Distance 14.2km.    Elevation gain 478m.  Time 4.5 hours (including stops)

The weather forecast was for a beauty and so it turned out to be.  For mid-winter we couldn’t have asked for a better day, blue skies and no wind.   The weather team, of course, received due credit!

President Jen, as has become her well received custom, greeted us in the several languages of the group on board and informed us that the 41 trampers meant that we had a “break even financially” number for the trip.  Driver Tony headed off along SH 73, past the ‘World Famous in Sheffield’ pie shop and turned off soon after into Dalethorpe Road, at the Annat corner.  There used to be a small settlement and a school at Annat (in fact the author apparently spent the first year of his life in the school house there) but there isn’t much there now.

A few km down Dalethorpe Road, a washed-out ford stopped the bus, so we disembarked and set off down the shingle road in separate groups, even though both Standards and Alternates were doing the same tramp.  After a km or so, our intrepid leader, Chris led us off the road and into the Dalethorpe Forest, along 4-wheel drive tracks, where the shaded areas were still hard with frost.

This was a pine forest with trees at different stages of development, but it didn’t stop some comments encouraging Chris to deal to a few apparently out of place (wilding) specimens.  Morning tea was in the warm sun on a grassy knoll and during our break, the local farmer passed by on his quad bike, demonstrating his drifting skills.

Now the climbing started along the Annavale Station’s 4-wheel drive tracks, traversing the small muddy streams and dodging the impressive cow pats deposited by the Angus cattle.  While the track was undulating at first, it increasingly became upwards and the talking notably decreased as we climbed and a couple of breaks were required to regain breath.

The lunch spot was short of the top, but we had glorious views of the Russell Range, which we were tramping in, as well as across to the Big Ben range to the south.  A glider drifted noiselessly above us and there was some discussion about where it would land in this hilly terrain, but a solution soon emerged when it crossed above us again, with a microlight engine whining away.

After lunch, there was a brief but steepish climb to the top and the group, eschewing the desire to scale the nearby Russell Peak (941m), took in the panoramic view presenting itself.   To the west was the Torlesse Range with snow topped peaks and Lake Rubicon, visited on another BTC tramp.  Below us, the Kowai River wandered northwards to join the Waimakariri River in the distance.  The track downwards provided some physical relief and also a continuation of these outstanding views on this warm and sunny day.

Some horses came to their fence to investigate this large group of intruders who had invaded their tranquil environment.  They presented a beautiful photographic opportunity with the snow covered Torlesse Range behind them.

Down near the bus and on the flat again, we walked alongside a very early irrigation canal, transferring water from the Kowai River to the plains.

The Alternates arrived soon after the Standards and the bus headed for the city again after a wonderfully invigorating day in brilliant weather, and we all felt how lucky we are to live amongst such natural beauty.

Text by Selwyn

Preparing to set off from bus drop off

Stds followed by Alts on track

Morning tea in the sun

Heading up steep track to lunch stop

Leading stds take a short break

Majestic horses

Panoramic views during farm track descent

Stds re-group on way to bus pick up

Distance 15km, ascent 672m, time 4hrs 45mins

While we were travelling by bus all the way to Mt Alexander there could easily have been a procession of psychedelic unicorns pulling chariots laden with burlesque dancers going past, but the fog was so thick they would have gone by unnoticed. All credit goes to driver Garth for driving us skilfully through all the murk and mist.

However, it was a pleasant trip, with the joy of being on the receiving end of three rounds of little treats and the fun at watching Bev trying to stuff large bags of used bras and swimming togs into the overhead racks (don’t ask).

We arrived safely at our destination and caught a glimpse of Andy Fox, the fourth-generation owner of the property, Foxdown Farm. He kindly allows us to walk on his 14,000ha sheep and cattle farm for a smallish koha, which we’re told he will be donating to the local fire brigade this year.

So, 34 trampers including guest Peter S set off uphill towards the nicely maintained pine plantation which was still shrouded in mist. Then, voila! Sunshine! Before long the 21 Standards, soon followed by the 13 Alternates, made it to one of the most unusual morning tea spots our club gets to enjoy. This is a very old sheep yard, studded with trees and still bordered on one side by an authentic drystone wall.  There can’t be many like this in the whole of New Zealand and this one is in excellent condition. It was just lovely sitting in the sunshine, being serenaded by magpies.

Soon after smoko we encountered two very startled-looking newlyweds driving carefully down the track from the very flash Foxdown Hut.

The Standards made it to the last steep climb, negotiated the difficult barbed wire fence and chose lunch spots near the trig at the top of Mt Alexander. The Alternates, who arrived soon after, favoured possies closer to the massive radio masts. In fact, the view from anywhere at the top was superb – all the way down to the Waikari basin, across to Lake Sumner, the snow-capped Southern Alps in the distance, and the Kaikoura range far away to the north. Eating our lunch with no wind to contend with and with sunshine on our faces was just blissful. Even a discussion on the sad state of US politics couldn’t cast a shadow of gloom on the participants.

The Alternates set off again the same way they had come up (but obviously all downhill this time!)  while we Standards took a longer, more undulating route. The pine plantation we had encountered at the start of our giant loop tramp looked a long way away, because it was, but at least the bigger ‘undulations’ weren’t as muddy as they could have been. This was a sign of the severe recent drought, as was the fact there was hardly any stock left on the farm this winter (though there was still a lot of sheep and cattle poo to stick to our boots).

The Standards made it back to the bus first, followed soon after by the Alternates. There was just enough time for a quick look around Foxdown’s splendid collection of classic cars, which appears to be still expanding.

By the end of our pleasant, uneventful tramp any vestiges of cabin fever from not having tramped for a couple of weeks had dissipated just like that morning fog, and it was a bunch of happy trampers who boarded the bus for the trip back from Foxdown to Fogtown.

Text by  Shirls

Trampers greeted at Foxdown Farm

Stds lead the way

Stds enjoy morning tea

Alts enjoy summit lunch

Awesome views across misty valleys

Stds descend from summit

Stds group photo

Alt Return through pine plantation

Duration 3 ¼ hr

There may have only been 38 of us keen trampers (including guests Cait and Stuart) setting out from Castle Hill Village, but after about 10 days of drizzle and rain we were all set to enjoy this superb tramp. We definitely were ‘all set’ as there were gloves, raincoats, and even some over-pants donned in the expectation that we’d be trudging all day in the cold and wet. The fog we’d encountered along the way had done nothing to make us feel more confident about the weather. However, within half an hour of steady uphill walking, multiple layers were shed as the weather was actually quite pleasant.

The bush along the start of the Hogsback track seemed even more lush, mossy and green than usual after the recent rain, but surprisingly the track wasn’t overly muddy (no exciting falls were observed to add a touch of drama to this report unfortunately  oops, fortunately).

Morning tea was at a pleasant spot near the turbulent Thomas River (oh alright, it was actually so tiny we could step over without getting our boots wet- no drama here either sorry). The 11 Alternates had already passed this point, having avoided most of the uphill part by skirting round on the flat.

It wasn’t that long after morning tea that the 27 Standards emerged from the bush and made our way to our picturesque lunch spot, the lip of the Leith slump, with the fog-bound Mt Enys towering above. Some of the Alternates were enjoying the new picnic table there, but no one was raving about the view. Usually this is a stunning spot to look way down to Castle Hill Village, and across to Prebble Hill, but today it was still somewhat foggy and there were just tantalising glimpses to be had.

This writer does not pretend to be an expert on the geology of the area, but can report that apparently the formation of the slump has something to do with a section of the mountainside collapsing, possibly due to the effects of water on soft glacial sediments, rather a long time ago. A very technical explanation, I know.

Both Kiwan, first-time leader of the Alternates, and Standard leader Brent both cleverly managed (with a little help from Alan) to locate the elusive spot to lead us over a fence and onto the ideal track to take us across the tussock covered hillside. Our destination drew us forward, the magnificent Kura Tawhiti tors emerging out of the land like… an obvious simile sorry… like the ruins of a massive castle. Walking through these vast, water and wind sculpted limestone outcrops is quite a humbling experience.

There was plenty of time to read display boards with fascinating information about the Kura Tawhiti area, including how it was all under water 30 million years ago, and a reminder about how there had been moas and giant Haast’s eagles around here 700 years ago. Secure behind a fence were some of the world’s rarest buttercups, about 69 plants in all. Also impressive were the new sculptures symbolising the importance of this area to Maori. Kura Tawhiti can be translated as ‘treasures from an ancient land’ which seems very apt.

It was only 1.30 when both groups made it back to the bus waiting for us in the Kura Tawhiti carpark. Driver Callum drove us skilfully through the fog back over Porters Pass, and there was still time for a coffee/beer/ice cream at Darfield (and someone may even have decided they had earned a pie, despite today’s tramp being not much more than a mere 8km for the Alternates and 9km for the Standards).

It was a treat to be back at Bishopdale nice and early at 4 o’clock, with the added pleasure of knowing we hadn’t had to endure yet another blah weather day in Christchurch. In fact, we had enjoyed good weather, a bit of exercise, lots of fellowship, and some incredible scenery. Not bad for $25!

Text by Shirls

Ready to set off from bus drop-off

Stds morning tea stop

Snowy peak from beech forest track

Approaching Kura Tawhiti lunch stop

Alts enjoy sit down lunch

Stds descent after lunch

Single file along Leith Hill track

Castle Hill rock formations en route to pick-up

Distance 13 km                         Ascent   560m               Duration 4 hr 40min

A very chilly morning, minus 5, we were told, saw even most of the diehards abandon their usual shorts for full leg covering. We were all pleased to head off to Gebbies Pass and a big thanks to Stuart, our driver, who had the heating turned on and up!!

After collecting our fellow trampers from their pick-up spot at Halswell, we numbered 38 in total. President Jen welcomed us all to what was shaping up to be a great day, introduced a new member Bruce H, and thanked Kate for the birthday chocolates which were circulating. Although not the done thing to inquire how many candles on the cake, Kate was quite forthcoming, saying that she now qualified for free skiing. Further questioning elicited the information that she had not been on the slopes for quite a few years, and with her health and well-being foremost in our minds, free pass or not, there were many cries of, “Don’t do it Kate!!”

We soon arrived at the crest of Gebbies Pass, the short bus journey making a nice change. The group of 25 Standards were soon headed upwards closely followed by the 13 Alternates. As the forest is still being felled in different areas the track can change between our annual visits. Steve did a good job of keeping to the well-marked path although he caused a little consternation when he invited his group to “Get their gear off”. Perhaps it’s a reflection of our age that we may have been more excited if he’d said, “Get your sandwiches out!” However, the steadily uphill route saw hats, neck warmers, gloves, jackets and vests being discarded at various times.

Those of us who remembered the walk as it used to be, were bemoaning the lack of fully grown pine trees that we would spend quite some time wending our way through on the lower slopes. However, we were pleased to note the absence of the unsightly and dangerous “slash” evident just a couple of years earlier. Morning tea was soon called and a chorus of the usual song for the Birthday Girl was thought appropriate. Having learned on the journey that our bus driver was a muso and chanteur, some felt that we would have benefitted from his input at this point!

One of the many great things about this tramp is the variety of landscapes walked through – although the patches of treacherous ice underfoot didn’t allow for too much gazing around, or appreciation of the wonderful views as we climbed ever higher.  We enjoyed Chris’ geology lesson – stopping us to point out the two basalt columns and how they had formed from cracks in the volcanic vents.  Thank you, Chris.

We made good time reaching the Packhorse Hut, arriving well before noon. Cameras appeared and there was time to explore the hut (and conveniences), and enjoy the views. The Sign of the Packhorse built in 1916, is one of the four rest stops on the route to Akaroa, envisaged by Harry Ell.

Eventually we were rounded up and with Mt Bradley looming over us, set off on the second leg of the journey through quite different terrain, and now walking in the shade. The bush and the lancewoods were a wonderful sight and this whole section taking about 45 minutes was a highlight for most. Our leader found a spot in the sun for lunch and far below we could see the track that we would be rejoining, winding its way down to the Kaituna Valley. There seemed to be plenty of time for a leisurely lunch which we all enjoyed. Making our way steadily downhill from this point to the bus was fraught with danger as patches of ice caused loss of traction and frequent slips were observed and heard. We were pleased to sight the bus and with no injuries in either group the consensus was that it had been a great day for all.

Text by Jan Bw

Departure from Gebbes Pass bus drop-off

Stds morning tea stop

En route to Packhorse Hut

Stds arrive at Packhorse Hut

Kaituna Valley view from Packhorse Hut

Stds lineup on trail after lunch

Stds muster on Kaituna Valley trail

Stream crossing Kaituna Valley

Distance 14km                          Ascent   612m                            Duration 4 hours

On a clear sky morning with a promising forecast for sunshine, 36 trampers with bus driver Tony departed Yaldhurst promptly at 8.45am. As we headed west, I think some trampers from last week were relishing the thought of an upright day with no prolonged bending or spade work. President Jen welcomed everyone and advised Bruce H was now a member of BTC. A pair of woman’s size 12 zip-off Kathmandu walking pants were going free for anyone interested. Not sure if they have been snapped up (enquire next week).

At 10.20am 26 Standards were dropped at Mistletoe Flat at Broken River and set off at a steady pace up the ski field access road where the ground was sparkling with the heavy frost. Hats and gloves were the order of the day for most. At 10.40am, when a sunny grassy clearing appeared, it was time for morning tea. The tailender had competently carried out all aspects of his role but had violated the dress code. He was advised the high vis vest was to be worn over his head not draped over his backpack. He obediently obliged.

A little tomtit joined us and later in the day we spotted another one making it a “two tomtit day”. The male’s distinctive song is “ti-oly-oly-joly-ho” that lasts for 2-3 seconds. The men might like to practise that.

Shortly after morning tea we turned right on to the Luge Track to continue uphill through the stunning mountain beech covered in lichens and mosses with the lyrical notes of the bellbirds for company. At 11.45am we reached the Lyndon Saddle where the Craigieburn Valley Track and the Luge Track meet.

The “buzz” on my section of the track was a lively discussion about bees following a recent news item about a North Canterbury beekeeper who had to destroy his whole livelihood due to AFB (American foulbrood). It’s a bacterial disease that destroys the honey bee colonies and once infected they never recover. His argument was he had spores only that were below the level to cause an infection. No risks can be taken with all the bee boxes and equipment having to be set on fire otherwise he could face a criminal prosecution. In NZ it is illegal to use antibiotics to control.

I was advised that, to detect it, you need to poke the brood by placing a small poker such as a match (handy hint, don’t light the match first) into the brood and when you withdraw it you will find a chocolate-like strand which, if not already, will shortly be foul smelling. Enough about foul diseases.

From the saddle we hiked on the Valley Track which provided more birdsong and stunning mountain and forest vistas as we crossed several steep scree slopes. When we came out of the forest to the tussocks and sub alpine plants in bright sunshine, we stopped for lunch perched above the track as it was now 12.45pm.  A mountain biker was spotted approaching and as we had nowhere to move to he carried his bike over 26 trampers and their lunch. Next, those who saw him bike across the shingle scree had their hearts in their mouths. Another lunchtime excitement was to be joined by a kea which walked across the track before disappearing in to the forest.

After lunch a short walk through the tussocks takes you to the Craigieburn Valley Ski Field where you observe a very steep rope tow (the steepest in NZ) before the well-maintained lodges which provide accommodation for the skiers. This ski field is for intermediate and advanced skiers only, and has 3 fast rope tows, the first installed in 1949. Broken River Ski Field next door was first skied in 1951 and was voted the best club field in NZ  in 2023 providing off-piste skiing and snowboarding at its best. It has 5 rope tows and often the longest ski season in Australasia.

I have included this ski field info for the “birthday boy” who shouted last week boasting he now qualified for free skiing. If he is feeling adventurous nothing better than trying off-piste snowboarding.

There was plenty of time for chatter on the long downhill back to the bus on the ski field access road where we arrived at 2.40pm 5 minutes after the Alternates.

The Alternates had been dropped off at the Craigieburn Valley carpark where they walked up the access road before turning left on to the Valley Track. They had an uneventful hike with nobody coming to grief crossing the scree slopes. They enjoyed their lunch in the ski field carpark.

Tony had us back at Bishopdale by 4.30pm after a wonderful day in the Craigieburn Forest that never disappoints.

Text by Kate

Stds break for morning tea

Ascending track through Beech Forest

Onward & Upward…

Alts at lunch stop

Inquisitive Kea at Stds lunch stop

Stds ready to set off after lunch

Stds muster below ski field

Comfort stop at head of ski field vehicle track

It was a cool grey morning when the bus departed Bishopdale for our annual tree planting exercise.  After stopping to pick up more trampers at Princess Margaret Hospital carpark we numbered 39 including one guest (Neville) and one visitor (Bruce). Our President greeted everyone on the microphone with “Good Mornings” that covered every nationality on the bus including Te Reo. We were all very impressed with her skills. Chocolates were circulated – one bag from Dave R who was excited as his birthday allowed him to qualify for free skiing (even more excited than when he received his Gold Card) and one from Pip as it was one year almost to the day since she broke her fibia on the same excursion (the walk part not the tree planting!). I’m pleased to say she has fully recovered.

We arrived at the Summit Road Carpark driven expertly by our wonderful Viktor, and crossing the road walked up a short distance to the Urumau Reserve, the same area we planted last year.  We were met by Park Ranger Fiona and her two assistants from Council who had prepared the ground by scraping out the top vegetation. They had placed a variety of native plants in the cleared spots for us to plant.  Shovels and gloves were handed out and, as we were short of a few spades, some of us worked in pairs, one digging and one assembling the plant cage and stakes to place around the plant.  We started planting about 10am after watching a “correct way to plant your tree” demonstration by Fiona.  The ground was quite hard due to the very dry summer. It was important to mulch correctly around the plant once one managed to break the ground and plant the tree. Much talking and laughter made short work of the 420 trees planted.  Viktor, our driver, also assisted with the planting. Such enthusiasm! Brent nearly took himself out with a bamboo stake (that was the worst part of the planting – trying to get those bamboo stakes in the hard ground without snapping them – Fiona made it look so easy!) We had a short break for morning tea at 11am and finished up at mid-day. A very satisfying couple of hours.

We then walked back down to the carpark where the bus was parked and had our lunch under the pine trees at the top of Richmond Hill. The wind had come up from the south and it was becoming bitterly cold. We were keen to get walking and set off at about 1pm to walk down the Eastenders Track to the Barnett Cave Loop Walk Track. Squally showers and wind battered us at the top but once down to the track leading to the cave it was considerably calmer.  We climbed up 70 wooden steps to enter the cave to find four people sitting there enjoying the views.  The sound is so amplified in the cave that as we walked up it sounded like there were a lot more people than four in there so it must have been very noisy when we all arrived. There were great views down the valley.  Some of our trampers had never been into the cave before so found it interesting.  We walked down the steps and followed the loop trail back to the bus. We found the left side of the loop going down a little greasy in places on some of the rocks and it was a narrower path.  There were a few slips as our feet skated out from beneath us but we all arrived back at the bus in one piece apart from a couple of bruises!  The light rain was enough to cause the greasy rocks.

As we arrived at the bus at 2.15pm there was plenty of time for a stop-off for a drink on the way home.  We dropped into the Brickworks, Viktor skillfully managing to park the bus appropriately. The most dangerous part of the day was crossing the road.  We departed at 3.20pm for home, dropping off some of our trampers at PMH on the way.  A great day out, the planting timed perfectly before the change in the weather.

Text by Judy R

Volunteers en route to tree planting

Team briefing prior to planting

Planting progressing well…

Nearing completion…

Barnett Park Cave

Downhill via Loop Track towards Barnett Park

Nearing bus pick-up from Barnett Park

Distance: 14 km          Time: 4 hours          Elevation gain: 504m

Leaving Bishopdale in high spirits with the promise of a pleasant farm walk in North Canterbury ahead, we were all delighted to see Viktor as he has been on other driving duties for the last few months. Jen welcomed us in a number of languages and may have to add Viktor’s first language to these. We made good time up the main road north and soon pulled over opposite the Greta Valley pub. We quickly divided into our two groups – 27 walking with the Standards and a small group of 11 with the Alternates. The first pleasant surprise was that the tricky fence did not have to be negotiated as this year the gate was unlocked. We all poured through gratefully, especially those of us who had torn our shorts the week before and really didn’t want to have to consign a second pair to the bin had the barbed wire etc been misjudged. The wide track winding steadily uphill provided good conditions underfoot and the weather was perfect – warm sunshine and not a breath of wind. We all enjoyed the rest provided by the morning tea stop and the opportunity to take in the surrounding countryside.

A fellow tramper was able to inform us that the valley was named by the first two landowners in the 1850s, after the river Greta in Yorkshire. There was no sighting of a river but the light on the western foothills was certainly noteworthy.

We walked on uphill for the most part until the trusty landmark – the freezer – was duly spotted. As this signals the gate where a left turn is required up the final hill before lunch, it is important that it is not missed.   As far as I’m aware, this is the first year that anyone has thought to investigate the contents of said appliance. Curiosity got the better of some of the Alternates. On opening the lid, the True Crime afficionados were secretly disappointed to not find dismembered body parts – not even dog tucker. What was found was large empty plastic containers. Speculation regarding their purpose kept everyone distracted from the last uphill grunt before lunch.

The lunch stop provided wonderful wide vistas of the foothills, ranges behind and farmland below. The Standards were soon joined by our other group and as there was plenty of space for all 38 of us, there seemed no urgency to move on. However, the call to “saddle up” was heard soon enough and off we went for the last section of the walk, including the last climb of the day. What was remarkable were the very dry conditions and the strange state of the ground we were walking on. Some were heard to describe it as “lunar-like” and none was inclined to disagree, even if we were short on first-hand experience of the moon’s surface!

The final long downhill section of the track has to be taken cautiously as a slip or a slide seemed inevitable at some point. Negotiating the final water hazard we were greeted by a couple of toy dogs as we made our way to the bus. An unfamiliar sight awaited us – Viktor with his feet up having an afternoon nap. We were sorry to have to disturb him, he looked so relaxed. In due course the Alternates arrived and we finished our day out as we had started – enjoying the sunny day, the passing scenery, being able to relax and enjoy conversing with our fellow club members – or those of us still awake who were able to enjoy these things.

Text by Jan Bw

Alts setting off from bus drop off

Stds on the trail

Curious onlookers

Lunch with a view

Bus pick up

Standards: Distance: 13.4 km    Ascent: 853 m    Time: 4 hr 50 min

Alternates: Distance: 9.93 km    Ascent: 485 m    Time: 3 hr 47 min

Leaving promptly at 8:30 am, our bus driver Callum took us via the Springfield toilet block where we were luckily the first to arrive of 3 buses. The Standards leader then led some of the group into a bus full of people in long robes and Burkas. Being observant, he realised that he didn’t know any of them, and luckily got off in time to find the right bus.

At 10:20 a.m. the driver dropped us at the start of this adventure, where I anticipated walking through beautiful bush filled with bellbirds, glimpsing amazing views, scrambling over stones etc. The Standards had a kilometre-long descent on scree to look forward to – a highlight for some.

We grouped into 19 Alternates and 18 Standards, and the able Alternates leader Ray took us onto Mistletoe Track, a gradual 4-wheel drive ascent through mountain beeches, flanked by a very steep drop to a stream.  At 11 a.m. Ray found a welcome sunny spot to stop for morning tea. The weather was crisp, perfectly cloudless and windless.

Then the track continued, as hoped, into mountain beech canopies with only moss and beech saplings on the forest floor. Bellbirds did indeed sing all the way. Higher up there were mainly older beech saplings, and a strange, beautiful white fern in the waterways. Perhaps its autumn colouring?

At 12:15 some Alternates lunched at the Lyndon Saddle near Helicopter Hill, while others did the 20-minute walk up the hill (1256m above sea level), rewarded by spectacular 360° views over lunch. But one tramper’s nice vegetarian lunch was nearly spoiled by blood dripping from fingers cut by a sharp stone on the path. The return was steep, down the rocky top of Helicopter Hill to join the rest of the Alternates and proceed down to Sidle Track, accomplished with decorum and without incident.

Meanwhile the Standards had apparently just thrown themselves down the scree slope. Some went feet first but found that ice below the scree made hard unyielding patches. The new secretary chose to go sideways down the scree and scraped all down the left side. The leader of the Standards had sat down and slid until his shorts got a big hole.  Another did it all – tore her shorts, scraped both shins and hugged a tree as well on the way down.

They eventually reached the bus where the Alternates had been for 1 1/2 hours, admiring the blue sky, rippling steam and nearby Helicopter Hill and snowy ridges.

Text by Daphne

Emerging from the bush line

Stds group photo

On the ridge line to the scree

Heading up from Camp Saddle

Ridgeline photo time

Scree slope scramble

Who ripped their pants on the scree

Heading down through the bush

Distance 14.25km                                  Ascent 640m                                          Duration 5hrs

When the 36 of us, including third-time visitor Glenn, made it off the bus for our much anticipated Glenafric tramp, the dry conditions made it obvious why there had been concerns about the fire risk.

Glenafric is a 770 hectare mixed farm in Waipara, run by James and Maria Hoban and family. It is not to be confused with Glen Affric, the 4,000 hectare luxury estate in the Scottish Highlands and owned by Pippa Middleton’s in-laws. There are similarities; our local Glenafric has a little B&B cottage. You can stay at the Scottish Glen Affric too, however the accommodation there costs several thousands of pounds a night.

It was impressive to see how far we had climbed by the time we got to our morning tea stop; we could see a plane buzzing way below us, just over the sea. The choice of where to sit was summed up by one as “prickle or poo?”.

Crossing the Dovetail Stream many times wasn’t a problem as the water level was extremely low.  We were fascinated by the sandstone and limestone features we passed.

The 23 Standards enjoyed a spectacular lunch spot on a cliff top overlooking the sea. We were just settling in, enjoying the fabulous warm sunshine, when we were rudely interrupted by the Alternates who wanted this prime spot all to themselves.

So off again, walking along narrow sheep tracks through tall dry grass, heading down to the rocky beach below. Part of the attraction of the beach is finding an interesting fossil or an unusual stone, however our beach experience was limited to a few metres, as the tide was too high.

As we were forging along in the direction of the Glenafric homestead we were hailed from a hill above us by the Alternates. They had an incident with a farm gate which had decided to have a bit of fun with their group, and it needed a hand (24 hands in fact) to get back to its rightful position of vertical.

Striding through the undergrowth and the occasional boggy patch, thoughts of the Glenafric/Glen Affric connection resurfaced. Admittedly, you don’t get a stunning sea view from the highland Glen Affric, but it is very close to Loch Ness. The wildlife we saw could easily have been found in Scotland: cattle, sheep, bees in their hives, a falcon, some geese, and purportedly, even a stag. Other than a little matagouri and a few cabbage trees, the vegetation of grass and pine trees might have been found in that other Glen Affric, with thistles a plenty (good thing no one was wearing a kilt!).

Both groups made it up that last terrible hill back to the high terrace where our driver Stuart was waiting with the bus.  So how many gates had we encountered, opened and dutifully closed? Maybe 12? How many fences, with electric or barbed wire at the top had we gingerly climbed over or through? Also about 12? And how many hills had we climbed … let’s not even go there. It had been such a glorious autumn day that no complaints were to be heard.

Text by Shirls

Stds head towards coast

Alts morning tea

Stds negotiate fence

Stds at stream crossing

Spectacular coastal views

Another fence crossing

Stds group photo

Stds trek along shoreline

Distance 14.5 km                                                Ascent 552m                                        Duration 4 hrs 30 mins

Mt Herbert (Te Ahu Pātiki) is 920m, the highest point on Banks Peninsula. Starting from Port Levy Saddle as we did, it is a 552m climb. The name in Māori means shaped like a flounder. The Chatham Islanders’ tradition is that their ancestors came from here.

Schools had autumn holidays so our ride was quite quick, via the Halswell Library pick-up. We welcomed two visitors – Mark and Linley’s daughter Andrea.

10:10 am: Andrew our driver delivered us (15  Alternates, 25 Standards) to Monument Track (north). Monument is a huge conical landmark on Port Levy Saddle, popular with mountaineers. Although tramping kilometres uphill, we remained just below Monument, seeming to advance nowhere.

10:30: Morning tea – still just below Monument. All enjoyed the views of bush-clad valleys dropping steeply to Port Levy.

Finally passing Monument we followed the track gradually upwards in the prevailing white mist, with only glimmers of Lyttelton Harbour ahead. What the waters below lacked in colour, they made up for in shimmering light. Cool winds caused us to layer up and put on gloves.

12:23: Reached Mt Herbert peak, lunch time.

Our able leader suggested that being early, we could go back for another loop around…but that conversation went nowhere. The Standards were already there in a spot sheltered from the chilling breeze. They were only half way through their lunch so the Alternates, despite our leader’s suggestion, just piled in and squeezed among the prime spots.

Helen, with the Standards, had spotted a falcon perched on a rock, before it flew off.

The walk downhill from the peak to Diamond Harbour was uneventful except for passing through herds of beautiful black cows and their half-grown calves. They looked at us benignly but curiously, as if we are most peculiar creatures. Indeed we always appear somehow strung together in a line, never stopping to munch a swag of choice grass no matter how green, nor drink from the occasional pools no matter how soft the muddy edges.

The mist cleared at last and on the long way down we were treated to sunshine and spectacular views of Lyttelton Harbour and beyond.

3:30: Joined the Standards at the bus after a hard but very rewarding tramp.

Text by Daphne

Alts group photo

Alts & Stds rally after morning tea

Stds at summit of Mt Herbert

Stds continue descent

Misty skies

Onward down track

Diamond Harbour Refreshments