Assault Course Kaimanawas

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Assault Course Kaimanawas by Richard Ferguson never once being defeated by the mighty (mighty cold, that is) Waipakihi. After a wet, cold, Saturday midday lunch we pressed on to the foot of the Urchin track where tents were erected in the rain. In no time there was a pile of firewood and a roaring fire, thanks to the maniac axeman, Buncks. Just after nightfall (6 pm) all and sundry hoed into the sumptuous repast prepared by the wonderful cooking staff our tripleader had the foresight to bring. Delicious - thanks, cooks. At 19.30 it was time to hit the hay. But, oh dear, there was a huge pool of water outside this person's tent. Crossing the "mighty cold" Peter Jackson Fifteen minutes later there was a deep canal between tent and river, and a rapidly diminish- Waipakihi ing pool. (I always wanted to be an irrigation engineer). With a scream and a roar, reminiscent of shearing gearbox teeth, the mighty revamped Bedford crawled down the final tedious During the night the possums stayed away slope to the road end. Twenty-one mediums but the rain decided to invade our four-person of varying age, sex and fitness, thankfully tent. Result, four wet sleeping bags and availed themselves of the peaceful Waipakihi a very late start Sunday morning. Staggering Valley, free at last of the goblin busdriver's on our way with soaked tents and sleeping clutches. Tents were quickly erected amid bags at 10.45 am, we walked through the the trees, with tired bods rapidly retiring light rain up past huge river flats. The vegetato their respective pits to dream of sunny tion varied from thick tussock to ice and warm valleys. wind blasted lichen of an orange and very slippery variety. Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell Huey about the nice weather ordered for Queen's We rapidly split into two parties, the first Birthday 1987 the upshot of this being lot looking for bunks in the hut that were that it rained.... but only gently, and there already taken. The second lot took time wasn't any wind to speak of. out for a diversion and a leisurely lunch as the rain started again. The first and most amazing thing you notice about the Waipakihi River is that someone There were some marvellous views caught has been deliberately chilling the water. on film by various people which will no doubt When you emerge from the first crossing come to light. The most welcome view, you realise that your feet aren't feet at however, was the Waipakihi Hut seen from all but blocks of ice and are likely to stay across the marshy bogland. Fifteen minutes that way if the malicious "60 crossings" from first sighting we arrived at the hut, rumour is true. Well, I've been there, it's boots washed, to find all the bunks taken true, and they do. by the really lazy, so-called fit trip. The second amazing thing about the valley The cloud by this stage was lifting, giving is that it is very beautiful - picturesque high hopes for a beauty Monday. Unfortunatebeech trees for miles, plenty of thick lush ly with the lifting cloud came wind and growth nearer the river where we were. a tent-freezing temperature drop. But Huey Also present were the usual long, hanging wasn't going to let matters drop and it rained things and tall bushy things, all conspiring heavily during the night and snowed up on to keep trampers from going about their the tops, Thunderbolt having a decent coating business. by morning. To cries of "ooh!" "aah!" and "my family Setting out at 8am we climbed quickly jewels!" we crossed time and time again, onto the tops and into the sunlight. A cold wind blew from the south-west making travel better inside a windbreaker. By the time we had achieved Umukarikari and Sharp Cone, the weather had packed up and clagged in, visibility being much restricted. Descending from the snowy, icy tops proved visually rewarding as Ruapehu came into view along with Pihanga and Lake Taupo, with Turangi just visible. One hour through the wind damaged (from three or four years ago) forest brought four of us to the road end and a wash and lunch at the Beggs Pool dam. Thanks very much, trip leader Murray Worsop, for a very enjoyable, if wet and cold, weekend. Those present were: Murray Worsop (leader), Marshall Clark, William Cone, Andrew Chisholm, Bill Drake, David Drake, Brian Cropp, Rob Fox, Marion Griffiths, Ian Bunckenburg, Peter Jackson, Brian Charles, Anita Catchpole, John Perry, Megan Rodden, John Gardiner, Don Purnell, David Brown, Richard Ferguson, Stuart Sim, Scott Norling. : Ar rewarding view of Ruapehu - Murray Worsop SLEEPING OUT - SMITH'S CREEK Sweet bush air fans my face my bed's the ground can see the dying flicker of the fire from where I lie And there's nowhere I would rather be tonight Than here in my beloved bush. The creek slips softly by. For the bush is cool and quiet there's no sound But the wind that stirs the fern fronds with a faint and soothing sigh For the bush is cool and dark there is no light But the pale gleam of a million stars that stud the midnight sky. P. White