Notes from the Outdoor Ed Journal Part One

The shakedown tramp is an opportunity for the Year 12 Outdoor Education students to have a practice run for using tents and cookers, checking what clothes to pack and cooking their own meals. It is also a chance to get to know each other and lay the platform for the year ahead.

They are a fit and enthusiastic crew this year and were very organised with their gear. After we jump-started the School Bus, we were off to Mt Somers, Woolshed Creek Hut. Ten of the students had completed Outdoor Ed in Year 11 and you could see that experience coming through. It was great to see them support the less experienced in the group.

The weather was amazing with hardly a cloud in the sky. They made short work of the trip to Woolshed Creek Hut, set up camp, and then walked to the water caves about 1km away. Swimming and exploring the caves was a highlight for a number of students. The evening was debriefing the day, planning for the next day, lateral thinking games, and simply hanging out enjoying each other's company.

Day two started with the waft of bacon at 6:30 a.m! Billy was into it! One of the fastest pack-ups followed by a navigation and map reading lesson. Rhyolite Ridge was calling us and we slowly zig-zagged our way up the hill. Even though I had checked in with a Doc worker, asking about wasps on the ridge, which was supposed to be good at the moment, we did find a wasp nest which unfortunately a number of students were stung by. This was not ideal and was a low point of the trip. The views from Bus Stop were amazing as we made our way across the open tops. We were treated to an amazing site of a New Zealand Falcon / Karearea. A steep descent back down to the bus. After a quick debrief we loaded up and made our way back to school.

I want to acknowledge some of the less experienced students who were challenged by the big hills, heat and a heavy pack. I thought the team did incredibly well. I am looking forward to the next adventure.

Hayden Titchener

Photos supplied by Joshua Young