Kaitoke - Bannister

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KAITOKE-BANNISTER 1st and 2nd February Leader: DEREK FINNEGAN. noyed, for, after hearing the weather forecast, he decided to leave his With only nine people on the truck camera at home. The views from the on Friday night, we were away from Look-out on to the river were really the "smoke" at 7.45 p.m. À very good. pleasant tramp into Smith's was ex- The river side was reached quite perienced, and, I think, enjoyed by quickly and here a discourse on the all. (Although Ron did twist his accuracy of the map took place. ankle early on, this did not affect the party a great deal.) Everyone was at After a further one and a half the hut in 95 minutes. hours' boulder-hopping and sliding about generally, we arrived at Totara We had expected to throw the Flats Hut, there to be greeted inside C.T.C. out of Smith's because their by Don Jeffs and his motley crew truck left for Kaitoke before ours. (George Middleditch, Andrew Mc- They, however, had bods to pick up Gechan, Bill Drake, and Dion in the Hutt Valley and were delayed Quirke), who, having left on Thursaccordingly. day to "do" a Main Range trip, had It was rather amusing, incident- been forced off the tops by inclement ally, just as Bill, John Rainsford weather and had done a Neil Wincho (Manawatu T.C.), and Les were instead. (Sounds good, doesnt' it, but about to cross Smith's Creek, a light that's what we were told!) They had was seen approaching from the rear preceded us up river by about 90 in a helluva hurry: Thought we: minutes. "Must be Ted practising for the mara- The rest of the moderate trippers thon!" But no, it was the vanguard arrived just on 7 of the Catholics. "'Scuse me," said a bit bewildered o'clock, coming having off Cone. been he. "Most certainly," said we, and In bodies off he galloped. all, 18 slept in Totara Smith's Hut was possessed by 7 Flats that night. Even the shelves unbooked Scouts, three of them in were full! charge of Nick Jennings, an old T. Sunday: By 10 o'clock all but seven & M. Our party, together with those had left to get to Bannister by 4.30! already there, numbered only 15, so The remainder left just after 11 and no inconvenience was caused. The after 42 minutes' tramping, reached C.T.C.'s, however, decided to sleep Totara Creek, where, prior to the out. graunch up on to Pig Flat, they decided to finish off the of Saturday, contrary to our expecta- "Simple West-Coster" which game had tions, dawned bright and clear. Our curtailed the night before. been Mad party made off down the river track devils! George won. towards Alloway-Dickson Hut. Calling in at said hut to show our visitor Setting off up the 'ill, perspiring round, we partook of water by the freely and singing the "Protex" song, gallon, and then set off once more we made the Holdsworth Track, on the open river-Cone-bound. where Don tried a little gentle per- At Cone lunch was chomped and suasion down Gentle to encourage Annie the Creek. boys to go everybody cooled off. The heat in the avail, however. Bad Don! To no riverbed was really scorching. luck, After lunch the graunch up over At Donnelly's Flat, Les had a Cone Saddle took the party just on swim, brave lad! Food was swapped 45 minutes. By jove, was it 'ot! by those who had some and bludged by those who hadn't. Les, incident- The cool breeze blowing through ally, was in the former group for a the trees and the bush made the change! Another game of cards and tramp down to the Waiohine River a brew took place, after which the bearable. Les, at this stage, was an- time came for us to catch the truck.