Text taken from the club newsletter.
We left Wellington in fine spirits with great plans for a trip on the tops taking in the sights from Haukura Biv, but little did Murray know he was leading a party of sloths. We arrived at our first campsite uneventfully, though a few torchless trampers had a hairy wire walk crossing in the dark! Some braved the great outdoors without flies, whilst other seasoned 'Murray Worsop' trampers hid paranoid beneath cover. Yet as morning dawned bright and clear the evil rumours that Murray was the Rain God had to be dispelled.
After a few false starts due to rocks being discovered in our leaders pack (we, the Sloths, had to slow him down somehow) we set off alongside the stream headed for the killer hill. As we proceded up, the seasoned fits amongst us were seen to tear up the track leaving dust trails behind. It was no surprise that, when faced with the option of tops or stream, we wasted no time and pulled out suntan lotion and glasses and headed for Ruapae stream.
First we headed up to Herepai Hut to take in the scenery. Most ended up sitting like keas on the roof gazing in amazement at the rugged hills which Murray had originally intended us to climb! We bush-bashed down to the stream from where the trip took on a beach party approach. With constant swims and stops we arrived at the next campsite looking a trifle red. The gourmet meal of Argentinian steak with fresh broccoli, asparagus and mushrooms was great. River chilled trifle followed for dessert.
Once again some brave bods slept out though this time they were caught out and came squealing for cover in the early hours. The next day we started off down the river. One member took a fairly close look at things aquatic! The track proved to be a little deviant, and the true trampers lamented the absence of waist deep swamps and mud. We travelled out through the Ruamahanga gorge and after a final swim headed up across the farm to meet the truck.
The ice-cream stop at Featherston ended the trip in traditional fashion.
Trip members: Murray Worsop (leader), Cathy Austin, Michelle Mars, Gary Wood, Dick Pyper, Maryann Wright, Graeme Powell, William Whittaker, Christina Rush, Wilbert Knol, Debbie and Paul Hughes, Brian and Jan Goodwin, Richard Ferguson, Rohan Harrigan, Wayne Hamilton, Peter Jackson, Ralf Luetzenkirchen, Peter Moosbrugger, Sally Marsh.