A Long Way to a Barbecue

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A Long Way to a Barbecue lan Bunckenburg The Mokai Patea Range on a fine, clear, still, July day. We're sitting in the snow near a frozen tarn having a brew, and Paul asks, "Interested in an S.K?" In a moment of weakness, and partly bluff, I say "yes". ne week later, the phone goes - "What week- hampering travel. After a bit of floundering about lookend?" "For what?" After hanging up the phone ing for the sidle to the bivy, we climbed to the top. At Iwas sure we were doing only a Greater North- 11.30 pm we took a compass bearing to the tarn. A careern as a training trip and arriving out at Donnelly Flats ful, slow route down across wet slippery tussock evenfor the Club BBQ; however, three weeks before this date tually brought us onto the bench. we were in the Ruahines again doing a four-day trip. I was too buggered to argue the point and he brainwashed At first the black spot looked like a bluff but a quick me into believing that it was all on. So, on the 31st Oc- check, up and back again, and we decided that it was tober I was walking around the Square in Palmerston water. We took another compass bearing to the bivvy North doing some late training hoping to be knocked and after two attempts we arrived at 12.25 am. I was getunconscious by a passing roller blader while waiting for ting a little worried because I only had a pit-cover and this "mate". two pairs of longjohns to sleep in, as was travelling ultra lightweight. With light packs we left Marie at 4.00 pm at Putara. By 5.20 pm we had reached Herepai Hut, and we left soon Alater than intended start in the morning at 7.00 am had after, leaving a battered old Moro Bar as a birthday us moving in overtrou. The wind was doing its usual present for Allen. Moving up onto the tops we could see Tararua exercises, blowing a little clag and rain about. As to the south and east. The cloud drifted over West Peak we neared Lancaster it was easing; a clearance over the as we dropped into the saddle and lifted again as we Waiohine Pinnacles, then we were smothered again for neared the top to give us views of Pukemoremore. Just all of Tarn Ridge. Another tramper passed us heading to on dark we reached the Dundas Hut turn-off, so it was the pipe bridge. We drifted past bundles of timber - torches out for a stumble across to Dundas Peak, the remains of the old hut. Passing the grave, thel hills were lights of Levin coming and goingi in the mist. Compasses still hidden, but on arriving at the new hut, Bannister, were drawn and used now and again, but by the time we Waingawa and everything north came out in all its were climbing Arete a cold, damp, wind-blown mist was splendour. What a great spot. Clearing weather, Tararua tops Paul Critchley Tramping and Mountaineering 1997

A short drink stop on the tops Paul Critchley I negotiated a pair of socks to make a knee warmer and was sorted out. Across the sidle moreporks started after lots of Paul's special chemically loaded rocket fuel laughing at us crawling through the night, then down towe got back onto the ridge to find everything clear to the wards Cone Hut with a torch no better than a terminally south as well; it was all on. ill glow-worm. I knew we were just about there when I stepped into the only knee-deep mud hole we saw all A slurp from a tarn on South King then over Broken Axe weekend. Pinnacles to McGregor. It was like a trip down memory lane: all the ridges, spurs and shitty little creeks that - We were in our pits by midnight. A slice of bacon, a have travelled up and down brought back names and brew, then bliss. faces from trips in the 70s and 80s. Dorset, Nichols, and even Maungahuka huts stood out clearly. At 5.45 am we had some more of last night's tea and another brew from Paul and we were off at 6.20 to a most Meeting Ken Churchill, Rob Stone and Carol just after enjoyable stroll down the Tauherenikau. It was great to Angle Knob gave us a welcome rest as well as a boost listen to the tuis, bellbirds and grey warblers as we to tiring legs. warmed up. The odd drink, a bit of sun cream and soon we passed the shell of Smith Creek Shelter. We made it Paul produced an excellent feed for a late lunch at aquick trip out to the carpark by 10.50, meeting up with Powell, then at 5.00 pm we started the hobble down to Marie, Marion and the girls. Mountain House. At Totara Flats, just on dusk, we met the Club's Medium party. As we left, - was envious of It was a pleasant drive over to Holdsworth, then a slow their campsite in the sweet smelling, soft grass. walk to Donnelly Flats (where the girls, aged 7 and 2x5 beat their dad) to a very enjoyable BBQ. Not a bad ef- Torches out again as we hit the bush, then rock-hopping fort from Granddad Paul and a bloke who only does down to Makaka Creek. Twenty minutes up the hill Iwas three or four trips each year. flagging, but with more of Paul's specials (this guyis a walking supermarket) and a little abuse, the problem Many thanks Paul for yet another fabulous trip. Tramping and Mountaineering 1997