Jumbo - Holdsworth, May 15-18

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JUMBO HOLDSWORTH and six bunks, two of which are usable. MAY 15-18 I would prefer to sleep on the floor. Leader - - Brian Hunt This hut appears remain upright through a combination of faith, borer-bugs hold- Being a fairly new member to the ing hands, and wire stays to nearby club I was rather dismayed, yet pleased, trees. to receive in the post a small card from While we were brewing up; more Brian, telling me the requirements for members of our party arrived - the the trip. Never had I met such efficiency, Foxes, Paul Green and a few others, and and although I had the mentioned items, our party was almost complete except it seemed a very good idea for members for Lindsay Cuthbertson (who, through not knowing the procedure or route to a misunderstanding. had gone with John be taken. I am surprised it is not done Addison and party to Angle Knob), and more often. two members who had tried the "Holds- According to the card, 17 of us would worth creek variation". leave the station at 7 p.m. for Holds- An hour to Jumbo where mist was worth Lodge, but somehow the number being blown about by a strong breeze, increased as time went on. Various mis- a rest amongst scattered patches of snow creants joined the crew and some went from the last weekend's snowfall, a their own way, leaving our naturally donning of overtrou for those who were efficient leader a little confused. cold, and an hour and a bit's stroll to In a fine misty rain we set off from Holdsworth, where the sun made a the Lodge in groups of four and five for watery attempt to break through the the Atiwhakatu hut. The track follows mist. Here we were able to see some of the Atiwhakatu stream, climbing bluffs the mysterious Brocken spectres which to avoid gorges then dropping down near used to be dreaded by superstitious the stream again. The estimated time is pioneer climbers. about two and a quarter hours. Although We were lured to the top by Brian, this is the accepted route, some more saying he could see the Main range, but experienced members (their names shall when we reached the trig it had mysternot be mentioned) preferred Holds- iously disappeared, so he took a worth Creek to the Atiwhakatu stream, photo so as not to disappoint us. (Care- group others tried the next stream, and a few fully planned.) just became a little "bushed". Those who were foolish enough to On arrival at Atiwhakatu hut we drop lolly papers were severely admonfound Murray Hall (a Wairarapa mem- ished, and we scuttled thankfully down ber) and a private party already in- to Powell, paused, then plunged on stalled, with a roaring fire going. down to Mountain House, where the After counting of heads it was estim- easy party, led by Gillian Taylor, were ated that eight of the party were missing hanging out. (give or take a few). Brian was not Brian called for volunteers to "organparticularly worried and thought a little ise" the stew, and I volunteered, not dampness would do them good. having been long enough with the club The next morning proved to be over- to know the full meaning of "organise". cast and, having breakfasted, Brian set I soon found out. off on a quest to see if he could find a Brian had few more members to add to the meagre munity stew" predicted for Saturday a "superb com- and party; but as they were probably sleep- must have been at night it ing off in some obscure corner, he that was eventually disappointed dished the mess returned empty-handed and it seemed Foxes undermined the stew's up. Also the that these mislaid members would have appeal by to find their own way, in their own time. preparing hand, so that a delicious the stew rice seemed dish before- We were on the point of leaving when mundane course in a very two of the missing people arrived and comparison. related their story at length, being none Sunday dawned overcast also, but did the worse for their night out. nothing to dampen the spirits of the two From the Atiwhakatu hut the track parties as they bounded joyfully down follows the stream for about half an Carrington ridge to the creek, where we hour, then branches, one branch leading had a very salubrious pike. A short road to Angle Knob, the other to a ridge to walk to the bus-turning area, punctuated Jumbo. by brews by our noble leader. After two hours of steady climbing Lindsay Cuthbertson strolled unwe reached our objective ramshackle aware of the concern and up, Spooners hut. This has walls of beech he had caused our leader, and, sleeplessness after the saplings (rotten), a roof of iron (which apparently customary exchange of inmight just as well have been omitted) sults between them, the former explained the misunderstanding and the latter Kevin Harvey on his harmonica, ending nobly forgave him. a very enjoyable trip, thanks to the The bus was entertained the whole efficiency and good leadership of Brian. way home by singing, accompanied by ROBERT THOMPSON.