Tangata-Mick (5-8th May, 1967)

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TANGATA-MICK (5-8th May, 1967) This was a luxury fitness trip ably Otaki River course caused a thought or led by one of Winston's distant relations two for other Tongue and Meats who who very thoughtfully organised a fine would most likely be freezing until the weekend. In retrospect dominant grey swirling mist cultivated self pity. thoughts are of surprisingly easy coun- Onwards through the confusing outtry in the middle of the tangled western lines of the Tangata-Mick ridge. Garth Tararuas, mossy glades and gurgling did an excellent imitation of his anbrooks instead of acres of fallen logs cestors and climbed many, cigarettes held together by battering bush lawyer. while smoking the proverbial tree. His Paradoxically the toughest part of this directions were extremely valuable and trip was in finding the road into the saved sufficient time for many lengthy bush. stops for contemplation. The correct spur was located and followed for a Ken Churchill's fiendish plan was to short while. Readers please note that outflank the Otaki by discovering a card- new blazes in this area take one down board replica of Odlin's timber road. rapidly into Mick Stream! By skillful use of old 78 records dis- Mick Stream was treacherous, guised as two compasses he intended log filled, dark sided, greasy, and persistently taking Tangata by surprise as it would followed a northerly course, which be looking south instead of west. Alas, the opposite to the desired way. A rock was readers, Alan Runciman's bus fooled us jumped up and injured all and the whole trip found itself in Hilary's leg, confusion on the main road to Levin! slowing progress a little. Conditions im- Two paragraphs later there it was, Od- proved after meeting the West Waitelin's timber road, closely guarded by waewae and a good camp site was Mr Gunderson. A short walk along a found just as dusk entered the stage. starlet approach and there were pine A good totara fire on the seaward bank needle Vonos under gently swaying trees. of the stream and a very good communal stew rounded off a thoroughly satisfying day. The cold light of dawn showed that this was a pleasant little valley of pines Sunday was even better. Sunday was and beech and punga. The trip leader en- a succession of widening creeks and exsured an eight o'clock start by subtle panding vistas. Sunlight playing tricks ignition of sleeping bags, the swine! with its rays showing everything at its best. Rock pools and grassy flats and Waitewaewae hut. The hut was full of Farther on the valley narrowed and hospitable Tongue and Meats who had the party climbed steadily in the creek. now approached it from three directions. The damp sunny morning turned to a Then the reluctant journey out away damp grey morning and low hopes were from the tranquility of a sundrenched held for a return of the shining yellow valley. Even the road walk was pleasurthing in the sky. However, after a able. vertical attack on a superb leading spur (little did we know where it was leading Milk shakes and a grey Wellington us) the sun began to beat down with evening, back to work on Monday mornamazing rapidity. Up and up with ing, but the memories tell that this was glorious views and plenty of time to a trip worth writing about. observe them. Great timber roads following spurs and bisecting them with -Dave Capper monotonous regularity, pleasant tracks amongst sunlit foliage and then there Those on the trip: Garth Mumme, it was, the leatherwood jungle of Craig Rowley, Terry O'Dwyer, Dave Tangata. Craig provided a good excuse Thomson, Wayne Hobson, Alan Jack, for a long stop and the area provided Kevin Price, Dave and Hilary Capper, good sport for would be water diviners. Brian Goodwin, Alan Pilling, Tony Wide views of the main range and the Smith, and leader Ken Churchill.