Auckland Baptist Tramping Club EGMONT EGSTATIC Mt Egmont    5-7 June Friday A small group of 5 left Auckland at 4pm, and with progressive pickups, meals and continuous rain slowing progress a little, we reached North Egmont about 10:30pm. The restored camphouse was a comfortable first night - electric stoves, hot showers, etc. Little did we know how we would spend our next night!! Saturday Leaving at 9am for Pouakai hut via Kaiauai, we reached Kaiauai Hut for lunch and prepared for the arduous slog up to Henry Peak, and on to Pouakai - three hours according to all the literature, though perhaps a little longer according to one particularly pessimistic entry in the Kaiauai log book, which was chillingly prophetic. Two members of our group, Bev who was starting to succumb to a cold, and Kath found the slog up Henry Peak increasingly difficult. The track which appeared unmaintained for perhaps a decade has been gutted by years of  torrential rain, more than chest deep in parts. Only by late afternoon, as Kath and Bev slowed incrementally, did it become obvious we would not make Pouakai in daylight and a decision to sleep out (on a clear night) was the safest option. May had gone on and had a relatively comfortable though somewhat anxious night alone in Pouakai Hut, warmed by the fire. Sunday Early in the morning, after a better night than anticipated, we completed the walk to Pouakai (45-75 minutes). A hot breakfast was followed by the two to three hour walk across the Ahukaurakaura Swamp to Holly Hut. In view of pour previous exertions, the group did not wish to continue on to Tahurangi Lodge (Taranaki Alpine Club) as originally arranged. The day as magnificent, warm sunny blue skies and superb views. A comfortable afternoon and night was enjoyed by all. Monday We awoke to a severe frost as another superb day dawned. We enjoyed the views and weather as we returned to North Egmont (3 to 4 hours) and a warm shower followed by lunch at Inglewood and a leisurely drive home. The weather and views rescued the trip somewhat, but we could not recommend the Pouakai Track via Henry and Maud Peaks to anyone other than very fit or young in its present condition. The experience was a warning to be very conscious of individual abilities and fitnesses under adverse conditions when planning and carrying out tramps. Luckily we had adequate warm survival gear and God answered our prayers re the weather - though we could have struggled on perhaps had it become necessary.