Main Tararua Range

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MAIN TARARUA RANGE of the twin peaks. There was a big tarn not far from the top, so we de- JANUARY 23-26th. cided to have an early lunch there. Although it had rained during the At twelve we were away and crossday the weather looked promising ing Simpson and Wright, two rocky when we left the truck at 10 p.m., bumps where damage created by deer bound for Field's Hut. Everyone (ex- is considerable. Most of the tarns cept us, it seemed) set out hotfot for were dry and by the time we had Otaki Cottage, and we were passed staggered over Aokaparangi we were several times by speeding trampers. asking ourselves why we had not The four of us who were contemplat- gone on the gorge trip. Just as we ing a Main Range, pushed on to were getting desperate (I think we Field's, meeting on the way two des- were delirious) we found the remains pairing youths who thought the hut of a tarn just south of Kahiwiroa, was still several hours off. We told and although the water was hot it them it was only five minutes fur- revived us greatly. The travelling ther, and after a breather, continued from here on was much better and up the track, arriving at the hut after crossing Kahiwiroa and follow- 30 minutes later. Just as we were ing some blazes through a mile of getting to the sacks the youths ar- stunted bush, we arrived at Anderrived and we finally got to sleep at son's, just over 12 hours from Field's. 2 a.m. Sunday dawned cold and by 6a.m. a nor'-west murk covered the tops. John and Ken were away at 5.30 a.m., as they wished to climb Crawford, but AT Dick and I thought Junetion Knob would be far enough. At 7 a.m., 50 minutes after leaving the hut, we THE were sitting on Junetion Knob quaffing from Dick's flask a drink that had been brewed from yeast the night before. The others arrived back from SPORTS Crawford just as we finished, so the four of us made our way, over Shoulder Knob and down the ridge to Waitewaewae, where we arrived at 9.15 At DEPOT a.m. the hut we met up with the others and after a lengthy morning tea wandered out to the truck. (Witcombe & Caldwell Ltd.) The performers were Dick and John Evans, Ken Shanks and myself. For Dick it was a memorable trip, as he YOU claims to be the first to have traversed this part of the Main Range WILL FIND THE BEST in underpants! -In- BILL DRAKE. * * * TRAPPER NELSON CLUB ROOMS PACKS A club rooms sub-committee has been formed to locate suitable accom- ALASKAN TRAPPER modation for club evenings and to PACKS provide storage space for club gear. The committee comprises the fol- TARARUA FRAME lowing members: Trevor Walsh, Heather Jeffries, Les Sisley and G. PACKS Middleditch. All members are asked to keep OPTIMUS HIKERS' their eyes and ears open for sites on STOVES which we can put a suitable building (nothing like i2 storeys will be con- FAIRY DOWN SLEEPING sidered), or rooms which we can BAGS utilise for our own club rooms. Points to bear in mind are: (1) Location, JAPARA & CALICO preferably in the city area; (2) mod- TENTS est rent (anything up to £7 a week will be considered). PARKAS and Any information should be communicated to the members of the All Other Tramping Equipsub-committee for them to enquire ment atinto "all the whys and wherefors." * * * The TRIP SCHEDULE COMMITTEE The trip schedule committee comprises the following members:- SPORTS Don Jeffs, Chief Guide; Dave Catchpole, Assistant Chief Guide; Peter Miller, Nick Jennings and Les. DEPOT Sisley. Any trips you'd like to see sched- (Witcombe & Caldwell Ltd.) uled in the future, suggest to the 45 Willis St., members of the Trip Schedule Com- I1I I I Wellington. HIIIIIE IX7XX##7#1IU11 mittee forthwith.