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Skiing The Tararuas

by Anthea Simmonds

Pete Mansell's medium party proceeded (at mildly discrepant velocities) up the Waiopehu Track, on the first day of our journey through the mud. (Most of the morning had been spent camping on various street corners awaiting the punctual bus.) About four hours later Waiopehu hut emerged from the rain and mist, its primary attraction being the imaginative painting by a certain seat.

Joined by Richard's party, who, as fate would have it, found our party amazingly difficult to part with. We spent the night in our sardine factory endeavouring not to show those calcium articles known as "teeff".

Sleep was difficult at first with Nigel excitedly throwing shoes at the unfortunate rat that dared to inspect the origin of the lingering scents of mashed potato, fish, instant pud...

The next day to Te Matawai was another wander through the mud. The weather being such that it wasn't an easy matter to determine whether one was in fact on the top of a ridge or whether one was not.

We arrived at Te Matawai hut to find it rather over populated with V.U.W.T.C. types, all having altered their intentions to greater or lesser extents. The afternoon, which later changed into evening (it was so claggy this change might have passed unnoticed had I not mentioned that it occured) was passed with the usual occupations - philosophical discussions, singing, cards, table traverses, and of course Doosey Do which provided on-lookers with more entertainment than the participants.

Except for the speedy ascent of Pukematawai by a few and Mike R's leatherwood races, Tuesday was a total pike by all. Hero of the bunkroom was Hank Dantry - the hired killer of "You're Lookin' for Trouble" - courtesy of Te Matawai hut. Meanwhile in the other room murderers reigned winking with differing degrees of success. The evening brought the inevitable singing, yet another exhibition of 'Doosey Do' and a rather-too-close encounter for my liking with a billy of hot water (sitting on the floor beside a coal range may be a trifle warmer than you think). And wasn't it Richard who on Bushcraft said he's never come across burns on a tramp?

Wednesday heralded more skiing - a definite lack of friction on Gable End Ridge contributed to this. However this meant no one was especially slow on arriving at Ohau Shelter where lunch was partaken of, before sidling out beside Ohau Gorge to meet the bus.

Pete Mansell	Sandra McLellan	Tracy Buckland
Sue Marshall	Morag Meyers	Tonia Schaef
Anthea Simmonds	Francie Graham	Alex Henderaon

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