Bannister - Cone Saddle - Kaitoke (28 February, 1964)

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* BANNISTER-CONE SADDLE-KAITOKE (28 February, 1964) Farewelling Wellington at the week- Devon's snoring or by Murray Hall end is becoming quite a habit these days. seeing faces in the wall. This time we were looking forward to a Next morning we awoke to overcast trip into two of the more pleasant val- sky, and a rather high humidity, not the leys in the Tararuas, the Waiohine and ideal tramping conditions. Ursula and the Tauherenikau. I ventured out about 8.30. Being the only girls on the trip, apart from June Cole, who had gone through to Don- After a slight detour through the nelly's Flats Friday night, we realised Hutt to pick up the vice-president, much we would be by far the slowest on the to Ursula's delight, and the usual stop trip. In about an hour the first party at Featherston for refreshments, we ar- had caught us up and we continued on rived at Bannister hut about 10.30. Very our merry way until we reached Totara few decided to chance the weather that Creek, where we had a brew and milknight as it didn't look very promising, shakes all round. It was good to see and so after a welcome brew for most, some water again as the humidity was excluding the non-drinkers, Paul and making things rather unpleasant at myself, we bedded down for a "hard" times. night's sleep, disturbed either by Brian It was decided to have lunch at the end of the flats, the idea being to have us. Some of the party went down the a swim, but plans were quickly changed river, but the majority decided to use as the weather man decided to do his the track. Knowing we had plenty of worst, and there was. a mad dash for the time ahead of us, we were able to have hut instead. The rain didn't last long, numerous "I remember when" sessions however, and after a good lunch we on our previous camp sites in the valley. were soon on our way again, fine It was originally intended to have lunch weather accompanying us once more. at Smith's, but when a certain male mem- Bunnies seemed to be uppermost in ber of our party reached the pile of Brian's mind at this stage, and on ar- drift wood in the middle of the river, the rival at the end of the flats we were temptation which he had previously been reminded of his previous attempt to able to resist got the better of him. It smoke them out of their burrows, on didn't take many words of encouragehis Lower Waiohine trip (unsuccessful, ment from the other members of the of course). party to spark off his enthusiasm. But Cone Saddle didn't look very inviting alas, almost as soon as the fire was lit as we approached the start of the track. our firebug became a little anxious about Uppermost in my mind was the easy run the consequences of his deed, and tongue down to Walls, in relation to the and meat voluntary fire brigade went saddle! The weatherman again turned on into action, re-enforcements coming us during our slow climb over, but as from the High Ridge party. It wasn't we were in bush it didn't seem to matter long before the fire was out, the whole very much, and it helped to cool the incident being most amusing to the onair. We arrived at Cone Hut about 4.30, lookers, especially as it began to rain and while the majority went off down almost immediately. river to make camp, we had a welcome The weatherman really decided to do rest, which resulted in a discussion on his worst after this, and by the time we the then forthcoming A.G.M. A little got to the Tauherenikau Hut we were while later we wandered off in search of rather wet. The weather didn't look like our fellow trampers, finding on arrival improving, sO after a few words to Joe, our little camp already established. The the majority decided to push on the colours of the tent flys making a very Shelter Hut to the accompaniment of picturesque scene against the green of loud claps of thunder. We arrived out the hills, rather like a circus marquee. about 4 p.m. after a most enjoyable After ourselves trip, establishing we set about the weather having improved. Our the task of preparing and cooking our thanks to Geoff Aitken for a great trip. stew. It was so peaceful sitting in front One that I would definitely do again of the fire listening to the sounds of the if I get the opportunity. hills, the running water of the Tauherenikau, and scenting the delicious odour Those on the trip: Geoff Aitken of our stew cooking. It is moments like (leader), Bill Cronin, Roger and June these when you really realise that all the Cole, Lyndsay Cuthbertson, Arthur hardships you may experience during a Daniel, Brian Devon, Geoff Drake, Ron day's tramping are soon forgotten once Fayle, Ursula Furkett, Paul Green, you get your camp established, and you Brian Hunt, Murray Hall, Garry Lund, can really appreciate why one likes to Dave McNair, Bill Rice, Ron Lee, get away from the city for the weekend. Canadian Kevin, and yours truly, Pat Nevitt. Awaking next morning feeling greatly -Pat Nevitt. refreshed, the conditions were much the same as. the day before. This time we P.S.: Perhaps we can turn Pat's next had the prospect of a pleasant tramp Bannister-Kaitoke into a welcome back down the river to Smith's Creek before trip.-Ed. * * * H.-M. (17-19 April, 1964) (Holdsworth-Mitre) This was a trip. I for one will remem- and depositing us-on this trip-at Banber for a long time. The main reason nister Hut. I must confess that up to would be because of the exceptionally this point I wasn't sure which of the good weather we had on the tops, and two trips running, I would join. Howas a result, the excellent views we had. ever, when we climbed off the truck, It started off in the time-honoured the weather was good, and I felt good. manner: the truck picking us up at the So I tagged along with the "fitties' and Railway Station on the Friday evening climbed with them up past Mountain

House, pausing there to pay our respects, Brian had tucked us into the night beand on to Powell Hut. fore. The mist, which stretched out from the bush-covered spurs below us to the The next morning, after a rather distant horizon, was like a blanket brief night's sleep, we set off from covering the Wairarapa, broken by the Powell and dragged ourselves up to the Blue Range just across from us. As we trig on Holdsworth. We paused there to watched the sun rise, the effect on the admire the view and take photographs, mist was terrific; the light and shadows before pressing on to Mitre which was in the "folds" of the "blanket" and on many hours' tramping away. I felt as if the ridges behind us. I'm only sorry I I had lead weights in my boots and my haven't the ability to put on paper the pack with the result that I found it details of the scene that would do it rather hard going, but the others waited justice. for me at different points along the ridge when I got behind. I had thoughts After breakfast we decided, as we of dropping off the tops along the way had a couple of hours to spare, to climb a bit, but I'm glad to say it didn't come back up on to Mitre. Even if we had to that. If I had, I would not have the been early enough to see the view from memories I now have; of the mist the top the previous afternon, it would banked up close on our right and the have been well worth the return visit views of the hills and beyond to Kapiti we made next morning. We were able Island to our left; climbing over and to look on Ruapehu to the north, Eground the Broken Axe Pinnacles; the mont in the north-west, D'Urville Island, lunch stop by a tarn a little way before a dark mark in the western horizon, and South King where a very welcome hot the Kaikouras to the south. The best brew of tea or coffee was drunk; the part of an hour was spent in studying clear spectres of the Brocken, to which all this and in picking out the different the cameras did not do justice; the peaks and ridges of the Tararuas we ground up on to Girdlestone and the could see. final climb (which almost broke the proverbial camel's back) on to Mitre Very reluctantly we turned our backs as darkness started to close in on us. on this world above, and headed down Bill was ahead of us at this stage to see for the bush and Mitre Flats hut at the if he could find a small tarn off Peggy's bottom, picking up our packs where we Peak that he knew of where we could had left them by the tarn, on the way spend the night. It was fortunate for us down. that he did, as it was quite dark when, after with the use of a guiding light ahead, we So, an uneventful trip out, and found our way down the ridge to Bill joining up with the others, who incibeside the tarn. dently, had not had an easy trip, The Pines was reached. And so the trip The usual communal stew was, pre- ended. pared and afterwards, consumed in our Those in the party: Bruce Anderson sleeping bags-a wonderful stew it was (Leader), Bill Drake, Rickard, too, thanks in the main to Brian. Dave Penny Capper. Hilary Clingin, Ron, Sunday morning we were awake be- Fayle, Brian Hunt, Geoff Drake. fore sunrise. It was cold with everything "Jersey". covered in frost, including our clothes that had been uncovered, and our sleep- (About time we had something from ing bags where they protruded from our you, Fayle. Hope we hear more in the sleeping bag covers and the tent-fly that future.)