Level 3's Tramp - Traverse of Mt Faust!

The pinnacle of Outdoor Education at Kaiapoi High School is, hopefully, (and should be) the Year 13 journeys. After three years of Outdoor Education, students have good knowledge of core outdoor skills (navigation, survival, bushcraft) and, most importantly, are able to function and thrive in the wilderness – especially in adverse conditions! With this in mind, the Year 13 journeys should be less about learning skills, and more about exploring, connecting with, and seeking challenges in more inspiring and bold places.

This year, we were fortunate to have the right weather conditions (perfect actually!), capable students, and a suitable location to attempt one of those inspiring and bold journeys. The class travelled to the Boyle River Education Centre for the start and subsequent finish of the tramp. On Day 1, we climbed and climbed (900m of climbing), to a stunning spot above the bushline and our campsite amongst alpine tarns. The views were breathtaking and it was hard to believe it would get even better the next day. After a well deserved sleep, the class headed for the summit of Faust. Walking along the ridgeline was generally safe, although care was needed in places as we negotiated steep eroded cliffs that descended endlessly to the river valleys below. The easy part was knocking off Faust, then it was the 1000m descent to the St James Track – following unmarked bush spurs through the forest.

By the end of Day 2, the students had achieved so much more than they expected. The shared adversary created a cohesive little group and everyone was rightly proud of a difficult, but fulfilling, two days. All that was left was a supposedly short stroll along Boyle River to the vans. As a group, we underestimated this “short stroll” and six hours later, tired, blistered, hungry students collapsed in a heap at the finish point, concluding what was an ambitious and rewarding journey – the pinnacle of their Outdoor Education experience so far!

A very special thanks to Miss Fenn, who supported us as our experienced instructor, whose qualification and expertise allowed us to explore and camp above the bushline.