Impressions of the Christmas Trip 2007 / 2008
Trip report by Judy Nieuwendijk
Trip dated: 27 December 2007- 6 January 2008
The Journey to Norm’s Nether Regions, or Exploring Upper Hypochondria or “One of those trips when you really had to be there…”
Briefly our route took us from the top end of Lake Cobb, up to Lake Stanley
hut, back down to Lake Cobb and along the true left of the lake to Trilobite
Hut. Thence to Fenella Hut, Kakapo Peak and Lonely Lake Hut; around one of the
Drunken Sailors and down to the Anatoki River, Lake Stanley, Waingaro Hut and
finally over and out to Takaka via the KillDevil track – a very fitting
name for a killer of a track.
We were six: Bill the bush-crasher, and yes – we certainly did some, Norm
of the Nether Regions and raconteur par excellence, Alex the Scotsman from Oz,
Dianna and the Nieuwendijks ; our reflections follow, in no particular order
– somewhat like our trip…
Alex – From Fenella to Lonely Lake the views were spectacular particularly
because of the superb weather. The bushcrashing was hard on the legs and hair
raising but added to the variety of the tramp.
The massive rock fall at Lake Stanley was truly awesome; the avalanche had shot
over the base rock and swept down into the valley raising the valley floor,
causing the lake level to rise thus creating a forest of petrified trees in
the lake.
Very challenging carrying ten days of food.
(Ed’s note; we did notice your hair was raised at times, Alex…)
Bill – the selection of food was great, cooking superb, cups of tea wonderful.
Disappointed in the lack of leadership and forward planning, lack of discipline,
and the irresponsible actions of the leader. A recommendation to be made that
a Full Royal Commission of Inquiry to be embarked upon by The Committee to investigate
above concerns.
And in his defence, Our Leader (the aforesaid Bill) states that the Group was
a bunch of Girls’ Blouses for not being willing to risk their lives on
the steep rocks, scree and cliff faces of the tops from Sylvester Hut to Fenella
in white-out conditions.
(Ed’s appreciation; the two scouts reconnoitering the route from Sylvester
up to the tops thank the search party that was being formed because of deteriorating
weather, the disappearing light and the non-appearance of the two miscreants.)
Dianna – Memorable were the starlit nights, the campsites; the one beside
the Anatoki river where we were entertained by a pair of blue ducks was just
great.
The fisherman and his family from Nelson we met at Trilobite Hut were lovely;
he and his pregnant wife taking their two delightful, very excited little boys
on their first tramping trip from Trilobite up to Fenella and back.
Also at Trilobite we encountered an American who was meandering through New
Zealand, and who had an astonishing capacity for alcohol.
(Ed’s observation; the two little boys revelled in their adventure up to
Fenella, amazing their parents and delighting us as we got to spend more time
in their company.)
Fons – The showers in the motor camp at Takaka at the end of our trip were
fabulous. Not so great was being dehydrated on the tops from Fenella to Lonely
Lake.
The navigational skills of Bill and Norm were totally superb; “I felt completely
confident even without my GPS because of their skill in finding the route.”
(Ed’s comment; haven’t got one – he said it all.)
Norm – The diverse bird life was interesting: blue ducks on more than one
occasion, many tuis, kaka, robins, kea, fantails, tomtits, kakariki, pipit.
The astonishing sight of a kehu (NZ falcon) confronting and bullying a harrier
hawk stopped us in our tracks as we were slogging our way along the Killdevil.
Weka are alive and very well – Mum and three chicks entertained us for
some time at Trilobite.
“I believe that the tracks from Lake Stanley to Waingaro in 1929 and the
Killdevil were formed by the same person”.
Judy – my highlights? Having a kea fly over and call to me at Iron Lake
on our first evening, fed my kea addiction for another year. Seeing tiny orchids,
harebells, gentians, bushcrashing courtesy of Bill, river crossings and finding
the Anatoki track!
Various musings – meeting a mountain biker with huge arm muscles, who had
‘biked’ up Killdevil track a couple of days previously.
The 12 hour day from Waingaro Hut to Uruwhenua Road and the bus was particularly
gruelling.
The hospitality of Edith and Ron (Bill’s friends) at Motueka was so enjoyable,
as was being shown around their large gardens; everything organic with much
companion planting.
Crossing the swiftly flowing Cobb river with an audience of ‘seen-it-all-before’
fisherman
Discovering the joys of Cribbage again…
Bill’s boots deposited very determinedly in a Takaka wheelie bin.
Norm’s indefatigable and seemingly bottomless store of knowledge; blinding
us with science and Latin names, often rendering us speechless… But one
does wonder – was it all kosher? And how would we know anyway…
Drivers did absolutely great job – they got us there and back!
Vegetarian catering was superb.
Norm and Dianna’s tent fly worked well, as did the Nieuwendijks’ new
tent.
Lovely meal with Clare in Nelson on the penultimate evening.
Even though we weren’t able to get on an earlier ferry, we were still home
in time for people to be at work Monday.
Norm spent the entire time the rest of us were wandering around the Pupu Springs
talking to Tama, a DoC employee; then told us he was of mixed race – sack
and three-legged…
From Lonely Lake until the end of the trip, we had the tracks to ourselves –
was great.
Fenella hut was packed with sweet-smelling day-trippers.
And finally, from the “One of those trips when you really had to be there…”
file, two of Norm’s more memorable ramblings:
Tweet, chick, Tweet, chick, bong – a tui’s contribution to the dawn
chorus on New Year’s Day as heard by Norm.
And –
On the first day we lost Alex
Day Five, we said goodbye to Bill
Day Seven we farewelled Fons, leaving him with a pistol
Day Ten we ate Judy
Days Twelve and Thirteen Dianna and I found Fons and ate him
Day Twentyone I find civilization and attempt to explain the disappearance of
all the group including Judy whom I thought tasted better than she looked…
Confused and Dazed by the above? Imagine our abject confusion and dazedness
after ten or so days of tramping with Norm; loved all your stories, jokes and
inexhaustible fund of knowledge about absolutely everything Norm!
(Ed’s last stand – beaut trip – thanks, team especially for all
the laughter.)