| Group | Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tailender |
| Stds | Warren | Dave B | Ailsa | Shirley |
| Alternates | Margaret S | Norma | Eric | Leonie |
Stats: distance 17.7km, ascent 600m, time 4hrs 20mins
After the light smattering of snow on the ground the previous morning, we again woke to a white landscape, only this time it was frost. With a clear blue sky and little wind, conditions were ideal for tramping. With our driver Robyn, not a regular, and an impressive looking large green bus from Clark’s, also not a regular, 44 trampers set off for the Little River to Birdlings Flat tramp. On the way treats were handed out courtesy of Ray who would reach OBE status with his upcoming birthday. Passing Lake Forsyth we struck the inevitable swarm of midges. They extended into the hillside where the rays of the sun caught them and turned them into swirling pillars.
After a comfort stop in Little River the bus backtracked to the standards drop off point on Kinloch Road, close to the turn off to Okuti Valley. The alternatives would continue on in the bus up the hill to the junction of Kinloch and Bossu Roads. The 20 standards carried on walking up the hill. It was a bit cool initially in the shade of the trees, but at 10.00am on the dot a sunny spot was found on the side of the road for morning tea. Uphill again and out in the open it wasn’t long before a stop was made to shed some clothing. Away from the trees the views were more rewarding with the bright green hills of the Little River Basin on the left and Lake Forsyth on the right, with the darker green of the pine trees at the bottom of the hill. Unfortunately, the murky green colour of Lake Forsyth spoilt the vista slightly. The water in the lake is constantly monitored for water quality as the potentially toxic blue-green algae is problematic.
After reaching the top of the hill, the tramp continued on to the right following the rougher shingle Bossu Road. Further along the flat section of road, the usual spot with a grass bank for seating and views of the coastline was again chosen for the lunch stop. By this time there was some high cloud and a bit of a cool wind, so before setting off for the long downhill, jackets were retrieved from packs. With the road traversing around paddocks of sheep, and areas of costal shrub there was a sense of deja vu as an anxious looking sheep was running up and down the fence line, with her young lamb keeping pace on the other side. After a couple of attempts by the lamb to get through, it eventually succeeded and was reunited with its mother.
Continuing on, Kaitorete Spit, which separates Lake Ellesmere from the Pacific Ocean, and the shingle beach at Birdlings flat came into view. Birdlings Flat is well known as a place to find attractive stones and gemstones but is also notorious for strong ocean currents and water sports are not advised. The alternates usually have a bit of time to explore the museum, or fossick for stones before the standards arrive. Once at the bottom of the hill, after passing the old wooden homestead in an idyllic setting, there was one last slog across the soft shingle before reaching the bus.
Although not as demanding as some tramps, it is a very social tramp with the wider roads allowing for plenty of conversation. After changing out of clean dry boots, everyone boarded the bus and we headed back to town. Txt by Sally
