This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
Brilliant weather, beautiful country; but it was elght graat people - Alastair, Eric, Dan, Bill, Steve, Lynette, Kevin and Doug - who made the Queen's Birthday trip ta the Kawekas the success it was.
Late on Friday night, or was it early on Saturday morning, we arrived at the Nakamu Road end. The journey from Wellington was somewhat uneventful, one exception being ‘a mysterious bank which jumped out at Steve's van shortly before the ford. Having pitched our flies a somewhat heated debate ensued as to whether we should stay put or proceed to the hot springs, doing the trip in reverse, In the end, though some my argue otherwise, common sense prevailed and we settled down to a short night’s kip in subzero temperatures. Saturday dawned fine and freezing, so after briefly fluffing around it was upward and onward to Widdle Hill hut, where Eric's abilities as Chief Guide came in for sharp questioning. Eric was to have his revenge, seeing to it that Alastair slave-drove the troops up what seemed to be a never-ending spur. Following lunch on the tops it was on again, with plenty of wind but not much water, ta Venison Top and a night at Tira Lodge. Three of us - I won't name names - piked and slept in the hut while five other hardy souls braved the Great Outdoors. Sunday morning heralded a magnificent sunrise - so amazing that it kept the five outsiders in their pits longer than ‘expected. In due course however it was back on the track to Nangaturutu Hut which provided a most interesting log book and played host to a most unusual morning tea break. Rver eaten mince pies at 10:00 am, read comments to the effect the women are like flies, and that gut bags should not be dropped on tracks?? What followed was an entertaining day's trek to the hot springs, only to be confronted with a full tub. As eight weary unwashed trampers returned to their campsite it was evident that steam was rising from sources other than the bath. Fortunately, or was it unfortunately, Dan didn't get to do his party act of removing those who had outstayed their welcome and the second attempt yielded instant success for those who sought the mineral experience. We certainly slept better after a bout of fireside stories - did you know that Shakespeare wrote plays about the Love-lives of fish?
Monday morning was half over before the eager eight packed up and moved out - weather fine, track fast, Dan given the dubious title of best looking fille. On past Te Puia Lodge to the Mangatutu thermal springs and that's where the trip - but not the drama ended. After riding back to Makamu on four wheels it was revealed that the freezing weather had also affected vehicles. Our chief guide's faithful Ford Escort almost received manuka adaptors before blown frost plugs were reinserted. A good mechanic and sound common sense saw the fun end there and ther, and the less eventful trip home to Wellington was underway. Ve sighed and we mused as we drove out of sight - great tramping for all, and for all a great tramp. On the trip were: Alastair Booth, Steve Beechey, Bill Kerslake, Lynette McFarlane, Eric Evans, Daniel Keller, Kevin Turner & Doug Bray.
tIHGS AND A BIT OF TRAMPING IM THE KAVEKAS
— Queen's Birthday Veekend Struan Little