Tararua Solo

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TARARUA SOLO Murray Arthur-Worsop Last Christmas was a dark and dismal time for me. The My objective for day two was Neill Forks Hut. I made a Tararuas seemed to be just the therapy I needed, but no- leisurely start, thinking I had plenty of time. The skies one was available to accompany me. So I broke all the began to clear as I left the hut at 9.30 am. But my joy rules and planned a solo trip my first and probably my was short lived the mist descended as I emerged from last! the bush, and the winds, although no longer gale force, were still strong. The trip was planned: Otaki Forks, Waitewaewae, Anderson Memorial Hut, Maungahuka Hut, Concertina I stood on Aokaparangi in whiteout conditions waiting for Ridge, Neill Forks, Cone, and out via Kaitoke in time for the mist to clear, not completely confident about my a New Year's Eve Party. A rather ambitious undertaking navigational skills, and frightened by my helplessness. in 2 1/2 days, particularly for one who normally limits himself to medium trips. Mid afternoon the mist cleared and the way was obvious. I wondered why I was so disoriented in the mist. It was bleak and overcast when Rob Fox dropped me off at Otaki Forks. Could this be Summer or could I sense Maungahuka Hut beckoned, but my limbs were unwilling. the presence of Struan? It rained as I set forth at noon. However, I eventually arrived exhausted and too late to proceed on to Neill Forks Hut as planned. I shared the An overwhelming feeling of loneliness and gloom hut with two others. weighed upon me as I entered the bush. The state of the track, the grovelling through mud and over obstacles I still wanted to make a concerted effort to get out in time added to these feelings. However a sense of peace for Rob to pick me up on Monday afternoon. When I eventually set in as the mountains and the trees began to departed Maungahuka, it was still dark and misty. I weave their magic. searched in mist for the start of the Concertina Knob track. In the end I took what seemed to be a likely route. The Otaki River was in flood which forced me to take the wet weather track to Waitewaewae Hut, adding another I never found the track! I veered too far to the right of the 15-20 minutes to my journey. The hut was gloomy, ridge and found a tributary of the Hector River instead. offering no temptation to rest long, even though it was now late afternoon. A moment of panic set in as I felt the time slipping by. The descent became a mud scramble and several times I I found the track up to Anderson Hut after about 10 came close to slipping over steep banks. On one occasion minutes of climbing, having missed the blazes which only my pack, caught between trees, held me from a 10 marked the beginning. metre drop. Several times the thought crossed my mind that this is why you don't travel alone. The climb was long and steady, and I reached the bush edge at around 7 pm. I forced my way through a barrier On reaching the Hector River, I determined my of leatherwood to find the ridge track, marked by cairns approximate location, and climbed up onto the Neill Ridge and snow-stakes, and enveloped in thick mist. track. By now I had given up all hope of getting out on time. As I climbed up onto Junction Knob, the weather hit me with all its fury - gale force winds howled eerily, The bush was dark and gloomy and the air chilled by a throwing rain at me constantly with a force that made it sudden southerly. It was a relief to find the occasional feel like hail. I quickly donned full storm gear. open space. I took the Block XIX track down and arrived at Cone Hut at 6.00 pm. Too exhausted to go any further, The visibility was just sufficient to see the next snow and hoping that Rob would not still be waiting, I made stake in front of me. It was a cold and terrifying myself comfortable for a quiet New Year's Eve alone. experience, alone against all that nature could throw at me. After what seemed like an eternity, Anderson Hut A blazing fire, food and peaceful surroundings restored emerged from the mist. I stumbled into the warmth of the my spirits. I worried about the inconvenience I had hut at about 8.30 pm, relieved to find some friendly faces caused Rob, but sleep came quickly at around 9 pm. (including some familiar old neighbours), and one vacant bunk.

As often happens on the last day in the hills, I awoke to a glorious morning. The whole ofthe Tauherenikau valley glistened and sparkled in the early morning sun. It felt great to be alive. I planned to be out by lunchtime, knowing that I would be reported overdue. However, as I climbed up from Smith's Creek, I waved to a helicopter flying overhead, and thought it must be looking for me. It was! A couple of calls from Kiwi Ranch at Kaitoke quickly established that a search had been initiated. Buncks, as Search and Rescue Co-ordinator, had been concerned about my safety, and started the operation early. It was therefore with some embarrassment and a great deal of gratitude that I ended my little journey. Iwas alone for only three days and for some, the route I covered would not have been particularly difficult. However for me, it was a test that enabled me to discover my inner strengths...and true friends. - C S