"A Fishy Tale"

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.

"A Fishy Tale" Mike Copeland There was an air of optimism about this trip as our leader met us brandishing ferry passes on a wet and cold Friday evening. Sporting very white, hairy legs I believe he was the only one in the whole terminal wearing shorts. Our destination was the Richmond Range; our plan: to climb Mt Fishtail. r"Catch-a-bus" met us off the ferry and drove As the hut is at 1,400m it did seem we were in for a us into the night. Armed with a good local chilly night with a severe southerly forecast. knowledge he drove us right to the Pine Valley Undaunted, a few of us decided to climb Mt Fishtail roadend. The Fits hooned off into the darkness, while and enjoy the rest of the sun. A straightforward scree we Mediums leisurely donned boots and sauntered ten and rock scramble took us up to a broad ridge from minutes down the track to Fishtail Flat. Flies, tents and whence we crested the summit (1,641m). A panoramic bivvies were erected and we crawled into our pits. view greeted us: Tappy and the Kaikouras to the south; The next day a cacophony of birdsong greeted the Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi to the west; the Pelorus dawn which made for a pleasant wake-up. Breakfast was and Tasman Bay to the north; and the Marlborough shared and eaten with the local robin, and our leader Sounds and a cloudy North Island to the east; looked christened his new primus with a "quick" 45-minute like another great weekend in them Tararuas! The sumbrew up! A few introductions were made, an outline of mit was SO pleasant some of us fell asleep while others the plan of attack given, and we were on our way. reached states of Nirvana while meditating on the scene Our routel lay in an easy stroll up a valley, picking up before us. the main ridge to Mt Fishtail, andi included a nighti in the A cool breeze stirred our slumber as the sun drifted 4-bunk hut on the tops. We set out under a clear blue to the west. We in turn drifted lazily back to the hut. To sky with no wind. The deep, clear pools of the Pine Val- catch the last rays, a few lingered on the sunny rocks ley Stream looked inviting as we followed a general before entering the chilly shadow now engulfing the hut. south-to-north direction. The air was still and rather chilly as we were in the shadow of the Richmond Range. Crossing a tributary we ascended a steep spur and Finished product - stopped for scroggin on thet first bump on ther ridge which the map called 831m. Good views were had and hearty a delicate, snacks inhaled. above our we yet fully Just stop emerged into the sun and Fishtail came into view. Dark and menacing with a light dusting of snow, it provided good photo functioning, fully opportunities and whetted the appetite for the journey ahead. closing door! After a gentle climb for an hour through beech forest andr mossy outcrops lunch was declared. Sitting at around 1,300m it was hard to believe it was the middle of fwin- Then a strange thing happened. Having a wash in the ter. The day was pristine brilliant sunshine, only a brook by the hutl spotted one of the door panels. Jeanine zephyr ofv fwind, and warm. I got to wondering about the found another nearby and hope began to rise in our often mentioned reputation our leader had for bad hearts that a restoration of the door was possible. Wayne weather which, judging by this day, seemed a complete produced a Swiss Army knife with a Phillips head screwmisnomer. driver and Struan and Derek gathered the other bits and After climbing a small tree to see our way ahead we pieces around. Laying the pieces out it seemed we had realised we had little climbing left to do before the hut. enough to rebuild the door From here the view began to open up: the huge slip on With whoops of excitement and strange laughter we the eastern flank, which gives Mt Fishtail its name, could set to. The panels were slotted into the doorframe and be seen clearly. To the west the gnarly, roller coaster fixed in place with pieces of aluminium extrusion. ridge to Mt Richmond unfolded into the distance. We Lengths of rubber sealant were then fixed in place with could imagine the formidable challenge it was present- craftsman-like precision using a Leki walking pole. What ing to thel Fits, who were by now making their way along was left of the frame was screwed together using the it. Phillips head and the whole door re-hinged to the en- The hut was small and cozy - four beds, opening trance. Finished product a delicate, yet fully funcwindows, gas but alas no door. The logbook was tioning, fully closing door. Yahoo! A triumph for Kiwi full of scoffing remarks from the Fits wishing us a "very ingenuity! warm night's stay.' " It appeared the door had blown open Needless to say, our warm and relaxing trip continand literally shaken itself apart as it flapped in the wind. ued along on its merry way. For tea we had a beautiful Tramping and Mountaineering 1998

A triumph for Kiwi ingenuity! Mike Copeland vegetable curry and fruit custard prepared by Sally, Cath lounge around, eat lunch and play frisbee, all to the choand Wayne. Jeanine and Wayne pitched a masterful tent rus of the bellbird. Sally and Ann were hardy souls and for a good night's lodging and the rest of us snuggled braved the cool waters for a refreshing dip. When it down to our cozy pits, warm and well fed. As our eyes came time for the bus it was hard to leave such an idylgrew sleepy, a passing comment was made "I won- lic spot. We packed our gear with regret and strolled for der how the Fits are getting on" but I doubt few heard it another twenty minutes to meet it. before they were asleep. The journey home involved picking up a tired (bug- The next day dawned clagged in and cold, SO not un- gered) Fit party, dinner in Picton, and a ferry ride home til the sun eventually came out did we begin our de- punctuated by news of Winston petering out. scent at the crack of 11.00. Thej journey was gentle and Arriving backi in Wellington the office blocks and busy leisurely. After half an hour we stopped at a rocky out- motorways seemed a far cry from the lofty mountains, crop to admire the view, bask in the sun, talk of simple clear flowing streams, and chiming of the bellbird. Yet pleasures and strip to our shorts. as a group we were rested and at peace. Perhaps we A few went on at a more leisurely pace. Derek stum- will journey back to Mt Fishtail again in our minds (like bled across a wild pig, and not being a local, didn'tknow lam as Iwrite) remembering sunny, still, winter's days, ifit werel he or the pig that should run. Fortunately, the panoramic views, warm company, and huts with doors! pig thought Derek the uglier and took off! In what seemed like no time at all we had arrived at Thanks to Struan (leader with his bad weather reputathe grassy flats outside the Pine Valley Hut. With two tion tarnished), Cath, Sally, Derek, Ann, Wayne and hours before our pickup we had little else to do but Jeanine. Tramping and Mountaineering 1998