This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
- Marshall Clark
Our bus arrived at the Waipakihi road end on Friday night about 11:30 pm. We pitched camp in the bush nearby and had a.cool but comfortable night. In the morning, the medium party (21 in ail} set off up the Waipakihi River. Some had scoffed at the rumours of 60 river crossings on this trip, but they soon found the chiliing truth of the matter. Progress at times was slow as we pushed through wet bush to avoid further immersion in the very cold and sometimes swiftiy flowing river.
At the lunch stop, Buncks provided a welcome demonstration of his renowned firelighting abilities (in spite of the drizzle) and helped to cheer the spirits of the huddled masses,
After lunch we had to travel through the gorge, and undergo further chilling of the vitals! A pair of Blue Ducks was seen apparently enjoying the conditions. They gave us a wide berth and I was ieft wondering if they were amused by our poor adaptation to their natural environment.
In the late afterncon, we made camp at the bottom of the Urchin track and cooked up vast quantities of Murray's special fish kedgeree. (Actually it is an Anne Greenwood special -Ed. } This seemed to meet with general approvai and_ was hungrily devoured,
There was frequent iight rein throughout the night and some members of the party found their gear rather wet on Sunday morning. We noted certain reluctance in some quarters to oe Zim break camp-tor“even get out of the pit!) but as the weather improved we got underway. Fortunately, the river. had not risen during the night ‘and the trip up to the Waipakihi Hut was relatively easy.
On arrival at the hut we pitched most of the tents and were not surprised to see them freeze solid shortly after dusk-.as the sky cleared. Another substantial meal was prepared and consumed before the team packed up for the night. The freeze didn't last long, as more wind and rain came up during the night. Nevertheless;Monday mornting dawned fairly clear, with a view of fresh snow_on the.peaks..to:the’ east, and clear skies over the Umukarikari ridge. - -cur target for the day. We climbed up in excellent conditions and had quite -good views over Lake Taupo and the volcanic plateau. The clouds. lifted. qn and. FAG: GAY to reveal- “more of ; Buepenu with a covering. of new snow. The descent ‘from“ttmukarikari'to the: Kaimanawa roadeng is-deceptively long, but most of the party-arrived at the banks of the Waikoko stream or the Tongariro.River in ‘time to relax in the sun and have a late Lunch. ;. ae a OF “. 2B An uneventful -trip- home in: the bus ended:a challenging but enjoyable weekend. I am left wondering about Murray's:trips though - do you think he should..be-placed alongside other legendary bush characters such as..Arawhata Bill?? How about..DSEP WATER WORSOP?? ’ Those on the trip: -Murray Worsop (leader), Marshall Clark, William Cone,. Andrew Chisholm, Bill Drake, David Drake, Brian Cropp, Marion Griffiths, ‘Ian Bunckenburg, Peter Jackson, Brian Charles, Anita _ Catchpole, John Perry, Megan_Rodden, John Gardiner, Don Purnell, David Brownix,Richard:Ferguson,: Stuart Sim, Scott Norling. a» 8" Soe ee