"One Special Southern" 5-7 March 1999

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"One Special Southern" 5-7th March 1999 Ron Fayle / was going to call this "One Epic Southern Crossing" because l'm sure, to the many that went on the trip, it was indeed, an epic trip. It certainly felt like one to me, but perhaps that's the wrong word, "one special trip "it certainly was - the trip on which Brian Hunt's ashes were scattered from the top of Mt Hector tall started as a result of Brian's family suggesting it lower as the afternoon wore on but otherwise the weather would be goodi tol have as many ofl Brian's friends present continued to be fine, although threatening change. for the scattering of his ashes on Mt Hector, which lappreciated the welcome at Kime with Murray Brown was Brian's wish. A day or two before his funeral Brian's coming up from the hut to offer encouragement, and the family asked the Club to make the arrangements for the mug of tea on arrival was great. This of course was the trip which was slotted in on a weekend when the Club first time I had been in the "new" Kime, as it had been had other trips scheduled for the area. rebuilt a few years ago. I was quite impressed. It looked Over refreshments at the Clubrooms in MoncrieffStreet fine in its new coat of red paint outside, and inside there after the funeral, Brian was very much on our minds. was a big improvement with an entrance lobbywhere one "Buncks" was ablet to tapinto that feeling and talk of get- could get out of wet gear before entering the common ting as many of Brian's friends to make the "pilgrimage" room. Its separate kitchen with benches for gas cookers (my words) to Mt Hector where Brian had wished his is set aside from the main room, and there was plenty of ashes to be scattered. When I was asked, there were al- space for sleeping the 20-odd people there that night. Beready about 20 names on the list. Being more of a Sunday fore retiring a few of the keen ones made the short walk tripper these days, I was unsure ifl was fit enough. had to the topof the ridge to watch the sunset, which unfortuhadi in the back of my mind for some while the question of nately was partly obscured by the cloud. whether I could carry a full weekend pack again, was Ifit Next morning after breakfast while we awaited the arenough to do a "Southern", and would I ever have such rival of those who had slept at Field, someone took a couanopportunity again? lalso wanted to be part of this spe- ple of group photos for the record. The weather had detecial trip, to be there when Brian' s ashes were released to riorated with drizzly rain being driven by a strong westerly the winds of Heaven. So for all sorts of reasons, decided wind. The small groups arriving were wet by the time they to attempti it. joined us buti it was amazingt to see the many familiar faces Ninel keen bodies took the opportunity to start on the that came through that door there must havel been over Friday morning, SO about 10.30am we arrived at Otaki 50 people in thel hut at times during that hour between 10 Forks tot find the Auckland contingent already there. They and 11 o'clock; too many to name here. had arranged for al helicopter to fly them up to Kime with Eleven o'clock saw me starting out for Hector with the their packs, andi it arrived while we were putting our boots wind and rain swirling around, and many people overtakon etc. The first of the two or three flights took off before ing me on the climb. I remember being concerned thatl we left the Forks. My moth-eaten, worn-out old army wasn't going to arrive on the summit in time for the scatputties came in for some "rubbishing" when produced tering of Brian's ashes. But leventually saw the memorial them and proceeded to wrap them roundi my ankles be- cross situated on the top of Hector looming out of the fore starting off. mist with about 5 minutes or so to spare. Icould tell climbing up the first rise to the plateau that Opening the proceedings before the group of 63 of my Mountain Mule pack first time l'd had it out for Brian's friends, Buncks tried to speak into the wind by many years was going to slow me down the wayi it dug saying that four people were going to give a short eulogy into my shoulders. However, the weather was fine and each and invited anyone else to say a few words if they hardly a breath ofwind made for an enjoyable trip to Field wished. Paul Green was first to speak followed by John Hut and lunch. Moynihan, Jan Heine, and Phil Pennington, Brian's nephew. Field Hut seemed like it hadn'tchanged at all over the As you can imagine, it was hard to hear what was being 30 or SO years since l'd stayed there. The same old fire- said with those who were speaking facing into the wind place with its pile of wood ashes, the raised bunk at one and rain and every one else standing with their backs to end of the room with a couple of old mattresses in one the weather. So the canister was duly opened by Kevin, comer, and on climbing the steps leading to the upper and Brian's mortal remains were then released to the elefloor, remembering sleeping there at times. ments, scattered widely by the wind with everyone's Around two o'clock we left for the climb to Kime Hut. thoughts being with the man himself. As usual Iwas last to arrive, the walk having taken me Because of the hostile weather, we moved off quickly, juston threel hours. It was slow going basicallyjust putting many deciding to continue across the Southern, but the one foot before the other. The cloud cover was getting majority returning to Kime and back down to Otaki Forks. Tramping and Mountaineering 1999

A rest stop at Hells Gate, en route to Kaitoke Dave Catchpole The wind was strong and found it hard at times stay- Wet tried lour vocal chords after dinner, using song sheets ing on my feet; if the wind caught my pack or myl boot which someone had supplied, perhaps in memory of Brian slipped in the mud, Iwould be over. Getting up was diffi- as he always enjoyed a "sing song". cult, as Ihad to get the pack off my back before I could With the intention oftrying to avoidholding up the transget back on my feet. But there was always someone to port leaving from Kaitoke at 4pm, I left Alpha at 8am, give me a hand. Progress was slow for those who stayed about half an hour ahead of the rest. It was still raining with me as we made our way round the Dress Circle, but not as heavily and it eased altogether later. The wind over the Beehives, Atkinson, Aston and Alpha. was happy had also dropped. Paul, Lyn and Marty were the first to to see thel bushline appear a short distance below know- overtake me and several more didl beforel reached "Hell's ing that Alpha Hut was only a few minutes farther on. Gate". I had forgotten how far the track dropped down On the tops was impressed with the great many flow- before climbing up the other side onto the Marchant Ridge. ers and the plant life generally. Iwas also impressed with The track along the Marchant seemed to go on for ever. the way the mist created thei impression ofl beingi in a space Time was getting on and it was obvious that I and thel last bubble vision being restricted on each side by the mist, group of three or four who caught up with me (the well origias as the way ahead. nal galloping tortoise) coming down off the "burn", were Arriving at Alpha, we were all wet through. Ralph asked not going to make it to Kiwi Ranch for 4pm. So Buncks mei if my pack was dry inside and I replied saying some- said he would make a quick trip out to see ift the Club bus thing to the effect that I was about to find out. As soon as could be held up 'til we arrived. If not he would I I arrange opened the flap knew it wasn't. My clothing was all for other transport to pick us up. The new second growth right it was inside a couple of plastic bags, but my on the "burn" was more noticeable since had last seeni it, sleeping bag was not. I dragged it out, sopping wet! which was good to see. I also felt the track off the "burn" Stupidly, Ihad overlooked my sleeping bag when packing had been re-routed down a steeper slope than before. It my gear before leaving Kime that morning. My thanks to was hard on the old knees. Paul and Lyn for helping me out of that situation. After a short five-minute stop for light refreshments at This was also my first trip into the new Alpha Hut, the the old Dobson Hut site we pressed on, arriving at the car old onel having been destroyed by fire a few years ago. It park at 5pm, an hour late! But the bus was still at Kiwi was much bigger than the old one with a fine covered Ranch and after enough time to take our boots off, it came veranda on the north side and a door leading into a big round and picked us up my first trip on the Club bus, room inside which would sleep the 20-odd people there which I must add was shear luxury. My thanks to those that night. who were out on time for waiting, and special thanks to Tea that night was a communal spaghetti bolognese for all for the great support received and the opportunity to those who wanted to be included, andlwish to record my do the "Southern". again a triplwon'tforgeti in al hurry thanks to those who cooked the meal, which really enand for being dropped off at my door, SO to speak, joyed. I was pretty hungry. which was very much appreciatedindeed. Tramping and Mountaineering 1999