This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
above the hut. Some handy planks of wood were used to tie the ends down. (I have an Olympus - the best!) The tent was carried due to Alpha Hut being closed for renovations of which the Chief Guide had told the Club at a Club meeting previously. . A cup of tea put us to sleep (you’re not the only onel). We awoke from noise emanating from the hut. One of the groups was heading out early at 6am. As they passed the tent they stated they were going across to Tutuwai. We managed to get a bit more sleep. As predicted a slight northerly was blowing; what was it going to be like up past Kime?
After breakfast and a drink - dare I say it, cuppa tea we packed up and headed up past Tabletop. The track is no longer a track now. It is a highway, but in places nature is reclaiming it back to what it used to be. Reasonable views overlooking the Waiotauru catchment were seen, along with the familiar Kapiti Coast and its +-island— .
By Derek Page
soon over Field Peak. This seems to be a common pastime now. Since this trip I met several others doing the same. With a light pack and reasonable fitness, I ‘suppose anybody could do it.
Anyway, after smoko we made our way up to Field and down and up to Hector. Clouds were keeping to the north side here but the wind was rather cool. On with the woolly jacket and mittens. The Hutt Valley and Wellington was in view most of the day, except between Hector and just down from Atkinson where the clouds hinted at dropping further. To our advantage, at least the wind was behind us now.
We stopped between Aston and Alpha for lunch. The view, of course, was looking over the Hutt River catchment towards the Hutt and Wellington. Approaching Alpha Peak and later heading down to Alpha Hut, a couple of gliders whooshed past. They came so low that we could
Dennan passed and soon Bridge Peak and Hut Mound was over. Kime was reached just after llam. A comfort stop and smoko was on the agenda here. Two trampers (?) doing the ‘One Dayer’ over the Southern came through and were returned our waves. We stopped for a little while and watched them. They reminded us of albatrosses so peaceful and graceful, with no apparent effort to fly. Alpha Hut was where we caught up to the group that see_the_pilot’s faces.. They. __ had left Field Hut before us. It consisted of three or four children and adults. That day (10 February 96) DOC was flying in the supplies for the upgrade. The front wall:(door) was to be extended to the edge of the existing porch and a new porch added. Gas cylinders were around, indicating gas cookers were to be in-stalled. Twenty-four lifts of the helicopter were required to bring in the supplies!
After getting cold by the down draft from the helicopter several times, we moved out. Our intention was Cone Hut via Bull Mound. At Bull Mound we stopped and had a look at the view. It is unique due to no bush cover. Cone Peak and Neill were visible. That was where we last tramped two or three weeks ago. Nice to get another perspective of the area. Building up knowledge makes a great asset in the tramping business.
After dropping off Bull Mound the wind disappeared. The trip down to the river was uneventful and arrival time was 5:30pm. We decided to camp down at the river. There are many wonderful camping spots just upstream from where the Bull Mound track finishes at the Tauherenikau River. It was so calm that sleeping un- — der the trees was a possibility. However, since I had carried the tent this far, it was going to be used!
Tea was cooked, eaten, and followed by dessert, and yes, you guessed it - a pot of tea! Helps stop dehydration, you know.
Sunday was to be an easy walk out. We were going to follow the river all the way to Smiths Creek. A late sleep-in was due to the nice, peaceful surroundings; the only noise was the river, which is always relaxing.
A brief stop was made at Tutuwai for intentions up-— date, and lunch was planned for Blue Slip which it was. At half past four we arrived at Smiths Creek. Dinner was cooked at the old Tauherenikau Hut site. Yes, the cup of tea was nice, thank you. A very brief shower of rain at this point was the bad weather we had all weekend; about 10 minutes worth.
Next was up and over and down the Puffer, negotiated no problem. The carpark was reached at 1830 where our transport was waiting yes, you guessed it - witha thermos of hot tea!
Another fine weekend to record in my journals.