Kaitoke - Schormanns

Machine-read text (unproofread)

Read from the scans by software, so it contains mistakes. Typing it up properly would help blind readers: use Suggest an edit.

KAITOKE SCHORMANNS With the Schormann's-Kaitoke be- Eventually Anderson's Hut, but it coming a common feat, it was interest- had become unpleasantly hot and we ing to note that no one had succeeded were beginning, to feel tired. Over in doing the trip in reverse, Kaitoke to Crawford and into the cool bush of Schormann's. With this in mind, we the Northern Main Range, but the (Kevin Moynihan, Tony Gazley, Dennis had slowed and the last climb up, left Pokce Gazley) straight after work and toro was a real effort. Dracophyllum headed for Upper Hutt and the fish and Bivvy, a welcome sight. Boots off and chip shop. Then on to Kaitoke, a quick collapse into pits to doze while the tea change of and we set off at a slow was cooking. We watched a glorious plod ROVETEHTA Alpha. Some fine weather sunset and then turned in for a muchmist hung about the tops but other- needed sleep. wise a perfect evening. We arrived at Another 3a.m. breakfast next mornthe burn just in time for it to get dark ing and away into the "gunge" of and in the bush the track got lost a Northern Main Range. Leatherwood couple of times. Omega, Hell's Gate, ripped our sunburn, elephant-grass and downhill to Alpha Hut, arriving hindered progress; we tripped, bashed, about 11 p.m. A welcome brew and and swore our way on to Arete only to into the pits for a short sleep. be met by strong wind and mist. On The alarm had us up early and, after with jerseys and parkas and on to the each preparing his own version of a endless bumps of Dundas Ridge. At "go-go" breakfast (peanuts and fruit- West Peak the mist cleared and we lay cake for Tony) we were on our way in the sun contemplating, our last at 4a a.m. The dawn tinted the snow- obstacle, the saddle to East Peak. Once grass as we climbed over Alpha and smashed it was a downhill run to headed around the Southern to a per- Putara Hut. We had made it. Only one fect morning. Vosseler for a brew of o'clock, time enough to lie in the bunks "instant gun" (Kevin's glucose for a couple of hours before leaving mixture) and along the gouentre Main for the road. Range. Our last big climb of the day, Taxi, train and home, then simply to Crawford, appeared dwarfed in the dis- present ourselves at work next morntance, but the weather was good and ing even if only in body and not in we made fast time, enjoying the easy soul. travel. DENNIS GAZLEY