Waitohu - Plateau, June 24-26

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WAITOHU-PLATEAU I JUNE 24-26 We were just tucking into it when the first of the mediums arrived, who, in Three of us arrived at Wellington spite of invitations to stay for a brew, Railway Station for the usual 7 p.m. decided to push on, muttering things like departure for the hills in company with "pit bashers", "pikers", etc. An attempt two other medium trips. With two other to convince them that we had been there bods to be picked up en route, we were all night, was largely successful, but Ian a compact group of five, heavily armed and Val proved harder to convince! with large supplies of tucker. After the load was aboard, thoughts The bus dropped the Otaki forks party reluctantly turned to packing up and off, then promptly got a wee bit lost on going home. We left at 12.15 and caught the way to Waitohu. However, a bit of the others at or before the forks, where highly skilled navigation left us with a brew was had by courtesy of Murray's only an extra half-hour to walk plus the trip before ambling down to the bus 15 minutes into the pines to camp. with loads of time to spare. 6.30 a.m. Saturday, a brew was being Those on the trip: Leader, Bruce Ludrammed into a sleepy and lethargic mob, low, navigators Dave Ryrie, John Addiso 40 (or 50) more winks were had son and Owen Cox, and leading brewbefore getting up, breakfasting and fin- getter, kitchenhand and writer, Dave ally departing. We got away soon after Minard. 8 a.m., up the logging tracks on to Mick in beautiful sunshine, stopping to have MOUNTAIN HOUSE a look at the plane crash on the way. It has been recorded (hopefully) that We were in no hurry, days like this are on May 16 in the year 1970 ten trampers rare gems in mid-winter. After several climbed to Mountain House, and later stops, we had 11 hours for lunch, shirts in the day made the ascent to Powell off, sunbathing and generally enjoying Hut. life to the full. The successful trip began on Friday Reaching the end of the track about night when the bus left the railway sta- 2 p.m., we immediately headed off into tion loaded with packs and people. The an assorted mixture of good open bush, weather looked good, even though a rotten windfalls, bush lawyer and other shower of rain marred the bedding down secondary growth and rubbish. Naviga- and the departure of the fitness group tion was not proving much of a problem at the Holdsworth motor camp. in the fantastically clear conditions, so At the "early" hour of 8.30 a.m. on we ambled along oblivious of time until the next day the ten good keen trampers 4.30, when doubts were expressed as to set off. After a hectic night in the motor whether we would reach the Plateau camp hut, we were eager to reach the before nightfall. As it was we dropped base camp. The cold conditions that we into a little creek about 5.30, descending met were not expected, so on reaching very steeply for a hundred feet or so the hut priority was given to making a hardly able to see where we were going. fire, cooking a brew and diving into our A glorious drink was the first require- "pits" (in most cases the latter was first, ment, before getting a brew and feed with encouragement from an already organised. The camp that night was a bedded visitor). crude affair, three of us under the stars Several other visitors sought shelter in and two under a cramped fly. However, the hut and an invitation was accepted, it stayed fine so all was well. and taken up, to visit Powell hut. At first light on Sunday morning we Later in the afternoon Brian Hunt and downed a brew and were away down the gang, invaded the hut, and so began the creek, reaching the Plateau track in less evening of mishaps, e.g. stew being than 25 minutes. In a few more minutes dropped from the top bunk; entertainwe passed a little tent containing, unbe- ment a sing along; culture - Brian's known to us, a certain Mr. Lund. But we entree and fresh cream; and education passed by, not wishing to disturb any- the difference between an inexperienced body at that hour. tramper and an experienced tramper. Camp was re-established in Saddle The Sunday called for a rest after the creek before 9 a.m.,and a roaring fire night before and then a leisurely gallop got going by Dave R. The rest prepared down Carrington ridge to meet the bus. the mountain of tucker we had. When Unfortunately our keenness beat the bus, all was set the elderly members retired so we had time, at least, to admire the to their pits, leaving me to attend to our natural beauty around us and mark off second stew, Christmas pud, cream, fruit, several "red lines" on the map. and instant concrete (sorry Dave, Owen). DIANE WILSON.