Holdsworth – McGregor Spur – Dorset Ridge – Kings T.O. Trip

This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.

Peter Hodge Our arrival at Powell Hut, at approximately 11.30pm was preceded by the usual grovel up from Holdsworth Lodge. Above the bush we stood upon the rock outcror, illuminated in the clear moonlight. The snow was hard and the looming tops plastered with it, and those who hadn't brought crampons were heard cursing. We arrived at Powell Fut, unpacked our gear, crashed and then: met oblivion! Bulk.snow and sun on Saturday morning. We left early, wandering up onto Holdsworth; accompanied by the despondent F.5. (Mike Kennelly). The snow was deep with a brittle crust. so step-plugging was the order of the day. Not long after descending from Holdsworth, we found ourselves ascending to Jumbo, with a little bit inbetween. At Junbo tarn we departed company with Mike who had decided to wait for the rest of his trip to show. From Angle Knob we had an epic view. Egmont, Ruapehu and Tapuaenuku were clearly visible on the horizon. The Main Range stretched away south to Eector, glistering white in the sun. Girdlestone looked absolutely incredible. We dropped off Angle Knob, sidled and then sped down McGregor Spur towards the bush. we had lunch at the Biv before continuing on down to the Waiohine. Just up from Dorset Creek we encountered a deep pool The whimps who couldn't take the cold water bashed up and around high above the river while the restrof the trip bravely swam the pool. A bite to eat at Park Forks before heading ur Dorset Ridge, to Dorset Ridge Hut. Five Hutt Valleys were encamped within the Hut. Guess who immediately grabbed the last bunk? Andrew double-bunked with him, while the rest of us slept on the floor, reclining on masses of snow-foam kindly donated by conscience-stricken Hutt Valleye and others. Sunday was an even earlier start than Saturday. We strolled along Dorset Ridge past the tarn. Things became interesting going up and over Pinnacle, and onto Girdlestone. (Incidently the Hutt Valleys siddled Pinnacle the day before). Great views on Girdiestone followed by a grind over the Kings. Lunch on South. King, before dropping down off Baldy into the Atiwhakatu. In our haste to zet out to the bus at Holdsworth, we raced out, reaching the roadend over half-an-hour before the bus arrived. All agreed that the weekend affair had been really enjoyable. Those on the trip: Greg Ord, Mark Nelson, Ross Wakelin, Andrew Paske, Peter Hodge (scribe).