Duke of Edinburgh Practice Tramp 18/9

Duke of Edinburgh - Practice Tramp

On the 18th to the 19th of September our Practice Adventurous Journey was a two-day tramp in the Hunua Ranges. One of my highlights was playing spotlight, as it was a fun way to spend time together and relax after the day of tramping. I also really enjoyed seeing the views throughout the tramp and getting to experience being outdoors with the group. I feel like I improved my teamwork and patience during the trip. I learnt how important it is to support each other and work together, especially when everyone is tired. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and feel like I became more confident with camping and working as part of a team.

- Pippa Wilson

This rewarding loop combines the Wairua Loop Track with the Suspension Bridge Track, offering stunning views, sparkling waters, and impressive native forest. It takes you through the lush forests and rolling hills within the Hunua ranges. This trip exceeded my expectations as it gave me both the opportunity to build and grow my friendships with classmates as well as connecting back to nature, really coming back to our beloved country. 

- Tate Yorke

We walked approximately 8–10 km and worked together as a team throughout the experience. Before the trip, we prepared by learning about safety and organisation in class, as well as planning and preparing our meals. This helped us feel more prepared for what to expect and made sure we had the equipment and food we needed. During the actual tramp, the weather was mostly sunny with some light showers. I also realised that I had overpacked, which made carrying my bag more difficult than it needed to be. Although I did not find the physical part of the tramp particularly difficult, I contributed to the team mainly through encouragement and being the comedic relief when things became stressful or tiring. Keeping everyone positive and making people laugh helped maintain a good atmosphere within the group. The experience helped our team become more comfortable working together and showed us the importance of supporting each other throughout a challenging experience.

-Ciara van Heeckeren