ACROSS THE TARARUAS

Otaki Mail, 10 January 1923, Page 3

ACROSS THE TARARUAS

STUDENT PARTY’S ENJOYABLE TRIP. A party of students from the recent conference at Solway arrived in Otaki on Monday after a successful and enjoyable tramp over the Tararuas from the Wairarapa side. The party of four ladies and six men comprised students from Auckland and Wellington, and was under the experienced guidance of Mr l*. Boston,' of Wellington.

The tinuipers left Wall’s hut on Thursdnv last. This hut. which was recently erected by a well-known Wuira-t-apa gentleman for the accommodation ol’ mountaineering parties, is a hue, substantial building, well-built and excellently adapted for the purpose, and will accommodate -0 people. It is erected in the vicinity of Bassett’s hut. and Mr Wall may well be complimented f 0 his generosity, also the Track Committee for the part it played in assisting the work. The party successfully crossed Mount Reeves and reached Xauherenikau hut in the evening. 1 rich,v was spent there, and although showery weather was experienced, ad vantage was taken of the intcreaL between the showers in exploring the valley, where deer and other game were noticed. On Bat unlay a start was made for the Omega hut anil from there on to the Alpha.

Mountain Biooms and Superb Views,

Thu mountain range is to be seen at its very best at the present time, and I the party was delighted at the wealth of mountain blooms to be observed, and | several botanic specimens were obtain!cd Many of tlie slopes were a mass of "mountain buttercups and daisies, and the growths were us even regular as they formed part, of a well-attended nursery. The colour-blending was unique, and presented a sight that will not easily be forgotten by those who cross the" range at this season of the vear. Here the mountain daisy blooms in profusion. This is in contrast to the growth of the flower on the .Swiss Alps, where it is rure, uikT. the iiiountiiineci will risk much to secure this floral trophy of the mountains. The party was now favored with line weather, and the travelling was good, a light keeping the atmosphere delightfully cool, iiiom Hell’s Gates an exceptionally fine view of the liutt and Mangaroa Valleys was obtained, and beyond that into Cook Staits. Beautiful Sunset Effects. The travellers reached the Alpha hut at 2 p.m.. ihe men setting about col ioctiny firewood and making other pie partitions for the night. The hut was found in a very bad state, being strewn with empty tins and other debris, which look several hours’ work on the pait of of the ladies to clear up. It is unnecessary to add that visitors are expected to leave the huts in a condition that would obviate work of this sort being thrown on succeeding parties. In the evening the trumpets climbed Alpha and viewed the sunset. 'there was a.

light easterly breeze with a mist on the the upper heights. Consequently several rainbow- were observed, some of them double. About -90 degrees of horizon was clear, and the bouth Island clearly, while to the North Mount Egmont stood out sharply on the Taranaki plain. The miat-n was magnificent. and the cheats in the opinion of members of the party who have seen them, were equal to the gorgeous sunsets to be seen in the Indian Ocean. Mount Hector. On Sunday morning a start was made for the Otaki Forks via Mount Hector. Tho party was struck by tho large number and variety of mountain flowers in bloom here as along other portions of the track, the edelweiss and buttercups being specially line | Larger Hut Wanted. The party found the small 6ft. x Sft. emergency hut erected by the Tararua Club completed. This hut should be very useful for small parties caught in a storm, but there is a real need for a larger hut, and the present one could serve us « start for a larger erection. The party that day saw some of the principal peaks of the Kaikouras, in Marlborough, also a rare view of both the east and west coasts of the North Island. The view to the north was spoiled by threatening rain clouds. The parry reached tto commencement pf "students’ track" about 4 p.m. This track is a great improvement on the old one. The consruetion of the track was carried bv the students of Victoria college in the 1920-21 vacation, and was supervised by the Public Works Department. At The (Forks. After some very line travelling through bush varying from mountain growth to thick valley growths, the party arrived at the Otaki Forks and were very pleased at the exceptionally kind reception and hospitlity of Airs Russling, who made the whole party comfortable. . The visitors came on to Otaki and reached the railway station at 10.1 Q a.m. on Monday as stated in time for the Auckland members to catch tho New Plymouth express. Thus ended a very pleasant experience. Appreciation

The party spoke in high terms of the magnificent way in which they we*e load by Mr Huston, of the- Tararua and Victoria College Tramping Club:-. Hi: eiithusia; at' and energetic leader-

sliip added considerably to tiisir enjoymens of the beauties of the tramp 'across the Tararua:-.