Rees - Dart (Christmas, 1966-67)

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REES - DART (Christmas, 1966-67) The glimmer of stars in a cloudless right, running parallel to the Rees, is sky, the strains of carols on the even- the Snowy River, smaller in size but ing breeze and sixteen trampers, sitting, carrying a large volume of water. After gazing into a blazing fire and dreaming a short snack and a laze in the sun, the of days ahead. party proceeded along the true left bank of the river, crossed lower down and Christmas Day dawned bright and after a short climb up the other side warm, and as we had only a short dis- were looking down on Dart Hut, situated tance to go, some of us did a short, but at the junction of the Snowy and Dart worthwhile side trip, to inspect an old Rivers. In no time at all the tents were mining settlement high on the left slopes erected, another bonza fire built, and of the valley. On rejoining the others, the air drop unpacked. who were basking in the sun and already Next day, New Year's eve, was deturning a healthy lobster pink, we bent clared a public for those who our holiday backs under heavy loads and pressed wanted it. However, Lindsay and John on up the valley till a camp site was Shorland teamed up with Peter and spotted across the river. Allen, two Canterbury University Club Next morning a contingent set off boys whom we had met earlier in the for Kea Basin with Earnslaw in mind, trip, to make what was to be an unsucwhile the rest of the party enjoyed the cessful attempt at Edward. The rest of sun in the valley. The party on Earns- us lazed around camp, reading, washing, law returned the following evening, hav- and soaking up the sun. The day flew ing found the weather conditions on the and soon we were all sitting around the mountain unsuitable for climbing. Stan, camp fire, beginning the through to midwhile out on an after-dinner walk, man- night watch. Many songs were sung and aged to bag the first venison of the trip. all went well until eleven o'clock when A day later, the party, followed by sore throats were responsible for much Paul and myself, who had been absent of the enthusiasm disappearing. By the previous day, made camp past the eleven fifteen Rosie Chitt was suggest- Hunter River. ing that we move our watches forward Morning dawned bright and warm as to midnight, wish each other a happy usual and found everyone pushing on up New Year and go to bed. However, the to the end of the bush. By early after- die hards would hear nothing of this noon we had moved out into a land of and so a brew was brewed and in no golden tussock grass, where the Rees time it was all over. A few stayed to River was little more than a stream and have a last mug of Milo and for them the great towering cliffs at the foot of was the magnificent sight of the full Clarke were streaked with gullies of moon rising over the eastern mountains. snow. Paul pointed out a terrace above The first day of the New Year was as the river where he and Gary had camped fine as those which had proceded, and on a previous occasion and, on finding so we set off for the Cascade Saddle, it large enough to take our four tents, situated above the glacier, source of the we decided to call it a day and laze in Dart and a place of which we had heard the sun. Maureen and John Mitchell much. After some three hours easy went off in wild pursuit of a deer, sighted scramble we stood on the saddle, spellhigh on the opposite bank of the river, bound by the fantastic view before us. while every one else took turns at bath- Looking back it is hard for me to even ing under a small waterfall found near crudely describe the scene. The Matuby. John and Maureen arrived back in kituki River winding its way down the camp late in the afternoon, loaded down valley some several thousand feet directly with venison; enough to last another below, fantastic waterfalls, dropping in few days. leaps and bounds from the saddle in A long drag up, through tussock next which we stood, Mt. Aspiring, majesticmorning, followed by a short steep cilmb, ally towering over all, and clear blue found the shutter bugs wildly shooting skys, glistening white snows, the greens odd rolls of film at the views from Snowy of the beech forests and lush river flats, Saddle. To the left ran the Rees, out of parted by sparkling running streams. which we had just climbed, crowned by Time flew and regretfully we left the the majestic peak of Clarke. To the saddle and headed back for camp.

Another day was spent in camp, while morning early we packed once more and more energetic members did various side moved off in brilliant sunshine to join trips. In the late afternoon we were in- them for the last few days of the trip. vaded by some twenty trampers repre- To the strains of "The Sound of Music" senting various clubs from all parts of we plodded down Cattle Flats and made the country, which made our camp site camp in late afternoon on Daley's Flats. a little overcrowded. However, next Here another day was spent, not lazing morning we moved on to the Whit- but playing an energetic game of basebourne River, leaving Dart Hut and the ball. surrounding flats to those of the other Another early start saw us tramping parties who wished to stay. Several down river through what must be one interesting side trips were made in this of the most beautiful areas in the counarea, however we were disappointed in try. The river winds its way through not being able to reach the much recom- beech forests which grow right to the mended Blue Duck Creek, as the Whit- water's edge, where sandy beaches have bourne River was to high for crossing. built up through the years and occa- This was followed by two days of light sionally small river flats offer the ideal rain (the only real rain on the whole place for a camp. By late afternoon we trip), but not enough to worry us over were within an hour of the road end much. On the second day Brian, Allen, and the end of our trip. Thanks, Paul, and Norm dropped in from their camp for a terrific Christmas. a few hours down the river and so next -John Moynihan.