Ruahine Trip (Easter, 1965)

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* RUAHINE TRIP (Easter, 1965) We left Wellington at 71 p.m. on Thurs- and had not been completely restored. day, ten bods in the Kombi and four After some time the others arrived and of us-Norm, Geoff, Julian and myself learned of their fate, a two-hour road riding "Eliot Ness" style in my car. Mr walk the following morning. This dawned Lund was collected en route at Raumati bright and clear after very little sleep South, and his appearance prompted the under some pine trees. usual jeers and cat-calls from the more We breakfasted on porridge and bacon, aggressive party members. something that we became accustomed to After refuelling with food and gaso- doing over the next few days (I'm not line at Palmerston North, we made for getting at the trip leader, who did an the Manawatu Gorge and Norsewood. excellent job of organizing the food), At this stage, we in the car had crept and while the others started their walk, ahead a little, sO that when we reached Peter, Paul and I returned to civilization the turn-off for the hills, the Kombi to try and get some more sugar. (I'm wasn't in sight. We turned into the side not trying to get at the trip leader, who road, switched off the lights, and Norm made an excellent job of organizing the went back to the intersection to meet the food!) Kombi. Unfortunately, in that particular On the return trip we managed to get area at 1a a.m. it becomes rather cold, through the road works, sign or no and after five minutes Norm decided the sign, and soon caught up to the others, car was a better proposition. He had where Norm, unbeknown to the driver, not retreated more than ten yards when hitched a ride on the carrier and so the Kombi roared past at a rate of avoided any additional exercise that knots, followed by a storm of abuse from morning. four practised individuals who looked on When the others arrived, and after in amazement. An example of our "old" a good brew, we set off in cheerful mood friend Nick's map, reading. across the farmland which preceded the Well, we decided to go on in the hope climb up the Hinerua Ridge, where we that we might see them again some time intended to stay the night. We arrived at in the future, and after some excellent a Government culler's hut in the midmap reading from my worthy com- afternoon and spent a lazy hour having panions. we soon came to a sign reading. another brew, and a chat to a couple of "Road Works, Road Closed". Apparentlv Maori blokes who were there to do some the road had slipped away on a bend shooting.

Some of us began to set up camp, (5472)ft.). This was a magnificent day's while the keener "idiots" talked Gary into tramping. We were afforded a fantastic climbing above the bushline for a "look". view all the way and photography was Naturally by the time they had returned, definitely to the fore, with a certain chief we had settled in nicely, and also guide popping up in front on occasions naturally, Gary had been talked into waving a-thing like a movie camera at us. camping out on the tops. After quite a Near Mt. Tiraha, Norm Whiteside, using lot of argument, people telling each other his telescopic sight to advantage, bagged what nice chaps they were, etc., we be- a good hind, and although other deer gan to re-pack, and moaning, set off into were seen, Julian having a shot at one, the wide spaces. One strong young this was the only one killed. member wen a guilty conscience even We reached Howletts Hut about 3 p.m. offered to carry someone else's pack as and read the log book and a few nice well as his own, and was made to keep magazines, while waiting for the "slow" his promise (I shan't mention any names). party to arrive-Peter and Paul. Next we Unfortunately, the camp site on the travelled down a four-lane (more or less) tops was superior to our one, so there highway to the river and another hut was a marked silence about this fact on where it was intended to stay the night, arrival. and spent a very enjoyable evening swap- That night, after pitching the tents, ping stories with some deer cullers and we had a fabulous meal, stew and mush- singing songs like "Humpty Dumpty", rooms- -which had been collected on the "Jack and Jill" and other equally innofarmland early in the day-and settled cent rhymes. down for a comfortable sleep. At least Monday, with our Easter trip nearly that's what we thought, but it became over, we wended our way down the rather windy during the night, and Tukituki River, still taking the occas- "Hughie" decided to shed a few tears. sional photograph, and soon found our- The "Die Hards" outside were forced to selves at our starting place of a few scramble for shelter, all except Henk, days before. A grand push from many who was snugly wrapped up in a pit hands started my car, they being anxious cover and tent. for me to get the Kombi and avoid the We were woken up at some ungodly road walk again. After a couple of trips hour by Paul mouthing about a great out, the Kombi was met and was able sunrise, and while the camera fiends went to get through the road works also, thus through their paces, the others attempted making the walk unnecessary and reto get a bit of extra shut-eye. The sun, lieving many tired or just lazy feet. The however, did not stay long and with its convoy then flew towards Norsewood, departure, the cold winds and argument where a few thirst quenching minutes as to whether we should do the tops were spent (this had been the entire subtrip that day strengthened considerably. ject of a certain member's conversation Peter, Peter, Paul and Lindsay were all for the past three days). Thence the refor going on, whilst most of the others turn to the capital and home. preferred to stay. Sadly. I must count My appreciation to Gary and everyone myself amongst the mutineers. in the party for one of the most enjoy- Gary, who fortunately had the decid- able, educational and "Big-Biggest" trips ing word, said that we should continue I have ever undertaken. for a while and see how bad the weather Those on the "misogvnist" trip were: was likely to be on "Saw Tooth" ridge, Gary Lund (Leader), Henk Bertholet, where most of the trouble would be en- Geoff Carr, Lindsay Cuthbertson, Peter countered. Due to the low cloud and Daniel, Peter Goodwin, Paul Green, Nick high wind he decided we should camp a Jennings, Colin Patchett, Julian Pemberlittle way down the bushline that day ton, Dave Sorenson. Graham Westerby, and night. Peter and Paul did a little trip Norm Whiteside and yours truly, Arthur during the day to burn up a little energy, Daniel. and the rest of us busied ourselves setting up camp: finding water holes Pating grub. telling jokes and laughing. We did Cover: Our cover photo shows mema Jot of that. Happily for all concerned, the follow- bers of a working party at Smith's Creek. ing day, Sunday, was a "beauty", so we -Taken by Fraser Walls. began our trip to Howletts Hut via the "Saw Tooth" ridge and Mt. Tiraha