Mount Aspiring National Park - January, 1998 - Journal

January 16 - Auckand to Queenstown to Wanaka

JAFA (Just Another Fucking Aucklander).  Beware of the kiwi!  How will we know when the Mack curves have crossed?  (when they helicopter you out)

January 17 - Wanaka to Siberia to Crucible Stream Junction

Aw(e)ful.  Absolutely!  Respecting their privacy.  The Siberia Experience.  East/West road to the Haast pass was not completed until 1960.

January 18 - Junction to Crucible Lake to Siberia Hut

"I will never be the other woman." (the one absolute)  Fit Taranaki farmer time.  Nature is always beautiful!  The easiest path is the track (cattle until two years ago.)  "Wasn't what we expected.  You won't need your swimmers."  Just sightseeing?  It's in a dip (John's tent is still there!)  A toast to Paul Preston (who died on January 17).

January 19 - Siberia Hut to Wanaka

"Never again" (people who tramped in to Kerin Forks).  Why are you subtracting? .5 degrees vs. 14.5 degrees (how far the moon moves in an hour).  The two heaviest; "I'm amazed that you had any doubt." (Finn & Bob).  The greater and the lesser (Magellenic Clouds).

January 20 - Wanaka to Aspiring Hut

He was 20; died Sept. 1996 on Mt. Tasman (Gordon Legge).  "Would you like some fresh mint?" (Sandy Legge).  I'm empowered to turn out the packs (the missing watches).  It's a plodder's way (Mt. Aspiring in 2001!?)

January 21 - Aspiring Hut to Cascade Saddle

Plato's Cave (the ideal Finn).  Take off the cotton!  I want to hear the P word (pylon).  Three ropes (on Mt. Aspiring).  You have a choice (the sitz bath or the waterfall).  Waiting for the psychological moment; "If I had one I wouldn't give it to you" (Steinlagers).  I apologize for the pyjamas (silk).  I'm sorry, for succeeding in my malevolent design (snowball fight).  The first time I've taken a shit outdoors when nothing was biting me!

January 22 - Cascade Saddle to Dart Hut

Gobstopped!  The lateral moraine.  Another of Henry's flat river walks.  How do you like the trip so far, Deb?  (Rubbish!)  Cold water shaken off wet hair.  Areas where yours is the first human footprint (Deb's rock); "This doesn't look like track.".  Beware of sunny summer days (rivers rise due to melting snow).

January 23 - Dart Hut (Weather off day)

John's postprandial nap.  Two ways to get to the loo (rain gear or shirtless).  The Fun Yaks don't come if the river is too high.  Three more are coming (from Shelter Rock).  One long meal.  Tough Guys, LAMBS and WANaka hiKERS.  He only wants a Lamborghini.  At 14 I decided I didn't believe anything they'd told me (convent school).  "Tramping / Wanking."  A little shake of the head.  Moose turd pie again! (but good).  Two out of three (chess with Kolya).

January 24 - Dart Hut to Daley's Flat (or Dunedin)

I've broken my left tibia.  Henry's water bottle.  First knock, then try the doors and windows, then break a window (the smallest one) - what I should have said.  I feel like a little Maori kid.  If you don't break both bones you screw up either the ankle or the knee.  Send someone down to stand on the Whitbourn bridge.  We're not in communication with the helicopter.  The packs are still there.  How do you like the trip so far, John?  (oh, it hasn't been so bad - ???)  How big was the man who built this style?  Show me the way to go home.

January 25 - Daley's Flat to Fun Yaks to Queenstown

Then I'm fucked (what happens if you get water in the plastic bags).  Another of Henry's flat river walks (when the map says "ladder" it usually means the terrain isn't level).   That's the first canoe trip on which we havn't had a water fight.  Is there a discount for helping you push the van?  He's been taken to Public Hospital Dundedin.  Where are my glasses?  Once a philosopher...