Tramping responsibly in the age of Covid 19...
I got out for my first longer walk the other day after the country went from Covid Level 4 to Covid level 3.
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| Looking down on a sunny Canterbury from the Sugarloaf car-park |
It was great to be able to go slightly further afield to find some new tracks to walk. I walked the Harry Ell Track from near the Sign of the Takahe up to the car-park at Mt Sugarloaf and then hooked around the back of that peak and walked back to my car.
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| On the Harry Ell Walkway at the Victoria Park Entrance |
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| Sign marker for the Port Hills Harry Ell Walkway..... |
Obviously because we are still not allowed to go to far from home to get some outdoor time it was one of the walks on the Port Hills which are only three or so kilometer's away from my home here in Christchurch.
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| Limited shade on a hot day on the Harry Ell Walkway, Port Hills |
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| Fire damage along the Harry Ell Walkway..it is slowly regenerating... |
This is one of my favorite fitness walks and although it is not especially rugged it does cover a distance of 11 kilometer's and includes plenty of hill climbing and a 20 minute section through native bush on the Lyttelton side of Mt Sugarloaf.
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| Heading up the Summit Road to the Sugarloaf carpark |
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| The TV tower which dominates the Sugarloaf, from the Summit Road |
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| The track leading up to the Sugarloaf Carpark |
I haven't been up here for about six months and it looks like the Council have been improving the track...it is smoother and has been widened and made flatter with the use of gravel. They have also undertaken a lot of planting on the section from the top entrance to Victoria Park right up to the Sign of the Kiwi. This area was extensively damaged by the 2017 Port Hills fires....
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| Heading along the Christchurch side of the Sugarloaf on the Crater Rim Walkway |
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| Walking down to the path around the Lytellton side of Sugarloaf |
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| View of Lytellton before starting along the Crater Rim Walkway, Port Hills |
A lot of other people were also taking advantage of the especially good weather we have been getting..at times you had to duck and dive to maintain the required 2 meter distancing but generally everyone was good about moving aside. People looked happy to be able to get outside for a walk that was not in an urban area...
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| In bush behind Mt Sugarloaf, Port Hills |
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| ...slightly rougher track on the Crater Rim Walkway, Mt Sugarloaf... |
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| Lots of cars at the Sign of the Kiwi, Dyers Pass |
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| Looking out to Quail Island and Diamond Harbor from the rear of the Sugarloaf, Port Hills |
I look forward to the Covid level dropping down to Level 2 as this will open up many more opportunities to get outdoors including possibly some over night trips outside of Canterbury. In the meantime I will continue to enjoy the many outdoor activities we are able to undertake in and around Christchurch.
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| It was good to see the 19th/20nd Battalion Memorial once again...Victoria Park |
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| Heading back down to the car through a closed Victoria Park |
If you head out sometime over the next two to three weeks under Level Three just remember the rules...
- Only within your bubble...don't gather in larger groups
- Day walks/tramps of less than three hours only
- Local areas please - do not travel far to get outdoors
- Maintain 2 meter social distancing at all times
Cheers all...I hope to see you out and about!!!
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