Sunday 17 May 1955 Biniguni--to first camp site on Mt. Maneau--1/4 mile beyond "tea House"--a rough shelter. This is where Len & Geoff camped last Thursday night. The poles for their shelter Fly are standing in a little clearing just off the trail (not very flat). I do not have fly & I hope the dry weather of the last few days holds tonight & tomorrow. Today has been perfect. My ground cloth is on a thin bed of tree fern fronds (and a tree fern arches over my bed) & my sleeping bag will feel good tonight. My net is rigged over all & tucked in under the cloth. Fine if it does not rain. Finished weighing gear this A.M. I have: Coll. box # 40; brown swag of traps, tow & bait; green swag of sawdust, alum & ars. naphthalene, jacklight, notebooks & a few clothes; my bedding & clothes swag. Kerosene & more rice with us as well as our own rations for 5 meals--10 men (7 carriers, Biniguni policemen, myself & David). Shaved & then left B. at 10:50 A.M. An easy level walk skirting the Maneau ridge (thru rain forest) brought us to a mountain creek--11:40 A.M. 100 yards down creek a small torrent falls down over rock ledges. We spelled until 12:25 P.M. Crisis--no matches. Had 3 in coll. trunk but it was all lashed up so did not tell them. All tried to make spark--some with vine running under split stick with tinder underneath others by rubbing one stick on another . No one succeeded. Up torrent bed at 12:25 but soon branched away--steep going (like steep part of Moosilauke). Spell 1 to 1:20. Between 2 creeks at 1:30. Over dry creek bed. Keeping to small ridges. Heavy rain forest. Occasional narrow views out to Collingwood Bay. Spell 2 to 2:15. Creek roaring off to left (E). Tea house at 2:30. Camp at 2:35. Total walking time 2 hr 25 min. All carriers o.k. David got water. I made lemonade. Found tree near trail on way up. 10 lbs rice & 3 tins of bully beef to boys. I have tea, sugar, cocoa, coffee, jam, bread & crackers. Made lot of smoke so Ken will know when and where we ar-e. Boys now collecting wood for night & making leaf beds--5 P.M. This is a possible 2 week collecting site 2 months from now. Will eat & go to bed early. Carriers now chewing betel nut & smoking & talking a mile a minute. Monday 18 May First camp site on Maneau to Top Camp. Up at 6 A.M. Did my swag up & had quick breakfast of bread, jam, tea, sugar & a few dried oatmeal flakes in tea. Carriers lingered over breakfast & we did not start out until 7:15. A perfect night--good sleep under stars and 1st quarter moon. Passed 3rd "tea house" at 7:50. Spell 8 to 8:15. First vines with sections--a climber--water in some sections. Now on first ridge--see to N & S. Spell 8:30 - 8:50. 9:15 passed Duon's carrier camp. Spell 9:45 filled billy can with water. Start 10:00 Arrived at Middle camp at 10:30 A.M. Met carrier party on way down to Biniguni. Had left Top Camp at 8 A.M. Duon staying up top. Carriers had long spell & ate lunch as did I. Middle camp in transition between oak & beech. This was supposed to be the 2nd night sleeping spot, but carriers & I all feeling strong so we decided to go on to Top camp. Left at 11:30. 12 noon spell. 12:05 start. Very light rain from clouds hanging in trees. 1:00 spell until 1:30. Reached bark shelter at 1:45. First Auracarias--big pine trees--rough bark & tufted-looking needle bunches. Out into open country--timber line--dead Auricarias and bracken fern at 2:10. Took several pictures of carriers in this background. Reached Top Camp 3 P.M. Elev. 7400 feet. David and I put out 90 traps. Delivered cable to Len (leaving for home within 2 weeks.) Tent and 2 flys up. Night cold and clear. Moon set over ridge 8:30. Fine water. Lovely camp site. All in good shape. Walking time--5 hours.