Motueka High School Outdoor Education

Term 2 Trips

2011-05-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

Year 12 tramps

3 day Kahurangi
Depart: 31 May, MHS 0900
Return: 2 June, MHS 1500

1 Day Wainui Valley
14 - 16 June (one day per class. each class goes on the same day as their weekly practical)
Depart: MHS 0830
Return: MHS 1700

Year 13 Cave Trip
Depart: 10 June, MHS 0830
Return: MHS 1700

Year 13 Tramp, Kahurangi NP
Depart: 13 July, MHS 0830
Return: 15 July, MHS 1500

Murchison Whitewater

2011-05-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

During the last week of March Yr13 OED relocated to Murchison, home of some of New Zealand's best whitewater rivers. Rapids were run, rolls were made and most were stoked with the improvements they made

Term One Trips

2011-03-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Year 12OED Kayaking day trips, Motueka river

Date: 22, 23, 24 March (one day each class)
Depart: MHS 8.30am
Return MHS 3.20pm

Bring a packed lunch and drink

Year 13OED Kayak tour, Murchison

Date: 30 March - 1 April
Depart MHS 8.30am
Return MHS 5.00pm

Welcome to 2011

2011-03-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Tena kotou, welcome everyone, to the start of another new year. As always we have lots of great adventures lined up for our Outdoor Education classes.
I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Greg O'Donnell to the department. Greg replaces Bernard Oliver who has moved to Te Awamutu College in the central North Island to be closer to his fiance. Greg comes to us with a wide variety of outdoor education teaching experiences, both here in NZ and offshore. His specialist areas include whitewater kayaking and rock climbing We look forward to working with him here at Motueka High School.

Waka Paddling

2010-11-19T01:19:00.000-08:00

Another great day out with the 2010 International student crew, this time at Kaiteriteri Beach for some Waka paddling. Here's a quick taste of the action.

Kiteboarding at Rabbit Island

2010-11-17T13:08:00.000-08:00

Warren, Wiebka and the crew from Kitescool Nelson took our International Students for their first taste of the awesome sport of Kiteboarding. We had a perfect day at Rabbit Island with just the right amount of wind for the crew to progress from the basics of controlling a trainer kite to body dragging in the water. Word is they were all ace!

Alina mastering the trainer kite

Ester and Anna. "It's just like riding a bike."

Warren coaching Assi to do a body drag.

Spring 2010

2010-11-10T13:30:00.001-08:00

Term 3 Trips

2010-07-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

Year 13OED Alpine training day
Location: Mt Arthur region
Depart: MHS 0830
Return: MHS 1700

Year 13OED Alpine Expedition
Location: LAke Angelus, Nelson Lakes National Park
Depart: 11 Aug 0700
Return: 13Aug 1700

Year 12OED Caving Trips (one day per class)
Location: Golden Bay
Depart: 18/19 Aug 0830
Return: 1700

9ADV Journey
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 8 Sept 0830
Return 10 Sept 1500

12OED Sea Kayak Expedition
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 21 Sept 0830
Return: 24 Sept 1500

Kahurangi Tramping

2010-05-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

Year 12 students recently completed a three day tramp in Kahurangi National Park. The aim was to practice off track navigation skills so each of the three groups spent several hours with map and compass in hand, moving through the bush. Although we had our ears open, the was no calls from the recently released Friends of Flora kiwi.

Native Pufferfish

No Marlen, you can't see your house from there.

5 Star facilities

More Pufferfish

Night Nav

2010 Tuna Hoe

2010-05-03T18:43:00.001-07:00

Late last term, members of Year 13 Outdoor Ed (and special guest steerer Keone all the way from Hawaii) entered a wama ama team in the 2010 Tuna Hoe Regatta, held on Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park. Being their first race, they entered the Novice category and placed a credible second, coming in behind a full adult crew.

A cold autumn day at Lake Rotoiti

200m into the 10km race

Tired but happy

Term 2 Trips

2010-05-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

Yr13OEM Tramp
Location: Kahurangi National Park
Depart: 10 May, 1530
Return 11 May 1520

Yr12OED Tramp
Location: Kahurangi National Park
Depart: 18 May, 0900
Return 20 May 1520

Yr12OED Day Tramp
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 2 June and 3 June, 0900
Return 3 and 4 June 1700

Yr13OEM Tramp
Location: Mystery
Depart: 8 June, 0900
Return 9 June 1700

Yr13 Survival Tramp
Location: Kahurangi National Park
Depart: 16 June, 0900
Return 18 June 1700

Yr 9 ADV Journey
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Depart: 23 June, 0900
Return 25 June 1500

Boats Eye View of the Buller River

2010-04-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

Whitewater Action In Murchison

2010-04-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

As term one drew to a close and the days began to get shorter, 13OED headed to Murchison for some whitewater kayaking action. Although the river was at its lowest flow in several years, the team found plenty of classic rapids to run, waves to surf and even a waterfall to hang out under.

Competing for wave space - experience wins out!

Ritchie on the Matakitaki River.

Phillip and Salem carving it up on the front wave at O'Sullivans.

Pulling out the old skool moves - shudder rudder.

Term One Trips

2010-02-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

13OED Overnight Tramp
Depart MHS 3.20pm 11 March
Return MHS 3.20pm 12 March

13OEM Murchison River Trip
Depart MHS 7.00am 15 March
Return MHS 5.00pm 16 March

12OED Motueka River Day Trip
17/18 March (Each class goes on the day of their normal prac)
Depart MHS 8.30am
Return MHS 3.20pm

13OED Murchison River Trip
Depart MHS 7.00am 30 March
Return MHS 5.00pm 1 April (no joke!)

2010

2010-02-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome students and families to Outdoor Education at Motueka High School for 2010. We have a busy schedule of activities planned for the upcoming year including, whitewater and sea kayaking, tramping, mountaineering, rock climbing and caving.

At the end of 2009 we farewelled Lisa Harbott from the department after two years of exceptional Outdoor Ed teaching. It is Lisa's long term goal to work in the area of Paramedics and she has take the opportunity to extend herself in this field. We thank her for her contribution to the department and wish her all success in her future endeavors.

It is with pleasure that we welcome Bernard Oliver to the Department. Bernard is a graduate of the CPIT Outdoor Recreation Degree programme in Christchurch and has recently been traveling the world in search of classic whitewater in places such as the USA and Uganda. Bernard brings a wide range of skills and enthusiasm to the department.

Bernard taking a break from kayaking on the Nile

Year 13 students enjoying a start of the year Waka-ama paddle close to local landmark, Split Apple Rock.

West Coast Adventuring

2009-11-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

As a culmination to their year’s course, last week Year 13 Outdoor Ed went on an adventure road trip to the West Coast, dressed as you would expect of Outdoor Ed students in dinner suits.

First stop, Ultimate Descents Rafting Company in Murchison. A serious dose of white water was the request and our guides Rusty and Regan certainly delivered on a high flowing Buller River. Highlights included running the Granity rapids and dropping through Ariki Falls.

The Crew above Granity rapid on the Upper Buller

Rusty and Regan briefing Ariki Falls

Running Ariki Falls (nice face Mark)

From Murchison it was on to the West Coast, passing through the Paparoa Ranges to reach the old gold mining town of Charlston, just south of Westport. In true West Coast tradition it began to rain, hard, soon after we arrived and didn’t stop until morning. Some woke to flooded tents and soaked bags.

For the next two days we caved in Te Tahi cave and rock climbed on the sea cliffs overlooking the wild Tasman Sea. A highlight for most included the climb Racing in the Streets, a full 50m climb that starts as close to the crashing ocean swell as you would want to be before ascending a classic corner climb that tops out with 360 degree views.

Mark Parfitt enjoying the Tasman Ocean licking at his heals

"On Belay"

Jay Nelson checking out the views toward the Paparoa Range

Tess Golding on Racing in the Streets

A beachside bbq dinner and bonfire topped it all off. A great trip to end the year.

All Action in the Abel Tasman

2009-11-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

Abel Tasman National Park put on 4 seasons in 4 days for year 12OED during their sea kayak trip recently. Students experienced sun, rain, large seas and strong winds that added up to a big adventure. The last day paddle from Onetahuti back to Marahau into a strong South East wind proved to be a big day out for many.

The crew keeping the fuel supply up

Year 12 Sea Kayak Trip

2009-09-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Year 12 students will be spending four days sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park next week. Students will get to experience the world class golden sand beaches and estuaries of the park and with luck get up close with seals and dolphins. Details below.

Depart- 0830 Tuesday 22nd Sept
Return - 1500 Friday 25th Sept

Weather permitting the trip will take us from Marahau to Totaranui and return with camps at Mosquito Bay, Totaranui and Anchorage

Local company Marahau Sea Kayaks supply us with boats and equipment and we would like to acknowledge their ongoing support of Outdoor Education at Motueka High School. If you require top quality boats and guides give Jack and his team a call. Check out their site here.

Last of the Winter Snow

2009-08-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

The rare and endangered Native Snow Goblin.

Year 13OED managed to sneak in to the mountains during a gap in an extended period of poor weather recently. With the avalanche risk high in Nelson Lakes National Park we stayed closer to home around the Mt Arthur region. The plan was to snow camp for two nights close to the base of the mountain and summit the North Twin. The weather played its hand though, and for the first time in over seven years, we cut the trip short by a day. The crew did get the chance to experience snow caving though as the pics show.

Tess showing the boys that you can make gourmet food in the mountains. Pasta pesto and fresh rocket anyone?

Jay and Zac go for the dehydrated approach

Digging in

Home sweet home. A cosy 1 degree above zero

Josh and Willy doing their bit for New Zealand reading week

Upcoming Trips for Senior Classes

2009-08-04T00:20:00.000-07:00

Year 13 OED Alpine Expedition, Nelson Lakes National Park

Details

Depart MHS 0630, Wednesday 12th August
Return MHS 1700 Friday 14th August

Year 12 OED Cave Trips, Golden Bay

Details

Depart MHS 0845, Return MHS 1700
18, 19, 20th August (Whole Day trip for each class on the same day as their weekly practical).

Year 13 OEM Overnight Camp

Details

Depart MHS 0900 Monday 24th August
Return MHS 1520 Tuesday 25th August

Snow, Sun and Whopping Great Frosts

2009-06-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

As significant winter snow fell on Kahurangi National Park, Year 12 students began the first of three days tramping through the bush of the Flora Valley and the sub alpine areas of the Tablelands peneplain. By the end of the day the snow had stopped, the sun peaked out for the last minutes of the day before sliding behind the peaks of the Cobb Range and the big chill began. The next two days were clear, calm and cold. Students practiced their off track navigation skills and by day three were ready to be assessed. Here are a few photos of the action.

Upcoming Tramping trips

2009-06-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Year 12,'s will be off track tramping in the Flora Valley area and Year 13's are bivvy tramping in the Lake Sylverster area of the Cobb Valley.

Details below

Year 12
Depart June 16 MHS 0830
Return June 18 MHS 1520

Year 13
Depart June 1 MHS 0830
Return July 3 MHS 1520

The Difference between Boys and Girls?

2009-06-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Trips

2009-05-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Year 13 Students will be caving all day on Friday 29 June. Depart 8.30, return 5.00pm.

Year 12 Students will be tramping in Kahurangi National Park on the following days.

16-18 June
Depart 8.30 MHS
Return 3.20 MHS

Greenlink Cave

2009-05-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Term two has seen Year 13 OED served up a steady diet of ropes, hardware, gumboots and dark places. The caving unit always rates as a favorite for most students and 2009 is no exception. Weeks of training in the use of SRT (single rope technique) has given students the skills to begin exploring the amazingl caving opportunities the local area provides. Greenlink cave offers a great introduction to vertical caving and on a beautiful sunny Friday we descended into the dark and wet of the spelunkers world to put new skills to test. Here's a quick tour of the first 200m of Greenlink, albeit without the aid of camera lighting rigs.

4 Rivers Plain Kayaking Trip

2009-04-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Year 13 students travelled to Murchison, a small rural township two hours south of Motueka for three days of paddling recently. Murchison is a mecca for whitewater kayaking with a range of rivers that keep all paddlers from novice to expert entertained and is home to the famous New Zealand Kayak School.
Rapid running, eddy turning, wave surfing, capsizing, rolling and the occasional swim were the standard operating procedures for the trip.

Check out the video for a taster of the action. Thanks Zac and Ryan for musical inspiration.

Several of the rivers in the Murchison area are under threat damming for hydro power, if you are concerned by this click here for an interesting article by the New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association.

http://rivers.org.nz/system/files/NZCanoeing_2008_2.pdf

Upcoming Trips

2009-03-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

Our whitewater kayaking trips are approaching. Dates are listed below.

Year 12 - one day trip on the Motueka River
17, 18, 19 March (one class per day).
Depart 8.30, return 3.20.

Year 13OED - Three day trip to the Murchison area
23 - 25 March
Depart 8.30, return approximately 5.00pm.

Year 13OED - Two day trip to Murchison area
26 - 27 March
Depart 8.30, return approximately 5.00pm.

2009

2009-03-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome new students and their families to Outdoor Education at Motueka High School. Feel free to check in here to get news and photos of our adventures around the top of the South Island.
The year has started well and our whitewater kayaking unit is in full swing. With recent rains the Motueka River is at a perfect level for leaning eddy turns, ferry glides and wave surfing nd the temperature makes the occasional capsize tolerable.

Ian Barnes teaching rolling to a Year 12 class

The West Coast Turns It On

2008-10-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

Year 13 OED spent some days on the West Coast last week caving, climbing and rafting. Based near the old gold mining township of Charleston and right across the road from the majestic gneiss sea cliffs of the Tasman Sea, it is a remarkable place. Day one saw us heading down a hole in the darkness of Te Tahi Cave.

"High and right", was the call from the omnicheerful Willy and after a few false starts the main passageway became obvious. We were treated to some spectacular cave formations and a good dose of water before shuffling sideways down the Charlie Chaplin walk to view an ancient whale verterbrae. "What was that whale doing in a cave anyway?" - best you do some investigation Elias!

Day two was all about sunshine and climbing. The cliffs at Charleston are right against the pounding surf of the Tasman Sea and give you a real sense of exposure. Add to that the grittty rock and funky moves and it makes for adventurous climbing. There were a few pumped climbers at the top of the classic 50m Racing in the Streets, one of the best single pitch routes in the South Island.

The week finished with a great high flow rafting trip through the Buller Gorge with the crew from Ultimate Descents.

Sea Kayaking, Seals and Peter Pan

2008-10-14T02:58:00.000-07:00

In true 2008 style, the weather almost scuppered our plans to sea kayak into Abel Tasman National Park, with high winds and accompanying swells forecast. On the day though, all was good and 22 people made it into Anchorage to set up camp before the wind blew in. Over the next four days, we kayaked around the gorgeous beaches and inlets of the world famous park. Highlights included getting up close with seal pups in Shag Harbour and a rare sighting of Tinkerbell at the final night Peter Pan themed feast.

More photos here

How to Build a House in a Day

2008-09-04T02:27:00.000-07:00

Take 9 Year 13 students, a bunch of shovels and ice axes, a whole heap of snow, some hard labour and you have yourself a home with world class views from the front door. Central heating could do with some work though!

Record Snowfall Postpones Alpine Expedition

2008-08-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

After a mammoth 2-3 meters of snow fell in the ranges of Nelson Lakes National Park over the weekend, the most in over 60 years, the Avalanche Advisory Service warns that the avalanche hazard remains high, forcing us to postpone our trip until next week. New dates are,

Wed - Fri 27 - 29 August
depart - 8.30am
return - 5.00pm

Upcoming Trips

2008-08-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

The next few weeks are busy ones for senior OED students. Trip details are listed below.

13OEM - Alpine Tramp, Kahurangi National Park
Depart 11 August at 8.30am
Return 13 August by 3.20pm

13OED - Alpine Tramp, Nelson Lakes National Park
Depart 20 August at 7.00am
Return 22 August by 6.00pm

12OED Cave Trip, Golden Bay
Each class goes on their usual day for the whole day
12,13,14 August
Depart 8.30am
Return 5.00pm

Any questions, contact the school office

Year 12 Kahurangi Tramp

2008-06-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

Discussions on the merits of FM radio, frozen mince and the occasional piece of navigation training entertained year 12 students as they traversed the ridges and valleys of Kahurangi National Park on a three day navigation and tramping assessment. Students were put under pressure to navigate through the bush to predetermined points and prove themselves worthy to be called skillful navigators. With map and compass, sweaty brows and a few false turns, most got their group to the correct locations and some discovered that limestone bluffs don't always appear on maps, eh Matt!

More photos here

Middle Earth Cave

2008-06-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

The last trip of the Year 13OED Caving unit was completed last week with two groups descending into Middle Earth Cave. A 10 minute scramble through giant boulders brings cavers to the first pitch of the cave, a 40m shaft that unlocks the rest of the cave system. There were a few peaking students who lowered themselves into the darkness at the pitch head but everyone coped with the pressure well and 6 hours later resurfaced after a really cool adventure. Desiree confirms it with a good ol' thumbs up!

More photos here

NZOIA Cave Training

2008-06-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

Last week 5 Year 13 OED students got to be model students on a NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association) cave instructors assessment. They were trained up on SRT skills on the Whenua iti tower and then taken on a guided journey through Summit Tomo on Takaka Hill. Large abseils, tight streamways and even Moa bones were the order of the day. Check out the photos here.

Greenlink Cave

2008-06-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

Year 13 OED are fully immersed in their caving unit at the moment. The crew have been training hard to develop their SRT skills and last Friday was the first opportunity to test them out underground. Greenlink Cave on Takaka Hill is part of a network of caves that all link together, including next weeks mission: Middle Earth cave. We descended through the marble as far as the first main pitch, or vertical shaft, called Watergate, which is about 10 meters deep. The students then descended to the bottom and after a quick explore we ascended to the surface again.

more photos on flickr

Upcoming Winter Tramps

2008-05-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

All senior OED classes will be tramping over the next few weeks

12 OED will be in Kahurangi National Park on 10-12th June being assessed for their tramping and Navigation units.
13 OEM will be overnight tent tramping on the Kahurangi Tablelands on the 16 and 17th June and 13 OED will be testing their shelter building skills somewhere in a dark valley in Kahurangi National Park as part of their survival unit on 23rd - 25th June.

Four Rivers Plain Expedition

2008-03-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Year 13 OED hit the road last week for a three day kayaking trip to Murchison. Students tested their whitewtaer skills on the Buller and Matakitaki Rivers. Here is a taste of the action. Check out the flickr photos too.

Rolling

2008-03-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

Year 13OED has been learning to roll their kayaks over the past few weeks. Here are a couple of short clips of the action

The Motueka Roll

Hadley being rope dragged

Year 13 kayak trips

2008-03-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

Year 13OED students will be spending three days kayaking in Murchison after easter. The details are;

Depart 8:00am Wed 26th March - Motueka High School
Return 5:00pm Fri 28th March - Motueka High School

Lake Sylvester Tramp

2008-03-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Year 13OED tramped into Sylvester Lake on an exceptionally humid Thursday afternoon. The sweat was pouring off everyone as we slogged up the Cobb Valley to a camping spot with great views towards Mt Arthur. The crew made their own shelters to sleep in for the night and we awoke to a misty morning. Check out the photos by clicking on the Flickr button on the right.

Welcome to 2008

2008-02-11T14:07:00.000-08:00

A big welcome to all of this years Outdoor Education students. Please check in on a regular basis to find out what is happening in the Outdoor Ed department. We post information on all upcoming trips and provide trip reviews and photos when we return.

Motueka River peaks at 1300 cumecs

2007-10-10T18:02:00.000-07:00

To say there has been a bit of rain recently would be an understatement!
Here is the Motueka River peaking at 1300cumecs on Monday morning.

For more info, visit Tasman District Councils riverflow page here.

Year 13 End of Year Expedition

2007-10-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

Year 13 students have organised an expedition for the third week of term. They will be situated on the West Coast near Charleston, rock climbing and caving before returning to Murchison to raft and kayak.

Dates 23-26th october
Depart MHS at 7.30 Tuesday
Return 5.00pm Friday

Flickr Photos

2007-10-09T01:03:00.000-07:00

don’t forget….. photos are posted after each Outdoor Ed trip on our Flickr page. Click on one of the photos on the right or check it out here

Year 12 Sea Kayak Expedition

2007-10-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

Year 12 students have their annual sea kayaking expedition in to Abel Tasman National Park soon. This is always a highlight of the year. Because it involves extra costs, this trip is optional.
The details are as follows.
Dates: 18 - 21 september (last week of school)
Location: Abel Tasman National Park.
Cost: $95.00. This includes instruction, kayak hire and accomodation charges. Students will need to supply tents and food.