Tama Lakes, Queen's Birthday Weekend

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TAMA LAKES lunches, etc., were spread out in the sun. QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND This provided a spectacle for some of the 6,000 tourists and skiers who were The character of the trip was set when waiting to go up the mountain. Then our the bus stopped at midnight on the Venerable Fuhrer decided it was time Desert Road and 15 trampers shouldered to go-go-go and we were soon sidling packs amid the snowy wastes of the through beautiful bush along the Whaka- Volcanic Plateau. Then came the crunch papaiti track. Some of the pikers joined I five miles to the hut, through snow the skiers on à a "Goat" (so they could all the way. On arrival at Waihohonu do their knitting) and took a short cut hut we enjoyed the inevitable brew and from the Bruce road down to the hut. music from someone's transistor, then Half an hour after passing Alex's Bivvy a few hours of welcome sleep. the rest of us arrived at our would-be The frost next morning gave way to home for the night, only to find 57 other a clear day and after putting our trip bods already encamped. About turn, and leader on the right track, we followed it 20 minutes down the valley saw some of through snowclad bush along and onto the older members installed in Alex's the ridge. A brief stop was made in the bivvy, while four of the tougher party sun at the top in order to discard cloth- braved it once again outside in a tent. ing and to take photos of Ruapehu and While tea was cooking a singing contest Ngauruhoe. From here we ambled off took place between hut and tent, but along the ridge in degrees of fitness. We alas, I don't think that the singing comstopped for lunch on the saddle between ing from the tent was at all appreciated Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu and here the because when our tea arrived the remains party split into three groups. The first were handed to us in a billy. After tea, party were to proceed and make camp upon hearing our Fuhrer's orders of an at Lower Tama Lake. the second party early start the four in the tent left the to follow the circuitous ridge, and the ones in the hut to reminisce and decided remaining three would climb Ngauruhoe. to catch up on some sleep. This was not We arrived at Lower Tama Lake to be for two reasons, the first being shortly after 3 in the afternoon and camp no one likes being asked if they would was made at the Lake Edge on about a like a drink of water at about 2 a.m., and foot of snow. After an "Addison" special having replied No! being told all they bacon stew people drifted off to the have to do is to break the ice on top of warmth of their pits, wondering where it; the second being I'm sure no one likes the Ngauruhoe party had got to. They a person who wakes up early thinking its finally arrived an hour after dark, having 5.30, and after waking everyone else up, followed the other's footprints through finds its only 4.30. (Val still swears she the snow, until they were guided vocally didn't do it on purpose.) So much for from the ridge down to the tents. They catching up on a good night's sleep. told us of their success over their meal However, we only had trouble with and proceeded to turn in but not before one person refusing to get up but neverone of the three decided to go down to theless we were away by 8 o'clock and the lake for some water. From the pit a determined effort saw the main party our Fuhrer gave his instructions on on top of Hauhungatahi two hours later. direction. Half an hour passed and every- The weather had deteriorated a little by one had quite forgotten about him. All this time so we lingered to take a few of a sudden a voice outside the tent was photos, put on some storm gear and heard to say, "John, I couldn't find the looked at Egmont away in the distance, lake". Roars of laughter all around. The then dropped down to the bushline (mud, biggest question on everyone's mind mud, glorious mud!) on a well worn was, "How could anyone not find a 10- track. There followed an extended lunch acre lake, when they were within 100 session beside a tarn while we waited yards of it?" The question was never for our Fuhrer and the last of the party solved, because before long everyone was to catch up. From here people meandered in a state of semiconsciousness. at their own pace down to the main road Most people rose early to wait for the ending up at Erua and by 1.30 we were sun, meanwhile endeavouring to thaw out sampling local hospitality, being protheir frozen feet, socks, boots, etc. At vided with tea and cakes by a kindly 10 o'clock we were off along the well couple. By the time the scruffy skiers marked track to the Chateau. Both and the bus arrived we were watching Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu stood out television in front of a blazing fire, grandly against the clear sky, and the clothes dried and feeling very rested. party travelled at a leisurely pace, enjoying the viewa and the sun. The lawn front- (Signed) R. FALCONER, ing the Park Board Headquarters was the site of our lunch stop, and wet tents, PAT WHITE, sleepingbags, 15 people, packs and J. O'BRIEN.