| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Lynne R | Dave R | Veronica |
| Alternates | Michele | Ali | Margaret |
Distance 6.5km, elevation 385m
It was good to have some associate members join us, who had a pleasant morning exploring Amberley township. Two other non-tramping members also met us for the Christmas lunch.
With a forecasted high of 24 – 28 degrees, 19 Standards set off at pace along the Mount Cass walkway track: https://transwastecanterbury.co.nz/walkways/mt-cass-walkway-2/
Seventeen Alternates followed at a slower gait, some discussing the effort involved in an immediate climb after departing the bus, although a warm-up on such a hot day would not necessarily have been a good thing. A step into a fresh cow pat might also have best been avoided, but such things sometimes do happen on farm tracks.
The loop track takes about three hours to complete if a morning tea stop is included. Standards went clockwise to achieve a grand view from a’top Mt Cass (524m), while Alternates went in the opposite direction on a less steep route to the lookout point. The two groups bypassed each other along the way with the Alternates eventually retracing their steps.
Interestingly with the ten-minute interval between the two groups, the Alternates had a view of a distant fire to the south, a plume of black smoke billowing skywards. The location was impossible to pinpoint from afar, but was later identified as being a house fire in Northcote.
Throughout this shorter walk we were rewarded with panoramic views of the Waipara – Omihi Valley, Pegasus Bay and Banks Peninsula. Billowy cirrocumulus and lenticular clouds made a delightful background to photo opportunities. Throughout the walk members performed sterling service of gate keeping duties, opening and shutting gates as required.
Phil, our driver, was waiting for us on our return to the bus, where a change of clothing was undertaken prior to being transported the short distance back to the Amberley Hotel. By now the temperature was 28 deg. Our thirst was vanquished with cold drinks before hotel staff delivered our pre-ordered meals. These hit the spot with a good choice for hungry walkers.
Our departure to the city was a little challenged with no waiting bus. Within a short time, the driver returned to collect his waiting passengers, having in the interim done a shorter local pick up of another group.
Companionship, exercise, food, laughter, what’s not to enjoy? The walk and the lunch were an enjoyable conclusion to Bishopdale Tramping Club’s formal tramping programme for 2025.
Text by Marie-Therese
