Some Tourists' Paradise

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Some Tourists' Paradise The trackles sand discless wilder- the bush towards the top of the ridge ness of the Makaretu and Panata- approximately midway between Waiwaewae Stream headwaters was the tewaewae and Panatawaewae trig scheduled trip for the club on Nov. points. Young Alistair was the first 14, 1958. to reach the top, which sports a The usual bump and roll, provided quantity of that long snow grass by McHarrison and Love's 3-ton amongst the scrub and flax. transport, precipitated the Waiopehu The headwaters of the Panatawaeparty, led by Ron, into the gorge to- wae, like the Makaretu, are in a circle wards the Ohau hut, so leaving us and start off fairly steeply, so with strong, hairy trampers in sole pos- a slither and slide, the party. descendsession of one 3-ton truck equipped ed a small gut which, looking back with mattresses. up, looked like a chimney. Now, apart "Us strong, hairy trampers", plus from a few falling rocks and hard words, the party was making one lady tramper, are classified here: time down the Panatawaewae good and Don Jeffs, Nick Jennings, Ted Dakin, looking forward to bedding down at Alister Barclay (pupil tramper), the next flat, when it was confronted Frazer Walls, Dave Capper, Andy by a magnificent waterfall (two, in McGehan, Peter Lillicoe, Dave Catch- fact). pole, Pete Miller and last, but not You will understand that we were least (she must be the fittest lady not then able to appreciate this martramper in the club) Dorothy Catch- vel of Nature, but I'm sure that pole.-Ed.'s Note: She's the only one, American tourists would give isnt she? ? many dollars to behold the sight, and I After a short but comfortable night would recommend anyone to go and we breakfasted on the Ohau riverbed gaze at itat the first chance they get. (must have been pretty hard on the But, please-DONT ask me to take teeth!-Ed.) and got away just after you. Our immediate reaction was to 6.30 a.m. with poor Ted complaining start climbing up a steep bluff in that he had not had time to drink order to sidle this red! phenomenon. his half-pint of tea. By the way, I It was on a gorge face with the roar learnt a new word on this trip; it is of the waterfall in the distance that "wingeing"; not that there was a lot darkness began to overtake us. of it, as it is something to avoid. We were all fatigued (I looked We passed our two shooters, Dion that word up, and it means "clapped and George, still breakfasting as we out"), so of the two choices, continuwalked up the Makaretu Stream with ing sidling or making camp, we chose such conversational pleasantries as the latter. The camp site, I'm sure, Dr. Livingstone was never greeted was quite unique, and as it was too with. dim to take a picture, can best be The Makaretu Stream is one of the described as a proper Arab-looking loveliest I've walked up. It's some- affair, with tents draped across horithing like the Ohau Stream on the zontal growing trees. way to South Ohau Hut, but has more The evening meal was makeshift, grassy flats and the air was heavily and tea for breakfast was made from perfumed by the wild tree fuchsias. water collected in the top of the The old "currant bun" (sun to non- tents. London people) was much in evidence, Rested, but not very happy with and the previously mentioned shoot- the world, we continued our sidle the ers displayed their tans next day on following morn and struck the lovelithe truck to prove it. est spur Ive ever seen, running Well, after three hours up the gently down to the creek bed, which Makaretu we got out compass and was full of gorges. Dotty marked the maps to make sure that we had been spot with the label off her new parka walking a river, and decided by tied to a twig. After that, it was a the way of a change to push through normal river walk, with the odd one or two little gorgy bits, which had have a gun or dog in one's possession. to be negotiated, but the water wasn't "Um, he must be running goats on cold. And the psychological fact of his land," says Dave. having a "dry" camp the previous This trip was evidently a trial run night sort of endeared everyone to for future parties, but from what I having enough water to walk in as overheard, only people who are not well as drink. financial, and similar offenders, are The Panatawaewae comes down in likely to be recommended to investito lush grassy flats, which are ap- gate the area further. parently owned by Odlin's, and are simply alive with goats, but trespass- PETER MILLER ers are warned by notices that they'll be locked up, for even walking across Editor's Note: Sounds an ideal place the land, and it seems dire indeed to for Busheraft Instruction. Anniversary Weekend, 1959 As there was no club trip organ- but stayed in our sacks till 9 a.m. ised for Anniversary Weekend, four About this time HVTC bods poured of the more keen (or stupid) mem- across the fiats and into the bush in bers decided to head for Fools' Para- the direction of Cone Saddle. Thirty dise. They were Harold Trask, Ron minutes later we followed. Fayle, Briant Hunt, Don Paterson, The trip was O.K. until we came and myself, Alister Barclay. Although upon the Hutt Valley "pack' at Clem we were not sure where we were Creek. They couldn't find the track going, we arrived at Smith's at 11 on the other side. However, we did p.m., at least Ron and I did. We made not have to admit defeat as well, bea cup of tea and then hit the sack. cause we discovered it first. One and a quarter hours later we got The "Tongue and Meat" party led slightly worried because the others from here on. We hit the Waiohine had not yet arrived. We talked for in the right place, too! One dozen another quarter of an hour (only swims later we reached Totara Flats. talked, mind) of going. to look for A shelter was erected 15 minutes from them. We decided to give them an- the hut. (Bookings may be made with other 10 mins; 10mins. later we de- any member of the party.) cided to give them another 10mins; Next morning dawned 5 mins. later they arrived. They'd clear and been fishing. They gave us a commen- fine. After a breakfast of fish (no, on the "just abouts" and "near- you clot, we didn't carry it in!) we t9zE of the mighty fishing trip. They set off for Bannister Hut. At the foot then turned in. of the hill Ron took off like the pro- By 10 a.m. we were on the track verbial dingo and when the rest of en route for Cone. We stopped for a us reached the top he was waiting brew at Alloway-Diekson, where we for us with a billy of water from caught and ate some freshwater Mountain House. crays. After lunch we tore off down to We resumed our trek, following the Donnelly's Flats and had a swim. track as far as possible. When we Then to Bannister and into the dropped into the riverbed we found "Evils'" truck. We were very conthe place infested with "Hutt Val- tented; three fine days, and felt leys", but as we intended using their quite waterlogged, and believe me, we transport out we passed no remarks. spent as much time in the water as Camp was made on the flat below we did on the track. Cone Hut. It was pleasant but hot. We awoke to sparrows' song, ALISTER.