Ruahines 1970 - Labour Weekend

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Ruahines 1970 - I Labour Weekend W.T. and M.C. FE TRIP two hind carcasses from about 60 feet up the bank of the river. Some LABOUR WEEKEND, 1970 meat and adeepe livers were taken. Un- The starting point for both the FE fortunately one of the bullets had desand Medium trips was the ford at the troyed a good slinky skin. end of the North Block Road. The bus dropped us off around midnight in About 4 p.m. it was decided to camp drizzling rain (the only rain of the and a small flat provided a splendid trip) and the 14 of us on the FE trip place on which to erect the three flys were quickly in our sleeping bags under and light a fire. The evening meal of flys while the medium party disappeared stew was quickly prepared and eaten, into the darkness. after which an animated discussion took place on various aspects of current club We were away by 7 a.m. on Satur- affairs. day morning and after a mile or two on a farm track dropped into the Wai- Continuing down river next morning pawa River. Following the river up- (Sunday) the numerous crossings had stream we came up on the medium now to be taken very carefully as the party and all continued up the rather volume of water increased. About 10 shingly river bed which offered good a.m. a stop was made, packs put down bush scenery all round. It was most and the entire party ascended the river surprising to come across several large bank toa small terrace where a N.Z.F.S. exposed rocks which had all manner of hut (called Godsend) was picturesquely sea shell fossils embedded in the sur- situated. face. Then a steep stony ascent to the Further down the river a notice on' Waipawa Saddle (4,353 fet) and both a tree proclaimed that 1080 poison was parties paused by the raingauge. being used in the area. Some of us Coming up the valley the weather may have had qualms about the meat looked very promising but the wind on we had eaten for breakfast but we were the saddle was blowing at gale force all saddened that such a method of deer and temperatures dropped. This pre- control was in operation. Although the cluded our proposed route on the ex- shingly river beds, the severe erosion posed tops and a decision was made to and damage to vegetation that were all go down the Waikamaka River instead too visible are all contributed to by and meet up with our planned route deer, such fine animals do not deserve later. We were most fortunate that it this fate. was possible to do this as the short ten About minutes on the saddle crossing was an hour later a footbridge over rather rugged. About twenty minutes' the river indicated our exact position, travel downstream brought us to the denoting we had about another 40 H.T.C. hut (3,776 feet) for an early minutes' further river travel to reach lunch stop. the next major stream where we would climb out of the by now sizeable river. Here the FE and Medium trips parted, At this junction, in the warm sunshine, the FE continuing downstream. The lunch was taken and proceedings were ing was rather pleasant in the aher much enlivened when Brian Hunt with noon sunshine with the river scenery malevolent intent of throwing water gradually improving as it dropped into over the party managed to slip and fall the lower bush. About two hours later in the river. The rest of us almost fell we stopped at a small N.Z.F.S. hut and over laughing at this performance. enjoyed more refreshments. The first part of the climb up out of There were three rifles on the party, the river was rather steep but soon eased carried by David Forbes, Mike McCon- off on an easy-to-follow track which chie and Kevin Thompson. As usual, about an hour later dropped us into the these three were in the lead and some Mangatera River. At first the river travel time after leaving the hut a fusilade was easy but then came a series of inwas heard. Rounding a bend in the river surmountable boulders and a high sidle the rest of the party came upon the had to be taken, after which the going shooters as they were throwing down again became easy.

About 3.30 p.m. on a wide stony to join in a rousing chorus of Bringing flat we paused at the N.Z.F.S. Colenso in the Sheaves near the top. This was hut (2,330 feet). Unfortunately time did sung to encourage Nick Jennings coming not permit a visit to the small lake situ- up the last few feet. ated nearby and we pressed on up river. Parkas were donned briefly to over A dispute arose about our next proposed the top and a little way down the descamp site, some wanting to go further cent to the Colenso Track which dropon. Our leader, Peter Reid, applying his ped steeply through the bush to the brilliant leadership qualities settled the Makaroro River. Lunch finished off most controversy in a democratic manner by of our food supplies and with light vote and we stayed where we were packs we concluded the trip with a even though a majority wished to pro- delightful sunny stroll down the river cced! The flys were erected in a most to the abandoned settlement at the hilarious manner, the highlight coming shaky looking bridge. After inspecting when Mr. Jennings accused Mr. Hunt the ruined buildings and machinery anof pilfering "his" grass which he had other mile brought us to our rendezvous reserved for his bed. After our provided point with the bus and here we were bacon stew dinner Brian Hunt, with picked up at 3 p.m. and reunited with assistance, held "evening surgery", the medium party already aboard. attending to numerous small, minor It is worth recording here that there wounds and injuries. were no smokers on either the FE or By 7.15 a.m. on Monday we were off Medium party which consisted altogether upstream again. Shortly before reaching of 23 men and three women ranging the N.Z.F.S. Remutupo hut a fine stag in age from about 16 to 40. was shot. The antlers (in velvet) and The bus run home was enlivened and meat were taken. The ascent to the tops shortened by vigorous singing and a (Te Atuamahuru) was steep, with Den- refreshment stop at Dannevirke. nis Gazley, for some reason best known Those on the trip were: Peter Reid to himself, wanting to make a new first (leader), Nick Jennings, Brian Hunt, ascent route up a nasty looking slip Laurie Gallagher, Denis Claridge, Denis rather than follow the track. He was Gazley, Barry Thomas, Chris Kinzett, told he was welcome to go up any way Warren Thorburn, Dave Forbes, Mike he wished but replied he was not a McConchie, Kevin Thompson, Ian Mac- "loner" and came up with us in time donald, Lindsay Cuthbertson (scribe). Ruahines Medium Trip The bus left from Wellington as just about into the sky but if you were usual at 7.00 p.m., almost full except lucky (or heavy enough) you were able for the few guns we had to pick up to bomb down a creek to reach from the various resorts along the way. Waikamaka hut. All sorts of luxuries After much hilarity on the bus we were brought out, e.g. red dates, for arrived at the dropping place about this is where we said au revoir to our midnight. We, that is the medium trip, friends in the F.E. group. After their walked on until we came to the road leaving everything was fairly quiet, but where tents and flys were erected (well, after filling in the log, book we set out sort of erected). There was a fairly up the head-waters of the Waikamaka high wind which made this activity Creek. Allen had a little trip to decide very difficult. which exactly was Rangi Saddle. The Next morning after a brew and fryup, confusion being because he disagreed we left camp about 7.30 a.m. to go with the map or just couldn't figure it up the Waipawa River. The F.E. crowd out. Mind you, he had plenty of caught us up about half way. There port. We left our humble spot to was a rest sO the leaders bomts could get their up a steep face of this huge basin bearings right, each knowing their own until we reached Rangi Saddle, where business so one was not sure whether another stop was required for scout to worry or not. We plodded along Allen to and find out where we shingle beds, then to Waipawa would go pom there. More photos, then saddle which was reached about 10.00 off again. This time we sidled round a.m. Another lolly stop and photos taken. until we reached enormous shingle We left this pleasant spot to be blown slides. These were fabulous for no effort

Alpine Centre Ltd. 32 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington. See the specialists for all your climbing and tramping needs, before those trips into the ranges. We have a new, extended list of dehydrated and dried foods. See our new heavy-duty WATERPROOF nylon parkas and matching overtrousers. New stocks of climbing trousers and long socks. Austrian Kastinger climbing boots. Large range of British climbing ropes, including the new Kernmantel types in several sizes. Telephone 43-731 is required, and you go with twice as to go down to Middle Creek Hut which much speed than if you had to walk. was longer, or go up the track for about After reaching the bottom which even- 10 mins. then down a spur cutting out tually brought us to Rangi Creek we about half the distance. The vote was had another stop but this was only to 11 to 1 to go the short way. After going shingle out of boots. We left for from this spot about 10 to 15 mins. Fec forks of this creek in single file in we found ourselves out on an case Allen sighted deer. No such luck. grassy spur. It was here that a geen We reached the forks then did a left no names mentioned, decided it would turn for about 10 minutes and there be a good place to rest so we had yet was Waterfall Creek Hut, about 3.30 another stop for about 1 hr. It was p.m. It was the case of first in first rather pleasant. Then we had to do served for bunks, for it is a 6-bunk more tragic bush bashing down to the forestry hut. After having a fabulous creek. If you were sitting down by the stew, playing 500, and telling stories, creek you would see faces popping up we hit the pits. at all different places because it was every man for himself. Another good Leaving next morning at about 8.00 night, some sleep under the stars etc. a.m. we left to go to Broken Ridge. It Everyone being a bit tired, hit their pits seemed to be vertical because you were after a delicious bacon stew. mostly on hands and knees. There were only deer tracks and it was a bit hard Next morning everyone was moaning on the tall ones amongst us. When out about shoulders being sore (the sunof the bush we had a mightly feeling of burn from the day before) but being relief. We kept going for two and a tough trampers we forged on for a two half hours, until we turned off on to a hour trek across farm country and a fraction of the Main Range, then turn- road, then another two hour wait for ing off this on to Hinerua Ridge. It the bus. This was spent playing cards was a marvellous day and you could or eating everyone else's food. see for miles out to the East Coast. A At last the bus came we problem attached to this marvellous day the F.E. about half and an picked was that everyone was getting sun- up trip hour or burned. We had lunch at Hinerua Hut so up a few roads. There were great about 1.30 p.m., the noon sun showing exchanges of how your trip went, how its face so we lay in the sun eating and many deer seen and shot etc. There drinking and brewing for about 1 hr. was the usual stops and of course the being careful not to drink sandflies, good old sing-song which is always who were attracted to some more than welcome on a four-hour bus drive, others. We managed to get down a which tends to be a bit boring if your creek which ended up in Smiths Creek. mind is not occupied. My conclusion We then proceeded to Smiths Creek Hut being "a good time was had by all". where the filling in of the log book Those on the trip: Allen ceremony was gone through and tossing (Leader), Barbara Wheeler, Jill Higgens Taylor, up. whether to go on. The decision Jenny O'Brien, Mark Webley, Max being yes. So on to bomb up Ridge Buckley, Murray Taylor, Warwick Saddle, sidled around part of Smiths Round, Jon Spink, Chris Everitt, John Creek, then came to another saddle Hammond, Robert Blomkamp. which is between this creek and Middle Creek. Here a vote was taken whether BARBARA WHEELER