The Cabbage Trip

Machine-read text (unproofread)

Read from the scans by software, so it contains mistakes. Typing it up properly would help blind readers: use Suggest an edit.

The Cabbage Trip Marilyn Duffy or reasons which will become night. Next morning an RNZAF chop- pery. We all made it relatively unobvious, there are three versions per landed by the lake. Marilyn and scathed but Spaniards left their mark of this trip report. Allan went across to talk to the crew, on many a strip of bare flesh, and the mainly to check that they hadn'tmis- trail of skidmarks and dislodged rocks Friday afternoon involved the usual taken our party for the one with the made route-finding easy for the back scramble to the ferry terminal for the injured man. Not so, they had merely markers. We gathered at Nina Bivvy 5.30pm sailing to Picton, and after an landed to take the doors off the for lunch where we met John and uneventful crossing, we set off on the Iroquois. When we had reconfirmed Marcus, who had been out to the roadlong haul to Lewis Pass. When we fi- stories, they headed off to pick up the end to assist in raising the alarm. They nally arrived at our roadend at 1am, it injured man and we set off a little be- had an interesting tale to tell. was a weary group who set up flies latedly to travel up the Robinson River, and crashed. Daybreak came too soon cross the Main Divide at Nina Saddle, Still it rained, and as camping at the and we were greeted by squillions of and down to Nina Bivvy to camp. bivvy was scarce we decided to move local sandflies. We were enchanted by on to Nina Hut, some 2% hours downthe first of many encounters with the That was the plan, but events did not stream. Travel was easier, the track local bush robins, which fearlessly quite happen that way. Route-finding passing through swamplands and checked out our gear and food. was tricky, and the going slower than beautiful bush beside the Nina River. we had anticipated. Two longish Day one's leisurely walk to Lake breaks, one for lunch and another on Nina Hut was a disappointment: full Christabel up the Blue Grey River was meeting up with the rescue party, took ofinsects and mice and most uninvitbroken by some very pleasant breaks too much time out of our day. It was ing. Some punters lit the fire to dry in beautiful surroundings. Our heavy by now raining steadily, and as we rose out gear while the rest found a camp- 4-day packs kept the pace down, and above the bushline, the wind increased site downstream. River flats close by no wonder! Between us we had in strength. After a team talk, we de- made a comfortable and pleasant bought the full spectrum of fresh veg- cided to make the best of a small pla- campsite, and we were quick to make etables available to contribute to teau halfway up the saddle, and dig in the mostofthe chance to dry out some Allan's green curry. We counted a to camp, rather than push on for an- wet gear in the brief patches of sungrand total of four cabbages. Whilst other 4-5 hours to the next campsite. light. the thought of green curry did Inot thrill some punters, we all decided eating Camping out under flys on the tops in Just for something different, it rained cabbage was better than carrying it. rough weather is not highly recom- in the night, and we broke camp for mended. Most of us hit our pits pretty Day 4 in pouring rain. We drifted in Lake Christabel is a beautiful place, quickly, while Prakash showed his our own time out to the road at Palmer surrounded by pristine South Island bushcraft skills in securing flys, divert- Lodge. The hot pools beckoned, as did beech forest, with plenty of campsites. ing water, building windbreaks, bring- the bar, SO it was a mellow group that We settled in for the evening, with ing us a brew and later dinner Every was driven back to Picton by taxi-van. some hardy souls swimming in water group should have a Prakash! The best We made it back to Wellington, late, barely above fridge temperature. part was we finally got to eat most of tired, filthy, but wiser and stronger for the cabbage! having completed the trip. Well done, Around 5.30pm ita all changed. Ay young Allan Mac, for leading us safely home. man appearedi in camp. Mike, aged 18, Amazingly, our camp stood up to bufhad been tramping with his father who feting wind and heavy rain during the This ends the first version of the trip had broken his leg and was alonein a night. It was not the most comfortable report-but wait, John and Marcus had streambed, about two hours up the night, but we survived with nothing a much more exciting tale to tell. Aftrack. After borrowing some gear and worse than some damp gear. The next ter a quick meal on the first night, they leaving details, Mike set off alone to morning was still very cold and windy generously decided to forego crossing arrange assistance. and the quick tramp to the saddle was the Main Divide with the group and made easier by strong tail winds. In return to the roadend as a backup for While most of us enjoyed MacSpag spite of low cloud and swirling rain Mike. This decision proved to be a life- Bol, Wayne, Vicky and Nola did a quick the views were stunning, with amaz- saver, for they found Mike huddled pack-up and left to assist the injured ing colour contrast between tussock under a tree at least an hour from the man. Marcus and John volunteered to andwet rock, with a beech forest back- roadend. His light had failed, he had follow Mike out to the roadend in case ground. The diversity of alpine vegeta- lost the track twice, andhe was soaked he needed assistance. (Their stories tion made this a botanist's paradise. and very cold. John and Marcus continue later.) It rained hard in the quickly lent him warm, dry gear, and night, and we were thankful for a The scramble down the streambed on escorted him out to the roadend where campsite on highish ground, as the the other side was challenging at they found further help in the form of stream had risen at leasti a metre over- times, being very steep, wet and slip- al hunting/fishing: guide with a vehicle. TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996

Campsite in the Nina Valley Wayne Stevens John had carefully written down grid woken early next morning to recount ing very well considering his pain and references to locate the injured man and confirm more details. It transpired discomfort. The Club's red fly made and set to challenging the efficiency that one of the co-ordinates had been an ideal beacon and the Iroquois had of New Zealand Police search and res- transposed at some stage and the Po- no trouble locating them and winchcue capability. After speaking to Po- lice were having difficulty finding the ing the injured man out of the river. lice in Nelson, Christchurch, and fi- site on the map. That problem solved, Quite exciting stuff. They then waited nally Murchison, he managed to im- and with Mike now doing well, John under their fly until the main party part his knowledge as carefully and andMarcus were delivered to the roa- caught up to them before tramping jon. thoroughly as he could. By this time, dend at which the main group would itwas 2.30am and John was still in his exit. They then made their way in to On reflection we all learnt from the wet tramping gear in a phone box in the pre-arranged meeting site at Nina events of that evening. The party try- Springs Junction. He had been awake Bivvy where they lit a fire and finally ing to find the injured man in the dark since 5am, having travelled from Well- caught up with some sleep. and in appalling weather had quite a ington and tramped some 13 hours on mission. In hindsight, Mike would just a few hours' sleep. He was ad- The third version of the trip report was have been more effective had he revised to find a warm place to wait a just as harrowing- -but no lingerie turned to his father, as he would have while, and here the story becomes party for Wayne, Nola and Vicky; just found him more easily, but it would very: strange. Thel hunting guide had a a wet, cold night out in a rock bivvy. have been difficult to persuade him to friend nearby they couldvisit, andvisit After being overtaken by darkness, go back, and our group could have they did, at 2.30 on Sunday morning. heavy rain, and an early navigation raised the alarm. error which cost them valuable time, Ift the storyi is to be believed, John and they bivvied down and set off at first Hindsight is a wonderful thing: at the companion arrived to find a party in light. By then the rain had been falling time he ran through our campsite, he progress; a lingerie party, no less! The hard for some 8 or 9 hours and the was a young man on a mission. We hostess was soon to be married and river was over a metre deeper. They found out later that he had never been lucky John crashed the interesting end were most relieved to find the injured over that section off track before, which of a hen party. This was definitely not man still alive and safe on a rocky is- added further to his difficulties. your average club tramp-thel hostess landin the middle of the river. Hel had wore frilly red and black, and was hauled himself up twice as the river Well done to Marcus, John, Wayne, quick to offer hospitality to the guests. rose, and must have had a few anx- Vicky and Nola who showed the true SAR details finalised, theyl headed back ious moments. Most of his (and his spirit of the hills in going willingly to to Palmer Flats to sleep at 3.30am. son's) gear had been swept away the assistance of fellow trampers. In downstream, and Wayne, Nola and spite of wet, miserable, exhausting Meantime, Marcus had been assisting Vicky retrieved as much as they could times theyall came through it smiling Mike, who was suffering from the early forl him while waiting for the chopper. and cheerful as ever. The Clubi is justistages of hypothermia. Both were Hewas cheerful and grateful, and cop- fiably proud of their efforts. B TRAMPING & MOUNTAINEERING 1996