Neill - Winchcombe Crossing, Dec 10/12th

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NEILL - WINCHCOMBE CROSSING. Dec._10/12th. The pleasantness of leaving sharp on time in the truck with the Southern Crossing and some T.T.C. folk was soon dispelled when we were dropped about 2 miles short of the usual place on the Gorge Road. After an hour's walk we started the night's work. Gight or nine of us started out together but after a while only four were left plodding on - later we discovered that the reason for the defection was a tin of pineapple juice: At Fields most hit the sack immediately but a few stayed up for a brew. Six hours later (before the alarm clock had gone off) breakfast was prepared and after a brewless meal we set off with light hearts and heavy packs. At Kime the first (?) halt was called for a second breakfast, then the Winchcombe party started off. After more 1 à rests on Field Peak and Hector we moved off along the ridge. At this stage Dave, who had mentioned that he had a pineapple, finally gave up saying no. On re-starting we discovered that Thelma was starting the Winchcombe too, but as she was not on the trip list of course she could not come - we had considerable diffiçulty in dissuading her from it though. Des had brought his rifle along and provided entertainment by shooting at deer. Eventually he hit one which fell down a bank and died of a broken neck; it made good stew though. Lack of water of course meant lack of tea, and as our last drink had been at Kime tongues were hanging out when we reached Neill, so we did full justice toa small puddle found down one side of the peak. It might be noted that during this time the back of the bloke in front had changed from white, through pink, to a delicate shade of red, especially on the left side which was towards the sun all the time. Nothing particularly untoward he.ppened between Hector and Neill but suddenly the track disappeared - straight down. Now, being a suspicious character (I'll say. 1 Ed.) I immediately suspected some up hill. This assumption was perfectly correct only it was more vertical than up hill. (Topographical Note - the whole of this interesting depression is called the Noill Seddle.) Tom tried to run some deer to death on top of Cone without success so on we went to Cone Saddle and eventually down to Cone Hut which was empty. In spite of the time, 8.15p.m., Tom plunged happily into the "Teranike". The other extreme was Des who was content to splash his face and chest. 3tew was put on and we sat back to wait, however the pessimi stic element suggested setting the alarm clock - just in case. At midnight Tom woke us all (even though the alarm had gone off at 10.30) and we got stuck in to those billies. Sunday was fine again and we ambled down the valley to Smiths where we met the Southern people and joined them for a swim, lunch, and the trip home. A final incident occurred when we cleaned the shop at Akatarawa out of ice cream. Our time including ALL stops (both) was 132 hours, this time might be attributed to the atmospheric conditions or it might not, however we all had a good trip. The party was:" Das Manning (Leader), Mel Manning, Dave Lowe, Tom Lawton, Stan Kinder, Dennis O'Neill and Graeme Hall. G.H. a