| Group | Leader | Mentor | Tailender |
| Standards | Brent | Chris | Frank |
| Alternates | Kiwan | Ali | Nicky |
Duration 3 ¼ hr
There may have only been 38 of us keen trampers (including guests Cait and Stuart) setting out from Castle Hill Village, but after about 10 days of drizzle and rain we were all set to enjoy this superb tramp. We definitely were ‘all set’ as there were gloves, raincoats, and even some over-pants donned in the expectation that we’d be trudging all day in the cold and wet. The fog we’d encountered along the way had done nothing to make us feel more confident about the weather. However, within half an hour of steady uphill walking, multiple layers were shed as the weather was actually quite pleasant.
The bush along the start of the Hogsback track seemed even more lush, mossy and green than usual after the recent rain, but surprisingly the track wasn’t overly muddy (no exciting falls were observed to add a touch of drama to this report unfortunately oops, fortunately).
Morning tea was at a pleasant spot near the turbulent Thomas River (oh alright, it was actually so tiny we could step over without getting our boots wet- no drama here either sorry). The 11 Alternates had already passed this point, having avoided most of the uphill part by skirting round on the flat.
It wasn’t that long after morning tea that the 27 Standards emerged from the bush and made our way to our picturesque lunch spot, the lip of the Leith slump, with the fog-bound Mt Enys towering above. Some of the Alternates were enjoying the new picnic table there, but no one was raving about the view. Usually this is a stunning spot to look way down to Castle Hill Village, and across to Prebble Hill, but today it was still somewhat foggy and there were just tantalising glimpses to be had.
This writer does not pretend to be an expert on the geology of the area, but can report that apparently the formation of the slump has something to do with a section of the mountainside collapsing, possibly due to the effects of water on soft glacial sediments, rather a long time ago. A very technical explanation, I know.
Both Kiwan, first-time leader of the Alternates, and Standard leader Brent both cleverly managed (with a little help from Alan) to locate the elusive spot to lead us over a fence and onto the ideal track to take us across the tussock covered hillside. Our destination drew us forward, the magnificent Kura Tawhiti tors emerging out of the land like… an obvious simile sorry… like the ruins of a massive castle. Walking through these vast, water and wind sculpted limestone outcrops is quite a humbling experience.
There was plenty of time to read display boards with fascinating information about the Kura Tawhiti area, including how it was all under water 30 million years ago, and a reminder about how there had been moas and giant Haast’s eagles around here 700 years ago. Secure behind a fence were some of the world’s rarest buttercups, about 69 plants in all. Also impressive were the new sculptures symbolising the importance of this area to Maori. Kura Tawhiti can be translated as ‘treasures from an ancient land’ which seems very apt.
It was only 1.30 when both groups made it back to the bus waiting for us in the Kura Tawhiti carpark. Driver Callum drove us skilfully through the fog back over Porters Pass, and there was still time for a coffee/beer/ice cream at Darfield (and someone may even have decided they had earned a pie, despite today’s tramp being not much more than a mere 8km for the Alternates and 9km for the Standards).
It was a treat to be back at Bishopdale nice and early at 4 o’clock, with the added pleasure of knowing we hadn’t had to endure yet another blah weather day in Christchurch. In fact, we had enjoyed good weather, a bit of exercise, lots of fellowship, and some incredible scenery. Not bad for $25!
Text by Shirls
