After the last hike into the Mount Holdsworth of the Tararua Forest Park, expectations were higher coming out to Catchpool Valley.
It did not disappoint though, with the scouts having a great time and getting involved in some (for us) new techniques and experiences.
(Top row: Rachel, Vanessa (slightly behind), Mike, Neil, Grant and Derrick
Second row: Magnus, Adam, Alfie, Charlie, Sean, Bradley, Ohara, Hamish
Front row: Emyr, Max, Ethan, Alex, Lauree, Ruby and Dominic)
We started at the Den as before with the dividing of the scouts into Watches (the Plops, the Survivors and the Epics!) and the food into each watches bags to carry into the Park. The watches got to travel together in a car each down to Catchpool Car Park.
We started walking in at about 1:15pm and the first hour or so was reasonably uneventful.
The track was wet and muddy (not unexpected) with a few streams and small bridges to cross. The first big bridge was Midway. A really large pedestrian suspension bridge. Fairly solid and pretty strong, no worries.
Walking out from Midway, we came to the Rainbow Bridge (so named because of its shape). On the way came across an alternate path that went directly over a stream which the scouts opted to follow rather than use the bridge.
At Rainbow, the scouts all stopped and had a late afternoon tea underneath the bridge and clean some mud off their shoes.
From the Rainbow Bridge it was only a matter of 30 minutes or so to the lodge. All arrived safely and in good spirits. We unloaded into the bunk rooms and got beds setup. Then it was outside, for a quick explanation of sling arrows and how to make them. The scouts then proceeded to make their own. Some of them were pretty impressive.
Dinner was Macaroni Cheese, augmented with Kranskys and dried peas. Pretty tasty. Each watch cooked for themselves and ate the food they prepared.
Next up was a real challenge, light a fire in the rain to toast your marshmallows! Of the three watches, only one succeeded (it was very wet!) and eventually we all centered on Neils big fire and cooked our marshmallows and ate our biscuits.
Then it was back to the lodge for bed.
The next morning started out with the noise at about 7am. The leaders call this a reasonable time! The weather was mild and overcast but it had rained heavily overnight so everything was still sodden. After the leaders had woken up with a few doses of caffeine, the bags packed, the lodge cleaned, and the group photo taken, it was time head back again.
Destination was the Rainbow Bridge again, but this time we stopped and took some time to learn the good, bad and ugly techniques of crossing rivers when on tramps, individually and as a group in deeper waters.
In crossing the Orongorongo River we were met on the other side by a combined troop hike from Stokes Valley and Titahi Bay scout troops.
When fun was had and everyone had crossed the river, we headed off back to the carpark, where we found a Kereru keeping watch on the cars.
We all went off down to Catchpool camp ground (for water and shelter) and had lunch there. Then we all packed up and headed back to the den, tired but happy.
Certainly the scouts in my car had missed only a Camp fire to complete the experience. They made up for it by telling ghost stories in the car on the way home.
Many thanks to Grant for sorting the route and the accommodation, Rachel for the menu and catering, Vanessa, Neil and Mike for their support and instruction. It all came together to make the experience yet another one to remember.
The next big adventure is going to be Group Camp - September 28-30. Always the biggest event of the year for the whole group.
