CROSSING THE TARASUAS.

Shannon News, 24 January 1923, Page 4

CROSSING THE TARASUAS.

STUDENT PARTY'S- ENJOYABLE TRIP. • A party, of students*-from the irecent■;• conference at Solway. arrived in Otaki on Monday after - a successful and enjoyable tramp over the Tararuas* fromthe Wairarapa side. The 1 -party of four ladies and six men comprised students from Auckland and Wellington, and was under the experienced guidance of Mr P. Ruston, of Wellington. The trampers left Wall's hut on Thursday last. This hut, which was recently, erected by a well-known Wairarapa gentleman for the accommodation of mountaineering parties, is a fine, substantial building, well-built and ex cellently adapted for the purpose, and will accommodate 20 people. It is erected in tho vicinity of Bassett's hut, and Mr Wall may well be complimented for his generosity, also tine Track Committee for the part it played-in assisting the work. The party'--successfully crossed Mount Reeves and reached Tauherenikau hut in the evening. Friday was spent there, and although showery weather was experienced, advantage was taken of the intervals between the showers in exploring the valley, where deer and other game were noticed. On Saturday a start was made for the Omega hut and from there on to the Alpha. Mountain Blooms and Superb Views. The mountain range is to be seen at its very best at the present time, and the party was delighted at the wealth of mountain blooms to be observed, and several botanic specimens were obtained Many of the slopes were a mass of'mountain buttercups and daisies, and the growths -were as even and regular as if they formed part of a well-tended 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 year. Here the mountain daisy blooms in profusion. This is in contrast to the growth of the flower on the Swiss Alps, where it is rare, and the mountaineer will risk much to secure this floral trophy of the mountains. The party was now favored with fine weather, and the travelling was good, a light wind keeping the air delightfully cool. From Hell's Gates an exceptionally fine view of the Hutt and Mangaroa Valleys was obtained, and beyond that into Cook Staita. Beautiful Sunset Effects..

The, travellers reached the Alpha hut at 2 p.m., the men setting about collecting firewood and making; other preparations for the night.. The hut was found in a very bad state, bein,g strewn with empty tins and other debris, which took several hours' work on the part 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 trampers climbed Alpha and viewed the sunset. There was a light easterly breeze with a mist oh the the upper heights. Consequently several rainbows were observed, some of them double. About 90 degrees of horizon was clear , and there was a good view, of the South. Island, while to the north Mount Egmont stood out sharply on the Taranaki plain. The sunset was magnificent, and the effects, 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 Porks via Mount Hector. The party was struck by the large number and variety of mountain flowers in bloom here as along other portions of the track, the edelweiss and buttercups being specially fine Larger: Hut Wanted;

The party found the small 6ft. x Bft. 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 as a 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 party reached the commencement of "students' track*' about 4 p.m. This track is a great improvement on the old one. The construction of the track was carried out by the students of Victoria College in the 1920-21 vacation, and was supervised by the Public Works Department.

At The Porks. After some very fine 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 Mrs Kussling, who made the whole party .comfortable. The visitors came ■on to Otaki and reached the railway station at 10.10 a.m. on Monday as stated in j time for. Jfche Auckland members to catch rthe JB#YG Plymouth exprgsfc Tbiis-end-

ed a very pleasant experience. Appreciation The party spoke in high terms of the magnificent way in which they were lead by Mr Ruston, of the Tararua and Victoria College Tramping Clubs. His enthusiasm and energetic leadership added considerably to their enjoyment of the beauties of the tramp across the Tararuas.