ODE TO A BUSH CLUB VENTURE

or: THE ALMOST MAKALU TREK

by John Wilson

Dedicated to my Fellow Trekkers with Thanks

We read the Club News, as we normally do,
And saw there was a trek to climb Makalu.
The leader would be Tony, who scaled Mera Peak,
And expressions of interest came week after week.

After buying our gear, and months of hard training,
We left Sydney town, our real worlds disdaining.
At Kathmandu airport, we struggled with fees,
Until met by Sherpa Nima, the organiser, yes please.

He bused us to town, at the pace of a camel,
And stopped at our hotel in downtown Thamel.
We enjoyed the ambience, the food and the beer,
And each toured the old temples as a sightseer.

Here, Helen showed she was up to the task,
Of shopping at speed in her Bunnings dusk mask.
When we left Kathmandu to fly to the east,
The girls were upset, as all shopping had ceased.

From Tumlingtar airport, packed lunch tucked inside,
We trucked off in the dust for an incredible ride.
"This is fun", said our Chris, "I love this truck tramping",
Until the first shock of toilet tents and real camping.

We then trekked in earnest, an unruly bunch,
But soon after we started we stopped for our lunch.
By the time we hit Num, the world was asunder,
As we were lashed by the hail, the rain and the thunder.

The streets were awash, but it was a fact,
That it didn't stop Helen doing her vaudeville act.
And then John de Coque, spelt with a "Q",
Danced for the kids with a trick or two.

Then it was Sedua and Tashigaon at last,
We seemed to be climbing incredibly fast.
There we washed in hot water, but it must be told,
John W. paid a 100 Roops for a bucket of cold.

Next day we ascended into the snow,
To Makalu Base Camp we were eager to go.
But fate intervened, it was really a farce,
We were unable to climb beyond Shipton's Pass.

As we admired the peaks, the magnificent view,
Makalu was mocking us as only Nature can do.
So sadly we descended, to Tashigaon and lower,
And the skip in our step became noticeably slower.

Then to the river to wash, went Trish and Kaye so demure,
Until they were sprung by a Pommy voyeur.
And then there was Bob, who thought that he oughta,
Don 60 kilos and become our new porter.

We all took some photos, some serious, some whacky,
But the prize for sheer volume must go to our Jacqui.
Then Tumlingtar at last, we were all feeling calmer,
As we started rehearsing for our spectacular drama.

Chris, a New Zealander, looking real scraggy,
Usurped the main role of a fair dinkum swaggie.
But despite the star cast, it isn't a wonder,
That Erith the jumbuck stole all their thunder.

To rapturous applause, and now that you ask it,
They particularly enjoyed when she was stuffed in a basket.
But the Nepalis excelled, when they danced on for ages,
As each of the Aussies slipped off in stages.

The moral of this tale, and have one it must,
Is that the weather in Nepal you never can trust.
But the Bush Club spirit, shown by this group all and one,
Showed determination, good spirits and laughter and fun.
But special thanks go to Tony, as it would be absurd,
To say that without him this trek could've occurred.

Photos: Bob Wood, Erith Hamilton, John de Coque,
Tony Hickson, Kaye Birch, Jacqui Hickson, John Wilson

More photos with Chris Bennett's report

Photo right: Tony with Sherpa leader Ang Darwa at our highest point with Makalu in the background