It was Tuesday 14th and it was about 5:30 in the morning and I was preparing for the trip I had been preparing for this day a week ahead. I was beaming with excitement when my mum drove me into the car park outside the school. Kia Ora / Talofa Hello my name is Lani and I have been asked to tell you all about the recent Outdoor Academy that I was extremely lucky to attend. We meaning Sarah, Jurnee, Charlotte, Hannah, Samantha, Ethan, Chino, Bradley, Connor B, Taine, Kane A, Mrs Gotz, Tommie, Karen (Bradleyʼs mum) and myself, had to be outside school about 6:15 because we had to leave 6:30 sharp. Everybody turned up eager to hit the road. Most of the girls went in Karenʼs car. Mrs Gotz and Tommie had the pleasure of driving all the boys and Jurnee up in the van.
It was a quiet drive up in Karenʼs car but I bet it was the complete opposite in Tommieʼs van. When we reached Taumaranui we headed for National Park then straight to the mountain. It was pouring down with rain so we had to get dressed under the icy cold rain. But little did I know we were about to find out what icy cold actually is. We were all suited up feeling like Sumo Wrestlers as we waddled up to the rental shop. Our gear was fitted and away we went. Tommy and Mrs Gotz were both experienced skiers and were our ski and snowboard instructors. We got used to the skis, snowboards and the snow down in Happy Valley. Then we were ready to hit the higher slopes. A group of us caught a chairlift up to Rock Garden. We didnʼt spend too long there and we again mounted the lifts to go up to the Waterfall T on the 2nd chair.
This was the most challenging experience and with fear and trembling I conquered the Tbar. We all felt like human icicles so to defrost we went to the Tokannu Hot pools where we put down a hangi and soaked while we waited for it to cook. On Friday the mountain was closed due to bad weather. Mrs Gotz had booked us into the climbing wall in National Park. The rock-climbing instructors strapped us into our harness and thinking that we were monkeys we raced each other to the top of the walls. We all loved this experience. We were so fortunate to be given this opportunity and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Lani Moorhouse.
