This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
Saturday dawned clear and fine with the Tararuas glistening in the distance. There weren't enough punters to tun the Duchess so the troops piled into Kermit and Richard's racy rustbucket and were soon on the road to Waikanae. The Akatarawa Road and the Waiotauru turnoff were negotiated in true Barry Crump style and we soon arrived at the roadend. Fantastic views of the Southern Main Range dusted with snow were soaked up while boots and puttees were attached to limbs and Geoff set off at a rip-roaring pace. It was about now that ! started to wonder what I'd let mysell in for. Being a seasoned medium tramper the pace set by the beansprout bummer was a bit of a shock and it was a relief when Geol finally stopped to remove some Jayers of clothing. The pace was resumed at a more sedate speed and we continued through beautiful bush before starting the climb up towards Kapakapanui. This is where I learned what separates fit trampers from medium trampers. Medium trampers have regular rests on their way up hills, fit trampers put their legs into overdrive and never !ook back. So it was that about hattway up the hilt I had to stop and continue on at my own pace while the sizzling six stormed up to the summit. Having assured Geoff that I could keep up with Tony, I was suitably put in my place to find Tony powering on up while I lagged behind - it must have been his new fibrepile balaclava that did it! I had a few stops on the way up through the mud and leatherwood to scan the incredible views out to the coast. Being on my own at this point it was incredibly peaceful and I had the sense of being the only person on earth.
i reached the trig on the top of Kapakapanui where the others had stopped for lunch to find that in true mountain style the mist had closed in and not a thing could be seen. Now I was glad I'd stopped on the way up - Medium trampers May not cover as much ground as fit ttampers but !'m sure they aciuaily see more of the country they're in! We were joined for lunch by another party and were all inspired by Don Milward who was tramping with a ; wooden leg, having lost his real leg after being caught in a rock fall. You coukin't help being impressed by his attitude to life and being thanktul that you had two legs of your own. (Tony was also impressed at having his Goretex raincoat noticed). tt got a bit cold sitting in the cloud so we headed back down and bushbashed our way to the Waiotauru River. We reached the bottom to find that the cloud had lifted and Kapakapanui was clear and sparkling. The boys amused themselves by playing Torvill and Dean on the slippery bridge and when they'd had enough we headed back up the track, stopping at the salubrious Waiotauru chalet before trudging back up the road. The road presented nothing more hazardous than a few trailbikers and we were soon back at the roadend and back in the cars. The windy road out wasn't enjoyed by those of us in the back seats and I soon turned the same Colour as Geoff's car. I was just about to tum the inside of the car the same colour as well when Tony swapped seats. Then it wasn't long before everyone was back in Wellington. A nexceilert inp to a beautiful area with great company on a superb day (spot the superlative).
Punters: Geoti Crocktord, Richard Ferguson, Bruce Wilson, Keith Strode-Penny, Tony Alexander, Mark Bredin, Debbie Douglas.