On the 28th of November 2016 a group of 20 Year 10 girls and three teachers set off for the Divide. From there we planned to walk the Routeburn track, finishing on the Glenorchy side of the great walk. We all had high hopes and I think, looking back at the tramp, we had a lot of fun.

On day one we walked from the Divide to Howden Hut, a little hut on the shores of Lake Howden. We had a lovely night although the next morning one of the girls had to walk out with Mrs Claman due to a gastro bug. We were sad to lose her but carried on with high spirits. Mrs Claman was going to meet us that night at Lake Mackenzie Hut. The walk was three hours uphill but the girls were positive. We came across the Earland Falls and although they were in flood we enjoyed getting soaked and taking in the waterfall’s power. That night we were informed about how the hut warden was helping conserve the wildlife in the valley.

The track over the Harris Saddle had been closed for several days and there was still avalanche risks and it looked unlikely we would be able to make the crossing. However in the morning we were informed that we would be able to helicopter over the Saddle. We were all very excited to be offered this opportunity by DOC and quickly packed up because we had to be at Harris Saddle by 1pm. Although by now another girl was sick we made quick pace. We got up to the saddle in two hours forty and were soon waiting for the helicopter in anticipation. We all enjoyed the helicopter thoroughly and were excited to see our fellow school friends who were walking the track from the other side. By the time we got to Routeburn Falls hut we were all extremely tired after an amazing day. Sadly that night Mrs Claman and two other girls got sick so the next morning we decided to head home that night after completing the tramp instead of tenting at Lake Sylvan.

We all had a wonderful time on camp and the memories and friends that we have formed on it made the long, mostly uphill 32km worth it. On behalf of all the Divide girls I would like to thank Mr Richards, Mrs Claman, and Mrs Leunissen for taking us. We all had a lot of fun even if it was a bit of an epic.