TRIP TO MOUNT HOLDSWORTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 11

TRIP TO MOUNT HOLDSWORTH.

OVER 8000 FEET HIGH. ('Written for the New Zealand Mail j By The Vagabond. The ascent of Mount Holds worth is rapidly becoming a very popular outing, and when invited by Mr and Mrs Moore, of Santon, to join in a party for the New Year, I readily consented. Our party comprised nine ladies and a similar number of gentlemen, and on New Year’s Day we set out from Carterton at half-past two in the afternoon. Three of the party were on horseback and the remainder were in four buggies.

We had a very enjoyable drive across West Taratahi and the Kakare Estate, which, by the way is one of the valuable possessions of the Bank of New Zealand, thence along the bank of the Waingawa River, and at 4.30 we reached Mr Moore’s homestead, Santon.

Here we found a very elaborate spread laid for us, and after a drive of lourteeti miles every member of the party was quite prepared to do it justice. Up to ten o’clock a social evening was spent, each one doing his or her best to please the company. Soon after ten we retired ostensibly to sleep, but what came to bo the watchword of the party, “ no sleep," was passed round, and a very peculiar night was spent.

The reveille was sounded at three o’clock, breakfast was cleared away at five, and at seven o’clock the tramp began. A pack horse carried the heaviest part of the baggage, but overy member of the party had a swag of some description. Billies, blueys and pannikins were very much in evidence ; the ladies must here be given a word of praise for insisting upon carrying a share of the baggage. For three miles along the Mungatariri River we had the advantage of the new road only lately completed under the cooperative system, and it is a great improvement upon the marsh and mire which it has replaced. We then followed the track along the course of the river. Here plant and animal life abound, and tall trees stand out conspicuously above the plenteous ferns and shrubs which grow about their base. On approaching a certain bend in the river we could distinctly see, about four or five miles ahead of us, the route along the hills, which was indicated by clearings. At nine o’clock we reached the ford of the river, where a halt was made. We all indulged in a refresher, and equipped ourselves with lancewood alpenstocks. Moving on, we were soon at the foot of the hills.

Passing along the piece of flat from the river the tourist gets a very good sample of the varieties of vegetation common to New Zealand forests, and his ear is struck with the melodious notes of the numerous birds that flit about the trees. Upwards and onwards was now the order of the day, and as we sfuck in our alpenstocks and ascended step by step, the poet of the party recited an extempore parody on “ Excelsior/' After about three-quarters of a mile had been traversed we began to feel that we could' have got along much quicker without cur swags. The morning was very hot, and although the foliage of the trees tended to shelter us from the scorching rays of the sun, still the uphill journey was very trying, and it was quite a relief when we encountered a 1

saddles. On we went, however, through dense underscrub now verdant with its beautiful foliage, through long avenues of lofty trees, which afforded splendid specimens of forest scenery, until after passing through the three clearings which we had seen from the banks of the river, we at last reached the upper camp at 12.30 p.m. Feeling rather tired and hungry we determined not to attempt any more of the journey that day, but set to work after dinner to make preparations for passing the night as comfortably as possible. We soon had the tents pitched, and in the evening the camp presented a very pretty picture, and tw r o fine views were taken by our photographer.

Here our position was interesting indeed, for, when in the evening we Bat around the camp fire awaiting the boiling of the billy, when we considered our distance from all human habitation, our thoughts wandered back and we began to compare favourably the picture our little group presented with that drawn by the novelist, whose page interested our more youthful days, and the scene might almost be said to have been enchanting when the stillness of the calm night was broken by the incessant chatter of the numerous kakas that flitted hither and thither among the trees above us, and the dull roar of the mountain torrent re-echoed from the distance as it hurried on. its course to the sea. After tea wo gathered round the camp Are and listened to song and story. The tents were sought about nine o’clock, and another very peculiar night was passed — :t no sleep/' Next morning (Friday) broke dull, and we all realised that a good view was quite out of the question. However, immediately after breakfast was over we set out.

Now the journey was mostly confined to steep ridges, and our progress was therefore somewhat impeded. “ Excelsior" was our motto, and we hurried onwards all eager to gain the summit.

Gradually we met with the hardier plants, the ranunculus, mountain daisy, violet, heath, which just now is in full bloom, smaller ferns, lichens and mosses of many varieties. We noticed too, that the hardiest trees only were conspicuous, such as the birch, and even these became more stunted, dwarfed and rare, their foliage becoming less and less as we ascended, until at last, when near the snow line, nothing but bare gnarled trunks met our view. As we went upwards the scarcity of trees widened our view, and we occasionally halted and surveyed the landscape below.

Immediately underneath us lay numerous hills and valleys, with rivers coursing through them, while away to the eastward the beautiful Waiiarapa Valley was stretched with its townships, its verdant fields watered by many streams, its lake away to the south presenting a picture almost indescribable.

When on the third ridge from the top we got a splendid view of the Waiohine and Mungatariri gorges, and we realised the grandeur of the Tararuas, as we sasv around us a vast undulating field, as it were, of mountains. As we passed from this vantage ground to the next ridge we beheld with disgust the marks of the ruthless destroyer, who had lately visited Holdsworth.

A patch of fern about forty acres in extent had been burnt, and formed quite a blot in the beautiful picture. It would be a warning to such persons if the Government from time to time prosecuted these vandals.

Mist and rain now came up thick and fast, and as we moved onwards in Indian file members of the party were from time to time hidden from view, and we had to tread with the greatest care lest we should take a false step and be thrown down one of the fearful precipices to be dashed to pieces at the bottom.

At ten minutes to ten we reached the summit and greeted it with a cheer. Here it was blowing so hard that we found it necessary to cling to the posts which form the ruins of a trig, station. Our view was completely spoilt by mist, so having quenched our burning thirst at a pool of delicious snow water, we began the descent. On the way down we collected flowers, particularly the edelweiss, which is now in full bloom, and the other mountain flowers before mentioned. Reaching the region of fern 3 everyone obtained specimens of the lovely Prince of Wales feather fern, and heavily laden with our alpine products we regained the camp at 11.30. The weather looked anything but promising, and knowing that it was almost useless to remain longer at the camp, we decided after having lunch to start for Santon.

During these two eventful days, 30 tins of fruit and fish, 261 b of beef, a large ham, 12 large loaves of bread, 1 yard of German sausage, 4 large Christmas cakes, 4 Christmas puddings, 141 b of sugar, 151 b of biscuits, 81b of butter, 81b of blancmange, 2 bottles each of lime-juice, raspberry, lemon syrup, brandy, whisky and wine were consumed by our little party of eighteen. Before beginning the homeward journey a very pleasing little ceremony took place. The poet on behalf of the members of the party stepped forward and presented the Lancashire lad with two tins of preserved pineapple, he having been adjudged the best eater of the party. A well-known footballer and cricketer ran him very close for the place of honour. - We were homeward bound at half-past nAnir hours’tramp we once

more made Santon, where we remained for the night. Again we had a sumptuous repast prepared for us, and before rising from it. Mr and Mrs Moore were accorded a very, hearty vote of thanks for organising the party, and for their many kindnesses during the trip. “ For he is a Jolly Good Fellow" was lustily taken up, and three cheers were given for Mrs Moore. Another very pleasant social evening was passed, and at 11 o’clock next morning we left for Carterton, which place we reached at 12.30, after a very enjoyable drive, and I am quite sure that we were all satisfied with the enjoyment experienced during our mountain expedition.

I would like to add that those who have not yet ascended Mount Holdsworth should avail themselves of the first opportunity, for it is a journey which anyone would find not only enjoyable, but instructive and invigorating. Guides are easily obtained at Carterton.