Friday Night
After a few days of perfect weather the forecast was getting worse by the hour. Regardless of the trip leader’s reputation for bringing bad weather we remained optimistic. Craig even contemplated leaving his over-trousers at home because we would not be traversing any open tops. Victoria, suggested that he should really bring them - since we were going tramping with Struan.
The wind had really picked up. Struan said he knew of a really good, sheltered camping site. As he led us down there it was apparent this was no longer a good camping site. It was now the favourite place for the local ‘bogans’ to trash other peoples’ cars after a joy ride. At least we knew where we could find our cars if they went missing whilst we were tramping over the weekend. We headed for the Pinnacles camping area for the night to test our flys in the wind.
Saturday
On Saturday morning we left one vehicle near the Washpool stream where we were planning to come out. We squeezed into Struan’s 1980’s ute and headed to the Managtoetoe road end to begin our weekends tramping. Showing their utmost respect for the Chief Guide, the party threw him on the back for some chiropractic treatment, leaving enough room for the rest of the party (Christian, Victoria and Struan) in the cab to rock to Struan's 1980's cassette collection.
We started walking against the gale and soon found ourselves at Mangatoetoe Hut for morning biccies. Soon after leaving Mangatoetoe it was evident that there had been more than a little rain in the area over the past year or two. Half the hillside seemed to have either made its way to the valley floor or, to be on its way. In fact, so much gravel landed on the valley floor that, led by the Chief Guide we managed to walk straight over the top of a major tributary. Oblivious to this fact we had a brief navigational conundrum with Struan instincts not matching Chief Guide's compass, and Chief Guide's compass clearly pointing the wrong way. We soon worked out where we were, but could not work out how we had crossed the major tributary. We soon found it after a few hundred metres of backtracking, and were now back on our way traveling up the Mangatoetoe, followed by a short climb before a descent down to Kawakawa. The descent was made more interesting by the abrupt end of the track. It had fallen a hundred odd metres into the stream below. We slid through regenerating scrub and re-joined the track at the stream - where we enjoyed some lunch. From here it was a pleasant and flat stroll along the stream to Kawakawa Hut. From Kawakawa Hut we slogged up the hill over points 550 & 590 before the descent down to Pararaki Hut, arriving at about dusk, with our appetites ready for some well earned grub.
Sunday
Breakfast was followed by a slog up over the hill and down to the Washpool Creek. As we reached the creek, Struan continued to show us his 1980's dance moves everytime we needed to cross the creek in an effort to keep his feet dry. However, we soon encountered some deeper, and gorgy areas that left Struan with no choice but to get his feet wet! We found a sunny spot on the creek edge for lunch just before we reached the 4WD track, and travelled in the sun through the Washpool Station. When any of the three optimists mentioned how lovely it was to be walking in the sun, and having not needed our raincoats for the entire weekend Struan was always quick to remind us of how miserable it would have been if we were in the Tararuas!
