Overview
Thurs. Mar. 22.
Up at 4.20am and found weather fairly favourable. Soon after 5. Mr. Lancaster + Elsdon Clark arrived in taxi driven by Bob Bradley + we reached the Pipe Bridge at 5.30. Crossed terraces, calling at Father’s whare to get an old axe to replace our slasher left behind, and entered Ohau River at Intake Tunnel of Levin’s water supply at 6.15. In the gorges we saw a blue duck (the first we have seen on the Ohau) + noted the spoor of deer. The gorges looked lovely in the early morning light. Reached Fern Tree Bend at 7.20am. On a low grassy flat beside river came upon a fine 16-pointer stag asleep which sprang up, stood for a few seconds at a distance of about 3 chns + then disappeared into bush. Reached Confluence of main branches of Ohau River at 8.35. + boiled the billy for breakfast. 1/2pl[ate]. photo (1) of Mr. Lancaster + Elsdon preparing breakfast at this spot. Left at 10.am + ascended long spur leading to Deception Ridge. Passed our old 1909 camp under big rata at 10.50. Towards the top my big pack
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which included big camera, tent fly +c, nearly got me beaten + I was pretty groggy when we reached the crest of Deception Ridge at 12. 45. Dundas Ridge visible but hazy. Fifteen minutes spell revived us somewhat + profiting by our experience of last year, we followed the ridge northwards for the full 20 chns before commencing descent to Mangahao River. All the same the descent was steep + seemed a very long way but was easier on the whole + at last we came out on the top of a bare “slip” leading down to the riverbed just in time to see a brindle bull rush off Avalanche Clearing into scrub alongside river downstream. We reached the river at northern end of Avalanche Clearing at 1.53pm. A good spell set Elsdon + I up while Mr. Lancaster, who seems to be a man of steel, boiled the billy + prepared tea. Left Clearing at 3.15 + ascended spur of Mt. [Mount] Dundas via track cut last year which is still in good order. Junction of spur with Girdlestone’s Track at 4.45 + camp site in saddle just below timber line at 4.52. Pitched fly, got a supply of water from handy gully + enjoyed a good tea. 1/2pl. photo (2) of camp with Mr. Lancaster + self. Turned in into our sleeping bags at 7.15 – I wore a woolen cap, thick singlet, jersey + underpants as well as a blanket. Hazy
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sky but stars showing. During evening a breeze sprang up.