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

Negotiating muddy sections of the track

Alternates break for morning tea

Standards ascending Mt Grey track

Group of Standards make their way towards summit

Standards nearing summit of Mt Grey

View of communications tower from just below Mt Grey summit

Alternates gather at the Ashley Forest (former…) fire watch building

Alternates return descent through felled section of forest

Stats: distance 15km, vertical ascent 676m, time 5hrs 20mins

Some of our 41 trampers were concerned as to whether their fitness was up to scratch after a couple of weeks missed because of cancellations or injuries, and others that rain might come early.

However, this diary writer was worried that the day would be a ditto day to last year’s tramp, and there would be nothing new to write this time. Not that anyone was hoping there would be any dramatic events like an emergency helicopter rescue of course! Well, there were some differences, such as delightful celebratory treats from the Dunstans to celebrate a Significant Birthday, and the clever route our driver Alan took through the heavy Papanui traffic.

Twenty-five Standards were dropped off at McCormacks Bay Reserve (where there is just one miniscule women’s toilet in a vast building by the way) and the 16 Alternates were chauffeured up to John Britten Reserve to begin their expedition. There were lots of lovely flowers along Flowers Track, but not so much chatter as the Standards hiked at a smart pace towards John Britten Reserve and on to a morning tea spot with a great view. Leader Chris led us confidently with a few variations to the route, with the occasional short cut which no one complained about (though there might have been the occasional mutter about the steepness of the terrain).

At the Summit Road we detoured slightly to admire the view of Lyttelton before continuing on past the site of the old gun emplacements. Lunch was a little further on, in a lovely spot sheltered by prettily blooming yellow…gorse. The views of the estuary and Southshore were outstanding, as was the quarry on the hill above Evans Pass, looking like an amphitheatre for giants. Recipes and book reviews were exchanged as we relaxed and enjoyed the view, and some of us even harassed a random passing hiker named John on the merits of joining Bishopdale Trampers.

Downhill … just what we needed, following a track obviously frequented by sheep, down to Evans Pass, and then….up, looping back round the hillside until we were back just below the gun emplacements. We got our first glimpse of the Alternates on their downward spiral towards Evans Pass, apparently enjoying themselves (though one of the OBEs accidentally did an impressive bit   of gymnastics I hear).

The drizzle we were resolutely ignoring became more like light rain as we followed the narrow track along   towards   civilization/Panorama   Road.   One of   the   Weather   Team   notably   did   not   don   a   rain jacket – just so he was able to declare it could not actually be raining if his jacket was not getting wet! We enjoyed walking down Clifton Hill, admiring some impressive houses and some gorgeous spring gardens.

Mulgans Track lead us down to Moncks Bay, our usual spot for finding our waiting Leopard bus, but alas, the road cones and masses of tradies’ vans were so numerous that we had to toddle a little further to Barnett Park to our beloved bus, soon to be joined by the small mob of Alternates.

So, a most enjoyable day. Yes, at around 15kms it was quite taxing when you haven’t tramped for a few weeks, and yes, it did rain, and no, nothing much different happened from the last time this diary writer recorded this tramp. However, it was so good to get together again and enjoy another part of our wonderful Port Hills backyard.  Txt by Shirley

Ascending in the rain from McCormacks Bay

‘Admiring the view in an orderly queue’ at the stile

Heading across the Summit Road with a panoramic view of Christchurch & beyond

Standards pose for a group photo on the ridgetop

Panoramic View of Lyttelton Harbour from the ridge above the Summit Road

Enjoying the sunshine & view from the historic Mt Pleasant AA gun emplacements

Onward down the track with upper Lyttelton Harbour in the background

Arrival at Moncks bay

Stats: distance 17.7km, ascent 600m, time 4hrs 20mins

After the light smattering of snow on the ground the previous morning, we again woke to a white landscape, only this time it was frost. With a clear blue sky and little wind, conditions were ideal for tramping. With our driver Robyn, not a regular, and an impressive looking large green bus from Clark’s, also not a regular, 44 trampers set off for the Little River to Birdlings Flat tramp. On the way treats were handed out courtesy of Ray who would reach OBE status with his upcoming birthday. Passing Lake Forsyth we struck the inevitable swarm of midges. They extended into the hillside where the rays of the sun caught them and turned them into swirling pillars.

After a comfort stop in Little River the bus backtracked to the standards drop off point on Kinloch Road, close to the turn off to Okuti Valley. The alternatives would continue on in the bus up the hill to the junction of Kinloch and Bossu Roads. The 20 standards carried on walking up the hill. It was a bit cool initially in the shade of the trees, but at 10.00am on the dot a sunny spot was found on the side of the road for morning tea. Uphill again and out in the open it wasn’t long before a stop was made to shed some clothing. Away from the trees the views were more rewarding with the bright green hills of the Little River Basin on the left and Lake Forsyth on the right, with the darker green of the pine trees at the bottom of the hill. Unfortunately, the murky green colour of Lake Forsyth spoilt the vista slightly. The water in the lake is constantly monitored for water quality as the potentially toxic blue-green algae is problematic.

After reaching the top of the hill, the tramp continued on to the right following the rougher shingle Bossu Road. Further along the flat section of road, the usual spot with a grass bank for seating and views of the coastline was again chosen for the lunch stop. By this time there was some high cloud and a bit of a cool wind, so before setting off for the long downhill, jackets were retrieved from packs. With the road traversing around paddocks of sheep, and areas of costal shrub there was a sense of deja vu as an anxious looking sheep was running up and down the fence line, with her young lamb keeping pace on the other side. After a couple of attempts by the lamb to get through, it eventually succeeded and was reunited with its mother.

Continuing on, Kaitorete Spit, which separates Lake Ellesmere from the Pacific Ocean, and the shingle beach at Birdlings flat came into view. Birdlings Flat is well known as a place to find attractive stones and gemstones but is also notorious for strong ocean currents and water sports are not advised. The alternates usually have a bit of time to explore the museum, or fossick for stones before the standards arrive. Once at the bottom of the hill, after passing the old wooden homestead in an idyllic setting, there was one last slog across the soft shingle before reaching the bus.

Although not as demanding as some tramps, it is a very social tramp with the wider roads allowing for plenty of conversation. After changing out of clean dry boots, everyone boarded the bus and we headed back to town.  Txt by Sally

Heading down Bossu Rd with panoramic views of the coast, spit, & Lake Ellesmere

Standards enjoy views of the coast during the break for lunch

Standards on the road from Little River

Alternates heading along Bossu Rd

Standards arrival at the shingle beach on Birdlings Flat

Taking in the view down the length of Kaitorete Spit

Onwards & upwards towards the Bossu Rd junction

Stats: distance 15.5km, ascent 420m, time 4hrs 20mins

Chocolates from Wendy who had returned from a trip home were a good starter for this walk on the last day of winter. After a 45-minute drive across the city the bus arrived at PMH, passengers donned packs and set off with those waiting – 34 in total.

Standards maintained a steady pace uphill from behind The Princess Margaret Hospital through a glade of fruit and nut trees, to Lady Polson Lane, and Cracroft Reserve lookout. Within a short time the alternates also arrived to their well-timed 10.00am morning tea stop.  Alternates’ leader Bruce gave a brief history of Cracroft Caverns, secretly constructed during WWII in response to the Japanese threat. Once sealed after the War their existence was largely forgotten, although there was enough rumour for their presence to be re-discovered. The location provided a stable environment for a joint research programme for The University of Canterbury to conduct   ring   laser   experiments.   Prior   to   the   Canterbury   earthquakes, the   caverns   had   been periodically open for visiting, currently there is no access; weblinks as follows: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracroft_Caverns http://www2.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/~physrin/content/cashmere_cavern_laboratory.php

Our circuitous route took us to Latter’s Spurs track. Outside a Longhurst Terrace address Alternates’ leader set up a chant for club member Brian W to show his face. This was unsuccessful although other residents might possibly have enjoyed the rousing performance. Brilliant blue skies and an occasional breeze helped maintain a pleasant temperature. Among others, the honking of paradise shelducks, warbling of wax eyes, and singing of skylark made for diverse bird life along the tracks.

Rather than following the Standards’ route to the Sign of the Kiwi and around Coronation Hill, the Alternates chose to lunch opposite the Christchurch Adventure Park atop a small knoll on Cedric’s Track. From our vantage point we could observe a slow regeneration since the 2017 Port Hills fires, while a line of smoke lazily drifting in the distance had us calculating the possible location. Standards’ leader Janne observed that she had many mentors to guide her and make suggestions for their lunch stop. The two groups eventually spied each other in the distance as the Standards emerged from Mitchells Track while the Alternates clambered over a rocky outcrop.

As we descended Bowenvale Valley track, we encountered an agitated ewe separated from her twin lambs. Frantic bleating from mum and babies accompanied a brief aborted charge by mum. A few Alternates made a quick advance beyond the trio while good shepherding and a moment of patience was all that was needed for the family to be reunited. There’s nothing quite like unintentionally getting between a mother and her babies to momentarily unsettle passers-by.

Today our walk finished in Bowenvale Avenue, the early completion allowing for refreshments at the Brickworks area. Txt by Marie-Therese

Alternates break for lunch

View across upper Lyttelton Harbour

View Northwest from the ridge

View across City from Bowenvale Track

Rock scrambling

Bruce giving a track commentary

Stats: distance 12.5/ 8km, ascent 250m, time 4hrs

With a good forecast and the sun already shining 46 trampers with driver Alan were anticipating an enjoyable day at Coalgate Forest.

We last tramped here in 2019 as cxl due to weather 2020 & last year following the floods we instead volunteered for a working bee to clear the debris from the farm fences after the Selwyn River had burst its banks. It looked a daunting task with many collapsed fences with broken wires, but many hands made light work & on completion a sumptuous BBQ of venison & sausages with wine & beer was provided in thanks.

Our lucky day as two generous shouts, Margaret Coleman for a significant zero birthday & Brian Wells, the intrepid traveller to celebrate 10 years at BTC & an in- between birthday.

At Darfield as arranged we met Andy K the Farm Manager, our guide for the day.

We turned off into Bush Gully Rd where Andy advised that this year, we had permission from Bathurst to walk up the shingle access road to the open cast mine. This gave us a great perspective of the vastness of the operation seeing the size of the steep hillsides created & the depth they mine with an extensive large pool of water.

Coal has been extracted here for 30 years covering 50 hectares with the seams all vastly different in width & length. Coal was last extracted here in 2021 which will keep the determined protesters happy. Fonterra & other dairy companies now get coal from the West Coast & Indonesia. In the future Fonterra will use only wood burning fires which will necessitate a lot more forests & hopefully involve a process where wood from the whole tree can be utilised.

En route to the mine we walked past a pine plantation owned by Matariki. Any trees planted before 1990 do not qualify for carbon credits even when replanted. The job of shutting down a mine & restoring the land is a very slow process that can take many years before final sign off. There are so many areas of liability such as erosion, silt in the waterways etc.  We were able to see first-hand the huge effort that has already gone into restoration of the land with massive soil & rock movement, stabilisation & plantings using all the toys for boys. Andy said the pool of water created may be transformed into a lake where water skiing could take place with picnic areas on the shore. Each piece of land is carefully considered such as the planting of natives where viable. Good to hear that the farm & Bathurst share excellent relationships both with the same vision.

We all puffed up a steep grassy hill before we qualified for morning tea with a view at 10.50am. After the break we joined up with farm tracks used in previous years & reached the highest point of the farm with two large water tanks with soft green grass to rest & more glorious views for lunch at 12.25pm.

After lunch Chris proved a competent leader along tracks, through gates, across deer paddocks beside pine plantations heading towards the bus at Whitecliffs. One gate had the men stumped when Andy suddenly appeared in his vehicle with a key to unlock the padlock. This saved the day for the men as to hoist all the women over the high gate would have been a task! With the mountain backdrop we looked towards Flagpole a destination on another tramp. In the final stretch there were several large pine trees down to walk through & over. Andy appeared again now on a quad bike to check

we were on track for the bus which we reached at 2.15pm which allowed us time for refreshments at Darfield. Home in Christchurch at 4pm after a wonderful day in which we had gained a better understanding of all the processes at play in restoring the land after years of mining. Txt by Kate

 PS Andy’s website – WAKAEPA – sells lamb, venison, honey. Goes live in a month.

Striding past the machinery

Descent after morning tea

Remains of the open cast mine

Explanations from our Farm Manager guide

Remains of a coal seam

Trampers avoid more fallen pines

A tricky bank to negotiate

Onwards past more fallen trees

​

Stats: distance 12.8km, ascent 500m, time 4hrs 15mins

The BTC members faced another week of a possible tramp cancellation with the forecast far from friendly. The weather team, in conjunction with the “Re-programming” team, has done a sterling job of getting the Club out on Wednesdays whenever possible, only cancelling as a last resort. Today’s tramp was originally scheduled for 27 July but still necessitated extra work in contacting members and ensuring that all six leadership roles were filled.

The weather was overcast but our driver James, had us off from Bishopdale and on our way to the drop-off point with not a moment lost. Unfortunately, a rare oversight by the Comms department meant that James had not been advised of the pick-up point at PMH. A circuitous journey around, and then through the city excited much comment from those who actually took notice of the route. Eventually the second group of eager trampers were aboard and off we set.

The descent from Huntsbury Ave allows one to get into a walking rhythm before the inevitable happens, and the track starts its upwards progress. On prior walks, a brief stop at the shelter has allowed walkers to enjoy the view, but on this occasion the whip was cracking and on we continued. A few plaintive calls that the morning tea spot had been reached were ignored, and quite rightly as the cluster of tree stumps and branches is unmistakeable. As always, the morning tea chat proved interesting but as we age there are some mistakes made. One member, alluding to his “petite derriere” and where he could place it in comfort, was heard as saying “Pete’s derriere”. The small group in the vicinity duly studied this part of Pete’s anatomy, and happily shared their own assessments.

The steady grind up the valley to the Summit Road saw the Standards looking forward to the easier undulating track to Thompsons Bush and the Sign of the Kiwi where the toilet stop was welcomed by many.

After emerging from Mitchell’s Track, our leader decided that it was too early for lunch at the usual carpark/lookout and with the low cloud interrupting the view, we pressed on to where we could hunker down out of the wind with some tree and bush shelter.

Refreshed and refuelled, off we set for our final challenge – the summit of Mt Vernon. Encountering our other group along the way we learned that they too had been enjoying the walk and at that point were pleased to relate that there had been no slips, trips or other calamities. Descending via the track in the Mt Vernon Farm Park, a number of knees were crying “Enough!” but again the conversations and laughter soon had us diverted from our woes.

On arrival at the pick-up point a rare sight was, a lack of transport! This was a first for this tramper, who usually has to be restrained from flinging her arms around the bus in gratitude. The Comms department was quick to the phone to find out if there had been a misunderstanding and whether or not James was on his way, hopefully with the bus!

The pessimists were busy calculating how many Ubers would be needed while the optimists divested themselves of their boots confident all would be well. And so it proved to be. A refreshment stop at The Brickworks was a pleasant finish to another great day in the hills. Txt by Jan Brw

Standards enjoy morning tea

Standards ascend towards the Summit Road

Onwards & upwards towards Sugarloaf

Standards leaders scaling Mt Vernon

Standards conquer Mt Vernon

Alternates enjoy lunch

Commanding view of Lyttelton Harbour from Mt Vernon

Stats: distance 13km, ascent approx. 400m, time 4hrs

A picture-perfect winter’s day today – sunny, cool, no wind. On the bus ride to Heathcote, Dave B took on the role of president in the absence of Bev and Judy. There were 36 trampers on the bus with 16 walking in the standard group and 20 with the alternative group. Viktor was driving.  Dave advised of the change of tramp for next week from Mt Richardson to Huntsbury/Mt Vernon. He also advised that the website now featured a page about the history of the club which made for very interesting reading.

We arrived at Heathcote to the sound of a helicopter hovering above the gondola building where it appeared work was underway.  At 9.13 am we set off up the Bridle Path, but it wasn’t long before a stop was necessary to shed clothing. We then trundled up to the Summit Road and enjoyed morning tea beside the memorial which celebrates the women who walked the Bridle Path after arriving by boat in Lyttelton. The memorial contains a relief picture of people making that trek with the following words:

“On this spot the pioneer women of Canterbury and their families rested after their climb from the port of Lyttelton and gazed with awe but with courage upon the hills and plain of Canterbury where they were to make their homes.”

Or these words from an 8-year-old which were on an information board at the beginning of the track:

“Our march out of Lyttelton that day resembled nothing so much as the flight of the population from some besieged city. Every article of household requirements, bedding, etc had to be carried on our backs.)

We then carried on to Pony Point which was going to be our destination for lunch past the shipyard, Corsair Bay and Cass Bay (with another viewing of the copper house). However, as it was only 11.30 am when we arrived, the decision was made to return to Cass Bay for lunch where we sat in the sun and relaxed with no time pressure. On our return from Pony Point we were surprised to see the alternative group appearing out of the bush as they had bush bashed up a different track to the one, we took. The usual track appeared to be closed but in fact it was the coastal track that was closed not the one we were on.

We carried on after lunch to the Stan Helms track and made our way uphill to the Summit Road on a fairly good track but not the highway of the Bridle Path. Steve, our first-time leader, kept up a good pace. We descended to Heathcote where our bus awaited and had time enough to indulge the hotel goers and the coffee goers in refreshments before arriving back at Bishopdale at 4 o’clock. A great day out enjoyed by all.  Txt by Janice

…and here’s a report from Ray on the Alternative’s day out:

The Alternatives gathered at the start of the Bridal Path with the anticipation of a hard climb to the Summit Road. Steady progress was made up the steep track with several breaks to look at the view and recover our breath. Morning tea was taken at about the half-way point and everyone was pleased to have the rest.

At the top the group went down the Bridle Path to Lyttelton and on to Cass Bay and Pony Point where lunch was taken. The track up to Pony Point proved more difficult than normal with the coastal track closed and some bush bashing needed to reach the reserve.

The journey back to the Te Ana Marina was a very pleasant walk with views across the harbour. At the marina there is an interesting Maori tauihu sculpture which is a traditional design signifying the prow attachment of a war canoe.

Standards ascend the Bridle Path

View of the mountains from the Bridle Path

Alternates group gather at the Bridle Path Women’s Shelter

Ridge top view of Lyttelton Harbour

Standards arrival at Te Ana Marina Lyttelton

Tauihu (Prow attachment) sculpture Te Ana Marina

Standards lunch at Cass Bay

Stats: distance 14kms, duration 4.30

Ah, Dracophyllum Flat today, a glorious walk through knee-deep snow … but no, a tramp in the mountains was too hazardous, so instead we were off on the less spectacular walk from Charteris Bay to Purau and then back to Diamond Harbour/Charteris Bay via a coastal track.  Never mind.

But maybe things weren’t so bad; this was our first tramp in 3 weeks, the weather forecast was for a pleasant warm day, and there was the bonus of lots of toilets along the way!

Having shouldered our packs (or in Glenys’s case, someone else’s pack), we set off from Charteris Bay. Nineteen keen Standards headed off along the usual roadway route, and Jan Brw lead the 22 Alternates along a delightful, picturesque coastal track via Black Point. A helicopter across the bay zapping backwards and forwards dropping off loads provided entertainment while we were enjoying our morning tea. The vegetation along our way was varied, including granddaddy old pines, succulents, rogue garden flowers, new plantings of natives, and those distinctive plants with purple flowers, Echiums, also known as Paterson’s Curse or Salvation Jane. Another feature along the way were the barrels with empty milk bottles bobbing on top of the startlingly green water (on offer as a treat for the native plantings, not for thirsty trampers!) We weren’t the only intrepid trampers along the way; we encountered a large, cheerful posse of ‘Westies’ who we assume hailed from West Melton, the alternative of West Auckland being a tad distant.

Lunch was a civilized affair for us Alternates, sitting at nice picnic tables with a stupendous view down to Diamond Harbour. However, the going soon got dramatically difficult when most of the Alternates continued on our way to Purau.  In fact, we were confronted with massive slips, and mud so deep that our trusty leader was heard to jokingly call out, “Oh, did anyone happen to see a ‘Track Closed’ sign?!” Er, yes, we all had seen an unofficial looking sign nailed to a tree but were so overawed by her local knowledge and confidence we had, like sheep, walked on past it! Our Esteemed Leader had actually not seen the sign at all, and her enquiry was genuine! As we hauled our mud-encased boots over the precarious slips we couldn’t help but wonder what our Standards buddies had done when they had encountered the matching sign coming from the other direction.

Actually, exactly the same: Standard Leader Chris S too had blithely continued on unaware, and his hapless troupe followed, bemused at his supposed daring leadership. Then there was Pip, who apparently took the word ‘slip’ as an instruction, and gracefully obliged.

After all that trudging in mud, the Alternatives didn’t quite make it to Purau, and took a shortcut back to the bus at Diamond Harbour in time to make it to our rendezvous with the weary Standards at Charteris Bay soon after.

So this may not have been the scheduled foray to the fabulous Dracopyllum Flat, but it actually turned out to be a pleasant day, with a little bit of adventure thrown in for good measure.  Txt by Shirley

Alternates morning tea stop heading to Purau on Coastal Track

Standards take a break on inland route to Purau

Standards arrival at Purau Foreshore Reserve

View across Purau Bay

Standards navigate Coastal Track from Purau to Charteris Bay

Charteris Bay Yacht Club

Stats: distance 14.5km, ascent 462m, time 4hrs 30mins

School holidays usually mean that the number of trampers will be a bit less than normal but 4 late defections due to Covid reduced the total to a mere 27. President Bev gave a special welcome to one member who had been away for some time for hip maintenance. In a surprisingly bright morning, both groups set off from Halswell Quarry with enthusiasm, helped along by songs from bellbirds, a sunny sky ahead and a lazy southerly behind. A moment of nostalgia for one member, recalling his days as an apprentice servicing a crusher in the now abandoned quarry which was shut in 1990.

At morning tea, we could see a lot of water lying below the hills after recent heavy rain, while further away, fresh snow glistened on the mountains. The initial route was a little south of previous tramps, but the end result was the same. Everyone remarked that there was very little mud on the track, but that would change after lunch. After 2 hours tramping, lunch was at the Sign of the Bellbird.

The plan was to go via Ella’s track to the Sign of the Kiwi. It was out of the wind with great views of the harbour, but it wasn’t long before Leader Lynne decided that the state of the track was more than we wanted to handle. So, the Crater Rim track was the better choice but, being reasonably flat in many parts, it was wetter and muddier than we would have liked.

In due course everyone arrived at the Sign of the Takahe and were treated to a piece of Ali’s excellent cake left over from the birthday lunch held the previous week. Txt by Peter

Onward & upward from Kennedys Bush

Morning tea on the ridge

Back on the trail towards Sign of the Bellbird

Lunch at Sign of the Bellbird

Heading towards Sign of the Kiwi

Arrival at Sign of the Kiwi before heading down to Takahe

Stats: distance 15km, vertical ascent 790m, time 5hrs 45mins

When President Bev joined us on the bus and made the usual announcements, she noted that our expected 27 trampers had swelled to 33 which was pleasing. Some of the old hands had considered that perhaps each week’s trip should be a “mystery tour’ so that the members deterred by the “Mt” preceding some of the tramps’ names, would be none the wiser until the destination was reached.

Mt Thomas has a reputation as being a long and challenging ascent. The Standards set off up the road at a fast clip to join the Ridges Track and to see if they could be the first for a couple of years to reach the summit.   Despite the valiant attempt it was not to be, and they arrived back at the bus over an hour behind the Alternates well-satisfied with their day, but still to knock the blighter off!

Meanwhile the Alternates were enjoying a fabulous day, lead at a steady and comfortable pace by Norma. Setting off on the Red Pine Track, the group was delighted that a new pathway had been constructed since the previous year’s washout, and this pathway was rated by all as A1!! We were high and dry with a groomed surface underfoot and many of the group commented that this was one of the few times that one could stroll along enjoying the scenery, confident that no rocks or roots were lurking to cause havoc for the inattentive. At the junction with the Kereru Loop track, the ascent became steeper, but the numerous switchbacks ensured that this was easily manageable. Underfoot now were the usual tripping hazards to be wary of, and then a truly formidable obstacle in the form of a large tree that had fallen across the track. The option of going around or under as is sometimes possible was ruled out, and a call to the rear for the chainsaw fell on deaf ears. Not even an offer of a Swiss Army Knife was forthcoming. We were silently grateful that it was up to Norma to demonstrate how we were going to get over this tree. “Come the moment, come the man”, or two in this case, and Bill and Gavin ensured that that we all reached the other side without too much effort.

Not long after this we dropped steeply to a stream where we thought we would have lunch, but with no sun it was decided that we would retrace out steps to the top where we could enjoy the dappled sunlight.

We were all a little worried about what it would be like getting over the aforementioned obstacle on the return journey as it appeared that the “mounting and dismounting” would prove more hazardous, but our two heroes had their technique honed and again all dropped down the far side unscathed!!

With plenty of time, we branched off and took the Kereru Loop track back to the bus where we quickly donned some extra layers to ward off the chill as we waited for the Standards.

Another great day in the bush. Thank you, Bishopdale Tramping Club. Txt by Jan Bar.

Admiring the view across the plains

Trudging up the steep pine forest track

Settling in for morning tea on the ascent

The Standards make their way through the Beech Forest

Lunch on the ridgeline

View of Mt Thomas summit from the ridge line track

Waterfall on the Wooded Gully Track