Orongorongo - Tapokapoka - Mukamuka - South Saddle

Machine-read text (unproofread)

Read from the scans by software, so it contains mistakes. Typing it up properly would help blind readers: use Suggest an edit.

NGRNG) - TAPOKAPKA- IUKALUKA- SUTH JADDHay 21/23rd. We left Vellington on Fride. ni_ht in two trains - the main party ioined the leader at Petone after a ioy-ride in the Taita train. Havin started thus eventfully we exnected an adventurous veekend - and we got it. Preceded by the fast nack we trekked in mud and moon'ight and broken-down torches through the Five dile to Waeren_a. Early Saturday norning it started rainin but 5 o'clock found the cooks at work regardless. Ve left for Tapokapoka about seven - minus four members of the party who preferred a quiet weekend - in cloudy weather with just a wisp or tw of mist on top. ain and a cold wind hit us about a third of the way up but we nanaged the trig by ten - minus three members who turned back at the top. onderfal view of nothing- ata'l. I ith compass and nap we surprised ourseives by finding north of Tapokapoka a large swainp which enptied into the Tapokapoka Stream, which offered more b autiful sidling of the odd hundred feet of waterfall and a snall rock climb round the famed pool before the stream enters the big lukamuka. e made the South Saddle and sidled to the Goat Creek ridge and so down with and without tracks : the ronyorongn River. We arrived back at aerenga about half en hour before schedule at approxinately 1.00p.m. "venin_ found nost in their bunks except a few who discovered later that the river had risen t the unemose-able stage. Sunday norning the river was a "banker' and so a list vas made of all food left vhich then becane party food and only eatable with special 21 riission. e drew up a nenu which offer red surprising varict ty if somewhat restrictid amount which W ould last until fonday night.

After that the outlook Wis sonwhat hunry. An attompt was made by a sall ur oup - one frri ourarty - to cr 193 on Sunday afternoon but was unsucc ssful. Four of us visitel Sta Hut at Green's Creek and came back vith sme bread and Jacaroni - meny thanks. Sundey niht thirt. seven Dnale vent rather a arly to their bunks with the prosnect ofa trip to the coast and Riddifords for the fit and a rather hun_ry stay for the not-s0-fit. Thin_3 bri_htened as the rain ceased with a swift drop in the river. Two thirty E. l. found three Members u2 and away to work but the rest of us sot away in dayli_ht. The trip out was uneventiul for our narty althou_h the river still had to be treat-' el with respect. Iupronptu instruction in pack swiming was given by the leader fter the "ainui river crossing in a small side otrean - screaning y funny of course. Te arrived at Tastbourne about 1,.m. and S0 back to" ellington and telenhones. I wish to thank all nombers of the party for their cheerful co-operatim with an especial thanl- you to Den and Baucke vho came to nur essistance with food. Nembers on the trip were; G. Hall, B. Rice, I. Bluck, I. cIntyre, T. Slattery, P. Mcfillan, H. Stretton, J. Dawson, . Allison, - Neilson, B. 'Donnell, T. Walsh,, K. Garbutt and Leader M. Tarshall.