Mt. Holdsworth

Skiing Trip

The Tramping Club's trip to Mt. Holdsworth last term was scheduled as a skiing trip, but only two very determined and slightly unbalanced trampers braved the appalling winter conditions and attempted the gentle art. A few trampers ventured above the bush line to the skiing field, but did not stay long ; while the majority ambled up to the bush line, poked their heads out, and immediately slid off back down the hill to the Mountain House. The snow was very deep and soft, and a high wind was blowing, making it almost impossible at times to stand up.

On the Saturday, the party of sixteen left Wellington about 9 o'clock (one hour late), and began the ascent to the Holdsworth Mountain House at mid-day. The snow was very low down, and the weather perfect, so that good time was made. A few stalwarts ventured to break trail from the Mountain House to the skiing field after a meal, but the sun was setting, and the atmosphere was very cold, so that they were unable to proceed very far above the bush-line. The evening was spent in eating and singing, the former preponderating. The hut was over-run with members of the Pawa Tramping Club, but, in spite of this, everyone slept with tolerable comfort on the muddy floor. Especially appreciated were the endeavours of the leader and Mr. Gurth Higgin to entertain the party with "There's an 'ole in my bucket," and the strange tale of the three old ladies who were incarcerated in the monastery.

Spasmodically arising, the party set off the next morning for the skiing field, but owing to the strong and bitter wind, as described above, not many reached it. Still, a pleasant though puerile hour was spent in snowballing and sliding, and a snowman representing a well-known University Lothario was greatly admired, until it was demolished by an incautious tramper who collided with it in turning the corner.

Despite the fact that the lorry on the return voyage was encumbered with Pawas, whose conveyance had apparently broken down, the trip back to Wellington was very pleasant, with a stop at Featherston for the hungry—and thirsty. The last interesting episode on a very enjoyable trip was a further rendering of "There's an 'ole in my bucket" by the leader and Mr. Higgin, who managed to finish their song against tremendous odds.