Middle Crossing (22-24 November, 1963)

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MIDDLE CROSSING (22-24 November, 1963) In perfect tramping weather we sidled Down, down, down on steep easy the Waignawa under the stars. In just deer trails and the remains of an old over two hours Mitre Flats hut was be- track. At 4 p.m. there was the delightful coming habitated. grassy patch in the centre of Park Forks. On a weekend which promised to be Roger, Bill, and Max joined us here fine, Peter Daniel was leading a Middle after a rather peculiar trip ending up Crossing, Pat Nevitt had a bus-load in in the Waiohine! at Waitewaewae, and there were several The bush soared upwards on all sides support groups poised near the Pines. and very soon we were gaining height Half three score and ten active trampers! towards the obscured Nichols. By 6.30 Leading a party of eight, Peter's plan after some navigational difficulty, the was to ascend Mitre, traverse Brockett inside of Nichols Hut was filled with and Girdlestone, descend Dorset Ridge roaring primii and the contented sounds to Park Forks, and up to Nichols hut of trampers sinking into mattresses. for sleeping practice. Peter, the cook, replaced the ruthless We couldn't help noticing his ugly powerhouse and we chewed contentedly voice at some miniature hour of the for hours as he served up course after morning urging us to believe that it was course. good to be shivering over a greasy It rained in the night and we wondered breakfast. With unshakeable tenacity the where Bruce could be. swine had us grovelling up towards the Negotiating Crawford and Junction distant summit of the "cloud piercing" Knob, not to mention Shoulder Knob on Mitre. Sunday, proved to be pleasantly miser- A fine morning, cool with blue sky able. Our blue legs and chattering teeth and drifting high cloud made pleasant hastened for the sanctuary of the bush. going on the gentle spur. The bush, At 10.30 most of us were glad to be in "garden like", fringed the track which Waitewaewae hut. looked as if it had been carefully looked Bruce, Alan, Paul, and Norm joined after. In three hours we were pretend- us here and we were told of tragic haping to enjoy the cold white out of the penings in America (only in America). Mitre summit. Sitting in the lee facing After negotiating the flooded Otaki the invisible North Mitre stream we in fine weather the whole cavalcade of chewed numbly on cold stock and other Tongue and Meats withdrew to their choice kitchen scraps. About 10a a.m. waiting vehicles. Peter drove us on through our friendly In all 16 people had completed 2 north-wester after we'd donned a certain Middle in far from good conditions which amount of storm gear. Brockett and could be some sort of record. Girdlestone were just as unfriendly as Although nobody saw a thing from Mitre so we passed on over Girdlestone the tops and it was damp, this was an pinnacles to the tarn on Dorset Ridge. enjoyable trip and one to remember. As we had our Chesdale lunch, did a Thanks, Pete! couple of lengths in a rowing boat and Those completing a Middle were: froze happily to death, we wondered Roger Cole. Max, Bill Cronin, John, how the other groups were faring. Roger, Lindsay Cuthbertson, A. N. Other. Bill, and Max were in the lead some- Hilary Clingin, Arthur Daniel, Brian where, doing a spearhead (all night Devon, Dave Capper, Bruce Jefferies, job). Behind were several horrible people, Alan Higgens, Paul Green, Norm Whitee.g. Bruce Jefferies, Norm Whiteside, side, and Peter Daniel (Leader). Alan Higgens, Geoff Aitken, Paul Green, Murray Hall, Shona Baker, etc. They DAVE CAPPER. were approaching either by Mitre or by South Mitre stream. At 1 o'clock the merciless trip leader COVER PICTURE: Penny Rickard drove us off and we navigated our way and Shona Baker have hot tea poured endlessly to the bush on Dorset Ridge. on them by Nick Parkinson! As we entered the stunted growth a -Photo Geoff Aitken. dripping wet stop was lethargicly inby dulged in, then off!