Anniversary Weekend

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* ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND Most trampers look forward to Anni- By now the various parties had split versary Weekend for a variety of reasons. up, leaving 13 under Dion's tender care. For some it's a chance to prove they are Rain came just in time to cool fevered still fit after Christmas, for others it is brows during the steeper part of the a longer-than-usual escape from the city, climb, but soon stopped as was while some long for a "red line" too height hard to get during a normal weekend. gained. Before long, Te Matawai Hut was Whatever their motives, 34 eager Tongue in sight and amid a mad jumble of packs and Meats, plus some stray Hutt Valley and bodies, primii were set to roaring types piled into the-truck on Friday night under brews of coffee and tea. From the with plans for crushing once and for all hut, Pukematawai looked like it might the various routes from Ohau to Mitre be a long, hard haul upwards and when Flats. Bruce cunningly left his heavy camera behind, and someone else his tent, sus- The scene around and in Ohau Hut picions were confirmed. that night provided ample proof that every tramper out this weekend was in Strung out in a long line, we slogged the area. Bodies were strewn in wild on upwards, stopping at intervals to enconfusion over all the available flat sur- joy the view and gather strength. Slowly faces, with every club represented, and the summit came nearer and then, with a talk went on far into the night. How- last effort, the whole party was on Pukeever, we were up.early.on-Saturday morn- matawai and refuelling vigorously. Thei ing splashing up the Ohau to the next weather had cleared, enabling us to see hut where we regrouped for the assault all sorts of exciting places, but Arete. on Yeates Track. standing defiantly on the other side of the big saddle, received the most atten- by one we went in, to come out on the tion. Were those ant-like creatures ap- other side with teeth chattering. This we proaching the top really trampers? decided was enough-no more swimming. Our decision forced us a little later to Led on by hopes of new vistas await- climb hundreds of feet in a mighty sidle. ing those who could get there, we all set In teeming rain we moved upwards until off determined not to stop until Arete we could see where Cow Creek Hut trembled beneath us. From this vantage should be. It took another hour to get point we were able to see other Tongue there and confirm this. We had left the and Meat parties still ambling up Arete, river just in time as it was rapidly changbeetling over Bannister, tearing along ing to a murky hue and rising fast. Tarn Ridge, and dashing along Dundas Ridge. The Hutt Valleys had arrived before us, so while the girls changed in the hut, Our plan of attack had called for us the rest of us stood outside in the rain to be in the region of Arete Forks Hut bludging stew off them. Things were at this stage, but the last two hills had soon more normal, with a Hunt-type slowed us down quite considerably. With fire under a bubbling Urshie-type stew, the north wind now blowing mist across providing a pleasant background to the the Bench we selected a "sheltered spot" interminable "remember when" conversaand proceeded to erect a tent and a fly. tion. Cow Creek Hut is built for 6 Once the tent was up, the girls claimed people, but trampers must be slimmer it for their own, leaving the mugs to than "people" for there were 18 of us cook the stew and sleep under the there that night stacked in all kinds of draughtly fly. It was getting a lot colder unlikely places. now and Ron, being the only one not in his pit, was left to attend the stew. We On Monday morning the river was could tell when it was ready because the again clear and the rain had stopped. Hutt Valleys materialised out of the A very pleasant trip down the Waingawa mist with expectant faces. brought us to Mitre Flats Hut in time for lunch which was very much a club With only about three feet of room in reunion. Most of the other parties had which to stretch out and rocks under- arrived and were spread around soaking neath to avoid, those under the fly up the sun and the inevitable brew. thought sleeping would be a matter of wishful thinking rather than an accom- Finally packs were shouldered for the plished fact, but snores soon shattered last leg out to the pines, where we waited that theory. for the truck, anxiously checking watches. Two very popular stops on the way Conditions deteriorated on the tops home wound up a pleasant "red line' during the night, sO in the morning we weekend away from the city. Thanks. did not even stop for breakfast, but left Dion. in two separate groups, fighting our way down through thick leatherwood to Arete -BRIAN DEVON. Stream, where we met for brunch. Those on Dion's trip: Dion Quirke From here our course was downstream (leader), Rosemary Chittenden, Doreen until a waterfall forced us to sidle over Daley, Brian Devon, Ron Farcombea spur into the next creek which soon Smith, Ron Fayle, Ursula Furkert, Brian led to Arete Forks Hut situated at the Hunt, John Mitchell, Pat Nevitt, Barrie head of the Waingawa Gorge. With rain Noyce, Ann Parker, Julian Pemberton. threatening. we pushed on and became Bill Rice. involved in a seemingily endless series of crossings, rocky bank sidles, small waterfalls, high sidles, and more cross- CAN YOU HELP!!! ings. Leader Quirk was merciless, driving Ruapehu requires carpeting approx. us relentlessly downstream. finding routes 25 feet x 4 feet 6 inches and mattresses, where none appeared to exist. Before we lino, glasses, and crockery. Please assist were half-way down the gorge, the rain in completing the finest hut on the mouncame and settled in heavily. Around a corner was a large pool waiting patently tain. for fools to brave its swift current. One