| Group | Leader | Mentor | Tailender |
| Standards | Jan Br | Peter M | Judy R |
| Alternates | Bev | Maureen | Linley |
Stats: distance 12.9km, ascent 250m, time 4hrs 30mins
The slight drizzle at Bishopdale did not deter the 37 trampers leaving with Peter on the way to the Mt Vulcan Station. Our group included returning visitor Andrea and first-time visitor David D who is a second generation BTC tramper and who has just returned from the United States.
Our bus trip was made more enjoyable by two bags of chocolates – one celebrating Marie-Therese’s ninth grandchild Charlotte Rose and the other celebrating Wendy’s birthday a couple of weeks ago for which she received an extra tag for her backpack. Congratulations and thanks to both.
The description of the tramp in the Programme is quite accurate – undulating tramp over farmland and farm tracks with no major climb for the Alternates and a steady climb to lunch for the Standards, although one Standard referenced the “steady climb” as a “real slog”. And, true to what other trip reports have indicated, a number of trampers voiced the “I don’t remember this tramp” on at least one occasion. Farm tramps will do that and leaders and mentors on farm tramps are hardy souls.
Seven of the 13 Alternates chose to eat lunch at the top of Mt Vulcan although their view was quickly overtaken by the fog that quite quickly rolled in and then through, while the remaining six enjoyed the view (and flies) until their return. All the Standards went to the top except for two who valiantly agreed to watch the backpacks (maybe from sheep?).
The “news” from the tramp seems to concentrate on wildlife. Alternates report seeing a rabbit, lots of sheep, 2 ladybugs, a lizard, flies (LOTS of flies at lunch), and at least one pesky sandfly during a toilet break. Standards were more colourful in their descriptions of three lambs serenading them at morning tea, a plaintive cow which had become separated from her calf, iridescent beetles which seemed to favour the men, clinging to their hats and shirts, a Paradise Drake (duck) performing the “broken wing” deception, and the apparently disgusting two dead sheep at lunch which would put anyone with a lamb sandwich off from his or her meal.
Not a lot more that can be added to a no-accident tramp. Brent M covered the details of Motunau Island in his 2023 Trip Report although leader Bev added that there is good fishing (perhaps for cod) around the Island.
Alternates were back at the bus at 1400, and the Standards got back at 1445 leading to a return to Bishopdale by 1615. From the chatter on the bus on return, it sounded like everyone had another good day.
Thanks to Kate and Shirls for the information from the Standards.
Text by Michele
