Trampers Cross Tararuas In Rough Weather

Chronicle (Levin), 4 November 1948, Page 8

Trampers Cross Tararuas In Rough Weather

The weather for Labour weekend again upset the plans of trampers in the Tararuas, but in spite of this a mixed party from the Levin-Waiopehu Tramping Club successfully made 'the crossing to Kaitoke, via the Hector Track and Taukerenikau Valley. Leaving Levin on Friday evening, twelve members were transported to the Otaki Forks from where the first stage of the trip commenced. Carrying heavy packs and - torches, the party climbed to Field Hut; via Judd Ridge, and although heavy rain fell at times, the hut was reached 'before midnight, where camp was made. v I Next morning found conditions |much worse, heavy rain and thick fog enveloped the ranges, accompanied by a stropg gusty wind, but the party decided to continue ithe journey, hoping for an imjprovement later in the day. On reaching West Peak the Wind had .reached gale force with heavier irain and sleet, - which eventually called for a general retreat to Meld Hut, where Saturday night Was also spent. On sunday morning, aft-er an overnight snowfall, conditions Were much bfetter and another 1 early start was made for the crossing. Although thick fog still prevented any views, Steady • progress was . made to Kime Hut, where the first boil-up took place. Continuing on, the party climbed .Field's Peak, which is followed by a deep descent prior to scaling Mt. Hector (5,016feet) . At this • stage the wind had again increased to gale force, which eonsiderably slowed up the party, and after a brief spell on this higliest point of the Southern Tararuas, the journey was resumed. , • 1}

From Mt. Hector, the route 'turns in a feoutherly direction to Mt. Alpha, a distance _ of four miles, and the party _ made . slow i progress on this section of the I track many times being blown over in face of terrific wind gusts roaring in from the west. Following the descent of Mt. Alpha, the bush line was reached and shortly afterwards the Alpha Hut where ,the second | boil-up was made. As all members j were still fairly fit, the trip was continued over Mt. Omega and the Marchant Ridge, down to the Tauherenikau valley, and a further one and a half hours walk down the river by torchlight ended the day on reaching .the Tauherenikau Hut, where over 80 trampers and sightseers 'had gathered to spend the weekend. Although rather crowded, the hut aceommodated the whole number, having a spacious upstairs floorspace. Monday morning brought bright sunshine to the valley- and the party commenced the last stage of the journey by proceeding further down the river, the track then leading up to the "Duffer Saddle" and in tufn to the Kaitoke Valley. A few miles of road travel completed the trip to Upper Hutt, thus , ending a very interesting weekend over country new to most of those who took part.