Hinapouri Tarns

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Hinapouri Tarns Alastair Booth party obviouslyhad different ideas and gaver way to snowgrass androcks. The off breakfast (more eggs chocolate) was traversing high to our right to a snowgrass, combined with the rocky we headed off down the river, picking small trickle of water on a rockface ground underfoot, made progress very our way from bank to bank in search about two hundred metres above the slow andi it was well into the afternoon of thel best route. On the right bank in valley floor. We later found water before we werei in sight of thel bushline. particular, we found a large amount of further up the valley, and not far below Not far above thet bushline we stopped deer sign, some of it fresh. It was the top of the valley the stream for a snack and sat amongst the rocks obvious that there were al lot of deer in resurfaced, trickling down over ice- and snowgrass, watching the sun dip the area as we found large areas worn rock. behind Mount Franklin as the shadow where the beech and toatoa crept across the valley. With the sun undergrowth had been stripped, and The climb upt the valley was not without now gone, we raced down to the the occasional large wallow. Mount incident, with Jo managing to add to bushline in search of a campsite. Franklin rose steeply to our left, and her growing collection of bruises, Decent campsites are few and far further down the valley, Mount Travers grazes, and wasp stings. However, between in the East Sabine, but we rose above the point where we would after climbing for three hours, we eventually found one about twenty meet the track to Sabine Forks. eventually reached the saddle and minutes below the bushline. joined the preceding party for lunch (a We eventually picked up a marked bunch of Tararuas). We sat in the The tents were quickly erected, a fire route on the left bank which made brilliant sunshine surveying the lit, and then as we sat round resting progress easier and at around noon mountains around US and pondering our feet, Eric started on dinner At this emerged on the track to Sabine Forks. our options for the rest of the day. point we were once again confronted A short side trip was made down to Looking beyond the valley we had just with eggs and rice. The only difference the bridge over the gorge on the East climbed, we could see the pass where from the previous evening was that this Sabine, and then it was off down to we had stoppedfor lunch the previous time there was a bit of tuna thrown in Sabine Forks for lunch. While most of day at the head of the Hamilton. to disguise the eggs! Dinner was the party headed for the west side of Looking west we could see the Franklin finished sitting aroundi the fire trying to the Sabine and out onto a sunny shoal, Range andi immediately below was the figure out where the Tararua party Harry and Eric decided they had gone East Sabine. Looking down into the East would be spending the night, and far enough and stopped on the east Sabine from this point, it was obvious where we would be this time tomorrow bank. Unfortunately for them, the that we would have to cover a good hopefully Sabine Hut. Easter eggs presented by Jo were not distance before we would find going to be risked by tossing them somewhere to camp for the night. The dawn of Easter Sunday was across the river, So they went without. shattered by a visit from the Easter The descent into the East Sabine was Bunny, decked out with bunny ears and In between swatting sandflies we down a steep: scree face that eventually a bag of Easter eggs. After finishing managed to eat lunch and soak up a TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING bit more sun and generally relax. This Mediums was, we were directed to a The eastern side of Robert Ridge was was the first time on the trip that we bivvy bag on the lake edge. Neither a clear of cloud and incredibly warm had been bothered by sandflies, as gentle prod by Andrew nor abuse by compared to where we had been until this point we hadl been above the the others brought any response. The minutes earlier. "sandfly" level. After lazing in the sun bivvy bag lay motionless. In a hurry to for what seemed like ages, we were get going, but still intent on getting the We stopped briefly to look at the view finally rejoined by Harry and Eric and thing to move, Andrew reached down before making our way down to hit thet track to Sabine Hut. andi in one quick movement, tippedt the Angelus Hut for lunch. Reaching the bivvy bag over. This brought a cheer hut, we found that some of the Although the track was in good from the assembled crowd and a great Mediums had left for the roadend condition and the going fast, by the deal of thrashing and cursing from aheadofus, and that thel Easy tript had time we stopped for a break mid- within. After more thrashing, grunting, been through a couple of days earlier afternoon the going was becoming and cursing, the monster from within The sun was shining and it was still tedious. Atthisp point, the leader, feeling appeared - Woody was now wide earlyin the day, SO we spreadourselves that a bit more challenge and variety awake. out on the deck in front of the hut and was required, suggested that we stop soaked up some more sun while we at Sabine Hut for dinner and then do a Not waiting to give Woody the enjoyed a leisurely lunch. For what moonlight climb up to Angelus. This opportunity to reply, we quicklyheaded seemed like the first time on the trip, was met with a lukewarm response fort thet tracki to Angelus. Climbing away there were no eggs. from acouple ofpunters, and al look of from Sabine Hut we found ourselvesi in sheer bewilderment from the rest. After After slumming it in the sun for about ademocratic process of argument and an hour we decided it was time to get counter-argument, it was finally agreed "Arkk. moving along Robert Ridge as we had that Sabine Hut would be as far as we "Hello bird an appointment with thet taxi, last: seen would go that day. The only bit that a few nights earlier at Six Mile Creek. made: senset to most was the bit about Polly wanna Afteri the country wel had been through dinner at Sabine Hut. in the lasti few days, the last part of our cracker. 99 journey along Robert Ridge in the wind Upon Harry's advicer we stopped on the and cloud was rather uninspiring. We bank of the Sabine about ten minutes "Arkk. stopped briefly at Robert Ridge shelter short of Sabine Hut. Once again, the before the long descent down the tents were erected, afirel lit, and dinner cloud for the first time on the trip. switchbacks to the road. started. Jo and Andrewwere in charge Although the steep climb soon had of dinner and there was a collective everyone puffing, we made goodi time While waiting for thet taxi, we were once sigh of relief when dinner was served to the bushline. Alastair had brought again visited by at friendly kea. This one up without the need to include any his heartrater monitor, which was tested was smart, and realising our journey eggs. The vegetable curry and rice by a few of the punters on the steep was over, did not utter a sound as his went down a treat. While dinner was climb. It was interesting to see who cousin had done earlier in the day. being prepared three trampers was still asleep and who was on the Instead, it did tricks for US as if to appeared from the direction of Sabine verge of self-destruction as we grunted celebrate, and walked in circles around Hut. Woody, Wayne and. Jeanine from up thel hill. Eric as he tried to photograph it. The the Medium trip had heard that we taxi duly arrived and we were soon were campedi just up the track andhad Not far below thet bushline we stopped beating our own retreat to civilisation given up the warmth of Sabine Hut to for a break and were promptly joined where we met up with the other visit. Aftert the customary greetings and by a raucous kea. This was the first trampers and mountain bikers at the abuse they settled in for a brew and one we had seen So far on the trip. Toot n' Whistle in Picton. There were began to explain the trials and lots of stories tol be told, but none could tribulations that had beset the Medium "Arkk." compete with our eggs. punters. There was a fair amount of "Hello bird Polly wanna cracker." jeering when they let it slip that they "Arkk." Before we knew it, we were gathering were going out by boat to Rotoroa the our packs at the Wellington ferry next day, rather than via Angelus. And SO on it went. Obviously "Arkk" terminal andi it was all over. Ithad been was kea-talk for "get off yourt butts and ar most excellent few days in thel hills - After three days of brilliant weather, it get moving", for as soon as we got eggs and all was no surprise when we awoke to a going it stopped! damp, overcast morning. It was only The punters were: 7:30am when we arrived at: Sabinel Hut By the time we reached Cedric the Don Goodhue, Sue Higgins, Alastair to find the Mediums still in their pits. weather was damp and cold, sO we Booth, Harry: Smith, EdwardCox, Peggy Upon seeing that there were about kept moving, scrambling along the Christianson, Andrew McLellan, Jo thirty bodies in and around thel hut, we craggy ridge towards Angelus. As we McKenzie and Eric Blumhardt. We were even more thankful that we had descended to the Hinapouri Tarns, we started with 24 hard boiled eggs and chosen to camp down at the river. crossed onto the eastern side of the too many Easter eggs to count, and Upon enquiring where thel leader ofthe range and out into brilliant sunshine. finished with none! TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING