The "Blow-ins" Strike Back

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The "Blow-ins" Strike Back Liz King ur party waited in a long line at the check-in counter with skis and numerous bags. Roger urged us to take as much hand luggage on board as we could as the plane was already heavily loaded. Our departure was delayed as they cleared the workers off the end of the runway to give us extra space for take-off. The cloud beneath obscured the views and caused some turbulence. We ate our continental breakfast on the plane and Edward struggled Ivaliantly through his muesli, promising himself it would fuel him for at least one run down the slopes. Prakash caught up on the latest Royaliste tescapades; Nicole tried to work out who was who. At Christchurch we were joined by the "Blow-ins" from Western Australia- Jenny, Greg, Dave and Linda-also known as the "Blowies". Next stage was a small matter of sorting out the vans. One van had a ski rack which the other two were lacking SO Roger drove off to the rental company while we awaited delivery of the ski racks. Gentle rain was falling so we sheltered until a car pulled up and dropped off magnetic ski racks for four skis; shame we had nine people in the van. First stop was the gas station where we bought some nylon rope and lashed the whole lot on through the windows. Picking up the pieces Roger Bolam Back at the rental company Roger was The third van finally turned up after going through everyone's first names, having a discussion about a roof rack trying to fit chains that were too small; Prakash asked Bob thei instructor if he not actually being a ski rack. After sort- Marilyn's bungies solved that problem would like to learn surnames. "Yes," ing that one out and trying to leave on and they made use of the snowboard- said Bob, "what's yours?" "Smith, good terms, he promptly reversedi linto ers they picked up at the gate to help replied Prakash. So then everyone something and smashed a tail-light. push. called him variations ofthat. Roger did The proprietor was last seen holding a hard morning's worki in the beanbag his head in his hands. On Sunday the weather was change- and was so exhausted he had to go able. The field was originally on hold back for an afternoon sleep; the We managed to squeeze back into the because ofl high winds; sometimes you visualisation ski team put some more vans after skiing at Porter Heights. At could see and other times it was com- practice in inside the lunch lodge. the turnoff to Broken River some plete white-out. The visualisation ski snowboarders were trying to hitch a team of Angela, Mike and Kara stayed Greg was on breakfast next morning. lift; they glumly moved their gear out down at Broken River lodge for the day. He didn'thave a watch and every time of the way when they saw our wellsomeone moved he would ask, filled van. Greg lamented the fact that Overnight there was 10cm of fresh "what's the time?" "Four-thirty," I rewe hadn't lashed a couple of them to snow. Monday started off cloudy and plied. Jenny was very relieved to hear the roof with the spare rope. He overcast and lessons began based on she had more sleep time. Next time thought it would have looked good on the lists that we filled out the previ- he asked it was only 5.30am so I gave film. ous night. During the lesson, after him my watch. TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996

We had some new powder for Tuesday and the skiing was excellent. Greg was keen to ski Sunny Peaks and Sue went over with him; in order to preserve the slope at the top she tripped the wire and stopped the rope tow. Roger, by now nicknamed "lounge lizard bean bag bunny", got very keen this day after learning a French manoeuvre in our skiing lessons, and took it upon himself to give ski lessons in German. Prakash was awarded 9/101 for a very stunning jump: he caught a tip as he landed, left his ski behind, and hopped for a considerable distance. Wednesday required pacing ourselves so the end of the day could be reached. There Roger Bolam had been a light dusting of powder and it was a beautiful day. The snow tended to improve Kara had managed to spend $450 at the last straw for Stuart's back. He'd in the late afternoon when the sun Broken River by buying a new pair of been doing lots of back exercises bewent off it, and provided the body ski boots over the phone, which meant cause it had been sore but this was could handle it, some great runs were Marilyn had to go out and ski a bit too much. The group photo in front of to be had. It was great being at the more often now that she didn't have the snow octopus that Marilyn top to see the sun go down and take to share her boots. The new boots ar- (builder), Lynley (builder), Jessica in the wonderful views. rived on Friday morning, along with a (part-time builder) and Andrew (derental pair for Linda to replacel her dis- signer/builder) had been constructing, Thursday was the highlight ofthe trip integrated Nordica boot. degenerated into a massive snowball for me. We took potatoes and colefight. slaw up to the day lodge and had a Friday was pretty quiet up the moun- BBQ dinner, then skied by lights at tain first thing, and there were only 6 Sunday we had voted to stay at Bronight. The day started off clear and the keen people out for a while. We had a ken River regardless of the weather snow remained in excellent condition. pretty good morning until the mist instead of going to Porter Heights. It By the afternoon the mist had settled came up about midday. In the after- was overcast and didn't appear that in and the last ski lesson was called noon the mist cleared for a short time the field was going to open SO we had off as it began to snow. Huge flakes and Bob decided to combine the nov- a leisurely pack-up. The track down fell steadily for two hours. Some oft the ice and intermediate lessons. Up they through the trees was very picturesque crew hired snowboards and spent lots went and after about one run they saw with the snow-laden beech trees. oft time lyingin thes snow; others stayed the mist coming up. "I'm off," said in thel lodge. Potatoes were under way Glen, and he led the charge. The rest We decided to off-load our luggage at in the oven when, miraculously at oft them made their way down answer- the airport. Sue, Kara and Andrew left 4pm, the weather cleared and fresh ing to the cries of "Bob", "Bob", as us here to journey further south and powder abounded. A powder frenzy Bob skied around, gathering up thel lost we went Go-karting; Roger noted followed and in less than an hour the punters. down a few names of "Never let him terrain had been completely tracked. drive on a Club trip". We split forces The light was fading so we went in- Saturday morning everyone was rar- again, some going to see the Antarcside for dinner before heading back ing to go-fresh powder-but had to tic exhibition and the others to try and out into the darkness and the fresh wait until various procedures had been see the All Black game in front of a powder. The lights illuminated every- followed; there was a large crowd of fire. We watched the first half then it thing enough to see and it was sur- eager skiers waiting for thet tow to start was time to catch our plane. prising how well everyone skied. Af- at 9am. The powder was quite heavy, ter a while we decided to save our ideal for the snowboarders, but after Many thanks to Roger for his organibodies for another day and ambled we had cuti it up by 10am, it was pretty sation skills and patience in organisback down, taking in the starry sky. hard work for tired legs. The snow was ing such a fine trip. B TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996