An intrepid group of senior Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students met at school on Saturday morning ready for another expedition.

For many it was to be a series of firsts – first time on Stewart Island, first time in a light plane landing on a beach at low tide, and hopefully first time to spot a kiwi in the wild. For others sadly it was also a last – last time they would participate in an expedition with the OBHS D of E group.

It was an uneventful drive down to Invercargill airport, no queues at International Departures, and the first group were ushered straight out onto the tarmac to board the plane. An hour later the same plane was back ready to transport the second group, landing on the firm sand of Mason Bay. It was unseasonably warm, but looming clouds signalled the incoming southerly change. We had time to set up camp plus explore the beach and sand dunes before the wind and rain arrived. After dinner there was kiwi spotting to be done, with success for some.

Day two dawned overcast and stayed reasonably dry in between the drizzle patches. The walk to Freshwater Hut was a distance of 15km but totally flat and mostly on well formed track. The occasional bog livened things up a little. After lunch at the hut we tackled the highest point in the area, Rocky Mountain, a whopping 549 metres above sea level. There would have been impressive views from the top if it hadn’t been so misty and if it were possible to stand upright in the gale force southerly. We returned to the hut for dinner and less successful kiwi spotting in the evening.

Our third day promised mud and plenty of it, and didn’t disappoint. DOC certainly hadn’t wasted any of their precious gravel reserves on this section. The track times suggested an average walking speed of under 2 km/h and were pretty accurate due to the uneven terrain and abundant swamps. The boys made themselves at home at the North Arm campsite and were all under cover when the worst heavy rain of the trip descended that evening.

The final day was a relaxing 12 km stroll in fine sunny weather out to Halfmoon Bay on the highway known as the Rakiura Track. Our return flight was split between two light planes departing Stewart Island around 1:30 pm, meaning we were back in Dunedin in time for dinner.

This was another very successful trip with a great group of young men. I have particularly enjoyed the camaraderie and good humour of the year 13 group over the past 4 years of tramping expeditions, and hope they will continue their passion for the outdoors in the future.

Special thanks to Mr Reussenzehn who braved his first expedition with this group, and the Bendigo Trust for their assistance with funding.