DOUG FORRESTER OTMC WRITINGS 1983-2002 DOUG FORRESTER’S PUBLISHED WRITINGS SOURCED FROM THE OTMC BULLETIN AND OUTDOORS MAGAZINE Doug Forrester’s OTMC Writings 1983-2002 Introduction Antony Pettinger It is always the people in any organisation that really make a group what it is. This is especially so in the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club, a club that have seen many thousands of members enjoy the New Zealand (and wider) outdoors for over nine decades. Then there are some members who invariably stand out due to their enduring commitment to the club, and their ability to make a difference to the lives of all who they come in contact with. Doug Forrester was without doubt one of these people, and his presence is still strongly felt by many to this day. Doug joined the OTMC following the 1983 Bushcraft Course. At the time Doug was in his mid- forties, at a time when the median age of the club was probably somewhere in the twenties. Despite this late start to his tramping and mountaineering career, over the next 25 years or so, Doug achieved so much. From a tentative first climb of the ‘trampers peak’ Mt Maitland, between the Maitland and South Temple valleys in May 1983, to significant achievements on Mt Aspiring / Tititea, Elie De Beaumont and Mt Sefton, amongst others, Doug achieved a lot and epitomised the ‘ideal’ tramper and climber. Doug’s contribution to the tramping club and wider tramping community went much further than just trips. Doug was a strong organiser and participant at many track work parties, instructed and led on most Bushcraft courses since his own 1983 course, and introduced many aspiring trampers to the New Zealand outdoors, either as a trip leader, or as an encouraging participant. Doug’s first contribution to an OTMC publication was in the 1983 Outdoors Magazine, describing one of his early weekend trips with the OTMC. This publication contains Doug’s contributions to both the club journal ‘Outdoors’, and the monthly ‘Bulletin’. Also included are a selection of Doug’s numerous ‘letters to the Editor’ and trip blurbs. Doug had a unique writing style - you can easily hear his voice and laugh as you re-read some of his writings! Although Doug would use his pseudonym from time to time (The Phantom), or simply noted as ‘anon’, you knew straight-away it is Doug. We have included these where appropriate. In most cases, the writings are re-produced here as they originally appeared. In some cases, obvious spelling errors have been corrected, but the grammar remains as Doug wrote it. In some cases, period maps and photographs have been included. This publication is dedicated to Doug’s memory. Doug inspired and supported this compiler and countless others over many years. The compiler of this publication continues to be guided by ‘what Doug would have thought about this or that’ and hopes that some of the ideals that were a cornerstone of Doug’s time with the OTMC remain in place today and into the future. Cover Photo: Doug Forrester self-portrait, taken on the Mt Cook Range overlooking Lake Pukaki, April 2001 (photo Doug Forrester Collection) 1 | P a g e Doug Forrester’s OTMC Writings 1983-2002 Maitland – Temple May 14-15, 1983 Published in Outdoors ‘83 With Michelle Green, Stu Mathieson, Alister Metherell, Mike Drake and Doug Forrester. With the weather bods telling us it would be okay, two mini-buses headed for Ohau. After an uneventful trip we arrived at Maitland gate. We are first off, out with our gear, great stuff, a clear starry night as we waved the bus away. Right oh, who’s got the food!? Oh hell, a lot of discussion as to who would chuck our carton of food back into the mini bus. Well someone has to run to South Temple, we’re all looking at you Alister. Poor fella, we all agreed from within our sleeping bags, what a start! Away to a good start in the morning with a clear sky, keep on the east side above bush line we were told, tough going at times, on shingle and scree. Beside the Beehive it’s photo time, Stu’s not satisfied with the norm, Alister has to do a hand stand. Oh well, it’s different. Getting hot as we climb on up the valley, a quick trip down rock scree and lunch at Maitland Hut, a welcome sight. A pleasant rest in the sun was marred by Stu’s announcement from the hut book that a good cattle track goes down the Maitland valley on the west side. Straight up a valley from Maitland Hut and we are heading for a saddle, getting dark as we cross but a beaut evening compensates. Straight down into a shallow valley that leads up to Mt. Maitland and we camp. It was while we were recharging our batteries that I heard the valley was called ‘Jacobs Creek’, some connection with ‘The Robbie’ in town, I believe. Top marks to Michelle as cook at the end of a great day. Doug Forrester, Michelle Green, Stuart Mathieson, Mike Drake on Mt Maitland, May 15, 1983 (photo Doug Forrester Collection) 2 | P a g e Doug Forrester’s OTMC Writings 1983-2002 Alister sees to a good start, clear sky, and up the valley looking straight at Mt. Maitland, 7345 ft. Alister and Stu decide it’s got to be climbed and it’s about now that the novice in me really starts to surface. A tough climb, plenty of snow, nice feeling when we get there. Very clear, Mt. Aspiring one way, Mt. Cook the other. Tricky descending the west side with an ice face and snow chute to contend with. Then over a saddle and down into the Temple. With time running out the pace is on, sure is different downhill. It was by torch light that we finished a great trip, thankful we had such a tolerant bus load of trampers who waited for us. For me personally, a mighty experience. Thanks for taking me with you, team. 3 | P a g e Doug Forrester’s OTMC Writings 1983-2002 The Round Trip (Silver Peaks Classic) March 3, 1985 Published in Bulletin 433, April 1985 (Doug’s first trip as a leader) With 11 bods revving their engines on the starting grid, and the weather forecast for a good day, all the signs were there for another successful Sunday trip. Very pleasing to see that there were three Bushcraft Instructors in the party – perhaps their presence is to see how one of their pupils are shaping up – then there is that nagging doubt that it’s possible they’re saying ‘My god, I remember him on Bushcraft, there’s no way he’ll get them back safely’. Right oh! Out of the cars and off – the racehorses are away to a flying start – just let’s follow that dust folks! First stop, Green Hut, beaut morning, no wind – great stuff. A gentle reminder from the leader not to gallop ahead seemed to no avail. (Funny, not what we were taught at Bushcraft…) The racehorses had swallowed their oats and were off. A nice leisurely pace for some up to Pulpit Rock gave most of us time to take in the views and point out to the newcomers the points of interest. A lot of trampers in the peaks this weekend – nice to see all the young people, and each group with a senior leader. The over thirties were resting beside Sentinel Rock when we passed – looked like a small town. Their Sunday trips look pretty healthy. Down Devil’s Staircase, ah huh, those racehorses don’t like the jarring on the fetlocks! Getting hotter as we take lunch at that delightful spot beside the creek at Jubilee. Next, it’s suggested A.B.C Cave via Homestead might be easier than up the back of Jubilee, so off we went – big question mark on that one!! Very hot and dry getting up to A.B.C. A welcome relief from the heat was spent in the cave. Time was marching on, so gentle reminders were necessary to get going. From now on the F.E. requirement for the trip was becoming evident. Up to The Gap and for a few of us, our thoughts were for the young fellas who so tragically lost their lives there two years ago. Along Rocky Ridge, and here comes the fog – good time for compass exercise, not so good for new chums, nothing to see. So dragging the chain now, the cooler temperatures and some muscles starting to growl. Downhill to Green Hut, a fairly brief stop here as daylight is running out, and then off for the cars. It’s on this stretch that Jenny realises that her leaders watch is an hour fast (daylight saving!). Oh heavens, and all those gentle reminders to get going!! General opinion was that it’s a great F.E. Sunday trip. Nicky, a young Scottish lass here for only a few weeks, probably has a tale or two to tell the folks back home about how far the Kiwis go on day trips. Richard Thum, John Bevin, Nicky Seagar, Ken Mason, Jenny Fallon, Ross Cocker, David Barnes, Antony Pettinger, Trevor Pullar, Stephen Cathro and Doug Forrester. P.S. Right Oh! You racehorses – on 7 December 1985, up to the barrier at Pineapple, and leave the rest to Ross and Gaye Davies and Doug Forrester. 4 | P a g e Doug Forrester’s OTMC Writings 1983-2002 Mt Earnslaw March 1986 (Private Trip) Published in Outdoors ’85-'87 Having viewed Mount Earnslaw a couple of times, it appealed to me - what a great weekend it would be to get to the top.