This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
Bunks dropped us off about 6.30pm. After a bit of Zig zagging up the new Fields track we were soon at Fields Hut for a welcome brew. There the assistant chief guide was not too well and could not go on. We ieft her in the capable hands of Rex the Sherpa. We wished them the very bast and departed for Kime. The conventional hand held torches came into their own that night. The head lamp variety had their owners stumbling off the track and into the scrub. The rustling of the scrub and groaning noises enabled the rescue of the ‘head lamp' people falling by the wayside.
Just above Dennan it clagged in for the night. However we were soon at Kime for yet another brew and a yarn.
In the morning the Chief Guide had a bit of trouble prising the troops from their pits. All wanted to continue their sleep, except perhaps Steve who complained of being cold in his top-of-the-line Everest sleeping bag! But you get that on the big trips!
Much to the surprise of all and sundry it was a fine morning. The troops got keen and before long young Mark and Jonny were soon to hit the trail. After a photo session with the fancy dress costumes cutside Kime, the rest of us were soon on our way. The high cloud and pre-rain condition made everything look different. The Kalkouras, Kapiti, the coast up to Wanganui, and Wellington looked very close and clear. It was really quite a sight. Travel was fast, with the absence of snow quite unusual for this time of year. After a photo stop at Hector we were socn on our way round dress circle. Everything was Still and quiet (except perhaps for Steve who was tramping to the sound of 2MFM with his walkman).
The weather held right until Alpha, where a big ‘scoff-up' was the order of the moment. After Alpha it started pouring with rain, but the troops carried on happy, knowing they'd had it gnod on the tops. A late lunch was had at Dobsons, then out to Kaitoke road end to meet the president at 4.30 to be whisked off to the mid-year social at the St George's.
An excellent trip was had by all. On the trip were: Alastair Booth and Rewkan Harrigan ‘collar and tie trampers) Steve Beechy (spaceman), Mark Randal (silly pe son’, Jonny Waghorn (shagged person), Anita Catchpole (unwell person), Rex Benbrook (sherpa) and Eric Evans (China Man).
NEW MEMEBERS