Christmas Day on Park’s Peak

Waipawa Mail, Volume XX, Issue 3548, 14 January 1897, Page 2

Christmas Day on Park’s Peak

(By Climber.) A party of four young men left the Fairstream homestead the day before Christmas with the object of ascending Park’s peak, the highest point of the Ruahine ranges. We made an early start and were equipped with tents, rugs, and provisions, which were essential for the comfort of the party. We followed the Tuki Tuki river-bed, passing the landmark known as Charley’s point at 8.30 a.m. and the Kyber [Khyber] Pass at 9.30. It consists of a narrow passage between two tremendous perpendicular cliffs about 200 feet high, and is called after the famous pass in India. Next came the Ruahine Special Settlement and Connor’s waterfall, which were reached at 10 10. Here the walking was more difficult, as the river had to be crossed at each angle, and with the heavy swags and the round boulders the party was slow, but fortunately for the travellers the rays of tbe sun were hidden by the clouds. Morcock’s [Moorcock's] flat was reached at 1 o’clock. Here the party boiled the billy for lunch. The flat is situated at an angle of the river, and is overgrown with thick scrub with patches of English grass here and there. At the upper end is a camp, occupied by a gentleman named Howlett, who occupies his time in exploring the botanical as well as mineral resources of the ravines and mountains. He also has several camps further on. Lunch being partaken of, the party again shouldered their swags and proceeded along the creek, the travelling becoming more difficult as we advanced over huge boulders of red and blue granite and knee deep in water at times. The scenery here was romantic, the native trees and shrubs clothing the sides of the dark ravine, surmounted by the tall birch and pines, disturbed only by the noise of the rushing stream and the scream of the mountain duck, several of which are to be seen swimming about in the pools, and the air filled with the sweet odour of the lily palm pictured a scene not to be to forgotten for some time. After two and a half hours’ walk the party reached Howlett’s second camp, which forms the end of the river-bed track. Here we were met by the occupier and a party from Makaretu, who advised us to camp for the night as the weather looked threatening. After pitching camp we were entertained by Mr Howlett, who showed us over his camp, which comprises apartments for all kinds of stores aod necessaries for that far away mountain home. Next morning being Christmas we arose at 4 o’clock, our rest being disturbed by the screaming of bats and other mountain birds, had breakfast at o’clock, and being joined by the other party, we ascended what is known as the ridge-track. It arises almost perpendicular for a distance of 1000ft, then slopes along a narrow ridgo. We reached a place named Shermis, so called by the explorer after a plant that grows very plentifully about there. It being now 7.30 the rays of the sun were being felt and with the rough travelling amongst prickly scrub that grows on the snow line the party were greatly refreshed by a drink of the cold mountain water. Mr Howlett’s third camp, named Daphne, which he informed us he called after another Alpine plant growing on the mountain, and situated on the edge of the bush. About one mile further on are two lagoons of perfectly fresh and cool water. Here all hands separated and commenced picking a collection of wild flowers, which are to be found in great numbers and various colours, which were well known to our guide, who spared no trouble in explaining the name and derivation of each, which appear all the more numerous the higher we ascend, until we reach Park’s peak, the summit, at 11 o’clock, when the billy is again boiled for Christmas dinner. After the Xmas pudding and other dainties of the season were done full justice to, the party gazed with admiration on the features of nature all around them. Ruapehu with its snowcapped peak, appears in the distance; the Oraea river basin, steading

south and the Wanganui river winding towards the west. A clear view was also obtained of the Ruataniwha plain, Blackburn, Makaretu and Ashley Clinton. After wandering about the peak, the greater part of the evening, we pitched camp underneath the highest point, but with the drenching fog and the high wind very little sleep was afforded the travellers. An early start at 5 a.m. was made for home, which was reached at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The homeward journey was much easier, owing chiefly to going with the river current. The party were slightly fatigued, but well pleased with their trip.