Mick-Waitewaewae

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* MICK-WAITEWAEWAE An early start on Friday set us motor- fronted by a host of people busying ing along the main highway where we themselves chopping wood and gettins turned off at the old sawmill road at stew food ready for quite a large crowd Otaki, finally sleeping out under some -among them a host of newcomers pine trees. After the usual brew, our doing their first tramping trip. All agreed trip leader, an Aussie, was submitted to it was a really good trip, although a few some teasing about his new kangaroo- blisters and aching backs. Our hut was coloured tramping boots, so unique and quite crowded that night and Kevin and fashionable. However, our Auckland most of his party slept out by the river harbour bridge came in for some back- which fortunately didn't rise during the firing. night. On Saturday night we sat round a Late at night we settled in when sud- blazing fire talking about a wide range denly down came the rain while every- of subjects. On Sunday we got away to one rushed out to grab packs. However, a late start, ambling out along the track it eased off during the morning and we and having long rests every now and set out about half past nine down the then along the river. Halfway along the Waitohu Stream for a short way where track a party of fit trampers in our club we turned off and started to climb up. caught up with us, but despite Rosemary The view from the top made it worth Valma's and my efforts we just couldn't while for stretched out before us lay the keep up with them. However, we had a wonderful Golden Coast and Kapiti. thoroughly enjoyable trip and on the However, the track was very ill-defined way out stopped for a picnic lunch while and it was very hard to tell which rise Gary ordered 30 stretchers from a small was actually "Mick". We continued along plane hovering just above us. It felt the tops and finally made a turnoff good to wash the dirt and grime from started going down bush-bashing the aching cuts in our legs and thank you whole way getting tangled up in all the trip leader for a super trip. Those in our bushlawyer. It was like fighting an octo party were Kevin Harvey, Ross Ward, pus. Only one consolation, it did let Geoff Drake, Tom Webb, Dave Metgo after a while. calfe, Allan Thompson, Tony Gazlev. When finally we reached the Waite- Peter Orange, Mac Riding, Peter Goodwaewae River we had about an hour's win and myself. walk to the hut where we were con- -Kay Doyle *