Southern Crossing (First Impressions)

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First impressionson.a SOUTERN CROSSING, July 23/25th. After an uneventful trip to Otaki Forks, we all piled out of the truck and changed while some strong bods helped to turn the truck around. I took a. last longing lock as it departed dewn the road, almost wishing I could go back toco We set off on the first Lap of the journey to Fields Hut, and as it included a rather steep climb, it was almost the last lap as far as I was concerned. But after this, things wern't so bad. The view - well there wa.s plenty of rain and mud, especially mud, as I found out after one or two slips. After hearing various rumours that the hut was just round the next bend, or just over the next rise, I was quite surprised when we suddenly came upon it. Everyene was rather wet by this time, and one was a little tired as well, ifter changing into dry clothes, we all climbed into sleeping bags, the time being about 12.30. Cight o'clock on Saturday morning found us cn our wey once more. I was shown the general direction of points of interest, but as the world around us was mist and more mist, I'm afraid I only got a misty idea of it all. A spell at Kime Hut found some more eatables being stowed away and from here on until we parted from the Neill-Winchcombe party on top of Mt.Hector, I had, mentally at least, given up tremping about four times. One look at Hector and I was all for giving up the ghost and going home. After some persuasion on Trev's part however, I decided against it. After this I must admit that I made quite a few sudden stops, always managing to sit in a patch of snow or mud. Around about this time (just before Mt. Alpha) we came upon a lone shocter who informed us that he had come from Dobson's that morning and was on his way out to Otaki Forks. Across the Tararua's in cne day a the shock was almost tro much for me. Alphe Hut was eventually reached abcut 3p.m. and here we found a ccuple of stray shooters trying to light a. fire, complete with vet Wood and no axe. They were duly presented with our axe and by the time we had changed into dry clothes, there was quite a fire. During the general drying of clothes my shorts caught fire but were promptly rescued. After a meal all retired early. Sunday dawned far too soon for this would-be tramper. Everyone else rese fairly early but we were late in getting away. We fielly left about 9a.m. in light rain and mist, which increased h as the day drew cn, The view was practically the same as Seturdays a if you leave out the rain and mist, and the odd bod ahead.

Progess was rather slow as I was feeling very veary. I was quite pleased when we struck the Marehant Ridge. In spite of the fact that almost all the way down, Barry sang just behind me such things as "Down the Marchant Ridge theycrawl". We stoppedefer a time for a late lunch at Dobsons, where we found our two shooting friends who had left Alpha ahead of us. They left for Kaitoke, hoping to get a ride on our truck, and with instructions to tell the others not to worry if weren't down by departure time at 4.30 as we would then catch the late bus. However, as it was all downhill from there, we were socn at the bottcm. As we came out on the Ridge overlooking the Kaitoke valley, I got my first real view of the weekend. After changing once more into dry clothes, we boarded the truck, where, needless to say, the Neill-vinchcombe folk had been for some time. So to the end of the tripo ly first Southern crossing was over. I really enjoyed the whole trip, mud, slush, rain and all. Next time, perhaps I will make better time, though I doubt if I will ever do it in one dey. Many thanks to everyone for the help they gave me during the weekend. The party Was - Trev Walsh (leader) Barry Tilcox, H.B. Stretton, Keith Buchanan, andallen Slattery.. E.S.