Heels 1962
Cone Working Party: Study Week:
Cone Working Party: Study Week:
The route to Cone taken by this party was unusually tortuous. On a bleak Thursday afternoon, by the devious means of Pop's van, twelve shivering trampers stood on the banks of the Waiohine. Since both river and bridge were unsafe it was decided to return to Kaitoke. Four of the party went back in the van and the rest exhausted the means of entertainment at a small, isolated station. This so wearied Ian that he returned to Wellington at last. After a five hour journey we stumbled up the Puffer in damp darkness, sustained by a vision of the food and warmth which our advance party were preparing at Smiths Creek. Alas, these valiant people were still battling with wet wood and a flooded fireplace. We eventually retired defeated with some lukewarm coffee and a slice of bread.
Next morning (still raining) Pop the chauffeur became Pop the macaroni expert and went to Tauherenikau to prepare breakfast. This hut was inhabited by a roaring fire and a solitary soul who had expected us the night before. By mid-afternoon the party felt strong enough to slosh up to Alloway. Both girls got rather wet on the way, one by accident and one by the design of others. The comfort of Alloway that night encouraged discussion on such singular topics as physics versus chemistry versus pyschology, motor bikes and Cedric.
Working Party functions were fulfilled on Saturday by clearing up round the hut or carrying iron up to the bridge or hauling some old wire half-way up to Cone. This latter was apparently very hard. Bill and Pop showed their appreciation of the fine weather by initiating me into the joys of river crossing.
I forgot to mention that the main object of this trip was to celebrate Pop‘s and the Hut‘s birthdays that many more bods arrived during Saturday. Subsequently there was a party, in the course of which we drank Pop's health in champagne and ate his birthday cake. In spite of the happy efforts of some newcomers, eight nocturnal trampers removed to Tauherenikau.
On Sunday everyone made their way home, dispirited, disillusioned or otherwise.
LEADER: John Nicholls.
FOR THE BUSH HUT:
Patience, Fleas; the Night is Long.
Spanish Proverb.