Text taken from the club newsletter.
PLACE: St Arnaud TIME: 8:00 am DATE: Labour Weekend Saturday 22 October
After a lengthy photo session the St Arnaud punters were soon on their way up onto St Arnaud Range. Not without effort mind you!!
Up on the range travel was straight forward with ankle deep snow. The mist dissolving every now and then to give us sneak previews of the views we were about to see. After lunch the mist cleared completely to reveal spectacular views of the range, the lake, and Travers and Wairau Valleys.
The trip grew in numbers along the way, a kea decided to tag along fluttering ahead, waiting for us to catch up, then fluttering ahead waiting for us to catch up again. Then it soared off down a valley to the side of the main ridge trying to show us the correct way. But all, except a single punter (more sympathetic to flight), were ignorant to the kea's call and pressed on ahead only to be confronted with massive bluffs.
A back track was the order of the moment and we were soon back with the sole punter and the kea. The "I told you so" look greeted us when we arrived. At this stage, or just before, the kea left us mortal human punters knowing there was at least one humanoid that could show us the way.
We were on our way again, it did not take long to reach the Rainbow Ski Field. There our sense of remoteness was temporarily diluted with one or two skiers making the most of the ski season. We were soon at our campsite for the night at a high level tarn above the ski field. We thought it would be sheltered.
Not a breath of wind was felt as we unpacked our wares. Gear was spread out like a Turkish bazaar. Much to our surprise one of the punter's sleeping bags was 'beamed up' by the wind and then headed back to earth just missing water. Disbelief was followed by laughter, and then relief that it hadn't blown away.
But that was just a taste of things to come. The 2 trendy tents were soon erected and dinner cooked. Just as the punters were settling down to a good night's sleep it started to blow. The wind got stronger as the night passed by. With the noise of the gale force winds, combined with that of the trendy tents sucking in and out, the troops didn't get much sleep. In the middle of the night one of the tents blew in completely, with broken poles and human shapes pressing through it looking like nipples on a shaggy dog. The sound of laughter competed with the noise of the wind.
Sunday morning brought lighter winds; the punters slept on. Its totally uncharacteristic on FE trips but on this day we didn't start until lunchtime. Sleep was the highest priority for the punters after such an eventful night.
In the mist we navigated back up onto the ridge, where it was agreed we would take the quickest route down off the range. This we did as we found an amazing scree slope which enabled us to descend to Lake Head in about 20 minutes.
At Lake Head the punters decided to press on to Angelus Hut via Hukere Stream track. A most pleasant trip was had in excellent weather. We approached the pass before Angelus Hut just on dark. The diminishing sunset painted amazing pink tinges on the awesome peaks.
Moonlight showed us the way to Angelus Hut. The snow was icing up. Lake Angelus was still frozen. It was cold!
At the hut half the punters started to cook dinner while the rest went off in search of water. About half an hour later the mission was accomplished.
The morning dawned on a beautiful day. Travel along the snow covered ridge was most enjoyable, with many a photo taken along the way. After a small rest above Mt Robert's ski field we descended down the ski field track. (Comment: do people walk ALL the way to go skiing there??)
The dusty road to St Arnaud didn't take us long and we were there in time to hear tales and follies of the various trips that went out that fine Labour Weekend.
The trip was enjoyed by all; thanks to the St Arnaud punters.
Punters: Eric Evans, Paul Critchley, Alastair Booth, Rohan Harrigan, Steven Beachey, Mark Randal.