Arthurs Pass - Anzac Weekend

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ARTHURS PASS = ANZAC WEEKEND Rain! This one word almost describes found. During the night the nor'wester the but the magazine is too small got worse, the rain poured down and the so here comes the padding. wind blew. A to Christchurch on the As predicted the next day was still new reiet ande a couple of hours drive wet but we headed valley around on Saturday morning saw us at the Lake Minchin to a dmal bivvy. A snack "Andrews Shelter", the Main Divide and was enjoyed those who squeezed into Casey Saddle well up in the murk. it, those redbneth had to contend with The tramp up the Andrews Valley was soggy biscuits and sweets that dissolved leisurely, with a stop in the head of in the rain. Surprise stream for lunch and a brew. We slurped off over Minchin Pass and While here it started to rain. So off the Main Divide into Townsend creek, down the Casey sidle track into the a short, typical West Coast valley.. Steep mighty Poulter and a forced march up bouldery waterfalls and dark dripping the endless flats brought us to Minchin bush then a neat gorge before opening stream where a pleasant campsite was out onto the Taramakau River flats where a late lunch stop was made. Then down the river only to be stopped by a roaring discoloured Otehake. Three attempts were made to cross, and after a democratic-type decision (probably six against and five for) we camped where we were. Tents were pitched on a small terrace against the bush. It was still raining. It rained all that night and was still raining early in the morning when Brian reported that the river had risen tremendously. In fact the raging torrent was only about six inches away from Lindsays tent. The ropes from the and the fallen tree to which they hadye been tied were well and truly submerged. Since they couldn't be undone the ropes were cut and immediately the whole tree went saililng merrily down river. The tent was moved to higher ground, and the day spent eating, sleeping and a look was had at the only way out via a bridge in the Otehake. Noel spent some time lighting a fire with wet wood in a soggy fireplace, and Lyle was easily amused with the slasher; carving camp furniture and chopping down a tree which fell into the river and Ferakes and cracked during the night. The rivers dropped in spite of the continual rain. As it was still raining the next morning and the rivers had risen higher than before, everyone dropped gear in packs, emptied out most of the water and sloshed off up stream. The gloomy scene was brightened the odd brilliant flash of lightening bat on reaching Lake Kaurapataka the sun actually appeared for two minutes, long enough for two twits to have a swim. Around the lake and down Pfeifer creek to the Taramakau again, a long detour, then on down the river. The Otira river presented a dismal picture. Grey sky, boulders, grey roaring river, and the rain sluicing down. An remark was answered by a ing apire and booming thunder. "gbms demonish river crossing was done and we eventually all arrived at the railway at Aickens. A train came before we had SCETCH:-ROD MCLLOY time to change, the reluctant guard letting us aboard. A railway pie and hail storm at Otira, through the tunnel and back to the cars and Christchurch. The trip really ended about five days later when gear finally dried out. STOP PRESS: Raise your voice Those who followed Brian Hunt and against the milling of the Beech Paul Gazley were Lindsay Cuthbertson, Forest: Tony and Dennis Gazley, Pete Goodwin, Chris Kinzett, Lyle Mason, Paul Milsom, Peter Reid and Noel Thomas. Save Speargrass Creek! TONY GAZLEY Save the South Island!