Holdsworth Trounces Tardy Trampers

Forgotten what the weather was like on the 13th and 14th of this month? Just ask anyone who went on Varsity's first ski trip of this year if you really want to know.

Just before midnight on Friday. 17 men and 5 women gathered at the road's end at the foot of Mt. Holdsworth. Weighted with 18 pairs of skis, they filed into the bush track leading to the Mountain House and bed, 2½ hours away.

AS they climbed, some thought of moonlit views of the Wairarapa from Powell Hut (4000 ft.), of still air snow, and blue sky: some were already thinking of food. One, speeding to catch up with the main body, tripped, fell, righted himself, sped halfway back to the road before regaining his bearings. What were his thoughts?

Saturday morning was cloudy and windy, but they were heartened by the sight of larger patches of snow as they tramped through the thinning bush. Disappointment was coming.

After lunch at Powell Hut, some went on to the top (4835 ft). There was an eight-foot icicle on the trig, but no snow for skiing. It rained all that night and in the hut the skiers were snug and subdued.

On Sunday morning they cleared up, and in the afternoon straggled [unclear: Sown] through the wet bush to the truck.

Early next month they will try again.