Ski Trip Ruapehu

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SKI TRIP RUAPEHU. Sept. 1/3rd. Most of us were assembled at the Station by 7.30 on Friday 1st. entertaining a faint hope that the truck just MIGHT happen to be on time. Of course there are a certain few who gamble (?) on the trucks being late and arrive sometime before 8 o'clock. After waiting about three querters of an hour it was decided that an investigation should be made and telephone conversations with our Transport Officer revealed that there had been a slight misunderstanding. Swift's had put us down for a truck on Friday 7th! During the next hour while a truck and driver were being arranged, a few keen types amused themselves (and others) by improving their rock-clmbing on the Wellington Station and a few Peeping- Tom types were exposed! Others concentrated on keeping themselves warm by doing the Hoki Toki and Shoo Fly and playing Leap Frog, while others took a stroll along the wharf(?) Just after 9 a truck and driver arrived and we set off about 9.30 with Dick Archer in the cab as relief driver. Unfortunately, the delay meant no snack at Levin, the place where we had arranged to have a meal having given us up and closed down. No tucker until breakfast! We arrived at the Chateau at about 4a.m. and slept until about 6.30, climbing out of our sacks about 70 I think most of us had a few bites to eat and a wash before those of us who had not their own skis and boots rushed over to get themo In spite of, or maybe because the fact that we were told that there were dozens of already bods queuing up over there, we were first in the queue at the shop when it opened and first to get our skis and boots. Quite a change from usual. It must have been the fine weather because on every other ski trip this season the weather has been poor! A Mountain Goat had been ordered for nine, and (miracles sometimes happen) it arrived on time. It was lovely and fine up at the ski hut and after collecting our skis we went on up to the Tararua Huto After a snack we went out to try the snow, returning for lunch between one and two. Most of us, I think, had a pretty successful day's ski-ing. Hori had a pretty busy time as chief instructor and by tea time Viv and Bill could stem turn (to the left) and others had mastered various techniques of the art. (There were others of course who were unsuccessful in mastering anything but the art of falling over.) We had a delicious meal at about 6p.m. - "stew and potatoes followed by fruit salad I but voted by all as a most enjoyable meal. Stan Kinder and Des Manning who were working up there, arrived for tea and spent the night with us. Johnny Robinson was also with us having come by train to do some climbing. After tea some played cards while others lazed around and talked and after a fairly early supper most of us retired though Hori and Stan and a few others talked for quite some little time. There were a few Tararua bods staying at the hut too, but as our party numbered only 17 things were not too congested, though I seem to remember that 3 of the fairer sex slept in one of the top bunks although there were some bunks with only one occupant. More good luck than good management that the outside bod didn't fall onto the packs below. Some people are born silly! A few who were keen to get out on boards rose early and some of the others were lucky enough to have sausages brought to them in bedo (Thanks Ton!) As people climbed out of their sacks there were varying complaints about knees, ankles etc. However, everyone seemed able to stand and, as there were some pretty good slopes, enjoyed their morning's ski-ing. Max Pemberton had the bad luck to break his skis quite early in the morning so he spent the rest of it baking, The scones were very nice - though flat, Max! Until about eleven Sunday morning the weather was beautiful and then the mist came down and as it enveloped the surrounding rocks we saw Johnny Robinson and Georhe Thompson climbing along one of the ridges. However, they arrived down before we left. At about 12,30 we started making our way down to the ski hut where a Mountain Goat was due at 1p.me After returning the skis we stood around waiting for the truck and talking to Stan and Des who were working at the ski hut. Then, about 1.20 Viv, Dave and I had an exciting ride down to Salt in Walter's jeep, Stan driving ? ? ? to ring the Chateau about our truck. Their excuse was that someone had rung and told them that we didn't want our truck till later, They said it had just left anyway. We arrived. safely back at the ski hut but it wasn't Stan's fault. More good luck than good management! Shortly after this it started to rain so we retired into the new refreshments hut by the ski huto The truck arrived about tro rhich left us very little time to take our boots back and have a clean-up at the bottom. It was raining heavily by then too. About 2.45 we set off for home taking a couple of Tararua bods with us - Bob ?? and Dave Cracknell and we stopped at Taihape for tea. One or tro felt a bit sickish to begin with but I think they got over that. The usual songsters were busy singing the usual songs and at the beginning there were.a couple of card schools going. Later a couple of bods turned into elocutionists, thinking that nobody else could hear them. They have since learnt of their mistake! The driver took us over Haywards as there were a number from the Hutt and Eastbourne who would not have been in time to catch the last bus home from town. - It was a good trip and I am sure, - enjoyed by all in - - - spite of the hold-ups at the Station on Friday night and at the ski hut on Sunday. (Not the Leader's fault this time!) Those on the trip were:- Viv Clendon (Leader), Jan Clendon, Nooky Barbara Smith, Margaret ? Colleena Dalmer, Graeme DE11 Bill Rice, Dave Lowe, Rod Miine, Tom Dick Lawton, Archer, Max Pemberton, Georgé Thompson, Rod Miller, Trevor Hall, John Harrison, Jack ? C.J.D.