A Hunt-ing We Did Go

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A Hunt-ing Thankfully we dropped our packs on and in various states of exhaustion. On the ground and collapsed in a heap the saddle we were greeted by a Tararua beside them. For the past eight days party who were taking the same route we had been constantly on the move. as us. Another delicious, well earned, We had been in beautiful bush-clad lunch on the saddle and then down valleys, across grassy flats, over high, the other side into the Olivine. Sidling snow-covered passes, perched precarious- along the ledge we entered the bush atop rocky peaks and now we could as far down stream as possible, then Restoe rest. continued sidling down to the river. On Boxing Day we were transported Once down to the river we bounded up the Dart to a point opposite the our way down the boulders, the two Beans Burn. Here we shouldered our musketeers taking the lead. Once more packs, clung tightly to a stout pole shots rang out and this time it was for extra support as we crossed the two deer for our stew pot. We certainly Dart then set off happily up the Beans were not going to run short of victuals. Burn. On the grassy flats opposite the Forgot- It was a motley crew. Brian Hunt, ten river, the same place which Brian our leader, carrying a seemingly endless had used before, we stopped for the supply of maps, route guides, and wot- night. not to see us through any uncertainty in The sound of aircraft buzzing in the hills. Peter Reid, our harlequin and out of the Forgotten Valley rudely and already showing a luxuriant stubble awoke us next morning. The reason on his chin. Brian Carey, reserved and for this became apparent as soon as taciturn but always hungry. Lyle Mason, we had staggered our way up to the always smiling and ready and willing beautiful grassy flats of the Forgotten. to help anywhere. Our scholar, Robert One aircraft had wiped off its under- Wilson, a somnolent individual but whose carriage while landing and lay in a cunning and long legs kept him dry crumpled heap at the end of the strip. while others were wet to the armpits. Because of this our airdrops had Our two musketeers, Dave Forbes and been delayed so we lazed in the sun Mike McConchie, the smallest in the until its arrival. By the time we set party, always ready for any game which off again with a 20 lb tin of supplies might be stupid enough to show itself. strapped to the top of our packs the Finally me, Paul Gazley, a general noth- sun was at its hottest. We staggered ing, serving only as custard maker for slowly up valley and then up to a the numerous steam puddings. rock bivvy about 1000 ft. above Excitement began early, the first being huge valley floor. Why we carried all the crossing of the Beans Burn. Not the gear up there we shall never know the best of crossing places to be sure because two days later we carried most but good enough when you have an of it down again. idiot ready to leap in and swim across Just outside the bivvy icy cold water with a rope for the others to pendulum flowed over a huge boulder forming across on. With all the party safely a natural shower. A few minutes under across lunch was the ordèr of the day. this and we all felt clean and refreshed Replete once more we continued again. For the remainder of the afterriver, across the lower grassy flats and noon we just lay in the grass, soaking back into the peaceful shade of the up the beautiful sunshine, ànd admiring bush. The was soon shattered the snow clad peaks which surrounded by the sound doreu gunfire from our musk- us. eteers up ahead. Here, we hoped, was An early start was required for the our first venison stew. And sO it was- climb up to the Olivine Ice Plateau, Dave had a large stag to his credit. and at dawn we were on our way, Although we had an early start next sidling up the steep snow grass and scree morning the sun beat down mercilessly to the tongue of snow just below the by the time we reached the hardest icefall. Ropes and crampons were part of the day's journey. The sweat donned and we continued up through just ran off us during the long steep the gaping slots of the icefall." Our first climb to the snow-covered Fohn Saddle sight of the Plateau was absolutely magwhere we arrived in dribs and drabs nificent. The first rays of the sun

We Did Go were beginning to reflect off the huge the plateau it was delightful to be back expanse of snow ahead. Conditions were in the valley. No longer did we have perfect and we soon cramponed our to cover ourselves with garments of way up the snow to a huge flat rock, all types to protect us from the sum. beside which we pitched our tents. Dark glasses could be discarded and With all the necessary chores com- the green grass of the valley seemed pleted everybody wanted to do some- to have a soothing effect on our eyes. thing different. The two Brians and The last day of 1970. There was no Mike set off across the plateau to hurry to leave the magnificent Forgotten look at Futurity Rock. Peter and Dave Valley. A couple of hours behind Dave pottered around on the snow slopes and Mike, who had left early in the under Blockade, while Lyle and I armed hope of finding game, the rest of us with ropes and slings set off to traverse packed up and plodded slowly up the around the ridge at the S.E. end of steep side of the valley, and then sidled the plateau and climb Blockade and around under Mt. Angle to a beautiful Climax on the way. Bob, having more alpine lake covered in ice. Here we sense than the rest of us preferred to lunched and the polar bear even went remain behind and lie in the sun. swimming. We dropped down slightly Whichever way we went we all made then scrambled up the scree to Four very slow progress because of the soft Brothers Pass. Far below in the grassy slushy snow, and the sun which threat- flats of the Diorite, Dave and Mike ened to burn the last shreds of skin off had spread out our brightly coloured our already peeling faces. flys. We raced down from the pass However, by the time we arrived and collapsed happily in the grass. back at camp for dinner the sun was New Years Day turned out to be sinking lower on the horizon and the our longest day. Leaving early we caretemperature more pleasant. We were fully followed the rudimentary track all very tired and we lazed on the down towards the Pyke, only to lose beautiful warm rock admiring the fan- it near the end. Some went one way tastic scenery until finally the twilight while others went their own way. If changed to darkness. it hadn't been for another party in the Morning came but nobody was par- valley we would have spent hours lookticularly keen to move. The heat and for each other. However, at the head activities of the previous day had sapped inf Lake Wilmot we were all back tomost of our energy. However, as we gether again and continued our way had to leave the plateau that day we the Pyke. Eels and trout were plentiforced tired limbs into action to take ful in the river and we spent an one last look at this fantastic place. exciting half hour catching even more Brian, Brian and Dave wandered over food. Éleven hours after setting off we to Passchendaele Col and then to Block- finally pitched camp on the grassy flats ade Col. Peter, Lyle and I set off to beside the river, all of us very, very climb Destiny, stopping many times for tired. photographs. The scant remains of Upper Pyke On our return, several hours later, hut was our first stop next morning. our formerly peaceful camp looked more From there it was an easy and pleasant like a Chinese laundry. The Tararua walk through the dense bush to Big party had arrived and Paul Milsom's Bay. Some pushed it while others ambled party as well. There was gear and clothes through being in no hurry whatsoever spread everywhere and people were sit- Actually, they were too tired to hurry ting around chatting merrily. It was and arrived a couple of hours after a big day for the T & M's, sixteen the others. on the plateau at the same time. Had it not been for the millions We roped together only for the des- of pesky sandlfies our stay at Big Bay cent through the icefall then bounded would have been sheer bliss. We had our way down to the bivvy where we to completely cover ourselves, or conuplifted the remainder of our rations stantly smear insect repellent over arms, and stumbled down through the snow- legs, and faces or be eaten alive. Othergrass to the peace of the valley below. wise our two day stay was superb. Despite the reluctance of some to leave An old tumbled-down shack was used as kitchen and dining room, while sleep- and ambled the Hope River and ing quarters were only a few yards pitched camp Unn the long grass. Our away. Our second airdrop was waiting cooks were really on the ball that evenfor us on our arrival and for two days ing. The main meal was a Chinese deliwe did little else but eat and sleep. cacy prepared by the lanky Egg Foo Those who felt so inclined went swim- Wilson. Dessert was supplied by Peter ming, fishing, or ambled along the shores who made a delicious steam pudding. of the mighty. Tasman Sea. One of And supper was prepared by our leader the few inhabitants of Big Bay, Joe who made yet another perfect loaf of Driscol, kept us provided with crayfish bread. We were having the last laugh and amused us for hours with his tales. at those who laughed at our camp oven. On our second day we all helped Joe It was being used for bread and many with his cray pots. Having learnt the other delicacies. art we baited and dumped an old pot The ccol shade of the bush was dein for ourselves. lightful as we wandered our way, through On the 5th January we packed up to the Cascade River the following day. and left to proceed around the coast At times we feared we were hopelessly to the Hope River. Before leaving the lost when the old track seemed to disbay, however, we had one task to com- appear into nowhere. Some stayed with plete-pulling in our crayfish pot. To it and wandered nonchalantly through our amazement it was loaded. Eagerly, the avenue of bush while others thrashed we pulled it ashore and counted them. around in the bog to one side only Thirty-seven crays-not bad for the first to emerge at the Cascade River mouth try! Taking one big one each we left later and covered in mud almost to the rest for Joe, bid him farewell, and their shoulders. All worries were forcontinued on our way. Many of the gotten after being provided with a brew meals that followed consisted of that at Nolan's Homestead. Then the usual exquisite delicacy-crayfish. chore of pitching camp, a meal, and Our three days on the coast were finally bed. taken with mixed feelings. Some en- Our second to last day was a pleasant joyed it, others endured it, and the and easy one. We crossed Martyr Saddle remainder loathed it. They were not and wandered our way down to the an easy three days. Our packs were grassy flats of the Jackson. En route quite heavy and for the.whole time we had the Martyr River diving display we were either boulder hopping or where one nit leapt off a bridge about struggling along the sand. The sand was 30 ft. above the river. certainly the worst, causing us to stop There in the bush green flats of the every half hour to rest. Then there Jackson we spent our last evening towere the ubiquitous sand flies. At no gether. Our musketeers supplied the stage would they leave us alone. Even meat for the evening meal. The last while on the move we were bitten inces- few frames of film were used and wornsantly. The distance seemed interminable out clothing was patched in preparaand the slow change of scenery did tion for future trips. "Phin evening not enhance the enjoyment. One thing was beautiful and we lay around which talking, was in our favour was the laughing, and eating up as much of weather, which continued to remain fine the remaining food as possible before a real blessing. finally hitting the sack. The thought of shooting wild cattle Early next morning I left the rest on the coast thrilled Dave and Mike of the party still in their sacks and and they were out ahead as often as wandered down the Jackson with the possible. hope of reaching the Hermitage by even- Finally, at the end of the third day ing. we left the balmy breezes of the coast Paul Gazley. PLEASE RETURN YOUR 25th CELEBRATIONS QUESTIONNAIRE PROMPTLY