Broken River Rules OK

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"Broken River Rules - OK" Karen O'Byrne Most of the 1984 Broken River team assembled at Wellington Airport on the first Friday in August. The group were in high spirits despite indifferent snow reports and the uncertainty regarding the water supply at Broken River. Upon our arrival in Christchurch we repaired to the Meadowpark Motor Camp for an early night in anticipation of skiing the morrow at Mt Hutt. Unfortunately the "Skifield in the Sky" did not open on the Saturday so we amused ourselves in Christchurch instead. Porter's Rocks was on the agenda for Sunday but as it too was closed we went directly to Broken The Monday morning ski-off, that River. The journey across the sadistic alpine ritual, was plains was enhanced by overnight mercifully abandoned and bods snow bejewelling a picturesque assigned themselves to the ski landscape. class they considered appropriate to their level of incompetence. At Porter's Pass it was considered Our Canadian instructors, Fred prudent to 'chain' the three and Linda, showed considerable minivans, this procedure proving aptitude in 'critically analysing' impossible on the third vehicle one's technique or lack thereof, because the chains were too short. thereby erasing any false confi- A common problem with rental dence that may have developed vans, but unprofessional and during too many weekends at Ruapehu. inconvenient all the same. The lower car park was eventually The week proceeded with day after reached and from there it was day of brilliantly fine weather. all uphill, on foot and with Incredible! On a 'trip' across gear as the goods lift wasn't to neighbouring Craigieburn skiworking. For some this was the field, Rod managed a slide which hardest part of the week. At was arrested courtesy of an oblig- Lyndon Lodge off came the tramping ing rock for the paltry price geàr and on went the skis. One of four stitches in Rod's leg of our number, who had problems and three hairline fractures with the access tow, was assisted of his (you guessed it!) brand by a very kind gentleman who new skis. Thursday evening saw 'escorted' her up the aforementionthe advent of night skiing, which ed tow. is quite fun and even though Broken River 1984 Neil Woodrow there is not unlimited visibility, in the case of the Burger Brigade), the contours are better defined followed by the thrills of the than during the day-time white-out. QEII hydroslide. After a stop for pan-fried pizza, we were On Saturday the scourge of skireunited at the airport with weekers, the weekenders, arrived the never-say-die skiers who bringing with them nasty twoalleged yet another excellent minute tow queues. Just big day's skiing. enough to offer some respite from the hectic pace of skiing Broken River '84 was a tremendous enjoyed during the week. By trip, the team returning home Sunday two vanloads of people tanned, happy and savouring the had had their fill of the slopes delightful feeling of total exand repaired to Christchurch haustion that is the inevitable for a healthy lunch at the Duxoutcome of eight perfect days de-Lux (or the nearest takeaway of skiing. The S.A.R. Scene Kevin Thompson In retrospect the last twelve months have been the quietest for some years with no major operations occurring. Several small operations barely got off the ground before the missing individuals walked out or were located. These included operaticns in the Hutt Gorge, Makara-Pipinui Point area, and Mt Holdsworth. In March a training weekend was held for potential search team leaders at the Boys Brigade Camp at Wainui. The Club had four trainees on this weekend in addition to instructional involvement of other club contacts and advisers. Emphasis in this weekend was on the necessary leadership skills that team leaders need to develop. In addition, another mountain first aid training course was held at Akatarawa with about eight club members attending. Perhaps the highlight of the year was the performance of the club S.A.R. Test Dean Griffiths team in the S.A.R. test held at the sports weekend. This involved construction of a Tararua stretcher, treatment of a patient and transport over a course involving travel up a creek, raising the stretcher up a steep bank, over a bridge and a few other minor obstacles. Needless to say, the Club team whitewashed the opposition, finishing about five minutes ahead of the nearest rival. S.A.R. Exercise Dean Griffiths