A Canine Crossing

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A Canine Crossing From the office window the whole of in warm, sunny weather with the odd the Southern Crossing can be seen from sprinkling of snow still lying after a the lower Marchant to about Field's recent cold spell. Dog had no trouble Peak. How come it is always fine up in following the track but by Omega had there on week days? Running over the lost some of its enthusiasm for leading hills behind home trying to keep up with and was contented to take second place a disgustingly fit dog, the Southern in the party. On to Aston where we Tararuas shine in the last of the even- stopped by the tarn for lunch and to ing sun, how many times have I been admire the view. Not content to stay across there and always the weather is long, dog was soon racing around imbad. Determined to do a crossing in patient to be off, it seemed to have lost fine weather and having just read where little of it's energy. On again, and by a farmer's dog followed two Tararua Hector, two of the party were feeling Club members across, it occurred to me somewhat weary and had a good rest that perhaps I could take the dog down under the iced-up cross while dog finds a peg or two and have my trip at the a large patch of snow to race round in. same time. Stupid animal, it was supposed to be The first Saturday in October looked dead tired by now, not galloping up promising. Paul was down from Auck- and down snow slopes. land and tagged along. At 8.30 a.m. Down to Kime, on to Fields and a we left Kaitoke and wandered up to- much needed short rest before chasing wards Dobson. The as usual races dog out to Otaki Forks by 6 p.m. ahead and then runs to see if Well, we had done our fine weather dorack we are still coming, and races off again crossing, but as for dog, I know who himself. How much of that energy will exercised who. Anyone want to walk a it have left after a few more hours we young Collie-cross, I think I'll give up. wondered. The Marchant was a pleasant stroll -Tony and Paul Gazley and Dog. Anzac Weekend Waitotara Forest = (Medium Trip) meal was prepared over a big fire in A full bus left Wellington in pouring the hut, round which we gathered to rain and after an uneventful trip (apart eat and talk till retiring to the tents from a puncture) we were dropped off at outside. the road-end about 32 miles in from By 9 a.m. next morning we were Waitotara on the main Wanganui-New on the move again and shortly after Plymouth road. leaving the hut we ascended a steep spur Morning light revealed that we were to the tops (2,000 ft.). The weather was camped in a paddock on the banks of ideal for tramping and with no less a the very muddy Waitotara river. The person than our chief guide, Paul Green, fit party moved off with some ceremony, to look after navigational problems proleaving the 21strong medium party to gress was very fast along the easy going enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Later, in ridges. Occassional breaks in the bush clearing weather, we moved off following gave views of the surrounding area. a rather slippery muddy track upstream. Goats were sighted several times and We stopped at the Kapara homestead wild cattle were obviously around in (being renovated) to request permission numbers. Old fence lines were crossed to go. through the property. After lunch here and there-reminders of the failure the high river track provided excitement of attempts to open this country many here and there with caution needed to years ago. Point X, then Point T on negotiate a few slips and wash-outs. the map were passed during the after The bush scenery was magnificent, but noon before we descended in the late the river continued dirty all the way to afternoon sunshine to the Moeawatea the forks. By 5 p.m. all the party had Stream where we camped at an excellent arrived at Trains Hut. The evening site beside an old hut.

A late start on Sunday enabled us to at 11 p.m. to find our bus awaiting with enjoy warm morning sunshine which the fit party and learned the full story. also quickly disposed of the frost cover on the ground. Some fun and games in Apparently in spite of a wealth of the tramping tradition were indulged in talent and experience the fit party had before moving off. Our route went "bushed" themselves and had not come downstream for about half an hour, then out at their rendezvous. A series of climbed along an old road up to the lucky incidents enabled them to contact farmland and homestead at Moera, our the bus late in the afternoon and evenarranged pick-up point. We waited and tually get to Eltham and contact us. waited but no transport arrived. A fast run back to Wellington, arrived Towards dusk, the friendly farmer, Mr. at 3.30 a.m. Sorenson, realised we might be there On the trip were: Ron Fayle (leader), overnight and a house at our dis- Joe Pemberton, Yvonne Gillies, Paul posal. About put p.m. Ron Fayle, our Green, Neill Carey, Lynn Taylor, Ann leader, phoned the police at Eltham Reid, Ken Churchill, Wayne and Jenny and they started enquiries as to the Beehag, Peter Truyens, Barrie Noyce, whereabouts of our bus. Shortly after Des Faloon, Denis Taylor, Gary Lund, this the phone rang again and we were Stephen Moynihan, Janette Adams, Alan told that 4 taxis would be coming in Parish, Hillary Hammonds, Susan Galfor us as the 32-mile winding road was lagher and your narrator, Lindsay Cuthunsuitable for us. We arrived in Eltham bertson. Ski Report