Mt Mantell (private trip). Organiser: Tony Haddon
Just south of Murchison near the Matakitaki end of the Maruia Saddle road, a large orange track marker indicates the route up Mt Mantell, named after a Maori Land Court official. 10 am Saturday morning resounded to plaintive yelps as some suddenly not so enthusiastic trampers studied the height and angle of the road cutting at the foot of the track marker. The cutting was surmounted, as were all the other steep bushy bits over the course of the next few hours, uncomplainingly by all (except for one senior committee member!).
Clear skies, mild temperature and still air made for a pleasant scramble along to the trig, and great views. Large snow patches made water gathering easy, and a few blusters overnight didn't worry the tents.
Sunday dawned cloudier and cooler than it could have, precipitating a dash for sunnier places. These were not long coming and by the time the vehicles came into view most were a bit too warm.
Expedition members: Grahame Harris, Gretchen Williams, Neil Thomas, Margot & Peter Syms.