My first Southern Crossing

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first Southern My Crossing Robert Griffiths 8 years Today I finished school at lunchtime Soon all were present and correct so and rushed home; this afternoon Dad off we went towards Hector where I saw and I were off on a weekend trip with the Memorial Cross and had another the Tramping Club to do a Southern lollie! On over the Beehives - gee, Crossing. Dad said the weather conthese places have funny names - on to ditions for the weekend looked pretty Atkinson to a tarn on Aston where good so soon we were packed up and Brian boiled the billy and we all had in the car. Mum drove us to Otaki lunch. Off over Alpha we went to Forks and we left the carpark at Hells Gate and now down the Omega 2.30 pm. Dad was anxious for me to Track. This bit I wasn't too keen reach Kime before dark, so off we on, it was all downwards and very went and very soon we were climbing steep and I had to do a lot of jumpsteadily upwards. ing which was rather hard on my knees. Perhaps when my legs grow longer I'll Two hours later and feeling rather find this sort of tramping easier. hot and sticky we reached 'Fields' Eventually we reached the Tauherenikau hut where Dad said we could have a River where we set up camp. Dad and rest, drinks and sweets - I had plenty I slept under Brian's fly. After a of these with me to give me lots of good feed of "stew" we all settled energy. Then onwards and upwards. around the camp fire to listen to By the time we got to Hut Mound it stories. I liked it best when one of was beginning to get dark and Dad the chaps read from a book of Idi Amin. didn't seem to know where the new Soon I was fast asleep. 'Kime' I hut was, he hadn't been up this way for a while. I got a bit Sunday morning and another fine day. worried about this and while Dad After a good breakfast we packed up checked the map I watched the lights and headed off across the river and of the Hutt Valley and Wellington past Tutuwai Hut and so upwards to the and far away I could see the flashtop of Mt Reeves where we had a weling light of a lighthouse. We then comed lunch stop. Terrific view of sorted ourselves out, had another the Tararuas from here and I could see lollie and found 'Kime' hut. There where we had all come from. From here we met a man who was looking for a we followed a long narrow track down rare and large moth, he had caught to the Waiohine River. After crossplenty of ordinary moths with his ing the river we all rather collapsed special light and waterbath, but not in a heap to eat up the remaining the one he wanted. food and goodies and await the arrival of our transport home. So Dad and I had our tea and settled for the night, which wasn't quiet like I really enjoyed the stop at Featherat home; other people kept arriving ston where my Dad bought me a Big and bashing about, but I was tired and Green Icecream, yummy! Eventually we slept pretty well. After breakfast arrived home. Wow, was I whacked! on Saturday morning we waited for the I fell into a deep hot bath and soaked other 'Tongue and Meats' to arrive for one hour. I really enjoyed doing from 'Fields', also my friend Brian my First Southern Crossing and think who was the Trip Leader. I would like to go tramping again!! Cross on Hector /Greg Aimer