| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Peter M | Brent | Kate W |
| Alternates | Bev | Ali | Moira |
Statistics: Distance: 11kms (Alternates) 13.4kms (Standards) Time: 4 hrs 15 mins. Elevation: 429m
35 trampers were looking forward to a good walk after the previous week’s Little River-Birdlings Flat walk was cancelled due to weather. Fog surrounded the bus as we headed north on the motorway, so our driver Grant was on high alert, but this cleared after Woodend so we knew we would be able to see the track!
After an initial descent, the Standards stopped for morning tea then were caught up with by the Alternates who carried on a bit further for their own tea stop. The track continued on down to the wetland area, past Kate Pond to the junction with the track to Ella Peak (346m). As usual, the Standards dropped their packs here for this steepish climb to a great view, with lots of photos taken.
We arrived at the beach and sat at the mouth of Kate Stream for our lunch stop. Graham climbed up a rough gully behind the beach to Te Ara Matairangi, a viewing platform and ika pou whenua, by Ngai Tuahuriri. (There is a proper track, this was shortcut.) Great views from here from Motunau Island in the north, along the curve of Pegasus Bay to Banks Peninsula.
Then it was back along Kate Stream and an uphill return through plantation forest and on the road to the bus. What was that rule about no uphill after lunch? The Alternates arrived before the Standards so were comfortably settled in the bus by then. During the return walk, Alan was able to pass the coveted coloured tutu dress to Brent, whose transgression had been mentoring the Standards from the rear, but all was well as our leader Peter kept us on track! With the early arrival at the bus, we were able to fill a special request to stop at Amberley, so certain members could check out a clothing sale, and the rest of us have some refreshments, ending the trip with the relaxing drive back to Christchurch.
(Link to a video by Transwaste attached):
https://youtu.be/XNyYOoX6LFk?si=5vAXeUEMECv1rJJJ
Text by Graham
