| Leader | Mentor | Understudy | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Chris H | Jan B | Cath L | Judy R |
| Alternates | Ali M | Norma | Brent McC | Bill W |
Stats: distance 14.7km, vertical ascent 260m, time 5 hrs
There were no weather worries today. With a high of 17 degrees forecast and a local tramp in the Port Hills, there was no doubt it would go ahead as planned.
With Judy R at the front of the bus on her first outing as President, 41 trampers including visitors Neil M, Maureen L-C, Mark and Megan T and Judy S, along with our driver Alan set off for our drop off point at the Omahu Bush car park on the Summit Road.
Although this tramp is a regular on the calendar, in previous years it has been done in reverse. The change enabled the bus to travel via Gebbies Pass and avoid a difficult turn around on the narrow Summit Road. There was however still a tense moment when encountering a van travelling in the opposite direction with no room for both vehicles to pass. The problem was solved when after a short discussion the van backed up to a wider part of the road with just enough room for both vehicles to get by.
Arriving at the car park, the 23 Standards set off on the grassy Prendergasts Track before cutting off into the bush. The Alternates would initially follow the same route but do a shorter loop in the bush rather than carrying on down to the waterfall.
Omahu Bush is the largest area of native bush close to Christchurch. In 1985 a covenant was signed to protect the bush, and in 1998 fencing was renewed to protect the area from damage caused by feral goats, pigs, deer and possums. There is a diverse range of native trees in the bush including mataī, lancewoods, tree fuchsias and kānuka with various ferns, including silver tree ferns under the canopy. The area is entered and exited by gates, and there are a few well maintained track options.
Walking along the pleasant bush track, bird song including bellbirds/ korimako could be heard in the upper branches, but it was the fantails that were happy to make themselves known. Although the track was well maintained, care was needed with some of the muddier sections.
The sound of rapidly flowing water meant our morning tea destination, Anne’s Falls was not too far away. Although some time was spent taking photos at the falls, it was very shady with not a lot of options for seating, so a spot further up the track in the sun was chosen instead. After tea it was decided to carry on in the sun rather than taking the possibly slippery track in the bush, so it was a long uphill slog on the grassy track to the Summit Road.
Crossing over after a short walk down the road the slippery track was again a bit of an issue and the merits of walking poles was discussed. Some of those without poles adopted more of a crawling position to clamber up the short uphill section to the track leading to Coopers Knob, the highest point on the Port Hills and our usual lunch spot. Thoughts of “at least there won’t be any wind this time” disappeared when a coolish wind sprung up just as the rocky outcrop was reached. The group then scattered with some selecting a spot higher up with more expansive views including Lyttelton Harbour, while others sat further down – variously managing to escape the wind with views of Gibraltar Rock and the Canterbury Plains.
Leaving Coopers Knob and the wind behind us we backtracked five minutes to the undulating Crater Rim Track that would lead to the pickup point at Hoon Hay Reserve. With a mix of bush and open tussock, the track provided some great views of the calm waters of the harbour and a slightly hazy view of the plains with the snow sprinkled Alps in the background.
Arriving at the bus slightly later than expected the Alternates were already settled in having arrived over an hour earlier. Apart from a few minor slips and spills there were no major injuries in the group, although one member got a bit of unwanted attention from a bush lawyer that took a few minutes to resolve. With no time for a refreshment stop, the bus headed straight back to Bishopdale.
Text by Sally W
