Mt Lance via Tommy’s cabin

Sunday, 26 May 2019

Double Tops Road is shown on the map, but as we bumped along it, we decided it should be described as a track. We were able to park right by Tommys Cabin then set off on a clockwise circuit.

Morning tea was near Point 593, then we climbed a ridge to Mt Lance (778m) for lunch in the sun. Going down, patches of scrub on a spur made us zig-zag to reach a farm track. Some of our group saw a chamois and two large pigs.

Tea break with Mt Lance in the background. Photo courtesy of Norman Burden

Our attempt to follow Tommy’s Stream back to the cars was quickly abandoned in the face of dense scrub. The farm track was the way to go. Back at the cabin, Tommy was still nowhere to be seen, though when we visited in the morning, we saw a big rat. This is a good, easy-moderate walk in volcanic Canterbury foothills. Thanks go to Bruce for suggesting it and leading.

Tommys Cabin. Ivy on the chimney is now dead, so are the nearby willows. Photo courtesy of Kerry Moore

We were: Bruce Cameron (leader) , Diane Dixon, Stuart Payne, Sue Piercey, Shi Ping Wang, Helen Harkness, Ian Healey, Norman Burden, Kerry Moore (KM)