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Cold, Cold, Cold!! (August)

Party: Bill Stephenson, Peter Barry, Kerry Stevens.

In a rather casual way, shortly after [unclear: erterms] exams we planned a climbing tripinte the inland Kaikouras. We gave ourseleves a week to prepare out poor old Pete Squires (our fourth member) received a letter explaining where to be on the friday. He went tramping in the weekend and arrived in Blenheim on Monday. We ourselves had taken the [unclear: Aramoana] on it's first busin's trip. The following day we pludged a ride on one mail truck which runs twice weekly up the Awatere valley. Our aim was to tramp up the Hedger river (a tributary) and so gain access to the three Highest peaks of the area, Mts. Tap [unclear: 'uaenuku], Alarm, Mitre. These peaks are well covered with snow in winter [unclear: a] to make them cruly alpine, although they are just slag heaps in summer. They also have a reputation for cola and terrific [unclear: ar,] frosts, The air being very clear so clear that it is possible to read a book by moonlight.

We arrived at the [unclear: uer] bridge mid after noon, the sun shining as the remnants of a southerly storm disappeared.

Our body temperatures soon dropped on entering the sunless gorges and as we crossed and recrossed a very cold stream.

The night was spent on a flat between the upper and lower gorges. Time was wasted the next morning in thawing out boots over a primus since parts refroze when taken from above the flame. Bill's camera, was also frozen. Nevertheless we continued, passing below icicles dangling from rocks and glittering in the early morning sun; climbed over the half frozen 4oo ft. waterfall, [unclear: dialed] another gorge and camped under the ridge learning to our first objective Mt. [unclear: lapuJeudku].

Next morning we stepped outside the tent at 6.30 before sunrise, stepped back in to Wait for sunrise. Later however we climbed onwards and upwards" suddenly bursting into the sun on top of the summit ridge. In the clear atmosphere the sea looked so close that one Could almost dive into it. How we pitied those people back in Wellington sitting under the naze and smug generally associated with cities. From here the top was reached in no time at all; and was not difficult except for soft snow sliding off when we were sidling the Pinnacle. In a Keen wind we did not stay long on top, although the views were glorious, but shot off down the other side.

We had intended to climb Alarm also out soft kneedeep snow slowed us down considerably.

At this point, unfortunately kerry managed to break his ice-axe and regretfully went out and home, ostensibly to work? On reaching the great snow basin below Mitre at the head of the valley next morning we decided to tackle an interesting [unclear: looking] ridge rather than [unclear: oare] straight up the long couloir running for 2 1/2 thousand feet up the middle (that would [unclear: uo] for a [unclear: glisoow-ea] down.) This immense basin would be a skier's paradise if one could lug skis in.

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The ridge proved interesting enjoyable climbing [unclear: but] [unclear: was] slow. Hence on reaching the low peak, lack [unclear: ox] time, approaching [unclear: Roul] [unclear: wetner], a strong bitterly [unclear: polo] wind, turned us back. The trap [unclear: back] to the camp was highlighted by a story from [unclear: Pei] which [unclear: oce] 1 1/2 hours.

With food running short and rain wetting our tent we made a dash the next morning down the [unclear: Holder] to beat the storm We were lucky enough to pick a list for the rifty odd miles into Blenheim.

Much to our disgust the next day [unclear: vned] beautifully fine and we kicked ourselves on seeing "Tapy" from the plane on the way home, so and [unclear: oriel] interlude from swot.

P.J.B