Hoon Hay Reserve/Gibraltar Rock/Bellbird 21 January 2026
| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Warren | Janice | Veronica |
| Alternates | Michele | Les | Kiwan |
The day started off much like the previous week, checking for cancellation emails: none.
Although it was gloomy and overcast, rain was not expected until mid-afternoon, but with a local tramp in the Port Hills, trampers would likely be safely back in the bus by then and if the rain made an early arrival the bus would not be too far away.
After picking up a small group from Princess Margaret Hospital, 30 trampers, including visitors from the previous week who hadn’t been put off by wet feet, were dropped off at the Hoon Hay Reserve on the Summit Road. Donning hats, gloves and coats, the two groups, 15 in each, set off on the Crater Rim track, the Alternates’ destination a lunch spot on Coopers Knob, while the Standards would carry further on to Gibraltar Rock.
The undulating tussock track was measured not so much by up and down, but windy and not so windy. In some places on the narrow track shoulder height vegetation, including flaxes with protruding seed heads and overhanging strappy leaves, provided quite a bit of protection from the wind; as did the shelter at the Sign of the Bellbird which proved to be a popular spot for morning tea, with the Standards leaving just as the Alternates arrived.
Even though the bus was temptingly parked at the Sign of the Bellbird car park, the pickup point, and it was feeling a bit damp, possibly due to low cloud with the view over the city quickly disappearing, both groups carried on to their respective lunch stops. At one stage it seemed like the rain had arrived early when even low cloud couldn’t account for the wet droplets. Fortunately, shortly later the track carried on through an inviting grove of native bush layered with ferns. Although gnarly, with care needed on the slippery rocks, it was calm and dry, with the occasional call of a bellbird nearby.
Emerging into the open again with Coopers Knob visible in the distance, well not so visible as it was covered by low cloud, the Alternates decided to carry on and find a lunch spot in the shelter of the bush close to the rocky outcrop. The Standards had also made a similar decision, finding a lunch spot in the shelter of Omahu Bush, rather than the exposed Gibraltar Rock.
As we emerged from the bush after lunch, the weather seemed to have improved slightly and at one stage murky views of the city and Lyttelton Harbour were visible. Arriving at the junction of the bush-covered track on the right, or the track to the road on the left, it was decided to carry on the short last leg on the road, and await the Standards in the comfort of the bus.
Although not ideal tramping weather, with the likelihood of reduced activities for the next couple of days due to rain, it was good to have had the opportunity to get out in the hills.
Text by Sally
