Bannister-Cone Saddle-Kaitoke

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BANNISTER-CONE SADDLE-KAITOKE June 15-17, 1962 It was with great trepidation that I set Before we reached the saddle a short off that Friday night on the longest trip rest was indicated sO we eased the I had ever attempted-before the truck packs from our tired backs and had could leave the station an accident OC- some raisins and chocolate, the latter curred in the main stream of traffic being very precious to Ron as he which rather disconcerted me. searched long and hard for that piece he We finally reached Bannister after the had the misfortune to drop! At last the usual stop at Featherston, about 10.30 saddle-and down the other side with p.m. After much arguing the party many a tumble and curse; my leaden split up-two to stay at Bannister the legs seemed to refuse to obey me and night, five to stop at Mountain House keep to the track. There was a full moon and the rest of the party, most of whom and the stars were glittering brightly were doing the Cone Ridge Trip, elected in the frosty air-a night for romance to make for Totara Flats or thereabouts. but it was two very unromantic people I was among those who were off to who arrived (with utter relief at not Mountain House and we set off in high having to pitch a tent in the middle of spirit reaching there, with many a nar- the bush) at a warm and cheery Cone Hut nine hours after leaving Mountain row escape from the mud holes, about 1 House. a.m. A brew up was the order then we settled down for the night with two stal- Everyone else had arrived ages before warts on either side to keep me from us and that great reviver, steaming mugs freezing (hush, I had a hottie- -treason!). of hot sweet tea, greeted us plus various The mist had been rising as we came dubious remarks at our lateness and the up Gentle Annie so we were not sur- usual abuse. Once our cold wet boots prised to find it a glorious day when we and socks were removed and we got rose at the disgraceful hour of 9 a.m. into some dry warm clothes we started Holdsworth was a lovely sight, with a to feel more human. With nodding sparkling mantle of snow covering it heads we ate the warm filling stew so down to within 500 feet of Mountain expertly cooked by Norm. Whiteside House, as we looked back on our way (almest as good a cook as I and down am!) to Totara Flats at 10.5 a.m. It felt bed was very much the order of the was a case of mud, mud, glorious mud day. A very warm cosy night was from then on and apart from an ex- by all on account of the bunk space spent allottremely inelegant spill at Totara Creek ment approaching 10 inches per person. (cast sheep have nothing on me), we There were 16 bods. jammed in a space arrived at Totara Flats Hut for lunch usually occupied by or the about 1 p.m. to find Bob Cooper official map states (this eight vital so, of insalubing in the sun with a message from formation was given us bv Henk piece the two girls who had remained at the groans and moans that proceeded during Bannister. They had decided to go on forth every time someone tried to turn with the Cone Ridge Party and would over). Also sharing our abode were meet us at Cone Hut that night. There three C.T.C. boys who had done a Bull were also sundry endearing messages for Mound trip. I found them me me which cheered my lagging feet no rather oddly but I can't think eyeing end. We set off down Totara Flats at a Anyway, I didn't mind the squash, why. I good pace but by the time the climb to was WARM. Cone Saddle was attempted there were two extremely slow caterpillars who Next morning it was again fine and started up the almost vertical face. It sunny and I did try to get an early start was dusk by the time Ron and I crossed -was first up. But my leader, even the last creek after almost losing the way after being fed breakfast in bag twice. On the way up I had surcumbed (bed, I mean), found it difficult to get to the temptation for a Lifesaver-Ron away before 10 a.m., still we were the wisely refrained. Beware you novices first to leave. Because I had been inof the bush. refrain from sucking sweets, formed by some responsible person that other than barley sugar, when thirsty or I wouldn't get my feet wet for at least you'll end up like me on that fateful an hour, I indulged in the luxury of a dry afternoon, sucking damp leaves in de- pair of socks to start the day. Unforsperation of ever seeing water again. tunately I left one of my wet ones in

Cone and it is still there as far as I on ail exposed parts. The final run(?) know. down to the Shelter Hut and the temperature dropping all the time. Before we had gone five yards down river Ron tells me "We have to cross Ron's encouraging words were changed here", so all unsuspecting I set off across to cries of horror when he found the the river. Only when we had regained object of them had skidded in the mud the bank on the other side did he tell and landed upside down in a clump of me that actually we needn't have crossed broom-I was out for the count. A terfor another hour but he had had to put rible thing to collapse just 100 yards on his wet socks and didn't see why I from the truck; up Igot again with diffishould be nice and cosy in my dry ones! culty and with a little help thankfully If the river had been closer I'd have reached shelter to remove wet boots and pushed him in, and held him down too socks again for the last time. Seven -was I mad. hours since we left Cone. Never mind, I had done it and as I thawed out in the From then one as we crossed and re- truck going home Penny's remark crossed Tauherenikau said kepi the I a few repeating in "A lovely long red words but actually, with the sun beating line for the map", myear a remark which seems down on my back and admiring the bush to sum up a tramper's philosophy and clad slopes of the valley for the first acts as a spur to all attempts at contime, I quite enjoyed the way down to quering the ranges. Smiths Creek, our stop for lunch. Here the rest of the party caught us up. En I would iike to record my thanks to route we kept running into all kinds the leadership of Mr. Fayle, without of tripper who had come out from Kai- whose gentle "Come on Urshie, not far toke for the day-the place was getting Urshie" I doubt whether I would have as bad as the Orongorongos. They eyed made it. us with varying expressions from admiration to disdain. At 3 p.m. it was up -URSULA FURKERT. packs and away again for the last stage of the trip-that terrible "Puffer". I My fellow sufferers on the trip were: gritted my teeth and up we slogged, Brian Devon, Nicky Parkinson, Robin not slowing until the top was in sight. By this time it had clouded over and a McGrievy, Bob Cooper, Ron Fayle cold wind was making goose flesh appear (Leader). *