This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
TARARUA PEAKS 12 - 14 FEBRUARY 1993 by Jan Goodwin On 13 February 1993 women around New Zealand climbed a “summit” as a symbolic gesture towards women having the vote in our country, part of “Celebrating the Centennial of Women's Suffrage". Kirsty’s aim was the Tararua Peaks. Anita and I joined her on this experience. We left Kirsty's car at Otaki Forks Friday night and made our way up to Field's Hut. There was no room in the hut so we pitched Anita's flash “Hunters” fly outside, close enough to hear the snoring from within. Next morning with the weather brilliant, we headed off at about 8am. Over the boardwalk up to West Peak following many other keen trampers (one being Kevin Harvey). With great views including Mt Ruapehu and not a cloud in the sky we had no reason to pike. We made our first phone contact at about 11am with base to see how the other women's groups were doing. At 1pm we stopped for lunch by a tarn off Mcintosh. After lunch came the Tararua Peaks with the ladder and wire to negotiate. All| can Say is ‘good they were there!!" Great to have the support of a Chief Guide and a President. We looked across at the_last grunt-on-te-Maungahuke- trying-to-decide where the track might Go and we spied a black object. Yes, a black moa about the size of acow. We decided it wasn't anything else but a moa.
Finally at Maungahuka we sat back and rested our weary bodies enjoying the last of the sun with champagne and chippies and chatting on the phone Sunday we decked ourselves out with stormgear. We left at about 8am with four others who were also in the hut After a short while I wanted to return to the comforts of the hut. What was the point of battling winds you could barely stand up in Being a southerly, the ladder was sheltered so it wasn't too bad. Anita guided us successfully down Pakihore Ridge with no diversions, arriving at Penn Creek for lunch. Then out to the carpark by 4pm. Finally on to visit Rex's mother for a cup of tea and cakes Thanks to Kirsty and Anita for a brilliant trip. The stiff legs were well worth it!'