Nelson Lakes National Park

Snow gear was notable for its absence, and on a fine Wellington Day (unusual in itself) we left on the Aramoana for Picton.

Arriving in Picton we hopefully set out to hitchike the 91 miles to Nelson. Lifts were, short but we were all outside the Nelson P.O. by 8.00 p.m. Tahuna Bay Motor Camp was our objective for the night,(once again on foot), and four of us slept in cabins while three (those with expensive bags) slept outside.

A Newman's bus was elected to carry us inland about 55 miles to Gowan Bridge on the Buller River. By having two girls in the party we were lucky enough to get a lift to the edge of Lake Rotoroa and thus into the Park. A launch then transported us to the Sabine Hut at the head of Lake Rotoroa for the labour saving sum of £3. Even so, it was late in the afternoon when we arrived at the hut, and preparation was made for cur first cocked meal. It was successful though with new knowledge of measurements we looked forward to the next performance.

Three people (deershocters, with all gear, but no deer) already occupied the hut so four of us doubled up on creaking wire-bunks. Little [unclear: sleep] was consequently had except by Tom, who could snore through anything.

Sunday darned fine and cool. We said our prayers, [gap — reason: illegible]d and made our way to the Sabine Forks Hut, a few (6 I think) hours upriver where we proposed to wait for fine weather before we attempted the Travers Saddle.

Monday rained, and misted on us, so we decided to postpone our crossing until Tuesday, and three of us contented ourselves with a ramble into the Sabine wilderness Area the object being, to see the Blue Lake. We returned positive we had seen Lake Constance, and stood on top of the Waiau Pass but doubtful that the Blue Lake existed. (Found out later; we had seen the Blue Lake and stood on top of a low moraine wall.) Three deer were seen in the Upper basin and five more along the river.

Tuesday's weather was similar to Monday's but we crossed the Saddle, thankful that there was little wind. Snow was scare on the N.W. side, but extensive pockets of up to four feet existed on the other. The Upper Travers was a popular hut that night.

For a change, Wednesday was fine and clear, and some of the views almost made up for the disappointment of the misty crossing of the day before, as we made our way down the Travers Valley.

Tom and Kevin however, not content with the long drag down the valley, spent a couple of hours in the Cupola Basin taking photos. South Island ducks usually announced our passage along the riverside.

On Thursday we waled the five miles out to St Arnaud at the head-of Lake Rotoiti in drizzle, And from there we made our various ways home.

Generally, despite the view-obscuring mists, the trip was a success, an important contribution being the excellent accommodation in the Park Hoard Huts.

- Bruce Collett

Party; Tom Clarkson, Kevin Pearce, Bruce Collett, Nigel Eggers, Dave Stonyer, Alison Eillshire, Jan Hawkins.

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'We are all of us mad anyway look at the Mountaineers.'

- Mark Twain.