Nelson Lakes Working Party

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Nelson Lakes Working Party Anniversary weekend once again. A on the boat half an hour before decrowd of T. & M.'s boarded the Picton parture to make sure the 10.40 sailing ferry armed with shovels, axes etc. was not again put to use. bound for Nelson Lakes National Park The weather for the weekend had on a working party. A bus, unfortunately been excellent, with a bit more added to not even half-full, took us to Lake the fading Christmas suntan. It turned Rotoiti via the Wairau Tavern, where out a most enjoyable weekend, with meat pie orders were put in by letter. many laughs and most of the work asked Chief Ranger George Lyons met us on of us being completed. Saturday morning with news of the work Those on the trip: Paul Green he had in store for us. For that day it (lcader), Ron Fayle, Max Buckley, was to widen the track around the Dennis Foote, Richard Ibbitt, Norm and lake below the Robert ridge. This was Marlene Whiteside, Jon Spink, Lindsay because they had had 200 day-trippers Cuthbertson, Chris Kinzett, Ian McDonon the trip right round the lake that ald, Alan Parish, Dave Minard, and season, and the track was rather scarey Lynn Green. in some places. George took some of us by truck and Tom Patterson took the * * * others by launch. Everyone started well and soon built up an appetite. Marlene and I left the boys at lunchtime and headed for Bushline Hut via Paddy's Caving Corner Track. The boys arrived about 7 p.m., some of the office workers starting to Once again Christmas saw the suffer from a hard day's work. ing of cavers from most areas FNC New On Sunday morning Tom met us at Zealand (Australia included). Sixteen the top of the Mt. Robert track at 8.30 gathered at Base Camp just below The a.m. to show us what he planned for Twins on the Mount Arthur range. that day. The programme was to widen Various tomos were checked. Our Aussie the track, in particular the corners, sO friends gave demonstrations of how to that the new stretcher could be wheeled abseil 300 feet (on brake bars) and how down the track easily. This will mean to climb out (on jumars, one strapped that less manpower will be needed to to a boot). bring an injured person down from the Blackbird Hole, discovered last year, ski-field. This proved to be a very hard was descended - and found to be the day, but was accomplished successfully; second deepest in the country - - and in although an attempt was made on the the Southern Hemisphere. It went for life of our Irish friend, Lindsay. Bed 1,040 feet, in ten vertical ladder pitches. early for everyone that night, after the This became the major part of the battle between Poms and Kiwis stopped. expedition = every member descended Monday we had arranged to meet Tom at least some distance, engaged on surat the lake-edge, planning to do more veying, setting expansion bolts, carrying of the widening of the lake track. He in gear or simply belaying others who took us by launch further the lake went deeper. and was to return for us at UP a.m. We It fell to four people to "bottom" the all worked solidly until about 12.30, hole: cavers from Tokoroa, Sydney and when we decided to wander back to Auckland. Two T. & M.'s were present where the launch was to pick us up. on the expedition. In all, the majority Paul struck into a wasp's nest, got him- of people remained in the hills (base self stung, and everyone took off like camp was above the bushline) for twelve lightning. While waiting for the launch days or more. most of us went for a swim and found Caving from Wellington generally the water very warm. Three members of seems to be taking on a new lease of the party decided to have a little fun life. Even the H.VT.C. is becoming inwith our President I the lake has now volved! Trips are planned for the Wairasunk well below its original level. rapa and Waitomo. An interesting visit Back in St. Arnaud after a pleasant was made to "Skyline" cave, near Pio cruise, we had a bite to eat and in- Pio, on Anniversary weekend, the Taraspected the club section. A hot trip naki Club playing host. back to Picton, where some of us were SPELEO