Mt Holdsworth Trip (14-16 July)

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MT. HOLDSWORTH TRIP (14-16 July) This season's Mt. Holdsworth trip left brought the news that there was an icy Wellington on a dismally wet night. wind up top with plenty of snow falling. By ten o'clock we had arrived at the With temperatures slipping and waning new luxurious Mt. Holdsworth Lodge, light, it wasn't long before everyone roughly fifty yards from the suspension was in bed. To make things more combridge. fortable, two of the girls decided to share As there were also some Hutt Valleys the same sleeping bag-apparently it was in the lodge, sleeping accommodation quite satisfactory. was quickly taken up. The cold con- Next morning was rather promising crete floor was the least inviting, conse- weatherwise and most of us were off on quently the remainder either endured an early start up the remaining 2720 ft. this chilling slab, slept on the tops of to Powell. The fresh snow delighted all wooden benches and tables, or were of us. It hung down in flaky clusters suffered to go outside under the picnic on the beech trees and stumps. As we shelter. climbed higher, more and more of the Saturday broke cloudy but fine and undergrowth was covered so that the we set off eagerly at 9a.m. Most of forest took on an eerie white grandeur. us were fairly new at this game, so we The ice pinnacles hung like sharp glistendidn't know what was in store for us. ing daggers and the fairy-like fanciful The beech rain forest was very attrac- shapes made by the hidden shrubs made tive and practically everywhere one one feel like a traveller in Nutcrackers looked there were notices supposedly Kingdom of Sugar Candies. for the benefit of the "tourists". The On reaching Powell there was a stiff party eventually broke into three groups sharp wind, but a glorious view over -the fast, the medium, and the slow. the clear green forested fingers stretch- Coming out of the bush, the medium ing out towards the distant plains. We group rested a while among the out- met a few more experienced trampers crops of clay and hebe scrub, waiting in the hut who had spent a rather cold for those still to come. From here we Saturday night there. They were preparhad our first view of the Wairarapa ing to go up the final 800 ft. to the trig Valley below us. Finally, Pete went station. At first those from Mountain back down to look for Ron, who was House were undecided as to whether to bringing up the rear-guard, while those try it too, because of inappropriate remaining carried on arriving at clothing. However, about six of us stag- Mountain House about 1230 p.m. Some gered up after Rosie Chittenden and were already settled in and had a fire Co. quite away ahead of us. A stinging going and a welcome brew well on the ice impregnated wind wipped around way. our legs and shocked our senses. Having By 1.30p.m. everyone had arrived, no gloves or slacks, most turned back, and by 2 p.m. most had finished lunch, but a few managed to keep going so found a sleeping possy and were sitting that about a dozen did succeed in reacharound wondering what to do next. A ing the summit. Time was pressing on few enthusiasts decided to go up to so we pushed back down to Mountain Powell and see if snow was falling. By House for lunch and to clean up. the time they had returned, the firewood By 3.30 everyone had found their supply outside the door had been re- way back down to Mt. Holdsworth plenished by some of the boys, while Lodge where Pete was kept busy making Margaret Riordan, together with a few of coffee as each weary tramper of the girls, had been busy preparing cupvedr at the picnic shelter. the evening meal. Those taking part in this trip were: Sleet and eventually light snow began Peter Atkinson (leader), Ron Fayle, to fall as the evening set in, but by then Brian Devon, Margaret Riordan, Dave everyone was pouring over songbooks Currie, Marina Lerrin, Paul Green, singing anything and everything with Mark Janice Fox, Sue Holmuch gusto, if no harmony. We man, Ali Burke, Wayne Richardson, literally sang for our supper with "Free- Neil Carey, Jan Dick, Lyn Hill, Fran dom", "Trampers"" songs, and even Bolgar, Clemency Thomson, Margy "Blueberry Hill". Lowe, Jenny Gill, Roger Gyles, Alastair The group that returned from Powell Martin. Tricia Beaumont