This venue for this year’s Christmas tramp and lunch was not only new but close to home: the Adventure Park is tucked into the Cashmere Hills and has seen two major fires in the last five years. Your scribe had been warned that it was a major climb but, after Mt Thomas last week, today was just a walk in the park. The plan was for Standards was simple: climb to the top of the hill and get the free chairlift ride down. There were plenty of scorched trees; some had been severely burned at the bottom but showed no ill effects at the top. The main hazard was boys travelling at speed downhill on tracks that crossed the trampers’ track. Meanwhile the Alternatives were walking around the bunding area in the valley below yet another subdivision on the hills.

The main event was lunch and meeting several members who were either Associates or had not tramped for some time. It was certainly a joyous occasion and an excellent end to another year of tramping and companionship.

Text by Peter M

A Christmas Jollity

‘Twas two weeks before Christmas
And all through the city
To miss out on a walk
Would be such a pity

The packs were stuffed full
Trampers raring to go
To climb up the hill, (most with a will)
Though some were slightly more slow

Nineteen Standards set off in the sunshine
Thirteen Alternates at a more leisurely pace
From the Adventure Park they did wander
It was certainly not much of a race

No summer’s nap for any of us
Christmas lunch was primarily the goal
There’s much of a clatter, and many a chatter
Bishopdale Trampers always ready to roll

Nor for us, a miniature sleigh.
With a smile and a twinkle in eye
On Wednesdays we’re off and away
(Most all of us lively and spry)

President Jen always calls us by name
Not Dasher or Dancer or Donner or Blitzen
She’s done well through the year
Not a name has she managed to mix’n!

No smoke on the hills in the area
In February things were unfortunately ablaze
Alternates passed by the cool of the water
Stopped by the Old Stone House for a graze

Standards meantime had their eye on the top
Hoping the gondola would indeed be a’go
If non-operational, oh dear
Downward walk would be a positive blow

The trampers all arrived safely back
More troops waited to join in the fun
Like St Nick with his crammed sack
All enjoyed their Christmas lunch in the sun

We’ve had such a good time through the year
Great tramps, companions and laughter
2025 should be good!
Looking forward to the walks hereafter!

Feliz Navidad!

Text by Marie-Therese (with apologies to, and drawing on the writing of, Clement Clarke Moore)

Alt having a morning tea break

Alt Group photo at the Old Stone House

Stds On the way up to the chairlift

Stds At the top by the chairlift for trip down and lunch.

Enjoying a drink before lunch.

Enjoying a drink before lunch

Stats: Distance 11.76km    Ascent 790m    Time 4hrs 55 mins

Mt Thomas is known as one of our more strenuous walks which could have been a factor in just 31 members signing up for the excursion. It was good to see a group of 23 opting to walk with the Standards. Today we had three visitors helping to make up our numbers.

The last three tramps on Mt Thomas have been during the winter months, offering the possibility that this is to increase the chances of it being cancelled due to bad weather, or simply to make the steep climb more tolerable at a cooler time of the year. Whatever the reason for the scheduling, the reality is that it is quite a few years since we have “knocked the B…… off” and there were high hopes that today would be the day!

We got away from Bishopdale on time with a pleasantly uneventful bus trip with two stops, one to pick up Bev, and a comfort stop at Loburn Reserve. The forecast for the day was 24 degrees with high humidity and very little wind.

The usual route of up the Ridge Track and down the Wooded Gully Track was unavailable as the latter was closed due to a slip. The proposed longer route included going up the Summit Track to the top of Mt Thomas and continuing along the ridge on the imaginatively named Ridge Track all the way to the start point at the Wooded Gully Camping Area.

President Jen warned us on the bus that the tramp would be longer than usual for the Standards if they completed the loop.  Our leader Selwyn explained at the beginning of the tramp that we would ascend the Summit Track and possibly return the same way if it looked like we wouldn’t have time to complete the full loop.

It appeared that Selwyn was fairly keen for us to complete the loop on ‘his watch’ and set off at a very steady (unrelenting) pace. One of our group was not feeling 100% and returned with one other about three quarters of the way up. The temperature, humidity and pace got us feeling very sweaty and keen to be consuming water. Most people carried extra water which proved to be a good call.

We started walking around 9:50am and reached the top at 11.45am. We stopped for the obligatory summit photo and a few minutes of rest, called “admiring the view”.  Reaching the summit before midday was a great effort. We continued along the Ridge Track until we came to the Wooded Valley Track junction at 12:25pm and stopped there for lunch in a nicely shaded area complete with bellbird song. As this was roughly halfway, and barring a mishap, we were confident of completing the loop.

We continued upwards on the Ridge Track until it headed south and downhill.  Shortly after the turn we came across the Alternates who I’d have to say were looking quite fresh and relaxed. Care was needed on the steep descent and our admiration for the Alternates, who had ascended via this route, increased markedly. We arrived back at the bus around 2:45pm with the Alternates a few minutes behind. The total time of less than 5 hours was a great effort and less than the advertised 5 hrs and 25 mins. A number of trampers had never reached the summit of Mt Thomas so there was a general feeling of satisfaction in having conquered it at last.

On reflection, it was a strenuous day, particularly in the warm, humid conditions, and a great effort by all 31 of us. Thanks again to Peter for driving us home safely and for getting Dave back in time to weigh anchor at Lyttelton.

Text by Steve Bw

Distance 11km, ascent 640m, time 4hrs 45mins.

There were 32 of us on the bus as we headed away in the direction of the Southern Alps. Included in our number were our welcome repeat visitors, Andrea and Jenny, as well as our returning Himalayan tramping greats, Jan Bb and Alan H.

Our drive to McLennans Bush Road was so unremarkable that one of the highlights, other than Viktor’s superb driving skills of course, was the nice new toilet block in Hororata. Further on, even better was the incredible panoramic view down to the Rakaia bridge and across to the simply breathtaking vista of the cloud-shrouded Alps.

Also impressive were the rhododendrons which are a glorious feature of the Awa Awa Reserve. Apparently the first of the 700 or so were planted in 1968 and some hard-working volunteers are still planting more. There was even a cute new toilet building (one wonders if all these new toilet blocks have been built solely for our ‘convenience’?).

Although using AI to aid in the writing of trip reports is not encouraged, let’s assume there’s nothing wrong with stealing other people’s work. Chris S, past report writer extraordinaire wrote so eloquently in 2018:

As we sauntered through the vibrant rhododendron blooms, our two usual groups formed and at the start of the Scott’s Saddle Track the Standards took the lead. Under foot was a little squishy from recent rainfall, and the tangled tree roots made careful negotiation essential as we proceeded to climb through predominately mature beech/tawhairauriki forest dotted with occasional southern rata. Tentative rays of sun filtering through the foliage were enough to generate that characteristic mossy fug you get from tramping in damp bush. Momentary glimpses of the Plains were visible through gaps in the beech.

More prosaic was Michele’s comment: ‘the first bit was pretty ugly, eh’ which is a great summary of the track. As well as being rather steep, it is also muddy, slippery and hazardous. Some of the 18 Standards may have smugly assumed this tramp would be easy after the trials of Mt Oxford last week. Not so. On the positive side, the weather was superb.

Morning tea for both groups was at the junction of the Scotts and the Ridge tracks. Leader Peter tried to convince the more naïve that the track would become easier from that point. Again, no. However, the landscape and flora did actually change; we tramped through a miniature forest of stunted beech trees, out to an open area of alpine plants, and then on to some screes which were fun to negotiate.

The Alts enjoyed their lunch at the bench seat lookout before retracing their steps down to the track junction, then following the Ridge Track and on to the Opuke Track down to the bus. The Standards headed on further before finding a great spot for lunch, with tantalising views of a moody Mt Hutt enveloped in cloud, before heading back down hot on the tails of the Alts.

Melodious bird song was occasionally heard as we headed downhill. Also overheard: “There’s a lot of dead wood up ahead” which may have hurt the feelings of the two trampers in front of the speaker. Also: a conversation overheard by an Alt: “Is that an aircraft down below?”   “No. It’s the Canterbury Planes!”

Some of us height-challenged hikers could occasionally be overheard commenting on how tough some of the rock and root ‘steps’ were for our short little legs. That was until we came across a charming little chihuahua happily tackling the same track. We had also encountered another striking dog along the way, a magnificent Border Collie that looked like he may have had some English Sheep dog in his blood line.

Everyone was proud of themselves for eventually making it down safely, though there were a few muddy bottoms suggesting it hadn’t always been easy.  Admiring the rhodos, and possibly the nice new toilets, was a bus load of friendly out-and-abouters, including two previous Bishopdale Trampers.

The Alts had made it back to our bus only minutes before the Standards, and were just in time to witness the drama of a campervan scraping the backing mirror of the very flash bus the rhodo appreciation group had arrived in.

The trip back to Christchurch was rather quiet, which may have been a consequence of the temperature in the bus being overly warm, or just possibly because of our big efforts. The best thing was that we had had such a busy day there had been little opportunity to ponder the dire events which may or may not have been unfolding in the US elections.

Text by Shirls

Stds Steep climb through the bush to morning tea.

Alts Morning Tea

Stds Onwards and upwards after morning tea

Alts Lunch

Stds Lunch with misty Mt Hutt behind

Stds Heading back into the bush

Distance: 12.6km                   Elevation gain: 772m (inc Helicopter Hill)             Total time: 4hrs 20mins

With the promise of clear(ish) skies and mild temperatures, 39 trampers including visitors Nicky C and first-timer Glen T, eagerly embarked on a day promising adventure, camaraderie, and stunning landscapes. Birthday chocolates and lollies were passed around the bus. Thank you Bernice. And thank you to our driver Garth.

The Standards, comprised of 23 intrepid adventurers, charted a course up the Luge Track, aiming to reach the ridge before descending to Flock Hill Station. Luge Track proved to be a rewarding ascent, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains reminding us of the breath-taking beauty of the Canterbury high country.

The allure of Helicopter Hill proved irresistible to many of the Standards who opted to add an extra 30 minutes (in total) to their journey to conquer this imposing peak. A few felt some trepidation on seeing to the north the scree face descent of the upcoming Camp Saddle tramp. The river crossing on the return to the bus was described by a couple of people as “very refreshing”. (Others may have described it as cold and wet!)

Meanwhile, the Alternates consisting of 16 trampers, embarked on a shorter route starting from the drop off at the Broken River access road and looping around Coal Pit Spur before returning to the bus. The Alternates were treated to stunning views, native forest, and fabulous birdsong. In the course of their walk, trampers picked up rubbish left by prior careless visitors. Items such as broken glass, lubricant tubes, coffee cups and McDonald’s wrappers were brought out to maintain the integrity of what should be a pristine area.

It was another day of free flowing conversation as people shared tales of past adventures, current activities and challenges. As they made their way back to Christchurch, the trampers reflected on the day’s adventures with fondness, grateful for the opportunity to connect with nature and with one another. Text By Brent M

Stds Heading off up the road.

Stds In the bush before lunch.

Stds at the top of Helicopter Hill

Stds return from Helicopter Hill.

Stds River crossing

Distance 9.72km     Vertical ascent 724m       Duration 5 hours approx

An earlier 8am start was set for this tramp.

Our driver Viktor picked up 38 trampers from Bishopdale and Yaldhurst and we set off down the Main South Road.  At our comfort stop at Rakaia, we had to compete with a bus load of tourists for the excellent facilities.  Some typical Kiwi/tourist interactions quickly established  their nationalities, itinerary and of course how much they were enjoying Aotearoa/NZ.

Thompsons Track is reliably boring with an unrelenting view of dairy farms along the way.  It was a relief to get to the Alford Reserve car park and get underway soon after 10am.  Our intrepid leader Steve, led off across the paddock and into the Alford Scenic Reserve, despite the fact that he’d never done the tramp before.  He reckoned that as he had three mentors and four advisors, he’d be ok!

This DOC managed forest has suffered considerable wind throw and a chain saw would have been useful as we weaved and climbed over trees across the track.  The forest is unusually wet due to poor drainage and the shape of the surrounding hills which catch moist weather from most directions.  In earlier times it grew giant podocarps which unfortunately were logged and burned so that today it is largely black and mountain beech trees.  There are some other native trees starting to be observed: marble leaf (Carpodetus serratus), lancewood (Pseudopanax), horopito/ pepper tree (Pseudowintera axillaris), red matipo or māpou (Myrsine australis). Due to seriously low rainfall recently, the track was unusually dry, with the usual wet and swampy parts reduced to dried mud.  It didn’t take long for the sonorous calls of the korimako to be heard.  After a solid climb up through the bush, we took morning tea at a break in the bush, looking out over the plains.

As we emerged from the bush we were met by a descending, athletic young woman who told us she was celebrating her first day in eight weeks without her children, who were back at school.  She looked so fresh and chirpy, belying the fact that she had just summitted Mt Alford.  She certainly made us feel our age!

After the landmark picnic table, where the Alternates traditionally have lunch, our Leader struck up the hill along the fence line, in preference to the track which zig zags up the hill to mitigate the steepness.  His many advisors must have been asleep!  The direct fence line route was extraordinarily steep and slippery, requiring us to pull ourselves up using the fence.  Eventually we met up with the route markers and we followed them the rest of the way to the summit. The steep route took us through sub alpine scrub, consisting of predominantly Dracophyllum and snow tussock but with the usual smattering of spaniard (Aciphylla colensoi) known as taramea in te reo Māori.  As we got near the summit we observed the Alternates taking lunch on a lower peak.

The summit of Mt Alford (1171m) is an extensive flat area, dominated by a huge cairn.   We had glorious 360 degree views, in overcast conditions but no wind, for our lunch on the top. To the west the skies were clear and blue but to the east, low cloud invaded during our lunch so we commenced the descent in cloud.   This cleared somewhat as we reduced our altitude.

Back at the bus, the bloodied legs of several people told the tale of the damage imposed by spaniard.  Other than that, and the fact that the Alternates had been back for an hour, it was generally agreed that it had been a most enjoyable tramp and definitely one worth remaining on the Club’s programme.                                                        Text by Selwyn

Stds Stream crossing in the bush

Stds heading upon the steep last leg.

Alts getting through the gate

Alts watching standards climb the fence line track

Stds at the top.

Stds on the way down through the bush

Distance 13.4km; duration 3hrs 45min; vertical ascent 180m

As the sun painted the skies a pure cloudless blue, 41 eager trampers from Bishopdale Tramping Club gathered, our  destination the iconic Dry Acheron Track, on a day that promised a symphony of landscapes, challenges and the camaraderie that defines our tramping community.

There was a sense of anticipation, the rustle of grass – and pine cones – beneath our boots marking the beginning of a day filled with adventure. The track offers unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape including distant views of the Southern Alps and meanders through flat grasslands, along stream verges and rocky dry stream beds. It presented us with 24 stream crossings before lunch (!)  – a quintessential Kiwi tramping experience.

The history of the Dry Acheron Track includes the early days of European settlement of New Zealand. Originally a stock route, it evolved into a well-traversed pathway connecting the plains to the high country. Its significance in the region’s history was palpable as we ventured along the well-trodden track, tracing the footsteps of those who once relied on this very route.

The moderately graded natural stream verge provided variation, a chance for trampers to appreciate the subtleties of the environment. As we delved deeper into the rocky dry stream beds, the sun rose higher, the day got hotter and the terrain became more challenging, demanding nimbleness and agility. Each step was a dance with the landscape, a delicate negotiation with the rocks and pebbles beneath our feet. The trampers, ranging from seasoned hikers to those new to high country trails, embraced the challenge with enthusiasm – and a few naughty words!

The temperature reached 24 degrees Celsius. Happily a gentle breeze on the return walk added to our overall enjoyment. Departing from Lake Coleridge Road, the temperature in the bus had reached 30 degrees! The Dry Acheron Track had not only tested our collective mettle but had also opened the gateway to the many hikes we can look forward to in this region this year.                           Txt by Brent McC with the assistance of ChatGPT

Stds heading off down the tree line

Std First cross of the almost dry stream

Alt Lunch stop in the shade

Alt sheltering from the sun.

Stds shelter from the sun while all catch up

Std Return from the river bed.