IN THE MOUNTAINS

Chronicle (Levin), 13 January 1949, Page 7

IN THE MOUNTAINS

Levin Trampers5 New Year Tararua Crossing A small party qf Levin trampers made an ambitious crossing of the Tararua Ranges* at New Year. From the Ohau Hut, they crossed to Eketahuna in three days. Leaving' Levin on New Year5s Eve, they arrived at the Ohau Hut where the night was spent. At 6 a.m. the following morning they left for Arete (4935 feet) . Moving up the Ohau River, the party reached the South Ohau Hut, where the ever present billy was boile'd and morning tea made. With" a stiff climb- ahead they turned up the Yeates5 Track to Te Matawai and continued ciimbing to Pukemata v/ai from which some glorious views were obtained of/ the Horowhenua and Manawatu districts and tne Tararua Ranges. Leaving Pukematawai, they made their way upwards to .Arete. On the upward climb the trampers were fortunate' enough to obtain the right conditions to see

the Spectre of the Brocken. This awe-inspiring sight occupied their attention for some time as they watcned their halo encircled shadows thrown on to the mist by the light behind. Continuing, they made camp on the eastern slopes of Arete. By now the weather had turned and a fine mist was driven flown the mountainside by a cold wind. Visibility was poor. The following morning an early start was made for the slopes of East Peak (4400 feet). Tne first stage to Dundas (4935 feet) was completed in reasonably fine weather. It was on . the lower slopes of Dundas that the party was treated to ^ g'impse of seven 'deer, moving about in open country and only a short distance away. A hearty dinner saw them on their way along the second leg of the day5s iourney. By now, it had be-

come evident that summer had arrived even 'in the mountains. Faces and slopes of the mountains were covered with ranuncula edelweiss and varieties of - mountain daisies. From Dundas to Pukemoremore (4837 feet) the trip was made in continuing good weather. Following > the rocky Dundas ridge, the camp was finally made on the slopes of East Peak. The third and final morning saw the party on its way to the roadside some ten miles from Eketahuna. Rain xwas faPing in torrents from earJy morning until about 2 p.m. and all members experienced a severe soaking. The accompanying mist was so thick ajad'.dense-that caution had to be exercised all along the route over Huapai (4195 feet) and Kareti (3760 feet) , and down the Schormann Track .at the end of which welcome transport was waiting.