This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
E/M Tramp — Labour Weekend by Darren Hammond The original plan was a 3 day trip from Holdsworth to Kaitoke, with stops at Totara Flats and Tutuwai Huts, using trains and taxis. As the weather forecast for the weekend became clearer, the heavy rain that was forecast made us reconsider our plans several times. Totara Creek might have been high forcing us over High Ridge, but then Makaka Creek, between Totara Flats and Walls Whare might have stymied us. In the end we decided to aim for the original plan, but had the Holdworth Jumbo circuit in our back pockets as a fallback if it looked bad.
We travelled to Masterton on the 6.18 train, it was virtually empty when we boarded at 10 to 6, but had filled up by departure. I had heard horror stories about the Masterton train, but this was a lovely new train with comfortable seats. The main advantage of train travel is that everyone gets to relax and watch the scenery go by, and it is also quite cost-effective for a group. Masterton Radio Taxis met us at the train station, one of the vans had done an amazing 463,000 kms! Light rain as we arrived at Holdsworth, heavier by the time we got to Donnellys Flat, so we set the flies up pronto. Paul found us a good spot, which is just past
the grassed area, with some nice soft mossy undergrowth. Steady rain by now, so luckily only 5 under each fly. I woke after a sound sleep to find a rodent had chewed through the side pocket of my pack to get to my scroggin!
It was dry with high cloud when we rose on Saturday, and started up the Gentle Annie, it was a slow start to the day as everyone warmed to the task. At Rocky Lookout, a couple of runners advised us that in a few hours, it will be rough up at Powell Hut as the southerly was due. After some discussion, Powell had become our destination for tonight, on to Jumbo the next day and out on Monday. We stopped at Mountain House, which was in good condition, then started the serious climbing. We made good progress up the hill and arrived at Powell Hut about 12.15, and set up camp. The hut was empty when we arrived, but was overfilled by night time. The weather closed in as the afternoon went on, so we had no views at all, so made ourselves at home, and got the pot belly stove glowing. I wandered up the hill later, but it was pretty clagged in, and not much fun, so I turned back before Holdsworth Trig. Through the afternoon, more and more groups arrived until there were a few on the floor, but everyone has comfortable enough. The main problem was the toilets, both of which were very full, and one had no door! Clinton showed us the weather forecast, which called for snow to 800m in the lower North Island. As we were up at 1200m, we were likely to cop it
That night, I managed to pick up the rugby on my small radio, and enjoyed listening to Canterbury demolish Wellington 7-6!
When we woke on Sunday, the forecast was spot on, there was snow all around the hut, the boots left outside were frozen, as were the water pipes frozen for a while. We decided that Jumbo was not worth the risk, as we were 12, and it is a smaller hut than Powell. And given that we were likely to see nothing anyway, we decided to stay put for the night. Most of us ventured out a few times, and Paul, Jane and I made it up to Holdsworth Trig, which was a little challenging, but not too bad at all. About half the people from the hut left during the day, but that still left quite a few including a group of venturer scouts, who tried to burn off their excess energy and testosterone doing table traverses, and wrestling. As with yesterday, a steady stream of new arrivals turned up at intervals, and it was clear the hut would be even fuller than the previous night. Among the new arrivals were 2 parties worth noting, a couple with their 2 children, 6 year old Patrick, and his 8 year old sister, Martina. A good effort to get them up the hill I think, Patrick was a rather loquacious young fellow, who introduced himself to me then immediately started explaining the rules of Last Card, and then dealt the first hand. Patrick's mother was the only woman I have ever seen in a tramping hut wearing a skirt! The other group worth mentioning were 2 young French chaps, wearing jeans and t-shirts, carrying no sleeping mats, or cooking pots, not much food, but a beer each! We later found out that only one of them had a raincoat. One of them scrounged a thermarest, the other got a hut mattress, but they had a cold night on the floor.
The weather cleared at dusk to a beautiful night sky, and great views the length of the Wairarapa. But during the night the nor-wester got up, and shook the hut, literally. Ray and Murray had had enough of crowded huts, and had decamped to Mountain House after dinner.
The 2 young Frenchman left early the next day headed for Jumbo, they seemed woefully underdressed and equipped, so we hoped for the best for them...After the cold night, we were wary of icy conditions just below the hut, but we took our time, and it wasn't too bad. Ray was not even out of bed by the time we arrived at Mountain House! The day was starting to clear, and as we reached Atiwhakatu Stream, it was a glorious sunny day, and everyone changed into their summer clothes, and searched for their sunglasses and hats! After a relaxed lunch at Donnellys Flat, we wandered to Holdsworth Lodge where we had an hour or so before the taxis came to collect us. I was the only one brave/stupid enough for a dip in the river. We were relieved and happy to see our French friends had made it down safely, they had found it cold along the tops (no kidding), so had continued all the way down. One of them had to be in Rotorua the next day to start work, and they were planning a stop at Castlepoint on the way! Oh to be young again, when all things seem possible!
We returned home on the 4.50 train, which filled up as it headed through to Featherston. Back in Wellington at 6.30 to a lovely spring evening.
So we didn't do what we planned, but we had a good walk up the hill, saw some snow, and got a nice sunny day to finish. What a great way to spend Labour Weekend! Clinton did a great job of planning and leading the trip, punters were Jane, Paul, Ray, Jess, Anna, Diana, Lena, Olivia, Grant, Murray, and me!
PS - I put in a claim for our trip being the most carbon neutral of the year! Any challengers?