ALPINE CLUB.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 June 1928, Page 9

ALPINE CLUB.

THE WEEK-END TRIP. What should prove to be one of the most interesting trips of the season lias been planned for members of the Alpine Club during tlie week-end. The area selected for operations, the rough hill country at the back of Wliakamara, provides ideal scope for the enthusiastic tramper, and it is expected that to-morrow's trip will be followed by others in the same district. The starting point will be Mr. Len Greenbank’s house, and from here a good route has been selected, covering a distance of 10 miles and leading back to the starting point. A gorge about 400 it. deep has to be traversed right at the start, and then Murphy’s track is followed along a main ridge for about four miles to the site chosen for lunch. Prom here (the height is about 1500 ft) a, wonderful view is obtainable on a blear day. With Egmont in the background, the towns of Hawera, Eltham, and Kaponga are easily picked up, while in the opposite direction the mountain peaks in the centre of the island rise high above the apparently unending miles of bush-clad hills. Southwards are seen the Patea and Manawapcu Rivers, leading out to the South Taranaki Bight, across which tiie coastline and mountains of the South Island are clearly visible. ' This is -practically the highest point reached on the trip, and from here the route leads round the end of a gully and back down the long ridge to the deep gorge that must again be traversed to complete the round trip. Except for the climb out of this gorge at both the beginning and end of the trip, the going is good, and for part of the way is along a bush track. In spite of the large amount of hunting that has been dene, this area abounds with wild pigs, and as some of the local enthusiasts are bringing out their dogs, there is every pr-ospect that the trampers will be ‘able to experience from a safe distance, some of the thrills of the wild pig hunt. . Mr. W. A. Spragg has been appointed leader of the tramp, and he will have the assistance of Mr. Len Greenbanks, who knows this country thoroughly and will make a. very efficientguide. These two gentlemen were over the route recently, and have made provision for a supply of boiling water to be available at the lunching -ground. Those Avho do not feoL equal to the main tramp will find that they can put in a very interesting day on the shorter bush walks close to the area where tlie cars will be parked. This spot also commands a view of the greater part of the route to be covered by the trampers, whose progress will doubtless be followed with interest by those who stay behind. Mrs. Greenbanks has very kindly offered to provide boiling water for these people at lunch time, and also for the trampers on their return. Gars are leaving Hawera at about 8.30. and it is desirable, owing to the nature of the country to be traversed, that the party should keep together. AH those intending to make the trip will need to assemble for a 9.30 start. From the number of inquiries already being made it is apparent that a large number of club members are looking forward to the trip, .and, given good weather conditions, a very successfulday’s outing is assured.