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Heels 1981

And What Did You Do in the August Holidays?

page 33

And What Did You Do in the August Holidays?

Answer - everyone who was anyone ventured into the wild beyond of Nelson Lakes National Park. Take - Saturday August 22,7am;hell,I'm running late and I've got the tickets. Still,all 24 troops made the ferry even if a trifle bleary-eyed. Quick lunch stop in Blenheim and next was some barn on the Blenheim-St Arnaud road. We deposited Bruce's bush bunch at this desolate place leaving them to discover the mysteries of the Raglan Range.

St Arnaud arrived and a courtesy call was paid to the ranger. The lake shore sported a nice new day shalter and the warmth of the fire tempted one to try out the comfort of this hotel. But no,must remember leadership!Party food was distributed and somehow I seemed to come off worst. Tradition was followed and frisbee lessons ensued. Finally we left for Lake Head,where the Ego Trip had already taken residence. These "noble lads",known as Cam the Man,Raving Ronnie and Silent Simon,spent most of their trip taking time out instead of in - but that's another story.

Dawn struck,many hours before the Pike and Picnic crew saw it. Casualness was the order of the day as we wandered up the Travers valley. Some Picnickers were a little stuffed by John Tait,ie Francie,and Steve,whose blisters,although chronic, never dampened his spirits.

Monday we trekked up to Cupola Basin in clearing weather on a snow-covered track. Surprise,surprise:The Ego Trip were in residence,although out for some walking in the sun,no doubt. The Chief Picnicker attempted to teach the Pike and Picnic Party how to self-arrest but kneedeep powder snow made the technique seem rather pointless. Our descent was punctuated by Cath trying to reach the bottom first - but the trees got in her way. However,she did use her head.

Tuesday arrived and the Picnic Party left in brilliant sunshine for Upper Travers. Snow covered the track for much of the valley and the views were simply superb. Shortly after lunch Alan's mob made it to the hut,having slogged over the saddle in 7½ hours. Later in the afternoon the Ego Trip cruised in,hotly pursued by the Anakiwa boys.

Pike and Picnic made the supreme effort and embarked on their journey to the saddle by 8.30,in near perfect weather. Assisted by the Ego Trip we made the traverse in good time,with the fast descent via bumsliding coming as some surprise to our Anakiwa friends. Forks Hut was reached by 1.15,so pike was the order of the day.

By evening the charm of this hut,along with the cold washing water,seemed to overcome our inhibitions. Conversation descended to despicable depths with the help of Faulus and Sharon,ably assisted by Geoff,and the notorious Francie contributing by laughing at every opportunity. Well I was shocked and consequently it kept Cath and me amused until well after midnight.

Thursday came and almost went again by the time the Picnic Party departed for Blue Lake. Some 3 hours later we hit the hut and yes,you guessed it,the Ego Trip lying in pit quite contentedly. Cam claimed the weather was too bad to climb. Funny, the aun shone all day without a breath of wind. We just beat the darkness back, page 34though three Picnickers took a longer route, not that Geoff,Panlus and Sharon would admit they were lost.

cartoon - 'Eat carrots and run'

Friday saw our second early start of the trip as we began our exit from the park. The Sabine seemed ordinary in comparison with the Travers,mainly due to the lack of snow at river level and the poor track markings. This day was long and hard for the Picnic Party and we didn't stop for lunch until 2.30 near Sabine Hut. Finally Chief Picnicker decided to camp in a stream bed somewhere near Cedric Stream. Conditions in our campsite were pretty rough and uncomfortable,and all Picnickers hit pit pretty early. That was a long,cold,sleepless night.

Frozen boots for some next morning made things a little slower but we set off around 8 without breakfast,following the never-ending beech for an hour until we struck Howard Hut,and what a dump;more iron on the windows than anywhere else. We finally came upon Speargrass Hut after the most boring tramping I've ever done. The track just went on and on and on... Still,we had made it out from Forks in 2 days and I was just a little pleased with the Picnickers. We set off on our last trek down to Mt Robert carpark,spurred on by thoughts of food from the shop and a comfortable night's sleep.

Paddy's Hut just wasn't up to it,so instant decision - head for the motor camp at the foot of the hill,or so I thought,but instructions will get confused. We got picked up 2 by 2 - Cath,Francie,Paulus and Chief Picnicker met at the motor camp,but Geoff and Sharon had continued on to St Arnaud,unbeknown to me. It was then that Chief Picnicker became annoyed,than worried,for he could only account for 4 out of 7 of his party. Eventually arriving at St Arnaud's new public shelter at around 8,who should be there but my three lost picnickers. Yes I was relieved although totally pissed off with the whole cock-up in arrangements.

Next day was Sunday,and still the weather was great. The bus arrived early,more communication hassles. Departed at 11 to meet the Ego Trip at Mt Robert,then another courtesy call to the ranger and we were on the way home, A quick stop for Bruce's Bush Bunch,lunch again at Blenheim,and we missed the early ferry by minutes. Still,the freight ferry let us aboard (after Cam and Alan had rounded up some strays). The Railways certainly got their moneys worth out of VUWTC,as we cleaned up the food in no time.

cartoon - 'Eat prunes and run'

Finally,congratulations to the Pike and Picnic for surviving 8 days under the suspect direction of yours truly. P & P were:Terry Patterson (leader of sorts),Cath Alington,