Sunday 16 June 2019

Overnight Tramp to Atiwhakatu Hut

For a second year running we have taken scouts into Atiwhakatu Hut for an overnight tramp.  The first was a raging success and the second no less so for being fewer brave souls.  This time there was a difference, a small contingent from Waikanae scouts walked in with us and we met up with Kelburn Scouts when we were there.

Many thanks to Tina, Steve and Lance who invited us to join them on this tramp.  And it was great fun walking with Jamie, Mitch and Cody as well.


Below we took the obligatory photo, but with some subtle improvements.  The group is all of us, including the Kelburn scouts.


Nick, our master guide, has certain ideas about how tramps and camps should be run, and one of these is very firmly entrenched.  You HAVE to visit a bakery on the way there or on the way home.  Nick knows all the best bakeries!

This time it was the turn of a small bakery in Featherston, we were all made to taste "Brunsviger" a pastry of Danish origin that seems to contains lots of brown sugar and cinnamon.


Crossing the first big swing bridge is always a tester for newbies, but all our scouts came across with no problems what-so-ever.  Seth (who carried his weight and more in that great pack of his - Go Seth), made it in style.


Ethan just took it in his stride ...


Hamish with his ever present grin ...


And Mitch from Waikanae, even had time to pose and smile.


 Rusty, the dog, was our mascot on the tramp and even he handled the bridges easily.


 When we arrived at the hut, first important things had to be done:
- fire wood collected
- fire wood burned (of course, no fire can go past a scout without being used to burn marshmallows on - the recipe seems to have changed since I was a scout and black is the new best marshmallow flavour)


Dinner was Rissotto, easily makes a good meal, ... and they did (I tried both watches dinners).


Matilda (Mati), our exchange student, and Katy made dinner for us leaders and themselves.  Pretty good!


The next morning the cleaning was done and we set off back to the cars.  Lead by our littlest scout Rosie, we made good time and completed the return journey in under 2.5 hours.


The forest we walk through is very picturesque.


Lance (Waikanae) walking across on of the elevated platforms.


Jesse, walking a little on his own here


Back the car park, we found a shelter to have our 2 minute noodle lunches in.  Lots of food was consumed with great enthusiasm throughout the tramp.  And although the scouts may be tired tonight after the walk, they will definitely not be hungry.