Travers Valley: Easter Trip 1955

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**** TRAVERS VALIEY - : EASTER TRIP 1955 We (22 of us I believe) assembled at Queen's Wharf Gate at 10.30 p.m, on 7th.April. The usual scrum was had to get aboard and we hit our berths about midnight, unfortuna tely not to sleep (I could write six pages here on why not but will spare the tender feelings of our male members). At 3 a.m. we had to hit the decks once more as the steward was screaming in our ears " a cuppa tea now being served in the saloon, - I1 we could have given many suggestions what to do with his tea. At Picton we rolled off the boat at 4 a.m. plus six C.T.C. who were sharing our transport, and fought for places in the truck. We breakfasted at Blonheim, then picked up another three bodies who were to travel in our transport. Blenheim was left behind about 5.30 a.m. with all of us determined to catch up on a little sleep. The posi tions the 31 people draped themselves into rat ther resembled statue groupings of wrestlers, except statue like silence was not the order of the day as limbs began to drop off ( at least that is what it felt like.) Lake Rotoiti was finally reaçhed about 8 a.m. Having an hour to spare before the launch left some of the boys went fishing and Johnny (Yorkshire) caught a fish - cue for many photographs. The lake had to be crossed in two parties, the four girls, the C.T.C. the shooters and Bill, who was to have the doubtful pleasure of shepherding four females up the Travers, comprised party number one. It was a beautiful trip across the lake, which though deep has crystal clear water with hills sweeping right to the edges. (It also harbours a treble the normanl size sandfly!)

On reaching the other side, the shooters, Peter, Johnny and "Spud" pushed off at full speed with Mary, "Slats", Hannah, Bill and self following more slowly. The valley is very lovely, wide, with flats making easy walking, Unfortunately the view was marred by a drizzling rain, - On: reaching the forks, where we had been told the hut was near, we spent three quarters of an hour tearing up and down every track trying to locate it, cursing with every breath clubs who do not indicate clearly where huts are situated, Finally we de cided to wait for the second party to see if they had any ideas. When the advance party of Trev, Dudley and Ted arrived they informed us that the hut was another three quarters of an hour farther along the track, We pushed on, "Slats" and I both eager to reach the hut having fallen foul of the river which resulted in wet shorts. An hour and a half later we were still pounding along the track, even having had a couple of mirages, seeing huts that were not there. At last, just as I was having visions of us wallking for four days looking for an elusive hut, it came in sight. Tretor, "Slats" and I arrived just as a brew was being made, Peter, "Spud", Johnny and Ted having reached the hut ahead of us; .sometimes itpays to be just a little late. The hut has six double bunks, so it was first -there, first served, the rest sleeping in tents, Whilst the stew was cooking, the girls sat more or less in comas, but among the boys maps were passed, peaks were climbed, times for rising were flashed around and I believe. 4 a.m. was set as zero hour for Sat turday. Tea was eaten, but most of us felt very weary, Joe being discovered on a top bunk fast asleep, with his fork halfway to his mouth. We all hit the sack early, not a sound was heard until 7 a.m. (shades of night before resolutions) and then only a sound, not a movement was forthcoming until Johnny and Peter started to rush around getting breakfast, then all the energetic people came to life and began to mill around. Out of the confusion and chaos some ord r resolved, parties were organised and away. Peter, Johnny and "Spud", shooting, Dave, Tom, Hori and Dudley to climb Cupola, and Dan, Trevor, Phil John, Ted, Mary, "Slats" to try and reach Travers, while the rest of us stayed hehind to sunbathe and.laze. It was a beautiful day, I think the remnants enjoyed lazing, Later the parties came in after each other, Cupola had been climbed (so popular they had someone directing fraffic I believe), the Travers party had navigated the way back in the dark, wit thout torches. After tea ( the dehydrated stew looks rather like a dogs dinner but tastes very good) the usual games of 500 shot into being, I Don't know whether it was the presence of females or what, but they didn't seeme to have the verve of the games Dave witnessed on the Xmas Trip, no idiots waiting to receive the cap and gown of lunacy, Dudley must have had a winning partner. Sunday was another lovely day so we decided to make a liesurely trip down to the lake, spend the day there and be on the spot for catching the launch on the Monday morning. We strolled down the river, had a chance to really look at the valley which was very pretty in the sunshine, the photographers of the party were able to have a field day. We reached the lake about 4 p.m. some of the boys leapt in for a swim, leaping out even more quickly wearing a delicate all over blue shade. The weat ther was fine so most bods lept out, not bothering to put the tents up. On Monday, the first launch load across the lake were able to lounge on the beach and watch the speedboats while waiting for the others to arrive. The return trip was a very dusty one as the truck canopy was turned back, so Picton saw us arriving very much the worse for travel. This didn't stop us shooting into the nearest fish, shop while the males rushed off to test that "Civilisation" hadn't changed during the three days absence. All of us caught the boat on time, I was told that trampers have a reputation to keep of having an "extra ôurly time" on the boat trip from the South to North Island. It perhaps goes without saying that the W.T.M.C. males upheld traditions very well. So énded a pleasant long weck end, i.i. Johnny J.