EFFECTS OF THE STORM

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 46, 25 February 1936, Page 2

EFFECTS OF THE STORM

Extensive Damage in Tararuas

ACCESS TO WAIOPEHE OBLITERATED

With the knowledge that access to Mount Waiopehu by way of the track along the ridge or by the Ohau track and Ohau-iti stream, had for all practical purposes been obliterated by the gale which swept the district on February 2nd, a party of trampers made an excursion into the Tararua Eanges last week-end to inspect the only other

route and as a result it was found that this alternative route had fared similarly. The party consisted of Dr. Yeates and Messrs L. F. Thorne (Ruahino Tramping Club), N. M. Thomson, A. Harvey and G. Feigler (LevinWaiopehu Tramping Club). On Saturday afternoon, accompanied by Mr. A. Bond, they journeyed over Spion Ivop (a small peak behind Mr. A. M. Colquhoun’s property at Ohau and not clad in bush) down through the second growth of Goat Canyon in to tho 'Makeretu stream, where the night was spent, Next morning Mr. Bond returned to Levin and the party were joined by Messrs J. Blenkhorn and W. Swainson. Leaving at 6.30 a.m. they followed the Makeretu stream for twenty minutes and then proceeded up a tributary for nearly an hour. Travelling up to this point was reasonably good, with the exception of several places where trees had been blown across the water-courses. This tributary was left at a waterfall and I a ridge on the left bank ascended* It was extremely steep for the first twenty minutes, in places almost precipitous, and immediately the ridge flattened out, fallen timber was mot like that on all other routes. The Waiopehu ridge was struck at a point five minutes below the hut site, which was reached just before 10 a.m. It is interesting to note that after some exploration, Mr. Thomson was successful in locating the wreckage of the Waiopehu hut. It was resting some two hundred feet down the bank towards the Ohau-iti stream where it had been blown apparently in a solid mass by the wind. The remains covered an area of some fifty square yards and in their wake had made a wide track through the forest. Some of the iron is in good condition, but the majority is badly twisted. Tho party then proceeded over to Twin Peak to the grave of the late Mr. Ralph Wood, whose tragic death took place as a Tesult of exposure during the height of tho storm. A new cross was made, on which the unfortunate young man’s name was carved, and placed on the spot. It was the unanimous opinion of all the trampers that on account of the condition of the new route over which they had traversed, there was no ground for changing the opinion of the party a fortnight previously that his body could not have been brought out. The precipitous nature of the ridge where it joined the tributary of the Makeretu stream would have presented extreme difficulty, while the fallen timber at the top cf the ridge and in the streams themselves, would have made travelling well nigh impossible to an encumbered party. Dr. Yeates was thoroughly satisfied from his observations, that the party, which went in after the unfortunate occurrence, had followed the best course possible under such circumstances. Photos were taken of the late Mr. Wood’s grave and the nearby surroundings.

Tlie party returned by way of another ridge from Mount Waiopehu with the object of seeing if all ridges had been affected by the storm and this was found to be the case. They reached their camp site of the previous night at 4 p.m. and Ohau again at 7.15 p.m. Waiopehu and the Hut The Levin-WaiopehU Tramping Club, which was formed at a meeting of some fifty persons on Wednesday, May 12th, 1927, has been and still is a very active body after the nine years of its existence. When Tararua development over that period is reviewed, it will bo seen that all improvement in the means of access to the scenic beauties of these ranges has been accomplished in that time. Much of this work has been done through the instrumentality and enterprise of the Club and the energies of its members, while it has been associated with the activities of other clubs, mainly Manawatu, in furthering a common objective. Tracks were cut into the mountains and with infinite labour huts were built. One puff of wind, and Nature in a few minutes barricades a track beyond belief and sweeps a hut away. Such is what has happened at Waiopehu. Under such circumstances it is fitting that the history of the locality should be given some prominence now that it is closed for pleasurable tramping and will remain so for some time to come. Early in the first year of the Levin Club’s existence it was evident that Waiopehu presented unusual advantages and a highly suitable area for trampers to operate in, and accord-

ingly a movement was commenced to cut a track to the summit (3588 ft). It is indeed creditable that after a time of strenuous work this access was com pleted in a few months. Mention of a hut along the route was made at a meeting in August of 1927 and it was not long afterwards that arrangements were afoot for its construction. This was a large task, but the co-operation and unselfishness which has always accompanied tramping overcame all difficulties and it was not long before all the material had been carried to the spot and a hut built, just below the bushline on the slopes of the peak. Sunday, March sth, 1928, was a red letter day for the Club and one that will'be ever remembered by those 100 people who were present when the structure was officially opened. Since then it has served usefully hundreds of trampers, and as development was continued the foresight of the foundation members of the Club was more loudly praised. • It provided shelter en route for many trips and .was a source of attraction for one day outings.

To-day, nearly eight years since it was officially opened, it lies a mass of wreckage 200 feet down the bank towards the headwaters of the Ohau-iti stream. It may now be regarded as a privilege to any tramper to stand on that old site and gaze down the valley towards where its remains rest. To one who takes ■ this’ privilege and who has enjoyed its shelter and comfort in the past, when storms have been sweeping the mountains outside, or when conditions have been more pleasurable, one is pregnated with a feeling of sadness as thoughts revert to the happy and bush-loving parties, freed from the hypocrisy and antagonisms of artificial town life, that it has entertained.