ARTICLE UPDATED
An update to this article has been published, July 2015.
Contents
Background
Until 1987, placing log books on peaks in the Flinders Ranges was generally a haphazard procedure.
In most cases, log books consisted of notes from visiting walkers on pieces of paper torn from note books, then put in aluminium canisters, plastic pots or whatever was at hand. The next visiting walker(s) would add their contribution.
However, one or two older members of the club think there may be an earlier version of the very good metal containers used since early 1987.
In conjunction with Jeremy Carter, I will endeavour to research and verify this scanty information, and go on to prepare a full story of the state of log book containers and log books placed by ABW on peaks in the Flinders Ranges. This will also be published on our website which will allow both members and hikers to let us know of issues with logbooks, and provide us the opportunity to engage hikers to retrieve and renew logbooks. We hope to include archived copies of logbooks as scanned documents online.
My research will involve searching through club archives, and possibly the archives of the State Library and Walking SA.
I was very much involved in the 1987 log book exercise, and following recent questions and comments from a few club members, I decided to research and record the matter more fully.
Plea to Members
The 1987 Exercise
The club decided to give some formality to log books on peaks in the form of sturdy, waterproof metal containers to contain log books which would have a frontpiece informing all-comers that it was placed there by ABW.
Club member Bill Gehling prepared a sketch of a sound log book container. He gave the sketch to me, and I then prepared a detail drawing (which I still possess), and then a batch of 4 or 5 containers was made by a former member Kevin Packer in early 1987.
In May 1987, I led an extended walk in the Narrina Station area, and containers and log books were placed on Patawarta Hill and Mt Hack.
Mt Tilley was climbed on that trip, but I can’t remember if we placed container/logbook on that occasion.
It is my understanding that these very good containers and log books were also placed on Pompey Pillar, Cleft Peak, McKinlay Bluff and Mt Aleck, but this needs to be verified by club members.
| Peak | Logbook | Confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Patawarta Hill | ABW container | June 2013 |
| Mt Hack | ABW container | 21/8/2014 |
| Cleft Peak | ABW container placed 1987 | Is there a logbook currently there? |
| McKinlay Bluff | ABW container placed 1987 | Is there a logbook currently there? |
| Kankana Peak | ABW container placed 1987 | Is there a logbook currently there? |
In June 1999, I led a group to place a new log book on Patawarta Hill. The first book was full, and at the time was held by Walking SA – I will follow that up.
Table of Containers and Log Books on Other Peaks
These may exist on other peaks, but once again, verification is needed.
Some peaks that may have ABW containers with log books, or canisters or pots with notes include:
| Peak | Logbook | Confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Aroona Valley/Pigeon Bore/Parachilna Gorge area | ||
| Mt Barloo | ||
| Mt Barbara | ||
| Iralbo Peak | ||
| Kankana Peak | ||
| Mt Falkland | Logbook of some sort | 18/6/2011 |
| Mt Hayward | ||
| Mt Elkington | ||
| Wilpena Area | ||
| Point Bonney | ABW container placed 1992 | 15/9/2012 |
| Mt Sawtooth (unofficial name) | ||
| Mt Abrupt | ||
| Mt Karawarra | No logbook present 14/9/2012 | |
| Pompey Pillar | ABW container | 27/7/2013 |
| Mt Aleck | ABW container | Logbook in ABW container 16/7/2011. Reported removed by Arkaba Station early 2014. Not present 9/8/14 |
| North Flinders Ranges | ||
| McKinley Bluff | ||
| Mt McKinley | ||
| Freeling Heights | Logbook present, container unknown | 17/4/2012 |
| Cleft Peak | ||
| Mt Tilley | Small notepad in deteriorating lunchbox dating from 1984 | 19/8/2014 |
Map of Containers and Log Books
Contact Me
The above list is not exhaustive by any means, but it is a start.
I reiterate a request to members to come forward with more information on this topic which is very much part of the life and soul of ABW.
I can be contacted on 041 980 6128 or via our contact form.
Thanks Garry. Initially we are focusing on logbooks placed by Adelaide Bushwalkers (we’ve done many), and then we anticipate we will expand that on to other ones placed by others.
Do you have more info about the North Tusk, Gammons one that was archived by the Scientific Expeditions Group, http://www.communitywebs.org/scientificexpeditiongroup/