A Bad Summer's Reward - Queens Birthday

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A Bad Summer's Reward Dave Wills All ten of us were keen and merry Creek and were forced to return during the starry drive to St the same way as darkness rapidly Arnaud. At 8 a.m. we have to closed in on them. They unfreeze the steering on the boat eventually spent the night by the before it can take us across the creek and were spared hut fees. lake through morning lake-mist to Coldwater Hut. The next day was boringly fine, and we cruised down valley in The atmosphere was such that the dribs and drabs. By unanimous first boat-load headed straight decision Huey gets a "Triple Day" off up the shady valley. Mittens (Triple 'A') rating. helped take away the chill and a small ring of sunshine was On the trip were: worshipped outside John Tait Hut. Lunch was called at 11.15 and a South Ridge: Dave Gilroy, brew made up for the breakfast Matt. Comeskey, Dave Wills time rush. South East Couloir: Martin Thrupp, Grant Hillyer, The 20% group had boat trouble, Mike Kennelly, Glen Turner, and by the end of lunch had still Don French. not arrived. It was only midday 20%: Greg Aimer, Holland. and we were keen to move up and Anthony have a crack at Capola. Iced rock slabs proved entertaining in sandshoes but we soon arrived at Capola Basin Hut, and jockied for the prime bunks. After more brews, eight of us plugged up to Capola, arriving in time to enjoy the sunset - a promise for tomorrow. The trip down was rapid, allowing us to beat the darkness and rejoin the 20%. Last in, first out; 20% had eager dreams and were up early for their desperate assault. The rest of us were more gentlemanly and left about 8.30 in knee-deep powder snow (I dreamt of skiing). Three of us broke ranks and headed up to the snowedup slabs of Hopeless' South Ridge. The other five went to battle bottomless snow in the South Couloir, laden with heavy packs and destined for Hopeless Creek Hut. With neither a breeze nor a cloud the ridge climbers absailed and scrambled in the hot sun, using the rope for only three short pitches of iced rock. The couloir assailants struggled up the chilly gully to win the unofficial Summit race, and had time to sunbathe in the snowy basins Climbing on Mt Hopeless above Hopeless Creek. Dave Wills Back at the hut, cooking tea and drinking brews, light entertainment was provided as we wat tched two specks of light pick their way down into Capola Creek. Having packed up a steep face onto the S.E. Ridge of Hopeless, 20% were unable to descend into Hopeless