This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
We depaned Wellington Station at 7.15 heading to Holdsworth Lodge. A brief stop at the top of the Rimutakas was soon explained as the back door opened and a snowbalt whizzed around inside. The door was then quickly shut and we heard the cackles of laughter (care of Tony Stone). So this is to be it. if there's snow on the top of the Rimutakas what is it going to be like on the Tararua tops? We arrived at the Lodge at 9.10pm and departed at 9.30. With a bit of a false start finding the track (new one) we headed to Mountain House. We arrived there at 11.45pm. Already there were ominous signs of snow everywhere. Mark Randal's eyes were gleaming in the torchlight. He just wanted to get into heaps of snow at the top. However Mountain House at 11.45 it was. With great noise and carry-ons we brewed up a quick one, causing much disturbance to the dozen or so other trampers who were alt sound asleep! We left therm to if at 12.90 and headed to Powell Hut. Heaps of snow now, giving Mark a good chance to carry out his navigation skills getting us up to the hut. I must admit ihe track was really hard to see - no markers as the track and tree trunks were covered in two feet of snow.
Finally the six frozen trampers made it at t.45am. Had a brew and into freezing sleeping bags in a freezing hut, with believe it or not, a foot of snow on the floor at one end! At 9am (Saturday) Mark Randal and myself shovelled out the snow from the hut and then got the fire going {Bags ot coal in coalbox outside). Eventually with bootlaces thawed out by placing them in bowls of hot water, five of the six decided to go to Mt. Holdsworth and have a look around. Someone had to stay behind and keep the fire going and get the tea prepared. That terrible chore feil on my shoulders, so [| duly stayed behind and kept warm all affemoon! Had a great feed that evening wilh most in bed by 7pm. Sunday: up at 7am. Mark was keen to see the sunrise - and there actually was one. Could even see the Wairarapa. I thought: ‘I love these ‘fit’ trips, we actually went from Holdsworth Lodge on Friday to Poweil Hut and were siilf there on Sunday! Our leader, Jonny Waghom, took it ail in his stride and declared: 'To the Lodge, but via Holdsworth East!’ with yelps and screams we were all packed and ready to go. Departed Powell at 9.15am. The weather clear and sunny. Arrived Holdsworth at 10.15. Great views al] round. Then the downhiil slope towards the Athwhakatu. 2 to 3 feet of snow - slipping, stumbling, falling - but we made it to the bushline where we were met by terrific scenery consisting of snow-clad bush, which we walked beneath - a great sensation. Cameras were clicking. Eventually we got to the bottom with a slight navigation error (see later). Then away tot the Lodge on the remade track, care of D.O.C., real easy. Arrived at the lodge at 3pm.
Two questions to be answered: (1) Who was the guy who used foam. rubber tied to his boots to act as snowshoes? {2} Who lost the track near the bottom of East Holdsworth causing much consternation to 3 other people who weren't part of our Club! Ask Jonny & Mark about all this! re the trip were: Leader, Jonny Waghorn, Rhonda Catchpole, Nick Macdonald, Sarah Rendall, Mark Randal and Julian Harris.