Rain Down a Drainpipe

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Rain Down a Drainpipe Lyndsay Fletcher he Waitangi Weekend trip to Lewis Pass provided rain, and a drainpipe was carried on the Fit trip. I had arranged to meet the others at Springs Junction and when they arrived at around 1.30am Harry Smith, Matthew Grainger and Andrew McLellan transferred into my vehicle and we drove over the Pass to camp at the rest area on Deer Flat. We travelled to the carpark at thel beginning of the St James Walkway, and started our trip by walking down the road to the junction of the Doubtful River. We took a shortcut down the Boyle riverbed to miss out the road climb over the adjacent bluffs. The warmth of the sun made for a pleasant time as we followed the trail up the Doubtful. Harry and I reminisced about the last time we had travelled on this track, in the other direction, two winters previously. The scenery Doubtful Hut Harry Smith inspired us all to get up onto the tops. The consensus this time had us aban- able padding, soon found itself in The plan was to finish the trip around doning thel Pass route andhaving lunch place, supporting the middle of thet fly lunchtime on Tuesday at the Maruia in the nearby six-bunk Doubtless Hut. to help solve this problem. Springs Hotel. We would go via one More discussion followed to sort out of the various routes that led north- the route from there. The older two We had an overcast sky the following wards from the Doubtful. As usual, the talked about the previous comfortable day as we continued bashing our way weather was ther major governing fac- stays that they had had in this hut, up to the head of the river. The bush tor. At lunchtime, we discussed while the younger two suggested that was soaking wet and it was a pleasure whether we would continue over Fit trips don't do half days. Common tol break out onto the tops. A steep but Amuri Pass and onto the western side sense had us bush-bashing up the quick climbl had us on a pass that overof the Main Divide or take another Doubtless River in search of a camp- looked an impressive, steep-sided route. Thel build-up ofl black, ominous site. I had been down this valley be- chasm on the southern side, and a clouds in the west caused a long de- fore and knew how good a route it beautiful hanging basin with a waterbate amongst the group. You see, was, as it would take us over into the fall on the northern side. Time for anwhen it comes to Fit trips, egos fight Nina Valley. We found a level spot to other one of those "where to from with experience and the conflict be- camp and settled down for the night. here" discussions. The outcome would tween hardship and comfort is forealso decide our route for the next two most in the minds of the old and wise. We heard Harry comment on his new days. The two older ones suggested Amongst the four of us we discovered pack as he was unpacking. Compared the comfort of the river valley while that there was a difference in objec- to his very old (and trustworthy) ex- the younger ones (eternal optimists) tives as well. This split was an even ternally framed pack, this one was like suggested a trip along the tops in the 50/50 where two (the young ones) trying to unpack a drainpipe. The first wind and mist. The older ones (eterwere all for getting out and doing it, spots ofrain appeared at this stage and nal pessimists) also mentioned that the and the other two (the old ones) went it poured down during the night. Harry, weather was probably going to be bad for soundjudgement, backed upl byl lo- lying in his favourite spot at the end for the rest of the trip. The valley route cal knowledge. I could see that it was of the fly, mentioned that taking the won and I led off down into the basin. not easy for Andrew as he struggled small flyto save weight meant that he with this and with trying to carry out was unable to position himself far This was myt third time along this route his plan. This process was to occur enough in from the end to stop the but it was the first time in this direcmany times throughout the trip. It did rain soaking his sleeping bag. In addi- tion. - suggested we used this oppornot cause anyhardf feelings (well, none tion, the low angle of the fly caused tunity to try out a more direct path that I could observe) as we would the usual puddles to form in the side (spotted on my previous trip) which eventually reach a consensus. panels. A tree branch, along with suit- would cut out thel high sidle above the TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996 waterfall. Not such a good route the Robinson River. During dinner we The rain was just as heavy the next though, as we soon became bluffed in thought about thel Medium group hav- day when we set out for thel hot pools the bush overlooking the stream. We ing a great time as it poured down, at Maruia Springs Hotel. We followed had not lost too much height SO we especially as we were comfortably: sit- a track that climbed over another pass headed back up to the bush-edge to ting around the warm pot belly stove. and came out on the road at Rough follow the old route; all except Harry- We were only one day away from the Creek. het turned mountain goat and persisted road SO we had another one of those to find a way through. We discovered "where to from here" discussions. The Close to the Pass in the thick mist and this once we had cleared the bush- two older ones liked thei idea of a day drizzle, one of the older ones (when edge and could see him crossing the hut-bashing while the younger ones he was able to call out "stop" from stream. I am sure he had a smug look suggested a trip along the tops in the therear) pointed out that thel last snow on his face as he stood waitpole was way back in the ing for us. The brief appearother direction. He then ance of the sun tempted us used his knowledge from to have lunch in the tussock previous trips on this route basin, but we decided to get and took the lead to help down to the Nina River. correct the younger ones' geographical embarrass- We fully expected the Mement (maybe the call of the dium trip to appear while havhot pools was too strong). ing lunch, as it was about They younger ones weret half where they would be if they a kilometre ahead when were on schedule. We con- Harry and I set foot on the tinued up to the head of the tarseal. We arrived at the Nina to follow one of its hotel just on lunchtime afbranches to another pass ter footing it for 5 kilome- (yes, two passes in one day; tres. We considered hitchthis was a Fit trip after all). hiking but thought that no- Still no sign of the Mediums one in their right mind as we climbed out into the would stop in the rain and tussock. The wind was quite take on board two waterstrong on the saddle SO we logged trampers. Wayne hurried off down the other Stevens (from the Medium sidei into the head of the Blue group) had picked up my Grey River. Wet finally spotted car, as planned, and used it thel Medium party soon after: to ferry them back over they were all gathered on a Lewis Pass to the hotel. small, level patch of shingle, pitching camp. We cheerfully have ended every trampgreeted each other and soon ing trip in this area with a learned whyt theyl had only got soak in the hot pools. I esthis far. They had carried out Top ofNina River Andrew McLellan pecially enjoy the indoor a SAR (Search and Rescue) Japanese bathhouse with its operation, which had started the pre- wind and mist to spend thel last night row of wall-mounted shower-heads vious evening and continued through in a bivvy. It was all going to depend along with custom stools, large hot till the morning. Some of them had on the weather the next morning. pool and spa bath. This time was no applied first aid on a tramper who had exception and a barl lunch followed. It fallen and broken his leg, and others Andrew was off his bunk and out the was then we were able to catch up had gone out tol help the patient's son door to spot the weather conditions with the Easy group and to hear what raiset the alarm. Wes said wer would not as soon as we were all awake. He sur- happened to the Medium party after join them because. a nice, warm, shel- prised me by saying without any dis- we last saw them. The most talked tered hut at Lake Christabel was wait- cussion (I don't think we helped him about topic was Allan Maclachlan's ing for us. Besides, the weather was with our lack of enthusiasm to see for blisters. They were crippling affectabout to close in and start raining and ourselves) that due to the continuing ingl both heels and manylayers ofs skin. it was only late afternoon. Nothing like rainy weather it was going to be a day The taxis arrived around 2.30pm and the experience of camping in the tus- indoors. I was quick to spot Harry's they began their long trip home while sock under a Club fly on a wind-ex- big smile upon this announcement. A I drove back to Nelson. Once again I posed knob. pityfor Harry's sake that there weren't have fond memories to cherish of my any hot pools close to the hut. Thus favourite tramping area in the South Once we had pushed through the another full exhausting (it is when Island. Shame about the rain, but at scrub, we) were able to make fast travel keeping the stove going) day followed, least we had a drainpipe with us this along the track that came over from as always on any Fit trip. time! B TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996