On the eastern side of the Hunter Hills, 32km Southwest of Timaru is the Mount Nimrod Scenic Reserve.

The reserve is spread over the deep and spectacular gorges of Nimrod Stream and White Rock River and has great views, with a waterfall that plummets through a rock arch. 

Mt Nimrod was carefully chosen as our Survival Trip to test our skills and physical ability which could determine whether we were capable of doing the course of our three day tramping trip. 

This ‘survival trip’ gave us a chance to set up emergency shelters using tarpaulins and also use our skills which were practiced in class such as; taking grid or magnetic bearings, orientating a map, estimating the distance on a map to field (real life), reading contour lines and identifying; attack points, catching features and handrails. 

Throughout the tramp students would take turns leading the group and navigating their way through the terrain as well as taking short breaks to catch our breath as the course would initially progress to climb steeply up and out of the forest. 

A few highlights the girls spoke about were making it to the highest point, 690m above sea level, completing the track and experiencing snow fall the next morning; “I felt proud of myself for completing that short but challenging climb. Even though I found it difficult, I think it’s all worth it just to see the beauty of the coast and have a true outdoors experience.” commented Student A.

“It was the first time I saw actual snowfall, it felt like I was being rewarded for what I had completed the previous day. I had no words but I knew I felt extremely happy.” - Student B.