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2007-09-01 Renata Elder

Saturday

We left Northland shortly after 8am, and Taita about 8.30. Arriving at the Akatarawa summit at 9.00, we dropped type pressures and tied everything down. Headed up Odlins Road about 9:20 for Kapakapanui car park, arriving at 10:25. Go away 10:35 and had an early lunch, at 12, at Renata Hut, with a brew, Philip went crackers, Brian bespoke, and Simon with the prepacked ham french stick.

It was a pleasant walk along the meandering ridge with the expected ups and downs, surrounded by good bush, along a barely used track.

As we ventured deeper into the ranges and closer to the Southern Crossing the uphill commenced and became steep and steady as got closer to our goal.

Arrived at the new 4 bunk Elder Hut in gale force winds about 3:30. Built apparently to maximum standards for wind, snow loading, and temperature, the hut is exposed to Northerlies with a gully below funnelling wind at the hut. Concreted into place with 3 tie downs, double glazing, and fully insulated, the hut resisted the weather, with no shaking or drafts, though the inside temperature didn't change much from 7° throughout the evening, despite running the stove for 4 hours for brews, cooking, washing up, and brews.

Dinner was a gourmet affair, le chef Brķan, producing venison on a bed of rice, with fresh winter vegetables drizzled with a warm sesame and sweet chilli marinade. This was well followed by le chef pātissier Philippe's steamed caramel or chocolat pudding with fruit on custard.

Sunday

The wind abated early morning to a regular northerly and cloud, the temperature up around 9°!. A large brew of pog for breakfast got us set for the day. Before we left we scaled Elder (at least 10 metres above the hut), heading down from the hut at 8:35 in a cold northerly and cloud. The sun made a welcome appearance late morning as the forecast southerly fizzed out to nothing.

Phil's photos

Saturday

Sunday

Simon's photos

Saturday

Sunday