Yield to the Dawn

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YIELD TO THE DAWN. On the trip - Esther Mary Rigg, Julie T. Ellen "Slats", Mary ? (guest) R Leon Casanova, "Spud" Murphy, Catchpole Dave, Trevor w. Dudley M. John B. John A. Dan - Teranaki Man, Tom M, Jack Whatsit, Peter D. Bill Harvey, "Nuts" Bolt ( in spirit) Rodney M. The truck left the station at 9 O'clock, which I thought a good thing as it gave those who have to work late in shops an opportuni ity to "be in". Instead of the usual Featherston stop we pulled in at the "Hot Dog". Next morning found Dan and I still at Bannister and so off we set, at six o'clock to join those up at Mountain House. However we found them nearly all in their sacks, the weather being wet and misty and Dan and I went on to Powell Hut, which we reached at 9 o'clock and promptly crawled into our sacks and I, I went to sleep. Eventually Tom, Dave and "Spud" arrived and procceded to get the fire going, Dave and "Spud" taking the line of least resistance and settling down in front of it - Tom telling all and sundry that he "was going out to shoot DEER!" "Spud" telling all and sundry that he would sooner sit around and get nothing and I suggested that Tom might "get" a cold!!! After some two hours Tom returned wi th meat hanging out of his pockets and before I could open my other eye Dave and "Spud" were back into wet togs and dashing out with rifleso However it was a case of the "early bird" and they met Pete D. who was feeling extremely sorry for some poor old goat he had shot ( maybe it was just an accident?). After this I eventually went off to sleep again and was woken up to be told that it was dawn and to "get cracking" as it was a nice day. I made gentle enquiries about the stew and was told that we were eating it for breakfast. Although it was supposed to be 5 am, it was very dark and my watch showed 9 p.m. therefore I daid I wanted it for tonight's dinner. The others then suggested that I was eating last night's stew for breakfast tonight. Now I had slept very soundly and this was too much - so - I asked to see their b- booted feet and Dan did have his on; however, I was fairly certain the dawn was not pitch black and thought I would have them on too and said that I for one was not keen on the trip but would urge them to do it, whereupon Dan rolls up his bag and "Spud" got into his wet togs. Dave is already packed, By then I had serious doubts and concluded they were setting off whilst it was till dark but Tom 1 showed no signs of rolling up his bag so I asked to see his watch - 4.50 a.mo They informed me later that as someone had to have the correct time they did not alter all the watches, However 1 a joke is a joke - and "Spud" began to "spill the beans" divulging a previous hoax - this time the joke being on our "Spud, I1 Leon, Tom C - and"Spud" were in the Ohau area. "Spud" was in the hut when Tom C- came rushing in with the bad news that Leon had "opened up his operation" and would "Spud" dash out for help. : dur "Spud" ofcourse immediately dives into wet clothes and boots and sets off. After he had been going for nearly half an hour Leon catches up, very amused ofcourse, but not so "Spud". He ended up by saying he had "taken it like a big dog" but perhaps "little dog" would have been more apt. So, beware of Tom C-- big dog caller. Sunday at Holdsworth was beautiful and at 6 o'clock we were at the trig point resting in the sun. Dan and I spent most of the day surveying the High

Ridge, plotting a route for a Middle Crossing and examining the Holdsworth- Mitre Route il a trip that is still a "must", and now we at least have a photo of all the peaks, Dave 1