Up the Rakaia, Down the Whitcombe

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Up the Rakaia Down the Whitcombe Christmas 1969-70 There must have been the usual gath- to the Forest Service and was in exering at the wharf on Christmas Eve, cellent condition. There were only six farewells, best wishes and all that. I bunks so the three tougher members, personally have only vague recollections Bill, Dave and Bob, slept outside. of this. The trip for me began as we Murray mixed a special milky brew arrived at Christchurch on Christmas called a Rakaia Highball-quite nice. Day. Our partv consisted of John Addi- That night John S. cooked and proson (Leader), Dave Munroe, Bill Har- duced his specialty-Reischek Risotto. greaves, Jenny O'Brien. Bob Hoy. Rosie Judgment was reserved. The afternoon Chittenden, John Shorland, Murray was spent lazing. Taylor and Lynn Sellars-what a crew. Come Sunday, the weather was cloudy We all had breakfast at the Station, and cold. John A. had us up early and ran for our train to Ashburton and on the move by 7 a.m. We headed made rude comments to Gary Lund's back down river about a mile where party as they waved us goodbye. They the two Johns reckoned they had the had plans of doing a three pass trip but best place to cross. I think they went direct to Hokitika The Rakaia is split into 3 main rivers and waited for us. and several smaller streams. The water At Ashburton. a bus took us to Lake in the main sections was about waist Heron homestead and arrived about 12 deep, very swift and very cold. Under p.m. for lunch. We left about 2 p.m. guidance we crossed, using ropes and on our journey. The weather was arrived at the Hut. The only casualty warm and not bothering about the track was Dave who went under losing his went straight up the valley. Within an glasses and hat. From hut to hut the hour we had blundered into a bog. It crossing took us nearly 4 hours. The became very difficult to make progress, weather had cleared bv now but we deand at one stage Bill had vanished out cided to stay put. The outhouse was of sight, up to his waist in a hidden a beauty. On arrival we looked around stream. Enough was enough, we strug- for the main hut. Good Lord' it was gled out of it to find the track which the hut. wound around the bog, From about In the afternoon the maiority went up this point it turned cold and began to to the Ramsay Glacier while Bill wanrain. We had another two hours in this dered up Louper Stream with his rifle. weather before reaching a small hut, our Still no luck though. home for the night. Monday and another early start in That night it thundered. We had a perfect weather although the morning discussion over tea as to the nature of was cold. Tt took 3 hours to the pass thunder and lightning. In spite of the where we had lunch. A quick scramble scientific explanation most favoured the over the pass and we set off down the 'cloud banging together' theory. It was other side. Bill and Murray were quite a storm though, and the hut really ahead at this stage with the former shook at times. shooting a hind and wounding another. On Friday the weather was fine al- Luck at last. though a fresh but light fall of snow The sun was very hot and still no covered the surrounding hills. We set shelter. The pace was slow and easy. off, crossed Prospect Hill, and dropped The Whitcombe River was very boldery into the Rakaia Valley. After lunch we and impressive from the start. It took continued on our casual stroll until we another 4-5 hours or so to reach Neave stopped for the night at Banfield hut. A Hut and most arrived there feeling of Tararuas were in residence somewhat exhausted. FERUIN and we camped below them. 9a a.m. Tuesday, we set off again ready The next day the weather was again for another rugged day. We arrived at fine. The Rakaia is a huge valley about 10.30 a.m. at Cave Camp where we a mile or more wide, with high hills called it a day. From this point there surrounding it and in the valley itself was a good view up the Wilkinson and no trees. In fnct. no shelter at all. It of an avalanche coming off Mt. Evans. was hot an would have been much hot- The rest of the day was spent sunbathter but for a cool breeze blowing down ing. Late in the afternoon 3. Hutt the valley. We carried on past Wash- Valleys passed up the opposite side of bourne Hut until the next hut was the river heading for the Bracken Snowreached and camp was made. Tt was field to pick up an airdrop of supplies, only lunchtime too. The hut belonged over a fortnight late. That night was

Above, left to right: Lynn Sellars, Bob Hoy and John Shorland looking up the Rakaia Valley from Prospect Hill. Cover: Lynn Sellars and Murray Taylor. Photos from the Rakaia Whitcombe Christmas trip by Dave Munroe. the big, feed, soup, venison, Xmas pud On Friday, the weather was hotsoaked in the usual, cream and an after again and we left at 8 a.m. The track dinner cocktail consisting of what didn't was in bad condition with slips and in the Xmas pud-neat brandy and windfall. About 11 hours after leaving Romin, followed by real coffee. Frews there is a fairly new slip, big Wednesday was again fine how and still unstable. We had trouble crossmonotonous. It took 4 hours to Price's it and also in locating the track on Flat where there is an excellent Forest ine other side. However, Hokitika Service Hut. From here we split up, Junction where the Whitcombe and with Dave, Murray and Lynn off on a Hokitika join was reached about 2 p.m. side trip to Cat Creek and John S. went We crossed the Hokitika River by out a day early to see a doctor. The and set off again. The track was cane rest of us went on down to the Flats poor and many occasions it vanished. and camped there. Four Auckland Finally, after walking down the banks C.T.C.'s called in to see us, they were of the Hokitika, we reached a logging in the hut, and also Willie a deer culler track at about 5 p.m. There was still came down for a brew. The weather another 11 hours to walk along a hot very nearly went nasty, with dark clouds and dusty road to the first homestead. rolling in, but soon apologised and The owners were friends of Murray's cleared up. It was New Year's Eve and and we had quite a welcome. The first we went up to the Hut to see a new beer went down rapid like. decade in. We had completed a 101-hour day Thursday, and again the weather was which should have taken us about 6-7 beautiful and very hot. The river and hours but for the track. However, that's gorge were impressive and even though the way it goes. By taxi and Mrs. Taythe track got worse the trip was still lor's car we arrived at the motor camp enjoyable. Willie came with us and where we showered, shaved and used up he knew where the track went which all the water. was helpful. It took about 4 hours to Gary Lund's trip arrived the following Frews. This is another good hut. and day and we combined for a day in fairly new with the original alongside Hokitika and the trip back to Christit. Dave's party arrived about 5 p.m. church. That in itself is another story. really battered after a 10 hour day but Thank's John for the trip. had a good trip. They mislaid Cat Creek R.H. however.