Editorial
This edition marks the 15th VS&M. The first was produced in 1982 by a small, keen and dedicated group of walkers. Having been around 15 years ago, I remember some scepticism on my part, over the feasibility of SUBW ever producing a magazine. I can remember two earlier attempts at publications. One was a one off journal that came out in 1974. Because of delays it had come out a year late but I remember the then members appreciated its appearance. A little later I can remember a group of us got together around 1976 to produce another magazine. It was typed up and then for some strange reason retyped onto stencils. Then for a reason that escapes me - was never printed. So the eventual successful publication of VS&M Number 1 was a bit of a milestone. Looking back through that first edition reveals that a quite a few of the contributors to it have maintained their association with SUBW. Many of those contributors worked on subsequent yearly issues and then went on to organise the Club's very successful 40th anniversary, ten years ago in 1986. This issue coincides with the club's 50th anniversary.
To mark the 50th anniversary of SUBW, amongst other things, a special magazine will be produced. The 40th anniversary magazine was called "Press On". The 50th anniversary magazine will be called "Press On Regardless". This was one of the early mottos adopted by the bushwalkers that started the club in the 1940's. This special magazine will contain a selection of articles culled from the 14 VS&M's that precede this one as well as, of course, material from earlier eras in the club's life.
I can remember a discussion with some trogs years ago, the gist of it was that there were two types of cavers - those that went caving and those that had more or less retired from active caving and spent their time writing articles for speleological journals. With bushwalkers this is different - all the contributors to this magazine are active bushwalkers. I am grateful to them for the time and effort that they put into their contributions.
For this VS&M, Ian Wilson has submitted a short history of SUBW. This timely introduction to the club's history will bring newer members up to date with what's been happening over the past 50 years. Since it was written, as part of the research into the 50th anniversary magazine a whole wealth of new details have emerged which will appear in "Press On Regardless". Some of the newer members of the club have contributed articles on their experiences of canyon trips. Canyoning has long been a favoured activity of SUBW. No bushwalking magazine could be complete without at least one Tassie trip report - this magazine can boast two - Rob Hynes (using the pen name "R Scoparia") has managed to put his thoughts down about the recent quixotic attempt by the club to open up a new route to Fedders by a traverse the Forest Hills. Needless to say, the trip was a glorious failure. This ill conceived trip is contrasted by the editor's report of an Easter trip across the Tasmanian Central Plateau - a place where a successful walk is guaranteed. New Zealand has figured strongly as a summer destination of the club after a lull of a few years. Doug Bock and Sally Partridge have jotted down a few comments about the climate of Fiordland and Acko has submitted an essay on what he did in his holidays. With the local ski scene being somewhat restricted, especially in summer, Bob Sault and Tony Norman headed off to try their skis out in the European Alps. Bob's has reported on their trip. And finally, Ashley Burke has jaffled on about waffles or should it be waffled on about jaffles? Read it and see.
David Noble, Editor