Working Party to Walls Whare - Reeves Track

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WORKING PARTY TO WALLS WHARE - REEVES TRACK 28th, 29th and 30th June, 1957 This trip to Walls Whare started course for the proverbial night trips off in a conservative type of mood and, Charlie!). more akin to another type of Grant and Sisley were detailed by organisation; however, before long the new Chief Guide to light the it developed into a typical working fire first thing in the morning. as recognised by the T. and Here, indeed, was a real chance to RATY test his authority. The fire was lit Those in the group were Don early on Saturday and from then Jeffs, Ted Dakin, Cliff ("Action") on pandemonium reigned in the Dockery, Peter Grant, Alistair usual trampers' style, viz: One per- Barclay, Sandra Lowe, Wendy B., son decided to cook breakfast and Bill Harvey, Nicholas, a prospective the whole lot then decided they, member from Denmark, Adrian too, were hungry. What with bods Webb, Les (Bludger) Sisley, Charlie, milling round the fire, and the Geoff Carr, Mae- Sorry- Mary machine merchants trying to have West, Ivan and Derek, the Lanca- a go, Choss was present in an ever shire lads, and last, but by no increasing degree. means forgotten-La La Owtram. Breakfast over, Don as trip-leader, No incidents were recorded on informed us of our chores for the the way and, as a result, we day. Ted, Bill, Peter, Geoff., Alistair arrived at the walking point with- and Bludger were to work on the out delay at about 11.30 p.m. Réeves track while the remainder As soon as the truck departed went along the river bank to Totara everyone made a bee-line for the Flats. Lalage and Mary stayed at hut to grab sleeping places for the home, the former acting the part week-end. Mary West didn't quite of a typical T. and M. woman make the same speed as most of worker!! The latter, due to her us due to her affliction, but with abnormality (?) was quite willing the aid of "Chiefy" and Ted she to prepare the stew. made it-eventually. (After this we The trip up to the camp site on wondered whether it is likely if we Reeves took about two hours which, shall see any more ski-iers on easy seeing track clearing was the only trips after having broken a limb!). effort we had to make, the rush After a settling down period, all to us, did seem pointless; moreover, was quiet and the night passed the only usable tools between us peaceful- and quickly, except of was a slasher and half-axe and another small axe, which also nights" plus the noise of a couple meant that only two of us could of bods being showered with fertiwork at the same time. Therefore, liser (they should grow, shouldn't Bill, Les, Geoff. and Alistair de- they) peace reigned for the second cided they would make tea whilst night in succession in Walls Whare, Ted and Peter went on to the top except, of course, for Charlie! to begin clearing and eventually Early, too early, the fire was lit work their way back to us at the on Sunday, procedure for breakfast camp site. So saying off they went was again the same as on Saturday. reckoning to be back in about (They never seem to learn, these half an hour. After 11 hours, two trampers, do they?) After chow brews, sundry yells of "Day-O" and everyone was detailed for the "Far-Calls" Alistair informed us Reeves track to finish off the work that relief workers were required. begun on Saturday. Don led the Geoff and Les immediately ran to with his Saturday henchmen while way their aid. (Sounds good, doesn't it?) Ted, Pete, Bill and Les, still sufferto find the cause of all the trouble. ing from the over-exertion of the Apparently there was more track day before, staggered up behind, a work to be done than was at first long way behind! Eventually we thought. Ted and Pete came down caught up and the others being gasping for a breather while Geoff the better equipped to carry on, and Les worked like Trojans. (Yes Ted's party just about turned and we have witnesses to prove round and went home again. it!). Lunch was to the fore on our After clearing only about a return and, according to witnesses, quarter of the track down by four this is where the "Bludger" came o'clock we decided to call it a day in. But honest, loike, it's not true. and make for home. This we did People offered samples and he with a great turn of speed despite took 'em! our fatigued state. About 15 Don's arrived minutes from the hut we devoured party back; and 2 pounds (avoirdupois) of fruit after their lunch; a general cleancake, kindly donated-by Peter Grant up took place, leaving us two hours after the promise of a drink later. or more in which to loaf before the Meeting Don Jeffs on the plateau truck was due. ("That's whatIcall we finally arrived at Walls at 5.30 tramping," said one young thing). p.m., Fully Peter Jones!! A few blokes chopped a fresh The Chief Guide had taken his supply of wood and a further brew party to Totara Flats and back, of tea was made and again, the completing their task by 4.30 p.m. remnants of food were thrown Some of his group were tired from around. the "walk" but, nevertheless, all had The party ambled over to await enjoyed themselves. the arrival of the truck, the per- After dinner a round of balancing formance with Mary taking much on the log before the fire was the same form as on Friday night, played, after which a test of except this time we found some muscles on the floor (?) was tried, planks of wood and she was able Nicholas, I think, emerging the to walk across under her own winner. Another game, this time, steam. (It rather resembled Elizafor those blessed with brains, was beth the First and Sir Walter started under the title of "Bottles." Raleigh all over again). The truck During the course of the evening arrived on time and after waiting the club call came into criticism, for a while for two deer-stalkers the girls saying It wasn't nice' and who had shared our transport on immediately substituted the call the way in and who had said they'd "Day-O." It will be interesting to like a ride home, we left without see what other popular songs come them and promptly hit Featherston to the fore in the future! After without further ado where pies, all this brain and body work most fruitcake and the like were partaken people felt weary and subsequently of with great gusto. retired. After a round of "Good- From Featherston to Wellington à sing-song was enjoyed with one After receiving the thanks from or two soloists taking part. the C.G. everyone said ta-ta, and Wellington was reached at 7 p.m. that was the end of another happy and Sisley's weather forecast proved (?) week-end. correct after all. L.E.S.