Anniversary Weekend - Northern Crossing

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ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND - NORTHERN CROSSING. Friday night saw ten keen trampers making their way to Ohau Hut with the usual stumblings and appropiate adjectives, to find the hut full of Tararua and Varsity., all with the same intention of a good weekend in the Northern Tararuas. Somebody mentioned an early start, but it wasn't until about 8-30 that we finally pushed off for Te Matawai Hut where we had lunch. We members of the weaker sex, decided that it would be a 3cod idea to stay at Te Matawai but unfortunately we were outnumbered by about 2 : 1 so with our leader flo3zing us on from behind we eventually reached Arete. (The less said about the pull up Pukematawai the better. ) By this time we had lost Titch who went ahead to Co some shooting, and Snow and Cass who wanted to stay at Dorset Tarn and 30 along to Holdsworth. After spending a most enjoyable hour at Arete. we moved on again, arriving at Tarn Ridge at 7-30 to find about 2" of water in a very small puddle. However this was sufficient for a brew and the stew which'was watchel diligently by Rcc, while the rest of us slept until we were rudely awakened at about 9-30 I by Rod - with stew. Another aarly start was anticipated but it wasn't until 9-30 that Rod firally ma anaged to set us up and on our way again. A late breakfast was participated in half way up Girdlestone where we were met by Titch, the Paua Club who were crossing from the other side, and members of the Manawatu Club who had stopped for the night at the beginning of Tarn Ridge. We caught up to the M.T.C. again on Brockett and one of their party joined us going down to Mitre Flats while the rest went down Mitre stream. After the steep drop down Mitre it was a real pleasure to 30 down the Waingawa River to Blake's where we arrived at seven. Hughie, controller of weather in the Tararuas was very kind to us right across, giving us perfect tromping weather, and it wasn't till Sunday night when we were well settled into Blake's that the rain started. Members on the trip were - Rod Milne (Leadur),Pat White, Barbara Bartley, J omny Mabin, Titch Graham,Hori Hall, Snow Williams, John Harrison, Dave Casswell, Les Clendon.