On the Spur of the Moment

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ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT Christmas, 1959/60 Middleditch, Tidswell and Jennings than getting to the top. During a had planned to visit the Waimak. brew at the Tararuas' camp we disand do a 'sort of' Three Pass trip- covered 'Clarke' was a seven-hour but at the last moment George was climb, so we ambled back to our camp ordered to stay in bed. There was rather happier. some rapid reorganisation, and with On the the Chief Guide's co-operation Bill devoted Wednesday morning was and I were permitted to latch on to to a general salube, and the Rees-Dart trip. We had already of some washing, and then on the spur booked on the same boat, and after Bill the and moment, I at to about 3.00 p.m., an unpleasant wait at Christchurch decided leave the main we were finally given the last two party and camp under the Snowy seats on the last bus to Queenstown- Saddle-reputedly Some three hours later three we hours found away. "Phew"! the Tararuas camped on the bush edge, Queenstown was the scene of wild so made a few enquiries about the rejoicing and the next day involved saddle-which turned out to be anthe trip up the lake to Glenorchy. other three hours away. Enough was Following a truck ride and a couple enough, so we camped with the Taraof hours staggering up the valley in ruas, enjoying their stew and comthe heat of the day, an early night On Thursday we went on up was appreciated. panys saddle about 30 minutes behind On Monday we all headed up to a them, joined on the way up by an camp below Earnslaw, just before Otago Tramping Club party. The the junction of the Rees and Hunter Otago types camped at the head of Streams. the Rees, and T.T.C. left the saddle Tuesday, after breakfast, Bill and soon after we got on to it. After a I decided to climb Clarke on the spell to air sleeping bags, we went of the moment, and set off after Dor on down into the Snowy just after a Patterson and Alex Johnson, who party of Australians arrived on the were heading the same way. We had saddle. der down The the anticipated gentle wanbeen told it was an easy six hours' after the necessary Snowy creek wasn't, but climb-in fact, it would probably only high sidling we take five hours, but allow six, any- joined the T.T.C. again at Dart Hut, way. where there was a crowd of Scouts in occupation. The Tararuas we First, became involved in a fed and coffeed us and after a again minor chat gorge in the Rees, missing a with their local experts (who incigood side track; then the heat nearly dentally forecast the weather to withkilled us on a monstrous slide (the in an hour throughout the trip) we accepted route up). After that there decided on the spur of the moment was an easy grass spur up to the to put in a high camp at Cascade snow, which was soft enough to walk Saddle that evening. We did not quite up easily. On the way we decided to make the saddle, but spent a combe mountaineers, so took off up a rock fortable night just below it. rib which proved (a) more difficult than expected, and (b) to lead no- On Friday we climbed Plunket, an where near the top. So we clambered easy climb, but rather frustrating as round a series of rock spurs and we cou'd have gone a good deal fureventually got back on to the snow. ther if we had been a little earlier. After approaching the last ridge However, back to the saddle for lunch leading to the top countless times, and a rest, down to visit some Rover we at last stood triumphant on Scouts camped just below the saddle, "Clarke'-seven hours after leaving and back to Dart Hut, meeting on camp. The trip down was fast, with the way an Alpine Club party travelincreasing doubtful snow conditions. ling our way and the T.T.C. heading On the way back we picked up Don to the saddle, despite a forecast and Alex, who had spent the day per- of rain. As the Scouts had departed, fecting their snow technique rather we obtained a bunk and a bit later another party of Scouts arrived up