| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Janice | Warren | Sally | Margaret E |
| Alternates | Ray B | Norma | Ali | Tessa |
Distance 17km; duration 5hrs (approx); vertical ascent 410m
On a cool November morning, 48 trampers, including visitors Lisa W and Jacqui D, boarded the bus at Bishopdale for our Sign of the Bellbird/Sign of the Kiwi to Evans Pass tramp (the reverse of January’s tramp). Our driver was Callum.
A quick trip through town, up Dyers Pass, and then over to the beautiful new lookout to drop off the 29 Standards. The lookout is named after John Jameson, the grandson of Harry Ell. During World War II, the reserves Mr Ell helped establish were grazed and the rest houses fell into disrepair. Mr Jameson championed the formation of a society to protect and expand on his grandfather’s legacy and was a leading figure in the Summit Road Scenic Society for nearly 70 years.
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| Sign at new John Jameson Lookout |
The Standards departed the bus and had morning tea at the Sign of the Kiwi at 10:35. Janice was described as “off and away” which suggests the tramp moved along with pace. Lunch was just before Castle Rock above Horotane Valley and out of the wind. A few stumbles occurred on the tramp, but no serious injuries (nor names). Finally, recognizing that the Standards are older, Janice made sure all of them crossed the road to the bus safely once they got to Evans Pass (I did not make this up; it was reported to me in those words by a Standard walker).
The Alternates also moved speedily with leader Ray setting the pace. For the most part, we eschewed walking on the road, choosing to traverse the hills. Lunch was at the top of the Bridle Path out of the wind, after which most donned more clothes as the wind had picked up. The ascent to the base of the Gondola top station building led to a break to remove most of the extra clothes. We continued through herds of sheep, past the gun emplacements and finally down the long hill to the bus.
The most common word from trampers as they boarded the bus was “long” usually followed by “but a good walk”. The rain held off and the sun came out. What more could you want.
Information about lookout courtesy of Warren Gregory.
Text by Michele
