This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
With a group of 8 we headed for the Tararua Forest Park in 2 private transports on Friday eve, tramping for 2 hours in the dark to Smiths Creek from Kaitoke. Giimpses of the moon and glow worms added to the evening magic. We set Up camp near the Tauherenikau River after tramping a spell on the receded river bank. After torrential downpours during the night the river had risen a good 4 feet to an impressive raging force. We headed off to cross a lesser stream with the aid of an overhead guywire. After some of the party's resistance to cross this ‘brisk’ and raging waterway, we took our packs on a 6 hour tramp over ridges, the Tauherenikau Valley, clitis and breathtaking vistas. Mark Randal, with a sadistic gleam in his eye lead the way after consulting his map and compass in a true Kiwi bushwacking fashion. At one point Leanne Wood tound hersett astride a fallen log and when William Cone offered his assistance she fell into a hole and came out of it with only black and blue patches and her life! After all this we ended up at the same stream with the guy wire several hours later and the water level at a reasonable level. A great communal dinner followed along with a blazing fire. We were blessed with the rising of a near full moon and a rainiess night, though the wind gusts blowing through camp rocked our bedrolls a good one. Sunday brought a straight tramp out for some and an hours climb up a waterfall for the rest. We all retumed well, wiser and alive. Thanks to our leader Doug Bray. On the trip: Doug Bray, Nic Beck, Chris Collyns, Leanne Wood, William Cone, Lynley Whitford, Mark Randal, Mary Ann Sjabaugh