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Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 102, 4 May 1929, Page 10

FROM END TO END

THE TARARUA CHAIN

A NORTH TO SOUTH TRAMP

EKETAHUNA-KAITOKE

(By S.G.M. in the "Tararua Tramper.")

The long summer days of settled weather, when the frozen tops have given way to bare rock and tussocky ineadowlaud, bedecked with mountain flowers in bloom, lure the trampcr to more extensive journeys than are possible in the rigorous and delaying conditions of winter. Favoured with idenl weather, three club members (G. B. Wilson, A. XI. Hines, and fc>. G. M'lutosh) recently tramped from Bketabuna to Kaitoke, journeying along and through practically the whole length of the Tararua range, and accomplishing what is probably the longest Tararua tramp (in distance) on record. Commencing the journey late in February, the party motored from Eketahuna into the foothills, past Putara, a distance of some thirteen miles. Here it _ was necessary to cross the Mangatainoka Eiver and proceed up a cleared spur to an excellent track (recently cut by an enterprising local farmer), which leads through the bush to within half an hour's journey of the top of the range, here about 4000 feet in altitude. CAMP AT THE BUSH-LINE. Camp was made at the bush-line lato in the afternoon. The precaution of carrying water from the river was well justified, for all neighbouring streams were dry at camp elevation. Respite a strong south-easterly wind which came up during the night the weather appeared settled, and a start was made at 4 a.m., the crest of the ridge being reached at dawn. Followed a brilliant sunrise, such as is seen ouly from the mountain tops. Peak after peak \v;is flecked a pale crimson-gold until finally the .whole range was llooded iv the morning sunlight. The iirst stage of the route lay southwards over a succession of peaks to Mt. Dundas, which marks the junction of the Levin-Mastcrton ana Levin-Eketahuna routes. The starting point was not far distant from the northern extremity of the range, which peters out fauwise in the direction of the Manawatu Gorge in a jumble of bushclad hills and valleys. Journeying southwards. Mt. I Euapai was reached in li hours. The sun was now well above the horizon, the summer haze had not yet risen over the stretch of plain on either sido of the range, and the view in the crystal clear air of early morning was magnificent. j EXJAPEHU AND EQMONT. Away to the north Kuapehu stood out remarkably clear—dark masses of rock in a setting of snowy whiteness gleaming- in the sunlight. ' L'gmont's cap peeped through a veil of mist, and gradually the whole shape c.-imu into view—;i dark purplish cone rising up, so it seemed from an expansion floor of ultramarine blue. The Kaiin.uiawas and Ruahines, although less striking, were easily discernible. Plain, river,' j lake, ami scacoast, all were visible on both sides of the range. Rural iiclds below seemed like so many squares on a chessboard. Immediately below, in the east, lay the headwater" of a tributary of the Kuamahanga Diver; to the west the main stream of the Mangabao. Commencing near at hand and extending far to the south lay a galaxy of diversely-shaped peaks ami ridges, "ever changing in view as the tramp progressed. Kast Peal: was readied at 7 a.m.; then followed a dip of 1000 feet and an ascent of similar elevation t.o West Peak. Mis. Walker, Pukemoremorc, and Logan were traversed in quick succession, and it was still an hour short of noou when the parly stood on Mt. Dundas (11M-1 feet). Many deer, some fine Leads among th,. m . u .' oro sc <.,, l-n routi-. After a sojourn of two hours in Hip vicinity of Ml. iliiinlas, tin; tramp was conlimiod along the Lcviii-Mastcrlou route, which follows the main ridge south of Mt. Dundas, past Mi> lianuis-l<-r (jO.SO (Vot), to Ante- Peak. I-',-.,,,, h-n- the ridge runs sonth-raM i,, 11,,. direction of Mt. Girdles), .n<- (.-,n;iil IVel), about four hours distant. !\,llowing i'-is rid-r, the Wain-nwa liivrr li'-S to tin- |„ft, j, v.l H,,. \V;:i<,lii m .-ili K'ivcr to the right. HEAD OF THE WAIOHINE-ITI. At. the head of the Waiohinr-il j !,,-,mm a splendid view of tin; central and southern portions of the range was obtained, tho whole of the main range from Mt. Hector to well north of JU. Crawford showing tip prominently. After traversing the Wuiohim-iti pin-n.-iules and Tarn liidgc, camp was pitched at scrub level down a small stream running into tho Waingawa. H hail been a day of many ups and downs iv the sweltering heat of a blazing sun, tempered occasionally by a welcome breeze. Over seventy head of deer had been sighted. On Saturday, the third day out, the weather still remained perfect, and the journey was continued at 0 a.m., the main ridge being regained iv a few mmutes. The trig station on Mt. Ginllestono (5090 feet) was reached in .1-5 hours, when (lie main ridgo was deserted in favour of the Mitre spur. Short work was made of crossing lirocketl.'s Peak and gaining t| K . „„,,,. Mit of Mitre Peak in tliu Tarnnias. The view from here was impressive, comprising an extensive panorama of prarlioilly the whole range. The northwestern aspect, embracing the country which had been recently traversed was particularly rugged aiid striking. TO MITRE FLATS. The route now lay down the spur Hanking the north side of Mitre Cn ck and hading to Mitre Flats on the Waiogawa River. An cxc-eUrnl tra.-k lirst cut in lli-Jl by a small band of Maslorlon enthusiasts, and subsequently improved by a -survey party, I'-ads down from the bushline.' Two hours' tramping from the Summit served lo accomplish the descent to Milro Flats. The road was reached in another three hours by following Barton's Track along the Blue iiange, a lino of foothills skirting the eastern side of the

Waingawa Eiver. The return to civilisation . was of brief duration. After journeying two or three miles along the Masterton road, the party crossed the Waingawa Eiver and pro"eeeded to the Holdsworth Mountain House, arriving there at 8 p.m.—a fifteen-hour day.

The remaining portion of the tramp was confined to tho lower levels of river and forest. A tributary of tho Waiohino River was followed from the Mountain House to Totara Flats, on the mam stream, whence the Club track was followed over the Cone Eidge to the Tauherenikau River, and then to Smith's Creek, where the night was spent. A short journey to Kaitoke the following morning concluded a tramp in which the participants were singularly fortunate iv the unbroken spell of fine weather experienced and in which the wealth and variety of Tararua scenery appeared at its best.