Richmond Range

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Richmond Range Tim Stern Queen's Birthday 1978, and New Zealand our plans. Firstly, we had to carry is straddled by a 1030mb slow moving our water from our lunch spot to our anticyclone. This phenomenon, quite out campsite. This entailed carrying full of keeping for a Queen's Birthday billies by hand over some roughish coincided with 9 WT & MCs experiencing bits of ridge - a spectacle somewhat three perfect days in the Richmond akin to a trampers' version of an egg Range. and spoon race. However, a superb campsite strategically situated to A midnight arrival at Top Valley Forks catch the rising sun ensured that our hut found the valley in the grip of a labour wasn't for nothing. powerful frost with the promise of a fine day to come. Five hours shut-eye The majestic sunrise compensated for a before Tony crashes around waking somewhat frosty, brewless and breakfastpeople up with tales of being too cold less start the next morning. Nevertheless to sleep, so we may as well get going! the tantalising thought of limitless water 4000 feet below soon had us pound- In the two years since my last club FE ing down the ridge. Warren shot off trip, I hoped for some liberalisation rather enthusiastically ahead, missed a of "FE ethics". Alas, it was not to crucial junction in the ridge, and we be. A hardy breed of trampers, me didn't see him until Monday afternoon thinks, as shouldering enormous back at the van. Mountain Mule packs they clamber up a frost-smothered creek. And, would you Now I realise why these guys carry so believe, some of them in what appear much gear - i.e. to be totally selfto be rubber gummies. reliant in case of such contingencies. Could be method in their madness after A 5000 foot "directissima' " onto Mt all. Three hours after leaving the Richmond soon dispelled any nagging tops we hit the Pelorous whereupon were guilt about travelling light. A small, numerous brews and great noshes. Five ethnically constructed Forest Service years ago thirty WT & MCs did a rather fly camp in a bush saddle provided a epic three day gorge trip down this chance for a breather, while some mighty river. Memories of swimming members of the party exercised their through lukewarm pools contrasted taxpayers' rights by liberating some harshly with the now winter-coated corned beef of dubious vintage. frost covered boulders and icy rapids. What new could one say about the views The spur we followed between Mates from Mt Richmond on such a day? Nothing. Creek and the Pelorous provided an But by now it had become apparent that excellent route back to the tops. lack of water on the tops had to modify A gentle gradient led up through open

Strolling along Richmond tops/ Paul Richardson Coming alive after a cold night - Richmond Range/ Paul Richardson beech forest for 4000 feet until we Our last day involved a ramble along regained grassy tops at 5 p.m. The easy tops to Old Man Mountain. Tops sun was already sinking so thoughts travel in the Richmonds seems to vary turned to finding a camp. As for the from Tararua - Main Range inconsistprevious night, our campsite had grand encies to Kaimanawa type rolling views all round, but no water. However, plateaux. The structure of the range feverish scraping of pockets of early appears to be fault-controlled, hence season snow produced enough water for the abrupt changes in travel quality. a warmish brew to retire on. Despite Brian's heroic efforts to coax some A last sunny siesta beneath Old Man So heat out of his primus, it just would as to recharge our UV cells and we're not behave - consequently no stew = plunging back into the frosty bush. who cares? What a great place to We reached the van just as another wake up to. frost was beginning to form. Thanks to Paul R. for a great trip in an Paul A. swearing to the virtues of interesting area. his new fibrefill pit, elects to sleep out as does Tony. He claims he is taking clothes off all night. Sounds Those who went: Paul Aubrey, Brian like b...s to me. Compensation for Charles, Richard Gavey, Tony Gazley, a second thirsty night duly arrived Paul Richardson, Tim Stern and Warren in the form of yet another epic Thorburn. sunrise.