| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Chris S | Jan Bbr | Ailsa | Judy |
| Alternates | Norma & Liz | Nick | Ali | Maureen |
Distance 14km, elevation 514m, time 4hrs 40mins (Standards)
With 46 trampers on the bus, including visitors Les G and Brent M, our new driver
Gary delivered us safely to the start of the Weka Pass Farm tramp, after a slight detour on the way through the residential streets of Woodend, due to the north bound lane of the main highway being closed for road works.
Without the coolish wind that was present at Bishopdale the day was already warm, and would get hotter still.
Before setting off the farm owner Richard Murchison gave us a brief overview of the farm and history of the area.
The property consists of two farms and is stocked with 3200 sheep (which was evident during the morning tea stop) as well as a few deer and cattle. He also mentioned they had a lot more grass than usual, which was also evident when walking through some of the paddocks.
The two groups set off up the farm track above the creek onto a rolling limestone ridge, before stopping for morning tea higher up on the hillside.
On the way the Standards arrived at one of the many gates, which appeared to be locked, so a scramble through the wire fence was called for. With everyone assembled unscathed on the other side a shout could be heard from behind. Looking back, the Alternates could be seen proceeding through the now open gate.
After tea the Standards carried on up the hill, while the Alternates backtracked and took a slightly shorter route that would avoid the steep downhill that could possibly be slippery.
At the bottom of the slippery slope, the Standards carried on through the empty deer paddock and on to the farm road at the other end. From there it was up and down the farm road, and through more gates (unlocked), paddocks and a couple of minor streams until reaching the usual lunch spot at the hay barn. On some tramps it has been used as a buffer from the wind, but on this occasion it was the shade it provided that was welcomed. The limestone outcrops the area is known for could be seen on the hill nearby.
After lunch it was more of the same. Easy farm road and paddocks and gates with a few gentle slopes, until reaching the top of a slight incline where the bus could be seen below us.
With the Alternates having already arrived there would be time for a refreshment stop in Amberley after a very pleasant day in the hills.
Text by Sally W
