| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Alan | Jan Bbr | Gary | Jan Brw |
| Alternates | Bruce | Norma | Margaret S | Min |
Distance: 15.8km Ascent: 728m Time: 4hrs 30mins
It was a very chilly start for all 44 trampers but what an amazing tramp we had!!! President Keith welcomed visitor Charlie and welcomed back Derrick after his long absence and recovery.
The standards alighted on the hilltop (heading for Akaroa) and walked down the road to the D.O.C. sign to Montgomery Reserve. Little did we know what a WOW factor walk this was going to be. The track wound up the hill quite steeply with some slippery leafy areas, giant stone steps and beautiful bush containing amazingly large totara trees and numerous papery barked native fuchsias. In fact, the first large totara we saw is about 2000 years old.
We popped out of the bush to find amazing views all around – Akaroa to one side with Pigeon Bay on the other and lots of rolling hills all around. It was a mind-boggling view to enjoy during morning tea.
Despite the biting wind we marveled at the landscape of skeleton trees and stumps weathered by the wind but not rotting as we moved across the rolling hills. There must have been a beautiful stand of totara trees there at some stage. We headed into a scenic reserve and had lunch on a ridge with some shelter with views all around as we looked up Te Roto O Wairewa/Lake Forsyth.
After lunch we turned into a paddock (private property) just at the end of the reserve. The Alternates were here finishing lunch and we moved on ably led by Alan Harvey through natural markings (stark tree remains), crossed a stream and a few boggy spots. There was no obvious track but it was beautifully warm on this sheltered side. It was rather tricky to follow so Chris kindly went back to help the Alternates.
After the farm track ended we walked out on the road to find the bus.
