Vol. 2.3, 1972. 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. WALKERS! SEE THE PEOPLE WHO CARE o o o molonys BOOTS RUCKSACKS SLEEPING BAGS TENTS STOVES CLOTHING FOOD MAPS YES WE HIRE WALKING GEAR ALL THE GREAT NAMES FAIRY DOWN - PADDYMADE - BLACKS - FLINDERS RANGES HAWKINS - MOUNTAIN MULE - KARRIMOR - OPTIMUS molonys 197 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE (OPPOSITE G.P.O.) Telephone: 67 8428 (3 lines) Vol. 13, 1971 ·.:o··~--, .. -,,~~f--C,•-'-1"~·.-•·_- !'- -:"'.~.iL~-...-~ --·\...- .•. .\~~ .... ·. •"'.' Editor: Athol Schafer. Advertising: G. Kenafacke. 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 Melbourne Bushwalkers in the interests of bushwalking as a healthy and enjoyable recreation. WALK Vol. ~3, 197~ CONTENTS Editorial 3 The Brumby Runners Geoff Kenafacke 4 The Wolgan Valley G. Wills-Johnson 6 Problems of Man .. J. C. F. Wharton 10 The Great Gorge .. F. W. Halls .. 19 Books for Bushwalkers Michael Griffin 24 Fire in the Forest Environment R. Johnson .. 26 Mountain Muster .. 32 A Stroll in Nepal Dave Oldfield 36 Eskdale Spur Track Athol Schafer 40 Territory and Personal Space Michael Griffin 45 Mapping 67 Snake Hill Wildflower Reserve 70 WALKS SECTION Extended: Easy Walking in the Northern Snowy Mountains (six days) 53 Along the Snowy Range (three days) 57 Mount Darling Area: Mount Darling- Wonnangatta Valley Bryces Gorge (three days) 60 Moroka Gorge (two or three days) 63 Mount Terrible- Big River (two days) 65 One-day Walks: A Day Roaming in Strath Creek Gorges 66 An Easy Walk in the Sherbrooke Forest 68 Rysons Creek Wildflower Reserves . 69 Cover Photo: Wilsons Promontory: I ohn Brownlie. 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 Wednesday night, from 8 to 10.30 p.m., to the clubroom, Hosier Lane, Melbourne (at the rear of the Forum Theatre). Details may be obtained by writing to the Hon. Secre­ tary, Box 175/Q, G.P.O., Melbourne 3001, or by phoning 97 3724. 2 EDITORIAL The events since "Walk" 1971 was published are astounding and frightening. Part of the Colong Caves National Park has been lost; the Clutha development scheme threatens to take over valuable bush and farm land irrespective of the rights of individuals; and the beautiful Lake Pedder is shortly to be submerged beneath the weight of a giant hydro­ electric scheme. Each of these acts of political piracy are inexcusable and no apology needs to be made for raising the issues yet again. The joint attitude that industry is entitled to mineral deposits wherever they are discovered, that the government's sole job is to manage the economy, and that progress is dependent on industrial expansion, are all too prevalent. These ideas have created environmental problems on a gigantic scale. These problems have led many bushwalkers to join one or other conservationist bodies which have come into being over the past few years. But before we rush off to become crusaders in the ecology scene, before we raise our voices righteously, we should make an examination of the ground on which we stand. Nobody (outside the interested oil firms) wants those pipelines cutting our parklands; few seem at all enamoured with oil storage plants on headland or beach, with the dangerous possibilities of ocean pollution, oil slicks, etc. But after all, we do need that second (or third) family car ... don't we? We see our native forests stripped and replaced by the short-generation Pinus radiata to supply newsprint and to keep up with increasing circula­ tion figures. We see our hills quarried to the ground for metal and stone in the increasing need for construction that modern day living demands. We see our native fauna-penguins, koalas, seals-decimated by the inroads of a giant steel industry. We see our bush tracks (many of which we have blazed ourselves) invaded by trail-bikes. And we accept all this with scarcely a protest. Of course it is up to the individual to decide how far he is willing to go in opposing the many assaults threatening our environment. It should be realised that community changes in values will have to be made if we are to preserve areas of Victoria, where we may walk free from the reminders and pressures of so-called "progress". Along with other like­ interested parties the bushwalker has a right to be heard on this matter. 3 THE BRUMBY RUNNERS By Geoff Kenafacke We had just driven into Quambatt Flat and were all busily inspecting the aircraft wreckage when Colin noticed the camp on the far side of the clearing. Presently we drove over. As soon as we alighted the bushman greeted us with a hearty "Gooday". Turning towards his camp he yelled "Mother, we've got company. Better put a billy on". A kindly-faced, middle-aged woman then emerged and greeted us in the same open, friendly manner of her husband. Our new friends were brumby runners. Apart from Arch and his wife, the party consisted of their three daughters and two cobbers, Dennis and Moose. They hailed from Buchan and were spending six weeks holiday brumby running around The Cobberas. It was the annual event for the party as a way of "making a few bob" during the layoff from the timber mills. Out across the tlat stood The Cobberas while the headwaters of the Murray River trickled down one side of the grove. The camp was quite a sight. In the trees, a rough wire corral penned several brumby mares and colts. The campfire consisted of a tree trunk and huge branches, with attendant billies and quart pots in the ashes. Saddles, ropes and harness were dumped on one side of the fire and a battered old Landrover ute and a couple of rough canvas shelters and scattered camping paraphernalia completed the picture. Over a cuppa, we explained that we had driven in from Omeo and Benambra via the Limestone Track and they listened with interest as we described the small bands of brumbies that we had encountered en route. We eventually set up camp nearby and after tea we rejoined the family for a comfortable evening. yarning around their huge fire. By this time, the night was decidedly chilly and a second tree trunk had been added to the blaze. I remembered the old saying, "The bigger the fire, the bigger the fool", but Archie must have guessed my thought as he countered, "It's gonna be cold tonight and we gotta keep warm". We talked well into the night, fortified by numerous billies of tea and slabs of damper which "the missus" had baked since our arrival. Everybody laughed as Dennis recounted how Moose had played Santa Claus for the youngest girl, Tracy. Apparently the little girl had been worried that Santa wouldn't find their little camp so far out in the wilderness beyond Buchan. Moose, having entered completely into the Christmas spirit (with the aid of Johnny Walker), decided to dress up and take Santa's role. Accordingly, a tuft of dried grass was tied to his face to serve as whiskers and twigs stuck in his horse's bridle, as antlers. and then Santa rode into camp, atop his trusty steed "Rudolph" to dispense Christmas cheer. Tracy awoke, sleepy-eyed and yelled, "It's him. Santa!" Unable to control their mirth. Dennis and the girls retreated from Tracy's hearing while Moose handed out presents and advised Tracy "to be a good girl and do the dishes all year". To end the comedy, Moose mounted his horse backwards and rode off into the darkness. Tracy was still marvelling next day as to how Santa had found her. They also told us how "Cobberas", a young brumby foal and family pet, had been captured. As with kangaroos, its mother had dumped it 4 during a frantic chase through the ranges and had attempted to draw the pursuers away. She outran her tormentors but, unfortunately for her, they found the foal. The awkward spindly-legged creature appeared to be only several days old when caught, and it was the centre of attention around the camp, being frequently bottle-fed and sharing a tent with the girls all night! We finally bedded down, still chuckling over the numerous stories and were woken just a few short hours later to all the excitement of a brumby chase. The sound of cracking whips, excited, yelling men, thundering hooves and panting horses brought me out of my tent at a run.