Year 13 Tongariro Camp: Day 2

Day 2 and the rain has set in. Its raining. Stop it. Stop the rain.

A day full of activities has seen many a camper come to terms with their humanity, aka the head boy face planted into a rock, while rafting. Other events that challenged our developing young souls included a gut-wrenching haul of a 6 kg rock over the top of a bigger rock (by the name of Tongariro), witnessing heart stopping vistas of the breathtaking central plateau landscape, and the slightly more sobering events that enveloped Christchurch this afternoon. Our thoughts go out to the Cantabrians.

More tommorow gee dawgs, beddy bye time.

In sincerest gratitude L Hiscox, F dub.

Year 13 Tongariro Camp: Day 1

After a trouble free, uneventful start to the day, with no stragglers or no shows, our bus convoy left the school around 9:36:45. We enjoyed a beautiful drive up, with no crashes or thunderstorms. Heavy dosings of reggae did occur. The trip was enhanced by two stops organised by Mr Collier, where he explained to us the significance of the surrounding landscape and geographical features. All very important. Yep.

At approximately 2:27:53 we arrived safely at the campsite where luxurious bunkrooms filled with soft delicate matresses were divied out, except to 6 hardy young souls, brave men all, who decided to exist in a tent and to become one with nature. Respect.

At 3:06:12 (precisely) in the afternoon, we set off on the first trek of the camp, to Taranaki Falls. The experience of standing under said falls stung like gravel being thrown by 1000 toddlers. Some found inner peace on a boulder behind the waterfall. Others relished the freezing cold water.

The evening was filled with preparation for the following days events (plus mean food) as various individuals prepared themselves mentally, physically and spiritually to face the mighty Tongariro.

Shoutout: Yo Littley, from yo boiz/girlz

Gladly written by Fraser W and Luke H

Tongariro 2011 - The Return

Finally, we have caught up with the mobile revolution.

Look for daily updates of the adventures of Freyberg's Yr13 students on this year's version of the Tongariro trip.

Tongariro 2009

Tongariro 2009

This year's Trip was a great success. Everyone, including Huey, the Hawaiian weather god played his part, mostly keeping the rain at bay.

Craig Steed, who is leading a small, quiet digital revolution at school introduced me (via his blog) to the joys of Animoto, a nifty video edit for photos.

Thursday 29th May - Optional extras day

Thursday is the day when we students get to try out a commercially provided caving experience. A lot chose to participate in the Abyss trip offered by Black Water Rafting. One group headed off to join a trip in the morning.

We had a bit of waiting around at the start, then wow…… what a beautiful deep hole to abseil into, shaped like an hour glass, it went from wide to extremely narrow making the caver needing to be very “manoeuvrent” (!!) It was sooo cool in that the guides let you lead rather than follow, turning head lamps off and allowing you to find your own way.

A flying fox was cut short with a loud bang as the guides tried (but failed) to scare you. Then we regrouped with a nice hot coffee or tea and anzac slice to revive us. Our group conquered our fear of jumping into the unknown and leaped off a 5 meter cliff into the cave stream. When the water finally came back after Mr Cresswell jumped in and we got to paddle downstream in the dark to see all the glow worms. We went back down stream in the dark with the guide whistling ‘pop goes the weasel’. We got to slide down a dam, went through a squeeze, climbed up three waterfalls and climbed through into daylight again.

What a great experience, we all loved it – Dusty, Kent and Michaela.

Tuesday 27th May and Wednesday 28th May

First ever experience of underground caving!! Absolutely wicked!! I entered Gardner's Gut for the first time on Tuesday, warm, dry, excited and nervous of what it would be like. I left cold and wet (after completing the squeeze) with a whole new appreciation of wide open spaces.

Wednesday evening we changed our plan and went back into Gardner's again, ready for a new squeeze. the formations were amazing, so beautiful. I felt so privileged to be in the group that went through there. The squeeze was awesome. Very different from the first one; definitely more of a challenge. Overall these two days have been amazing; so much was learnt and there is so much that cannot be described. Humming holes, water and wetas. All was great fun!!