CAMP AT MT. LINTON

Southland Times, Issue 21848, 27 October 1932, Page 5

CAMP AT MT. LINTON

SOUTHLAND TRAMPING CLUB. A most enjoyable week-end was spent by 34 members of the Soutliland Tramping Club at the beautiful homestead of Mr McGregor, at Mt. Linton. Leaving Invercargill at 3 o’clock on Saturday, the party arrived at Mt. Linton at 6 p.m. and immediately commenced to establish camp. A fourroomed cottage, kindly lent by Mr McGregor, housed the ladies of the party, whilst the male section occupied the cookhouse. After tea the members had an impromptu concert and dance at the cookhouse. Conditions on Sunday morning did not look promising for a tramp. An overcast sky with constant showers of light rain gave the hills a very foreboding appearance. Nevertheless the party were very keen to start and about 11 a.m. with Messrs Wilson and Edge as guides the party set out across the hills for the Rock Hut. This hut is one of the boundary huts of the Mt. Linton station and is some eight or nine miles away from the homestead. Situated near the base of Mt. Telfor, the hut is sometimes used as a base camp for persons making an ascent of Mt. Telfor. After proceeding about four miles a halt was called and the billy boiled, but the rain was frequent and the atmosphere decidedly chilly, so that the party was glad to be on the move again. Some very nice bush consisting of broadleaf trees was then passed through, the party continuing to climb until reaching about the 2000 ft level descending again down to the banks of the Wairaki river and thence on to the Rock hut where the members were entertained to afternoon tea. On the return journey light snow came on and the cold was intense, making it very hard to keep warm. The party arrived at the homestead about 7 p.m. cold and hungry. Stimulants were served and after a substantial supper everybody was content after their 18 mile tramp through the hills. Everybody was delighted with a wonderful scene on arising on Monday morning. The hills looked a dazzling white under a heavy fall of snow, which had fallen during the night. A clear blue sky and the promise of beautiful weather put the party in great spirits for another tramp to Birchwood, some of the more eager members making an ascent of the Twinlaw Hills and being rewarded with a beautiful view of Ohai and Nightcaps, the Waiau river and sea coast down to Port Craig. After tea a dance given by the bachelors and spinsters of the district was held in the cookhouse, and was enjoyed by members. The club is indebted to Mr and Mrs McGregor and family for their kindness in giving facilities for camping, the only regret being that the holiday was not long enough to see more of this beautiful country around the homestead.