Delusions, [not of Grandeur], & Illusions

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Delusions, [not of Grandeur], & Illusions. Let me tell you of a few observations track, they were sitting waiting at the top I made on my first trip with the Club junction for us. Travelling down the into the magnificently majestic beautiful river from Cow Creek to Mitre Flats is heaven-seeking snowcapped Tararuas. a piece of cake. Of course, as you near (Whoops what did I say about gran- the flats the boulders are getting quite deur?) a bit larger which slows the pace down a bit. Woe is me again - - the guns I'd been told there were two appoint- forgot to tell me about the easygoing ments always kept by the Club. They track on the bank as you near the flats. are the transport pickups. This is to ensure drivers are not kept waiting. Has Jchn Addison ever told you the However. aftes the bus arrived 15 min- tale of the Ockle-cockle maker? If not utes late, stopped at Upper Hutt for 15 ask him to tell you one day when you're minutes to allow the driver to find him- lying in your pit with a spare couple of self a guide, and the guide missing the hours. Under these conditions you are Kiriwhakapapa turnoff, we finally less likely to be awake when he finishes arrived at a perfect camping spot under or, if still awake. you will be too tired some tall trees. to get up and kill him. Camp was set up, a brew was on, the I feel I must tell you one of the things weekend was under way. Sleeping I found out about Lyn St. Clair. She arrangements quite standard - tentfly certainly knows how to prepare a good up. lean-to style trip leader Murray in stew- even browned the onions first - middle guiding novices (and other) mmmm, delicious. She and John made around everybody has pits out anda good team, she to prepare the stew, hullo, how did I finish up on the outside John to keep the fire just right for of the row, another "first-timer" (Jeff) cooking. cn the other end of the row, guess who in the middle. Not to worry, the next By the way - no need to wear puttees night would be different (if I survive in the Waingawa between Cow Creek tonight's freezing temperatures -). Let and Mitre Flats for a while. There is no me assure you now that the next night small gravel left -I brought it all out was different I it was in a hut = who inside my boots and socks. cares about being on the end of the row Saturday night was an educational and then. So I slept nearest the door (on happy night. A short list of disthe floor of course) with Murray in No. cussed show the plane; Cedric, topics floor slot. course Fog-dogs, Of everybody knows Tetanus, SAR, Ockle Cockles. A few that Cedric and the Fog-dogs are only miscellanecus observations to finish interested off in the two nearest the door. with: Murray was very knowledgeable about Some people have damnably long legs. the route we were going to take. He had described it to us as being a fairly steep Some people get stuck into chores climb for 2-21 hours to Blue Range hut, when required without being asked - and from then on it was all downhill for others don't! the rest of the trip. Pity he forgot about the 400-500 ft. climb after lunch in the The Waingawa river is only cold for direction of Cow Creek saddle (or was a few hours a day- - 24! it just my stomach?) and the 500ft. climb between Mitre Flats and the Pines. Some people (Lyn) don't like Feather- Maybe Murray has not yet heard of the ston sausages now! ancient law of physiology known as John A. pushes into rivers Mac's Fact which states "Physical and then jumps on girls hands dislocatis to yONeF Energy directly proportional Psy- ing fingers (two fingers at least, wasn't chological Preparedness". it Erin?). [it's all lies. - Ed.] Route-finding was very easy, even on Thank you, Murray, for an the quicker but slightly steeper, undisced trip, and also, thanks to all the enjoyable others. ridge track towards Blue Range. Shame on the "Easy" group, who left after us and took the easier but slower disced GRAHAM MCGLASHAN.