Orongorongo Basin Bash

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ORONGORONGO BASIN BASH. It all started with the sudden realisation that Christmas was close and we were not Very fito A trip up the Narrownecks - on to the Main Range and back through Stokes Valley was decided on and with the idea of getting an early start on Saturday, we slept at Dennis's place in Petone on Friday night. Our early start consisted of leaving Petone at 10 aomo, arriving in Upper Hutt and then deciding it was too late to start before lunch anywayo So we mooched around and finally left about 1 pomo for Whiteman's Valleyin a taxi, Our lack-of fitness started to tell as we tottered up the ridge to the right of Automatic Gulley and arrived on the main range about 4 pomo We decided to go along the tops a short way and camp in a low saddle which divides the headwaters of the Ornngorongo from the Narrownecks. Between four and half past, the mist started closing in and our last half hour of travel was done in unpleasant conditions with a high wind in exposed placeso Next morning we set a course which we hoped would lead us into the Narrowneck headwaters, but upon reaching the creek bed we decided that it bore no resemblance whatsoever to the Narrowneck but looked very much like the Orongorongo. We retraced our steps on to the ridge intending to go further back along the ridge and then drop down. This cunning maneeuvre merely had the effect of placing us further upstream than we had been the first time. The river at this point was a mere trickle and it was not until we came to the Orongorongo basin, that we began to have our doubts. Our doubts soon crystallised when we came to the gorge with the time at 5.30. Nothing for it but to pitch camp and sit down and read one's copy of Mountain Search and Rescue Organisation. We would have rung up one of the search contacts, but there was no phone booth handyo Next morning after a decidedly light breakfast, we splashed on through the gorge and out on to the pleasant grassy flats, basking in bright sunshine. Around noon, we were just thinking about lunch when I noticed a corner of the dam intake just showing around a bend in the river. Thoughts of lunch were forgotten as we descended upon it, wonderingly walked all over it, finally finding the caretaker's house and inquiring our whereabouts. Yes, it was the Orongorongo and ca tchement areas are places trampers are supposed to stay out of. Nevertheless, late as Mrso Cassell was with her Christmas cooking, she still found time to give us tea and cakes. -

20 e When the caretaker arrived back, he very kindly allowed us to go through the 27; mile tunnel to. the Wainui Damo The alternative was a three hour trip down to Baines and out over the Whakanui. Getting out torches and putting on parkas on a bright sunny day seemed somowhat ridiculous, but we certainly needed them in the tunnel. We arrived at Homednle to find the tearooms closed, so the bus trip was spent munching biscuits and eating icecream. And so back to Wellington to anxious parents and angry bosses. Bill Rice. Also seen on the trip were Dennis O'Neill and Graeme Hall. -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-