Friday 22 May 1953 Top Camp We all had a good warm sleep last night. Did not zip down the sleeping bag until 6:30 A.M. Clouds and sun have alternated in camp today. Trapped 3 Rattus & 1 Melomys; David--2 Rattus; Lik-lik--1 Rattus. All the boys were put to work on their shelter this A.M. If they won't help themselves, we have to see they do something to keep warm. All barked and brushed in, with doors & smoke holes over bark doors. Grass, ferns & bark under their blankets. Worked until about 3 P.M. Then Ken, Geoff & I & the boys went over the hill & into the mossy forest to cut a jacking trail--this ends at camp. I set 4 steel traps in a Wallaby pad--also put rat bodies between traps. Lovely cloud & sun effect over river gorge to south. The hoop pines make a fine sight against the clouds. 6 P.M. and we are all sitting down to a rum. I still have a few drops in a spoonful of sugar. Ken built a patta patta in my tent today for my mammal drying boards. An exciting jacking night. David & [illegible] out together. Ken and Lik-Lik. I shot a ring-tailed possum--new for the trip--a golden greenish tinge to gray back pelage. Ken shot a small ring-tail (# 4 - 12 Ga ! - in the tail end) brown, buff & white face markings--also new. The animal I thought was a ring-tail (coll. May 19) must be a cuscus. A month should give us a fair idea of what is here, but you never really work a place out. Saw small bat in forest tonight. Thought we heard a flying fox on the wing but not sure. Warm in forest. 10:30 P.M. Saturday 23 May Top Camp David and the 2 boys skinned the 2 possums and our catch of 6 rats. Kept up our average of 8 per day for this camp ( 40 to date). I made the small ring-tail up as a study skin. He shows a very interesting molt condition. Ken started up Maneau this A.M. to spot a possible path down to the big river in the gorge to the south of us. Back early feeling sick with sinus & cold. We plan to go out together tomorrow to try another route. Most of the boys were out chopping jacking trails in P.M. Delayed my outdoor bath too late and a cool wind made my wash a little chilly--but the hot water felt good. Kim bakes wonderful whole wheat rolls. With butter & golden syrup you can make a meal out of them. Out jacking with Lik-Lik tonight. I spotted a cuscus & gave him the shot. Either missed or it's still hanging in tree. Also fired at another pair of eyes in same tree (inside leaf tangle)--nothing fell. A beautiful bird-of-paradise visited tree at edge of camp. All black with 2 two foot tail feathers. Fed in full view for several minutes. Saw another bat in forest tonight. Must roost in tree holes. 10:15 P.M. a damp cold tonight. Our luck is still holding with the weather. Fair with only a few thin clouds today. Sunday 24 May Top Camp Ken and I, David, Jimmy & Niko decided to make another try to reach the river gorge south of camp. Ken was stopped last time by a drop of 300 feet into the gorge. Measured my specimens & turned them over to Lik Lik & Isilele to skin and prepare for filling when I return to camp. Left camp at 9:15 & cut down slope behind Maneau ridge. Up & down some steep gullies in scrub--water falling south. Out into small grass patch, thru another narrow scrub belt & then angled down a big open fern & grass field. At far corner we cut thru low scrub & followed down several dry stream beds until we reached the brink of last drop to Kwariu River. Down by the seat of our pants to a very lovely mountain brook in a narrow bed. Elev. 1840 M at 11:30 A.M. Cold clear swirling water. Several beautiful pools at spot we cut river. Moss covered rock ledges. The others "boiled the billy" while I collected plants for Len. Found one wild begonia. Dozens of fern species ! Also orchids. Quite possible we were first white men at this spot. Collected some pebbles. Upstream compass bearing 145°.