| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Alan H | Dave R | Jan Bbr | Jen |
| Alternates | Bev | Norma | Gary G | Pauline |
Distance 9.74km; vertical ascent 714m; duration 5hr
With Garry as our driver we set off at 8.00 am from Bishopdale with a pickup at Yaldhurst. The early start was due to the distance we had to travel to Mt Alford Scenic Reserve. We had a lower turnout than normal with just 30 keen trampers including one visitor, Brent M. The day was overcast and humid. Road works slowed us down on the Main South Road and Thompsons Track (which involved a detour) but at 10.00 am we had arrived at our destination.
The track alternates across public and private land and is a steady climb (600m vertical) through beech forest then tussock and sub alpine scrub to the top of Mt Alford (1171m). The Standards numbered 16 and the Alternates 14. In our two groups, we set off across a short section of farmland before entering the Alford Scenic Reserve. We all climbed up steadily through the beech forest. The track was very muddy in places. One member’s pristine new boots were not looking so good after a few metres but she was very happy with the comfort level of her toes!!
We had morning tea at 10.40 am in an open grassy patch and were pleased with the cloud cover as when the sun popped out occasionally it was searingly hot. We set off again at about 11.00 am through an open scrubby section following a fence to a 4WD track . We crossed the track and followed marker poles up another ridge to an open grassy area with a rickety picnic table and what would be good views of the Ashburton River on a less cloudy day. The Alternates were walking to this spot for lunch then returning from here on the same track to the bus. The Standards who arrived ahead of the Alternates kept on to the summit.
From here on it was quite a climb and 14 made it to the top for lunch arriving at 12.30 pm.
Although, apart from small glimpses, due to low cloud cover we couldn’t see the promised amazing views across the Canterbury Plains and inland mountains, we were all very pleased to have made it. The fact that there were no midges swarming around made the walk much more pleasant than last year although the humidity made it a very hot and sweaty experience.
At 12.50 pm we set off down the same track. The Spaniard grass was in full flower and very spiky so was to be avoided. The track through the beech forest was even muddier on the way down and we all took advantage of a small stream to wash as much mud off our boots as possible. I took the prize for the muddiest legs. We stopped to put on jackets at one stage as a drizzle set in but it didn’t last long. We arrived at the bus at 3.00 pm. The Alternates had been waiting for about an hour for our return. To avoid the roadworks Garry took a different route going through Windwhistle to get back to Christchurch. It was another great tramp enjoyed by everyone.
Text by Judy
