8—9th July

We are deposited at Levin Pipe just after mid-day and limber up across open paddocks and plunge into the bush near Ohau Lower Gorge. A short dash through the "greenhouse," and Ohau hut waits green and red at the foot of the Gable and ridge. Refuelled, we head at a moderate pace upstream and reach the confluence of the North and South Ohau. We thread a miniature gorge, where white silent bush breathes frosty breath as we wade towards the root of Yeate's track. Here five or the party chonk ahead up a third gear grade. In the grey dusk we miss the Richard's Knob turnoff, but after consultations we struggle Eastward Ho, over windfalls, white and cold. Vivas, Slickitorias, and thoughts or steaming fleshpots as we near Te Matawai. Temperature 26 deg. F. but no wind. . . .