Mystery Trip

Machine-read text (unproofread)

Read from the scans by software, so it contains mistakes. Typing it up properly would help blind readers: use Suggest an edit.

Mystery Trip On Friday 2nd April, over 50 people river becomes gorgy here and has to assembled at the usual place all set be crossed quite a few times; for the Mystery trips of the There a few people tripping and quite were two buses and the nrip trip and mossy rocks. After an hour slipping of over F.E. took up most of the second bus. we reached South Ohau Hut travelling Our which cunning leader Nick, not giving is pleasantly situated at the top of a anything away, gave his trip a lecture bank on the true left of the river and on the planned weekend, and kept the at the bottom of Butcher's Creek. Those younger members entertained by guess- at the front of the party put a brew ing among themselves where our des- on at the hut and everyone stopped tination was to be that night. Fields here a while. was a strong possibility, so was the The party departed South Ohau Hut Ruahines, after Nick explaining that 0935 hrs. and in less than one minute some of it was unknown country to Lynn and Adam had both taken him. Nevertheless strong sighs of relief tumble. Nick led the party for this a were heard when the Otaki turnoff was short section up Butchers Creek, and passed, on we went everyone wrapped I was "Tail-End-Charlie". This was the in their own silent thoughts, until shouts first time on the trip that the party of joy were heard by all when the had moved as a unit. The next stop bus turned off and Ohau was the intend- was just over ten minutes from the ed destination for the night. hut when another clue to our objective The trip departed from the Pipe was revealed to us all. Bridge, Gladstone Road, at 8.30 and Fourteen mystified trampers flounderarrived at Ohau Hut at 9.30. The weath- ed manfully towards Gable End. Found er conditions were perfect, a blue sky, much trouble and forced many tracks. and the track slightly muddy. The Upon reaching Gable End the menu only noises heard to Ohau Hut were said lunch. It was a very dry lunch the noises of the opossums and and lasted for fifteen minutes, but we certain members falling down banks, all made the best of it. Then off not to mention any names. A good the ridge with leatherwood scratching up walk, with a clear sky above. Left Ohau legs and feet tripping over hidden roots hut and went to an open area on the to the grave. The view right along the track where we stretched out our pits. ridge was wonderful, extending to the We had a brew and hit the pit about South Island and even Egmont. midnight. Some of us woke about 5..30 When we reached the top of Twin and breakfast was made. Most of us Peaks we stopped for a rest and admired had packed and left by 7.20. the view. The sun was shining sO it We left in "drian and drabs from our was a very pleasant rest for the ones campsite at about 7.30 after being told that needed it. After this we proceeded to proceed to the junction of the Ohau along the ridge to Waiopehu. We were and S. Ohau River. Some were eager fairly thirsty by this time as we had to be off and ploughed up the easy nothing much to drink for a few hours, river bed, thankful of the lack of those so when we came to a large patch slippery rocks. Others were content to of slightly muddy puddles, we had no conserve their energies for the un- pride; then we deburred ourselves. John known perils that Nick had stored for Addison appeared out of nowhere at us. Stage 1 of our day's proceedings the water hole and joined our trip after had been unfolded and everyone was leaving the F.E. trip previously. After anxious to reach our first objective and passing around the sweets again, we there wait expectantly for the master- went down to Waiopehu Hut. mind to unfold with suppressed satis- Arrived Waiopehu Hut at 4.10pm. to faction Stage 2 of his scheme, reminding find the hut already occupied by Levin us all the time that "You were not Duke of Edinburgh Award types. After forced to put your name on the list". a welcome brew, Jenny O'Brien The guns and inexperienced alike ex- pared the stew. Grant Richards pre- was pounded their theories on the day's so impressed with the result, he promptible activities, but how fooled Tncy ly vomited. There was pandemonium would be. For that matter, so would during the night when a the Master. itself caught in a possum trap After got short rest Pastuad having a at the fork the Levin types. The first one managed with the Nth. Ohau River, we proceeded to escape after being chased round the up the South branch Ohau River. The hut. Not sO the fate of two more which