ON THE SUMMIT ROAD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18598, 28 December 1920, Page 4

ON THE SUMMIT ROAD.

Y.M.C.A. WALKING PARTY ON TOUR.

Up the rugged slope which leads to Kaituna Saddle, between Castle Hill and the Remarkable dykes, there climbed last evening a.tired but still lively party of about thirty Y.M.C.A. members, who had loft behind the first seventeen miles of their walk to Akaroa by way of the Summit Road. They camped overnight in the Rest House, which, like an English hunting lodge, strides the saddle, and to-day they will traverse the scenic reserves, through which no track at present exists, as far as Port Levy saddle. The tour is expected to end to-morrow oveuing, when the party is to go into camp at Tikau Bay, opposite Akaroa township. On starting out from Cashmere Hills the party was joined by Mr H._G. Ell, who had volunteered his services as guide. At Kennedy’s Bush Mr T. C. Field, president of the Y.M.C.A., and Mrs Field met the trampers and outertained them to a satisfying luncheon at tho Rest House. There were felicitous speeches, aud the guests expressed their thanks with hearty cheers lor their host and hostess. A special vote of thanks was given to Mr Bushell for tho splendid spread that he had provided. After lunch, in spite of tho rain, the full party in great heart started out for Kaituna" Marching songs and jazzbarn! selections added to the general merriment, and it is doubtful if a more lively party has ever essayed the trip. Should the tour be completed as planned, ibis will he the first organised group other than surveyors to traverse the full route of the Summit Road to Akaroa.

In one respect the present tour is reminiscent of a “stunt” on active service. The food and blankets are being transported to the camping sites on the mountains by an independent party, which proceeds by the lower coach road. For this purpose a motor lorrv has been lent by a member of tho association, Mr G. H. lloyds, and packhorses are being provided by Mr Walter Parkinson, of Kaitima Valley, and Mr Sullivan, of Little River.