| Group | Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tailender |
| Stds | Glenys | Steve B | Jan Barber | Janice |
| Alternates | Norma | Alan H | Ali | Ray |
Stats: distance 11.5km, vertical ascent 665m, time 4hrs 40mins
On a dull and coolish day, 48 trampers set off from Bishopdale driven by our trusty driver, Viktor. It proved a rather noisy journey on a more basic bus than we have previously experienced with everyone having a good catch up. Dave started off the journey waving chocolates courtesy of Steve G celebrating his birthday. Happy Birthday Steve!
President Bev joined our group in Woodend. She announced of the 48 trampers three were visitors and welcomed David Hercus, Connor Paynter (nephew of Peter) and Ben Stribling (grandson of Janice and Warren). She also welcomed Keith back. Bev reminded everyone of the weeding day on Tuesday next week and also advised that Loanne had a water bladder to give away if anyone was interested.
Following our customary comfort stop in Amberley, we headed west to Mt Grey. Did you know that Maori had a poetic name for Mt Grey, “Maukatere” or floating mountain but in fact the peak was named after Sir George Grey, governor and premier of NZ between 1845-1879. (Information courtesy of Mark Pickering in his book “Walk Away – a guide to walking places in Canterbury”.
The alternatives were dropped off at Lake Janet to begin their walk and the standards were dropped off a kilometre from the beginning of the Mt Grey track. At 10.10 the standards set off walking steadily upward on a well graded forest track to the summit at 934m. There were some rather muddy stretches to negotiate and a tricky climb through bush where a tree had come down making the track inaccessible. It was lovely to hear bird song as we walked along. We broke out into tussock as we got nearer the top but didn’t get to our destination at the top until 1 pm after zigzagging around the mountain. There was a cold wind blowing on the top which made our lunch break not so pleasant but we were soon up and following the alternatives down to Lake Janet via the lookout. We were pleased to get back to the forest and away from the wind as we negotiated our way on a good track (albeit with a few muddy stretches making sliding a distinct possibility).
Nearing the end of the walk, Alan H came to the rescue of our visitor David when the sole of one of his boots parted company with the upper. Alan quickly supplied some trusty duct tape and taped top and bottom together to allow him to continue!
Boot repair skillfully & successfully completed..!
We arrived at Lake Janet about 2.45 pm, unscathed but muddy, to find the alternatives already at the bus. Lake Janet was named after Janet Beattie who, with her husband Robert, visited the lake often in the 1880s. (Again, information courtesy of Mark Pickering’s book “Walk Away”). The weather did get brighter as the day went on and everyone, except maybe Ben (age 11) who found it quite a long walk, enjoyed stretching the legs and the bus was considerably quieter on the return journey! Text by Janice
*The bus dropped off the 28 Alternates plus Mentor Alan H at Lake Janet in misty cool conditions. Several Standards had infiltrated the group, no doubt a result of missing several weeks tramping in the last month. This was the first time we had been able to use the Lake Janet track for a couple of years due to lack of maintenance.
The track winds through a cleared area of pine forest before entering the forest proper. Morning tea was taken on the track but unfortunately the view was limited due to the low cloud. At the former fire watch tower the group headed up through the scrub towards the summit. However on reaching the saddle between the two peaks the conditions weren’t ideal and only 10 continued on the summit of Mt Grey. Lunch was had on the sheltered side below the top before we quickly moved on to escape the cold wind and mist.
The return to Lake Janet was without incident and we were back at the bus in time to have a look at Lake Janet before the standards returned 45 minutes later. Despite the gloomy conditions the tramp was enjoyable and nice to be back on the Lake Janet track. Text by Ray
