Southern Main Range

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Southern Main Range Tom Halliburton I consider that the remarkable ability glimpse was obtained of our three old of Warren Thorburn to lead so many hens trotting merrily along the Main highly enjoyable trips to so many Range not too far behind the back of interesting places, simultaneously, the main party (namely me, as is usual should not be allowed to remain unon such gun trips). known any longer. Hence this account of a group of 16 or so keen trampers Unfortunately a rather strong wind who signed up for a "Southern Main accompanied by a little rain and mist Range" trip for Labour Weekend 1977 came in, while I was in the vicinity has come into being. of Wright or Simpson. With deteriorating conditions we battled on to The trip began in the usual fashion, Maungahuka and began waiting for our by Runciman bus to the Otaki Forks three tail enders to arrive. The real- Road. Apart from the breakaway group, isation that they were not going to do an ominous taste of things to come, so came fairly quickly (not being as influenced by Ian Bunckenburg (who dim as the average bunch of trampers). else) we all trudged off to camp near Worse still, they were carrying the the Parawai Hut. By this time, one bacon for the communal stew for that tramper had been lost to the Southern night (Sunday), so all spare food was Crossing trip, while our tearaway gang produced, showing the value of bushwere already near their campsite at craft lectures on the advisability of the Plateau, on the Waitewaewae track. carrying a pound of rice, or similar, as spare food. While a search party Next morning all went well, with lunch made a fruitless trip back down the at Waitewaewae, followed by a pleasant ridge, an excellent stew was prepared grunt up to Shoulder Knob, then on to from spare rations. Anderson's Memorial Hut to camp, and rejoin the tearaway gang. One or two The battering Maungahuka Hut received of the troops were flagging slightly that night left us in no doubt that we by this time, but after a good night's would have to leave the exposed Main sleep, all were rearing to go at about Range, and head out to Holdsworth eight the next morning. Except one road end, via Neill Forks. On Monday group of old dears, being Messrs morning in misty conditions Messrs Middleton, Parish and T. Hughes, who Bunckenburg and McLean combined their were still pottering about in their route finding powers and rapidly had us tent. In disgust, the troops shoved heading off down the wrong spur - off towards Aokaporangi and Maungahuka. Meatsafe Spur. To their credit, they Neil Woodrow and companion disappeared eventually realised the error of our from sight during the morning, apparway, but we continued on down to the ently having turned back somewhere Hector River. Curiously enough, this near the bush edge, due to declining was so high that a delightful 5 or 6 energy levels. Meanwhile the occasional hour sidle was required to reach Neill

Forks Hut. At least, that is, for one bushline without a tent, or, I party out of the four we had so far believe a ground sheet. He was now split into. sitting in the Winchcombe Biv drinking tea. In no time the five of us Warren and Scott Trustrum then raced were whisked off to Sayers Hut by off out to Holdsworth to inform the chopper, and later after a few world that we would eventually get tactful words to our pilot, on out ourselves home, while the bulk of to Masterton, dropping a net of the group plodded off up onto Cone packs at Holdsworth on the way. Ridge, and onto Totara Flats for the night. I stayed behind to keep an A little later, I returned to pick up eye on a Masterton boy who had lost my pack and ran into a very perky, one of his two companions on Winchwell fed group of three - our missing combe, the previous day, while the tail enders. They took great delight other had gone out to Walls Whare in telling me how they had dropped road end to raise the alarm. off Aokaporangi to Mid Waiohine Hut so that they could scoff the stew Later that night I heard a chopper intended for 16 people. "one mouthlanding at Totara Flats with a ful for Buncks - one mouthful for Forest Service search team, who then Thorburn - 1 etc. The following day walked over to Neill Forks. Very (Monday) they had struggled heroically windy conditions ruled out a landing up to the bushline on Isabelle at Neill Forks. After keeping a 4a.m. bloated bellies and all - and then radio schedule, and receiving a specon the final day, out to Holdsworth. ial drop of food, we headed off up the Hector River which had dropped consid- Later that day, Bruce and the two Ians erably overnight. Meanwhile, Mike wandered out to Holdsworth, being the Hollis took a small group out to seventh group of the original trip, Holdsworth, while the two Ians (our each group coming out of the bush at route finding team) and supposedly a different time, or a different place. Bruce Murdoch, made a search of the area towards Hector Forks. Although the "Visit every hut" event did not occur in 1977, may I respect- Yours truly followed his companions fully suggest that Mr Thorburn be up a spur out of the Hector onto commissioned to run an attempt for Winchcombe Peak, picking up a highly 1978. Planning need only provide for likely looking set of fresh tramper two parties initially, with parties tracks on the way. These proved to breaking away enroute at regular be those of the missing boy, who had intervals to ensure every hut is spent two nights and a day of bad visited, if Warren is up to his weather sheltering just below the usual tricks that is.