In 2021, we have two Level 1 OdEd classes. Both voted for the St James range for their three-day tramp that navigated Mailing Pass, down into the Upper Waiau, past Lake Guyon, through Stanley Vale and finally over Fowlers Pass.

Our akonga distilled essential items of their lives into backpacks and boldly tramped where they had never tramped before. Both classes had very different stories to tell.

Some people ask, “Why?” It’s a valid question.

Why?

Some students simply wanted NCEA credits, whilst some desired a challenge. Some wanted to explore and witness outstanding landscapes and others wanted to experience the comradery of tramping with their friends. Undoubtedly, all students would have preferred to stay in bed all day if that would help them gain credits to pass NCEA Level 1, and no one admitted to inviting the hoards of sandflies, because to participate in a L1OdEd tramp is an opportunity, those opportunities don’t arise every day and because every experience has a narrative. These are the stories of amazing times in amazing places, stories of hardship, of friendship, of courage, determination and fate. These are the stories that we remember because these are the stories that are real. These are the stories that make us who we are.

So we all went tramping. We lost all mobile phone reception, including the ability to SnapTupe, FaceGram, InstaChat, Tok-Tik and WhatNot. We swapped our warm, comfy beds to sleep (intermittently) on a rolled polyurethane mattress, on uneven ground, in a cold, damp tent populated with a tent buddy (or buddies) who wriggled, squirmed, snored and expelled noxious exhaust gases (the latter most likely relating to an evening meal dominated by just bacon, sausages or Backcountry boil in the bag).

Both classes had very different experiences.

L1OdEd ThN, with Mr Thomas, were gifted with a weather window that turned out to be far better than expected. Not a drop of rain, nor even a breath of wind. Highs of 25 degs and clear blue skies. If anything, it was too hot. The views were both breathtaking and bloodsucking - due to the abundance of sandflies who, like teenagers, tend to hang around if there is nothing of interest to blow them away! Things went to plan, spectacular views were seen, suntans were topped up for the winter, assessment boxes were ticked, a little lake swim was had, Sandflies were well fed, bacon and backcountry were eaten, tents were air-conditioned with not-so-fresh, definitely-not-breaths, of fresh air, and the sandfly population in St James received more than enough vital nutrition to double numbers, and launch an assault on Hanmer Springs.

L1OdEd ChD, with Mr Chen, were not so fortunate with the weather. The Waiua Valley was filled with heavy rain, gale-force winds, thunder and lightning. So, it was a pretty good job that they had a backup plan. They completed the challenging Binser Saddle, Poulter Valley, Casey Saddle and Andrews Valley Circuit, one of the only options given the complex weather patterns at this time. Unfortunately, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

Risk happens on OdEd trips and it is only a matter of time.

In OdEd, while we do everything in our power to manage the risks, we cannot completely avoid risks. Perhaps we could - this might mean awarding NCEA credits for lying in bed under a bubblewrap duvet!

Unfortunately, Mr Chen tripped and slipped during a routine creek crossing and sustained an ankle injury. He continued to camp but in the morning, sadly, his injury meant he was unable to continue. Like a giant sandfly, The West Coast Heli Rescue team gobbled Mr Chen and he was never seen again… … by the students… at that time… who… have a story to tell!!!

Under the careful, and qualified, supervision of OENZ instructors, the tramp continued. As a precaution, Mr Liddell had arranged for Mr Thomas to intercept the group and Mr T. was already on the road. He caught up with the group well beyond the rendezvous point, and whilst this was unexpected, explainable as the group had been delayed by SARS, and evacuation events.

We all have stories of amazing times in amazing places, stories of hardship, of friendship, of courage, determination, and fate. These stories we remember because these are real.

Risk is very real, and sometimes “..it” happens. This is not one story but many. Each student is their own narrator with their own experience. Everyone has a story. 

This story of resilience, determination, and courage is narrated in extracts from the official Incident Report. Accidents are simple, and expected, predicted, and the outcomes managed.

I enquired into RJ’s ankle injury and treatment as the most significant injury likely to impede progress - either forwards, to complete the route, or backwards, as an evacuation option. I discovered the ankle had been strapped effectively, excessive weight had been redistributed to other students, RJ had been lent a walking pole for support, she was determined to continue and her walking boots had some ankle support. RJ reported the discomfort as 5/10.

Other management was discussed. RJ tramped over 10km, refusing to be carried and determined to complete the tramp.

Overnight, the decision to heli. evac. RJ was made. HN was to accompany RJ for peer support...

Contact with KHS was made.

Signal was intermittent and poor… confirmation of heli. evac. around 7.50 am. I returned to the campsite immediately. Westpac heli. flew over whilst on route, I signalled clearly the direction of the camp and continued. I heard Westpac land and power engines down… arrived at the campsite. The Westpac heli. had landed roughly 50m away. Most students were cooking breakfast, taking tents down, packing bags and getting ready to tramp. The scene was controlled and normal. Westpac medics were on site, the first aid handover had been completed, RJ’s injuries had been inspected by the Westpac paramedic, who supported our initial assessment. RJ and HN were in a position to depart as organised … … , and the Westpac heli. crew had placed an order for pancakes, with syrup, from our KHS students who were cooking breakfast.

We all have stories.

At Kaiapoi High School we have our values: Respect, Integrity, Community, and Excellence. In OdEd we recognise and value much more, we value Courage, Determination, Mutual Support, Exploration, Preparedness, Adaptability, Personal Challenge, and Endurance in the quest for Experience and Excellence.

People who understand what why is, say, “It’s because…”.