Scotts Knob. Organiser: Mike Drake
Friday night found 12 determined trampers prising up, throwing and rolling boulders, converting boulder-strewn stream beds to passable fords… It all started in Havelock during a “Ruth coffee stop”. We were all seated round a log fire, drinking coffee when I launched my Scotts Knob marketing bid. Mentioning the word “camping” caused a physical recoil. Perhaps not a smart move in front of a fire! Sensing the mood the trip was turned into a base “camp” at Greigs Hut, with a Friday start. After twenty plus phone calls on Thursday we had a plan, three vehicles, 4 MTB’s and 12 trampers. The weather forecast was fine with strong southwesteries. A contact in the Wairau Valley indicated that the rainfall had not been significant.
At 05:00 Saturday (Greigs hut) morning preparations began. A clear and frosty morning promised good things. At 06:00 the quick drop down from the hut, and the slow grind up the valley began, the sky turning clear blue and not a cloud to be seen. Iced-covered rocks added “interest” to creek crossing. At the snow two routes were taken; a left pincer movement, and a direct approach. All 11 trampers were on the top by 12:20. The only wind was the occasional gust, the forecasted strong southwesteries I was expecting to meet on the saddle were absent.
With much reluctance we started heading back down to the hut wanting to maximise the stay in snow-surrounded mountains with a glorious blue sky, in an attempt to make up for all the bad weather we have had on past trips.
As we approached the hut chainsaw sounds were heard - Bob (ex‑forester), in black singlet, had spurned the hut axe and was happily cutting firewood. A good round-off for the day. After dinner the table was cleared and the cards produced. Cheat provided an opportunity of psychological insight; from extrovert to quiet calculated play. Steve’s introduction to Euchre allowed me further insight as Steve grappled the idea of the left and right bower.
Sunday (original summit day) dawned with clouds and light rain. Ah! We had tricked Murphy; the summit had already been attained. Further road building was done on our retreat from the hut, followed by a well deserved coffee at St Arnaud that rounded off a very pleasant weekend.
Many thanks to the team; Carole Crocker, Mark Stevens, Uta Purcell, Roger McMichael, Bob Janssen, Ken Ridley, Ruth Hesselyn, Steve McGlone, and especially the 4WD’ers Dion Pont, Barry Pont and Brian McLean.