The Long and Windy Row

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THE LONG AND WINDY ROW Lynley Whitford & Michele Dawe We started our Anzac weekend with After pulling the boats off the beach we excitement no tramper can forget - a piled on board - 2 boats with 4 people and conglomeration of sweaty bodies and 1 boat with 3. Our boat with Sara, smelly feet bundled together in the back of Michele and Lynley on board, was the club truck for a 9 hour trip. When the expertly handled by Peter. We set sail truck finally stopped at 3:30 am beside around the cool, clear and calm waters Lake Waikaremoana no-one budged. The and headed towards Rahui Island, in effort of putting up a fly in the howling search of aj jetty. But where was it? There wind outside was actually worse than was a navigational dispute and Peter, spending more hours in the truck. being leader, had the casting vote and we continued round the island. The thought of breakfast got us up and ready to start tramping. We had a brief We'd almost completed a full circle of introduction to our fellow trampers who Rahui Island, and there it was, small, planned to tramp and go rowing together. steep but nonetheless a jetty. Yes there We started with a steady climb up to was a way on to this bush clad island. So Ngamoko Trig. A spectacular view we aimed our little boat towards the enhanced with blue skies and buzzing landing and clambered up the steep stairs wasps. After lunch we made our descent packs and all, in time for lunch at the top back to lake level. Much discussion was by a tarn. We emerged from the island an shared before finding a suitable place to hour later, one member very dirty from pitch flys (some even had the luxury of a falling knee deep into mud, and sailed tent). The local population': s mating calls across the lake once more. (Paradise Shelducks! - Ed) sent us to sleep that night. E . A We spotted a lovely sandy beach in a remote part of the lake and decided we'd Panekiri Bluff Peter Jackson set up camp for the night. We spent a leisurely afternoon sunning ourselves on The flys had to be defrosted the next the beach, braving the cool waters of the morning before we could set off. We lake, doing aerobics and various other walked along the lakes edge to Park HQ activities. Then we prepared dinner and an hour after Peter - he'd left to hire our collected wood for a rip roaring fire on the row boats for Lake Waikareiti. Once at beach at night. We pulled our boats onto Park HQ we loaded life jackets and bungs the beach to protect ourselves and the fire onto our packs, then headed up the gentle from whatever wind there might be and "Trampers Highway" to Lake Waikareiti. relaxed till the moon came up.

On Monday morning we reluctantly left truck arrived at HQ to collect the medium, our tranquil beach resort to row back fit and FE parties (the easy party was across Lake Waikareiti. By this stage already on board). everyone had had a turn at rowing, and here the individual rowing styles were The ride home was another squashed prominent. The first two boats arrived at affair, the time passing quickly with their destination within minutes of each eating, sleeping and a great card game. other. The third boat had both And so our tramp came to an end. We all navigational and speed problems - making had a great time, fantastic weather, good a very scenic circular route around the rowing, stunning views, good company edge of the lake. While Peter and and very little tramping! ! Marshall returned the lifejackets to Park HQ everyone else enjoyed the sunshine and entertainment. This took the form of a stroppy tourist and 2 mad swimmers. All too soon our party regrouped and we were expected to tramp!! (we preferred rowing). ls Lake Waikareiti Peter Jackson 'Sue me I think were qonng the WRonq way! We arrived at Lake Ruapani just before dusk. It was a bit boggy (a bit ??!! -Ed), so collecting water required a chain gang arrangement. We collected heaps of wood to have another roaring fire. Peter promptly fell asleep while the rest told twilight stories. Our last day only required a few hours walk. So with the sun in our faces and Peter at the helm, we were led through a dense maze ofl bush bash until we reached the track again. We only had one hill to climb and the rest was plain sailing (figuratively speaking) : all down hill. We stopped on route to Park HQ to look at 2 On the Urewera Medium trip were: Peter waterfalls. All the shutterbugs were in Jackson (leader), William Cone, Marshall their element, particularly one with a Clark, Lyn Parry, Nick Sawicki, Andrew tripod, who had a gang of people to Maugham, Mark Johnston, Michele Dawe, re-construct the environment in order to Lynley Whitford, Bev Boughen and Sara get the perfect shot. At 11:00am , the Griffiths.