This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 92, no 8, September 2020
Kiwi Ranch – Puffer Saddle – Points 756:805:714 Smith Creek/Tuaherenikau River confluence – Kiwi Ranch
15 July 2020
Up a new spur route … along and up a ridge line … along a hydro service road … down a long spur … across a stream … return to cars by a well-trodden track … day done!
It was a trip that most of the party had traversed previously, in whole or in part, from a variety of directions.
It was a trip during which sexagenarians and septuagenarians tried to maintain the pace of a fit sedecimarian (sixteen year old).
It was a day during which damp vegetation tested the advertised efficacy of outer-layer apparel.
It was a grey day during which air temperatures struggled with a persistent sifting southerly breeze to get to double digits.
It was a trip that had a favoured member unexpectedly find an outdoor lounge chair at morning break and establish a very regal presence in front of the group.
It was a winter's trip during which lunch was a relatively silent gobble-and-go affair.
It was a day trip that, after the intensive morning catch-up chatter, had long quiet periods post-lunch. Those silences were broken when down-spur direction required confirmation; hence 'conversation starters' (i.e. electronic devices) were produced and opinions were shared.
It was a typical day trip that produced bouts of inspired conversation and shared experiences.
It was a day trip that required just over eight hours to return the participants to the car park at Kiwi Ranch.
It was a day trip replete with comraderie.
- Party members
- Bill Allcock (leader and scribe), Robyn Chesterfield, John Dement, Tricia French, Gerald Leather, Jenny Mason, David McNabb, Janette Roberts, Tommy Thomson