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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 6, No. 11 August 11, 1943

Achievement!

Achievement!

Commencing in foul but finishing in fine weather, seven stalwarts successfully crossed from Wairongomai to Silverstream two week-ends back, and thus avenged the calamitous defeat suffered three years ago.

On Saturday, after two hours of flat bush track and wading in Icy water, accompanied by an intermittent drizzle, Wairongomai Forks is reached. Tents pop up and a cheerful fire warms tingling fingers while the billy bolls. Scrambling up the south branch of the stream fills in the rest of the afternoon, and the evening discussion is most intellectual—early to bed with stars shining in the sky.

At 5.20 a.m. the air is chill, but, thank God, there is no rain. The day is young as we commence to toil up the ridge to Orongorongo. Gradually, as the height increases, so does the cold—everything is wet and moss-covered—patches of snow appear, covering logs and branches. Orongorongo at last—the mist envelops us. A pause before plunging down again into more wet bush.

Two hours later the cloud has disappeared, the sun shines forth, warming benumbed fingers and feet. Lunch is the tale of a primus which would not go, and an appetising billy-mixture from tins of many different labels.

Then followed two hours of road walking—I for one have sore feet as a result.