| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Alan | Chris | Warren | Steve G |
| Alternates | Norma | Nick | Gary G | Moira |
Distance (Standards) 10.84km (with lake visit included); duration 4hrs 40min; elevation gain 634m
There were 44 walkers on the bus for the penultimate tramp of 2022. Our driver was Alan and we were delighted to welcome visitors Annette and Les. Happily Les was undeterred by the events of last week (President Bev had updated us in the days following with the news that the two injured trampers have had their injuries attended to and are now rehabilitating. We look forward to walking with them again in 2023). The catch-up chatter was loud on the way to Boundary Hill. We arrived and split into our habitual two groups.
After initially following a four wheel drive track, the Alternates plotted a course up the valley through matagouri, wild Spaniard/giant speargrass and bog. There was vain hope that the tussock clumps underneath our feet might provide support. Often they didn’t and boots became caked in mud. Eventually the ridgeline was reached and the going became easier. From our vantage point we could see the Standards opposite, seemingly skipping their way along a formed track. At the Alternates’ lunch spot, a small group chose to continue to the top of Boundary Hill. We all then regrouped and made our return via the fault line, albeit with a few navigational errors along the way. One member took a dip in the swamp, another a slow tumble down into a creek, resulting in a very wet pack as he landed on his back, being hauled upright. The circular route made a good day’s walk and everyone returned to the bus in cheerful spirits.
Marie-Therese
By comparison the Standards’ walk was uneventful. We climbed to the fault line enjoying the little golden Bulbinella spires and not so much the matagouri. A photo of us in sabre (read tramping pole) arch formation – on either side of the fault line – was called for and taken. Then it was lovely alpine pasture walking to the Alternates’ lunch spot and a short scramble to the top of the hill.
We ate lunch enjoying the 360 degree view and watching the sky darken and covered up with merino and waterproof layers before beginning our descent. It was just as well we’d “armoured up” because most of us did battle with Spaniards on the way down. Blood was drawn. There are some steep, and spectacularly coloured drop offs to contend with too. Cautious walking was required.
At the bottom we connected with various four wheel drive tracks, a small contingent detouring to look at the Red Lake, and we all eventually wound our way to the bus stop. We filled the wait for the bus with talk of pre-tramp routines including Epsom salts baths and eye masks and post-tramp wedding outfits. We look forward to the wedding photos.
Jen
