Ben Nevis - Leader: Roger Minchin
The forecast was for a rough night with heavy rain but clearing during the morning. The first part of the forecast was correct and it had stopped raining at 7am; 13 of the original 21 who intended to come turned up including 2 at Brightwater. Four of us, Tuesday walkers, had been up Ben Nevis in the last couple of months since the new access had been opened but we still missed the turn off up Boundary Road – 2.5 km after taking the new way to the right. After some sightseeing we got back to the correct road and carpark at about 10am. It was cloudy but looked to be lifting. However this proved to be an illusion and at the normal morning tea stop, coats were put on.
As the bush got lighter and thinner the weather got wetter and colder. My Christchurch visitor was not handling conditions too well so I excused myself from climbing to the summit and was joined by a few others. Seven of the party braved their way on but did not stay long on top. They claimed it warmed up a little after leaving the bush. We all had a good walk. The forestry roads were in the main in good order with no slips but parts of the road just above the Wairoa river had recently been topdressed with heavy rough metal that I for one did not like driving on.
Party:- Tony Haddon, Gretchen Williams, Roger Bruce, John Caird, Elma Vangule, Grahame Harris, Jim Maxwell, Christine Hay, Michael Beatson, Arthur Jonas, Jim Western, Dave Blunt, and Roger Minchin.