The Mangahao in May

- Phil Mackie

Groan! Out to the car under my pack and dump it into the boot beside Brian's. Pick up Big B,Irene and Lynette,and it's off to the Mangahao dams. Don't have anything hanging low under your car,because you'll lose it. 'Bout 10 we are under the stars at the roadend (except Brian,who prefers wet tent to wet pit). Morning dawns beautiful and fine. Dam and lake look OK and are soon put behind us,after a quick game of frisbee. The track onto Dundas Ridge runs along the east side of the lake and up an arm into College Creek,then up the Puketerua Track from the first forks. The travel is good to begin with,but dense scrub soon sets in. We race up, following Lynette's distant yellow-clad rear.

We attain the ridge top by 10,glance contemptuously at the ridge along to Ngapuketerua,and turn to take in the beauty of the land. Two hours later,scarred and battered,we stand atop Ngapuketerua,conquered leatherwood on all sides. A pause in our headlong rush for lunch on top,where there are some nice campsites with tarns. We eat with a view of Egmont and Ruapehu,in brilliant weather. We tramp along to Ruapae and are contemplating life from that vantage point when in a spurt of enthusiasm (or laziness,I can't decide which) we decide to have a tops camp.

However,ominous cloud sends us shuffling (or in my case,hobbling) down to cosy Herepai Hut for the night,just on dark. The following morning dawns insultingly fine,and we commence the 1000' climb back to Ruapae. Lunch sees us sitting atop Walker in warm sunshine (sans Big B,who mutineed and decided to amble down Harris Creek instead. Reckons that Harris Creek offers good travel from most entry points). After lunch we try to find the track that hearsay has it comes off Walker and runs down to the Mangahao. We do not succeed,and bash down instead. My ankle is starting to feel really nice at this stage. We have a brief stop after being met by Big B, then start the race against darkness to get back to the car. Harris Creek Hut is a bit of a hole,despite its lack of years. The track below the hut is mildly unrelenting and consists largely of mud and up,but is very scenic. The river would be ace in summer! We reach the dam 2 hours from the hut,just as night falls. Lynette produces stale scones which are quickly scuttled,then it's back to Levin for greasies,and home. All in all,a moderately rugged trip. Participants: Bruce Wilson,Lynette Hartley,Brian Dobbie,Irene Petrove,and Phil Mackie (leader)