A Northern Tararua Trip

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A NORTHERN TARARUA TRIP By Barry Biggs Several last minute withdrawals left tion. Storm gear was abruptly shoved a party consisting of: Kevin Thompson, on, keeping us warm and protected from Ross Leggett, Richard Bradley and my- the freshening southerly. Key became self, plodding indifferently up. to Putara. handy with his compass again, as we Heavy rain brought a change in attitude, trotted along Cattle Ridge. The saddle a sense of urgency struck as we acceler- provided a change and a short climb. ated off towards the hut. Cattle Ridge Hut wasn't where it was Noisy company in there gave us a dis- supposed to be (according to certain turbed night and with sunrise we were party members) and further along the away. A de-donving stop on Kareti, gave ridge it was found, nestled in it's us by a chance to appreciate our position, tarn. We hadn't appreciated just how as cloud surged down the Mangahau cold it was until we left the hut five Valley and the Wairarapa. Striding along minutes later. Trotting down through Dundas Ridge, a few stags bid us good the bush we managed to gain the Ruamamorning, taking our minds off the pros- hunga before the failing light gave out pective route. completely. 5.45 p.m. and we were in "Anyone for sweets," and a welcome Roaring Stag Lodge, twelve hours one spell on West Peak; Hines and Ruapae minute and ten seconds after leaving had given the non Muesli addicts hunger Putara. pangs. Off with a freshening breeze, We were shouted tea by the and a very interesting section of tops in residence. The fit arrived easy, trip in was covered, unfortunately in thicken- from Haukura Ridge at trip 6.45 ing mist. We arrived at the tarn above just missing out the p.m. (ap- Dundas Hut, where we quenched our hut was then forced to hospitality. accommothirsts. Proh growing date about thirty people, as it was still Onward and upward; Logan, Dundas raining heavily outside (what's hap- (grunt), a stop and then Arete. A splash pened to the men' of the club), the of sun wetly greeted us as we surged muggy atmosphere, so all the windows onto the first of the twins, this was the and the door extended to their fullest. venue for lunch. Feeling bloated we The next morning the weather dawned crawled off towards Bannister. fine so the easy trip wandered off with A bit of false navigation, and a com- the fit trip making ground on them pass bearing set us in the right direc- fairly fast. Almost an hour later, after down some spring river. cleaning, A we strolled off land. A minutes passed before mere twenty five ripenning profussion of birds, feeding on the tail end of the we stumbled on berries sang us a assembled at Cleft Creek easy trip. We all harmonic, main road, overture. We arrived pleasant, at the short stop, to talk to some after another having come finding down Richard already their the other two trips. Kev and others I off Stewart. the track with Robert to escape the growing masses, decided The bus arrived at 3.45 down the lower gorge. Four or by going were only six of us p.m., and there the fit party had the same idea. five Swim- of was 4.45 p.m. before there we by then. It ming was rather cool at this I would' like to left. year. About five time of man for thank Alan Runchimake our bones pools were enough to waiting for the stragglers, as one, a small fire shake, was kindled so after the last unfortunately with the they were unconcerned brew consumed. and a hot waiting. Incidently length of time he had been Further down the river we first to request a they were among the up an old bulldosed track to the climbed farm- But despite the final stop at Featherston. it good trip and enjoyed hold-up by all. was a