Trip 037 - Saddle Hill

 

DATE: March 11, 2023
LEADER: Antony Pettinger (03 473 7924)
TRIP GRADE: Easy (3-4 hrs)
MEET: Clubrooms, 9am

The first of over 60 club trips to Saddle Hill was in 1924 and led by Mr. R. Hamel. To make for a longer trip, the trip started at the Caversham tram terminus and finished at Mosgiel, so presumably went via Blackhead and Green Island Beach.

However, this trip has another link to our history. Late Life Member Ian Sime ran a trip to Saddle Hill in 1996 and wrote an article about the reccy he undertook as well as the trip itself in Outdoors 1996. Ian described the help he had from one of the farmers, whose land he accessed for the trip.

Fast forward to early 2022, when I was contacted by Ian’s grandson, Hamish Gardyne. As it turns out, Hamish now owns the property Ian travelled across, and was asking if we had any info regarding Ian and Saddle Hill. I sent Hamish the trip report and other info I had, and he was amazed that Ian had described the route on his property that he has been maintaining.

Hamish has offered to guide us on a route that embraces the trip Ian did in 1996, including of course a visit to the summit. The link to Ian is very appropriate for our 100 Trips programme, and I deeply appreciate the cooperation shown to the OTMC by Hamish in providing access to his property.