Armstrong Saddle area, Ruahine FP, 31 July 1999
Banner Pix: Above Armstrong Saddle, heading to Top Maropea
Twenty one keen people headed up Highway 50 and down Wakarara Road for a day’s tramp in the snow in the Armstrong Saddle area. The weather was looking good as we headed up to Sunrise Hut. Within about half an hour from the hut, we hit the first snow on the track which got thicker as we gained height. We arrived at the hut for smoko with snow and ice around. Two lots of gear were in the hut, but no one was in sight.
Survival bags make a good toboggan
After a cuppa, we headed up to the saddle and then north to the high point near Patiki where we met the two trampers staying in the hut, with a dog scampering around. The views were good. We then headed down to the saddle and up towards Maropea.
We found a good place to make a slide and out came the plastic and survival bags. There was much yelling and excitement from a young lady with an English accent. A tall plumber pelted all those sliding with snowballs. We shan’t forget.
Yee-hah!
Some lunched in the sun on the snow, while some headed back to the hut for lunch. Afterwards, we carried on towards 66 and dropped into the north arm of the Waipawa River, going down a steep snowy slope to get into a massive shingle slide all covered in snow. It was an exciting run down the slide, with some preferring to travel down on their bums.
Waipawa River north branch in snow
We carried on down to the Waipawa Chalet to show those who had not seen it and then went back to the track which led up to the Sunrise Track and down to the cars to be met by the others.
A quick change of clothes as the temperature started to drop, into the vehicles and home. A great day was had in the snow. Nice to see so many people out, especially the new members.
Trampers: Colleen Burton, Anna Ralfe, Joy Stratford, Simon Hill, John Marshall, Geoff Donkin, Charlotte Gluck-Wurm, Jude Paton, Barry Richardson, Ray Slavin, Ali Hollington, John Dobbs, Steve Redshaw, Murray Goss, Rob Heatherwick, Ted Angove, Denise Payne, Gordon Tapp, Christine Snook and Glenn, and reporter Paul Exeter
And here’s a little joke from the club records of 1999:
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of excellent Port, they lay down for the night and went to sleep.
Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see”.
Watson replied: “I see millions of stars”.
“What does that tell you?”
Watson pondered for a minute. “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?”
Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke:
“Watson, some bastard has stolen our tent.”
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