The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, June 1923
Tramping Club
Tramping Club
"And to-morrow's travel will carry you, body and soul, into some new parish of the infinite."—Stevenson.
The value of tramping lies in its universal appeal—if you play football or hockey, cricket, tennis, or basketball, and want to keep fit; if you practise the noble art (of self-defence) or seek laurels on the Olympic fields of Sport; whether you debate or free discuss, and desire time and space;or reflection or a new outlook on this world's troubles; or when, as a C.U. member, you wish to get in tune with the infinite; if you want clear space to rehearse the next drama; when, after a Haeremai Club tangi, you feel in need of a pick-me-up; or when, as a victim of over-study, a complete change of atmosphere is necessary; in fact, whatever you do or don't do, a good tramp is just the thing.
That others have found this true has been shown often enough—shown. for example, during the last Long Vacation, by the members who disregarded all the counter-attractions of the holiday season, and came out on week-end tramps. Last summer's walks were very pleasant; discomforts there must have been, but they were sketched in fugitive shades. What remains in the memory are such scenes as these: Far up the Orongorongo—between two fairy orchards of fuchsia and wineberry, there flashes, like a Stream of gems in the morning sun, the clear water of the creek. On the coast of Palliser Bay—a rock pool, deep and wide, inviting one to dive. Beautiful, too, with pale jade-tinted water, and sides half-hidden by pendants of brown or fringed with green sea-plants. Near the Whakatiki—sheer noon sunlight, striking down between the treefern pinnules, glows on wonderful Todea fronds. From the Te Kameru hills—Egmont, clear, faint blue against a flushing sunset sky. Down the Wairongomai (or at Rei korangi)—a camp. fire piled against a cliff (or a totara stump glowing like a furnace), and flying splashes of light on a half-circle of happy faces.
At Easter-time a party, including many V.U.C. trampers, visited the Tongariro National Park; although their plans at times were hindered by mist, the tales they tell and photos they show indicate how well they spent their time.
Since then there has been one noteworthy venture: during the King's Birthday week-end a heroic band, led by Prof. Wilson, left Kaitoke for Mt. Marcharit. Descending the further slope (abruptly at times, sometimes with considerable slowness) they entered the upper Tauherenikau Valley; after camping there the night, the party returned to Kaitoke by way of Smith's Creek.
Several Saturday afternoon and Sund'ty tramps completed the term's programme. There was a very interesting walk from Petone to Paremata, through and over a great variety of scenery; one afternoon was given to the high range of hills beyond Brooklyn, over Hawkin's Hill to Sinclair Head, and back by beach to Island Bay; a Sunday was spent, picnic fashion, in Gollan's Valley; there was an interesting Saturday on (and off) the pipe-line in the Kaiwarra Gorge.
Not least of the term's activities, though a new outlet for its energies, was a social held in the Gym, after the Ruapehu trip. Photos there were, and dancing; a tasteful and ample supper ensured the success of the evening.