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Wakatikei River

“It's completely crazy", said someone,"to try a trip in one and a half days where other people have taken a long two". Nevertheless, Bill Stephenson and Peter Barry knocked off work at mid-day and met the rest of the party on the 1.30 Paekakariki train. The trip nearly broke down at the beginning; because of slips on the line the train was over an hour late. From Paekakariki we just ambled a mile or so up the main road then took the most unlikely looking spur possible to the summit of Wainui. Much to our pleasant surprise we found a track on this ridge. -We [sic] had expected to have to bush-bash. It was thus that we reached the top about 5 p.m.

"Where shall we go now?"

"Straight down over there probably."

We went straight down there and were not done out of our bush—bashing. But we soon ended up in a very steep-gorged little stream. This was fun to come down since it consisted of a series of waterfalls and wet slippery rock. Mike afforded the company great amusement by falling in and Peter, who, trying out an idea of the ’great' Cave's, was wearing tennis shoes, also nearly did. We camped at dusk in one of the few flat spots and slept under the stars (how romantic). Well, at least some slept. Three dopes talked until three in the morning, despite the occasional clod and flying stick hurled in their direction.

We were up and away early. Very shortly we reached the main Wakatikei River and followed the logging track for a couple of miles before taking to the stream again. It was bigger now and eventually we had to Packfloat. All were amused at lunch time when Margaret changed from her wet clothes into dry swimming togs, to have a swim. We continued swimming — all enjoyed it especially the aqua-girl (Barbara). But about four we decided we had better get out of this silly stream so we pushed, bashed, swore and grunted our way through thick fern and scrub to the top of the ridge to the south of the stream. From here we ended up on the Bull run road about 8 or 9 miles from Trentham. All except Margaret, Bill and the audacious, undaunted Murray Ellis managed to catch the 8.30 train.

A most hilarious trip and they didn’t even need to call in the S.A.R. For anyone who may be mug enough to follow us I say "don’t".

P.J.B.

PARTY: Bill Stephenson, Peter Barry, Barbara Wallace, Margaret MacPherson, Mike Heenan, Les. McLachlan, Murray Ellis.