Winter Northern

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WINTER NORTHERN : August '56, 'Way back errly in '56 a number of chaps expressed the desire to go on a Vinter Crossing but as the time drew near their enthusiasm waned until at last only Don Jeffs, John Symes and myself vere left - holding the baby so to speak. On Friday 17th,August we met on the railway station, each grasping a greasy pie and a ham sandwich and boarded "Field's Express" where we met some H.V.T.C. members with whomwe were sharing transport by truck on the return trip ( if we did return). At Levin we literally raced for taxis and shortly arrived at the Levin Pipe Bridge in bright moon-light. However, it proved too chilly to stand about and both parties left post-haste on the first leg of the journey,. throuch to Ohau, A track working party had been through and we made good progress, At the Hut - a smoke and a biscuit (a Hubt Volley one by the way) were quickly dealt with whilst we discussed our immediate future, The H.V.T.C.'s decided to camp about 15 minutes above the forks of the Ohau River, but we deemed it betterto continue ur to South Ohau Hut, Most of our travelling in the river bed was done by the light of the silvery moon - only an occasional flash of our torches being necessary, The river was surprisingly low considering the amount of rain which had fallen the preceeding day or so and more surprising still it was not very cold to wade in, : We arrived at South Ohau at 12.15 and hit the sack quickly, Not so uickly however did we wake next day - to find thatre had overslept about an hour and a half; so ve ate a hurried breakfast and left the hut at 8.30am. We engaged in the usual bright conversation that goes on while climbing Yates 600 and walked steadily on to e Matawai Hut for a breather and a second breakfast. By now we could see that cloud was enveloping the eastern ridges and we could also see patches of snow on Pukematawai - nll that was left of the heavy coating from the previous week end, Te were somewhat disappointed that so little snow was about as we were all equipped with the parapherna lia that goes with snow climing and as the weather was comparatively good we had every chance of a successful crossing. As we plugged up Pukematawai conversation again became sparse but once on top we immediately forgot the hard work entailed and gazed over ice encrusted tussock towards Arete. What a greeting! A cold southerly wind, apparently atriel : from the pole blew onto us as we crossed the top, this, after sweating up the hill! Winter gear was soon the order of the day, balaclavas and mits for a start and half an hour later when we stopped for a brew at the camp site on Arete longs, extra jerseys etc. soon became necessary, The mist by this time was ruite thick reducing visibility to about 20 yards.

Lunch was almost over. when we heard voices above us and the Hutt Valley boys hove into sight still dressed as we had been in shorts and shirts only. Much banter was exchanged about the "softies". We moved off towards the Waiohine Pinnacles coming upon larger patches of snow on the ridge leading to them but the Pinnacles themselves were mainly clear although some patches were frozen, these being scree patches, Whilst crossing this obstacle we were rewarded with the Spectre of the Brocken end also the sight of a halo around the shadow of the peaks of the hills, We crossed over Tarn Ridge and with the sun sinking low in the sky, commenced the long climb onto Girdlestone, This ridge was the most snow covered we had so far met with and some step plugging was necessary. We raced against the clock to reach a camp site before dark, and in the fast failing light crossed over the hard dome of Girdlestone and moved to a sheltered dip in the ridge between Brokett and Girdlestone. Soon after the Hutt Va lley Boys arrived and we pitched our respective tents. Gusts of wind blew throughout the night and the steam from our cooking which had dampened the inside of the tent turned to ice - real Everest stuff. Sunday morning was sunny and the wind had dropped making it pleasant to just sit on the tops. We spent an hour cooking breakfast and after a snow fight with H.V!is ve moved away towards Mitre. Plugging through snow and the usual scramble up snowgrass led to the top and we sat. down to admire the view for about half an hour, We ambled slowly down to Mitre Flats Hut for lunch and a brew ( of tea) and then headed down the river, For some peculiar reason the river was carrying extra water and was extremel ly cold, The two parties wa lked down together and entertained each other on the traverse around the large pool which is about two thirds of the way down. Once out onto farm land we made full speed towards the truck which was at the Ati Whakatu Bridge and arrived there about 15 minutes late - to be greeted with a very welcome brew. "Hori" And now I have climbed and won this height, I must tread downward through the sloping shade And travel the bewildered tracks till night, Yet for this hour I still may here be stayed And see the gold and silver fade, And the last bird fly into the last night, Geoffrey Winthrop Young