| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Peter | Selwyn | David H |
| Alternates | Ali | Ali | Ailsa |
Distance: 9km/7km, elevation gain 730m/430m, time 4hr 45min/4hr
An increase in numbers in the last few days ensured the Mt Alford tramp would go ahead as planned. Although the weather forecast wasn’t especially promising and the sun was unlikely to appear, fortunately neither did the thick fog of the day before.
After picking up a small group from Yaldhurst, and a couple of late cancellations, there were 29 trampers on board as the bus headed to the drop off point at the Alford reserve car park. The 8.00am start allowed for a slightly longer than usual travelling time. On the way the president welcomed driver Allan, who was originally assigned a trip to Queenstown, and returning visitor Leslie. The intermittent drizzle on the windscreen was an indication of the weather for the rest of the day so before setting off, trampers added extra layers to stay comfortable.
With the Standards leading, both groups set off on the grassy farm track before entering the scenic bush, with towering beech trees, lancewoods at various stages, an assortment of lush green ferns and the ever-present mud. Instead of walking along steadily admiring the native bush, care had to be taken to avoid the worst of the squelchy mud. Fallen trees were another obstacle to contend with and there was evidence of further wind damage in the canopy.
Climbing uphill through the sheltering bush, outer layers were discarded as temperatures rose, and it was still reasonably pleasant at the morning tea spot on the 4-wheel drive track that cut through the bush. By this stage one of the trampers originally in the Standard group had decided that due to a previous injury the extra climb to the top might be a bit optimistic and had dropped back to the Alternates.
Into the bush and uphill again after the refreshment stop, the track emerged onto a clearing with a seat looking a little worse for wear where normally it would be possible to sit and get a great view of the countryside below, but on this occasion the only thing to see was low cloud. In and out of the bush again and through a deer fence, with the last steepish climb through a tussock covered paddock, the wind which had not really been noticeable picked up a bit and the drizzle intensified, so time was spent retrieving outer layers that had previously been discarded. After negotiating a second deer fence the group arrived at the lunch stop which was on a plateau with a picnic table, where two more trampers had elected not to carry on with the Standards to the summit which was lost in cloud. A previously unseen colourful hat on one prompted comments and a photo opportunity, which made up for the lack of the panoramic view of the plains which were lurking below the cloud.
After a reasonably dry lunch in the shelter of the tussocks, the group backtracked downhill, through the bush and mud with the accompanying song of bellbirds, to a 45-minute wait at the bus for the Standards. They were pleased to have made it to the summit, which was above the cloud, and had had an enjoyable lunch in the sun.
Apart from two or three spills, fortunately not in the mud, and a couple of trampers being stung by wasps, there were no major injuries, with muddy footwear, legs and pants being the worst outcome of a still enjoyable day.
Text by Sally
