| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Brent | Jan Bw | Wendy A |
| Alternates | Michele S | Ali | Mark T |
Distance 10.65 km; duration 3hrs 27min (walking time) 4 hrs 10min (with breaks); ascent 529 m (total of each ascent phase) lowest point 275 m, highest 450 m. Source: Graham W’s watch
A forecast high of 14deg for Rakaia Gorge turned out to be pretty much on target. 30 trampers set off from the starting point in two groups, 23 Standards were off and away including visitor Rebecca S, plus 7 Alternates who moved more slowly. Bus driver Peter remained with the bus at the drop off point, always good to have our transport and driver awaiting us.
There were many questions (and a bit of philosophy) along the way. Would the obstacle of the fallen tree that had been reported to ECan twelve months earlier be removed? It must have been, as today there was no crawling beneath branches when advancing along the well-trodden track. Agility counts for much when there are big steps up and down, and muddy patches to be avoided. Both situations occurred with some frequency along the way.
Stripping off clothing and stopping to take photos are good things, but they are not to be combined, definitely a no-no. What was the noticeable foul smell that accompanied us for much of the way? This was instantly recognisable to me as being hemlock (Conium maculatum). I recalled how my older siblings made blow darts using the hollow stem of the hemlock plant – until discovered by a parent (this was in the fifties). Lucky nobody died, although Socrates didn’t come off so well (died a tad earlier in 399 BCE). Apparently crushed hemlock smells like mouse urine. There were also potato plants growing trackside, these would be more palatable than the stinky and deadly hemlock.
Is a “drop off” a drop off when nobody actually drops off? There were many view points of the Rakaia River with big drops, fortunately no tumbles. Eventually the cloud lifted, but the spectacular vistas which we have enjoyed on previous tramps were mostly not visible.
Why did a large tree stump at the side of the track have “Sober” painted on it? Several of us had been breathalysed earlier in the morning, noting to the officers that we were en route to catch a bus. Sober at the start of a tramp is a good thing. Nodding off in the bus on the way home after a good day out isn’t a bad thing either. Unfortunately today there was lack of time for a drink stop, straight home for us.
Both groups arrived at the boat harbour lunch stop about mid-day, Standards having done a longer loop to a vantage point. Listening to the murmur of voices and river while munching food is a most satisfying way to while away the time. The “five minutes!” call from leaders, and the cooler easterly breeze was, however, sufficient to stir us into action, with Standards leaving marginally ahead of Alternates. Both groups had arrived back at the bus by 1400hrs having encountered and encouraged many family groups on their outward walk.
There was slight envy as the knees of one nimble runner were observed. The young woman was outpacing everyone. It was not the knees per se, but their ability. And we actually all did OK.
Text by Marie-Therese
