| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Nic W | Glenys | Frank |
| Alternates | Moira | Ali | Kiwan |
Statistics: Distance – 14.6 km/12km. Elevation gain 840m/470m. Time 5hr 45min/4hr 30min
The word Mount before Thomas may have contributed to just 21, which included repeat visitor Debbie, signing up for today’s tramp. Bus driver Phil collected Glenys and Chris W from Ohoka Rd before delivering us to our toilet stop at the Loburn Reserve. One advantage of the small number, short toilet queues when only two toilets.
The day dawned cloudy with especially gloomy skies hanging about the foothills but with the forecast promising cloud clearing in the afternoon. At 10am 14 standards, a harmonious balanced group of seven women, seven men set off on the steep Summit Track to the top of Mt Thomas, 1023m. The unrelenting steepness initially in pine forest found us enjoying an early morning tea at 10.30am to recharge our batteries. The dull weather with light drizzle and little wind provided ideal conditions for heading uphill.
We met a young woman probably 50 years younger than many, descending. With only a bottle of water to carry she had reached the summit in 1 hour 15 mins. Further on, three more fit looking women with a dog were descending after reaching the top via the Wooded Gully Track despite it being officially closed. At 12md we reached the summit where the sky cleared briefly to allow a glimpse of what the view might have revealed on a clear day. The dramatic lighting provided good photo opportunities.
We traversed the ridge on the Ridge Track squelching our way through many muddy patches before heading back in to the forest. Did I hear someone mention that the uphill was all behind us? The Ridge Track climbs steadily to cross another ridge before reaching our lunch spot at 1pm in a tussock clearing that is at the same height as the summit. The many vibrant greens of the moss covering ground and rocks together with the softer green of the lichen clinging to branches provided spectacular scenery. With much tree fall littering the forest floor there were many large trunks to climb over or limbo rock under to keep our gymnastic skills sharp. Watching your footing required full concentration on the uneven terrain.
It was when we were out of the forest and heading downhill on the final section to the bus that one uncoordinated tramper who had just been saying “my knees feel a bit weak” caught her foot under a gorse root and fell heavily banging her knee and lower leg against the inevitable rock that is always there when you fall. Kind trampers carried her pack and gave her another walking pole to reach the bus at 4.45pm.
The seven Alternates had walked part way up the Ridge Track before retracing their steps after initially missing the turn off from the road as there is no sign. Unfortunately, they had a longish wait as they were back at the bus at 2pm in good heart with no injuries to report. We were back at Bishopdale at 5.15pm after an enjoyable day in the serenity of the wonderful beech and podocarp forest despite the weather not really playing ball.
Text by Kate
