Team Routeburn revelled in a week of ‘Lovin’ It!’ Our Year 10 Camp started off with a dip in Lake Wakitipu, after a long drive to Glenorchy. The chilly dip mentally prepared us for our night of freedom camping at Lake Sylvan, near Routeburn Shelter. The next morning, we dragged our weary bodies out of our tents, ready to face our big day of walking along swing bridges and up and down hills, through dense beech forest, before we stopped at Flats Hut for lunch. Lunch was a sweet break, to prepare ourselves for the ‘short and sweet’ hill climb up to Falls Hut. Our sweaty climb was rewarded with a swim at the snow-fed waterfall and with Ms Nielson’s enthusiastic encouragement, some of us even put our head under the freezing and pounding waterfall. Thankfully the pasta carbonara which we cooked for dinner, warmed us up!

On Wednesday, we made the undulating walk up to Harris Saddle. We spotted wild chamois, thanks to Katelin’s well trained hunter’s eye. After we reached Harris Saddle and had a break for lunch, a few of us took the opportunity to make the optional hike up Conical Hill for a 360 degree view of the mountains. After we quenched our thirst on nature’s slushies (snow), we headed back down to the hut and another swim at the Falls.

Arrowtown beckoned us on Thursday, so after making the trek out, we drove back to civilization, but not before having another refreshing dip in Lake Wakitipu, to wash off the last of the Routeburn sweat. The Remarkables Lolly Shop and Patagonia for ice creams were the chosen destinations when we had some free time in the afternoon.

Team Routeburn is so grateful for the wonderful teachers on camp. This amazing camp would not have been possible without the help of Ms Nielson, Mr Durrant and Mrs Hill. Every member of Team Routeburn enjoyed this camp so much, and we have all made so many unforgettable memories. Thank you to everyone who was part of the team. ‘Lovin’ It!’