| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Jan | Alan | Judy |
| Alternates | Ali | Janne | Moira |
Our scheduled tramp to the Rakaia Gorge became a tramp up the Kowai River. This tramp was previously scheduled for last November but was cancelled due to bad weather. Rakaia was cancelled due to a major slip on the walkway. We had great weather for the tramp where our goal was the John Hayward Hut situated about 5 km from the carpark which was built in 1973 to house a long-term Lincoln University hydrology study.
We numbered 42 including four visitors and one guest. Our visitors were Diane, Marlene, Don and John. The first three learned of us from the BTC booth at the Celebrate Bishopdale event last November. John learned of us from an acquaintance on a Christchurch Council “walk and talk” who is a member of BTC. Our guest was Tianlong, a friend of Frank. We thoroughly enjoyed having all five with us and hope to see them again.
The Kowai River is located partially on the Brooksdale Station which runs from the foot of the Torlesse Range up to Porters Pass. The area includes the peak commonly referred to Bob’s Knob which some of us believe was a tramp the BTC did in the past.
But this tramp did not take us up Bob’s Knob. Rather, it started with a crossing of a fairly narrow and shallow portion of the Kowai into which at least two trampers fell after slipping on the rocky bottom – one from each group and neither was physically hurt although egos may have been.
From there, the trail was flattish leading to morning tea on the riverbed edge. After that interlude, some of the Standards continued up the riverbed while others immediately went up a short but quite steep jaunt through bush to the trail leading to the hut. The Alternates continued up the riverbed as well, necessitating two crossings of the river which was below knee high but which was moving quite swiftly. Those of us inexperienced “river crossers” appreciated those of more experience (including our visitor Don) seeing us safely across both crossings.
The Alternates arrived at the hut as the Standards were preparing to leave. Each group had the chance to inspect the hut with its four bunks and a “First Aid and Food” cabinet beside the door. After lunch, it was back to the carpark via the same path. The Alternates avoided the two river crossings by taking the shorter upper trail and descending back to the riverbed down the very steep jaunt through bush referenced above.
It was good to get back to the bus and Phillip, our driver, and to divest ourselves of our sopping boots, socks, and in some cases, the wet legs of zip off pants. Fortunately, the return trip included a stop in Darfield for the bakery or pub or ice cream. Another good day for the BTC.
Text by Michele
