Tramping Programme 04 October – 20 December 2023

TEN TRAMP MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION YEAR: 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024

The cost of all tramps is $25.

04 October         8:30am                 Morgans Valley to Sumner/Lyttelton

P/U: None tho can leave cars at D/O where bus will return

Standard route:  A Port Hills walk with steady climbs and descents from Morgans Valley to Evans Pass and Sumner via Urumau Reserve.

Alternative route: A shorter route also starting from Morgans Valley, looping around Urumau Reserve and finishing at Lyttelton.

Stats: not recorded.

 11 October         8.30am                Dracophyllum Flat  NB Late return – 5.00pm

P/U: Yaldhurst  

Standard route: Tramp through beech forest and alpine pasture following the cycle trail almost to Texas flat, then across country via a crossing of Broken River to Hwy 73.

Alternative route: Follow cycle trail to Texas Flat, then via the Cheeseman Ski Club access road to the Broken River Bridge on Hwy 73.

Stats: distance 13.6/12km, ascent 510m, time 4hrs 30mins

 18 October         **8.00am**       Mt Oxford – Ryde Falls  NB Late return – 5.30pm

P/U: Manderville, on Tram Rd just past shopping centre and intersection

Standard route:  Mt Oxford: A challenging climb of Mt Oxford with magnificent 360-degree views to enjoy at lunch time.

Alternative route: Ryde Falls.  Beautiful steady, mostly bush walk to the falls. Some stiff climbs and descents.

Stats: distance 15km, ascent 960/218m, time 5hrs

 25 October         **8.00am**       Bealey Spur  NB Late return – 5.30pm

P/U: Yaldhurst

Standard Route: Steady climb up the Spur passing Bealey Spur Hut, where higher up the track passes through tussock grasslands and subalpine scrub and passes near several tarns. Climb to the top of the Spur for more extensive views before descending.

Alternative Route: Steady climb up the Spur with superb views. Lunch at Bealey Spur Hut and then descend to the pick-up.

Stats: distance 12.5km (to hut), ascent 625m, time 5hrs

1 November      8.30am                 Mt Vulcan

P/U: Woodend

Standard route: Undulating tramp over farm land and on farm tracks; steady climb to lunch stop and later on to top of Mt Vulcan. Great coastal and inland views.

Alternative route: As above, but sidling around Mt Vulcan with no major climbs.

Stats:  distance 14km, ascent 609m, time 5hrs

 8 November      8.30am                 Sign of the Bellbird to Evans Pass

P/U: N/A

An open, grassy ridge climb with some rock-hopping to start and then ranging from easy to steeper climbing and descent sections.

Standard route:    Crater Rim walkway from the Sign of the Bellbird to Evans Pass.

Alternative route: Crater Rim walkway from the Sign of the Kiwi to Evans Pass.

Stats: distance 17km, vertical ascent 410m, time 5hrs

 15 November    8.30am                 Awa Awa / McLennans Bush  NB Late return – 5.30pm

P/U: Yaldhurst

Rhododendron plantings and Rata reserve.

Standard Route: Steady climb through bush up Scott’s Saddle Track to the ridgeline and lunch overlooking the Mt Hutt access road. Return via Scott’s Saddle, Ridge and Alder Tracks.

Alternative Route:  Steady climb through bush up Scott’s Saddle Track to the first sub-alpine clearing for lunch overlooking the Canterbury Plains. Return via Scott’s Saddle, Ridge and Alder tracks.

Stats: distance 11km, ascent 740m, time 4hrs 45mins.

22 November    8.30am                 Sugarloaf 13 Mile Hut

P/U: Yaldhurst

Canerbury foothills stream valley clothed in beech forest.

Standard Route: The track follows 13 Mile Bush Stream, crossing several times and winding up through the bush in a series of steep pinches and slightly more level stream terraces.  Returning on the beech forest track with several stream crossings.

Alternative Route: As for Standards for as long as terrain and stamina allow.

Stats: distance 14.4km, ascent 577m, time not recorded.

 29 November    **8:00**             Mt Barrosa, Lake Clearwater  NB Late return – 5.30pm

P/U: Yaldhurst

Standard route: Steady climb to the top of the mountain, then return via same route.

Alternative route: 10km loop track around Lake Clearwater. Option, 2hr up Stour River, return via same route.

Stats: distance 7.8km, ascent 824m, time 4hrs 30mins

 6 December       8.30am                  Mt Grey – Ashley Forest

P/U: Woodend

Standard route: Walk down the road to the river before a steady climb to the Mt Grey trig via Mt Grey track, returning down the same track to Lake Janet.

Alternative route: Steady climb from Lake Janet, returning via the same track.

Stats: distance 16.2/9km, ascent 776/507m, time 4hrs   

13 December     **9:00am**       Otoromiro/Governors Bay Hotel

P/U: PMH

Our Christmas lunch tramp. Lunch details will be advised later. If wet the bus will leave Bishopdale at 10:30am.

Standard route: Walk to Governors Bay from the Sign of the Bellbird via the Carter Rim and Faulkners track.

Alternate route: An easy flat walk on a well-marked track starting from the Governors Bay jetty. The track follows the waterfront and takes around 30 mins before returning the same way.

20 December     Self drive to Okuti Valley carpark at 10:00am.

An optional tramp with details to be advised later.

Possibility of a pizza lunch at the Hilltop Hotel