Duke of Edinburgh

Over the weekend, six Year 11 students (Jack Merrison, Bede Pemberton, Ella Flawn, Kandice Walker, Brent Manangan, Riley Middlemiss) completed their first Duke of Edinburgh tramp for the silver award. The students chose to do the Greenstone Caples track down in Fiordland National Park. The trip consisted of three nights and four days with a mixture of camping and staying in huts

Day one was a short trip up the Caples valley to Mid-Caples hut. The weather held out and students camped here for the night. Dinner consisted of Back Country dehydrated meals for most with the honey soy chicken being the favourite.

The weather turned on the second day and the students spent 8-9 hours walking in the rain. While conditions were tough, the students did really well getting up and over Mckeller Saddle. The clouds lifted at the top and we were able to get amazing views of the surrounding fiordland mountains. That night, we had the hut almost to ourselves so everyone was able to dry out their gear and get a good nights sleep.

The sun came out on the last two days and students enjoyed walking down the Greenstone Valley. Everyone was relieved to make it back to the van and rest sore legs and feet. Round two will be in Term One 2024!