a ISS CANBERRA BUSH WALKING CLUB INC NEWSLETTER P.O. Box 160, Canberra, A. CT. 2601

Registered by Post: Publication number NBH 1859

VOLUME 27 DECEMBER 1991 NUMBER 12

The President and Committee of the Canberra Bush wa/king Club wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and active New Year

CHRISTMAS BARBEQUE

WHERE? Yarralumla Nursery

WHEN? Wednesday 18 December 1991, 6.00pm onwards

WHAT? This is our traditional, not-to-be missed Christmas BBQ in the relaxing, tree-shaded surroundings of Yarralumla Nursery.

No humping of back-packs! Drive your buggy in and unload your bootful of Xmas goodies and leave your gaiters and water bottles at home!

Gates open (accessible at beginning of Weston Park) until 6.30pm. If you're late we'll check gates every 15 minutes.

BYO everything including cutlery/plates. Enquiries Sybille 282 4325.

(It Closing date too!)

PRESIDENT'S PRA1TLE

With the end of 1991 approaching it is appropriate to look back on some of the highlights of the year and look forward to some great walking ahead in 1992. In 1991 the Club turned 30 (still very young to many of us!) and a 'fun' weekend was held at Orroral. I hope that I and the Club are still around for a similar event in another 30 years' time.

The coming year should see the completion of our work in Monolith Valley and the start of our efforts to contribute to the conservation of Namadgi. When I walk through Monolith Valley I feel a real sense of pride at the work done by Club members. The track through the Green Room has blended into the environment and is not at all intrusive. If you have not visited this part of the Budawangs it is well worth the walk in. If you have been involved in our project come and look at the results of your labour. Perhaps we can organise an inspection in conjunction with the final work party to finish the approach to Nibelung Pass when the weather starts to cool.

As in previous years there will 4bno formal meetings in December or January. Instead we will have BYO barbecues at Yarraluthla Nursery and Uriarra Crossing. These are relaxing get-togethers for members and I look forward to seeing a big roll-up. These events are not restricted to Club members so bring your partner, children, grandparents etc. Christmas is also a time to think again of those former members who will no longer be with us. My thoughts are of Mike Lucas, Fujio Takada, and Tessa Segrave. We miss you but all benefited from your contribution to and participation in the Club.

The Committee wishes members a happy Christmas and New Year with lots of pleasant walking. Allan Mikkelsen

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Prospective Members Paul Banks 25 Hosking P1 Melba ACT 2615 2584962(h) Joe Sedman 25 Hosking P1 Melba ACT 2615 2584962(h) Kerry Cassidy Flat 9/56 Henderson Rd NSW 2620 2991885(h) 2701234(w) Helen Douglas 49 Lucy Gullett Crt Chisholm ACT 2905 2918781(h)

New Members The Club welcomes the following new members: John Henley, Sally Mussett, Thea Prenzler, Ian Overs, Robert Adams, Mark Short, Monica Short, John Bekkers, Susan Green.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT (1990/91) - Thirtieth Annual Report of the Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc.

As the report shows, the Club has enjoyed a full and fruitful year. This has been achieved with the full support of the Committee and the Club Members.

Membership Membership of the Club contines to grow. This year membership was up by eight per cent on last year and by nearly 20 per cent on two years ago. Thirty per cent of our membership was made up of new members, which is an increase over the previous two yeárs when 24 per cent of membership was made up of new members. An interesting statistic is the proportion of last years' new members who haverenewed. This year, only 58 per cent of the previous year's members renewed, while in 1990,. 76 percent of the 1989 new members renewed (table 1).

1 Membership 1988-89 to 1990-91

Year 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91

Members 288 317 343 New members 68 77 106 Overall retention 240 237 New member retention 52 52 45

There are a number of issues that may require consideration regarding the steadily increasing membership. While there may be some economies in administration with a larger membership, there are little or no financial economies. Even then, the expanding membership base does mean that there is more work for Committee members. With the increasing membership, there is a need to maintain and possibly expand the walks program. Yet, as is shown in the next section, while the walks program is expanding, when it comes to walk leaders the basis for maintaining the walks program is narrowing. Note in particular the increasing proportion of walks led by Committee .3

members. This is most unfortunate given the increasing demands on the Committee by the increasing membership.

Walks program Statistics kept by the Club recorder and the Check-in officer show that the number of walks led and the number of walk participants increased in 1991 compared with 1990 (table 2a and 2b). The disappointing feature of the walks is that an increasing proportion of walks are planned and led by Committee members. Further to this, three members programmed 27 per cent of walks, with 50 per cent of the walks programmed by only nine members. Besides Alan Vidler, the inaugural recipient of the Greg Buckley Award, Allan Mikkelsen led 24 walks (same as AV) and Chris Leslie led 18 walks. Of our new members, Jack Wise programmed the most walks and amongst our female members Debi Williams programmed the greatest number of walks. To these members, and all of those who took a walk award at the Annual General Meeting, thanks for a job well done.

2a Walks 1989-90 to 1990-91

Year 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91

All leaders 57 56 55 'New' leader 16 8 55 'Dropouts' 7 4 -

Total walks 188 235 235 -day 92 116 126 - > 1 day 173 214 145

% led by Cttee 19.1 33.6 40.6

(These figures supplied by the Club recorder. Walks with co-leaders are counted twice).

2b Walk participation 1989-90 to 1990-91

Type of walk Day > 1 day Total

Programmed 115 113 228 (112) (116) (228) Went 104 81 185 (87) (76) (163) Participants 1269 552 1821 (1036) (542) . (1578) Av.participation 12.2 6.8 9.8 (11.9) (7.1) (9.7)

(*Figures in brackets are the 1989-90 statistics).

An important feature of the walks program for the year has been the variety of walks. While the Club is a bushwalking club, and many if not most of our walks are away from tracks and the like, it has been the policy of the Committee for members to have a variety of walks in which to participate. Allan Mikkelsen deserves particular acknowledgement for maintaining such a full and a varied program, while maintaining such a busy personal walks program.

Conservation Over the year the Club has made donations in the interests of conservation totalling $600. Of this amount $400 was donated to continuing work in Monolith Valley - discussed below. A $200 donation was made to the Conservation Council of the South East Region and the ACT. The Club required that $100 of this donation go to the Forestry Working Group. In addition to this, a $1000 donation was made to the Conservation Council to finance the staging of the Walk for the Forest. With 25 members participating we again strongly supported the annual Clean Up Australia Day.

Acknowledgement is due to Mike Morriss and his helpers, including Sandy Lolicato who once again had an important role in the organisation of Clean Up Australia Day in the ACT.

Monolith Valley Since 1989 the Club has donated finance and volunteered labour for track delineation, stabilistation 4 and restoration in the Monolith Valley, . This year we donated $400 for equipment and materials for track delineation, restoration and stabilisation from Mt Nibelung to Nibelung Pass. Completion of this section will mean that we have carried out this important track work through the length of the Monolith Valley protected area.

Because of financial restrictions in the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Service was recently unable to helicopter in the material for us to complete the projected work. We hope to join our friends Richard Green and Bruce Rodgie, from the Service, to complete this final section in 199 1-92.

General Meetings The monthly general meetings have continued to be an important part of the Club's program. With slide showings, taking us through Australia and beyond, to auctions, these evenings are important for members to meet informally and keep abreast with walks and happenings. Thanks, Debi for keeping the guest speakers coming and helping us to set such a comfortable social environment.

IT The most important source of information on the Club's happenings though is the IT. For twelve months of the year the IT appears in out letter boxes. Ths reason it does so and the reason why it is so informative is because you put in articles. The reason those articles along with other information came together in the form of IT though, was because of the efforts of Sue Vidler and Eddie De Wilde.

Thirtieth Anniversary This year is the thirtieth anniversary of the Club. While the Club's history goes back to 1947, there was a period of dormancy until 1961. The thirty years of fun and adventure in the Club, from one person's perspective, was reviewed by Ann Gibbs-Jordan in the Canberra Times the Wednesday before our celebrations.

The celebrations were held at the Orroral campground over the weekend of the 14-15 September. All told there were more than 140 participatns in the celebrations with bush dancing, damper, soup and gluhwein on the Saturday and walking on the Sunday. It was a great weekend which was enjoyed by all those who participated. While many people were responsible for making the weekend the success that it was, Sue Vidler deserves particular acknowledgement for her efforts.

Honorary Life Membership Honorary Life Membership was given to Alan Vidler on 14 September 1991 at the Club's Thirtieth Anniversary celebration. The award was in recognition of the extensive contribution Alan had given to the Club since he became a member in 1963 and in particular his participation on the Committee, the more than 170 walks he led and his work as official Club record keeper.

New equipment Over the year the Club has purchased two new 50 litre weekend packs, a trangia and a telephone answering machine. Previously the packs available for hiring were inappropriate for anybody with a small frame. The new packs overcome this deficiency. The purchase of the trangia is consistent with the high priority the Club gives to minimal impact bushwalking. Thanks go to Roger Edwards for looking after the purchase and hiring of these items. The telephone answering machine is an item the Club has been considering purchasing for a couple of years now. It has proved to be an important tool for the Membership Secretary, and thanks to Alan for looking after its purchase.

Federation Membership The Club allowed its membership of the Confederation of NSW Bushwalking Clubs to lapse during the 1990-91 Federation membership year. The reason for allowing Federation membership to lapse was concern over the cost of such membership versus the gains from membership. Membership of the Confederation gives us access to third party insurance at 50 cents a member. Following a detailed examination of alternative sources of third party insurance by John Thwaite, the best deal offered to us is that offered by the Confederation. Membership of the Confederation has been renewed for 1991-92.

Greg Buckley Award The Greg Buckley Award was established by his parents as a perpetual annual award in memory of their son who died of viral pneumonia in April 1990 while walking in Nepal. The purpose of the award is to acknowledge the efforts of a Club member who is considered to have made a particular contribution to bushwalking. Alan Vidler is the inaugural recipient of the award. 5

Loss of members During the year we lost the joy and companionship of three members, Robert Michael Lucas, Fujio Takada and Tessa Segrave. The hours of walking and companionship they shared with us we will always remember.

Committee and office holders The elected Committee was David Campbell (President), Geoff Wood (Vice-President/Treasurer), Debi Williams (Social Secretary), John Thwaite (Correspondence Secretary), Allan Mikkelsen (Walk Secretary), Chris Leslie (Assistant Walk Secretary), Alan Vidler (Membership Secretary), Janet Duncan (Minute Secretary), Sue Vidler (Editor), Eddie De Wilde (Publisher). Mike Morriss (Conservation Officer). Office holders were Sandy Lolicato and Rod Dalgleish (Conservation Officers), David Drohan (Search & Rescue Officer), John Kyatt (Honorary Auditor), Roger Edwards (Equipment Officer), Vance Brown (Public Officer), Alan Vidler (Club Record Keeper) and Doug Wright (Archivist).

David Campbell

TREASURER'S REPORT 1990-91

BALANCE SHEET 1 September 1991

Assets Liabilities Cheque Accounts 4325.77 Unpresented cheques 1 573.16 Undeposited income 284.00 Members' Funds Westpac Account 9639.01 General Fund 2914.72 Depreciated equipment 471.00 Publication Fund 9639.01 Equipment purchased 1 270.11 Conservation Fund 963.00 TOTAL 15 989.89 TOTAL 15 989.89

NOTES IT subscriptions $16 per ordinary member or household, General subscription is $6 per member, Conservation subscription is $2 per member, total $24 per ordinary member, $32 per household. Total subscriptions received from members were $6 889.50. Ordinary (single) members are slightly subsidising household members. The ration single:household subscriptions should be about 1:1.5 rather than the 1:1.33 as at present $24:$32). Major items of non recurrent expenditure this year included Equipment purchases $418.50, phone answering machine $351.61, and Greg Buckley Award $500, which was funded from a contribution from Greg's parents last year. Value of equipment purchased: $1 270.11. These items were not depreciated, as the purchases occurred towards the end of the Club year. Federation of NSW Bushwalking Clubs membership includes third party insurance for members. After much debate and negotiation with Federation, the Committee decided to rejoin the Club in Federation at $3 per member,, tdtal $960. INCOME EXPENDITURE

General subscription 1 881.50 IT printing & postage 3661.76 IT subscription 4376.00 Social 357.46 Sales (frogs, Tshirts) 474.80 Post, stationery 199.11 Other 348.14 Federation subs. 960.00 Repayment loan 500.00 Other 709.68 Total General income 7580.44 Loan 500.00 Conservation subs 632.00 Total General exp. 6388.01 Income cheque a/c 8212.44 Conservation exp. 670.00 Interest Westpac a/c 761.12 Exp. cheque a/c 7058.01 TOTAL 8973.56 Deprecitation 83.00 TOTAL 7 141.01

Income 8963.56 Expenditure 7 141.01 Surplus 1 832.55 1.1

CHEQUE ACCOUNT

Amount in cheque account 1 Sep90 3912.69 Unpresented cheques cashed from last year 760.40- Total 3 152.29 Income deposited in account in year 8212.44 Cheques written during year 8328.12- Total 3036.61 Cheques cashed after 1 Sep91 1 573.16 Income deposited after 1 Sep 91 284.00- Total 4325.77

WESTPAC ACCOUNT

Amount as at 1 Sep 90 8877.89 Interest (minus duty $0.51) 761.12 Amount as at 1 Sep 91 9639.01

INDIVIDUAL CLUB ACCOUNTS

General Account Sep 90 1 251.29 Conservation A/c Sep 90 1 001.00 Plus General Income 7580.44 Conservation Income 632.00 Equipment (prey years) 554.00 Conservation Exp. 670.00- Minus General Exp. 6388.01- Conservation A/c Sep91 963.00 Minus depreciation 83.00

Search and Rescue 900.00 Publication Account Unchanged from last year As per Westpac account

SEP 91 General Account 2914.72 Conservation Account 963.00 Search and Rescue Ac 900.00 Publication Account 9639.01 Total 14416.73 October 1991

WALK SECRETARY WAFFLE

Western slopes of Tidbinbilla Range (Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25000) This is a description for bushwalkers of points of interest in an area covering, from the east, the top of the Tidbinbilla range from the Camel's Hump to Fishing Gap, and to the west as far as the Cotter Riyer downstream from Bendora Dam. This area officially is part of the northern section of Namadgi National Park. I am presenting the information in the expectation that its wilderness values will be respected in accordance with minimal impact bushwalking codes. Also, being part of the lower Cotter catchment, this region has camping restrictions and so this information has been gathered from a series of exploratory day trips.

Some points of interest are: * Spur, from GR 691792 to Johns Peak The lower half is quite open with blackboys being one of the predominant plants. These are nol often seen in the ACT. The upper half, in particular the knoll at GR 703779 gives good views ol the catchment either side, and cliff exposures to the south. The Pimple stands out very well. * Side ridge GR 709774 to GR 711775 This gives good views to the rocky west face of Johns Peak and the Camel's Hump. Some knife edge sections are encountered before dropping off very steeply. Scree slope at GR 712774 approx. This is an example of a steep rock scree. Most gullies in the area are like this. Some interesting rocky pillars and a stand of interesting brown barrel gums also noticed. Burkes Creek north arm An easy-to-follow creek bed with some small cascades and rock pools, but lacks variety and a main point of interest. Maidenhair ferns, tree ferns, raspberry and stinging nettle are common. Several black snakes seen. Trout observed clustered in isolated rock pools. Very clean water. Burkes Creek south arm Similar to north arm except for the part at —GA 691769. Here it becomes a very steep and complicated watercourse. Various ways can be found along this section, involving a little rock scrambling. The actual creek path becomes indistinct. A tall rock pillar and a deep cave can be found at the top, just before the steep section. Very good views of the cliffs on either 'banks'. • The Pimple This is the most prominent rocky feature and is composed of large square jointed quartzite blocks. Can be easily scrambled up from the SE ridge. All other ways up look very difficult. Good views of the Surkes Creek catchment, although many of the rocky features in the area are obscured. * Cliffs at CR 686771 to CR 688768 These are part of the NE side of the long ridge leading from the Cotter to Tidbinbilla Mountain. They are very sheer, 40 metres or so high, and deeply incised with vertical gullies. The loosely jointed rock would make abseils dangerous. These cliffs are visible from north Belconnen. • Burkes Creek headwaters at GR 700770- This area looks interesting because of the many sharp, stony radiating ridges. • Ridge from Cotler to Tidbinbilla Mountain This ridge is broad, long and gentle. Cliffs exist on both sides and the cliff top view from GR 684782 is one of the best I've seen in the ACT. * Cliffs at CR 680764- These are big, ragged-looking quartzite cliffs, up to 1 20m high. It is difficult to find a good viewpoint to them. The gully through the cliffs at GR 679765 is exciting to descend and gives some idea of the scale of the cliffs. • Cliffs at OR 674757- These are reddish, siltstone cliffs and very crumbly. The top has low scrub and provides good views to an interesting group of cliffs to the SE. One cliff at GR 676757 is actually a narrow rock buttress, sheer both sides and marked at 75m high. A little cave exists at the base, at GA 673758 but the inside is very crumbly and gritty. * Cow Flat Creek The lower section to GR 672756 is wide and unchoked. There are broad rock platforms, boulders and a big pool at GR 667761 I think! This is a pretty section of creek and is easily accessed from Bendoura Dam. • Creek at OR 678764 to CR 675760 Resembles a rainforest with mossy green rocks and many varieties of ferns. * Spur from Cow Flat Creek CR 674749 to point 1431 This is a difficult spur because of thick scrub and rock. However some seëtions become bare and reveal some astonishing views of the southern slopes of Tidbinbilla Mountain. • Ridge from Bendoura Dam to Mt Domain This is a long and undulating ridge, easy walking with occasional but good views out to Namadgi, Corin Dam and Ginini Falls. Point 1239 provides a good viewpoint.

Access to these areas is from the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve with draconian time restrictions, or from various points along the Bendoura Dam road. Cars can be left at GR 673796, GA 665792, or the Bendoura picnic area. There are no tracks in the region apart from the Cotter pipeline maintenance track and the footrack on the main Tidbinbilla Ridge. It is a harsh and rocky area with good variation. I've enjoyed each trip there and hope to spend many more trips to discover more points of interest. Chris Leslie

• A DIFFERENT NEPAL Part II (continued from November IT) Our trek continued from Pokhara and headed westerly to Kusma above the Kali Gandaki. Then walking towards Beni we spied our first snow-covered mountains, part of the Annapurna Himal, one of the long and flat-topped Dhaulagiri. The weather, being late spring, was pre-monsoonal which meant warm hazy conditions with midday cloud build-up and occasional afternoon showers.

We followed the Mayangdi Khola (Khola = river) upstream then up the Dar (or Dhara) Khola which was a lovely clear mountain stream with a number of blue-green pools, reminiscent of some of the Blue Mountains streams. Upon entering the tree-line it was most pleasant to find that the rhododendron were still in flower.

Our guidebook (Paolo Gondoni - Trekking in Hidden Land of Dopla-Tarap and Shey-Poksumdo) warned of wild animals (tigers and bears), bandits and the ferocious Chinese gooseberry. Upon a second reading, one realised that the 'lychees' in the stilted Italian translation into English were in fact leeches. Fortunately our passage was incident-free. This climb led to the head of the grassy JaIjala Plains and the start to the 132.5 square kilometre Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve which is the home of the blue 'sheep' and other game animals

We now followed the gentle Uttar Ganga River down through glorious stands of rhododendron to a flat open grassy valley where stark high mountains, forested lower slopes and the occasional farms (no rice paddies) conjured up images of Canada or North America. These high altitude paddocks are used for summer grazing.

About a day down we reached the three spread-out villages of Dhorpatan which is inhabitated mainly by Tibetan refugees. Although several streams ran through these settlements there did not appear to be any plumbing. Interestingly some Danish youth volunteers were constructing a village tap to pipe water into the lower settlement.

Next day we turned northwards off the main trail and entered another delightfully forested valley. At the head of this was the grassy saddle of Phaguna Pass (4050m). From here there were good views over to the Dhaulagiri Himal and we were able to now refer directly to Peter Matthiessen's The Snow Leopard.

We descended into the upper Ghustang (or Thustang) Khola and headed westwards to its junction with the Pelma Khola. Again we entered the hills and it was interesting to compare Matthiessen's notes to the current trail which had been greatly improved, presumably to cater for the tourist trade.

Having crossed this range we then descended to the Seng Khola which we followed upstream. This river was quite small and hemmed in by steep mountain slopes. Its spartan vegetation was well- grazed by goats so it was to our surprise when low down, a musk deer was startled and took a long traverse to reach the upper slopes.

The next goal was the Jang-La (la=pass) at 4530m and was easily accomplished in two days. Along the way we passed the pond-sized Puphal Lake (4300m) which collects drainage from the surrounding basin. The second day was a relatively short one. It would have been possible to complete the Jang La traverse (say, from Puphal) in one long day, especially if the weather was fine. However this route is quite exposed to the weather and, being above the tree line, would not have been a good area to force-march porters.

From Jang La we descended to the group of villages making up Tarakot on the steep slopes above the Thuli Bheri Khola. In the past Tarakot had been the capital of the old kingdom of Tichu-Rong and is known locally as Dzong (Fortress). Our route passed through forests (especially higher up) whereas the other side of the Thuli Bheri is steep and barren. Even so, the lower slopes of the descent were very rocky and there were numerous stone terraces.

Our route lay down the Thuli Bheri, now in the Land of Dolpo, to the town of Dunai (2150m). Along the way it was noticed that some of the magnificent pine trees near the water's edge had been chopped down and allowed to float downstream where they could be recovered from the shallow rapids just below the town. Dunai is an administrative centre and a rich farming area with a variety of fruit and vegetables being grown (or so the notice boards indicated). The town is a relatively small one but appears to be gearing up for the tourist trade with a couple of hotels or lodges already established. Hence the need for building timber.

Just downstream we made a week's excursion up the Suli Khola which is a lovely blue-greem colout. It is also a very strong torrent which resembles the spillway for a dam. In places it cascaded into bubbling pools and was not a river to be caught in. We were now entering the Shey- Phoksumdo National Park which was established in 1984 and, covering 355 square kilometres, is Nepal's largest park. The buying of wood fuel from locals or removing timber was illegal hence the need to carry fuel. This also applied to our guides, cooks and porters. Three days out from Dunai we were camping beside the cold blue waters of Lake Phoksumdo. An earthquake had collapsed the side of a mountain, forming a five kilometre long lake.

One of the goals for the trip had been to visit the Shey Gompa, a further three days northwards. To the west of the monastery of the Crystal Mountain which is a shrine for pilgrims who come there to make a prescribed circle around the mountain and attend a holy festival at Shey. Whilst the religion is Buddhist it is a different sect (B'on) which requires it adherents amongst other things, to pass chortens anti-clockwise. Unfortunately the old lama had died recently so tourists were being discouraged from visiting the area.

Returning down the Suli we detoured up a major sidestream, the Darjam Khola and were able to observe some blue sheep, high in a isolated valley. On the journey up the Suli I noticed one section of the trail had garnets, the size of small marbles lying on the ground. Our sherpas couldn't understand why we were picking up 'sheep shiV!

From here on our trip was mainly an anti-climax. The Thuli Bheri was followed to the village of Tibrikot where we headed over a (relatively) low range to the Bheri Khola, Another climb to Babaria Pass (4270m) led to the headwaters of the lila Khola which we leisurely followed, down to Jumla. Jumla, and the valleys leading to, was quite lush and claimed to export apples to the rest of Nepal and India. A major bus centre was three days away at Surkhet from where it takes two days to Kathmandu via Pokhara. (We flew out of Jumla, back to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj).

Part Ill On the upper Tila Khola we met a Frenchman who was assisting Eric Valli (author of the book on the honey hunters of Nepal, see also National Geographic Nov 1988) preparing an article on the yak/goat trade routes. Their method was to focus upon a family and follow them along the trail.

Barley is the only crop that grows at the high altitude, and each settlement is surrounded by an oasis of barley fields, irrigated by mountain streams diverted by an aqueduct. To supplement the low yields the men leave their families every summer for four weeks to travel north to Tibet with yak caravans, loaded with barley which they trade for salt. The following November, after the barley harvest, the men and their families leave home and travel southwest, cross three mountain passes, to the fertile middle valleys of western Nepal (around Jumla) where they trade the salt for grain (maize), wheat or barley), supplementing the shortfall of production on their own land.

Valli's assignment was made even more important as it would appear that when the Chinese- supervised road we encountered earlier in the trip, reached Beni, then these trade routes will all but disappear in about two years. Salt would be easier to obtain from India and this would have the benefit of reducing goitres and cretinism in the Nepalese as Tibetan salt does not contain iodine.

Once these traders disappear then the little outlying villages will also disappear. They already face problems with their youth heading towards the cities. In one village the rinpoche (abbot) had moved to Tibet a year ago and the families were feeling spiritually abandoned. One man here had sold his herd of 200 yaks and planned to move to Kathmandu. This seems hard to comprehend as much of our trek passed through lush country.

Our forty day trek basically traversed westerly, half-way around Dhaulagiri and in the course of doing so, some seven valleys were crossed, revealing country that none of the veteran Nepalese travellers in our party had seen before. I subsequently found part of our route lay on the main trading route with Tibet (Eric Valli & Diane Summers - Dolpo - Hidden Land of the Himalayas). We appear to have kept to the 'lowlands' of Dolpo which is one the most inhabited plateaus in the world. Its 4,500 inhabitants live in thirty-five scattered villages and monasteries in an area of 5,400 square kilometres and at altitudes of 3,350 to 4,600 metres.

These people migrated here before the tenth century and until about 1 800 were part of Tibet. They paid a religious tax to the kingdom of Lo in the east and a land tax to the western kingdom of Jumla. In 1769 the king of Gorka began to conquer the many surrounding domains which ultimately unified Nepal. With the Gorkas controlling Lo and Jumla, Dolpo became part of the Gorka kingdom. Thus Dolpo remained largely unknown to all but southwestern Tibet, due to its isolation from its southern rulers by the high Dhaulagiri Himal.

Dolpo became known to the West during the mid 1 950's but foreign visitors were discouraged by a government anxious to safeguard its politically sensitive northern border and because of the topography. The area only really became known after 1973 when the biologist George Schaller, who obtained special permission to study the Himalayan blue sheep, was accompanied by the writer Peter Matthiessen, who sought the snow leopard, came to the area. It's only in the last couple of years that tourism has been permitted. Warwick Blayden 10 Activity Programme

Transport costs are presently 25 cents per kilometre per car divided equally among ALL participants. This amount is a guide only and can be varied at the discretion of the leader depending on the condition of the roads, the number of passengers per car, and other factors. The figures given for individual trips are rough estimates only, based on four people per car - the cost may rise if cars are only partly filled. Park entry permits are likely additional costs.

Check-in I Contact Officer for the club is Roger Edwards 288 7863(h). He (NOT the Police or other bodies) should be the first point of contact for worried relatives if you are late returning from a trip. Leaders must also report the safe return OR cancellation of their trip to the check-in officer.

Saturday December 14 - Goodradigbee lilo trip Lilo from Brindabella Bridge to Macdonalds Flat with the gourmet troops. Return to cars in the afternoon by a firetrail. Some fast liloirig will be encountered. Map: Brindabella 1:100000 Leader: Bill Brown 2489948(h) 2764984(w). Transpost cost about $10.

December 14-15 - Goodradigbee, gourmet/lilo trip - M/MIW On Saturday, Brindabella Bridge to Macdonalds Flat where we camp. Bring gourmet food (waterproof it well!). Those who wish can do this as a day trip. Sunday, on to Flea Creek. good fast liloing (no kidding! C.L.) and some fast liloing experience desirable. Map: Brindabeila 1:100000. Leader: Bit/Brown 2489948(h) 2764984(w). Transport cost about $10.

December 14-15 - Wog Wog, Corang Lagoon - M/E From Wog Wog into Corang Lagoon in the Budawangs for a well-deserved swim. Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning will be spent swimming, lazing, eating, with optional side trips down the Corang Rover or up to Barney's Hill. Note, due to lack of firewood and fire restrictions, a campfire may not eventuate. Please bring a stove if possible. Bookings taken till 6.00pm Friday. Map: Corang 1:25000. Leader: Richard Bain 2574816(h). Transport cost about $16.

Sunday December 15 - Johnsons Creek to Bundeena Creek - MIR/W We will drop into Johnsons Creek near Bundanoon via Norm's secret pass. The rest of the day will be spent working our way to the junction of Bundanoon Creek then returning. Late bookings will be accepted. Map: Moss Vale 1:100000 Leader: Norm Becker 2316061(h) 2506951(w). Transport cost about $15.

Wednesday December 18 - Christmas Party. Yarralumla Nursery. See page 1 for further details. IT closing too!

December (20)21-22 - Pigeon House, Folly Point summer solstice photographic weekend - StE A photographic walk. Friday afternoon drive to Pigeon House and walk up to a beaut camping cave. On Saturday morning we take a short stroll to the ladders and ascend Pigeon House for a view of the sunrise on the Castle and other peaks to the west. Following brunch we drive to Newhaven Gap and walk to Folly Point for camp, sunset and sunrise on Hollands Gorge. Map: CMWBudawangs Leader: Douglas Giiles 062262154(h) 06 2261888(w). Transport cost about $30.

Saturday December 21 - Gingera wildflowers walk - MIE-M Walk from Ginini to the summit of Gingera via Stockyard Arboretum for good views of the ACT and Kosciusko National Park. There should be early summer wildflowers in abundance. Suitable for beginners. Map: Corin Dam 1:25000. leader: Allan Mikkelsen 2540764(h) 2643472(w). Transport cost about $11.

Sunday December 22 - Candlight supper at Legoland - S/F I plan to walk to Legoland rock formations (20 mins) after driving up the Honeysuckle Creek road. Have a gourmet meal by candlelight and watch the sunset over Namadgi. Perhaps sing some Christmas carols (will our voices echo down the valley?) Bring a torch, bonbons, food and wine. Map: Corin Dam 1:25000. Leader: Janet Duncan 2881398(h). Transport cost about $8. 11

Sunday December 22 - Shanahan's Falls, Horse Gully Hut - M/M A short easy ascent of a track to the top of Shanahan's Mountain for superb views, followed by a descent across country to the Naas Creek via Shanahan's Falls Creek. After lunch at Horse Gully Hut we return along a fire trail to Mt Clear campsite, with optional swims in Naas Creek along the way, in some attractive rock pools. Map: Collnton 1:25000. Leader: Jack Wise 2383329(h) 2383329(w). Transport cost about $10.

Wednesday December 25 - Christmas Day festivities - VSIVENW And yet again Doug has scheduled his famous Christmas Day on Springbank Island. Meet at noon at Hospital Point, close to Springbank Island for the canoe/row across. BYO gourmet lunch. Contact Doug if you wish, particularly if you have a canoe or boat but otherwise just turn up with your rowing arms. Leader: Doug Wright 2814148(h).

Christmas/New Year - Woila Creek and S/E-M/W We start, probably on 27 December, by driving as far as the cars will allow, then walk towards the Woila/Tuross junction, then about 3 days up and down Woila Creek followed by a similar time on the Tuross River. A very slack trip with much swimming and bludging in picturesque surroundings. For the keen, probably not including me, there can be trips up Woila and Jillicambra. Optionally, a Sub-party could start later or leave early. Please contact me as soon as possible. Maps: Be/owra & Sadie 1:25000. Leader: A/en V/dIet 254 5373(h). Transport cost about $15.

January 4-5 - Blue Lake - M/E From Charlottes Pass we shall follow the track to Mt Kosciusko and then along the Main Range to Blue Lake. We shall be camping on the western side of the Main Range in conjunction with John's rock climbing party. Sunday will entail side trips to the Sentinel and Watsons Crags which will be optional, with a return route via Mt Twynam and Guthrie Ridge. Also, no fires are permitted so please bring fuel stove or discuss with leader. Map: Mt Kosciusko 1:50000 Leader: Richard Ba/n 2574816(h). Transport cost about $25.

January 4-5 - Blue Lake rock climbing - M/R We meet up with Richard's trip and camp together, but the activities will be a great deal more vertical. Ring leader to discuss venues and equipment. Map: Mt Kosciusko 1:50000 Leader: John /'Ons 2316326(h) 2766582(w). Transport cost about $25.

Sunday January 5 - Bimberamala River and Carters Creek - M/M/W This is the Western Distributor two bridges walk. We will walk from one bridge down Carters Creek to the junction with the Bimberamala River, then up the river to the other bridge. There should be good views of Mt Currockbilly, Wirritin Ridge, and parts of the Budawangs. Depending on water levels there should be plenty of opportunities for swimming. The walk will probably include much wading in shallow knee deep water so wear the right footwear. Map: Broornen 1:25009. Leader: Al/an Mikke/sen 254 0764(h) 264 3472(w). Transport cost about 19.

Tuesday January 7 - IT Collation, John Kyatt's, Hoskinstown. BYO B8Q at 6.00pm Drive approximately 19km along Captain's Flat Road from Queanbeyan until wide plain is in view. Turn left at " Hoskinstown" sign. Drive about 1km, cross , turn right at "Hoskinstown 7km" sign. Turn right at bitumen, drive 1km, JK is on left at the fork. John lCyatt 238 2517(h) 276 3512(w).

Early January - Canoe trip on Murrumbidgee. below Wagga Wagga - L/W/W A one week canoe/kayak tour, camping under the redgums, paddling down the Murrumbidgee below Wagga Wagga. Suit fit beginners. BYO canoe or hire in Wagga Wagga. Leader: Chris Bellamy 249 7167(h). Transport cost tba.

January 11-12 - Naas River - S-M/M From Mt Clear campsite we shall walk downstream on the Naas River, with plenty of time for swimming. Camp will be made at some suitable location along the river. We shall return via the fire trail to the east. Note, due to summer fire restrictions, fuel stoves may need to be carried. Map: Co/inton 1:25000 Leader: Richard Sam 2574816(h). Transport cost about $10. 12

January 11-12 - base car camp - SIE Enjoy a lazy, indulgent car camp weekend, fishing, reading, liloing, playing pictionary, talking with fellow club members and gourmandising (wot, more caviar!!) by a most attractive riverside camp, about 21om past campsite. It's about 2 and 1/2 hours' drive from Canberra, depending on your speed down the spectacular Jacobs Ladder road, along the Barry Way from Jindabyne. Optional drive down on Friday Jan 10. Map: Jacobs River 1:100000, NAMA South Coast & Snowy Mts Leader: Janet Duncan 2881398(h). Transport cost about $30.

January 11,12,13 - Nadgee Nature Reserve This is a very popular South Coast area and a slothful long weekend is expected. Book early to avoid missing out as the Nature Reserve has limits. Leader: Doug Wright 2814148(h).

Sunday January 12 - 8th Annual Tuross Falls and Cascades bludge - VS/E Walk about 50m to a great swim/bludge sport. Tuross Cascades is a series of rock pools, one of which has a natural waterslide. There is an optional side trip (S/M) to the spectacular Tuross Falls if someone can lead it. We won't meet up with any Bumberry/Tuross survivors this year (They've all expired!). Map: Belowra 1:25000 Leader: Vance Brown 25 13997(h). Transport cost about $20.

Monday January 13 - Molonglo Gorge evening walk - SIE This is an after work walk through Molonglo Gorge and Kowen Pine Forest. We will have an evening meal beside the river and, if it is warm, a swim or two. The return is after dark so bring a torch. Map: ACT 1:100000. Leader: Allan Mikkelsen 254 0764(h) 264 3472(w). Bookings by 8.00pm Monday please.

Wednesday January 15 - Uriarra Crossing, BYO everything! 6.00pm.

January 18-19 - Shoalhaven - Badgery's to Canoe Flat - S-M/E-M Walk down Badgery's Spur to the Shoalhaven, then downstream to a campsite at Canoe Flat. We cross the river and it may be necessary to swim. Laze at camp or take optional side trips up Billy Bulloos Canyon and down the river before returning up the spur on Sunday. Map: Caoura 1:25000 Leader: Richard Rain 2574816(h). Transport about $15.

January 18-19 - Dicky Cooper Bogong & Gungartan - M/M From Guthega Pondage we will be walking up the ridge to Consett Stephen Pass and on to the granite tors of Dicky Cooper Bogong. Walking will be across extensive alpine herbfields covered in wildflowers. Sunday we will ascend Gungartan and take in commanding views of the Snowy River Valley and the surrounding Grey Mare and Main Range. Map: Kosciusko 1:50000 Leader: Rosemarie Pretty 2886768(h). Transport cost about $26.

Sunday January 19 - from Wyanbene Caves - M/M We take the track down to the Deua River for early lunch and a swim. Return via Curmulee Creek as far as possible, then a ridge to the tops. Map: Krawarree 1:25000 Leader: Chris Les/ie 2516123(h) 2513400(w). Transport cost about $15.

Sunday January 19 - Rendezvous Creek Aboriginal site - M/E A short walk up an open highland valley to a rock shelter which contains some interesting Aboriginal paintings. If the day is hot there will be a dip in the Murrumbidgee to coIl off on the way home. Map: Rendezvous Creek 1:25000 Leader: Mike Morriss 2886947(h) 2893422(w). Transport cost about $8.

Wednesday January 22 - Committee Meeting & IT Closing, Sybille Winberg's, Hughes.

January 25-28 - The Pilot and Little Pilot This trip involves a long but leisurely stroll along a fire trail to the Pilot. The views of Mt Kosciusko, the Cobberas and the Victorian Alps are excellent as the Pilot is 400 metres higher than the surrounding terrain. Map: Jacobs River 1:100000 Leader: Rosemarie Pretty 2886768(h). Transport cost about $26. 13

See coming issues of IT for more information (and Corrections) on future activities. including:

Jan 25,26,27 - Croajingalong National Park - Norm Becker Jan 25,26,27 - Nadgee Nature Reserve - Bill Brown Feb 1 - Murrumbidgee Kambah Pool to Pine Island - Vance Brown Feb 1-2 - Round Mountain car swap - Sue Vidler Feb 1-2 - Deua River - Chris Leslie Feb 9 - Blue Gum Creek - Roger Edwards Feb 9 - Coast trip - tba - Janet Duncan Feb 11 - It Collation, Rene Lays, BBQ - 600pm, Collation - 8.00pm Feb 16 - Shoalhaven Blockup - Vance Brown Feb 15-16 - Castle by moonlight, Hollands Gorge, Talaterang - Alan Vidler Feb 19 - Monthly Meeting, Dickson Library, 8.00pm. Feb 23 - Ettrema day trip - Alan Vidler Feb weekend - Mt Ginini, Leura Gap - Richard Bain Feb weekend - Orroral Valley, Smoker's Gap - Richard Bain Feb 26 - Committee Meeting & IT Closing Feb 29-Mar 1 - Tuross Gorge - Allan Mikkelsen Mar 10 - IT Collation Mar 14,15,16 - Jagungal from Eucumbene - Sue Vidler Mar 14, 15, 16 - Hume & Hovell Track, Buddong Falls - Jack Wise Mar 18 - Monthly Meeting, Dickson Library, 8.00pm. Mar 22 - Rendezvous Creek GR 740483 - Roger Edwards Mar 21-22 - Shoalhaven - Corang Junction - Allan Mikkelsen Mar 25 - Committee Meeting & IT Closing Mar 28-29 - Mt Jagungal from Round Mountain - Jack Wise Late Mar - Monolith Valley work weekend - David Campbell Apr 5 - Brindabella ramble - Jack Wise Apr 7 - IT Collation April-12 - Get yourself to GR 706466 - Alan Vidler

Any additions or corrections to Chris Leslie please!

ADDITIONAL BITS

Our Correspondent in Vietnam Doug Wright has received a letter from Kim Hello (married to a Vietnamese English teacher, gave birth to a baby boy recently) who "hopes to get back to Oz by Christmas. My feet are itchy for the mountains but my heart is tied down a bit. If anyone will (be) down in Tassie in the new year please contact me. . . - please send any letters care of my parents (76 Ocean Esplanade, Blackmans Bay, TAS 7052).

Other extracts from Kim's letter: "there was some risk of placental breakdown. Her mother blames her for eating to much burnt rice . . . another AVA in Indochina just got married. I had warned him that he would lose his independence, freedom and would have to eat white rice for the rest of his life but love is blind" . . . in HCM I went water skiing with an Irishman who we met on the train. He was travelling with a very pretty VN woman who kept asking for a Honda".

More on the Club's Thirtieth Anniversary Reunion A video on the Club's 30th Anniversary Reunion is now available for loan from Keith Thomas.

More walking in Tasmania in the New Year Companions sought for walk to Precipitous Bluffs via Moonlight Ridge, then New River Lagoon, South Coast Track and Cockle Creek. Commencing 7 or 8 February 1992 for 7 or 8 days. Contact Peter McMinn, 9 Neumayer Street, Page, 255 1190(h). 14

INFORMATION

Note; The Walk Secretary, Chris Leslie is pleased to accept walks from leaders at any time. Please contact him to put your walk on the program.

Bookings: For trips should be made by telephoning the leader no later than 2pm on Thursday. There is a Club limit of 16 on most walks.

Walkers: are reminded that there can be dangers associated with bushwalking and that they participate entirely at their own risk.

Equipment: for Club walks can be hired from Roger Edwards 2954598(w) 2887863(h).

Library: The Club Library is held at the home of Keith Thomas, 26 Allport Street, Downer 248781 6(h) at 6- 7.45pm on the night of Club meetings.

Constitution and By-Laws: The Club's Constitution and By-Laws are published annually in IT. For access at other times, please contact the Record Keeper.

Grading of walks:

(5) Short - under 1 2km/day (E) Easy - firetrails, tracks, beaches etc. (M) Medium - 12-20km/day (M) Medium - bush tracks, alpine areas, some scrub (L) Long - over 20km/day (R) Rough - much scrub, steep climbs, rock scrambles (W) Wet - compulsory swims, many river crossings

NOTE: In calculating distance 1 km is added for every 100 metres climbed.

NOTICE TO ALL WALKERS: The leader should check that:

Each applicant is capable of completing the proposed trip. This is done by observation on previous walks or by contacting them personally and asking where, when and with whom they have walked previously. Everyone is aware of what the trip entails and of any special equipment or skills needed.

LEADERS MAY REJECT ANY APPLICANT THEY THINK IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THE TRIP.

SEARCH & RESCUE ORGANISATION

S&R Contacts are: David Campbell 2469156(w) 2541511(h), Allan Mikkelsen 2540764(h), 2643472(w).

Area Coordinators: Belconnen - Frank & Meg McKone 2541311(w) 2545902(h), Pat Miethke 2493085(w) 2412798(h), Inner Canberra - Keith Thomas 2819488(w) 2487816(h), Woden - Doug Wright 281 4148(h).

OTHER CLUB OFFICERS Roger Edwards 2887863(h) is the Check-in Officer, Rod Dalgleish 2813614(h), Norm Becker 2316061(h) and John Thwaite 25431 93(h) are the conservation representatives, Vance Brown is the public officer, Alan Vidler 2545373(h) is the Club record keeper and Doug Wright is the Club archivist. Roger Edwards 2954598(w) 2887863(h) is the Equipment Officer.

TO ALL INTENDING CONTRIBUTORS TO IT!

Please hand your copy to the Editor by the advertised closing date!

If you want to put a walk on the program you MUST contact the Walk Secretary first so the program can be prepared by the closing date. CANBERRA BUSHWALKING CLUB INC. Membership Renewal Form For 1991-92 (Current members only)

Please use BLOCK letters and please PRINT clearly!

Name:

Postal Address:

Postcode: Home Address: (If different) Postcode: Home Phone: Work Phone:

Other person's name: Fwork.Phone: (If Household membership)

Additional Information: (Please circle whichever answer is TRUE)

I am willing, on occasion to lead day walks YES NO

I am willing, on occasion to lead weekend walks YES NO

I am willing to take part in Search and Rescue activities YES NO

S&R Availability: (Please circle the appropriate response)

Ready to go at any time at 2 hours notice YES NO

Ready to go at 12-24 hours notice YES NO

Available at weekends and public holidays only YES NO

Please indicate any sQecial skills for (Doctor, nurse, rock climber, 4WD oWner, radio'operator, etc)

I/We enclose (please circle appropriate amount)

$24 Ordinary Membership OR $32 Household Membership (2 adults at same address) being membership subscription for Canberra Bushwalking Club for 1991-92.

Signed: I Date: / /19 Please forward form and subscription to: Membership Secretary, Canberra Bush walking Club, P0 Box 760, CA NBERRA CITY A C T 2601.

*

Registered Publication No. NBH 1859 If undeliverable return to P0 Box 160, Canberra City ACT 2601 Poetage SURFACE Paid & :\ CANBERRA CANBERRA MAIL ACT 2601 BUSH WALKING AUSTRALIA J I CLUB INC.

Reet VALLAK 5 Fuliwcjc.d St WESTON ACT 2611

COMMITTEE 1991 - 92

Work Home Fax PRESIDENT: Allan Mikkelsen 2643472 2540764 VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER: Janet Duncan 2862788 2881398 SOCIAL SECRETARY: Sybille Winberg 2824325 CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY: Norm Becker 2506951 2316061 WALK SECRETARY: Chris Leslie 2513400 2516123 2515161 ASSISTANT WALK SECRETARY: Roger Edwards 2954598 2887863 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Alan Vidler 2545373 MINUTE SECRETARY: Debi Williams 2506200 2581645 250591 T EDITOR: Sue VidIer 2765317 2545373 276552 1 PUBLISHER: Sylvia Sheffield 2992430 CONSERVATION OFFICER: Mike Morriss 2886947 Ring (w) beforehand

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES: RING ALAN VIDLER ON 254 5373(h + messages any time)