2020 Junior Tramping Camp

in Kids Camps, Teenage Camps

on

  • 1.00pm 2nd October - 8pm 6th October 2020
  • Co-Ed School Years 7 - 10
  • $280 (includes transport to and from location and main meals)
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About this tramping camp

This tramping trip takes us along the spectacular yet rugged South Coast Tramping track in the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island. We head into the remote reaches of Fiordland National Park.

The amazing thing about this tramp is there is no hills. We tramp along golden beaches (which often includes seeing Hectors Dolphins close to shore), and old bush tramways which are dead flat (but also sometimes quite muddy!)

We walk across several large wooden viaducts including the Percy Burn Viaduct (the tallest wooden viaduct in the Southern Hemisphere).

To finish the tramp off on the last day we get to travel on the Wairaurahiri Jet for 90 minutes up the Wairaurahiri River and across Lake Hauroko ( NZ’s deepest lake at 632m and the 17th-deepest of the world’s 5 million lakes). The Wairaurahiri River is also known as “New Zealand’s longest waterfall” as it drops 200m in its 27km length.

Location

We are tramping the first part of the South Coast Track near Tuatapere in Southland.

The actual tramping track takes us along the southern boundary of Fiordland National Park along the rugged coastline of the Southern Ocean.

Itinerary

Our intended plan is:

  • Friday 2nd October
    We travel to Riverton to stay overnight at a crib ready for an early start the next morning.
  • Saturday 3rd October
    Start tramping early from Rarakau carpark to Port Craig Hut (7 hours, 20km) where we will stay the night. It’s easy tramping along a beach and bush track. In fact this is actually day 1 of the Humpridge track. Each time I have tramped this route I have seen dolphins.
  • Sunday 4th October
    We tramp from Port Craig Hut through to Wairaurahiri Hut (6 hours, 16km). This is the day we cross at 4 large wooden viaducts. The Percy Burn is 36m high and 125m long. The tramping this day is along an old bush tramway and is completely flat for nearly the whole day only dropping down 2 river terraces as we near the hut.
  • Monday 5th October
    A day trip towards the Waitutu Hut (we probably won’t get to this hut however). The forest we travel through on our day trip is some of the most spectacular in the country. The bird song is astounding as we are greeted with Kaka, Tui and Bellbird song. We will try to find the old live deer capture pens on the ruggedest beach you’ve ever seen. There is no land between these beaches and Antarctica.
  • Tuesday 6th October
    We explore the Wairaurahiri river mouth and beach before meeting the Wairaurahiri Jet for our ride to the Lake Hauroko road end – the boat ride lasts 90 minutes and is one of the most spectacular jet boat trips in the world as we climb around 200 metres of altitude over 34kms of Grade 3 rapids. This river is the fastest-flowing navigable river in New Zealand ​and is a breath-taking ride!

CYC Waihola Tramping Camps Feature...

Backcountry Huts and Tents

We will be staying in public DOC back-country huts* in the remote wilderness - these huts give us some shelter but are often cold meaning warm clothing is a must. But the scenery is oh....so amazing!

* we also take tents just in case there is no room for us in the huts

Fun and Games

With no power or cellphone coverage*, we have plenty of time to play cool games like "The Most Awesome Game in the World" and make our own fun in the wilderness.


* we have a satellite communicator for emergencies

Good Food

Tramping is all about walking, good company and eating food. Lots of snacks to build up your energy for tramping

Testimonials from previous tramping camps...

"The tramping camp down the Hollyford [in 2019] was one of the best CYC camps I've ever been on."
Anon
2019 Junior Tramping Camp Camper
"It was my first tramp and I had no idea what I was doing but that tramping trip down the South Coast was one of my best memories as a teenager. Now I'm in my twenties I'm still doing lots of tramping"
Anon
2013 Tramping Camp Camper
"I just wanted to thank you very much for the tramp in the Hollyford. [My daughter] loved it and she has been talking about it a lot since ... [she] came back further encouraged spiritually"
Anon
2019 Junior Tramping Camp Parent

Essentials to know before you enroll...

These are essentials to know before you enrol in this tramping camp:

  • You will need good fitness and be able to walk at least 20km each day on the flat. You can start building fitness now by going for increasingly long walks each week.
  • You will need to carry all your own gear and food in a tramping pack. We will not carry your food, clothes or even your hairbrush for you. As an group tramping camp we will also be carrying shared equipment which you will need to carry your share of.
  • There are some essential gear requirements for tramping. These include the following non-negotiable items to keep you warm and safe in the wilderness:
    • Good boots with ankle support
    • Warm Sleeping Bag (not a “cheap warehouse one”) – ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IT IS RATED TO -10oC or greater 
    • Waterproof rain jacket (not a “nylon parka”)
    • Good thermal layers (base, mid and top)
    • Waterproof dry bags or pack liner
  •  Our leadership consists of leaders with a combined total of over 100 years tramping experience in the wilderness.

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