Lazy Sunday at Mt Richardson

Participants: Various CUTC club members, and Holly the dog

Date: 20th July 2014

Words: Roger Rougemont
Images: Matthias Heyne and Michelle Lambert

If the problem is a grey drizzly day in Christchurch, what is the answer?

If the problem is low energy, or general lethargy, what is the answer?

You guessed it! Go TRAMPING.

All you need is a bunch of people, a few cars, a bit of polypro…and off you go!
Oh, and a map may be handy. And if you’re diving behind Enda, a radar detector and a rocket booster may be also be handy.

So, 4 cars, one dog, and about 13 people set off for Mt Richardson. And 4 cars, one dog, and about 13 people arrived at the start of the track. So far, so good! This may or may not end as you think!

So what happened in between the beginning and the end? I’m not sure really. Snow balls were thrown, pictures were taken, views were enjoyed, there were conversations, laughter and no great rush, no great hurry.

And no one returned home…quite the same. I felt like I had enjoyed a slow and delicious meal. I had savoured the time, the environment, the smell of the forest, and the company.

So where are the details, track times distances, you find in trip reports? I don’t think they matter really. Not for this one anyway. Of all the travel stories I have heard from people, I have never heard mentioned the make and model of the vehicle, car, plane, bus or train they have travelled in.

What were the important bits for me? The people, the environment, the dog, the fresh air and exercise. How do I feel? Clean, clear and refreshed. Despite the mud!

So…don’t be shy, sign up, get out there! You’ll feel better for it!

Oh, and there was some snow. Sorry Glen.

And we did finish the tramp at a café.