Running River

25 - 26 NOV. 1961

Location
The junction of Running River and Puzzle Creek. About 20 miles past the Township of Paluma and South of the Ewan Road.

Party

• Paul Stephenson
• Alastair Anderson
• Elson Davies
• Peter Evans
• Graham Hole
• Neill Knack
• Peter Hetherington
• Ray Lane
• Graham Muller
• Lynn Allan
• Gwenda Cameron
• Joan Harding
• Mick McMahon

Map Used
Mud Map.

Transport

Distance by Car
Distance to Walk
About 72 Miles.
To the junction of Running River & Puzzle Ck. about 2 1/2 miles.

Type of Outing
Short Walk: Rock Hopping: Rock Climb.

RATING

0610

Started off from RAAF Garbut on Ingham Road. Ray Lane carried Mick McMahon Graham Muller and Paul S. Alastair Anderson drove Lynn Allan, Joan Harding, Neill Knock, Graham Hale and Peter Evans.

0820

Cars stopped on hill a little over two miles past the Township of Running River. A grid lies just over the top of this hill.

0845: Bearing 107; 2 Miles

Party started walking towards Running River and Puzzle Creek junction. Keeping the gully on the left we followed the crest of the ridge right down to Running River.

0930

Party arrived at the junction of Running River and Puzzle Creek. Ray L, Graham M, Joan H, Lynn and Alastair made camp on the sand bank in the river. Paul, Neill, Peter E, Graham H, and Mick McMahon climbed the right bank of the river and made camp on the first level piece of ground.

1030

Most of the party after a cuppa went swimming in Junction Pool, depthed by G Hale at 80'. Neill K, Graham M and Paul S. started climbing the rock face of the gorge in Running River just below the junction of the two streams and on the left bank of the River. This was not an extremely difficult climb but was rather dangerous due to the crumbly nature of the rock. Neill led the climb and four belays were taken. At one point very near the top, hill had to retrace his steps as hand holds had disappeared. This climb was taken very cautiously as a fall could easily have been fatal - belays were difficult and several times each member, in looking for a hand hold, dislodged seemingly secure rock.

1230

Remainder of the party went for lunch.

1300

The climbing party reached the top. Here the ridge had narrowed to a razor back and the rock was found to be just as rotten on the Puzzle Creek side. The rock climbers then descended to Running River by following the crest of the ridge down stream for about one hundred yards and walking down to the River by the easy saddle.

1330

Neill, Graham M and Paul then went for a swim in Junction Pool. The day had now become very hot and the heat was intensified by the rock and the lack of breeze in the river.

1400

Neill, Graham, Paul returned to campsite and lunched.

1430

After lunch the heat became so intense on the hill side that the hill party decided to climb down to the river and rest in the shade. The river party had found some nice shade. Lynn & Alastair lay in a pool of water. The remainder sat and talked. Ray Kane brought up the subject of canoes.

1600: Bearing 200; 2 1/2 mile

Lynn, Alastair, Peter E, Graham & Paul S climbed the saddle to Puzzle Creek and walked slowly to Pete's fate. Ray L climbed the saddle but followed the top of the left bank of Puzzle Creek around before descending into the creek and joining the party at the gate. Peter's Gate is a strange formation of rock standing on the right bank of Puzzle Creek about four hundred yards upstream from the junction of Puzzle Creek and Running River. Large blocks of granite with straight sides have been formed so as to leave a natural gateway through the formation. The height of the formation would be approximately twenty feet and its length and depth would be about forty feet and five feet respectively. Viewed from the Puzzle Creek side it looks like a medieval castle. The gate is about five feet wide and seven feet high.

0700

After spending a little time at Peter's Gate we hurried back towards camp as rain had started to fall. The rain was very light however and soon stopped. The heat in the rocks was so intense that the rain falling on them made the air very humid. On the way back to camp we passed an old open cut mine on the left bank of Puzzle Creek. Right up above it on the crest of the ridge an old windlass still stands.

0730

Peter Hetherington, Pucenda Cameron and Elver Davies arrived from Townsville and everybody swam in the pool near the beach where the river party was camped. The water was delightfully warm and we all had a very pleasant half hour.

1800.

The two camping parties repaired to their various areas and prepared their evening meal.

1900.

The hill party climbed down to pay a social visit to the river party and much talk of canoes and thin shin's flowed, eddied and danced from person to person. Apart from these two topics the name of the Club's first magazine was discussed. Some suggestions were: "Along unwalled trails", "Tropical Trails", "Trails from Townsville" and "Walkabout" translated into the aborigine tongue. It was decided that every member should present the best title he could think of at the next ordinary meeting.

2100.

The hill party finally managed to escape the clutches of the River Party and climbed the hill to sleep. One member of the Hill Party started snoring three minutes after going to bed.

26/11/61
0530.

At this hour most of us woke and a few hardy souls (Neill, Chin-him, and Graham H) went swimming. Elson (the Big Fisherman) went fishing.

0600.

Breakfast.

0610.

Elson caught a beautiful fish and then hooked another. Unfortunately he ran a large fish hook into his ring finger of his left hand and could not continue fishing nor could he land the "big" one. he returned to camp after cleaning his fish and was operated "on" by Will Knack. "Knack" the knife used a snake bite scalpel to perform the operation. With delicate Skill and consummate patience and sympathy he removed the hook. The Fisherman took the operation with True courage. Except for saying once, calmly, "Hang on a sec. Will," no other comment passed his lips. Four members of the Hill Party then ate the fish!! From all reports it was a beauty.

0730

With the exception of Lyman, Alastair, "Longreach" Evans and the 'Big Fisherman' the whole party then walked downstream to Broadbeach Pool. On the sandy bank of this pool is a delightful camp. Shade sand, water, wood and cool breezes to be had in abundance. How beside the sixty five feet deep pool the party spent the morning swimming, overcapering and discussing canoes and their hire.

0932

Paul, Grahams M and H and Mike the Snaker walked a further four hundred yards downstream to "Dingo Pool". The names given to the various pools have been suggested by their nature and it is not known whether they have been named previously.

1150.

Headed back to camp for lunch. Joan, Gwenda, Graham H and Paul S went swimming in Junction Pool.

1300.

Paul S. walked upstream looking for photographs. The remainder had lunch and then sat in the shade of the cliff face and watched Keith and Ivin Ivin on a most exciting climb.

1400.

Paul walked back along the ridge of the right bank of Running River after having visited the rapids and studied the rock formations. This is beautiful, rugged, and startling country. On the way down the ridge Paul noticed that a bush fire was in progress. It had crossed Running River lower down and seemed to be burning towards the camp.

1500.

Paul arrived back at the Hill Party's camp in time to watch Ivin Ivin climb the western face of the gorge. This climb would be the most difficult that any member has so far attempted. Keith climbed to the top as leader and then dropped the rope and took a belay for Ivin Ivin.

1600.

Ivin Ivin reached the top.

1630.

The party set off for home to the sound of crackling flames from Puzzle Creek. The day was now extremely hot. After climbing the steep hills onto the ridge we met the bush fire. No snakes and only one wallaby were seen. The fire was not a large one and we walked straight up to and through the burning grass. Ray L reached the cars first and discovered that they had been moved by someone to save them from the bush fire. Alan Davey and complete with 'Kennelvan' and dogs was also parked in the area and joined the accommodation position on the return journey to Townsville.

Ray L. then drove the Land Rover back down the ridge towards the heat exhausted walkers, picked up their gear and drove the stragglers back to the road.

1735

Party set off for home.

Then Min Min ran out of petrol on the way back.

Alastair and his car load stopped at Rollingstone to eat and then discovered they had no money. No dirty dishes were washed as they discovered this before ordering food.

Ray L. also stopped at Rollingstone to pick up a passenger.

Alan Davey drove to Bluewater before stopping - this party discovered they had enough money for a cup of tea.

2100

Everyone eventually found each other at the RAAF Station at Garbut. Gear was unloaded and changed hands until it found its rightful owner. Then tired but happy we went our various ways back to the drudgery of city life and civilization.