Manawatu Trampers Visit National Park

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 2, 4 January 1937, Page 8

Manawatu Trampers Visit National Park

SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO WAIHOHONU HUT. BEAUTY OF PEAK AND PLAIN. Members of the Manawatu Tramping Club who spent the holiday period at National Park returned to the city by the early express yesterday morning after an enjoyable vacation in one of the premier playgrounds of the North Island. Though weather conditions in the park, in common with other parts of the country, proved far from ideal, a recreative and educative programme of tramping was carried through. Twenty-two strong, the party left Palmerston North at two o’clock on Christmas morning, and on leaving the train at Waiouru was met by a which conveyed trampers and stores for 19 miles along the Desert road and for a short distance towards the base camp at Waihohonu Hut. A stretch of four miles remained over which supplies ha-1 to be packed in to the hut, and with relay trips necessary, the day was occupied in establishing camp. Waihohonu Hut, the first built of the various accommodation huts on National Park, is unrivalled as a base tor tramping parties, offering the most central access to the peaks and scenic wonders. The party on this occasion was unfortunate that repeated ba.i weather precluded some of the ascents, but each day was occupied with excellent tramping. On Boxing Day the beautiful Tama mkes, one at a height of nearly 5000 ft., were visited, while the weird and impressive Great Rift of Ngauruhoe was also explored. Conditions were unsuitable for climbing to tho crater. The following day a trip was made across tho tussock plains to the Waipa valley, which presents some of the finest mountain and red beech forest in all New Zealand, as well as sheer gorges of unique grandeur. Several members camped hero and remained to explore the region more fully. O Monday the majority of the party trekked the tenmile route through the Tama saddle to the Chateau, where supplies of fresh bread and meat were procured. The weather breaking fine shortly before noon on the day following, afforded brilliant views of tho peaks which had been so long shrouded in mist, but it was too late to undertake climbing. Swimming and sunbathing were in order, while a small party spent tho afternoon building cairns up the route to Ruapehu, to be climbed the next day. Ruapehu Climbed. A climbing party of ten made a successful ascent on Wednesday to Te Heu Heu peak (9040 feet), the summit of Ruapehu named after Te Heuheu Tukino, the Maori chieftain who presented the peaks to the nation. The climb was thoroughly enjoyed although visibility on the summit was restricted. Ice axes were used only for the last few hundred feet. Incessant rain was the order of the day on Thursday, but on Friday an ascent was made to the fascinating Oturere crater on the slopes of Tongariro, at an altitude of 4750 feet. Perfect weather on Saturday morning unveiled the whole expanse of mountain peaks, tussock plateau, and beech forest in its real beauty, with the summits chiselled in white marble against an azure canopy. Ngauruhoe crater, which had been quiescent previously, excelled itself with magnificent jets of sulphurous steam issuing from its forbidding rim. It was with the utmost reluctance that camp was broken and packs loaded for the outward journey. Interest was derived from a visit by three experienced horse hunters, on the trail of the wild steeds Vvhich still range the tussock plains in considerable numbers. Several of these fleet horses were sighted by the trampers during their trips, including a drove of five within three miles of the Chateau. Despite the heavy rainfall of preceding days, the transport lorry again negotiated the Desert road without mishap, conveying th e party back to Waiouru at dusk. There, except for a few members who had left for extended holidays in the north, they entrained for the return journey. Mr. L. Jackson made an efficient leader.