Trip Reports

Cut The Mustard   —   24th March 2002

Written by David

Halfway up Twin Peaks Track they knew what was going on, heavy breathing, sweat and glowing faces - waited six months for this moment and this was just the beginning.

Nine brave souls signed on the dotted line. After instructions it was off to the Lower Huia car park. This would be a day where you push yourself beyond your comfort zone. To start with it was a nice ramble along the Farley and Parau tracks, down to the dam and a road bash to the start of Twin Peaks Track. Matt spins a good yarn.

CHALLENGE ONE: Twin Peaks to the junction of Goat Hill (time limit 30 minutes). Yes, it was a big ask, and yes, it was early in the piece, but knock this over and your hardest work is over with. As expected Lynette, Brock, Matt and Anita showed their class, finishing well within the 30 minutes. Brian, Nigel and Steve made it, but only just. Tom and Denise got in with about 4 minutes to spare. Tom Wood is a cool customer but when he bares his teeth and pins his ears back his mission is focussed. A good spot for morning tea by the large kauri, then we coasted a bit down Tom Thumb and Karamatura tracks.

CHALLENGE TWO: Fletcher Track to Donald McLean junction (time limit 1 hour 15 minutes). Some good steep grunts on this one - a nice dry track. Again Lynette and Brock showed their athletic prowess making it in 1 hour. Matt likes a good sweat and Denise has great enthusiasm and wit. Anita is a good listener, and boy, can she move! Everyone else made it in the time limit. So far so good! A lunch spot at the junction and strolling along to get to .....

CHALLENGE THREE: Karamatura Falls (Swim, touch the rocks by the falls and back). Brian Kettle does a swan dive from halfway up the rocks. Matt, Lynette and Brock need no beg-your-pardons. Denise remembered the cardinal rule (TRUST ME) and did the challenge. But Tom is a different kettle of fish. He is a tactical planner and strategic thinker and is not going to jump in “willy-nilly”. He did the challenge in stages, ankles, knees, waist and then a deep breath, a dive and he followed me round to the rocks and back. Not everyone did this challenge, so for them it was all over. We all headed towards Huia Road and to the finish, BUT .....

CHALLENGE FOUR: A nice surprise (Karamatura Loop Walk, time limit 15 minutes). Again a big ask! Matt led the way, cause he was feeling strong, and the leaders finished in 11 minutes. Brian, who was tail-end charlie, realised that the tail was not going to make it so he put on a burst and made it in 13 minutes. Denise and Tom got in by the skin of their teeth. It was all over now, so back to the Huia Reserve for a chinwag and refreshments at 3.30 p.m.

Not everyone made the challenges but all gave 100%. Those that “Cut the Mustard” were: Lynette, Matt, Brock, Brian, Denise and Tom. Congratulations!

“Cut the Mustard Two” will be out in November.