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Tramping Club

A review of the activities of the V.U.C. Tramping Club for the past year still evidences the necessary variety of official trips and proves that the consistency of our support from the student body has not diminished. Despite the depleted membership of the College many new devotees have been attracted and older supporters have not been enticed from the fold by outside clubs.

After the dark November days the usual set of Orongorongo trips was carried out in preparation for Xmas. We particularly remember one week-end at Palliser Bay in which the blistering heat of a Saturday afternoon changed through a protracted hail shower to the usual southerly. There are memories also of the Prof's ready ability in disposing of his crowding jostling party. On the following morning Matthew* Saddle not unnaturally attracted more scramblers than the Hirakitaka spur, but the feminine bravado displayed in surf bathing was quite inexcusable.

Once again a representative gathering turned out for the Combined Clubs' Sports Meeting. The Marathon jog gave Ted Lovatt an opportunity to establish a record of 84 minutes, ably supported by the two other Varsity contestants. Sunday's threatening rain held off till the close of a very enjoyable field day in the Wainui.

The Xmas trip to Otira was somewhat marred by bad weather, though for those who took part in the the round trip the possibilities of that country as a climbing and tramping centre were fully realised. An original departure from the usual large vacation tour was the cross country tramp from Taupo to Mangapehi on the Main Trunk line. For those to whom heat and the absence of ice and unscalable rock are not material disadvantages the North Island offers vast fields for out-of-the-way excursions and the party who completed the trip were well aware of the charm of the Taupo hinterland. A few strenuous days at National Park preceded the launch crossing of the Lake from Tokaanu on New Year's Eve night. Taupo might have proved a very pleasant haven for a day, but the imperious eagerness of the leader drove the party through the torrid odours of Wairakei to the dusty road beyond. Oruanui sheltered the party for the first night, and the next morning saw the milking town of Mokai where the hot roads of the pumice country were finally forsaken. The third day out from the Lake brought the thirsty wanderers to the Mangakino valley where the noonday heat was forgotten in its cool waters. Not till the more temperate atmosphere of the afternoon was this oasis left behind for the ultimate camping spot at Waitete. The last day of the trek to the tramway at Pukemako brought the greatest diversity of route in bush-clad undulations, ribboned above the park-like plains between. Before the retreat to the Main Trunk railway the final day was devoted to the ascent of 3,800 foot Puteota upon which it is believed reputable trampers progressed, not a little way, on horseback.

With the New Year the opportunities for summer tramping were fully exploited while a party to the Hurt Forks at last completed the blaze to the top of Mt. Quoin. The camp that night had the invigorating freshness of the open bush as against the usual smoky crowded confinement of a hut where, alas, is disappearing the vigour and fortitude of the present day tramper. Easter saw a representative gathering on the slopes of Egmont where a memorable few days were spent, despite unfavourable weather. Many club members participated in the search for the missing parry in the Tararuas and secured much valuable experience of little visited country and of conditions normally "non-trampable." With the winter snow down on the ranges the usual skiing and ice experts became busy. The Mt. Hector trip was marred by bad weather and a skiing distance of about 20 yards; but the annual Winter Crossing party on August 5th and 6th had the real thing. Snow was encountered below Field Hut and the trek to Kime was accomplished in varying combinations of misty moonlight and snowflakes. The continuous stretch of soft travelling till halfway down the Quoin found the party well trained and Pukaratahi was reached about 8 o'clock. A few week-ends previously Messrs. Lovatt, Eggers, and J. S. Reid effected a crossing of the Cone Neill Hector ridge under trying conditions, the first time this route has been traversed during the winter months since the initial epic crossing some years back.

We may be pardoned for concluding our review with a note of confident optimism. Tramping is essentially an experience of contrasts and if there is a superficial brutishness in its discomforts these may be tolerated as mere adjuncts to the ultimate reward. The nature of that satisfaction whether it include scenic appreciation, peace of mind or physical well-being is inadequate in the guise of words but to those who have sought the mountains the experience is a part of life.