Two Peaks in One Day

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Two Peaks in One Day Nicola Noble A week of praying for good weather saw Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku and the rest of the Inland Kaikoura Range covered in cloud as we travelled across Cook Strait. Arriving in Picton and climbing straight into a minivan, we made our way to the roadend where a cozy barn full ofl hay presented itself for a somewhat scratchy night's sleep. A 'possum spent the night in the barn with us, much to the amusement ofDave who contemplated axing it with some of the various climbing hardware that lay around. It was a cold night and we awoke to a frost, blue sky and a refreshing river. hen I was told there were "a few" W river crossings on this trip, Ihadno idea what I was in for. I lost count after 20 and was informed that most people ended crossing the river about 80 times! But no big dramas walking up the river and it turned out tot be a: surprisingly relaxing daywith a 1% hour lunch stop lying in the sun before making thet final haul up to thel hut. We arrived at the hut mid afternoon, with more time to sleep before tea. Ihadn'tnoticed it, but reading the track description later in the evening, Ifound out we had actually climbed 1,000m from the roadend to thel hut. Nice to know that was 1,000m less we had to climb the next day. After a feed and a chat, bed summoned me with the thought of getting up at some ungodly hourin the morning. Ourt tripl leader had casually mentioned at some stage in the evening that we would be leaving the hut at 6.00 the next morning, but not everyone was present a when this was said. Consequently the next morning when Andrewwas ready tos start walking at 6am, no one else was. A1 few left, then a coupler more a while later, wandering offi into the misty early morning light. A1 few morel left in a group, then finally half an hourl later, the last of the group left, including myself. After a quick chat with Andrewi in the morning Iwas confident knew where I was going, but apparently others weren't. We all frantically tried to catch upt to AndrewandAnn (failing miserably of course!) and the party of1 10 ended up scattered up and down the valley. Finally when the first few people stopped to put toenails on, we managed to catch up. Un- On Mt Alarm, looking towards Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku Nicola Noble fortunately those at thel back weren't quite So lucky, and they were left tot find their own way to the summit of Tappy. idea which snow chute to take on the way to the summit. The party split in two, with 6 people heading for the By this stage we were making steady progress upMtAlarm summit of Mt Alarm followed by Tappy, while the other while Andrew McLellan spent considerable time yelling party headed straight for Tappy. Fortunately for me, our directions across the valley to the other party. After an tripl leader was in my party climbing Alarm and knew both hilarious conversation involving yelling and frantic arm the route and terrain. The other party was not So lucky movements, the other party headed off to where they and from a distance it became apparent that theyl had no thought the correct route was. Tramping and Mountaineering 1999

Meanwhile, we continued further up/ Mt Alarm. Turning around to check on the other party a short while later revealed they had completely missed the chuter upinto the top basin and werel heading under a rocky bluff leading nowhere. Yet another session ofy yelling and arm signals took place and finally the party was directed up the correct path. The terrain on Mt Alarm began to get steeper and softer as the sun melted the snow. Not a breath of wind could be felt to cool us down as we slowly dragged ourselves further up. Thei final stages oft the ascent involved a somewhat dodgy snow gut to get through with veryloose rock surrounding it. Without helmets we progressed slowly knowing that anys small mistake would be pretty painful, if not fatal. From the summit off Mt Alarm we watched the other party descend from the summit of Tappy. Still no wind whatsoever and 360 degrees of cloud, mountaintops and sea surrounded us. At belay system was set upt for a safe descent through the melting snow and loose rock and we began making our way down after only a short break on the top, knowing we still had al long way to go. We walked/slid back to the saddle for a welcomel lunch andcontemplated climbing Tappy. Iwas completely stuffed and didn't feell like had the energy to climb Tappy as well SO I convinced myself would head back to the hut. Little didl know, that most of the group (except Andrew McLellan of course) was thinking the exact same thing. But no one mentioned a word and before wel knewit, itwas time to roasti in thes swel- Andrew Chinn on the summit of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku Nicola Noble tering heat and climb the chute to thet top basin up on Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku. We met the other party at the top of the chute where down to the snowline resultingi in the numbest butt have they had stopped for al leisurely lunch. Once again I was ever had. Butlwas lucky. Earlieri in thei afternoon Raymond knackered and didn't think could continue - and once had done the same thing, not only getting considerable again everyone else felt the same but still no one said any- numbness, but also actually leaving a good proportion of thing, SO off we went, dragging our feet up the final ridge his butt cheek on the mountain. All I can sayis thank god to thes summit. Iwasn'tthe one who had to dress it later in the evening. Itturned lout to be a surprisingly quick climb to thet top After 11 hours of walking, climbing and sliding in absoand as usual, was definitely worth it. We sat on the top, lutely stunning scenery, dinner and bed was a welcome ate, took numerous photos and grinned likei idiots know- sight. was asleep before myl head hit the pillow. ing thati it was all downhill from here. The final day once again presented perfect weather. The Cloudin the Clarence River valley cleared while MtAlarm walk out down the valley was easy, crossing the river a slowly disappeared and Nelson Lakes National Park really million times again, but this time a little more welcomei in showed its lack of snow. Mitre Peak, a nearby mountain, thel heat of the sun. looked intriguing and definitely one to add to the list for Back at the hay shed, lying in the grass in the sun, it next time. was hard toi imagine that conly24 hours previously we had The walk back to thel hut was pretty fast, and consisted been sitting on the summit of thel highest mountain in the of a mammoth bum slide from the top oft the snow chute Inland Kaikoura Range. Tramping and Mountaineering 1999