| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Lynne R | Dave R | Judy R |
| Alternates | Ali | Bev | Janne |
Statistics: distance 15km/12km, elevation gain 818m/450m, time 5hrs/4hrs 30mins
Both McCormacks Bay and Moncks Bay, the start and end points of today’s walk, were named after early European land owners. Evans Pass was named for Rev John Evans, an early missionary who used the route between the port and Christchurch. The Māori name for the pass, Tapuwaeharuru, translates to “the place of the echoing footsteps” (Source Wikipedia).
Shortly after driver Grant departed from Bishopdale, President Graham welcomed visitor Sharon as one of today’s 31 walkers. We were all generously gifted a Kathmandu packing tube by members Veronica and Kiwan, in recognition of their recent marriage. The congratulations and best wishes of club members are extended to this couple.
With few clouds in the sky, we were hopeful of completing our walk by 1500 hrs ahead of forecast rain and hail. After leaving behind the 19 standards at McCormacks Bay Reserve, the 12 alternates were driven to the start of John Britten reserve. We set off at 0920 hrs, walking uphill to the bleating of ewes and errant lambs. Upon reaching the Mount Pleasant aerials, morning tea stop was announced at 1015 hrs. The NW wind had been decidedly fierce on our ascent and it was a pleasure to be sitting in a sheltered spot with a view of Pegasus Bay. The break was also spent swatting away bothersome flying insects.
We roamed our way along the undulating tracks to a point above Evans Pass, where there was a sudden change in direction, as we zigzagged back to just below where we had been a short time earlier. At 1200 hrs, and with the Standards hot on our heels, a suitable lunch spot was reached. Having encountered cyclists along the narrow tracks, we interestedly watched a lone rider pass by, only to see him come adrift from his saddle as he took a short tumble off the track. Assistance was promptly offered – though declined; his audience may have distracted a little. Harder work on a bike maybe, than staying upright on two legs.
We were impressed as Kiwan gallantly posed beside some native New Zealand mistletoe (Ileostylus micranthus). There was no dallying for a kiss under the mistletoe from Veronica who was walking with the Standards…
As we walked along, there was discussion on the stress of having to break in a new hairdresser, though it could not be compared with potentially being dragged backwards through a gorse bush. This invasive plant is widely flowering in the area, nonetheless we could appreciate the vivid yellow flowers (and a decent hair stylist).
The good tracks made for rapid progress back to the Eastenders Track, with the Standards rapidly overtaking the Alternates along the way, before our final descent via Clifton Terrace and Mulgans Track to the waiting bus (15 km for the Standards, 12 km for the Alternates). We were back at Bishopdale by 1500 hrs, well ahead of the southerly which eventually arrived three hours later.
Text by Marie-Therese
