| Leader | Mentor | Tail Ender | |
| Standards | Alan | Selwyn | Judy R |
| Alternates | Ali | Sally | Jan Bw |
Distance (Standards): 13.8km and height gained 587m
It was a great day for a walk on the Port Hills and after collecting the 10 members waiting at Princess Margaret we numbered 36 in total, a number which had the treasurer if not turning somersaults with glee, at least smiling as we made our way up Huntsbury Ave to the drop-off point. There were chocolate treats too – thank you Chris H for marking a significant birthday in this way, and Jan M who just thought it had been a long time since anyone had shouted. Perhaps we need another column on the clipboard that circulates in the bus – Leader, Mentor, Tail Ender, Diarist, and … Treat Provider.
The Standards start off with a downhill stretch into the valley and this “lost” elevation has to be regained, so the 13 Alternates were feeling just a little smug as they made their way up the shingle road enjoying the warm temperature. When we stopped for morning tea the leaders wisely looked for a sheltered spot out of the wind which had picked up tempo as we approached the Summit Road.
Both groups had a largely uneventful day which is a good thing – for the most part no sprains, strains, bumps or bruises. However, soon after the Alternates set off from the rest and comfort stop at The Sign of The Kiwi we encountered the Standards who inquired if we would take one of their number off their hands. Since this turned our 13 into 14 – a less confronting number, we were quite happy to have one more in our group. Knowing that a lot of the tracks are shared-use tracks, the tailenders were occupied trying to keep one eye looking forward and the other checking behind in case cyclists were descending on us at speed. A pity that bells on bicycles are not fashionable.
Both groups enjoyed the views both cityward (hard to miss Te Kaha) and across the harbour towards Charteris Bay. There is also an interesting variety of terrain from the tussocks as you ascend the hill, the treed areas, and then the native bush which is one of the delights of walking via Mitchells track back to the Crater Rim Walkway. The Standards scaled Mt Vernon while the Alternates’ route sidled around it. Before too long and after crossing the Summit Road we encountered the sign for the Vernon Park farm track. The park which extends from the valley floor to the Summit Road and beyond, was purchased in 1985 after a successful fundraising campaign. The commendable foresight of the group responsible for securing this recreational area on our city’s doorstep was confirmed by the number of other walkers, runners and cyclists we encountered throughout the day.
The Standards arrived at the bus very soon after the first group allowing plenty of time for a stop for refreshments in the vicinity of the Brickworks. Crossing Centaurus Rd safely was the biggest challenge of the day and perhaps the club should invest in some STOP/GO signage.
Text by Jan Bw
