This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
3-5 MAY 1996 MEDIUM TRIP
he Duchess roared up with infinite energy and took off on a windless, clear night to our destination, the Upper Waingawa roadend. As always, it was a mite cold I when hopping out of the Duchess, but this was soon forgotten as we made our way over the start of the Barra Track to our campsite. This was close to the Waingawa River, just before the entry to the Tararua Forest Park. A brew was made to help us sleep. That it did, along with the signs of good weather for the next day. During breakfast, four of us (Howard, Rob, John and Eric) decided to head up to Mitre. We left the group at 8am and after a brief water stop at Mitre Flats, headed up to the highest spot in this region.
‘Lunch was extended just downhill from Peggy’s Peak due to the excellent conditions encountered. Up on top of Mitre, the four of us unanimously reached the decision that Girdlestone was definitely higher than Mitre!
Over Brockett and along Table . Ridge was nice travelling in the excellent conditions. We stopped at a tarn for water and a quick bite. We then moved off the ridge dropping down into the bush. Quick time was made down to Cow Creek Hut, thinking about the good cuisine that was awaiting.
By John Collier
Prakash’s ‘bit’ - up the river: While John and the lads were steaming up Mitre, the rest of us cruised to Mitre Flats Hut. We lapped up the sun for half an hour and then headed up the Waingawa. For anybody planning to go this way, halfway up there’s an ugly wasp’s nest somewhere, and the inhabitants got stuck into Ian, stinging him seven times. Luckily he wasn’t allergic. A tip to punters - if you're allergic to wasp/bee stings carry antihistamines, as the Club first aid kits don’t have any. Preparing the evening meal was a real juggling act. Jeanine had accidentally left two billies behind at the club on Wednesday night, so had grabbed the next best thing; two smaller billies. Luckily some other punters carried their own little billies which were enlisted, and others carried stoves as well which were drafted in. Another tip for young players: those GAZ style stoves do not emit a strong flame in the cold as the fuel liquefies. So with four stoves going flat out, 6 billies -of- assorted-sizes; transfers-of— billy contents, juggling billies between stoves, the evening meal was cooked up.
John continues: A large fire made dinner more enjoyable, followed by a hot drink and chocolate mints.
Once the wood supply was depleted, we adjourned to bed. The night was still and the moon full.
After a MEDIUM cold night, the morning found us climbing up to Cow Saddle. Howard needed some more beauty sleep so he was left behind in his pit. He caught up to us later. For those punters who know Cow Saddle - yes, the cow still greets you at the saddle.
Down the other side was downhill all the way, sidling along creeks/streams to the Ruamahanga River. Lunch stop was at one of the creek crossings. Instead of heading uphill on the dry route, the low route was taken which involved a couple of river crossings. Arriving at the roadend early, a brew was made which was invigorating due to the cool wind which had come up once we had escaped from the bush.
The Fit party arrived, and a short time after, the Duchess. Good timing. Soon we were bouncing our way home.
Punters were:..Prakash - __ leader, Leah, Lane, Rob, Gary, Howard, Wayne, Jeanine, lan, Eric, and John - scribe.
P.S. Special thanks to Steve, the driver, who performed beyond his call of duty.