Leader: Pat Holland

Seventeen keen ones arrived at Rainbow in four vehicles. No chains needed—so far so good. Snow a bit thin on the tops but enough to play in.

It took a while to get everyone togged up and into crampons but by 10:30am off we headed up the valley towards the west basin.

The weather was overcast with a nippy southerly but looking stable (as it proved for the day). Some fit ones shot up over Mt McRae and on toward Peanter Peak. The rest played at self-arresting and getting used to crampons. Snow was really soft, so we headed through the first saddle.

We made the second saddle to the east of Mt McRae for lunch. Beautiful views into the lower Travers valley and across to the south end of Mt Robert ridge—a little shelter from the wind.

Then, on towards the third saddle through which is the route to Peanter. But 100m short, we met the others coming back. “Not enough time,” they said. So, we reversed our route back to the lunch saddle and then headed over Mt McRae.

On the summit (1878m) everybody admired the views across the skifield and Lake Rotoiti. An easy stroll to the west basin with some sliding (deliberate or unfortunate) then across the frozen tarn back to the carpark by 3:30pm. An excellent day in the mountains. Not much technical learning but some appreciation for which way is up.

Participants were: Pat Holland (scribe), Annette Le Cren, Tim Tyler, Simon Garton, Andrea Cockerton, Debbie Hogan, Chris Louth, Kelvin Drew, Ian Morris and Sue Henley (members); Adrian Douglas, Ben Ayre, Chris Tillie, Ian Wallace, John Taylor (GBTC), Penny Parker and Sophie Watson (visitors)