This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
ack in 1994 a couple of us ge-
Bis started mumbling (probably incoherently) about a trip along the Southern Main Range. My first trip along there was in 1967 and although I have been along, and crossed over the range, a few times since I was keen to do the ‘classic’ Main Range trip again. For numerous reasons, one possibly being the lack of fitness, we did not do the trip in the summer of ‘94. The following summer Brian had totally shagged his back — a little worse than normal — so the trip was canned for yet another year. Come the summer of 97/98 and it was all go. November arrived and we were too busy getting fit for the Round Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. December was out due to the weather and school holidays. January was too hot. February was too hot and too windy. March arrived, winter was approaching — it had to be this month. As we are both self-employed we decided to go as soon as the weather looked suitable. Monday 23° and it looked great for later in the week. Wednesday and we had three days of fine weather with light southerlies predicted. It was all on. We left Otaki Forks in the middle of Thursday afternoon and made good time up to Field Hut where we climbed above the cloud. The countryside below was blanketed in cloud while we were treated to a magnificent sunset. Certainly no incentive to hurry as we thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Kime, arriving just on dark. We were up at daybreak and away early. Typical Tararuas weather — fine, calm and warm. The morning cloud over the Wairarapa was rising and slowly drifting over the saddles and low peaks to the north. It continued to rise and disperse throughout the morning. We made good time to Maungahuka Hut with only a short stop on Mcintosh for a couple of
Moros. Thoroughly enjoyed travelling over the Tararua Peaks again; it has been a long time. The track seemed to be well-used and was quite muddy due to recent rain. Stopped at the hut for a brew and a late morning tea or earlytunch. Although it was not unexpected, I was disappointed to see Maungahuka Hut is still as scungy as ever. It would be pleasing to see our Club spend a little time, effort and money to clean and tidy it up. The weather was now even more perfect as we headed off. Easy travel over Simpson and Wright. I have memories of staggering up onto Aokaparangi in less than ideal conditions, but today it was a pleasure. A second lunch and smoke (for those who partake) on the top. Soaked up the sun and great views. Even reminisced about past trips. Soon over Kahiwiroa, down to the bush-edge and through to Anderson. I have always enjoyed staying here and tonight was no exception. A clean, tidy hut nestled on the bush-edge. The night was pitch black and the stars were superb. Brian’s back gets the better of him if he sleeps in too long so he was up before dawn. After a leisurely breakfast we headed off, with parkas on, into the mist and a breezy nor’wester. What happened to our three fine days? This must be the Tararuas after all. My memory of this portion of the track was hazy but with Brian Hunt’s times from previous trips we had no problems finding the turn-off
Maungahuka to Anderson and beyond does not appear to be well-used and was quite overgrown in places. We were surprised with the lack of track markers at the bush-edge and for the first few minutes into the bush. Some that we found probably dated back about twenty years. The pace down the Otaki River was leisurely — probably due to the knees
Dennis Gazley not being as good as they once were. The crystal clear water of the Otaki made the pool under the bridge look only about waist deep. We floated through it and headed down-river to Arapito Creek. The track out from Waitewaewae has never been one of my favourites, and although it has degenerated over the years, it was pleasant enough. A brew and lunch on the Plateau before the last stretch back to the car. The trip may have taken three years in the making — but it was well worth it. And what has changed over 31 years? Gone is the 14-hour walk down the road to the Otaki Forks because the bus cannot cross the ford. Gone too is the mud wallow through the bush to Field Hut and across Table Top. Also the fat and gristle stew for tea that had to be boiled for one-plus hours before it was edible; and then two greasy pork chops for breakfast. None will be missed. The hills haven't become any steeper or higher. The leatherwood seems to be thicker, higher and more widely spread. Maungahuka Hut has not changed — still scungy. I don’t believe that the sunsets or the night sky have changed much over the last couple of billion years. However, when viewed from the “tops” and away from the lights of the city, they are certainly more impressive. I have never seen Red Admiral butterflies on the tops before, nor so many fungi and toadstools beside the track I doubt if Brian or I will be doing this trip again in thirty years’ time. However, hopefully we will be able to fit in a few more before we are confined to The Botanic Garden with our walking frames. Who knows, if we start planning now it may be on... in three years’ time.
Party: Dennis Gazley and Brian Goodwin
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