Tramping

Yes—it definitely was one of the best Orongorongo trips held by the Tramping Club for some time. Everyone enjoyed it—even those who didn't go on the big trip, but stayed and quarrelled in Tawhai all Sunday.

Fifteen trampers in all arrived at Tawhai in dribs and drabs between the hours of 5 and 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, and were duly filled with an enormous stew and tucked into bed, replete and bloated. With bodies strewn round the floor, Tawhai resembled a morgue.

A start was made by the party going on the main trip just after seven on Sunday, and good time was made by the eight stalwarts to the ridge at the top of Green's Stream. Here Messrs, Croxton and Watson Munro left the main party and set out along the ridge towards Matthews. Although the balance of the party couldn't find Mr. Croxton's mythical shingle slide, and almost scaled Tapokopoko in its efforts to do so, it descended precipitously and fast down the Tapokopoko stream into the Mukumukus. The only accident during the descent occurred when the great Braybrooke, in the rear of the party, calmly stepped into a large and deep pool, in the mistaken belief that the rest of the trampers had also done so. This unfortunate incident made it necessary for Mr. Braybrooke to remove his trousers while walking up the Mukumuku stream, a spectacle which made the most hardened trampers quail.

A short climb up the picturesque stream, and the South Matthews saddle was reached, numerous signs clearly indicating that Messrs. Watson Munro and Croxton had been there an hour or so before. A swift descent of the ridge into the Orongorongo river, and Tawhai, with hot soup and stew, was soon reached.

Most of the occupants of Tawhai had straggled off, so as to be sure of catching the boat, and the whole party, with the exception of a few lost en route, congregated on the Eastbourne [unclear: Wharf] at 8.15.

Yes—definitely a good trip!

—I.SAX.