On Saturday 25 March, the very first Pāpāmoa College Tramping Club set out for the trek up Wairere Falls in Te Aroha.

Students had learned through club meetings, the key aspects of keeping safe, choosing the correct clothing, bringing the right type of food and mapping their trekking route. On the day, six students from Year 9 through to Year 13 turned up and joined myself and Mr Wright for the expedition.

The sun was shining and the route was dry. Three of the students with the club were new to tramping and did a fantastic job of keeping pace and making it to the top.

The students tramped for one and a half hours past stunning, moss-covered boulders, over wooden bridges and mini falls. At the top, the students were mesmerised by the spectacular views of the Waikato and the 153-metre drop of the Wairere Falls themselves. 

After a brief lunch and a chat about the local history of the falls and the flora and fauna, we travelled back down to the bottom before returning to school. There was a great sense of achievement from all involved and some new friendships were established. 

Well done Pāpāmoa College Tramping Club members!