1 BJFM/H&V/Vol73/No01

DATE: February 2020 Vol. 73 No. 01

Don Millward

Please submit your March 2020 H&V articles to the editor by 28th February 2020

HVTC Postal Address: PO Box 30-883, Lower Hutt: Clubrooms: Birch Street Reserve, Birch Street, Waterloo

Internet: http://www.hvtc.org.nz E-mail: info@hvtc.org.nz

President: Trip Coordinator:

Dennis Page Chris McMillan

970 6901 569 9019

Secretary: Treasurer:

Murray Presland Jim Cousins

562 8194 586 2135

Editor H&V: Bruce Miller 563 5966 the-bruce@xtra.co.nz

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WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMME

Starts 8.00 pm promptly

5 February: Helen Lukes and Pam Smith – European Trip 2019, Part 3: Baltics to Russia Beginning in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, the group joined up with others from around the world to

bike and bus through the forests, lakelands, historical sites and seascapes of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, finishing in Tallinn. 8 of the group then became tourists, travelling by train to St

Petersburg and Moscow.

12 February : Chris and Jackie West – Argentina In April and May last year the Wests toured the NW area of Argentina which has an impressive colourful landscape and produces wonderful food and wine. They then travelled from Buenos

Aires through Uruguay and the Ibera wetland that teems with wildlife and finished up at the Iguazu Falls.

Sales Table run by Graeme Lythgoe. Bring your cash and your saleable items.

19 February : Robert van Dam – The Goodnature Trap Story Robbie van Dam co-founded Goodnature in 2005 after the completion of his degree in Industrial Design at Victoria University, Wellington. With his mate Craig Bond, Goodnature has grown from the two of them and a small innovation grant from the Department of Conservation to nearly 50

staff selling products into 20 countries. As the design leader, Robbie hosts products from inception in the field to the final delivery of the product to the end consumer and all the key touchpoints

along the way. Initially, all customer insights came from the remote backcountry of New Zealand but with success, this has transitioned to cities all over the planet and people’s backyards or

homes.

26 February : Graham White – Heaphy Track bike trip Graham and 4 others were keen to bike the Heaphy track but it was only open to bikes during the

winter months. Come and see what you get after cancelling the trip twice with severe weather warnings the second time and finally nailing it on the third attempt.

4 March : Tom Haliburton – Tandem Cycling in the US and Europe A tandem bicycle loaded with equipment for camping and touring is a cumbersome monster. Tom

will talk about some tandem cycle tours of several months in the United States and Europe, including the TransAmerica Route 76 during the Presidential election campaign. From a bicycle, it

was obvious why Trump was likely to be elected.

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FORTHCOMING TRIPS

TRIP CATEGORIES

Tramping

Cycling

T = Overnight or longer tramping trip D = Day tramp

= Dog Friendly

= Moonlight Walk

= Very easy

= Easy

= Intermediate

= Advanced

NOTES Where there is no leader given for a trip, please contact the Trip Coordinator to volunteer to lead a trip, either as shown or an alternative.

FEBRUARY

6 – 9 WAITANGI WEEKEND

T2 Nina River - Grand Duchess - Brass Monkey biv

Murray Presland 562 8194

Sun 9 D1 Clothes optional Patrick Fotheringham 567 0157

Sun 9 D1 Makara Julie Lewis 526 7271

Th 13 – Fr 14

Baring Head overnighter Graeme Lythgoe 479 6630

14 – 16 Ruapehu Lodge work party Russell Oliver 021 245 9596

TARARUA FOREST PARK – Ohau

15 – 16 T1 North Ohau Hut Jackie & Chris 528 4697

T2 Ohau - Otaki Murray Presland 562 8194

Sa or Su D1 Te Araroa Pukeatua Track Bob & Bernice 938 4685

RUAHINES - Tamaki West

21 – 23 T1 Stanfield hut/Cattle Creek hut Sharman Robinson 586 5060

T2 Remutaka exploration Jim Cousins 586 2135

Sun 23 D1 City to Sea Tony & Jo 934 9229

Sun 23 D2 Pinnacle Ridge - Atiwhakatu Jackie & Chris 528 4697

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

Feb 29 – March 1

T1 Pinus contorta John Simes 027 464 1824

TARARUA FOREST PARK

Feb 29 – March 1

T1 Tauherenikau Camp

T2 Northern Crossing Nick McBride 021 410 551

Wairarapa from Lower Hutt Ann & Neil 589 6265

Sun 1 March D1 Orange Hut Pamela Campbell 021 857 953

MARCH

AORANGI FP / TARARUA FP

7 – 8 T1 Atiwhakatu Valley camping Jim Cousins 586 2135

T2 Frog Lagoon – Mt Barton

Sun 8 D1 East Holdsworth Powell hut

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BIKING SCHEDULE

for Tuesday Evenings - 6.00 pm

Date Grade The Ride Leader/s Phone

February

11

Shared

meal

Easy Harcourt Park - Mangaroa Martin Watson 021 164 0153

Interm. Harcourt Park - Cannon Point Murray

Presland 562 8194

D1 Walk Margaret Aitken 566 2731

18 Easy Porirua - Onehunga - Titahi Bay Chris McMillan 027 434 2114

Interm. Polhill/Hawkins Hill Paul Labett 027 344 2906

25 Easy Old Coach Road or 4 degrees

Interm. Belmont Trig - Belmont Tops Paul Labett 027 344 2906

March

3

Easy Explore Stokes Valley

Interm. Kingsley St Loop/Stokes Valley Murray

Presland 562 8194

UPCOMING EVENTS

SALES TABLE

12 February

Please bring along items that you wish to donate to this effort. Home baking and preserves are especially welcome. Garden produce is also popular so bring along all the excess from you

vegetable garden. Everyone else bring some cash to purchase some goodies with.

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ADVENTURE WEEDING WEEKEND: MOUNT RUAPEHU

28 FEB – 1 MARCH

For over 40 years the club has been active on the southern slopes of Mt. Ruapehu eradicating

wilding pines. DOC host us and pay for the transport. We stay in their Lodge at Ohakune on Friday

and at their bush camp (beech forest) within the park on Saturday. They provide fresh meat

(usually venison) and bbq facilities and a toilet. DOC provide tools and high visibility jerkins which

we must wear for Health and Safety reasons. We are under their control but that is a good thing as

they are nice folk to be with! The terrain can be rough at times but interesting and the pace is

gentle. This year Whanganui tramping club will join in with us again.

Friday: Some depart at midday Friday to allow for a leisurely journey up and a visit to a point of

interest on the way and then dine out in Ohakune. Others working that day will tag on behind

departing at 6pm and likely dine in Levin on the way. Late contingent usually arrive at 11pm. We

will stay Friday night in the DOC Lockwood chalet in Ohakune.

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Saturday: Breakfast (own) over by 8am and ready to drive to Karioi Forest entrance by 9am. We

will set up camp at Tufa campsite. We will have lunch (own) away from the campsite so a day

pack for your tools and food and drink is essential. Shared/supplied evening meal with DOC and

Whanganui tramping club on Saturday night.

Sunday: Breakfast (own) and then back into the field for more weeding. Morning tea and lunch

(own) usually in the field. We pack up camp early - mid-afternoon and make our way home.

What will be provided:

Milk including for cereal if you bring that, tea, coffee, Meat and salad, couscous and potato for the

evening meal. Cream and yoghurt for dessert. Drinking water. Chemical toilet. Club flys and

billies.

What to bring:

Bring two breakfasts (milk provided), two lunches and drinks and scroggin for the day’s work. For

the evening bring nibbles and a tipple to share before dinner. Fresh fruit for a fresh fruit salad. Any

embellishments to the modest menu that you so wish! $10 for the food provided, any surplus goes

to the transport account. Your wit or maybe a party trick.

Gear to bring: Plates, mug knife and fork. Water bottle. Boots and storm gear but also sunblock

and sunhat and shades. Torch, water bottle, day pack, sleeping mat and bag. Tent if you wish, I

will have club flys. Gardening gloves if you have tender hands.

Also bring $10 contribution towards the shared food and basics that I will be bringing.

Contact John Simes if you have queries or needs out of the ordinary. 027 464 1824 or

john.e.simes@gmail.com

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KAWAKAWA BAY, LAKE TAUPO

13 – 15 MARCH.

A biking, walking and/or climbing trip with an overnight camp at Kawakawa Bay!

Kawakawa Bay is truly one of the most beautiful places in the country to stay in with a DOC camp

site nestled among native bush just metres from the lake. On Saturday - from Kinloch, walk or ride

trails to end the day at the camp. Then swim in the warm, late summer, waters and watch the sun

set over the lake. Your camping gear will have been taken to Kawakawa Bay (from Kinloch) by

boat on Saturday morning – so you will be able to camp in luxury! On Sunday – reverse your

journey to Kinloch, or to Whakaipo Bay or Taupo, exploring some more trails.

We will be booking Friday night accommodation in Kinloch or Taupo and booking gear transport

by boat. We will advise more details including costs closer to the date.

Google: Kawakawa Bay tracks: Taupo area, Central North Island - DOC

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Walking and/or Biking

There are several parts of the Great Lake Trail that will be readily accessible to walk or bike. These traverse many bush, stream and wetland environments and deliver spectacular outlooks across the lake. The rides are all graded 3; Intermediate.

K2K - 8 km; between Kinloch and Kawakawa Bay

Otaketake Trail - 12 km; a new trail off K2K (near Kinloch) to Orakau car park.

Orakau Trail - 9 km; Orakau car park (on Whangamata Rd) to Kawakawa Bay

W2K – 13 km; from Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay (it’s another 11 km on road to Taupo)

Headland Loop – 9.5 km; a side trail off the W2K trail, above the Whangamata Bluffs giving magnificent views across the Lake to the Kaimanawa Ranges and south to Tongariro.

Rock Climbing

Kawakawa Bay is one of the North Island’s premier rock climbing destinations, providing a mix of traditional and bolted routes on the eastern side of the bay. It is highly likely that there will be a number of rock climbers staying in the campsite. It is suggested that you bring binoculars to watch the climbers at work. For anyone wishing to climb, it is essential that you have belaying experience on outdoor rock and are competent climbing grade 16 and above.

Neil Hickman, Murray Presland and Derek Richardson.

LOST PROPERTY – 3 ITEMS

I was cleaning out the van recently and found a pair of prescription glasses tucked away in the

corner of the rear wheel arch. There was a ball point pen in the case with reference to a Wanganui

company. The Wanganui TC is being made aware of these. A wind/rain jacket was left in the club

rooms before Christmas. It is black with green trim and has the trade name of OR on it. Lastly a

pair of blue woollen gloves by Thinsulate was left in the garage. If you have lost these please let

Dock Watson or myself know.

Graham White 565 1168.

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BITS OF INFO FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE

February 2020

Cycling Skills: Cycling groups within the Club have become, sometimes, quite large, leading occasionally to difficulties for the trip leaders to manage and to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible. But really it is the responsibility of each of us within the groups to take good care of our own and our companions’ safety. Strongly different opinions have been expressed to the General Committee about the standard of cycling practice in Club groups, so the Trip Co-ordinator is looking into scheduling a couple of courses for Club members in basic cycling skills and safe cycling practices. Whatever you think of your own, and others, cycling skills and behaviours on the roads, we would really like you to take advantage of these opportunities when they are set up. Greater awareness around our own skills and behaviour, and the behaviours of others on the road, should make our experiences safer. We each need to take responsibility for our own and companions’ safe riding; there isn’t much we can do about the behaviour of motorists, particularly, other than being alert!

Personal Locator Beacons: At the request of the Trip Co-ordinator, we have purchased an additional Personal Locator Beacon. The Club now has 5 beacons, primarily for accompanying Club groups but they may be borrowed by Club members for private trips provided a beacon is free at the time and it is returned immediately afterwards.

Booking Huts and Ferries: It is becoming increasingly necessary for huts to be booked, where this is required, and ferry tickets purchased, especially during holiday periods, well ahead. This is a bit of a headache for the Trip Leaders, who need to estimate the numbers of members who will want to join their trip – and few of us enjoy having to close off trip lists. Everyone can help by committing to trips as early as possible, but if large amounts of money need to be laid out to secure a booking, Trip Leaders are welcome to talk with the Transport Officer (Graham White) about drawing the funds from the Transport Account – though these need to be recovered from the trip participants in due course!

Damage to Private Vehicles on Club Trips: Sometimes, for perfectly valid reasons, private vehicles are used on Club trips – and they may be damaged. If this happens, the General Committee may, at its discretion, grant up to $400 to cover any costs of repair. This is the magnitude of the excess the Club is responsible for in any claim against our van’s insurance – and we think it is reasonable to extend this amount of cover to members whose vehicles are damaged while being used on a Club trip. Of course it is over to Club members to choose the amount of cover and the excess they hold on their vehicles.

Keith Thomas and Irene Davies: Keith and Irene were farewelled at the Club meeting on 29 January. They returned to Canberra the following day, after living here for the past four years -much longer than the intended 2 years for completion of the project Keith was employed on. During their time with us they have tramped regularly and widely, organising and leading many trips for us. Both have served on the General Committee and contributing, especially, as joint Membership Officers for the past three years – a task which many of you will not have noticed because they have executed it with great efficiency. To Keith and Rene: many of us have enjoyed your company on trips during the past 4 years; we are all grateful for your contributions to the management of our Club; and we all look forward to sharing your company – here and there – into the future! The General Committee welcomes your comment on any Club issues at any time!

Murray Presland (secretary@hvtc.org.nz)

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TRIP REPORTS

PENN CREEK HUT

31 November-1 December 2019 Jackie West

We left Otaki Forks overnight car park at 9.40am on Saturday morning. It was hot and sunny so we were all relieved to reach the shade of the bush. We arrived at Field Hut at 12.50 and joined others who had stopped there for lunch. We had a rest at the turn off to Penn Creek before starting our descent to the hut which we reached just after five o’clock. Sited on a sunny flat the hut was stiflingly hot so we opened the door and windows and unpacked outside. Jim found an ideal spot under the trees to erect his tent while Chris boiled the billy. By the time we were enjoying a brew the sun had disappeared behind the hill and the inside of the hut had cooled down enough for us to enter. We had been there for an hour when the peace was shattered by a low flying helicopter which flew up the valley and back and to our relief away leaving us with the hut to ourselves.

As we were preparing to leave on Sunday morning there was a brief shower which fortunately for us didn’t get the ground too wet but helped keep the temperature down and made the climb out from Penn Creek easier than it would have been had we experienced the some heat as yesterday. I had struggled in the heat the previous day so as we neared Table Top after lunch Kate & Jim took some party gear I was carrying. In the cooler temperature on Sunday I found the going much easier as did the others. We were away at 7.30 am and arrived at Field Hut for an early lunch at 11.15. We reached the car at 2.30. After we dropped Kate off at Paraparaumu we ran into a heavy rain shower but drove home feeling pleased that we hadn’t needed our parkas while tramping.

Those on the tramp: Kate Livingston, Jim Cousins and Chris and Jackie West.

Penn Creek Track: At club prior to the weekend Graeme Lythgoe told Chris that someone had been unofficially working on the Penn Creek Track which was closed due to slips and he wondered how viable it was. While having lunch on Saturday a man with a dog told us the track was best tackled from the Otaki end because of the steepness of the climbs when coming out from Penn Creek. Ropes were in place over the slips but there were steep drops. The Penn Creek logbook had entries from several parties who had tried to walk out only to return to the hut and a group that had taken 12 hours to walk in to the hut.

Jackie

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ASCENT OF MITRE

Thursday 12 - Friday13th December 2019

Graeme Lythgoe

We gathered for lunch at Greytown before heading to the Waingawa road-end and shouldering packs for the trudge into Mitre Flats hut. I say trudge because it was hot, sunny and windless and that track seems to get worse, with many “rooty” sections and endless small streams to cross. It is not really that bad but it was very warm which made it seem that way.

We had a comfortable night in the hut after a tasty meal with some extra goodies including wine. We rose at 0515 and left the hut after a quick brew and breakfast. The track to the summit rises quickly but then flattens out through some pleasant bush with only a few windfalls. it took us 90 minutes to the bushline. The forecast was for NW gales later and the wind was rising as we climbed. However it was not cold and the air movement was appreciated. I had not been on this track for many years so it was good to re-aquaint myself with it. I thought it would be windy and possibly claggy on top but after being buffeted a bit over Peggy’s Peak, the summit of Mitre was calm and mainly clear, although there was cloud building up in the west. Great views however of the Wairarapa and also Dorset Ridge hut far below us in the west, as well as north to Bannister, Waingawa, and Cattle Ridge etc.

After snacks, photos and peak identifications we headed back down. Again, once we got into the bush and lost the wind it got very warm. We thought the trip back would be quick but it took us longer that we expected and we got back to the hut a bit before midday - an ideal time for lunch.

John S was not feeling well and lost the little he ate so we had a slower tramp out to accommodate frequent stops. It seemed a slightly more pleasant track with the wind by now quite strong, cooling us down, the slower pace and lighter packs and perhaps the small net downhill. We got back to the van at 1730 hours making for quite a long day!

Ice creams were appreciated at the junction with SH 2 but it was too late for a cuppa at Greytown. Those enjoying the tramp were: Chris and Murray McMillan, Russell Oliver, John Fox, John Smeith, Graeme Lythgoe and Dash.

Graeme

MARCHANT - EASTERN HUTT

Sunday 22nd December 2019 Graeme Lythgoe

The morning was perfect with a light southerly breeze and a clear sky. We met up at the Ranger’s Station at the Kaitoke Waterworks and left 2 cars there before driving to Kiwi Ranch. There were eleven of us who headed up the Puffer and the turnoff to Dobsons. It was warm work in the sun but we did most of the climb up to the top of Marchant in the cool of the morning. Great views of the Hutt Valley and Quoin Ridge. A little further along, with the help of a GPS unit we turned off at the top of a leading spur which heads northwards down into the Eastern Hutt River. The spur was good travel, with a trail down it in several places. We had lunch at the bottom shortly after 1pm. There is no marked route above the hut with travel in the river the best, crossing as necessary. I

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had the added responsibility of carrying Dash on each crossing as he is too small for wild rivers. We saw the hut and stopped briefly to make a log entry and take a photo. The river below the hut

remains unmarked with an obvious trail in places but the river has suffered recent storm damage and in places it was difficult to find any trail. Once we got to a large stream entering on the TR, the trail was better and continued most of the way on that side. After about 2 hours from the hut we came to the sign indicating the track over to the Forks. This was a grunt! We were getting tired by now and the party was travelling more slowly. We re-grouped after crossing the bridge (across the Easter Hutt river) and then Phillips stream. Ten minutes from here the 4WD road over yet another hill starts. This is a very steep road in places and it was hot tiring work. Only Dash had spare energy to still chase any sticks thrown!!

The drivers of the cars were driven around to collect their vehicles and eventually we were all out just before 2045 hours - a long day - and just short of needing torches!!

Stats from Andrew:= Distance 22.5km, total time 12 hours 30 mins, moving time 10 hours 15 mins, ascent 1440m, descent 1490m

Those on this final tramp for 2019 were: Rosie Doole, Meryl Park, Murray Presland, Keith Thomas, Kos Van Lier, Jeremy Van Lier and friend Kent Barrett, William Liao, John Fox, Andrew Robinson, Graeme Lythgoe and Dash.

Graeme

POUAKAI CIRCUIT

Wellington Anniversary weekend 2020 Andrew Robinson

Dennis had tried several times to do a Pouakai Circuit trip but been thwarted by the weather every time so he gave up. Phaedra tried last Queen’s birthday weekend but again the weather led to cancellation of the trip. Finally John had a go for Wellington anniversary weekend and hit the jackpot. The van set off Friday at 3pm. The idea was to beat the long weekend traffic but that plan failed with the journey as far as Levin taking maybe half to three quarters of an hour longer than usual. The traffic was better after that and we did make it to the Camphouse at North Egmont just before dark.

There were 11 of us for the weekend - three on Neil’s easy trip, and eight on John’s almost as easy trip though Rosie was thinking she might have to switch from John’s trip to Neil’s trip. We were all headed for Holly for the night so Rosie could wait until day two to decide what she wanted to do. Those on the easy trip headed off before the rest of us though I suspected there was no need for them to do so. Indeed they left about half an hour ahead of the rest of us

Photo: Keith Thomas

Taranaki reflected in from Pouakai tarn

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and arrived about half an hour ahead. Conditions were ideal. It was cool for the initial climb of an hour or so and the views were fabulous. We sidled for a couple of hours then gradually descended for an hour to reach Holly hut in time for lunch and in time to grab a bunk. The hut sleeps about 30 but we knew there was a good chance it would be full that evening.

In front of the hut there were six bags of firewood that had been helicoptered in, each bag holding about a cubic metre, so in the early afternoon I set about moving the wood to the woodshed. I soon had enough helpers to form a chain and it didn’t take long to empty two of the bags. Next up I decided a trip to Bells Falls would be in order. I had Marina (new member) from John’s trip and Derek and Elaine from Neil’s trip join me. Normally short side trips take less than what the sign says but this one took longer – three quarters of an hour to the falls, half an hour there and three quarters of an hour back – which saw us back at the hut in time to have tea and put the other four bags of firewood away (I can’t remember in which order).

Sunday Rosie decided to do Neil’s trip rather than John’s as one foot was giving her a bit of trouble. John’s plan was to head for Pouakai hut, with a side trip up Pouakai peak along the way, but the rest of us suggested to him it would be better to go all the way to Pouakai hut, claim bunks which likely to be in even higher demand than at Holly hut, then do the side trip to Pouakai peak. We left Holly hut at 8:30. After a pleasant and gentle tramp down to and across Ahukawakawa swamp, we had a stiff climb up the other side for about twenty minutes until the gradient eased off significantly. John and Tony were the first to reach the turnoff to Pouakai peak. When the rest of us caught up with them and told them there was another group on our tail they didn’t need to be persuaded to carry on to the hut to claim bunks. We were all eventually at the hut by about 10:30 and grabbed bunks. After an early lunch we headed off to Pouakai peak. Not far from the turnoff to the peak we met Derek and Elaine who had walked across from Holly hut and been up the peak and back. They were off to Pouakai hut for lunch then they would return to Holly hut. It took us a further 50 minutes to get to the peak, in line with what the hut warden had said. Good views of the coast north and south of New Plymouth from the peak then it was back to the hut. Some of us did a short side trip to Pouakai tarn to hopefully get an iconic shot of Taranaki reflected in it but the mountain was cloudy and there was a breeze rippling the tarn so no luck there. Back at the hut a few other people had turned up to claim some of the remaining 9 bunks while we were out peak bagging. There was a constant stream of day walkers arriving at the hut during the afternoon, with the hut being only a twenty-minute drive then a two-hour walk from New Plymouth. More overnighters also turned up, filling the rest of the bunks, a few spaces on the floor and two or three tent sites.

Monday we had a mostly downhill trip back to the van and were aiming to get there about 12:30. The van was parked about a kilometre downhill from the visitors centre so we could finish our trip then drive up to meet Neil’s trip at the café.

25 minutes after leaving Pouakai hut we got to Pouakai tarn and did get the photos we were after this time. An easy sidle of Maude, a bit of a climb then it was another good photo stop at Henry Peak. The descent from Henry Peak involved a lot of steps and was about the only time of the weekend that one might call it hot rather than warm. When we got out of the sun and into the bush the steps ended and the track was pretty rubbishy for a while. We had a short break then the track improved. Our next stop was at Kaiauai shelter, 3 hours after leaving Pouakai hut. The final stretch was a sidle to Egmont Road and the van which took an hour and three quarters. There was mild disappointment when we reached the road to discover it wasn’t the carpark where the van was, but John to the rescue. He did the kilometre or so to the van, which made him the only one to do a loop over the weekend, picked the rest of us up and took us to the visitors’ centre

View from Henry Peak Left to right: Andrew, Jackie, Chris, Marina, Tony, Jo, John

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where we met up with Neil’s group. There was time for a drink and a bite to eat at the café then it was time to head for Lower Hutt. We were anticipating heavy traffic approaching Wellington, but we had a clear run, a fitting way to end a trip that great weather, great scenery and great company.

Trip participants: John Smeith (leader), Tony Birtwistle, Jo Scott, Chris West, Jackie West, Marina Smith, Rosie Doole and Andrew Robinson

Andrew

REMEMBRANCES

MARGARET PARKER: 1924 – 2020

From Neil Parker

Mum, the youngest of 3, attended Miramar Sth school where she was captain of the tennis and basketball teams and then Wellington Tech, where she wasn’t allowed to play sport due to wearing glasses. She walked most places including through Mt Vic tunnel after nights out and the fitness gained helped in all her future endeavours. Margaret finished school in the war years and in 1941 was manpowered into the Ministry of supply for 4 years.

Near the end of the war she joined the Hutt Valley Tramping Club, of which she was to be a member for 54yrs, with brother Len and the trips she did during the next 3 or 4 years changed her life. She enjoyed the freedom of weekends in the Tararuas, Orongorongas and longer trips such as the Reece -Dart, Hollyford and climbing Tapuae-o-uenuku , Ruapehu and she always said the Pinnacle at Titahi Bay gave her a new fitness and confidence which she really enjoyed.

Margaret made many lifelong friends in all her endeavours and the club was no exception. It was there she met Cath Mathews and they became firm friends, flatted together and took a trip to Australia on the good ship Wanganella for a 6 month stint working in Sydney and Melbourne.

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Margo, as Cath called her was a meticulous recorder and photographer. Photos of that trip show lots of social times and adventures in the cities and the Blue Mountains. A couple of 20 somethings exploring, travelling and having fun.

On a personal note I recall her asking me to go with her to the 21st birthday of Waitewaewae hut in the early 70s, in typical teenage fashion I resisted but I really enjoyed it. Post war building was a thing. Waitawaewae, the Mt Ruapehu lodge not to mention our own home were literally built by hand by that generation.

Margaret embraced the freedom of children left home by retiring in 1984. She dabbled in golf and croquet but it was tramping with the Upper Hutt forest and bird with weekly trips and some further afield that kept her busy, and the choir.

Mum and Dad travelled as well to Australia, California and mum herself to Portugal (Cath) and China (Dorothy). She loved to travel.

Mum helped family and friends in more ways than I can possibly cover here. We will miss her dearly but we have had such a good long time with her.

Neil ==========================================================================

DON MILLWARD: 1933 – 2019

From Murray Presland.

Don Millward joined the Hutt Valley Tramping Club on a Sunday trip to Maymorn Ridge in 1949, and remained an active tramper with HVTC - and later with the Kaumatua Tramping Club - ever after, despite having to adapt to a prosthetic leg after an accident in 1987. He died in December 2019. Don served on the General Committee of the Club for many years, was the Chief Guide for 1963 – 1965, a Vice-President for 1966 – 1970, and President for 1970 – 1973. He was made a Life Member of the Club in 1982.

That is the barest bones of his contribution to our Club – but what is it that has made him renowned in our Club and amongst trampers in the Wellington region? I cannot answer that well, for his reputation as a generous, encouraging, helpful companion and a hardy tramper was established before I met him – but it is a pleasure to recall journeys made with Don in the hills that illustrate his nature. I am sure many of you will have shared experiences with him that offer greater insight into his character and his passions for tramping and conservation.

We had bashed off the Main Range of the Tararuas into the headwaters of the left branch of the Hector River, intending to follow it down to Hector Forks. The creek bed was straightforward travel but began to narrow up and we needed to scramble and slide down waterfalls. Beneath the Tararua Peaks the gorge walls became darkly close, dank and vertical. The next fall would require an abseil and we couldn’t see “around the corner” to have any idea what was coming. I called the venture off and we climbed, with some difficulty, over the central ridge and dropped

Margaret with Sam Bristow and others on Tapuae-o-nuku

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back to the river below its upper forks. Don was disappointed that we had not persisted in the river – and insisted that we follow it all the way down to Hector Forks before allowing us to climb out to Maungahuka and back to Otaki.

A Full Main Range – Bridge Peak to Pukematawai - with a bunch of fit young bucks followed. Don wasn’t managing very well but assured us he was okay and could look after himself in such “easy” country – but, long after us all, he hadn’t arrived at Nicholls Hut. Where on earth was he? After a quick dinner, two of the group set off, heading back to Waitewaewae to check if he had dropped off the Range at Junction Knob. They found him stomping along about an hour back and returned to the hut. By mistake he had dropped a long way off Crawford down towards the Waiohine before climbing back up – and was buggered. On Sunday he and I decided to take whatever time it took, perhaps 2 days, to get to the Ohau road end. This would allow the young bucks to race ahead to fulfil their weekend mission. We had an enjoyable meander, despite limited visibility and much uncertainty about where we were – and stumbled in to Te Matawai Hut about 20 minutes after the youngsters! Don stuck with the group down Yates 500 and the Ohau River. He even turned back from the road end to carry an exhausted youth’s pack out. After we got home to Lower Hutt, Don spent 5 days in hospital with an inflamed bowel condition. He was tough and determined.

Don was also immensely strong and I trusted him in crossing rivers. Together we tested out crossing the D’Urville River at the end of a frustrating, wet day, eager to reach a hut for shelter that night. Half way across we waved back to the remainder of the troop to indicate all was well. They were busy erecting their tents for the night. It was a mutiny – but Don and I turned back to join them. In the Kaweka Range, we charged into the daunting Ngaruroro River with Don on the upstream end of the group of 6 and me beside him. A few metres in, Don was suddenly around in front of me. “Ahh, I think you need to back out!” he said. With some difficulty, we did that and abandoned another venture. All good advice.

Perhaps my favourite story about Don concerns his adventurousness, his encouragement of companions, and his expectation and confidence in their ability to bash on through! A young English couple arrived in Wellington to stay for a while before travelling more of the world and settling back in England. Finding the Hutt Valley Tramping Club, they signed up for a trip in the Marlborough ranges with some trepidation. “Well”, they thought, “it cannot be too daunting – we’ll be going with a 60 year-old tramper with an artificial leg. We should be able to manage this.” Within 5 minutes of leaving the Club’s truck they found themselves following Don across the Wairau River, chest deep and carrying their packs over their heads! They remain living in New Zealand, have taken citizenship, and are introducing their children to the delights of tramping and belonging to the Hutt Valley Tramping Club.

Don will always be a very bright diamond – tough, generous, hugely valued - in the history of our Club.

Murray

From John Simes, assisted by discussion with the Ruapehu Committee and Phil Rundle.

Donald Kerr Millward had an illustrious time as a member of the Hutt Valley Tramping Club. This note seeks not to spell out the detail of his contribution to the club in the form of an obituary, but to acknowledge the passing of a good friend to the club lodge on Mt Ruapehu.

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In 1956 Don joined a major fortnight long workparty for the first rebuild of what was then a very small hut in the present site of the club lodge. Don was 18 years old at the time and was obliged to leave the workparty after a week to enter compulsory military training. During that week, Don along with Phil Rundle and Nigel Canham, as the non-professionals, were obliged to carry supplies to the building site from the road end in order to keep the carpenters busy. After some time their sterling efforts were rewarded by construction leader Ted Howick with the opportunity to

climb the mountain on a fine afternoon off. The boys took off on their adventure, see photo of Don (above) and Phil basking in the sand somewhere well up the mountain. Photo by Nigel Canham on Phil’s camera.

Don continued to contribute to work parties and resupply trips to the lodge for the rest of his life. Our recent memories of Don are at those workparties. Don was always lining himself up for the most menial of tasks. He would always be the key player in inkmarking the year onto the lids of tins and jars to be stowed away to ensure nothing in store got too old. When there was landscaping to attend to Don would always be the one to sieve the local gravel/sand supply in order to remove the sand to make for a nice clean walking path to the lodge front door. Don never seemed to want to offer opinions on what or how to do. He would rather just do what he was asked to do and when that was done he would ask for more to do. Carrying food to the lodge was another passion and one he continued on with well past the normal age for such heavy work. On the last occasion in 2018, Don, a shadow of his former self, put his pack on his back and then, despite our calls to leave the food to youngsters, Don scouted around for a hand carry for his spare hand as he had a walking pole in the other. There were about six tins in that bag and they did all arrive at the lodge but the bag was ruined and the tins were heavily dented and the contents label scuffed off. Such was the man, he was unstoppable. Thankyou Don for your enduring efforts over many years.

John

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The views expressed in the articles in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Hutt Valley Tramping Club. Any queries or comments should be directed to the writer of the article. Contributions to the Hills & Valleys are welcomed and encouraged but all are accepted on the understanding that the Editor has the authority to make minor changes if deemed necessary, refer back to the contributor for amendment, or return the contribution for amendment by the Writer.