WEEK-END TRAMPING.

Shannon News, 29 November 1929, Page 3

WEEK-END TRAMPING.

LEVIN TO MASTERTON IN TWENTY HOURS. The Tararua crossing from Levin to Mastertou, for which two and one half to four days are usually required, was made by Messrs G. B. Wilson and R. Gray, of Wellington, during the course of a recent week-end. Leaving Wellington at midday on Saturday, 23rd November, the party eventually left the road at the Levin Pipe Bridge at 3.40 p.m. The prospects a* this stage were far from favourable, the back range being heavily shrouded with angry looking mist and rain appearing imminent. By nightfall, however, the range had cleared and conditions were perfect except for the absence of a moon.

Gapper’s Track up the Ohau River was taken to the junction of the Oliauiti Stream (or Blackwater) and the bed of the main river was then followed as far as the confluence of the north and south branches. The climb to the top of Deception Ridge starts from this point and was accomplished in one hour and twenty-five minutes. The steep descent to Avalanche Flat, on the Mangahao River twelve miles above the top dam, was quickly made. The time from the. Pipe Bridge, three hours thirty-nine minutes, represented an improvement of one hour and thirtyone minutes on the previous record time established a month ago by Mr A. 11. liines and the above party on a night trip into Avalanche. On the present occasion, daylight the whole distance and lighter packs (201bs), together with the fact that no stops -were required for meals, made faster time possible. After a substantial meal and a rest the escent of Mt. Dundas (4944 feet) was commenced, torches now being required. No trouble was met, during the climb up Adkin’s Track to the edge of the bush, but progress was very slow by torch and star light through the deep snow grass on the way to Triangle Knob. At eleven* o’clock the lights of Eketahuna, Palmerston North and Levin were, clearly visible and at a later stage the lights of Mastertou and Otaki were also seen.

The route now lay south along the top of the main Dundas-Holdsworth range and Mt. Arete was soon passed. In this vicinity numerous deer were disturbed from their repose and were heard wildly scampering down the sides of the ridge.

At 1.40 a.m. the Waiohine-iti Pinnacles loomed into sight. These are not very difficult to climb by day but it was rather awkward to find foot and hand holds with the light of a torch, which itself occupied one hand. At two o’clock the party snatched a brief two-liour nap in the lee of a rock on Tarn Ridge (4700 ft). The moon, which would have been much appreciated, during the night, had just risen and made an impressive sight from the rocky bivouac. The maj-ch was resumed at dawn. The range now takes a distinct bend to the south-east, rising in a series of knobs to Mt; Girdlestone (5090 ft), which was soon climbed. A high side spur leading over Brockett (5020 ft) to Mitre (5154 ft), the highest peak in the Tararuas, was taken and the top of Mitre readied at 6.30. The view was magnificent, snowy Ruapehu _ standing sentinel to the north and outlying ranges floating in seas of milky mist. Pretty yellow mountain daisies and one or two odd patches of snow, legacies of the winter, added to the general effect. The ridge to the north of the Mitre Creek was followed down to the Waingawa River, where a well earned spell and a second breakfast was taken at the Mitre Flats. These large grass flats, lying below the bush-clad hills and flanked by the rushing river, present a very charming appearance and compare very favourably with any New Zealand bush and river scenery.

At midday on Sunday, civilisation was reached at the head of the Upper Plain road and after walking four miles down the road a friendly liftinto Mastcrton was gratefully accept* ed. The total time from roadhead to roadhead was twenty hours twentythree minutes, including sleeping time and necessary stops. This traverse was, as far as is known, the first week-end crossing of this part of the range and was also noteworthy for the first night ascents of Dundas and the Pinnacles No difficulty was experienced at any stage, splendid weather throughout accounting for a very successful performance.