| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Dave | Chris | Judy | Wendy |
| Alternates | Norma | Jenny A | Margaret S | Eric |
Obviously a very popular tramp as 59 of us fronted up!! Our wonderful committee and members accommodated everyone by taking 3 cars as well as the bus. The cars arrived at Castle Hill Village before the bus and two were taken to where the walk would end.
As the bus arrived almost on the dot of 10 am the sky cleared (as Gary predicted) and the sun shone, there was no wind and we were surrounded by white capped hills and mountains. At this stage it was a tad chilly but all was forgotten in the splendour of our surroundings.
Dave R (S. leader) walked us through the village to Enys Cottage which belongs to a cousin of Jenny A. We sat or stood in the grounds enjoying the sun whilst munching morning tea. Once outside the gate the Alternates (25) headed off on a flat track and the Standards (34) headed uphill on the Hogs Back track. Melodious birdsong accompanied us up and down through the beech forest and snow covered mountains peaked through the open spaces. The trees and bushes were looking lush and green in the fresh air and ice was lining the grass which made underfoot slippery and gluey at times.
After crossing Thomas Creek we had a slight detour due to confusing notes but Dave R. and Chris turned us back to the main track which culminated in the “perfect” lunch spot – a slump, formed from glaciofluvial activity in the wider Castle basin – looking down on Castle Hill Village set in rolling hills and framed by white mountains and clear blue skies. We were now warmed up and there was no wind!! Perfection!!
Castle Hill Village was created in 1982 when the then farm owner, John Reid, developed a high alpine village near Thomas Bush, beneath the Craigieburn Range. The village steadily grew to about 140 houses, mostly baches. This is about to almost double with new dwellings and possibly a café, general store and short stay apartments. Activities include 4 nearby ski fields, rock climbing, fishing, walking, bouldering, tramping, caving and mountain biking.
After lunch we climbed a fence into Castle Hill Station’s property (with permission) and walked up and down rolling hills to exit into the Castle Hill Conservation Area, Kura Tawhiti. These limestone formations from the Oligocene Age (30-40 million years ago) are remnants from when much of present day N.Z. was covered by sea. They have special cultural, spiritual and historical significance for Ngai Tahu.
As we walked out to the bus and cars the air was starting to chill down despite the sunshine. We all appreciated our perfect day in the mountains as we left for a coffee or beer in Darfield.
