Henrietta's First Trip: With the W.T.&M.C.

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HENRIETTA'S FIRST TRIP : WITH THE W.T.&.M.C. Henrietta was born in Det troit, U.S.A. in the year of Our Lord 1928. It was apparent from her poise, bearing and grave manner that she was destined for a life of funereal dignity, but 1956 brought a change which nobody, least of all Henrietta, expected. Henrietta and four mer mbers of the W.T. & M.C. left Wellington Railway Station on Friday, lst.June, bound for the lofty heights of "ount Ruapehu. She was to wait at Ohakune while four suckers made their way to Blytle Hut, laden down with skis, ice-axes, crampons, lilo's and tents and we don't know what-all! Saturday morning was cold and overcast. After breakfast Henrietta bade farewell to the four trampers, who started on the road to Blythe. The first five miles bore a close resemblance in texture and consistency, to wal lking on chewing gum, The only consoling thought was the knowledge of not having to return the same way, for there is some ambition in every man, however small he may be. In one of the smallest members of the party ambition ran the highest. The plan was to walk past Blythe on Saturday and Camp at the Crater, ski down the Whakapapa the following day and stay the night at Aorangi, but as was the case with Henrietta, destiny is not always what one expects. Uppon arriving at Blythe, after much toil, sweat and choice language, the party decided as one to stay at Blythe for the night, especially as there was an Auckland party following, which included a number of damsels very easy on the eye. I The night'was dark and stormy", to quote a popular fiction writer. By morning however, it had sufficiently cleared to allow a more optimistic outlook on the whole venture. After a well cooked and attractivel, served breakfast, optimism ran at its highest as the party prepared to advance. One hour later, arriving at the camp-site of another Auckland party of four who had climbed up the day before to approximately 6,000 feet two very wet sleeping bags were in evidence, doubtless as a result of the storm. At a later date this contributed to a very heated. and speculative argument between the "T.& M's" C as to which layer of bodies got wet, top or bottom, Two hours later the weather was get cing steadily. worse, morale lower and language more flowery. Three hours later at approxima te ly 7,500 feet. "T. & M's" found shelter behind some rocks with the Auckland foursome. It was snowing and visibility was bad so after a short conference with Aucklanders, mutual agreement was reached to turn back to Blythe. Arriving at Blythe the mountain seemed to be clearing, although a strong wind had sprung up. The prospects of a subsequent ascent looked better, but once the decision to join Henrietta was taken, nothing could shake it. While at Blythe, one of the more prominent and most bal ld-headed of the party discovered an extremely pleasing mixture to his palate. "omely,-oxo cubes and mushroom soup mixed in hot water with honey. Let it be said thata man's taste is his own. The way from Blythe to Ohakune was as bad as before, the last five miles worse than before, still like chewing gum, but with treacle and plasticine added. One of the keen skiers of the party was so impressed that he decided to make his sitzmark there and then, much to the hilarity of his companions. Henrietta was waiting, as smug and self-satisfied as ever, and after sat tisfying her considerable thirst, pilgrimage towards the fleshpots of Aorangi was started. At approximately 10.30 p.m., two miles from the Chateau, Henrietta was suddenly indisposed and refused to budge an inch, whereupon four trampers repaired to bed with frayed tempers and growling stomachs. Next morning dawned bright end clear. After much coaxing, cajoling and pushing, "enrietta took to the road after all, arriving at the hateau at 8.30 a.m. Doctoring Henrietta took only a short time, sufficient to allow, 75. of the party to pretty up, don better furs and scrape away a few bristles. Then the stage was set for the invasion of Aorangi. A lift in Jim's. truck took the party up the Mountain. A member of the Well-as Clan voiced his approval for this mode of mountain climbing. Let it be said here that it is absolutely amazing the way clear, bracing mountain air contributes to a man's thirst; it took the rest of the morning to quench same. After a hearty lunch, which was the first cooked food since 3 p.m, the day before, our four trampers made their way down the mountain to join Henrietta at the Chateau, and all five left for- Wellington to arrive at 11 p.m. For all to note, this narrative is the first record of a trip in HENRIETTA THE HEARSE. Popular saying on week end - "Suffering chopstick". Henry -