This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
EASY TRIP 21-25 APRIL 1989 (ANZAC “WEEKEND") Heather Ricketts Jojo Nakamura Doug Bray (Leader) Left Wellington 6.00pm on the 21st, on a 9.5 hour Mornington ride, arriving Onepoto 3.30 in the AM on 22nd. Quick decision - carried unanimously that we sleep it out in the old rattler (Editors note: Please don't refer to the Duchess in this way!) until daybreak. Saturday moming draws fine and a quick brekky sees us off up the Panekiri Range by 9.30am. FE trip quickly overtakes us and leaves us in the dust. Great weather and great views from the bluffs. All the more reason to take it easy and enjoy oneself (main reason being a lack of sleep the night before!). Anive at Panekiri Hut at 3.30pm and unanimously decide to stay put. Dispose of a good meal and admire the ever changing shades of a glorious sunset before kipping down for the night under the good old fly. Sunday morning weather fine and track fast. So fast we leave by 8.30am, arriving Waiopaoa Hut 11.45am. Mot bad going. Join up with another party - including an Ex-Tongue and Meat - and take a long short cut around the lake. A brief stranding proves rather entertaining - for the women anyway 0- as one of our companions stfps naked and takes the plunge to grab us all a boat. Across the stream and back on the track. Anive Marauiti Hut around 5.15pm. An entertaining night of fun and fellowship follows, with great laughs shared between several different parties.
Upward and onward by $.00am on Monday 24th. Piug away quietly to reach Te Puna Hut by Junchtime. Real tough time contending with the wasps and skinny dippers - more female entertainment provided by our fallow trampers! All this aside, its towards Whanganui Hut by 2.30pm, arriving around 4.45 pm, to be met by the Fit trip - thanks guys, a great tea and chat over the fire! Finaily in pits by 11.00pm. The last leg out to Hopuruahine is underway by 9.00am on 25th. We advance forth to Murray and the truck, aniving with time to spare. But soon it's up and away, all bound tor Weilingion many miles away. Thanks everyone, a great weekend of great tramping with great people. Trust you've got over the aftereffects of the gunfire - or should I say backfire! Doug Bray