This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
eoeecAND THEN THERE WERE THREE (F.E.) Jan 20 -— 23 - Greg ord Four keen lads were dropped off on the Mangatainoka Road and made their way up to Herepai, arriving there sometime before 1.00am. The fine weather on Saturday morning didn't last long so it was forced trudging along Dundas Ridge amidst the wind and rain. The weather cleared as we dropped off Pukematawai and headed towards Drac. Biv. We arrived there around 5pm and had a late lunch (or early dinner?) and about an hour Vater headed off for Wichols. Sometime later four weary trampers wander ed into Nichols Hut where Jan was somewhat dismayed to find his Everest pit wet. We set about dinner and after some mishaps (I dropped it on the floor) we managed to 6at some of it with the rest making a good breakfast 2-2/3
the next day. Sunday morning and in brilliant sunshine we climbed up onto Crawford and stopped to take in the great views, Along to Anderson's, over Kahiwiroa and up onto Aokaparangi where the going became slower as we grovelled along to Maungahuka for lunch. We ate by the tarn and waited for Malcolm to arrive, Eventually he did arrive but decided to stay there, so after a bit of food reorganisation three of us headed off for Kime. Up and down over Tararua Peaks then along past Yeates and vosseler we finally hobbled up onto Bridge Peak, over Hut Mound and down to Kime Hut where we arrived in a “rather ex-austed"* not to mention sunburnt state. After a milkshake, dinner and a brew we hit the pit. : an Menday started with macaroni cheese and bacon and a good brew. We left Kime (and incidently Andrew's fuel bottle as well) and made our way up cnto Hector only to find gale force winds at the top which made-it rather difficult to stand up. The Beehives were a bit tricky, the trick being to crawl up on cne side and roll down the other. At the tarn by Atkinson the water was blown out of our howl before we could drink it! We arrived at Alpha (2 hrs 10 mins) anda stopped for a rest anda drink. Then down the Marchant, over the burn (yeech!) and down to Dobson's in time for lunch. Dale arrived during lunch and we left arriving at Kaitoke Shelter in dribs and drabs in time for a chat to the other trips. On the trip were: ” Andrew Pask, Greg Ord, Ian Hadfield & Malcolm Thomas *this really means absolutely stuffed & totally knackered.,