6 September 1997: Mt Captain

Map M32

Quite a large group of trampers went to Hanmer Springs for the traditional tramp and hot pools. However, only three of us (Larry, Penny and Emma) were brave enough to follow Alan Lost up Mt Captain. In order to leave time for the hot pools and pot luck dinner we left early. Alan Lost checked his map and away we drove taking a short- cut up a 4WD track. Up we drove and closer we got. Finally at a river crossing (with the luxury of a footbridge) we set off with warm dry feet. What a considerate leader we thought. Eventually we reached the snow and carried on up the ridge. We detoured around rocks, climbed up a snow chute and then we suddenly turned left. Left! Why were we going left? Penny was actually the only person on this trip who had successfully climbed Mt Captain three years earlier with Peter Expert (when Jim Pin earned the name Jim Spike). But this time it all looked very different. Not to worry. Alan Lost had consulted his map and had assured us that this was the short-cut to an otherwise very long day. However, on top of Mt Sharon all was revealed. We had miles to go! Mt Captain was far away in the distance! "We're on the wrong ridge" Penny ventured. "Certainly not" said Alan Lost. "We're on a different ridge". "Different! This is the ridge we came down last time" Penny said wistfully as she looked across at Mt Captain's shorter summit ridge. Undeterred we bravely set off. Up and down dale, passing the spot of Jim's demise, until finally we reached a particularly nasty section. We could have continued—but Emma had already stopped and Mt Captain was still sparkling in the distance. Consequently, it did seem sensible to turn back at 2.30 pm. Back along this ridge we went, up and down, around and about, bum sliding and bush bashing and finally back to the cars at 6.30 pm.

Well we didn't make the hot pools but we were in time for the entrees. Alan Lost still assured us that we had been on the correct ridge, as the farmer had assured him this was the shortest route (after all—we did only take 10 hours!). Was this another Mt Alarm instead of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku trick on the part of our leader? Or do Alan Lost's map reading skills really need updating? Whatever—if you venture out with Alan Lost (Ross)—take a torch, lots and food and be prepared for a fun and interesting tramp.

Anon