| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Glenys | Janne | Nicky | Peter |
| Alternates | Ali | Bruce | Leonie | Linley T |
On the north side of the Waimakariri River behind Rangiora are 3 sentinel mountains: Richardson, Thomas, and Grey. This week it was the turn of Mt Richardson to feel the stomping of the Bishopdale Trampers. Soon-to-be President Jan welcomed everyone including our Driver Alan who carefully negotiated the narrow road to the Glentui Picnic area and got 39 members plus 2 visitors (Jae Hyun and Alister) to the start at 10am. The weather was so unusually warm that many people removed their cold weather clothing layers at the outset.
Mt Richardson is 1047 metres so everyone knew that we had 2-3 hours of near constant climbing with stops for morning tea, changes of clothing and, of course, appreciating the scenery. The weather was ideal for the occasion: warm and a clear blue sky.
After half an hour both groups had morning tea but the top still looked a long way up. The honey dew sparkled in the bright sun, a stark contrast to the black beech tree trunks. Fortunately, the recent cool weather seemed to have quietened the wasp population and they were not their usual aggressive selves!
Mt Richardson is one of those tramps where the top looks close but it is always a bit further than expected. The reward for the grunt is an excellent place for lunch at the top looking down on Lees Valley. The Alternates arrived as the Standards were leaving so both groups were treated to a very close Bellbird in full song. It is amazing that a small nondescript bird can produce such a melodious and piercing sound. I look forward to the time and technology when we can include their song in the Diary!
The bellbird chorus accompanied the trampers along the Blowhard Track. It was though they were welcoming us into their world and we certainly enjoyed the walk on the mostly gentle downhill. After about an hour we turned onto the By Pass Track. The tail of the Standards stopped periodically to take samples of the flora for the interior decoration needs of one of the members!
In due course the Alternatives arrived back at the bus just as the sun went down behind the hill and the air cooled noticeably. Another great day on a North Canterbury mountain. Txt by Peter
