Arete Stream and Mitre Flats (January 17-20, 1964)

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* ARETE STREAM AND MITRE FLATS (January 17-20, 1964) It was with some misgiving that the Ohau, the serious business of the trip writer assembled with what seemed to began. be the rest of the Tongue and Meats on the Friday evening prior to the Anni- This was what seemed to me an almost versary weekend trip. In fairness to all vertical climb up the Yeats 600, finally it must be made clear that this was my reaching Te Matawai after several stops second trip with the club, my first being for breath and views. Here the Ruamasome months before when an excursion hanga and Bannister crossing parties left to Holdsworth was attempted. us. So here we were again at the "sea- Lunch over and the sun was shining ward side of the Railway Station" being fully. a mixed blessing during the long somewhat astounded at the members haul to Pukematewai. Finally Arete was present as I knew that the total of our reached with its rewarding views, plus a party, ably commanded, sorry, led by mouthful of the trip leader's nectar- Dion Quirke, was 17. I found out that apple and orange were just as welcome. the rest of the other clubs were also mak- Some photography and a fifteen-minute ing for and presumably did sleep in. break was also rewarding. As time was under or around the vicinity of Ohau pressing it was decided that we would Hut. look for a suitable bivvy which was Arete bench below the big tarn. Fly sheets However, a fully laden truck did start and tent were erected and three of our fairly promptly and after the normal party decided to press on for a Northern spontaneous singing and wisecracking, Crossing. The remainder happily preand the more important milk bar stop, an pared stew over primuses. in the course essential of every trip, we arrived at the of which the wind rose, the temperature pipe bridge. After about 11 hours' pleasant bush walking we arrived at * * * Ohau Hut, enjoyed our first brew and, as Brian Hunt was present, we had a very good fire. RUAPEHU HUT BOOKINGS During the night the weather, which Members wishing to use the vacant had promised fine, clouded a little but bunks on weekends when the hut is cleared again after breakfast. Our party, occupied by outside parties should conin small numbers, having sorted our- tact Brian Hunt. Six bunks are available selves out from the mess of other for members on these weekends and trampers, commenced a merry stroll bookings will be issued on the first come the Ohau River. After a brew at South first served basis.

dropped, and clouds and mist obscured Monday, as promised, dawned fine and the tops. warm. The party, now refreshed, made its way down the Waingawa in warm, On Sunday morning the weather was pleasant sunshine. Mitre Flats was similar and it was decided to brew only reached about noon, an interval for sunand then depart as speedily as possible bathing and final supplies of food were for the bush, sunshine sunshine fire and demolished. Farewell was said to the breakfast down on Arete Stream. Sterling river via a wire bridge and so through a work was performed by Julian in navi- picturesque undulating track to the pines. gating the deer trails through the leather- It being Monday, a stimulating halt was wood and breakfast was eaten at 10 a.m. made at Greytown and a very jovial party Little did we know that it was to be our reached Wellington. last meal before nightfall. Arete Forks Hut was the scene of our last brew be- I should particularly like to mention fore midday. Julian Pemberton, Brian Hunt. and Dion Quirke, without whose inspiration the The Upper Waingawa has a very trip would have lost much of its verve sticky reputation which made itself all and success. too evident as we slowly made our way down the first part. Hasty consultation Those on the trip were: Dion Quirke at some rapids which were not able to be (leader), Brian Hunt, Julian Pemberton. sidled, resulted in swimming for all, a Brian Devon, Ron Fayle, Bill Rice, Ron mixed blessing; personàlly I enjoyed it. Farcombe-Smith, John Mitchell, Barry After this, wading and sidling was the Noyce, Pat Nevitt, Doreen Daly, Roseorder of the afternoon. The weather de- mary Chittenden, Anne Parker, and cided to take a hand and it rained Ursula Furkert. buckets. However, Cow Creek Hut, a most welcome sight, was réached at 7.20. -RON FARCOMBE-SMITH. Some Hutt Valley colleagues were there. One handed me a mug of hot tea; I was Don't tell anyone, but the next article shivering so much that I spilt half before gulping the remainder. Some time later, is during the same weekend! How's that when all were warm and dry the weather for editing? At least there are two ways cleared and it promised a fine morrow. of looking at it. +