Alpine antics on Angelus

Alpine antics on Angelus

Heading around Angelus basin (Grant Newton)

fumping aboard the fem7, the WT&MC members were

| ouick to occupy their favourite spot in the non-smoking (/ bar. Not all patrons noticed the non-smoking rules, but Garry was quick to police them and had a group of smokers quickly dismissed with their tailbetween their legs.

The road trip started with some drama as Grant inspired confidence in the group by grinding the teeth offthe column shift gear lever saying it takes a little while to get the "feel"

of the van! Then he proceeded to say he knew a shortcut around Blenheim that ended up being a tiki tour. He eventually found the way by pure instinct (running into a petrol station for directions) and the rest of the drive was uneventful.

Emile van der Mespe

The opportunity finally arose to tackle an alpine trip that didn't involve the fastpace and long days of a Fit trip. It also hinted that tea might be drunk; though with Grant Newton at the helm, there was some doubt about this. With these factors in mind, 77 trampers took a day off work, grabbed ice axes and crampons, and headed to Nelson Lakes National

Park in late August.

We eventually arrived at our 5-star accommodationi high spirits (an open shelter with flush toilets), althoug only Gamy managed to get a good night's sleep. Upo awakening in the morning he was heard to mutter, "whi snoring?"

We awoke early, for this was a staunch hip; well actua it was to catch an early water taxi. Two trips by the wat< taxi to Coldwater Hut were required to get us on our wa The forecast thunderstorms never arrived and w meandered up the Cascade Track beside Hukere Strean Bruce, our champion, forged ahead plugging steps in th snow while Heidi with much shorter legs, wondered ho she could reach the next step, let alone get out of the ste

Tramping and Mountaineeri ng 2OO1 /20( el

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Trish overlooking the snow-covered Lake Angelus (Grant Newton)

she currently was in. Grant, however, was busy taking24 shots of snow, promising an interesting slideshow!

The cloud rolled in and visibility crapped out as fresh snow began to drift into our faces. As we arrived at the saddle, we scraped some wood we could just see through the snow and discovered that it was the buried sign pointing to Angelus Hut, a welcome sight. The hut soon warmed up as we got the fire going and we spent the afternoon lazing, playing cards and melting snow for brew after brew. The snow was scooped from the landing, which reached the windowsill, and above. We finished things off with a chicken curry, cooked to perfection, and then crashed.

Although it snowed overnight, it was a cloudless dawn! We set off from the hut, making slow progress across the basin as wewere swallowed up by thigh-deep snow (okay, knee-deep). Heidi was determined to set the pace and the length of the strides in the snow. In doing so, she set a cracking pace as she walked effortlessly over the crust of the snow while we sank into it with each step in envy.

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Heading up was not too bad as the snow was firmer, but halfway up Mt Angelus the clouds rolled in, cleared, rolled in, cleared, and rolled in again - you get the idea.

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After 2" hours' walking we reached the summit and were greeted by a cool, crisp southerly. The views from MtAngelus llv er

(2075 metres) spread before us in a 360-degree panorama, although towards the south, clouds shrouded the peaks. After the usual photo shoot we made a quick descent, having cleaned out GamT of his choccy biscuits, consumed to celebrate our successful summit.

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Once we had descended past the icy section, Garry produced his luminous speed machine (the green plastic t02 Tramping and Mountaineering 2OO1 /2002 ffist j#t lt'?

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pack liner). He set the pace sliding speedily down the slope before the green speed machine took off without him. His failed attempt to spear it with the ice axe led to a quick sprint followed by some obscenities. Ten others watching from above just laughed. The quick easy option of return was abandoned as Grant spied some "interesting ridges". The clouds that had previously hovered began to drift away and the heat of the sun was intense. We slipped, slopped and slapped! Veni, vidi, vichi.

We stopped for lunch on a ridgeline and enjoyed magnificent views towards Lake Rotoroa and the Angelus basin at our backs. The staunch trampers then braved the tops and completed the longer circuit of the entire Angelus basin. Under the pretence of building a snowcave, Emile followed Nola and Jason down the poled route between Hinapouri Tarn and Lake Angelus to the hut. In fact, this was a mere cover-up for more tea drinking. Hours later the staunch trampers followed on foot, and Garry followed on his green plastic pack-liner.

The day had obviously notbeen long enough as GamT suddenly had a bout of "corn circle madness" and decided to make his mark on [-ake Angelus. We expected his weight on the frozen lake might be too much, resulting in him falling through the ice and getting a cooldip, but it didn't happen. The rest of us sat inside enjoying brew after brew.

As darkness fell a school party invaded us. We all watched with great curiosig as they started hrnnelling under the hut before entering and wondered if there was a hidden wine cellar! Not to be, they merely stowed their ice axes and crampons out of harm's way while we enjoyed the small, but greatly appreciated amount of mulled wine left

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fr;*.' in the hut. Garry finally got the hints about his sleeping habits and isolated himself to give us a decent night's sleep.

On our final day, Monday, we awoke to a sky devoid of thunderstorms, southerlies and rain; in fact it was a very pleasant morning. A quick pack-up and climb got us to the ridge where the school party, which was negotiating the slopes on their pack-liners, entertained us.

The views from Robert Ridge were spectacular and the weather was simply superb. After some time the team was divided into three groups as Grant found some more interesting ridges. He set off, trailed by three others to summit Mt Christie ( 1715m).

After the luncheon adjournment Bruce, Nola and Emile went on a mission to retrieve the vehicle from the neighbouring town of St Arnaud. The rest of the group meandered down choosingbehveen the PinchgutTrack and the Bushline Track arriving at the Mt Robert carpark in summer conditions. Slip, slop, slap and then they lay in the sun awaiting a bright yellow van.

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Meanwhile, on arrival at the van, Bruce, Nola and Emile quickly discovered the battery was flat. Fingers were pointed at the leader - was it the RT charger drawing current or was the rear door not closed properly? Forhrnately the team was well resourced with a cellphone and an AA card! With quick efficient service and a hint of the sandflies, they were off to pick up the lazy sun-seeking punters.

On the return trip therewere the usual conversations of tramping stories and compliments about the weather, all interspersed with the unique sound of Garry's voice. We got back in time for dinner at the Toot & Whistle and made sure John Hoffeins made it safely back to Wellington. Another successful WT&MC trip with Grant's direct connection to the "Sun God", or so he says.

The group was Grant Newton, Emile van der Mespel, Bruce Smith, Nola Urquhart, Jason Moore, Garry de Rose, Jeanine Langvik, Trish Knox, Becky Austin, Heidi Volp, and John Hoffeins.

Tramping and Mountaineering 2OO1 /2002