Distance: 15.6km                                                                     Time Walking: 5h 30min

Elevation: Max Alt: 1036m Min Alt: 319m   Vert Ascent: 856m

The day was grey with occasional spotty drizzle but the mood on the bus was upbeat as we set out from Bishopdale.  With the contemplation of a steepish climb up Mt Thomas our keen tramper/mountaineer driver Alec related a salutary tale of a time when he and his climbing party high on Mont Blanc chanced to meet another group from the Italian side and he had noticed a gentleman who appeared very wrinkled and weather-beaten. He was intrigued and on asking how old the man was, the reply was 90!  So much for our minor goings on about the forthcoming steepish climb facing us.  VP Derrick welcomed visitors: Jan, Alan, Glenys, Ailsa, Tessa, Soo and Sun then reminded everyone that President Peter was back and Acting Pres Chris could take a break from duties.  The Standards were aiming for a loop taking in the Ridge Track to the summit and returning down Wooded Gully Track while the Alternate group would tramp up Wooded Gully to the top then descend via the Summit Track.

Morning tea after a steep climb

Mt Thomas Forest Conservation Area covers 10,800 hectares, between the Ashley and Okuku Rivers, and contains extensive exotic plantations, which in the case of Mt Thomas extends right to the summit.  We were hopeful that the lingering misty drizzle would clear to give us the anticipated expansive views of plains, foothills and alps.   The Standards set out at a brisk pace on the forestry road that would lead to the start of the almost continuous upward trail.  It was a relief to stop for morning tea clear of the pine forest but just short of getting into the beech.  For a while heavy breathing ensued before conversation could resume.  Whew what an effort!  We knew though that more climbing was ahead but at least there were dips and flattish parts to ease the legs.  It was great to be back amongst quite dense beech saplings where small clearings had been created when larger trees had succumbed to nature (probably recent snow) and gravity.   Fortunately we did not have to contend with wasps, as it was too early in their season.  Breaking out of the tree line into open country, we were met with a breezy northerly laced with rain and cloud-limited views of the surrounding snowy Puketeraki Range and the patchwork plains.

A noticeable feature of beech forests is the black sponge-like covering on the trunks. This is a sooty mould fungus caused by the honey dew association – beech scale insects which play a vital role in the food supply for a range of native bird and insect species. This native insect lives in the bark of beech trees drawing off the sap. It then excretes sugary liquid drops known as ‘honeydew’ via a fine hair-like tube.  If you chance to sample these little drips they are very sweet so you can see the attraction, especially for bees and wasps. Just remember though before you try it that the liquid is the insect’s waste!

Happy trampers at the Summit of Mt Thomas

After a brief consultation about lunch we followed the Alternatives in striving for the top.  Here we all hunkered down among the trees, sheltering from the elements and keeping our sandwiches dry.  With lunch over and the rain not letting up, the Alternative group hastily departed down the plunging canopied avenue of the Summit track through the mature pine forest.  The rest of us re-grouped and decided to tough out the conditions and complete the circuit we had started.

Reaching the shelter of the forested Wooded Gully track we began our descent dipping, climbing creek terraces and meandering our way downwards through black beech/tawhairauriki – mixed podocarp and broadleaf trees.  Although the going was difficult in places with fallen trees and squishy mud to negotiate I am sure it was the more pleasant route to the bottom than the steep drop-off the Alternatives would have had. However it did take longer than we anticipated and a worried driver Alec had run up from the bus to see whether our group was okay.

Drama over we all made our way out steadily to the bus for a quick change out of muddy boots and wet parkas and on to the coach for a swift journey back to town.