|
Group |
Leader |
Mentor |
Understudy |
Tail Ender |
|
Standard |
Peter |
|||
|
Alternative |
Distance(s): 13.69/11.78kms Time Walking: 4hrs 49mins
Elevation: Max Alt 759m Min Alt 464m Vert Ascent: 400m
It seems that as one, the 34 trampers who had signed up for this hike rose early to check their computers for the cancellation which should have just been a formality. But no communication from HQ, and as we all made our way through the pouring rain to Bishopdale, the aura of invincibility surrounding our weather team, had definitely taken a hit. With the rain somewhat diminished but still “heavy”, the money was collected on the bus and off we set for the bedraggled and forlorn group waiting at Yaldhurst. As the bus ate up the kilometres the glimmer of lighter grey sky to the west lightened and grew, until suddenly we were in sunshine, and the reputation of the aforementioned team once again shone equally brightly!
Arriving at our farm destination, Peter signed us in and we all looked forward to our day which had started with so little promise. There had been a bit of a scramble to fill the various leadership spots but confident that everything was sorted, both groups set off. It was wet underfoot and the first hurdle was to be faced just a few minutes into the tramp. The boggy stream didn’t appear too intimidating but one of the group found herself “half a club length” short of clearing the gap. There was plenty of long wet grass around to wipe away the mud and no harm done. As we walked along there were several comments along the lines of “I don’t remember this part” but with just enough inclines to keep us honest we were soon enjoying morning tea and the surrounding vista. Although there was a general consensus that we weren’t where we thought we should be, Pete assured us that he hadn’t put a foot wrong, his comment somewhat undermined by the mentor’s, “This is all looking a bit dodgy”. By way of motivating the troops, Pete informed us that there were three hills to go before lunch from where it would be just a stroll back to the bus. Having knocked off the first of the hills, it was disconcerting to learn that that incline had not met Peter’s definition of a “hill”, and by his reckoning there were still three to go! By now it was apparent that the standard group of 16 trampers wasn’t entirely sure of the route, and we were quite pleased to not once, but twice, “bump into” the alternates where their leader Bruce was able to point out roughly where our group should head. In due course we encountered the sheep track that sidled round the hill through scrubby trees which we all recognized. Later we learned that one of the alternates had tramped with a set of loppers – was it to help his companions through this stretch unimpeded? If so, what a star and we could have done with some loppers ourselves as care had to be taken to carefully hand off branches to those coming behind lest they have the smile wiped off their faces in the worst way possible!
Lunch was eaten at our usual spot overlooking the lake. We had no sooner sat down in reasonably balmy conditions when the wind got up and it blew with such force that it was a struggle to keep the tea in the cup. We also noted that on the lake the water was rippling in one direction and the reeds blowing in another.
A hasty call to end the lunch break was warranted and as promised, the hard yards were behind us. Once we had carefully navigated our way around the end of the lake, it was just a stroll from there on. Fortunately, we didn’t have to battle into a head wind as we walked to meet the bus which we encountered coming to meet us! How thoughtful!
Time allowed a stop in Darfield and swapping stories over a coffee, beer or ice-cream was as enjoyable as always. Arriving back at Bishopdale, the weather proved to be the opposite of how it had been when we left. We were grateful to the weather team for once again getting it right and allowing us to enjoy another good tramp.
Text by Jan Ba.
