Brief Interlude

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BRIEF : INTERLUDE At the completion of the first week Trev thought it advisable that we divide into two sub parties, Hori, Rod, Tom and myself deciding to stay in the Waimakariri to do a few more climbs before pushing on to the coasto January 2nd, 5.30 saw us leaving Carrington Hut on a proposed traverse of Harper and Murchison. An hour's travel up the White took us on to a suitable shingle slide which we thought would lead us on to Camp Spur. Unfortunately this led to steep bluffs which we were unable to climb but a narrow gut of loose rock solved our problem and led us to the ridge. On reaching Camp Spur the morning mist rolled away and we consumed our second breakfast in brilliant sunshine. Traversing the ridge, roped in pairs, we came to a steep rock face which offered firm, enjoyable rock climbing, The ridge again became easy and we were soon 7324' on the summit of Harper. A quick lunch celcbrated our ascent and our traverse was contimued by a rock ridge and snow basin to the White Col, Snow plugging on a long sidle at Col height was followed by more plugging on moderate slopes made interesting by one or two crevasses. The last 200' was climbed on very rotten rock, A rapid descent to Baker Bivvy for rest and food, then down the White to Carrington Hut ended our 15 hour day. A storm on January 3rd. precluded any climbing and the day was spent sack bashing, We awoke the next day at 8 a.m, to find the day bright and clear. Knowing the unreliability of the weat ther we rushed to take the opportunity to cross the passes. We reached the Harman Pass in two hours and an hour lat ter we were at the top of the Whitehorn Having a few hours in hand we climbed Isabel 900' above the Whitehorn Fnoa3s By 3 o'clock we were on our way again down the Cronin to Park Morpeth Hut. This we found to be occupied by a V.U.C. party so we were forced to use our tent. The next morning we were again held up by the weather and we made a dash for the now vacant hut. No sooner had we settled in than a very wet and bedraggled V.U.C. party returned. Possession being nine points cf the law we were not to be budged and spent the day eating, sleeping and "leering" at the girls, At 3 a.m. on January 8th. we had a quick breakfast and departed for Lake Kaniere and Hokitika, Apart from getting fouled up in the gorge and missing the route the trip was fairly uneventful. Dave, no doubt, has supplied full and further dctails of the "B" party. -Dudley -