Ski Week, Mt Ruapehu

Machine-read text (unproofread)

Read from the scans by software, so it contains mistakes. Typing it up properly would help blind readers: use Suggest an edit.

SKI WEK.. MT.RUAPEHU. September 23rd. found many keen ski- ers ( or would be ski-ers) on their way to Ruapehu once more. About fifteen were week enders only and six of us were bound for a week in the snow. We arrived at the Chateau at about 7.30 am. and whilst the climbing folk and the fortunate few with their own skis went on up to the Hut the rest of us began what seemed an endless wait in various queues for gear. Eventually we all arrived at the Hut after yours truly had almost passed out on the way up - a combination of no breakfast, too much winter clothing in "y pack, a pair of skis which as later events will prove I should have left behind and too much brilliant sunshine! After partaking of brunch which Ssther-"ary had ready for us almost as soon as we arrived, we were away into the snow. From then on I think that most of us who stayed on for the week spent as much time as possible outsice. Some folks ski-ied, some folk sat on their skis and sone even lay down on theirs. I really enjoyed myself watching the various stances and then some unkind wretch informed me that I was supposed to be STADIIG UP when ski-ing and not sitting on y heels! Came Monday afternoon and we were all doing quite well, even progressing tO far as to see who could go the farthest without stopping and/or falling, However soon came my undoing. Being on tea duty I was about to retire to poke the old stove and decided to have just one more trip down - but - ran into soft snow halfway down - turned over and broke a lego On Monday night much to young "Tom's" everlasting joy it began to snow. If it had not snowed I am sure he would have driven us all out to try our hands at making some. Tuesday brought rain but this did not deter the really keen ones including a party from the atholic Club who had by now joined us for a few days. As they all came in at various time to don dry clothing and venture forth again I was almost glad to be "laid up". On riednesday morning, all hands, including the Crtholic party who were on their way home turned out to assist me down to the road. ly greatful thanks to all for what proved a comfy ride down. When is the next Ski-week? Ellen - Part 11 After having got Ellen down to the car park on "ednesday and after fond farewells etc. Bernie and Cyril went up to the R.S.C. Flat via the Chair lift whilst Phil and I pulled the sledge back to the hut. To 3, meanwhile had taken some coke up to the hut also via the Chair lift and he and Bernie were busy getting lunch when we arrived. The morning which had been beautiful up till now became foggy and the afternoon brought visibility down to about 200 yards and sometimes even less but we all remained outside. Thursday was much the same as dednesday beginning with a bright, clear morning with a trace of low cloud in the afternoon. The whole party was outside ski-ing and in the afternoon I went down the rond end for more coke and also tried out the Chair-lift for the first time. Upon my return I went down for a run to the gully above the Tararua Hut and came upon Cyril 1.ho had just broken another pair of boards! The next day Friday, was our last day. Bernie left at 6 o'c' 'ock in the morning to catch the Wanganui bus from the Chateau. The rest of us spent the morning cleaning up, packing up and eating up. Although we took home a certain a nount of food we left odds and ends for the Hutt Valleys who W ere due to arrive early next morning. The 4.30 bus took us down to the Chateau, where, after returning boots, cleaning up etc. we dined (at a price) in the dining room. We nanaged a seven course meal with all the trimmings plus coffee in the lounge ( wot trampers?) We also played billiards and "500" and read the papers until ten when the bus left for National Park. After what proved "the worst journey in the world by train" we eventually arrived in Wellington extremely tired and hungry but agreed it had been an excellent holiday. Party: Y.T.AP.C. C.T.C. Ellen Slattery Bernie McGlynn Bob Williams Brian Toomath Cyril Jacquard Bill henny John Armstrong Pat McIoughlan. Tom Gorrie Phil Barton : John : . Ed,Note) Elsewhere you will read Esther-Mary's version of the week enders). "More and more we learn from science that only a Power of Divine Thought could render possible such perfect motivity and mutation as inspires our universe. We see this power in the beauty and the grandeur of the hills, and we feel it in our struggles with difficulty and danger. Its marvellous rhythm is in the movement of every muscle as we fight our way upvards. For these reasons the hills have a power for drawing out the best that is in us; on them we are given a full measure of perfect happiness". "Mountains cannot provide bread and warmth, but they can provide secure anchorage for a troubled mind". : Frank S.Smythe