| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Alan H | Dave R | Glenys | Veronica |
| Alternates | Leonie | Nick | Eric | Pip |
Distance (Standards): 14.5km Duration: 5hrs 30min Elevation Gain: 577m
With the weather threatening to ruin this tramp planned for last week, it was swapped with one on the Port Hills. This week we could not have had a better day – well done weather team!
We set off with 43 trampers, including visitor Xia, as our driver James, drove us out past Springfield to Benmore Station. With an even split in the groups we set off to walk this new tramp.
The first couple of kms is on a farm track, relatively flat with a few washouts and muddy spots to stop us getting too complacent. We then cross a stile onto the 13 Mile Bush Track for a short time before heading across another stile onto the Annavale Track. This track is a recently opened farm track (commonly known as a public easement) that gives access to two peaks on the fringes of Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands. This highest peak Sugarloaf is at 1205m.
We were not aiming to climb to the highest point, and at the first major sharp switchback along the track, we reached an elevation of 831m. This point has some great views and provides an ideal spot for morning tea. As we continued on (and on) up the track the Standards could see the Alternates reaching the same view spot.
After climbing to 966m we reached the turn-off to Benmore Hut. Benmore Hut Link Track goes between Benmore Hut and the Annavale Track. Orange poled markers are followed along the tops and then orange triangle markers throughout the bush all the way to Benmore Hut. The bush track is steep in places and there is quite a lot of tree fall requiring some careful negotiation.
We were all pleased to see the bright orange Deerstalker’s Hut and enjoyed some shade for our lunch break. We hadn’t been there long when the Over Forties Tramping Club (OFTC) arrived. Having seen them ahead of us when we started, we were surprised to see them arrive after us – they blamed taking a wrong turn! We were pleased to be heading down the track and not back up to the Annavale
Track as the OFTC were.
When the reccie was undertaken on this track 12 months ago, the storm damage was very evident, sadly it appears this is not a priority track for DOC to have cleared. Scrambling over, under or through trees across the tracks, along with stream crossings meant slow going until we were out of the bush. We then headed back to the bus, the same way we had started.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the variety and challenges this tramp offered and we certainly felt as if we had had a good workout. Text by Jan Bbr
Following Leader Leonie’s huddle at the carpark, 20 of the Alternates set forth up the track under a clear blue sky and the sun at our backs. Our first stream crossing was welcomed by those whose feet required cooling. After the regulatory 10 minute morning tea on a terrace above 13 Mile Bush Stream it was uphill to the first saddle. Great views were had eastward down the valley that we had just walked. We retraced our steps to the Annavale / Benmore Track junction where we turned upriver on the Benmore Track.
After approximately forty minutes walking upstream the track became difficult to traverse owing to flood damage and fallen trees. Lunch stop was called with a choice of either shaded or full sun beside the stream. A pleasant return walk was had as we recrossed the stream a number of times, this keeping our feet cool. All 20 made it back to the bus. A most pleasant day’s tramp. Well done everyone.
P.S. “Alas, no tales to tell out of school” – damn. Text by Les
