Atiwhakatu Beginners Tramp

 Holdsworth is a great place to go tramping and while it is about 2 hours drive away, it never fails to make it feel worth while.  This year we had a smallish group of scouts wanting to learn the skills and experience the feeling of an overnight in the bush - some were experienced, but for others it was a first time.

The trip over was an experience.  I have a scout play list in my car, given to me by the Venturers.  The scouts I had in my car loved it and in a lot of cases were singing along (despite some of the songs being Taylor Swift - Sorry Harvey)

Some of our more experienced scouts lead off and set a good pace.  We did the walks in and out in very short times.  We were in to the hut quite early and did the usual of dropping our packs around the hut and heading off to collect firewood.  A LOT of firewood was collected for such a small group.  We had teams on collecting, breaking up and also packing the firewood into the stores at the back of the hut.

Dinner was whatever each group wanted to make with the ingredients that they had.  Cous cous formed the based and most went with adding some of each ingredient for interest sake.  Peppers, Chorizo, Cheese, Tomatoes, etc, all in one pot.  A standard feature of these hikes since we discovered it a few years ago is Chocolate Mouse desserts.  Whip it up and leave it outside in the cold and Voila!  You have dessert.

The evening following dinner was about the fun games and exercises that Nick had prepared.  Lots of learning while still having fun.  A family with a small baby were sharing the hut with us and also took part in the fun.

Next morning was breakfast of porridge and fruit.  Some scouts find this a challenging meal for some reason.

Tidying up and packing up took the best part of an hour or two before we could set off back to the parking lot.  The hut looked spotless and all the scouts played a huge part in making it so.

The walk back was brisk with no issues.  Even swing bridges were just fun.  We stopped at Donnelly Flats for lunch and retired to the the river where it runs close to the track to have it.  The river bank was comfortable and dry and we all settled down a variety of wraps, noodles and soups according to each groups desire.

The trip home also involved a lot of singing in my car, and I believe this showed that all had really enjoyed the trip.

Feel free to check out more photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NkG6cU5aqRAMUrjv5

Quinn's awesome adventurous journey

Chief Scout Rimu Award Adventurous Journey

by Quinn Krishnan

On saturday the 1st of july i led 4 scouts including me into the orongorongos with the aim to get to shalimar hut, a private hut owned by one of kim's friends jenny. We were very happy and grateful that she let us use it when walking in. We were happy talking and when we hit the river and got off the track we started listening to music. Then we hit the big river where Derrick and Kym were waiting for us on the other side. They taught us how to cross over properly which everyone felt very insightful. We kept walking to the hut picking up some good firewood. On the way we had to leave some of it at the bottom of the track because it was too big to take up so we would have to come back to saw it up, and get more.

Once we got to the hut we left our packs outside and had some snacks which made everyone happy because they didn't have their packs. We got some saws and went back to find more firewood. And saw it up so that we could bring it up the track. Everyone enjoyed using the saws and when we got back to the hut we left the firewood outside so that we could restock it later. We went inside for the first time, brought our packs in and picked our bed. Which everyone enjoyed as we looked around and found where everything was. We then got the food out and put it on the table. Unfortunately our bag of nacho chips popped so instead of having pasta that night we had nachos which everyone enjoyed. Then we talked about short term thinking, hate, prejudice, and types of conflicts and ways to resolve them in order to get our peace education better world badge. We talked while we toasted some marshmallows and ate some biscuits which people enjoyed. The next day we got up and had weetabix and rice bubbles with peaches and packed our lunch and thermals for the walk. We got our map with the planned route on it and set off into the bush on the track down to the river then walked along until we found the track stopping at the entrance of it to look at Baine Iti the oldest hut in the orongorongos then we walked up there was a lot of steep incline and we decided that we should have taken two packs instead of one so it was a good learning experience. We planned to go up to the top but everyone was hungry when we got to the south saddle so we stopped and ate lunch there. Then it started snowing and we stood there for a couple of minutes with our hands out and our mouths open trying to catch some. When we got there we talked about it and decided not to go to the summit. So we walked back down and found our arrow back to the slightly hidden track through the bush and back to the hut. When we got there derrick had found a piece of wood and Kym had found some axes and saws so derrick taught us how to split wood and once we did that we moved on to sawing up some of our firewood that we found the day before and restocked Jennys firewood reserves to replenish the wood we used. Then we went inside as it started to rain. For a game of scrabble which unfortunately Derrick and Kim won. Then we made dinner which was pasta and I found out that no one in our group likes mixed vegetables. We made too much pasta so I also learnt that I needed to buy smaller portions. After dinner we used a camp oven to make a cake in a cup. The marshmallows that we put into it melted but the actual cake was ok. Then we filmed our domestic violence video and went to bed. 

In the morning we woke up and made our pancake batter than one of us cooked it while the others cleaned up and packed the food into our packs. Once all of the pancakes were all done we took a little break to eat them and they were really good. Then we cleaned the dishes and got back to cleaning the hut. We finished that quickly and left for the tramp back. We walked quickly, beating our time that it took us to get in and less stopping too. We got out and had lunch in the carpark. We then went back to the den, put the saveable food back in the den and went home. All in all I would say it was a successful trip.

Some more pictures are available here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/huAzmkscKBYXacXy5

2021 - Tramp to Atiwhakatu

Cheerful exhaustion

What a great weekend full of food and chatter and learning.  We challenged the scouts to each write a paragraph about the tramp and the experience that sticks most clearly in their mind.  Below are some of them:

From Connor:

"Atiwhakatu Tramp. A tramp. My first tramp with a big bag on my back. And sure was it a difference. Instead of carrying a light day bag, you are carrying all of your stuff. At first, I thought it would be hard. But it was surprisingly easy. My favorite part of the tramp was the cooking. I love cooking with the gas stoves. Although we made an explosive out of one of the gas cookers, I still enjoyed it. For dinner, we made macaroni and cheese. For breakfast the next morning, we made yummy porridge. Our group's porridge was the best of course. Nick made some sloppy watery porridge for his breakfast, because we are so amazing and kind we gave him some of our lovely porridge. There is even a photo of me feeding him it."

From Ella: 

"It was really cool. I enjoyed the walk and really really liked the sleeping quarters. I learnt that u can go without a lot about stuff e.g., a pillow.

When I came to the scout hall, I realized why you needed a lot of space left in the top of your bag because you had to carry your own food in your pack. I then had to switch from my tiny little bag to a decently sized tramping pack. Then (after I had put all my clothes into the other pack) we were called to sit on the floor to be sorted into our car groups. When we got to the car park, we had lunch there. Then we set out on the tramp to Atiwhakatu hut. My favourite bridge was the bridge that had the wired floor, The one that swayed really hard. I got a shock when I saw Derrick throw Rosie’s group’s gas cooker out the window. I marvelled at the gas cooker on fire outside.

The weekend was really fun. I hope we do something like it again."

From Amelia:

"Atiwhakatu tramp was so much fun. I think my favorite part was  the actual  walk. The views were amazing and the weather was nice. I loved the bridges and the scenery. It was a pretty easy track with a few hills but mostly flattish. I'm very happy I got to do the tramp, I might not have been able to do it as  I hurt my ankle. Overall it was tons of fun and I'm grateful to Nick for organizing it and the rest of the leaders for helping us with the cooking and stuff."

From Trinaya:

"The lengthy car drive to Halesworth Carpark was to be honest, pretty monotonous. But since I had never been on an overnight tramp before, I guess the excitement for me started when I reached the hut. My favourite part of the tramp was probably the swing bridges. The first swing bridge from the carpark swung so much that my hands were gripping the railing super tightly! Once we reached the huts, the first thing we did was collect firewood. After that we got to choose our bunkrooms and start unpacking! By the time everyone was sorted and unpacked, We were told to start making dinner. We did this in our watch groups. Basically everyone was making Mac' n' cheese the first night! 🍲 After dinner, we had this tramping quiz that Nick had put together for us. It was really fun!!! In the morning we walked back. Surprisingly to me it felt like half the distance of walking to the hut! It was a really fun tramp and I can't wait until the next one!!!!"

From Hannah:

"My favourite part about the Atiwhakatu tramp was the actual walk. The scenery was gorgeous and the swing bridges were so cool.  At the start of the walk, I was excited because I hadn't been on an overnight tramp before. When we were on the last boardwalk we saw the white roof of the hut, and we started running. Everybody was so happy and relieved when we got there. The bunk beds were so cool cause you got to be around all your friends. It was an amazing tramp! Thank you Nick for organizing it!"

Some more pictures here.

Scouts: Urgent for Parents and Scouts: Decisions times for regattas

Guys

I am not going to mention the fantastic time we had this weekend. Diane I am sure will have congratulations for all involved (if she is still awake). I mowed the lawns when I got home.

More importantly, I need to know Thursday night (no later) who wants to go to Lowry Bay for the regatta this Sunday, including parents who can offer towbars and seats.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, Easter Regatta, Napier 2-4 (5) April. Is a full regatta like the local regattas but with swimming and ironman as well. First time last year and cleaned up nearly everything. Hoping for a big contingent again this year. Drive up Good Friday (10am departure) needing 7 towbars and lotsa seats. Come back Sunday evening or Monday for those that want to stay. Accom will be either at Westshore Den or Kennedy Park. Parents can stay with Scouts or at Motel. Need to know Thursday if want to come. Cost $100-$120.

Roger

Transport to Eastbourne for Butterfly Creek tramp

Dear Parents

We have 23 scouts attending next weekends’ tramp to butterfly creek.  We need some assistance to transport the kids from the den on Saturday and back on Sunday.  Plan to depart the den at 1pm on Saturday drive to Eastbourne.  Sunday depart Eastbourne at approx 1:30pm to return to den.

Could you please advise ASAP if you are able to assist with transport, which day/s you can provide transport for, and how many seats you can provide for the scouts.

Thanks so much

Diane

Scouts: Butterfly Creek Tramp - Advise of your participation

Guys

We are planning the overnight tramp for the weekend of 6/7 March (two weekends away), and need to know if you will be attending, BY THIS THURSDAY (feb 25).

THE PLAN

Location will be in Eastbourne and we will be tramping up to Butterfly Creek (this is approx 1.5 hours tramping), camping overnight in our tents, then walking out the next day. 

Departure Time: From the Den at 1:00pm on Saturday 6 March

Return Time:  2:00PM back at the Den Sunday 7 March

A consent form and full gear list will be provided this Thursday (25^TH) and MUST be returned following Thursday (4^TH March) (NO CONSENT FORM, NO TRAMP)

We will have a discussion on appropriate tramping gear, food and equipment this Thursday.

EQUIPMENT

You MUST have

·         A Backpack capable of holding all your overnight gear, food, water and tent.

·         Good strong walking boots/shoes

·         Warm polypro or woolen clothing and a waterproof parka will be essential

·         Warm Sleeping bag

·         Torch

·         1 litre of water

Scouts will provide tents, cookers and cooking equipment

We will organize tent groups based on who is attending – these groups will need to plan their dinner and breakfast and lunch menu for the tramp.

You will need to bring your equipment and packs to the Den on Thursday 4^th March.

COSTS:

No set cost but if not supplying transport please provide a donation for petrol to your driver

You will also have to buy your own food in your assigned groups for Dinner for Saturday and breakfast, lunch for Sunday plus extra snacks.  

PARENTS

You are most welcome and encouraged to join us but you will need to bring your own tent and cooking equipment

We will also need cars to drive the kids over to Eastbourne and bring them back on Sunday.

More details will follow – but we need to know ASAP

·         Names of scouts attending the tramp

·         Parents that also wish to attend

·         Parents that can provide cars