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The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1931

Tramping Club

Tramping Club

Hills peep o'er hills and alps on alps arise.

Pope.

A general survey of the activities of the Club since the last issue of "Spike" shows that there have been some very successful tramps. The outstanding ones are the Christmas trip to the Spencer Mountains—an account of which appears elsewhere in this issue—the two Easter trips and several week-end tramps during the first term. A wide and varied range of country has been covered, and the activities should cope with the requirements of all interested in this type of outdoor sport.

The initial tramp this year was a Sunday trip to the Butterfly Creek region. The party consisted of eleven women, and, in addition, two shy men, whose courage failed them, so they "trickled off" to explore the Butterfly on their own. The girls discovered that Butterfly Creek covers an area larger and more scrubby than is usually thought, and eventually arrived back at the wharf, happy and comfortably tired.

The following week-end, twenty-one members participated in a very successful tramp to the Orongorongo and Mt. Matthews. Under the leadership of Tom Birks, the party did good time over to Baine's Hut on Saturday afternoon. After an early start next morning they had an easy climb up Mt. Matthews, with splendid views.

On March 29th a party of eleven visited the Mt. Dick locality. The most astounding feature of this tramp was that the leader slept in, much to his annoyance. We sympathise with you. Ken; it is rather hard having to run all the way on a tramp.

At Easter two trips were arranged, one to Kapiti Island and the other to the Tararuas. The sixteen members on the Kapiti trip found that adverse weather conditions at the beginning detracted somewhat from the pleasure of the trip. They are indebted to Mrs. Webber, of Kapiti, for her hospitality in allowing them the use of her house at Paraparaumu during the period they were weatherbound. When weather permitted, Kapiti again proved to be a source of great interest. Thanks are due to the leader, Guy Oliver, for his trouble in organising n unfavourable conditions.

The other Easter trip is reported in the July issue of "Smad."

On April 19th, only four members took the opportunity of admiring the view from Belmont.

On the Anzac Day weekend, a formidable party of twenty-nine ventured forth. Two lorries were required to carry the party over the Rimutakas to Matthew's Station, in the Lower Wairarapa Valley. The route followed was up the Wairongomai River, over the ridge and down the Orongorongo River, where camp was struck. By way of diversion some of the party indulged in a little wild game hunting and its result, much to the interest of zoology students and to the disgust of others. Camp cooks are asked to note that half-cooked pig is unpalatable—even Hefford refused it. The chief item for the camp concert, after tea, was a duet by Messrs. Riske and Cook, entitled "Religion." On Sunday the party returned to civilisation, some going through the Five-Mile Bush and others via the Whakantti Ridge. It was rather an arduous task for the leader to have charge of such a large party, but never mind, McGavin had his consolation.

Owing to Capping celebrations, this Club had only a meagre representation of four members on the combined Tramping Clubs' trip to Kapakapanui on May 9th-10th. Those who went were amply rewarded for their trouble by a splendid view, which included the snowcapped peaks of Mts. Egmont, Ruapehti and Taptiaentiku, and the snowclad Taranta Range from Mt. Dundas (near Levin) in the north, to the south end of the Quoin Ridge (near Kaitoke). The view was really wonderful.

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During the vacation tramping was at a par, but four members spent an enjoyable week-end in the Tauherenikau Valley.

On May 31st the Trentham-Whakatikei River trip attracted nine people. The leader, the Club's cold dip fiend, must have inspired the party, for we believe they all patronised the duck pond.

June 7th was an off day, when only three participated in the Colonial Knob-Kumunga trip. In spite of the crowd, the leader, Alice Jacobs, enjoyed the outing.

The following week-end seven trampers went to Baine's Hut and climbed Mt. Papatahi. Several die-hards went over at night after games, and it was such a pity that the leader got up and made an awful row so early next morning and woke the poor dears.

Next Sunday six people did the Belmont Trig.- Johnsonville trip under perfect weather conditions. The picturesque scene in the frost-covered Korokoro Valley and then the clear view of the South Island mountains, as seen from the Trig., made an enjoyable outing.

There were thirteen altogether when the last straggler arrived at Clapham's Hut on Saturday on the Cattle Ridge trip the following week-end. A high fallen tree trunk made a convenient perch for those who liked singing, and four of the party found the clear moonlight night so attractive that they decided to sleep out of doors. The white frost the next morning made the steep climb up "The Baker" almost enticing, and the view of Mt. Tapuaenuku, standing out clear and white across Cook Strait, gladdened the heart of everyone.

On July 5th a party of seven journeyed to Paraparaumu and climbed Mt. Maunganui. They enjoyed a typical Tarawa view—mist. During the course of the descent they proved an old axiom in the tramping world, namely, that mist is not transparent.

As on the previous week-end tramp, there was the devil's own number present on the trip to the Whakaikei Headwaters on July 11-12th. After the customary "whale of a feed" on Saturday night, the crowd had a hearty sing-song round the camp fire. On Sunday they explored the upper reaches of the Whakatikei River and returned to Paekakariki via Mt. Wainui.

All interested are asked to note that either week-end or Sunday tramps will be arranged during the remainder of the year. There will also be a series of week-end tramps during the long vacation, and these are specially recommended, because it is during that period that tramping offers its greatest attractions. A special trip will be arranged at Christmas time, and the account of last year's should justify people planning to spend next holidays tramping. Decide now and save up in time and so avoid heart burns later on.