mentions that they caught a lobster in the river and shot a kangaroo, planted clover seed and peach stones. He also mentions that there were no swamp oaks here as on the Goodradigbee. On 2nd November they crossed the river and set out over the mountain in a S.W. direction and discovered the Tumut Valley.

Land was first granted at the bottom of the river in 1832. An 1841 map shows the "Godaornndr Creek" as just a short line. The area -.rnnp,'l', manvn' .cil 1886. -.4- IT NOVFJIEER, 1969

Considerable gold mining activities have taken place over the-: years, evidence of which is cuite apparent today. Statistics in the Annual Reports of the Department of Mines (N.S.W.) indicate gold mining as late as 1950 though the main activities seemed to have cut out in the early 1.930's. The year of discovery of the 000barragandra gold is not known to me, but N.S.W. Parliamentary Papers or 1854-1860 mention "Goberagandera" in connexion with gold discoveries in the district.

Mining was also quite extensive along the Broken Cart Trail but records are very sketchy. An accurate documentation of the history of the area would indeed be of tremendous value in years to come.

Richard Kemmis.

(Ed. Note: Club trips to Frog PQrridge Creek - a tributary of the Goobarragandra - are a!ways most pleasant affairs with an inspection of the water races, gold mine and ore stamp battery a highlight.)

OF SHOES AND SHIPS

RATS

OR 4jID:IFE AT ;HITE 'S RIVEa

This is a general and brief description of the fauna (both indigenous and exotic) of this unique region.

Latin names have been used to protect the innocent.

PART I - UqDIGEN0US

RATFUS UWICNANTEJS - Describing the general attitude of the pennanent occupants of the Hut. RATFUS IMPATIF2TATUS - Describing the main body or the permanent Occupants as their usual foraging time approaches. - R&TflJS D(PERIM'TTALIS - An individual specimen of great courage who is pushed, by those massed behind him, out of the seclusion of the stone fireplace into full view of any would-be predators.

RATrUS INCANDESCENCIUS - Another name for the above-mentioned specimen and used to describe those occasions when the normal exit rc'ute is occupied by fires exceed- ing 70 B.T.U.'s per second.

RATFUS IMPLACABELIUS - The remaining body or RATFUS IWIPATI'4TATUS who will not let R4tTUS INCANJESCENCIUS return to the cool safety of the stones.

RA'rFUS PLASTICUS RATF LEUS - Purely nocturnal and seldom, if ever, seen. RATFUS APPLUS CHEWUS - 'Tegetarian species.

RATFUS BACQNUS CHEWUS - Carnivorous species. -5- IT NOVEMBER' 1969

R&TTUS PAULUS MENC1-IUC CHZ.IUC - Omnivorous species.

RATTUS DORMUS AWAKUS - Rodent exponents of Bach.

RATTUS. LEGUS CREEPUS - Partly hal1ucintory example of another species known more commonly as CREEPUS CRAWLUS /1JD THINGUS THAT GO BIJMFUS IN THE NIGHTUS.

PART 2 - EXOTIC

HOMO SAPIENS INTRUDUS - General term to describe species. Cub-species include:-

FAYNUS INSOMNIAMBULISIODUE - Characteristic cry resembles "GO 'WAY RAT" or "WEARZ/.TORCFLUICK". Principle diet, rhubarb - and boiled rice..

ANNEOSUS ARALUE'4S15 - Largely domesticated. Welcomes any opportunity to seize brooms, potholders and any other rustic house- hold implement. Coverts Port Wine Jelly.

ALEXIOSUS:ARALUENSIE -As above. Seizes opportunity to hand ANNEOSUS ARAL. articles.mentioned, Sleeps on top bunks to escape iATTUS LEGGUS CREEPUS but runs risk of contact with RATTUS PRECIPITUS.

PAULUS RATTUS NIBBLUS - Characteristic activities include re-organising seating arrangements in Chinese restaurants, contributing to precipitation of young maidens into mountain streams and producing fine quality. red wines from evil smelling packs.

HINUS M&SHPOTATUS - Eating habits ideally suited for study since feeding periods often overlap. Main diet consists of DEB and Port Wine Jelly. Coverts unattended rhubarb.

Yes, the White's River areawarrants -very close attention. Where else, at the height of a full moon, does one hear the wavering cry: "Paul ------is it all right for the :rat to be in the fire?

WALKS REPORTS

Flea Creek The list was full to overflowing - I wondered what attraction the Creek had. By all accounts one could drive a car there - perhaps they thought it would be easy. We shall see. Some twenty five people, squeezed into half a dozen cars, set off for the Brindabellas, one going ahead to confirm the existence of a marked track, leading down to the creek itself. We parked just off the 'main road', and begeA our walk. Contrary to most day walks, this one started off with a steep descent of about 1500 feet with good views of Mount Coree, Gbodradigbee Valley, Webbs SpUr and Flea Creek itself. -6- IT NOVEMBER 1969

On reaching the river, close by the junction with the 000dradigbee, and both flowing very swiftly after: recent rains, it was proposed to.the gathering that those who wished could ascend Webbs Spur and the others proceed along Flea Creek, joining the more adventurous later. However,, the momentum'.attained on the downhill trot led overwhelmingly to a'Vote to''Uimb up the spur. The leader, noraly pressured, and ciréumstantially obliged - it being his birthday - had no option but to follow Lunch was held divided - the go-ahead types preferring a peak to munch on, while most opted for a sit-down strike, which developed into a ridge view cum chew, . •. - We later re-united, and on the downward run went bush for a while, to fetch up beside the , where one intrepid fisherman had a throw in, several soaked their feet, and another unfortunate got himself outside of his previously . parated sandwiches - moral never let them out of your sight. There followed a short walk along a fisherman's track back to the creek crossing, and family reunion, and the lon& ascent, with 'breath taking' views of the Brindabella mountains and valleys. Everyone appeared happy - the fisherman claimed a bite, the Legal Eoblle debating society had its usual session, and the leader was suitable rewarded by some complaining of being tired - I warned yout jB?i

Nadgee Nature Reené

A party of 23 asseobled on tkiz, Cocma Road for the trip to Nadgee NTature Reserve on the October long-waekend. Not however without some diplomatic negotiating behind the scenes by the leader. He had heard a rumour that the C.B.C. was considered to be a Communist Front Orgartisation, and that a Government Representative would be along to observe proceedings in the bush. With an election in the offing certain radical members were indignant about the restriction this imposed on their freedom of speech.

This problem was circumvented and the party departed for Nadgee via Cooma and Brown Mountain. The undulating landscape of the Bega Valley presented a picture of beauty;, lush and green. It now seems to have recovered from the disastrous drought of the previous year. Certainly the Jersey cattle looked contented and at peace. p

We arrived at Nadgee minus one car-load which however soon arrived after a fruitless wait at Eden. At the ranger's house we were greeted by several tame kangaroos 'who: retired to a respectful distance when our six cars disturbed the calm. An invasion of the ranger's office followed for signing of the visitors book.

The,ranger, Mr. Hope, warned us of three hazards to be encountered on the way: ticks, sand-flies, and radio-activity: Apparently some scientific types had put radio-active isotopes in , one of the in the reserve, to find out the effect of radio- activity in and around the river. They needed an unpolluted river and they couldn't find one anywhere else. Mr. Hope told us that the river and its contents had been considered unsafe to humans for the past two months and would be so for at least another two. No-one really knows. The river is now polluted, yet Nadgee is supposed to be a floral and faunal reserve. To the *riterthisis a piece of scientific immorality which bears' comparion with drug experimentation and similar acts. .7- IT NOVEMBER 1969

Others can make up their own minds. After lunch at Wally Newton's beach we left the cars for our camp-site, Old.Nadgee Homestead, a fanm clearing made early this century. Light rain fell as we made our way through coastal heath country. Little River was encountered and given a wide berth by most members of the party, some no doubt with consideration for the future generation. Several of the party saw adingo at Little River and'most ofus heard from a distance its plaintive cry. Perhaps it was coninenting on man's intrusion. Some kangaroos were:also seen further along the trail. The camp-site reached, tents were quickly pitched because of the continuing rain, and dinner was prepared, followed by an early night for most. The writer was drifting off to sleep when his repose was disturbed by a considerable commotion among some of the party. Richard Kemmis was harbouring a tick and there was much dIscussion and advice offered as to how the beast was to be removed. However there was no need for alarm. Surgeon- General Marston (as he becaae to be known) was at hand with his trusty pen- knife. With the aid of some rum supplied by Peter Elder, - to intoxicate the tick and. anaesthetiseRichard -'a major operation was performedwhich removed the tick along withpieces of Richard. Numerous other people were afflicted by these creatures during the trip but Surgeon_GeneralMarston' wielded his blade with great dexterity. It is felt that Geoff is in the wrong vocation. He is obviously descended from a long line of distinguished surgeons or butchers (according to your point of view).• We awoke next morning toa fine day and a bush symphony performed by the:birds. Our eleven tents formed an impressive group. (It was reported to the leader that Stephen Cisz had three girls in his tent.) With provisions for the day we set of f down the coast. The wild flowers growing inthe coastal heath turned on a magnificent display with a glorious showingofcolour and form. Alone kangaroo eyed us from a distance. Some ofthe. more hardy braved the icy surf at Salt Lake Beach before we continued onto Cape Howe and the cairn of rocks marking the N.S.W.-Vic. border. One of the delights of the trip was the discovery of a seal sunning itself on the rocks at Cape Howe. Several of us came upon it quite suddenly and it was as surprised as we were. In fright it crawled into a crevice in the rocks and peeped out at us, 100km; very much, like

a forlorn puppy t 1 After some time at Cape Howe we returned via the same route to our camp-site, tired, but enriched by the splendour of this beautiful reserve. . Next,.inorning we broke camp and returned through the coastal heath and past Little River, with its ominous signs warning of radiation danger, to our cars at Wally Newton's Beach. Time for a swim fflf' some, lunch, andthen departure for home. We had all been impressed by the beauty of this reserve and the obvious devotion of the ranger, Mr. Hope, to its preservation. The writer cannot help wondering however, whether it is all in vain. He 'recently attended a:series of lectures at the National University on the subject of "Man's Place in Nature" • There he was told that if the present rates of population growth and pollution of the environment continue, then the world will be uninFthbitable in approximately 100 years given all favourable circumstances. Other eminent biologists overseas have made similar predictions with different time limits. Some say 30 years, others have said 15 years. Already important features of the earth's surface have suffered irreversible changes, they are biologically dead. This is a problem that we should all think about and talk about. If enough of us think and talk about it maybe something will be done about it. Barry Elphinstone IT NOVEMBER 1969

Wollondifly River - Murruin Creek - .Tomat Falls

It was a buckts party of six - whatever has happened to the female variety of the bushwalker species? Ah well, at least the many swims we enjoyed in Murruin and Tomat.Creeks were good for an all-over tan.

we had gone only a mile up Murruin Creek from the wollondnl:y when the leader declared the first -cooling-of f period.in a tempting pool. As Saturday's weather was blazing hot, no-one needed to be told twice. .th-. fact,, the place was so salubrious that there were rumblings from the White Ants who kept on hinting it would be just the spot to spend the week-end. Fortunately, some were made of sterner stuff and after lunch w,e l continued up this very pleasant creek with occasional stops for a quick strfp and a plunge. Several snakes were dodged on the way.

Camp was made on a grassy bank near the junction of Murruin and Bindook Creeks. The big event of this evening was not so much concerned with things bushwalking as with things electoral, Well, it wasn't exactly like the National Tally Room but Les Brown's transistor did nianage to create some election fever in the camp as the neck-and-neck results filtered - into our secluded valley.

On Sunday morning there was a promise of a sweltering day to: come. We set off early along Bindook Creek and then came some interesting scrambling as we gained height in Honeysuckle and 1wrtle Creeks, finally H emerging on to the plateau bettseen the Murruin and Tomat Valleys. By this time everyone was hot and sticky and we longed for a bubbling brook again. Three big kangaroo.s bounded of f as we crossed the tops before a quick descent into Tomat Creek. The writer immediately tried to immerse himself,in the six-inch deep water but the others would have none of this tomfoolery. and held.out until we found a swimmable hole further down the creek. Shortly afterwards the party. U.kerally ran out of country as the gentle creek. s.uddenly took a nosedive over the 700 feet Tomat Falls at the head of,,an impressive ciz'ue of sheer cliffs. Some little distance around .on.the true left side the cliffs give way to a steep, tree- covered spur which is the key to the descent to the creek bed.

Some of us then explored the creek bed leading up to the Falls, a rocky canyon with deep pools and tumbling cascades. The route - is finally blocked. by-a- rpck wall over which a second smaller waterfall plun'ges down and onecam only--guess at perhaps a large pool at the foot ofthemairi falls, which, incidentally, are a magnificent sight from below;:. This bit of scenery was a highlight of the trip and the last two miles of the creek down to, the Wollondilly became something of an anti-climax by comparison. There remained only two miles - of the 'Dilly and an interesting- crossing and we were back at the cars just as the threatening sky decided to open-up - the timing was perfect.

Who's foP F. lazy summer trip, exploring and swimming around the foot of Tomat Fans? You could do much worse, -: Party: Frank Rigby, Dan Buchler, Geoff. Marston, Les Brown, John . • - - Holtzapf'fel, Alan Moy.

Frank Rigby -9- IT NOVEMBER 1969

Molonglo Gorge - 26th October

Twenty-three members and friends plus offspring turned up at the Molonglo Gorge (on time:) after lunch. . According to the Department of Interior, three hours are required for the round trip, this turned out to be a gross overestimate. A very leisurely walk took us to the end of the track in an hour and we ambled on a bit further before turning back. All participants dutifully pickec up a piece of dead wood for the barbecue fire back at the cars. The fire was lit shortly after 5.00 p.m. as planned but a sudden rainstorm and cool change dampened the ardour and most of the party returned to Canberra without waiting for their steak and sausages.

A pleasant afternoon stroll but hardly worth calling a bushwalk i even "easy grade". Bob Galloway

The Shoebridge Track - 11-12 October When I first heard of a walk along the Shoebridge Track I thought it would be a cinch - a track all the way and no navigation problems at all. However the Shoebridge Track was put in by Mr. Shoebridge over 100 years ago, so I am told, from Runymead near Nelligen to Lower Araluen, There is a report in the S.M.H. in 1851 of how miners went along it with mule teams to the Araluen gold field. Early this year the late Ray Moreton with John Wheelan of the Canberra Historical Society walked a couple of miles of it from Araluen andcaay suggested the Club try it for a walk.

The track starts.about100 yards from the road a. Lower Araluen (Map Ref. 867935, Araluen 1: 50,000) and follows up the right hand side of the ridge. Along the top of the ridge it disappeared, but we picked it up to the left when the ridge rose steeply. It then disappeared in the loose shale which on the steep side of the.ridge had obliterated all signs of previous road makings. At the lower level the track had been about six feet wide, cut into the side of the hill. It rose at an even gradient but had got narrower to not much more than a walking track at the top. When we lost it we had gone only about 2 to 3 miles. From there we went North along the ridge tdp an& camped on the Mongarlow Plateau. Next .day we went due South down a steep ridge, a drop of 2,000 feet to Merricumbene. This day it was the ridge that kept getting lost, but no wonder in a mist that reduced visibility to 30 yards at one stage; while clambering along the top of a cliff looking for the way down we could barely see the tops of the trees below. When we reached the valley we still had six miles to go. No navigation problems presented themselves here; we kept to the road all the way. John ifogan Dan Buchler John Holtxapffel Geoff. Marston -C 1 'V

-10- IT NOVEMBER 1969 KANGAflOO VALLEY

'Weekend 18-19th October H Fitzroy Falls down Kangaroo to the Shoaihaven. Friday night start. Swimming in river. MEDIUM. Stephen Gisz. Wollongong 1 250,000"

Well, that's how it showed up in the Club Diary in "IT" Vol. 1 No. 14 for October, 1969. But that's not quite h'oit tuned out If ever .I've.s,een. evidence of that truism about the different approaches of deductive Platonism as against inductive Aristotelianism borne out in practice, it was during that October weekend. You may recall the monks of yore at odds over the number of teeth in a horse's mouth : one, to prove his point, searched out the relevant ancient manuscripts, carefully checking each assertion against a more venerable, and therefore trustier, authority. The other not being very good at reading and writing (but better at saying his prayersi counted the teeth of .a near'y old hack - he was bashful about his slip'shod shortcut., but

The point of, all this is of cOurse that the learned club members who showed up on the night of the seventeenth had, we may presume, read the afore- quoted plan and probably had'as a result fairly settled expectations, that. this was the destined :course' of their weekend These walkers, confronted with a referencp in typescript', had followed the broad way of our first monic -,, you might say they were baboons ('.). I didn't. Let.me explain.

A fundamental deviatiob froth the intended plan of action occurred. akout five minutes: down thepath from'our start at Fitzroy Falls. Two members plunged across Yurrunga Creek at the base of the Falls. Very forthright but wrong. Anyway, the die was cast.and the remainder followed - it being easier 1 at the time to accept the first move than to have a' real "up-and-downer" and get everybody back to tors again.

Right no hint of the scheduled Kangaroo River. One up for .Aflstotle.., Rumblings from Plato (but' '!'IT" said':...

The creek fell away very steeply, over hundred foot ralls, as a matterof fact, so our route was necessarily up and'eround. That meant clinging, hanging, clutching the canyonside until the obstacle was 'passed. The leader thought a traverse at round: about the 1500' cdntourwou,ld do' the trick. Slight.flurry when one member exclaimed:

"I think, I can see the 1600' contour over there. You can't mi$s it - sticks out a mile." -

"Stuff and nonsense," was the stern reply, "any nong could tell that,it's a 140 contour."

Map stopl Not 'Wollongong 1:250,000', however, but "Moss Vale" prepared for the Australian Section imperisi "General 'Staff c. 1930. A±gument: can the topography change significantly in 39 years and 9 months. In view of doubts /2

-11- it NOVEMBER 1969 in this regard expressed by Dan Bchsler, new maps were called for. It was possible to consult "Bundthoon" (provisional) prepared for the N.S.W. Lands Department. (That it lacked in nomenclature it made up in thousands of black lines and utter confusion)

Still roughly following the 1500' contour (which every now and again was lost from sight), we experienced prickly sensations as the party was firmly led through a veritable herbarium of prickles, stings and nicks, which unfortunately seemed to straddle the same damned contour.

It Controversy - how to get down that wretched hill. Dan Bichsler was all for going down the nearest watershed ("always follow the creeks"). Others counselled "stick to the ridges". Perspicacious leadership adjudicated - "follow the 1500' contour". By 1430 hours it was considered that we had got downstream of most I obstacles. Also it was about time to have that promised "swimming in river". At this point about 2 miles as the sparroy fliea had been covered.

It will be remembered that the party was on an unanticipated side of the canyon i.e. the eastern. On the eastern flank the only continuous ridge to the creek was considerably farther down the stream. The ridge became narrower as we descended: a momentary aberration occurred when Dan Biichsler , true to his con- victions, clambered off into a dry creek bed which ended abruptly over a 60' cliff-face. The stream was reached at approximately 1515 hours.

Again, to preserve the stated Medium grade of the trip, a camp was set up, after we had lunched, about 60' farther downstream - 'hone of this long afternoon business, especially on Saturdays", someone rationalised to himself.

Next morning, fortified in spirit, and after long debate on the likelihood, or otherwise, of hydatids being in our water, we set off up the western side of the escarpment. The stingers were over there in profusion too; and we repeated the previous day's performance in reverse - up a fleep ridge, a wallaby-crawl at the base of the sandstone crown which formed the lost hundred feet of the scarp, and very slow progress. About midday, at the bottom of a minor waterfall from the plateau, Jim Dick introduced the boys with relish to a Levantine delight of which he is very fond. We all enjoyed it toot At 1100 hours on Sunday we achieved Lady Warden's Fall - a splendid example of nature's handiwork. Most of the company stripped down to essentials and enjoyed the opportunity to gambol, bask and bathe in the sun and water, (not knowing, it miçht be added, that the spot was at the end of tourist track much frequented on Sundays). Happily, the obvious disaster did not befall .us, and after a jog up the track which we had followed down the day before, we emerged into the light at 1500 hoikrs. It may be said that things are not always as they seem; that one shouldn't believe what one reads, or that walks rarely happen as they are intended. All three sayings seem correct, on the evidence of 18-19th October. Act on experience; check sources; always keep your eyes on those contours.

We never did come within eight miles of Kangaroo River.

Bill the Goose