Honours. Climbing. Doesn't leave a lot of time for tramping. Another meeting, another advertised weekend trip - a mid-winter xmas party at Mangahao Flats. Sounds good - but a whole weekend? By the end of the meeting the trip has been canned, instead the party will be at Keren's place in Karori. I could take one day off. Day-tripping (drug free) rears its head and I approach a few potentially interested parties. Work, flat hunting, stuff but a group of three emerge.
Leaving Wellington at 5am Saturday, so an early night on Friday - no raving, drinking or studying!! Phone call just after 5am from Steve. I tell him I'll be ready in a few minutes - he replies that he's waiting outside my flat. Quick bite and pack then into the car and a speculating, shit-talking drive to Martinborough to pick up Eric.
Holdsworth 7:20am. Jaunt up to Rocky lookout then the turnoff to Totara Creek. Almost get my feet wet!! A couple of brief stops and Eric's computer talk and my own version = rock climbing talk. A big cairn marks the turnoff for High Ridge and up we head. Surprisingly well marked and easy travel (although it could be a little difficult heading down and in the dark). Bird song filled the berry laden air - 1080 must have done some good. More gentle altitude gain and then a brew stop - Eric has packed a billy and stove; time for soup, hot chocolate and tea (but no coffee use). Off again, emerge from the bush and savour the sights and surroundings. The spur's aura holds us, and we delay leaving - ostensibly until my camera (Minolta warranties are worthless) cooperates.
On to the tops where I spy some optional rock. Detour for one very easy scramble and then a little more exciting play. My name is yelled and I realise that the others don't know exactly where I am or what I'm up to (and are probably sick of waiting). Down to the Powell Hut site where a bivvy has materialised - good to see that the Pigs had arranged quality reading material for their time spent investigating the murder.
Down, down (past yet another little rock), down and out. Back in Wellington in time to quickly shower then off for some farewell drinking for Dan and Em. After a while Derek, the Johns and I head up to Keren's for the TC pary where the real stories begin (another time, another place and another narrator).
PS. Some stuff I've recently been told (why the real stories remain untold), thanks and kudos to the person doing the telling... definition: gossip = ANY form of discussion about any people and their relationships... or any aspect of them really ...and yes, gossip nearly ALWAYS gets the gossip-er into trouble.