| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Alan H | Chris | Nicky | Shirley |
| Alternates | Peter | Margaret S | Liz | Eric |
Stats: distance 15.2/12.6km, ascent 673m, time 6hrs
48 enthusiastic trampers clambered aboard the bus for today’s outing to Mt Grey. A nondescript mountain peak, Mt Grey lies West of Amberley, above Ashley Forest with a height of 3055ft [934m].
Our ride out went to schedule but just prior to entering Ashley Forest (used largely by logging trucks) we encountered a sh…. stretch of shingle road. The “shake, rattle and roll” lasted quite some time, slowing our progress markedly. However skilful driving by bus driver Alan helped settle any nervous dispositions and we reached our starting point shortly after 10am.
Leaving Alan to sweat over turning the bus around via the narrow, low-slung, crappy concrete bridge which like the road needed a serious upgrade, we in our respective groups concentrated on the challenge ahead of us! Whilst the standards took the more circuitous, lengthy route to the top, the alternatives (25) proceeded over a short wooden footbridge onto a great bush-track which zigzagged its way up through pine forest and native bush to open scrub and grassland at the top. Underfoot conditions were really good with cloudy skies above.
Out in the open we felt a cool breeze. The cloud lifted a little to allow brief glimpses of tree-studded hills West and beyond. No sun to add colour to the picture. Four of our group chose to stop here and enjoy a longer lunch-break. The rest of us aimed for the summit about a kilometre away but with the mist closing in around us we came to a standstill with Peter, our leader, deciding lunch was the best option.
Around 1pm we headed back across the grassy hillside and collecting the four who had dropped off, we returned to the shelter of the forest and back down the zigzag track to the bus (3pm).
The standards meanwhile (after deciding to tackle the long ridge first!) were meeting the challenges above us – with determination and focus they made it to the summit. Too chilly to hang about they found a sheltered spot back down the track to rest up and enjoy a late lunch. Taking the zigzag track back down they arrived at the bus rather weary, and with one unfortunate walker suffering a rolled ankle and facial wasp sting. Sorry M-T that your day was spoiled.
Bus driver Alan had done a great job turning the bus around and with all safely on board we shuddered our way back to the main road, reaching Bishopdale around 5.30pm. Another great day’s tramp in the great outdoors.
Footnote: So pleased to have Kate back after her mishap on the Milford and a long rehab. We learnt today of Ian’s retirement. A long-time enthusiastic member, great tramper and holder of the OBE. We will miss his cheeky grin and good company. Txt this week by Leonie
