Putangarua Pinnacles

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PUTANGARUA PITACE3- April 24/25th. Two trucks 1 ft Vellingt on Saturiay norning and off over the Rimutakas to Payl iser Ray end the Putan: erua Pinnecles. A shonting party had gone through the night before and on our arrival we were greeted by Des fanning on a stretcher. Des had had an argument, which he lost, with a lnsc rock on a slide. The truck driver took him back to 1 ellington and we are pleased to say that he is now back tramping again. Ve lunched, pitched our tents and set off for the Pinnacle Valley which is about 3C minut S up on the left side from where we camped at the mouth of the Creek. Ve saw the = ions Head", the "Organ oft", the "Cathedral" and other recognisable features. The Pinnacles are a unique sight, bein carved 'out by wind and rain frm the comparitively soft papa composite. They stretch fron the floor of the valley to within about twenty feet of th top. The shapes they take on are deternined by the position of the rocks that form part of the conposite. Thw whole area in this part of the Bay is well eroded, and cover red with scragy scrub - where there is any - although there are some surprising bushed valleys near the coast.

The clinb amonyat the pinnucles is unirue. Retween then are narrow guts, the heint of the vat'ey, and the floor covered sith wet papa ano stone, souething like a coarse concrete aix. although the pinnacles theaselves cannot be cli bed the party went to the head of the valley some returnin. via the Putangerua Creek, others crossing over to the next val.ey. The usual stew feature' for tea w ith baurie end ibert orriving just es the camp fire begen. They hua come the hard way - Orongorongo - harekahau Saidle - Lake rerry. Sunjay * as a comparatively quiet day for a variety of reasons althouch 8 party again visitel the pinnac'es and crossed over to the next valley. On both days some keen types took advantage of the nearn.ss of an inviting cliff face, making climbs up, over and down it with perseverance if not skill. The party was: J. Dawson, J. Cooley, 3. ilcoa, I. Baine, J. McDavitt, L. Neilson, 3. Neilson, B.0'Donnell, T. Koore, Rodlilne T. "alsh, P.Johnson, K. Carbutt, 3. Rice, D. Dement, G. itall, A. Burns, A. Turney, h. Henzies, D. illison, P. I'c illan, I. 3luck, E. 3lattery, I. McIntyre, M Sinclair, J. Burns, k. Marshall, T. Dodge, P. Climo.