Frank's got lots of stories of eerie experiences when alone at huts. However he'd be loath to share them with a latte lapping lounge lizard who has no interest in the outdoors. Shall I say that the ghost of Stan the Ranger who died in the White River in a helicopter when it flew into the cableway likes to come and check out Carrington Hut that he'd just finished building...only when you're alone, though.
I think Ive mentioned this story on here before.
It was my second trip around the Gillespie Pass and I met a pair of young Israelis in Young hut. I was heading straight up to Crucible Lake on the same day as going over the pass to save time, and they came along. Stinking hot day but Crucible was still full of icebergs. One of the Israelis strips down completely starkers, jumps in and swims out to one of the bergs, climbs on it and proceeds to strike poses while his mate takes photos to send back home. Guess they dont see alot of snow in Israel!
Actually, come to think of it I went around the Dusky with a pair of Israelis and they were the nicest guys Ive ever met. Lots of people have bad things to say about Israeli trampers in NZ but Ive met some on nearly every trip Ive done and have had nothing but good experiences with them.
israelis vary.. some of them are major whingers.
there were some israelis doing the rees dart wearing the israeli version of long johns. another israeli was embarrassed beause they were walking around the track in the equivalent of their underwear without a care in the world...
and they often arent that savy in bad weather.... often under equipped, these ones didnt have wet weather gear and it rained...
Although this thread has veered way off track from its original purpose I should like add my two pennyworth on my, albeit limited, experiences with Israeli trampers I've had the pleasure of meeting out bush. Firstly I have found them overwhelmingly friendly and appreciative of the mere fact that a) NZ is a (relatively) free access country, and b) they are allowed to tramp it without fear of being marginalised because of where they come from.
I have also found them to incredibly fit, mostly as a result of the military training they are required by law to do.
On the whole I have great respect for those that I have met, as they have spoken of things they have had to endure which I cannot begin to imagine, and yet they held no bitterness towards anyone.
As I said, this is based on the small number I have met, but I tell it as I find it.
Right, well, that was educational.
If anyone else wants to share a story free-of-charge about unusual hut experiences for an article that will give Wilderness readers around the country a bit of pleasure, then email me: [Email address removed]
Hello Galeforce, I recorded a couple of odd events that happened to me on the comments section of the Toaroha Saddle Biv photo I posted. That I was prepared to share; other stuff I'll save for now as it may end up in a book.
Here is the link to the photo http://tramper.co.nz/?5890
@galeforce: I'd happily share any stories if I had some. But with the exception of encountering rowdy drunks, cliquie antisocial tramping clubs, and the ubiquotous rats - my hut experiences have been positive.
I could describe the absolute joy of arriving to Kiwi Saddle on the dark, having come from Dianne's Hut in the northern Ruahines, to find a tub of hot chocolate waiting for me. The unrivaled extacy of that drink of hot, sweet chocolate on a still, cool night after that day under a beating sun.
I could describe staggering shattered into the Ahuriri's Shamrock Hut, 38 days into a southern traverse, 38 days on a diet of rice, dried veggies and salami - to find a roaring fire, to be fed platefulls of thar and fresh veggies by generous hunters.
I could describe a blizzard on the Tararua Main Range from Mangahuka - the anticipation of a freezing night at Kime. Following too-far-spaced warratahs in whiteout on a compass bearing below Bridge Peak: seeing the hut only meters before I walked into it. The knowledge that ahead lay a night of shivering discomfort. To open the door to a wall of heat: 3 parties, 28 people in all, all trapped inside by the same blizzard on this forecast clear, moonlit winter's night. 14 degrees below outside, yet sleeping on top of my sleeping bag with the heat of all those people in the hut.
Not much help, am I?
he he, i was trying to find kime in the mist once, i tripped over the guy wire before i could see the hut.....
Hi everyone,
I'm quite disappointed with how this thread has gone and want to clear a couple of things up.
Firstly, as a journalist, it's my job to connect with people in the community I write about to find interesting stories and views that will educate and entertain Wilderness readers. Tramper.co.nz has great discussions and the people on here are active in the outdoors. As a result, I felt it would be great to engage with you all.
1. If Wilderness magazine publishes an article written by someone it always, I repeat always, pays him or her.
2. Being interviewed is not the same as writing or authoring a story. Telling a journalist a yarn and writing a publishable article are not the same thing. Wilderness magazine, like 99% of the media, do not pay for interviews. Even Sir Ed didn't get paid for being interviewed. As mentioned above, we do pay for articles we deem suitable enough for us to publish.
3. I'm saddened by Honora's remarks about me. If I wasn't interested in the outdoors I wouldn't be working for Wilderness magazine. Also, not everyone can be a hardcore tramper (I don't claim to be) and yes I do like coffee and a long list of other Cosmopolitan delights as well as tramping and trail running.
I don't care how someone lives, where they're from, what they like eating or drinking. If someone is keen on the outdoors, regardless of who they are or where they're from, I applaud them - as I believe we all should.
I share your hurt: lattes taste good.
