This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
March 13-15 Led by Brian Hunt, 25 of us seemed to -£ty over sat ranean Among. us was Robert Griffiths, a very fit 8 year old. Surely he must be one of the youngest ever to have completed a ‘Southern’, Enjoyed our Friday night's climb to Field Hut. Shortly after arrival we filied the hut with smoke in our attempts to get the fire going for a brew, With streaming eyes _Claire and Greg Geparted for Kime. A slow group disturbed us at micnight anc woke Kime's occupants on their arrival fat 5 a.m. We at Fields recediivedis a Bones. At 2 a.m, about 10 members of the Armed Forces moved in and caused quite a stir. © The Major had fallen, cutting his finger and losing his watch. A-radio call was sent out followed by an announcement that a helicopter would arrive in the morning. These events anc a few other-things like barley sugar crunchers, made it hard for some to sleep.
Brian's breakfast call - "Any T. & M's for hot water?" - brought a quick response from non members as well. We left at 7 a.m. for Kime and there met the rest of our party, then it was up and over Hector. To about this stage of the journéy low cloud persiste@, kut shortly after it lifted and the sun shone for the -remaincer of the weekend giving magnificent views from the tops. Along past the Beehives, Atkinson, and The Dress Circle, After ian early luncre. break alongside a tarn we croppec cown to Alpha Hut then followed the steep Omega Track to the Tauherenikau River below, After a Gip in the river we set up camp for the night. The next morning it was wp througn bush to Reeves, Some carried water for a brew waich we enjoyed on the top with a couple from the recently foxmed Southern Wairarapa T.C.. Then off down Reeves tq the Waiohine River just south. of walls Whare. Here we relaxed, filling in time until the arrival of our transport to Wellington. Brian presented Certificates to those who had completed their first ‘Southern ‘*.. i Cur thanks to Brian and Kombi. -drivers, Warren Thorburn and Alan Dyer, . It was a great trip: - eo Brian ‘Hunt. (Leader) . Ee Tim Brewer Greg Aimer. Roz Greenfield William Whewell Neal Hamilton Ben hee Kevin Griffiths Adrian Widgery Frances Gazley mave Noble Robert Griffiths David Egan Dennis Gazley Sue Charlie Dave Gilroy” °° Michael Mumferd Murray Brown Alan Parish Michael Kennelly: Alex Gray Claire Douglas Ann Opie _ ‘Philip Pennington Pete Clark