This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
Southern Crossing September 2000
Leader:
Party:
Struan Little Allison Clark, Trish Knox (honorary Southern Man), Simon Ward (Scribe), Jon Parker, Jim Kimber (dishonorary Southern Man), Murray Middleton, Dave Garratt he Southern Crossing needs little introduction, it’s THE classic Tararuas trip with an equally well known reputation for meteorological extremes and testing the mettle of trampers. Thus was the WT&MC Speights Southern Man Southern Crossing conceived, brain child of Struan “you can call me old but you can't call me stupid” Little. Being an egalitarian lot, the strict membership criteria for Southern Men was watered down to accommodate a few outsiders, even though one did not drink Speights (or own a Mercedes SL sports car). There’s no point telling you where we went, you all should know the route. So here’s a few definitions which emerged as the trip proceeded: Pay-per-view New DoC policy for supplying views to Tararua Trampers. Trip leaders please note, must be booked in advance, or else view defaults to inside of cloud.
Sonic boom Sound made by Jim’s pack cover as it accelerates to warp speed. Smear Sensation of facial features being rotated around the skull by fast-moving cloud. Slap Sensation of pack strap hitting face (also at warp speed).
Flare Sensation of nostrils being expanded by passing zephyrs. Techno Rhythm of trendy goretex pulsating wildly in wind. Single malt Substance not permitted on WT&MC trips. Robbie Burns Dour Scottish poet oft recited at memorial to lost pack covers on Mt Hector. Speights Vital ingredient in chicken chasseur. Steak Vital ingredient in chicken chasseur. Chicken Optional ingredient in chicken chasseur. Marchant Ridge Device for transferring rain from sky to river via trampers. Sunshine Rare phenomenon, best viewed at Kaitoke car park. Dave’s fluoro shirt may be used for short periods as an alternative. Horrible it may have been, but one day later it was a howling southerly and there was snow up there! Bugger!
- WI&MC October/November 2000
LA RAE dee He ARE URE