The Spike or Victoria College Review October 1930

Tramping Club Notes

Tramping Club Notes.

Last Christmas the Tramping Club once again visited Tongariro National Park, and the party of 14 who made the trip thoroughly enjoyed themselves, in spite of the rather adverse weather conditions. About ten days were spent at a camp site near the Waihohonu, and from there Te Heu-Heu Peak and Ngauruhoe were successfully climbed. The party then moved across to Keteahi, from where the majority of the members made a most successful and pleasant (?) trip across the saddle into Tokoanu, under the able leadership of a certain young lady tramper; but we are not permitted to divulge any further secrets. While at Ketetahi we made certain intelligence tests on small animals residing in Maori huts, and will disclose the results to any bona fide biologists.

The opening week-end tramp of the year was to the Orongorongo River and back. The enthusiasm of the members was exhibited by the daring leap for life and the Day's Bay ferry steamer by a tramper determined to tramp.

The trip up to Dobson's and thence down into the Tauherenikau was notable for several things. In the first place, the leader, as usually happens, apparently led her unsuspecting party astray in the darkness, although they stoutly maintain that they were admiring the wonderful view (at 9 p.m. on a moonless night). However, they were eventually gathered into the fold again and we finally managed to get a meal at 12.5 a.m. N.Z. time.

The next morning was marked by a late start at a slow pace, with the result that as darkness again descended we were far from our destination, that paradise called Kaitoke. An exhibition of speed at this stage was not appreciated by some of the party, who eventually arrived just in time for the train. Had they again been admiring the wonderful view? We never realised before that we had such Nature lovers in our midst.

A Sunday tramp from Petone to Parematta provided the party with an opportunity of displaying its objection to caretakers—unnecessary people, who should be avoided.

The trip to Mt. Kapakapanui proved very successful indeed. This was the first time an official club visit had been made to these parts, and doubtless many more will follow. Of course, we could not all go out together on the same train—that is perfectly natural with the Tramping Club. But we had an opportunity of trying out a few psychological tests on the latecomers.

It is wonderful how they will persist in carrying their own packs along a level road, and even refuse the best of chocolates when they fondly imagine they have a big hill to climb before reaching their destination. It is rumoured that during the small hours of the morning certain members of the party proceeded to have a wonderful meal, but we are assured that this was merely a nightmare on the part of the ladies. A good start was made the next morning, and by mid-day the party had reached the top. From here a wonderful view of the surrounding country was obtained. We descended at our leisure and those (unsuspecting) new members who turned out on the trip found that the notice-board heading, "easy trip," was indeed true. Perhaps the leader could sometimes tell the truth after all?

The Tapekopeko tramp undoubtedly does not stand alone in the fact that the object was not reached. The party was no more interested in Mt. Tapekopeko than in Mount Matthews, so climbed the latter instead. A portion of the party was greatly interested in glow-worms on the Five-mile Track. Was the reason for various excursions not on the track?

This year's Easter trip to Kapiti Island, made by a party of 31, under the leadership of Mr. S. Lambourne, is probably unique in the annals of the Club's history. The novelty of a half-day wait on Paraparaumu Beach, a night trip in the launch, the company of rats for bed-fellows, excursions to all parts of the island, and the congenial company and courtesy of the caretaker and Mr. Johannes Anderson were part, and a matter of course, but a most refreshing aspect of the trip was the presence of a considerable literary element, which at all times, and under the stimulus of nothing stronger than cocoa, poured forth limerick after Jimerick, in language respectable and otherwise, ancient and modern. In spite of this, however, the remainder of the party spent a most pleasant, profitable and memorable four days.