This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
25 - 27 NOVEMBER 1994 That became the URCHIN TO WAIPAKIHI VALLEY TRIP A team that moulds to relaxation and flexibility as it decided on a different route due to the clouds forming and taking the risk that there would be better weather on top of the range tomorrow. That is, we started the track in reverse.
It all started with the Easy trampers making a concerted effort to beat the Medium trip up the bush track to the top of Urchin, with the steady Mediums being whipped at the rear by Sue, as she moulded the team into shape.
It was peaceful now that the Easy trampers had gone with the wind, as we beat our way to the top, breaking through the bushline to a short, steeper ascent over the stony outcrop to the trig where the Easy trampers were having a “rest”. Sue let out a sigh of relief, but this quickly tumed to sadness; Sue had forgotten her kite! On we went with the dramatic views of the volcanic trio of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu to the west, and the Waipakihi Valley to the east, as we quickened our pace inthe refreshing breeze. We spied the tussock and forest uplands so characteristic of the Kaimanawas with the marker poles leading a leisurely trail on top of the Umukarikari Range. )
We left the range at a steep descent for a few hundred metres to the inviting Waipakihi River below in time for a leisurely lunch and fill of refreshing water at one of the many campsites we were to encounter on our travels.
The Easy trampers visited and passed on their way to find a campsite. The Mediums, not being able to shy away from the water as the Easy trampers did, strode across the water which became the first of many, with the river being easily crossed. Brian and Lisa took the direct approach; David at a little angle found the water a bit deeper than expected, but no one took a bath - dash it all (a break in custom for Greg). Up out of the water and across the grassy plains with no trail to follow, so the way was our desire (which seemed to mean a lot of wet feet crossing the river as a habit!). Weanved at a campsite an hour or two up the river with a few drops from the clouds. We quickly made amends to put our illustrious leader (Sue) to sleep with a hot cup of Raro with additives, so the children could play with their before and after dinner surprises till everyone was resting happily under their flys.
Morning rose and the sun shone with the hats and lotion emerging. Time was short and we were too far off completing the expected route envisaged by Sue. Off we went back down the river the way we had come, noting several deer tracks on the way, but too late to raid the Easy trampers. Crossing the river seemed easy now, strolling through as if in our sleep. Pouring on the gas we powered up the sharp incline of Urchin to meet once again the volcanoes. Sue raced out the camera - a quick photo opportunity - “no-one will believe I’ve done it’, so with legs raised high and the volcanoes as a backdrop, history was made... (no camera trickery). It was hot up there - “where are the pools that we found down below?” Off to the trig, then down at pace with the trees providing cool shade, much-wanted, until we arrived back at the truck, all safe and sound! A tramp well-worth doing and weather to make the views out of this world. We had survived the Kaimanawas and look forward to retuming to meet again.
Dinner surprise trampers: Sue, John, Brian, Lisa, Natasha, David, Jeanine, Wayne, and Greg.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... I A few Clubbies have birthdays in December & January so we'd like to wish them all a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! December in their 20s, guess which!) Eric (the Pres), Rex, and Gary.
Andrew McLellan, Steve Patience, Geoff Crockford, Anita Catchpole (one of these people is still
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January