To begin our school year, we headed up to Temple Basin Ski Lodge to learn a thing or two about zonation and alpine plants.
After a couple of bad encounters with wasps and a taste of honeydew, we began our ascent up the mountain. Saying our journey up was challenging would be an understatement, and the countless loose rocks along the way didn’t make it any easier. We didn’t know this was only the first of many hikes throughout our stay. As we climbed up higher and higher, the mountain views began to unfold in front of our eyes and encouraged us to keep going. Finally, we made it to the top safe and sound.
Temple Basin Ski Lodge welcomed us and we were all too eager to lay down in our bunk rooms, but Mr. Thew soon got us running around the gulley catching grasshoppers. Later in the evening we enjoyed a bountiful feast (thanks Theo) and fell asleep all to easily after our long and eventful first day.
The next morning we were waken by some rather disrespectful keas flying by our window. After we had had breakfast, and wearing as many layers as possible, we headed out to the cold, frosty gulley close to the lodge to measure the population of different alpine species. The sun was yet to rise. The cold got us moving all morning, and while recording the data on our charts, we were able to enjoy the alpine sunrise (and also take some wee photos with the gals).
First group (Mon-Wed) weren’t as lucky with the weather.
Temple Basin
Second group (Wed-Fri) were incredibly lucky with the weather and some of us even went for a swim on top of the mountain!
Temple Basin
The morning flew by, and soon we found ourselves going out on our next expedition: climbing Mt Temple. With Malcom (the mountain ranger) guiding us, we began our journey up.
As we walked, Mr Clare explained the zonation present in the area, as well as some pretty creepy stories about the Page Memorial Shelter, which kept us from stopping by the haunted cabin as we passed by. We continued to climb in the warm afternoon sun, until we finally reached the tarn pools. In effort to beat Boys’ High, some of us raced up to the very top of Mt Temple. Both the views and the run left us breathless.
Only a few were brave enough to dive in the tarn’s chilling waters (Malcom’s initiative), but from what I’m told the cold was worth it every second.
After regaining our energies (which wouldn’t have been possible without Mrs Phoon’s chocolate biscuits) and catching some service on top of the rocks, we began our descent back to the lodge. Surely but slowly, we walked down the rocky path, and when we finally arrived, our feet couldn’t have been more relieved.
The rest of the day went by swiftly, with Theo’s food and card games we were able to regain our spirits back again and enjoy our last evening at Temple Basin. Soon enough, we began gathering our belongings and preparing to departure next morning. On Friday morning, after cleaning up and carrying our bags to the Goods Lift, we had to say goodbye to Temple Basin, its people, and all the wonderful memories we made during our stay. Definitely a must for all biologists and outdoor gals, Temple Basin was definitely one of the highlights of our year and something we won’t forget!
