Neill Forks

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The following article was written by some use, but of course no substitute Hilary Clingin while she was tramping for practice. with Masterton T.C. NEILL FORKS Starting off on a tramping trip up Now down to Totara Flats and into Masterton way. is decidely different from the hut for lunch. the way in which one commences a trip It is at this stage that our party is with the T. & M. reduced to the honourable tramping One arrives at the meeting place about numbers of three. Fearing that they will the time of departure or after, but never have to sleep out at Neill Forks, two of much before time. Transport is provided our members don packs and head up by the "voluntary aid society", that is a ridge up to Holdsworth. No tea here the leading figure in this tramping world, but a generous serving of orange-apple he being the owner of an antiquated drink to get prepared. truck which runs like a dream and rides We follow the track along past the like a shocked absorber. The truck ar- bridge and then veer left on to a steeprives well in control at Bannister and sided hill patterned with vines and ferns. once the dust from the interior rust Is this the track or is it a figment of has settled it is possible to see whether his imagination? He obviously knows those following are still in tow. One where he's going-let's hope one can prepares for the tramp, but no one keep up. departs until a few wires in the truck's At last it begins to level slightly, but engine are retied in such a way that their the pace is killing-these legs need new design pleases the artistic eye of the tice. On and with little rest and prac- then owner and no one else. we reach an outlook. up Then it is up the familiar track and a very steady pace-"no need to pant- The Tararuas seem to ring around us, how nice." towering in their ruggedly uneven semi- The party is a small one numbering circle. The sun softens yet spices the five and we move as a unit until we shaded edges with deceptive strength. reach the Mountain House turnoff, where We have returned to the forest of voices are heard and a separate party scattered birch hanging dead with its of Masterton trampers (of course) show shroud of moss. Yet in the middle lies up. We discover that they are making an the life of water-a pool that demands experimental time of the weekend and that one should drink from it. But there are trying out the art of leadership and is willpower yet, and oniy one stoops exploration. to drink.

"Is this the turn-off?" The tentative easier to swim through the pool than query comes from one whose eyes see bear the fag of crawling round the sides only as far as the hut. A great bite even if some are more expert at keeping leaves the tree trunk there, but only just. partly dry than others. "If we don't go down here, then those We pass a party of determined scouts funny little nicks are only a product of who dared to sleep the night out, and nature and not man after all." soon reach a very small flat. We follow the track, talking as we go "Here's the Forks", says the leader, and an interesting and fair criticism but nowhere can one see the meeting is made of the "T. & M. Journal" and point of the rivers. We scramble over a club techniques revealed therein. small jutting embankment and there lies "What a hut it is." Barry Crump deep green pools of the Waiohine River. mattresses on display for us to try. Apparently these two rivers do meet Six of them and only three of us. But because the leader says so, but he is one the wood's wet. Well, the expert will of the privileged few to actually reach soon have the fire going. that spot. An hour later, dry socks on, warm Later on up the track we pause to look jumper on, two of us lounging and one down, way down, to a spot obviously still fighting the smoke for a spark of near to the junction. We still can't see fire. the actual meeting of the rivers, but we Tea progresses through several stages. conclude that it must be there. It's not quite the usual stew and spuds We accompany the river, at a safe as there are several courses, but what distance, down toward the bridge. we have is "top secret". Totara Flats hut is cramped with Breakfast proves equally as interesting, scouts, and as the evening is perfect, a with a touch of experimenting as we dis- bivvy is built. cover that our eggs are able to float Teatime is pleasantly spent with only quite readily in water. Who's egging who the occasional interruption from our on is not yet certain. neighbours' dog. We turn to our pits We leave the hut while memories of and while the fire blazes on we lie back food, lessons in knot tying, and more and enjoy the length of the evening food still linger with us. talking. The river rushes down in the cool On the Sunday we moved out to Banmorning. The rest is silence and we nister. The trip was a good one and I enmove on to meet the water. It's a strong joyed it and appreciated the leadership river today, and ropes and helpful hand and consideration tended toward me. are much appreciated by the weaker Those who finally made it with me were and less knowledgeable member of the John Welsh and Jim. party. The day is cold but it is much From our Wairarapa Correspondent. *