OVER THE TARARUAS.

Wairarapa Age, 18 March 1927, Page 5

OVER THE TARARUAS.

LEVIN TO EKETAHUNA. CROSSING MADE FOR FIRST TIME. The first crossing of the Tararua Mountains from Levin to Eketahuna was accomplished recently by a party of four Levin residents, Messrs G. L. Adkin, E. S. Lancaster, J. Logan and W. H. Walker. The journey occupied three and a half days. The route traversed was by way of tho bed of the Ohau River from Levin, a locality probably unsurpassed for scenic vistas. Some six.and a half ’miles along the Ohau the confluence of tho northern and southern branches of tho river is reached, and the track then ascends the spur of Deception Ridge. A descent is then made to the Mangahao River, where a flat of three acres provides a good camping /site. From this point the climb to Mount Dundas, 4935 feet, is made. A welldefined trail has been blazed through the bush. Dundas presents few difficulties, the worst being Triangle Knob, where it is necessary to scramble round the face of the rock and in some places creep up on hands and knees. A magnificent panorama presents itself from Dundas. The vast expanse of the North Island is laid before the eye from coast to coast, and from Mount Egmont to Ruapehu to the Kaikouras in the South Island. Passing over Pukeinoremore, West and East peaks, the track leads to Mount Ruapai, beyond which the ranges diverge The North East Ridge is followed to Ngamaia trig, from, which hill a well-defined track runs through the bush to a tram-line at the foot, which leads to the homo of Mr. A. H. Estcott, Putara.