For the Christmas lunch it was decided to have a change of venue from previous years, and instead of going to Hanmer, we would go for a short walk before having a buffet lunch for 56 trampers at the Otoromiro Hotel in Governors Bay.

There were three options available – people taking their own cars, taking the bus to Governors Bay and walking locally, or being dropped off at The Sign of the Bellbird and walking down to Governors Bay via the Crater Rim and Faulkner’s tracks.  With some taking cars, we set off with a full bus , including two visitors and our bus driver Alan who would join us for lunch.

We were advised beforehand the track down to Governors Bay could be a bit challenging, and that was reinforced on the way there.  Nevertheless 35 trampers alighted from the bus at The Sign of the Bellbird and walking as one group we set off on the Crater Rim track. The weather wasn’t the best at first, with low cloud and a cool wind, but we were soon stripping off when the cloud lifted and we were protected from the wind.

We chose a spot on the side of the track overlooking the city for morning tea, with plenty of dry rocks for people to sit on. After tea it was a short walk before branching off to the right on to Faulkner’s track and heading downhill.

Although the track was quite narrow and overgrown in places and there was a reasonably steep drop off on one side, there were spectacular views of the harbour and Governors Bay, and plenty of zig zags made the going easier. Fortunately, the rain of the previous two days hadn’t made the track too slippery, although there were a couple of areas that had to be negotiated with care.

At one stage we stopped to watch a bird gliding across the valley in front of us. Its movements were reminiscent of a hawk, but the colours on its wings gave it away, and when it landed we confirmed it was a kereru/wood pigeon.

On the lower slopes of the track, it didn’t look like there had been a lot of foot traffic, and although we had no trouble keeping to the narrow dirt track there was shoulder high long grass and bracken fern were brushing us as we descended.

With the sounds of power tools we reached the first of the houses on the hillside, and then it was a short walk down to the main road and then to the hotel.

The rest of the group walking locally had arrived  just before us and after a quick change of clothes we headed up to the bar for the cold beers and rosés some of us had been looking forward to.

With the sun shining we were able to sit outside and there was plenty of bench seating either in the sun or under the shade of umbrellas. Before we started eating, owner Jeremy Dyer gave us a brief history of the hotel which he has owned for 18 years.

Founded in 1870, the hotel went through a couple of names before becoming the Governors Bay hotel, named after a former governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey.

Late last year it was decided to change the name to Otoromiro Hotel, to better reflect the Māori history of the area. The name translates to the place of Miro.  The Miro is a native tree that covers large areas of Banks peninsula, including Governors Bay and the site of the hotel. The berries of the tree are a favourite food of wood pigeons. The hotel also boasts a small, heated saltwater pool, complete with jets for endless swimming. Jeremy explained how they came across the old water tank and converted it into the pool.

The change of venue proved to be a success, and after an enjoyable lunch there was a bit of time to mingle before heading back to the bus for the trip home. For some it would be the last tramp, while others would meet in Akaroa for the final tramp of the year.

Morning tea beside the track

Faulkners Track.

Crossing the stile in Hoon Hay Reserve.

Long grass to negotiate on the narrow track

Enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Otoromiro Hotel.

Otoromiro’s endless pool

Enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Otoromiro Hotel.

Stats: Distance 11.5/7.6km, Ascent 519m, Time 4hrs.

With passes in hand a team of resilient trampers boarded the bus for a further walk in the Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park to end our second Covid-defined year. 

The warm bus and length of the ride up to Porters Pass can be sufficient to lull a keen tramper into a stupor, however that state was quickly gone on exiting the bus and feeling the nip in the air. The Alternates and Standards set out on their way. The Standards beginning with a scramble over a washed-out gulley. And soon the leaders and those who’d walked the track before conferring about the best route. Making choices about pathways (there is no marked track) was the order of much of the day. To go straight up or to zig zag up (or down) the levels of the terrain? Not unlike navigating a course living with Covid in 2021. 

It was the first day of summer and the walk was filled with flowering plants. Celmesia lyallii underfoot and delicate bright yellow spires of Bulbinella hookeri. Both pretty. The Bulbinella pretty enough for some trampers to entertain thoughts of it in their home gardens. Also, flowering was Disceria toumatou or matagouri and Aciphylla aurea commonly known as speargrass or Spaniard. While the golden Spaniard’s flower is handsome the plant is challenging to love given the havoc it can wreck on vulnerable bare flesh. Several of us fell into it, unbalanced by lumpy ground or were speared by it in passing. It appears to grow in clusters – or at least pairs  – where there’s a plant on one side of the path/track there’s at least one on the other side so that avoiding contact is difficult. 

Turns out that the Spaniard plant, like the flu pandemic of 1918, was ill-named. Sandra Simpson (Spiny Spaniards in New Zealand, 2013) writes that the only reference she can find suggests that the name is “jocular” and that Reverend William Colenso, writing in 1894, called the name “objectionable” preferring the Māori name, taramea (rough, spiny thing), or its botanical name. Its spiny-ness is an effective defence against browsing animals, and before the introduction of them, against moa. Māori ate its tender shoots and tap root which tastes something like a carrot. Which all adds up since it’s a member of the Umbelliferae or carrot family. 

The Standards found their way and ate morning tea looking down the valley to see the bus parked at the bottom. The walking was sometimes spongey underfoot, sometimes tussocky and consistently mentally engaging. And then we were walking the fault line and talking hypotheticals and which way would you jump if? 

We could see the Alternates ahead making their way up to the Coleridge Saddle and caught up with them as they lunched there in the sunshine. The Standards pushed on up to the top of Boundary Hill and lunched and marvelled at the spectacular landscape, Lake Coleridge and the Wilberforce and Rakaia valleys. 

As we readied ourselves to go, the comfort of food in bellies was quickly unsettled by a post lunch warning from our leader – going too far to the right could result in a broken neck, and on the left could result in a broken ankle. Sure enough there was a sharp drop off on the right and the walking on the left was pocked with hoof prints. In addition, there were the omnipresent Supercarrots to avoid.  Some of us didn’t. Part way down our descent was rewarded with the discovery of festive red ribbons marking a path. In the spirit of Christmas,  a team had done a recce quite a while ago and left seasonal cheer. Thank you very much.

The remainder of the Standards’ walk was relatively flat and straightforward. We followed a 4WD track most of the way to the Red Lakes (which are blue) with shoreline shaded by mountain beech. Then made our way to Lyndon Road and the waiting Alternates. The homeward trip was delightfully uneventful after an exhilarating last walk in the Canterbury foothills for the year. 

Morning tea amongst the matagouri.

The correct method for the group to cross a fence.

Taking a break before tackling Boundary Hill.

Trampers on the skyline.

Always good to get back to the bus.

Short, sharp heavy showers, high seas and gusting winds were forecast for the day. Perhaps I would stay in my cabin and hope for improved weather!! Then, awareness hit. That was last Wednesday in Fiordland- no sleeping in today.

Bus driver Dave, had us off from Bishopdale promptly as we had an hour fifteen journey ahead of us.  We noted our president’s absence and fortunately remembered to stop to pick up VP Bev as we headed up the highway for the countryside of North Canterbury. Bev proved a very able understudy mastering the microphone, announcements etc. with aplomb. Three visitors, Tony, Steve and Hettie were welcomed and the 40 of us looked forward to a great day in the country.

As usual, it seemed that all of a sudden and in the middle of nowhere, the bus pulled over to the side of the road and off we all piled. Ah, it was all coming back. A short, gentle uphill track had us climbing over the stile, or squeezing between gatepost and gate, and then we really were in rural Canterbury – green, rolling hills to both sides, and the sounds, sights and smells of a working farm. The track was well-formed and hazard-free, but the slope got steeper and continued to do so over almost all of the walk.

We were relieved when Alan called morning tea at 10.26, but this was done with a little diffidence and was more in the form of a question, giving one of our members the opportunity to offer the following as the last of the standards arrived, “Too bloody slow! We’re going on!!”  At this point we realized that the Understudy had filled the same role the year before and was keeping us to the times and locations noted then. Fortunately, at 10.30 the 2020 morning tea stop was reached and we all gratefully found a spot to take refreshments.

The day was perfect for tramping – sunny, but not too hot, and some breeze to cool us when topping yet another slope. The uphill nature of most of the walk lead to a discussion of semantics for a small number … was this undulating, or just plain uphill?  Pondering this, a new term was coined which we would encourage the Programme Committee to adopt – “Updulating”.  This would alert would-be trampers to a hike which had a few downhill sections, but which is mostly uphill.

We noted that the trees that had been planted just a couple of years earlier appeared to be thriving and a check of photos taken in 2019 would confirm this.

The old-hands were keeping an eye out for the well-known landmark – the dilapidated freezer. A couple of years ago this was missed and not wishing a repeat of the extra distance and hill that resulted, we were all ready to shout, “Stop”, if we looked like overshooting the gate that it marked. However, we were in good hands and Alan duly turned left at this point and shortly after we had another stop, for lunch this time.

Reaching the summit of the final climb, we knew that this was the trickiest part of the walk with the steepish downhill track covered with small stones and compressed dirt – an invitation to get into an uncontrolled slide or slip. The flat was reached without incident, but there we encountered a herd of cattle that had left their smelly calling cards exactly where we wanted to place our feet. We then had to negotiate the only water on the track, which was impossible to avoid. The cattle had been enjoying this also so we did return home with some evidence of our farm walk.

The Standards welcomed the opportunity to loll around on the lush grass, enjoying the sun while waiting for the Alternates to arrive.  Checking in with some of this group, it appeared they too had enjoyed the trek but it was not incident free. The sight of yet another “updulating” slope snaking into the distance, was enough to stir mutterings of mutiny!! Common sense prevailed and all were well-satisfied with their efforts when they joined us at the bus.

We soon found ourselves back on the road, and Bev announced that there was time for a refreshment stop in Amberley. The coffee-lovers were out of luck – apparently the cafes all close at 3.00. Perhaps we could contact them, pleading our case!!

Back on the bus and heading for home, we were all satisfied with our day out enjoying the exercise in the country air and sunshine.

Lunch with a view December 2021.

Stats – distance: 12.2km, vertical ascent: 660m, time: 4hrs 30mins.

Springtime is the ideal time for a tramp on the North Canterbury hills, with green pasture and moderate temperatures. Such was today’s walk in the Waikari area.

Doctors Hills is described as a range, being “an aligned and connected series of hills”. The area appears to be named for an early local who promoted walking the hills for a healthy lifestyle. Such pursuit today on the farm tracks of Broxton Farm while enjoying distant views of Pegasus Bay, Pyramid Valley and freshly snow dusted mountains would seem a perfect way to continue the doctor’s advice.

It was pleasing to have Soo out tramping again after her mid-year accident, we all enjoyed her celebratory treats. President Jan welcomed visitor Steve, driver Viktor deposited us at the start of the walk, where 26 standards, and 24 alternates set off to the accompaniment of loud barking of farm dogs, and the bleating of lambs. A rusty red chicken scratched away atop a hay bale; little other bird life was observed along the way. Fortunately, also absent were the giant Harpagornis Eagle that once preyed on the moa that roamed the area.

Maintaining a steady upward pace, we were soon rewarded by our morning tea stop at the side of the track. More climbing continued to the saddle where we heard the call for lunch. People draped themselves on clumps of grass, studiously avoiding the dried cow pats. As we sat in the sunshine, cloud gathered and there was a noticeable drop in temperature.

Eventually the alternates were sighted at the top of a ridge after their up and down and round route, a variant of the higher up and down and round route tackled by the standards. Differing methods were employed as the alternates navigated their way down through matagouri to join the waiting standards. Bar none, all emerged smiling as they came through the Taranaki gate, a practical replacement for the decrepit one which lay abandoned nearby with grass growing between its wooden planks. Opening and shutting gates was the order of the day, “Thank you, Sir”, “You’re welcome, Ma’am”.

Past the airstrip we wandered, with a few tussock butterflies being disturbed en route. Our destination ended with a brief walk back along the road to the bus.

With an early completion of the day’s walk a stop at Amberley was possible. Some resorted to the pub, alas the cafes weren’t open for coffee, a queue formed at the dairy. Thirty minutes allowed Jenny A. a fleeting visit to the Amberley Library to check whether her book on the Enys family of Castle Hill was on the shelves. This area is also tramped regularly on club outings.

All said, another great day out in the hills, just what the doctor ordered.

Txt: Marie-Therese

Morning tea time beckons

Spring snow on the hills yonder

The climb upwards continues

Clouds gather as we enjoy a high point

Changing footwear in comfort

Bus is ready to gather us up again

Today’s tramp over and around the Port Hills would be taking us over land and tracks named after Captain Morgan, John Britten, Major Hornbrook and Captain Thomas … who collectively sound rather like a dangerous bunch of pirates rather than some very influential men from our city’s history.

However, less fearsome sounding was our motley crew of 50 trampers, including Tony and two first-time visitors, Steve and Hetty, who all set out from Morgans Valley (once owned by Captain William Morgan and one of the first parts of Christchurch to be settled). The narrow track followed by our 25 stalwart Standards and 25 equally valiant Alternates was steepish and there weren’t many complaints when we had our morning tea early on. Walking on the Summit Road for a few minutes offered respite and the views down to Ferrymead and out further were a treat, as was the seeing much of the city still swathed in mist.

We reached the John Britten Reserve (named after the legendary motor cycle designer- certainly not a pirate) and then down Major Hornbrook track, which apparently looked very similar to the track by the same name which the Bishopdale Trampers had walked up a few weeks ago. (By the way, Major Alfred Hornbrook wasn’t actually a pirate either; he was a publican and run holder who formed the track which would bear his name.)

Our trusty leader Keith had no difficulty finding the unassuming (and unsignposted) track near Lyttelton which would take us uphill again through the Urumau Reserve (however the Alternates apparently did miss it and partook of some sightseeing in the vicinity of the local cemetery instead). The volcanic outcrops made the going on the tracks a bit tough, but there is something rather amazing about traipsing over the solidified lava of a real volcano, even if it is long extinct. The CCC website states that “The track is challenging, with some rocky sections that require some scrambling”. Another description might be: “A rugged, rocky spiral staircase winding sharply up and around crazy volcanic outcrops towards a craggy summit with excellent views and an ideal place for eating a packed lunch”.

While the Alternates were making their way to Lyttelton, the Standards wended our way down a track named after the non-piratical Captain Thomas, who has the honour of being the surveyor responsible for choosing the town sites for Lyttelton, Christchurch, and also Sumner, whence we were headed.  We made it safely down to Sumnervale and it was good to see the bus, and our Alternate buddies who had been picked up in Lyttelton.

So, me hearties, fair weather, no rambunctious pirates … and a great day out.  Txt Shirley B

Morning tea on the edge

Climbing above the city suburbs

Standards over the stile with style

Above Urumau Reserve

Towards Evans Pass

Trusty Driver with the bus met us at Sumner

Distance: 5.3km (stds)   Duration: 4hr 20min

Elevation: Max Alt 1741m (stds)  Min Alt: 939m   Elevation Gain: 802m

With 48 trampers aboard the bus, we left Christchurch under grey overcast skies but with high hopes for a fine day in the mountains.  After the November 2018 attempt to get to the top of Foggy Peak had to be abandoned because of high winds, weather conditions were looking much more favourable for today and the low overcast soon gave way to blue sky and bright sunshine as we approached the foot of Porter’s Pass.

A team of 20 decided to tackle the climb to Foggy Peak and got off the bus at the top of Porter’s Pass.  The other 28 trampers carried on a few hundred metres to Starvation Gully with a plan to complete an ‘out and back’ walk to Trig M and on towards Rabbit Hill.  The usual Trig M/Rabbit Hill/Lyndon Road route wasn’t possible today because Lyndon Road is closed for repair following extensive flood damage in June and so the bus was unable to get to the usual pickup point.

Alan led the 20 up the mountain while Norma led her 28 up to Trig M.  On both routes it was a steady upward slog but broken by frequent rest stops as the tail enders caught up with the leaders.  On the slopes of Foggy Peak we were able to take in the increasingly spectacular views – the plains still shrouded in cloud, Porter’s Pass and across the valley where we could see the alternative group heading up the track towards Trig M.  Weather conditions were almost ideal – the sun warmed us but the northwest breeze kept us from overheating.

On Foggy Peak, there was brief respite from the relentless climbing as we reached the false summit and walked about 100 m across a small plateau before starting to climb again.  The summit with its patches of snow still looked far away but President Jan assured us that we’d reach it in about half an hour and that estimate proved right.  Soon after midday and about two hours after setting out, we found ourselves on the broad, flat, top of Foggy Peak at an elevation of 1741 m.  After the obligatory group photo, we took in the spectacular panoramic views – Trig M, Rabbit Hill and Lake Lyndon to the south, the Craigieburn Range to the west, Castle Hill Peak and Mt Torlesse close by and Christchurch and the plains still hidden under a layer of low cloud.  We sat eating our lunch looking eastwards with the Kowai River Valley and Bob’s Knob at our feet and the snow-covered Torlesse Range stretching away to our left.

Reluctantly we left our lofty perch and began the descent to Porter’s Pass.  It was faster going down but just a little scarier with the loose shingle underfoot inviting an ignominious fall.  Some of us were more confident than others but we all arrived safely at the bottom just a few minutes after 2 pm. As we descended, we could see the alternative group of 28 also heading back down from their tramp to Trig M and beyond.  After a short wait and some discussion about the length of the walk as  measured by various tracking devices (was 5.5 km the distance in plan or along the hypotenuse of our triangle?), the bus arrived to take us back to Christchurch.  Our legs knew they’d had a workout but the minds of the 20 were glad they’d met the Foggy Peak challenge.  Txt Warren G

View to east on Foggy Peak climb

Pause for breath and views

Standards on summit of Foggy Peak

Perfect conditions for photos

Almost time to descend

Distance: 13.2km    Duration: 4hr 35min (stds), 4hr 30min (alt)

Elevation: Max Alt 495m   Min Alt: 0m   Elevation Gain: 583m

A group of 43 trampers set off with one of our regular drivers, Viktor, on a calm morning with just a few sprinkles of rain as we headed towards Barnett Park to pick up 8 trampers waiting for us. By the time we got over Evans Pass and through Lyttleton the drizzle had disappeared.  This was the first time we walked this tramp from the Lyttelton side.  The Alternates were dropped off to start their walk from Corsair Bay, while the Standards’ starting place was Pony Point.

One of our trampers asked if I knew where the name Pony Point originated.  I haven’t been able to find out anything about that but I did find that the Māori name for Pony Point is Ōtūherekio.  I did find some interesting history that you may like to read. Too much information to include the detail in this report.  http://lytteltonharbourjetties.blogspot.com/2019/06/cass-baymotukauatirahi.html

Some of you may have also noticed an area with a sign for T.S. Steadfast Sea Cadets that we passed near Cass Bay.  In the Press (19^thOct) there was an article indicating that there are plans to open up this area for more tracks.  So hopefully not too long away we will have another track to incorporate into our programme.  https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/126718540/steadfast-reserve-above-christchurchs-cass-bay-to-reopen-after-years-of-locked-gates

We started off for a reasonably relaxed walk into Lyttelton.  The Alternates stopping for morning tea at a reserve on the corner of Voelas Tce and Harman Road, while the Standards headed down to a lovely park near the marina.

From there, the uphill began as we walked through the steep Lyttelton streets round to Major Hornbrook track.  The workers trimming the grass got a short break as we made our way up to the dtop for lunch.  At the top the Standards continues up and around the Mt Cavendish and the Mt Pleasant towers, while the Alternates took a route around the Summit Road.

As the Standards continued down toward the Summit Road and the start of the Eastender’s Track, a number of stops were made to allow the musterers and their dogs to get the sheep where they needed to go, before we frightened them off in another direction. We were surprised to see how many dogs were being used (about 10?) and the amount of noise the sheep and dogs managed to make. We then continued on and dropped down to Barnett Park, seeing the Alternates not too far ahead of us.

Cass Bay and the “Copper House”.

Corsair Bay looking still and calm

Standards morning tea at the Marina

Morning tea for the Alternate Group

Lytellton Harbour

Major Hornbrook Track upwards

The reality of our climb & descent

Distance Stds/Alts: 14kms Time Walking: 4hrs 15mins   Elevation: Max Alt 328m Min Alt 20m

The prospect of a dull and cloudy day with a cool easterly wind and light rain forecast for the afternoon had the weather team thinking but finally they decided that tramping was ‘on’. In murky drizzly weather we set off on the bus from Bishopdale with new driver, Renju and headed to Scarborough Beach. President Jan welcomed everybody and advised the leaders for the day and also welcomed two visitors.

49 trampers gathered at the clock tower – 30 in the standard group and 19 in the alternative group. The standards set off up the Flowers Track to Nicholson Park before heading down the coastal track to Taylors Mistake. This track provided sea views and a brisk breeze to blow the cobwebs away. As it was low tide, we were able to walk along the beach to our welcome morning tea break at Taylors’s Mistake before heading up the track towards Godley Head. With the Godley Head area being closed off for asbestos removal, we turned right at Taylor Battery towards Scott’s Cabin.

Chris called for a group photo at Scott’s Cabin and leader Warren briefly outlined its history. The 3 m x 4 m hut was built in England and taken to Antarctica in 1911 on Captain Scott’s ship the SS Terra Nova.  It was to be used by the polar expedition’s meteorologist but as he was unable to make the journey, the hut was never used.  After Scott’s party died during their return from the Pole in January 1912, the hut was brought back to Lyttelton and eventually erected in a property on Clifton Hill.  Over the years it was used by many people connected with Scott (including Scott’s wife) until the February 2011 earthquake left it marooned in a hazardous zone and facing demolition.  The then owners vested the hut with DOC and in 2013 it was moved to its present location near Godley Head.

Following an early lunch in cool conditions at the Godley Head picnic area, the standard group headed off towards Evans Pass on the Crater Rim Walkway.  As we skirted Lyttelton Harbour in very cloudy weather, we had only intermittent views of the harbour to our left as the cloud came and went.  One member commented that the misty atmosphere and the bleating of unseen sheep reminded her of walking the hills in Scotland.  After a longish walk along the tops which was sometimes a bit rough and slippery we arrived at Evans Pass with no mishaps and were pleased to see the bus arrive about the same time.

Driver Renju took us back to the Scarborough clock tower where we had a short wait for the alternative group who came back via Taylor’s Mistake.  President Jan decreed we would have half an hour to wander around Sumner and we arrived back at Bishopdale at 3.45 pm just as the rain began.  Well done to the Weather Team who made the right call for our refreshing day in the hills! Txt by Janice and Warren

An Alternative View by Nick Atkins:

“Flowers Track’s hairpin corners were negotiated with Lewis Hamilton precision. On arriving at the top, we were faced by a new track, well since the earthquake down to the cliff track, a pleasant change. A quick stop at Taylor’s Mistake then onward to Godley Head following the detour instructions to the letter for lunch. Topics of conversation included fish recipes, covid, three waters, immigration to NZ, vaccines etc so time passed quickly. Coming home we decided to walk up the road from Taylor’s Mistake’ for a change of scenery followed by a very rapid descent to the bus. Ably led by Norma and her team we had two ascents and three descents convincing every one that we walked further than our fitter colleagues.”

Clock Tower Sumner starting point

Taylors Mistake Beach

Climbing to Godley Head

Scotts Hut group picture for the Standards

Alternates arrive as Standards leave the lunch spot

Walking in the mist

The mist continued

Distance: 13.95kms  Time Walking: 4hrs 30mins

Elevation: Max Alt 1000m Min Alt 772m Vert Assent: 415m

Waking to a frost and clear blue sky, 50 trampers (including visitors Jun Hae, Chris H and Tony) went on the bus driven by Victor, and Chris and Alan drove another nine trampers in their vehicles to Castle Hill Village.  This was a very good turnout of Club members and visitors for a very popular tramp.

The construction of the Hogs Back Track was a joint effort by the Castle Hill Village community and the Department of Conservation to be used by walkers, mountain bikers and skiers to access the backcountry.

Once everyone had arrived at our destination by bus and car we all set off at 10.15am from the access road just west of Castle Hill Village. The standards had 36 in their group so there was a lot of counting for the tailender!  The alternates followed in a group behind the standards as they were doing the same walk but not going as far.

From the access road, we made our way up through Thomas Bush climbing through the beech forest onto the Long Spur ridgeline. At 10.50 am we stopped for morning tea by the Old Ghost Tree and Chris lined us all up for a photo. After following the ridgeline, we descended across the open flats below Long Spur to the beech forest at Long Creek. Most of us got our feet wet crossing Long Creek which had a good flow of water. It was the first stream we crossed and the only one without a bridge.  The walk through the beech forest was followed by a short climb up the true right of Waterfall Creek. After crossing Waterfall Creek, the track then traverses across to the western side of the Hogs Back ridge.

As we progressed towards Hogs Back ridge the wind came up strongly and it became very cold.  Our leader  Peter thought it would be best to have lunch below the ridge due to the conditions, so we sheltered in some very large tussocks and ate our lunch at 12.30 pm.  At 1 pm we made our way back to Castle Hill Village the same way we had come.

The walk consists of a mix of beech forest and open grasslands and the scenery was stunning with the snow-capped mountains of the Craigieburn range all around. There were also small patches of snow on the ground near the track in some places. The birds were very chirpy in the beech forest parts of the track which was great to hear.  The traps dotted along the way must be helping to keep the vermin down. Although the track was muddy and a bit sloppy in parts due to recent rain, it is undulating for the most part so apart from being slippery in places it was a fairly easy walk.  The track is off-limits to mountain bikes over the winter months which is just as well, or it could have been quite a mess to walk on. It was cool in the shade of the beech forest but lovely and warm when walking out in the open in the sun.  The rain forecast for later in the day did not arrive, so we had very pleasant conditions apart from the chilly wind in exposed places.

The standards passed the alternates on the way back and both groups arrived  at the car park at approximately 3pm.  It was a very good day out enjoyed by everyone.  Txt by Judy R.

Standards by the Old Ghost Tree

Snowy tops to accompany the trampers

Tricky river crossing

Snow beside the forest track

Back out into the open

River crossing on the return trip

Alternates enjoy a pause

After dodging an expected weather bullet, the bus of 37 and driver Alan headed  north to Mt. Thomas. Progress was impeded by 6 cyclists who were difficult to pass once off the motorway. They were headed in the same direction as we were.

We alighted to a calm, non-windy campsite and overshot the start of the Ridge Track.  This track is a marked,  hard, slow upward grind with few flat areas.  Added to this there were numerous broken trees due to high winds in the area several days before.  Consequently we became contortionists climbing over and under, in and out or around as required.

Morning tea was consumed just before heading into the trees.  We had a splendid view of the plains.

It was decided to continue past the Wooded Gully Track turnoff for 10 -15 minutes to find an open area for lunch.  Climbing up the knob we came across an over 40  group of 27 who kindly let us through.  However they continued to the beacon whereas we had lunch viewing the beacon from afar before the clouds rolled over it.  We were able to see some of the plains below and it was mild with little wind, a veritable plus on this mountain!!

It was a relatively easy walk down with some unusual small slip and stream crossings.  Some saw baby fantails and some heard melodious bellbirds.

The Standards were a tad late for the bus as the Alternates had an hour’s wait after their trips up the Ridge Track for morning tea and the Wooded Gully for lunch.  We arrived back at Bishopdale at 5.10 pm. Txt by Nicky

On the way – after morning tea

Under this one

Negotiating a big slip

Lunch with a view

Over the top this time

Yet more fallen trees in the way