STRENUOUS TRAMPING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 February 1935, Page 9

STRENUOUS TRAMPING

ASCENT OF MT. TAPUAENUKU MARLBOROUGH PARTY’S EXPERIENCE VIOLENT THUNDERSTORM f Events out of the common were experienced by a party 7 , consisting mainly of members of the Marlboi - ough Tramping Club, who* set out to climb Tapuaenuku (9465 feet) reports “The 7 * Express”. The party comprising Messrs J. Hadgeld, F. Patchott, E. B. Peek, L. W. White, A. E. Brockett and Stephen Brockctt, reached the Hodder river at about 11.30 a.m. and “boiled up” before starting up the river. It had been intended to leave the car on the riverbed, but, acting on the advice of a passing motorist who knew the country and the river, the car was taken to the top of the llodder cutting luckily as it subsequently proved. Fair progress was made up the river, which, though discoloured by a storm of the previous day, was in no place above the knees at" the crossings. Four hours’ travelling through rough but very interesting gorgy country brought ’the party to an impassable gorge, where it was necessaiy to climb about 350 feet up a steep hillside, and then drop down to the river again. Here were seen evidences of the stay of a party from the Tararua Tramping Club, who, about six years ago, spent several days climbing the adjacent peaks. After passing through another rough narrow gorge, the party rose up to a fairly good patch of tussock country at an altitude of 4400 feet, after _ about six hours’ tramping up the river. Here camp was made for the night, and as night drew in all sought the shelter of their sleeping bags, carefully putting on extra garments in case tile night was cold. However, it was a warm night, and some of the trampers, particularly the youngest, slept well; others, in parts.

AN EXCELLENT VIEW At daylight all rose and a start was made at 5.30 a.m. ill clear, bright weather. The route led for some distance up Pinnacle creek, and then up a ridge on the right to about 6700 feet. To avoid Pinnacle peak (8850 ft) and a drop to a deep saddle, the party then sidled to the right, reaching the main ridge at exactly the point aimed at. A rough scramble of about 250 feet up loose rock, and then the trig came into sight, about 500 feet higher. This last portion was soon surmounted, and the peak was reached at 10.30 a.m., just five hours after leaving camp. An excellent view was to be had in some directions, but clouds from the south partially obscured the Seaward Kaikouras with their high peaks. However, the view in other directions amply repaid the trampers for their climb, whichf though no doubt strenuous, presented no real difficulties. After an hour’s stop for lunch, photographs, and slight-seeing, a start was made back to camp. To vary the trip a deep shingly gut was followed which led to large patches of snow, in which all revelled, and also occasionally, m the steep places, performed wonderful involuntary evolutions. The gut led to the foot' of Mt. Alarm (9400 ft), which, in the writer’s opinion, is the finest peak in tho range, though it is not quite as high as Tapuaenuku (9465 ft). Before going up and coming down splendid

views were had of Mike (8600 ft) and Gladstone (7760 ft), Mike being particularly striking. Alarm creek was now reached, and was followed to its junction with the Hodder, and much admiration was expressed at a number of beautiful waterfalls which were passed en route. A slide, round another gorge and the camp was reached, two and a half hours after leaving tho summit. A FOAMING MASS Having achieved- their object all were in high spirits and anticipated a peaceful and pleasant trip out to the road, but the gods and the weather intervened, and the fun was only starting. Soon after starting rain clouds gathered, the thunder began to growl, and then it teemed. Realising the danger as the river began to rise immediately, no time was lost on the way down but it soon was evident that the river would win, and after two hours travelling further progress was barred when the Gladstone creek was reached. Instead of a. small stream, it was now a rushing chocolate-coloured flood. In the minute that w.as spent debating what to do next, tile Hodder came down in a foaming mass, quickly filling the whole river-bed from side to side. As it was quite impossible to travel further down the river, it \vas decided to work over the range to the east to- Strike the Shin liver, a tributary of the Hodder, in case it had not been affected by the rain. To cross the divide between the two rivers it was necessary to rise 2000 feet, but even at this height the grumble of the boulders being rolled down the river was easily audible. When first seen from above the Shin river was quite clear but as the trampers descended the hillside a torrential downpour came, with startling suddenness. In a minute the hillside was running with water and as they reached the river bed the party were amazed by a hidden roar as from a narrow gulch a mass of earth, rocks, mud aiid water was spewed out on to the river. Everyone dashed across the river to a higher terrace, only just in time, for in another minute tile Shin river was in full flood. For nearly an hour it poured, while the party stood and shivered without any shelter of any kind. Then the rain stopped and wet garments were hurriedly peeled off and any dry clothes donned. The party then sought the shelter of their sleeping bags and, to their great surprise, spent a much more comfortable night than any had anticipated. True, the .stones were hard, and there was no drinking water available, as the river was as thick as pea soup, but ’everyone was tired and tho rain field off. it was interesting, rather too interesting, to be there in the darkness, and hear the river roaring by only a few yards away and the noise of the boulders as they were carried along by the current.

THE HODDER RIVER At daybreak, with much reluctance, wet clothes were once more put on, and as the river had fallen sufficiently the party were able to work their way clown till the Hodder river was reached. There was still too much water in the main river for any possible progress that way, but it was possible to work out of the river and reach a musterer’s hut on a terrace above, the time being about 8 a.m. The billy was boiled and everyone made a hearty and well-needed meal, the first since 2 p.m. on the preceding day. The only way out was by crossing the ranges between the Hodder and the Awatere. This proved easier than was expected, and by 10 a.m. the trampers reached the main road only about half a mile from the car. All their troubles were now over and they were soon bowling along on the home run feeling that they had every reason to be satisfied with their efforts, but equally satisfied that they would not wish to repeat the performance.