The Carkeek Ridge Episode

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The Carkeek Ridge Episode, 24/27 Oct. This was the second trip on the fags in the river, much to the dismay Labour Weekend Schedule, and was of the smoking fraternity. There was impressively labelled "Carkeek Ridge, a search lasting several hours for a Crawford, Otaki (F.E.)." few missing playing cards which had Those foolish enough to be taking become mixed up with the local folipart were the following: George Dav- age. The next disturbance came about ies, George Middleditch, Dion Quirke, midnight when Don Jeffs was rudely Phil Barton, Dick Evans, David Cap- awakened by a weta. per, and led by Don Jeffs. A start was made in fine weather After a 7.45 p.m. start on the 24th at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday, further disfrom the launching site at Welling- cussion on route (does he mean en ton Station, two cars could be seen route?) to be made at summit of speeding north. A brief stop was Pukematawai. When this was duly made at Otaki for supplies. Shortly reached at about 9.45, decision was after transport was abandoned at the deferred until Arete. By this time entrance to Ohau Track. blood was turning to water with sud- The journey to Ohau Hut was den thickening in the shape of achieved in 55 minutes with an ave- gestions like-"Let's go on to Schor- sugrage amount of bitter comment and man's Hut" or "What about Harris in ridiculously fine weather, complete Creek via West Peak',, etc. These with moon. After fighting down a ideas were allowed to ferment while dangerous element which was tend- a lengthy brewing session was held. ing to continue to South Ohau, all During this the obvious delights of retried to their sleeping bags. There a fine day in the Tararuas were enwere two already in the hut and all joyed, a piece of snow was attacked, would have been well but for the small pitched (verbal and physical) arrival of a third in the shape of a battles broke out, everything was rat, which proceeded to do a sort of photographed and George Davies and human traverse across a row of faces. Middleditch conceived an exceptional It had difficulty with some but man- idea. aged to cause a commotion. The saddle and ridge to Dundas At some ghastly hour, in the region were traversed in glorious weather. of 5 a.m., all were awakened by the Ruapehu was distinctly seen, along dynamic "Rhubarb" Parton, who pro- with both coasts and Kapiti. Dave ceeded to manufacture brews and was assured by Don and George that things and shatter a perfectly good Kapiti was propelled by twin screws, silence. the rocks on the Arete Summit were Due to this impetus steady pro- carried up from Te Matawai and the gress was made, in gradually worsen- mountains changed places in the wind. ing weather, to South Ohau Hut, and Being a gullible Englishman, he no then to Te Matawai, reached at about doubt took it all in. 9.45 via "Yeate's 500". By now the On the top of Dundas blood definrain was beginning to excel itself, itely turned to H20 and it was decidand this, coupled with obvious signs ed unanimously to visit Avalanche of unfitness, caused a change in plans, Flats without much delay. A pleasant i.e., an early start, 3 a.m., to be made hour was spent doing practically noon Sunday providing the weather was thing. There were occasional outfine. This, of course, didn't material- bursts of activity but these soon died ise, but an excellent day was spent down. Included was an inspection of playing the exceedingly difficult card appearances in a strange mirror on game "Simple West Coaster", eating, the summit. Some shooters who were duelling, reducing wood into small abused from a great distance proved sections, cursing the rain, studying invaluable later as route finders. people's facial attributes (especially Thus, when Avalanche Flats Hut snorkels), and also noticing two was reached there were ten residing, others who shared the hut, who ap- three tough-looking jokers from Shanpeared to be hunters. Dion Quirke non heavily armed and seven "Tongue announced bitterly that he'd lost his and Meats" heavily laden. The even- ing was fine, morale was high-this Party consisted of: Don Jeffs was the time for eating and drinking. (leader), Bruce Miller, Phil Barton How glorious it was, except that (all rope No. 1), George Davies, the hut was full of smoke. Peter Lillico and Bill Drake (all rope The morning dawned damply, and No. 2). at 10 a.m., after due farewells, the The truck disgorged its cargo of Mangahao River was entered. In a bleary-eyed, sleepy, grumbling and short time Girdlestone Saddle was groaning trampers and skiers about reached and crossed and progress 3.15 a.m. on the Saturday morning. was made down the river to South The sky was clear, and but for a bit- Ohau. ing easterly wind, it appeared that Avoiding 'the waterfall provided a good day lay ahead for all. After some entertainment, especially as one a few hours' sleep and a hearty poor "Pommie" tried to commit sui- breakfast, we, the climbers, left the cide, while the other one got lost. A "T & M" Lodge at 9 a.m. concentrated vocal blasting of the The ridges and gullies to Alpine surrounding wet bush had no effect, Hut level were barely covered with so it was decided to wait in South snow, soft, when exposed to the sun Ohau. After suitable refreshments, and quite hard in the shade. We thoughts began to turn to possible donned crampons near the N.Z.A.C. search parties, etc. Then at just the Hut and continued the long trek to proper moment in strolled "Rhubarb". the crater. The snow was partially Suddenly, with a ghastly convul- covered with a breakable crust, sion, Dion mouthed a few words and through which went the heavier memjerked spasmodically--he'd discover- bers of the partyl At midday the ed his lost cigarettes! They were soon Crater Lake, the peaks, Pare-te-toiused. tonga, Te Atuahua and Tahurangi, A pleasant three-hour river des- were clearly in view. cent saw the mouth of the gorge and We traversed steep snow slopes to transport. A short time later seven the west of the Crater Lake to a immaculate figures entered Levin. point directly below Te Atuahua. The Now, there is a cafe in Levin ob- party then roped up in threes and viously named after "Olympia", and sidled a steep snow slope to a this was entered with due gusto. Don dip in the ridge between Te Atua- Jeffs enthusiastically asked for a big hua and Tahurangi. Directly overfeed and was thereupon systematic- head, the sky was clear, but an exally "got at". In fact, the whole in- tensive sheet of strato-cumulus cloud tegrity of trampers was gravely sus- covered the northern Kaimanawas, pected. As trampers are beyond re- the lower slopes of Ngauruhoe and proach and there is a much better Tongariro. We had extensive views cafe across the road, this was not in an arc from the Rangipo Desert very intelligent. to Mt. Egmont. Snow-covered tops After more food and some alcohol of the Ruahines peeped at us from was consumed the weary band sallied the south-east. away back to Wellington, back to The party had lunch and discussed their home brews and razor blades. the prospects of an ascent of Tahu- A successful trip, certainly, but if rangi. George, Peter and Bill moved Carkeek Ridge betrays any expres- off to make an attempt whilst Don, sion, it's probably leering slightly. Bruce and Phil began the descent of DAVE CAPPER. Gliding Gladys. The descent began * * * down a 60deg.-70deg. ice the slope, NEVER LET IT BE SAID 99 crampon points just biting. Showers of ice particles descended on us, com- "Fire made them, earth clothed them, ing from those on Tahurangi-the man found them, mountainside rumbling with profani- Our playmates, the princes of hills." ties! The slope eased off a little, so (G. w. Young, "Mountain Play- we began a sitting glissade, roped, mates".) and soon descended about 2000 feet. (An account of the W.T.M.C. A.I.C. Apart from a couple of rolls and traverse icy of Ruapehu on the weekend wet "bots", we arrived at the foot of October 4-5, 1958.) of the steep slope in one piece. We unroped and waited for the other gone. We emerged from our frostparty on a prominent rocky knob. whitened sacks and got the primi into They soon appeared out of the mist, action. We had breakfast number having likewise glissaded on their one, packed, and set off for Blyth "bots". Shortage of time and bad Hut. We soon picked up the right visibility prevented the climb of Ta- ridge and were having breakfast hurangi. number two in Blyth Hut by 8.30 The party thought that Blyth Hut, a.m. for which we were bound, could be We had splendid views of Ruapehu clearly seen from the top of Rua- through the bush of the Ohakune pehu, so a suitable ridge was picked Track. Our glissade marks were down which to go. This we followed, clearly visible on Gliding Gladys. it was cairned, until the bush line Cameras went into action and rewas reached. "We will be in the hut corded our descent. "Homo Sapiens" in quarter of an hour" were famous plunged us into the depths of botanilast words uttered by one member of cal science-names like "Alpha Centhe party. One hour later we were turi" and "Fungi Davisi" were new still searching for Blyth Hut, the to all! After lunch by Camp Creek, amount of profane abuse hurled at we soon arrived at the beginning of the writer grew progressively louder the Ohakune Mountain Road which as the time advanced, the writer be- wends its way through a magnificent ing the only member of the party stand of rimu, totara and kahikatea who had done the trip before. Natur- -the forest primeval-equalled only ally, it is a shameful sin to break by that on the coast south of Hokithe "T & M" tradition of always tika. reaching their goal. However, to Six lusty "T and M's" came around atone, the writer promises to be first a bend in the road, to find a local to enrol for the next busheraft course! farmer's truck stuck in the mire. He Perusal of the Lands and Survey was soon heaved out and in gratimap of Tongariro National Park tude gave us a lift. The truck, an (1927 Edition) shows that a track ancient ???, was, the farmer said, did exist, down a leading ridge, about "Thirty hosspower, 28 working for a mile to the east of the ridge lead- the oil company and two for me!" ing to Blyth Hut. It entered the bush George and Peter rode in front and and followed the Mangaehuehu the more thoughtful on the tray midst Stream down to Rangataua Station, packs and timber. A thrilling situated about three miles east of for "Hang Ohakune. We followed this ridge, on tight!" Now, go your life!" "Steady now!" which was we cairned but did not "George your enter the bush. foot on the wheel!" "Mind rut!" that We found a suitable camp site ride followed. A very composed 'midst stunted scrub and became true farmer gave a very voluble and "tussock jumpers". Soon the primi highly illustrative talk by waving his arms to indicate various of (primi again!) were roaring and the the local topography, mentioned aspects in smell of brews and "dehy" stew per- his conversation. He evidently had vaded the evening air. True "T and stacks of confidence in his "tank". M's", we soon gobbled up all food offering and retired to the sack. Out After liquid refreshment at Ohaof our sacks we could see the lights kune Station, six dusty trampers beltof Ohakune and Waiouru and we ed down to the township and retired wondered what night life was going to the domain for a change and brew. on therein. A large red glow from a Bets were laid as to what time our bushfire lit up the sky and even out- truck would come. Tararua and shone the stars. H.V.T.C. trucks went by. Ours eventu- The dawn and sunrise were breath- ally came, and the "rabble", as sometaking. Ruapehu peaks were covered one said, piled on. We learned that by high cloud, but to the east high "T and M" skiers had swept everybands of alto-cumulus cloud gave thing before them and had won the rise to a very beautiful sunrise. The championships. Congratulations! So colour gradually increased from a ended a trip full of laughs and inlight pink to a deep red as the sun terest. rose, and then quite suddenly, it was PHILL.