TRAMPING EXCURSION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20403, 6 September 1934, Page 10

TRAMPING EXCURSION.

Hikers’ Train Will Leave on Sunday. On Sunday the hikers’ train, which will leave Christchurch at 9 a.m., will take trampers on the sixth excursion arranged by the Railway Department this season. Its destination will be the Patterson’s Creek service siding on the Midland line, between Kowai Bush and Staircase. An outing arranged to this locality two years ago was one gf the most successful of the earlier series of tramping excursions, and frcm the inquiries now being received it seems probable that the accommodation on the train will be taxed to caoacitv. as trampers from as far afield* as 'Ashburton will join. Although the distance of the walk is only eight or nine miles, the irregular nature of the country makes it ideal for tramping, and there is an easy route back to the train after lunch for those who do not wish to do the full walk. Boiling water for lunch will be available at “Wet” Creek a . ~a competition and a “communitv sing’’ will take place there in ideal surroundings, as the country in the vicinitv of the creek is heavily bushed and lies well to the sun. Trampers who want to climb will be able to do so, as a fair climb of about two thousand feet is available, but the main walk is confined to lower country and bushclad creeks. There is seme climbing to do on the main walk also, but this is of a Jess strenuous nature, although sufficient to afford excellent views. Afternoon tea has been arranged at a small creek close to the railwav line, some distance south-east of the once famous Otarama picnic grounds, which a £ C no . w denuded of bush. In order to show in some measure its appreciation of the wonderful response accorded its tramping excursions, the Railway Department has arranged for a trampers' evening on the occasion of the screening in Christchurch of the Government Publicity film “Romantic - New Zea land.” The trampers’ evening will be held on Monday. September 17.