A much-anticipated event on the Year 12 Geography calendar; a group of twenty-eight intrepid students and three staff set off on our annual three-day alpine experience. The field research mission was to explore how this unique natural environment has evolved over time and to gain insight on how humans have interacted with the landscape - past, present and future.

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In military fashion, everyone managed the early Monday morning loading of the bus and departure was on schedule. En-route we stopped at Geraldine, where the bakery proved very popular!! We later stopped for a pleasant picturesque lunch-break at Lake Tekapo. Here students could see changes happening with the new waterfront development and just how popular this location is as a tourist destination. Next stop was our regular "home away from home" - Glentanner Park. This holiday park and camping ground are located 18km from Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park on the shores of Lake Pukaki. 

Outside the Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park Visitors' Centre we were welcomed by the Department of Conservation staff. Here we learned about the Maori perspective on this special environment.  Then it was on to introducing us to the distinctive elements of the landscape and the interacting natural processes that were involved in their formation. Students then had the opportunity to peruse the interactive displays and vast amounts of information in the centre. Complete with a slide-show presentation - DOC then provided valuable insight into their efforts to establish and maintain a sustainable balance between people's use and protection of the environment. 

Then it was time to visit the Hermitage. Here we looked around the Edmund Hilary Visitors Centre and experienced a 3D movie about the national park.  

Lastly, we travelled back to Glentanner for a delicious and generously portioned homestyle cooked meal at the Tasman Delta cafe. After dinner students completed assignment write-ups and map-work activities.  

Early on day two, DOC helped provide further information on the geographic issue internal assessment. Students debated whether 1080 poisoning is the best pest control method currently available. Students were then shown the range of ground baiting and trapping methods that DOC use as part of the pest control management in the area.

After refuelling and tucking into a caterer sized carrot cake,  we were then given a 'behind-the-scenes' guided tour of the national park's recycling centre and water treatment plant. We also considered how the village is managed as sustainably as possible.

With great anticipation  - it was time for the highlight of the trip - the Glacier Boat tour on the Tasman Lake. The weather was exceptionally good so the visibility was amazing! Students gained real insight into glacial processes from our knowledgeable guides and from being able to see glaciated landform features up close for themselves!! Students began to really appreciate the scale of past glaciation. 

Then it was time to stretch our legs! We set off to walk the Hooker Valley track. This is one of the most popular walks in the park and is a three-hour return trip from the White Horse Hill campground. Along the way, we passed the original location of the Hermitage Hotel, the Alpine Memorial and Freda's Rock, before coming to the viewing point of the Mueller Glacier and the first swing bridge. We crossed over the Hooker River and carried on to the second swing bridge, spotting old moraine ridges and humps along the way. Proving just how popular now this walk is, we met many international visitors along the way.  

In the evening Ross Ivey from Glentanner Station provided the group with a farming/tourism business perspective. Students appreciated his no nonsense and candid approach - his viewpoint was made very clear!  He also provided interesting insight into his recent meeting with Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, who had been in the area filming at a location on his land.

Speaking of film sets...we almost got to star in one when departing on the final day(we wish)!! The film company and traffic management made us stop alongside Lake Pukaki on State Highway 80 whilst a helicopter filmed actors driving along in classic red sports car.....it would seem our bus did not fit the brief!

Next we spent time in the Twizel area studying human modification. Firstly, we visited High Country Salmon on the Wairepo Arm. Here we learned about salmon farming and had the opportunity to feed the fish. Then a representative from Meridian Energy met us at the Ohau A lookout to explain the hydro-electricity production in the region. Finally, it was a trip along the Pukaki Canal and time to return to Christchurch. Thanks to all those who helped to make this trip such a success!