Christmas Trip (Hopkins, Christmas 1960)

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CHRISTMAS TRIP 28th December Here is a write-up by one of our Rest Day. Spent "salubing", and younger club-members, who was on looking around. the Christmas trip last year. It is in diary form, and the group in the 29th December picture opposite, with the exception On this day we were hoping to of the photographer, Ron Fayle, is cross the pass into the Clarence fully representative. Valley, but as the weather packed-up, camped at the bush edge. The tops 24th December, 1960 were heavy in mist, and rain fell Our send off from Wellington on spasmodieally. A minor war was the "Rangatira" was amid cheers and waged on two chamois, on a slip, "far calls" from some of the T.Ms. the chamois won. who came to see us off. Skipping details, we arrived at Lake Rotoiti at 30th December 9.30 p.m. where we spent the night in the bunk room. Forced rest day. Snow fell in the morning, so no one put a nose out- 25th December side the tents. The trip around the lake was made in perfect weather, and on reaching 31st December the hut at the lake head, we refused to leave it, so spent the remainder of New Year's Eve, and an early start. the day swimming and fishing in a It was still drizzling with rain, but very cold lake. Henk caught a trout after a breakfast of four biscuits and which we all ate with much satisfac- a cake of chocolate, we went to look tion. for Lake Tennyson. Breaking camp at 6.40 a.m. we climbed towards the 26th December pass, and surprised a hind at the It base of some bluffs, about 200 yards was extremely hot travelling up away. A volley of ten rounds from the Travers Valley and a lunch-break Julien and Derek, only served to at Hopeless Creek forks, was wel- frighten the poor deer with the noise. come. From here we got our first The climb on to the saddle was cold glimpse of Mount Travers. Further and windy, and we hurriedly dropped up river, another trout gave itself up: into the Clarence Valley, to On arriving at Cupola hut we found find the river had disappeared only undera party of our Hutt Valley "friends", ground. This created a minor so we decided to push on, as it was lem when the weather improved, prob- and still early. An hour and a half thirsts were raised. below later, just the bush line, we We sighted pitched numerous ducks, but they seemed to camp. know that they were out of season. 27th December After a brew at lunch-time and a slight rest, with the sun now beating The hot weather was still unbroken, down unmercifully, Lake Tennyson and we weren't too happy as we proved a welcome sight, but mighty climbed towards Travers Saddle. cold. So ended the day in a small Lunch was eaten on a ledge just celebration. below the pass, and Florian who'd raced on, descended from the top to 1st January, 1961 join us. We crossed the at 2 o'clock, to our relief, and d'imoved Rest day. This was spent washing slowly down the spur leading to the clothes and people, or watching a jet- East branch of the Sabine River, boat doing ground-loops on the lake. where we pitched camp. A variation to the diet was provided It was then 6.30 and stew was by wild gooseberries growing around finally cooked by 10 o'clock. the lake.

2nd January NEWSLETTER Our two shooters left early, and For Wellington Clubs it could have we followed on in hot sunshine, down been an exercise in "search and the Waiau River. We arrived at the rescue", with the accent on "rescue", Ada Homestead, and the shooters when they were required to send a were there before us, but without contingent to carry out, sick, clubmeat. That evening, the topic of member Allan Dyer from the Orongoconversation was that commodity, rongo Valley. The people who anwhich had become our one obsession, swered the S.O.S. on Tuesday should meat. have learnt a worthwhile lesson in 3rd January personal survival. It was: To always carry a sleeping bag and some food Rest day. Eager to redeem our in your swag, regardless. sad state of affairs, we broke out in * * * a rash of hunting parties, alas, no On leaving Smith's Creek hut for meat. the wander and swim down the Tauherenikau Gorge on the 28th 4th January January, we were surprised (those Another rest day. Julien and of us who knew him), to see Frank Margaret went after deer, others McGowan, skipping down the river, went and looked at Lake Guyen. to say hello! and goodbye again. It Your writer lay beneath a poplar tree was Auckland's Anniversary weekand only moved as the shade from end, and Frank had come back to the the sun shifted. Julien returned, and hills once more. proceeded to pull the trip leader's leg * * * by telling him that he'd shot one of Don Jeffs has at last taken the the sacred ducks by mistake. It plunge, and it was a changed Don evolved that it had in fact been a who "shouted" drinks for an hour at deer, so the stew had meat in it that the "Duke" on Tuesday, 7th Februnight, and there was great rejoicing. ary, for club members (twenty-one Some of our extra-clever girls also and over). Congratulations on your made some bread. engagement Adrienne and Don. * * * 5th January It has always been said that the In light rain we went down to Ada Scotch are a frugal crowd, but one Pass hut, and during lunch break certain Irish club member who went there, decided to make for Maruia capering about in the Ureweras looking for leprechauns at Christmas Springs. The track around Cannibal time, wants a copyright fee before Gorge is a high sidle, and fords he'll write his for further down the river, but it wasn't nal". trip up the "jour- "Pass us the bottle, we struck willya?" long before the Lewis Pass * * * Road, only three and a half miles How would you like to arrive home from Maruia Springs. on a Sunday evening, to find We hurriedly changed into civilised sunporch filled with trampers, scof- your clothes, and spent the next two days fing coffee and at Maruia, mostly in the hot springs. That is what Mr. and munching Mrs. Fitzgerald toast? 7th January found on the 5th February when the Orongo club trip made an enjoyable After catching the bus just after 2 stop-off at Dianne's house. They p.m. we arrived in Christchurch didn't "bat an eye", just made us before 7, to be greeted at the station welcome, which just goes to show by Norm. Whiteside. Florian, Henk what a grand bunch of people we and Lena said goodbye at Christ- have in, and around the Club. church and the remainder of us ar- * * * rived at Wellington at 6.30 on the Fastest flyer in the Club is Dawn 8th January, Carpinter, who won her heat over the 100-yard dash at the inter-club -KELLY YIP. sports, but was unplaced in the final.